Smoking has been banned in public places in New York, Ireland, Scotland (or will be) and now we hear a partial ban will come in for England.
But Bhutan, a small kingdom in the Himalayas, has gone one step further. They've completely banned smoking! (except for foreigners) They had previously banned the sale of tobacco, now they've gone for the big one.
What a great place it would be to have sessions, eh?
Is Bhutan the new New York?
And not only that, it's right next to China, which along with Japan, is the biggest creditor to that massively debt-stricken country, USA. Must be good for China to have a big bulldog like that to fight all the wars in the world, and lend them lots of money to do it.
Apparently this is phase two of their plan. Phase one was described in the Washington Times:
"In 1629, the warrior monk and founder of modern Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, introduced the world's first-ever prohibition on smoking and chewing tobacco when he banned it from all government buildings and religious centers."
Hmmm....judging from the position of the fife player's fingers, and the stern look of concentration on the hammered dulcimer player's face, I can say with some certainty that they're just making the turn into the B Part of The Launching of the Boat.....
Actually, the guy in the back just started singing "Dhanny Bhoy" after a request from the punters. The zouk and fife players seem happy to back him up, but it's the last straw for Mr. Hammered Dulcimer...
And now, to all the fine musicians the world over, four-flippered or two, bespectaled or monacled, formally dressed or in the fine traditions of your respective countries, let me apologize for the atrocious comments of my colleagues here, and disassociate myself completely from their insulting remarks.
I was wondering how long it would take for someone to catch that.
(Didn't want to ruin me reputation as a perfect lady, since Batlady has christened me one. *grin*)
Sara
I have indeed turned up at one or two sessions after a concert wearing dj's, but I took off the bow tie before entering the pub (didn't want to look like a doorman). I also wear two monocles, stabilised by a conjoining metal member across the bridge of the nose, and each provided with an elongate member extending from said monocle to, and hooked over, an adjacent ear.
Trevor
Sessions in Bhutan
Sessions in Bhutan
Smoking has been banned in public places in New York, Ireland, Scotland (or will be) and now we hear a partial ban will come in for England.
But Bhutan, a small kingdom in the Himalayas, has gone one step further. They've completely banned smoking! (except for foreigners) They had previously banned the sale of tobacco, now they've gone for the big one.
What a great place it would be to have sessions, eh?
Is Bhutan the new New York?
And not only that, it's right next to China, which along with Japan, is the biggest creditor to that massively debt-stricken country, USA. Must be good for China to have a big bulldog like that to fight all the wars in the world, and lend them lots of money to do it.
# Posted on November 22nd 2004 by Rudall the time
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
Apparently this is phase two of their plan. Phase one was described in the Washington Times:
"In 1629, the warrior monk and founder of modern Bhutan, Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyal, introduced the world's first-ever prohibition on smoking and chewing tobacco when he banned it from all government buildings and religious centers."
... and Ireland thought it was progressive!
I'm guessing bingo isn't very big in Bhutan.
# Posted on November 22nd 2004 by grego
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
If you waste enough time, you can find everything on the web. Here's a photo of a smoke-free session in Bhutan:
http://www.peterlanger.com/People/Musicians/pages/BTTMP051.htm
Seems like bouzouki, bodhran (big), and flute are popular, but I'm sure it'd be ok to bring a banjo or an accordian also.
# Posted on November 22nd 2004 by grego
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
Hmmm....judging from the position of the fife player's fingers, and the stern look of concentration on the hammered dulcimer player's face, I can say with some certainty that they're just making the turn into the B Part of The Launching of the Boat.....
# Posted on November 22nd 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
...or is that "The Rocky Road to Samdrup Jongkhar"?
# Posted on November 22nd 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
Actually, the guy in the back just started singing "Dhanny Bhoy" after a request from the punters. The zouk and fife players seem happy to back him up, but it's the last straw for Mr. Hammered Dulcimer...
# Posted on November 22nd 2004 by grego
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
Well I want costumes like that for my local session. Especially the leggings.
# Posted on November 22nd 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
What clan's tartan is that?
