Kilts?
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To add a bit of levity here.
I am involved with IPSC = Impressive Pipe Smoking Competition.
Initially I holstered a Peterson P-Lip Standard System XL315. I made major power factor using MacBaren HH Acadian Perique in a simple but effective left hand (I'm a southie) Blade Tech holster and two dually Blade Tech mags on a CR Speed Speed double belt. At the "Load and Make Ready" I drew my Pete, loaded it with Acadian, reholstered, and placed my hands at my sides. When the PRO (Pipe Range Officer) gave the "Are You Ready" call I nodded waiting for the "Standby" call. At the start signal I drew my trusty Pete and pulled my lighter from a quick mag and began my COF or Course of Fire. I smoked furiously. I then waited for the Stop command and then the "If You Are Finished, Unload and Show Clear." I demonstrated to the PRO that the Pete was empty and at the "If Clear, Bowl Down, Holster command I re-holstered my now empty Pete. When the PRO called the Range is Clear I checked my score.
But I discovered something. Dang if my transition times were too slow because of the first Double Action puff on my Pete. So I made some changes. I decided to change from my beloved Pete to a MM GC and changed to Mac Baren HH Bold Kentucky to make major power factor.
Man oh man I gotta tell ya, that cob is the fastest, bestest, baddest smoker on the range and it isn't even a Dunhill custom open pipe!
Respectfully and sincerely posted. Happy smoking :puffpipe:
I am involved with IPSC = Impressive Pipe Smoking Competition.
Initially I holstered a Peterson P-Lip Standard System XL315. I made major power factor using MacBaren HH Acadian Perique in a simple but effective left hand (I'm a southie) Blade Tech holster and two dually Blade Tech mags on a CR Speed Speed double belt. At the "Load and Make Ready" I drew my Pete, loaded it with Acadian, reholstered, and placed my hands at my sides. When the PRO (Pipe Range Officer) gave the "Are You Ready" call I nodded waiting for the "Standby" call. At the start signal I drew my trusty Pete and pulled my lighter from a quick mag and began my COF or Course of Fire. I smoked furiously. I then waited for the Stop command and then the "If You Are Finished, Unload and Show Clear." I demonstrated to the PRO that the Pete was empty and at the "If Clear, Bowl Down, Holster command I re-holstered my now empty Pete. When the PRO called the Range is Clear I checked my score.
But I discovered something. Dang if my transition times were too slow because of the first Double Action puff on my Pete. So I made some changes. I decided to change from my beloved Pete to a MM GC and changed to Mac Baren HH Bold Kentucky to make major power factor.
Man oh man I gotta tell ya, that cob is the fastest, bestest, baddest smoker on the range and it isn't even a Dunhill custom open pipe!
Respectfully and sincerely posted. Happy smoking :puffpipe:
Warren, the Galloglaigh were an interesting group. My clan ,MacLean, made a great amount of money hiring out to the Irish chiefs and the English (mostly at the same time). Those half Scots half viking Clans provide interesting and bloody reading, though there's precious little specifically about the Galloglaigh at least that I can afford.
As for holding your tongue while in Ireland, its best. I walked in a pub one day with some friends in Galway, and there was an older looking academic type, drunk as a skunk, yelling with another guy about someone, and generally sounded like the guy had just murdered his mother. My seat was next to his and he turned to me and said "I'm sorry for yelling young fella, but that s.o.b. English bas****, mfer just makes me boil over whenever I think of him." I asked "Who would that be?" and he replied "Oliver Cromwell." And that's when I figured out the topics of conversation would be solely whisky, fishing and weather while in Ireland.
As for holding your tongue while in Ireland, its best. I walked in a pub one day with some friends in Galway, and there was an older looking academic type, drunk as a skunk, yelling with another guy about someone, and generally sounded like the guy had just murdered his mother. My seat was next to his and he turned to me and said "I'm sorry for yelling young fella, but that s.o.b. English bas****, mfer just makes me boil over whenever I think of him." I asked "Who would that be?" and he replied "Oliver Cromwell." And that's when I figured out the topics of conversation would be solely whisky, fishing and weather while in Ireland.
