storytimewithjoe | Gulf War Recap – Let the adventure begin

Grunting and groaning after the cramped cross-country-flight in ~~steerage, baggage~~, coach, we touched down at Louis Armstrong airport. And shortly after collecting our luggage, and meeting up with one of our friends who was ride-sharing, we headed off towards that little known “resort”, the King’s Arrow Ranch in beautiful downtown Lumberton, MS.

After settling in to our hotel (which again has a roof), we ventured onto the Gulf War site to see if we could find our Royals. After getting lost, driving through merchants, and almost running over several really drunken doofs, we found the Royal cabin, and the rest of the Caidan party. Almost immediately, the fun began. Between friends old and new, smiling faces, and the slap-action stories of fun times, it was bound to be a good war. Immediately, I ran into some familiar faces from the other coast. And thus, my own personal “Merald Mile” began. Before we knew it, it was late, and we were tiiiiiired. Heading back to the hotel, we decided to get some rest for the day, and then join in the festivity the following day.

Early the next morning, after mustering (if indeed that is what one would call it), we headed off to the Arts and Sciences Hall. For me, this has become a guilty pleasure. While the A&S point now consists of many aspects, the “Champions” arts n’ sciences to me represents the best of the best of what SCA artists can do. I’m not sure about the numbers, but the champions competition represents an even-number pairing of entries. The entries can be… ANYTHING. And that is, to me, the most exciting part. I love walking into the hall and saying, “Oh Freaken-A, COOL!” as I gaze around at everything from embroidery to cooking to metalwork to musical instruments to gods only know what. The emphasis is placed upon the display and the write-up. For me, I love being able to go through, look at the items, and not have to be involved in the administration. WooHOOOO!!!!!

The rest of the war was, of course, a wonderful time. I loved hangin’ out with old friends and new from both coasts. Hangin’ in the scriptorium was fun, as was wandering through merchants, or just socializing with faces that I just don’t get to see anywhere near enough.

As for you, M.C. – you are INSANE! But DAMN, can you cook!!!!!!!!!!!!!!