Mega-mondo update of doom
Ok, here we go, day by day starting the middle of last week.
Wednesday 4/26
It was my Monday at work, and also the first day of a new employee, that I had to train. Not just any employee, but my new supervisor. Yup, I'm training my boss. I knew they were trying to hire someone for grave, but I didn't find out until he was hired, that he'd be my supervisor. It would have been nice to know in advance, then maybe Dave or I would have applied for the job.
He's an ok guy, although, now Dave and I won't be able to have movie night, or the down time that we're used to.
Thursday 4/27
nothing special
Friday 4/28
After work I headed down to Maryland for Celtic Fire, my first Markland event of the season. I made pretty good time, getting there by 11:30. I was the first Marklander there. The people at Marietta Mansion, where the event was held, goofed and double booked the site to Markland, and Dagorhir and group of LARPers. For those that don't know LARP is for Live Action Role Playing. We weren't thrilled about them being there, most LARPers are teenagers, they don't fight like we do, a bunch of the games have wizards and stuff. Basically they're dorks. There was one group of the Dagorhir people there already, so I felt like being neighborly and introduced myself to them. They were kids, but not that dorky. I asked about what they do, they don't have spellcasters, they do hit very light using squishy nerf-like weapons.
I set up my tent, got in garb, and started setting up Circle camp, making the fire ring, getting wood, etc. Then I waited. I was chatting with this one chick Banshee from Dagorhir a lot. She was silly enough to suggest that her people could out-party ours. Eventually more Marklanders showed up, first the Galatians, then HVD. Then Kegger and Coyote from the Circle showed up, I helped get them set up. Eric, Aiden, Coran and Minion filtered in throughout the day.
Shortly before dark, I started drinking. I came up with a new beverage of choice. I used to be a rum and coke guy. Now I'm a rum and rum and rum and rum and rum and coke and rum guy. Kegger had his cordials, and I also had whatever else was being passed around. I was feeling no pain and started mildly flirting with Banshee, so did Coyote. The three of us were having a good time wandering around to different groups, and households. Then when we made it back to camp Banshee announced that she had set a new record for drunkenness, but wasn't gonna fuck any of us cuz she had a boyfriend back home. Then she threw up.
She got up and said she was going to the bathroom, I asked if she needed help getting there, she disappeared in the darkness without answering I decided to go and make sure she was ok, but she was ok. I went back to camp and told everyone she was gone, so a couple of us went out looking for her. She was alright and made it back to her camp.
About 11:30 - 12:00 the rest of the household showed up. That meant we all scrambled to get the A frames, canopy, kitchen and about a dozen other tents set up in as little time as possible. I'm not sure how long it took, but we did get everyone set up fairly quickly. I think I was in bed by 4:00.
Saturday 4/29
Woke up around 10:00, had a light breakfast. It was getting close to time to gear up, but first I had to tease the Dagorhir people. They were having weapons inspection. I duck taped a pillow to my left arm, and held a piece of foam pipe insulation in my right, then went to the battlefield, asking if I could play. The marshal took one look at me and said "Go away!" He wasn't pleased.
Earlier in the year Galatia challenged the Circle to a seasonal war, Celtic Fire was to be the first battle of the war. There were several scenarios that were worth points whoever had the most points at the end of the day won. That was us. We fought great, all of us, veterans and newbies alike.
After the fighting we all headed back to camp to party. Eventually T and C showed up. After Kin Ryu and I got them situated it was time for ceremonies. First we went to HVD for Gunther to take his first squire, the we headed back to our camp so I could be squired to Kin Ryu, he then chose to make Coyote his man at arms. We were about to head to HVD for one of there ceremonies when I took a moment to read out the Commandments of Marklar
Since I know you're all curious, here they are:
1. Thou shalt fight
2. If there's no one around to fight, find someone
3. Get fucked up!
4. Thou shalt abuse all power thou art given.
5. Thou shall show no mercy
6. Thou shall always double up on white belts
7. Might makes right
8. If you are not right, beat them until you are.
9. Women love bruises
10. If they don't, hit them until they do
11. Thou shall sell all services to the highest bidder
12. Trust no one
13. Thou shall not have any gods before, unless they pay more
14. Thou shall not worship any false idols, unless they have big boobies
15. Braaaaaiiiiinnnnnssss
Some of them are semi private jokes/ you had to be there kinda things, but you get the idea.
Then we dispersed for more drinking partying. At one point a challenge was made between Markland and Dagorhir for a game of "Viking Football" The rules are simple, you and everyone else are the ball. Try and get all the people on the other team across your goal line by any means necessary. It was especially fun when we were all drunk, and playing by starlight alone.
A bunch of us headed over to Galatia camp for a bardic competition which was fun, then eventually it was bed time.
Sunday 4/30
Woke up around 11:30 had camp broken down by 1:00 said our good byes and were on the road by 1:30. It was definetly a great war. And there was very little camp drama. I was home by 5:15.
Monday 5/1 thru Thursday 5/4
Nothing special
Friday 5/5
Belt test at karate. I passed and am now an advanced brown belt. The next test I take will be for my black belt. Unfortunately though, finances are a bit tight right now so I'm taking a break from karate for a few months till I get things under control. I already cleared it with my instructor which is really cool of him.