This is the last Saturday I'll be working this year unless I can pick one of from someone trying to ditch a shift. It's too bad, really, because the overtime is great.
The first paper is almost done; then the second one comes due really soon, so I have to start on it right away. I have been totally slacking on this and I have to quit it and get my ass in gear. I can't do well if I do this to myself, and I'm determined to do well. Today I'm working on the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol. :o)
Ben's mouth is healing. :o)
For Boar's Head, Caer Anterth's big annual SCA event, I'm in charge of the armoured combat tournament. After input from a variety of sources and due consideration, I proposed a flower tournament as suggested by Duchess Elina of Beckenham.
The format is simple, really , and allows for each fighter to fight as much as he or she wishes. The fighers get in line at the list field. Partners are determined by the line; you go out into the list two by two. The person who wins the bout (victory conditions to change periodically) gives the loser a 'quest'... that is, to give a flower to the person of the victor's choosing. The victorious combattant can immediately re-join the line for the list field and will pair off with a new opponent. The questing combattant goes to the Queen (or Her designated substitute) to request a flower, then delivers it with appropriate fanfare to the assigned recipient. The quest is then over and that fighter can return to the line for the list field. The 'winner' if you have to have one, is anyone who receives a flower.
Ben's mouth is doing somewhat better than it was. He's thrilled to have those two teeth that were in the roof of his mouth GONE, but he's really done with dealing with the bleeding. Poor kid. At least he's not in pain, too.
You know what I'd like? I'd like a permanent indoor fight practice site, complete with lockers large enough for armour and weapons, a shop in which to build and repair both armour and weapons, and showers.
Heh. Sounds nice. I bet it'd be expensive. I wonder if any of that wish is feasible... I'd be willing to share it with a martial arts club or something. I wonder if a martial arts club would be willing to share their space with *us*.
The other place I'm thinking about is empty warehouse space. It used to be (long ago and far away) that if a business had empty space, they could donate use of it to the SCA, and since we're a registered not-for-profit group, they could write off what the rent would have been, against their taxes.
I wonder where to call to find out if that's possible here?
Ben's practices seem to be going well. We promised him we'd work with him, and we haven't yet, so we'd better get on that. Soon it'll be showtime and too late! A neat thing about this show: even though they are only doing one performace, they will be videtaping it. Afterwards, they will duplicate the show onto as many tapes as we supply them. So those of you who can't make it will still be able to see it. :o)
Sewing; I'm waiting to get around to putting the sleeves on my grey linen underdress. Then new garb for Ben once he decides what he wants, then a new gambeson for Paul.
A little homesick. :o(
I miss sitting in Starbucks with Bou in those beat-up ugly but comfy green velvet chairs, in *our* spot by the fire, sipping chai and solving all the problems of the universe. Hugs for you, Bou.
I miss the front yard at my parent's place, the leaves on the grass and the river going by. I miss inciting the dog to riot. :o) I miss the smell ... the air is so beautiful there. I miss watching Hockey Night in Canda with my dad (stupid strike). I miss the sound of my parent's voices. I miss the joy and pride Buster has when he brings me one of his toys to wrestle with him over, and his insistance that I have to I rub his hips.
Humph.
When several blog entries in a row are about how tired I am, I know there must be an issue. Allergies are kicking the stuffing out of me (leaf mold, welcome to fall) and I can't find something to take that works without making me feel drugged.
We now have an arrangement for picking kids up after school with one of the other play-parents. The Baker and Jack's Mother are played by a brother and sister who live in our apartment complex. Paul called their parents and set it up so that we get all of them after two practices and they get them after the other two.
Indoor fight practice space remains an issue, *but* the Marquette University group has space on Sunday afternoon, so there is at least that one weekly indoor practice.
Homework has got to get done this weekend at the latest, we have Twin Peaks to watch, and *hopefully* a fight practice on Sunday. We plan to take Friday evening to relax.
It's finally sunny out, and I can feel my mood lifting. Ain't serotonin great!
Long to-do list. No brain space or energy. Bleah.
