Update
Jul. 1st, 2009 | 04:06 pm
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Best Website ever - The Lord of the Rings retold as a typical D&D game
Jun. 30th, 2009 | 08:23 am
http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedt
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News from Calormen
Jun. 19th, 2009 | 11:21 am
The comments were part of a broader condemnation of the conduct of the Northern nation during the reelection of Prince Rabadash.
The Tisroc (May he live forever) made the accusation during an address to tens of thousands of worshippers in Tashbaan after the weekly sacrifices, which was broadcast live by Calormen state TV and radio. The Tiscorc’s (May he live forever) statements are endorsed by the Grand Vizier and attending Tarkaans and Tarkheenas.
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Update
May. 1st, 2009 | 03:13 pm
I have a new job - much better than the old job. I have more pay, better benefits and nicer people to work with. So that’s good.
Glenda has been diagnosed with MS - and will starting long-term treatment shortly. Its controllable and it may be a long time before she has another outbreak. So that’s good.
Ethan still has Lyme disease and is still on all sorts of medication but is doing well at school and in Karate. So that good
Madeline is riding and (now) jumping horses and is also doing well in school. So that’s good.
I made a replica Aztec Jaguar Warrior suit to wear one morning before the public showed up at the multi-timeline history event I attended a couple of weeks ago. Shown above. The re-enactors get together in the morning and have a battle thru time – it’s usually the Confederates and the Germans vs. the Union and the British forces. I try to represent mezzo-Americans (an under-represented group IMO) Being an Aztec warrior entails a lot of running around. I am to old to be an Aztec Warrior. Next year - I need to recruit 2 other people willing to be medieval clergy for a few hours - and we will create the Cart and Support Staff for the Holy HandGrenade of Antioch.
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well, that went well
Feb. 28th, 2009 | 06:54 pm
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Back from Florida
Feb. 2nd, 2009 | 12:25 pm
The kids got their DisneyWorld(tm) experience - and we also took in Sea World(tm). Both places are fun to visit but just a tad depressing in retrospect. My favorite rides where the Mission to Mars (they put you in a centrifuge - find out what it feels like to weigh 3x your body weight and have the corners of your mouth stretched around to the nape of your neck! - I was sick for the rest of the day but it was still worth it) and the Dinosaur ride - which was pretty cool. I looked in vain for the 20K Leagues Under the Sea Ride I rode as a child (deep 6'd some time ago, apparently) but we did the Haunted Mansion - which still holds up well. At AnimalKingdom(tm) we got to see not one but two kinds of Rinos defecate. Also were assaulted by goats.
The kids had a great time and we spent lots of time together with all the ups and downs that entails. Overall -well worth the money.
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Have not posted in sometime
Nov. 24th, 2008 | 11:49 am
Had a nice weekend. Had a friend in from out of town and then got to play host to a bunch of fellow geeks. We played a board game called DECENT (http://new.fantasyflightgames.com/edge
In other less fun news - Last week I came down with a case of Gout (as in the 14th-19th c. disease of dissipated gentlemen). Apparently, it runs in the family and is brought on by poor diet (i.e. heavy protein/fried foods) and alcoholic beverages. Anyway - had it for about 3 days and now know how to avoid it with meds and taking better care of myself. Though it didn’t start yesterday as I drank waaay to much hot buttered rum (it’s been very very cold). Come to think of it – that’s probably the single worst beverage I could drink considering the gout. Stupid.
I saw Charlie Wilson’s War – about the U.S.’s last intervention in Afghanistan. The Soviets really do make us look like Sunday school teachers (even with our present bad rep). As Russia spreads in carrion wings over Eurasia again in the coming decades– I expect the U.S. will start to looking good again by comparison (or if not good - at least as a lesser evil). Also watched the latest Hellboy – I'm very excited to see what the director will do with _The Hobbit_ as I think some of his vision is a closer match to Tolkien’s than Jackson’s is.
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Hm... only 85% chance - better than I thought
Nov. 17th, 2008 | 11:39 am
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Oh Thank God
Nov. 5th, 2008 | 08:29 am
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I voted after...
Nov. 4th, 2008 | 02:02 pm
Whole process took a little over an hour (the last two primaries I voted in had lines of as little as 5 minutes.) Wow. And still less than half the voting population choosing to turn out. Pretty cool over all.
