London Life

It's been two days since I arrived in London with Nick. It feels like it has been three. We arrived at 10 AM on the 26th and had to wait for our hotel room at the Beaver Hotel on Philbeach Rd, Kensington, until 2PM. By the way, NEVER stay there. It was not worth the price and was damned uncomfortable. We had a full day, packing in Kensington Palace, a good portion of Kensington Gardens and some Gelato before going back to the hotel. We took a nap that lasted about 5 hours instead of the 2 that was planned and then went to see Parliment, Big Ben and the London Eye all lit up at night before going to supper at this little mediteranian place Troia Bar and Restaurant. It was delicious and the price was great too.

Yesterday we went out early-ish to cover Hyde Park. We saw the Prince Albert Memorial, the Peter Pan statue, I had my picture taken with the Queen Caroline monument and we sat for a bit at the Princess Diana Memorial Fountian. The Princess Diana's fountian is very pretty and well done. When you look at it it looks like a continuous circle of flowing water that trips and falls along the carved and rippled granite. There were a lot of people sitting around with their feet in the cool water and even more kids splashing around and even swimming in the deeper part. Even with all the noise I found it very relaxing and soothing to just sit there and people watch.

Nick and I decided it was time for lunch and so wee headed to Harrods. What a zoo. It was jam packed more than normal I'm told because their once annual sale was going on. It was crazy and frantic... I couldn't handle it. We did walk through the food halls which were massively impressive before grabbing a couple of burgers at a diner on the 4th floor. It was a definate splurge for us as the fod was overpriced but the experiece was, I think, worth while.

A short tube ride brought us to the flat where we had minimal trouble getting in and proceeded to down about a gallon of water a piece. Over all it's been beautiful and sunny which was not quite what we were expecting but awesome none the less. We headed back to the hotel where we had left our luggage after checking out that morning just as the thunder clouds rolled in. Lucklily, we were able to make it there and back in time (a four to five block walk from the flat) before the rain started to fall. In the meantime, Larry and Suzanne, Nick's mother and stepfather had arrived and were making plans for a simple supper. A night in and a full night's worth of sleep and I am ready to take on the day!

Totally P.O.'ed

So I went to on a camping trip this weekend and had a ton of fun. I came home to find that my cat had thrown up twice and my desktop has a virus and most likely will have to be wiped from everything that I can see.....This is most definately not how I wanted to end my weekend!!!!

Taking It Easy

It's been a lazy day and all I have to show for it is a mostly completed chemise.  It was quite nice! It was just one of those weeks where sleep was hard to come by and time passed so slowly that I was quite ready for a weekend where I could sleep in and not to have to worry about anything much. I'm going out tonight but not for another hour or so I've had plenty of time to relax! Yay! Nick has gone to Sturbridge for the night and will be coming back tomorrow so I've had peace and quiet today as well (minus Elvis' squeeking) which is a welcome change. 

Tomorrow is Mother's Day so I just wanted to say Happy Mother's Day to all the moms, grandmoms, to-be moms etc...Yay!

P.S.

You'll find that my name has changed under my profile but not to worry this is still the same nutjob you signed on with...I'm just making it easier for my SCA-dian friends to find me since this is what they know me as! Thanks for your tolerence!

Dawn

It's 4:45 am on a Friday morning and I don't have to work until 4PM yet I lie tossing and turning in bed listening to the awakening birds chirping outside my opened window. Somewhere to the east of here the sun is beginning to rise over the horizon and it's casting it early morning light under my shades, illuminating the room with a soft blue light. Nick sleeps next to me, restless in his slumber, stuffy nose making him work for each breath so he can continue his rest. Now and again he mutters an incoherent word as he rearranges his head on the pillow. As gently as I can I turn onto my side, trying not to wake him, and stop moving all together when his breathing pattern changes.

5:15 Am and still sleep evades me. Quietly I sigh, resigned to my fate and softly slip from the room. Elvis waits for me at the door and starts to meow his squeaky request for breakfast. Hurriedly I close the door, careful not to let the latch click into place too loudly. The living room is lighter than the bedroom and I can see Gwen on the ironing board in front of the windows stretching up from her sleep before hopping down to voice her complaint alongside her pesky brother. I make my way into the kitchen feeling the wall opposite the counter for the light switch. Outside a woodpecker has found something of interest and the jarring noise of his incessant pounding with his beak breaks the morning air. The light switch has been found and I flip them on, my eyes blinking rapidly as I try to get adjusted to the light. Then I remember and fumble for the light button on the microwave over the stove. The reassuring computerized beep lets me know I can turn off the overhead recessed lights. This dim light is easier on my eyes and I am able to see my way to feed my starving cats.

5:20 Am I shuffle into the bathroom for Tylenol. I don't have a headache yet but I know there will be one soon. I carry the four round pills in my right hand into the computer room where I have a glass of water sitting on my desk. Popping the pills in my mouth and chasing them down with my last gulp of water, I sit down and figure,"Why not?" I lean over and press the little silver button that calls my computer to life and bring up my email inbox as a way to start my day knowing that not much will have happened since I last turned it off four hours ago...

