Mile High Con and The Colorado Springs Witches Ball 2011

Wow!

No, seriously. Wow.

If you haven't been to Mile High Con, you should go next year. Go buy your tickets as soon as they go on sale and GO!
The people there are amazing, and not only did I get to sing a lot and have my art in the art show, I also bought two new books to read! I'll post some reviews when I finish them. :)

The thing I like most about MHC? The fact that everyone is so friendly and willing to network and talk and geek out. The bellydancing zombies this year didn't hurt either!

So Saturday after playing all day at MHC we headed to the Colorado Spring Witches Ball. What FUN that was!!! I got to buy things too... so that didn't hurt!
We sang with all of the energy we had, and it was warm on that stage! But so very worth it. I really hope that we can go back and sing again next year!

Sunday it was back to MHC to help out in the art show, that was a blast in a half. I met so many new friends there!

Alright, I wanted to post this even if it's disjointed. Why? Because in 2.5 hours I start NaNoWriMo.

So, to leave you all smiling:

Dragon*Con 2011

Another year of Dragon*Con comes to a close.

Yes, I know that I'm about a week late posting this, but we had the whooole drive home (24 hours) and then I managed to catch the con crud which kicked my butt for a good few days. (Thank goodness for tea!)

(Thank you to Aris and Kendrah for this video and many many others!)

I know that the colors are wonky, but it was the Time Traveler's Ball! We were like... rockstars or something! All of the lights and the people and I got to DANCE during ShadowCat's drum solo! (insert a squee here) I really don't usually... dance. Not like I feel like I was that night on stage, but that could just be a Pooka being completely overwhelmed by adrenaline and many other emotions and energy and yay!

The con was AMAZING! I know that last year I had a blast, but this year? Even better. I am still floored by the fact that people RECOGNIZED me in the halls. I mean.. really? I'm humbled, and tickled pink. Thank you to everyone that came by the booth, or came to talk to us after shows. Thank you to the countless people that took photos, the people that allowed me to steal their hats to take photos in them. The Con staff and volunteers that kept everything as sane as possible. The HOTEL STAFF that dealt with our insanity...

I had such a blast singing Filk, talking with everyone at DarkCon, seeing Abney Park (Yay! I made it to their show) with Mudbutton, Got to visit with old friends, make new ones, I learned I can run up at least two flights of stairs in a corset and NOT black out, I learned apple pie is the best drink in the world, and that when given the chance, I will be in Atlanta next year!

I also want to give a special thank you to all of the boothies that dealt with the band's insanity, and to Kendrah and Aris for being so amazing and taking so many videos of us.

And I leave you with... a filk!

Scarborough Adventure: 2011

        So some of you may know that last year in late April I took the trek down to Scarborough Renaissance Festival in Waxahachie, Texas. Well this year I was given the chance to again visit the magic that is Scarborough-shire.

       Captain Velvet and I set off from the crazy town of Denver with no rush. I have to admit that I still don't understand why Requiem and Discordia wouldn't let me take the dragon... The car is so much slower!

      We drove and drove and drove some more, stopping in Amarillo for an overnight stay before finally making it to Waxahachie.

        The first morning was like being a  child all over again. I was up early, and dressed and we made it to the festival before canon. Once we got in a made a beeline for Wondrous Works in Wood for a new mug. That was my only purchase for the weekend as I was quickly re-adopted by my friends... And thus began the amazement.

      That first day I was adopted by the Spanish court. I walked parade with them, dined with them and was even given the honor of being able to perform a masque! I was the pirate captain!

      Halfway through the day I was tempted away by a trio of handsome Irishmen- whom I got to sing Smuggler's Song with. Pure bliss. The Korabushka was so much fun, I was claimed by George Boleyn! Canon sounded far too early for my tastes and the day was over.

      The second day I became an honorary Gyptian. Iosef himself swore me in, he is the Rombaro. I was able to walk parade with them and make merry in the streets. The Irish again tempted me away to sing an old favorite, "Old Black Rum". We played and sang and made a wondrous sight... I hope. And I made some of the best friends a Pooka could have. I got to dance the Korabushka with Iosef and found myself full of joy. I was also at that point promised a shopping partner or two, for the following day.

      The third day was bittersweet, I wanted to enjoy it as best I could but I didn't want it to end. My shopping was done with company from two old friends and a gentleman from Scarborough-shire. The far best memory I have from that day is when the gentleman found he had insulted me he flung himself upon the ground and groveled (face in the dirt) to try and win back my favor... No one has ever done such for me before. It made me smile, and realize how different things are from faire to faire. I only wonder in Mab will send me to Scarborough-shire for the Pandora Project at some point... I can only hope!

      Closing gate had me in tears. The three days that I had spent there was like walking in a dream. I went from having friends and acquaintances to having a family that welcomed me with open arms and embraced me with some of the best hugs I have ever had. They tried their hardest to tempt me to move, to become one of them... but I had to say no. My heart wept with every denial. I can't move to Texas, I am needed in Colorado.....

So until next season, my friends, my family. My best wishes and fondest dreams are with you.

Magnolias

When I was younger I lived in New Orleans, well Shreveport to be exact. I remember the Magnolia trees, the feel of the summer humidity, the people…. The taste of jambalaya… I was lucky to go back and visit before Katrina hit, I was lucky to wander the streets of the French Quarter, feel the hot breeze on my face and hear the Jazz music pouring from almost every bar. It felt like home. No matter how long I was gone, no matter where I lived otherwise…

By Geauxlouisianna on Flickr

That, is a Magnolia tree! When we went to visit I remember praying that I would see one, just one Magnolia bloom. It was too early in the season for Magnolias and I knew that, but still I hoped.
I remember looking outside of my hotel room window, where a single Magnolia tree stood in the median of Poydras St. And it bloomed the whole time I was there.

I have to say, that was probably the best memory of that city that I will always hold.