(no subject)
Oct. 5th, 2025 12:11 pmWe went to Mists Coronet yesterday. Overall, I am glad we did and we had a good time.
We probably wouldn't have gone if it weren't for my SCA job - which is one major reason I took it. Once we're there we typically enjoy ourselves, but getting over the donwannas has been difficult. Anyway, slight car foo getting there due to the interchanges not being the same as the last umpty-hundredth time we went to the site, but no big deal.
Geoffrey and Crystal camped and have a new sunshade, so I hung out with them as part of St. Teresa. The wife spent the day next door with Morgan & Greg and more people. I wandered around a bit, chatted with people both job-related and not, and generally had a good low-key day. Due to a miscommunication we didn't bring any sunscreen, so my shoulders are a little burned but not too bad - my peasant bucket hat did its job.
We had dinner onsite with the rest of the Company. I brought a quick-pickle cucumber dish from Platina, which went well with the warm and dusty day, and creme bastarde (fake whipping cream) which is a sweetened milk and egg white dish. Kind of like rice pudding in being sweet and bland. We also had a lovely chicken in verjuice, mushrooms and chestnuts, aged cheese, and a chicken fritter that would have been very good direct from the fryer but was cool by the time it was served.
We made it home around 8:30 and I went straight to bed as soon as our stuff was out of the car. I am still tired today, from peopling and also from walking around on gopher-caused uneven ground.
We probably wouldn't have gone if it weren't for my SCA job - which is one major reason I took it. Once we're there we typically enjoy ourselves, but getting over the donwannas has been difficult. Anyway, slight car foo getting there due to the interchanges not being the same as the last umpty-hundredth time we went to the site, but no big deal.
Geoffrey and Crystal camped and have a new sunshade, so I hung out with them as part of St. Teresa. The wife spent the day next door with Morgan & Greg and more people. I wandered around a bit, chatted with people both job-related and not, and generally had a good low-key day. Due to a miscommunication we didn't bring any sunscreen, so my shoulders are a little burned but not too bad - my peasant bucket hat did its job.
We had dinner onsite with the rest of the Company. I brought a quick-pickle cucumber dish from Platina, which went well with the warm and dusty day, and creme bastarde (fake whipping cream) which is a sweetened milk and egg white dish. Kind of like rice pudding in being sweet and bland. We also had a lovely chicken in verjuice, mushrooms and chestnuts, aged cheese, and a chicken fritter that would have been very good direct from the fryer but was cool by the time it was served.
We made it home around 8:30 and I went straight to bed as soon as our stuff was out of the car. I am still tired today, from peopling and also from walking around on gopher-caused uneven ground.
(no subject)
Jul. 27th, 2025 11:10 amYesterday we went down to M&C's for a joint birthday party - Matt's and John T's. Both the wife and I hit the donwannas earlier in the day but we pushed through; we were pretty sure we'd have a good time once we actually were there. And we did.
It was a lovely outdoor garden party with lots of port and cheese. Some people dressed up, others didn't; the wife and I were somewhat in the middle, though we both wore our Panama hats. The weather was perfect and the socializing was good.
Even better, another pair of friends has recently had electrical work done on their Victorian house; we need a light fixture replaced and the wiring checked, so we're getting the contact info. Much better than Yelp.
It was a lovely outdoor garden party with lots of port and cheese. Some people dressed up, others didn't; the wife and I were somewhat in the middle, though we both wore our Panama hats. The weather was perfect and the socializing was good.
Even better, another pair of friends has recently had electrical work done on their Victorian house; we need a light fixture replaced and the wiring checked, so we're getting the contact info. Much better than Yelp.
Beltane Blah
May. 5th, 2025 11:08 amShort version: I am going "blah blah blah," not that I was blah about the event.
( blah say )
I am tired today. Not sore, but weary from being social and a bit wrung out from the whole thing. I would have liked to take today off but after last week's vacation, I can't justify that. So I should get back to work.
( blah say )
I am tired today. Not sore, but weary from being social and a bit wrung out from the whole thing. I would have liked to take today off but after last week's vacation, I can't justify that. So I should get back to work.
