This weekend I attended my very first "event" with Curren (henceforth known as Adon). It was called Celt Wars and, if you hadn't guessed, was a battle.
Picture this...
A campsite. Fire pits, tents (some are period, some coleman).. sounds pretty average, yeah? Well, add people walking around in "garb" (meaning all kinds of plaid and stripes. No zippers, no Nikes. All handmade clothes from the 13th century. Tunics and stuff, get me?).
Add armor (metal and leather alike), weapons (spears, pikes, swords, bow and arrow, shields... stuff I don't even remember).
Add banners, colors, flags, kinsman cries, battle chants, clanging armor, dogs, kids...
Add digital cameras, a lineup of cars along the road and a port o potty and you've got yourself a (mostly) medieval campsite/battle ground.
It's pretty badass, actually.
So, Adon and I arrived at the site Saturday morning, set up the coleman, chairs and coolers, got dressed and went around saying hello to people (him) meeting people (me). Now, when we arrived at the site we were allowed to be in street clothes until our site was set up, after that if we weren't in garb, we were considered naked. I got dressed immediately. As it was, I had to go around "barefoot" all weekend because I only had sneakers, not appropriate shoes. It was no big deal, really. Everyone kept telling me that shoes are the last thing on the list. *phew*
After all the meet and greets, we gathered wood for that evening's fires, hung out and chatted while the men relived the fight. I read a book while the boys tried to get me cook a turtle they'd found for dinner. I said no way and threatened not to cook anything.
Not too long after, the men (and 2 women who were fighting that day) armored themselves and headed over to the battle field. There are many clans and groups that fight, but only 2 were heavily represented this weekend; Dalhraidia and Anglesey. Adon is the Warlord of Anglesey. They all battled for about 2 1/2 hours, taking breaks after 10 min or so. There are all different types of battles, and they mostly did resurrection battles and 4 on 4 group battles. There were a bunch of spectators, including myself, taking pictures and video while the men (and 2 women) clanked around and hit each other.
After the battle, I set up a light lunch of sandwiches, fruit and chips and salsa for the boys (I agreed to bring and cook food for Adon and three of his fighters, 2 of which this was their first fighting event). I think they were grateful not to have to worry about bringing food. Truth be told, I think they ate healthier than they maybe wanted to, seeing as how I brought veggies and fruit and nearly everything I bought was organic, including the salsa :o) They didn't complain, and ate everything I put out!
For dinner that night, I'd premade a shepards pie, which I set over hot coals to heat up. It took for freaking ever, which I figured it would, but it was totally worth it in the end. after dinner, everyone headed over to the main fire for songs, stories and beer. Except, we're not allowed to have beer onsite, so we drank "apple cider" and "fruit punch" (out of wooden mugs, pottery and metal goblets, of course). It was a ton of fun, but I was tired and turned in early.
So, let's talk for a minute about how cold it was that night. 25 degrees. I'm pretty sure that's the coldest I've ever camped, and it was freaking freezing! Thank God for all the heavy blankets!
The next morning, I expected to make pancakes, but having left the eggs at home (whoops!) I plied the men with 2 lbs of bacon, fruit salad and kielbasa. Luckily, Adon threw 2 kinds of kielbasa in the cooler at the last minute.
After out breakfast of champions, we packed up and headed home.
So, overall I would say my first event was just that... quite an event!
Pictures to follow...
31 March 2008
27 March 2008
Life as usual...
I've decided to have my font color match my shoes from now on. I thought it might be fun :o)
Anyway, life continues on as usual, for the most part. I still really like my job. We get a bonus for every new lease signed, much like a commission, and I had 10 new leases for March! I don't know if that's a lot or not, but I was pretty happy with that number. I've got 5 lined up for April already, with a possible 6th coming in this afternoon... The bonuses are really nice because they'll help me pay for the tattoo I'm planning on getting...
...Were you waiting for the punchline? No joke. I'm getting a tattoo on Tuesday. Now before certain members of my family have conniption fits, here's my story.
