20 August 2008
Implement of destruction.
Interestingly it’s overly complex & heavy. I have many other corkscrews that I prefer.
Cheers.
~KR (Written on 23 August 2008 )
Camera: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
Exposure: 0.2 sec (1/5)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 5.8 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire
Software: picnik.com
19 August 2008
Years ago my wife started taking lessons from the Gaffer of Faire Maiden Glass at Bristol. This is one of the first pieces she made and the first piece she made for me. It’s a paper weight that I use at work, she calls it a lump. 
Cheers.
~KR (Written on 23 August 2008 )
Camera: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
Exposure: 0.3 sec (3/10)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 5.8 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0/3 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire
20 August 2008
I always wanted to be the coolest aunt in the world. Unfortunately, I live too far away to be a regular part of McKenna’s life. And, I guess I’d say that I’m a bit more of a disciplinarian than her Daddy is. So, I guess I’ll just have to settle for being the wacky aunt who has the crazy cat and who sews cool stuff.
McKenna and I had a fabulous time together last September, when she accompanied me to the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. I put her in a makeshift costume, and she liked that so well, that I bought her one from a shop onsite that same day. She enjoyed that one so much, that she wore it again for Halloween, and still loves it. So, I came up with the bright idea that I could make her an even better outfit for next year. And, now, it’s next year! In only two and a half weeks, she and I will once again visit the renfaire together. And today, I finished the main bits of her new outfit. I still want to make her a little pink chemise, and some sort of hat or French hood. But, the bodice and skirts are done, and the hoop is on order! She’s going to look like a real princess! I only hope I can dress to complement her! Perhaps I should simply plan to look like her nurse!
My photo today is of her fabrics and trims; garments piled on top of one another. I want to add beads to the underskirt, like I did to the bodice, and when that’s all done, I’ll take another photo.
Dinner tonight was at Larry and Denise’s. Kelly has just completed one of the new gowns Denise will wear this year at Dickens. And, Larry and I finally organized our thoughts and finalized the design and fabric choices for an outfit we’ve been talking about me making for him for way too long. I’m hoping to get it done for him for debut at TRF. Anyway, the need to see them, and the love of their company, meant Kelly drove us up there and Larry cooked us dinner. Yum. As always, his cooking was much appreciated! We even brought home leftovers! And we got the extra bonus of enjoying a visit with his mom and dad, too.
Hump day gone . . . the remaining weeks fly by.
~MB
20 August 2008
I always wanted to be the coolest aunt in the world. Unfortunately, I live too far away to be a regular part of McKenna’s life. And, I guess I’d say that I’m a bit more of a disciplinarian than her Daddy is. So, I guess I’ll just have to settle for being the wacky aunt who has the crazy cat and who sews cool stuff.
McKenna and I had a fabulous time together last September, when she accompanied me to the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. I put her in a makeshift costume, and she liked that so well, that I bought her one from a shop onsite that same day. She enjoyed that one so much, that she wore it again for Halloween, and still loves it. So, I came up with the bright idea that I could make her an even better outfit for next year. And, now, it’s next year! In only two and a half weeks, she and I will once again visit the renfaire together. And today, I finished the main bits of her new outfit. I still want to make her a little pink chemise, and some sort of hat or French hood. But, the bodice and skirts are done, and the hoop is on order! She’s going to look like a real princess! I only hope I can dress to complement her! Perhaps I should simply plan to look like her nurse!
My photo today is of her fabrics and trims; garments piled on top of one another. I want to add beads to the underskirt, like I did to the bodice, and when that’s all done, I’ll take another photo.
Dinner tonight was at Larry and Denise’s. Kelly has just completed one of the new gowns Denise will wear this year at Dickens. And, Larry and I finally organized our thoughts and finalized the design and fabric choices for an outfit we’ve been talking about me making for him for way too long. I’m hoping to get it done for him for debut at TRF. Anyway, the need to see them, and the love of their company, meant Kelly drove us up there and Larry cooked us dinner. Yum. As always, his cooking was much appreciated! We even brought home leftovers! And we got the extra bonus of enjoying a visit with his mom and dad, too.
