Arontius of Bygelswade

.....It's a Monday, that's for sure. I'm glad I have nothing officially scheduled for the evening as I need a break. Work is being a little stressful. The SCA has not exactly been calm either. I'm not complaining too much as none of it is going to cause me to run away screaming, but it certainly hasn't been a brainless planning exercise either.

.....On Saturday I had a walk-through of the September Crown site with Althaia and Loric to look over the martiallate area on the main field, and the archery field move. I'm actually glad I made the trip. As usual I get a new perspective of how much room we have every time I walk the site. In my mind's eye, the place keeps shrinking on me. :-) I'm still on guard though. The Norseland site is not the Nix Farms, there is a finite amount of space and I'm reasonably sure we're going to fill it when the event is in full swing.

.....It was wet on Saturday, but even with all the water the site drained nicely. No marshlands that we could see. Always an inspiring site, and very important when you are putting the squeeze on space. We learned that lesson very dearly in our move to the Uplands for June Faire that one year.

.....Loric was fine with the archery field move. What that does for us is open up another space for parking. Every parking space will be dear and will reduce the number of cars we end up having to park on Imperial Way itself, which is the final back-up plan for parking for the weekend.

.....Althaia and I walked the area designated for the Main Erics. Althaia seemed happy with it, so we're good to go. She is also working with Sir Bane to organize the Crown Tournaments. I need to make sure that Jenae gets injected into that conversation as the Royal Liaison. This is my reminder to do so as soon as I get out of Live Journal.

.....Saturday afternoon we met with Dame Ellen and reviewed the Serjeantry Testing Matrix. Ellen did a great job putting together the matrix. It really puts everything into an organized and easy to follow visual. She is already starting to line up judges. TBT and I need to start working with the candidates to make sure they are talking to Ellen for their specialties, and are lining everything up to complete their Trials by August 18th. Also need to find an Autocrat for the Day of Trials itself. A couple of people have volunteered, and I have their names in reserve, but I'd very much like to find someone not directly connected to the Trials so they would not have to split their time onerously.

.....Saturday night was a trip to the Theatre with the Protege Adelheidi to see Brave. Very much Disney, but some stunning visuals. I actually enjoyed watching it. I would have preferred a more complex story, but it was made for families so I need to just enjoy it and not over-think it. :-)

.....Sunday was the main group walk-through of the September Crown site. We had about fifteen people out there. We systematically went from section to section of the site. First up was RV Camping and parking. We will need to see if the brush hog can clear some of the RV area for us. Ralph is estimating upwards of thirty RV's and it will take up a little more area than I wanted it to, but we'll make it work. We looked at the already established parking areas: the main parking field, the field next to the RV Camping, the Pea Patch, and the EB Building. There is space behind the EB Building for a number of cars, or large cars with trailers, so this will help and definitely eased my mind some.

.....The area we had considered for archery is now a parking area for upwards of seventy-five cars. We'll need to brush hog the area, which we're scheduling for the second week of August. Barnet walked through the area with us and visualized how it was going to work for us. We also need to remember to get the Port to remove the chains from our one way road and unlock the gate out.

.....Barnet also test drove the scooter around site. It easily made it over most areas. The only area he declared off-limits for it was the secondary camping field. I primarily wanted the scooter for use in taking folks with disabilities from the parking lot down to the main field. So I think we're good to go for at least that much.

.....As we walked down the hill from parking we identified more pockets of grassland that could be used for camping of smaller groups. There will be some whining as this really is a rather primitive and undeveloped site. This being our first time using it there will be 'surprises' as well. As soon as July Coronation is over I need to start spamming the Kingdom e-lists on a weekly basis and warn people of the challenges of the site. Angharad will be helping in that regard as well.

.....The Equestrian Area is rather nice, with quite a bit of room for horses and trailers. I think it'll work nicely. The only concern is the past history of the site being a remediation area. It has been officially removed from all governmental clean-up site lists and is declared safe for use by humans. But there is some question as to how much that applies to horses, who will be chomping up grass on the site. We're working with the state now to get some clarification on that. We've told the State and the Port of Bremerton that Equestrian Activities will be happening, and they were not overly concerned about horses. That gave me a cautiously optimistic feeling. So now we just need to follow that through and get something in writing.

