Stand and Deliver

"Kallipygos" There's a Hellenistic surname we can all get behind.

I forgot we went Cousin Carrie's ( by way of the Walters. )I'll have my full review sometime tomorrow. But for now: Kenneth Branagh says "Twatt". Repeatedly.

( 1. What do you enjoy most about Pennsic? )

( 2. What do you enjoy least about Pennsic? )

( 3. Have you ever actually lived in Calontir? If not, how did it come to be your "spiritual home"? )
( 4. What's one thing you've never done that you'd love to do someday? (In or out of the SCA, either one, you choose.) )

(  5. What food can't you resist? )

( From bernina2000de )

( From rhodri2112 )


( From bdeb )

From liamstliam
1. What was the most important lesson you learned in the military.

Pain is just weakness leaving the body. Or put another way, everything is a situation of mind over matter -- If you don't mind, it don't matter.
Inversely, it's raining tonight. I get to huff at the weather and think "Hey, at least I'm not sleeping in a mud-hole tonight."

2. All-time favorite SCA song? Just one. ;)

Easy - Galahad by David Wilhoite/Freiman the Minstrel

3. What is the difference between the ways the bardic arts are practiced in Calontir and Atlantia.

Whew boy. In Calontir, bardic arts tends to be almost entirely singing, and group singing at that. There are times and places when a solo voice is the center of attention, but so much more that everyone joins in to support those whose voices are clearest. Atlantia is far more a competitive feel, where performances of song, poetry and story are focused on one individual performing. Yes, you get to hear some wonderful voices, but it feels so much like the song is carried in part on the virtue of the performer. I remember Hal performing "Jabberwocky" in hauptduetsch, with full body acting as the story unfolds. Far more often have I heard/seen prose and poetry written and performed in Atlantia.
I think the biggest difference is bardic arts in Calontir tend toward being related to Calontiri values while Atlantia's tend toward being about Atlantia or personal values through the lens of the person and their persona. In Calontir, many know the songs and hold them as teachings. In Atlantia, they are known by a few and they don't typically convey the same kind of inspiration. I do, however, get a kick out of it when someone is excited to have heard a "rare" song that does something for them.
Though, if I hear 'Song of the Shieldwall' to the tune of 'Puff the Magic Dragon' one more time, that schlock is gonna be eating his guitar.

4. What do you want to be doing in 10 years?

I'd like to be a man of leisure. More realistically, I want to be working for myself, enjoying a family much like the ones I found in my first three years in the SCA, and I want to be more of a teacher than a rogue scholar.
Working for myself is just a matter of "what" then executing. I have too many hobbies with which I could make money.
Finding that family isn't going to be as easy as it was the first few times. I know I was thrust into situations where those people just were, and we just got on wonderfully. It was mostly luck and a little bit of knowing when to open my mouth to get invited along for the ride. These days, I have to go out and find them, because we aren't effectively living cheek to jowel.
I'm a research goob. And a project goob. I don't care to show off (or as others put it 'Compete') and far too often the stuff I get into researching is so damned obscure there's no one convenient to discuss those things. I've come to the conclusion that I need to spark that fire in others if I want to share these really bizarre and interesting things I get myself into. The balance point is sharing or bossing others in doing these things I do.

5. Three books for a desert island?

Time Enough for Love, Final Blackout, Portable Kipling.
"Time Enough" I can read anytime, anywhere, and again and again. For RAH fiction, I actually prefer Glory Road then Starship Troopers. Might be because I have a desire to be a 2000 year old crotchety bastard, or might be because I find "The Tale of the Adopted Daughter" absolutely gut-wrenching. I've given away thirty-something copies to date. The last dozen or so I've written commentary in the margins.
"Final Blackout", for being a short and very dark read, is pure speculative fun for me. I get the Lieutenant, and his men. I've read it a dozen times and still its always an exciting read while my mind spins off into other tangents of what is in that world. And then I hate the ending everytime...
Kipling, I just have a jones for Kipling.

Honestly, I've never done these before. Usually too reserved for such things. Still, I think it's an entertaining experiment to have six different people who know me to varying degrees come up with the "five questions".

And away we go.

I started reading Girls with Slingshots after the crossover with Something*Positive a few months back. I'd forgotten to check it for some weeks after the "Post Wedding Hiatus" and thought to check back last night. The idea of an "Internet Phenomena" Theme for a Halloween party was brilliant, both in the story arc and as a real idea. I busted out laughing when the character Jameson showed up as Rick Astley and RickRolled the party.

I have a coworker named Jim. Jim tends to sing, rather often, and his repertoire is pretty expansive. Sitting next to Jim is like borrowing someone else's iPod that is stuck on random shuffle with a "William Hung a cappella" remix patch on every song. Actually, this is highly entertaining; especially once you learn how to aim it.

This morning, Jim was singing a little inane and irritating dity, and I decided to entertain myself at all co-workers expense. I asked Jim if he knew what "RickRolling" was, and explained the phenomenon when he said he didn't.
"Its an internet thing where you send someone a link or something relevant to a conversation, or a cool vid or what-have-you, and instead you trick them into watching a video of Rick Astley's 'Never Gonna Give You Up'."
He said that sounded interesting, and I went on to tell him about the MIT Prank earlier this fall when they put the opening notes of the song on the bars that circled the dome of the main building. They RickRolled the whole campus. He thought that was pretty entertaining.

