Confidence building and confidence boosters

**Graham** · 5th August 04, 08:21 AM

Welcome to the board Dave, glad you jumped in and told us a little about yourself, nice to have someone with your kilt-experience here. I look forward to your posts.

**David Woodington** · 5th August 04, 08:32 AM

Hi Mychael glad you liked the harpy comment. sounds like you have a great wife, mine gives me tons of support,when I got my second kilt (a workmans utilikilt she said "you look great you should get another")then for fathers day guess what I got? You got it, a black original Utilikilt. She has backed me through playing the pipes and really anything I really want to do so lets raise a glass to our fine women who support us (and are willing to kick some A$$ if need be ).On another note I lived in PA for quite a while Born Lancaster live in Levittown,Parents from Huntingdon.

Dave

**Jimmy Carbomb** · 5th August 04, 08:59 AM

Hey David... you need to head up to the Philly area with the wife for a kilted night out! Better yet, hit the Maryland Scottish Weekend at the Ren Faire grounds on September 18 and 19 and let's meet up. I'm in the group Barleyjuice, that will be playing there... in our customary kilts.

As for this thread... this MAY be the best one ever on XMarks! It's an issue with MANY in the beginning of "kilting-up". This place is awesome!

**David Woodington** · 5th August 04, 11:03 AM

Thanks,I'm looking forward to talking with you all and trading expieriances and stories.I was in the navy and got to travel a bit so I am also eager to hear from you all about your homes or homlands.Jim Iv'e heard of your band before,I go to the Southern Maryland Celtic festival every year rain or shine.
Iv'e seen Bonnie Rideout,Tinsmith,The Homespun Ceiligh Band,just to name a few.You will have to sell me a CD,just give me a site or a price.What instument do you play I have been playing the bagpipes for awhile ,need some more practice under my belt,those fast tunes Reels Jigs extra still knott up my fingers.And Graham when I was in the navy we almost made it to Australia and I was hoping to get to check out Tasmania as well but Kadafie(sic)
started trouble and we had to steam straihgt there.
Tell me are the Devils there as nasty as they look(they look pretty tough to me.

Dave

**Derek** · 5th August 04, 11:49 AM

Thanks everyone for your positive support and advice. I have made a note of it all and WILL turn it in to action more sooner than later. I meant to have mentioned in my earlier post that not so long ago when we had some friends coming over for a meal and I decided to wear my kilt, I was in the kitchen organsing the beers in the fridge prior to their arrival when the wife came in and asked me if I was ready. I said yes. She said .. 'you can't wear that' .... I said rather hestitantly and questioningly 'can't wear what? ... 'That shirt' she said, 'Its to creased and grubby in places .. go and put a clean shirt on'. I did. I feel very lucky to have her. Derek.

**Casey** · 5th August 04, 12:11 PM

I have to agree with Jimmy, that this is one of the best threads.

This is exactly what most of us are looking for as members of this forum.

Having been around for awhile and participating in the dialogues, I have developed a kilted-confindence that seems to prevail in all my environments.

My best friend's usual comments are something like, "Are you wearing that again?" or "Do you wear that all the time now?" He's very conservative and a bit of a grouchy bear(We call him, affectionately, John Bear.). But, he goes with me anywhere, anyway, and anytime when I'm kilted.

Thanks guys!

Casey

**mkmound** · 5th August 04, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by Jimmy Carbomb

Hey David... you need to head up to the Philly area with the wife for a kilted night out! Better yet, hit the Maryland Scottish Weekend at the Ren Faire grounds on September 18 and 19 and let's meet up. I'm in the group Barleyjuice, that will be playing there... in our customary kilts.

. . .

Jimmy,

Last night one of the guys in my Scottish country dance class was pointing out a cut from Barleyjuice's album "Another Round" -- I think it was "What's Up Yours". We were rolling!

I missed meeting up with you last week when I was in the area . . .

Mark

**Xcop** · 5th August 04, 02:07 PM

Thanks Men. This really is one of, if not the best, threads that I have read. I think that its important that we share our stories (both positive and negative)to support each other.

David

**Blu (Ontario)** · 5th August 04, 02:52 PM

Derek... I'm know you don't post as often as some of us but when you do it's always a pretty good point of discussion. Your post describes emotions that virtually all of us have gone through - or will go through - at some point. As you point out, having confidence is key to the enjoyment of the experince. The next time you decide to tackle your trepidations and wear you kilt out, I urge you to remember one thing.... Negative comments or quips may be a small part of the experience but they are only words. Words cannot hurt you unless you let them!

Cheers,
blu

**GMan** · 5th August 04, 03:23 PM

This is really a neat thread, one of the best I dare say.

First I want to thank you Derek for your many thoughtful insights at the start. The whole post I really could relate to how my first kilt wearing was developing, I would walk around the neighborhood after dark when I didn't think anyone was able to see, till a car pulled up and said "cool" I was then hooked. Daylight was a slow start just anticipating what others would say, another "piece of cake". That was all I needed, it really is wonderful to have the confidence from the start.

Mychael, You're insights as to the "iffyness" of going to the bar does ring true with me also. Granted I stay away from the bars that are shall we say "seedy" and have a bad reputation, but I have not had problems, just a lot of positive feedback.

Dave,

WELCOME to the forum here, it is really a great place to be and we do have a lot of fun and sometimes like on this thread get serious.