I'm not sure that it really fits the blog, but what the hell.
I recently attended a Texas "Gathering of the Clans" and "Highland Games". I had heard about this type of festival for years, but had ...just ...never...gotten...around...to going.
There are apparently a BUNCH of people with either real or fantasized Scottish roots who get together occasionally (think Renaissance Festivals and add kilts) to drink, sing, dance, drink, compete, play and drink.
There was a hammer throw, which is a weight attached to the end of a pole which is then grabbed by big chested men (unfortunately not big chested and scantily clad women) and chunked over their shoulder. There's a caber toss, which is basically a log they chunk upright, and a stone throw which is a form of shotput.
In addition there were sheepdog competitions, lots of Celtic music, lots of bagpipes, and lots of food.
As to bagpipes, I know they're not for everyone but I like them. When the Drum and Bagpipe Corps started up and marched around the perimeter of the festival I actually got goosebumps.
The people at the festival take it very, very seriously. Let me repeat, the people at the festival take it very, very seriously. Everyone was extremely nice, and being loud and uproarious wasn't frowned upon, but being disrespectful to the concept was.
I was amazed that so many men would be wearing kilts. I honestly believe there were more kilts than pants there. Several of the women had modified kilts, the modifications being that they weren't as bulky, weren't as concealing, and were short. Very, very impressive.
It was a very entertaining time, and for those of us in our 40s and above, we are trying to squeeze in all the entertainment we can.
I'll close with a note on a t-shirt I saw. It was from
www.got-kilt.com. The front said, obviously "Got Kilt?" in the Got Milk? type lettering.
On the back it said:
"It's a kilt. If I worse something under it, then it would be a skirt."