I've been wanting a tattoo since I was in High School, but having my wits about me, I knew that at age 16 I had no idea who I was enough to permanently mark my body with a tattoo. So I decided to wait. I told myself that when I turned 25 (which I did in January, for those who missed it. PS, It's not too late to send a gift.) if I still wanted a tattoo, and if I wanted the same thing for over a year, I would get one. Well, here it is, my 25th... I've wanted the same thing for almost 2 years... and I'm ready! It's nothing big or gaudy or pop culture. I'm getting a Green sea turtle (the species, not the color) on my foot. It's going to be all black and has a bit of a Celtic tribal look with ocean waves on the shell.
It's looks awesome.
Why a turtle? Why my foot?
I'll tell you.
I was raised in FL. Common knowledge. I love the ocean, particularly turtles (well, mermaids too, but I don't want a tattoo of a woman on me...Weird). I've been on turtle walks to see the eggs hatch, been to turtle rescue facilities... I just love those sea angels! The ocean waves are a representation of my childhood by the ocean.
In many cultures, turtles are very respected animals. In China, the sea turtle represents wisdom, longevity, endurance and strength. In stories from nearly every ancient culture, the great turtle carries the world and heavens on his back. In Greek mythology, the sea turtle represented the feminine power of water and was the emblem of the goddess of love, Aphrodite. In Celtic lore, the turtle teaches how to be grounded and methodical and to stay tuned to the earth's cycles. Pretty cool animal, I think. Having this animal on my foot will remind me to stop at nothing to pursue my dreams and goals.
You've heard of putting your best foot forward? That's a whole other story...
I wanted a tattoo in a place where I can still put on an evening gown and not worry about covering a tattoo with my dress. I don't want to have it in a place that will get all stretched out when I have babies. I can show it off when I want and cover it when I don't want to show it off. Plus, I can see it. I wouldn't want a tattoo in a place such that I have to look in a mirror to see it.
So, that's my story :o)
Anyway, life continues on as usual, for the most part. I still really like my job. We get a bonus for every new lease signed, much like a commission, and I had 10 new leases for March! I don't know if that's a lot or not, but I was pretty happy with that number. I've got 5 lined up for April already, with a possible 6th coming in this afternoon... The bonuses are really nice because they'll help me pay for the tattoo I'm planning on getting...
...Were you waiting for the punchline? No joke. I'm getting a tattoo on Tuesday. Now before certain members of my family have conniption fits, here's my story.
I've been wanting a tattoo since I was in High School, but having my wits about me, I knew that at age 16 I had no idea who I was enough to permanently mark my body with a tattoo. So I decided to wait. I told myself that when I turned 25 (which I did in January, for those who missed it. PS, It's not too late to send a gift.) if I still wanted a tattoo, and if I wanted the same thing for over a year, I would get one. Well, here it is, my 25th... I've wanted the same thing for almost 2 years... and I'm ready! It's nothing big or gaudy or pop culture. I'm getting a Green sea turtle (the species, not the color) on my foot. It's going to be all black and has a bit of a Celtic tribal look with ocean waves on the shell.
It's looks awesome.
Why a turtle? Why my foot?
I'll tell you.
I was raised in FL. Common knowledge. I love the ocean, particularly turtles (well, mermaids too, but I don't want a tattoo of a woman on me...Weird). I've been on turtle walks to see the eggs hatch, been to turtle rescue facilities... I just love those sea angels! The ocean waves are a representation of my childhood by the ocean.
In many cultures, turtles are very respected animals. In China, the sea turtle represents wisdom, longevity, endurance and strength. In stories from nearly every ancient culture, the great turtle carries the world and heavens on his back. In Greek mythology, the sea turtle represented the feminine power of water and was the emblem of the goddess of love, Aphrodite. In Celtic lore, the turtle teaches how to be grounded and methodical and to stay tuned to the earth's cycles. Pretty cool animal, I think. Having this animal on my foot will remind me to stop at nothing to pursue my dreams and goals.
