A walkto the train

**SteveB** · 12th February 09, 10:53 PM

Wednesday evening is my regular sessions with my piping tutor. I take the train to a stop near his dormitory, and walk the res of the way. After this last lesson, we left together, me with a backpack and carrying my practice chanter in its hard case. He was carrying his pipes in a soft case. Just after he split off from me to head to a sound proof studio to give the pipes a workout, I was contacted by one of the campus patrol officers on his bike. He asked if it was a practice chanter in the case, and where the piping activity was in the area. I told him he guessed correctly on the case, and that I am a beginning student of the pipes. He then told me that he was piping when he lived in So-Cal, but had not touched his pipes for a while and needed to get some tutoring to get back into it. I then advised him that my tutor was a student that lived on campus, and gave him my tutor's contact info. The small world that we live in, he is the police liaison with the RAs (residence advisers) and my tutor is the senior RA for his area. Both men had met and worked together on RA activities but were unaware of the piping connection. As soon as the conversation ended, I took out my phone and e-mailed the contact to my tutor. By the time I got home he had replied that yes he knew the officer, and thanked me for the referral. All for walking home in my kilt.
The officer asked about the kilt. I gave him the name and explanation for my County Donegal HoE., and that I am a full time kilt wearer. Now all I need to do is get another NERKS nite, so he can join us kilted (he owns five). I did give him the XMTS addy, and for his need to get a larger kilt, one of Rocky's cards - (They ARE for distribution).
I had cut across campus, and was just entering the walk for the train station when I got the "nice skirt" call from one of a group of young lads at the next corner. My new friend was coming up behind them on his bike, stopped and spoke to the loudmouth, as the loudmouth's "friends" started slinking away. The officer advised him to be careful about what he says, he would not want to be on the wrong side of a group of displeased Scots.
A great night out, a nice lesson, and a great kilted experience.
Slainte