…so what do I need? I have some time on my hands but not much else. Anyone got good recommendations of what to get, equipment, websites, etc.
thanks
Welcome Antstastegood.
First off, be sure to speak to Cranberry about ants tasting good. There have been some mention of eating insects somewhere.
Second you’ll want a whistle. What kind of whistle is open to huge debate but you can:
Do a search and see how that has been answered before.
Start with a cheap one like a Sweettone or Meg.
Wait a few and this post will fill up with other recommendations.
Do you play any instruments currently?
Last, I am a member of the Possum Lodge.
Hellow, Mr. Secretary!! Did you know that Bill O’Reilly called you a holy cow last night?
Yes, in former lives I’ve eaten mealworms, ants, crickets, grasshoppers and the like, but it’s been…years and I never will again.
My (serious) advice:
Get a Sweetone whistle and a tutor book (most people reccomend the Bill Ochs tutor, but I don’t have it, so I can’t say. But if everybody likes it, there has to be a reason.) Anyway, get a Sweetone (about $6) and a tutor, and if you want get another whistle while you’re at it. The whistle shop (http://www.thewhistleshop.com) is the absolute best place on the web to buy whistles, and everybody here will second that, I think.
It also helps to know what level you are, if you play any other instruments, etc…
Are you really Collin Powell? I’d think you’d be very busy, what with all the countries that need invading, and so on. But i’m assuming you’re asking about whistles and not about matters of world domination, where i really can’t help you (but you really should get rid of Newt Gingrich, somehow).
About whistles, one of the best things you can do is get a Sweetone whistle in an educational toys store (should cost you US$5 or so). Then go to Brother Steve’s Web site and read everything there several times.
I knew after Tony Blair picked up the whistle, that this would be just a matter of time. I bet Donald Rumsfeld is going to go for the low whistle. 
Mr. Secretary…I hate to ask this. But is it just me or is your wife actually 3,000 years old?
I believe that the majority of White House Republicans fear a Powell run in 2008, so they summoned Newt to take a blow at Colin to knock him down a little bit. THat’s what Bill O’Reilly says, anyway.
I personally don’t want any Republican or Democrat to win.
i am fairly new to the whislte sence and where i learn most of my knowledge about whistles was at Cliff and fipple and at brother steves. I started with a feadog, but i just love clarks now and that i usually what i play on. For music you can find a lot on the internet, but i brought mel bay’s complete irish whistle book and learned a lot from that.
I’m trying to learn to play on a simple Guinness whistle made by Walton’s…someone got it for my hubby because he loves drinking the dark brew, but he has never actually played the whistle, it’s just been sitting among our small collection of flutes from around the world.
I just picked the cute little thing up while trying to explain some musical concepts to my daughter, who plays the recorder, and began to wonder how hard could it be to learn to play this instrument? I went hunting the web and found a fingering chart and lots of good info at thewhistleshop.com.
I discovered to my pure joy that the fingerings are very similar to what I learned on a regular concert flute back in high school band! And with all those years of piano lessons my mom made me take, I can read music well, so I’m quite a bit ahead of the game.
Frankly, I’m just thrilled to know that I can play this wonderful instrument pretty well from the beginning. I don’t have to have an expensive version or start learning a whole new fingering system. I can even play along with my daughter’s recorder, because both are in the same key!
For me, having something this inexpensive, portable, and beautiful sounding tickles me, because we do a lot of backpacking, and I have always wanted something I could take along to play up in the mountains.
I’M HOOKED!
Seems like you all have a top-notch sense of humor here!
I am not the Secretary of State, but I saw the pic and thought it would make a perfect avatar.
Geek: i do currently play a few things, the piano, and i do a poor job of playing the guitar. Also i am in a handbell choir. And there is always a roll of duck tape on my desk.
cranB: i like them with salt, and its nice to see another fan of Fair And Balanced News.
Thanks everyone for the help. My first impression is that this will be a REALLY COOL MESSAGE BOARD. Havent had much time to explore, but it seems great. Also, does anyone here like to intelligently discuss politics or do the discussions always get out of hand and then deleted?
