Southern Region thoughts

Well - it hasn't gone away yet - and I suspect it won't, but I also don't think it will go anywhere short-term.

It is a little disconcerting that the powers that be behind this are content to disregard some facts, and then use other facts from a less successful poll to push their concerns.

The number of people that voted, in total, in their recent poll was 79.

Of which a total of 20 were from Stormhold or its groups. We were not told which way those 20 voted.
However, following the meeting when this first came up, we had in Stormhold, the following are the results that I passed along - quite detailed as you can see (in italics below).

---------------
Hi guys - busy personal life leading to delays, but here are the numbers.

Question: "Is a SP something that SH needs to pursue and work towards at this time?"

In Favour - 7 members, 0 non-members (made up as follows:)
Members present in favour - 6
Members proxies in favour - 1
Non-Members present in favour - 0
Non-Members proxies in favour - 0

Against - 27 members, 5 non-members (made up as follows:)
Members present against - 15
Members proxies against - 12
Non-Members present against - 2
Non-Members proxies against - 3

Abstentions
members present - 2
non-members present - 1

# of Peers involved 11 (9 against, 1 in favour, 1 abstained)
Members - present - 5 (4 against, 1 in favour)
Members - proxy - 5 (all against)
Non-Members - present - 1 (abstained)

Very clear mandate to me as Baron (official or unofficial as you like it).

In service.

Hanbal
--------

At this stage, I still stick with the mandate I was provided by our populace.

Whilst there is quite a bit of regional identity within the Victorian groups, I don't see much at all within the region, except for the GSG.

I still have yet to see what advantages will be experienced by the Victorian Groups.

I had discussions with various peoples at Rowany Festival this year, both as a Peer of the realm, Baron of Stormhold and a free thinking SCA person - most of these discussions were with people from outside the group, and the general consensus was that the push was from a small frogs, big pond syndrome - make the pond smaller, the frogs see themselves as bigger.
I do see some of this as well.

Not only would the region need to be strong, but the Kingdom as well, if such a move was to occur and be healthy for the Kingdom.

And we are still young. We haven't been a Kingdom for even 10 years yet - so I'm really not sure what the rush is.

Anyhow - for the moment, I will sit to the side and listen to the discussions, supporting my people in their endeavours to discover clear answers to basic questions (which are not forthcoming or clear when they do).

The Lion sleeps - but beware ye who prods it too hard with a stick.

Catching up - The knee and the surgery to come

Sorry for the delay in writing.

Okay - at the fighter auction tournament at Easter 2009, during the first round my right foot slipped during an attack, then caught on caused the final twinge to my right knee that was in fact (but unknown at the time) the final moment of my Anterior Crucial Ligament (ACL).

Initially I felt a short stabbing pain, stopped, tested the knee - felt able to stand and no real pain, so continued the bout.

I then endured a much sharper and lasting pain that dropped me out of the tournament. With assistance my armour was removed, my knee was bound and iced by the St Johns people and I was out of the tournament.

I rested the knee for the remainder of Festival, was assisted in the drive home by Ryan (of Saarlands) who came with me (and almost destroyed my gear box by his complete lack of skill).

I went and consulted a general GP shortly after returning to Melbourne - who referred me to a Physio.

The Physio started me on an exercise regime, slowly healing the knee - he was initially concerned that something serious might be damaged. However, the knee healed well and strengthened with the rest & specific exercises given to me.

After roughly 8 weeks I ceased to see the Physio - he suggested if I did have any problems then I might need to see a specialist.

There were no issues for a month or so - then a single incident with a jolt of pain, that quickly faded. This was not the last - over the coming months they occured more often and eventually too many to disregard any longer.

Having lost the paperwork with the details of the specialist, I tracked down the Physio (who had changed practices in the mean time), got the name of the Specialist he suggested and contact that Dr accordingly.

