Greetings from Brew City

[imbrius]

Hallo,

I'm a new (as in newly-kilted and new to this site) member here. My name is Joshua Armstrong. I live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. For those not familiar with North American geography, it's just to the west of Lake Michigan (the big lake hanging down off the others), almost all the way down at the end. The general feel here is beer, cheese, sausages, and lots of parties during the summer.

I'm American of German heritage on my mother's side (Krumnow (yes, related to that Krumnow) and Melcher) and Scots by way of Northumberland, England on my father's (Armstrong and Guthrie).

I'm generally into Freemasonry, software engineering, playing guitar and Chapman Stick, swordsmanship (just completed my Introduction to Italian Longsword class for the Milwaukee Swordplay Academy and was invited to join and study at the novice level), and generally being weird.

I own one kilt (so far): A cheap acrylic Armstrong modern (the colors are so vivid, I call it "Armstrong Loud") from The Highland Kilt Company in Merrill, Wisconsin, USA (probably made in Pakistan, sadly). Saving up some cash to get a decent one at some point but I needed one to wear to Burns Suppers and other Masonic functions where many brethren are kilted and I'd be in the minority of pants-wearers.

Are there any other things I should write here? I'll get a decent avatar up as soon as I can get one under 100x100.

[Father Bill]

Welcome to the "Great Rabble"!

[Tarheel]

Well met and welcome Joshua. You filled in a lot of gaps with your intro. Take your time fitting all you want to accessorize your kilt. I'm into this four years now and still don't have the kilt (tartan specific), hose, jacket and balmoral I want to complete my perfect ensemble. Mind you, I have a lot of items I like and wear often, they're just not the perfect thing. I might even change my mind a few hundred times before I'm through.

Glad to have you with us.

[Liam]

Welcome from Western Canada!

[Blaidd]

Welcome from a Welsh cilt wearer. Enjoy the site and dig in.

[Tomak]

Hello and welcome from Southern California.

[Kiltedjohn]

Welcome from a Scotsman living in the English midlands.

[revdpatience]

Welcome, Joshua!

I’m in Appleton, but I often find myself in Milwaukee for events related to the Priory of St. John the Baptist, the Templar organization I belong to. Though ours is not a Masonic organization, we have many Masons who are members. We may know some people in common.

We will be at the Wisconsin Scottish Festival and Highland Games in Waukesha on September 1-2. I’ll be there all day Saturday, so look me up if you happen to be at the festival.

All the best,

Rodger

[Profane James]

Welcome from Alabama!
Chapman stick has interested me for years - never been close enough to one to play it. I have a couple 8 string long scale guitars that I've been banging on for a while - sadly, all my gear has become dusty...