NOTES FROM PIPEY'S CORNER

Volume VIII Number 6 - December, 2001

OH NO - MORE DAMN CHIPMUNKS!!!

So the Yuletide Season is once again upon us, and we have to endure endless loops of the Chipmunks' 'Christmas Time...' BAH! HUMBUG! as old Scroogie would say...

...not really. Although this year HAS had its share of tragedies, great and small, global and personal, we feel that all in all it's been a fair year. High point - Scotland trip; low point - Sept. 11. It was almost a tie - a tossup between losing the wife and the WTC, BUT a personal loss is NOTHING compared to what the nation and the world suffered on that terrible Tuesday.

And, after almost four months of separation and impending divorce, things have fallen into a reasonable perspective. To paraphrase Oscar Wilde, '...to lose a wife is unfortunate; to lose three is simply careless....' (I wasn't careless, honest - no, really!).

In addition, the year has seen some new acquisitions, new people helping, old friends back and new students. And, last but most certainly not least, Bridget Fraser, without whom this whole mess would have fallen apart.

So, we raise our glass to Absent Friends; pray that next year is better financially, domestically, and globally; keep writing the column, and the music; and banging on silver. Next year we hope to sponsor a competition or two, so there will be news on that subject as it develops. We extend our best wishes to all of you for a safe and happy Holiday Season.

And the next question, obviously, is: 'Who's that?' Look for more pix of this lovely lady on the website in the near future. Could THIS be Bridget Fraser? Find out in future issues of Pipey's Corner!

WE WILL BE CLOSED FROM DECEMBER 20-28 FOR OUR CHRISTMAS BREAK. IF YOU NEED TO CONTACT US, CALL OR EMAIL - 510-569-1689 OR pipey@netwiz.net AND WE WILL GET BACK TO YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

Okay, so it's gloating time. This is what Santa Greig brought me, after a year's wait and much nail biting:

They're vermeil and mastodon ivory Glens - the first set ever made up like this. The sound is as good or better than the looks.

BLACK PART SPEAKS:

Well. my old L&M Bag wore out recently and I had to make a choice; tie in another hide bag, or tie in a synthetic bag. Definately not a Sheepskin!  Ultimately I opted for the Ross Bag this time.  And a GOOD CHOICE it seems.  Easiest time ever tying in a bag, basically because you don't really tie it in; you "screw" it in.  I've had it "screwed in" now for nearly 4 weeks, and I'm quite pleased with it so far.  As I now live in Bakersfield, CA, I did not put in the canister or 'plumbing.'  I don't anticipate an excessive moisture problem in this climate.  I also did not put in the "Ash" Plugs, which do seem to help less experienced players in striking in and  cutting off the drones.  The plugs are easy enough to put in simply by opening the zipper, and inserting them in the base of the drone stocks should I find that I ever need them.  So, here's some advice for those who have never put a Ross bag on a set of pipes.  For those of you out there who have, you'll know what I mean.  When "screwing in" a Ross bag, be sure to keep your rubbers on straight, and nice and tight!!

Black Part

One last item - just in for Christmas - a few new CDs and a GREAT book - Allan MacDonald and Margaret Stewart have a second album, COLLA MO RUN; The Piping Centre (finally) has begun its Third Recital Series with two volumes - Allan MacDonald (again - he do get around) and Gordon Walker, and Brian Lamond and Richard Parkes. Last but not least, Jeannie Campbell's historical overview of Highland Bagpipe Makers ends all the discussions of who was in business, when, and where. All in stock and available now for the holidays....more about these and other new items on our WHAT'S NEW pages

until next month....MERRY CHRISTMAS - and a HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!