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
You are complete and total dorks, the two of you. *snicker*
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
Will, maybe. A bit unfair to Danny, though..
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by grego
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
That's Sensei Dhork to you, Zina
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
*sitting here giggling at my computer*
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
Will, if you want session costumes, I think you should go for convict-wear. According to Mr. Langer, it's de rigeur in Canada:
http://www.peterlanger.com/People/Musicians/pages/CAQCQUE094.htm
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by grego
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
Well, I found that exchange highly amusing.
Isn't The High Road to Lhasa a popular tune around there?
The Taylor's Thimphu?
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Rudall the time
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
Mimes playing music! Run away!
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
Hey guys - this pictures is titled "Harmonica - Mexico"
http://www.peterlanger.com/People/Musicians/pages/MXMEX117.htm
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Rudall the time
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
A Langer right enough
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Bren
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
As long as we're outing each other, here's Grego holding down his local session:
http://www.peterlanger.com/People/Musicians/pages/DEBER172.htm
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
I wondered what Max had done with my Mighty Craic photo...
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by grego
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
Here's Will's session mates after they caught him noodling...
http://www.peterlanger.com/People/Musicians/pages/INJSL046.htm
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by grego
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
Actually, to be honest, most of them are very nice pictures.
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Rudall the time
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
D'ya suppose this is what Michael has in mind when he tells bodhranii to pick up another instrument?
http://www.peterlanger.com/People/Musicians/pages/MXCEM011.htm
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
Who is peter langer and why are we giving him all this free publicity?
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
You're right Danny. Mr. Langer, if you're reading this just a little fun. You're a fine photographer.
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by grego
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
He wants them to swallow their tippers????
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by grego
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
Finally, we know what Trevor wears to his sessions:
http://www.peterlanger.com/People/Musicians/pages/CANSHAX029.htm
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
My god, is that actually a monocle?
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
This guy was at our session last week, obviously had too many pints in him, and gave us all 17 verses of Follow Me Down to Carlow....
http://www.peterlanger.com/Countries/Antarctica/Pinnipeds/pages/GSGRY330.htm
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
"And it's nooo naaay nevurrrrrr...."
http://www.peterlanger.com/People/Musicians/pages/CUHAV011.htm
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by grego
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
And now, to all the fine musicians the world over, four-flippered or two, bespectaled or monacled, formally dressed or in the fine traditions of your respective countries, let me apologize for the atrocious comments of my colleagues here, and disassociate myself completely from their insulting remarks.
So, Danny - you were saying?
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by grego
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
A langer .... a langer ....
In Cork, he'd be known as a LANGER ...
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Ottery
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
I was wondering how long it would take for someone to catch that.
(Didn't want to ruin me reputation as a perfect lady, since Batlady has christened me one. *grin*)
Sara
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by sara g
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
I have indeed turned up at one or two sessions after a concert wearing dj's, but I took off the bow tie before entering the pub (didn't want to look like a doorman). I also wear two monocles, stabilised by a conjoining metal member across the bridge of the nose, and each provided with an elongate member extending from said monocle to, and hooked over, an adjacent ear.
Trevor
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
LOL -- you go, Trev!
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Zina Lee
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
wow....haha, at quarter to one on a monday night when i'm supposed to be writing an english paper, this is far more entertaining.
and yes, you are all huge nerds. then again, nerds are the best kind of people.
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Bard
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
In that first photo, is that a dulcimer or an early moog?
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Conán McDonnell
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
Thanks Grego, right. Where were we? Oh yes, sessions in non-smoking Bhutan....
oh, who cares.....
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Rudall the time
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
Wasn't tobacco banned in old Tibet?
# Posted on March 1st 2003 by dafydd
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
I wouldn't want Tibet on it....
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Rudall the time
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
here's an article on the original story:
http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200411/200411200007.html
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Rudall the time
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
Danny! That's a nepalling joke.
Coat!
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Geoff Pollitt
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
Bhutan other one right after it is painful.
owwww
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Rudall the time
Re: Sessions in Bhutan
That's enough jokes. Bhutan it!
# Posted on November 23rd 2004 by Conán McDonnell