(no subject)
Mar. 31st, 2025 01:51 pmWe went to Mists Coronet yesterday. We had a pretty good time, mostly sitting and socializing. The wife helped judge the arts competitions, so that was helpful.
I stepped up as Principality exchequer, and I was glad to see that the office medallion had not gotten lost. The then-Prince (2017ish?) thought the office needed more bling and made this. It's a 3" heater shield with a dollar sign, on a heavy ring chain. It is the bling-iest exchequer medallion possible, completely non-period and obnoxious like a rapper medallion, and I love it. I may not wear it again until I step down, but it tickles my sense of humor. The job stuff for the day went pretty easily.
The rest of the Company was dining onsite, but we did not feel inspired and planned to bugger out instead. We stayed in a local hotel overnight because I had to attend the officers' meeting Sunday morning - which ended up getting rescheduled for a Zoom call due to incoming rain. It was getting very cold and windy, so after helping our hosts break down their sunshade we were happy that we weren't staying. We drove to the hotel, changed, and ended up at a local Mexican restaurant for dinner. Pretty good birria tacos.
We took our time leaving Sunday since we didn't have any obligations. We were still pretty drained and honestly, I am glad we didn't have to make the two-hour drive home Saturday night.
I stepped up as Principality exchequer, and I was glad to see that the office medallion had not gotten lost. The then-Prince (2017ish?) thought the office needed more bling and made this. It's a 3" heater shield with a dollar sign, on a heavy ring chain. It is the bling-iest exchequer medallion possible, completely non-period and obnoxious like a rapper medallion, and I love it. I may not wear it again until I step down, but it tickles my sense of humor. The job stuff for the day went pretty easily.
The rest of the Company was dining onsite, but we did not feel inspired and planned to bugger out instead. We stayed in a local hotel overnight because I had to attend the officers' meeting Sunday morning - which ended up getting rescheduled for a Zoom call due to incoming rain. It was getting very cold and windy, so after helping our hosts break down their sunshade we were happy that we weren't staying. We drove to the hotel, changed, and ended up at a local Mexican restaurant for dinner. Pretty good birria tacos.
We took our time leaving Sunday since we didn't have any obligations. We were still pretty drained and honestly, I am glad we didn't have to make the two-hour drive home Saturday night.
(no subject)
Feb. 21st, 2025 10:22 amOur friend Trish came up from San Jose for the evening. She really likes a bar in SF, and it's always good to spend time with her. The bar is on the other side of the city from us so we don't tend to go there otherwise. We drove over... and found out it was rented out for a corporate event.
After some Yelp searching for nearby cocktail bars (no, we weren't interested in the Harry Potter-themed bar) we settled on a speakeasy-style bar. The entrance is one of two residential doors (hence the bar's name, "Left Door") and we buzzed in. It's a nice, restrained, art deco-style decoration rather than Prohibition-era. Without a reservation we sat at the short bar. Decent drinks, good food menu, and I'd go back with a reservation so we could sit in one of the rooms on couches and have a nice dress-up evening.
We then drove to a nearby Fronch bistro (where we did have reservations) for dinner. We all opted for the two-course meal and had either Fronch onion soup or calamari, then a lamb shank or scallops. Quite good but filling and no one really wanted dessert.
Home by 8 but I still slept more poorly than I would have liked due to the food and wine. Also I think we're having salad for dinner tonight to compensate for yesterday's calories. Still, it was a nice evening with a friend we don't see as often as we'd like since she's no longer active in the SCA.
After some Yelp searching for nearby cocktail bars (no, we weren't interested in the Harry Potter-themed bar) we settled on a speakeasy-style bar. The entrance is one of two residential doors (hence the bar's name, "Left Door") and we buzzed in. It's a nice, restrained, art deco-style decoration rather than Prohibition-era. Without a reservation we sat at the short bar. Decent drinks, good food menu, and I'd go back with a reservation so we could sit in one of the rooms on couches and have a nice dress-up evening.
We then drove to a nearby Fronch bistro (where we did have reservations) for dinner. We all opted for the two-course meal and had either Fronch onion soup or calamari, then a lamb shank or scallops. Quite good but filling and no one really wanted dessert.