I then walked away to warm my morning coffee. I came back to our little work space to find Jim discussing the concept of RickRolling with several other coworkers, specifically the epicene Tracy and Shawn, all thinking it was a pretty odd but entertaining prank.

Not ten minutes later, Jim realized he has a song in his head and just has to share - "Never gonna give you up..."

( Read more... )

Helm 1 has been claimed and we're working the details to complete the sale.

Helm 2 is still up for bid. I've looked at it and could make some minor adjustments to the side and rear skirting -- cutting it higher -- if it would make for a better head fit. The nose piece is integral to construction, however.

Helm 3, the monster, it turns out is stainless. If it doesn't sell, I'll likely break it down and rebuild it for my own "next" helm in the near future.

Also still up for purchase-
7"x10" Metal Lathe, new in box, $400 obo
Class IIIA Spectra ballistic vest with carrier. $200 obo
Two Sides of 5oz Oil tanned Leather, Burgundy - $50 each
Two Sides of 5oz Oil tanned Leather, Black - $50 each

And my spare helmet-
Peaked Kettle helm/Chepe au fere. Drop in padding comfortably and snugly fits this well maintained mild steel helm to my 23 1/2" head. The brim narrow to deter the likelihood of catching shots while still maintaining the proper silhouette. This has been my spare helm for about three years. Asking $200 obo


And still, I'm taking orders for furniture already posted, gauntlets, and leather goods (unless the leather sells).

The New Knighthood

 

WHO gives him the Bath?
"I," said the wet,
Rank-Jungle-sweat,
"I'll give him the Bath!"

Who'll sing the psalms?
"We," said the Palms.
"Ere the hot wind becalms,
"We'll sing the psalms."

Who lays on the sword ?
"I," said the Sun,
Before he has done,
"I'll lay on the sword."

"Who fastens his belt?
"I," said Short-Rations,
" I know all the fashions
"Of tightening a belt!"

Who gives him his spur?
"I," said his Chief,
Exacting and brief,
"I'll give him the spur."

Who'll shake his hand?
"I," said the Fever,
"And I'm no deceiver,
"I'll shake his hand."

Who brings him the wine?
"I," said Quinine,
"It's a habit of mine.
"I'11 come with his wine."

Who'll put him to proof?
"I," said All Earth.
"Whatever he's worth,
"I'll put to the proof."

Who'll choose him for Knight?
"I," said his Mother,
"Before any other,
"My very own Knight."

And after this fashion, adventure to seek,
Sir Galahad made--as it might be last week!

---

If you're just checking in, see here for the whys and wherefore's.


The Helms-

Here is a picture of all three helms currently up for sale. The first two are rather well made spangenhelms in mild steel that should fit small to medium heads. Big gnarly on the far right is a slat-back Norman Spangen.
( Details and specifics behind the cut )

Also, all three of these are positioned on a waxed and highly polished 9inch wide Arming Bench. This was the first of its kind and has seen a lot of use and abuse. I'll be posting detailed pics of the bench, stools and tables once the weather breaks.

Okay. So today turned out to be the big day. Once the Circuit Court Judge of Frederick County signs and files the paperwork, I'll be divorced.

Its been seven long years to this point, and I am glad its over. In the end, it came down to dollars and cents. I settled today for about the same amount of money I'd have paid my lawyer for a full day in court and finalizing paperwork. Its even been worked that I will be making the settlement pay out as alimony over the next 12 months so that it will be tax deductible and not in one lump sum. This gives me a chance to raise the funds in smaller chunks.

That being said, I need to come up with $6000.

I need to "find" at least half that, preferably more. And that is why I post - revenue.

Varangian Wood Works is open for business. The initial offerings are limited, but will be expanding.

Lund Stools - Classic three legged stools support a comfortable "D" seat. Each leg is carved and socket fitted at a comfortable 15degree angle. Light, portable, and perfect for any culture in Northern Europe throughout the SCA period. Our standard model comes in fine whitewood with a light coat of linseed oil for protection.
12" height - $34
18" height - $37

Arming Benches - Rock solid and built to support the weight of a fully armored SCA fighter (or two). This simple and rugged design is evocative of utilitarian wooden benches the world over. Two-by-ten pine provides a lightweight, sturdy, and broad seat that can take a lot of punishment and still provide a comfortable roost off the ground. The Arming Bench comes standard at a pleasant 15 inches tall, sanded but unfinished, to allow you to decorate as you like. These benches also make for wonderful supports when making field repairs on armor, and as portable workspaces. These benches do not break down, but are sufficiently compact to transport easily.
Standard - $25

Field tables - Aren't there times when you just want a good, small, table to rest a drink or lunch plate while up and about? A table that can be placed in easy reach without cluttering your shadefly? Here's the table for you. At a comfortable and compact 24Lx24Hx12W, these four post tables based on the Sala Hytta table are built to fill that corner of space with a slightly more decadent place to put your lunch plate than at your feet. These tables come ready assembled and breakdown easily for transport. Simply tap or twist out the legs, and the whole table packs down to less than two and a half inches in height.
Sanded and Unfinished - $40
With a coat of protective Linseed oil - $50

Other products available -
Belts, pouches, assorted leather goods, all at cutthroat (my own) prices. Tent and shade-fly frames made to order.

