Sunday, March 21, 2010

Poll Results

Well, I am planning to put up some more polls sometime soon, but in order to keep the blog sidebar from becoming clogged with them, I decided to delete the old ones first, but because they showed such INTERESTING things about the few readers I have, I ALSO decided to immortalize them in an epic post talking about the results.

So! The result of the Critters poll!

Love em!

9 (75%)

Hate em!

0 (0%)

Meh, don't care.

1 (8%)

I like some.

2 (16%)

I think can all safely agree that people like critters, 9 out of 12 voters LOVED EM, and 2 out of 12 said they liked at least a few, with one one not really caring, and none hating them. A clear win for the critters, and therfore everyone involved =D

For the whistle poll:

Overton

3 (60%)

Shaw

0 (0%)
Chieftan

0 (0%)
Susato

2 (40%)

Generation

0 (0%)
Feadog

2 (40%)

Oak

0 (0%)
Walton

0 (0%)
Clarke

1 (20%)

Handmade

3 (60%)

Other

1 (20%)

Ok, so this one and the Coolest poll are both kinda hard to explain, I enabled peoples to vote for more than one thing for both of them, so all I can say for this one is that Overton tied with Handmade, (Both are actually handmade, but Overton is a brand-name, wheras for handmade I was mainly thinking HOMEmade)

The Coolest poll! Same as before, all I can say is WHAT THE HECK? NO ONE liked trick roping? Ah well, at least writing and swordfighting were first and second.

Swordfighting

9 (75%)

Pennywhistles

5 (41%)

Trenchcoats

3 (25%)

Trick Roping

0 (0%)
Geeking

1 (8%)

Speed Reading

4 (33%)

Bagpipes

3 (25%)

Woodcarving

5 (41%)

Metal Working

2 (16%)

Wilderness Stuff

4 (33%)

Hunting

3 (25%)

Rock Hounding

3 (25%)

Writing

11 (91%)

Does Einar post often enough? KUDOS to those of you who said Yes Sir! And for those who think my polls are frustrating, well.....go....vote on the NEW and IMPROVED Polls! Less frustration per question!

Yes Sir!

4 (30%)

Always!

0 (0%)

Of course!

0 (0%)

Yes, but his polls are frustrating

9 (69%

WHO?!?! FIVE people voted on a poll when they didn't even know the blog's owner! HAH!

And since those who did not think me scary enough outnumbered those who did by one vote, I shall BE MORE SCARY! Sorry for those who had to change their pants. maybe you should watch The Village to toughen yer nerves.

Who?

5 (26%)

Nah

7 (36%)

Yes!

1 (5%)

Excuse me, I have to go change.....

6 (31%)

WHOOT! Gaelic had as many votes as the rest put together! ERIN GO BRAGH!!!
Whoever voted for french had better HIDE. I have a piece of cheese with yer name on it...

Gaelic

9 (50%)

Spanish

4 (22%)

Latin

1 (5%)

Greek

0 (0%)
HTML

3 (16%)

French

1 (5%)

Old English

0 (0%)
German

0 (0%)
Dutch

0 (0%)

Thats it! Polls are goin down, new ones will replace them! Have a nice Easter everybody!

Oh, and I am quite dismayed to report that we are now a socialist country, the healthcare bill was passed at 11:00 tonight. Pray for the USA. The end times are coming with the fall of the last free nation on earth.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

The Foggy Dew!

Ok, so this is the only song so far that I don't actually have compltely memorized, I am still having trouble with two of the middle verses, but I should have it down pretty soon!

A superb version of the song played by the Dubliners here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjnOp3IBqMI&feature=related

An interesting fact I have noticed about this song is that many bands omit the last verses, ending the song with "Bore the fight, that Freedom's light, might shine through the foggy dew."

I do not understand this in the least, my favorite verse of the entire song is the last one, "But to and fro in my dreams I go and I'd kneel and pray for you, For slavery fled, O glorious dead, When you fell in the foggy dew."


Ah well, plenty of bands sing it the way I like, and although the Dubliners sing it wonderfully, I would have to say that my favorite version would be the one done by Celtic Cross, it's use of the the banjo and fiddle to liven the song up is simply phenomenal. Buy it from iTunes if you have a spare buck and like that sort of music, you won't regret it!

Here are the lyrics.

