Marched in my first cold-weather parade--droning in the snow. Yes, it was chilly without an overcoat, while we waited for the action to get underway, but piping is warm enough work that it didn't last. Noted sweat streaming down our pipe major's face. Unfortunately we only mustered two pipers, in total, who could or would play fully functioning instruments. Just trying to keep two drones going while faking the tune seemed enough distraction to interfere with my staying in step. To tell the truth, I never intended to play in the band.

Meanwhile the go-to guy for parts has been unavailable, so I'm still fumbling with the original unwieldy bag.

This is a bit late, as the event described happened a week ago. I just wanted to note my disgust at retailers' trying to force the holidays on us way too early. Now, last month (I believe) my mother complained about finding the season's sights & sounds in some store; I wasn't sure what to think. (Years ago my brother & I came upon a small area in a suburban Target given over to an Xmas display--in October.) But this month we were shopping at the local Wal-Mart. On the way out we were forced to pass a gyrating mechanical Satan Klaus belting out out "Winter Wonderland"--as if it had even snowed here yet. Revolting!

Even NBC's Conan O'Brian objected to the decor already in place last week at Rockefeller Center. Good man!