tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-204096032024-03-05T19:49:05.100-08:00Fox Tails and Phoenix DownThe subject matter of this blog has changed a few times over the years, currently it is just snipets of my life. Maybe some RPG stuff or a short story thrown in once in a while, whatever my life decides to bring to the bubbling surface at any given point in the scroll of time.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177610817223596658noreply@blogger.comBlogger110125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-40894854534152355222013-04-27T21:15:00.000-07:002013-04-27T21:15:19.400-07:00Root Beer Review #1: Sprecher I've long wanted to do root beer reviews here on my blog; it is something I am fairly passionate about after all. Jacelyn would call me a root beer snob. It is true, I'm a particular drinker, and I don't like beer in general, so I've developed what I would consider a discerning taste for root beer. And it has been a rewarding pursuit, there are a surprising number of offerings other than the mainstream trio.<br />
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For a little history I would have to say that I began my exploration into the world of non-caffeinated dark sodas during my first road trip to visit my sister and her family in California. I collected as many different and unique root beer and sarsaparilla bottles as I could find. In doing so I tasted them too, and so my snobbery developed.<br />
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Today I will be reviewing a root beer that is new to me: Sprecher Fire-Brewed Root Beer. I picked it up at Sticky's Candy shop in Chilliwack, along with two others I have yet to taste. I was there for this purpose as well as to visit king Gord at the slot car track in the back, he's a LUG member and I was looking for part <a href="http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?P=30274" target="_blank">30274</a>. He had none, but I came away with three new brews.<br />
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Now to start, the first thing that I really liked about this one was the bottle. Standard twist cap, and a nice enough label, and the bottle is brand specific with the name in raised glass below the neck. But the best part is that it's a BIG bottle, 473ml (16oz.) I like that, and for this brew I think it's a good size. The logo is a little strange, a cartoony crow/lion thing popping out of a shield crest, and the name is in a definite Bavarian font despite the fact that it comes from Wisconsin.<br />
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Of course they boast the natural ingredients: "pure Wisconsin honey direct from the comb." and vanilla, and of course the new-to-me pride in being made in a gas-fired brew kettle. The label also declares that it is rated #1 by the New York Times. In what category we can only guess. But does it merit that sort of distinction?<br />
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The aroma is fairly typical of hand-made root beer, though you can smell hints of the honey they use. The head is medium as well, and dissolves quickly into mere suds. A cold mug would do better to get a taste of it, as in some root beers it is better than the drink itself. The flavour is very smooth with the perfect amount of carbonation, but compared to some other root beers it lacks the full body or deep flavour that is a sign of a true gourmet soda. There is again a hint of honey in the aftertaste(more noticeable when drinking straight from the bottle), but you would miss it if you were drinking it with a meal. It doesn't taste overly sweet either, but that is a very good thing, no caramel flavour added!<br />
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Overall I wouldn't put it in my top three, but close. Due to its smooth and light taste I would choose this root beer on a hot day when I wanted a refreshing draught, plus it's big enough to share.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177610817223596658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-9124140161604971652013-04-09T23:57:00.002-07:002013-04-09T23:57:35.339-07:00Super Lego Post for Tristan!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For Tristan. I hope that you like looking at some of the Lego that I have built, and I hope that it will inspire you to keep building and to use your imagination.<br />
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I starting playing with Lego again almost two years ago. I loved to play with it as a kid, much more than my brother did I think. And I've always thought it one of the best toys for learning and creative play. Having a few nephews, and a niece who like to play with it too is really fun.<br />
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This is the first part of the gatehouse that I am working on for my castle. You can see the black portcullis on the right. There will be another tower on the other side of it and a connecting arch above it. I plan to have working chains and pulleys so that the portcullis can go up and down.<br />
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Here you can see how the tower section will fit like a zipper with the wall section I have already built. I began to run out of grey pieces near the top of the tower so I used red, yellow, black, and white. I will get more pieces and finish it off soon.<br />
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Here are some of my Crusader soldiers manning the wall. They have to stand on a wooden platform to look over the crenelations. They can throw spears and shoot arrows at anything attacking the wall.<br />
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Look at how tall the tower is compared to the wall! Behind the soldier on the top of the tower will be an even taller tower. Can you see all the arrow slits in the walls? They are like windows that you shoot arrows out of, but that are hard to shoot arrows into.<br />
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Here are a group of Uruk-hai and orcs with a cyclops that are trying to attack the wall. I don't think they'll win.<br />
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The wall is a little too big for them, and they didn't bring any ladders. Do you see how the cyclops is looking suspiciously over at the orc with Cleopatra's haircut?<br />
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These Uruk-hai serve under the white hand of Saruman. Jacelyn gave me a Lord of the Rings Lego set for Christmas, and one for my birthday, I have a lot of orcs and uruks now.<br />
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I also have some super heroes (and villains) (and anti-heroes). I bought this set at the Lego Store when we went there for the LUG sale. I also got a pick-a-brick cup.<br />
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Wolverine is my favorite hero, I love how they captured his hairstyle in plastic.<br />
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The set comes with an attack chopper, Magneto, and Deadpool as well. Deadpool is my favorite non-hero so this one was a must have for me.<br />
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I found this star wars V-Wing fighter at Superstore for a really good price, so I had to get it.<br />
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It's really sleek, and it comes with a pearl silver astromech droid. I took the pilot out to fly one of my GARCs.<br />
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Jacelyn also gave me the King's Carriage for my birthday. It has some bad guys who try to ambush the king in the forest.<br />
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And yes, it has a king too!<br />
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For one of our AbbyLUG (Abbotsford Lego User Group) meetings we were supposed to come up with a little vignette that would fit on an 8x8 plate. I did one of a pirate chained to a cannon sinking to the bottom of the sea, but I took it apart before I thought to take a picture. This one is the one my friend Jeremy did. This guy is either going to get really sick, or become a super-hero.<br />
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I occasionally splurge on the little bagged sets called, very appropriately, impulse sets. Some cools stuff though, the rescue chopper, the ghost and clock, a microscale Mandalorian fighter, and Gandalf with a map, a rock, a spider, and a skull.<br />
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A while back we had the family over for Sunday lunch. While the grown-ups talked I played Lego with Sarah and Jacob. Jacob mostly wanted to see if random assortments of bricks floated in the bathtub, but Sarah and I built this robot together.<br />
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She said it looks a little like a bird, but that's just its mouth. It stands on its own ok and it can move its arms, fingers, legs, feet, and head all over the place.<br />
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This is another set that is super pose-able. I got this one for Christmas from Jordan and Katy, my brother and sister-in-law. It's Shelob from LotR, and there's Sam with the Phial of Galadriel, and Frodo with the One Ring. <br />
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I've also been collecting some of the minifigures over the last couple
of years. From left to right, starting in the front we have: William
Wallace, Dark Dwarf, French Painter, Sherlock Holmes. Middle: Neptune,
Bagpipe Guy, Statue of Liberty, William Shakespeare, Buckingham Palace
Guard, Dark Knight, Cavegirl, Musketeer, Geisha, Thracian Gladiator.
Back: A group of Heroic Knights, Disco Guy, Aztec Eagle Warrior,
Cyclops, Genie, Maid Marion, Roman Centurion, Conquistador, and Gollum
hiding in the back.</div>
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I also build for contests and groups online sometimes. This is for the GARC group on flicker. GARC stands for Galactic Asteroid Racing Curcuit. Kind of like space rally racing. This is my Blue Sun racer.</div>
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This is the Marauder. Each racer must hold a pilot and a navigator and have no weapons. It is dangerous enough racing around and asteroid field without weapons involved.</div>
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This is the first MOC (my own creation) I posted online after I started to build again. It was for a contest to build a realistic starfighter. I chose to go with a reasonably realistic UOV (unmanned orbital vehicle). The size of a satellite or probe the Wraith opens its two wings when its target is in range and lets loose with hull-tearing grapeshot, overwhelming current point-defense systems and inflicting critical damage to small targets.<br />
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I didn't win or even get an honourable mention, but it was fun nonetheless. And that is what Lego should be about, people having fun building and sharing that experience with each other.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177610817223596658noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-51401388865177900792013-03-02T20:02:00.000-08:002013-03-02T20:02:47.787-08:00Booklist 2012 part 2Jacelyn returns!<br />
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James posted about his reads of 2012 and I thought it might be nice to lend my voice too. I had never kept a list of everything I read in a year and it was nice to go back and recall all the books I picked up. Some were 'throw away books', books that I read and promptly dismissed because they weren't terribly memorable, but others have stayed with me and left an impression, some pleasant, some uncomfortable.<br />
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Now, it's true, this was not a competition, but for the record, I read waaaaaay faster than James :)<br />
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Some of the books I read this year were re-reads. I love reading favourites over and over, it's like catching up with an old friend. These included The Hunger Games Trilogy, the Hobbit, Persuasion, Danny: Champion of the World, The Time Traveler's Wife, The Westing Game, The Giver (so amazing!) and A Walk with Jane Austen. <br />
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The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo - I had heard so much about this book and the others in the series, I had to give it a try. I was really happy with the level of detail and the various plot lines that all converged, but the big villain reveal left me with a bad taste in my mouth. There are some very graphic descriptions of rape and torture and murder and I couldn't bring myself to read the the other two books in the series, much less watch the movie. I'm not usually a prude when it comes to books, but this one was a bit much for me.<br />
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The Thief - My new favourite author!!! Megan Whalen Turner is the absolute best and this series is so well crafted it blew my mind. The world and its occupants are reminiscent of ancient Greece and with a particularly satisfying plot twist, this is the one book that I read twice this year. The others in the series are The Queen of Atolia, The King of Atolia, and A Conspiracy of Kings. Each one gets better than the one that came before it! <br />
