No more will I travel, No more will I roam.
No more will I wander on salty sea foam." - Leaving Song, Andrixos Seljukroctonis

Home is a wonderful place, and I felt at home with this event. Thank you, Vatavia.

One. I know too many big words. But not as many as baronnemelisend.

Two. Valor was amazing. And I am so happy I got to go.

( and away we go! )

In short, amazing, awesome, and incredible.

And so I can mention everyone I saw and hung out with (so no one feels hurt), I'm listing them. Ha. Ha ha ha ha.

In alphabetical order: ( my silly bit of silliness ) Phew.

According to Jib, I never do anything half-assed.

I got apprenticed this weekend. This is true.

However, I was also awarded my AoA, which means you can call me Kuria Constantia Kaloethes now.

The funny thing is I was in Morning Court, and after the mesnies had processed in, my name was called first. My mind, in about fifteen seconds, went through the following: "Hey, that name sounds familiar. They even pronounced it right...holy CRAP. That's me!" I looked over at newcastleepl, told him he was in big trouble, and went down to kneel in front of Their Majesties. Her Majesty told me that it was hard to track me down (which is true. I don't do events often, nor do I really do stuff with a local group. I -am- my local group), and that I could be seen serving, doing work with the artisans, and being joyful and exuberant.

His Majesty handed me my scroll and made a comment about how distinctive my laugh is and nearly made me snort in Court. I wagged my finger at him for that.

I'll write more about this amazing weekend later. I'm sleep deprived, probably need a shower, and a little hungry, but I'm glad to be home. Where there's a flush toilet. :P

Had a ton of fun at the event. Left Friday at four with my friend Sean, who had some business up here to take care of, and getting me to Ceilidh was actually on his way home, so that really helped. Ate horribly bad (for me, anyway) at Taco Bell, wasted time before heading to site. Got to site, set up my tent(!), and hung out at the dining hall for a little bit at Troll, helping to field some questions about the site and the area. This, of course, was the location of my first event by myself: Vertigo. The camp hasn't changed much in the year and a half (was it really only then? Holy crap!), but it's always a good thing to know the site well. (newcastleepl, I think I told you wrong, then. I guess I've only been playing actively for about two years, inactively for about four or so. Wow, I'm terrible with my own personal history.) I also tried to stay outside in the 70 degree weather just because I knew it wouldn't last long.

Anyway. Back to the event.

Well, while I'm waiting around, a question has been raised. Where would the closest decent liquor store be? Of course, I know St. Joe (the closest place of a decent liquor store to site) pretty well, and I give my recommendations. Unfortunately, I'm terrible at giving directions to places, since I'm a pictures person, not a names person. So, I volunteer to show who I now know to be HE Lief of Crescent Moon the way to the Hy-vee Liquors, and apparently, as is the case with the SCA, I made a new friend. How do I do that? I'm still not sure. Anyway. Get back to site, stay up for a little bit, got my teaching packet and thank you (I now have a tote bag with my SCA name on it in gold with two lines of little Crosses of Calatrava on the exterior pocket) from RUSH. It's the coolest thing ever. Hee. (Why yes, I'm easily amused.) I prepped for my class, and then went to bed, the sounds of huscarl105 putting up his tent and the sounds of spring amphibians my lullaby. Unfortunately, I didn't sleep too well. (Heavy winds, a stubborn air mattress, the cold, and my back kept waking me up.)

Woke up the next morning to rain. Not quite torrential downpour, but it wasn't a nice gentle rain, either. It rained on and off that morning, so the site was a little mucky. That was understatement. It was very mucky and marshy in parts. Very English weather, perfect for an Elizabethan-themed event. Many thought both fighting and archery would get cancelled, but only the Scottish games did on account of the field being very, very, very mucky, even after the sun came out later that day.

I took a lot of fun classes, including one on diamond point engraving, where you engrave on glass with a diamond-tipped stylus. I have the starting of a great lookin' glass, and I think I may have an idea for a Queen's Prize entry. I just need to talk to Jehanne. I also taught my first class (officially). While I'm pleased with some things with regard to my class, as always I found room for improvement, and with this, I'll try and take this and learn from it. I also watched the archers, and since they were using clothed Styrofoam dummies as targets, there were plenty of reasons to make terrible black humoured jokes. I'd like to try to get my arm back in shape so that I could do archery. I want to learn a combat style, but with my spleen giving me problems, I'm pretty much in an indefinite holding pattern with regard to heavy fighting.

