Tuesday, the day of….blues?

As you may have guessed by the title, today wasn’t amazing. I wasn’t able to finish my goal for today (painting) for three reasons:

 

1. I wasn’t able to paint. I had to go sign up for summer courses (condensed, start in june) and it took me two hours to get in to see an advisor about it. Then it turned out the classes I wanted were full. Naturaly I was furious about wasting my time, and after sitting at my desk for 3 hours writing (and answering emails, mental note not to do that till I calm down) some background for both my modeling projects and persona, i went for coffee to blow off the remaining steam.

 

2. Aforementioned coffee trip.

 

3. Missing (a CIA themed television series) was on. Then dinner, then more TV. By the time I had broken myself out of my comfy chair, It was 11:10, and now I’m writing this.

 

Tommorow will go better though, as I will be working on my armor at Sir Haroun’s residence.

 

Till next I set finger to key,

 

Marcus

Monday, the day of curses

Hello there my good readers,

 

Much reviled for being the start of the mundane work week, monday was actually a good day (this time)

 

I was able to get a test model done for a new color scheme for some cavalry models. 

In addition, my tent came today! big 10 x 8, which is workable for the near future as it will be just me camping in it. I also heard that a twin sized air matress was on sale at walgreens, but was unable to find the time today. However nothing says I can’t swing by tommorow.

 

Short sweet and to the point, thats it for today my fellow scadians!

 

Until I next set finger to key,

 

Marcus

The week before me…

Hello once again my fellows,

 

The week ahead is quite busy, and as such I wanted to let my readers know what I’m doing!

But first, I’d like to make something known. In addition to the SCA I have another hobby, painting fine scale miniatures. Most of the time these are science fiction and fantasy models, but I also do historical figures in a mix of periods. An example is below. 

 

These are french napoleonics, but they are painted in a uniform for my imagi-nation. In addition to painting models there are tabletop games using them which I play.

 

Anyway, onto the week ahead!

 

Monday – cleanup of the house, reorganization of my closet giving me room to store my SCA related items

Tuesday – Paint models. work on top secret SCA related painting project. (well, top secret for the moment. i have to have something to keep you all coming back!)

Wednesday – I’m heading over to Sir Haroun’s to work on my armor. I previously purchased 200 feet of para-cord, and I’m hoping it will get me through at least 3 or 4 pieces, however I know I will need more for my torso protection. Speaking of my torso protection, if I am able to get a measurement I will be able to send word to the good lady I commissioned to sew my surcoat.

Thursday – As my persona is Scots-Norman, I will be furthering research into sources of Tartan fabric for articles of garb. If you have ideas, leave them in the comments please.

Friday – More painting, then on to shire night out later in the evening. We usually relax and hang out at a Barnes and Noble which has had more of my money of late due to interesting books on history.

Saturday – nothing planned, but I will post if something comes up.

Sunday – 3rd sunday fighter practice. Always fun.

 

I am endeavoring to post once daily this week, to see if I can get into a rhythm and keep this blog flowing. Some of the posts will be non-SCA related, which will have the tag [NSCA] in the title so you can filter your reading material!

After this week is over, we move on to the tumult of pre-TmT packing. I am looking forward to the event however, as it will be my first time camping the entire event!

Yours in service to that most noble of dreams,

 

Marcus

The Scramble

Hello once again fellow SCAdians,

 

I write to you now at the turn of a late hour while exhausted, but still able to type.

TmT, otherwise known as the Trimarian Memorial Tournament, is only 2 weeks or so away. This will be my first full weekend event, having only gone to coronation as a day trip. In addition to picking up my commissioned garb, I will be shadowing my chronicler-superior, lady Eithne, to learn  how a chronicler should operate at a kingdom level event.

 

Being as I am staying the full weekend, I will be camping. This leads into the next piece of news I have, which is that I have a tent! I will be camping in a regrettably modern tent, a 10 x 8 dome, which I snagged from walmart on a reduced price of $60 USD. In this tent I will have myself, my bag of clothes and garb, my feast gear ( I will be attempting to go to feast at least once) and a pile of notebooks.

I am quite looking foward to this event, and as it draws nearer and more things fall into place, I shall post again with an update.

 

Until then I leave you in service,

 

Marcus

Be mindful, and watch for the Vair Bell

Hail my fellows,

I am still here, it has just been a little busy in this part of the kingdom (college does that) however projects are being worked on.

I have begun research into tents to be able to choose one that can last for several years. In addition, i have a few presents for fellow shire members in the works.

Watch for the vair bell, the shire of starhavens newsletter, to see my report on coronation in full.

Splendor by the sea

Well….Maybe smack in the middle of Trimaris. However, since we are surrounded on three sides by water I’ll let that slide,

Welcome dear readers, to my latest post. Having recovered sufficiently from Spring Coronation (which I day tripped with a certain baronial personage) I figured it was high time I wrote something about it……

except I am. This is to be a shorter, more concise version of an article that will be published in the Vair Bell, Starhaven’s newsletter.

For my first ever kingdom level event, I enjoyed myself immensely. Unfortunately there was so much to see and do that I had to pick and choose because we were day-tripping. This small setback did not dampen my spirit, however. On the contrary, the chance to be in garb all day, and talk to people with historical interests similar to my own was wonderful.

We arrived on site around noon on Saturday, leaving the dragon-wagon parked safely in the roosts. From there we checked in with the registrar and paid our dues, and then the triumvirate of myself, Baron Maredudd, and Baroness Cherie split up. I accompanied the Baroness, who happily went shopping with me.