Saw him in November 2009, where he examined the knee and came away with him certain that the only problem was some torn cartilage - the knee operating normally in all other ways that he could tell. - Unfortunately, he was wrong.

Mid December, had a key-hole knee surgery (Arthroscopic) where he fixed the torn cartilage, and discovered that my muscles were masking a lack of a ACL (Anterior Crucial Ligament) - a very important ligament that controls and allows twisting actions of the knee.

To replace it is a Knee Reconstruction Surgery (the major, invasive kind).

BUGGER!!!

Took out Private Health Insurance the next day, and started counting time, waiting for the 12 month exclusion period for existing conditions to pass.

So - current plan, will be having the operation in mid December 2010, with anticipated return to active combat being November / December 2011 - probably William Marshal Tournament 2011.

Until then, a waiting game, with no running on bad ground, no sports, and lots of caution.
Oh well, thems the breaks.

The good news is as long as I follow all instructions it should be back to good as new.

Then back to fighting, finally get the Knight hood and then win the Kingdom...
(cause you gotta have goals).

Making spoons from Horn - part 1

So - the next art & craft project I have been meaning to get around to is Horn working. Whilst a drinking horn is nice - I am wanting to make other things out of the horn, and thanks to Sandy of Frojel, I now have a few to play with.

So my first project was to make a spoon - but due to having the 14th Century Mongol persona, I figured it would be good to have a chinese style spoon (deep, almost a mini bowl).

I started with a horn, which I cut in half (with the end piece pictured, which is solid). I used a table drop saw to cut the horn (being very careful not to cut myself).

This is what I ended up with.

You can see the end piece that will probably be cut in thin slices, which can then be used as buttons - with the very end piece split length wise to form several toggles (I will drill required holes using a Dremel).

As you can see - this has a lovely bowl shape in the middle and some of that chinese spoon look in the natural shape.
I'm not really sure if the Chinese & Mongols did make spoons out of cow horn, but I know that the Mongols especially never wasted any parts of the animals - so its seems likely (especially when the Vikings were - and created the country / region of Rusland - which the Mongols successfully invaded and took over.

Here you can see the current progress - the piece that I've been working is on the bottom, with the untouched other half of the horn above.

So - I worked the horn using a bench grinder (initially I started using a sander but was not getting very far in a hurry). The bench grinder worked a treat.

Now its not finished by any part of the imagination, but you can see it is now a visible spoon that just needs some refinement.

You can see from this side on picture the nice bowl shape that has been formed (I heated the front with a heat gun and bent it up to give a front lip.

You can see that when the top is smoothed across the top (flat) you will get a nice, chinese style spoon that will carry a decent mouthful of soup / stew / whatever.

You can see that I have also tapered the handle.

Here you can see the underside of the spoon. After the initial grinding I have worked slower and more carefully - trying to remove the major tool marks.

I will work it a little more with the tools, to get it right - and then use fine sandpaper to finish it off.

It has been suggested to wax it when finished - any thoughts on this or other comments appreciated.

Pewter casting, part 2

Well, I am now most of the way towards having some Ancient Chinese style pewter "rope money" coins.
As you can see, I have started penciling the chinese characters that will be on the coins. At this stage, the plan is to have "Hanbal" on one side and "Eighth Baron" on the other. On the right side above is where I am currently writing the Eighth Baron text (translated off the web - traditional Chinese - probably not perfect but good enough). Below are examples of the progress of my carving. Please note that for all of them, the spru is the top (even if pictured around the wrong way).

The first, which look like a pair of Angels wings, showed that the coin carved area wasn't deep enough.

The second was after more carving, today, and shows more of an idea of what I am aiming for. You will note the square in the middle is still quite large. Still a bit too thin though.

The 3rd coin shows further work on deepening the carved area - complete coin but surface still bearing many tool marks. You can also see that the square in the middle has been reduced in size.

The 4th & 5th pictures are the front & back of the last coin poured today.

You can see that I now have a defined rim around the coin both front & back, as well as around the square in the middle.