I did some light research into Clan MacLean for a friend of mine dying from cancer a few years ago. He was a MacLean without a bit of knowledge about the clan. Said he wasn't interested in the past, then he read every word I wrote, more than once. It was very gratifying.
Thank you cajunplume, glad someone enjoyed them. If you like that variety of writing, you can find more than you can stand at my blog http://suburbansheepdog.blogspot.com/, where I am sometimes less polite.
Shikano53, that’s the Florida state IDPA championship match from two years ago. I’ve been shooting IDPA from the sport’s first year. (Our club here is Club No. 4.) I’m a CSO and have worked/shot a lot of big matches, including the Worlds -- always great fun. I think I’m a far better SO than I am a competitor. (As you know IDPA stands for I Don’t Practice Anymore. I actually do practice, as my poor bank account can attest, but I approach the thing a little more from a defensive than a gamer standpoint and it costs me.) As for your pipes and their power factor, here’s the question: Do they all fit in The Box? And you know that in IDPA we have VERY strict rules about when/how/with what/with how much they can be loaded.
Lochinvar, you’re more than right about the cost of some of the older, better histories. More's the pity. Here’s what looks like a grand tome, and right on point, but at $525 I may have to wait for it to be published on Kindle. Scots mercenaries
As for minding one’s tongue across the way, I suppose it comes down to manners again. I’ve been blessed to grow up in the USA, so while my passions on the topic may run deep, I haven’t suffered what those folks have suffered, I don’t risk what they risk. I have my opinions, but over there, it's mostly best and most useful just to listen. (Although let’s all agree Cromwell was a right evil bastard. As I said, my people are from Mayo, so there’s a special keenness to the loathing. “Hell or Connaught” indeed.) I am, I confess, always surprised at how little the general populace knows about the history of Ireland and the role of certain folks in it. (Shall we chat about Churchill someday?) But then I guess I don't know overmuch about whatever troubles the Belgian peoples have suffered, or the Swiss. Here among pipe-smoking friends it’s best to keep things cordial, as I always strive to do – and the English surely can make a fine pipe.
Shikano53, that’s the Florida state IDPA championship match from two years ago. I’ve been shooting IDPA from the sport’s first year. (Our club here is Club No. 4.) I’m a CSO and have worked/shot a lot of big matches, including the Worlds -- always great fun. I think I’m a far better SO than I am a competitor. (As you know IDPA stands for I Don’t Practice Anymore. I actually do practice, as my poor bank account can attest, but I approach the thing a little more from a defensive than a gamer standpoint and it costs me.) As for your pipes and their power factor, here’s the question: Do they all fit in The Box? And you know that in IDPA we have VERY strict rules about when/how/with what/with how much they can be loaded.
Lochinvar, you’re more than right about the cost of some of the older, better histories. More's the pity. Here’s what looks like a grand tome, and right on point, but at $525 I may have to wait for it to be published on Kindle. Scots mercenaries
As for minding one’s tongue across the way, I suppose it comes down to manners again. I’ve been blessed to grow up in the USA, so while my passions on the topic may run deep, I haven’t suffered what those folks have suffered, I don’t risk what they risk. I have my opinions, but over there, it's mostly best and most useful just to listen. (Although let’s all agree Cromwell was a right evil bastard. As I said, my people are from Mayo, so there’s a special keenness to the loathing. “Hell or Connaught” indeed.) I am, I confess, always surprised at how little the general populace knows about the history of Ireland and the role of certain folks in it. (Shall we chat about Churchill someday?) But then I guess I don't know overmuch about whatever troubles the Belgian peoples have suffered, or the Swiss. Here among pipe-smoking friends it’s best to keep things cordial, as I always strive to do – and the English surely can make a fine pipe.
