| aughintober, northern ireland
live the dream
Guest Writer
No-one knows the true identity of the Guest Writer....this person just sends us stuff for the website every so often! Watch this space for their insights on the goings-on of the band - who know's where or when they'll pop up!
Text Message received from PM Glenn Ferry 14/05/10 – 11.10 AM
others say he taught terry tully how to mark time,
all I know is - IT'S THE GUEST WRITER!"
Twas the night before the first contest, when all through the house
Not a band one was stirring, not even anyone out
The canisters were dry, the drums all in tune,
In hopes that the next day would arrive soon.
It was to be a big day for Aughintober, no matter the score,First time
playing in Grade 2, who needs anything more?
The alarms went off, the players got up
For what was to be a historic day, even without winning cups.
The meeting time was 1pm, the destination Manor Court,
There was to be a beer tent, provided by The Fort
It is to be believed preparation is the key,
So when Glenn forgot his kilt, he wasn’t exactly filled with glee.
But at 1pm all band members had arrived,
Nerves and excitement helping everyone feel alive.
The tune up started, a reed had to be changed,
We believe at one point Ryan’s mood had to be tamed.
The tuning continued, excitement running high,
The sun was shining, the weather was dry.
It suddenly came to that time of day,
When the practice time is up, it’s your turn to play.
The hats were put on as the band walked to the line,
A few attacks here and there as everyone walked in time.
With a nod from the judges, pens at the ready
The band walked in, concentrating on keeping the blowing steady.
As the last tune ended, an applause from the crowd,
The band had made history, the players were proud.
So after the band photograph, the players were free,
No matter what happened after, it was a great day all round for the APB.
In this town (Worlds 2009)
TB there, Davy too, Brian, Noel, to name a few.
1620 is the time, APB to hit the line.
Pipes are good, no drones on, one hour left, won't be long
Drummers play, really clean, big stuff watching, pretty keen
Come together, play a tune, tempos good, playing soon
Reed is out, not a prob; it was Ruth, not Big Rob,
Wax it up, put it in, clean strike now, could we win?
20 mins, excited now, calm the nerves, don’t know how
The tuner’s out, the day is dry, do our best, we will try,
Bass is booming, tenors too; pitch is coming, right on queue
Off the road, in the muck, friends & family send good luck
Wee attack before the line, oops, bad start, but we’ll be fine
Pipes ready, off we go, up the hill, for our show
A big E, a solid start, play with brain, not with heart,
Sound is growing, with the sun, good so far, what a run
Drumming good, piping too, not much more, we can do
Finish clean, smile on face, Ryan’s next, with his mace
Happy times, craic & friends, such good times, why do they end?
Results are close; nerves are frayed, could this be a special day?
5th in world? Not too bad, get the sheets, were we bad?
We finished five from twenty nine, rain stopped, the sun did shine,
The worlds is over, heads are down, what a day in this town.
Txt message received from PM Glenn: There are no txt messages from Glenn this weather as it apparently costs him 10p to text
"Some say she's writing the FMM's new set using a recorder,
others say he's the only international judge being aloud to judge the worlds,
all I know is - IT'S THE GUEST WRITER!"
I see via the guestbook Turkey seems to be missing the GW - “the guest writer dosn't seem to be doing much writing??” so here is an update of the problems we are experiencing and some solutions.
PROBLEM
Turkey has still not made it to band practice as he is in Glasgow, eh, studying ...I think.
SOLUTION
Book a flight home
PROBLEM
Glenn wants band practice to start at 7.30pm Sharp and doesn't want “any of these 7.50pm arrivals” anymore.
SOLUTIONS
Jason stop texting people saying you will be disappointed if they dont bring sweets to band – this requires stopping on the road to band and leaving said person late.
Ashley we know you dont' get out of work until 6pm and you have to get down the road from Omagh, eat and head for band but all you have to do is miss your dinner and you will be on time. Whats more important - food so you wont faint at band or Glenn being happy?? You know the answer – We will catch you before you hit the ground, dont worry.
Ruth stop asking Rob/Ashley to stop at the BP so you can get coffee.
Keeping in mind the lateness to band Rob thought it would be a good idea to explain the Power of Car Pooling as he seems to think that is what is keeping his crew late.