As down the glen one Easter morn to a city fair rode I
There Armed lines of marching men in squadrons passed me by
No fife did hum nor battle drum did sound it's dread tatoo
But the Angelus bell o'er the Liffey swell rang out through the foggy dew

Right proudly high over Dublin Town they hung out the flag of war
'Twas better to die 'neath an Irish sky than at Sulva or Sud El Bar
And from the plains of Royal Meath strong men came hurrying through
While Britannia's Huns, with their long range guns sailed in through the foggy dew

'Twas Britannia bade our Wild Geese go that small nations might be free
But their lonely graves are by Sulva's waves or the shore of the Great North Sea
Oh, had they died by Pearse's side or fought with Cathal Brugha
Their names we will keep where the fenians sleep 'neath the shroud of the foggy dew

But the bravest fell, and the requiem bell rang mournfully and clear
For those who died that Eastertide in the springing of the year
And the world did gaze, in deep amaze, at those fearless men, but few
Who bore the fight that freedom's light might shine through the foggy dew

Ah, back through the glen I rode again and my heart with grief was sore
For I parted then with valiant men whom I never shall see more
But to and fro in my dreams I go and I'd kneel and pray for you,
For slavery fled, O glorious dead, When you fell in the foggy dew.


Next up, The Rocky Road to Dublin, another that I have only partly memorized, in part due to the speed with which one must shout out the unfamiliar words, then we will try some more obscure songs that while not as well known, are just as fun!

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Saint Paddy's Day!

Happy Saint Paddy's day yo all me loyal followers!

GO CHASE A LEPRECHAUN!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Daylight Savings Time

I *HATE* Daylight Savings Time. 'Nuff said.

The Foggy Dew lyrics comin soon! First song I have only partially memorized.

Friday, March 12, 2010

iTunes Tag

I noticed that this tag has no first question, what gives?
Anyways, I don't talk about the music I like much on here, so this should give you an idea of what my iTunes playlist on shuffel looks like.
If you do this tag, just set your iPod/MP3 player on shuffel, and put in the songs that come up as the answer to the questions, starting with the first one.
I tag, J.Shelly, Bethany...aww what the heck, anyone who wants to do it do it alright?


2. If Someone asked you "is this okay?" you say,
Dawn, by Kenta Nagata, Hajime Wakai, Toru Minegishi, and Koji Kondo, on The Legend of Zelda ~Takt of Wind~ Original Sound Tracks
(Not ALWAYS, but ususally:)


3. What would describe your personality?
Take it All, by Third Day, on their Revelation Album
(Pretty accurate)


4. What do you like in a guy or girl?
Riverdance, by Bill Whelan, from the Riverdance Show
(She must know how to clog! Just kidding:)


5. What is your life's purpose?
The Dusty Miller, by The Chieftains, on Water in the Well
(Sometimes it FEELS like it)


6. What is your motto?
When A Felon's Not Engaged In His Emplo, by Pirates of Penzance, I do not know what album.
(Yeah, as funny as that sounds, I actually hate the thought of breaking any law or rule:P A funny coincidence though)


7. What do your friends think of you?
Alley ooP, by Ray Stevens, on Guitarzan
(I am dismayed to be compared to a funnies character, NOT!)


8. What do you think about very often?
Crystal Tears, by Scot Williams, on Wedding Songs
(Techno song that has nothin to do with weddings, I dunno why the album is called that)


9. What is 2+2?
The Road to Durham, by Altan, on Horse with a Heart
(Some would say EVERYTHING leads to Durham eventually)


10. What do you think of your best friend?
Con Cassidy's-Neil Gow's Highland-Moll and Tiarna-McSweeney's, again by Altan, on their Live album
(Long name, great song, same as me friend:)


11. What do you think of the person you like?
Queen Rutela, by Koji Kondo, on the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess soundtrack
(No commment, interesting that that one came up fer that question though)



12. What is your life story?
Argyll Broadswords, by one of sevral unknown artists, on The Best of Scottish Pipes & Drums
(How perfect, a bagpipe song with broadsword in the name:)



13. What do you want to be when you grow up?
Hey Johnny Cope, by Alex Beaton, on 20 Hits of Scotland
(FAIL, Johnny cope was AFRAID of th' pipes)



14. What do you think of when you see the person you like?
The Voice, by Celtic Women, on A New Journey
(O.O)


15. What do your parents think of you?
Bo Mhin Na Toitean/Con McGinley's Highland/Seanamhach Tube Station, by Altan, on their Local Ground Album
(Totally random set of Reels, quite accurate)

16. What will you dance to at your wedding?
Con Cassidy's And Neil Gow's Highlands/Moll And Tiarna/McSweeney's Reels by Altan, on Horse with a Heart
(Great dancing reels, CLOGGING FTW!)


