Day of Posts - Estrella
Feb. 20th, 2009 10:40 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cormacNext up in our day of posts, an Estrella redux.
While not in the best of health (coughing, sore throat) before the trip, I nonetheless made the 7 hour drive to Florence, AZ. As the only kingdom-level Caidan herald going, Su Crescent was kind enough to reimburse my gas money in exchange for services to the Crown and War on behalf of the Caidan College of Heralds. I had a passenger, David, a student from APU, who I picked up at around 8 PM. MIdway through the trip David drove for an hour while I napped, but otherwise I drove. It was a clear trip, with only a little bit of traffic, and we arrived on-site on Wednesday, 4 AM local.
I stepped out of the van into the Arizona soil...and kept going. It had rained the previous two days, and had left the site much as I remembered it from last year; a muddy swamp. I fished out my shoe, which was by then completely caked in and filled with mud, and changed into my boots before entering gate. They were a little short-staffed, and I'd just hit my second wind, so I began my war by volunteering (quelle surprise).
Like last year, I slept in a bed in my van, which kept me high and dry (not that it was needed; not a drop of rain fell on the site from the time I arrived to the time I left), and saved me a lot of hassle in unpacking, setup, teardown and repacking. But because the paid parking spaces were quagmiretastic, the property owner would not allow us to park on it, which means I had to park in BFE and walk to the site proper. Naturally, Caid was on the opposite end of the site from where I was, so I didn't make it out there all the much.
I volunteered at troll and heralds' point every day, and got a very nice stool out of the volunteer raffle, which was made and donated by Rudolf Fekter. I took it over to Heraldic Creations (where I picked up a mirror box inlaid with metal foming my arms that I'd commissioned earlier in the year) and they painted my war horns on the seat. I can't recommend these guys enough; please check them out: http://www.heraldiccreations.com
I got to see quite a few of my merchant friends: Master![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
herveus, Baronessessesses Rouge and Justina, the crepe people (boy, did I spend money with the crepe people...). I also picked up "Aristocratic Pomp and Ecclesiastical Circumstance" from Herveus, on recommendation from eowyna. It's a good read, and has inspired me to really try my hand at brocading. Finally, I grabbed a pair of shoes from Revival Enterprises, patterned off of 14th century turn shoes. They're quite comfortable, and I will hopefully be completing my 14c nobleman's outfit soon (proper belt, braies and hose are all I need, but a hat and a collar of estate would not go amiss).
Around Friday morning, I lost my voice. I put in a report with the Estrella constabulary, but so far it hasn't turned up. I've been using a loaner voice from the movie voiceover guy, but I'd really like my own voice back, so if you've seen it, please let me know.
A herald with no voice makes for much light-hearted mockery. I was given the honorific "Silent Herald" at point by Lady Helena, and it seems to have followed me home. Fortunately, Duke Edric had already been tapped to serve as Their Majesties' Voice for the war, so I helped set up court, collect business, etc. for him. He did a fantastic job, and many happy awards were given on Sunday.
I was glad to spend some time with my favorite equestrian, the fair-skinned, fire-haired Virginia Read. We commisserated on relationships, both in the SCA and out, and discussed the benefits of courtly love. She's such a delight to be around, and I'm proud to call her a friend.
We left on Monday morning, and it stayed dry until we crossed the state line. Apparantly all the rain had stayed behind in California, along with the Caidans who'd decided not to attend (in part, at least, due to threat of rain).
While not in the best of health (coughing, sore throat) before the trip, I nonetheless made the 7 hour drive to Florence, AZ. As the only kingdom-level Caidan herald going, Su Crescent was kind enough to reimburse my gas money in exchange for services to the Crown and War on behalf of the Caidan College of Heralds. I had a passenger, David, a student from APU, who I picked up at around 8 PM. MIdway through the trip David drove for an hour while I napped, but otherwise I drove. It was a clear trip, with only a little bit of traffic, and we arrived on-site on Wednesday, 4 AM local.
I stepped out of the van into the Arizona soil...and kept going. It had rained the previous two days, and had left the site much as I remembered it from last year; a muddy swamp. I fished out my shoe, which was by then completely caked in and filled with mud, and changed into my boots before entering gate. They were a little short-staffed, and I'd just hit my second wind, so I began my war by volunteering (quelle surprise).
Like last year, I slept in a bed in my van, which kept me high and dry (not that it was needed; not a drop of rain fell on the site from the time I arrived to the time I left), and saved me a lot of hassle in unpacking, setup, teardown and repacking. But because the paid parking spaces were quagmiretastic, the property owner would not allow us to park on it, which means I had to park in BFE and walk to the site proper. Naturally, Caid was on the opposite end of the site from where I was, so I didn't make it out there all the much.
