The 2014 Raspberry Awards

The Shall I Put You Down Again For Next Year? Award

To those officious judges out there – you know who you are – who pressure Highland games and associations to hire them again for next year and again the year after and again and again. These rather sad folks actually get out their calendars before they leave an event and lobby to be hired again in a year – “before I’m all booked up.” Ever wonder why certain competitions year after year have the same faces judging? It’s usually because the judge has invited him or herself and finagled another “invitation.” Competitors want variety, but, unfortunately, some judges love money and the “glamour” of travelling to Poodung, North Estemia, and the ego-trip of judging. Uncouthy and yicky.

The BBQWTF Award

Harry hates to be so consistent (if only the E doublings and flam-fives were as good) but once again he’s awarding the RSPBA (again) with a loud, smelly Raspberry. Early in the season, the RSPBA decides to upgrade the EUSPBA’s Stuart Highlanders (High-LAND-ers) to Grade 1 without any consultation with the band, the EUSPBA grading folk, judges, travel agents, and not a few angry soccer moms. What? Haven’t we already been here, and didn’t an RSPBA Big-Wig commit at a previous Alliance of North American Pipe Band Association (ANAPBA) event that the RSPBA would always consult with other associations? Apparently not when it counts. Not to say that the band wasn’t in fact playing to the Grade 1 standard, but changing a band’s grade without consultation was just plain bad form. Now, however, the RSPBA is pretty keen to fly to Kansas City to consult to their hearts’ content, given that there are some gourmet KC BBQ, concert tickets, and other fun on the line. A simple phone call or email won’t be possible for grading, but cross-Atlantic socializing is always in style. Yeah, baby!