You've heard of putting your best foot forward? That's a whole other story...
I wanted a tattoo in a place where I can still put on an evening gown and not worry about covering a tattoo with my dress. I don't want to have it in a place that will get all stretched out when I have babies. I can show it off when I want and cover it when I don't want to show it off. Plus, I can see it. I wouldn't want a tattoo in a place such that I have to look in a mirror to see it.
So, that's my story :o)
11 March 2008
Islamorada Pictures!
I went through the 900 pictures from girl's weekend and made a slideshow, so check it out!
For some weird reason, some of the captions are cut short, so you may have to look at them one by one instead of letting the slideshow play if you want the full effect of my wordiness.
http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=217430142/a=124855841_118219072/t_=124855841
For some weird reason, some of the captions are cut short, so you may have to look at them one by one instead of letting the slideshow play if you want the full effect of my wordiness.
http://www2.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=217430142/a=124855841_118219072/t_=124855841
07 March 2008
Free time? What free time?
So, I have a new job...
I started working on Monday as a leasing consultant for Lakewood Apartments. I know. Nothing to do with my degree and an office job? What was I thinking?
I was thinking... I'm bored?
Seriously though, I really like the job so far. Curren's mom is my boss (good thing? I hope so) and I work with a great group of people. The work is easy, and it's nice to have a new skill to put on my resume.
My official duties are pretty simple: Answer the phone, hand out applications, do follow ups, take maintenance calls, do a boat load of paperwork, move people in and out... and I still have time to blog :o)
I'm still working at the theater, but this will add to my income in a way that will allow for more saving... always a good thing.
That's pretty much it!
I started working on Monday as a leasing consultant for Lakewood Apartments. I know. Nothing to do with my degree and an office job? What was I thinking?
I was thinking... I'm bored?
Seriously though, I really like the job so far. Curren's mom is my boss (good thing? I hope so) and I work with a great group of people. The work is easy, and it's nice to have a new skill to put on my resume.
My official duties are pretty simple: Answer the phone, hand out applications, do follow ups, take maintenance calls, do a boat load of paperwork, move people in and out... and I still have time to blog :o)
I'm still working at the theater, but this will add to my income in a way that will allow for more saving... always a good thing.
That's pretty much it!
03 March 2008
Tell me again why I left Florida?
So, the Keys were amazing.
There were 9 ladies who attended this year's annual "girl's weekend" - Myself, mom, Danusia, Marynia (mom's sisters), Maryann (a sister-in-law), Marilynn, Allison (nieces/cousins) and Krysty (Danusia's daughter) and we had a blast! We all stayed at Ewa and Peter's vacation abode on Islamorada, which is the second large island (just south of Key Largo).
First, let's back up to before we even got to the Keys...
Mom, Maryann, Danusia and I left New Bern at 4:48am Wednesday morning headed south. We stopped in SC to have lunch with a couple who used to live next to Danusia. We ate at a local seafood place; most of us ordered the she-crab soup, which was heavenly. If you ever get the chance to try it, DO! It's creamy, crabby, tasty goodness in a bowl (or cup).
We got back on the road and made it to Orlando for dinner with mom's aunt and uncle, Helen and Bill. Their daughter, Susie-Belle, came over and we feasted on corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and Ciocia Helen's famous strawberry pie.
The next morning, we hit the road again at oh-dark-hundred bound for Boca Raton and lunch at a ridiculously good all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant. My best friend from college, Adria, met us there and we all stuffed ourselves silly before getting back on the road.
Finally, we landed at Islamorada for dinner Thursday evening. We each grabbed a cocktail and went outside to the cabana to watch the sunset. For dinner, Ewa spoiled us with fresh oysters on the half shell and ceviche with scallops, fish (that she caught) and shrimp. Marynia was already there so the 7 of us (Peter included) ate forever and chatted until the other girls (Marilynn, Allison and Krysty) arrived late that evening.
