Follow the instructions!

**auld argonian** · 17th September 05, 05:44 PM

Just got back from Celtic Fest in Chicago this afternoon and had to share this one with the group!

My daughter and I ran into Kilted Code Warrior and his two adorable daughters on the way to the Caber Toss. KCW was pushing the double-stroller and both of the kids in it were asleep...when the first one woke up, she looked around and saw that there were more kilted types around besides her dad...I think that she was kind of amazed.

Anyway...that's not the really good bit. After the Caber Toss had wound down, my daughter, Nadia, and I strolled over to look into getting some food. As we approached the food ticket booth, Nadia nudged me and pointed to a gentleman walking by. He was wearing a kilt that I think was Black Watch and seemed oblivious to the fact that he had neglected to remove the basting stitiches that had been put in for shipping. Got to admit that his pleats were really nicely set...except for the two big lines of thread that went around his **** and thighs.

Dude...I want to say this in the nicest way...read the frickin' instructions...I know that men have a problem with that, but read the instructions...really.

I stopped by my Mom and Dads' apartment later on and told them about this guy and my mom said, "Maybe he intends to return it to the store on Monday."

Other than that...this having been the first time I've worn the kilt in public...all went well.

best

argonian

**Riverkilt** · 17th September 05, 07:40 PM

Shades of Minnie Pearl (RIP) with the price tags hanging from her new hats.

Ron

**bear** · 17th September 05, 08:21 PM

Saw that once, on one of my own kilts, in a packed dining hall!
My sgian dubh saved the day and I actually got applause for cutting the thread out.

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 18th September 05, 08:46 AM

Just wanted to chime in that we had a great time at the Celt festivl and it was good to meet up with someone else that is kilted in the area. The caber toss was fun, and auld was correct that when my oldest daughter woke up, whe was a little dazed by all the kilted men. Maybe she thought I was the only one crazy enough to wear one, but now she knows better.

I would also like to encourage anyone who is a little shy or reluctant to wear their kilt out in public, to attend a celtic festival or renn faire or other similarly themed event as their first foray. Once you have worn it someplace where others are relaxed and comfortable, you might feel more comfortable yourself. Especially when you see the guys at the caber toss! There were some very large fellows and it was impressive to see them first get the caber off the ground and balanced against their shoulder, and then begin their run and toss! Saw one good flip as we got there. Glad we did not miss that part of the festival.

RJI

**Archangel** · 18th September 05, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by KiltedCodeWarrior

Just wanted to chime in that we had a great time at the Celt festivl and it was good to meet up with someone else that is kilted in the area. The caber toss was fun, and auld was correct that when my oldest daughter woke up, whe was a little dazed by all the kilted men. Maybe she thought I was the only one crazy enough to wear one, but now she knows better.

I would also like to encourage anyone who is a little shy or reluctant to wear their kilt out in public, to attend a celtic festival or renn faire or other similarly themed event as their first foray. Once you have worn it someplace where others are relaxed and comfortable, you might feel more comfortable yourself. Especially when you see the guys at the caber toss! There were some very large fellows and it was impressive to see them first get the caber off the ground and balanced against their shoulder, and then begin their run and toss! Saw one good flip as we got there. Glad we did not miss that part of the festival.

RJI

I love the philosophy behind it all. Anybody can lift something up and put it down but why bother? Might as well just leave it there. The important thing is can you move it over there? Or even further away? Then the caber toss gets really silly, so what if you can flip it, can you stack it neatly? No points for distance, height, weight ratio, run, anything, only the position relative to your twelve o'clock counts. Very cool.

**auld argonian** · 18th September 05, 12:07 PM

So now correct me if I've got it wrong but the caber is 20 feet long (?)

So do you start with the regulation size one or do you train with shorter cabers and work your way up to the official one?

They did have a longer caber at the Oakbrook Highland Games which they started using after the regulation round was over...wasn't sure if that was official or just a bit of "let's see how far we can go".

best

argonian

**KiltedCodeWarrior** · 18th September 05, 04:34 PM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

So now correct me if I've got it wrong but the caber is 20 feet long (?)

Auld your right, that is what the MC, or maybe it was one of the tossers, said yesterday, and about 115 lbs.

I did see them tying the caber to the roof of a car (and it was a small compact car that was quite a bit shorter than the caber!) as I was leaving and I did ask where one trained for the caber toss as I was mildly interested in trying it myself. The gentleman said any local park. I then asked, half joking, it you just found an appropriate small sized log and then worked your way up, and he said Yes. I think he was putting me on, but does anyone know how one trains for this event, and the others?

RJI

**Southern Breeze** · 18th September 05, 05:05 PM

Check out www.caledonian.org/history/letsgo.html. Good luck!

**Alan H** · 19th September 05, 08:44 AM

I have to admit that I did this the first time I wore mine. I didn'tknow if I was going to like it, so I left the threads in knowing that Jerry wouldn't take the kilt back if the basting threads were taken out!

I got home after wearing it for 4 hours, and cut 'em out IMMEDIATELY!

It's been downhill, ever since. *grin*