Motivation is hard to come by these days. I'm working long hours at work and not getting enough fresh air and physical activity... it burns me out to not use my body and to whirr my brain all the time. Once we get Ben's carpool worked out for after his play practices, we'll have an easier time in the evening.
He's working very hard at learning his part. I'm nervous and excited about seeing the play... and I'm so proud of him. I only ever got chorus parts. :o)
Sir Aaron, my foster-Knight, gave me some direction at Coronation: to fight, and to not put pressure on myself about it. To have fun. I am very hard on myself, very self-critical, so as a consequence it's hard to *do* anything because I know I'm not going to be 'good enough'.
Bad trap.
Too bad I have to work. :o)
The weekend was interesting. Many people have strong opinions on Northshield becoming a Kingdom, so there were lots of interesting conversations. I had the opportunity to herald in evening Court, at which some of the Kingdom's new awards were rolled out, which was neat. And I was *right there* when the Queen signed the "White Scarf Treaty".
I am 'officially' fostered to Sir Aaron. Bou is 'officially' my man-at-arms.
I'm wondering what the NEXT big thing will be, that will make life impossible.
We're packed and the car is mostly loaded. Ben's GameBoy is charging. :o) We packed everything from the list, which means to me that our list was incomplete, because we never remember *everything*.
This event should be very memorable. Not only is my husband squiring, and not only is a friend receiving his Laurel (for historically accurate magic, no less), and not only will I get to see a bunch of my friends (hi, Bou!), but I get to see a new Kingdom made. Now there's a thing that doesn't happen everyday.
You know things are going well when your major concern for a big event like this revolves around what you're going to wear. I'll be wearing a black linen norse apron dress, from about the 11th century. Seems most of the people I'll be doing things with will be wearing later period stuff. *shrug*
Coffee is wonderful. When do I crash I wonder? ;o)
Homework tonight, and choosing garb and packing and loading the car and making some phone calls and doing laundry and and and ...
No pressure.
Cotehardie for Coronation: Kymm and I decided that it would take too long to do a decent job on the dress so we didn't cut it out after all. I'm going to wear something I already have, but I haven't decided what yet. I'll make that dress later.
Homework: still working on it, but have to make significant progress tonight. And tonight will be my first audioconference... I'm sure I'll have something to say about it! :o)
Work: going well, I think. I feel like I'm picking up on things and not making too many mistakes. I'm ejoying myself.
Ben: his play is the most important thing in terms of scheduling and brainspace right now. I'll be seeing if he wants help with leaning his lines, and his songs.
Music: way too far onto the back burner. I miss it.
Fighting: currently being discouraged. Seems like I'm never going to be able to do any. Bleah.
That's it for today.
My question was what the heck is Conkering? Well it turns out it is a British game involving horse chestnuts. "Conkers" seems to be a schoolyard game that has risen to being a sort of a cultural ... thing. :o) See it goes like this: You collect horse chestnuts, and string them on string through a hole in the middle. Then your opponent, who has them too, and you stand facing each other and take turns attempting to smash each other's nut with yours. :o) That's it. I don't see the attraction.
Tonight I have to cut out the cotehardie and write a couple pages for my paper. I've been doing research on the Kyoto Protocol. I'd love to be able to play Diablo II with Ben a bit tonight, too but that's starting to sound like too much to get done. Humph.
I'm looking into the possibility of indoor fighing space. Surely there must be some empty warehouse space around that the owners would be willing to let a not-for-profit group use. I'll keep you posted.
It sure was quiet. I walked up the road from the parking lot by Paul's building to mine at 7:30 am... regardless of the traffic lights, I was able to walk without stopping. There was no traffic, nor were there many people. It makes sense, though... there are no restaturants for families to come have breakfast together, there are no cute cafes in which trendy couples could have their morning cappucino and croissant, no parks for the dogs to take their people for a run, no market where I could've passed by as people who have been up much longer than I set out their sunglasses, necklaces, baking and veggies.
This site shows the street where I walked, along in front of the hotel with the green awning. In the picture from the water, the tall white building in the centre is the US Bank building, where Paul works. For those of you who are fans of the original Blues Brothers movie, this building may look familiar. It appeared in the big car chase scene, which took place (and was filmed) in Chicago, but when the Bluesmobile flew off the end of the incomplete road, that bit was in Milwaukee.
