"[[What->what]] exactly is our [[end game->end game]]?"
(hide: ?Sidebar)Hmm. "End Game" you ponder. Of course you know what it means.
Definition:
1) [[the stage of a chess game after major reduction of forces->chess]]
2) [[the final stage of some action or process->second choice]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)You take a [[second->why]] for yourself
(hide: ?Sidebar)Your friend looks at you curiously. Waiting for an answer.
You have known Colin now for two years.
Your little project together called "[[The Celtic Kitchen Party->ckp]]" is doing well.
''So well, you think, that it's worth suggesting ...''
[["Let's order nachos"->nachos]]
[["Let's hit the recording studio and make an album!"->first time]]
[["Is there something we can be doing better?"->galway]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)
"I mean this guy is my [[friend->colin]]" you think to yourself.
"I want to do right by him."
"Is this a Vanity Project?" you ask yourself.
It (if:visits >= 2)[(text-colour:green)[still]] //is//... a great question.
What exactly is our end game?
You shake off any doubt and steady yourself for the ''pitch''.
But first.
Maybe a [[beer->beer]] is in order.
(hide: ?Sidebar)(if:(history: where its name contains "time passes")'s length >= 1)["I wanted to talk with you over a beer" you remind him.]
"My treat. I mean I did after all drag you down here for this talk."
"Well we were here anyways..." Colin quips. "We have a show at 9:00 pm..."
''[["Remember?"->remember]]''
(if:(history: where its name contains "800")'s length >= 1)[(text-colour:green)["I remember" you say.]]
Colin looks around the place "You know, I dont think I have ever been in the [[HMCS Navy Club->navy]] before."
Colin turns back to you.
(if:visits >= 3)["What were you saying?"
"Beer. You want (if:(history: where its name contains "830")'s length >= 1)[(text-colour:green)[another] ]one(if:(history: where its name contains "ipa")'s length >= 1)[ (text-colour:green)[more]]?"
(if:(history: where its name contains "beer")'s length >= 2)
[(text-colour:green)["Thought you would never ask" Colin jokes.]
"Yes!"
"I'll have..."
[[Moosehead->moosehead]]
[[Molson Ex->ho hum]]
[[Labatt 50->dead]]
[["...whatever you're having"->andrews choice]]]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)You and Colin realize neither of you have much time left to live on this earth.
Haven't you both beein playing in the sand pit long enough?
Sipping your (if:(history: where its name contains "ho hum2")'s length >= 1)[''Molson Ex''](if:(history: where its name contains "ho hum2")'s length is 0)[''Labatt 50''] makes you both realize this. You opt not to proceed with any music.
In fact... your legs are tired and Colin decides his hair doesn't seem quite right.
You both decide to not even do tonights show .. (you return the deposit of course and apologize to the other guys)
Looks like you should just head home - - and get some much needed rest
You need it
(hide: ?Sidebar)The Molson goes down. And that's about all that can be said about it.
The show goes down too.
The lads put on what is pretty much a lack-lustre performance and [[call it->ho hum2]] a night.
(hide: ?Sidebar)(if:(history: where its name contains "moosehead")'s length >= 2)[Colin is watching you intently. "He is watching me" you think to yourself... "You must be taking an awful long time deciding"]
"Moosehead" you say (if:visits >= 3)[(text-colour:green)[loudly]] to the server who is gently tapping her eraser on the pad.
As she turns to head back to the bar, you panic.
''Was there something you forgot to ask for?''
[[Glass->glass]]
[[Napkins->napkin]]
[[Olives->olives]]
[[Where is the bathroom?->where is the bathroom]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)"Ha. Ha." he bursts out.
"You're [[funny->serious]]"
(if:visits >= 4)[Colin's face becomes a bit more stern. You feel like you're in the principles office.
Why is that?
"I never took you for that kind of person Andrew."
"Don't you think you want to [[rephrase->sorry]] your question?]
(hide: ?Sidebar)"I am" he says. "Next round on me"
What were you saying about an [[album->album]]?
(hide: ?Sidebar)What will Andrew be having?