Court was very short, and Seamus and Siobhan of Dun Ard got their AoAs, Leyland made Kingdom history as the first woman to receive an award (Leather Mallet, I think) for blacksmithing.

After Court, was feast, which I served at. And, because it was wombatgirl's feast, it was delicious. Smoked rabbit in bacon, cheese tarts, artichoke hearts...yeah. As was promised, we did not go hungry, and I know I ate my fair share of food. Afterward, I entered my first bardic competition. Bonus points went to those who did something involving Ireland, piracy, or a period Elizabethan piece. I went ahead and did "The Lowest Trees Have Tops," which was supposed to be my Queen's Prize project this year. Lowest Trees is a period, John Dowland tune, and one of these days, I'll get around to recording it for Mathurin and the CalonSound Project. I was pleased with it, for sure. After that, it was sit around the campfire, so all the lights were turned off in the dining hall, and a fire was lit, and we sat around singing Calontir songs, one of my favourite parts of the night.

His Majesty, after people had left to go to their cabins, had taken the archery dummies and placed them in awkward places around camp. Two dummies were um. Copulating. By the side of the road. At least two were found in the two separate men's restrooms attempting to use the urinals. And this is why I still claim that Calontir, at least among the Knowne World, should also be referred to as the Frat Boy Kingdom. At least, sometimes. Like this time around.

After that, newcastleepl and I watched the cold front come in, and because there was lightning associated with it, decided not to stay in our respective tents, and stayed in the dining hall. I slept better there, though I'm not sure why. May have been the floor. Dunno.

Woke up this morning, procrastinated on taking down my relatively dry tent (thank God for waterproofer!), helped newcastleepl, and packed my stuff into huscarl105's vehicle, and headed back home. And I'm here! At the computer! Writing this! And hurting Cathus' head! Hi Cathus!

Well, I'm delivered from Anti's parents. And I feel a little better. I'll feel better once I get some mead in me to help dull some pain. (And yes, I'm being a good Whiskeypalian. :P )

Anyway. The house is getting cleaned bit by bit. And we may actually have room to entertain with. Shock! In other news, I think I have a way to transport paint to events better. I have an art set I got one Christmas. I'm painting the exterior, taking out the plastic inserts, and possibly lining the inside with fabric of some kind. What kind, though, I don't know. I may keep some of the inserts in (like in the top) just to hold paint, but for the most part, everything's coming out. Everything.

The exterior on one side is getting painted with a small celestial scene. The other might get my arms (once approved) on it, though. Not sure. Might. I might also change my mind about what the other side gets and decide to put a Book of Kells-esque scribe on it, too. Again, not sure. All I know, though, is that both sides will get painted. My SCA name will go on it. And it will be used for scribing stuff. It's a great little case (it's the size of a small suitcase and it's made of wood. It's a great case).

Anyway.

Hoping to go to Chieftains. summersdream: there will be a ball. Dancey dancey? :D I've even seen the ball list. Also, I'm thinking of teaching, too. I don't have to work, and I think it'd be a great experience for you to get involved. Hopefully Nat can join. It'd be awesome. Plus, we need to get you dancing again. Cathus says so. :P

Bought The Tudors season two. And yes, I'm freakin' addicted. Since I've watched both seasons in their entirety in the past two weekends, and since I find I've been turning into an early period dance/music geek, I'm finding that there are tunes used in dance scenes I recognize. The dances, not so much, but it is Hollywood...ish. There's not a lot I can do about that. There's also not a lot I can do about Anne Boleyn not wearing her freakin' chemise, either. Dammit, woman, wear some clothes!

Anyway. I've got to get ready for Compline tonight at church. Hopefully we have a good crowd, even with the snow on the ground. I figure we got a good three inches or so.

Had waaaaaay too much fun over the weekend with kampfrau and rhodri2112 and Countess Branwen.

Left KC with everyone Friday evening after seeing Valkyrie withkampfrau and rhodri2112. Yes, Tom Cruise is a terrible actor. No, the movie isn't horrible, but it does leave some things to be desired. Dropped things off in the 'Ville, found that my blue card had arrived (thanks to Martinus, I am an official SCA member now. :D I think it was a great Christmas present.) and I didn't require my print-out. Yay. We stayed at Alex and Roise's in Omaha, and I snorted a lot. Their Graces Eringlin and Alethea also stayed with Alex and Roise, as well as Luke (?). Lots of fun, tried not to die with a ceiling fan sharing the space with the top bunk I slept in.

