Those of us with O.C.D thank you guys for putting a schedule up! Looks like a great time…great piping, good coffee… with just a touch of evil. 
It’s not too late to get in the car, hop a train, catch a plane, or have Scotty beam your coordinates to St. Paul Minnesota. The GNIPC Tionol weekend gets underway with a Paddy Keenan house concert TONIGHT.
Already sleep deprived, yet full of topic-bumpin’ vinegar!
T
All I can say is brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. Both Michael and Éamonn are natural teachers, passionate about their art yet patient, and focused to the task at hand. Only so much can be covered in so short a time, so instead of a lot of stuff, generally just a few essentials were covered so that you could take the ball and run with it. Great guys to just sit and chat with, too. A big thumbs-up to both of them.
And, not least, a big hats-off to tommykleen not only for organising the thing but especially for his skill and dedication at herding cats during the tionól proper.
Nano, I must wholeheartedly second that. It was a splendid tionól and tommykleen deserves ample praise for putting it together. He has done enormous things for GNIPC at its helm, and we are very lucky to have him here.
This little tionól is one of the best keep secerts in this vast northern wilderness. The classes, the music and the craic were all exceptional; Michael, Éamonn and the chiff’s own Joseph Smith are great teachers and I hope to see them back up here soon!
Now back to my hangover already in progress…
Yes, all of you who missed, well, you really missed out. a great time and I am still recovering. In addition to Michael and Eamonn, we had Paddy Keenan for two afternoon Q&A’s and mini-concerts. I am still reeling from the incredible set that Michael and Paddy played Sunday afternoon. I had some great reed making time with Joe and we managed to get a reed in one of chanters that sings.
Lots of photos and some concert video will be up on the website soon. If you took photos and want them on the GNIPC site, send them my way.
Quote of the weekend:
“Who cares what Ennis thinks”.
We have it on tape. You know who you are.
Pedagogical moment of the weekend: Michael talking about how cutting with the back d called for a beating in his house. Then Eamonn coming in for the next session to spend some quality time going over back d cuts.
It was hilarious. Trust me. You had to be there I guess.
“Who cares what Ennis thinks”.
Um…seeing as the poor man is dead it seems a moot point…
A bit of context: the above comment regards a story about leather vs. vinyl pipe bags and the use of popping straps and the late Mr. Ennis’s opinion on them. Luckily the wild Gnaugga runs free in protected preserves in Africa and you can play staccato notes using your unaugmented trousers if you feel the need.
Amongst my favorite comments… " Oh ya.. that’s a keeper!!!"
Worry not my brother, it was hysterical. I was great to see you and the other who made it. You made it back to the land of sun and alligators safe and sound I trust?
And right after that, during the analysis of a particular technique, of course I had to interject, “I believe Ennis did it that way, didn’t he?” 
That was an incident of much satisfaction to me: no boundaries, just blue sky.
As a recent attendee of the GNIPC Tionol this last weekend, I would like to make some general comments on the experience:
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I learned a s^^tload
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I had a great time. I can’t remember when I had more fun than that (with my pants on, as the saying goes).
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I met and played music with a lot of wonderful people, including many posters on this message board.
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I was supremely chuffed to learn a few tunes and a few things about pipering from Michael Cooney, who is an awesome teacher, a superb piper, and generally a fun person to be around and a good person to boot.
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I really enjoyed and learned much from Eamonn Dillon’s workshops – he is also a great guy and fun to be around and learn from.
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A certain reedmaker hailing from that southern peninsula we call Florida made me a KICK ASS reed, and for that I will be forever grateful. I will fetch you diet cokes anytime (if you’re up here. . . ).
All in all, Tommykleen did one hell of a job putting it all together,and “herding the cats” as it were. I can’t wait until next year. In the mean time, I am going to practice every day until I puke.
PCole
Just a couple of digital tidbits…
Eammon (my new friend) and Michael (my old friend) Friday night before the classes.
Eammon’s 'advanced class.
And this one has to be my favorite oof the weekend, Tommykleen and Paddy Keenan having a few tunes and showing the rest of us how it’s done! 
Fecking magic, folks, fecking magic!!!
I’ll post more, just as soon as I rest up a little more. This weekend left me happy and exhausted. 
Answer me this, you brainiacs: If matter can neither be created nor destroyed, how can I both lose a chin and yet gain more 
and 
tommykleen
Transfer of matter or energy from one form to another. Another example of this: canes become reeds, reeds then break and become a cursing and surly piper…wait…that’s about mental illness. 
Mea culpa…
Well, I thought it was a particularly good photo of you. Who’s that slouched, shabby-looking character with you, there? 
See that gong behind Éamonn? That’s one of the things that drives me batty about that section of the digs: antique gongs and harpsichords and claviers all over the place with “TOUCH THIS AND DIE” signs on them. I don’t know about who’s running the show there, but Mommy taught ME to not tease the wretched.
TK you silly man, it’s simply moved*…gravity is just pulling your chin slowly down your neck…I wonder where it’s taking your hair?
Thank god I have two eyebrows 
t
Wow…new mexico is great and all…but what in the heck would i be crazy enough to play here!!! no one to play with and the nearest tionol is in california…not to mention reeds act FANTASTIC in 5% humidity.cough
As promised, more images.
Larry Dunn and Eammon watching the beer rise… a tense and highly charged moment!
Royce and my old buddy Chaddles. It was nice to see Royce and his better half again, in addition, it was nice to see Chaddles and spend an afternoon spewing nonesense together.
My Bull Terrier, in a desperate attempt to keep me from leaving him for the weekend. He feels that if he can keep me occupied with his toys, he can thwart my piping addiction. It sometimes works, but not this time… even when he uses the “please play with me” eyes. 
Saturdays classes were held at the Shubert Club Museum, where, among a zillion other cool things, they have original letters from Mozart and Beethoven… this being one from Ludwig the man.
Another shot of Tommykleen and Paddy Keenan.
The table Friday night.
A fine shot of the back of Misterpatrick’s head and Eammon Dillon… no, it’s not a cheap camera trick, this is actually how he looks in person… he’s just that fast!
Thanks to the GNIPC, it’s members, Kate Dowling (The Center for Irish Music ) Paddy Keenan, Michael Cooney (nice to see you again sir!), Eammon Dillon (nice to finally make your acquaintance!) and NPU for a wonderful tionol.
Big thanks to Brother Dan for the wonderful bread from St. John’s Monastary.
And lastly, a massive ‘thank you’ to Mr. and Mrs. and the little Tommykleen for their selflessness, generosity and self sacrifice in putting the instructors up within the friendly confines of a comfortable and Kleen (… how kleen? Tommykleen!!!) environment throughout the weekend. It rained food and drink (y’all really gotta try Khurdish[sp?]) cuisine!) and was sweetly buffeted by warm breezes of friendship and the joy of great tunes!
Thanks a million!!!
Here’s some more photos to add to the mix.
The Saturday group photo.
Tommy and Paddy - the hot seat.
Joe and Eamonn.
Misterpatrick, whistle and Craig.
Jason (aka Nano) and his lady guitar.
Joe’s med, er, reed table.
Michael Cooney and Paddy Keenan. Wow.
Sunday’s group photo.
No one can ever accuse this club of not being able to throw a party, eh?