.....Immediately adjacent to the Equestrian Field is the archery range. We had Master Andras with us on Sunday and he also took a look at the range and immediately suggested that it was large enough for a York. To ensure safety he advocated angling the range just slightly to point more into the forest, but even after walking up and down its length thought it would work well. He is off to speak to Loric to see if they can manage to include the York in the thought process for the weekend.

.....There is a nice feature to the Equestrian and Archery fields that includes a viewing ledge above the fields where the activities can be observes somewhat from above. The entire site is terraced, so the Equestrian Championship itself could even be viewed from the Main Fields. From that standpoint I think the site will work out nicely! Even better if it eventually evolves into a June Faire worthy site as that viewing ledge will allow for Modern observance without interfering with the Equestrian activities themselves. Something for future thought.

.....We traveled to the Main Field from there and discussed the lay-out of Erics, Marketplace and the Arts & Sciences area. With four of us in the mix there were approximately four different visions of how this was going to look. It took a little bit of frustrating back-and-forth before we all came to the same page. But we finally did as the map Ian produced later looked just how I thought it would be. We'll have to revisit this again at least once or twice as Their Majesties will have to weigh in on where They want to camp in relation to the Royal Pavilion, and how much space they'll need. Flexibility will have to be our middle name for a while.

.....Walked on out the main road after that and finalized placement of gate and looked over the EB parking. Then called the meeting complete. We were out there for two and a half hours, but I think it was productive. People are starting to see the event come together. Now we just need the details to come together.

.....Visited with Cedric, Brighid and Madrun some on Sunday afternoon. Haven't had the chance to sit and talk much at all lately. We've all been so busy. Cedric was completing some nice camp tables. They looked good, and folded flat. As soon as TBT and I step down, the re-vision of our camp is one of the first things to happen. Although to make that happen will require some major infrastructure re-build, like a new pavilion. TBT's is very nice, but it is on the small side for the two of us. We were talking about maybe the next size larger and using TBT's as the porch in front. Which has some appeal. We'll need to give some more thought to this.

.....This week includes the regular Social on Tuesday, a meeting on Wednesday, and then TBT travels on Friday to Iron-and-Ink. It'll be me and the Rhys Monster at home this weekend. I was somewhat torn on going with her, but with as busy as this summer is turning out to be I would very much like to utilize every minute possible to get ready for August and September.

.....And maybe clean the house up just a little bit. It is pretty bad right now.

.....Aaron / Arontius.

.....I worked hard at trying to keep the list short, but it still managed to gain some momentum over the past several days. :-) I have now decided to lock it down and will refuse to add to it. And then ensure that for every hour of stuff that 'must be done' and hour of 'is fun to do' is included for balance. As I look at the list though there are several things that could conceivably fall in both or either category. Hmmm.

.....Today is a celebration day! For Ralph and Gwen's birthdays. Out of respect we don't ask for ages. But it is nice to gather with friends and celebrate at our most favorite type of celebration - FOOD!

.....Then more food later, at Matt and Rycheza's for their annual tree trimming party. We had to miss last year's gathering for some reason. I think it was Aquaterra's Yule. But this year we'll definitely go. Matt and Rycheza are good people and it'll be fun to hang out with them for a while.

.....Made a running start at the list yesterday. Spent several hours doing the deep clean of the bathroom. It sparkles like a vampire now. That CLR stuff works incredibly well at removing hard water stains. I'd always thought of it as a gimmick. Now I'm a believer.

.....Tried to brave the Post Office on two separate occasions during the day. It was an absolute mad-house both times!!!! We finally ended up making it work late in the evening and using the kiosk. TBT will still have to brave the crowds next week in order to get her overseas package shipped. I do not envy her that trip. It'll be rough!

.....Mom wanted to see if we could get to her Christmas decorations in the storage unit, so I stopped by there and made the valiant effort. Had some fun with the crabby lady in the office by typing in the code for the Baronial Storage Unit and then opening up Mom's. :-) Took her about ten minutes to come running down the street in her putt-putt mobile to make sure I was not robbing it blind, and then give me a several minute lecture on using the right combination at the gate. I was polite and didn't remind her that she messed up Mom's combination in the system and wouldn't fix it until I brought Mom into the office. Blech!