What part of Churchill's long and varied career? When he was anti-republic, pro-commonwealth, pro-republic, against Ireland's flirting with Hitler's Germany, or firm supporter of Ireland's neutrality while trying to change it. One can spend a lot of time trying to "pigeonhole" Churchill and find it a complete waste of time. He was a man of his times, a great supporter of the Empire early in his career and one the most evenhanded overseers of its disintegration.
The best that be said of him was that he was pragmatic. The worst? That he was pragmatic. Even Michael Collins came to see him as an ally and not an enemy. Depending on what side you stand on with regard to the Civil War that's a plus or a minus for Mr. Collins.
The best that be said of him was that he was pragmatic. The worst? That he was pragmatic. Even Michael Collins came to see him as an ally and not an enemy. Depending on what side you stand on with regard to the Civil War that's a plus or a minus for Mr. Collins.
Al, thank you for reigning this one in a bit. It's much too interesting of a thread to be closed down just because some blood boils.
A kilt is an article of clothing, and a quite practical one at that. For thousands of years, a length of fabric draped about one's body was a standard garment, regardless of gender. Gender associations with that type of clothing are a relatively recent phenomenon. I doubt that anyone would question the "manhood" of a conquering Roman legionary because he was wearing what might be called a "skirt". The significance of a kilt, and referring to it as a kilt, is a reflection of pride in a person's heritage. I believe this is a normal, healthy thing. There is something to be proud of in any person's heritage.
A kilt is an article of clothing, and a quite practical one at that. For thousands of years, a length of fabric draped about one's body was a standard garment, regardless of gender. Gender associations with that type of clothing are a relatively recent phenomenon. I doubt that anyone would question the "manhood" of a conquering Roman legionary because he was wearing what might be called a "skirt". The significance of a kilt, and referring to it as a kilt, is a reflection of pride in a person's heritage. I believe this is a normal, healthy thing. There is something to be proud of in any person's heritage.
Exceedingly well said, warren. Really.
I think most Amerticans' understanding of Churchill beings and ends with the hedgerows speech. A damned complicate fellow, and yes, a man of his times and a pragmatist. (Certainly the Black and Tans were as pragmatic as one might like.) But an enormous figure, and a man of many parts, no argument.
I think most Amerticans' understanding of Churchill beings and ends with the hedgerows speech. A damned complicate fellow, and yes, a man of his times and a pragmatist. (Certainly the Black and Tans were as pragmatic as one might like.) But an enormous figure, and a man of many parts, no argument.
Warren- You seem to be extremely well educated in history, and temper it with a good bit of common sense. I must ask, are you formally trained as a historian, or are you an autodidact as I am? Your description of Churchill's changing character, I thought, was spot on. I had seen Churchill as one-dimensional, until I read the two volume William Manchester biography. Talk about an eye-opener for a person only familiar with the "hedgerows" speech!
philobeddoe +1/2
I am happy to see people with pride in the history but can't stomach the kids at the mall that have the skull covered kilts as mentioned above. I would think people in kilts would be used to a little fun poking....life is too short.
Warren and Al thanks for keeping it interesting and on track.
I am happy to see people with pride in the history but can't stomach the kids at the mall that have the skull covered kilts as mentioned above. I would think people in kilts would be used to a little fun poking....life is too short.
Warren and Al thanks for keeping it interesting and on track.
Plugugly, mine is from "Got Kilt," which sells the non-traditional kilt there.
Nontraditional kilt from Got Kilt
And yes -- cool and comfortable.
Nontraditional kilt from Got Kilt
And yes -- cool and comfortable.
aidecaker: Why people do what they do has been of interest to me since my days as a copper. Forensic Anthropology, specifically the subdivision of Cultural Anthropology is my main interest and I have attended courses at a couple of different Universities over the years. No degree as that seemed unnecessary.
