Wow! What a weekend, it felt so good to be back “home” at Bristol. I got to see a ton of my friends again, and received many hugs, kisses, and shouts of joy. I still don’t know if I will ever get used to people shouting in excitement when they see me. For some reason it seems weird.
Highlights:
(more…)
Today, the song Caledonia popped in my head, and hasn’t left it… It’s really a lovely song, and the version I have is from “Nosey Flynn“. I first met them ~3 years ago in Nashville at Findley’s Pub in the Opreyland Grand Resort. I spent just about every night of the convention that year, and the year following in the pub listening to them.
I would like to get back down there some time to catch them at another venue, perhaps the next time I go down for TNRF I will go earlier in the week and make it a point to hit the pubs and harrass them. 
I had a great time Saturday night at Maggie and Dave’s wedding. Lots of friends, lots of laughter, good food, and a surprise performance by Bounding Main.
Just for the record, I’m pretty sure that is the 1st time I’ve ever heard of anyone singing Drunken Sailor at a wedding.
Also for the record, here are two wedding related verses I came up with:
I only used the second one though because the 1st one popped into my head about 10 minutes after the song was over. Should the need ever arise again though… hehehe…
Somewhere in my brain an event triggered my brain to start playing “King of Pain” by The Police…
Wierd…
Photo’s from the last two weekends adventures are now posted to my Gallery.
Enjoy them!
I have returned from my TNRF trip. I don’t know that I have felt this welcome at a distant faire before. All sorts of people recognized our group and genuinely welcomed us back. “I’m so glad you came back! We’ve missed you.” Even the Queen herself made it a point to play with us a bit when she recognized us. I had an absolutely wonderful time, and made some new friends, renewed old friendships and just genuinely relaxed.
Kudos to all the cast, crew, and entertainment for their part in making this a wonderful weekend.
Tonight Karl, Gabi, Bob and I met up with Craig for dinner. He was passing through and called to see if we would be available. (Ok, he called Bob, and Karl and they invited me… Craig didn’t have my number) Wow what a blast! It was well worth the trip to Kenosha. Thanks to Karl for driving too. While at dinner we called Jen and wished her a Happy Birthday too. Ok, it’s bedtime.. just had to post… hehehehe…
Saturday was St. Patric’s day, but you knew that. Saturday was the big Seelie Court St. Patrick’s Day Concert in Richmond. You knew that if you have been reading the blog. What you don’t know fomr the blog is how much fun the show was.
I was planning on getting to Richmond around 1:30 or so and would have made it, but I decided that I really needed a new belt for my Utiliikilt so I stopped in a K-Mart. While in the K-Mart I discovered that they were running a 50% of sale of all clearance items in the Mens department. I found polo shirts my size, that I liked (no easy feat there) marked down to $3.00. That was before the 50% off. I also found a few pairs of shorts, both denim, and kaki, for $1.00 before the discount. Including my belt, and one shirt that I really liked that wasn’t on sale I spent $98. You can imagine the amount of clothes I now need to wash and find a place for.
I arrived in Richmond (No, not VA, IL… ) around two o’clock, and checked into my hotel room. Once there I changed into the Utilikilt, and headed over to Doyles pub. Shortly after I arrived Juli, John and Ray showed up too. So we all went in together, and stood around for a bit. I knew Jon and company should have been there by that point but we didn’t see them. Finally Jessica Arrived and pointed out that Jon and crew were on the other side of the building unloading directly to the basement. None of us had realized there was an outside door to the basement. After a quick equipment unload John McCarthy and I went upstairs to uhhh… check the quality of the Guinness.
After a couple hours of sitting and talking at the bar it was almost time for the show, I headed down staris, and caught the attention of the waitress to get some food really quick. The Reuben sandwich and fries were quite tasty. I finished up just in time for the show to start. By this time there was quite a crowd gathered in the basement and everyone seemed excited to be there.
The show was probably one of the best Seelie Court shows I’ve ever attended. They performed 4 sets, and each set just seemed to build the excitement from the previous set. The audience all kept joining in singing and dancing and having a good time. We even drowned out the bagpiper upstairs. It was one heck of a good time. Dean, Maggie, Gina, and Christi were there from Bounding main and joind in on a few songs, and the entire 4th set.
I can’t wait until the next show. Although it’s going to be hard to top this one.