I am now going to add chinese characters front & back. Ambitious for my 2nd piece ever, but I think I will succeed. I'm running out of time to do it all over again - as I need to have the coins completed for our Baronial Investiture.

Pewter casting

Ok - a while ago I decided it would be cool to learn a new craft - but I wanted something that was of interest to me. I also wanted something that would be inline with my natural skills - ability to use controlled violence & tools.

Pewter casting in soapstone seemed the right direction.

Recently I obtained some soapstone (thanks to Bryce & Ant). I then spoke with them & Sandy about methods of carving & pouring.

3 weekends ago I set myself a task to make a simple coin with the letter FY (Flying Ypotryll) on one side.
I succeeded.

The front & back of the coin are shown here, you can see that the 2 carved halves didn't quite match and you can also see where I filed back the back of the coin where the spru poured into the mould. The coin's are silver in colour - the gold colouring in the pictures is due to the light where I took the photos.

Unfortunately, I destroyed the mould in the process of getting the coin out, as I created the spru (the tube where you pour the molten pewter down to the mould) through one side of the soapstone, rather than down the join in the soapstone. To get the coin out I broke that side of the mould around the spru & got the pewter out, but the soapstone was damaged beyond usability, as you can see from the picture included.

I did however discover that while you can cut soapstone with a hacksaw - it is much easier to work with it along the grain - so I was spliting the lump of soapstone with a woodsplitter - then sanding the soapstone back to flat (ish).

The next challenge is to make ancienct Chinese rope money (round coins with a square hole) with text on one side.

I started this process on the weekend just gone - taking it slow & steady with my carving. The nature of the pieces meant that I didn't have a lot of room for a long spru - but am working around this issue. Currently doing all my carving in one face only - but will need to thicken the coin - will also enlarge & widen the spru to allow the molten pewter

Partway there - but going well. More to follow...

Life (& Death), Investiture planning, movies & Soapstone

Well - life goes on, for most of us.

Unfortunately - our colourful little cat, Tika, passed away last Tuesday night, after running underneath our car in the driveway. She is & will be terribly missed.

Planning for our investiture continues - I think (hope) that we have everything under control - certainly the Mongol boots arriving gladdened my heart & arrested some concern. I'd just like to say a big thanks to Mistress Bliss, who amongst many others is doing a huge amount of work for me.

Have been to see some movies recently, comments as follows:

X-MEN Wolverine, Origins - Excellent action & story was quite good about explaining his background in a bit more detail. Story didn't however keep me & hold me, so good action but story needed a bit of work - on par with the first X-men movie.

Star Trek - Excellent movie - nice twist & change to the history of the Star Trek reality - but nice personification of the young Kirk & crew. Enjoyed it immensely.

Defiance - A WWII movie with a difference - exceptional story about Jews surviving & fighting for themselves in the forests of Bielorussia. Very interesting if obviously hollywoodised.

Today, I cut into my first piece of soapstone. Experimenting with pewter casting. Currently getting my two pieces completely flat & smooth. Next job is drilling holes & filling with pewter to make "joining pins".

We got the job & I got my Mongol Boots

Well, as it was announced at Rowany Festival this year - Ute & I will be the next Baroness & Baron of Stormhold (Central & Western Melbourne & Victoria).

3rd time was the charm after all.

Our investiture will be on 3 July 2009, with further information available from the website.

This has led to us deeply involved in planning our investiture garb (for those not aware of the SCA - its a big deal, with lots of speccy looking costume often being made).

As such - our plans & intentions are that I will be wearing 14th Century Mongolian & Ute will be wearing 14th Century German.

To start off my outfit(s), I have ordered & purchased a pair of handmade Mongolian boots, from Mongolia (see the picture - Corona beer included for size comparison) - They are big & beautiful and well worth the price. If your interested, this is the website.

I'll be back soon with a bigger update on Life, the Universe, Kittens, Fish & Injuries

3rd times the charm - maybe?

