Wow, it's been a while since I last blogged.

Not too much has changed really.

However, at one session, I played a solo on the flute. The other players were quite impressed, and another flute player asked if I gave lessons. He was just joking around, but maybe it's not a preposterous idea.

So, I'm going to try setting up some music lessons. There really doesn't seem to be many places to learn, other than slow sessions, and those don't concentrate on individual instruments. I'm planning to do some private lessons, as well as groups, for beginners and improvers on tin whistle, concert flute, and the bodhran. I put together a bunch of flyers, and put them up at the local music stores, coffee shops, some of the pubs, supermarkets, really anywhere with a bulletin board. There'll also be an ad out in the Galway Advertiser this Thursday, and it will run for a couple weeks. Hopefully, there will be good response. (so, if you know anyone in Galway looking for whistle lessons...)

Last night I was at The Crane, where a singer happening to be sitting beside me. After he sang a song, I asked him about singing sessions in Galway, and it came up that I sing myself. I ended up doing two songs over the night, "Old Brown's Daughter," and "Chicken on a Raft." They were both well recieved, since after banging a glass on a table, the whole pub shut up. Playing tunes is one thing, but singing songs for a pub full of people is a pretty good adrenaline rush! Turns out there aren't really any singing sessions going right now, but there are in Gort, and one on Co. Roscommon. I might be able to get a ride out there sometime to join in.

The World Bodhran Championship is coming up, so I'm practicing quite a bit. Right now, I'm focusing on getting my technique really solid. I'll put together something for the Solo category in a week or so, but for the general category I'm just going to wing it; there's really no time to do much else, as I have no idea what tunes I'll have to play against.

The competition is down in Milltown, Co. Kerry, over the May 29th weekend. For the Championship, I'll have to take a bus to Limerick, then transfer to another bus heading to Tralee. I picked up a fairly cheap solo tent, as there will be camping available close to the event, and should be a lot cheaper than a B & B. The tent will also come in handy for later traveling. I decided to test it out the other night. I had it all set up in the front yard, with my sleeping bag inside. However, when I got home from a session that night, there were gale force winds, rain and hail, and it was really cold. I spent three sleepless hours shivering in my sleeping bag in the tent (although I did stay dry), before calling it quits and going in the house. Tonight is a more typical night, so I'll be giving it another go.

A good friend of mine, Mathias, is studying physics at the U of Winnipeg. He recently applied for a research position at the University in Sheffield, England, and he found out that he got in; no small feat, as only 12 people outside of England are picked each year. He'll be over sometime in June (I think), so I'm planning to meet up with him over there. Should be fun!

No pics this time, but I'll get some up during the week.