This past Saturday found me in my Pirate garb in Grafton, WI for the Grafton Holiday Parade. The Port Washington Pirate fest had asked for costumed volunteers, so I volunteered. I got up at 7, I had set the alarm for 6 but must have flailed in the middle of the night and turned it off. I made a mad dash to shower and dress, and get out the door by 7:30. I made it to Grafton by 10:15 and as I was getting out of the car I was greeted by Tom, A-E, and Chloe. We then walked to the lineup point and waited for others to show. Step off time for the parade was at 11 a.m. and were were float number 89. I think we stepped off around 11:30 or so. I had a blast riling up the crowd. I gave out 80 mini candy canes in the first 1/3 of the parade. I was also handing out flyers for the pirate fest and I know I handed out hundreds of them. I’m not sure how many came in a box (I’m guessing 1000) but I think between us all we handed out about 1 and 3/4 boxes. It was really a great time,and I look forward to the next parade Dec, 8th. On the way home I stopped and had dinner with Carl and Juli, then home to relax.

Wow, it’s been a while since I last posted. I’m not really sure why, but oh well…
Today I will be going in to work later, because I have to put some updates on our main library system. This ended up offering me the opportunity to get my car in to the dealer to be looked at. Ever since the weather turned cold my car has been having a problem. When the temperature drops to the lower thirties the drivers side airbag warning light comes on and stays on. Once the car warms up, and I restart it, the light does not come back on. The 1st time I took the car in, because I turned it off, they were unable to read any codes from the computer. Today, I went over with the light on, and didn’t turn the car off, so they were actually able to read the error codes. I now have an appointment for Tuesday to pick up a loaner car, as the repair is supposed to take 4 to 6 hours. Thank God it’s still under factory warranty.

I beat the game. I still have 57 stars to find, but I did beat it.

Well, I finally got around to getting the NVidia provided, open GL drivers compiled for my new laptop. I hadn’t seen any of the fancy windowing tricks available yet. I’m slightly disturbed by the “Jello” effect windows have when I move them. Although it is kinda funny to watch things bounce and distort as i move them around. I also installed Google Earth today which was actually the instigator for needing the fancy graphics drivers. Sadly now, I can’t remember why I installed google earth in the 1st place, but it is very cool that they have a version for linux.

Here is the latest word I have and from what I understand pretty close to the text to be used in the obit. I will definitely be attending the wake, and probably the funeral too.

Elizabeth Ann Lindel, passed away on Monday November 12, 2007 She is survived by her fiancé Michael Sodimier; parents Roseanne and Robert Godawa; brothers, Michael, David & Brian; Sister Mary Godawa; daughter, Elizabeth Dawson; son, Billy Lindel; Grandchildren William & Emily. Arrangements have been made with Merritt Funeral Home 800 Monroe St. Mendota, IL 61342 www.merrittfh.com . Visitation will be held from the hour of 3pm to 8pm on Friday, November 16th. Mass will be at 11am on Saturday, November 17th at Holy Cross Church in Mendota. Donations can be sent to the Crohn’s Foundation in lieu of flowers. Bereavement card can be sent to Michael Sodomier 2617 W. 90th St. Evergreen Park, Il 60805

Here is the preliminary text I have received from those in the know. I’ll post more as I hear it…

Elizabeth Lindell, passed away on Monday November 12, 2007 She is survived by her parents Roseanne and Robert Godawa; daughter, Elizabeth Dawson; son, Billy Lindel; Grandchildren William & Emily. Arrangements have been made with Merritt Funeral Home 800 Monroe St. Mendota, IL 61342 www.merrittfh.com. Visitation will be held from the hour of 3pm to 8pm on Friday, November 16th

Last night while driving back from NC we stopped to fill the gas tank at a Pilot gas station outside of Indianapolis. The station appeared to be clean, and well lit and well maintained. As we pulled in I noticed a maintenance person for the station out at one of the pumps cleaning the pump. I was mildly impressed… at first. I stepped out of the vehicle and glanced over in the direction of the maintenance worker. As I did I thought I saw him flick a cigarette butt onto the ground, but I realized how stupid that had to be, and assumed I must have just imagined it. Still, I commented to Harold, “hey was that guy smoking?” Harold and I both glanced over to see the maintenance worker reach into his pocket and pull out and light a fresh cigarette and then resume his cleaning of the gas pump. “That would be a yes!” Harold quickly finished filling the tank while I grabbed some water and we got the hell out of there before there could be a BOOM.