.....Worked on the financial report for The Crier. All the paperwork is in order. Checks about to be signed and sent off. All income deposited. Would like to finish the Doomsday Report, but Microsoft put a bug into that plan. With the latest Windows patch, the drivers for the external hard drive were made obsolete. The company that manufactured the hard drive was bought out by Seagate and updates were not available. And, of course, the Doomsday Report is on the external hard drive and my back up is six months old. I could recreate it, but would rather not if I can help it. It'll require a lot of work.

.....But will shake all that off and have some fun. I'm looking forward to sleeping in past 4AM tomorrow. Although I still can't seem to sleep much past 5AM. :-) Looking forward to a trip to Seattle. Cell phones and new eye glasses from Costco are also in the plans for the next day or so.

.....Been staring at the portable loom and wanting to grab Madrun on Tuesday for another lesson in the missed hole card weaving technique. I need to cut off what's on there now and warp it up again. I'm really liking the thin wood cards that TBT put on there for the last lesson. They are easy to work, and don't take up nearly the space the monster sized cardboard cards take. Yes, it sometimes takes me a while to accept the truth as the truth. I am, sometimes, a little stubborn. :-)

.....Need to also ping Francesca in Glymm Mere and see how the Yule Feast Toys-For-Tots gathering went. Aquaterra refuses to post a number. :-) I think our 134 toys collected is looking pretty fine! :-)

.....Off to breakfast!

.....Aaron / Arontius.

.....It's not just the name of a song by the Little River Band. :-)

.....I've missed posting in Live Journal. I can tell when things are especially busy as those are the times when posts dwindle down to bi-weekly or worse. But I do enjoy reading the posts of others. I feel a lot more connected with people when I do. Facebook is not very satisfying in that regard. It is nice to see a running commentary on what people are doing and thinking, but it's like a comparison between having McDonald's for lunch and sitting down to steak dinner at Anthony's. One is going to be over in minutes and give you gas later, but it is going to take the edge off of your hunger. The other is going to be tasty, last a while over good conversation, and remain in your memory as something fun for a long time.

.....Facebook has its uses though. I've connected with a great many of my old High School friends there. One of them returned home for a visit last weekend and urged all of us to meet up with him at the Bowling Alley in Port Orchard. Five of us made it there. Things were a little awkward at first, but it didn't take long before we were laughing and remembering old stories of the stupid things we used to do.

.....The look on their faces though was priceless when I walked up. In High School I was a very large guy, and stayed that way for many years. I'm at least a hundred to a hundred and fifty pounds less than what they remember me weighing in High School. Add to that twenty-five years of time and they didn't recognize me at all. They weren't quite sure about it either until I started laughing. That they remembered. :-)

.....Interesting contrasts. All of us started college, but none of us finished with a degree. One dropped out and went into the Air Force. He works as a government contractor in Arizona now. Another dropped out of college to intern at Microsoft. He's still there working code. Third one dropped out after two years of culinary school. Worked for a handful of years at K2 (on Vashon Island) before they moved and is now working at a paper mill in Tacoma. The last dropped out when she became pregnant. And, of course, myself. I went to a year of community college before joining the apprenticeship at the Shipyard. I did manage to finish an Associate's Degree. But I'm not really thinking that counts, to be honest.

.....Even though it has over twenty-five years, Rob still has his '64 Plymouth Fury that he spent over two years in High School restoring. It is a beautiful car. Bone white with turquoise blue leather upholstery. Push button transmission. I remember many a Friday and / or Saturday night cruising up and down the main street in Bremerton, when the Police still allowed the cruise to happen.

.....Work has been brutal lately. We're in the middle of our current Project and starting to ramp up to our testing cycle. Everyone is running around like mad trying to get things done. Mistakes get made in that kind of environment and I was the lucky one who drew the short straw this last go-around. It's been almost eight weeks of trying to keep up with the workload while at the same time appeasing the management who has their microscopes trained on you. All kinds of extra procedures and processes that have to be accomplished now. I get home these days and the only thing I want to do is stare at the ceiling for a while. :-)

.....But being that the test cycle is coming up, we can see completion on the horizon. Just two more months of high energy maneuvering and we'll be done. The workload will drop off considerably for a while. I'm looking forward to the break, and maybe the chance to take some real time off from work.

