Recently I re-learned a very valuable lesson. That is, if you fail to take care of your equipment your equipment will eventually fail. I guess this is a fairly common weakness, especially among we men, but it is nevertheless a flaw that left unchecked can wreak havoc. It's fascinating the level of care my pipes receive. I oil them regularly. I polish them to a high luster. I constantly check the joints for snug fit and for wear. Yes I am fastidious about that part of the equipment of my trade.
However, the rest of my equipment I have allowed to languish in disrepair, and to want for the smallest morsel of attention. What equipment is that, you ask? Well, see there's the rub. I didn't really consider it equipment either. I am referring to my body and my health. My pipes perform flawlessly in all kinds of whether because I ensure they are well protected and cared for. Myself, I allow to muddle along without much attention. Well this time the results were disastrous.
I have always prided myself on my robust constitution. I have not had a major illness for over ten years, and that is the truth. Of course, I have always tried to eat right and take vitamins and proper nutrition and get plenty of exercise. That is not to difficult a task when life is normal. However, what about when the world turns upside down? Ah, that be a different beast, laddy!
The Christmas season was upon me and I was thrilled. I vowed to myself not to make the same mistake as last year. This year I would work every day and reap while the harvest was great. Ok, no problem so far. Work is good, it makes one strong. Well, I did just as I vowed. I worked my Kilt off, and reaped a enviable harvest. Unfortunately, that's when the grim reaper came to exact his due. It started as a mild cough, but grew into a full encompassing storm. I had a fever, my energy was gone, I felt horrible.
Well, it has been two weeks and the stupid thing hangs on like a lion to it's prey. I have been reviewing to see what went wrong, and I think I have it. One of the most difficult things to achieve as a Busker, is an adequate level of rest. I would come home late and be so wound up I could not sleep until 2:00 A.M. Having a family, I would be roused out of bed at 5:30 A.M. and would average maybe 6 hours of sleep a night. "I'll be OK, as long as it is consistent", I told myself. Well, unfortunately for me, that myth is just that, a myth. Well a wiser and older man now stands before you. My new year's goal? To treat my physical self as well as I treat my Pipes.
So, It's adequate rest, adequate fuel, and adequate protection from the elements for me from now on. With any luck, 2012 will be a prosperous year and I'll still be piping into the future to come. Well, that's my gems of wisdom, not much but there it is.
Cheers.
