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    Saturday, May 23, 2009

    Switching to Darker Hair

    Well, as the next Civil War event approaches (next weekend), that means I must say Adieu to my fun (lighter/redder) hair color of the last month...and dye my hair (temporarily at least) to a darker shade of brown.



    Actually, I need to dye it darker than what my original hair color is since my hairpieces for Civil War are actually a tad darker than my normal shade. (My braids & twist were fairly close to my original hair color, but the braided chignon - i.e. a bun - was actually darker than my normal shade. See the attached picture.-->>

    Cool thing about the braided chignon? The braids are sewn together! How awesome is that?!? (And no, I did not sew them together. It was a gift to me last Birthday - I believe Jenn Mulvey is the one who put together this gift).



    Anyways, since that hairpiece is "solid" (with the braids sewn together), it'll really help me out in putting my hair up in a 1860s appropriate look since I can hide my layers and shorter ends underneath the massive braided chignon. (FYI - the general hairstyle look for this period is low - like piling the hair in a bun on the base of the neck. 'Horizontal' look in hair and clothing is the "In" look for the 1860s ;-)





    So last night (after seeing the new Terminator movie) I dyed my hair using a dark brown (non-permanent) hair dye. It should definitely last through next weekend, at least...which is all I'm really aiming for with this current shade. =)



    And actually, its not that bad. Something slightly different for me. Which is cool.
    =)

    Soda Can Warning


    So one day a Co-Worker of mine added this label to a Coca-Cola can in our office Fridge...which I found hilarious.
    =)

    Had to take a picture, of course. (I ended up taking the can home with me to make sure I'd get a picture of it before someone just drank it without reading the warning label. =)


    Label reads:

    WARNING: Shaking this carbonated beverage vigorously before opening may cause moisture in unwanted regions and could result in extra-fast depletion of product.



    Of course, there was also another 'fun' warning label used at work, but I unfortunately did NOT get a picture of it before it disappeared...

    WARNING: This paper can cause papercuts.



    LOL! Too bad I didn't get a picture of that one too!
    =)

    Friday, May 22, 2009

    Yarn Bought! (Molly Weasley Outfit)

    Pile O' Yarn for the Molly Weasley Sleeves


    It's official! I've bought the yarn needed to start crocheting the Molly Weasley sleeves. (Chamber of Secrets movie, outfit worn by Molly in the Burrows)



    I think I bought enough of each color...but we'll see as I start to crochet it.
    =)


    Guess that means I better get cracking at this project, now that I've bought the yarn.
    ;-)


    (Of course, I'll still need to go Thrift Store shopping to find a pink knit cardigan that I can rip off the sleeves and attach these sleeves too...I'm better at crochet than knitting, so I'm not about to knit myself the sweater just to attach the sleeves to it! =).

    Saturday, May 16, 2009

    Back on the road! =) Tire changed and we're cont. on our way to the shooting range. Pics of tire will follow later today.
    Today's trip already off to an interesting start - currently changing flat tire on the truck (not my car/wasn't me driving.)

    Sunday, May 10, 2009

    Pics Online: Ren Faire 2009


    DSC06921
    Originally uploaded by marcailgaelyn

    Just a quick note to say my pics from yesterday's Ren Faire outing (yes, all of 'em...and there's a LOT of pic, so you're warned!) are now online at my flickr site.

    Enjoy!

    To view pics, visit:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterbec/sets/72157617947462000/

    Ren Faire 2009


    So, yesterday, was the big day...Ren Faire outing! All my scrambling to finish (well, make at least wearable) my new Elizabethan bodice paid off as I got to wear it to the Faire. Yes!!! (Of course, I was hand sewing eyelets for front lacing holes in the car during the drive and in the parking lot while the others finished their prep...but I got it wearable! ;-)

    Candice Yacono, Gretchen Foltz, and I all had a BLAST yesterday at the Faire. We entered the gates around 11am (or just before) and didn't leave until we were kicked out in the 2nd (final) security sweep for closing. (When they make you show your ID to prove your a guild member, etc.).

    After wandering through the St. Ives' area and the initial vendor booths, including an interesting booth with Steam-punk items (some cool googles and belts attracted my attention to the booth, mainly), we came upon the Food Area and St. Cuthbert's (guild) nearby. There we found Elizabeth McCash...who was glad to stop winding balls of yarn and come wander with us for a bit.

    Of course we just HAD to get our pictures taken in the stocks....there were 4 of stocks just sitting near Friends of Faire...and we had 4 of us, so we managed to snagg a nearby person to take a couple of pics on my camera of us. (Unfortunately, only 1 of the 4 "titles" posted above each stock is visible...the rest are blocked by our heads...bummer).