I also take commissions for custom furniture, drop me a line if you have something specific in mind, or would like a particularly different kind of wood to spruce up your display. I also have a line of trunks and small boxes available that I will be posting later.

I also make guantlets - Three Lame clamshells at $110 per pair. 3/4 Cap-tipped finger Wisby-style gauntlets - $450 per pair. All are in mild steel and your choice of black or burgundy leather.

Other items for sale immediately -
I have three helms I don't need, $150 each, obo.
7"x10" Metal Lathe, new in box, $400 obo
Class IIIA ballistic vest with carrier. $200 obo



Yes, you could make most of these things yourself, but why should you? Every craft item offered is quality, hand-made here in the US, by me. And hey, it goes to a good cause.
If you have any interest, or would like to recommend any other products, email me at velsthe1 (_at_) hotmail (_dot_) com

Please feel free to share this information far and wide.
Pictures will be posted soon.

Among the laundry list of UCMJ charges that will be leveled against Major Hasan, his alleged actions also qualify for Treason under Article III Section 3 of the US Constitution. This is going to be a spectacle that the media will be gushing over for quite some time. Expect ranting on the television and protests for and against each phase.

It has been around sixty years since this country has seen a treason trial. In those five trials of 1948-52, none of them included the taking of arms against the United States*. Major Hasan could readily be charged with taking arms against the United States. He can definitely be charged with violation of his Oath as a Commissioned Officer of the United States.

His religious affiliation will be remarked as support of motivation, as cause for leniency, and as irrelevent. People are going to beg for mercy. Other people will beg for blood. Some will demand a purge of all Muslims from the US Armed Forces, others will remind that it is wrong to exact punishment of an entire group for the actions of one.  There will be at least one bunch of fools who will believe and espouse that trying Major Hasan by Court Martial is wrong, while others will be completely confused by the methodology of the treatment he will receive. It will be difficult for many civilians to understand why Major Hasan must be kept alive, nursed to health, then tried and convicted. They will not understand the significance of being stripped of his rank and privileges. They will not understand all of this for a man destined to be executed.

There will be those who decry the death penalty, but wholly are the same people who have not the constitution to deal with lawful death, and thus are not peers to this disgraceful Major, nor any of those who he killed. There will be those apologists who will see their protests written warmly in the Washington Post, demanding it was not his fault, demanding that he would not be slated for execution if he were not Moslem. They will ignore the rarity of these cases, avoiding that all similar cases have earned punishment by firing squad.

At least someone is going to make hay over the already spreading allegations that some of the shooting injuries were a results of the apparent overreaction of the Killeen Police Department. Those two or three "other" suspects that were being questioned who were then released? Seems the Killeen PD were snapping up anyone who moved or ran when they entered in full SWAT gear, shot first and asked questions later. Real smart move when entering a situation where almost everyone has more tactical experience than the SWAT Team. Of course their reaction is going to be to evade the more heavily armed force.

Someone will remember that if he is convicted of Treason, per Article III Section 3, the punishment is death. Someone will try to make Major Hasan a martyr, fighting against an devilish government. Others will remember he has betrayed his oaths and killed those who trusted him as brother, counselor, and friend. A few will blame everyone but him for all that has happened.

And, with some dark humor someone may astutely recall the day as marking when those of us in the United States now have reason to remember the date - 05 Nov.





Its going to be a long haul. Once Maj. Hasan gets healed up he'll be slated for Court Martial. A few months from now there will be the circus of a trial and the shock of the general public at the speed and certainty of action under the UCMJ. And again then we will be assailed with civilians attempting to reconcile their relatively cozy world with the one that others know all too well.


*USAAC Lieutenant Martin James Monti was commissioned as a junior officer in the SS, however he deserted (for a second time) and surrendered to Allied forces in Italy. The charges for treason resulted from propaganda broadcasts made after he defected in 1944. In 2006, a civilian was indicted for treason, but has not been apprehended.

I just read that Andy Warhol was a Byzantine Catholic, and took a great deal of influence from the Ikonic legacy of that church.

I am having a brilliant idea.

Thursday before last I received word that they'd been relaxing the dress code standards on the 30th, in case the worker bees wanted to come in costume for Hallowe'en type stuff.  Our management group also arranged for a bit of time in office for "Mandatory Fun." They'd announced there would be games and snacks.
Same said Thursday I'd been watching the new Punisher movie. Being as jynette 's Halloween party had a superhero theme, I decided to save steps and do one costume that I'd wear to work and to the party.

Now, surprisingly or not, ( Saving your f-list )

I did not come up with these, just heard them yesterday. Thank George Hrab.

Never hire Otis Redding to guard your boat.

Uncomfortable: I bought a new camera and the F stop just used the N word.

Its rude to refer to a lactose intolerant sex worker as a "non-dairy creamer"?

Should a person named William express his ennui with a billboard?

( Would you like to know more? )

Okay... How about Techno-Thriller?

JC Hutchins has relaunched 7th Son:Descent
He's up to 3/10 episodes of the recast, with new recording and new content, that all matches to the edited and newly released hardcover by St Martin's Press.

