The Price of Fun
Band members are likely in a bit of shock over the cost of air tickets to Glasgow. There's no question that it is a more expensive proposition than it was last year. We are bound by the fact that we spent lots of band money on badly needed new drums, and have less to play with than last year, and can't afford to pay down a portion of everybody's fare in advance.

"How can I afford this?" you might be asking. "How can you not?" I would reply. For those of you early in your school/work cycle, money is hard to come by, and $600 more is a lot. The good news is this: it won't ever be easier. Add home and family commitments, spouses with less interest in pipe bands than you, kids to pay for, mortgages, loans...and even if you have a totally committed spouse [like me] and kids deadly keen to go, try scraping together airfare times 5!

This is going to be a good trip, and it's also going to be the best CRPB so far. Last year's trip improved the band a lot, and the band has continued to develop and improve since then. It isn't cheap, but it's going to be a lot of fun, and a lot of good playing.

We'll find ways to make it possible for everyone, but here's what has to happen first: open the door to allow in all the possibilities. To paraphrase Henry Ford: If you say you can't, or if you say you can, either way, you'll be correct.