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The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I heard this was being made into a movie, and was a little disappointed. It was kind of blah, but I suppose that might have been part of the point. Not great enough for a second reading.<br />
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The Lovely Bones - Fascinating story of a girl who is murdered and is able to exist as a spirit to watch her family as they try to solve the murder and find her body. I didn't love all the elements, the idea of heaven being something you can create and spirits able to inhabit the bodies of the living is definitely on the weird side, but the heart of the story is about loss and despair and the reality of missing children.<br />
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A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court - A hilarious Mark Twain. It's a huge book but really enjoyable. I expected a typical time travel, where the hero experiences a new culture and promptly returns home. Hank, however, lives in medieval England for several decades, having convinced the locals that he is a magician. At the height of his glory he has established newspapers, factories, and a network of power lines and telephones.<br />
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The Invention of Hugo Cabret - We saw the movie Hugo last year without knowing it was a children's book and after reading it, I promptly put it on my 'To Buy' list. It's gorgeous, a blend between a novel and a picture book, where stunning black and white sketches tell parts of the story. Lots of information about the father of the 'moving picture', Georges Melies.<br />
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Slaughterhouse-Five - So weird. SO Weird. It's hailed as the greatest anti-war novel of our time, and I found it to be an exploration of post-traumatic stress disorder so I suppose that could be considered anti-war. Billy Pilgrim loses his grip on reality and 'time travels' with an alien race. Some description of the brutalities of war.<br />
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The Great Gatsby - I came to this book with such high expectations. I was under the impression that it was a luscious portrait of the roaring 20's, lavish parties, copious amounts of alcohol, schmoozing with the rich and famous. It was, but only for a few scenes. The rest was symbolic descriptions that I didn't understand (in part because I don't know as much about the 20's as I thought) and a few destructive relationships. Also, a morality tale about climbing the social ladder instead of staying where you belong. Perhaps the movie will be better?<br />
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The Casual Vacancy - JK Rowling astounded me with the Harry Potter series, and I was intrigued when I heard she was writing something completely different. *sigh* Biggest disappointment of the year. A huge novel set in a small English village, there was almost nothing terribly exciting or worthwhile in this book. I only had it on loan from the library for two weeks and I forced myself to finish it because I knew I wouldn't bother to request it again. That being said, Rowling does a good job of weaving a ton of characters together, the climax at the end showcases how entangled all these lives are, it just has none of the thrill and excitement of Harry Potter.<br />
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Life of Pi - If you haven't read this yet, put it on your list! So incredible. Yann Martel has created a masterpiece that makes you think and examine your acceptance of fantastic/unbelievable experiences. Pi, a young man, is adrift at sea in a life boat with a Bengal Tiger named Richard Parker. At the end of the novel, when we are presented with two possible explanations, I had a hard time deciding which one I would choose to believe in. Am I a purely logical being, dismissing anything that does not sound probable, or am a person who embraces the supernatural, no matter how astonishing?<br />
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The Fault in our Stars - The last book of the year certainly left me with the strongest reaction. Never ever have I read a book that elicited such an emotional response. Two teenagers with terminal cancer fall in love and I cried harder than I have in a long time. Interesting that the author, John Green, is the same man who brought us the hit YouTube channel Crash Course World History. (It's taught me so much!)<br />
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And there are my highlights of 2012! 2013 is already off to a great start with Game of Thrones and Wuthering Heights!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177610817223596658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-82942651455358462402013-01-25T16:27:00.000-08:002013-01-25T16:27:34.459-08:00Booklist 2012It's not a competition.<br />
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James: 34 Jacelyn: 52<br />
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She won. Of course I work 3.5 more hours per day than she does... and I fill my schedule with too many hobbies to shake a stick at. I digress.<br />
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For those who were able to be at our wedding this comes as no surprise, we both like to read. I think I was the one who suggested the list. It was a lot of fun.<br />
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We read some of the same books this year, one after the other, <i>The Hunger Game</i>s trilogy which I bought for her in hardback last Christmas, <i>The Maze Runner</i> which I hope doesn't become really lame in the sequel, <i>The Hobbit</i> in preparation for the movie that came out this past December, and <i>The Westing Game</i> which I was really quite surprised at.<br />
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I also took a swing at the Vancouver Sun Children's Classics Collection. 32 books, and I have no clue who decided that they were children's classics! It starts with <i>The Jungle Book</i> by Rudyard Kipling. I've read Kipling a bit before and I have to admit he never pulled me in with his court intrigue a' la Colonial India. <i>The Jungle Book</i> didn't really do it for me either, though I can understand the draw for kids, I loved animal stories as a kid.<br />
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Next is <i>The Secret Garden</i>, I almost called it quits there, but Jacelyn pushed me and once I actually opened the book I found that it was really well written, and thankfully only the opening chapter takes place in my favorite locale: Colonial India.<br />
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#3 is <i>Frankenstein</i>. Seriously? I can understand now how it became a classic, but half of Shakespeare's stuff is more kid friendly than this.<br />
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The fourth is Anne of Green Gables, and here I balked again. Armed with good memories of <i>The Secret Garden</i> I plowed on. It wasn't bad. Anne is terribly annoying at first, and I wished it would turn into one of those mock ups, like <i>Anne of Green Gables and Self-Replicating Killer Nano-bots.</i> It got better as Anne grew up though, and I am glad I powered through.<br />
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#5 is <i>Gulliver's Travels</i> and just like <i>Frankenstein</i> I wondered how it ever came to be classed as children's literature. It is full of era-specific social and politcal introspection, and completely lacking in all aspects that would make it a wonderful children's adventure story. It might not have been Jack Black's fault that the movie was terrible (I haven't seen the movie, and it probably still was his fault).<br />
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#6 is <i>Swiss Family Robinson</i>. Disney did a great job. If there was ever a book made to be made into a movie it is this one. Not because it's that cinematically awesome, but because it's about 40% too long. So the screen writers chop a bunch out and the plot moves like it should. Oh, and I am still convinced that it is an allegory about purgatory.<br />
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#7 is <i>Alice In Wonderland</i>. Classic, childish, and fun to read.<br />
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#8 is <i>Peter Pan</i>, and it was as enjoyable this time around as it was the last time.<br />
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#9 is <i>A Christmas Carol</i>. It is thin, and I hoped to be done it quick. Let's say I don't have terribly fond memories of the black and white classic movie that my Dad made us watch at Christmas. The book, however tainted by childhood nightmares, is actually very compelling. I think it applies as much today as it did however many hundreds of years ago when it was written. A veritable classic.<br />
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#10 is <i>Grimm's Fairy Tales</i>, no greater staple of my childhood wrapped in two covers and a binding can be found. There were duplicate tales (<i>Ashputtel </i>and<i> Cinderella</i>), and tales I'd never read before (<i>The Mouse, The Bird, and The Sausage</i>), all with valuable, albeit nonsensical, life lessons.<br />
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I hope to finish off another 11 this year, but the last batch has some doozies in it for sure, we're talking <i>Moby Dick</i>, <i>Ivanhoe</i>, and <i>The Scarlett Pimpernel</i>. Yikes. <br />
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Among the other 24 books last year I also read most of <i>The Dark Is Rising</i> series, a good portion of the <i>Game of Thrones</i> series, a pair of <i>Little House</i> books (<i>Big Woods</i> and <i>Prairie</i>), a pair of Neil Gaiman books (<i>Good Omens</i> and <i>Fragile Things</i>), some thrift store purchases (<i>A wizard of Earthsea</i> and <i>Caravan to Xanadu</i>), I even read a non fiction book, yup. It was called <i>Infamous Aircraft</i>. I got it from the Library! Yup, I got a Library Card!<br />
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There are still a whole lot of books on our shelves, and the floor, that I haven't read yet but I have time. I will get to them all eventually. This years list already has three books on it, next is <i>Little Women</i>, *sigh*<br />
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My how the time flies. So much has happened over the last while, and now with Christmas fully upon us this might be my last chance to post before the new year. And you can't post about last year, that's just not cool.<br />
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So here we go...<br />
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Jacelyn and I moved! We had had it with the last place, a laundry list of unmentionables creating too much stress and negativity. We found an amazing suite in a brand new house for a better deal. The house isn't even sold yet so no noises from upstairs to damage our calm. We even get use of the garage.<br />
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I joined the AbbyLUG (Lego User Group)! A strange coincidence led me there, and it was great. I had placed a Bricklink order back in October and Jac and I walked over the border to Package Express to pick it up, on our way back as we crossed over we happened to get the one (out of five) border guard who seemed overly curious about what was in my package. I handed him the invoice and he started looking over the piece selection, then he asked me what I was building, then he asked if I was part of a LUG. Then he got my email and I joined the LUG! I've been to one meeting and it was super fun!<br />
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Jacelyn had a birthday! She is now 25, so old. I got her tickets to see the Royal Winnipeg Ballet perform Nutcracker in Vancouver. She liked it, I liked it, we had really good seats. It was a lot of fun.<br />
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Now it is Christmas and our tree as been up for a while, the decorations and lights are strung, chocolate is flowing in rivers from adoring kindergarten children, we've been hosting parties, and we even stocked eggnog. Tomorrow is the Christmas Eve candlelight service, and then a flurry of meals and gifts for Christmas day are expected. It has even snowed, and by the looks of it, since we are past the top of the hill, it'll stick around for Christmas. I only have five days off, but they are already starting to be good ones!<br />
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And... the obligatory "cute baby" picture.<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177610817223596658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-39667675033571617612012-09-24T00:00:00.001-07:002012-09-24T00:00:33.811-07:00The Excitement of Travel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So in addition to going on all sorts of hikes, gnome-led and not, Jacelyn and I have been rather busy this past summer. It is too bad it is past, because I would have very much liked to have crammed more into it. We got a late start after all, in not really knowing that summer was here, what with all the rain and cold, but when it came we used it passably well. Next year will be better!<br />