I really rocked on 7th Son during its original release in weekly podio-book form in 2006-2007. The new, polished, version of the novel and podcast is outstanding.

and if you followed the story then or now... www.TheTruthExcavated.com .... kilroy2.0 is here... kilroy2.0 is everywhere

JC is too damned meta.

Autotune, for all the jokes about it, does have some damned cool uses... Like making Carl Sagan and Dr Stephen Hawking 'perform' together this awesome video and song "A Glorious Dawn"




edit: Fourth time, dammit

Tis the season for Horror Fiction

In his sophomore venture into the realm of podcast novels, Phil Rossi definitely brought the goods with "Harvey". Which, incidentally, just dropped the final episode on Friday. Rossi's first podcast novel, Crescent, was enjoyable and featured an interesting hook beyond most podcasts in that it featured a dedicated soundtrack. I must admit that while it was a good Sci-Fi/Supernatural Horror mash-up, its pacing pulls it from the running for "Favorite Podcast Novels" in my book.

Harvey The Novel, however, wholly eclipses Rossi's earlier work - far more action, much better pacing, far stronger and more real characters. Most especially, it'll creep you out.

Rural Harvey, Virginia putters along just outside the sprawling DC metroplex... You know, right there up Rt 15 at White's Ferry on the Potomac. Calvin Hubbard, publicly humiliated "Pop Sensation", with the assistance of a dart and a blindfold picked this little town to escape to with his guitar and need to crank out an album the old fashioned way -- locked in a hotel with hard liquor, cigarettes, and no interruptions. That he didn't force himself to stick with that last bit is probably the worst decision he'll ever make... But what can you say when the hot owner of the Frozen Custard shop catches your eye? The locals are far more colorful than he ever expected, but Mr. Los Angeles has no idea what he's in for as the town's annual festival approaches, people start disappearing and stories of talking trees in the woods north of the old quarry begin to stir anew.
 
If you tend to keep your horror fiction nestled to just this time of the year, you are them most in luck. The whole story is newly available here. And Via Feedburner and iTunes

Caveat Audiens

About ten years back, my first Pennsic, I spent a good bit of time hanging out with this right crazy chicky named Cianna. She'd been introduced to Calontir by way of Estrella earlier in the year, and decided it would be fun to head for Pennsic's green fields to spend more time with her "Calontiri Brothers".

We'd met some time during first week, couldn't say exactly because I know I spent the first nine days of that war drunk (thanks to the fine gents from Lochac). Before long, we were out looking to cause trouble, or just actively causing trouble all in the name of fun. Before too long Rauidhri had co-oped the both of us as his minions, and occasionally sent us out to perform minor, yet entertaining, atrocities on his behalf. The big one, he set us on the mission of "Bring back the Horde Banner."
Being smarter than the average cookie monsters, we decided that rather than coming up with a ridiculous plan to snacth it, we'd just head over to their camp and ask, politely, if we could borrow it. The stunned guard at Horde Camp seemed more than a little bit distracted when he went to ask the camp head to discuss this with us. We explained the whole scenario, we were tasked by Rauidhri to get their banner and bring it back to camp. I forget who it was, but they laughed, told us that we couldn't take it with us, but he'd bring it to Rauidhri later.

The Hell party was another point when Cianna was up for creating her own brand of trouble. She spent most of the night bringing women to Yussenge and I, trying to ensure we were appropriately accompanied for the whole of the evening. And then, she scolded us everytime we failed to develop a conversation with the cute young ladies she brought for us to encourage into appropriate molestations. She showed great taste, especially with the St Pauli twins. I have no idea what her friend's name was, but there was this very attractive lady that had also come from Caid. With her, Cianna really entertained the Pergatory party, disrobing her friend partially to display one the best pairs of breasts I've ever had the half-drunken pleasure of seeing.

Cianna had been a fencing for a couple years, and had been authorized for armored combat just about six months before Pennsic. On the field, girl was awesome, for a noob. She didn't give an inch and giggled her ass off the whole time. During the Cathedral battle, the friend turned to Cianna and said, "This kind of fighting makes me so hot, I really just want some one to throw me behind one of those haybales and f--k me."
"I know what you mean, but those hay bales don't give much privacy." Cianna agreed as they both grinned wickedly.
"Uhhh, I'm game," I said, just a little tentatively.
"But you'll both miss the rest of the battle." Cianna pointed out, and we both had to agree. "Maybe later," we considered.

There was more chaos, more fun had. I ran into Cianna a couple years later at Estrella. We didn't have much chance to catch up and hang out. The next year we ran into each other at Lilies. I was exhausted from one busy war by time I ran into her. I had no aplomb left. Only thing I could manage was a look of awe and a heavy "Wow, congratulations."

Another couple of years went by and we had the chance to talk again. I finally had the opportunity to tell her that what she had accomplished had, in many ways, shown me how much I had held back, how far I could have gone if I'd invested myself in other ways, how much more I could have done if it weren't for those few things that have played hell with success and reasonable goals. She showed me what I could have done, if I'd done things differently. Very "Its A Wonderful Life" in reverse.

She felt a little bad about this, or really, she didn't want me to feel bad about it. She did what she had done, and I had what I had, we both had our opportunities and choices. I didn't feel resentment in any direction, at her or me, just I was impressed to know how far she had gone. We were contemporaries, and it was clear enough to see where each of us gone in the same time. Hell of a lady.



