Hey people. This is my first post in a while. I've been super busy studying for exams, so it's time to update you on everything.

The College of Piping's season is starting soon. We had a neat little band practice barbeque thing out at Canoe Cove today. It was a little chilly and I didn't bring a sweater so that was unfortunate. Drum core is sounding pretty decent, better than I was expecting, which is a very good thing. Our first competition is at the Moncton Highland Games this year, which is actually this Saturday. Although I am competing solos this year, Nyall can't make it to Moncton so I won't be competing there in solos. I'm probably gonna be more focused on band stuff this week, cleaning everything up. There's gonna be four or five bands against us there so that's exciting, considering last year we had no competitors until Maxville. Gud. But yeah, it should be fun.

In other news, I did have time to hit up the beach yesterday. Me and alex and a couple of other guys went skim-boarding at Thunder Cove. It was my first time trying it so it was a blast. A lot harder than it looks. It got chilly yesterday too around five o'clock. We hid behind a sand dune though and it was super warm 'cause no wind. I'm so pumped for summer. It's gonna be sick. Hopefully the beaches get warmer though.

Anyways, I have to get some sleep, band exam tomorrow! Shouldn't be too hard, but I need to catch up on my skill tests. We'll have to see what happens. Later!

Sam

Victoria and Bellingham

Hey everyone,

It's been a while since I've posted again. I've been busy with work becoming a great Barista so feel free to stop into Artigiano's on Hastings in Burnaby for some great coffee. Otherwise it's been afternoons of house improvement, tech setup and various other semi productive activities.

On another note however the band has traveled to Victoria on Vancouver Island for a weekend of great competition taking two seconds behind the current World Champs, SFU. It is a little discouraging always coming last... But in our defense there are only two grade one bands. It's more about getting out and learning something new about our performence everytime. As long as we continue to do that we can live with coming second to SFU for a while longer. It was said while we were there that although we're not beating SFU, that certainly doesn't mean we can't kick the ass of the other grade one bands at the worlds this year. I'm really excited about all that.

Yesterday we "attented" the Bellingham Highland Games in Washington. As long as we're "attending" the games we never run into any issues with the boarder gaurds in either direction. They all seem very crankey anyway though.

We had to draw both an MSR and a Medley at the line in Bellingham. That almost NEVER happens. It was really cool though having to be totally confident in two large performences like that. Later on in the day during the Medley our Pipe Major David felt that we sounded pretty great and decided to play our Medley straight past SFU while they were tunning up. That was really cheeky and I think everyone in the band was smiling when for the first time it looked like the World Champions broke a slight sweat. One chip perhaps, off thier inpermiable armor against us.

We played every single drummer and every piper in both competitions. Triumph Street, you can tell, really wants to be something. It's a really great group to be a part of as every field we march onto I feel history taking place. We all seem to think we've got some great things to acomplish in the near future and I believe we're going to do just that!

As a last note, the good times will certainly continue into the next couple years as it was tentatively anounced that The Dowco Triumph Street Pipe Band would be the official representative pipe band of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics!! What a great way to start the summer!

Once again, I'd say the last little while has been productive and a total blast. Thanks for reading everyone. I'll try and keep in touch.

Almost Done!

Well I have 7 days of school left before my final exams EVER at three oaks (if all goes well...). Prom just passed last weekend, it was a great time. All of the props and stuff were really well done I was impressed. The DJ at the school was just fair, but at the party he was UNREAL. One last big party for the grads before most of us go away. It was a lot of fun. Enough about school though, time for Highland Storm...........THE GAEL!

We're completely re-doing highland storm this year. We have someone new directing the show, her name is Stephanie Cadman (I think..). I'm basically going to have no life for about a month because of the rehearsals. We're only getting paid 100 bucks for 102 hours of rehearsal... just fair, but hopefully the show is way better. We're getting paid more for the actual show though. 50 bucks a night, compared to 25 last year, and since I don't have any time for another job, I guess I'm working at the College again, which isn't too bad cause' I can get a lot of practice in and stuff. Turns out mom's taking me to Maxville possibly so, that should be a time. I gotta get my solo stuff together though, it's been all about school and band lately.

Anyways, that's what's going on right now. Band Banquet and Grad Banquet and all of that fun stuff is coming up too. Safe-Grad, I'm pumped for that, but I have to go do a French project OMG YEY. Bye everyone!


Sam


P.S How'd it go Chris?

BLEH

Soooo school has been just pounding the work in this past week. Trying to get a lot of it over with before prom I guess.. I've basically been up every night til 2 doing projects or studying. Haven't had a lot of time to fool around with the camera or blog much for that reason, but there's some stuff on the cam and I finally got to this. Wynn and I filmed some stuff on the weekend though. We though we'd run by those things on the road that tell cars how fast they're going. I can run 28 km/h WEOO. Fun stuff.

Anyways, I'm still trying to find a job. I haven't heard back from the College yet, but I'm still not 100% sure I want to work there. I want more than minimum wage :) I applied at the Call Center and I really hope I get in there. An extra .75 cents an hour for being bilingual! I think I'm going to apply at the Brother's Two as well, but I doubt there's any fulltime employment left but it's worth a try.

In other news, prom this weekend. My vest and tie and stuff came in today, it looks pretty sick. I have a black tux though which is unfortunate because I always wanted a white one, but oh well. I'll live. Prom party should be a blast. It's in Miscouche and they have a huge tent and a DJ and everything. I'm gonna be havin' a time, but yeah. It's late. I need sleep, and I don't feel well. GOOOD night everyone!

P.S Good luck Chris!


Sam

Thursday... Again.

Alright everyone, it's Thursday again and you know what that means. Band practice with The TSPB! This is going to be an interesting one too considering this weekend will be our first outdoor competition as well as the unveiling of our new drums to the world. It's an interesting start to the season as we will be traveling to Vancouver Island to play in Victoria. I've never been there before, so I've got the unkown to look forward to. Just hope I don't get cut... cough cough...

Wish me luck!

-Chris

Hey everyone. I had a pretty chill weekend. Friday I went to the beach to see how it is, and to get pumped for summer. It was sooo cold. The rugby boys at my school won the big tournament that they hosted on Saturday. I went to the after party even though I don't play rugby.... but it was kinda fun. Jocks are lolz. I went to the dentist today too. My first time since November of 2005 :| Turns out I no cavities! I guess giving up pop actually has its benefits.

Yeah so anyways, band wasn't too shabby last week. I finally have the stuff memorized so that's a plus. I had to leave early though because I had to play at a fundraiser for Relay for Life at the legion. Played a couple of songs with Nyall, but yeah. This week I gotta have the music for Highland Storm ready. The girl that's directing it this year is coming in on Thursday to take a listen to hopefully that goes well!

I'm out though. Bye!

Sam

Thursday

Hey everyone,

The BC crew and I have finished moving into our new place. It worked out pretty well... That is to say the guys downstairs don't mind the noise or anything. In return however we have to brave an evening long onslaught of trance music banging away in the basement. So I guess that's a fair trade? We make as much noise as we want from anytime until 11, but they do the same. I'm sure my friends and I can do far worse to our underground counterparts than they can us. I hope...

Tonight is also a Thursday which means band practice. It's my first practice back to the game since I left for PEI. Two weeks too long if you ask me, I'm rusty on the material although I'm sure it'll all come together tonight.

Almost forgot! Our new Andante Drums are in. I'll be getting mine this evening. I'm pretty excited about that too.

Other news... Not much...

I'll keep in touch.

-Chris