Beltane, part 1

Got up bleary-eyed so that I could go to an SCA event - Beltane. Archery was first thing in the morning (as it usually is) and I had a narrow window of trains/buses to get there on time. On the bright side, I've finally bought a carrier for my archery kit. This means I don't get any more raised eyebrows, but I do get strange questions (more on that later).

Ran into Brandi in the bus. Aside from Pretty and I, she's the only one who needs to take the bus and Pretty was organizing the event so he had a ride.

Twenty-three archers turned out and we had a great time skewering things. Gunthar won overall and got a really cool hand-mad, fur-lined, back-mounted quiver for his talent. There were numerous booby prizes consisting of Barney the Dinosaur sponges (aka targets) which I, sadly, was not enough of a booby to get.

When we did this at Twelfth Night I won a prize, got a really good score. Beltane was just like that, except I won nothing and I sucked really really badly. I did have a good time though.

Tiggar was good enough to give me a ride to a train station so I could get back up to Dalhousie. On the train this old black guy sat across from me.

Guy: Hey, are you going fishing?
Me: No, this isn't fishing gear, it's a bow and arrows.
Guy: You're not hunting coons I hope.
Me: Umm, the only thing I hunt is targets.

That was nice and awkward.

An Intermission to SAIT

After archery I moved into my temporary home. It took about two hours with the generous help of Gareth and Jason, not that I had a lot to move (we filled two small cars and only made one trip). Now I am living in the SAIT residence until my home becomes available. It's a bachelor suite with it's own kitchen and bathroom. The bed is a single, which is just a wee bit too short for my frame.

Living with Gareth, Lisa, Kirin and Kris had its ups and downs, but overall I enjoyed it. On the plus side was the company, which was pleasant (though everyone has off days, including me). There was one absolutely unforgivable sin by the residents though. I don't know who was responsible for this heinous crime (I have my suspicions) but trust me when I say that it would drive anyone to point of contemplating murder. The crime? Nobody ever replaced the toilet paper in the toilet paper roller. Why they don't do it is a mystery to me - I mean, it's not like your hands are busy elsewhere while you're taking a dump. There's the empty roll, and you've already gone to the trouble of reaching above your head into the cupboard to grab a new roll, but instead of swapping out old for new you just put the new roll down onto the counter. Baffling.

The only other downside was the toxic atmosphere of the laundry room (a mixture of dryer lint and mildew from the many floods, I've smelt it before) - though I really only have myself to blame there.

Didn't unpack as I had to run. I did note the strategic lack of toilet paper and vowed to deal with the situation before returning.

On the way out Gareth saw a blonde hottie in a little black dress that literally stunned him. After recovering he congratulated me on my good choice in accommodations. I wish I could take credit for blonde hotties at SAIT, but it's not like I had anything to do with it.

Beltane, part 2

So Gareth and I showed up at the Wildwood Community Center where the festivities were to take place. He was there to say hi to people and to fetch Kirin. I was there to partake of the nights festivities. I knew it was going to be a good one when Pretty and I were walking by the open window of the kitchen and we caught the barest whiff of the cooking food. It was stunning in the same sense that blonde hotties in little black dresses were stunning.

Checking in I was able to release one of my reservations for more deserving patrons. I had originally bought an extra reservation under the assumption that I could use it with one of the many absent-minded women I know in the SCA. Turns out they were all on the ball though and got their own reservations without my help. Sigh.

I wandered around and chatted with many people. I watched Sir Murchad beat up numerous squires. I marveled at the aftermath of a kitchen grease fire (not the fault of Dana's crew as they weren't cooking with grease - previous kitchen users simply weren't as conscientious about cleaning up after themselves as our bunch was).

The food was better than expected - and I expected it to be really really good (Dana has an excellent reputation as a cook). There was plenty of it, and Michelle and Jenny were decent dinner partners. I should have fixed myself an extra plate - especially when you consider the current lack of food in my suite.

Court was entertaining and had the advantage that the royals had good news all around and could actually project their voices - a necessary skill in royalty, and also one that is often lacking. Highlights include Lisa getting an award of arms (she's Lady Arianna now, not just Arianna) and Ryan being named a TWIT (a dubious award given for being a smartass worthy of naming). Ryan is my hero.

Afterwards I hung out with Amber and Kathy, which was fun because I don't see either of them often enough and also because Kathy and I flirt with each other something rotten, which I don't do enough of.

My only disappointment is that I know a lot of people in the SCA who are sufficiently important that they don't have enough time for ME. Wendy, Ryan, assorted members of Da Union, Princess Jude (whom I chat with online more than I do face-to-face), they all know so many people that they get spread a little thin at these things. I'm sure they have fun and I envy them greatly their ability to be social butterflies. I just wish I could do more with them then say howdy as they rush past. Clearly I have to start gaming again soon (say, right after I move into my home).

This underlines how glad I was to monopolize so much of Kathy and Amber's time.

Unfortunately I had to leave early (around 10:30) if I wanted to actually get to the store before going home as I promised myself. I succeeded (barely).

Oh Yeah...

... My internet access is (ahem) lacking right now. Basically I can check email via the web, when I am at work. I'm researching options for internet in my temporary home. We'll see how that goes.

Quixote.

Looking for roommates

July 1st. Contact me for more info.