If you are smart, your plans for St. Patrick’s day will involve a trip to “Doyle’s Pub” in Richmond. Why you ask? Well the short answer is “BECAUSE I SAID SO!” The long answer, well, huh, the long answer seems shorter than the short answer… “Seelie Court“ ok, wait, I can make it longer by saying “I heard it through the grapevine that Seelie Court will be performing at Doyle’s Pub in Richmond. I will be there, and so will everyone else that’s even remotely close to cool. “ So, cancel your other plans, and make new ones for Doyle’s Pub. GOT IT?!?!?
I had a pretty good time at the Chicago Maritime fest yesterday. I would have liked to have stayed for the concert but with the weather turning as it was I decided not to stay. I think I made the right choice there. I had a good time, I really enjoyed seeing bounding main again. I also really enjoyed the rest of the performers. I did find it to be a bittersweet time though. I really missed Dave all day. It just didn’t feel right. There were so many times that I almost instinctively turned to say something to him only to realize all over again that he’s gone… It still hurts…
(Hey, where did night 4 go? huh.. I didn’t write it up… oh well…)
Tonight was pretty dead, but there were a few of the “regulars” of the library crowd that did eventually show up. Bud was thrilled. We all played around, laughed, joked, sang, and had a good time. Marv was off tonight so I ended up spending more on beer. As things were winding down, and I was getting ready to leave I mentioned to Bud that I would ship him a Seelie CD with Skye Boat song on it. He seemed shocked. “Really? Thanks! Hey you wanna do it again now? I love that song!” I reluctantly agreed. Thankfully by this time the bar was all but empty except for the staff, and one or to local regulars, and Karla from WI. As Bud and I started the song I heard a “pssssssst” from the back and glanced back and the waitress was in the back dragging the kitchen staff out to join her in the “audience”. Karla joined me on the last two choruses (I handed off my PDA with the lyrics, as they have finally stuck in my head) When we finished we got applause form the regulars, and the staff. Way to much fun! We stood and talked to Bud for a while discussing all sorts of things, and came up with a while list of songs he wants to hear and learn. He thanked us again for all the fun this week (He’s going to AZ tomorrow with his new wife of ten days to visit his mother) and said something like, “You guys really made this a great week for me, there were some pretty bad crowds this week, but I always had one or two of you to play around with and really can’t thank you enough.”
One thing is for certain, I will be saving up money and coming back up here as this place is just incredible.
Well, its a really good thing I sat down and copied the full lyrics to Skye boat song to my phone. It’s an even better thing that while out walking the grounds today I sang it to myself a couple dozen times… Tonight While at the pub, in walked a Scotsman in full dress kilt. A few moments later in walked his Mother, she was accompanied by another kilted man closer to her age. They were then followed by another group all with heavy Scottish accents. During his next break, Bud pulled out a paper with a list of songs on it, turned to the guy next to me and I and said, “Heres all the Scottish songs I know, do you guys know any of them?” I scanned the list, and the only one I really had any clue on was of course Skye Boat. “Ok, good!” He then started to hum a few notes and I sang him the chorus and the 1st verse. “GREAT! How do you know that melody, I’ve NEVER met anyone else who knew that melody?!?!?!” I responded “A band named Seelie Court, check them out at seelie-court.com, their CD’s are on CD Baby as well.” He responded, “ok great, think you can do it?” I responded, “I’ll try but no guarantees that I’m not going to cause an international incident.”
He started his next set, and then after the 3 or 4th song he turned around and said to me “Ok, we have to do Skye Boat now! You want the mic?” “uhhhh…” At that the guy next to me, Steve, said “Definitely, he’s great, give him the mic!” So, Steve took the mic and acted as a mic stand, and before I knew it I was singing to a barroom full of people. I was quite nervous to say the least… I felt my voice crackle a few times on the 1st verse but managed to force myself to relax for the rest. When I finished I got a huge applause from the group of Scottsmen, and the rest of the bar. Bud thanked me, then introduced me to the whole place. Then Steve asked me, “So did you see them?” “No… I didn’t see ANYTHING” “They were singing along, and enjoying it at least the mother and the older guy.” Later the younger guy commented that he had no idea what the lyrics to it were but that his mom was really happy.
Good god, did I just actually sing in front of an audience?
Pardon me while I go pass out from terror now.