I study people, their lives, families, up bringing, education and social surroundings. I want to know why people, particularly those who performed on the world stage, acted and reacted the way they did. One learns a lot of general history when doing this. I often get side tracked and so swerve into other historical areas of interest when my interest is piqued. The motivation of the historical and the not so historical is fascinating to me. So, I picked up a lot of ancillary historical knowledge over the years through the study of people.
My Irish roots made the study of various personalities involved in the evolution island, Boru, Saint Brendan, Columba, ÓConnell, De Valera, Collins, et alii, imperative and so I am fairly well grounded in the history of that area.
I study people, their lives, families, up bringing, education and social surroundings. I want to know why people, particularly those who performed on the world stage, acted and reacted the way they did. One learns a lot of general history when doing this. I often get side tracked and so swerve into other historical areas of interest when my interest is piqued. The motivation of the historical and the not so historical is fascinating to me. So, I picked up a lot of ancillary historical knowledge over the years through the study of people.
My Irish roots made the study of various personalities involved in the evolution island, Boru, Saint Brendan, Columba, ÓConnell, De Valera, Collins, et alii, imperative and so I am fairly well grounded in the history of that area.
Fascinating stuff. It never ceases to surprise me how diverse this forum's participants, and their interests, are. Having a fair amount of Irish blood myself, I too have studied a bit of the Auld Sod's history, and find it absolutely compelling. I live in Tucson, AZ, and have (unfortunately) come across more than my share of anglos with anti-hispanic bias, and hispanics with anti-anglo bias. In a richly ironic twist of history, one of the main founders of Tucson was Hugo O'Conor, an Irishman in the service of Spain. The first president of the Republic of Ireland was (if memory serves correctly) Eamon de Valera, half Spaniard, and therefore bona fide hispanic. Sometimes history can be a real kick in the teeth to one's prejudices!
warren, have you read Morris's trilogy on Theodore Roosevelt? ("The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt," "Theodore Rex," and "Colonel Roosevelt.")
If you have an interest about why people on the international stage act as they do, I'd say that's the best biography I'be ever read. All up the trilogy runs something like 2700 pages, but it reads like a novel and pays great dividends. An amazing life, examined by a man of incisive understanding. (The first two books are the stronger ones, I think, although that may simply have to do with the arc of TR's life.)
I recommend them without reservation. Morris's TR trilogy
Some fun facts: The first classroom TR ever sat in was on his first day at Harvard. He wrote more than 100,000 letters.
As for Collins, have you read "The Squad." Told to the author by a member of Collins' crew from 1919 that sought to decapitate and demoralize and deter the British occupational administration in Dublin Caslte and its collaborators, it was agreed that the author wouldn't publish until the last member of The Squad had died. It is a soldiers book, so the writing isn't lush, but it has passage that read like this (I'm paraphrasing and making up names): "Mick and I went up the stairs of the hotel to where Captain Cornwell kept his rooms. Molly the scullery girl knocked on the door to say she had his tea. He opened the door, wearing his bathrobe, and Mick immediately shot him, with the bullet striking his throat. He fell into the room and I shot him twice more with my Webley, before we ran out."
That sort of thing. Very telling. Here's a link: The Squad
If you have an interest about why people on the international stage act as they do, I'd say that's the best biography I'be ever read. All up the trilogy runs something like 2700 pages, but it reads like a novel and pays great dividends. An amazing life, examined by a man of incisive understanding. (The first two books are the stronger ones, I think, although that may simply have to do with the arc of TR's life.)
I recommend them without reservation. Morris's TR trilogy
Some fun facts: The first classroom TR ever sat in was on his first day at Harvard. He wrote more than 100,000 letters.
As for Collins, have you read "The Squad." Told to the author by a member of Collins' crew from 1919 that sought to decapitate and demoralize and deter the British occupational administration in Dublin Caslte and its collaborators, it was agreed that the author wouldn't publish until the last member of The Squad had died. It is a soldiers book, so the writing isn't lush, but it has passage that read like this (I'm paraphrasing and making up names): "Mick and I went up the stairs of the hotel to where Captain Cornwell kept his rooms. Molly the scullery girl knocked on the door to say she had his tea. He opened the door, wearing his bathrobe, and Mick immediately shot him, with the bullet striking his throat. He fell into the room and I shot him twice more with my Webley, before we ran out."
