13 August 2009
Thursday didn’t pan the way it was planned. MB ended up with quite a bit of work to do that none of us were expecting. So, I did some work in the morning, then hung about, watched some streaming internet videos, and napped while waiting. We had dinner at Red Robin with some local friends and then called it a night.

I took this photo of a feather in the living quarters that was silhouetted against a blue night light. Thus, a bit of abstract to throw into the Renaissance Faire/Irish Fest trip.
Cheers

~KR (Written on 17 August 2009)

Camera: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
Exposure: 0.4
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 5.8 mm
ISO Speed: 800
Exposure Bias: +4/3 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

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12 August 2009
I’m quite a few days behind now, but will endeavour to catch up quickly.
On this day, I began my much-anticipated and long-awaited journey North to Wisconsin to be with my bride. I arranged a nearly week-long vacation this year with a tiny bit of work thrown in toward the end. I arrived in ORD early afternoon and landed in the safe arms of my wife who whisked me further North to Kenosha and the Bristol Renaissance Faire. We arrived just in time for the Funky Formal, a yearly event put on by incredibly talented people. This year’s theme was Mystery.

Cheers.

~KR (Written on 17 August 2009)

Camera: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
Exposure: 1
Aperture: f/3.2
Focal Length: 8.6 mm
ISO Speed: 1600
Exposure Bias: +4/3 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

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14 August 2009

Today was a day we look forward to all year—our day at the Milwaukee Irish Fest. And, we had a giant pile of some of our dearest friends there with us, this year. As my photo shows, even Terrill, in from Texas, was there to experience the largest Irish Festival in the USA.

We got a later start to our Milwaukee trip, due to cancelled lunch plans and a little bit of miscommunication. Terrill ended up getting himself to downtown Milwaukee, so we simply met him at the pub in which he had made himself at home. Shannon outdid herself with the tailgate party this year, and most of us had consumed aplenty and made multiple trips to the porta-privies before we even entered the festival gates.

The musical offerings this year were more to my liking than they have been some years—Screaming Orphans; I thoroughly enjoyed a Nova Scotian presentation called “DRUM!;” and then we were all impressed by The Red Hot Chili Pipers! I did a tiny bit of shopping, but not much—too tempting, I guess. Mostly, this year, it was about hanging out with fabulous friends.

We got home around midnight, and didn’t waste too much time crashing in preparation for the weekend ahead.

~MB

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13 August 2009

Kyle got to have a very relaxing vacation day, today. Moreso than I’d intended.

I hate having to work while he’s in town, and I had pretty much planned my sewing around his visit. But, after an enjoyable breakfast in the MBistro, Kelly and I went upstairs into the room where dinner was to be served Saturday night and discovered the need for much additional cleaning to what had already been done. I set to work on it, and nearly six hours later, finally went to take a shower and get ready for dinner. Kelly and John went to town to do some shopping related to getting ready for the same dinner party, and helped with the final cleaning tasks. My real task was supposed to have been decorating the room, and since I love doing that, the cleaning wasn’t such a big deal. I’m even reupholstering three of the dining chairs!When all was said and done, I felt very good about my work, and am confident that the room will be the perfect setting for a fabulous dinner.

Even though I ended up working during the day, it is wonderful to have Kyle here with me.

This beautiful, if not intimidating nest is hanging from the eave of the Excalibur Leather shoppe. I believe it to be the work of bald-faced hornets, which, upon doing some research, I have learned actually eat other bugs, and don’t really have any interest in attacking humans who leave them alone!

~MB

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12 August 2009

Kyle is here! Woo hoo!

I picked up Kyle at the airport at about 1 p.m.! We are pretty sure this is the earliest he’s ever been able to arrive for his visit here. We had lunch at El Sarape, picked up the laundry and had a delightfully relaxed afternoon at the faire site until it was time to gather with friends for dinner.   We actually ended up having Mexican food again!  This time at Las Cazuelas in downton Kenosha.  Tasty meal, and fun times.

I could sure get used to having my husband here with me . . .

I snapped this photo of Frank walking his elephants back home for feeding time, as we were driving away from the site for dinner. It struck me as a somewhat unusual sight—at least for those who don’t live at a renfaire!

~MB

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11 August 2009
A few posts back, I alluded to a new side project in which I was fully embroiled. That project, The PubGuys has taken over a bit of my life I didn’t know I had to give – yet give freely. It’s quite fun, and thus far, very rewarding. All reviews have been positive and I am having an excellent time with it.
So far, The PubGuys have recorded two shows and released one; the second is in editing as I write this. This photo is during the recording of our second show and shows Terrill listening intently to a Bryan point. No doubt he will rebut shortly.