Day of the event, woke up, got dressed in some pretty awesome Byzantine if I do say so myself. My new Pashmina included. Did some waterbearing, did some hanging out, lots of chatting, carded wool, helped make butter (and showed a few people how to make it), ran around placing bids in the silent auction for an awesome gown (three words: ice blue linen), and I'm pretty sure a lot of other things, but I can't think what else I did quite yet. Traded a pair of earrings for a hyooge bottle of Sabi's first batch of mead, which I think is really good. Went to court, and apparently I'm a bad kid, according to ruaidhriprime and liadan_m, so it was up to sit with the other bad kids in the balcony, but with that meant that we could see things like HRM Maerwynn signing for two gentles who are hearing impaired, but earned their AoAs. I thought it was very nifty. Sat feast thanks to kampfrau, and had fun. Poor Rhodri, though, sitting inbetween trimguy and me. (And Rhodri, I'm Roman. May have spoken Greek, but dammit, I'm Roman. If we really wanted to get nitpicky, Armenian or so, but dammit, I'm Roman.) Feast, while good, was something I had to choose what I ate. Not a big pea fan, so I avoided the soup course. Dessert, though, was awesome. I really liked the Apple Snow. :D I'm realising that I was downgraded from retinue table last year (which was fun with odiernelion and Ermenrich and Kasha), but still quite fun. :)

Anyway. Postrevel. Had fun singing and snuggling. As well as snorting. A lot. And by a lot, I mean a twenty-five snort laughing jag. Adelaide and Mairi Rose were also there (yes, in the same room, snorting at different times. And yes, the drinking game was in effect), so needless to say, while it was a smaller postrevel, it still had a lot of drinking going on. I suppose I'm to be at some sort of blame here.

I did sing my planned QP piece, but because I won't be there due to work obligations, I'm writing it off as practice for a later competition. I think it sounded good, at least, I'm pretty sure it sounded good.

Somehow, my bottle of mead not only survived the day, but survived postrevel as well. summersdream, want some drinky-beverages when you come back? Also, are you thinking about coming to Bellewode again this year? I'm trying to see who might be interested. There's also an event a couple weeks after that I'm supposed to try to teach a dance class at that I think you might like to go to. It's in Leavenworth, so not that far away.

While that's on my mind, huscarl105, do I need to contact anyone about teaching at Ceilidh? And what would you like me to teach? Or, to phrase better, what do you think would be best for me to teach?

Anyway, back to the weekend. Went back to Alex and Roise's, and had a huge pancake breakfast, shared stories from the day (including the wearing of my oh-so-awesome WiFi detector shirt on the way out!), and got everything ready to go...but I've now realised I'm missing my Byzantine garb. rhodri2112, was it found in your vehicle, or do I get to email Dolan?

Got back to town, went back to work today (but I'm off until Saturday), and opened presents from the boy's family, including more Bath and Body Works stuff and a few Longaberger things from his mom. He got me this little clear bouncy ball with blue glitter in it that is my new plaything near the computer for the time being. Might make it into some new photos.

Anyway, I'm going to bring this to a close, as I'm feeling that I'm starting to ramble a bit.

I am back from Kris Kinder. Good time, that's for sure. rhodri2112 and kampfrau picked me up Friday night, and it was a fun two hours down to KC. I gave her the present I made for her (which she totally rocked all day Saturday) and, they made me snort. Funny, yes, but my nose still hurts...but I suppose those are leftovers from postrevel. Anyway. Got to KC about nine, hung out with kampfrau, talked garb and other things, and went to bed early, given that the next day would be long. I maintain I have a pretty kick-ass SCA family: kampfrau gave me a tunica, and we're settling on garb for other things. Silk is nummy, I maintain. Burgundy silk, even nummier. :D Purple and gold garb! (No, I don't bleed purple and gold. Nope.) Remind me to bead stuff for you, kampfrau, and with a bit of direction. I think I can make it manage well.

