Ceilidh #4 - Clinical Graduation Ball - 24/06/2011 - 10pm

A ceilidh! At a reasonable time! Though, my idea of 'reasonable' where a ceilidh is concerned is out of place right now. As you know.

A soundcheck that started late and finished early. Si beag si mhor was not played (*shock!*). A slow air instead. It was on the same page at least.

On the way out of hte soundcheck it started to rain.

It rained lots more on the way back for the ceilidh. I had a nap inbetween. We found out things were running late.

We got to play. It was very dark, so I obtained a pair of light up antennae (aka desk lights). It was also very amplified. After we finished playing, it felt like we were underwater. I sat where the red light was.

The dancers had had a little to drink.. Paul called and was incredibly bouncy : )

I think I have ceilidh withdrawal. I also don't have a 'cello at the moment. I might have to do what I've wanted to do since I was eleven, and buy a double bass.. ...

Ceilidh #3 - Yarden's Birthday Ceilidh - 23/06/2011 - 20:00

My first ceilidh at a normal time! Though, "normal" is a bit skewed for me at the mo..

Discovered how wobbly the speakers. Did not fill me with confidence in the slightest. Met the soundcheck bunny:

Also made an apple meringue pie. And there were two other AWESOME cakes - discoworld, and a giant ukulele..

Lots of playing, awesome people, a dance (woo, hop step!), an *interesting* waltz combination, and party rings. What more could you want? Oh yeah! Pretzels. They were there too : )

Then talk about Cake Officer, tidy up, bump into lots of lovely Fitzbillies, and back to Yarden's kitchen for more random funtimes. With some tree lamps. With ravens and bats. Oh yes.

Lots of interesting conversation and Things in the kitchen. Including, but not limited to, the tuning of hardanger fiddles, swear words you can play, eating malteasers with chopsticks (record: 15 in 30 seconds), general giggles, f-holes and soundholes and tea.

Ceilidh #2 - Magdelene May Ball - 23/06/2011 - 04:30

Well, how much faff can we pack into an afternoon? Quite a lot it seems :P

I'll apologise now for my raginess. Being on the Science Park with 'cello and Stuff, making several trips both home and to Magdelene (for black tie clothing), finding soundchecks postponed and then cancelled, dress codes changing and the distinct Lack Of Busses does not a happy Danielle make.

When we eventually got there (after I made an apple meringue pie and slept for a good few hours), we were first taken to the green room. Where there was a bagpiper just about to start warming up. Oh my bagpipes are loud in small, confined spaces. If we weren't awake before, we certainly were afterwards.

Other items discussed: whether the womens' and mens' polos were different. Conclusion: yes. They button in opposite ways, and the womens' are fitted. Bathrobes were also brought up.

We waited for a bit for the stage manager to come grab us, and shortly thereafter found out we weren't to be soundchecked or mic-ed. Wasted afternoon sprang to mind, but hey. I had the morning after the ball to make up my hours in work, right ; )

We haggled to get the caller and leader amplified, albeit to their 75dB level, and started to play. Many people materialised, and soon it was hard for the caller to actually explain the dances. Much improvisation ensued. We're not sure if we could be heard, but we reckon we stayed in time. I hope James's foot is ok from the stomping..

It was rather cold, but my fingers just about survived : )

Went straight to work from the ceilidh, arrived at 7am, and was literally the only one in the office. Got a surprising amount of work done..

Now: quite sleepy.

Ceilidh #1 - Emmanual May Ball - 20/06/2011 - 04.30

Soundcheck enhanced by the remains of the 7-layer dobos torte cake from the OotH garden party.

Actually soundchecking people after having some random fun playing songs with each person on a different note. Am last. Si Baeg Si Mohr as soundcheck choon.. Played it rather a *lot*. Couldn't seem to get my mic working. 2 microphones, several cables, and a short while later, I'm set.

Wake up at 3am. Snooze alarm once. Apparently turn off alarm. Panic, but still make it on time, even conforming to my rule of "Danielle cannot walk into town without bumping into at least 3 people she knows".

Shown to green room after obtaining Planets wristband, and try to stay awake. We're given some crisps.

They're running a bit later, but we boogie on over eventually, I talk to Alex and Sarah, we set up avoiding the sticky floor, and we're off : )

Quite a short ceilidh with lots of rather drunk people (much to the amusement of James, Owen and myself..), but good catchy sets played. Which stuck in my head for quite a while.

I took some photos. They are quite blurry, but I include them for completeness:

Wandered back home just after 6am, and got to work for half 8..

First ceilidh: check!

Some were surprised that it was my first ceilidh - I've been in CUCB for quite a while now, but I've never quite managed to squeeze one in before, what with OotH, UCPO, UCCB, GSM and Baby rehearsals and concerts.. ... That would be why then :P

Ceilidh Madness

Phleh. Need to get back in the habit of writing more.

So, this week, I've mostly been trying to convince my body that I want to be up at (previously deemed) silly 'o clock to play the 'cello. Have finally played in my first ceilidh, which somehow managed to be Emmanuel May Ball. Played Magdelene last night, which was both better and worse. Lots of soundcheck faffage, but more people at the ceilidh..

It's quite novel to play a May Ball, walk back to the house, take out the washing that you set to start at 4am, then walk straight to work, 'cello on back and wearing ceilidh garb. Nice quiet, empty office, and a surprising amount of work done in the hour and a half before people started to show up!

Still at Red Gate, having passed probation -woo! Managed to ask for all of August off before determining whether I actually had a job there ; )

Am very bouncy and excitable for Les Misérables at the Fringe, which now appears to be Happening.

Two more ceilidhs this week, at more sensible times. The one tonight at Fitz shall also feature apple meringue pie, which I thought sounded interesting, and incorporates two of the birthday girl's favourite dessert ingredients. I'll let you know how it goes. It's currently in the oven at home.

This week, I have mostly listening to An Clar Geal. Definitely in a ceilidh mood.

We've now chosen the repertoire and conductors for both OotH and UCPO - I'm rather excited for the concerts next year, and shall be practising lots over the holiday!

Doo dee doo. I don't really know what day or time it is any more. I had a period of 26 hours including 1 hour sleep, work and a ceilidh, followed by an actual ball I was going to. Clare had very good music, ok food, and rubbish rain : ( Luckily, we had an umbrella. Or "undybrella", as my head always tells me.

I need one now. It's just started to rain.

Actually, I think I'll keep a record of my ceilidhs.