[[Moosehead->moosehead]]
[[IPA->ipa]]
[[Molson Ex->ho hum]]
[[Labatt 50->dead]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)"IPA of course" you say to the server.
"Yum"
(text-colour:green)[//Both lads look so pleased. You both like IPA.//]
That is something you both have in [[common->common]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)You both look around and see an older couple drinking Labatt 50.
I'm glad we're not quite there yet.
Not that we're a couple... but you know... the drinking of the 50.
"Are you enjoying playing music?" you ask.
"Loving it. Honestly sometimes I'm surprised you keep calling" he says modestly".
"I'll keep coming if you keep calling."
You assure him you will.
Is there anything else you would like to talk about?
[[music->why]]
[[girls->girls]]
[[beer->beer]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)You look around. Sure, looking may be fine, but it always ends there.
You know the love of your life is at home at that's where you want to be - [[after the show->colin thoughts]] - of course.
(hide: ?Sidebar)"Hey. You look deep in thought" Colin says.
"I guess I have been too" he adds. "Myself, I am thinking about my wife and kids... grateful they are so supportive of my music... miss them when I'm out but glad to be home."
He takes a [[sip->time passes]] of his beer.
(hide: ?Sidebar)He appears to look like he is lost in thought.
He snaps out of it.
(text-rotate-z:7)[Why are we [[here->beer]]?]
(hide: ?Sidebar)
Ah yes. Olives.
You remember.
"Bring a bowl of Olives." You think to say "Please"
A bowl will mean that Colin can put a few in at a time. He will like that.
Three or four is the usual you recall. Why was it so hard to remember this?
This is his favourite drink... besides Scotch.
''(if:visits >= 2)[(text-colour:green)[But... ]][[Maybe you should have offered him that?->confident]]''
(if:(history: where its name contains "olives")'s length >= 2)[You quickly collect yourself and watch Colin lovingly drop his Olives into the glass. He takes his first sip. He knows what he likes. This would work with Keiths as well you ruminate... (perhaps based on observance) //but// Moosehead is the preferred drink.
You nailed it - he looks so happy - now back to the ''pitch''
''Should you say?''
[[Look Colin. Pony up the money. It's just gotta be this way or nothing!->forceful ]]
[[Are you enjoying your drink?->response]]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)
Clearly the beer will be served in a [[glass->moosehead]].
This is a fine establishment, and not likely something one needs to even ask for.
You feel a bit foolish.
(hide: ?Sidebar)No. That can't be it.
You didn't order food.
Colin doesn't drool from the side of his mouth when drinking.
(Not that you've been [[watching->moosehead]] him)
(hide: ?Sidebar)You [[don't->moosehead]] really have to go.
[[Sure->bathroom]] - I'll check it out
(hide: ?Sidebar)Enthusiastically you deliver your pitch ...
"I think having an album of music will be a really great calling card, like a resume to get more shows."
"Recording has been a really great experience... you remember your first taste?"
"Yes - Recording ''Amazing Grace'' was a fantastic experience" he recalls.
"It might [[cost->cost]] us a bit, you fairly state, but will totally be worth it."
"I really do think it could elevate us - well that is my hope anyways - I think it's worth a shot"
[["What do you think Colin?"->ask colin]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)"HMCS stands for ''Her Majesty's Canadian Ship''" Colin gleefully explains.
"Did you know that the HMCS Kingston is a Kingston-class coastal defence vessel that has served in the Canadian Forces since 1996. Kingston is the lead ship of her class, ordered under the Maritime Coastal Defence Vessel Project. She is the first vessel to use the designation HMCS Kingston."
"She is assigned to Maritime Forces Atlantic (MARLANT) and is homeported at CFB Halifax."
Colin really knows his stuff you think to yourself.
All you know is that, this venue, the HMCS Cataraqui club [[celebrates->beer]] it's Navy personnel.
(hide: ?Sidebar)Colin ponders...
"Gig money I give to my wife... makes things... smoother."
"For all the times that I'm out of the house."
(seq-link:"Recording an album...","Hmmmm", "I nudge some olives his way...", "Colin pauses", "I think...", "[[if you think it'll work->ask colin]]")
(hide: ?Sidebar)Colin pauses.