The next day, we headed out. I did a lot of window shopping, as I have most of my gifts either already made or for my actual family, figured out. However, I bought Anti some of HE Anneliese's soap (it'll have to cure for a little bit longer, but he seems pretty happy I remembered him, and I think it's helped ease the stuff that happened...uh...a few nights ago). I also bought lemon curd, and an awesome poison ring with five little garnets in it from the cooks' guild (and I do apologise for being perhaps overly excited about showing it to everyone. I am rather partial to shinies.) Then I socialised. A lot. As usual. I also sang with Christian's group, and even recorded a piece for CalonSound Project. I sang soprano. For those who know my singing voice, I don't normally sing soprano. I normally sing low alto or tenor. I can sing soprano, but it's not my favourite thing to sing in the first place. But I did sing soprano for this particular piece we did. I still have Gaudete stuck in my head (I maintain that I need to get a quartet to sing it at church for Christmassy things).

After the event, I went to Genghis Khan with huscarl105 and Ferd's household, asked my questions, got answers, was satisfied by said philosophy espoused, and after that headed to postrevel. Sang stuff, wore my Cthulhu slippers (which just about everyone loved. Hee hee hee), snuggled with people...all that good stuff. Got accused of alcohol abuse (I bumped into liadan_m, spilling a little bit of her Mike's pomegranate lemonade all over her). Snorted. A lot. My nose hurts. Talked more with huscarl105. (BTW, measurements are as follows. Waist: 31 3/4" Hips: 40 1/2" Inseam: 32 1/2" Yes, I'm mostly leg.)

Went back to kampfrau's. Dropped. Out like a light.

Woke up this morning, and ended up back in Maryville at noon or so.

Yes, I had fun. Yes, I'm tired. But yes, this was so worth it.

Yes, I'm finally past the point where the mere mention of Crystal Ball was likely to send me into a fit of uncontrollable babbling. :P Now it's just the happy memories of it that make me giggle.

Anyway.

My friend Sprin and I headed out Friday, picked up her boy from Rolla, and I didn't get to Cathus and Rowan's until about 10 or so. All things considered, I thought we made extraordinarily good time. huscarl105 was already there, as was Alessandra. And they were playing Collateral Damage with Cathus. I just watched. Especially at the sheer hilarity of the characters contained within the game. Some even made my brain hurt.

Anyway.

Went to bed, woke up bright and early at 6:30, and then proceeded to mentally wake up over the next hour or so. Coordinating schedules with everyone was entertaining, to say the least, and I rode to site with huscarl105, which was fun. Took my first few classes (Bransles with huscarl105, helped with Arina's Beginning ECD class), then headed off to the cafeteria where I helped with Tsire's Dance Jeopardy. (yeah, I'm loud. Yeah, I helped. Honestly, I swear I'm not a herald. Honestly. :P) Then, it was off to Azenari's English Country class to firm up Scotch Cap and to learn My Lady Cullen. That was also quite fun. Sprin went to Isabeau's Beginning ECD (and apparently, my lessons in Rufty Tufty helped her help her fiance learn the dance. I am pleased). I went Russian. Korobushka is fun, no lie. I know it's not period. But it's fun. And I can't really say that I didn't have fun with it, because I did.

Lessee. Sisuela caught me halfway through the day, and told me I needed pretty garb for the ball. So I borrowed her middle class Tudor, complete with corset. That was put on before feast. I was told I cleaned up well.

At feast, Cathus and I gave such a hard time to Alessandra. It was bad. It was funny, but it was bad. No words should be used to describe half the crap we gave not only her, but each other. Sang Lowest Trees Have Tops for cantigajoy, which I was then asked if that was my QP entry. I decided then and there that perhaps it would be less of a problem for me to do a John Dowland song as a performance than it would have been to write the icon. So I switched. Ha. Now, just need to fix my few problem spots, write my documentation, and I'm good!

After feast, it was time for dancey dancey! The musicians were practicing a few things, like the music for Korobushka...which happens to be the same music that Tetris uses. So I made living Tetris shapes. I wonder if there were any photos of that very big bit of silliness. Anyway. Ermenrich came up to me, put his arms over my shoulders as I went lower as a Tetris shape, went "GAME OVERRRRRR!" and then asked if I wanted to dance the Carolingian Pavane with him. I told him yes, and did so. And then got the hell out of Dodge when the Galliard started. I rather like the stylistic bits of the Pavane. No lie.

