End of an era at the Christmas fair

[tysolna]

Instead of rehearsals, four sevenths of our band went to the Christmas fair last night (Singer N. has gone home for the holidays, singer G. had to work, and bass player M. wanted an early night, understandably). We ate the usual hot, fatty and unhealthy food, and we drank mulled wine, although it wasn't that cold; traditions are traditions, after all.

Of course, we asked guitarist P. how things would work out as far as he and the band are concerned. He said he had come to the decision that he would play the gig on the 6th with us, and then leave the band. It's confirmed, then - we are going to start looking for a new guitarist as soon as possible. We did talk about his decision during the course of the evening, touching upon it every now and again like on a missing tooth. His decision appears to be final, but R. and I agree he may have second thoughts in half a year or so, by which time we hope he can find other people to play with, because after last week, coming back is not an option.
I have to say that although I am saddened that one of our founding members is leaving the band after decades, I know that the band will survive. Change is chance; but I am still worried about P,; he is not a happy man.

Apart from this issue, the evening out with the boys was a lot of fun, jokes and laughter. Christmas fair first, with mulled wine, hot mead, and Lumumba (do you guys have Lumumba? Hot chocolate with rum, topped with whipped cream), and then we retired into a little pub, where R. had Guinnes and whisky, the drivers had tea and coffee, and I had a Tequila Sunrise and a Kill Bill (the latter is lemon, tonic, grenadine and vodka). For some reason, the guys ordered this for me, and payed for it too, so I now owe a slight hangover to them.
There was this young black dog, according to his nametag he's called Sid, who apparently belonged to the barmaid. He kept jogging through the pub all happy and tail-wagging, and visited our table every once in a while, and even more so after T. broke down and fed him a de-salted cracker. I'm a cat person, really, but Sid won my heart with his soulful eyes. He's quite the clever dog, because as soon as he realized that here were people who might feed him, he hung around our table, putting his head on our knees, gave paw, and even stood up on his hind legs, expecting treats for tricks. A true performer who knows how to woo his audience. Maybe we should learn from him.

Comments

[dadi.livejournal.com]

For some reason I had missed your first post on P., now I have gone back and read it. I am quite familiar with this kind of dynamics, from groups and choirs I have sung with..things ar always in motion and evolution, and those who cannot commit to the same level of seriousness and study than the others, simply after a while get a burden for the group, and the group gets a stress for them. It is perfectly natural. But still, it is always sad, particularly for such a long time part of the group.

And OMG Lumumba. Havent had that in.. eons. Aww. Now I want it.

[tysolna]

P. does have commitment issues, come to think of it. And if he really can't find it in himself to go the next step for the band, well. *sighs*

Lumumba is evil stuff - it's tasty, the alcohol is well hidden, and it's terrible to pronounce after you've had a few. :D

[wanderbohemian.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a fantastic drink!

[tysolna]

It is - it's sweet and yummy and comfortable!

[britishamerican.livejournal.com]

I wanna sit all snuggly in a pub surrounded by friends playing with a mild mannered loveable dog.

Now I'm jealous.......

Do elaborate on exactly what happens at a Christmas Fair?

[tysolna]

What happens at a Christmas Fair... Well, the historic parts of the town, the old market places, get decorated with wreaths and lights, there are a lot of huts put up (see picture here; it's a webcam); the huts are stalls that sell all kinds of things from christmas decorations to woodcraft to winter clothing to games to sweets to lots of food and drink; there are carousels for kids; sometimes, there's Christmassy live music (usually students trying to earn a buck); and the shopping streets are also decorated and this year, there are coloured lights in the houses. All in all, quite nice.
You know, I think I'll get my camera on Sunday and take pictures for you; would you like that? :)

[britishamerican.livejournal.com]

Yes please! I would love to see :)