Cheers.

~KR (Written on 13 August 2009)

Listening to:
God Shuffled His Feet by Crash Test Dummies
from God Shuffled His Feet

Camera: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
Exposure: 0.2 sec (1/5)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 5.8 mm
ISO Speed: 1600
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off

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11 August 2009

The glass studio at Bristol is a busy place by day. And, much to our surprise and delight, it was still a busy place this evening when we got back to the site at after 11 o’clock. Shannon and Kyrana were still hard at work, making the 17th of what was soon to be 18 small vases in one day! That’s a long work day, folks! After a brief, but wonderful visit with them, Kelly headed to bed around midnight, and it was nearly 1 a.m. before my yawns gave me away and I said my goodnights as well. But, upon arriving home, and making my bed (I stripped the sheets today and bought myself a memory foam topper for my futon!) I realized I hadn’t used my camera all day. So, knowing that Shannon was charging the furnace (adding fresh glass batch to the crucible and turning the heat up high) I grabbed my camera and headed back over there. She was done and gone when I got there, though, so the photo I ended up with is static and calm, rather than fiery and busy.

Kelly and I would have been at the glass studio sooner, but we were shopping! In fact, we spent almost all day shopping. We had important errands to run early in the day . . . banking, post officing, dropping off laundry, picking up crucial items from the health and beauty aids department of the local Target . . . but, Kelly also needed to buy some clothes. She was feeling a lack of classy pants and shirts in her wardrobe, and most importantly, she desperately needed a new dress for a very important date next week, and I was determined to help! So, six stores and a number of hours later, she has a perfectly gorgeous little black cocktail dress with an asymmetrical hem and a floaty, chiffon drape in the back that makes her look like the goddess she is!

We even involved Stephen in the last phase of the dress shopping. He is a veteran at such things, and was a big help to her. And, then of course, there was food. We picked Appleby’s due to their “midnight or later” closing time. It was a full and wonderful day—much was accomplished and we girls got to spend quality time together. It’s going to be a busy week from here on out, so today was a great battery-charging sort of day!

Kyle arrives tomorrow . . . yay!

~MB

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10 August 2009
On the occasion of our wedding, we were gifted with matching rings from a good friend of ours in California. Like my wedding ring, this ring has never left my finger – and now, (for now) many years and many pounds later, it can’t leave my finger.

Cheers.

~KR (Written on 11 August 2009)

Listening to:
Rhythm is a Dancer by Snap
from Dance X-Tasy

Camera: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 5.8 mm
ISO Speed: 1600
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off

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9 August 2009
After the late-night social events of yesterday, I retreated deep into my man cave today and ne’er once saw the light of day. I was devoid of human company and outside stimuli save the telly for the duration of the day – and it was marvelous.
Toward bedtime, my wife called jarring me from my solitude with a welcome voice and reminding me that a photo had still to be taken and things still wanted for the doing. I wandered about the house stupor-like in vain search for a worth subject. Finding none, I stared listless at my hands. I should have done this on Wednesday – my anniversary.

I pulled the ring from my hand, turned on the lights and took photos of my wedding band. This is an 8-strand, 4-colour, gold puzzle ring that serves as a daily reminder that my best friend is 844 miles away from me right now. It comforts me.

and yes, I do know how to put it together.

Cheers.

~KR (Written on 10 August 2009)

Listening to:
If You Don’t Know Me By Now by Simply Red
from Love in the 80s

Camera: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
Exposure: 0.006 sec (1/160)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 5.8 mm
ISO Speed: 1600
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

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8 August 2009
A Saturday. During the summer, I tend to somewhat hermit myself and venture but as far as the nearest bar. I did this, however, I also timed my day in such a way that come 20:00, I left my house and travelled further afield. My destination tonight was the Plaza Pub in far East Arlington. My reason for going was the Trinity River Whalers.

I am old friends with 2 of the 4, and am becoming friends with the other two. They produce a fascinating sound that is a masterful blend of Celtic, Bluegrass, Rock & Americana. In the words of Marj, they "Whalerize every song they can." Although I couldn’t stay as late as I wished, I had an excellent time and hope to see them again in the very near future.
Cheers.

~KR (Written on 10 August 2009)

Listening to:
All Night Thing by Temple of the Dog
from Temple of the Dog

Camera: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
Exposure: 0.1 sec (1/10)
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 11.8 mm
ISO Speed: 1600
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire

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