After that, I held off for Heart's Ease, Petit Vriens (which I danced with Sprin and her boy and had great fun doing the over-under thing that happens when large groups of people dance it), and I danced Korobushka with Azenari. That was the end of Set One.

Set Two was a set I didn't do much dancing. I did dance Scotch Cap with Cathus, but other than that, I did my normal thing of hanging out with people. As always, fun.

The dessert revel meant that I got in line. So did Ferd. And he almost succeeded in tying me to a chair or a column with the hanging sleeves of the gown. I don't remember what it was that he was trying to tie me to.

Set Three was where my hips and knees caught up with me, but I still danced the Black Alman with huscarl105, Confesse with Cathus, and the Official Bransle (that's Toss the Duchess/Wench) with Cuilen. I loved getting tossed up into the air! So much fun! And it helped keep my legs cool.

I didn't dance much of Set Four, but I did walk around a lot just to keep my joints moving. Definitely did the Maltese Bransle (Turkish Bransle is another name), and that was when I realised that the caller was trying to kill me with the number of traits she was picking out and how many applied to me. Well, maybe not trying to kill me. But it felt like it.

Set Five was where the crowds we had with Set One left us with the very dedicated dancers by this point. I danced Chesnut with huscarl105, who came over from the dance floor to our phat palatial estate (I dubbed it Calontir Corner) to help me off of the ground to dance with him. Afterwards, I sat with Ferd (who had his head in my lap and was doing Ferd-ish things to make me laugh and snort) and more Calontiri. And that was awesome.

Set Six was where most people were dancing in their sleep. Cathus and Rowan were exhausted (and understandably so), and even though I felt tired physically, my mind insisted that I do My Lady Cullen, and the one dance I had been waiting all night to dance, and that was Rufty Tufty. It's sad, but it's my favourite. At least right now, it is. I won't lie. I danced it with huscarl105, and I danced his requested pick-up dance with him, and by that point it was time that everything was falling apart. Brain, knees, hips. You name it. It hurt. It was time for a nap. So, at nearly five that morning, we headed back to Cathus and Rowan's.

On the drive, I mentioned to huscarl105 that I was considering asking him if I could perhaps become his apprentice. Of course, this is really something that requires slightly more brain power than what we had at that point in the day. Even then, I think it's a direction I really want to go in. I'm finding that I like period dance styles. A lot. And it's really a way I can make my music geek and my dance geek work well. We'll see where it goes from here. Sleep deprivation lowers inhibitions. I had meant to ask on the way to site, but never quite felt comfortable at that moment to ask.

We arrived at our destination. This was where it got funny. Due to Hurricane Ike causing mass mayhem, their screen door doesn't like to stay closed. So we had a brain puzzle. After nearly twenty hours of dance. I know. Moved the door handle. That didn't work. So, we went around to the back door. Conveniently unlocked. Once in the house, it was getting across the kitchen. Except there was a baby gate to keep Cathus and Rowan's greyhounds away from the rest of the house. More brain puzzles! Once that was figured out, it was sneaking across the kitchen, in an attempt to keep people asleep. Unfortunately, my bead container decided to fall with a rather loud crash. Yet, nothing happened. No one woke up. Not even a shift in slumber. Nothing.

So, after that, it was off to bed. But my brain still was going a million miles a minute. So I packed what I could. And then tried to fall asleep. And that actually worked.

Up the next morning at eleven. Alessandra left not long after Cathus woke up, and the rest of us hung out for a little bit, going over dance geek stuff. Fascinating, really. Anyway. We had breakfast, Sprin and her boy hung out as I got a little bit of sustenance in me, and then it was off to go home. And I didn't get home until about ten that night, and which I did, safely.

I thought it was a great event. And now I want to do more dance things. No lie. I enjoy dance activities immensely, and apparently, I was a little Energizer bunny at work today, for the event high had pretty much kept me going. Everyone asked me if I had been on any drugs. None, but those of life. And Aleve.

Much thanks to Cathus and Rowan for opening up their home, Sprin for the ride down, and to Shattered Crystal for a fantastic event. Oh, and thanks to all of my dance partners! I had an absolute BLAST. Thank you all!

Such a fun weekend!

