BirkaBirkaBirka

[felis_lupus]

Fun Fun Fun. :) But oh, boy, am I sore. Fencing, dancing... You'd think that with all the shoveling I've been doing my muscles would be just fine, but they're different muscles... It needs to not snow tomorrow, so I can make it to fencing and work the pain out.

Syd and I got to my parents around midnight Friday, collapsed into beds, and were... mostly... awake and left... almost... on time on Saturday morning. By an amazing stroke of luck, we got serious Rock Star Parking; 2nd level, as close to the door as we could possibly get. Check in was faster than it had ever been. Fencing area was pretty empty that early, but folks trickled in by and by. I was running around like a crazy person, trying to find people and bring things places they needed to go. Dance partner found, scroll delivered, regalia passed along, then fencing could happen. People I love were showing up too, like gryphonsinistre, nomadmwe, ludicrose, moonandtree, and lots more that don't necessarily have LJs, like Quinn, and Xavier (what a wonderful surprise!), and too many other fencers to be named here, 'cuz I'll forget folks...

Bought gloves, then much fencing happened. I actually managed to hold a list for a few bouts for the first time in my life. I was ON for 3 or 4 bouts, and then whatever switch tripped in my brain shut off again, and back to my normal tourney mode I went... oh well. Had lots of fun anyway. Sydney is now an official Free Scholar (green cord) in the League of Rapier Academies, hooray! Vincent and I were champions for Max & Mickel, who had every intention of fencing in the challenge, but fate conspired against them... Syd done good. Me = proud of my stoodint.

Having friends with a hotel room that are willing to loan out their shower are wonderful, wonderful people.

Quick trip through the merchant area, picked up a few bottles of permacoll, so I don't have to borrow Carrie's for gold leaf anymore... then we decided that since court was going to be three hours long, we would eat beforehand. A splendid idea, and good foods were eaten.

Long court was long. Vivant to new Silver Crescent anna_mickel, whom we surprised but good (and whose shiny shiny scroll was almost NOT SHOWN to the crowd there assembled, causing a minor SPAZOUT by me, but all was well in the end...), Lord S.P. deBump, new Sagittarius Cynric, from Stonemarche, and new Laurel Mira, from Endewearde. Probably some people I forgot here too...

Birka ball was fun, as usual. Thanks to my bodyguards and friends who did a pretty good job keeping creepy dude away from Syd and myself... some people cannot take a hint, even when delivered directly with a sledgehammer. *twitch*

Frustrating part of the event is always the poor lighting; I refuse to use flash, and it's pointless from as far away as I usually am anyway, but I was not terribly thrilled with any of the photos I took... Those that were not deemed totally unworthy are here, do enjoy, if you can.

Photos of Mickel's shiny shiny shiny Silver Crescent scroll are here! They are much better and less fuzzy.

Now comes the unpacking... I had a ridiculous amount of stuff for a weekend/1-day event, but I don't think I can actually cut down on this one...... I'll find everything in the back seat of my car eventually.

Comments

[kurlon.livejournal.com]

Creepy dude?

[nomadmwe.livejournal.com]

Next time, I recommend the sledgehammer as a valid option.

[felis-lupus.livejournal.com]

Noted.

First order of business once I unpack, find a 10-pound sledge that folds up to pocket-size.

The really, really, really awful part is, I still feel a little guilty/weird/whatever, because I just don't right out *ignore* and avoid people. It's not my nature. But I just CANNOT be "nice" anymore. My own sanity demands it. I spent much of the evening afterward saying "I'm not a horrible person, right??", and was assured, that no, I was not... ARGH.

Otherwise, a fantastic event. Lovely to see you as always. :)

[nomadmwe.livejournal.com]

I can get you a five pound mini-sledge, then. Those work well.

For what its worth, I can understand the problem inherent in the (possibly) required action that is foreign to your personality. That said, it is possible (and probably good) to be able to drag it out when needed and then put it away when done.

Like a hammer. :)

Also, yes, it was lovely to see you! JdM and I were making vague plans to roadtrip in one direction or the other so we can fence more regularly (as well as buy each other beer occasionally). More as this develops.

[felis-lupus.livejournal.com]

Oh, definitely possible, and definitely a good thing to have, I just need to get over the sinking pit of the stomach I'm-an-awful-human-being feeling that happens after I do it. I'm usually a pretty good judge of character, and I don't think the character is bad, the personality is just half human, half cling-wrap. I've never gotten along with cling-wrap...

Poor Xavier... he was so confused... but a good sport through the whole 'fleeing the ball' event... it was almost comical, had I not been so irritated and twitchy. :)

And more fencing with you is better! Not really up on beer, meself, haven't found one I like, but I'll definitely come along for the ride. :)

[nomadmwe.livejournal.com]

Xavier needs to come up North more often. He's too cool to live in Jersey!

I'd accept cider instead of beer for these purposes if needs be.

Also, I feel the need to reiterate that our fencing relationship is not like other fencing relationships, and it keeps making me giggle a lot. This is a Good Thing, and you win.

Also, listen to de plants.

[felis-lupus.livejournal.com]

Whoops, wrong Xavier. There are a few of them around, I suppose. :) Xavier the Sinister, from IDD. Who needs to come down South more often, 'cause he's too cool to live in Montreal!

I love our fencing relationship; it makes me giggle too. :) It is a Good Thing. :)

And I do listen to de plants. They tell me fings...