.....At the next Baronial Polling, I think this is the thing I'm going to emphasize the absolute most. If you have a hectic modern life, think carefully if you want to wear that piece of silver on your head. Because if you thought you would be busy, you don't realize the half of it. It really is like having a second full-time job. And if your regular job is tough and hectic, adding the Coronet to it is going to make it that much more hectic.

.....I'm starting to catch my stride though. I don't think it will ever become 'easy' for me. But I do manage to feel a sense of accomplishment every now and then. I cling to those successes! :-) They are the only thing that keep me moving through the failures at times. TBT worries for me every now and then. She gets worried that I'll lose that softness of character I have and become an uncaring tyrant at some point. I don't think it will ever go that far, I still care what people think of me. Maybe entirely too much. I think the ideal location would be that I could listen to people when they tell me I'm doing something wrong, think objectively as to whether they have a point or not, and then file the information away for future reference. That takes quite a bit of discipline though, and a lot of work. But what a lesson that could be learned from the experience!

.....September Crown is ours! Confirmed at the Financial Committee Meeting at July Coronation. Lots to do, and a little extra time in which to do it. :-) I like that. But time will move quickly and I've got to keep that in mind. I have a number of people who've volunteered to do things. Some of the key positions are already filling, even the ones on which I was worried. I've got the e-list ready to launch, but am dragging my feet just a little. Our bid has the location as being in the middle of Druim Doineann. I've asked their Seneschal about the best way to get them involved, or not. He's discussing it now with the Shire and then I'm sure negotiations will ensue. It's been quiet for the past week and a half now and I'm not sure whether to be worried or not. But Ivan will be at Hot Summer Lights this weekend and I definitely plan to sit down with him for a while and talk things out.

.....Clallam County is so different than Kitsap. Their attitude is so laid back and easy-going. We received a killer deal for the Fairgrounds themselves. Then I hit up the city for the baseball fields next to the Fairgrounds. After a lot of anxiety on my part, they finally came back and gave us the ball fields for free. I was a little surprised at that and questioned it to make sure I understood correctly. But, yeah, for free. I can tell this is going to be an interesting experience. :-)

.....We've got the use of several buildings on site, which will make great locations for both Arts & Sciences, and the Marketplace. Even have use of a kitchen. There are several dozen RV sites, with power (although they cost a bit more per night). Even the use of shower facilities.

.....Having the buildings everywhere will be difficult on the ambiance, so I need to get a decorations coordinator on board as soon as possible. But I think it can work. Ambiance is something that can be built anywhere. Even in the middle of modern conveniences, and I think this might be a good venue in which to demonstrate that. Just need to instill that vision in someone, or mind-meld with someone who already thinks along those same lines.

.....August is FULL! So is half of September! The first weekend is our Summer Madness. Which has been a little rocky. But mine and TBT's desire has always been for it to be a fun and relaxing picnic, expanded to a weekend. So my expectations are pretty easy to meet. :-) The next weekend though is Autumn War. Which is on top of another function already planned. Autumn War starts on Thursday and runs through the weekend. So I may try and see if I can do something there on Friday and still have the weekend for everything else planned. Getting the time off of work may be the hard part.

.....The third weekend of August is Sport of Kings. I'm only day-tripping. Not looking forward to the drive. :-) But have a couple of things I really want to do and support there. If things go my way, maybe a side trip to Powell's? Hmmmm.... :-)

.....The fourth weekend is Tir Righ's Investiture, where the INCREDIBLE Mistress Lenora will become Princess of Tir Righ. :-) She is such an incredibly nice person, and I like seeing good things happen to nice people. I am definitely going to be there for the Investiture.

.....Then we roll into September Crown, 2011. Which is close by, relatively. The unfortunate thing being is that we don't have an adequate vehicle for the task. We're committed to camping the event. We'll have to solve that dilemma soonish. Hmmm, ideas are percolating now. Will have to sit down with TBT and make some decisions.

