Catching up

Hello all

Sorry - been quiet for a while so haven't written for a while (also curious if there are still many people reading this - feel free to leave a comment, especially if there is anything you want more info or pictures about).

so - let's see what's going on in my life.

I got a new job (with Origin Energy)- and quit my old one of 11+yrs with On-Call. One of the best moves forward I've had in a while.
I experienced a drop in salary of less than $2000 to move into a proper call centre (inbound only). Dealing with private individual clients now rather than companies, but in a much more professional way, in a professional environment, with more support networks than I can poke a stick at - and after less than 2 months I already feel that I belong (4 weeks of thorough training before I took my first call).
Better hours, better conditions and the pay is guaranteed to move forward being part of a big organisation that knows where it wants to go.

My LARP (Live Action Role-Playing) character, which died many months ago, was successfully resurrected, but at a price, his memories. More will follow about this online at the VIC LARP website - http://viclrp.org.au/viclrp/

We have a new Kitten, that has grown quite a bit but still has a whole lot to learn - some photos here soon.

SCA - I'm travelling to Spring War this weekend - the hammer strikes back (he he) - hoping the King will be there, as I haven't actually seen him since Midwinter.
Always a hoot, lots of fighting and great war stories afterwards over beers. With a breakfast so big, noone walks away hungary (and a few can't walk at all).
I'm also travelling to November Crown, where I will be fighting.

I just discovered last night, when re-reading the luggage changes that VIRGINBLUE have brought in, that after these next 2 flights, I may not be taking my armour by plane without spending a lot more money - BASTARDS.

Spent this morning destroying our side fence with a sledgehammer - quite fun actually. Then my neighbour finished it off during the day from the look of the pile of wood on the front lawn. Guy will be round on Friday/Saturday to install a new one.

Our TV died last friday morning - so in the evening we went out to buy a new one - and have gone from a 68cm CRT to a 105cm Plasma - Cool huh. Then I spent Sunday morning sorting out wires for it & the VCR (we were out on Saturday).

Home game D&D (Team Hanbal) - Set the party against 7 Trolls (down the road, attacking a courier who literally, never had a chance (they never saw his red shirt underwear). After the last major encounter, where they were so cautious I thought a chessboard was coming, this time they just charged on in. They have however rescued the couriers pouch and documents (which are actually orders for troops of an dark & menacing force - he he he).

Movies - Saw Journey to the Centre of the Earth - not bad, worth seeing on the big screen.

The changing priorities in life

It used to be that Monthly Bash was the biggest day of my month - and all focus of that weekend was around going to & fighting at monthly bash.

Today I find myself thinking of all the things I should probably be doing instead - and those things will probably win, because whilst I like the idea, when I start considering translating the idea into fact, all the effort involved starts to become too much.

Of all the different activities in my life, SCA is falling behind (and yet I'm already thinking ahead to Rowany Festival (possibly taking on a major position if some with influence over me are successful). I'm also considering several wayfarings, Aneala for Midwinter (will depend on who wins May Crown), Mordenvale for Spring War (95% certain & Judith is about 80% to come with me), and Canterbury Faire next year (Judith may do that instead of Rowany Festival).

I must also admit that having been without my computer for a long time, there is a big tempation to stay at home & play games (specifically Total War, Medieval 2, Kingdoms, which is one of the all time great strategy games.

I am also starting to have second thoughts about Hockey. The game itself is okay, but where last year the club had 1.5 teams, this year we have about .8 of a team, changing members every week & I don't know if it will settle down.
There is also talk of a member coming back who'd I'd rather we went without due to his complete lack of courtesy & sportsmanship towards the other teams - a really bad example.

LARP on the other hand, is becoming a bigger part of my life, with us now planning out all of the BIF events, as well as PG (which is a bit quieter this year due to a wedding).

Table top role-playing is going strong - with my home game (AD+D) still traveling quite successfully - my players are currently exploring "The Maze of the Eye" looking for a manuscript. When making the maze I was inspired by all of the Indiana Jones movies, as well as some stargate stuff.

Vale Tsignotchka (Death of a LARP character)

Hey guys

Last weekend was another Philosophers Guild (LARP) weekend.

During the big battle on the Sunday, my character was struck down by a multitude of massive blows & magic.

A great fellow at the event took a nice photo - and with a little bit of work he captured the feel of the event as it happened and felt.

Tsignotchka (my character) was found with both his right leg & arm separated from his body - and much of the rest of him cut & smoking from both the claws & magic used to kill him.

Whilst all acknowledged that it was probably how he wanted to die - several thought that there may be a chance of bringing him back through the magic of the church & religion he had recently signed up to.

We wait to see the results...

Europe - a quick update & LARP

Hello

Well - Europe planning is looking good. Draft itinerary still be finalised but currently appears to be along the lines of:
Naples (exploring Rome)
Milan (exploring the feet of the Alps)
Venice
Nuremberg
Berlin
Edinburgh (Hadrians Wall & fighter training in York)
Lichfield (exploring Wales & London)
Normandy & Holland (exploring WW2 battlegrounds)
Koblenz & Frankfurt (exploring more of Germany's heartland)
Then to Pennsic.
Also playing with stopping in Japan for a few days on my home - maybe.

Last weekend was a huge amount of fun - Philosophers Guild Live Action Role-Playing club, weekend adventure. They had created a Drider costume (Elf/Giant Spider cross-breed) - it looked very cool. It was nice & convenient, in Riddell's Creek (next town on from Sunbury).
For those who haven't enjoyed it, it is a life version of Dungeons & Dragons - people dress up in costume as per the characters they have created & then run around & adventure.
More on this later.

Cheers

Hanbal