People scare me.

Elizabeth Lindel
1961-2007

Calm seas, and safe passage.

I am home safe, I got in at 2:45 am this morning. Now it is time for work.

That is all for now, more on the weekend later once I can figure out how to glue my eyelids open.

Today at the Carolina Renissance Festival, I was given a new name. I am now known throughout the Carolina fair, and probably half a dozen other faires as “Shanty Claus”. This name was given to me by “The Pirates Royale”.
(more…)

I have the new album, Wanderlust. Thank you Greg and Susan, glad I could help out. The new album is phenomenal. As soon as you get the opportunity, buy it. They sounded great together at Bristol last year, now it’s been a year, and holy crap!

Photos from yesterday are here:
http://www.wohlershome.net/gallery/v/Renfaire/Carolina/CRF_2007-11-10/

This really seems to be a great faire. Lots of permanent buildings, lots of great acts, and a street cast that is constantly playing with patrons. I definitely will have to make this a semi-regular visit.

Special thanks to Ramblin Sailors for making me feel so welcome at the faire as well.

Ok, so I’m leaving for NC in the morning for the Carolina Renaissance Faire. This weekend’s theme is A Pirate Christmas, puttin’ the tide back in Yuletide…

I find it really funny and in keeping with that humor, my brain came up with the following rewording of a Christmas classic. It’s scary to me that it actually fits the tune…

“Up in the riggin reindeer pause
Out jumps good ol’ cap’n claus
Down from the crows nest with lots of toys
All for our piratey christmas joys

yoho ho ho who wouldn’t go
yoho ho ho who wouldn’t go
up in the riggin click click click
down from the crows nest with cap’n nick

First comes a barrel for first mate Bill
Oh, dear Captain, don’t you spill
Give him some rum thats good and fine
We’re all tired of hearin’ him wine

yoho ho ho who wouldn’t go
yoho ho ho who wouldn’t go
up in the riggin click click click
down from the crows nest with cap’n nick
”

I know… scary… very scary… Thank god, thats all for now… I fear I may wake up with the rest of it though…

[Edit: 7:30 a.m.] It seems verse 3 was actually pretty close to being written for a pirate anyway so a couple of changes and poof…

Next comes the sea chest of gunner Will
Oh, just see what a glorious fill
Here is a pistol and a boarding axe
Also a cannon and a whip that cracks

yoho ho ho who wouldn’t go
yoho ho ho who wouldn’t go
up in the riggin click click click
down from the crows nest with cap’n nick

I beat Phantom Hourglass just now. It’s fun, and was worth it. I made a copy of my save file before going to beat the last boss, so I should sill be able to play some of the other aspects of it. There are a lot of different ship parts, and other treasues to find, so I’ll prolly keep playing it till I find them all.

Yesterday was the harvest party, and boy did I eat to much. I got to sample evilviolist’s homemade blueberry mead, some great pies, some delicious chili, some great soups, bread, enchiladas, edamame, and a thousand other things I’m probably forgetting.
I think great fun was had by all though. I got to play a couple DS games with Jeremy. I would have liked to have played more, but there was to many other constraints on my time. I also got to play a rather fun game called “Martian Coasters”. I may have to look into getting it for game day when we start that again as it was pretty simple, and a lot of fun.
After people started leaving the last of us retired to the living room and sat and talked for another hour. docdetroit was trying to teach Stacia to have a mean face, he technique involved repeated wackings with pillows. I think we all finally left around 2 a.m. (pre time change) I was home and in bed by 1:50 a.m.

A thousand Thank You’s to lifeonwry and for all their hard work in putting this annual event together.

Ok gang, you asked for it. Here are the photos I managed to snap, not great but they will have to do. The 1st page or two are of pre-halloween prep. Jump in to page 2 for the stuff taken on Halloween itself.
Some of my personal favorites as the following shots:
(more…)