Day 52. Is it okay to be obsessive as long as it is in good nature? I hope there are healthy levels of obsessiveness because I think I have it, bad. Usually the only ones who suffer are Ang and the cats. As I start this bagpipe challenge I find myself constantly challenging myself to not go overboard. As I do research on the history of bagpipes, it takes everything I have not to yell into the other room, "Hey honey, did you know Scotland could have very well been the origin of the bagpipes? I am reading it in The Canterbury Tales and it....." I refrain because she would just say, "WHAT? I can't hear you over the Food & Wine editor on Top Chef!" so I keep it to myself. Then there is the noise control of making sure I practice in the times Ang is not home. Tuesday Ang will be in Bloomington for a meeting.....Sweet! I can't wait until she comes home and sees the house still dirty and asks me what I have been doing and I tell her, "stuff." I know good and well that I haven't been doing anything, but practicing moving between Grace Notes on my Chanter, "Low G...A...High G." I have at least 2 hours of practice time and as loud as I want. Funny how when I play my guitar Frankie, our Cat, is at my feet rolling around, but when the bagpipe Chanter comes out, I never see her. I know, that all this is hardly being obsessive.
Well, we have a giant wall-size chalkboard in our living room and I usually have "season" appropriate sayings or pictures drawn on the black canvas. We have color chalk so you know I have fun slipping into DaVinci mode when it is time to change the board. Deuce. During Christmas I wanted to draw a silhouette of the three Wiseman walking across the desert and the star with a great bible verse. It got vetoed so I went with the bible verse and some holly leaves. Advantage Ang. Well, since I am doing these challenges, I have made the board my "motivation" board. I have written "12 Highlanders and a Set of Thy Bagpipes Starts a Rebellion - Scotland Proverb" and sketched the family plaid (in lovely shades of red and green) in the lower left corner. I think it looks great, it is motivating and it has a since of pride since it is about my family history. For Ang though, it is probably about how the plaid that I drew doesn't match the couch or that the chalkboard should have a Lenten Devotional up there instead. She is probably right, but I must stand my ground. Who is trying to be a master here, me or the couch? Deuce
The more I research and read on the bagpipes and the Scottish heritage, the more I talk about it to everyone. The more I talk, the more feedback and input I receive. Our Pastor, Howard, who I have talked about before and as much as Ang and I love this man, will likely talk about again and again. He sent me an email that said occasionally folks will request bagpipes for ceremonies. He explained that there is a custom where bagpipes lead the couple out of the sanctuary following the marriage and lead the way to the reception. (He did let me in on the fact that in this case it was just to the church doors:) I thought that was not only educational, but relevant to my dilemma of Gran and her funeral request. Pastor Boles mentioned ceremonies, yes, but not specifically funerals. As a matter of fact, he was leaning hard into the marriage end of the spectrum. I keep reading the email..."As your grandmother indicated.." Man, here goes! He went on to say how there is a tradition of Bagpipes leading the mourners and that it is a nice tradition. That is it? Nice tradition? I totally agree with him, but he never dropped the bomb on me, sweet! Sure, he mentioned Gran and that bagpipes at a funeral are a nice tradition, but never really came out and told me that I should play at Gran's funeral. Wait. Is this a test from my pastor or God through my pastor? Is there a hidden answer in his words somewhere? Is this a mini challenge within the challenge? I think I need to keep this as priority B and focus on first things first. I need to learn how to play before it can even become an issue. If I master this blasted instrument and I am able play, then that might be the time I sit down with our spiritual master, Pastor Boles. For now I will continue to listen to his words and use them to help me through these challenges.