I volunteered at troll and heralds' point every day, and got a very nice stool out of the volunteer raffle, which was made and donated by Rudolf Fekter. I took it over to Heraldic Creations (where I picked up a mirror box inlaid with metal foming my arms that I'd commissioned earlier in the year) and they painted my war horns on the seat. I can't recommend these guys enough; please check them out: http://www.heraldiccreations.com
I got to see quite a few of my merchant friends: Master
herveus, Baronessessesses Rouge and Justina, the crepe people (boy, did I spend money with the crepe people...). I also picked up "Aristocratic Pomp and Ecclesiastical Circumstance" from Herveus, on recommendation from eowyna. It's a good read, and has inspired me to really try my hand at brocading. Finally, I grabbed a pair of shoes from Revival Enterprises, patterned off of 14th century turn shoes. They're quite comfortable, and I will hopefully be completing my 14c nobleman's outfit soon (proper belt, braies and hose are all I need, but a hat and a collar of estate would not go amiss).Around Friday morning, I lost my voice. I put in a report with the Estrella constabulary, but so far it hasn't turned up. I've been using a loaner voice from the movie voiceover guy, but I'd really like my own voice back, so if you've seen it, please let me know.
A herald with no voice makes for much light-hearted mockery. I was given the honorific "Silent Herald" at point by Lady Helena, and it seems to have followed me home. Fortunately, Duke Edric had already been tapped to serve as Their Majesties' Voice for the war, so I helped set up court, collect business, etc. for him. He did a fantastic job, and many happy awards were given on Sunday.
I was glad to spend some time with my favorite equestrian, the fair-skinned, fire-haired Virginia Read. We commisserated on relationships, both in the SCA and out, and discussed the benefits of courtly love. She's such a delight to be around, and I'm proud to call her a friend.
We left on Monday morning, and it stayed dry until we crossed the state line. Apparantly all the rain had stayed behind in California, along with the Caidans who'd decided not to attend (in part, at least, due to threat of rain).
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no subject
Date: 2009-02-20 09:10 pm (UTC)while you were at Estrella I was actually treading further in your footsteps... I had to re-do Noe's Constitution, etc. It amused me that you were the last person to do so.
no subject
Date: 2009-02-20 09:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-02-20 09:15 pm (UTC)I'm not really being bitchy
Date: 2009-02-20 09:47 pm (UTC)Contemplating GWW this past October. Every call I heard you make started, "Good Morning Caid!" Yes, the event was in Caid, but there were several other Kingdoms in attendance.
Think you might revise your intro for future inter-kingdom events?
Re: I'm not really being bitchy
Date: 2009-02-20 10:14 pm (UTC)I used "Good Morning Caid" when it wasn't clear that there were foreign dignitaries within earshot.
Re: I'm not really being bitchy
Date: 2009-02-21 03:24 am (UTC)Re: I'm not really being bitchy
Date: 2009-02-21 03:39 am (UTC)Is there a succinct term that ties all war attendees together without being obnoxious?
Re: I'm not really being bitchy
Date: 2009-02-21 04:19 am (UTC)I'd honestly love it if you'd save the Merchant areas for last.
I don't care for Oyez any more than I like Huzzah. Perhaps it is my (strong) Eastern Rite Kingdom bias, but what is wrong with Scadians? It is what many of us think of ourselves as, and it carries neither gender nor status bias.
I'd personally use "Good Morning, Gentles All". That's some more of my Eastern Rite bias showing, but it includes everyone.
Re: I'm not really being bitchy
Date: 2009-02-21 04:53 am (UTC)When Robin Williams said "Good Morning, Vietnam!" he was talking almost exclusively to the American servicemen who just happened to be stationed there. Because... they're in Vietnam. If you were saying "Good morning, Caidans!" I could definitely see that being exclusionary...but..
Ionno.
Re: I'm not really being bitchy
Date: 2009-02-21 04:57 am (UTC)Re: I'm not really being bitchy
Date: 2009-02-21 12:21 pm (UTC)And I have to ask...though it looks like it was specially tailored for the Atenveldt questioner you mentioned, did "Greetings, Y'all!" happen anywhere near an Ansteorran contingent? :)
Re: I'm not really being bitchy
Date: 2009-02-21 06:15 pm (UTC)Re: I'm not really being bitchy
Date: 2009-02-22 03:47 am (UTC)Just thought you might want to know.