    During our wandering, we caught the tail end of Broon's show (always fun). By now, though, it was near noon, and we all decided we were hungry enough to wander back to the Food Area to see if we could beat some of the rush to stand in line for various food vendors. (Food at Ren Faire is always so yummy! Just so dang expensive! Especially Water!! Oh well)

    For myself, I bought Toad in the Hole, a skewer of Bacon-Wrapped Asparagus (a "Knight's Lance" ;-), and a skewer of grilled veggies (mushrooms, peppers, squash, etc. - aka "a Royal Scepter"). After we got our food, Elizabeth had to leave us as St. C's was about to serve their own food, and then she'd need to be around for the Queen's Progress (parade). So we went back to wandering the Faire. We made our way down the winding pathway, past many more 'trader' selling their wares. We passed a "Green Man" who was grooving to some Dulcimer music (actually, it was really good music - I ended up buying 2 cds from him later in the day since I enjoyed the music each time we passed him). Then we stopped by Clan MacColin. I chatted for a few minutes with the wood-worker (he was planing a piece of wood to smooth it out to prep it for cutting a groove in it later to fit 'tounge and groove' with another piece of wood). We then stopped by the German camp for a quick walk-around (or walk-thru). Afterwards, we came across the Clan MacColin Irish Dance performance (already in progress) at Drake's Golden Hinde (stage) and stopped to watch a good portion of that show. (I got quite a few pictures and even some video of some of the dancing, singing, musicians performing, etc.) Next up: more browsing through vendor stalls. =)

    Soon, though we made our way to the Royal Tournament of Horses to snag a seat for the Queen's Joust. We had a great time...not just cause it was a fun show, but we 3 got to make fun comments from the sideline. ;-) The other nearby spectators in same bleacher section were certainly amused by us and our comments. (And yes, I took a number of photos during this show too).


    On our way back to the Food Area (yes, we were hungry again - snack time! =), we got sidetracked by the "Famous Shakespeare School led by William Shakespeare" at the Rogue's Reef. Eventually, we got our snacks (fresh cut curly fries and a cream puff - best of both worlds...salty & sweet) to share...and we ran into a friend I know through Civil War reenacting, Cat Lane! (I thought I had seen Jordan, her boyfriend, pass by us in the opposite direction earlier! =).

    While waiting around a few minutes in the St. C's area, to see if Elizabeth McCash was around (and if we could snag her again =), the Queen arrived for Tea. So I snapped a few pics. =) Back to wandering on the pathway, we were waylaid by the Official Merchandize booth as a worker threatened to shoot a rubber ducky (with a tiny pistol) if we didn't step inside the booth. Seeing as how both Candice & Gretchen love Ducks, I was litterally pushed into the booth to avoid seeing the rubber ducky shot! LOL! After browsing a few minutes, we managed to sneak out w/o purchasing anything. ;-)

    Further on in our wanderings, Candice & Gretchen got sidetracked by a bunch of ducks (possibly even geese?) on the other side of the fence, near the water, and just HAD to get some pictures. So I snagged a nearby bench in the shade and people watched for a bit while they got their "ducky time". =). A few minutes after we all met up again, Elizabeth (McCash) appeared on the road next to us! She had been over at the Brass Rubbing booth (where she had done a few rubbings) and was on her way back. So we all joined up again and then set out again to wander the faire for a bit. On our way towards the Gelato booth (yum!), we passed by the Fencing booth...and all of our attention was instantly drawn to a gal who was learning fencing...in bright pink sandal heels! (Yes, I got a pictures of this!) It was just so amusing!

    Once we got to the Gelato booth, we joined the long line and started chatting with a nearby German (?) soldier. He was a lot of fun to chat with. =) (We also ran into a spectator that was annoying him...and us...but eventually he moved on when he realized his comments had quickly passed the 'appropriate' level and we didn't want his company anymore). Then we headed back to St. C's so Elizabeth could put down/away her brass rubbings (and not have to carry them anymore). There we snagged a couple of benches near the side of the road, in the shade no less, (in the St. C's area) and people watched as the parade of spectators (and occasionally performers) passed us by. There were some INTERESTING outfits, to be sure, as it was "Fantasy weekend"...or something like that. ;-)