.....Then Last Chance. Scroll requests are starting to roll to Gabrielle. Have a few more to send her way and see if they can happen. Gotta get that put together by this weekend at the latest.

.....O.K., making myself tired now. Must stop. :-)

.....Aaron / Arontius.

.....Not sure I'm ready to go back to work tomorrow, but as ready as I'll ever be. :-) With next weekend being the Independence Day weekend, I'm half-expecting to see a large number of people missing this week. Wish I could be one of them, but there is just too much happening that I can't miss.

.....There will definitely be an exodus of people headed to An Tir / West War this week. With the site opening on Thursday, I suppose a large number will leave on Wednesday and take a little extra time with the trip. Which sounds like a good idea.

.....The Baronial Encampment sounds like it is going to be fun. A nice sized group, and diverse in temperament. Good company. Maybe next year I can join in on the fun.

.....Was a rather busy weekend here though. Saturday morning was a July Coronation meeting up at Sable Rose Emprise with Duchess Angharad. Started off on a hesitent note, but once everyone started talking the ideas and conversation started rolling.

.....THL Alan ap Niel has taken on the role of 'Event Cartographer'. He's been coordinating the efforts of everyone who needs space and territory at J.C. But he's not the one making the contacts and coordinating the actual needs. It is working out rather well. It is a lot like the SCA Coordinator for June Faire, but with less responsibility. I love the way everything is getting organized on the central map. Maybe the SCA Coordinator here at June Faire could get a deputy to do the same thing, and just concentrate on making the face-to-face contact with all the required officers, people, etc. Hmmmm....

.....The Marketplace is going to be easy to lay out. Alan has it all on two straight rows. Only a few corners to worry about. My biggest worry will be to ensure that the merchants who don't want to be next to so-and-so are not set in the wrong location. Those who need to face north, or east, are facing in that direction. Those who need to be close to biffies, or their cars, or.... It's the usual criteria, but this arrangement sure makes things easy on me.

.....We're still planning on being on site on Thursday, later in the day. We'll probably end up marking out the frontage and putting out stakes with the individual names on them. But that may be the extent of things. But I'll know for sure by next weekend.

.....Deadline is today for post-marked applications. I'll be looking for them up until next Saturday, and will then call it good and lock down the map. We have twenty two confirmed now. From the most recent flurry of e-mail, I expect to call it next Saturday at thirty merchants.

.....I could have stayed another hour or so, chatting up the planning of J.C., but TBT had another obligation and we had to leave. Ran down to a wedding where TBT was putting together her upside down wedding cake. Took her between two to three hours for this to happen. But I didn't in the least. When I realized my help was not needed I found a nice corner in which to hang out and read from the Nook for all that time. Anne McCaffrey books were read by the gross, and then Edgar Rice Burroughs. I didn't even realize several hours had passed until TBT started bringing her utencils to the car.

.....It was a nice looking cake. I think that TBT has posted pictures on Facebook.

.....Duchess Angharad is getting married in August and TBT might end up doing the cake. AT least it seemed like it might just happen from the conversation on Saturday. It is a heavy Scottish theme. Cake topper included. :-) Her Grace had an invitation waiting for us. I was flattered that TBT and I had been included. It might have been TBT, but I'll still take the invite. :-)

.....Sunday was all about getting ready for the work week and getting caught up on e-mail 'go-dos'.

.....Worked on some circlets as well. I think that I might start selling some here soon. There have been a number of inquiries. Armor pieces covered all flat surfaces available in the garage, so had to be creative to open things up. Hopefully I didn't lose any pieces in the process.

.....By not going to An Tir / West next weekend, I'll get the chance to get caught up on a number of things. The final J.C. Marketplace map with be completed. The September Crown bid will be finalized. A number of Serjeantry items will be done. It'll also be nice to slow down a bit and get caught back on a few brainless things.

.....Envious of J.R.'s new motorcycle. I have been thinking of one for a while. Hmmm....

.....Now I'm falling asleep. Time to go to bed...

.....Aaron / Arontius.

