Hello from Glenview (Chicago)

[jeffharrison]

Hey all! In all my hunting around for kilt info, I can't believe I didn't find this board until now...I'm blown away by the great info and threads here!

So I live in Glenview, a near northwest 'burb of Chicago. We're MacDougall descendents, 5 generations away from an Alexander MacDougall who moved to Canada from Edinburgh. Alexander married Marinda Babbitt, and that was fortunate since that solved my wife's and my struggle to pick a name for our daughter :-)

<personal kilt history> After years of going to the highland games here -- first in Grant Park, and then in Oak Brook -- my dad, brother and I all got our kilts for my wedding back in '97; my brother and I got into the habit of wearing them to Chicago Fire soccer matches (until I outgrew mine by an uncomfortable amount); we'd break them out for the highland games of course; and then they all came out again for my brother's wedding this past April...as it turned out, my brother wore my kilt, his kilt went to his buddy (a friend we've more or less adopted) who was also in the wedding party, and I had to admit defeat to my waist, and got a new one.

In recent years I've gotten pretty turned onto Scotch whisky -- someone in the family invariably gets me a bottle of Oban every couple of years; recently my brother in law got me a bottle of the Distillers Edition double matured (which is ridiculously good); and I have a bit of fondness for Talisker. But I'm still not at that point where I can really pick out the distinct flavors...I just enjoy them. And I like blends -- Famous Grouse and Dewar's in particular. Oh, and the Scotch seminars at the highland games are always a highlight!

And my biggest gripe -- it's crazy impossible to get Scotland national team soccer matches on TV here :-( if anyone has any advice in that area, I'd be immensely grateful! Even though they're a team that doles out more heartbreak than triumphs, I'd still love to see more of their matches.

My bar of choice in the city is The Globe up on Irving Park and Lincoln. Although one of the owners is a big Celtic fan he's still a good guy :-) -- I don't actually have a favorite between Celtic and Rangers...but everyone here goes crazy for Celtic, so I like to rib them. Anyway, they host a Burns Dinner, have walls full of beautiful TVs and show every soccer and rugby match imagineable, and have some decent Scotch -- not a dazzling array, but they did have a few single malts.

Anyway, hello to all!!

Jeff Harrison

[ardchoille]

from Seattle, WA.

Aye, these boards are the best as far as kilt boards go, IMHO. But, then again, it's the people who make the boards

[Streetcar]

Welcome! I used to live in Rogers Park years ago.

[auld argonian]

So....we'll be seeing you at the Highland Games later this month, won't we?

Greetings from as far South of Rogers Park that one can be and still be in the Chicago city limits.

...and I'm serious about the Games...we just may have a dozen or so Xsmarksers present this time!

Best

AA

[JerseyLawyer]

from New Jersey, though I visited Chicago quite frequently when I was doing everything I could to get out of South Bend for the weekend. As for games, you can probably get Sky Sports on Satellite, if you're interested in that. Otherwise, look for a local Scottish club.

[Kiltman]

Welcome from Eastern Washington State.

[Macman]

Welcome to XMTS, Jeff, from Vancouver Island, B.C., Canada, and another Talisker drinker!

[BEEDEE]

from coastal North Carlina. Have you tried Setanta Sports for the soccer? They are available on both Dish Network and Direct TV. http://www.setantanorthamerica.com/

Brian

[7 miles]

Welcome from the Southeastern U.S.

[CelticRanger66]