Into the West

This past weekend found me and Giles hopping on a plane, bound for San Jose, to attend West Kingdom 12^th Night.  All the while, I felt a little pang of guilt for skipping Caid’s 12^th Night, and the Laurel meeting.  But as I learned many, many moons ago, it just is not possible to be in two places at the same time.  My main mission this weekend, aside from schmoozing with old friends that I have not seen in a while, was to drag my dear newly-relocated apprentice Adelheit to a Western event to show that it too is cool, and that there will be many a fun person to play with.  Turns out, things could not have worked out better – we spent much time sitting in the hotel lobby watching really-cool-German-outfit after outfit pass before us.  WooHOO!  Between that and the C&I inspiration that we saw all over the place, I think she will find much inspiration in every direction.  (Don’t MAKE me come back up there!!!!!)

 

Heck… *I* found much inspiration in every direction.  A rather large display of scrolls graced the hall outside of the court room.  Wow… wow, wow, wow, freaken’ wow.  One thing about this club – the level of creation is just awe-inspiring.  It is one thing to look at a scroll and admire its beauty.  Add on a basic understanding of just how long it takes to achieve such a level of detail and completion, and the admiration becomes all the more intense.  Such is the case with all of the pretty/sparkly/shinies out there.  Whether it be armor, or enamel, or embroidery, or pottery, or whatever – the modern artists who work their butts off to research, tapping into the brains of artists-from-long-ago, truly leave me in awe.  We CAN achieve accurate reproduction!  We CAN create completely new pieces that in every way reflect the designs and ideas that *could have been* accomplished in the past.  In short – SCA artists rock!

 

I loved spending time with Duke Steven and Duchess Elina.  Tobi and I have been crossing paths for… omigod 20 years!  My, how time flies!  It was a completely unexpected pleasure to run into our buddy Earl Cathyn and his lady, Bob.  (Giggle)  OK, his lady is really Elena, but still… she has a wicked, wicked, WICKED sense of humor and a mischievious smile – the kind that I have absolutely positively no choice but to utterly, utterly adore.  Cathyn, you’d better keep this one, or We Will Have Words!!!!

 

By Sunday morning, after many hugs and many “until we meet agains,” we hopped back on the plane for home.  By the time I hit the airport, I texted over to find out about the Laurel meeting that I was missing (STILL feel guilty!)  I really, really hope that Caidan 12^th Night was as enjoyable as the Western one.  I double hope that in the future, the two events are not scheduled on top of one another.  And more than anything – I hope that the weather this weekend spared all of my friends and family damage or worry.

Politics (Gakked from KerriPo)

Anybody shocked? Anybody?

76% Chris Dodd
74% Dennis Kucinich
72% Mike Gravel
71% Joe Biden
69% Hillary Clinton
68% John Edwards
68% Barack Obama
64% Bill Richardson
41% Rudy Giuliani
31% Ron Paul
31% John McCain
31% Mitt Romney
26% Mike Huckabee
25% Fred Thompson
24% Tom Tancredo

2008 Presidential Candidate Matching Quiz