Ides of March

Saturday we got up way to early and headed for Huron. We had a good trip up. At least the wind was blowing in the right direction. On the way home we were not so lucky. The day was relaxing and most of the day was spent visiting and watching fighting. I ordered some linen from Berenice for summer garb.

Before the finals of the heavy weapons tourney, they had an duck battle. Kristen had given me two bags of duckies. They were placed out on the floor and the fighters had to pick up as many ducks as they could and then fight. When they died, they gave up their ducks. It was lots of fun to watch.

Feast was various dishes from Andalucia. It was fantastic. Linnette out did herself. Everything was very good but I think I had too much matzah ball soup (very yummy) and got full by the time of the second remove.

Pictures of the event are posted on my flickr page.

How cool is this?

Anybody recognize these people? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:NorthshieldHromnice2008.JPG

Life underwater

I am feeling somewhat better. The mucus has subsided and the conjunctivitis has disappeared totally. Sadly my sinus are still painful and my ears are still blocked or something. I am thinking of going back to the doctor to see whats up. In the meantime I have a hard time hearing unless people are close by. At work people tend to stand in my doorway and talk to me but most of the time it sounds like Charlie Brown's teacher. Lots of sound but it all a bunch of mumblings to me people!! Needless to say it has driven me a little nuts. Now I know how my dad felt before he got tube put in his ears. I really need to work on that personal subtitling device. Would be handy right now.

This weekend is Ides of March in Huron. Hopefully it should be a good time. I haven't been to it for a couple of years due to Easter holidays and last year I went to Anime Detour.

What you missed because you didn't go to Gulf Wars

The plague confirmed

I went to doctor Friday afternoon. Whatever I contracted moved into my ears and I thought I better have it checked out. I got to see the new PA who is very nice. She is much nicer than the other goob, Dr. Y. She looked me over and said ooooh nooo when she got to my ears. Infection city. Not only that I was starting to have conjunctivitis (pink eye). Yuck. I got a ton of meds including some giant antibiotics. I am starting to feel better but I think it is going to take a while.

In other sad news, the China Buffet burned down last Wednesday. I have a bad feeling that they won't be rebuilding.

Gulf Wars

Gulf Wars was a blast. I wish it was closer to home. The drive is a bit much but considering all the travel we have been doing this year it didn't seem that bad. I now consider a 5 hour drive short.

On March 9, Svienn, Deva, Linnette, Katsuo, Delphina, Mortin, and Hagan converged at my apato parking lot and loaded up. We had a lot of stuff to fit into two vehicles but Hagan and Mortin are very good at that so we thew our stuff at them and let them at it. It was about 20 degrees so we were ready to head to warmer climes. We finally got going around noon. The first day's drive was rather uneventful. We had supper in Columbia, MO and then traveled on to Cape Geradeau.

Linnette, Svienn, Deva and I were stopping for the night while the rest drove on. We had no desire to carry on since we had plenty of time to get there. Deva was pretty stoked to stop in Memphis. We figured we could make it there by lunch hang out a bit. We determined that Graceland wasn't too far off the interstate and maybe they would have some cool bbq place we could eat at. Not so much. Elvis Presley Blvd has tons of China Buffets but only one bbq place that we could see and at the time it was closed. We decided on the 50's diner that was next to Graceland Parking. The food was good but greasy (we would all be feeling it later). Deva got to try fried pickles, bought her souvenirs and actually got to do some "Walking in Memphis". Then they decided to walk up the street to take pictures. I didn't go since I figured alone time would be a premium on this trip and we had already driven past it twice. That was good enough for me. Elvis is cool and all but I am not crazy about tourist traps. After all the walkin in Memphis we headed down the road. Jackson was a bit nutty to drive in but we go there during rush hour. Not fun. We trucked it on down the road and made it to site around 8:30.

Troll was pretty easy after they figured out I was the Queen of Northshield. I tried to tell the guy who was helping me but he ran away before I could tell him. He came back a bit later and said he couldn't find it. I told him I was the Queen and that made a big difference. ;-) We met up with our people who lead us to the cabin. The cabin was pretty basic. Just beds in a large open room. We did have a couch, not very comfortable, but better than nothing. Shava, Giles, and Raito were already there with the rest of our crew.

