Weekend of Strange.

What a weekend I have had. To begin the unusual tone that would dominate this weekend, my friend Chris was doing his NC Nat'l Guard duty weekend this weekend. Which means no beer and meat, and which meant that I would be waking up in my own bed for once on a Saturday morning, rarity that it is. So I intend to wake up at 7:00, take a shower, pack and get everything up and going by 8:00 so I can pick up friend Lenore (Buttons the Royal Court Lovable Jester[tm]) by around 8:30 and get to cast call for the Carolina Renaissance Faire (still going, weekends, now through Nov. 14th). So of course, even though the alarm is set for 7AM and it works, even after waking up and sitting up at 7:30, I promptly fall back asleep until 8:10. Still needing a shower, I take one, pick up Lenore at 10 til 9AM. So, once again, Justin(me) is late for cast call.

It's a rather dreary looking, cool day, so the crowd is somewhat thin. And of course, Mark the "Other Captain" decides he wants to come on a Saturday instead of his usual Sunday. Which throws my schedule all to poop. John had a school obligations, so he wasn't there. continuing to throw off the groove. Come evening time, our normal entourage staying at the hotel was down to 2 people. 2 rooms, 6 beds, 2 people. So Heather and I check in, cancel one room, and ponder foodstuffs. We are both broke as can be, but Rennie's take care of their own, and there was a massive bratwurst, sausage dog, hot dog, spaghetti cook out thing at Phil's "Royal Court Compound" in the CRF campsite, so we had a lot fo Free Food(tm). Which was tasty and well. We get back to our room, change and go for our usual soak in the hot tub and pool there. We laugh at all you campers. We have beds. And heat and air. Hor tubs, pools, hot showers, free breakfast. Mwahaha. We're soaking along, achingly and quietly. It's quiet because apparently, the major draw of the hotel hot tub is Chris. None of our usual peoples were there. The Sheltons(3), Lenore, Doug(congratulations on becoming an uncle), Kristie, Logan, Michelle, and John all had plans and obligations all at the same time Chris had Guard duty. Coincidence? Luckily, Chris' wife, Lani, showed up while we were soaking and livened things up. That's right, one room, two very attractive and friendly females, and me. So I slept on the fold out couch in the other part of the room, while they each got a bed. Because I'm dripping with decency and propriety. Friend, Safe, with Big Brother cluster and a rank of Virgin, 1st Class.

Continuing on. Sunday. Left when I was supposed to, and I was still late to cast call. Just can't make it on time if left to my own devices. After cast call, the men got pulled aside because a bit we did the week before with peasant girls caused offense somewhere. The words "sexual harassment" was tossed around. Speaking personally, I was conscious of the fact that the girl who happened to be in my lap wasn't of the age of 18. I don't know how old she was, but probably no more than 16. However. Before it even took place, Chris, the great planner that he is, talked to each of the girls and told them that if they weren't comfortable with any of it, they didn't have to. It was ok. Chris just wanted to do this bit, and wanted to include some of the other casts. For my part, it seemed my girl was having at least a little fun. No one was disrespectful, that I could see. She fed me apple slices, I fed her apple slices, and there weren't any involuntary reactions to cute girl in my lap that might have been offensive. However, I could see how a bystander might look at the situation and cry "Dirty old perverts!" There was a highly noticable age gap between us guys and the girls. 22 is the youngest male involved at that was me. On stage, flirty flirt flirt. Off stage, respect of the age difference, professional, we thanked them, let them know they could stop or leave if they felt uncomfortable.

First Joust. Two guards are supposed to escort the Queen on the field so that she might hold some rings for the jousters to lance at. Normally, I can hear her Majesty clopping down our rotted, ancient decrepit reviewing stand, but today, she snuck out on me. She was getting ready to get out on the field before I even saw her. So the other guard with me, Derek, and I come running out onto the field behind her looking as if she had snuck past us somehow. because she did. I went with that and came to a skidding stop just behind her majesty in a bit of a cartoony gesture of catching up. It worked, it's funny, we'll be doing it that way from now on. Huzzah. At another joust, I broke through the floor just by standing on it's rotted planks. I have been told that it's ok if I break it some more. Yay!

Cast-wise, we were majorly short. However, an actress from Minnesota's faire, who shares our queen, and two actresses from the Arizona ren-Fest's Royal Court(ARF is our sister faire, owned by the same rich, cheap bastard), joined us. So we were filled out alright, and we got to play with new people.

