Sunday, April 15, 2007

10 Pipers Piping

Thanks to the new tenants downstairs I got all of 3 hrs sleep last night.

The party they threw for themselves and a few dozen mates lasted until about 5AM. I think it's 3 students that moved into the flat. Maybe they'll drop out of school soon. They are the only students in the building. The rest of the building is made up of quiet families and young professionals like my friend Clare who unfortunately lives across the hall from these morons.

I ran into Clare this morning as I was walking to church. She also looked like she only got about 3 hrs sleep and was having a caffeine fix to try and perk up. She said that 3 times she banged on their door to get them to quiet down.

Why are people inconsiderate?

So as a result of my lack of shut eye I was determined to have a nice nap in the afternoon. As I was walking back to my flat from church I could hear some pipers and drums coming from up the hill but I couldn't see anything as the hedge was too high. When I got back to my flat I looked out the lounge window and could see a small group all standing in a circle.



I know it sounds crazy, but it sounded fantastic. I opened my bedroom window and drifted off to sleep listening to the music.

This is Scotland.

Oh, this just in.... Ray LaMontagne (see post from last weekend) is doing a UK tour this autumn. No shows in Glasgow but many that are but a cheap flight or train ride away. I saw him at Richards on Richards in Vancouver when he was promoting the first album 2 yrs ago? Just him and his guitar, no band. A very intimate show.

6 comments:

D J E and M Huber said...

Count your blessings... the students could have pulled out bagpipes at three in the morning...

Jenny Jack said...

Baaagh!! I want to go see Ray laMontagne with you! JJ

Cursed Tea said...

I get emotional over pipes - homesick and all that - it gets in your blood - especially when you've grown up going to highland games.

In N'awlins there is a band that has funk bagpipes - not suedo scottish or irish - just all out jazz/funk on the bagpipes - and he's quite incredible! I'm hoping to hear him again soon and post pics.

Best Wishes
Kirsty

Chris said...

Dezene - I'm not sure the addition of pipes would have made it worse or not. I'm just glad I didn't have to find out

JJ - hey there, welcome, welcome! One of the shows is in Edinbrugh. I'm game if you are.

Kirsty - ever heard of a Glaswegian lad called Findly McDonald? He was my first introduction to non-traditional pipes. He's got a number of CD's out. Sadly his website isn't all that useful or up to date in terms of purchasing CD's or seeing when/where he's playing. He did make an apperance at the Celtic Connections music festival though.

Anonymous said...

Hey

This is just one of those things that goes hand in hand with tenement life in Glasgow. But if it gets really bad, don't be afraid to call the police in the middle of the night or go down and speak to the offending neighbours the next day. It doesn't happen too often and I find that earplugs are a good investment!

A xx

A. Colleen Jones said...

I feel your pain on this one, Chris. Had a similar problem at my last flat in Galway. Now, of course, the neighbours are quieter but the guy downstairs snores, and the building being of the paper-thin variety (if brick or cement can be said to be thin), I can hear him quite clearly. I have invested in said ear plugs.