''You look at your cell phone.''
[[Should you check the time?->700]]
[[Should you check your facebook?->facebook]] Maybe something exciting has happened?
(if:(history: where its name contains "first time")'s length >= 2)
["How much will this cost?" says Colin, quickly adding "Not that money is an issue per se.."
"You know me. I'm willing to do anything... [[BUT...->the pitch]]
[[Why?->why]]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)It is ''[[7:00 pm->first time]]''
(hide: ?Sidebar)Colin Skinner.
He plays the bagpipes and tin whistle. Maybe one day he'll get around to learning how to play keys. I mean he did pick up that neat little one octave, key board thingy. That would be cool to ...
You catch yourself daydreaming
''What should you do?''
[[snap out of it?->why]]
[[reminisce some more?->colin2]]
[[go deeper->andrew]]
What [[more->why]] is there to know?
(hide: ?Sidebar)Yup. It's a bathroom.
And you //still// don't have to go.
Maybe you should finish your order?
Your panicked look made the server swivel back to you.
Then you asked for the bathroom. I think you said "Wait here".
Odd
She is waiting... probably not so... [[patiently->hallway]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)You have [[never->end game]] played chess together before.
That might be a nice thing to do sometime
(hide: ?Sidebar)Clearly he means the [[second->second]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)Boasting a diversity of talent ''The Celtic Kitchen Party'' plays a mix of their own celtic infused originals as well as traditional and contemporary East Coast, Irish and Scottish - - with just the right dash of Pop and Classic Rock!
The name conjures up that down homer feeling where all your relatives and neighbors drop by for a traditional kitchen party. This ensemble group brings a lively high energy performance to any venue for a night you and your guests are sure to remember.
CKP has shared the stage with The Mudmen, The Mahones, Sean McCann, Next Generation Leahy and Queens Bands to name a few.
[[More?->ckp2]]
Though you should probably get back to [[Colin->what]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)All of the lads' energy and experience has culminated in a (text-colour:green)[three album collection] available in CD and DIGITAL through the band, and on all major platforms. These albums continue to be seated somewhere between original upbeat party tunes and beautiful storytelling to creative re-imaginings of traditional favourites.
"Well".. you think... "That's the dream at least"
[[More?->ckp3]]
You should probably get back to [[Colin->what]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)Career highlights include; Iqaluit Humane Society fundraiser (NUNAVUT), 2017 Grey Cup Festival (Atlantic Schooners & Spirit of Edmonton), Brockville & Bath Tall Ships Festivals, Stirling Festival Theatre, The Perth Kilt Run, Fort Henry, Kingston RibFest and many of Ontario's Canadian Forces Bases.
So?
What are you waiting for?
Set your event apart - be prepared to dance and sing along to some of the best party music ever made. Period.
Welcome to The Celtic Kitchen Party!
You sit back with a proud look on your face. Yup that //is// a great [[bio->ckp4]].
(hide: ?Sidebar)''Colin Skinner'' instantly beefs up the band's Scottish feel!
He is a founding member of the ''Devil’s Own Pipe Band'' with over 30 years of piping experience. Playing with several Military and Civilian Pipe Bands he has performed for international dignitaries including Queen Elizabeth II.
Neighbours are always ringing his doorbell at night...
When he practices, "so do the neighbours" you chuckle to yourself
What [[more->730]] is there to know?
(hide: ?Sidebar)
You were born with a microphone in your hand.
You are the front man of CKP predominantly playing the acoustic/electric guitar.
You have shared the stage with Don Cochrane, Trevor Strong (Arrogant Worms) opened for Jason Blaine, Mike Trebilcock (Killjoys) and recorded with Kelli Trottier.
And...
You often daydream.
''What should you do?''
[[snap out of it?->why]]
[[reminisce some more?->colin2]]
[[go deeper->walnut]]
What [[more->why]] is there to know?
(hide: ?Sidebar)
You are a [[walnut->colin]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)Colin is staring at you. Waiting. His look is quite quizical.
"You like to daydream a fair bit, dont you?"
"Learn something new everyday" you say rather quickly
- - yes - - you chuckle - - that //was// a good retort.