I wish I could remember more of the weirdness, because there was a lot, or at least just a general sense of "not right" hanging about in the air. All told, it was a productive and mostly fun weekend. I look forward to next weekend, however, as that's our Halloween weekend, and I hope to break out the chainmail. If nothing else, it's a fun weekend, and there's the whole hotel hot tub alcohol relax friends hang out smoke hooka thing.

Huzzah.

Let the Dead stay Dead!

Back into your cold earthen bed, ye dead! I have killed you! Sleep, wretched life, and do not stir in your slumber. You are neither needed nor wanted. Back I say! Back! Wretched abomination, in the Name of the Most Holy One, I command you! Let the Dead remain Dead.

Disillusionment

Why is the current situation in my country making it so hard for me to vote for candidates from my own party? It's not that the Democrats are more in line with my ideology, because they are, by and far, not, it's just I find that the Republicans that are up for election aren't the better of the two options. What the hell? Bush could have been a good president. But he listens to his advisors. And his advisors are terrible, hand-wringing, double-dealing, stereotypical rich white guys. And I hate that they get the term neo-conservative. Isn't "new" supposed to be "better?" Does that make me a "Paleoconservative?" Paleo - Old, ancient. Conservative - Favoring traditional views and values; moderate, cautious. That is me. A conservative of the values and flavors of older times. An often anachronistic adherence to old traditions and values. I may be out of date, but just because it's new, doesn't mean it's better. I give you Cheney, King of the Neocons.

Also, it's damn near impossible to get a job these days, because I can't just talk to a person anymore. It's all computers and test and answers. Gone are the days when you can walk into a place and talk to a manager or owner. I have to file an application and call only to have the hiring manager be gone on a two week vacation, gone for the day, looking over applications next week, or already have passed the applications to the district manager whom I have no means of contacting. I have charisma, I can deal well with authority figures. But why deal with people and gauge someone person-to-person when you can sit back and let a program tell you who would make a good employee based on what could be a massive list of lies.

When I am Emperor Iustus Pius Augustus, I won't have to worry about that.

Of course, if Prophet was still a paying gig, I'd have a job.

Superman is dead. Long live Superman.

Christopher Reeve has passed into the next life. Here's the USA Today obituary. He will always be an inspiration. He was a hero on film, but truly, he was Superman in life. Long live Superman.

I knew you, before the fall of Rome.

I think it's entirely possible some part of me was emperor Justinian, of the Byzantine Empire. He created a codified system of laws that became the predecessor for our current legal system. He also married a prostitute (who quit after becoming all married and rich, I assume) who was strong of will and vital to the survival of Constantinople during a religious riot. I think some part of you was her. I never called you a whore, or thought you as such. You said it, not me. Though you do have a fascination with Satine from Moulin Rouge. I think that's why you'll always be familiar to me. I think that's why you were as familiar as you were. We were together once. Hundreds of years ago. An empire was held together by our combined strength, once. Hundreds of years ago. We were together once. Not too long ago. I didn't choose to have us part, that was your idea. I didn't cut off all of your hair, all you. I put one about the same weight you did, but at the same time, I weighed 100 more pounds than you did. I tried to lead you down the best path I could see for us both. It wasn't perfect. I warned you of the pitfalls associated with walking with me. You said it was ok. Every time we came to a new step, a new level, you said it was ok, or it was your idea to go on. You make these choices that harm you, that could lead to your destruction. I don't make these choices for you. Oh sure, you'll just say that it's harmless, that it's safe. You've thrown in with a man you hardly know, though you know him better than you ever knew me. But you never really did want to "know" me did you. I don't think you ever really loved me. I was just the one that got away, and you couldn't have that. And once you got me, well, where was the chase? Where was the prize? How dare I not meet your expectations of what I was supposed to be. Fine, go ahead. Blame me for your descent. Blame me for your perversion. Call me the sick freak. Fine. That's ok. In fact, I will whole-heartedly accept that. Because then you will be happy. Happy knowing that it's not your fault you're destroying yourself. No, it's my fault you're making these choices, not yours. Or perhaps your abusive parents are to blame. But no, not you. Innocent, victimized you. I am the sick freak. But who of us has maintained purity, and who has not? Who of us partakes of illegal substances, and who does not? Who of us was willing to make a lifetime's commitment before even considering laying with the other, and who was not? Who is righteous and who is not?! You are laughing or fuming at my indignation. Maybe even both. Deluding yourself into believing you have the moral high ground, that you are, indeed, the righteous one. However, come Judgement, we will see who lives and who is cast into the pits of hell. And you will wish me to suffer the pits of hell. And that is fine. I, however, wish God to save you from the consequences of your life. I wish his Son to come into your heart, or at least save you from harm that your days in this life may be healthy and happy. And I pray that the Holy Spirit watch over you, and keep you.

