Today I went to the DMV and got a New York drivers license, and registered my car. It's official.

My car looks weird with New York plates.

testing the cut function

( Testing )

My hand is better, though I'm expecting to lose some skin to the blistering. Ice water and aloe work great on burns, although there is still some residual pain. Thankfully there was no fencing practice this week.

Went to fencing practice last night, and had a great time. People punked out early, though, so I only got in about an hour and a half of fencing. It felt good, though. Once I was warmed up I was making shots that I could only make on good days. I think the lingering issues from my fall down the stairs are finally gone, or at least not a big problem anymore. Yay me!

OK, off to make dinner now.

So, it's official, mawth_treadwell and I are now living together. I have moved up to Hudson, New York and we are blissfully ensconced in our apartment.  As a bonus, dershmied and darthmouse live next door.

That puts me in the Barony of Concordia, for those of you in the SCA.

And now, back to my West Wing marathon. I've never seen the whole thing, and mawth_treadwell has it on DVD, so I'm watching it while I make new garb.

Happy Birthday rhiannon14 !!!

So, I'm typing this from work on my new laptop.  The Server is being set up, protocols being established, and quirks figured out. With any luck at all, I'll be working from Hudson NY by the end of the month.

We even set up video chat today. Woo Hoo.

Having problems with the lap top though. The keyboard is a bit smaller, since I got one with a numeric keypad, and so I keep making mistakes that do things like, wipe out everything I was doing. It's just going to take some practice.

A lot of people on my flist already know Liam, but some of you do not. He's an awesome guy, and I hope you'll help him raise money for Special Olympics New York. Thank You!



Buon Giorno, you lucky people!
 
As many of you know, on Dec. 13, I will go swimming in Lake George to raise money for Special Olympics New York.
 
This will be the fifth time I have done it, and combining plunges with benefit walks, I have raised more than $5,000 for Special Olympics.
 
I have been around Special Olympics since high school, and I am really passionate about it.
 
I know times are tough, but I would appreciate any help you can give.
 
The link to donate online is: http://polarplunge.kintera.org/lakegeorge/billtoscano
 
If you want to send a check, please make it out to Special Olympics New York with my name in the memo line and send it to:
 
Bill Toscano
PO Box 176
Salem, NY 12865.
 
 If you have already donated, thank you, thank you, thank you.
 
Also, please feel free to pass this along to friends, family and others.
 
In service,
 
Bill/Liam

Congratulations to Xavier and Damiana on the occasion of their marriage. About damn time, I say. Weddings always make me hopeful, and remind me that the Beatles really were right. All you need is love. 

And now the Announcement: I, Mercedes Vera de Calafia, will be taking Emeline Patterson as my Protege at 100 Minutes War in Rusted Woodlands on November 22nd. That also makes me hopeful, and happy.

I'm sitting here wracked with Guilt over the fact that I am almost a WEEK late in wishing laughingzombie a happy birthday! So, HAPPY FRACKING BIRTHDAY!

Also, Happy late Birthday to my Protoge, donastraya .

Apparently, I'm crap with birthdays.

If you have a birthday, and I missed it, Happy Birthday. If you don't have a birthday, they what the frack are you on the internet for?

I'll miss Duke Morguhn Sheridan more than I can say. I've known him since he joined the SCA (we were all so young back then), and even though I moved away from Aethelmarc back when it was still the Western Region of the East Kingdom, he remained my friend. He was the way I measured my life in the East. I got my AOA at the first Crown Tourney that he won.  I took up fencing after Ned and I saw him fence in New Hampshire. He was the first OGR, the first East Kingdom Marshal of Fence, and my last fight at Glenn Lynn this year.  He kicked my ass.

I wish him peace.

Random thoughts:

The drive out was good. It takes 10 hours from here, which sucks, but having another person in the car makes for interesting, if sometimes paranoid and conspiratorial conversation. 

The Bacon Vodka was not universally reviled, but it was close. I'll try it again, though. My Spiced Rum went over much better.

Best Showers Ever!

The weather was mostly wonderful. Can we order that weather for every year?

Personally I approve of what HRM Konrad did by conceding the War Points. I thought that the rapier negotiations revealed a 'win at any cost' mentality by those in the top slots, and it was born out by HRM Lutr's bad faith abrogation of the side balancing agreement. 

I got to do more fencing this Pennsic than in the last 2 combined. In the third part of the Field Battle I killed Diego from behind (saying "Who's your Daddy, Diego" as I did).  Then I killed HRM Lutr,  three of his Knights, and a couple other random Middies. 

The only time I made it down to Raven Spittle I encountered Drama and Shitty Behavior. Very Disappointing.

I was struck by the Sharc Pit curse on Friday morning with a case of food poisoning. Projectile Vomiting sucks. I'm finally able to eat normally again. I only had about 500 calories all weekend because my stomach was still so delicate.

Formed the Sisterhood of Clumsy Crossdressers. Raph, Alden and I are the Charter Members.

Didn't get to spend near enough time with my friends. MIssed many friends who couldn't make it.

Congratulations to Wyatt, Alexandre, Istvan, Moira and Lynette, on their awards. 

And Huge Thanks to Alys for sharing her tent with me. I'm sorry your Pennsic wasn't as good as it could have been, but any time spent with you great.

Went to see Paul Potts last night. Wow, just wow. Who would think that a short tubby Welsh guy singing opera would play to a packed house. 
Things I liked: 
What an amazing voice inside a sweet, funny, humble man.
Got to hear someone actually sing some Mario Lanza songs from The Student Prince, which is an old favorite on mine.
Got to hear Everybody Hurts in Italian. 
The orchestra was live.

Things I didn't like: 
The 'guest stars' were the Three Graces. I could have done without them, except for the song they did from La Traviata with Potts. 
The lighting was so bad that several times I had very bright lights in my eyes for several minutes. There was one full song that I had my eyes closed thru because of the lights. 
Take a Look At Me Now does not scan well in Italian. 
Even with a live orchestra, there some backing tracks.

So, my scores are: 
Music - 8
Production - 5
Overall - 7
If you haven't seen the video from Britain's Got Talent, here's the link. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEo5bjnJViA 

Next up: Flock Theatre's production of  Pride and Prejudice.

Called my boss this morning at 7am and let him know that I would not be coming in to work. Did some work from home and then spent the day knitting. I'm making my first sweater, and it's almost done. I'm working on the last sleeve. I may even post a picture when I'm done. 

Watched Annie Hall, and Aeon Flux today. I think I'll watch another movie tonight. Probably Marie Antoinette and Serenity.

 Happy Birthday  dershmied !!!!!!