17. What will they play at your funeral?
Prelude to Act 1 of "Lohengrin (LP Version)by an unknown artist on the More of the Most Romantic Classical Music in the Universe album
(This one SCARED me, REALLY pretty slow SAD song, perfect for a funeral, I would much prefer "Lift a Parting Glass" however.


18. What do you think of your friends?
Gweebarra Bridge (Medley), by Altan, on The Blue Idol
(Good fit, if you have ever heard the song, don't ask me how)


19. What is your biggest secret?
Drowsy Maggie - Rakish Paddy - Harvest Storm, by Altan, on their Best of Altan Album
(More reels, I have a LOT of Altan, GREAT band)



20. What is the worst thing that could happen to you?
'Stor, A Stor, A Ghra, by Altan, on their Blackwater Album
(This is a song (In Gaelic mind you, I have read the English translation) about a wee lass who used to be the fancy of every man's eye, but played coy till she was so old no one wanted her, I dunno how to make this one fit;P )



21. How will you die?
Kakariko is Safe, by Koji Kondo, on the Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess soundtrack
(When you hear this song in the game, you have just rescued a young boy from some NASTY monsters who were usin his unconscious body as a banner. It's a hard fight though, and you get hurt pretty bad. This would be a fine way to die in my thinking:)



22. What is the one thing you regret?
Zora's Domain, by Koji Kondo, on the The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess soundtrack
(I REGRET EVER MEETING RUTO AAAAAHHHHHHH!!! Joke that only people who played Ocarina of Time will understand)



23. What makes you laugh?
Highland Cathedral, by The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, on Spirit of the Glen
(VERY cheerful song, really does make me want to laugh)


24. What makes you cry?
Sonata For Cello & Piano In G Minor- by Rachmaninoff
(Caoineadh Cu Chulainn on the Union Pipes by Davy Spillane would have been better, but this is a nice sad song too)



25. Will you ever get married?
The Darling, by Chris Norman Ensemble, on The Caledonian Flute
(O.o This is actually just a flute song, not what it sounds like. By the way, I got to meet and talk to this fella, real nice guy, let me try his very high quality wooden Irish whistle)


26. What scares you the most?
Morrisons's Jig V1, by ********* on ***********
(This is ironically a recording I made of me and my siblings playing our Irish instruments, which is why the names are censored, NO STALKERS!)


27. Does anyone like you?
My Grandma, by Kenta Nagata, Hajime Wakai, Toru Minegishi, Koji Kondo, on The Legend of Zelda ~Takt of Wind~ Original Sound Tracks
(This is just weird)



28. If you could go back in time and change one thing?
Child Of Magik, by various artists, on Tapestries: Celtic Dawn
(I WOULD START READING FANTASY AT A YOUNGER AGE!!!)



29. What hurts right now?
The Wedding Jig/Hiudai Gallagher's March/James Byrne's/Mickey Doherty's/Welcome Home Grainn, by (you guessed it!) Altan, on their album, The Red Crow
(More reels, I am terrible at playing reels...)




30. What will you post this as?
Vivaldi's Rain, by Celtic Women, on A New Journey
(Weird ending)

Well there ya go, I did it, and you now have a look into my collection of incredibly old-fashioned songs :)

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

GAELIC STORM

So guess what? My Dad managed to completely blindside me with my first big surprise in AGES. He took me to DC to see my grandparents, and then on the pretense of going to Old Town Alexandria to look for some sessions to play in, took me instead to Birchmere, a famous Concert Hall slash restaurant.

And you will never guess who was performing there.

Gaelic Storm. LIVE. Tickets were only $35 per person.

BEST NIGHT OF MY LIFE.

Oh man it was so great! I can’t possibly explain how cool it was to see some of my favorite artists performing live. I enjoyed nearly all the songs (One had more than few obscenities in it, which bothered me) got to see BOTH types of bagpipes played MAGNIFICENTLY, and was able to talk to the artists later!

Pat Murphy seemed a little brusque to me, but the other musicians were friendly as anyone I’ve met! Jessie in particular (The fiddle player) was very sweet. They all signed my whistle bag fer me (Pat Murphy said it was the first time he has ever signed such an article) and we bought several fine T-Shirts, adorned by bottles, snails, and the new awesomely-cool Gaelic Storm Logo.

Me gots a black shirt with a green snail, the GS logo, and the words “Don’t go fer ‘th one!” on the back. EPIC!

I will be asking my dear parents if I can post some of the pictures and videos we took here on the blog, stay tuned!