THE MOST IRISH OF THE IRISH ARE BORN IN AMERICA

Last night I went to a Concert at the P.A.C. in Newark, NJ, a fabulous arena. The concert was by the Chieftains a famous Irish group. The people attending ranged from the senior citizen to young children and they all had a great time. There were Irish Dancers, a world class fiddler and the Harlem Gospel Choir that together made up an eclectic mix of talent. As the audience filed out they came to a halt and crowded the railings to look down at the Main lobby where there were massed Pipers and the pipes. The banshees started wailing as the pipers began.

When I was a Freshman in College I was unfortunate to be leaving a classroom and catch my trousers pocket on the door knob and almost rip the pocket completely away. The Professor noticed and with a smile unfastened a safety pin from behind his jacket lapel. To this day I always have one fastened there. You never know is my motto.

The hymn, Amazing Grace , has be performed in many fashions and sung by many singers over the years but none rival the beauty of this song played on the bagpipes. When the Pipers moved into this song there was a hush so deep that it could be cut with a knife. Nothing and nobody moved and I dare say not too many even drew a breath. The crowd was mesmerized and transfixed and listened in awe. I was lucky enough to be at a rail and I reached behind my lapel and unfastened the pin I had there. I dropped it down to the marble tiles below and could see it hit: bounce and land again. BOOM, BAM. Sprint would have liked to use that idea for a commercial. They played for about 20 minutes and held every one frozen in place with each new selection.

Afterwards we returned to our Hotel and stopped in the Lounge for a night cap. The two wives were drinking Irish Coffees , the other man a beer and I my trusty Coke. I may not be drinking alcohol but as my wife tells me I still drink like an alcoholic, ordering the next before the last is gone and greater quantity than the others in the group. We stayed there for about an hour until a quartet of Cigar smokers vanquished us. This was a memorable evening and a great day.

Today 100%

One day I will have to post my rating system for all to understand. It is something like the Restaurant reviewers hats or Bar reviewers pretzels.