Potential move on the horizon...

So lot has been going on since the last time I wrote and, quite frankly, the last time I wrote I didin't write anything too serious so I have a bit to write now.

As some of you may or may not know, I was called in last minute to help with a show at Lesley College. Their production this year was William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. It was very interesting to say the least. The equipment and space that they are working with is limited to say the least. The space is a retrofitted lecture hall with only one main house electric, four dimmer plugs rear house left and rear house right with two stage electrics.  The way the stage was set up the upstage electric was pretty much useless due to the set. The lighting situation was fouled up beyond compare. The prior shows had used the actual tails of the lights to tie up the extension cables and other things like duct tape, various types of twine and other dubious and flammable material. The lighting board itself was a mess and I had to erase everything and re-patch 1:1 as well as dead hang all of the lights so I could have a fresh start. It was great.   The show went rather well all being saidand done minus a bit of drama between a few of the musicians the last night of dress rehersal. Long story short: the percussionist had issues with being a professional musician and sitting on stage during the whole performance even though he knew the conditions prior to signing on. Then he made the brilliant move of calling the Musical Director an A-hole. He was fired then and there then the bassist had issues. He ended up quitting, both on the day before opening.  Lucky for me I know Chris plays the bass and so I texted him during the last rehersal. The real kicker: he didn't know how I was when I texted him since my number wasn't plugged in to his phone. He signed up and we had a good time not to mention a couple of really funny moments. 

Also Nick and I are looking at a houses. We've seen the amazing (custom tile jobs with custom brass accent tiles) to the very questionable (bedrooms with no doors) and the more we look the more depressed I get. We've been looking farther west but I don't think I want to go much further than Framingham...more on that later...

Because I think it's funny...

So we had TIPS training at work the other day and the trainer happened to mention that he had never seen a 1/6 of a barrel keg before (or a log as we call them). One of the guys brought out the first available log to show it to the man and this is what he happened to bring:






I LOVE my work place!!!!!!!

Because I have a sick sense of humor...

So in my perusal of my daily websites I come across a lot of wierd stuff...some of them are worth mentioning and others are not. I cam across this picture a couple of days ago and I keep cracking up whenever I see it. Not only is it orignal but a rather interesting conversation piece don't you think? 

Anyways I think this is rather funny...other than that nothing much has changed. I'm still working at the store down the street and I've taken on a show as well. I'm the Master Electrician for Lesley University's Oxford Street Players production of the Merchant of Venice. It's been a rough couple of weeks with another tough one ahead, we open next Wednesday. It's a long to-do list with not enough hours in the day to complete them all. *le sigh* It figures. Ah well so it goes. That's it for my little entry today. Hopefully more soon. 

Crazy Kitten

So most of everyone I know knows about my crazy cat, Elvis. A hefty boy at about 14 lbs and he's forever getting into stuff and inevitably trouble. Well recently he's found himself a new hiding spot. Can you see him?



Sneaky little critter he is he even managed to close the lid on himself! Anyways he now dives into the hamper on regular basis he just can't always get out....aww poor kitty!



-- Post From My iPhone

20 Things to Do Before I Die

The title is self explanitory so I'm just going to launch right into it...these are not in any specific order!

1. Go skiing in the alps...granted I have to get better skiing skills but it would be awesome to experience the cool chalets, spiffy slopes and cute ski instructors!

2. Build a vardo. If you don't know what it is google it. It's a gypsy wagon and you can make a really nifty one on a flat single axle trailer. A slightly different way to camp. 

3. Go to Pennsic. It's a huge war reenactment for the Middle Ages and a SCA event. Two weeks of classes, jousts and parties in a really old school way. It would be awesome to be able to go for the whole event but I'd be happy with just a few days. You go with a group and it's quite the experience I've heard with thousands of participants. 

4. Own my own clothing company. Yep. Specializing in modern special occasion wear with influences from the past. Maybe do some costumes on the side...but it's definately something i want to do but I think I might be unpopular...I want the right to veto any bad decisions....I will not allow people to make themselves look like over stuffed sausages in my dresses! I hate that!

5.  I would like to own my own bookshop/cafe...I know this seems in direct opposition with my pervious statement but, well, I can't denty my passion for books and coffee!! 

6. Own my own horse....like Thor (Thor's Hammer) the big old Percheron that I used to ride for a friend of mine. The sweetest hore I've ever met...just like a puppy he'd follow you all around the yard. Though he was a bit clutzy he would do anything you ask. That's the type of horse I'd like to have. 

7. I'd like to live abroad....for a month, a year, something. Traveling to a place is nice but it doesn't quite show you all the ins and outs of a culture. (It's also better to learn a language by immersion!)

8. Which brings me to my next ambition: learn at least 3 other languages in my life time. I really want to get my German to at least a conversational level and other than that.... Japanese and Galeic...random collection of languages but there you have it...though I think learning Russian would be an interesting time. 

9. I would like to have kids... I know i'm not exactly the best mommy material but someday it's something I realy would like to do. Have my own and if my resources let me adopt a few too...lol...that would be quite fun.