Monday night it rained and I had a hard time getting to sleep. It was the rain not the snoring. In the morning there were all sorts of puddles and mud spots but they cleared up quickly. Got to love sugar sand. We went to breakfast and I was introduced to the Dinning Hall. For 60 dollars you can get 9 meals. Pretty good deal and convenient for the busy person at war.

Tuesday a bunch of people went to New Orleans. I had planned to go to but the thought of getting in the car just wasn't appealing. Hang out on site and having a relaxing day before the start of war sounded much better. Spent most of the day looking around, visiting, watching fighting on the main battlefield and doing a little shopping. I got new shoes!

Tuesday night we were suppose to meet with our horses. We walked down to the horse arena but Hagan's horse wouldn't be there until tomorrow so bummer to that. After that we went to supper and then the Gleann Abhann Social. We got to meet some of our Royal Cousins and chat a bit. We got there late and didn't stay long. Mateo was preforming at the Green Dragon Inn and we all wanted to go to that. The inn is a super cool place. I think I could have hung out there all war. By the time Mateo started to sing it seemed like most of the Northshielder's were there. Good times.

Wednesday morning came early and we down to the horse arena fairly early. Then we pretty much waited and waited and waited. Thankfully there were lots of people to talk to kill time. I spent most of my time talking to TRH Brenwen and Konrad of the East. After what seemed an age, everyone was finally mounted up. The order of the procession goes in order of age of Kingdom so Northshield is last. I had told Hagan before we went that I wasn't going to ride any horse so they arranged a cart for me. Much better. It probably would have been okay but I am not crazy about horses so it was just as well. The procession was fun and how can you beat everyone cheering DOOM at you after you have been announced. So cool. The Princess of Trimaris told me Queen of Doom was a super cool title. ;-)

The Diamond Tourney, started not long after the opening ceremonies. Count Raito and Don Micheal fought for Northshield. No pressure since Northshield had won the tourney every year except one. It the fights were exciting and a bit tense but we won. They won super awesome chairs. After that I went down to the battle field and watched a bit. That afternoon they had a party down at the Green Dragon for all the Roses. We got massages, goodies and margaritas. Very nice. By evening I was beat so I went to bed early.

Thursday was the Rose Tourney. Don Gauge and Edward of Kent fought for me. There were tons of fighters entered in that one. It was fun too. They had breakfast and more mimosas (we had them at the diamond tourney too). My fighters lost. But as a consolation they took me down to the place where they deep fry bacon. I now what the fuss is about. Trimaris had their luncheon before the big battle. That was awesome. Hagan is still talking about that cheesecake.
Later that afternoon we held court and then after was another rose tourney. I entered Svienn in it. Sadly he didn't make it past the first round. Later that evening was the Royal reception. That was fun although they had most people sitting on the floor so that made mingling more difficult. After that go over we headed back to camp. Duncan and crew hosted a Black and Gold party in the cabin court yard. The drinks were gold and black. Most of the people I talk to said the gold was better although if you mixed them the black wasn't too bad.

Friday morning it looked like rain but it held off until after the champions tourney. That was fun. Everyone sat around in a big circle at watched. The fighting was very good. Zig's bout was awesome. I wish someone would have got it on video. The pictures are not quiet the same. Trimaris won the tourney. Before everyone could leave we called a court to put Roisin on vigil.

Friday afternoon was the big rapier ravine battle. I hadn't been there on Monday when the heavy weapons fought it. That started really late but I was invited to sit with the Calontiri. They were having mint juleps and jambalaya on their "veranda" (they camp right next to the ravine.) I enjoyed watching it and our people did very well. Our allies, not so much. Our side lost by a point.

It had gotten really hot that day so by the time the battle got over and we ate dinner I was pretty wiped out. I would have like to have gone to bed but we were having the vigil in the court yard that night. I took a shower and that helped a bunch. The vigil was nice and there were lots of people there.

Saturday we headed out. Took awhile to get loaded up since we had got a bunch more stuff than we had brought with us. We got it all in and left site. The trip home was good for the most part. We got home late Sunday afternoon.