Hump day gone . . . the remaining weeks fly by.
~MB
19 August 2008
Artemis and I have a new game. It turns out that a 60-inch bodice tie, when inserted between the cushions of my loveseat, makes for no end of pleasure for my crazy cat. She literally dives between the cushions to retrieve the string as it disappears from her view. Sometimes, she seems to wait purposely until it is out of sight, to try to grab it. I have giggled more over this, than I have in a long time. So, I figured she deserved to be the subject of the KRuMB once again.
She really is a great little companion. This is another of her newer tricks.
We’re going to squeeze another night of mah jong-playing into our lives tonight. I expect there to be much fun for the humans, there. And port!
~MB
18 August 2008
I must confess I’m not really sure if the moon was totally full Sunday night for the music jam, or if it’s technically tonight. I only know it’s beautiful, and I have this whole “An American Tail” moment when I think of Kyle being 1000 miles away and looking up at the same beautiful moon I see.
After spending his entire day in the Milwaukee Airport, Kyle is finally at home. And while I was taking this photo, he called me, and we chatted, and we told each other we were lonely.
The details of Kyle’s travel glitch can be read in his post from this day, in the form of his Twitter feed, which amuses me greatly. I have somehow resisted the urge to go in and correct the spelling errors that resulted from a combination of eighth-inch keys on his Treo, and what I know was a building frustration over the situation. But, finally, he did get home, and he did reclaim our pups from the kennel, and hopefully, tomorrow will go smoother for him.
I spent part of my day at the airport, as well, thinking I might get to keep him for another night. But, ultimately, I left and he stayed, and although I was ready to go back and get him at a moment’s notice, that didn’t happen. I erranded my way home, and had a great visit with Gregg, and then Gregg and Susan, where we watched the recent Joss Whedon project called Dr. Horrible’s Sing-a-long Blog. OMG! Hysterically funny, yet shockingly dramatic stuff. Loved it. I recommend it, highly.
And, now, tonight, I sleep with only the cat for company.
Thanks for a fabulous weekend, Kyle! I love you.
“Somewhere, out there, beneath the pale moonlight, someone’s thinking of me, and loving me, tonight. Somewhere, out there, someone’s saying a prayer, that we’ll find one another, in that big somewhere, out there.
And even though I know how very far apart we are, it helps to think we might be wishing on the same bright star. And when the night wind starts to sing its lonesome lullaby, it helps to think we’re sleeping underneath the same big sky.
Somewhere, out there, if love will see us through; Then, we’ll be together; Somewhere, out there, out where dreams come true.”
~MB
17 August 2008
Last fall, after wearing my fanciest Elizabethan outfit a few times, I took the skirts to the dry cleaner. Normally, this is a non-issue. I drop them off, and a few days later, I pick them up—clean and pressed and ready to wear. Not so, this time. I don’t know why I’ve never had this problem before, but this time, every little “pearl” I’d sewn onto the bottom trim, was melted and/or crushed and broken. And, we’re talking one every half-inch or so. <sigh>
I put the skirt aside in my workshop, knowing I had at least a couple of hours of work to do: take off all the little half-pearls, and sew on all new ones. TRF, then winter, and Scarborough orders, then Scarborough itself, and now most of Bristol, all came . . . and went. Still, I had not taken the time to do this job. Now, this weekend, faced with Kyle’s presence and his and my overwhelming desire to wear our prettiest stuff that matches . . . I had to do it. I even took it with me to Irish Fest as the project I’d work on while listening to music I wasn’t really into—except, this year I liked what I heard! And the job didn’t get done. So, Saturday night, before wearing the outfit on Sunday, I no longer had a choice, and despite being tired, I stayed up and re-beaded the bottom of this pretty skirt. I remembered at the same time, that I also want to add more beads to the forepart of the skirt itself, but that will have to wait. It was all I could do to stay awake long enough to get the bottom trim done. But, done it now is. And this time, I used actual mother of pearl beads, rather than plastic ones, so they should survive the next dry cleaning! My photo is a close-up of the trim with the new beads.