[Edit:
One other fun thing, The manager, Dave, recognized me tonight. "Welcome back!" He then took me right in ahead of the 10 or so other people waiting in the lobby. ]
Ahh, well another good night at the Golden Bee. I walked in sat down and Marv immediately smiled and and asked “How are ya John? Glad to see ya back!”. For dinner, I had a couple pints of Guinness, a shepherds pie and a salad. After that I had a water, and another Guinness, and then Marv started in on the sampling again. Guinness and Cider isn’t to bad. They call it a Black Velvet. After dinner I sat and nursed my beer in an attempt to slow down the samplings. Soon it approached 8:30, and Bud arrived. He prepped his piano area then went behind the bar to get some water, and a handfull of the little bee stickers they throw at people. While getting the stickers he noticed me at the other end of the bar and yelled out “JOHN!!!” I sorta felt like norm from Cheers for a second or two. As he started the sing-a-long one of the other library people from my class, Micheal, made his way over next to me. For the next 3 hours he and I sang along to just about everything Bud threw out. We definitely had a good time. At one point a little older lady requested “Sky Boat Song” which Bud knew, but wasn’t in the books. He started it, and yelled out over the mic, “Come on John! Lets Hear ya!” I did my best, but I’m a touch rusty on the lyrics. No one else there seemed to know it at all though. Halfway though the little lady turned to me and smiled a big bright smile though, so I guess I did ok. I’m going to make it a point to fully memorize the lyrics tomorrow though just in case shes back tomorrow night. On that note though, I think I’m going to go to bed.
So I just got back from the Golden Bee pub. I’ve not enjoyed myself in a pub that much in a long time. It’s smoke free, so no sinus problems tomorrow. Marv the bartender took a liking to the guy from Chicago-land, and decided that he had to taste everything on tap. I had ordered a couple of octoberfest beers and the next thing I knew, I had samples of all the local beers plus a black and tan, all on the house. Sheesh… So after finishing all that beer, Bud, the piano man showed up and started trying to lead everyone in any song he could. He had a small following at first (yes I was one of said following), but by the time I left he had a decent crowd that was partly interested. As I was putting my coat on and about to walk out, he started Wild Rover, so I came back in to sing along on that one. Scary thing when he stopped singing and just let me go… Yikes… Oh and just to go on record, people in Colorado don’t have the clap… I’ll fix that, especially if my co-hort librarians from the Irish pub last year show up… MUAHAHHHAHAH I had, way, way, way to much fun tonight. This could be a real problem if I end up in there every night. (and I probably will… It almost felt like hanging around with folks at faire)
I of course managed to scare Bud a few times by knowing words to obscure songs he was using for filler. A couple of times he turned around to me and said “No, seriously how the heck do you know that song???” I had to tell him I just picked it up somewhere… The one that really threw him was, “Yes, we have no bananas.” It turns out he is originally from Milwaukee. He also just got married last Saturday.
Pardon the disorganized ramblings but I blame part of it on Marv and his way to attentive bartending abilities… I’m not really drunk, but I can certainly tell that I’ve been drinking.
Well, that sums up the nights festivities. I’m going to bed, and hope to get more sleep than last night.
1. What did you do in 2006 that you’d never done before?
2. Did you keep your new years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Seeing as how I didn’t make any, Yes. Nope, once again I will not make any.
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Jess, Shelby
4. Did anyone close to you die?
Yes, Dave
5. What countries did you visit?
If you count via faire, England and France…
6. What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006?
Peace, and a place where I feel comfortable enough to relax.
7. What date from 2006 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 11th. The last time I saw Dave before the accident.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Getting up the courage to attend counseling.
9. What was your biggest failure?
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
The flu bug that went around. (we referred to it as the plague)
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Either my iPod or my MDA phone. Considering the reasons, the MDA.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Karl
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
My Mother, My Aunt, My Cousin, My Cousins Kids, The Administration at the College
14. Where did most of your money go?
Probably the majority to fast food… A lot goes to the house too.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
I got really really really excited about something? I don’t think so, not this year.
16. What song will always remind you of 2006?
Bristlecone Pine
17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier or sadder? sadder
ii. thinner or fatter? A little thinner I think
iii. richer or poorer? poorer
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Excercise
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Eating, and crying
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
Trying not to get too upset with my family
22. Did you fall in love in 2006?
No
23. How many one-night stands?
HA!
24. What was your favorite TV program?
Heroes
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don’t generally hate people.
26. What was the best book you read?
best book? Uh… well most of my reading has been technical
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
Starboard Watch
28. What did you want and get?
iPod
29. What did you want and not get?
Freedom
30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Flushed Away comes to mind.
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
My actuall 30th birthday? Not to much. For my birthday? Durty Nellies recording, and Thai Food.
32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
See number 4….
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006?
