
Self Taught
I was an auto-didact. I learnt everything myself. I couldn’t learn in school.
“That’s because your’e not capable.” said the internalised voice of my mother.
I proved her wrong. I proved them all wrong.
Sometimes you gain prominence because of a fluke.
Then you work hard to maintain your position.
Because of your prominence people may think that you are more talented than you are.
Really you’re no better than they are – you just took advantage of a lucky break.
I didn’t have the proper qualifications,so I couldn’t really get a full-time gig as a cameraman.
I worked hard at it, learning all I could.
It was all about being ready – if one guy didn’t turn up, I always made sure I was available.
The Competition
I’ve always been a big fan of the bagpipes. I never missed the bagpiper of the year.
I always took my camera kit with me. I learnt so much just watching and listening to the bagpipes. Finding the best way to film them. Finding my angles, improving my focus.
This particular year was held at the phoenix golf course in Arizona.
All the professional cameramen knew me, they usually laughed at me and put me down.
Lucky
The night before -I got the call from the head of the competition, Toots McHoots.
The flight from Scotland had been delayed by the weather -Toots told me. The camera guys couldn’t make it.
Toots said he had called every freelance camera guy in America. After they stopped laughing as nobody believed there was a competition. They turned him down.
I said I’d be there. Toots didn’t know I was there already.
“Don’t let the pipers down.” Toots said to me.
This was my time to shine.
I got there early. I sat at one of the tables outside the bar. A perfect position.
I wasn’t going to drink but the waitress came up and asked. I didn’t want to disappoint anybody.
I ordered a vodka martini. With an extra one on the side.
Mastery
They say it takes 10,000 hours to master your field.
This was my moment of mastery.
Those cameramen were still stuck in Scotland while I was fulfilling my life-long dream.
Drinking vodka martini as the official cameraman at the Bagpipe of the Year competition 2018.
Who’s laughing now?
Tim Willow
Next years event is in August 2019
I have started drinking early just to make sure I’m ready.
Next Friday is Burns night. The birthday of the celebrated Scottish poet Rabbie Burns.
If only God the gift to gie us, to see ourselves as others see us.
Rabbie Burns
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Oh dear. What can I say?
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Reblogging to my sister site Timeless Wisdoms
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Thx Ana 🙂
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😊
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Boo Urns! BOO URNS! YAAAAYYY!!!@!!
A masterpiece of theatre, fellow minnow. With skills of such great narration, you shall surely be a leader – what intarnation, ‘eckle berry sin?! A beacon of (strobe) light for our nation.
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Your mastery astounds, in bounds, in sounds
perhaps try skyping the piping for greater hyping
just 6 more sleeps until the neaps are served in heaps.
Slàinte!
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🙂
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I should say this definitely wins an award. Don’t know what,as there isn’t an actual award, but this wins it.
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I crumble, and mumble, “I am ever so humble!”
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Should that be ‘umble’?
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Thank you. You are quite ‘orrect!
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My Dad used to play the Bagpipes many years ago. I always enjoy watching the Edinburgh Tattoo.
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Congratulations on your victory. I’ve enjoyed listening to bagpipe music for decades, but have never been to a competition. Maybe someday
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I must admit I’m a bit disappointed with your drink selection for said event. Wouldn’t a nice Laphroaig have been more appropriate?
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Too peaty…
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That’s dangerously lose to Scottish blasphemy….
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And I’m dangerously close to Scotland but I keep an emergency tam o shanter in my pocket to try and pass for Scottish when the Jacobites maraud.
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Lead them up Culloden moor with the Laphroaig… then grab your shanter and run.
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