Sunday was wonderful, really. Kyle finished his work a little earlier than he had the day before, and I was able to break away from the booth and take a walk with him. We caught a couple of shows—music we love—and did a brief pass through a shopping zone, and then, I went back to work. Also at faire, were Maron and Meredith, on a holiday from their kids, so Kyle got to enjoy their company for much of the day. Then, after closing, our gang went to El Sarape for dinner—it was a wonderful wind-down to a great day.
And, after dinner, Kyle and I (and Ginger joined us, too!) went to the full moon music jam that happens at this festival almost every full moon. We sat and enjoyed the laid back style of music that results from a bunch of talented people coming together with whatever instruments are handy, and just playing whatever tune comes to mind. We didn’t stay long, but at least I got to share the magical nature of that event with Kyle. I always knew he would enjoy it, and I was right! But, morning would come early, and there was a plane to catch.
Wishing he could stay will not make it so.
~MB
18 August 2008
Monday, and time to go home.
We went to the Milwaukee airport, where we were early enough that Marita Beth & I grabbed a small, quick breakfast. Then I was off to security which, in this lovely airport, is a complete breeze. From there, the day went to hell. The day’s trials and tribulations would take too long to regurgitate here. So, instead, I present my twitter feed from the day. But first, here is my photo. This is the lounge where I waited.
And now, twitter time, complete with original mispellings.
====================================================
headed home. it’s been a good vacation. Too short. 08:16 AM August 18, 2008
I’m at MILWAUKEE airport, USA (USA). 09:17 AM August 18, 2008
took a mechanical. still at MKE. 11:38 AM August 18, 2008 from TwitToday
still waiting. union rules prevent anyone else from doing the teo-minute knob-tightening job thataneeds doing. sigh. stupid unions. 12:16 PM August 18, 2008
they just announced re-accommodation efforts. lets see how, when and by what method i get home now. 12:32 PM August 18, 2008
well crap. now my 10:55 flight is leaving at 4:00. sigh. stuck in an airport that serves only Miller Lite with no internet connection… 01:14 PM August 18, 2008
two more hours to go. 02:14 PM August 18, 2008
4:00 come and gone. still here. still waiting. still wondering…will i get home? 04:04 PM August 18, 2008
flight cancelled…6 hours after scheduled departure. what now? 04:57 PM August 18, 2008
finally on a bird…going home, sadly.@ 05:44 PM August 18, 2008
I’m at DFW airport, USA (USA) 08:10 PM August 18, 2008
shuttle to rmote south. shuttle to HDQ. car to home. all in my immediate future. 08:31 PM August 18, 2008
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And by 9:50 pm, I had my dogs and I was walking into a quiet, very hot house…alone.
Cheers.
~KR (Written on 20 August 2008 )
Camera: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 5.8 mm
ISO Speed: 80
Exposure Bias: 0/3 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire
17 August 2008
And, nothing is more brilliant than being able to get out into the lane with my wife and enjoy the music together. We’re listening here to the Rambling Sailors, two very dear friends and fabulous artists.
What could be better?
Cheers.
~KR (Written on 20 August 2008 )
Camera: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
Exposure: 0.002 sec (1/500)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 5.8 mm
ISO Speed: 80
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire, auto mode
Software: picnik.com
16 August 2008
When I go to a festival of any sort, be it Irish, Scottish, Renaissance, Wine, Beer, Comic, whatever, I gravitate toward music. Something in me is drawn to the primal need to tone bathe whenever possible. So, after hours of work in the early part of the day (the price of being able to take this vacation), I finally strolled out into the lanes and immersed myself in the sounds of Renaissance Faire joy.
This is Craig O’Farrington and 1/2 of the New Minstrel Revue (the other half is out of frame). Separately, they are two of my favourite music acts at this festival.
Cheers.
~KR (Written on 20 August 2008 )
Camera: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
Exposure: 0.05 sec (1/20)
Aperture: f/5.5
Focal Length: 23.2 mm
ISO Speed: 80
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire
Software: picnik.com
