Yesterday, my Clarke Sweetones arrived in the mail. That night I was going to meet about 12 friends to watch a film and I happened to have one of my new whistles in my pocket. We were all hanging out in a friends basement when I felt the sudden urge to play. After playing the limited number of tunes I have memorized, I was plummeted with requests to “Let me try that.” The rest of the night, my new whistle was passed around while my friends tried to recall the recorder music they learned in third grade. By about 1 AM, I had to promise about six of them that I would order them a Meg next time I purchase stuff for myself. Though most of them weren’t fans of Irish music, they agreed that it was “So much fun.”
It’s nice to see other people getting wrapped up in this whistle business. I feel like less of an oddball.
The first person I turned on to whistling ordered her whistle before I even got mine in the mail! I told her I had ordered one off Ebay and she thought the idea of a whistle sounded so good she ordered one of the tweeked ones from the Whistle Shop. She posts here now and then.
Then my mom was smitten the minute she laid eyes on mine. I ordered her one and she loves it, although she has a bit of a hard time playing it…she has psoriatic arthritis and a couple of her fingers are fused backward. Fortunately, it’s her pinkies!!
Now my neighbor is begging me to get her one, and I’ve promised to get her a Meg when I order them for my boys.
Chiff & Fipple persuaded me to try the whistle. Now, my two youngest sons play it, one grandson, a teacher at my school and one librarian. This stuff is highly contageous. I own 12 whistles but, I CAN ONLY PLAY ONE AT A TIME!
This site should come with a surgeon general’s warning. Perhaps Dr. Nemo Pudsley could pen something for us.
Well, because it’s always about me, I will tell my camping story.
Took the Burke up to Hidden Spring campground in the Humboldt Redwoods State Park over 4th weekend (Wed-Sun). Played it a lot and actually had visitors to the campsite asking what it was etc. So two of us Weekenders played jigs, reels, hpipes and airs.
They liked it, Mikey. And it sort of is like spreading the music news, ya know? The next step would be to carry along the Megs like Anna.
Another thing that I also didn’t post but will is that we attended a concert by Golden Bough, a long-time Bay Area celtic trio. In addition to their cds, which they sell during intermission etc., they also sell Waltons for five or six bucks. As well left this outdoor concert, held up at an abandoned coal mine nestled up in the coastal hills, I could hear all these kids tootin’ away on their new whistles, which they just had to have.
Yup. These things are worse than cigarettes or drink. With those, people seem to need more than one try before becoming addicted. With whistles, everyone who has played one of mine seems to become a whistle player. With the exception of one friend who doesn’t see well enough to read music – she decided she liked my bodhran better so bought one of those instead.
Do you think we could get arrested for whistle-pushing?
Ever since I’ve been doing this whistle give away thing, I’ve had more adults ask me for whistles…but it’s funny, couldn’t give one away on my life that night we went to that damn bar to play! Just sent two more off to Indonesia and Thailand to Corr’s fans!
Waiting for the Mothership…
[ This Message was edited by: Anna Martinez on 2002-07-12 21:17 ]
Back in June, I gave my Feadog to My son-in-law who is a Middle School Band Director.He had never played one before! Then last night while talking to my daughter on the phone I could hear him playing it in the background. She said he keeps it in the basket on the wall that they use for the bills and mail so he can grab it and toot around when ever he wants. I think he is hooked!
Hey Dave P, I guess I will have to contact you for another whistle! I think my daughter was jealous that I gave it to him and not her. The feadog is fun but your Copper Beauties are the best! I guess I will have to get her a whistle too. Maybe if your not too busy I’ll order 2 for Christmas! No 3! I want a C!
Oh no! it’s another case of WhOA!!!