From time spent with great friends and my SCA family, I had a total BLAST. I left Maryville with Martinus about two after knocking about town with the Monster. We got into Three Rivers around seven (early!) and checked into the Cheshire Lodge. Hung out, and got ready for the next day.

Next day was beautiful! Sunny skies, colourful trees, and with an event, perfection. Martinus offered me his spare heralds' baldric, which I thought about taking, decided not to. Got to site around ten, and by that point had met up with purplellamaboi, scooterheather, huscarl105, rhodri2112, Tadamitsu (hereunto this point denoted as Tim), Cathus and Rowan, Duncan Eardstapa, Duncan Logan, Ruaidhri, Avraham, and a bunch more. It happens at big events like this. Got kissed, hugged, squished, poked, and flirted with (again, it happens, especially at big events). I like the attention. Won't lie.

I watched a few of the fights, but on the whole talked with people I hadn't seen in forever (or in my case, Coronation. That counts as forever, right? It does). That's when things changed.

Herman and Tim were pointing around the room, calling people's names. Curious, I went over to see what was going on (I must learn to not do that at events. Really). Ingeborg said "No, I was on retinue last reign. Thanks but no thanks." Doing my best Li'l Nipper impression, Tim looked at me and asked, "so, do you want to help out?"
Me: With what?
Tim: With Court tonight?
Me: Uh....?
Herman: We'll take that as a yes. Court's at five. I'll see you in the Privy Chambers at 4:30.
Me (scratching my head, wondering what the hell just happened.): Um. Okay?
Tim: It's okay. I'll tell you everything you need to know. You'll just be helping Herman in Court. We call them Stunt Heralds.
Me (Mind coming into full realisation): WHAT?!
Tim: Oh, it's not that bad. You'll give Her Majesty medallions, hold up scrolls, hold Herman's tankard, and if Herman's voice goes out, you'll finish the rest of the court.
Me (panicked): Um. Okay. (big gulp) I better get treated nice. And I might have to kill Herman.

After my duties were explained, and I was told to go sit down and fill up my tankard so that I might be able to get through Court, I hung out more with Martinus and Tim (I poked them both. Darnit.) and did various other sort of things. Martino and Ariel becoming the new Heirs didn't really surprise me much, to be honest, but I think they're a pretty cool sort. Got my hair braided all pretty for Court (really pretty hairstyle with two modified French braids coming together at the nape of my neck and that ended in a low ponytail. I felt pretty. :D Believe me, it rarely happens. (But that's for a later entry.) Being on my best behaviour in Court was HARD. Then again, I'm used to being a brat about things. During Court, a Teletubby costume had made its rounds throughout the Populace, so being on my best behaviour was difficult, especially since all I wanted to do was laugh. And hard. And loud.

The Court itself wasn't too bad. I juggled medallions, a hood, and a scroll for the Laurelling that evening, in addition Herman's pen, tankard, and occasionally the Big Damn Book. However, I had fun. I may do it again. We'll see.

After Court, Martinus and I, and a bunch of Leatherwolf went to Grbic, a Croatian restaurant, most of us in garb. Reactions were PRICELESS! Some had the courage to ask if we were all in a play, if it was like a Renaissance festival thing, and some just stared. (Honestly, by this point, it's become a hobby. Freaking people out is FUN!) Good food, and I got to hang out with some really great people.

After that, it was off to change (I had enough of wearing garb for one day. It was time for mundane clothes), and after that, it was off to post-revel at Duncan and Simonetta's. Much enjoyable. I hung out with huscarl105 and Ruaidrhi for a little bit, and then it was off to Bardic Land. And there, I watched Ferd get his hair done by Simonetta. It had braids and ribbons and feathers in it. I took pictures. By that point, Ferd needed to make a big crash, ran out of the room, and went to acquire noisy things.

He returned with Duncan and Simonetta's silverware. And a few pans. And at the appropriate time in Old Dun Cow, the din was ungodly as all of the silverware was thrown down the stairs with much gusto. Apparently, it's a new record. For what, I don't know, as I couldn't hear it, having been rendered deaf.

About that time, I started my goodbyes. I was tired. And all I wanted to do was sleep. So, back to the hotel.

Woke up this morning around nine, and we headed back about ten. I got home around four, and right now, all I want to do is SLEEP.

Next weekend is Crystal Ball. And I'm excited to help teach.

Oh. And as I was unpacking, I found that magical heraldry elves had snuck in a certain green baldric into my luggage. Yep. I's screwed.