Her Grace Kolfinna kottr, KSCA has been removed from life support this afternoon. Secondary infections have done what H1N1 opened the door for.


Go easy Cianna.

It is without question the single greatest source for varied and timely information ever invented: the Internet.

For years I have studied things and tracked down rare insights in the back corners of the Dogpile. I adore that I have access to information near instantly over any number of obscure topics, unparalleled in human history. Secondary and tertiary sources there, short notes here, webbed pages there, transcribed manually or by machine there is a vast wealth of knowledge free for the learning. And I have learned.

I must admit, the age of the Internet as the premier learning tool and source of all you'd ever want to know is far, far away. This evening I bought a book, hard copy, from a brick-and-mortar store. In under ten minutes I was able to confirm, by print on the page, things that I had deduced over many years of attacking the mound and scribbled notes to decipher on the long commute home but for which I had no proof. In ten minutes of opening the cover, information gathered and compared and compiled from a hundred different sources after a hundred hours of searching was presented clearly, exactly, and with references for where the author derived the information.

When the internet become this for all things, then it will be the first, best choice.

Still, the paper book is supreme.

Went to pull the front pads tonight. Confirmed, the pads I was sold for the back of the truck are the ones that go on the front of the truck. Also, the front pads have a little over a half inch of pad left on them. This grinding thing is not from bad pads. At this point, I'd venture to guess the pads and rotors were replaced just before I bought the truck last year (yay Carmax?).
The pads that were supposed to be for the front brakes are going back to exchange for the right ones for the rear, and I'll probably replace those anyway. I didn't pull the fronts, as I need some wicked odd 13mm star point bit to loosen the caliper.A dial caliper and basic math confirm I have almost new pads.

So, I'm stumped. About once a day, maybe twice a day the last few, after breaking repeatedly in a short amount of time (like riding the brakes) the pedal starts jiving like the ABS has engaged to avoid locking the brakes up. Previously I've associated this with grinding the rotors. I am obviously not grinding the rotors, the pads have plenty of life left in them and the rotors are clean. The Master Cylinder is full.

Hive mind? Anyone?


ETA: Asked a few other folks in the office today. Going to check the ABS sensors.

Hopefully they're just obscured.


Thanks for the input everyone.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, Over.


Yes. These are all actually for sale on Amazon.

I want Uranium Ore.

syrjustus you know you want the Badonkadonk


EDIT:
Okay, here are my fav's
6) Bic Crystal Ballpoint Pen, Medium Point, Black
Reviewer posted:
"Worked fine with my right hand, but when I came to use my left hand my writing came out looking like the work of a complete imbecile. I can only assume Bic have created a right-handed only pen, and would caution left-handers to 'try before you buy'."

--I can't read this aloud. I keep laughing too hard.

7) Uranium ore
Reviewer posted:
"I purchased this product 4.47 Billion Years ago and when I opened it today, it was half empty."

8) JL421 Badonkadonk Land Cruiser/Tank
Reviewers Posted ... oh just go read these yourself
And this thing is actually listed for less than my last truck! Great Price at $19,999.95


Not on the list, but I want :
US Army Monopoly (look at the pieces!)

Recidivistic readers recall recent rhetorical renditions regarding mlysett 's momentously methodical maneuver making merry my thirty-first birthday. (And we are now done with the alliterative portion of today's post).

First off: Oh-holy-hell-Jesus-tits-on-a-pogo-stick that was amazing!
Secondly: Lets reiterate, I went to Calontir, from Atlantia, for tourney fighting. Consider all the implications.
Third before we get into the details: tedeisenstein said he'd be at Known World Heraldic and Scribal Symposium with Pot Boiler Press opposite Valor. I offered a challenge to see who'd make a bigger draw with their attendance at the respective events. Valor tourney gated over 450.

( History )

Nine years passed.

( Getting There )

( Saturday, Sa-turday...Saturday, Sa-tur-day ) .... well read his account </div>( More Saturday )
I was part-way through my first cup of coffee when Melisende, striking a pose with her silk banner lofting, cleary declared a query I am always most pleased to accommodate "Can you do me again this morning?"
Way to break the Vels, Your Excellency. Not enough caffiene, and definitely contextually surreal.
Again I had good seats as HE Gillian Warrender was made a Mistress of the Laurel.

( The Big Dance )
( And So Much More )
Monday was pack up and clear out, the flight back was at 11:50am. I really wish I'd had more time to spend with these people I find to be some of the most amazing friends I've ever had the pleasure to find. I am still blown away by the reception we received, and the lengths people went to on our behalf to treat us like honored guests. It's odd to me. I'm just Vels. I am Calontiri. I suppose I should not be so put-off by it. After all, what was that thing about the treatment for prodigal sons?


btw- zephyrofgod : hijacked a pic, hope it's okay.
 </div>

Bread's done. I dunno if I did it right, or wrong.

The finished bread is dry with a texture like gourmet croutons... Or at least what you get at upscale restaurants.
I had one piece dry. The honey came through with a very subtle sweetness (which it was intended). Other than that, they were very air-ey. I think I either let the dough rise too long, or I used too little flour for the amount of yeast.

