The Mighty Worlds Campaign: Day One

I’ve just woken up nice and early on our first day and I’m still excited after seeing everyone for a few ‘quiet’ ones last night. It was great that everyone had arrived safe and we’ve still got a few more flying in this morning.

The drums look great and it’s going to be excellent to get on them. Our very own drum technician ‘Froddo’ has been working on getting the drums up to scratch.

So, here are the vital stats:

Highlight so far: Seeing everyone and meeting the crew that I haven’t yet been lucky enough to play alongside. Everyone really seems like they’re totally into the PBC so it should be a great laugh.

What I’m looking forward to: Getting back on a drum and getting in with the corps, seeing what the tenor section are doing and hearing the harmonies…. Especially in the forth part of Atholl Cummers. Heeeeeeeeeeee dudum hebareeeeeeeee!

There’s also the band dinner tonight where I will anxiously await finding out who wins MVP. (Most Valuable Player.)

What I’m not looking forward to: My back probably dying on me due to not having worn a drum for long periods of time in a while.

Weather in Glasgow: There’s no doubt about it, but it’s bloody magical this morning. Lets hope it stays that way!

Calm Before the Storm

It's August already and I don't think I'm the only person that is amazed by how the months really do seem to fly by quicker and quicker each year. It doesn't at all feel like a year ago today that I had flown into Glasgow to be a part of the 2008 St Marys Band Club World Championships campaign.

In the past year I've managed to play in the Worlds final, the Australian Championships and the New Zealand Championships and be pretty happy with the results from all. I've finished up in Perth, spent six weeks in New Zealand, visited London, Barcelona and Paris and ultimately moved to Glasgow. What a blast.

And now, two days before the band arrives in Glasgow and we get into practicing for our 2009 world champs campaign, I sit on my balcony in the Scottish sun in between solo practice sessions and I simply cannot wait for everyone to arrive and to get stuck into it. It's been almost nine months since I've seen most of the band and am looking forward to catching up with everyone, as well as meeting some band members for the first time.

Not only is it exciting to see my own band, but it will also be super exciting to catch up with friends from other bands, especially the Manawatu crew and the Australian bands that are heading over. Then there's those that are coming from home but not playing, as well as a few Americans, Canadians and Germans!

I was supposed to go camping this weekend but with the hectic and crazy time that is coming up, I thought it might have been a good chance to stay at home and do some practice and basically just chill out. I also missed out on heading to the Bridge of Allan competition but I can always go next year! I'm now working fulltime at Slanj and am totally loving it but it sure was nice to have two sleep-ins in a row before I don't get another for a few weeks.

My plan for the next few weeks is to try and post an entry to this blog at least every second day with updates at to what's happening with the band, any results and any funny stories and photos as there's bound to be a few! For those that are reading this on Facebook, feel free to bookmark the link to the main blog at libbyobrien.blogspot.com for the full blog and photos.

Safe travels to everyone coming from various parts of the world and good luck to all for lead-up competitions! It's going to be a great August and hopefully the weather is kind to us all - especially on the 15th! Piping Live! looks like it's going to be another great week and there is just so much to fit into the next two weeks. Bring it on and I'll see you in the Todd!