damont

And now, to catch up with my doings in February...

As is my habit of the past few years, I traveled to Pittsburgh for the Debatable Lands' February event (this year, Carnivale a Venezia). This happened on February 8-9-10. I returned to the FedroSplat with the knowledge of my impending death at

wanderingpixie's hands.

The trip out to Pittsburgh Friday was generally without incident.

montuos and I first went to Margaret's and helped prep the food for the event; when that was all done we headed over to

wanderingpixie and

demonlurking's where we were crashing along with

fosveny. Saturday morning we headed to the event site. (Note for future reference: if we're going to the Lodge in North Park, use the *freeways* all the way to Wexford, *NOT* McKnight Road Of The Zillion Traffic Lights followed by the twisty-turny paths all the way across North Park! As a bonus, there's a Sheetz on 19 just off of 910 in Wexford.)

I was worried we'd be getting there late, but Their Sylvan Majesties hadn't gotten into garb yet. *sigh of relief* Morning court eventually got started, with a couple of awards, and Tommasia getting sent on her Laurel Vigil (as preannounced). Then I was called in. I gave informal greetings from Their Majesties of Atlantia, then begged the favor of thanking someone in open court. This favor was granted, and Lady Ailis Linne (

wanderingpixie) was called in.

Ailis was submissions herald for Æthelmearc for a number of years, and is responsible for organizing the "Traceable Art" project that is now available online to the great benefit of drawing-challeneged gentles such as myself. She does most of her work behind the scenes, but what I wanted to thank her for was perhaps the least visible thing of all! Some of you know that I used to run the heraldic packet mailing service called the "SquidPak." When I had to hand it off, Ailis took over half of it. She continued this for the next three years, until the College of Arms went to an all-online system which made the packets obsolete. For such faithful and excellent service that few people ever see, much less notice, I wanted to thank her in public. (I also presented her with a gift later: a "SquidPack" of cat toys from SquidTech, just a bit too modern to present in court.)

His Majesty Duncan then told us to wait a bit... that many others besides me had good things to say about Ailis... and many had put their praises in writing, and Their Majesties were minded to take notice of this. The court herald then called in the Most Noble Order of the Pelican... at which point Ailis leaned over to me and growled "I'm gonna KILL you!", then let me balance her as she knelt to be put on vigil.

The rest of the afternoon was spent trying to stay hydrated and occasionally dancing. Got to talk briefly with

devreux and

cayeux and

house_elf and

cellio. Then I stood in with the Debatable Choir (thanks

ariannawyn!) to process the Royalty into evening court with the Hassler "Alleluia". Ailis and Tommasia were elevated during that court, among other things. Feast followed, and then I stuck around for the Ball (dancing? playing with the band? I am so there!) and cleanup.

Sunday the 10th we braved a HEAVY snow squall to head down to Elsbeth and

alaricmacconnal's for brunch with the heraldry crowd. Got to meet

house_elf's boyfriend and his early-teen daughter, and also to see Myfanwy who'd been too sick to make the event. Too soon, we had to leave, but at least we waited until the snow had passed through. So of course we drove through it *again* on the PA Turnpike -- one of the more annoying February traditions appears to be stopping at the Somerset service area on the way home, to gas up in the snow and freezing blustery winds. We made it home in time to carpool into Old Town Fairfax (where parking == Teh Suck, so carpooling == Good) and celebrated

killernurd's ability to order Guinness legally at a pub.

Further February catch-ups later. Meanwhile, I will point you at yesterday's xkcd which I spent several minutes laughing at.