Being that all I have are the reports of others, I dunno if this is right. It doesn't quite fit my expectation. This redaction is based on a modern bread recipe often prepared in rural Greece for lenten bread. I was really expecting something much denser than that I ended up.


Anybody out there have this stuff before, am I right?

I'm having a rather nice Sunday afternoon... All good and relaxing, actually.

Sometime in June I had come across a recipe for Paximadia. It's a double-baked bread that, by all accounts, was commonly used by the Medieval Roman Empire for keeping troops fed while on campaign. The way this stuff looks, lots of folks pose paximadia is a precursor to biscotti. We'll see.

Thanks to mlysett  making a stop at a grocer in July, I had all the ingredients on hand to make a couple loaves to take to Pennsic. Didn't happen. So, I'm trying the recipe this afternoon.

And, made up some fighter biscuits. Damn tasty snacks. That, and they're easy and last forever.  --Hrmmm, sounds vaguely familiar. [grin]



I should get an icon of me in my "cookin' attire" at some point. I mean to do this now and again in the future.

I'm still getting my head around the Pennsico Bellico stories for this year. In the meantime --

( Backstory and Pics )

*thwunk* *thwunk*

*thwunk*

I opened my eyes and blearily flopped my head to the right to see from where that really odd noise was coming. Almost as it were a dream, a disembodied and wild-eyed head appeared between the flaps of my tent. Were I slightly more awake (or asleep) it might have seemed like someone had been Ruaidhri hunting and mounted his head on my wall in triumph.

"Dude, you're never gonna guess what happened! I was out drinkin' last night and a great thing happened!" Ruaidhri's floating head spouted.

"Okay" I drawled, blinking with aplomb (or perhaps nocturnal confusion).

"I've got really great news, and I have to tell someone, so I thought of you." spewed from the wall-mount.

Turning to my left to see the sun peeking in through the east facing vent of the tent, I determined it was morning, barely. Turned back I said, "Okay"

"I-was-out-partying-with-the-Swedes-and-the-Queen-of-the-West-made-me-a-Court-Baron."

Again, "Okay."

"Dude, I gotta talk about this." The head pealed then disappeared through the gap in the doors.

And thus I discovered the sound- *thwunk*  *thwunk*

A drunken Ruaidhri was being outsmarted by the quick release knots on my tent doors. Ahhhh, I thought just as the head reappeared. "Let me in, I wanna tell you all about it."

"Congratulations. I tell you what Ruaidhri. Why don't you let me put some pants on and I'll come out there."

The rowdy Ruaidhri Primus placated, I threw back the blankets and searched for suitable clothing to bear the naked face of the rising sun. Swathed in trews and a blue silk robe, I poured a mug of water and took a seat in the newly renovated A-frame(s) of Debauchery.

"Okay, so what happened?"

Thus pre-rambled, Ruaidhri began his testimony -

"I was out partying with my Swedes. They brought more of that black liquorish salt candy stuff dissolved in vodka and we met up with the Queen of the West who was going incognito." (NB- Thinking back, it is amazing how much this made sense with him tanked and me barely awake).

"We found a bar and made them re-open it because we had Royalty with us."

"And they gave you a Court Barony for that?" I asked, only slightly confused.

"No, that was for singing. The bartender said the first drink went to someone who could sing a good song. So with the Queen and two dukes we got them to reopen the bar. Someone else tried to sing something and they messed it up. Then I sang Conn's Song and the bartender gave me the first drink. The second drink went to Her Majesty. Have you ever met her? She's the hotness."

Truthfully, I responded "No, I don't think I've ever met her. So she made you a Court Baron after singing at the bar?"

"No, that was later. Then we went to the castle and watched the sunrise."

"How late were you at the bar?"

"A little after midnight. Do you have your Pennsic book? I'll show you her picture. She has the most gorgeous long blond hair."

"Wait.... so you all went to the castle and she did it there, then you all waited for the sunrise?"

"No," Ruaidhri's mirthful face cackled, "She did it in Drachenwald Royal around three in the morning. I bet Miriam has her books. I'll be right back. I hope I didn't hallucinate all of this, I'm really drunk."

Miriam found herself being awakened in a very, very similar way as I.
*thwunk*
*thwunk*
*thwunk*
Head through the door.

"Miriam, where are your Pennsic books?"
"What?" chirped a sleep-halted Miriam.
"Where are your Pennsic books. I need to see the picture of the Queen of the West."
Having had them pointed out, Ruaidhri grabbed the books and trundled back to where I sat, hoping nicotine would suffice for caffiene for a little while.

"That's her" Ruaidhri cried, "Jesus, it really did happen, didn't it!"

After squinting at the picture, for I still had not put in my eyes, I agreed she was an attractive lady.

"Okay. I'm still confused. What happened? Slowly. In order."

