Crow's Nest

This week is fired. Woke up this morning to a phone call from The Dear Man, who had just been in an accident. No one was injured, and damage to the other cars was minimal, but ours, which we bought new in March, was not so lucky. We won't know whether it will be repaired or totaled until later this week. Luckily, we do have good insurance, and good friends who are loaning us a car until we get this solved. I did some sleuthing, and while it is possible for TDM to take transit to work, it would take him over two hours each way, meaning he would have to leave the house at 4:30 am.

Because I'm insane, I've decided to participate in this: http://demodecouture.com/18th-century-court/comment-page-1/#comment-55564 . I've got some white and silver brocade, and almost 15 meters of lavendar and silver sari silk, so I should be able to come up with something fun with it. Now mind you, I don't have an 18th cen. corset, or the panniers, or the correct chemise, for that matter, so this will be quite the undertaking. I'm hoping to be able to go to Costume College next year, so I'll at least have somewhere to wear it.

Great. I stay homefrom Crown and not only does a good friend make it into the finals for the first time, but then my apprentice gets put on vigil for Pelican. I can't decide if I should never miss anaothe crown event, or stay home more often.

I'm terribly sorry to everyone I was supposed to see at fight practice and Countess_E's, but I got a last minute chance to attend the Vancouver International Sword Symposium at Academie Duello in Vancouver, B.C. This is the school that Prospere started, for you SCA folks, and it's the envy of all serious rapier folks. The school is in a Heritage building in Gastown, has sprung wooden floors, mirrors, a museum of sword arts, world reknown teachers, etc. This was the second symposium, the first was two years ago, and while I wasn't able to participate fully in the classes, I got so much out of the lectures and auditing the combat classes that I can't even begin to say how rejuvenated I feel about rapier. The instructors and lecturers included some of the legends in the Western Martial Arts world, and yes, I got to act all fan-girl-like in front of Tom Leoni.

The classes were in five differenct venues counting the Academie, all within walking distance, as was the Victorian Hotel, where we stayed. So, I managed to more than keep up with my walking program this weekend. I probably walked around 2 miles each day, much of it up and down hills. There was also no elevator in the hotel, so stairs were climbed. Also, the formal gala Sat. night was not only a chance to see how nice all my rapier buddies looked in formal dress and get to talk with the instructors in a social setting, but there was a very excellent swing band, and I found out that Prospere is one of the best leads I've ever had the pleasure of dancing with.

In other news, I gave up refined sugar for Lent, and actually managed to make that stick so far, despite the temptation of eating out the entire weekend, and a dessert buffett at the gala Sat. The biggest problem I'm having is finding non-alcoholic drinks without sugar. I'm drinking fruit juice when it's available, but it isn't always at restaurants. I'm also missing the coffee and pastry pick up in the afternoon, but otherwise it isn't as difficult as I thought it would be. Although, walking past Roger's Chocolates in Vancouver made me sad.

I have three commissions that need to be done by the 25th. Number one is finished except for the front edge and hem, which I cannot do until I try it on the customer. She's sick, so I don't know when she'll be able to come for her fitting.

The other two commissions have to have their patterns fitted before I cut the fabric, so I must wait on the customers. I could make the shirt for one of them, but my shirt linen is stored elsewhere, and I'm really not wanting to leave the house today.

Now, none of my customers are going to give me trouble about the deadline, especially since I'm waiting on them. However, I'm in the mood to sew, and I can't finish anything. I don't want to cut anything for myself until I do a bit more research, and I need to make sure the armholes on the Jacobean waistcoat fit (which I can't do on myself) before I put the sleeves in that.

I think I'll go see if I've got any cording to make into frogs for my new Turkish coat that I wore at 12th Night.

Since I'm going to get up early and watch the sunrise to end the Longest Night of the year, I'm posting this now.  Glad tidings of the return of the Sun/Son, no matter how you spell it.

I decorated and was looking forward to a happy celebration, and invited folks over accordingly. Then, Auntie Blossom died last Thurs. I found out 5 minutes before my last panel at Steamcon. I don't think I'm going to be a very cheery hostess this evening.

I need to go through the family albums for pictures to put on the altar.

As of Saturday night, I am the newest Gallant of Blatha An Oir. I haven't stopped grinning since.

And, wonder of wonders, it looks like it's going to be sunny here in the Pacific Northwet.

I just spent the morning photographing a bunch of 19th cen. clothing, including a wedding dress from 1892, and a walking dress from the 1860's. As I was leaving, my afternoon counterpart was preparing to photograph a set of 1830's dueling pistols.

I love my job.