Pics from Monterey, California Games Aug '11

[longhuntr74]

Looks like a great day, Jeff. Where were the games held? It's been a long time since I attended the Monterey games. Originally the games were held at the polo field on the 17 mile drive. Then they were switched to the Monterey Fairgrounds.

Good to see Jamie and Star are looking well.

Jamie and Star are very well. We see them somewhat frequently. Had a family excursion to the aquarium with them about 3 weeks ago.

Monterey Games are actually held in Salinas these days at Toro County Park. As Brooke mentioned it is a very nice venue...plenty of room, abundant shade, etc. County fairgrounds don't have enough parking or space for the games...guessing that was also a problem on 17 mile drive. They apparently had a very good turnout this year...so it seems that the Monterey Games might be growing. It's one of the smaller ones in the area. I've been told that this next one at Pleasanton is the Largest games in the US, if not the entire world (excepting perhaps "The Gathering"). We already have our room booked for labor day weekend up there...should be a good weekend.

[Jock Scot]

Super pictures and nice to see some old friends there and to be able to put a name or two to faces.

[Highlander31]

Jamie and Star are very well. We see them somewhat frequently. Had a family excursion to the aquarium with them about 3 weeks ago.

Back when I was doing a lot of diving in Monterey Bay there was a place about 5 minutes from where the aquarium is now located, that served the best squid burgers.

...I've been told that this next one at Pleasanton is the Largest games in the US, if not the entire world (excepting perhaps "The Gathering"). We already have our room booked for labor day weekend up there...should be a good weekend.

There are only a few things I miss about the Bay Area, and the Pleasanton games would be pretty close to the top of the list.

[piperdbh]

I was at the Monterey Games two years ago. They were held in a beautiful park with those big sycamores all around. Thanks for reminding me of them.

Did they have the Drum Major competition this year?

[Spartan Tartan]

Great pictures! Looks like a lot of good times. Maybe someday I can get back to Monterey...beautiful place.

[CMcG]

Very nice to see that some formerly prominent, though now less active, Xmarkers are doing well

[M. A. C. Newsome]

Wow, the tweed in Brooke's jacket is VERY nice! :-)

For the record...I was going to change into white hose to match the masses...but the Post XO (Marine next to me not wearing any hose at all...just athletic socks and combat boots) told me that it wasn't necessary for this event...some of our games gigs are rather impromptu. This is one of them. We do worry about uniformity for parades and the Pleasanton Games (where we are the official colorguard for something like the 3rd or 4th year in a row.

I have to say this bothered me a bit in the photos. I'm not bothered at all by the lack of uniformity in the kilts, but the variety of footwear really jumped out at me. I once belonged to a color guard where we all wore our own kilts, but because of that we really tried as much as possible to match in all other regards -- uniform shirts (or sweaters in the winter), caps, hose, spats, etc.

And it was the fellow with the hiking boots and athletic socks that bothered me the most. I thought, at least the others are wearing kilt hose!

His look would not have bothered me on its own, but as a part of a uniformed group such as a SAMS color guard, I would have thought it would have been worth the effort.

[McClef]

Clan Inebriated? Whatever next!

Great photos!

[longhuntr74]

Clan Inebriated? Whatever next!

Great photos!

McClef...I agree that the name might not project the best image. They have been banned from a couple of games by certain organizers that consider it an affront to Scottish culture, etc.

I'm not looking to start a big debate here about the sanctity of the clan system, etc. What I do want to say about this particular "clan" is that the originator is actually a "vendor." The extent of his sales is basically just "clan memorabilia"...t-shirts, mugs, flasks, etc. My wife and I found the owner, Dennis, and his wife to be very friendly and generous hosts. It's really, in essence, a hospitality tent. They offer anybody and everybody that comes by a chair to sit in out of the sun (or rain, if that be the weather of the day), a drink, and friendly conversation.

When asked about the origin of "Clan Inebriated," the owner, Dennis, explained that he was at a games a few years back and had engaged in conversation with a Scottish lass and her Polish boyfriend. When asked about his opinion on the games, the Polish lad said that he found them quite fascinating. He was particularly impressed with the family-friendly atmosphere, music, and availability of "drink." His expressed disappointment was that he felt a bit like an outsider because he didn't have a clan affiliation. He wanted to belong in this great community of people. That comment stuck with Dennis and he formed Clan Inebriated as a "club" that people can join to have a sense of belonging. Again, perhaps not the best name...but I fully support the concept of being a friend of all. It's really not much different than what we do here on XMTS in terms of being ambassadors of Scottishness and the kilt.

[sydnie7]

Thanks for the pics, looks like a fun event! Just a bit too far for Bob and me under current circumstances but maybe in the future. . .

BTW, in re:
During the day on Saturday. From L to R: Richard (not sure of his XMTS name), Panache, Scottish Terrier, and Myself...standing in front of the "Clan Inebriated" tent...enjoying some drinks). Richard looks to be Way2Fractious, one of our more prolific and inventive kilt-makers.