Home by 8 but I still slept more poorly than I would have liked due to the food and wine. Also I think we're having salad for dinner tonight to compensate for yesterday's calories. Still, it was a nice evening with a friend we don't see as often as we'd like since she's no longer active in the SCA.
(no subject)
Nov. 17th, 2024 09:56 amWe went to Investiture yesterday. It was good seeing people we hadn't connected with as much recently. The site was small (apparently the church double-booked, and we got moved) but worked okay. It was significantly colder than we expected; I was glad I wore a felted wool hat, but the linen outfit was insufficient.
I sat with gate recon as I volunteered to take Principality Exchequer next year. I'm not actually insane; it's been five years since I stepped down from Kingdom, and Principality is a lot less work. I expect I will spend a more time at first getting everything humming along the way I like it, but that's okay. It's not that the current exchequer is doing a bad job, but I will be making some changes for efficiency and also based on how my brain works. (Spreadsheets and Google Sheets are my friend.)
The outgoing royalty started a new order, called the Keystone. Named for the arch piece that keeps everything in place. It is given to greater officers when they step down, and they call up all the members when they are giving a new one. Of course that number is small right now, but in coming years it will be impressive. This is exactly the sort of appreciation that punches far above its weight in recognition. I made sure to tell both of them as a former and future officer how much I loved the idea. Also, the incomings gave their officers coins. Again, that small token means a lot for what is often unappreciated work.
The handyman did a good job putting up the scrolls. It was a good thing we had our giant uneven folding ladder for the stairs (it was an Xmas gift from my dad shortly after we moved in here - eminently practical even if we don't need it very often).
I sat with gate recon as I volunteered to take Principality Exchequer next year. I'm not actually insane; it's been five years since I stepped down from Kingdom, and Principality is a lot less work. I expect I will spend a more time at first getting everything humming along the way I like it, but that's okay. It's not that the current exchequer is doing a bad job, but I will be making some changes for efficiency and also based on how my brain works. (Spreadsheets and Google Sheets are my friend.)
The outgoing royalty started a new order, called the Keystone. Named for the arch piece that keeps everything in place. It is given to greater officers when they step down, and they call up all the members when they are giving a new one. Of course that number is small right now, but in coming years it will be impressive. This is exactly the sort of appreciation that punches far above its weight in recognition. I made sure to tell both of them as a former and future officer how much I loved the idea. Also, the incomings gave their officers coins. Again, that small token means a lot for what is often unappreciated work.
The handyman did a good job putting up the scrolls. It was a good thing we had our giant uneven folding ladder for the stairs (it was an Xmas gift from my dad shortly after we moved in here - eminently practical even if we don't need it very often).
(no subject)
Nov. 14th, 2024 02:35 pmI got my long-awaited Laurel scroll in May '23. A couple months later, it was framed and ready to go on the wall of Diffidence*. But to make room, I needed to take my AA off the wall, put the Laurel there, and then put the AA above it. And because this is on the side of the stairs, the height is quite high and the base surface is uneven.
So I put it off. The Laurel scroll stayed in the study, mocking me for my inaction. Maybe six months ago I got my act together and figured I would at least remove the AA and swap in the Laurel. I did... and the hangers failed utterly. It felt like there was metal inside the wall blocking the nails. I couldn't deal with it, so we left the blank spot alone.
Finally the wife suggested we just bloody hire a handyman to do it. Genius! The first one I tried had good recommendations, but didn't want to deal with the stairs. Disappointing but fair enough, that is why I mentioned them. Sunday I actually used Yelp and put out a request. We got back several comments and one is scheduled to show up tomorrow afternoon.
I think I'll come into the office, though, so I don't have to deal with the inevitable noises while I am trying to be on calls. And that way it will hopefully be up and done when I get home.
*As jokingly compared to Hirsch & Aldith's "Arrogance wall".
So I put it off. The Laurel scroll stayed in the study, mocking me for my inaction. Maybe six months ago I got my act together and figured I would at least remove the AA and swap in the Laurel. I did... and the hangers failed utterly. It felt like there was metal inside the wall blocking the nails. I couldn't deal with it, so we left the blank spot alone.
