August – August started with a bang – a train ride with my 13-year old nephew Griffin to Chicago to see Sir Paul McCartney at Wrigley Field! This was a birthday present to Griffin from the entire family. He is a huge Beatles fan and was beyond excited. His first train ride, first trip to Chicago and first (maybe only) trip to see one of the remaining Beatles. While I was not overly excited about the concert, I did consider it a once in a lifetime opportunity. Well let me tell you – this concert was amazing!!! Paul is quite spry for a 69 year-old man and performed for three solid hours!! I was surprised that I knew every song and was truly entertained. Aside from a slightly hairy ride on the elevated train from Wrigley Field to the hotel, wherein a man told me that he wished that someone would mug him because he had a knife and knew how to use it, the trip was wonderful and we had a great time.
We also attended the third wedding of the year for one of Jodi’s oldest and dearest friends. This was the first wedding I had been to where the bride and groom read their own vows and it was quite touching. On to the reception for great food and more dancing! I might mention I was still dancing with a sprained ligament (I thought it was better) and at this point had an issue with my leg that I had yet to identify.August is State Fair time in Illinois at which the piping band performs annually. Also went to the third concert of the summer, second this month. I took my nephews and son to St. Louis for the Manchester Orchestra/My Chemical Romance/Blink-182 concert. Again – a great time was had by all. We had lawn sits and in my old age, I will say that I was getting a little frightened at one point during the MCR show. The party-goers around us were getting a little out of hand. About this time, someone came up and asked how many in my party. I immediately assumed one of my entourage had acted a fool and we were going to be escorted off the grounds. But no! They were giving our free seat upgrades and must have noticed that I was out of my element on the lawn and needed to sit down. We were closer and the kids were beside themselves.
September - Fall – I love you. I started the month by going to the doctor because at this point, I could barely walk. We had just started a fitness challenge at work – part of which was walking a mile at a 2% incline. Yeah not a big deal, right? Wrong when one of your legs does not want to work any longer. Come to find out, I had a tibial stress fracture – most likely made worse by months of parades and dancing as if I was 25 again. So two months off exercise for me, plus my first (and hopefully last) MRI. Although we did have two more parades, these did not seem to aggravate because we do not move at a very fast pace. This month also gave us the last of our weddings for the year. The oldest son of two of my oldest friends got married. We traveled to Michigan for the wedding, which was wonderful. Another fabulous time (yeah I danced even though I should not have. Just cannot pass up an opportunity to dance to “Shout”).
October – Things started slowing down. Ok, not really. We started the month with the St. Louis Highland Games. I did not compete but did participate in the massed bands again. Back to St. Louis, again the next weekend with my oldest nephew Connor for his birthday treat. We went shopping at the St. Louis Mills Mall, a trip to the St. Louis Art Museum at which we viewed the Monet Exhibit (awesome) and then off to the Galleria for more shopping. Let me tell you, this kid can shop. The next weekend found us at another parade for a nearby college homecoming and then to the annual society bonfire for another small performance. And I guess I should mention, my 30-year class reunion was that weekend also. I attended the Friday night function, which more than satisfied my need to relive my high school years. The fourth weekend of the month offered up a party at my sister’s house on Friday, with the next night providing the opportunity to watch my brother-in-law play drums with a group that included another child of an old friend, as he celebrated his 18th birthday. Another great time. Finished out this month by taking part in the Halloween Hooley, with many in the group dressed as the participants in the song “The Unicorn” by the Irish Rovers. If you do not know it, you should.November – Started by going to another concert. A friend of mine won tickets to a Bryan Adams concert and asked me to go along. Another great concert, which was extra exciting because my pipe teacher was asked to play on the song “Cuts Like a Knife” with him. Very exciting stuff! The first weekend found me on a train to Chicago with a friend of mine to go shopping. The next weekend was a trip to St.Louis with Jodi for my first pedicure and tickets to see “Billy Elliott” at the Fox Theater for my birthday. A glorious day. Our last parade for the year was also this weekend, and another performance the day after Thanksgiving at the Festival of Trees in Springfield, followed by a band/dancer Christmas party. This month also brought about the last planned concert of the year – The Avett Brothers with Sean. Another wonderful concert. The opening band was The David Mayfield Parade, whom I had not heard of until they took the stage. They were great and got to meet David Mayfield and have my picture taken with him after the show. More fun stuff! After this, things really did start to slow down, with time being filled by the usual holiday cheer and the fact that my dad landed in the hospital three times within four weeks. Not fun stuff.
As the year comes to a close, I look back and see that it was filled with several experiences, some fun, some not so fun. I feel as though I have progressed nicely in my piping journey and have truly enjoyed the experience. While I have much more to learn, I feel good about my development thus far. I have also enjoyed the time spent with family and friends and am grateful for that time and for them. There are so many things I didn’t mention – book club, movie club – and many other interesting and fun parts of the year. It was nice to take the time to look back and realize how enjoyable life is! One more thing, one of my Christmas presents was a ticket to see Coldplay in August, so I guess 2012 will not be the year I quit going to concerts.