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One of the ways we used summer exceedingly well was in our travels. Most notably our quick trip down to visit my sister, brother-in-law, niece, and nephews in very southern California. Two days drive down and we arrived, sans air-conditioning, in a nice inland-of-San-Diego heat wave. We rejoiced at the milder temperatures indoors, and settled in to play in the kiddie pool and relax inside. Needless to say the boys kept us quite busy through the days and so our relaxation was relegated to the evenings.<br />
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We enjoyed ourselves immensely throughout our stay, but for me one of the highlights was our trip to Legoland with Tristan. At 5 years old he was just big enough to handle most all of the rides, and was generally in awe of everything he saw. I'm sure his favorite things about the park changed at least half a dozen times (as many times as we asked him) that day, and probably as many times in the days following.<br />
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I also enjoyed everything I saw, from the massive displays of cityscapes and landmarks, to life-sized characters from Star Wars, giant dragons, and every bit of detail within the rides themselves. Of course this is all only possible with a full crew of master builders on site for big projects, which turn out to be half art, half science, but completely impressive. It was a very worthwhile endeavour.<br />
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Another of the highlights for me was trying out fish tacos for the first time. I admit, it doesn't sound too tasty from the start, but when everyone kept describing it to me my mouth started to water and nothing would stop my foodie curiosity. They are fantastic! I am sure though that you can only get really good ones that close to the Baja Peninsula, and I am afraid to try them anywhere here. I think we will attempt to make them ourselves, with the consolation if they turn out poorly that we didn't pay too much for them. We have found a particular brand of tempura mix that cooks up perfectly crisp and light, and we had a very enjoyable meal of fried red snapper and chips the other day, which I think might translate into a nice start towards a good fish taco. <br />
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Fun while it lasted, but we are glad to be home.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177610817223596658noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-27802624825526988332012-06-30T20:27:00.000-07:002012-07-04T08:41:48.175-07:00A leisurely stroll down a wooded path<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTcFSLG-EeW8U26FpNzk4oR3U8Nm8hFcTcfotOEzAhvHBD2JeN85SHCUqakcVwIYQd4dBDQtt7dbU3hAt3a28vISeOMkEhew3oCP04Au3xoOjVYJxe64_VcTs5Fz2v_O6dvvxEA/s1600/P1000532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwTcFSLG-EeW8U26FpNzk4oR3U8Nm8hFcTcfotOEzAhvHBD2JeN85SHCUqakcVwIYQd4dBDQtt7dbU3hAt3a28vISeOMkEhew3oCP04Au3xoOjVYJxe64_VcTs5Fz2v_O6dvvxEA/s320/P1000532.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Since the weather this weekend has so far been atrocious, I will transport you my faithful reader to a happier, sunnier time. A time when the three of us intrepid companions journeyed together to a mystical place.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqe0OVgyc5EkhUpodqrEiHqDRP9FJ1C7DYhwn8Sm9lsGs8bKBwyt5AbEm8IcJK8zXbYkXH-EUy_-UHLuHzYXG6dcbw_VYOBOBzqKAF1QvDMGa7OAZ8zhcmCbyROG0B9iQXEFq1w/s1600/P1000534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqe0OVgyc5EkhUpodqrEiHqDRP9FJ1C7DYhwn8Sm9lsGs8bKBwyt5AbEm8IcJK8zXbYkXH-EUy_-UHLuHzYXG6dcbw_VYOBOBzqKAF1QvDMGa7OAZ8zhcmCbyROG0B9iQXEFq1w/s320/P1000534.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Led by our fearless leader we wandered sun dappled paths...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwjHdXUVGmAaKEkunnN4iCEVe_6g5lsLokm1uQ4mCfc7rU_fiC_Qqu0PNxEQyMIQt2zcb0QfWiDaHRBAtELG7p3K-vAEC5nzDnyvXX93LbrXPaRH4vw7u_lgymQZMJDo95LxiXQ/s1600/P1000540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwjHdXUVGmAaKEkunnN4iCEVe_6g5lsLokm1uQ4mCfc7rU_fiC_Qqu0PNxEQyMIQt2zcb0QfWiDaHRBAtELG7p3K-vAEC5nzDnyvXX93LbrXPaRH4vw7u_lgymQZMJDo95LxiXQ/s320/P1000540.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Explored deep woods...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNB9ewVci1rzRXypMBQG4R3IffEm8tGJdv0d_0La3Wkk6hwTl60zqSOvrwy6yGsEdT2GEaGswaNpvbcOFmgw3H0un7wuYqOwd06pQ4Jx_d5XkaCkIs00TZkdW35yonY4xE3dvTA/s1600/P1000550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNB9ewVci1rzRXypMBQG4R3IffEm8tGJdv0d_0La3Wkk6hwTl60zqSOvrwy6yGsEdT2GEaGswaNpvbcOFmgw3H0un7wuYqOwd06pQ4Jx_d5XkaCkIs00TZkdW35yonY4xE3dvTA/s320/P1000550.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And viewed breathtaking vistas.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjCXMx50_jzeCxakuzhp8JHs_mfo-JOAsk_cKQyFXKOnp0x4HiurLXAtdMBoDARb4aQ2vmhWQYNDBi8G-T4Y8od7ksIuHKBhTY_8vB4TP7wUn0z0lJAFkPzP444LIFwzcTsVwvQ/s1600/P1000562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjCXMx50_jzeCxakuzhp8JHs_mfo-JOAsk_cKQyFXKOnp0x4HiurLXAtdMBoDARb4aQ2vmhWQYNDBi8G-T4Y8od7ksIuHKBhTY_8vB4TP7wUn0z0lJAFkPzP444LIFwzcTsVwvQ/s320/P1000562.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our leader is very wise and sagely. He discoursed at great length on matters geological...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MSoQBt92wQyCINRWDhN9hpGxYSX1kpOqwY-_IZY8Xp0ldHQmXJIuT_xsZtMjiCnoQhWrVLSs35ldJ9japzPImvFMgZqLIiBRFI8wFDMoZl3SbKoy-F36UjsNgjZU7gfgOAJlEg/s1600/P1000580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MSoQBt92wQyCINRWDhN9hpGxYSX1kpOqwY-_IZY8Xp0ldHQmXJIuT_xsZtMjiCnoQhWrVLSs35ldJ9japzPImvFMgZqLIiBRFI8wFDMoZl3SbKoy-F36UjsNgjZU7gfgOAJlEg/s320/P1000580.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And on matters biological he is second to none.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_TY3aNMc13Sucf49KrtV7dtmU6aWo7xdEEezdxN4fGhtRF6jr-MZxwmqBYUdElNpuheAu3mHw7wgz5VT2P8swU6uawP0cxs6zOARBMuLUPQ3d3-sBThXPePDtGqNod31G8UUww/s1600/P1000567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_TY3aNMc13Sucf49KrtV7dtmU6aWo7xdEEezdxN4fGhtRF6jr-MZxwmqBYUdElNpuheAu3mHw7wgz5VT2P8swU6uawP0cxs6zOARBMuLUPQ3d3-sBThXPePDtGqNod31G8UUww/s320/P1000567.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The majesty of nature is just as he expected, it could not be any less.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-FiYH5h4r3MtyYmXghT0vN0VDwwUXZu-rX0edLJOlgkFx8eQz5UMT76rMU6McKE-aShkBnFmmnXqnj9qmpcm_z9uMbOnY6Q_L_JqLb6LP9dQ9R0OkI3dLX-7VEJPq0U7j5EuBw/s1600/P1000583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-FiYH5h4r3MtyYmXghT0vN0VDwwUXZu-rX0edLJOlgkFx8eQz5UMT76rMU6McKE-aShkBnFmmnXqnj9qmpcm_z9uMbOnY6Q_L_JqLb6LP9dQ9R0OkI3dLX-7VEJPq0U7j5EuBw/s320/P1000583.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But even so serious and reverent a personage can take some time out for a pleasant walk to the lake. When the weather allows it, for it is good for ones constitution.</td></tr>
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Good times up at Lost Lake with our gnome without a name. I will take suggestions if anyone wishes to have the honour of naming him.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177610817223596658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-16025044353256808862012-05-22T23:52:00.002-07:002012-05-24T00:33:13.413-07:00King Louis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, as a wedding present I got Jacelyn a baby turtle. Well, actually I got her a tank with a heater and a filter and some turtle food with the promise of a baby turtle. Then we went on our honeymoon and so it was good that we didn't have to abandon a baby turtle.<br />
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It took us a while to find one once we returned home. Not many pet stores carry them anymore. There was a craze in the 80's (corresponding to a certain animated television program where turtles featured prominently) and a bunch of people got them, and the let them loose when they got too big, or got salmonella from not washing their hands after playing with them. Anyway, we finally found a place that had two, and when we got there our Louis was the last one left.<br />
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He is still pretty small, but is growing slowly. They can live up to 50 years, and grow up to 13 inches long, so we don't feed him too often. They can survive up to 30 days without food, so the compromise of every three days or so seems to work. At first King Louis wouldn't eat his pellets. Then we discovered his love of the hunt, and feasting on living things. So in the fall and into the dead of winter I was forced to go outside and scrounge up a couple grubblies every few days. Now he eats his pellets, but it is still fun to watch him 'hunt'. So without further ado here he is in all his predatory glory hunting a snail:<br />
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If that
wasn't excitement enough I have another video of him wrangling with a
far more deadly foe. The dreaded earthworm!!! This is not as gross as it
can get, I have a video of him consuming a worm at least as long as he
is, if not longer. I won't post it. It took him a long time to get it
down, and eventually it stopped trying to escape. The tame version:</div>
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<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177610817223596658noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-83245829849267448532012-05-02T19:55:00.003-07:002012-05-02T19:55:44.887-07:00Back in the swing of thingsYup, for some reason today is the day that I feel it. I feel like my life has reached a pleasant state of balance, one in which even if I do not have time for all my little hobbies, I can be content doing what I chose to do. Right now that is posting on my old blog.<br />
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There has been too much to post since I last was on here. I am married now, happily, enthusiastically, wonderfully married. I am in love more than I have ever been before. We are settled into our place and enjoy one anothers company every day. We had the best honeymoon ever: Twelve days in Paris, where we were upgraded from our hotel room to a top floor apartment right beside the Sacre Coeur. We could see the Eiffel Tower sparkling at night from the comfort of our bed. We ate so much cheese and Nutella, and took many long walks. We saw what we wanted, but never felt rushed, and by the end we felt well and truly married.<br />
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We have a new addition to our small family. My wedding gift to Jacelyn was a baby red-eared slider turtle that she named King Louis the sunning king. Yes, a french history pun. We have a lot of fun with him especially me at feeding time (he doesn't eat turtle food, just wiggly, jiggly, creepy crawlies that I have to catch). He is very playful, especially for a turtle.<br />
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We also have a new niece, little Jonnie Lee Emerson Pankratz, a doll to be sure. I got to hold her at only a couple hours old, she likes me best, just gonna say that right now.<br />
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We are going down to Cali in the summer to visit my sister and her awesome family. Hopefully we will get to hit up six flags on the way down. And Legoland is a certainty, I will have a blast there with Tristan. I'm looking forward to hanging out with Samuel and Ava too, I don't think Sam was too interactive when I was there last. Probably due to the fact that he wasn't yet born.<br />
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I am running another Warhammer campaign, which will probably get a couple dedicated posts in the future. And I got all my groomsmen different boardgames as gifts, and that has totally helped us stay connected a lot more. I love games nights!<br />
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I've also tried my hand (briefly) at some stop motion animation using Lego. I have some plans, but that's all I'll say about it just yet.<br />
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Hey, thanks for reading. I'll add some pictures to make it tolerable.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177610817223596658noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-31063669216124386152011-08-27T21:59:00.000-07:002011-08-27T22:50:09.504-07:00Are We Married Yet?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRALlsaK4bzRMlU4cHnSvwSratVj-5d8tokblCALdyPHVOMFaT6"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 280px;" src="http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRALlsaK4bzRMlU4cHnSvwSratVj-5d8tokblCALdyPHVOMFaT6" alt="" border="0" /></a>
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<br />Jacelyn:
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<br />It occurred to me today that there are only 7 days left until the wedding (duh!) so that means my time on this blog will be drawing to a close. Time for one last update!