You should definitely get back to [[the conversation->why]].
(hide: ?Sidebar)That's right. You //do// have a show happening here at 900 pm.
You are already set up though. So that's a good thing.
Still...
You want to start the show on time and continue this conversation
You look at your [[cell phone->800]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)It is ''[[8:00 pm->beer]]''
(hide: ?Sidebar)You check your cell phone.
It is [[7:30 pm->why]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)You remember it's rude to check your social apps. Your wife will call you if the world is burning.
You should probably [[stop daydreaming->first time]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)You are [[serious->forceful ]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)(if:(history: where its name contains "sorry")'s length >= 1)[(text-colour:green)["You don't really seem sorry at all..." Colin drifts off.]]
"This project was supposed to be fun"
"Look..." Colin says sadly. "I'll finish the night cause I'm a classy guy...
But we're [[finished->ho hum]] after this."
The server brings over two Molson beers.
"Cause that's all we have", she lies.
(hide: ?Sidebar)"''I'm sorry''" you hear yourself saying.
Do you really mean it?
[[Yes->forgiven]]
[[No->colin goodbye]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)"All is forgiven" he says cheerily.
Colin is a swell guy you think to yourself
What the hell were you thinking?
Colin is your [[friend->colin]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)You check your cell phone.
Sweet wallpaper.
It is [[8:30 pm->beer]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)You raise up your glasses together for a toast.
''"Sociable!"''
You both take a long thirsty sip. After all you both have earned it.
Colin asks "What shall we call the album?"
[[''CONGRATULATIONS''->finish]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)''Congratulations!''
That's pretty much how it went ... and the rest they say... is history. The lads put on a great show that night at the ''HMCS Cataraqui''.
They ended up with enough material after their recording sessions for a triple album.
1. Sociable!
2. Lobster, Tail and Beer
3. Last Call
You can check out our music online at all the major digital platforms.
Our music is also available at our online store. Feel free to enjoy this $10 off coupon at our merch store. Use coupon code (text-colour:green)[tenbucksoff]
<a href="https://celtickitchenparty.square.site/">celtickitchenparty.square.site/</a>
Thank you for your continued support - Hope you had fun!
''THE END''
(hide: ?Sidebar)You order nachos. Afterwards you feel terribly heavy.
You both still have a show to do.
You'll [[never->730]] do this again.
(hide: ?Sidebar)You're in the hallway
The door back to the main room is infront of you
In the corner of your eye you see a scuffle happening
''What do you do?''
[[The server is waiting->mooseheadalt]]
[[Investigate the scuffle->scuffle]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)A patron is being belligerent to the door staff. A crowd is gathering around...
This has never happened before... There is always a first time of course.
The patron is getting pushy now and the staff need help.
''What do you do?''
[[Get involved->involved]]
[[Head back to the main room. The server is waiting->mooseheadalt]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)You decide to help out - but you know you'll need help from at least one other person.
Who do you ask?
[[Nathan->nathan]]
[[Scott->scott]]
[[Kevin->kevin]]
[[Ted->ted]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)If you want to keep time there's no better guy than ''Nathan''.
You are about to ask him but notice he was called [[away->involved]] for sound check.
(hide: ?Sidebar)You get the feeling that ''Scott'' would help out in a pinch. You are about to ask him when you think about him doing those sweet licks with broken fingers
You shudder.
At least you can strum the guitar with your knuckles.. if you had to.
Is there [[nobody else?->involved]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)Before you can even ask him, ''Kevin'' has already hoisted the belligerent fellow over his shoulder and ejected him to the curb.
"That was some lighting fast reaction time" you remark.
You recall a story about the ''Tir Nan 'Og Irish Pub'' when Kevin was sitting at a table enjoying the performane. The Celtic Kitchen Party was on stage putting on a great show when a patron walks up to the tip jar.
At first it looks, to you, like he is putting money in a jar, but later you learn, he was actually taking money out - as well he was stuffing merch down his front pants. Before you can say anything over the microphone Kevin has flown out of his seat, arm-barred the patron and ejected him from the venue.
The venue and the band load him up with drinks and merch with much thanks.