Friday was spent lounging around doing whatever. The early birds got up and went for a bike ride, and the rest of us lazy (and/or jet-lagged) souls slept in a bit. When I finally decided to drag my bum out of bed around 10, I took my book (The Red Tent. Amazing. Everyone should read it) and a patio chair to the backyard to soak up some sun. Krysty and Allison came out to sun, while Maryann swam around off the dock.
When we got bored of reading, Krysty and I headed to the dock to look at the parrot fish and saw the cutest little jellyfish ever. Maryann caught him in a tupperware container for us and we named him Jelly Man. We played with him (well, we rubbed his head so we wouldn't get stung) and fed him fish pieces. He floated around on his head a lot and tried to hide from us, which was hilarious. After that, we decided to break open a coconut.
Have you ever tried to get through the hull around the coconut to the actual coconut?? Allison, Krysty and I decided it would be really fun to try to do it with rocks. Clearly, the fibers of the coconut hull are in the steel fiber family because it took us about an hour to saw through 4 of them. Granted, we were using rocks... The video footage is amazing and pretty hilarious. We're sending it to "Survivor".
For dinner, we all packed up and headed to a private beach across the street. Wicked. We played in the water and had sish kebabs for dinner.
The next day, Maryann, Marynia, Danusia and Krysty headed out on the boat with Ewa and Peter for a fishing adventure. They had a blast and came home with 11 fish. Marilynn, Allison and myself headed down to Key West (the actual island) for lunch and shopping. Lunch was great, and we didn't but a thing... Except for a cupcake.
That night we had a fish fry with what the girls caught that afternoon. Delicious!
Sunday morning mom, Allison, Marilynn and I took our turn on the boat. On the way out we saw a family of manatees floating around in the water. Once we got onto the open ocean, we saw sea turtles, a nurse shark and tons and tons of fish. The fish really started (what do fish do? flock? gather?) schooling (?) when Ewa and Peter chummed the water. I fished for a while... until I started to get seasick. I took a Dramamine, but it was too late. I vomited. Repeatedly. After which, I felt much better and went for a swim with mom. Later, I vomited again. Woohoo. Went for another swim, and tried to hold my guts in until we headed for land. I really had a good time, despite feeding the fish my breakfast. Peter was kind enough to thank me for the extra chum. Anytime, I said.
Sunday night we had a huge feast of fish, chicken, steaks the size of my face, salad, Japanese broccoli and a ton of other yummy stuff.
Monday morning, we drove to PSL and stayed with mom's friend Leona. I also visited with some friends and we left early Tuesday morning for NC. Wednesday, I left at dawn to go back to VA.
It was a wonderful trip, and now that my tan is fading, I only have memories of our fabulous weekend... That, and the 500 pictures everyone took. *Sigh*
Addendum: I totally forgot one teensy insignificant little event... We went swimming with manatees!! After fishing on Sunday, we saw the same family of manatees basking in the warm waters near the house. Ewa and I were swimming near them and though they were a little leery at first, they came right to us, swimming all around us and rolling around in the water. It was amazing! We called to the house and told the other girls to come see the manatees and they headed out in paddle boats and kayaks to see the gentle beasties. Coolest thing ever.
There were 9 ladies who attended this year's annual "girl's weekend" - Myself, mom, Danusia, Marynia (mom's sisters), Maryann (a sister-in-law), Marilynn, Allison (nieces/cousins) and Krysty (Danusia's daughter) and we had a blast! We all stayed at Ewa and Peter's vacation abode on Islamorada, which is the second large island (just south of Key Largo).
First, let's back up to before we even got to the Keys...
Mom, Maryann, Danusia and I left New Bern at 4:48am Wednesday morning headed south. We stopped in SC to have lunch with a couple who used to live next to Danusia. We ate at a local seafood place; most of us ordered the she-crab soup, which was heavenly. If you ever get the chance to try it, DO! It's creamy, crabby, tasty goodness in a bowl (or cup).