Gulf Wars was very fun. I wouldn't mind going back someday. Site doesn't seem so big, at least the main areas of action are close together. The shower house wasn't as nearly bad as the stories we heard but I am thinking they took extra good care of them this year. The weather is so nice down there especially after the super miserable winter we have had. I would almost like to move to Mississippi except I would have to find a summer house somewhere else, like Seattle.
The only sad news is that winter is not over here and it snowed the day after we got home. I think winter is going to give spring a miss and go straight into summer.

Back from war

We made it back from war. Gulf Wars was awesome and when things slow down a little bit, I will blog about it. Since getting back I have been busy catching up with my life and dealing with the cold/sinus infection that descended upon me Monday night. Bleh. Not surprising since about half of the people that went with us from Northshield were sick or got sick while we were there. Now it seems the rest of us are sick. I have meds now so hopefully it will get kicked to the curb real soon.

Gulf Wars - its on

The countdown continues. We won't be leaving until Sunday morning so Saturday will be spent washing clothes, finishing packing, making sure I have everything and then loading up the vehicles. I am hoping we have a good trip down.

Take care and I am sure I will have lots to say when I get back.

Ready for vacation

I am quiet ready to head down south for Gulf Wars. I am fed up with winter and I am ready to leave it behind. I was hoping it would be spring like this week but winter will just not bugger off.

Its been kind of a slow week despite having to fill in for my co-worker who is taking her vacation this week.

Better news is that Eddie Izzard is going on Tour this summer. He will be in the Cities around Memorial Day. Any one interested in getting tickets?

Officers Day

Friday I ditched out of work early so I could get on the road. Trip up was very good and I was glad to get to Nailz's apato at a decent hour. We chit chated about her recent trip to Japan and I got to see some her ill gotten gains. Fun stuff. Nailz and Clare plan to blog about their adventures so look for updates on their blogs.

We stayed up late so morning came quickly. We got the kids settled for the day (Murphy the cat and Mr. Yuki the dog) and headed out. We got there a little bit after classes had started and got settled in. Ia brought my county coronet and I am very happy with it. I need to put some padding in it and it should be good to go! I also got a nice perudo set from Anplica. We should be covered at Gulf Wars if and when it rains.

My session on what its like to be royalty was at 10:30 and I though it went well. There were many good questions. I felt pretty good about it. After that a bunch of us went to lunch at Green Mill.

After lunch we went to the early period garb class taught by Fina, Tarrach and Mairghread. Its always fun to hear them talk about early personas. The rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing and then we had a practice court for some of the new heralds. I had brought awards along that had already been read into court but still needed to be presented. Ysolt thought it might be good to give new heralds some practice. That went well except that most of the people getting awards were not there. :-(

We headed back to the Cities and then went out to dinner at the House of Wong and then back to the apato to play Guitar Hero. We also watched the first episode of the latest anime series Nailz is watching. Kinda strange. I wasn't sold after the first episode.

Sunday I headed home after breakfast. The weather forecast was kind of iffy so I wanted to get home before dark. 35 was good for a change but 90 was foggy, then rainy and then super windy. I was glad to turn south to finally have the wind at my back instead of fighting it.

This week will be busy getting ready for Gulf Wars. Thankfully we have had lots of help with gifts and tokens. That stuff should be set. Now I just need to get my stuff organized and packed.

Fun survey

I got this in an email from Daria. Feel free to post your answers in the comments.

Okay, this one is different - this is funny. YOU fill in the blanks about ME and send it back to ME. But FIRST send a blank one out to all your friends, including me, so we can return the favor to you. Be honest. They're really SCARY to get back. It only takes a few minutes, so just do it! First send (forward) this survey to everyone you know to see how well he or she knows you. Second, hit 'reply' and fill this survey out about the person who sent it to you and send it back to them.


Where did we meet:

Take a stab at my middle name:

Do I smoke:

Color of my eyes:

Do I have any siblings:

What's one of my favorite things to do:

What's my favorite type of music:

Am I shy or outgoing:

Am I a rebel or do I follow the rules:

Any special talents:

How many children do I have:

If you and I were stranded on a desert island, what is one thing that I would bring: