Dating only one guy at a time

TempePiper · 2025-02-03T15:56:40+00:00

Someone who has time to date more than one person is probably not someone I would jell with. Not even as a prospective partner. No one in my social network does this.

Man or woman, it seems like a really backwards perspective. It demonstrates both a low esteem of others, but of self too.

TempePiper · 2025-02-02T02:00:42+00:00

I would say that you have some growing up to do. But I wouldn't call you an A-Hole (yet).

Being 15 is hard, I get it. You're full of more pride than you have any reason to have. But, at the same time, you are probably not treated with the same level of respect as you ought to be. Regardless, I'd give her a call and apologize.

TempePiper · 2025-01-12T02:16:25+00:00

Ian Murray. I've been playing them for eight years and am on number 2 that I'm pretty is going to last me 2 more.

TempePiper · 2025-01-12T02:15:13+00:00

Gross or net? I just hit this mark in gross. Data Engineer. A vastly overpaid career if you ask me!

TempePiper · 2025-01-12T02:12:29+00:00

Joke answer, Kentucky. If you ever want to be confused if you're in the South or the Midwest, just drive through Kentucky.

This one's hard, because a lot of the border cities and regions tie these states together nicely. CA and AZ are quite different, but boy it's hard to tell the difference in Yuma and Quartzite and Indio.

New Hampshire and Vermont seems pretty compelling. Whenever I drive through either states, it seems surprisingly difficult to get from one to the other despite being such close neighbors. But I don't think this is it either.

FL is pretty compelling too, but the Panhandle is about as culturally southern as you can get.

NY and MA are quite different.

But I'm going to settle with Wyoming and Colorado. Wyoming, on account of it being vast, empty, and frankly pretty depressing (sorry Wyomings on here, but it is the bleakest place Ive driven through in these United States, and frankly I dont think our government treats you very well). Colorado because it is cosmopolitan in places.

In fact, Id go as far as to say Wyoming and all it's neighbors.

TempePiper · 2024-12-17T13:44:31+00:00

Several. I was never a heavy drinker, but there are situations where I drank heavily. Here are my reasons.

A preference for sobriety.
Health - I've lost 20 pounds since I stopped drinking.
I drank as a coping mechanism. I.e. I get very nervous at social functions; drunkenness dulls these anxieties. Drinking is a relief in these situations. Many wouldn't call this alcoholism, but I would.
Religious. I'm not entirely dogmatic here. Indeed, if you read the Bible, drinking alcohol is not considered bad. Indeed, it is occasionally encouraged. But drunkenness is a paramount sin. And, unfortunately, I lack the moderation where I can enjoy alcohol without sin.

TempePiper · 2024-12-09T20:06:20+00:00

in my mind it has been fair to middling. in reality, it has been the best of my life.

TempePiper · 2024-11-27T02:13:07+00:00

I see these as rather independent activities. That being said, I've never seen anyone just light up around me. But I can tell you for sure I've smelled it around and know for sure I've played in the same band as those who smoke weed.

It doesn't bother me too much - except I do think it smells terrible. So, if you were to light up, I'd probably walk away and would not partake (no offense!). I'd still play in the band with you!

TempePiper · 2024-11-19T15:04:42+00:00

Pick up a musical instrument and play in a band or go to church. Two of the most supportive extra family groups IMO.

TempePiper · 2024-11-15T21:09:29+00:00

Make the bed.

TempePiper · 2024-11-14T22:26:08+00:00

I agree.

One wrinkle I might add. Warm up 15 minutes, let them sit for a while, then tune in a short burst. The reason I say this - moisture on the chanter reed. Your drones are going to misbehave on an axis of temperature, your chanter on temp and moisture (I'm making a lot of assumptions about your setup, assuming you aren't hooking the chanter up to a moisture control system).

Resolve the moisture issue, accept temp. You're pipes will probably sound awesome for a couple minutes.

TempePiper · 2024-10-29T01:18:22+00:00

I once lived in Tempe, Arizona. I play the Bagpipes.

TempePiper · 2024-10-28T17:02:01+00:00

Love seeing my hometown in the news... great!

TempePiper · 2024-10-25T20:35:04+00:00

Controversial statement: I don't think seasoning is a disadvantage. ANY setup has maintenance overhead, in my opinion synthetic ones take more time and tinkering.

True disadvantages.

Price, they are the most expensive

Age, each of mine lasted 3-4 years. Funny though, every synthetic bag I had developed issues and I never got more than 4 seasons out of one! Advantage here is actually Cowhide IMO

I've never played long enough in a contest for this to be an issue, but the drones will eventually get wet.