And if anyone can tell me how to fix my golf swing I would appreciate that too.
cranB: i like them with salt, and its nice to see another fan of Fair And Balanced News
.
I’m not fan of Fox News or Bill O’Reilly. I’m not really a fan of CNN or FoxNews or MSNBC or any of them. I think everybody in the media is an attetion whore not interested in news as much as they are ratings and getting face lifts, and this country’s media is way too conservative. It doesn’t represent the vast majority of this country, who have much more liberal minds and beliefs, but don’t vote. The only reason there are so many Conservatives in office is because hardly anybody on the left (and Clinton and Gephardt and Daschel aren’t on the left) actually votes. JMHO.
Welcome to the board. You’re right. There are a lot of really great people here. There are a lot of people who are very willing to help.
It’s best to stay away from politics or other controversial topics. There are people here from all over the world. Different backgrounds. Different political opinions. Different ideas of right and wrong. In general, lots of different beliefs. Discussions of this type tend to get very heated.
I’m afraid I can’t help you there.
By the way, I’ll second (third? fourth? fifth? I’ve lost count) the recommendation for a Sweetone. They are great whistle to get started on.
Hi Pegasus,
Can’t let your first post on the main forum go past quietly! I’m a backpacker too on occasion, and a whistle is a perfect companion. A couple of makers (Doolin & Clare/Eagle) even do a 2 piece whistle that breaks down just above the holes, so it fits in a pocket. There’s even the Laughing Whistle that telescopes closed! No camping trip need ever go without music!
Beware that the thinner atmosphere at higher elevatiosn will send your whistle sharp - I refer you to my post about helium experiments for further data.
You don’t want to dwell on the fact that your daughter plays the, ahem, re####er, get her a nice whistle and she’ll be welcome here too!
antstastegood:
I don’t like your signature. It’s inappropriate here by my book. And it doesn’t matter who you choose to stand by. I would feel the same way if you stood by Hillary Clinton, Ralph Nader, Ross Perot, or Oral Roberts. Why don’t you tone it down a bit? You might also have more success getting an intelligent political discussion going if you don’t convey the immediate sense that your mind is made up.
Best,
From the Flag Code (36 U.S.C. 171-178), passed by a joint resolution of Congress (“Joint resolution to codify and emphasize existing rules and customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the United States of America”):
SEC. 4 That no disrespect should be shown to the flag the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.
(a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
(b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water,
(c) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free.
…
(g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
…
(i) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
(j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
Personally I get enough more than excitement reading and talking incessant whistle here. But to each their own and all that. I’ve been here just over a week, ants, and am loving the boards and the whistle. Hope you enjoy yourself too.
PS. Golf swing - it’s all in your grip. Though you should check what your hips are up to. Though I only play crazy golf so this might not be helpful …
Good points everyone. Signature and avatar updated. The banana is used to create sympathy for them, so that no one will want to eat them. Personally i think they taste horrible. I much prefer some of our local ants…
OFF TOPIC: My main swing problem is dipping my head at the bottom of the swing, and an inconsistent stance, and a 15-45 degree slice.
BACK ON TOPIC: How far away do i need to get from civilization (if you can call a college dorm civilized) so that my practicing does not cause people to have strokes?
thanks again
Well, as a banana lover, I personally am offended by your post (just kidding).
As far as where to start I would look at the inexpensive whistle link on this site as well as the inexpensive whistle poll. I would echo those who mentioned the Whistle Shop as a good place to start although you will find other good sites mentioned on the Buying Whistles on the Internet link.
It appears college dorms have changed since I went to college - a whistle would hardly have been the loudest most annoying thing around. If your college has a music department maybe they would let you use their practice rooms otherwise the Mack Hoover whistles have been mentioned as quiet and good practice whistles (though more expensive than the basic starter whistles).
Finally you might want to check out http://www.gaeliccrossings.com/ as a site where you could talk politics with people who are interested in whistles and Irish music. The political conversations there have been pretty civil (they have seperate areas set up for that kind of thing). Gaelic Crossings is not really a competitor to this one - they seem to compliment each other. Have fun.