PROBLEM
There are bad odours travelling around the band hall
SOLUTION
Jason, Glenn and Ben put some deodrant on before you go to band. We do not need to see or hear about your sweaty armpits.Thats all for now
Until next time
The Guest Writer - "we don't know its name, we really don't know its name, nobody knows its name, and we don't wanna know"
Text Message Recieved from PM Glenn/Thermal Man, 22/09/08 20:08
AGM 29th
G
 | |||
 "Some say she's played for 24 hours non-stop, others say he's the man behind the throne at the RSPBA, all I know is - IT'S THE GUEST WRITER!" AGM - Another Gorgeous Man or Madam 7 minutes ago Well it all kicked off to a flying start on Monday night with Aughintober's annual general meeting. That’s right, once a year - the troops gather to the round table that is the legendary gathering place of King Arthur's knights in the Arthurian legend, or maybe I mean around the table, - to discuss the past, the present and the future. Although I cannot spill all the secrets of the meeting I can reveal that: Aughintober are looking into travel and staying arrangements for the European’s - July 25th at Inverclyde. Somebody suggested the Euro Hostel for accommodation, and how we laughed because obviously they weren’t serious???? The organising of ‘A Night at the Races’ is underway and looks to be a good night’s craic. It is on Saturday 18th October and is being held in Davison’s Bar. You can also sponsor a horse for £10, just ask any band member for details. Band practice resumes Monday 6th October and Pipe Major Glenn promised us he has some surprises in store... we get the feeling it’s a long gruelling winters practice and not a weekend away to Disney Land. I once heard that the definition of a Committee is ‘a body that keeps minutes and wastes hours.’ We must have a strange breed of committee members as they were all happy enough to fly through the proceedings so they could get home. All Aughintober’s Committee decided they could handle the randomness of organising a pipe band and signed on for another year. Well that’s all the baked beans I can spill for one day so until next time... The Guest Writer - "we don't know its name, we really don't know its name, nobody knows its name, and we don't wanna know" | |||
Text Messsage Recieved from PM Ferry: 16/08/08 - 10.07 AM
Weather Conditions r v.Cold.
Don't be afraid to put on a
thermal/t-shirt under ur shirt
to stay warm. We got caught
out at banbridge with the cold.
| |||
| The final competition of the season arrived rather quickly for Aughintober who were still recovering from the Worlds antics. It was back to the medley madness for Portrush and as the band met up for practice, the main thought on the minds of the players was to enjoy the final time in the ring for 2008. As practice began, the sun was shining. As practice continued the sun did a disappearing act and threw down some rain..which didnt stop. The grade had already began so we knew it would soon be our time. Tuning the drones proved no difficulty as TB provided us with his umbrella and the other supporters were handing around towels. Cheers guys for Portrush and all your help in the other contests. Pipe Major Glenn was concerned as always asking the pipe core "Are any of you's cold?" As we stood shivering with blue hands and lips, looking like Jack out of Titanic, and nodding our heads so he could see how we were all suffering, he said "Well Im not." and continued to tune. 14.30 was getting nearer and as we paraded to the final tuning area in the rain, many of us could not feel our hands. But the mood was good and as we walked to the line cracking jokes, we knew we would enjoy it whatever way it went. In the ring, although Ryan's hands were turning bluer and we all looked like drownded rats, everything went according to plan. After marching off Glenn, the ever caring pipe major, told us that if we had put our thermals on we wouldnt have been cold. As he had put his thermals on, he was boiling, the man thought he was in Cyprus. Many of us wish we had taken his advice in the text message received at the Worlds: ... 16/08/08 - 10.07 AM Weather Conditions r v.Cold. Don't be afraid to put on a thermal/t-shirt under ur shirt to stay warm. We got caught out at banbridge with the cold. Do what makes u feel comfortable. Glenn ... And not laughed at him or called him thermal man but he was stating the obvious to be fair - we had all looked out our bedroom windows that morning and I cannot think of anyone in the band who would be afraid to put on an extra layer incase Glenn was cross. After promising ourselves that next year - we would have thermals we went our seperate ways - some for a quick pint, others to dry off. Soon it was the Finale and it was still raining. But Mervyn the 'Mic Man' quickly got to our grade where we came a brilliant second place and also won Champion of Champions for Grade 3A. A very pleasing result for the weather conditions and a great way to end the year. So its all over and we are already planning next year wherever it decides to take us, so in the words of Cast - We don't know where we're goin' But we know where we've been - so lets continue to 'live the dream.' | |||
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