Well

We are officially in the running for B&B of Stormhold (again). It will be interesting to see what the result will be this time.

However - this time round we are going to at least plan things out somewhat. So we are discussing the things we need to do / garb we need to sort out & who we need to do what.

And the first question was - so what area & period are you going with? It would appear I need to be more specific than I have been in the past - damn.

Oh well - it will be an interesting journey.

Off to discuss more with one of my Pelicans today.

Cheers for now

Life update & help needed with planning childrens quest

Hi there

Sorry - been very quiet on here - I do apologise.

Okay - update on Life.

November Crown
I went to Innilgard last November and was one of 11 fighters that took the field to fight for the Crown of Lochac.
Only 1 Knight out of 11 fighters.
I came 3rd.
With a Glaive.
A very, valiant effort, even if I do say so myself. There were a number of people watching me enter a semi-final, considering that I could well be the next King.
I lost to Sir Phillipe - however I suspect I took most of what he had left, for he lost the final Theuderic, who has since been crowned King (he was my main concern on entering the tournament - with proven good reason obviously).
On the Sunday morning, the King at the time invited me to take up the role of his Champion (as Theuderic had abandoned the role in becoming Prince).
I took the field that day in the Rose Tournament, had a brilliant day fighting and was declared winner of the day by popular opinion.
My fighting has finally reached those heights I knew I could reach.

There followed at the start of December William Marshal Tournament & Feast.
Tournament went well - my fighting was still at the heights I reached at Crown Tourney - it wasn't just a fluke.
Feast also went well. Great food courtesy of Baroness Gwir & her staff (again, as always).

Xmas came & went - relatively quiet & peaceful.
New Year Eve - Games & BBQ at Dave & Kylies - good fun night with friends.

Then Stormhold hosted the Surveying Expedition on the Australia Day Weekend - great event at Ava's farm in Napoleon, Victoria (just south of Ballarat).

Now I find myself thinking ahead to Festival.

Should I run another Childrens Quest - I think I should but am having trouble putting together a plot - Not sure if we have time to put into more Baldrics for a Queens Militia (and that really works best with Yolande as Queen I think).

Any ideas more than welcome - let me know. Write here or email me.

Thinking of new armour, and Crown...

Hey guys.

At Spring War, following the issues with luggage, it became very evident that I do need to arrange new armour.

Now the current plan is to create some Aluminium legs with bryce (and probably vanbraces as well). But for the body, my thoughts have been for a long time to replace that carpet (12+ years and still travelling) with Lamellar.
Leather is out - requires too much care and maintenance (which lets face it isn't my strong point) and is also weighty.

I was looking at getting plastic lamellar (from: http://www.plasticlamellar.com/ ) or equivalent, but several people at Spring War suggested I would be better to get Titanium plates instead?

I would really appreciate any thoughts anyone has on this topic.

I guess I'll still need to make a gambeson (or have one made) to go with the lamellar?

Also - I'm entering Crown Tournament. And find myself looking at the tournament with a more serious air, knowing now that I actually have a chance, if in good form and having a good day, to win it.
And this leads me to thinking who would I lean on? Who would I learn from? And, do I have any plans?
Apart from my triumvirate of Pelicans (Evil Baron Alaine, Bliss & Hrothgar - which I must admit is a pretty good starting place) - who else would I lean on? Well - probably most of the Peers of the realm that I have befriended over the years.
All questions that have only just started to circle in my head - Again, I welcome any advice, although I suspect this sort of advice is better in a personal email or in person.

Anyhow, we'll see how it goes.

Regards for now.

Hanbals Falchion

I've added the photos of the Hammer, and while I was taking them I thought I may as well take some photos of my falchion, another of my weapons that is very popular.



This was made for my by Bryce of Arrowsreach, made of a single piece of rattan, split down the middle - with braces of rattan and rubber up the length, with the spaces packed with foam.



