GARF

I haven’t updated in a while…and I forgot to comment that the title of my last entry, while it sounds interesting, doesn’t actually make sense.

I went to the Renaissance festival on the 19th. I enjoyed it, especially the jousts. I watched all three.

This one-eyed chihuahua was there, dressed as a pirate.

I took around 700 photos (though I deleted some while I was there and left with 670). Those are the only two I feel like posting because they’re already the right size and uploaded to Photobucket.

I wore my 42 inch-long sword. There are swords plenty bigger, but for me, it’s pretty big (in hindsigh I probably should have gotten a shorter one). A man at the faire said something along the lines of, “Holy cow, that sword’s as big as you are!” Or bigger than, or something. He added to his companion, “If she could actually wield that thing, I’d be scared.” Another man, trying to get me to come see the “Parrots of the Caribbean,” referred to me as “The lady with the long sword.” It was amusing.

I should practice being in character. When people at the festival (or, often, other places) say anything to me, my brain generally goes blank. My younger sister actually had a mildly witty conversation with someone. She usually has much better social skills than I do and doesn’t freeze in such situations. I did manage an accent a time or two.

I bought this dagger for $10:

We saw several different acts, including a juggling, whip-wielding, poodle-balloon-blowing-up fellow, a man who strapped firecrackers to his chest with duct tape and had the audience throw water balloons at him after they went off, a horse show, and a sword-fighting show. The first fellow I mentioned was funny except for some off-color “humor” but we thankfully didn’t run into much more of that. I had a good time and hope to go back again this year.

Have an amazing rest of your life.
- WM

I’m Back

I’ve been back since Monday, actually. I had a wonderful time in Colorado with my crazy writing buddies. We did a lot, and I might go into more detail later, but I’m still readjusting to my normal schedule and had to get up early to spend hours at the mall shopping for a dress to wear to my cousin’s wedding in July :p

I think my favorite activity was going to Pike’s Peak. I would only want to live in Colorado if I could live in the mountains (not just near them), and then I would love to (except for the people in Georgia I would miss). They are beautiful beyond words and reminded me of The Lord of the Rings movies. At one point, a mixture of ice and snow fell from the sky.

WIthout problems it takes an hour to drive to the top (19 miles), but one of the vans broke down three times. The first time I think it was just overheated, and after letting it sit for a while, it worked again. Twice, the transmission fluid drained out. The rangers carry it with them and sold the van owner some more. The second time it broke down, some of us (I was in a different van, but we stopped to wait for the one with problems) got out and ran down a short ways to a patch of snow. We climed on rocks, took pictures, and stared at the scenery. And then a few people had a snowball fight. In June. It was delightful. I didn’t want to get wet, so I mostly stayed out of the snow. I’m glad, because at the top of the mountain with the wind blowing, it was rather cold. I wore my gray cloak the whole time and received some interesting looks.

Have an amazing rest of your life!
- WM

Chemistry, Colorado, and the Renaissance

I’ve been rather busy lately. Thankfully, I only have three more chemistry classes. After that, I’ll be rushing to catch up on everything else before the next school year starts, with a two-week break to go to Colorado…

We’re going to the Renaissance Festival on May 1. I’m hoping to get together with a friend to make some costumes to wear. We’ll most likely go as middle class – more color and fabric options without the extravagance the nobility preferred.

If you’re interested in Renaissance costuming, here are some websites I recommend:

http://www.garbmonger.com/

http://www.reddawn.net/costume/costume.htm

http://www.museangel.net/FAQ2.html

My life seems to keep getting busier and busier. At the moment I need to go do dishes and cook dinner. At some point I’m going to add more categories and organize my blog posts.

God loves you.

- WM