This comming weekend

Yes, I know it is a bit early to talk about the weekend, but I just wanted everyone to know that Hercules Mulligan and My 3 Kilts are playing this Friday night a The Flying Shamrock in Goldsboro. The marquise and I will be there. If anyone else can make, you should. Its gonna be a great party.

Sorry for the delay

Sorry for the delay folks, but I've been busy at work and under the weather. I've had a cold for about 2 weeks now and it is getting really annoying. Every time I think I'm just about over it, it migrates somewhere else and starts all over again. So far it has gone from my chest to my head and is now stuck somewhere in between!

But, here are the updates from my Celtoberfest celebration.

The My Three Kilts extravaganza weekend was great. They were at Tir Na Nog on Friday night. There was an unusually large crowd that night. Usually the place is about 1/4 full on Fridays, but, the place was easily 1/2 to 3/4 full. Not only were there a lot of folks, but everyone was in a good mood and quite a few were aware of the appropriate crowd responses! It always makes things so much more fun when the crowd gets into it. The boys did a good job entertaining everyone. There was one song there where I'm pretty sure they were all playing at different speeds. It was quite humorous.
The following night, Saturday, the Marquise and I went out to the great metropolis that is Elroy, NC to see the Kilts on there home turf, The Nutless Hound. The Nutless Hound is a private establishment (actually, it's Shane's converted garage) that has all the facilities of some of the best bars around. There is a flat screen TV, a really nice bar, beer taps, a liquor shelf to die for, I believe I saw a dart board somewhere and a stage for the Kilts to play on. I have heard quite a bit about the place, but didn't quite imagine it correctly. The place is phenomenal. There was food, alcohol and friends (new and old) everywhere. The Guys did a great job on their show that night, especially considering how much some of them had to drink before the show! I was impressed.

(I hope I get this right) I was told I had to give a shout out to the best Godfather around, Nick (Nicky? I was tired and it was loud when this discussion occurred). Will has got it made.

Two Down

A great time was had by all over at Tir Na Nog last night. They had one of their kilt nights and a banner line-up of entertainers. The evening started off with My Three Kilts, a Goldsboro NC based (OK, Elroy based) band. They did a fantastic job. Since they knew they'd only have about an hour to perform, the picked all their top notch, up tempo numbers. There were a couple of times when they were actually going to fast. Rob (lead singer) must have been an auctioneer in a previous life. All three of them played great and Rob's vocals we some of his best I've heard. the next group up was the Wake and District Public Safety Pipe and Drums. They have improved dramatically since I last heard them. The last time I had heard them was shortly after they had formed. The difference between then and now is dramatic. If I remember right, they did 4 tunes; not a very long set but it certainly fit right in with the evening. The last band was Albannach. I saw them last weekend up in Virginia and was looking forward to seeing them again. Especially since they did so well up there. They performed superbly. I am still debating whether I like them more at outdoor venues or inside. When they are inside, it definitely gets a tad loud. When they are outside, the "quieter" tunes/songs get lost easily. The crowd grew dramatically throughout the night and the bar was packed for Albannach. Not a whole lotta room for dancing, but I kinda cleared a space for myself.

I have to give Tir Na Nog some time here. The staff did a great job last night. It is difficult for the waitstaff to be at the top of their game when the bar gets extremely crowded like last night, but the staff did a great job none-the-less. There was the expected wait to get drinks, but it was a lot shorter than I was actually prepared for. I also need to mention that the new sound equipment out there is much, much better than the old stuff. I know they have had it for several weeks now, but I think it took a little while for the sound guys to fine tune it. Last night sounded great.

(I think I got all the bands right in this post, unlike the previous post where I mixed up the Kildairs with Rathkeltair!)

Celtoberfest!!!!!

Yeah, the great Celtoberfest starts this weekend! The Marquise and I are heading out to Williamsburg Va for the Williamsburg Scottish Festival. We will be there most of the day on Saturday. (at least that is the plan right now). They have a great music lineup with Albannach, Barleyjuice and Rathkeltair. The boys from My Three Kilts will be there, so it will be fun to drink with them again.

Speaking of M3K, they are going to be playing out at Tir Na Nog on Wednesday, Oct 8 for their kilt night. What is REALLY cool is that Albannach will be there also! It is pretty cool that they are opening for such a great band (YIPPEE!)

Speaking of Tir Na Nog, Hercules Mulligan should be playing the following Friday out at the Nog. It is always a treat to see them play. They are all such great entertainers.

I don't have a "speaking of" segue for the next events. Great Big Sea will be here the end of October (the 29th, I believe, it should be a Wednesday) and somewhere near the end of October (think it is the Saturday after Halloween, M3K will be at their annual festival at the Nutless Hound Pub in Goldsboro.

It's a good thing there are 3 pay periods this month! I'm gonna need the extra money!

Pictures!

After a short stay with the Marquise, the camera is back home safe and sound. I can now show some of the truly amazing pictures I have recently taken.


A Rainbow after a HUGE thunderstorm a couple of weeks ago.

Diane the Brit and me at Tir Na Nog

The Marquise and the Brit

Super Carbonated beer. Not quite a "beer bomb" yet, but pretty close.

Do NOT try this unless you are a trained professional or an inexperienced homebrewer.

Shane from My Three Kilts at their home pub, The Flying Shamrock in Goldsboro, NC

Rob and Shane

Rob and ... Oh no! Brain Fart, I forgot his name. It'll come to me.... SCOTT!!!!!

Scot(t) (what's the correct spelling?)

Rob and Shane

My first crocheted sweater!

ROAD TRIP!!!!!

Well, sort of.... The Marquise and I are heading out to Goldsboro to see My Three Kilts this Friday night (see link on the left). They are going to be playing at the Flying Shamrock on N John St. (It almost sounds like I know where I'm going. Isn't MapQuest wonderful?) Not to long ago, a trip to Goldsboro would not have been considered a road trip at all because it's only about an hour away. However, with gas the way it is, it is now a bona fide road trip. It'll be fun to see the Kilters in their home bar. Hopefully, I won't have to teach everyone in the audience the correct responses for the songs.