It is not a subtle weapon, but then it is for fighting war.



Also took a good photo of our kitten (Kitiara) who is growing quite rapidly, below.

Hope you are all well.

Hanbals Hammer (or Maul)

Hi guys

Following my trip to Spring War, there was again some interest (from new people) as to the nature of my hammer and what it is based on (I'll update this post soon with some pictures).

Here is the (only slightly) amended text that I sent out to various lists many years ago following initial concerns raised at the time.

Some people have been curious with regards to the usage of the oversized hammer that I utilise as a weapon in SCA combat (mainly war).

Please note that this weapon is a representation of the medieval Maul (a word originally derevated from "mallet"). Originally a peasants work implement, made of wood, these were often utilsed when war came about. They were on some occasions already faced with lead (to increase their longevity) and when utilised for warfare were commonly bound with heavy iron or steel strapping. Also as an additional means of causing injury in war, sometimes spikes were added to the faces as well as on occasion the top.

Mauls were a constant implement of warfare through the middle ages - early on only utilised by the peasants but in later times they became a semi-standard item of equipment. Mauls are listed as a secondary weapons for English longbowmen at the Battle of Agincourt.

There is a great deal of information available on the internet, and indeed many mentions of the Maul as a weapon (including a number of references through the history of the SCA).

I am more than happy to discuss its usage, history and physics of the weapons striking & thrusting with anyone.

Keep the dream alive.

Hanbal

Ahh - the joy of Spring War

Well, returned from Spring War yesterday, tired, battered & bruised.
Having enjoyed myself immensely.
Brilliant, wholesome, filling food.
Fun fighting with interesting terrain.
Enthusiastic people - old friends and new ones.

Regardless of the actual numbers on the battlefield, Spring War still contains some of the best war fighting that I can get to in Lochac (Australia).

Whilst this year was a low numbers year, speaking with their Baron they are still very happy with the way things are shaping up and it will remain a highlight of their calendar for many years to come.

I had my first go at digging and using a cooling pit - add ice and end up with an interesting mud slurry which still kept the drinks cold - need some work to get it right (maybe some wooden internal walls).

Had some issues on the flights in. Virgin recently changed their baggage allowance rules, including the sporting goods clause that we had been very lucky to utilise.
Text on their website stated:

Guidelines for Guests travelling prior to 1 September 2008, or who purchased their fare prior to 18 August 2008

Sports equipment counts as part of your free baggage allowance. Each item individually represents 5kgs of your free total baggage allowance, regardless of the actual weight of the item.

For example, a bike that weighs 10kg will represent 5kg of your free baggage allowance. If your allowance is 20kg, you will have 15kg left for other items. These items include but are not restricted to:

* Bikes
* Golf clubs
* Snow skis
* Surfboards
* Cricket/tennis bags

Guidelines for Guests who purchase their fare on or after 18 August 2008, for travel on or after 1 September 2008

If you are travelling with Sports Equipment, you will be eligible to check-in an extra 5kg of baggage allowance free of charge. This additional allowance is allocated above your purchased checked baggage allowance for Blue Saver or GO! Fares or above the inclusive checked baggage allowance for Velocity Gold and Silver Members or for Guests travelling on Flexible, Corporate Plus or Premium Economy fares.

Excess baggage charges will apply once the full allowance, including the additional 5kg allowance, has been exceeded.

If you are taking only sporting goods and you are travelling on a Blue Saver or GO! fare, you will still be required to purchase the checked baggage allowance of up to 23 kg. Remember you can pre-purchase this allowance for $8 per flight before you arrive at the airport otherwise you will be charged a $20 fee at the airport.

For example, if you have purchased a baggage allowance of 23kg, and are travelling with a bike, you will be eligible for a total checked baggage allowance of 28kg. If your bike weighs 10kg, you will be able to take additional checked baggage (such as a suitcase) weighing up to 18kg.