Oh, and then the fun began. But isn’t shopping always fun? I had a list of essentials that I needed to pick up, including feast gear and some tunics to expand my wardrobe. Of the former, and entire set excluding a mug was acquired, while the latter was a little harder to find. In fact, most of the garb for sale was in sizes to large or too small for me. Lacking pieces to buy, I commissioned one of the merchants for two sets (a t-tunic and and under-tunic) to lengths worked out by the merchant and the Baroness (who was very knowledgeable on the subject.)

After receiving a receipt for said commission, my eye caught upon a piece of headgear on one of the tables. It happened to be an off-white arming cap. The merchant, a lady who truly knew her garb, said I could have it for free. YAY!

Court was very interesting, however when the 1rst-event-goers like myself were called up, I profess I was a bit…under-armed with facts about how to act. I gave it my best shot though.

Her majesty the Queen welcomed us to Trimaris with a Brooch, which has made me put another item on my list. A tartan cloak.

So much for monetary funds, eh?

All in all, I can’t wait for the next event!

A journey of Oceans (part 3)

This day, the first of April (as the Trimarians name it) I write,

 

Nearly two week have gone by since my last scrivening. I have been busy in the intervening time, of which I will now make note. In addition to several noteworthy gatherings, I have also made progress in arranging my personal belongings and other assorted items.

 

Firstly, I mentioned a day of knowledge relating to the art of smithing armor in my last writings. This event took place, and Sir Geoffrey helped me to forge new knee and elbow protection. However, I have written an in-depth piece on the subject, which has been submitted to the shire’s resident chronicler for inclusion in the shire newsletter. (This curious item is copied and sent to each resident, and provides information and stories for upcoming and past events respectively, as well as tidings from the shire’s officials.) I would urge those who wish more information on the subject to seek out a copy of this newsletter for further reading. Suffice it to say I was taught how to forge basic protections.

 

While touring the countryside to avail myself of the terrain, I encountered a curious shoppe, which sold a variety of fabrics. Having been given advice for just such an occasion by m’lady the Baroness Chiere, I acquired six yards of good quilted fabric with which to sew a surcoat (of course, learning how to sew on such an item with the help of the good Baroness in the process.)

 

I was able to relay my acquisition of such material to the good Baroness, and her husband, quite soon. They invited me to a local cafe (Barnes and noble merritt island) to enjoy the evening and converse. Much merriment was to be had.

 

However, the period was not without it’s confusions. A courier sent by Sir Haroun about working on the rest of my harness was waylaid on his route, causing me to miss his message by a day and thus loose out on the opportunity where Sir Haroun’s schedule opened. Hopefully there will be another soon in the future.

 

Finally, there was yet another practice, this afternoon in fact. Although I was not able to stay for the full duration I was given valuable lessons in combat by Marshall Gavin, the authority in military affairs in the shire. Although these were basic concepts, I am Confident I can build upon them. Indeed learning is half the battle.

 

But that is enough, for sleep beckons me like a siren.

Deputy Chronicler

Greetings good readers,

 

This is to announce that I have been taken in as Deputy Chronicler for the Shire of Starhaven under Chronicler Eithne Ingen Murgein.

This having come about after meeting with her and discussing different facets of the Chronicler’s tasks and my particular skills.

 

Huzzah!

 

regards,

 

Marcus Mac Dougall

Deputy Chronicler of the Shire of Starhaven.

A journey of Oceans (part 2)

To any who may after read this,

I commit this journal for betterment of those who would follow in my steps.

Not four days past I attended a party hosted by that good Baron, Maredudd, who had found me upon the sands and offered his help. I arrived dressed as I could, for I had not had the chance to acquire proper attire. I was greeted by the baron himself, who invited me inside. I was promptly set upon by a pack of dogs, apparently domesticated pets of both the baron and fellow attendee’s. They received much petting and laughter during the evening.

However, most of the evening was spent in discussion on both import as well as tales of battles old. I was happy to be educated rightly in pointers on where to procure the best fabrics for garb, and talks of aid in the coming weeks. Afterward the party gathered to hear Maredudd recount the heady tales of his day’s as court herald, and the wars fought by the kingdom against those neighboring fair Trimaris.

Throughout the evening there was much feasting, for most attendee’s had brought foodstuffs. I myself had (by some twist of fortune) been able to bake my family recipe for a sweet cookie, which where promptly devoured. Baron Maredudd had contributed both bread and a curious mixture of cheese and vegetables which turned out to be delicious.

I had learnt much from my fellow shire-dwellers, and prepared to learn more, for a rally for fighters was just across the dawn.

When I arrived at the practice field the next morrow a bundle of clothing was thrust into my arms. One of my fellow revelers (I am unsure on her SCA name atm) had sewn me some basic pieces so I at least had something after the tragedy that had befallen me. I thanked her profusely.

Gods curse that damnable storm! As it turns out, I have lost much of my skill with the sword, most likely caused by being thrown across the waves in that witch-brewed whirlwind of the sea. I have determined to relearn my lost art, and the shire’s fighting men do seem willing to help. This generosity has been extended to crafting proper armor, to which I have both acquired materials and been invited to an upcoming workshop for.

Ah, but that day of knowledge is yet to come, and I will cease my scribblings lest they wander too far.

General Garb Update

Behold the first requisitioned piece for my feast gear set. a nice wooden candle-stand.

 

This brings my total garb/gear to 1 ring-belt and the above.

 

I’m getting there, slowly but surely!

 

Sunday night will have a big update, as two events will have passed. A “we didn’t want to go to Gulf-wars anyway!” and Sunday fighter practice.

 

Till then and in service,

 

Marcus