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<br />At the moment, I'm feeling quite calm about the impending event but of course that could change within the hour. People have been asking how the stress level is and happily, it's not nearly as high as it was two weeks ago. Two weeks ago I was panicking that there were so many details not yet taken care of and so many things still to arrange, but this week, it seems like almost everything that can be done is done, and now we wait for a few days until we can set it all up.
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<br />Point form seems to work best in a post of this nature:
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<br />-lanterns are finished, covered with hearts cut from book pages and lighted from a battery operated tea light glued inside. (they flicker like real candles! but without the danger of setting the church on fire!)
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<br />-bouquets are finished, *insert sigh of relief here* . Sewing all the flowers out of fabric was the very first wedding project I started and it felt so good to check it off the list.
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<br />-bridesmaid dresses are complete, and each girl also has their shoes and jewellery after an intense day in Metrotown.
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<br />-seating chart has been wrestled into submission, a small miracle in itself.
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<br />-alterations on my dress are done, and the extra lace bits may show up on the veil...
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<br />-veil is done, having been pulled apart and stitched back together again, but I would not let it beat me!
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<br />-flowers have been tended and are showing off beautifully.
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<br />-potatoes have been dug to serve at the reception, they are tasty!
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<br />-photos have been chosen to document our lives from birth to present day (including awkward adolescent phases).
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<br />-reception tables have all been named, place cards have been stamped and appropriate quotes have been printed and organized.
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<br />-marriage licence is bought and paid for! Although we might not have been legally married if I hadn't noticed that the lady helping us had put an "E" at the beginning of my last name.
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<br />And on the "life together" front:
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<br />-James has moved into our new basement suite and helped maintain order during the Great Kitchen Organization.
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<br />-James is in the final stages of making our four-poster bed, the paint is chosen ("Stone Age") and if the calculations are correct, it should just clear the ceiling. :)
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<br />-mattress was delivered today! So we will have something to sleep on, though I'm dying to try that bowling ball and wine glass trick you see on commercials.
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<br />-we've been doing some reading up... ;)
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<br />Whew, no wonder we're ready to just be MARRIED! At times this week, I'll admit that all this detailed planning and creating has seemed a bit superfluous, but it'll be a party to remember!
<br />Jacelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00353013470225440071noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-6927492076822501952011-07-13T22:40:00.000-07:002011-07-13T23:42:47.776-07:00The Fun Never Ends<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1PZ-n-pRxdjpSaFrStAr-fHkRF4rpLpZQzRWCM3igO72Y5fiGG2_4G7GvsvdaCzUwOH-G3XCBYNrKLsJOVne8cO06RF7MJPah8yFgQpFXGRhSgnk_5noTJcLisXoKEfBUJaL/s400/weddingcardwm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 253px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1PZ-n-pRxdjpSaFrStAr-fHkRF4rpLpZQzRWCM3igO72Y5fiGG2_4G7GvsvdaCzUwOH-G3XCBYNrKLsJOVne8cO06RF7MJPah8yFgQpFXGRhSgnk_5noTJcLisXoKEfBUJaL/s400/weddingcardwm.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Greetings and Salutations! It's probably time for another update in the wild world of Wedding Planning. Time creeps ever closer as we are now at 52 days until the wedding! At the 100 day mark, Jacelyn made James a magnetic picture frame with magnetic numbers to change every day and James gave Jacelyn a magnificent bouquet of red roses. There were smiles all around. :)<br /><br />The most significant thing to have happened since the last update is that the invitations finally got finished! At this point, Jacelyn might have a few strong words to share but she's been working on remaining calm and professional. When James and Jacelyn were designing the wedding invite, they thought it would be a lovely idea to have a quote on the front. They both love quotes and use them often. A suitable one was found and in the interest of saving time printing and cutting more little bits of paper, they decided to have the quote turned into a stamp. The seller was contacted online and all systems were go. However, once she had the money, the seller did not respond to any emails, and it was discovered that she had a backlog of orders, yada, yada, yada... by the time it actually shipped, it was stuck in the Canada Post strike. *sigh* There was great rejoicing when it finally arrived and everything looks the way it should.<br /><br />James and Jacelyn have also secured a place to live! It is a bright and sunny basement suite with plenty of room for the six bookshelves and assorted stuff. James moves in on August 1 and Jacelyn will follow after the wedding.<br /><br />Jacelyn (and James) have been showered with gifts! All attendees to the showers have been very generous and the pile of loot stashed in the Abrahams' basement keeps getting bigger!<br /><br />Jacelyn got a phone call that her dress had arrived and she'll be picking it up this weekend (hopefully)!! No luck on finding the perfect shoes just yet.<br /><br />If there are any more exciting updates, they've been forgotten at this late hour... more pre-wedding bliss to come!Jacelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00353013470225440071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-39871951632739294212011-05-19T17:22:00.001-07:002011-05-19T17:58:59.411-07:00It's All in the Details<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyhQ76tXY5USt4pAUdlPCwwE_vBzWLqa-a3iOfpt5n7h_SBuPEyRXscr1FeKsC_sOxQe2y6-v1q0IGBClo92cS2i_rTWsYKDoufF6A2kiju0z5BSvP9PUi1U5ggV9El2G8ZMspw/s1600/the_yard_outdoor_ceremony-tiltshift11.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyhQ76tXY5USt4pAUdlPCwwE_vBzWLqa-a3iOfpt5n7h_SBuPEyRXscr1FeKsC_sOxQe2y6-v1q0IGBClo92cS2i_rTWsYKDoufF6A2kiju0z5BSvP9PUi1U5ggV9El2G8ZMspw/s200/the_yard_outdoor_ceremony-tiltshift11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5608596488945407714" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Jacelyn:<br /><br />It seems we get asked a lot lately how wedding planning is coming, and let me tell you, it hasn't gotten old! While in my mind, our 'to do' list is still miles long, James reminds me often how much we've accomplished and been able to check off that list. Let's go point form, shall we?<br /><br />-buying James' wedding suit - no places in Abbotsford or Mission rent grey suits or tuxes, we went to plan B and bought his suit and will have the groomsmen in suspenders and skinny ties!<br /><br />-buying James' wedding ring - I must have asked him a million times to make sure he really was happy with a plain white gold band, after all the detail he put into mine, I didn't want him to feel neglected... he assured me this was what he had always wanted. The fun part was, when I picked it up after having it sized, I drove to his place and asked him to marry me!<br /><br />-buying a mattress - while this doesn't fit into the 'wedding' category, it was still a necessity. Sleep Country had an amazing sale and will hold it for us until we have a place to move into. One of my cheeky coworkers asked me, "What are you two going to do with a mattress?" I replied, "Oh, we'll have all sorts of fun with it!" and turned around to see an elderly, kerchief-wearing lady behind me. Oops. :)<br /><br />-making flowers - I've been stitching up a storm as all the bouquets and boutonnieres will be made of fabric flowers.<br /><br />-assembling invitations - we've got almost everything we need and we've started stamping the birds and birdcages to go on the front.<br /><br />-finalizing reception location - after much deliberation, we have decided not to have the reception on the yard, but in our church. The rental cost alone for all the tables, dishes, flatware, etc. was almost more than what we had budgeted for food! Much less stress this way too.<br /><br />-securing kitchen committee and food - I hope all those brides who said they were too busy to eat were just being silly. I know I will be famished and I intend to enjoy every part of that meal.<br /><br />-ordering a (massive) roll of paper - for our vintage typewriter guestbook!<br /><br />-buying material for the bridesmaid dresses - patterns and notions too, now the girls just need to get measured.<br /><br />-paying for Paris - the final payment has been made, we even purchased a travel book to help plan our itinerary.<br /><br />-making centerpiece decor - votive holders wrapped in lace and I'm very pleased with how they turned out.<br /><br />-buying lots and lots of books - every few weeks we scour every MCC, Value Village and Salvation Army in the area and our collection is growing.<br /><br />-making time for each other - and sushi!<br /><br />I'm sure there's so much more but this should give you a glimpse into our life at the moment. :) In a flash of frustration one day, I moaned to my mom that it would be sooo much easier to elope. She told me that yes, it would be easier, but this is our one chance to throw the biggest party of our lives for all our friends and family on the day that they will all be celebrating with us. Why not make it the best ever? :)Jacelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00353013470225440071noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-42613185952426678172011-04-20T13:30:00.000-07:002011-04-20T14:33:08.113-07:00One Dress, Two Dress<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNRMO0D0HinTjOjTKvkZWB3nX0AmZpkVD_55NGGoMukLIPj425vpiPz_wpXzsIXEsnzRzJCQTt5oQfTDjmHvcEZ6OMF6NNgXBNcM2yQoRuD3BrHNDpyos5-kBC9VxqJ8A5_ek7Q/s1600/cartoon_multiple.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpNRMO0D0HinTjOjTKvkZWB3nX0AmZpkVD_55NGGoMukLIPj425vpiPz_wpXzsIXEsnzRzJCQTt5oQfTDjmHvcEZ6OMF6NNgXBNcM2yQoRuD3BrHNDpyos5-kBC9VxqJ8A5_ek7Q/s200/cartoon_multiple.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597780382637710578" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Jacelyn:<br /><br />School is done! I handed in all three papers, but I'm pretty sure my brain was floating somewhere above my body so I didn't quite hear the angels singing as I walked out of my last class, but wow, does it ever feel good! I have my last exam in two weeks, and then I will be officially ready to get a job as an EA!