We got back on the road and made it to Orlando for dinner with mom's aunt and uncle, Helen and Bill. Their daughter, Susie-Belle, came over and we feasted on corned beef, cabbage, potatoes and Ciocia Helen's famous strawberry pie.
The next morning, we hit the road again at oh-dark-hundred bound for Boca Raton and lunch at a ridiculously good all-you-can-eat sushi restaurant. My best friend from college, Adria, met us there and we all stuffed ourselves silly before getting back on the road.
Finally, we landed at Islamorada for dinner Thursday evening. We each grabbed a cocktail and went outside to the cabana to watch the sunset. For dinner, Ewa spoiled us with fresh oysters on the half shell and ceviche with scallops, fish (that she caught) and shrimp. Marynia was already there so the 7 of us (Peter included) ate forever and chatted until the other girls (Marilynn, Allison and Krysty) arrived late that evening.
Friday was spent lounging around doing whatever. The early birds got up and went for a bike ride, and the rest of us lazy (and/or jet-lagged) souls slept in a bit. When I finally decided to drag my bum out of bed around 10, I took my book (The Red Tent. Amazing. Everyone should read it) and a patio chair to the backyard to soak up some sun. Krysty and Allison came out to sun, while Maryann swam around off the dock.
When we got bored of reading, Krysty and I headed to the dock to look at the parrot fish and saw the cutest little jellyfish ever. Maryann caught him in a tupperware container for us and we named him Jelly Man. We played with him (well, we rubbed his head so we wouldn't get stung) and fed him fish pieces. He floated around on his head a lot and tried to hide from us, which was hilarious. After that, we decided to break open a coconut.
Have you ever tried to get through the hull around the coconut to the actual coconut?? Allison, Krysty and I decided it would be really fun to try to do it with rocks. Clearly, the fibers of the coconut hull are in the steel fiber family because it took us about an hour to saw through 4 of them. Granted, we were using rocks... The video footage is amazing and pretty hilarious. We're sending it to "Survivor".
For dinner, we all packed up and headed to a private beach across the street. Wicked. We played in the water and had sish kebabs for dinner.
The next day, Maryann, Marynia, Danusia and Krysty headed out on the boat with Ewa and Peter for a fishing adventure. They had a blast and came home with 11 fish. Marilynn, Allison and myself headed down to Key West (the actual island) for lunch and shopping. Lunch was great, and we didn't but a thing... Except for a cupcake.
That night we had a fish fry with what the girls caught that afternoon. Delicious!
Sunday morning mom, Allison, Marilynn and I took our turn on the boat. On the way out we saw a family of manatees floating around in the water. Once we got onto the open ocean, we saw sea turtles, a nurse shark and tons and tons of fish. The fish really started (what do fish do? flock? gather?) schooling (?) when Ewa and Peter chummed the water. I fished for a while... until I started to get seasick. I took a Dramamine, but it was too late. I vomited. Repeatedly. After which, I felt much better and went for a swim with mom. Later, I vomited again. Woohoo. Went for another swim, and tried to hold my guts in until we headed for land. I really had a good time, despite feeding the fish my breakfast. Peter was kind enough to thank me for the extra chum. Anytime, I said.
Sunday night we had a huge feast of fish, chicken, steaks the size of my face, salad, Japanese broccoli and a ton of other yummy stuff.
Monday morning, we drove to PSL and stayed with mom's friend Leona. I also visited with some friends and we left early Tuesday morning for NC. Wednesday, I left at dawn to go back to VA.
It was a wonderful trip, and now that my tan is fading, I only have memories of our fabulous weekend... That, and the 500 pictures everyone took. *Sigh*
Addendum: I totally forgot one teensy insignificant little event... We went swimming with manatees!! After fishing on Sunday, we saw the same family of manatees basking in the warm waters near the house. Ewa and I were swimming near them and though they were a little leery at first, they came right to us, swimming all around us and rolling around in the water. It was amazing! We called to the house and told the other girls to come see the manatees and they headed out in paddle boats and kayaks to see the gentle beasties. Coolest thing ever.
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