As we booked our tickets before 18 August, we should have been processed under the old rules - but the girl at the counter insisted that we be processed under the new rules, hence my 28kg armour bag cost me extra (she was nice and reduced the cost by offsetting the extra weight against my friends luggage who was under weight) but it still cost me an extra $56.00. I have just finished writing to them to start an appeal / refund request process and will keep you advised how this goes - also trying to see if I can possibly start any communication between Virgin & the SCA.

The thing that made me certain of my being correct was that the girl in Newcastle when checking in for the return trip processed us under the old rules.

I'll try and get some photos from Spring War from others up here soon.

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 Dark Knight - a review / and SCA news

We went to see the Dark Knight today - oh my gosh, it is GOOD, REALLY, REALLY, BRILLIANT (in my mind anyway).

Heartily recommend it - go see it early so if you want you can go back & see it a second time.

Whilst it a tragic loss that Heath Ledger has left us, I think that he would be happy to have this as his last movie. I kept having to remind myself that it was him, because the character had such a lift of its own.

A nice plot with a few twists, definately a worthy sequel to Batman Begins. I think I like this latest rendition of Batman the most.

Last night was the Stormhold Winter Feast (Yule in July). And whilst I enjoyed the feast in my usual way, I was asked by the King to be on his guard - which I was happy to accept. I must admit that it really saddens me now that I won't be attending Pennsic with him (although I do hope he attends Spring War).

Life, options & opportunities

Well, life isn't offering up a lot of options at the moment. Fingers crossed that might change.

It appears that my dedication to my workplace is only working against me - it appears that working for 1 company for more than 11 years people think you can't do anything else.

On the other - Coronation in Perth last weekend was a hoot.

I stepped in as an assistant to the incoming King & Queen (Siredean & Siban), as well as having some good discussions with the newest Count & Countess in the Kingdom (Berenger & Bethan).

Food was good, people were great, weather was cold and wet for the Friday and Saturday morning, but cold & sunny for the Saturday afternoon rapier & war as well as Sundays tournament (interestingly not a Rose Tournament).

Anyhow - this weekend has been cold & wet with incredible winds - forcing us to spend the days indoors.

Life is becoming just a little to pedestrian for me at the moment - some deviation would be good.

13 years a journey, and still travelling

Well - yesterday we celebrated our 13th anniversary with a dinner at Gurkha Express - a very good dinner and a nice evening to boot.

Times like this you think back to all the things you have done - and all the things you still have to do.

And despite what some may think - we never got married (yet - it could still happen) but have outlasted so many couples that we have known, it is quite amazing.

Anyhow - we're off to Perth tomorrow night for Midwinter Coronation (SCA).
Should be fun.

Cheers

Hanbal

Sir Lorchan and the Wedding of Dave & Kylie

Well - Someone from my era got Knighted.

Is it justice finally coming full circle - or am I just getting old (SCA wise).

Congratulations Lorchan - well done.

And we know that Knighthood won't change him, unlike many who get changed by peerage.

Also - Congratulations to Kylie & Dave on finally tying the knot - after several failed attempts due to the groom not being in the country.

Excellent wedding (despite the Spit not cooking properly - the chocalate tarts were worth waiting for.

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.

Curse of the New Helmet

Geez, who would have thunk that a new helmet could be such a pain in the ass.

Went to Pennsic, got a new helmet & haven't had peace with it yet.



Having had a well padded helmet for so many years I had forgotten how hard it can be to pad a helmet just right. On Sunday last It was proven that I hadn't got it quite right yet.

So this Sunday - With Rowany Festival not far off, I have to get it right.

And of course there is the Gorget problems - which I think Rodrigo will finally have fixed up for me - thanks Rodrigo - as needed.

Some of the problems were more openness around the neck (additions to the Gorget should cover this) and a very different type of helmet to pad (having a visor that opens).


Any suggestions for padding a helmet happily heard.

Regards

Hanbal