<br /><br />Ok... wedding dresses. As of a few weeks ago, I became a two dress bride. I had been unaware that this was an epidemic until a few months ago, but apparently in the wedding world, it's not terribly uncommon. Girls buy a dress, change their minds and go out to buy a new one. Pretty frivolous, I thought. <span style="font-style: italic;">I </span>won't throw my money around like that. Well, let's back up to the summer of '09. James was in Africa. We were falling in love, but not saying anything definite on the subject just yet. I was on holiday with my family in Vernon and in one of the little dress shops downtown, I tried on a pretty wedding dress for a laugh. It was perfect. It looked very much like <a href="http://princesspanda.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/monique-lhuillier-10611-large1.jpg">this</a>. (James, don't follow these links :) I loved the <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgexeBy71rGa0ZgnsmQJ0pOrraDI2UA-VX4Xr4FybTpuqJIpBmhFugnqBMIA4npBFWKp0LTFfjXNEwdAIQs5_8XmNTjGQbSMhaz7ZDaD4wWxj028sW_2w2NcLuA1NnUw05JNdkovg/s1600-h/melissa_sec01-moniquelhuillier.jpg">detail</a> of it and how it was so unique. I ended up going back to Vernon a week later to buy it and I've been picturing myself wearing it ever since.<br /><br />Fast forward to March when I decided to go wedding dress shopping with all my girls. I told them (and myself ) that this was just for fun, one of those quintessential experiences that every bride must have. We all trooped into the salon laughing and chattering, picking up dresses left, rght and center. It felt like I tried on a hundred (included one chosen by my little sister that made me look like a <a href="http://www.alfredangelobridal.ca/Collections/ProductDisplay.aspx?productID=0e8faf24-67d7-4119-bab4-60f4a1472e7d&categoryID=40d4f350-6457-4e6b-8407-39a31d51aa58&pg=1&colorId1=">snowbeast</a>). It was so much fun. Then it happened. The consultant zipped me into one of the last dresses and told me that it was much too old, that it belonged on a 40 year old bride. She put me on the pedestal and tucked in the straps (to make it younger, she said), turning it into a sweetheart neckline and everyone gasped. The consultant proceeded to tie a satin sash around my waist and when I looked at my reflection, I was stunned. I felt like a bride. She wanted me to buy it that day, but I was so confused I just wanted to go home. It took me long time to come to a decision, during which there were a few tears for feeling like I was betraying the other dress, but eventually it came down to how I wanted to look on my wedding day.<br /><br />So there you have it. I ended up finding <a href="http://www.allurebridals.com/index.php?id=3&product_id=663">THE dress</a> (with a much less hideous sash than the one pictured), and I'm happy. I suppose the original dress can go up on craigslist, although a friend suggested doing a Trash the Dress photosession, which would be a blast! Anyway, the planning continues in earnest!Jacelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00353013470225440071noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-8673280083243245602011-04-19T08:53:00.000-07:002011-04-19T09:02:10.636-07:00Eureka! A new? dice system?I think I've got it, by George!<br />Yesterday at work was a stupendously boring day, which I don't mind of course for it gives me much to mull. Let us see if I can recall the thought process that brought this idea about...<br /><br />Jacelyn and I have been buying up old books from thrift stores, as part of our decorating theme for the wedding, and we've come across some real gems. About a week ago I got her a 109 year old copy of <i>The Hound of the Baskervilles</i> (a 1st edition would only be 110 yo), and we've got about 3 copies of <i>Water Babies</i> all deliciously gilded and imprinted, things of that nature. Well, let me try to be more concise. This past weekend we scored about 14 books, 9 or so of which are eligible for our theme, among those 14 were a nice hardback copy of <i>The Wind in the Willows</i> and a full-colour softcover of <i>Stuart Little</i>.<br /><br />In thinking idly how fun it would be to have children so that we could read such awesome books to them, I thought of how similar those character are/would be to characters in the Flora RPG that I've been on-and-off working on (all being anthropomorphised animal characters). Then I thought of how children might view RPGs and how their imaginations might help to create a world truly unexpected. How we might take a family trip to New York to visit Central Park, the setting of it all, and how much fun we would have altogether. But then I thought of the dice system I wished to use, the d100 system just like Warhammer, and how unsuitable it would be to younger players, how basic and non-interactive it would seem to those energetic minds. Then I came up with a new dice system, full of risks and rewards and a undulating dice pool that gives control over odds to the player. I explained it to my roommate last night merely to get it from brain to tongue, and I also wrote it down on paper so I would not forget.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/images/new_dice.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 378px; height: 248px;" src="http://www.shamusyoung.com/twentysidedtale/images/new_dice.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></div>But alas, it seems I have no more time and must, indeed, must quickly become ready for work. I will post again as soon as I am able, divulging some of the secrets and keeping my fingers crossed that it hasn't been done before. Until then, thank you for reading.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177610817223596658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-41213841527226966142011-04-12T18:35:00.000-07:002011-04-13T08:49:40.795-07:00Inspiration Board<span style="text-decoration: underline;"></span>Jacelyn:<br /><br />*sigh* I've been desperately wanting to blog (is this the beginning of the obsession?!) about the lastest wedding developments but I can't in good conscience devote that kind of time until I've finished all three, yes three, papers that are due this week.<br /><br />What I can do however, is post an inspiration board from a wedding blogger who asked for people to submit their colours and ideas. Here's what Ami of <a href="http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/2011/02/01/dusty-rose-gray-ivory-wedding-inspiration-board/#comment-154148">ElizabethAnneDesigns</a> came up with for us! Enjoy!<br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Mauve-Dusty-Rose-and-Gray-Wedding-Inspiration-Board-600x436.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 416px; height: 302px;" src="http://www.elizabethannedesigns.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/Mauve-Dusty-Rose-and-Gray-Wedding-Inspiration-Board-600x436.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >Jacelyn’s wedding this September has a palette of slate gray/blue, dusty plum, dusty rose and ivory. And, since she and her fiance are both book lovers, they are incorporating books into their wedding. Jacelyn, your elegant color palette screams romance to me, so I incorporated lots of ruffles and pleats into your board, as well as lovely letterpressed invitations and patterned china, to bring in the vintage element you wanted in a less trendy way.</span><br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/ACERUS%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png" alt="" />Jacelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00353013470225440071noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-39752770180144905802011-03-09T17:46:00.001-08:002011-03-09T17:50:02.313-08:00James and Jacelyn Have a Recurring Conversation... Again...James: ...which will make things a whole lot easier once we're married because...<br /><br />Jacelyn: (interrupting) Oh My Goodness!<br /><br />James: What?<br /><br />Jacelyn: We're getting married!<br /><br />James: (grinning) Yeah.<br /><br />Jacelyn: I love you.<br /><br />James: I love you too.<br /><br />*kissing*Jacelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00353013470225440071noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-18064381328869574662011-03-06T21:27:00.000-08:002011-03-06T22:09:32.092-08:00Invitations and Honeymoons<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/sites/family/img/21394_paris.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 339px; height: 450px;" src="http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/sites/family/img/21394_paris.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Well, here I sit immobilized so what better to do than post about our wedding? I threw my back out yesterday and so far the sharp, stabbing pain has not receded, no matter how many pills I pop or hot baths I have. :(<br /><br />Before the back incident, James and I actually had a very productive Saturday. After I got back from my class, we scouted the paper store on Essendene and placed a massive paper order for our invitations. Yes, we have decided to make them ourselves, a decision I was pretty hesitant about, but with so many friends offering to help I think we'll have a pretty efficient assembly line! Thanks to the super helpful paper guy, we ordered cardstock in Steel Blue (when James describes it to people he pulls the "Blue Steel" face and I roll my eyes ;) and we'll embellish the cards with stamps of birds and birdcages. I'd also like to have a quote on the front of the invitation on love, but we're still looking for the perfect one. Shakespeare?<br /><br />We also combed the hotel book the travel agent had given us to find places that appeal to us for our honeymoon in ... PARIS! (insert excited giggle here) James' parents have been very generous and gave us a chunk of money we have decided to put towards the trip of a lifetime. Neither of us are beach people, we've both been backpacking in Europe before and loved it so this promises be relaxing, romantic adventure. Perfect for the starry-eyed newlyweds.<br /><br />So far, this planning stage has been so much fun. I've been warned about stress and family problems, but with a fiance this fantastic and the best families ever, life is good!Jacelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00353013470225440071noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-75395376680198803752011-02-09T14:59:00.000-08:002011-02-09T15:13:17.734-08:00Because who doesn't love weddings?!?!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTB2mJgqGNLjfeHbznytaokfoC1Up9SVzP8rKpELSLQfu9aH9giyrsrclw0Yb7xLodeI0mUB9jNvTXgrqoyy9MhSqnh6iBsar_zmtdRpXA5xEP57FCfAjRNNeJJWCMrpK3jOpag/s1600/Fantabulous+Haircut+029.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGTB2mJgqGNLjfeHbznytaokfoC1Up9SVzP8rKpELSLQfu9aH9giyrsrclw0Yb7xLodeI0mUB9jNvTXgrqoyy9MhSqnh6iBsar_zmtdRpXA5xEP57FCfAjRNNeJJWCMrpK3jOpag/s320/Fantabulous+Haircut+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571831630782088370" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Welcome to Jacelyn's debut post! James asked me if I'd like to contribute on his blog with updates on our wedding planning so people can see what we're up to. I was a little hesitant at first (I'm still familiarizing myself with the foreign planet that is blogland) but an outlet to talk all things wedding?! Yes please!<br /><br />Just a heads up, I probably won't be posting every other day (or every other week for that matter) though I will try my very best. I am currently doing my practicum, going to university, working part time and planning the wedding, so time is limited but here goes!<br /><br />Some details:<br />-Our wedding is set for September 3, 2011<br />-It will be outdoors on my parents' yard in Mission<br />-The theme is vintage<br />-I love James!!