    Elizabeth soon had to leave to go particpate in a parade (as Banner gal), so we snapped a quick pic of her before she left. Candice, Gretchen & I continued sitting in the shade...until Candice and I wandered over to get another skewer of bacon-wrapped asparagus. Unfortunately, they were out of ones that were already prepared/ready to grill, so we had to wait 15 minutes (which turned into like 20 minutes) for the skewer. While waiting, we ran into Annie (from CGW) as she was passing by on her way somewhere (she was out of costume by now, since it was near closing). By the time I got back with the asparagus skewer to share with the others, Elizabeth was done with her part in the parade and had re-joined us on the benches. We all shared the yummy asaparagus (bacon wrapped & seasoned with fresh ground black pepper) while we continued people watching. After a bit, a commotion ensued behind us in St. C's...in which an old shirt that was 'past its prime' was beginning to be torn literally to pieces, by some of the gals in the guild. They were having such fun that I had to take pics. They started tying on strips of the shirt on to their arms as if they were 'favors', so we got them to pose for a couple of pictures with them. Candice and Elizabeth even joined in! (I took pics for everyone). As everyone was settling down, I made the comment that we didn't have a picture of them and the shirt pieces with the original owner of the shirt, Daniel. So of course they just HAD to have a few more pics so they could get him in them! =) It was hillarious! (Yes, Pictures will be online).

    As we were doing this, the first wave of 'shooing' spectators (like ourselves) was going on, so we were missed. =) We chatted and hung out with the St. C folk for a bit, then started to make our way towards the front as the second/final wave to get spectators out would soon be coming. We managed to squeeze in one more picture shoot, however, as we passed the 7 Deadly Sins board. We 4 each put our head through a spot in the wall, and had a passer by take a quick shot or two of us with my camera, and then we all joined the last of the revelers leaving the faire.

    Whew! What a day!
    =)
    Lots of fun, to be sure. It was one of the most fun packed days at faire I've had in a while...plus the bonus of the fact I actually made it in costume this year! Oh, and it was also definitely a plus that I did NOT end up with a major sinus infection (despite the dust and wind factor). Yay! =)

    Thursday, May 07, 2009

    OC Register Video re: History/Civil War School Demo

    Just thought I'd share a link to a video with you. My old millitary group (1st Penn, Battery B, Light Artillery - aka "Cooper's Battery") annually participates in a School Demo at the Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate School (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA). This year, the OC register did a short video about their History Day (and interviewed a few people - a reenactor, a teacher, and a student). The video is now posted on the OC Register website. It's pretty neat. =)

    To view the Video, click on this link:
    http://www.ocregister.com/video/index.php?bcpid=1127694947&bclid=1125901233&bctid=22226129001

    "Watch Boom! Civil War re-enactors set up camp at RSM school"

    Rancho Santa Margarita Intermediate School's history day event
    brings the sounds, sights, and smells of civil war and western
    era history to life.


    (And yes, I did this demo back when I was with the Battery - and the students are encouraged to dress up. Many will go out and rent costumes and the like.)


    -=-Becky
    aka - Miss Violet Johnson, Johnson Oak Inn (47 Oak St)
    www.HistoricalCitizens.org

    Tuesday, May 05, 2009

    Feliz Cinco De Mayo!

    Feliz Cinco De Mayo!

    Celebrating the Mexican Army's victory against the occupying French Army - at the Battle of Puebla in 1862!

    (There's your random history fact for the day =)

    Monday, May 04, 2009

    Happy Star Wars Day!

    "May the Fourth be with you!"

    I know, its a bad pun, but its still funny.
    ;-)

    In honor of Star Wars Day...

    here's a hillarious video of an a cappella tribute to Star Wars set to John Williams' non-star wars music: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGYAPr6UKhs

    Enjoy!
    =)

    Sunday, May 03, 2009

    Pics Online: Angels Game


    DSC06498
    Originally uploaded by marcailgaelyn

    A co-worker was nice enough to let me use his season tickets (4) to an Angels games...one that he wasn't interested in attending...and for free. Score! =)

    Seats were nosebleed section, but they had an awesome view...directly behind home plate! =)

    Anyways, pics of when Candice, Matt (her husband), a friend, & I all went to see the Angels vs. the Mariners are now online. =)

    A fun time was had by all. =)

    To View the Set, go to:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterbec/sets/72157617664988360/

    Pics Online: Grandpa's Memorial Service


    DSC06411
    Originally uploaded by marcailgaelyn


    Just a quick note to say that pics from my Grandpa Art's Memorial Service (4-4-09) are now online at my flickr account.

    To View the Set, go to:
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterbec/sets/72157617663475742/

    fun with hair


    Just wanted to post a recent pic, since I needed to get one taken (for a project). So anyways, here's a picture of me, taken this afternoon, showing not only my still-relatively-new haircut but also the more recent hair coloring! (Loving the new color...which isn't too obvious unless I'm outside in sunlight =).