You'll make sure to ask Kevin next [[time->845]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)
You recall humorously that ''Ted'' can be pretty dangerous with a fiddle bow in his hand. We often joke he'll take your eye out if you get too close to him during a fiddle solo.
But he [[doesn't->involved]] have his bow with him right now.
It's still in the case.
(hide: ?Sidebar)
As you're walking back to the main room you check your cell phone
''It is 8:45 pm''
As you sit down you [[regale->regale]] Colin about your adventures in the hallway.
(hide: ?Sidebar)You remember reading this from the Encyclopedia Britannica. Your grandmother had a whole wall of them.
regale
/rɪˈɡeɪl/
verb
1.
entertain or amuse (someone) with talk:
"he regaled her with a colorful account of that afternoon's meeting"
Remember a [[time->855]] when stuff was in a book?
(hide: ?Sidebar)Was there something you forgot to ask the server for?
[[glass->glass]]
[[napkin->napkin]]
[[olives->olives]]
[[Where is the bathroom?->dumbass]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)You [[already know->forget]] where the bathroom is.
(hide: ?Sidebar)You head back to the main room where Colin is sitting.
You launch into some small talk but you have a peristent uneasy feeling that maybe you should have helped out with the scuffle.
''What do you do?''
[[You stay and finish your order. A scuffle in the hallway is certainly not your problem->problem]].
Return to the [[scuffle->scuffle]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)The server has brought two Moosehead over. They look delicious to you.
You raise a toast.
Although Colin seems to be enjoying the beer and having a good [[time->900]], you can't help but wonder whether something is missing for him.
(hide: ?Sidebar)It is 9:00 pm... Showtime!
Everybody seems to be having fun and the crowd is up and dancing shouting along to all the favourties.
Too bad they are not your own songs. You had hoped to record an album of some original material and capture the CKP party up to this point.. BUT... you didn't get a chance to have your conversation with Colin.
That's okay, you'll have a chance another day...
[[Wont you?->crash]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)As you're daydreaming about when next you'll be able to bring the topic up - and whether you unloaded the dishwasher...
You notice through the corner of your eye somebody is running towards the stage at full tilt - it must be that dumbass patron from ''the hallway scuffle'' - he has just jumped up onto the stage.
Before you can call for a bouncer the jerk jump kicks ''Scott'' in the fingers.
Bye, bye //sweet licks //
''Ted'' gets him good //in the eye// of course, but not before the bum has kicked in all the speakers and bled all over your guitar //before// stomping on it - of course (the finishing touch).
Meanwhile ''Nathan'' has kept some brilliant timing on the drums, but is too late to intervene once he realizes what is happening...
The show is [[ruined->ruined]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)You spend as much time as you can saving up for more gear...
You really can't have any other priority at the time.
Sadly, the band loses momentum and the HMCS Navy show is your ''very last show'' with The Celtic Kitchen Party
(hide: ?Sidebar)No.
"Beer is the right choice for tonight", you think confidently.
(if:visits >= 2)[(text-colour:green)[You are sure of yourself.]]
You return to being [[//present//->olives]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)''It is 8:55 pm''
Colin listens to your story, smiling and nodding attentively.
"[[Tell me more->900]]" he prods.
Why is the server [[still here?->forget]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)''Looking back could you have done anything differently?''
[[Yes->beer]]
[[No->dead]]
You don't want this to be your final show...
(hide: ?Sidebar)You reply...
"This isn't a vanity project for me - I think we have some real commercial potential here -
Firstly with the traditional songs but also we can have a lot of fun with originals and I believe the market is out there for this kind of music - "
At that point... I smile.
I ''know'' his answer.
For whatever reason his excited thumbs have texted me the answer -
I get the message
(force-input-box:"=XX=","I trust you. I'm all in!")
(after:25s)[[[Let's Celebrate!!->sociable]]]
(hide: ?Sidebar)Colin suggests taking the time to teach you the actual words to Galway Girl before you mess it up again.
You *blush*.
It's true.
There are likely four different variant versions floating around in your head.
You [[spend the time->730]] tightening this song up.
Steve Earle would be proud
(hide: ?Sidebar)