NOTES FROM PIPEY'S CORNER

Volume X Number 6 - December, 2002

TEMBLORS - and SANTA!

Looks like things are shaking in the Southland - and we don't mean earthquakes! LAPD has fired its PM and suspended practices 'until further notice.' In addition, LAScots have dumped a well known figure in the piping community as 'too difficult.' Not the first time this has happened. Best wishes to both organisations in the new year.

On a very sad note, Lindsay Kirkwood, a fine gentleman and one of the backbone players of the 78th Frasers, died suddenly December 9th at the age of 44. Far too soon came death to this truly talented and generous man. Lindsay was known as a fine player, an excellent teacher, and an all around good human being. He will be missed by his family, his friends, and the whole piping community.

As Christmas and Hogmanay approach, we look back upon the year and....nope, you're not going to catch me doing that nostalgic crap! I leave that to Bridget, who will be having a lot more to say next year.

A few things coming up: Black Part and myself will be cutting an album in February, almost entirely of new compositions; it will be available at the Woodland Games in April. Speaking of April, I will be over for the Centenary of the Piobaireachd Society at the Royal Hotel in Bridge of Allan on the 12-13 of April, then rush back to get ready for Woodland (OY!).

New reeds in town - Bruce Hitchings' 'Balance Tone' drone reeds ($69.95), and Rob Kinnaird's new Carbon-Fibre reeds ($114.95), all now in stock. The synthetic reed market has certainly burgeoned!

The Kinnaird reeds are very close to the 'Rocket' reed in construction and setup, very simple to adjust, and will sound good in a Naill or Henderson pipe. They didn't sound all that great in my Glens; the tone was just dull in the narrower-bore pipe, and the bass lacked the punch I like. They were much fuller in the big-bore pipe, and a better tone overall.

The 'Balance Tone' reeds, a very adjustable all-plastic setup, sounded fairly good in the Glens, but better in Hendersons; again, all this is subjective, and everyone has their preferred tonal range.

BLACK PART SPEAKS

As a very recent victim of libel, defamation, and false light perpetrated against me by a fellow WUSPBA member, I have a few words of caution for those who write these kinds of messages on the internet: Be very careful about what you write. Your messages are in wide circulation at literally the speed of light. You never know who, or when something you may have written, particularly if you have told lies, libeled, defamed, or cast a false light about someone, will become your worst nightmare. Take care that you don't do these things. Take care not to do the same to any band, band sponsor, service organization, or business!

There IS a WUSPBA Code of Conduct, and although it has never had to be exersized, it does not mean that it won't be. If you write and send a false or malicious statement, about other individuals, pipe bands, contest sponsors...anyone: You are responsible!

You may claim in rebuttal, "I thought what I said was true." That is an admission of wrongdoing, and an admission of negligence. You have a duty to verify anything you write about people or organizations. You may claim, "Someone else put me up to it!" or "Someone else tricked me, or set me up!"  Not a defense, but an admission.

"THE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT" will not stand up as a defense in court. Playing it "tough", will only help prove you acted maliciously, and are continuing to act with malice. Take heed me Buckaroos!  IF YOU CAN'T SAY ANYTHING NICE, DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL!

As for 'Ol Black Part, he's weighing anchor and sailing for the Bay Area to fire a few broadsides at the person, the bands, band sponsors, and organizations involved.  Martinez is on the water isn't it? Ahh! Yes! X marks the spot! Hoist up the Skull and Crossed Drones! Clew up them reeds and batten down them bags!  Thar'll be some heavy blowings going on! We're off to beat the Irish - AGAIN! Arrgh....