"Bless those that curse you."

Save the Innocent.
Smite the Wicked.

Bad Year 2002 comes to a close.

Bad Year 2002 is finally coming to a close. Having extended its reign to a truly phenominal 39 months, we were afraid it would last forever. But a recent string of good days, counting 10 or more, depending on the reckoning, has shown the Streak is over. While 2004 will most likely still show in the red, there is significant improvement in the beginning of quarter 4. Experts believe the oncoming Carolina Renaissance Festival, bolstered with a good foundation of summer Mountains of Meat, Copious Beer, and Excellent Music, is a strong impetus for the sudden rise in mood. Stay tuned for futher updates.

I found me some work!

So John's parents gave the green light for their new computer, which means I just found me some work. It's not much, but the pay's decent, even if I am giving them a $200 discount. Pay is pay, and it's enough to keep me afloat for another week or two if I can't find anything else.

Happy Birthday Jerod!

My younger brother, Jerod, turns 21 today! So happy birthday to him! Check out his blog, A Little Place for My Thoughts.

A Lesson in Bash and Respond

John Scalzi recently posted an entry in his blog "Whatever" about his opinions on the nature of slamming and response on the internet. Check it out here. Essentially, he believes that if you're going to write an entry bashing someone or their beliefs or ideas, you should allow for that person to respond to you directly. Or else he will write many words about his frustration and they will be not kind and well written. Which is one of the things I like about Scalzi's work is even his angry stuff is intelligent and thoughful. And generally lacking in low language and swearing, which is important. I've always thought that excessive cussing showed a decided lack of vocabulary and thinking.

Weapons of Mass Distraction

So this weekend was amazingly fun! It started Friday night. I saw Sky Captain and thw World of Tomorrow. It was everything I hoped it would be. It captured the look and feel of the serial sci-fi films of the 30's and 40's, and added to them modern fi;m sophistication. The entire cast gave entertaining performances, lending sympathy and caring for the characters they portrayed. It had action, but was light-hearted. Good stuff. And then He rested, and it was the First Day.

And then it was Saturday. We had a Royal Court meeting for the Carolina Renaissance Festival (our last Royal Court meeting before the season starts next weekend. YAY!) which is always fun. Because we're all wacky silly people and love to hang out with each other. So the meeting is done and since we're all at Phil's Bunker, well, we slid right on into party/cookout mode! Phil's parties are something of the legnedary ilk. There were tasty steaks and sides for all, plus ridiculous amounts of tasty alcohol. While getting drunk wasn't the goal, (we drink because the drinks are tasty), some of us were inebriated.

Some months back, I was cooking breakfast for dinner and thought to myself, why not cook the bacon in Guiness? And so I did, and it was good. And I cooked the eggs in the Guiness bacon grease and it was good. So. We're making pork 'n' beans, and some of us like to cook up actual bacon to put in the beans. So we cook the bacon in Guiness. Then, while the beans are slow simmering, we put in 2-3 shots of Jameson(damn fine Irish whiskey). Thus, a song was born.

Theeeerrrree waaaaaaaaasssss...
Beer in the bacon and whiskey in the beans
Rum on the pancakes and port in the cream
Mead in the muffins, wine and cheese
And the Queen cried for more beans please!

Somewhere betweent he alcohol and the double-apple tobacco in the hooka, we had the brilliantest of ideas. Make a trebuchet. So we planned to do that the next day. Towards the end of the evening, somehow we managed to start watching Univision and Sabado Gigante (Big Saturday) with hoochie makeovers, dancing twats, and lots and lots of really strange things in spanish that we couldn't understand, but was fun to watch. And the commercials for a night-time soap called Rubi. This is important remember it later. And there was hooka and hot tub. And it was good. And it was the evening of the second day, and He rested.

Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! Breakfast consisted of thick sliced Guiness bacon, Guiness bacon eggs with shredded extra shapr vermont cheddar, grands and crescent rolls, and much tastiness. And so we built a trebuchet. In the space of an afternoon. And we named her Rubi, after our favorite commercial from the night before. And it was good. And we celebrated with all you can eat chinese after a few test fires.


