Sunday, October 19, 2008

First try at cider

I have started my first batch of cider. I got the apple juice from the Farmer's market here in Raleigh and made a trip up to American Brewmaster for the yeast and some other supplies. The recipe originally called for apple juice concentrate, but I substituted some fresh granny smith apples instead. Normally, you would juice the apples first, but since I don't have an apple press, I boiled them in a little water to soften them and then mashed them. I added that directly to the mix. We'll see if it turns out good or just a great big mess.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Arrogant SOB

Some days people really piss me off at work. I work in customer service at a call center. Most of the time people are nice and pleasant. occasionally, they can be real asses. Every once in a while someone comes around who is just a real SOB. My last call of the day was a fine example. I was trying to explain our policies and what this gentleman needed to do to accomplish what he wanted. Everything seemed to be going well for a call that came in at 4:55p (we close at 5p). This gentleman was a bit long winded; I found out he was lawyer at one time and worked for a church organization. Absolutely nothing I was concerned with, but the usual BS you have to put up with in a call center. All of a sudden, from out of the blue, this gentleman says that I should contact my Congressman to have him check to make sure that Obama is registered (those who know exactly where I work are now laughing). The statement at first took me off guard, mostly because it had nothing to do with our discussion, and then the gentleman began a discussion on immigration control (ohh, I get it now....). I politely and firmly advised him that such statements were inappropriate for our discussion. I thought we had an agreement and continued on with our discussion. We were getting ready to finish up and he brings up the same topic AGAIN! I inform him that it has nothing to do with our discussion and asked him if there was anything else I could do for him. His reply was "Oh yes it does apply to our discussion...." At that point I told him I was disconnecting the call and hung up on him.

Now by this time it was well after 5p and everyone left was intently listening in on my end of the discussion wondering what in the world was going on. I rarely lose my cool over a call, so everyone knew it was "special". I was so mad at this guy that I couldn't even speak for a couple of minutes after I hung up on him. My supervisor gave me a roll of paper towels and told me to strangle them! Which I promptly did. My supervisor asked me why I didn't transfer the call to her. I told her that the discussion had nothing to do with our job and that no-one should have had to put up with that call. She knows that I have no problem with a supervisor call, but I'm not transferring a call just because the guy's an ass.

Why does anyone think it is OK to make a business call and bring up politics? I know this a heavily charged election and I get an occasional remark from time to time. I don't have a problem with that, much. A quick non committal grunt usually suffices. But this was absolutely ridiculous, hateful and insane! Did this guy think that just because he called a customer service center that I had to put up with his BS? Why? WHY?????

Monday, October 13, 2008

#3 and a Bonus

Last Friday night was Hercules Mulligan's monthly gig at Tir Na Nog. The Marquise and I were in attendance ( as usual). It was also the third event in what has turned into a full blown month long Celtic extravaganza for me. The guys (and gal now) have undergone some membership changes and they have been in flux for a couple of months now. Hopefully with the addition of a fiddle/concertina player, Julie Ross and (hopefully) a banjo player TBA, they can start getting all the Little kinks ironed out and begin to create a really neat sound for themselves. All the parts are there, they just need experience as a group. It takes a little while when you only play once a month.

The bonus was I went to see Seven Nations (again at Tir Na Nog) last night. The Marquise and I saw them there about a year ago and we were not impressed. They took forever to do their sound check (about an hour), the volume was way to high and the music all became jumbled into one big, distorted mush of sound. Well, I figured with the new sound system at the 'Nog that I'd give them another listen. I was much more impressed this time (even though the ads said they started at 8p and they didn't start 'til 9p). Their sound check was a reasonable amount of time. They still had the volume up to high, but the new speakers could handle it. They got a new piper since last time and he looks all of about 16, but I'm sure that is just my age talking. Their fiddler is phenomenal. He has developed into a much more central figure in the group than he was last time. Probably their biggest problem was the small crowd out there. It is always much harder performing to a small group. (although, as a member of said small crowd, we did our best to keep things going on our side). I ended up leaving at the break. It was already 10p and it was a school night, after all. I will see them again, next time they are in town.