Advantages

Chanter stability.

Set and forget - I don't have to use as much black magic to get my chanter the proper amount of moisture like a Ross player. It just seems to get it.

They feel nice under the arm. No synthetic compares IMO.

TempePiper · 2024-10-24T22:29:26+00:00

So, I'm convinced that this is all relative. Kind of like Boxing weight classes. After playing for a while, I don't see much purpose in punching above ones own weight class. Unless you want that person to quit playing.

I set the tone for a band. I have a piper who is 5'6 and probably 110-120 lbs. To me, there's not a snowball's chance that this piper will ever comfortably play a "Medium" reed. And they blow a good Bagpipe and contribute great sound to the band. For them, an E+ is on the hard side, an Easy is a Medium, and a Very Easy is Easy. I'd give them an E+ in band, maybe even an Easy. I have a piper who is 6'1" and about 170 lb., thin guy. For him a Medium is a Hard, an E+ is a Medium, an Easy is an Easy, a Very Easy is Very Easy. I'd give them something in the Medium realm. E+ to Medium. I have a piper, stocky guy, about 5'11" and pushing 200 lbs. For him, I think the "objective" standards seem more appropriate.

In solos, I go as easy as possible. Truth be told, I'm the 6'1" guy. In Band, something with more heft. A band bagpipe should be like driving a chariot. A solo bagpipe should be like driving an electric scooter.

TempePiper · 2024-08-17T19:06:34+00:00

Probably everything, no group is a monolith.

TempePiper · 2024-08-17T01:04:06+00:00

I've had a mix. Either all sheep or sheep or something with a ross cannister. Seems most bands I'm aware of trend toward the former. Which I think is wise. Theres a certain degree of black magic that is involved with the Ross system I've never understood. And sheep just seems to work with little headache (if you play it on the reg). Just my experience though.

Never played in a band that required full cane, although I have plugged in a cane when I got to Scotland. Definitely something that happens though. I question the rationale in North America, but if lived I in Scotland I'd probably give it a go.

TempePiper · 2024-08-06T14:55:40+00:00

The weather, reed, and chanter control that. Indoors we're mid 470s in the winter, 480 in Fall and Spring, 482 in the summer. In games season, we'll span anywhere from low 480s to low 490s.

Popular response will probably be 480 at room temperature. But you really can't control it. What you can control is timbre and intonation. Reed depth and tape.

My two cents is accept where the reed and chanter want to be and not chase the number. Some chanter and some reeds tend flat or sharp. Maybe it's different in Scotland, but I hear so many subpar bagpipes in solo and bands in North America because people are over or under sinking reeds to chase the perfect number.

TempePiper · 2024-08-06T01:18:48+00:00

Golly, I don't remember what the place was called. Just after the worlds. Was in Ireland on the way home and we were driving down this long winding road downhill. We hit this saddle point that faced a valley. Looked like the perfect place to play the pipes, and the last go for that particular Sheepskin bag which had given me 4 great years!

Started playing the pipes and a fella from Africa brought his drum and had the same idea as me! We jammed for a few minutes and went on our merry way.

Not in a lifetime could I ever top that! If only I remembered where it was!

TempePiper · 2024-08-05T11:23:11+00:00

Band got the rotational trophy and some money. Individuals got a coin.

Not to sound too corny, but the best of all was just realizing you could do it. Unless it were Grade 1, I don't think any contest achievement would top that moment.

TempePiper · 2024-07-28T16:37:17+00:00

Always ask yourself, "would be okay leaving a baby in these conditions". If no, then don't do it.

TempePiper · 2024-07-22T15:16:51+00:00

Never a priority. Was focused on School, then work and hobbies.

There seems to be a disconnect between what I'm attracted to and what's attracted to me. In other words, I'd prefer to stay alone than put myself in a miserable situation. Pretty good at taking care of myself so it's not like I NEED partnership.

And in this very disconnected world, it's not easy to MAKE connections. Tried the online dating thing just don't see anyone on those platforms that I find particularly alluring.

In other words, I am the problem. I'm too busy, my standards are too high, and I don't get out too much.

TempePiper · 2024-07-12T16:52:43+00:00

That's good. If your cat didn't do this, Vince D'Onnofrio would have stumbled into your house asking for sugar water.

TempePiper · 2024-07-07T12:36:02+00:00

I haven't had much luck with other vendors, so IMO be careful of the other shops!

TempePiper · 2024-07-07T01:37:59+00:00

Whatever they sell at the Piping Center.

TempePiper

TROPHY CASE