First off, I do apologise about not doing a follow-up on the Presiding Bishop and Diocesan Convention. I am going stir-crazy with activity. (I'm seriously living out of a suitcase for the next two weekends. Yay, events!) In fact, I'm trying to pack for Crown Tournament tomorrow. Martinus is supposed to pick me up at two tomorrow afternoon, and I still have to do laundry, shower, clean my feastgear of dust, and pack. BRWAR! Going insane! You're welcome to join me! I promise I don't bite...hard.

Anyway.

Friday dawned beautifully sunny, but yeeks, it was cold. Ended up going for abour thirty minutes without a nametag, but yet, everyone knows who the hell I am. Seriously, I realise this is Diocesan Convention, but how is it everyone knows who I am? Oh. Right. Young Adult Ministry and getting called up to speak in front of EVERYBODY at the last Convention. Yep. That'd do it. It was mostly education sessions and worship (I went to two: Little Prayerbook on the Prairie, about the history of the Diocese of West Missouri and one on reconciliation from Paul's point of view. Also interesting, but I definitely got a lot out of the history one. Understandably, being the history geek I am.) By the time the evening rolled around, people started milling about, buzzing about one of two things: the presidential election and when the PB would arrive, which she did, later that evening. I met her at the social hour prior to dinner, which was pretty nifty. Where was a camera when I needed it?

For some reason, I always get suckered into going to the banquet, which usually ends up pretty darn good. This year was no different...except I then realised it was catered by dun dun DUUUUUUUN! Aramark. Yep. I can't escape. Ever. Food was still pretty good, but I felt so bad about wasting so much of it because there was a TON of it left over from my plate alone. Conversation was great. I sat with St. Augustine's this year (which is ALWAYS a treat. Love them so much).

The Bishop's Shield awards were given out, and then the PB was called to speak. Short message about how helping the poor is our mission. I won't contest that point, but I'd like to amend that helping everyone is our call to mission. And it goes past that point to actively ministering to them. Meh. I know, I've already spoke of my theological differences with Bishop Katherine. I'll stop. Anyway. Bishop Barry gave Bishop Katherine a desk plaque with "The Buck Stops Here" engraved on it. If you know anything, absolutely anything about Missouri history, you'll know that our thirty-third President is from the surrounding area. Oh, Barry. I had to mention to our table that we had a silly Bishop. I still maintain that we do.

Saturday was filled with voting, as usual, and for once, I didn't have to count ballots, I didn't have to vote, and the deliberation process this year was oddly subdued. Not that I mind. I don't. The measures that were voted on weren't even that controversial. For once! The PB came back in from visiting with the youth, right as the courtesy resolutions were being spoken, and she sat right next to me. Blew my mind. After that, we finished with a hymn, and I went home to my parents. (There is much talk of me going to General Convention again this year, in Anaheim. We'll see.)

Sunday was the day of the end of the Emmaus Era in the diocese, marking several growths and changes for (hopefully) the better. Celebrating that with the Eucharist, the PB being the Celebrant, it was interesting. I was told I should try and process in, but as there wasn't a place for Young Adult Ministers to do so, I was made a Junior Junior Warden on the spot and told to go process with the Junior and Senior Wardens. Yay, vestry! Bishop Katherine avoided all of the weird stuff she's said in the past, and continued with what she noted in her previous address about helping the poor, even in times of uncertain financial problems looming on the horizon. (My only question is, what about the poor within our own churches? What do we do with them?) Asperges were done (rather forcefully. It felt like a good steady rain for a while), as well as a rather traditional Celebration Eucharist. Not quite Rite I, but definitely not Rite III. Like Rite II, but more sombre.

And then I went home to Maryville.

It's all I can write right now. My duffel is looking at me, empty. And I need to pack, now. (I just wish my napkins would dry faster!)

Up next? Crown Tourney! YAY! I'll be back Sunday sometime. And don't forget to change your clocks back.

ALSO.

If you ordered a geek girls calendar on the first printing, they are being shipped now. If you would like me to autograph my page for you, now is the time to let me know.

More stuff from SCA events. This time, I went to Twelfth Night at Lonely Tower (which is mundanely Omaha). I HAD A BLAST.

( A crazy-fun time in Lonely Tower begins like this... )

But that's it.