Tuesday 14 October
Sky still a glorious cerulean blue. Definitely not Oban in October. Daughter and son competing today - son, barely able to talk but insistent on telling his story which he wrote himself - a very traditional Gaelic tale from outermost Flodda, about a wee Swahili boy who fought a lion and killed it and became a Masai warrior. Daughter spent afternoon sussing out competition in Corran Halls, and who had the trendiest white blouse.
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Launch of my new teaching resource Seinn o ho ro Seinn, a double CD set of 40 popular songs, including the spoken word (by the omnipresent Arthur Cormack) and a book of lyrics and translations, including all the Junior prescribed songs for Mod 2004 in Perth. Delighted when so many people attended. Gaelic Books Council immediately begin selling it - a lot of work went into this, hope it will be useful to teachers and competitors all over Scotland.
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Caught, mid checkout, by Oban FM broadcasting live in Tesco's - never let it be said I only perform in the biggest halls. Sang a South Uist song and watched as it was broadcast live to Lochboisdale by two Mod-goers and their mobile phones.
Meet up with our Gaelic pals from Seattle - one pregnant former Whistlebinkie (Judith Peacock) and spouse, both competing. Have rehearsal with Judith for our Humerous Dialogue sketch, written for us by Angus Peter Campbell - including prop of pregnant sheep(!). Spice (is that the plural of spouse?) find it all very amusing.
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Sister arrives from Gaelic Hotbed of Mosstodloch, complete with crutches - broken ankle – to find B&B on 3rd floor.
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Wednesday 15 October
My day. Feel remarkably calm. He has the nervous bowel disorders for me. Songs are well learnt, Gaelic as honed as I could make it - why does the Mod have a Gaelic adjudicator anyway for fluent competitions? If you sing in English, you don’t get marked on your pronounciation…. [mmm, controversial – ed] Observe some of the Men’s Gold competition, with some very fine knobbly knees on view. Dale from Seattle goes on to take men’s Silver Pendant - Premier Learners Competition.
Everyone all smiles and "Lovely to see you again, ciamar a tha thu?" Underneath it’s " B****r – I was hoping she wouldn't compete. She's good."
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Not placed in first competition but Hurrah! Win the one I've wanted for years - the Oban Times Gold Medal - a veritable gong if there ever was one, but worth considerable £s. If I can't get THE Gold Medal, the Oban Times is the next one to get. Have to perform in the street for radio for audience of 200 and the odd poodle. Decide I won't get through to Final so don’t go back for results of Oran Mor (the Big Song) - find out later I was second to Jenna Cumming of Inverness. Fantastic! Might scrape through on aggregate?? Yes, yes, add it up, oh yes, going to get there…. Yes, yes, ……Noooooh! Miss out on a place in the final by one mark. Oh well, there’s always next year. Enjoy a lively bit of puirt a beul and away for well deserved G&T to celebrate - my winnings just paid for a round. Will the Mod ever catch up with Wimbledon-style £? [No – ed] Can relax now.
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© Fiona Mackenzie, 2003 |
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