Well, we have a giant wall-size chalkboard in our living room and I usually have "season" appropriate sayings or pictures drawn on the black canvas. We have color chalk so you know I have fun slipping into DaVinci mode when it is time to change the board. Deuce. During Christmas I wanted to draw a silhouette of the three Wiseman walking across the desert and the star with a great bible verse. It got vetoed so I went with the bible verse and some holly leaves. Advantage Ang. Well, since I am doing these challenges, I have made the board my "motivation" board. I have written "12 Highlanders and a Set of Thy Bagpipes Starts a Rebellion - Scotland Proverb" and sketched the family plaid (in lovely shades of red and green) in the lower left corner. I think it looks great, it is motivating and it has a since of pride since it is about my family history. For Ang though, it is probably about how the plaid that I drew doesn't match the couch or that the chalkboard should have a Lenten Devotional up there instead. She is probably right, but I must stand my ground. Who is trying to be a master here, me or the couch? Deuce
The more I research and read on the bagpipes and the Scottish heritage, the more I talk about it to everyone. The more I talk, the more feedback and input I receive. Our Pastor, Howard, who I have talked about before and as much as Ang and I love this man, will likely talk about again and again. He sent me an email that said occasionally folks will request bagpipes for ceremonies. He explained that there is a custom where bagpipes lead the couple out of the sanctuary following the marriage and lead the way to the reception. (He did let me in on the fact that in this case it was just to the church doors:) I thought that was not only educational, but relevant to my dilemma of Gran and her funeral request. Pastor Boles mentioned ceremonies, yes, but not specifically funerals. As a matter of fact, he was leaning hard into the marriage end of the spectrum. I keep reading the email..."As your grandmother indicated.." Man, here goes! He went on to say how there is a tradition of Bagpipes leading the mourners and that it is a nice tradition. That is it? Nice tradition? I totally agree with him, but he never dropped the bomb on me, sweet! Sure, he mentioned Gran and that bagpipes at a funeral are a nice tradition, but never really came out and told me that I should play at Gran's funeral. Wait. Is this a test from my pastor or God through my pastor? Is there a hidden answer in his words somewhere? Is this a mini challenge within the challenge? I think I need to keep this as priority B and focus on first things first. I need to learn how to play before it can even become an issue. If I master this blasted instrument and I am able play, then that might be the time I sit down with our spiritual master, Pastor Boles. For now I will continue to listen to his words and use them to help me through these challenges.
Hard to believe that I could ever lose focus, being such a scholar and all:) But I listen to Grooveshark at work all day. It is a way to drown out the background talking that would normally distract me. Over the past two weeks, I have made a ton of Scottish playlists. I found out I love Scottish music! I am not going to scream it from a mountain top, but I do love listening to this music. The sweet sounds of the violins, drums, strumming and of course the pipes all working together. I am getting good at singing along with some of the songs. "Not one could match the beauty of the queen of all Argyll!" What is funny is I can hear Ang telling me in the car on the way to dinner how awful this song is, "His voice is terrible!" I think she has been watching too much American Idol, because she went on to tell me about how the pitch was off and that it wasn't the right song choice for him:) Could you imagine Simon Cowell back in the 13th Century criticizing the first bagpipe player? "that was bloody hideous. What was that sound, did you have a dying cat in that bag? that was the worst performance of the night!" I doubt Simon would have lasted one commercial break because that bagpipe sound meant there was a war about to happen or the battle was over. Although the Canterbury Tales has a reference to bagpipes in the Miller's Tale, he was just a drunk, not really a mean guy. As I read on, I found out that anyone who fakes a biblical flood just to kiss a girl is someone I should give two thumbs up, no matter how bad his bagpipe playing was that evening. Is there something to this rage and war that I should be concerned? I have always tried to find the good in people and never try to start conflicts. I hope this challenge isn't going to break open my Scottish rage like a pan of Jiffy Pop. "A...G, Oh no here comes the rage...low A....(growl)..oh no!" I am not the Scottish bagpipe playing Incredible Hulk. "Hulk love bagpipe, sound pretty!" No, I picture it more like a bad mood or personality. As I cast my eyes into the future, can't see it happening, I am too nice. Although, I did put my foot down when it came to posting my phrase on the living room chalk board even though it did not match the couch. I mean that was rebellious. Eat dust Ang! Maybe there is something to the old saying 12 Highlanders & thy set of bagpipes makes a rebellion!
first I must say I feel sorry for the cats having to listen to the bagpipes. I can just see them putting their paws over their little ears to drown out the sound. But good job for attempting such a difficult instrument. FYI I think you may find that you are the master at being a nice guy and having an open mind to try anything. At least that is my prediction. Also your writing is very entertaingin and if nothing else maybe you will end up with a movie just like the Julie and Julia move.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Mandy