The Laughing Wolf

Some Quick Tartan Day Thoughts

Tartan day was a blast, but I was surprised by one thing. I had more interesting comments/interactions/etc. from the local equivalent of Bubba's up here in one day than I did in five years in the South. Did get some very positive interactions that more than made up for it, especially with females, but it was worth noting.

Unlike Contagion in his comment to this post, I did not have any problems at work. It bites that he encountered what he did, but it is also not surprising, either. More comments on reverse discrimination one day soon if someone reminds me.

I have, however, refrained from the comment a number of us used to use in regards finding out what was worn under the kilt after what happened to a kinsman. This person, when confronted by a biker chick down in New Orleans about the subject, smarted off to her with the standard line about finding out. Word is that he was promptly surrounded/grabbed by some of the male bikers, while she took him up on the invitation. He admits that he thought he was going to die, and I believe it. What I don't believe is his claim that she came out from under making a comment about a big Clan. *cough, cough, bull***t cough*

Mr. S, also known as Little Matty MacBlackfive, is also a kinsman of mine in Clan Donnachaidh (Roberston, Duncan, Reid) and did some nice posts. He did not, as best I can tell, wear a kilt on Tartan Day. My first suspicion was that he lacked the, er, guts to do so, but I think the truth is that it is his knees. Could it be that he is ashamed of them, afraid that he might win the boniest knees instead of the bonniest knees contest?

LW

Tartan Day

Bad wolf that I am, I failed to get signed up for the Delightful Ith's Tartan Day Gathering Of The Blogs! As for me, I am considering wearing kilt to work, and may even have a wee dram later today. Go check out all those who are participating, and read some fun and interesting posts!

LW

Happy Birthday Mr. Burns

No, not the one in the comics. The one who is the poet and responsible for many an ode to a haggis. Robert Burns was born this day, as Ith and Straight White Guy remind me. Will have to hoist a dram to his memory this night, and mayhaps even read a poem or two. Not one of his best known, but one of his best is Nine Inch Will Please A Lady and he had a flair for satire and bawdy humor (find Louse and his comments to same) not taught in most classes. In fact, the poem cited is one I found in high school reading a collected works, and it set me on a mission to find others like it. Nothing quite as good, but quite a bit of bawdy, rowdy, and interesting fun. I also discovered that he hated Czar Catherine and wished her all manner of creative ill, to the point that his descriptions of what should be done to her would make a great S&M story. Nope, not what most think of, but then again I have always had a low sense of humor. I love his high poetry, but also like the low, and to both of those and to the man, I bow and say "Thanks" this day.

LW

Well, It Was A Good Try

Stick a fork in it, for it is done. The vote at Electric Scotland is a done deal. Some how, some way, two clans participating managed to run up 1200 or more votes over the weekend. Even with the generous help you have provided, along with dedicated voting by local members and help from Clan societies around the world, we just can't compete with that. It would be nice to break 1000 just for the grins of it, but the fact is we gave it a good run and I will withhold snarky comments on having a life to say something far more important:

Thank you all for voting, and for the support. We will find other ways to do the things we want to do (facade, event cooker, portable sinks/cleaning system, books, fabric, etc.). What each of you did in support of this is something for which I give thanks, just as I thank you and appreciate your coming by every day to read me. In case I have not said it before, you are appreciated for that and not just for your help with the contest.

LW

Vote This Holiday Weekend!

The contest is still on and it is now a hotly contested three-way race for Best and Most Creative Clan Tent. Clear those cookies and go vote here for Clan Donnachaidh so that we can do even more next year. Our plans are large and you can help make a facade, new reference books, displays, and cooking gear happen. Whilst you are playing democrat and voting early and often, take some time to check out the neat site that is Electric Scotland. It is well worth the look. Thanks for spreading the word and voting for Clan Donnachaidh.

LW

Kirking O’ Th Tartans

Sunday brought a real treat to several members of my Clan: A Kirking. This is a special church (Kirk) service which includes (usually) a procession of the tartans and a special blessing of the tartans. Despite my non-Christian status, such things are soothing and good for the soul, and this one even more so.

The church itself was quite nice and the people very warm and friendly. The preacher is from Scotland, as apparently are several members of the congregation. The sermon was quite good, though I must admit that with his voice he could have stood up and read the phone book and it would have sounded beautiful.

The Kirking went very well, and it was great to see so many in kilts and kilt dresses, as well as just wearing family tartan as scarves and such. After the service, there was a special luncheon of beef stew – or haggis. The haggis was very tasty, and some of the best I’ve had in the U.S. In fact, they overbought so we were sent home with about five pounds of it. More on that later, and for those squeamish, just think of it as either lamb sausage or lamb pate.

The wonderful thing happened afterwards. There was a ring of the doorbell, and there was a lady from the church, who simply came by to say thank you for visiting and taking part. She presented a pound cake and a magnet with the church’s information on it, and said she hoped to see us again soon. I’ve not seen that type of hospitality outside some of the country churches in rural middle-Georgia in the 60s, and it warmed the heart. Though I am not a Christian, I felt at home enough that I would have no problem going back for a visit or two, and not just for a Kirking.

LW