u/Tusker26

I’ve admittedly been away from piping for over twenty years, but I feel as if many of the old Regimental tunes are falling out of favor with a lot of players and bands. Please correct me if I’m wrong.
I grew up in Scots Guards, Gordon Highlanders, QO Highlanders. Of course you can find the highlights on YouTube, but there are some wonderful, not so well-known tunes buried within.
I’d value players’ thoughts. Again, the world has changed in twenty years away. What is the future of pipe music?

Eric
Chicago

I’m really hesitant to post this inquiry because I fully realize that opinions and experiences will vary wildly, some passionately.

I’m a 63- year old piper who has been off and on with the pipes for about 25 years. I’m probably a Grade 3 piper, I’ve never played seriously in a band,nor do I wish to.

I’m looking for online lessons as sort of a sanity check, pointing out weaknesses and helping me work out the kinks. I play both light music and Piobaireachd, and would need guidance in both forms. I like play what I like to play, that why I’m not enthusiastic about bands.

So, in short, I’m looking at the various online options and am curious about others’ experiences. DM me if you feel your response may be sensitive and inciteful.

I’m very familiar with online music instruction, and feel very comfortable in that medium. While there are likely teachers where I live in Chicago, many are with bands, and honestly, I like the convenance of on-line instruction.

Cheers - Eric

I’m attending a California wedding and plan to wear Polo Navy Blue wool blazer (brass buttons) over a white OCBD sans tie. I have a 4.5” embroidered crest sown onto the breast pocket. I feel adding a white pocket square would be a little too much and would look cluttered. I hate an empty breast pocket, but it seems a bit less cluttered without. Thoughts?
Also, on the bottom, flat-front khakis by Bill, and Allan Edmonds walnut-brown leather wingtips. Socks or no socks? Shoes seem like they would need socks, versus loafers

Cheers,
Eric

I’m getting back into piping after a 15-year hiatus. I found a few dozen chanter reeds that I had squirreled away in sealed film canisters. (Do they still make those?) Regardless, the reeds are pretty dry. Can these be slowly rehydrated back to some semblance of life? I image it’s like rehydrating a dried cigar :).
Cheers from Chicago.
-eric

When loading up against a net, recommend flipping the bag around so the handle (and tag) are against the net. PIA disentangling wheels from nets.
Cheers from ORD.

Hi, my name is Eric, and I’m new here. Just ordered a Technopipe and I’m trying to figure out a way to protect it. I’m hoping to carry it in a rather full and heavy backpack that gets tossed around a bit. I’m thinking a hard tube might work. I have a soft case coming, but unsure about jamming that into my backpack for all the same reasons.
What are ppl doing to travel and protect this thing in rough environments?
Cheers,
Eric

I rrecently purchased a DS425+ and three 8TB Red Plus HHDs. Upon arrival one of the HHDs refused to be recognzed by the NAS, regardless of which bay I installed it. The other two HHDs were fine, so went ahead and set up the NAS with the two functioing HHDs. All good.

I returned the non-functioing HHD to B&H, and they immediately shipped a new one, same model. Upon arrival, the new HHD also would not be recognized by the NAS. Regardless of the bay, the NAS would not light up, and the HHD would not spin. I tried switching trays, and bays, and regardless of what I did the NAS would not see the new drive. t also appeared to be DOA.

Last night, the NAS alarms, and I get notifed that one of the two 'functionong 'HHDs is now "Degraded" and must be replaced.

I'm runnng a SMART test on the drive to see what's going on, but I'm assumng that it will recommend replacement.

Any thoughts or recommendations at this point.?

Cheers,

-eric

I’m brand new to this. I have a new DS425+ with three WD Red Pro 8TB HHD, all from B&H Photo.

I unpacked, inspected,and installed all three drives into the NAS, and powered-up for the first time.

After a few minutes I got a solid blue power light, a blinking green status light, and two solid green drive lights. The light associated with the third drive remained dark.

Powered down, pulled the dark drive, inspected, reseat… same issue.

Moved drive to a different bay, and the problem followed the drive.

Incidentally, could not reach the Synology set-up site on browser. The site would see the NAS, connect, User Agreement, then fail to find the site. Now certain this is related or not. One issue at a time.

Thoughts/Recommendations/Advice?

Cheers from Chicago,
-eric

I have a DS425+ coming. My first foray into NAS. Plan to use it for small family files, iPhone photo storage, but no movies or music. What is a good HHD size where I won’t have to upgrade anytime soon? Planning on RAID 5.
Cheers,
Eric

OK, what’s up with the 50lbs “bags of spice” heading for ADD? These come through ORD all of the time, and the smell is very unpleasant. It’s like loading wet sandbags. They are packed in the worst bags and are ungodly to move around in a pit. Any idea what’s in them?
Cheers

My wife and I are setting out in less than a year for an extended cruise in our 2012 Allures 45, Tortuga. I have two holes in my sailing education, Marine Electronics and Diesel Maintenance. Any thoughts on online education or ways to fill these gaps?

Anyone have a FLIR Low Light/IR camera on their boat? Looking at installing a FLIR M300C on our Allures 45. Issues/Problems/Recommendations?

Cheers.
Eric

Just purchased some khakis from Bills Khakis. These pants are wonderful, and I’m having them tailored this week after a quick wash to preshrink.

I do my own laundry and ironing. Would you normally iron a front crease into chinos? I grew-up in the 80s always ironing a crease, but lately it seems the exception not the rule.

I ordered an XL Madras long-sleeve, button-down from J Press. The company says the shirt runs “full”. Any experience with J Press shirt sizing? Will likely have to tailor this shirt as well. Don’t believe there is a substantial bleeding issue with these Madras shirts now, gentle wash in cold water, and hang dry. I feel I’m “laundry obsessed” now.

Overall, enjoying returning to the preppy aesthetic. I grew-up in the 80s in New England, went to school there, so it all feels very natural to me.

Cheers from Chicago,
-eric

Purchased a wonderful pair of Nantucket Red pants from Murray’s. I purchased the pants unfinished, with the intent on having them tailored. Should I wash the pants once or twice to get through any shrinkage before I bring them to the seamstress? I guessing that the length may shrink 0.5”, but the waist should not shrink at all.

Cheers,
- eric

Looking around for chino options in 34x36 in Nantucket Red. Most places cap out the length at 34. Any recommendations?
Cheers from Chicago.

I ordered a pair of these classic loafers in a size 12 off the Bass website. The site quotes the color as “Yellow”, but the photo has them as regular brown. I returned to the site again, and this time the shoes were listed as “Melon” color, but same photo as brown. I want the brown shoes. If these show up directly from Bass and they are any color but brown, I’m sending them straight back. I normally wear a 12.5, but Bass says to size down 0.5 a size, so ordered a 12. Anyone have experience or thoughts with these classic loafers?
Cheers from Chicago.

New here. Looking for a pair of slim fir, Japanese selvedge jeans for 34w x 36l. I’ve just started this journey and have become really interested in a good pair of Japanese jeans.
Cheers from Chicago

Has anyone used Vermont Gloves on the ramp? My Mechanix gloves holed in the fingertips after a month of use. The Vermont Gloves are made of thick goatskin and appear to be exceptionally well-made and sturdy.

I have a pair coming and will post a review after I break them in and put some time in them.

Cheers.