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Cyberpunky goodness
Oct. 14th, 2008 | 01:35 pm
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wha oh! I know what Im going to be doing in a year or 3
Oct. 8th, 2008 | 01:47 pm
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To much free time
Oct. 8th, 2008 | 10:56 am
http://testadura.net/livinghistory/Char
http://testadura.net/livinghistory/Char
http://testadura.net/livinghistory/Char
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Today's quote
Sep. 26th, 2008 | 12:27 pm
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That explains alot
Sep. 23rd, 2008 | 11:54 am

You are The Hermit
Prudence, Caution, Deliberation.
The Hermit points to all things hidden, such as knowledge and inspiration,hidden enemies. The illumination is from within, and retirement from participation in current events.
The Hermit is a card of introspection, analysis and, well, virginity. You do not desire to socialize; the card indicates, instead, a desire for peace and solitude. You prefer to take the time to think, organize, ruminate, take stock. There may be feelings of frustration and discontent but these feelings eventually lead to enlightenment, illumination, clarity.
The Hermit represents a wise, inspirational person, friend, teacher, therapist. This a person who can shine a light on things that were previously mysterious and confusing.
What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.
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Life imitates imitations of 14th century life.
Sep. 18th, 2008 | 10:08 am
I spent some time putting together the physical impression – so I have shoes, hose, underclothes, robe, hood and scapular (the apron-like garment that hangs down the front and back of a priest’s habit. My hair, alas, is no problem – though I wish I had enough to tonsure for the role (as I regularly shave my head anyway) I’ve looked into theatrical wigs – but they all come with a plastic skin crown – which I really don’t need, just a doughnut of hair is all :>. I acquired some beads for the proto-rosary that we use in the 14th century (from a real abbey at that) made of olive wood. Since that wood is not commonly available in England – I’ve been asked to make up a pilgrimage story to explain how I got them. I’m thinking a jaunt down to Spain and St James of Compostela.
For the knowledge portion of the impression – I have several must-dos, more of less in order of importance for the impression: the chief of which is to finish memorizing the Our Father in Latin (I got it down in Middle-English). I also know the Ave Maria and a benediction for meals in Latin and Middle-English. Another major thing is to practice my writing – I need to be able to write in Book Hand (the fancier, formal form) and in Cursive – the less formal but, to my mind, more intricate everyday writing used to keep books, write correspondence, etc. This is a pain in the ass – but my fine arts degree will serve me well here – and I am confident that once I learn how to make the letters – I will do a reasonable job of it. I have become familiar with the basics of Church liturgy and ritual during the period (if you want to get an idea of what the English church mass looked like in the middle ages – go to Youtube and look up Sarum Use or Sarum Rite – very cool.
I have to really complete my knowledge of hours, church seasons, current church leaders, current theological thought (with a focus on Wycliffe – the closest thing to heresy England has going on in the late 1300s). I am memorizing several sermons from the period – ranging from topics like the Virgin Mary to the effectiveness of relics (they are VERY effective). I have made a cursory survey of the knowledge I should have of educational forms– grammar, rhetoric, logic, music, geometry, and all that + familiarity with a bestiary, current geography, the humors/elements and Astrology (though the last bits are really venturing into medicine). I have also been listening (books on tape!) to James Earl Jones reading the new testament – so I can site at least a few parables or quotes. (Of course, my first encounter with the actor was in the role of Tulsa Doom in Conan – so I keep thinking of narrator of the Book of Mark is going to come riding in to raze a village at any moment). “Come to me my Child” . It’s amazing what I both remember from Sunday school and what I have forgotten. Jesus can be kind of a hard ass. Lastly, I need to do some long term study of Latin – which I figure will enrich my life outside of living history.
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and one further thing...
Sep. 8th, 2008 | 02:48 pm
And Rain, of course.
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Birthday for my firstborn
Sep. 8th, 2008 | 02:44 pm
"England. Of course".
Hoozha!
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Peter's sad tale - i guess a reputation can be a good thing
Sep. 8th, 2008 | 02:30 pm
Soo... This morning, I came into work and sat down in the 'fish bowl' workstation area that new employees (and old ones on their way out sit). I felt pretty bad - this is the first time in 13 years that this has happened to me - without a billable contract and on the dreaded admin number. Par for the course with DHS-specific work, really - (there is a 35-45% yearly turnover in staff there). I got here at 8:15. And walked around to let people know I was avaliable - hoping to drum up 50% billability by, say next week.
By 8:23 I had to offers for new full time contracting work with some good natured fighting over who would have first crack at me. Total time unemployed - 8 minutes. I can live with that. (of course, there will be a couple of days waiting for badges and whatnot to come through - but its the thought that counts, right :>