.....Only Part I because I left the iPod Touch at work, with all of my notes on the subject 'safely' ensconced within it. Sigh! :-) But this is more than enough at the moment so that I don't lose track of anything.

.....There is a lot to do:

1.) Pelican Meeting, May 12th

* Gather consensus on presentation prior to meeting.
* Print out copies of agenda.
* Make arrangements for carpooling.
* Can I take Friday off of work?

2.) Mayfaire, May 14th

* Largesse for new Baron and Baroness?

3.) May Crown, May 20th - 22nd

* Slat bed for Laurellen.
* Pull out pavilions.
* Finish silk banner.
* Meet with Adelheide to talk over lay-out of Baronial Encampment (and find out what the plan is).
* Talk about a pot-luck gathering for Saturday night with the populace.
* Talk with Jahnkin on arrangements for Baronial Encampment to be a Bardic Campfire Gathering Point.
* Make arrangements for food for remainder of weekend.
* Print out Pelican Agenda. Any items of interest for Western Region?
* Discuss transportation of Baronial Pavilion to site and make arrangements for set-up.
* Ensure all who are competing in the Crown Lists from Dragon's Laire are recognized (are there enough tokens?).

4.) June Faire, June 1st through June 6th

* Speak to Oliver and Tegus about Mantel Project.
* Set-up Saturday night gathering. Include location, food, bardic activities (song book).
* Spiffy prizes for Heavy Tourney Circuit and Rapier Tourney Circuit (strategize with Gwen).
* Approximately 8-10 additional medium to larger prizes for out tournaments (strategize with Gwen).
* Speak to archery community to ensure prizes are covered.
* Speak to Sir Raoukinn on scheduling of Heavy Tourney Circuit (include Jahnkin in conversation).
* Speak to Monsignor Talon and THL Carlos on Rapier Tourney Circuit scheduling (include Jahnkin in conversation).
* Speak to Jahnkin on overall marshallate activity scheduling - must have tentative schedule by May Crown.
* Double-check arrangements for U-Haul. Put out announcements for Wednesday packing of U-Haul; Thursday unpacking on site; and Sunday re-pack and re-delivery to storage of all Baronial property.
* Towers needed at gate.
* Torches needed on Erics.
* Contact Equestrian Community on Whidbey Island, Midhaven, Aquaterra, Madrone, and Stromgard and discuss entry in Baronial Equestrian Championship (to back up Tsuruko).
- Discuss additional help for Tsuruko at same time.
* Plan two to three 'Progresses' through site in style of Renaissance Faire.
- Ask Their Majesties / Their Highnesses if they'd like to join.
- Progresses include Their Excellencies in full regalia (including Baronial Cloaks), several carrying banners, at least one herald making announcements, and a trumpeter or piper.
- At least one 'Progress' will hand out an award.
- At least one 'Progress' will travel through Marketplace.
* Make inquiries for bleachers and finalize price.
- Does this include transportation / set-up? If not, how much?
- Need 'bleacher dressing'.
* Invitations for Their Royal Highness and local Barons & Baronesses in progress.
* Make list of Baronial Awards and ensure that scrolls and necklaces will be ready.

5.) Circlet Order - Ingasbo

* Finish circlet order currently in queue.
* Order a new sheet of designs?

6.) July Coronation, July 15th - 17th

* Visit new site and take measurements of Marketplace.
* Map out Marketplace.
* Post results to merchants currently in queue.
* Current helpers in queue: Arontius, Laurellen, Gwenllyn, Brummbar, Madrun (and Dillon?).

7.) Serjeantry

* Set up a meeting with Cedric, Andras and Arion on archery requirements.
* Finish re-write of manual.
* Send note to e-lists to have potential candidates speak to Baron and Baroness prior to June Faire.
* Make arrangements for 'Serjeantry Court' to accept Letters of Intent. Make announcement.
* Need study guide prepared and ready to hand out at 'Serjeantry Court'.

8.) Summer Bardic Circle, August 5th - 7th

* Bardic Tournies / Ongoing bardic circle.
* Invite local bards specifically to participate prior to event.