Downtown here is all businesses. US bank, Bank One, the Hotel Pfister, "411 East Wisconsin", the Courthouse...
*shrugs*
Yesterday evening was spent over at Matt and Kymm's place. She made ma a pattern ("Here, this cotehardie of mine is old and worn out. It needs to be made into a pattern." Snip, rip. It's the one she wore to be invested as Lady Heir when Alasdair won Coronet for her, in Thunder Bay). She also decided I didn't have enough fabric to make a sufficiently full gown, so she went and dug through her basement, and now I have two more colours of corduroy - seems I'll be making two cotehardies.
The Baronial Championships event is today. Paul and Ben are there, as well and Ben's friend Jason. I hope it all goes well. I'll be able to be there for Baronial Court. I've never attended one here, it should be neat. :o)
Time to get to work on the reading for my assignment. Saturdays are pretty slow here at work. :o)
Assignment due Monday for my LU class. Lots of reading to get done.
Going tonight to Matt and Kymm's to cut out my cotehardie... the corduroy one. Paul and Matty will likely play with greatswords. Me, too, please!
Saturday I work then head over the event. Sunday I do my assignment.
When the *heck* can I fight??!
... and not much to show for it.
Well, I guess that's not really true. We spent some time together as a family, which was a lot of fun, and felt really good. We're getting ready for Coronation - it looks like some of us will be bringing armour and trying to get some pickups going between court, court, court, court and court.
I haven't heard back from Valerius, but I'm sure he'll be at the event on Saturday (Baronial Championships) so either we'll put our heads together about my gauntlets then or we'll set up a time to do so.
I think we might be getting together tonight with Matt and Kymm, to make greatswords and cut out my cotehardie...
Can't seem to get a hold of my friend Karen. I know things have been mixed around for her and her family, so I guess I ought to not be too concerned, but still... anyone with any good thinks to spare could send them in her direction.
Welcome to fall, the season in which the leaves drop off the trees and the nose blooms. Bleah.
There are only so many moments in a day. Work owns a bunch of them. Ben needs a bunch more. Prioritizing the use of the few I have left makes for interesting thought.
I want to do too many things, I think.
I never woulda thunk it. I cannot find pre-quilted gambeson material anywhere. Paul needs a new gambeson; his is literally falling to pieces, but I can't find pre-quilted cloth at any store. Nyargh.
Sewing, sewing, sewing.
Fighting, fighting, fighting.
I need to visit the chiropractor.
It was a relaxing weekend. I got most of a cotehardie underdress made. I'm hoping to make the dress itself for Coronation, either out of the indigo silk I have specially for it, or the black and grey corduroy I bought cuz 'm chicken. We'll see if I can bring myself to cut the silk. :o) Tamara showed me how to make a "magic shirt" pattern out of a men's dress shirt. I figure if Paul has an old shirt I can "borrow" (hee - pin, mark up with a permanent marker then cut up) then I can make the pattern for the body of the dress. I have a pattern that we made when G and Green Jenny came over (that was fun!) but sadly it seems to have shrunk a bit. *ahem* Yeah, shrunk. That's it.
We need to figure out a way to set things up so we can hit the pell inside. Sewing tonight. Have to call Bou.
I've been feeling crappy but now I'm better. Can't blog from bed.
Now that the reception is over (and how *wonderful* it was!), we are trying to shift our focus to getting in shape (losing weight), being a family (YAY!) and becoming better fighters.
Once the schedule for getting Ben home from his rehearsals every day from now till Christmas is sorted out, we're going to join the gym. (I'm so proud of him!)
Rusty has agreed to train me and that means time to get off my lazy arse. My gauntlets are still in pieces and my cyclas is falling to bits. It's too dark by the time we get home to hit the stump, so we're going to have to solve the pell problem *again*. And I've let my (possible) man-at-arms sliiiide, so I have to start nagging her.
Humph.
This weekend... clean, laundry. Possibly Cooks and Bards. Watch an episode of Twin Peaks. Fight on Sunday.
You know, stuff.