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Two Down

A great time was had by all over at Tir Na Nog last night. They had one of their kilt nights and a banner line-up of entertainers. The evening started off with My Three Kilts, a Goldsboro NC based (OK, Elroy based) band. They did a fantastic job. Since they knew they'd only have about an hour to perform, the picked all their top notch, up tempo numbers. There were a couple of times when they were actually going to fast. Rob (lead singer) must have been an auctioneer in a previous life. All three of them played great and Rob's vocals we some of his best I've heard. the next group up was the Wake and District Public Safety Pipe and Drums. They have improved dramatically since I last heard them. The last time I had heard them was shortly after they had formed. The difference between then and now is dramatic. If I remember right, they did 4 tunes; not a very long set but it certainly fit right in with the evening. The last band was Albannach. I saw them last weekend up in Virginia and was looking forward to seeing them again. Especially since they did so well up there. They performed superbly. I am still debating whether I like them more at outdoor venues or inside. When they are inside, it definitely gets a tad loud. When they are outside, the "quieter" tunes/songs get lost easily. The crowd grew dramatically throughout the night and the bar was packed for Albannach. Not a whole lotta room for dancing, but I kinda cleared a space for myself.

I have to give Tir Na Nog some time here. The staff did a great job last night. It is difficult for the waitstaff to be at the top of their game when the bar gets extremely crowded like last night, but the staff did a great job none-the-less. There was the expected wait to get drinks, but it was a lot shorter than I was actually prepared for. I also need to mention that the new sound equipment out there is much, much better than the old stuff. I know they have had it for several weeks now, but I think it took a little while for the sound guys to fine tune it. Last night sounded great.

(I think I got all the bands right in this post, unlike the previous post where I mixed up the Kildairs with Rathkeltair!)

Monday, October 6, 2008

One Down

Well, the Marquise and I made it to the Williamsburg Scottish festival. This year it was held at the Rockahock campground. I was a little concerned at first when they moved the venue, but I must admit, it was a great move. The facilities they have there are almost perfect for a Scottish/Celtic festival. They have a great stage. It is jut about the right size for the kinds a bands that play these festivals. Large enough to hold 6 or 7 band members, but small enough so that bands with 2 or 3 members don't get lost. The had several places to buy beer and mixed drinks. Heck, they even had a full blown bar (pool tables, restaurant, tv screens, the whole nine yards). The one thing I would suggest in the future is more bathroom facilities. When there is a line for the men's room, you know there is not enough bathrooms.

We got there just a tad bit late (not very suprising for us) and missed the first couple of tunes from the first band, Poisoned Dwarf. I had not heard them before and I was really please with their performance. I am not a big fan of no-vocal bands, but they did a really good job. Their tunes were varied enough that it didn't even come close to sounding repetitive. You could actually tell the difference between a jig and a reel with them! The second band was Rathkeltair. The Marquise and I both thought there were more of them last year. There were only three of them here this year and I could have sworn there were at least 5 last year. We do know that they were pursuaded to leave vacation early (or cancel entirely) to attend, so that could have been part of the situation. I just don't know. I enjoyed their performance. The Marquise was not as pleased as I with some of their numbers, but we both agree that the bag piper/ flutist/ whistler player/lead singer was phenominal. Anyone that can play an arm bagpipe and a whistle AT THE SAME TIME is impressive. Anyone that can play 2 flutes AT THE SAME TIME is phenominal. The third band up was BarleyJuice and they cranked it out this time around. I heard them at Grandfather Mountain this past July and was impressed with them there. I was blown away by there performance here. Even though this was their third set on Saturday (there were 2 others during the day) and they also performed Friday Night, they gave a great performance. They had the crowd up and dancing for most of their set. The final act of the nit was Albannach. I have seen them now about 5 or 6 times. Outside of my first experience at Tir Na Nog in Raleigh, this was by far their best performance. Everyone was spot on with everything. The energy was higher and more intense than anyother time I've seen them. Everythng was perfect for them.

All in all, this was what a celtic music festival is all about.

Correction. I listed the Kildairs as the second band in the line up. It as actually Rathkeltair that was there. Don't know what I was thinking. My bad.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Celtoberfest!!!!!

Yeah, the great Celtoberfest starts this weekend! The Marquise and I are heading out to Williamsburg Va for the Williamsburg Scottish Festival. We will be there most of the day on Saturday. (at least that is the plan right now). They have a great music lineup with Albannach, Barleyjuice and Rathkeltair. The boys from My Three Kilts will be there, so it will be fun to drink with them again.

Speaking of M3K, they are going to be playing out at Tir Na Nog on Wednesday, Oct 8 for their kilt night. What is REALLY cool is that Albannach will be there also! It is pretty cool that they are opening for such a great band (YIPPEE!)

Speaking of Tir Na Nog, Hercules Mulligan should be playing the following Friday out at the Nog. It is always a treat to see them play. They are all such great entertainers.

I don't have a "speaking of" segue for the next events. Great Big Sea will be here the end of October (the 29th, I believe, it should be a Wednesday) and somewhere near the end of October (think it is the Saturday after Halloween, M3K will be at their annual festival at the Nutless Hound Pub in Goldsboro.

It's a good thing there are 3 pay periods this month! I'm gonna need the extra money!