10. Participate in an actual English Hunt....you know chasing the fox and everything? I think that would be exhilerating.  Not to mention that the hunt ball that's usually held afterwards would be lots of fun too!

11. Go to and participate in Carnivale in Venice. Costume, mask and everything....although I can't help but think that I would spend more time going around ogoling people's costumes and masks than participating in the actual carnival. *teehee* There might be a bit of drooling involved there too!!

12. I would give anything to work for Cirque du Soleil. It's apprently not enough that I'm a Cirque freak but I've alway wanted to work for them as well! It would interesting to travel around with them too...altogether a different kind of lifestyle!

13. There's a project in the works (granted it huge in scope and almost impossible but something nifty nonetheless) it's called the Freedom Ship. It's a floating city...literally and it would circle the globe once every two years. I think living on that would be a lot of fun not to mention you get to see the world...there are other ships that offer this but they are for millionaires only! lol...

14. I would like to hold a Koala. I know that compared to everything else it's a small wish but there used to be a cartoon show with two talking Koalas and well that's where this nutty wish stems from. 

15. I would like to learn to play the violin. It's always fascinated me and when played well it sounds so beautiful! yay!

16. Learn to play the gituar...can't play any instruments that sound particularly good on their own or can be used to sing along with....hence learn the guitar. 

17. Learn to weave on one of those huge wooden looms that take up half a room! My nerdy artsy-craftsy side comming out. 

18. Earn more than 40K a year...kind of weak but the way things are going for me right now that's a good goal....(*ouch*! I know!)

19. Eventually build a castle. yup, a castle. Don't believe me? look here. *teehehe* Yup I'm a dork.

20. Finish writing and publish at least one of my stories....yeah...that might take more doing than some things.... ;-)

My Life in Lists

Lately there has been a fad going on in Facebook (and other networking sites I'm sure) where people jot a note of the twenty-five, fifty, or whatever number of things they think people don't know about them and then they tag people in that note asking them to read it and respond. I've done it and after re-reading it I can't help but think, "Geez, there's a lot more to me than twenty-five questions worth." So, for what it's worth I'm going to make up lists...I've always had them and they change over time so I think this will be interesting. I have a few ideas for statrers like twenty-five things I want to do before I die, twenty-five places I want to vist (that I haven't already) etc. I'm sure there are lists that some of you have made even if in your head. Let me know! I think this is going to be rather fun.  

On antother not I've decided to re-join the SCA (Society of Creative Anachronism...you know ren faire type stuff.) I used to participate with my friend's family in Florida (aka. the kingdom of Trimaris) but then moved to the island and there was just no way. YAY! Though now I have to make new garb....grr. Anywho that's all for now.

Seven Funerals and a Wedding

So everytime I go up to Canada lately it seemes to be for a funeral. It's a bit depressing. Anyways I just came back from a trip to the north and yes, it was for a funeral. Luckily I did get to visit my siser and my mother's side of the family which was a definate plus to the whole thing. 

My sister decided that since I was in town for a Friday night she was going to show me "her" side of the city. We ended up going to a gay-friendly club where she was surpised that I didn't have a stronger reaction then what she got from me. Now I say this place is gay friendly because not everyone there batted for the opposite team. There was definately girl on guy action going on so perhaps it was bi-? Who knows...I just wanted to know how the transvestite that kept following me around wearing nothing (and I mean nothing) other than fishnets and a bustier was hiding the family jewels in front. It was a very clever arrangement let me tell you. Anyhow we got home at about 3 AM and ended up stoping for a bite to eat. The next two days were alright except for the funeral and I cam home Monday with the flu. I hate being sick, really and truly. I was so cold that I was huddled under a sheet, a polar fleece blanket, a comforter, two more polar fleeces and a heating pad and was still shivering. Thankfully that's all over now and I'm back to normal life.  That being said I'm going to go work on my writing.

A New Year

Happy 2009! While I was watching the ball drop on channel six with Nick, Zack, Larry and Suzanne I realized that this is the last single digit year that I will ever see. It somehow made the last 8 years seem more special. After this year of 2009 it will be ninety-two years before the world will see another single digit year, ninety-one years till 3000.

It always amazes me on New Years everything that we have done in the preceding year. I always thought it remarkable that my grandmother saw eighty-six years of events in her lifetime. Born in 1915 she got to see the evolution of the cars, tv and movies. She saw the birth of the computer, the atom bomb, lived to see seven Popes head the Catholic church and ton of other things. It always makes me think, "What will I see in my life time?" Already I have seen the development of computers from large boxy things with black and green screens to the laptop I'm working on now. I have seen two wars, music transitions from tape to CD to a computer file and the devestation of a direct attack on the US which I can only compare to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. What will be next? I wish at times that I could be a creature of fantasy or fiction that would allow me a greater lifespan just so I could see what will come next. Will we destroy the earth like many people predict or will be able to save ourselves in the end? Will we ever have flying cars or live in the sky like the Jetson's? What will the next new fashion be? Can music evolve anymore and if it can what will it sound like? I suppose that I can only wish for health so that I can see eighty-stix years like my grandmother did and be content that I have had the oppertuity and privilege to see so much.