Until recently, my only pipe band involvement has been in my capacity as offical Band Wife for my husband's pipe bands. As such, I carry water bottles and hold sweat towels and all sorts of other mean nasty things. Fortunately, I have been otherwise occupied on most Games days as a competing highland dancer.

Then I got injured. And a tenor drummer in the band Harry teaches got pregnant and is unable to complete the season. And now, I'm typing this a mere five days from my competitive debut as a Tenor Drummer in a Grade IV band. And I'm scared shitless. No, really. I may have danced my entire life and enjoyed singing, but I've never played a musical instrument. This is a whole new ballgame. In the last week and a half, I've had to learn the basics of tenor drumming - rhythm, thanks, not flourish! - and try to speed memorize a March Medley.

So, if you happen to be at the Virginia Highland Games in Alexandria, VA, on Saturday, 7/23/05, look for the frightened tenor drummer with the leg cast playing in the Grade IV band contest. Wish me luck!

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