9.) Miscellaneous

* Check in with Kierran on canvas project.
* Meg's college assignment write-up.
* Letter to Crown for awards recommendations.
* Letter to Crown for fighting help.
* Request update on bid from Clallam County Fairgrounds for September Crown bid.
* Make a date with Aelianora to talk web-site.
* Finalize plans with Ian on new awards.
* Finalize A&S, Bardic, and Scholar Championship Procedures with Madrun.

.....This list is going to get rather lengthy I'm thinking.

.....Aaron / Arontius.

.....I was home all day today and the phone did not ring at all. There were no frantic calls to write letters, get paper, find parts, or locate people. It was good. I slept in until about 0530 and then played around on the computer for several hours. Went out for a leisurely outing at Starbucks with my favorite coffee girl, TBT. Then slowly started getting up to speed at trying to get things done.

.....The kitchen is livable again! All the dishes are done. The cat box is clean. The refrigerator mucked out. I even cleaned the floor. I felt accomplished after that. So I started in the Computer Room of Doom! It was a fierce monster, and it isn't completely slain, but it suffered mightily! Three-quarters of the floor is now clear! The Ingasbo bins are now located in the garage. The miscellaneous piles of paper gathered lovingly to await a final fate. The other piles of left over SCA 'stuff' is in a pile next to the stairs awaiting transport to the Storage Unit of Doom! :-)

.....Depending on how things work tomorrow, I'm thinking that TBT and I will stop at Goodwill or St. Vincent's and pick up a Wing Back Chair and stand to put into the newly cleared space. It'll give me some place to read and organize that is not on my overly crowded desk. :-) It will also give Tia a place to nap that is out of the way of the cats who patrol the hallway. :-) Although as I look at all the clear space I keep thinking that maybe clear space might be better. Hmmm, could be a battle tomorrow. :-)

.....Some presents were wrapped. The rest will be wrapped tomorrow. Along with the cleaning of the bathroom and the bedroom. I'll feel a lot better about the week ahead at that point. Although all ten days are filled with stuff to do:

.....A. Christmas Day Festivities.
.....B. Boxing Day at Countess E's (I was not invited to go with 'the girls', so may have to provide my own transportation. Must remember to pack proverbial 'stuff to do'. :-)).
.....C. A run to Pike Place.
.....D. A Play-Date With Madrun.
.....C. A visit with Branwen.
.....F. A visit to Chehalis to see Richard.
.....G. A day of car maintenance.
.....H. New Years gathering.

.....Practically every day is about booked. Sigh! It'll still be fun as it is not the chaos of work! :-)

.....Still with the lessons in humanity with the Coronet. This time it was a lot more personal in nature. But I don't think I would have noticed without it. It was an observation TBT noticed when talking about what gatherings we needed to attend and how we were going to do it all.

.....Before TBT and I started dating, I had a rather large number of friends that I hung out with. Practically every night was a new meeting, gathering, activity. It was fun and exciting. Tiring at times, but I enjoyed it a lot.

.....When TBT started dating and then married, I started hanging out only with her. For one thing she is fun to hang out with. And when you have a live in friend of such a close personal nature, you find that you don't necessarily need as much companionship and excitement to fill your days. Now that is normal and your friendship circle changes accordingly. But when TBT and I started thinking and talking about it, we've both essentially stopped hanging out with quite a few people. To the point that there are some we haven't seen in a long time and others who don't even call us anymore.

.....Now that is kind of sad as most of these people are rather nice as well as fun. It is also sad in the fact that it is largely our own fault. A friendship is something that needs to be maintained. You have to put forth time and energy to nurture it. If you don't the friendship tends to wither and go away. I've been rather lazy in that regard. I suppose I can blame at least part of that on the job. I've been so hyper-focused on it that I've put on blinders to a lot of other things to the side. But that is really an excuse.

.....So I think that one of the things I want to work on for the upcoming year is to reconnect and make an effort with some of those people who've been neglected over time. It will not be easy to devote that extra time. But looking back at who these people are and how they've supported me in the past, I think that it is worth the effort to at least make an attempt.

.....The bad part to this? It means another 'to-do' list in the making. I think my brain is starting to run out of RAM. I knew that rotting all those brain cells with alcohol in my twenties was going to haunt me some day!

.....Aaron / Arontius.