Interesting Saturday night in Durham, NC.

[Balaamsass51]

Went to a concert last night, the 40th year anniversary celebration of the Duke University String School where my son "Scottishrebel" plays the doublebass. This string school is top notch, they've been to Bolivia, the White House, lots of their grads go to Eastman School of Music and Juillard. Basically the program is for beginners in diapers right up to the end of high school. They use Duke Univ. facilities. Played with the Borromeo String quartet last night. Anyway, all that's just interesting if you are into classical music.

I decided to go kilted. I only have one kilt, and I've only worn it in public one day before - and that was to a Ren faire when Albannach played in Raleigh. So this was a real public outing - with people I know who have seen me before! One reason why I decided to go kilted was that it was more or less a formal affair and I don't have any jackets any more which fit me.

So I got out the SWK Standard Black Stewart and all the various parts. (Admit to having the weirdest thought while taking a shower - that I'd better make sure my knees were clean. Don't ever recall thinking about that before.) First problem - I'd worn the off-white (oatmealish) colored hose the last time with the black flash. This time I wanted to wear a pair of black hose, but the flash's wouldn't show up. So here is what I did. I have a pair of Ancient Blue ties from the Scotish Tartan Muesum, and there is a blue stripe in this Black Stewart. So I tried those (and after wearing the outfit for 8 hours the ties didn't bother me at all) and put on a white long-sleeve shirt with a blue tie (I admit it didn't exactly match the garter ties but they aren't next to each other) with red rampant lions. Thought that looked Scottish. Praise the Lord my wife agreed that all in all the outfit didn't look too bad, thought the blue ties were "subtle".

Went to the concert with heart in mouth, quite sure I would not see another soul in a kilt, and I was correct. But all in all it was a positive experience. Had 5 women speak to me about the kilt, expressing their approval - even got a hug from one! Of course most of them were elderly, but that's ok. Even had a couple of male white highschoolers and a couple of male black highschoolers at different time walk past with a quick "looking good" or "rocking kilt". Sure there were some stares, but no negatives I know of. Except from one women whom I know who tried to be funny and failed miserably. May tell you all about that sometime but right now it's a sore subject.

So anybody out there who is hesitating to get out and about in their kilt I say go for it! If somebody doesn't like it that's their problem, why should not you enjoy? Success!

Matt

[Splash_4]

That first public outing is always the worst (and the best!) Sounds like a fun evening!

[Avonlea22]

It's great to hear that it went so well. I hope it encourages you to go out more with the kilt on. Maybe I'll even see you out and about some time when I'm up your way.

[BonnieT100]

I've had generally positive kilt experiences in the Raleigh area - of course, most of the time I was down near Tir Na Nog. The only real "confrontation" was with some guy on the street who couldn't make up his mind if he had just been hit by a bus or a bike. I'm guessing drugs.

[Yaish]

Good on ya!

Now I miss Durham and Duke again. I want Barbecue!

[Mr. MacDougall]

Congratulations. I've always found the Triangle area much more accepting of personal eccentricity than the rest of NC -- after all, in discussing appropriations for the NC state zoo, Mr. Helms once said, "Zoo? We don't need a zoo. Just build a fence around Chapel Hill, there's your zoo!"

Now I miss Durham and Duke again. I want Barbecue!

Mmm. Yeah. The Blue Mist diner, just outside of Ashboro, made the best. There are things I miss about the Triangle, but on the whole, I'm just as glad I don't live there anymore.

[Tartan Hiker]

Congratulations. I've always found the Triangle area much more accepting of personal eccentricity than the rest of NC

Looks like you need to visit Asheville!!!!

[Barclay]

Looks like you need to visit Asheville!!!!

Second that.

[GMan]

Nice outing!

[Kilted Christian]

Hey, I was kilted for the first time and in public last night, too in Winston-Salem (more about my experience under the new thread First Kilt and Wife). We'll have to keep it up. Cheers, Chris