<br /><br />Hopefully that gives you enough to go on, there will be much more coming!Jacelynhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00353013470225440071noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-8793614535558886382011-02-01T21:21:00.000-08:002011-02-01T22:01:36.788-08:00Warhammer continuedWell, it seems I have two more sessions remaining, and a lot has happened since I first posted about it. If only for a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">personal</span> recap I <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">wil</span>l try to encompass everything in point form:<br /><br />-The party managed to get back together.<br />-They saved a child from the clutches of a mutant chaos cult<br />-This got them a feast at the nearby town as the child was the son of the Mayor<br />-The child was kidnapped again, and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Estalian</span> jumped out a window to try and rescue him (after trying to get into bed with the mayors daughter)<br />-The mutants were tracked down, and the boy rescued again<br />-There was another feast<br />-Some travel happened<br />-They bumped into a scholar and his three porters who were looking for an ancient tomb, which just so happened to be the place the mutants were using as their hideout<br />-With the mutants all dispatched they opened the tomb proper and were greeted by <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ghosties</span><br />-Then a !!Dwarf Vampire Lord!! that looked <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">like</span> a statue on a throne killed the scholar<br />-One of the porters got crushed to death in the closing tomb doors and another was revealed to secretly be a !!Vampire Hunter!!<br />-The Vampire Lord kicked their rear ends until the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Norsman</span> rolled a double critical and put him out<br />-The staked him in the heart before he regenerated and the Vampire Hunter took some loot as a token of his victory<br />-With the help of the last porter they piled the late scholars cart with everything of value from the tomb<br />-The last porter turned out to secretly be a !!Tomb Robber!! and poisoned them and escaped with the treasure<br />-Upon waking they chased him down only to find his body squished flat in a !!giant!!s footprint, one of many leading away into the hills<br />-The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">treasure</span> was also gone, they, of course, followed<br />-The came upon the giant and his comrade at night and tried to sneak past to get their stuff, but the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Estalian</span> was caught<br />-Then everyone else was caught and forced into service of the giants, who it turned out, were bringing together a large army of giants to raid the Southern part of the Empire<br />-After a time in servitude they reached an abandoned dwarf fortress that the giants were using as a base<br />-Some of the giants went off raiding and the party was split again, two of them were to accompany a pair of giants in a quest for gunpowder to use with some cannons the giants had, and two of them stayed behind with the other slaves, a shell-shocked <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Halfling</span> cook, and an aged Dwarf smith<br />-The pair traveling with the giants (the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Estalian</span> and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Centigor</span>) managed to rouse a nobles patrol to help dispatch the two creatures only after an innocent goatherd was smashed by a giant-thrown boulder<br />-The pair remaining took the reduced number of giants as a sign that it was time to strike, and strike they did<br />-One was killed while still in an alcohol induced slumber, and the leader and his crony were locked in the main hall while burning straw was heaped inside<br />-The giants broke out and nearly killed the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">norsman</span>, but a couple good shots by the Dwarf with a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">ballista</span> took out the leader and the fleeing crony was pinned under the portcullis by the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Halfling</span> cook<br />-The two giants on guard duty came to help, but got distracted trying to steal the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">crony's</span> boots, instead one got a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">ballista</span> bolt w/ flying Dwarf projectile an the other got chopped in the shins and fell off a cliff<br /><br />And that is where it stands now, a headless giants corpse is now covered with rats and ravens in the courtyard, a large blood smear marks the path from the portcullis to the cliff, and the party feels they have control over the fortress. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">hehehe</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177610817223596658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-21164688370596450822010-12-30T00:43:00.000-08:002010-12-30T00:45:51.557-08:00James and Jacelyn tell their proposal story, together.<span style="font-family: georgia;">*As seen on Facebook.</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVuWHdUcOQljJ9rsan8nB8zh55JseIvzBBjKgYOWXR3NUs9UUtRaNP2YmEhT46rTErKd1R9RjdPmoNH1qiQgADIxyMRUUkxKn25wbALToUkIy0uY-F_S7MwMdWnYd9N6OzGJaNQ/s1600/IMG_9772.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJVuWHdUcOQljJ9rsan8nB8zh55JseIvzBBjKgYOWXR3NUs9UUtRaNP2YmEhT46rTErKd1R9RjdPmoNH1qiQgADIxyMRUUkxKn25wbALToUkIy0uY-F_S7MwMdWnYd9N6OzGJaNQ/s320/IMG_9772.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5556393211267044082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" id="internal-source-marker_0.9552987802203534">James: This is a story all about how I proposed to the most wonderful girl in the world, who, for some reason, said YES!</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jacelyn: Would you like me to start?</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">James: Yes love. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jacelyn: Once upon a time, there was boy...</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">James: Me. And a beautiful girl.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jacelyn: Yes. This boy loved the girl very much and she loved him back with equal measure. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">James: Are we going way back to the beginning? </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jacelyn: Hmm, that might be a bit much... Let’s start with Saturday December 11.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">James: I would like to start by telling the people that she was surprised. I always start with that.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jacelyn: (smiling) Yes, the people are not surprised, but the girl was. It was, in fact, a day like any other day. The boy and the girl put on their stomping boots and set off into the wilds to chop down a magnificent tree for their Christmas celebrations....</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">James: ...and then...</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jacelyn: Sorry... I got distracted by the shiny...</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">James: (grinning) Anyway... they got the tree and took it home...</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jacelyn: Ah, yes, they set up the tree and proceeded to decorate it all blue and silver. They went Christmas shopping, ate sushi, and celebrated their 20 monthiversary.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">James: Which I shall explain. December 11 was exactly 20 months to the day that they had professed their inklings of “like” for each other, just before the boy took off for Africa. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jacelyn: They went out for dinner...</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">James: In celebration of the girl’s birthday earlier in the week...</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jacelyn: And the girl ate too much garlic and cheese and got a tummy ache. They went home to watch a movie and open birthday presents. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">James: Cake.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jacelyn: … yes...</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">James: Hey! I wasn’t finished! Her tummy was too sore for cake so it waited in the fridgerator. All chocolatey and delicious. The movie was magic (It’s a Wonderful Life) and the girl was restored to health. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jacelyn: And the people rejoiced.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">James: So, birthday presents, then cake and lo and behold, the girl got tired, just like the boy knew she would. Of course, she felt terrible taking a nap in the middle of their lovely day together, so in exchange the boy announced that he would redeem a coupon -previously given to him as a gift on their official anniversary (Dec 1st)- This seemed penance enough to the girl and she agreed.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jacelyn: As she lay down on the couch she chuckled and mentioned that Marilyn, a cheeky coworker, was convinced the boy would propose today. Little did she know... </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">James: Hehe. The boy played along, remarking how ridiculous it was that everyone seemed to know when he was going to propose, all the while thinking about the ring in the box under the couch. The girl drifted off quickly and the boy then went and paid a phone bill (I know, but it was 11:30 and the bill was due that day). Then, when the girl was snoring soundly...</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jacelyn: Like a log. Out Cold.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">James: Yes, :D, all part of the masterful plan. The boy grabbed a few roses from his room, passionate red and pure white, and tore them to bits, pulling off all the petals. He scattered the petals all around the sleeping beauty and lit tea lights to cast a magical glow (and because diamonds sparkle best with multiple points of light).</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jacelyn: And sparkle it did, but we’re getting ahead of ourselves...</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">James: So the boy, all prepared and foolishly not nervous one bit, attempted to wake said sleeping beauty. Traditionally a single kiss is enough to wake ones true love, but even after a couple dozen all this boy got was a true love that rolled over smiling.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jacelyn: Teehee. Sorry.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">James: The girl had only been out for about 20 minutes, but she seemed to resist his every attempt as if in a deep slumber. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jacelyn: (Indignantly) Because she was, after working the midnight shift!</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">James: Sure, sure. Well, the girl finally was sitting upright, though still mostly asleep, and all she could think of was that she was crushing the rose petals that had previously covered her. Then there was the confusion as to why there were rose petals and candles everywhere. This only happened after a few minutes of semi-wakefulness. Still oblivious to the perfectly obvious signs of matrimonial propositions forthcoming, she blinked twice as the boy handed her the coupon to be redeemed.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jacelyn: The girl fully expected to unfold the slip of paper and see a request for a backscratch or neckrub, but was greeted with the following words: “Redeem this coupon for one lifetime of love and happiness, given unreservedly.”