"I went out drinking with the Swedes and we met up with the Queen of the West. After we got them to reopen the bar because we had royalty with us, I sang for the first round. Then the Queen asked me to sing songs most of the night. After they closed the bar again, we went up to Drachenwald Royal and Constantina asked me to sing some more. Then she opened her court and said 'Ruaidhri, I want you to kneel before me.'
"Her Chamberlain stepped up next to her and said 'Here opens the Court of Her Majesty of the West'.
"I was thinking uh oh, what did I do now?
"'What is your full name?'
"Ruaidhri Ua Ceallaigh.
"'How do you spell that?
...
"'Ruaidhri, you are a bard unlike any we have in the West Kingdom. For this, I ask you to be my Royal Bard and I make you a Baron of my Court.'
"Then she leaned over and hugged me and everybody cheered. Duke Sven said he'd make me a coronet today and the Chamberlain got all my information. I think this is all for real."

"It sounds it." I agreed.

"Then we drank some more and went to the castle to watch the sunrise. Then I came and woke you up."

"Damn, Ruaidhri, that's one hell of a night. Not even three days into the war and already an international incident. Congratulations."

"Thanks... Duke Sven said (insert swedish accent) 'Ruaidhri, I thought you already had one of those. If this doesn't stick I will win crown again and do it myself!' I don't know where he's going to get the pearls and metal. The merchants aren't open yet."

We toasted, me with water, he with a swig to empty his flask of rum, and we spoke on for another hour or so. Finally, "God, I better get some sleep. I really hope this isn't some kind of dream."

Eventually, I encouraged Ruaidhri to get some sleep. Master Eadward was up and starting to make coffee so I tottered myself up to his corner of camp for some fine turkish bean soup. After a bit of morning small talk, Dave from Oddysey Coffee asked where Ruaidhri was. I said he was sleeping, finally. He had come in and woke me up about quarter after six with some really interesting news.

Intrigued, Dave and Ed waited for me to continue. "It's his story, all I'll say is it has to do with drinking all night with the Swedes, the Queen of the West, and something rather entertaining happening in Drachenwald Royal at three am."

On the ball, Master Eadward had the most appropriate question -

"Did he start an international incident already this war?"





Ruaidhri could not sleep, and nearly two hours later reappeared to share the news with others. By early afternoon, and still quite intoxicated, his vocabulary had shrunk to two words, oft repeated and near always conjoined: "Sh*t" and "F**k".


A couple days later, after clarifying the details, Inter-Kingdom deliberations, and BoD Rulings, Their Majesties Martino and Ariel consented with Her Majesty Constantina's elevation of Ruaidhri Ua Ceallaigh to the estate of Court Baron. Duke Sven from Drachenwald did indeed deliver a pearled coronet by Tuesday evening and Her Majesty Constantina did bestow on Ruaidhri's sober brow the coronet of his new estate. In Calontir Court the week following, Martino and Ariel spoke from the Falcon thrones and confirmed again this fine acclaim, with His Majesty stating "Ruaidhri is my heart."

Sumptuary laws being what they are, Ruaidhri's coronet is of brass with seven pearls, in accord with the Kingdom of the West (or Drachenwald, I am not sure). In Calontir, the band is of silver for Court Barons, with pearls of Six. The Seventh, proudly displayed at the center of the brow, has been deemed "Ternon's Ball" to account for the one the First Prince of Calontir was known for being without.

And the Merry Trickster is said to laugh on from the Summerlands.

This weekend past we have, I believe, thoroughly proved the failure of teaching children it is okay to color outside the lines.

About fifteen years ago, I was rather surprised to learn that educators had determined that telling children to only color inside the lines stunted their creativity. Holding myself up as an example, I found this to be pretty dubious. By being encouraged to color inside the lines, I learned to be creative within reasonable limitations. To say that it stunted the creativity of a 16 year old who'd just had a couple poems and a short story published seemed pretty damned implausible.

( We have proved this concept as fallacy this weekend at the Birthday Work Party. )

( Final count - )

Not counting the sewing, and if we take out the Taum/Stool combo chair, I got about as much done Saturday as I would have if I didn't have "help". Then again, I also wouldn't have lost significant amounts of not-inexpensive lumber in the process.

( Lessons Learned - )
If you weren't there, you were missed.


For whatever Saturday was, Sunday was very nice.
Monday (my actual birthday) hit a zenith about 7am today and has been going up the downslide since.

Most folks review their weekends on Monday. Since Monday was part of my "weekend" this week, I figured I'd core dump today.

