Allright ladies and gents (and the rest of ye blokes). Post your comments here!
I’m still too wiped out to write much right now, but I had a great time (as usual). We missed you, Lewis. There were a number of regular attendees who were missing this year. The rest of the Bay Area contingent stayed home to tend their skunks, prepare for babies, etc. I think those were all coincidental conflicts and the result was a very nice, smaller tionol. The sessions and classes weren’t so big; the line at the bathroom not quite so long…
It was raining pretty hard at the airport when I arrived. I don’t think it ever rained much in SJC but the clouds and overcast weather made for lots of happy reeds.
So, Lewis, any updates on the potential job in SF? It’d be great to have you out here with us.
–Bob
Sure wish I had made it to the tionol. Just too much going on here.
All is going well re the potential move to UCSF. After a nationwide search, they are confident that I am the man for the job. I am confident that it would be a fantastic opportunity. We are in the process of negotiations and in planning a second visit. Everything seems to be in place for me to do the job they need me to do. It comes down to the bottom line… money, money, and mo money. I have not shared with them the salary I earn at present. I do not know their intent re salary as that is stuff one discusses at the time of a second visit in this field of academic medicine. I am, however, shocked at what I’d have to earn to maintain the same standard of living in SF. Some would hesitate to make a major move without an increase in earning power and improvement in standard of living. With the wealth of opportunity for piping, painting, and other outdoor activities while living in SF I’d be satisfied with a salary that would maintain my current standard of living. We’ll see if they can afford to hire me.
I just got back from classes that I had to regretably leave the tionol early for. I had a great time listening to all the beautiful music being made by everyone. The concert, for me and my girlfriend (who I dragged along), was wonderful, absolutely marvelous. Everyone was in top form. Patrick and Kevin’s sets amazed me. Tommy and Marion of course were making music that I feel very fortunate to have witnessed. Big thanks to everyone involved in getting the weekend organized. For anyone who hasn’t made it to this tionol, it’s something that you should try to get to. It just keeps getting better and better!
P.S. - It’d soo great if you were able to join us in the Bay Area Lewis. Good luck with all of that!
All I can say is that I am wiped out… in a good way! Piping exhaustion is always a good thing. I, of course, had a great time. Listened in to the classes and picked up some lovely touches from both Marion and Tommy.
I was very impressed with Tommy’s renderings of Willie Clancy and Tommy Reck tunes. He has obviously studied both their playing very deeply and it shows.
Marion’s playing I thought to be excellent also. The music flowed from her and it was a treat to hear someone play that is so immersed in the tradition. It was nice to hear her say afterwards that this week has put a fire under her to play the pipes more! Great encouragement for us all!
Michael O’Donovan was joined by Martin Preshaw, all the way from Ireland, for the reedmaking. It was great to have Martin along and hopefully he’ll be back! Michael Hubbert did a great job also of inspecting a lot of sets, making repairs and replacing bags. A great “Boon” 
Now… coffee… more coffee! 
Patrick.
I’m more or less awake now- sent pics to Pat for the web site. Kudos to Eileen and Gabriel for hosting AGAIN!! Also to Mr Dunn for our moment of silence fort Steve and Jason before the concert. I spent more time at the reed table with Messers Michael and Martin and learned a bunch. I purloined a tube for my first read in 25+ years.
Nice to see everyone again- Pat and Karen, Bob Wilson, Nicola, Mike, Tommy K and the “Cheerleader and the Pep Rally” Great piece of work from Koehler and Quinn.
Marion’s class was nice- I looked for Humors of Derrykissane in my Clancy book and am trying to find a recording of it.
Loads of fun and music
I hope another CD will be forth coming.
Larry’s going to kill me but I have to be the first, but probably not the last, to use this:
Larry’s got a brand new bag
ba…da..bing…ba..da..boom
What an unbelievable weekend - a huge thanks to everyone involved for making it so special. This was my first official tionol especially as a piper, and I feel very privileged to have gotten to partake in so much great music making - the sessions were never to be forgotten!
…and Ben, you were ripping it up, too.
I was amazed at how fast Martin Preshaw could bang out a good working reed. Super weekend. Thanks again to the club and especially to Gabriel and Eileen McKeagney for hosting us all in their lovely home.
…now…Tommy…how did that Ennis cran go again?
I got three reeds out of the dashing duo and they all seem to work. The Ennis crann- I knew there was something I wanted to ask Tommy. If anyone was a reasonably isolated sound byte, I would be wonderful.
Och…me feckin head 
Where’s my Bloody Mary mix?
But seriously folks, this was a great time. I’m so thankful to the club for asking Tommy Keane and Marion McCarthy to come out this year, they were great company and full of music and stories. And their music is very real, very heartfelt, full of life and subtleties.
A huge thanks to Gabriel and Eileen for the unfailing hospitality and generosity of spirit. Truly a wonderful time had by all.
I’d go home and go to bed as soon as I get home from work but I’ve got to go to a session later tonight, hopefully I’ll be up for it.
Fel, the Humours of Derrykissane is on Ronan Browne & Peter O’Loughlin’s Touch Me If You Dare. The track listing for that CD reads like a list of my favorite tunes!
What an amazing couple of days… I missed out on Friday night and Sunday not feeling well, but Saturday’s lesson with Tommy will keep me busy for several months reworking many of my techniques around his demonstrations. Great seeing all the out-of-towners!
Hey! What about the locals Michael… or is that what drove you away on Sunday
Yeah Tommy really knows how to pull the tone out of the chanter… lovely stuff.
Patio.
GREAT, another CD to buy. Doh! I have Marion’s take on it as well… but a Ronan Browne & Peter O’Loughlin’s Touch Me If You Dare CD will be worth while.
PS- I forgot I had The Wynd You Know- there is the girl from the big house, Justine/Peter Heelan’s tune
A great weekend all together. Thanks to all who made it possible, and special thanks to Santa Ana, who restrained her winds until this week. They’ll not be much piping this weekend, as the humidity is dropping into the teens.
No E
We need photos and sounds!!! Don’t be like those slow poke boyos from Minnesota now. 
I’m getting there… still ravelling my hank… .as it were.
Pat.
Pat, you could take a year to do so and still get them up before those guys. I’m still waiting to see the photos from 2005’s gnipc event. 