</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">James: The last and most telling coupon in the packet made by the girl.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jacelyn: Upon looking up from this coupon...</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">James: Realization dawning for the first time that evening...</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jacelyn: The girl beheld a most amazing sight. The boy, her beloved and best friend on his knees holding a very important little box, open to display the most perfect and stunning diamond ring glittering in the candlelight. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">James: The boy smiled, now finally a little nervous, and asked the girl: “Jacelyn Pankratz, will you marry me?” To which she eventually (after about a minute of open-mouthed silence) said: “Yes!” She stared and stared, and smiled and smiled, and then questioned the boy: “Am I dreaming?” which made him smile all the more.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jacelyn: He assured her that she was not dreaming. </span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">James: And now they are living happily ever after together, except not ‘together’ exactly because they are not yet married, but that glorious day will come.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jacelyn: Amen. And the people rejoiced yet again.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">James: Indeed.</span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: georgia; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">*Kiss*</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177610817223596658noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-54759828459063962812010-11-22T01:26:00.000-08:002010-11-22T02:01:10.159-08:00Warhammer: Under a Giant Shadow of PainSo here she be. I have been running a pretty much seat-of-my-pants Warhammer RPG campaign for a couple months now. It's every other week so I have time to think through the random junk my players decided to do last session and figure out a way to try to kill them in an interesting and glorious fashion, all while at work. My job allows for this. I've got 4 players, which is the most this sort of campaign can withstand, and all but one I've GM'd before. That helps.<br /><br />The campaign has no official title, but I think the one I devised for this post will fit nicely. I basically started out by suggesting to players that we make a fun, D&D style romp without using the d20 system, which I think we all hate for various justified and unjustified reasons. So to that end I allowed them to chose any race, and any basic career and then gave them a few months wages and 1500 XP. This is what we got in the finish:<br /><br />An Estalian Diestro-Duelist with a best quality floppy hat.<br />A Dwarf Runebearer-Sergeant that runs as fast as an Elf.<br />A Norse Berserker-Sergeant that tries to tell stories but mostly hits things with his big axe.<br />And a Brettonian Centigor Knight of the Realm-Knight Errant who acts noble despite his evil heritage.<br /><br />An interesting thing of note for the setting is that none of these characters are native to the Empire which they are traveling in. Also Centigors (unlike their calmer Narnian counterparts, Centaurs) are fully evil beastmen that are trying to constantly bring the forces of chaos into power over the Empire.<br /><br />Of course with such an assortment of characters I was forced to have them meet in a pub/inn. It also had to be in a small town because you should never give players too many options in the first session, it's just uncontrollable. So, the villagers decided the Centigor was due to be burned, just for being a beastman, despite gallant attempts at diplomacy. Attempts were also made to distract the villagers, and to batter down walls, and to steal anything not nailed down. No attempts were made to put out the fire set to the inn, or to rescue the poor, innocent innkeeper from a terrible death in the ensuing inferno. An agitator in the mob was killed in one swing of an axe and the townsfolk sent running. Then the players sent their characters running into the hills, all but one at least who got a nice backhand from the leader of a patrol of Sigmarites, who thought he was being unhelpful finding the villains responsible.<br /><br />And thus the party was split 3:1, not the ideal end for the first session.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177610817223596658noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-16579994024817327172010-11-17T07:57:00.000-08:002010-11-18T01:40:42.549-08:00Busy BusyHaha, Laughable.<br /><br />Let's go point form for this.<br />-Jacelyn and I co-lead our bible study with another couple every week.<br />-I've been playing in a Firefly RPG twice a month, that is a game based off the super awesome TV program. I am playing Captain Dalton Willows who is a dirty scoundrel and not very noble at all.<br />-I've been running a Warhammer RPG twice a month. This is where I think my blog might go, I might begin to chronicle my players exploits, because to be honest they are pretty super.<br />-I finished up my garden a while back. Most of my squash got run over by a over-zealous mower, and a homeless guy from down the road snatched a bunch of my carrots, but all in all a doable harvest.<br />-I've seen Jacelyn every day since I got home last December, sometimes for only a few minutes, but usually longer. Some people think this is unhealthy apparently, but we haven't gotten sick of each other and there is no other I would rather be with than her, so why not, eh?<br />-Work is back to mostly evenings. I get a couple earlier shifts each week, but it is dark when I go home now.<br />-I'm a forklift driver now, it's pretty easy and I'm getting better all the time.<br />-I have been spending a fair bit of time over at Jacelyn's place, I enjoy her family a lot thankfully.<br />-We have been slowly working through Battlestar Galactica. We are on season 3.5 now. After that I hope we can finish Cowboy Bebop.<br />-We have also been very slowly working our way through a book titled "The Kingdom Beyond the Waves" by Stephen Hunt. Every time I read Jac falls asleep.<br /><br />That's it really, we would like twice as much time to do more, and see more people, but that's the way it goes. We have a loose list of people we need to get in contact with, and some are harder to pull off than others, but we are trying. Real life is hard.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177610817223596658noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-7488459640184774122010-05-15T01:14:00.000-07:002010-05-15T01:56:05.345-07:00I, Reluctant WriterHey, you should understand the rut I have gotten myself into. The guilt ridden rut where updates and news pile up and overlap and who knows what and what is important, or most, and it is so hard to decide and what if it doesn't stick, that's not fair... I should ask my famous sister (Heidi) what to do. But I am in a writing mood and I figure that she would advise taking advantage of it, and so I try and figure what else she might advise.. she gives good advice. Baby steps is what the Heidi-in-my-head tells me. And already I have a paragraph.<br /><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471412608392996146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj73Pe9Xh8IrQmOHoyEd3FVr9Q3mC0E3PC6gtEmxcxUjB5bZIAdCk2EVl0e_gOt21t9Qam92YTKQbZxAdywGuXs6PGrBknjPCA7w5gagWnNJ4oUPe8o8pcoBFQ53roKUxujrJCkFA/s320/P1030617.JPG" />To catch up is tough, I am so far behind. But news that is worthy is worthy. Most of you already know this tidbit, and perhaps secretly credit her with astounding powers of attraction, of my attention at least. I speak of my lady love. Jacelyn *sigh* She is perfect, so utterly perfect, I spend every second spare with her when I can, I think about her when I can't, she is my one and only! We officially started dating on Dec 1, the day she picked up these sorry, travel weary bones from Seattle airport. I knew I had to start this off right away, after all she had been waiting 7 months for me :) That will never happen again, I can tell you.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471413124899770834" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFc8ZznLjl5ECJjiumvPRahGPaeBNi2jwdcNQ26TzDnFINx_Lq2zHCxwJc2PRR9MoKITPj1Xz1KVFn-bAVUuuHkfo40iVoJjS5GheXYfJDYpj5rMDeBJPQUuymnV20uIDPpGz5Hg/s320/P1030628.JPG" />Other news, perhaps a half-baby-step more, I got a job, it is ok, it shall do. I have a place, it shall also do for as long as I am planning on needing it, and a roommate, who is also named James, he sleeps.<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471416197513955970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixMZG1yiybc37pAS6ppAuNTWAvhamLbkEQ_4Vd1f_xDJvVWe5VqqkISxECxoNHDVenMnVm2XFWl6JkNBMRnfBbPB4OecoNueGJIiMqg1VHup7MZKTNX22wb2i6ZWF1ZJdbbuQ6pQ/s320/P1030649.JPG" /> <div>I have a garden now, following a little in my father and brothers footsteps. 1000 square feet, it's a lot to take care of, but it shall do me well. I often go from work straight there to water, especially with this crazy nice weather we've had. My potatos are starting to poke through.</div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471417436626483154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbLnkClHPPH0Jf_ScSlrPJ6Ht-Bx0gkOiWHDm6B3_VG6j75rIlaVqbGz7OTyRwZJdnQSPEPY6Xo3Alf9qQEvsVgJds7xlVNYM4obgCT2odY0xNStv1DDqhZwd3lEoZ0AgqcT4dw/s320/P1020276.JPG" /> <div>Bonzai are fun, I've gotta start making cuttings, got the potting mix and the rooting hormone. Found a few seedlings that show potential. Planted a few seeds and three have germinated. Covering all angles, exciting! This post needs pictures. <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471414724338824786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0jAfzAoyqnxdiIXMvg_F6g-leLt1MhdF8oeYz9pG1T3FBUj1yMEOXwcOeOtmL64oLMnh0fZTGzhiDbKeo_1V6EQWeB1RGk5Z5uTWFEFXZh7pnbqjONaizi7wXUkRL4ZqaHcmMg/s320/P1030718.JPG" /></div></div></div></div></div>Also, my little sister got hitched.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177610817223596658noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-49791485888488532022009-11-16T17:23:00.000-08:002009-11-16T18:11:18.949-08:00Finality<div><div><div>13 Days for me. I calculated it at 356 hours until I am in my sweethearts arms. I am ready to be there now.<br /><div><div><div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404885981088346690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEito9gk-HIXXwdWMNL8ocaaqpOJdg4ppKSCuRxNRxYFFLt2mRfa-al4unMC5Al198wSuHE7mStuWiT2j8VCpbZMeo5USrRsIT69fEuRfgxDu2DW_4p56CdHPr22zFph_YWC-Sc6kA/s320/P1030301.JPG" border="0" /> <div>I don't know what it is, but I am just done, mentally I am not here at all. I just wanna be gone. I'm sorry for all of you who have to be here with me these last days, I promise I will try to enjoy it, and I know that I will miss you very much. Hmmm, it sounds like I'm already saying a farewell, well I'm not, not yet. But since I got back from my weekend in Grand Popo I haven't been exactly the same.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404885984433704706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsxT-ZlgPXOTY4SnW2qdiwrf8heb75WSeABy1GK709QB8x1_XEc8Oh-ZjUI6Siz5sW0OeF3AZ9Yo-vxmqnE4HcrTCfj_1Kg5LcmpJFoi50VA1_Bek8_hiZJpEvkDG2fCMzwVYA6Q/s320/P1020899.JPG" border="0" /> I have 4 shifts left, and tomorrow is only partial. Well maybe. Remember that Presidential invitation to a dinner at the palace? It's on again, and has only been postponed twice so far, it should be tomorrow, and if so I get half of my shift off to go. Thanks Murray. I am of course more doubtful than those people who were not here those many months ago when this scene originated.