Finally the wife suggested we just bloody hire a handyman to do it. Genius! The first one I tried had good recommendations, but didn't want to deal with the stairs. Disappointing but fair enough, that is why I mentioned them. Sunday I actually used Yelp and put out a request. We got back several comments and one is scheduled to show up tomorrow afternoon.
I think I'll come into the office, though, so I don't have to deal with the inevitable noises while I am trying to be on calls. And that way it will hopefully be up and done when I get home.
*As jokingly compared to Hirsch & Aldith's "Arrogance wall".
I was telling myself that I had to come up with a class for next year's Culinary Symposium, and nothing was feeling particularly inspiring. I was thinking about adapting a basic fresh sausage recipe to make caul fat-wrapped meatballs, so I glanced through the Charcuterie Doc.
And then I hit a variation on the Herb Omelette Sausage. I did a couple classes on this in previous years so I didn't want to repeat it - but the variant sounded... interesting. And suddenly there went the muse plotting out the recipe and class. I even came up with a decent working class title right away.
Guess I'm doing that one, then.
("He who wants to make a sausage, take bread crumbs and grated cheese and eggs and spices, and put it in a gut, and get a needle and pierce it, and make it boil and cook in water, and then roast it in among the bread, if you like that.")
And then I hit a variation on the Herb Omelette Sausage. I did a couple classes on this in previous years so I didn't want to repeat it - but the variant sounded... interesting. And suddenly there went the muse plotting out the recipe and class. I even came up with a decent working class title right away.
Guess I'm doing that one, then.
("He who wants to make a sausage, take bread crumbs and grated cheese and eggs and spices, and put it in a gut, and get a needle and pierce it, and make it boil and cook in water, and then roast it in among the bread, if you like that.")
October Crown
Sep. 23rd, 2024 07:53 amWe sorta-day-tripped. It was exhausting, but I'm glad we did.
( Read more... )
( Read more... )
(no subject)
Sep. 17th, 2024 07:52 amOur Caidan friend Claudia is in town for the annual Salesfarce convention, and she was free last night. Getting together anywhere close to downtown is a fool's errand this week so the curvy upstairs neighbor suggested our local Fronch bistro, which is pretty good without being too pricy.
We had good chattage and dinner. She is feeling uninspired by the SCA the same way we are. Two data points are not a trend, but.
I am dragging significantly today, which is not due to the one glass of wine I had - perhaps eating an hour later is responsible?
We had good chattage and dinner. She is feeling uninspired by the SCA the same way we are. Two data points are not a trend, but.
I am dragging significantly today, which is not due to the one glass of wine I had - perhaps eating an hour later is responsible?
(no subject)
Sep. 13th, 2024 09:24 amWednesday we met Ken & CJ for drinks after work. Since they're now both retired, we started around the end of my workday (4:30). The bar was surprisingly crowded, so we had one drink along with a lot of chattage. Then we walked up the street to Sam's Grill for old-school fish (and a glass of wine). We were home by 8:30, which along with the moderate alcohol consumption, meant I wasn't dragging the next day.
Good to hang out with them again. We've missed having these sorts of social outings with friends.
Good to hang out with them again. We've missed having these sorts of social outings with friends.
(no subject)
Jul. 19th, 2023 09:51 amSaturday, instead of being social at ![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
threadwalker's pool party, we went to see the Tudors exhibit at the Legion. We're members so it didn't cost us anything but we had reserved tickets anyway.
It was amazing. Not huge - it took us about 90 minutes to go through at a detailed clip - but a good cross-section of stuff. The Holbein portrait of Henry! The Scrots young Elizabeth portrait, and the Hilliard pelican portrait! Bling! One of Henry's sets of tournament armor! Books! A cope!
Yeah. We geeked out, even if our preferred era is a few hundred years earlier. Anyone even semi-local with an interest needs to catch this.
We thought about going somewhere for a late lunch, but it was a beautiful Saturday and every place we thought of was quite busy.
threadwalker's pool party, we went to see the Tudors exhibit at the Legion. We're members so it didn't cost us anything but we had reserved tickets anyway.It was amazing. Not huge - it took us about 90 minutes to go through at a detailed clip - but a good cross-section of stuff. The Holbein portrait of Henry! The Scrots young Elizabeth portrait, and the Hilliard pelican portrait! Bling! One of Henry's sets of tournament armor! Books! A cope!