(left to right: back row - Doug, Jeremy, Craig, Chris, Derek. front row - Phil, me)

The Types of Jobs.

Near as I can reckon, there are three types of jobs in this world.

1) Retarded entry level trained ape jobs that pay you a pittance, not a wage.

2) Good paying jobs in fields I have no compatibility with, be it because I've never worked anything nearly like it and/or they require experience in the field and/or they require some sort of degree in that field.

3) Jobs that pay decent that I would be able to succeed in if it weren't for the fact that the particular job I'm looking at is already filled.

There is a theoretical fourth kind, involving good pay, compatability, and an opening, but I've never seen this job with my own eyes, so I am inclined to disbelieve.

Still here.

Got some jobs lined up for the fall, a couple of computer building jobs. Simple work, and it's for friends, so the profit's not great, but I'm not going to not give friends a discount. That's what friends are for, the hook up. They lead people to me, I give them discounts. It's the way it goes. John was kind enough to post flyers all about Catawba College's campus for me, and I'll be giving flyers to other folk, so soon it should start picking up. Which is good. The sooner I can support myself building computers the happier I'll be.

ne obliviscaris redux

My previous entry down there had some Latin in the title maybe not all of you recognize. It means "Never Forget." It's also the Clan Campbell motto. By virtue of my mother being a Thomas, I am a member of Clan Campbell. Fate? Coincidence?

A Little Place for My (Brother's) Thoughts

So Jerod changed his blog around on me. It's now called A Little Place for My Thoughts. You may check it out again all over again.

ne obliviscaris

I made a post on Fireflyfans.net about September 11th, thought I'd put it here.

I remember wishing that I could go to class and learn that day. But they cancelled classes. I remember going to see my girlfriend for lunch at her school (She was 17, I was 19) and everyone was terrified.

I remember being annoyed at the stupidity of the public. People living in rural North Carolina, at least an hour from any major financial or urban area going home from school or work in fear.

I remember being outraged at our own citizens lashing out at innocent muslims who had nothing to do with the attacks. I remember wishing death on the flag burning muslims laughing at our tragedy.

I remember feeling nothing as the second plane hit the towers. I remember sitting there watching the towers fall with the same boredom and disinterest as I do when watching the news any other day. This wasn't shock, this was a lack of feeling. Death has never bothered me, nor tragedy.

I remember, but what I remember, no one else seems to recall.

Mercenary Tactics

Found work today. Not much, simple transport job. Girl wanted to see a guy. Guy's hung up on his ex, but fools around with the girl. I was at John's doing some maintenance on his machine when she pops in, asked John for a ride. John will have nothing to do with the whole soap opera. She asks me. I ask if she's got money. She asks how much. I say twenty bucks. Twenty minutes later, she's stabbing herself in the proverbial stupid and I'm $20 richer. Bein' a merc's not always easy, but pay is pay.

Die Unicru!!!

For those of you who have ever done an online application, you probably know what I'm talking about. Unicru makes/runs/provides online applications/software. These applications have the usual personal information and work history, but then asks you OVER 100 QUESTIONS!!! Most of the repeats and rewords of things like "Are you a leader?" "Are you pleasant?" Over and over and over. The actual application takes maybe 15 minutes. The questions, anywhere from 26-37 pages of 4 or 5 questions, take 30-40 minutes to do. It's pointless. And is stupid. Liars get interviews, honest people don't get looked at because they answer honestly as opposed to the set criteria the software is looking for. I, however, am a master at giving the answers these things want. But it's still a pain in the ass. Just let me give you my information and then, if you think I might be good for the job TALK TO ME for Pete's sake. Use your judgement. Don't let some piece of software tell you who would make a good employee. Aiyah...

Greedo Doesn't Shoot First

It seems that the on going petitions and lobbying from Star Wars fans upset about Greedo shooting first in the cantina scene of the special edition of A New Hope did some good. Lucas has tweaked that scene, again, and some others, cleaning up some of the details. You can check out the article here. I had planned on buying the trilogy set anyway, but now even more so. That Greedo scene was the only one I didn't like from the Original Trilogy, but now even that's been fixed! Yay!

My Younger Brother!

Captain's Blog - Supplemental

That's my brother's blog. Not much there, but it's there.

T3h John, Elder Rummage Son

So my friend has taken an idea from me and started his own blog titled Meet My Winged Cat. He's not your normal kinda guy, but his ramblings are usually quite amusing. Give it a read.