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404885988830413266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaxqyCktz4i5NMQvAHzfPS2THs1VXoqhRWHSMWhPwNlptkVbOx9cABUvr7Qe3hqAqNwISktUpkiCRbRfcOFoMB-DOZN398Mj7scHy4YArpYtSwIxP5aGs92luUDFeuhDQUjctUhg/s320/P1020505.JPG" border="0" /><br /></div><div>James S. the DayVolunteer who works at reception is going to become crew on the 23rd, he is so excited, and I am really excited for him. He's had a hard time this last little while, the people that really took him under their wings in the beginning of the outreach are all gone now, and it's up to me and Hannah to help him along. He is a sensitive soul, and of course there are cultural differences, but he has been an invaluable addition to the reception team. Not many know this, but I was fully ready to pull a 'Rudy' and lay my epaulets on the Pursers desk if James wasn't accepted. I'm glad it didn't shuffle that way, but I wouldn't have minded a change in this last month.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404885990629435298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIEWC1kOf1jo-r3Yfh_AagDQEBDBfhwdpYYqn3SNmAd3yv98aIA1kJs96YZ9V7gre1Tg2PpfnxS1Qmquqz0Kf4OSnTeI01jXv67s-_sF9_B5qMNgiVumVhWT_xVabHn8Th4NELA/s320/P1020517.JPG" border="0" />I think I've done most of my souvenir shopping now, I am well aware of what money is being spent on these trinkets, and I am almost out, we'll see what life is like at home being broke. That is a lot to think about too, and something I definitely need prayer regarding. Going home I have no place to stay (I don't want to impose on my parents hospitality too much) and no job, as mine convieniently reached the end just before I thought I was coming here, and all other jobs were just stop-gaps. I think I'll get a travel insurance refund enough to insure my scooter for 3 months, that gets me mobility, but in winter, on a scooter. It's been done 3 winters before. So yeah, prayer.<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404887834640939378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPn37aUVEgmo0vSd0Ca9V3iv6KyFvrBQEUrUv4uGfEhZcG7kWRDJOEBsWcv9sdxasEXsYhFiUlnVXxmap0L_oWh8AuvKe-xvynjAyu8C-Q5-TgOBa1Ont0J2w0r3z1fwAdYtldhA/s320/P1030162.JPG" border="0" />Despite that I am very excited to finally come home. They say home is where the heart is, and that would have to be true. No matter how comfortable the toilet seat is at my parents that is no longer my home. My heart has found me a home, and I am ready. My sweetheart is picking me up from Seattle airport on December 1st *sigh* We will take our time getting back across the border.<br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404888287109142386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibM4biniBtqX64-E86_mr0DQ3NqFoj17rs3qxgRHAqPHuZtnB415lgMu9QgNjiUrF86rGRksYq2L_4H5cCFpw2DVVmPWle2M8OIkEvDzW3Iavtz1AUXHTqb2PTrmRYFziAp_qAUA/s320/P1030168.JPG" border="0" /> <div>I think that is all I have in me at the moment. I'll intersperse pictures to liven it up perhaps.</div><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404889066929718994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9aq0XxkgDbq-C7MgwW9RjHrAHRg72VDrzn47YZjvwiV9m9lchzIwOjESJ7kU4ujh2NN5HEELz3fuvyVCLOz7TIuqZws_OC7hMyflp-xuy1tyk4bkTTvKM2TIf22wikpqqWdhhQ/s320/P1020997.JPG" border="0" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177610817223596658noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20409603.post-69802434449986366072009-11-03T09:21:00.000-08:002009-11-03T10:11:09.229-08:00TouristyOne more to go! Ok, well...<br /><br />I've done a few things while here, some of them I've posted about and some I've not. Some of them happen to be touristy things, and so I'll post pictures and describe them, because it is easy, and because it is what people like, win/win!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLrXzr-9PLeblYnjy9V8jsuyp7DxQvh7ZxnDZdkVR8M24MlgF5WwjWaEu-3RtL-g2lgRC7Nsw1Z5-jH30PnHJIxA56YjIleroNFTmcqqG3kABG4TVuq1tOaSNVMaQ3Etx0crbrQ/s1600-h/P1020941.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399936680833894050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLrXzr-9PLeblYnjy9V8jsuyp7DxQvh7ZxnDZdkVR8M24MlgF5WwjWaEu-3RtL-g2lgRC7Nsw1Z5-jH30PnHJIxA56YjIleroNFTmcqqG3kABG4TVuq1tOaSNVMaQ3Etx0crbrQ/s320/P1020941.JPG" border="0" /></a> I went to a football match! Benin vs. Mali, a World Cup qualifier. It wasn't that exciting actually, they tied in the end and that's the only time it had much action, the last ten minutes, but I'm glad. Had Benin lost I dunno what sort of 'reaction' there would have been. Note the barbed wire encircling the field.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi2tf12srYLua-gwfjJDQGL8Rb_gimoG3v1VVs4PtaI7UCV0CFDfWrE2DVW8SzlRrFe1FkLxXq7A63ZveysJMNoDf4ubOh7A2XT4kmVQCgxWod2TgWNtrjLxiwmAWQThYXo2cYw/s1600-h/P1030017.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399936009449950642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzi2tf12srYLua-gwfjJDQGL8Rb_gimoG3v1VVs4PtaI7UCV0CFDfWrE2DVW8SzlRrFe1FkLxXq7A63ZveysJMNoDf4ubOh7A2XT4kmVQCgxWod2TgWNtrjLxiwmAWQThYXo2cYw/s320/P1030017.JPG" border="0" /></a>I've gone to play frisbee pretty regularily. I was out of commission for a couple weeks, so I went and took pictures one time.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtut6Q7hDL8uMFXfbFNr1O4GGciBAwTsaFlZZaFydt34qRupzGv5w96KnhMJnYRPhQGHqLOzLp9usasvewHW3iCSwDZAqsrFHN7uV69g0o4lU2ekwE8inx-06vqvcoo0LBcDLBg/s1600-h/P1030119.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399934874655055586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtut6Q7hDL8uMFXfbFNr1O4GGciBAwTsaFlZZaFydt34qRupzGv5w96KnhMJnYRPhQGHqLOzLp9usasvewHW3iCSwDZAqsrFHN7uV69g0o4lU2ekwE8inx-06vqvcoo0LBcDLBg/s320/P1030119.JPG" border="0" /></a> I gave blood. Not too touristy a thing to do, but my name was called and I had to be brave. We only do whole blood here so the recipient was just in the next room in surgery. I'm O+, if you know what I mean?<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5cJWCvRKKmdVY9CaPDMcv68zlY3bALx7IJJ6I2nWZ_GMJWA3MLwk8vo31ASwNRk0iQA8Ddmiv5v6AoknQZoPI5uYXXeCp4aHGnKZI9QBw1LjP67oxJjPesbtyaNOcEfgEEsW-Q/s1600-h/P1030122.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399934362003212130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5cJWCvRKKmdVY9CaPDMcv68zlY3bALx7IJJ6I2nWZ_GMJWA3MLwk8vo31ASwNRk0iQA8Ddmiv5v6AoknQZoPI5uYXXeCp4aHGnKZI9QBw1LjP67oxJjPesbtyaNOcEfgEEsW-Q/s320/P1030122.JPG" border="0" /></a> This last weekend I arranged it to get the latter part of my friday off to coincide with a ship holiday long weekend. It was cool. We went to Grand Popo and stayed at Awale Plage for a couple nights, 13 of us, in a few bungalows near the beach.<br /></div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAf3dnIOuAOWUj6YNgbkIEVErHSwCkv2POQYhFwPR0TFIHinpjsF9EJO1V1gZ4RhsrJdXV1cq7_iYsTkWEuK7CG43n2PtkluldH_St-UAATZnMtlwIHGsPnw2bMsCZ1I4QJXHSDQ/s1600-h/P1030128.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399933800738736482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAf3dnIOuAOWUj6YNgbkIEVErHSwCkv2POQYhFwPR0TFIHinpjsF9EJO1V1gZ4RhsrJdXV1cq7_iYsTkWEuK7CG43n2PtkluldH_St-UAATZnMtlwIHGsPnw2bMsCZ1I4QJXHSDQ/s320/P1030128.JPG" border="0" /></a>There was a pool of course, and we played a fair bit in the water. It was PJs birthday and he got an inflatable volleyball net.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtZqZLYafgHhf8QTMymZy53rZ5QzAlefwvY4fc4yE9q8nKlaCcCm5vejsLwiJSw50dwburRTxloFk_zodLrOdMAIkXtBwWGYP91FEZM_pZns6Lf8ng7TRkSWF22yJ7AKngc-56w/s1600-h/P1030211.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399933171868597298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYtZqZLYafgHhf8QTMymZy53rZ5QzAlefwvY4fc4yE9q8nKlaCcCm5vejsLwiJSw50dwburRTxloFk_zodLrOdMAIkXtBwWGYP91FEZM_pZns6Lf8ng7TRkSWF22yJ7AKngc-56w/s320/P1030211.JPG" border="0" /></a>There was also the beach where Ben and I made a sandcastle. It rained the next morning for a number of hours and so our creation passed away.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1hh7HAPCQRH7x2tHiKoJRt6lM7W-5JWSA6n121q3Y3dldL8IBe2JR9iLPJyYX4mms3X8-t0icuOrTKm0dTAmVedA8jBJ8VxAXLcpZ4RRVjEEb_tNPLhtofbvd6-w-g0Tc3xacg/s1600-h/P1030217.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399932310881812546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1hh7HAPCQRH7x2tHiKoJRt6lM7W-5JWSA6n121q3Y3dldL8IBe2JR9iLPJyYX4mms3X8-t0icuOrTKm0dTAmVedA8jBJ8VxAXLcpZ4RRVjEEb_tNPLhtofbvd6-w-g0Tc3xacg/s320/P1030217.JPG" border="0" /></a>We saw some nice sunsets, no sunrises though, I sleep too much then. I like this shot.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolB-DlpjEEXtSExiL5mVtr5zOp0H4fm5Oimvf3A9mdCwYG_4kO6D09OpA6l7SMDS8rDR6b-hVog5sCZsqDlUoc9L-gGm_r4u5kk5ZSm9Zab0reDWrvUa1WiWZ4_QUfQ9G30bq_w/s1600-h/P1030231.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399932142291195858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolB-DlpjEEXtSExiL5mVtr5zOp0H4fm5Oimvf3A9mdCwYG_4kO6D09OpA6l7SMDS8rDR6b-hVog5sCZsqDlUoc9L-gGm_r4u5kk5ZSm9Zab0reDWrvUa1WiWZ4_QUfQ9G30bq_w/s320/P1030231.JPG" border="0" /></a> On the Saturday evening we got to eat by the pool. All the resort staff were dressed a little like pirates and it was all decked out in lights. The power went out a couple times, but hey, it's Africa...<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFQ3h1Ibfpnnvu6N1zSo6D3jkUVTJre9PbUPtYqmJAwrP0gZJof12blfcsgBJAhFUnIqPRXFul5DXiAwvtdcw_CeuFU1fBAA1tSwk8x5rsL0sfSLcVd3dZjF5oIUH02521VFkgA/s1600-h/P1030247.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399931710530326594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFQ3h1Ibfpnnvu6N1zSo6D3jkUVTJre9PbUPtYqmJAwrP0gZJof12blfcsgBJAhFUnIqPRXFul5DXiAwvtdcw_CeuFU1fBAA1tSwk8x5rsL0sfSLcVd3dZjF5oIUH02521VFkgA/s320/P1030247.JPG" border="0" /></a> This is our group, sans me since I'm taking the picture. I ate barbequed prawns, with the shells completely on. I was hesitant at first, but they were tasty ;) Even the steak was good, though I've been without good steak for 6 months.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWoaOk4tIgO4yuQ3KRbBDyA1oPjkWtowlt01pionxJ56mY6uHpGflzl0yD-N5YjUG8Od-qWO-jjYxYr25FV73tnjiAO6PD8v0pzGT6qeAaRBaoT-mwwTHAsAEUchu642T3KBN8g/s1600-h/P1030270.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399930986725287938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeWoaOk4tIgO4yuQ3KRbBDyA1oPjkWtowlt01pionxJ56mY6uHpGflzl0yD-N5YjUG8Od-qWO-jjYxYr25FV73tnjiAO6PD8v0pzGT6qeAaRBaoT-mwwTHAsAEUchu642T3KBN8g/s320/P1030270.JPG" border="0" /></a>Overall it was a very nice and relaxing weekend, too bad we had to get back to the ship.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgFysklGsH6L2UV4Np43_RpEHfpjjcgOfrhnVLP0ZxgBU1r4ed32uHWTpVpu_At7WCQFiL10bLiMTA_KZ2NzeNQmBigb6N2hD5i63q875JHehitydrhr7-y1QHrZIeT4q5UxCqw/s1600-h/P1030280.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399930516501871074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgFysklGsH6L2UV4Np43_RpEHfpjjcgOfrhnVLP0ZxgBU1r4ed32uHWTpVpu_At7WCQFiL10bLiMTA_KZ2NzeNQmBigb6N2hD5i63q875JHehitydrhr7-y1QHrZIeT4q5UxCqw/s320/P1030280.JPG" border="0" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><p>But not before finding and playing with another Praying Mantis, hmmm, did I not blog about the couch?! I should I guess, maybe when I'm on my way home, lol.</p><p> </p><p>That's it, pictures. Now I think I have to go make a trifle, oh the trials of this life.</p><p> </p><p>Oh, and just 27 days left until I come home ()!!!</p>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14177610817223596658noreply@blogger.com5