Yeah. We geeked out, even if our preferred era is a few hundred years earlier. Anyone even semi-local with an interest needs to catch this.
We thought about going somewhere for a late lunch, but it was a beautiful Saturday and every place we thought of was quite busy.
Spoiler-free review: it was okay. Not spectacular, but it follows the inverse-Star Trek movie rule - the odd-numbered ones are better. I wouldn't have minded seeing it at home rather than the theater, but I don't mind having seen it on the big screen (unlike, say, Solo).
In other news, we are finally moving ahead with the long-delayed 2020 anniversary trip to Florence. We're getting an SCA acquaintance who does Italian tours to arrange an itinerary. It's a bit pricier than doing it ourselves, but this way it gets done. I'd rather spend with an SCA acquaintance than a tour company, and she also has the background to know what might be important to us. Plus connections to skip lines, etc.
My TSA pre-approval got approved in one business day. Granted, the next available interview is in October... but we're looking at going in late April (after our 24th anniversary), so not a problem. And I fully expect the interview to be a rubber stamp.
In other news, we are finally moving ahead with the long-delayed 2020 anniversary trip to Florence. We're getting an SCA acquaintance who does Italian tours to arrange an itinerary. It's a bit pricier than doing it ourselves, but this way it gets done. I'd rather spend with an SCA acquaintance than a tour company, and she also has the background to know what might be important to us. Plus connections to skip lines, etc.
My TSA pre-approval got approved in one business day. Granted, the next available interview is in October... but we're looking at going in late April (after our 24th anniversary), so not a problem. And I fully expect the interview to be a rubber stamp.
(no subject)
Feb. 27th, 2023 07:21 amAs I wrote elsewhere, I was saddened to hear that Emma FitzWilliam died. We weren't close, but we were good friends going back to the '90s. We were on court for their last Western reign.
I will miss hearing her distinctive giggle.
I will miss hearing her distinctive giggle.
West Coast Culinary Symposium
Feb. 20th, 2023 08:47 amThis last weekend we attended the WCCS, which was back after a pandemic break. It usually rotates up and down the coast. It was less than an hour from us in a Girl Scout camp, making it even more convenient.
( Semi-random notes from the event )
Miss Beatrice told us loudly how much she missed us, and I suspect she will be glued to the wife's lap for the next couple days. She also spent some of the night on our bed, which isn't that common for her.
( Semi-random notes from the event )
Miss Beatrice told us loudly how much she missed us, and I suspect she will be glued to the wife's lap for the next couple days. She also spent some of the night on our bed, which isn't that common for her.
Beltane thinky thoughts
May. 2nd, 2022 12:49 pmIt had been a long time since we went to an SCA event - Twelfth Night 2020 in fact. Significantly longer since we camped; during my exchequer tenure (drink!) we mostly stayed in a hotel, because I didn't really have the bandwidth to deal with setting up and breaking down. Or the time, since I spent much of the event running around doing the job. I'm not actually sure what event we camped last. Maybe West-An Tir 2018?
( Abbreviated for length and rambling )
Tired today - I could have used a vacation day to recover from my vacation. It was good though.
( Abbreviated for length and rambling )
Tired today - I could have used a vacation day to recover from my vacation. It was good though.
(no subject)
May. 2nd, 2022 08:00 amThis week's Bonus Resolution Recipe: Good sausage with pork or other meat.
The Saluminati had a meeting at Beltane for five years. Some of them were wildly successful both in attendance and inspiration. Unfortunately, it did not continue when I stopped making it happen. I didn't have the bandwidth to push it, and if it couldn't happen without my input then it clearly wasn't sustainable. Still a bit sad though.
With that in mind, here's a bonus Beltane Resolution Recipe.
( Read more... )
The Saluminati had a meeting at Beltane for five years. Some of them were wildly successful both in attendance and inspiration. Unfortunately, it did not continue when I stopped making it happen. I didn't have the bandwidth to push it, and if it couldn't happen without my input then it clearly wasn't sustainable. Still a bit sad though.
With that in mind, here's a bonus Beltane Resolution Recipe.
( Read more... )