It fits? It doesn’t smell? Wear it… Oh and a UtiliKilt
34. What kept you sane?
I’m sane? Friends, counseling
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
None come to mind
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
The continued erosion of our rights. GW’s sneaky alteration granting him the ability to declare martial law at will.
37. Who did you miss?
Dave, as if there was any question?
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Cindy
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006:
There’s always more tears
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year:
….. i cant think of one…. go figure….
ok, there are times when I would really like to be in two places at once…
I just found out tonight that the Paramount theatre in Aurora is having a concert that I would very much love to go see. Gordon Lightfoot. Of course it is one night only, and that one night is while I will be in St. Louis. GAAAAH… Stupid time space continuum…
Someone hurry it up and invent beaming technology will ya? I’ll even settle for some sort of portal or any other type of instant transmission medium… heck it doesnt even have to be instant… just give me something that would let me safely get from point A to point B (no matter where point A or B is) in under an hour. I’d also like it to not cost the GNP of a small nation either…
Over all I had a pretty good time at the party last night. I was glad to see tha Uncle-Ho and His wife were there. That gave me a couple more people that I know to talk with. I arrived around 7:50, thanks to the GPS unit decideing to send me the long way. I had other directions from the area I was starting out from but I couldn’t find them until after I gave up and followed the GPS.
There was a pretty nice bonfire, good food, and for most of the time cheerful people. As the night progressed Miek and Liz got into it a few times, I really don’t know them but I assume by everyone elses reactiones that it is standard behavior for them. When I first showed up I was one of 5 or so in garb but after I showed up some others went and changed and a few other people showed up in garb too so I didn’t feel to out of place. At about 11 or so Paul and I and someone else whos name I forget at the moment were talking about shanties… and Paul grabbed us and dragged us over by the fire and we jsut started in on a bunch of them. We sang a wide variety of shanties till about midnight and had a pretty good time at it. By the time we broke off there were about six of us alltogether.
At that point I decided I was turning into a pumpkin and needed to head back home. I don’t remember much of the drive so I know I was pretty tired.
Oh gee what a shock, there is a song stuck in my head. Here it is…
Westering Home
Chorus:
Westering home with a song in the air
Light of me eye and it’s goodbye to care
Laughter and love are a welcoming there
Pride of me heart my own love [or: Isle of heart, my own one]
Tell me a tale of the orient gay
Tell me of riches that come from Cathay
Ah but it’s grand to be waken at day
And find oneself nearer to Isla
Chorus
Where are the folks like the folks of the west
Canty and couthy and kindly, our best
There I would hie me and there I would rest
At hame wi’ my ain folks in Isla
Chorus
Now I’m at home and at home I do lay
Dreaming of riches that come from Cathay
I’ll hop a good ship and be on my way
And bring back my fortune to Isla
Chorus
Well, it’s been a while since I’ve done this but today seemed appropriate. Right now I have a song stuck in my head, yes i know the tricks to remove it but don’t really care to, and I thought well… why not share… Muahahhhha
It’s another shanty, big surprise…
Oh, have you heard the news, me Johnny
One more day
We’re homeward bound tomorrow Johnny
One more day
Only one more day, me Johnny
One more day
Oh, rock and roll me over
One more day
Don’t you hear the old man growlin’
Don’t you hear the mate a howlin’
Don’t you hear the caps’n pawlin’
Don’t you hear the pilot bawlin’
Only one more day a-howlin’
Can’t you hear the gals a-callin’
Only one more day a-rollin’
Can’t you hear the gulls a-callin’
Only one more day a-furlin’
Only one more day a-cursin’
Oh, heave and sight the anchor, Johnny
For we’re close aboard the port, Johnny
Only one more day for Johnny
And your pay-day’s nearly due, Johnny
Then put out your long-tail blue, Johnny
Make your port and take your pay, Johnny
Only one more day a-pumpin’, Johnny
Only one more day a-bracin’, Johnny
Oh, we’re homeward bound today, Johnny
We’ll leave her without sorrow, Johnny
Pack your bags today me Johnny
Oh, an’ leave her where she lies, Johnny
Only one more day a-workin’, Johnny
Oh, come rock ‘n’ roll me over
No more gales or heavy weather
Only one more day together
Now that miryia has posession of Sonjas key to our house… shes i moving in.. i come home and shes here… i go to do laundry.. shes doing her laundry… she walked into the living room where i was sitting trying not to think about it… “we are staying the night, we have no power”
“why not?”
“Becasue i didnt pay the bill… __insert big long stupid ass excuse here___”
“Whatever miryia… ”
“I’m just saying…”
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