That sort of thing. Very telling. Here's a link: The Squad
aldecaker, if you get us started on de Valera in the same thread where we've been discussing Collins, then it won't be long before drinks and fists are flying all about the room and we've all had to much whiskey and tears are shed.
The tale of those two -- together and apart, allied as brothers and then at odds as mortal enemies (I'm of the school that believes de Valera had Collins targeted for assassination) -- is one of the great tragic epic poems of the place.
Chesteron, for all his faults (he cannot personally be blamed for being born an Englishman, after all) had it right:
The great Gaels of Ireland
Are the men who God made mad.
For all their wars are merry
and all their songs are sad.
The tale of those two -- together and apart, allied as brothers and then at odds as mortal enemies (I'm of the school that believes de Valera had Collins targeted for assassination) -- is one of the great tragic epic poems of the place.
Chesteron, for all his faults (he cannot personally be blamed for being born an Englishman, after all) had it right:
The great Gaels of Ireland
Are the men who God made mad.
For all their wars are merry
and all their songs are sad.
I never believed in race bigotry or prejudice. I want a specific and personal reason for disliking someone.
Dev was also an American. A fact which kept him from being executed as the Brits did not desire to incur the official enmity of the Americans. Or, that he was indeed a mole for the English.
Speaking of De Valara, he is a subject not to be broached when in Ireland, unless in vary convivial company. Even then such a discussion might be dicey. Some there hold him responsible for Collins' death. Others fully believe that he was in the pay of the Brits and playing both ends against the middle to further his own personal objectives. The Irish Civil War is less than a hundred years past. The Irish are even having a tough time trying to decide who to honor or ignore with the Rising coming up on 100.
I've talked with Irish historians and they, almost to a man, aver that Ireland's worst enemy over the centuries was in fact the Irish people. They are a very contentious and opinionated people, ready to fight or at least argue hotly any subject at the drop of a hat. Very quick to take affront. On the other hand, the Irish are more giving to charities, per capita, than any other country in Europe. Go figure!
Dev was also an American. A fact which kept him from being executed as the Brits did not desire to incur the official enmity of the Americans. Or, that he was indeed a mole for the English.
Speaking of De Valara, he is a subject not to be broached when in Ireland, unless in vary convivial company. Even then such a discussion might be dicey. Some there hold him responsible for Collins' death. Others fully believe that he was in the pay of the Brits and playing both ends against the middle to further his own personal objectives. The Irish Civil War is less than a hundred years past. The Irish are even having a tough time trying to decide who to honor or ignore with the Rising coming up on 100.
I've talked with Irish historians and they, almost to a man, aver that Ireland's worst enemy over the centuries was in fact the Irish people. They are a very contentious and opinionated people, ready to fight or at least argue hotly any subject at the drop of a hat. Very quick to take affront. On the other hand, the Irish are more giving to charities, per capita, than any other country in Europe. Go figure!
Back to kilts and the Scots, in the 1980's when I crossed from England to Scotland on the bullet train, I really sensed the cultural difference. The tour guides announce that you have entered a different culture. Scotland has always taken pride in its separate banking system, separate educational system, and longstanding pursuit of education and careers for women. They really were centuries ahead of England and Europe on women's equality. Tourists who left a backpack or other satchel on the floor to go take a picture soon felt the ferocity of the Scot guards who commanded whoever had left the bag to come back and get it under their glaring disapproval -- in defense against bombers. However, few areas in the world are as friendly or solicitous toward children. Bagpipes are a longstanding aspect of psychological warfare by Scot troops, and their adversaries are not happy to hear the drone of those pipes.
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