1) Made it out to Highland Foorde Friday night. 270 is dumb. 270 is more dumb when they shut down all Northbound traffic to move a fender bender. And to think, I took side roads half the trip to avoid the mess on 495.
Still, got there only 30 minutes after I'd intended.
To echo what syrjustus said last week, yeah, these guys put the "new SCA smell" back on things. The shop is pretty awesome too. What really gets me is how motivated and excited all these folks are. Well, that and they intend to come to war with actual infantry shields, rather than whatever cavalry-style shield they use for single combat. These guys are great fun to watch. I still think 20 minutes per practice of close order drill is a bit more than is needed, but that will pay dividends. Hedgehog is probably going to be the closest to a professional and disciplined force in the Northern Army here in a bit, and all coming up together, they'll intuitively understand each other and be able to integrate new fighters into their unit with so little trouble.
Seems syrjustus and Sir tascius already squared Hedgehog away with basic heavy infantry tactics. I added a few things to their repetiore. Only thing outstanding that needed adjustment was how deep they were when they grounded their shields. Yep, ain't no body was getting through their lines, but they had no pole support and their spears could barely reach someone standing five feet to their front, standing in the third rank as they were.
So, I had them pull out the second rank once they grounded, then showed the spears and poles where to stand to get maximum benefit, while providing maximum range and support (both weapon support and body mass to hold up the line). Here's why it sucks to be a shield grunt in this situation -- It's not the heat, the cramped condition of kneeling behind your shield, not the lack of breeze or not knowing what is going on above you... no... it's kneeling for long periods of time with your face in someone's sweaty crotch. But, you can get used to that, even ignore it.
While in that close support formation of the grounded line, we showed the shield grunts how to place their sword hilt to help support the shield overlap (which they did precisely the first time I asked them to ground shields). We had each shieldman practice punching off a hook, then I showed the poles how to do some "dirty" tricks with counter hooking. Some joker hooks your grounded shieldman, you hook them onto the shield, and lean back. This puts the hook-er into a stuck position, as now they are pulling against two people just to get their weapon back. Once there, it's either cut and run on death by spear. Combined arms, I love it.
They also move like they should. Too often, shieldmen tend to use the same shuffle step in guard to move in a unit as they do in singles. For long distances and mass moves, that's a good way to get nowhere fast. It's also tiring as hell.
They get a couple more long weapons and I'll stamp on them the old sobriquet of my Section Sergeant at Drum - The Bristling Hedgehog of Destruction.
I jumped into the bear-pit for a couple passes to start the night. While I didn't get a lot of fighting in, I felt good about everything that was done at that practice -- including letting my body remember proper bayonet fighting.


2) I spent the majority of each of the last three days working on camp furniture of one sort or another (about 30hrs over three days). Honestly, I have no idea what I actually got done Saturday. Finally got the hinges on the garb trunks I started two years ago. A few months back I found cut nails on sale for $3 a pound, so I bought four pounds. They were for concrete, so a good two hours was absorbed by sitting in the shade with a MAPP torch removing the temper. Can't clench your nails if they are hardened.
In putting the hinges on the first trunk with said cut nails, I cracked the lid (pilot holes did help, but not enough...too small). Being the handy sort, I cut a couple of straps from some 18ga steel I have on hand for armor making. Having learned my lesson, I burned the zinc coating off of some roofing nails to clench on the straps. I think I made that as pretty as I could for doing the whole strapping bit in under an hour.
Reinforcing glue where parts had not dried properly was added, then clean-up. Lots of sanding later, the first trunk was given a liberal coat of linseed oil. Linseed oil on oak is damned pretty. mlysett oohh-ed and ahh-ed convincingly. I recovered the two "missing" hinges from the now out-of-use tent parts that I'd put them on last year, then those went on the second trunk. That one still needs finish sanding and oiling.
After these, I'm not doing any more in oak unless they're paying gigs with materials paid upfront. Pine one-by, whitewood, whatever (except plywood, gah, horrid) sure. But at the expense and labor I put into these, I really don't need to be putting out that kind of scratch for storing my garb at wars. I couldn't sell them for less than $400, either.


3) Two steps forward and one step back eventually got most of the parts for a set of Oseberg Chairs scaled, drafted, patterned and cut yesterday. The initial attempt to cut from materials on hand went bad when I realized the remaining luan I had wouldn't fit any dimension on these chairs. That is, after I'd already started cutting tabs and gluing up 2x2 from "scrap" oak. I finally remembered the Home Depot gift card I'd gotten for Xmas. A quick trip up the road for 1/4in Red Oak Ply turned into a slightly grander shopping experience. The local Home Despot now carries 1/2x4in red oak in four foot lengths (which saves me from planing down 3/4 oak to make the panel frames). Now it's a simple rip in half and away we go.
This is what I'm working on, btw -



The chair, not the shoes.



4) Warfighter Thoughts -
Wednesday I started posting one-liners relating to warfighting theory, skills, and tactics to the Grand Army list. I had planned 15 posts sent Mon-Wed-Fri to imbue some additional information to fighters, and to keep Northern Army (of Darkness) troops thinking on melee. A totally unexpected side effect is actual conversation on the Grand Army list, as people discuss tactics and techniques related to the posts.
So far, the posts have been -
"Column charges break a killing cup like gangbusters with even just one polearm added to the mix."
"In melee, a sword without a thrusting tip is pointless."
"The 'Rock, Scissors, Paper' of SCA combat:
   Rock = Shieldwall    Scissors =  Charge   Paper = Spear Line
Given comparable numbers and skill, Shieldwalls defeat Charges, Charges defeat Spearlines, Spearlines defeat Shieldwalls."

Like I said, I am really surprised and encouraged with the conversation this has spurred. Not entirely encouraged by the mostly retired Dukes explaining how they can completely demolish the discussed methods but... no tactic or technique is unstoppable, just effective to varying degrees.

5) The lamellar rebuild is almost complete. It was working too well for what it needed. Taking off a couple excess rows and plates will lighten it by a pound or three.

6) Needing to figure out damned quick what I'm doing with the Second Annual Birthday Work Party. It'll be the 18th of July. I expect the food will not be the spread I put out last year.

7) Since its not NaNoWriMo, I'll cut this here. Still need to get the new garb prepped. In the meantime, anyone who plays and loves Rome:Total War and Medieval II: Total War MUST check out the Sicilian Vespers Mod.