Bagpipe John
Many years ago, a work colleague, Ramose, and I sat during lunch talking about nothing in particular. Out of nowhere, he had a plan.
“John, let’s take up the bagpipe.”
I coughed, and ice tea came out of my nose. “Come again.”
“Let’s take up the bagpipe. Let’s learn to play.”
“What are you talking about, Ramose?”
“I saw this class they’re giving at the Woburn Community Center. It’s only a couple hundred dollars..”
“Wait,” I said, pushing away from the table. “You want to take up the bagpipe?”
“Yeah, why not? It’s one night a week for ten weeks.”
“And just why would we want to do this? What do we get out of it?”
“You always say, John, you pride your uniqueness. How many people do you know that play the bagpipe?”
“None! And, Ramose, this is clear! I am not missing out on anything by not knowing bagpipe players.”
“I thought you were adventurous. It’s the on;y reason I eat lunch with you.”
You know, Ramose has a point. Why shouldn’t we go off and do the weirdest and silliest thing that comes to mind? Aside from the fact I am not sure how much we can learn in ten weeks, and when you think about it, how many songs does anyone play on the bagpipes? I can think of two, Scotland the Brave (you may not know the name, but you’ll recognize it immediately when you hear it) and Amazing Grace.
No, I did not take Ramose up on his offer, and as I sit here writing about this forgettable moment in my life, I wish I could have a mulligan. This story falls under the realm of “had I’d only known” moments.
No, I doubt I would have gained much from learning to play the bagpipe, though I know I would have met some strange new characters who’d be fun to know and provide story fodder for my writing. And it would give me a tantalizing blurb for my biographical sketch. Tell me you would not be intrigued seeing “He plays the bagpipe” in the list of my other outstanding skills and qualifications.
Life is full of would-ofs, could-ofs, and should-ofs. I don’t know. I wonder where Ramose is and what is on the Community Center’s list of classes.
Thank You, Supreme Court
On this Independence Day, I want to take a few moments to say “Thank You” to the United States Supreme Court. All freedom-loving people welcome the court’s recent decision about presidential immunity, and we really can say, “Free at last, Free at last, that the court almighty we are finally free at last.”
The court said the justice system cannot prosecute the President (or someone who used to be President) for alleged misdeeds, “At least with respect to the President’s exercise of his core constitutional powers, this immunity must be absolute.” The justices also mentioned the President’s “Official” duties.
The court did not mention the Constitutional Provision of “equal protection under the law,” so I guess that still applies.
I Am Not Going To Talk About That, In My Graduation Speech
We are in the season for graduation speaches. No one has asked me to give such an adress, but if they do, I am all set to go.
Life (and writing) Go On
Writing is weird. I have been amid final edits to my book. I have spent time on my website and getting email set up and marketing aspects - lots of back office items
I have neglected a lot, including communicating with my publisher and other contacts. It's been two weeks. I will address that problem tomorrow.
I have to spend some time getting ready for a workshop this coming weekend at the University of Iowa Writers Festival. I need to schedule a few other sessions.
Then, I've started to work on my second book, again. I've already done work on it, including
Lost in a Stereotypical World
It is unusual for me to head off to the airport and get on a non-stop flight to major cities. Most of the traveling I do by air takes me to smaller towns not reached with a direct flight from my home base in Iowa. So, unless I am heading off to Chicago, Detroit, Denver, or a few other cities, I spend a lot of time at these Hub airports. I sit there waiting to make connections for flights to my final destinations.