Look: A Birka post!

 So Liam, how was Birka?

 I am reminded of Silverwing’s  Law No 55, which comes from Master Tibor: “Only Pennsic is worth the level of inconvenience that only Pennsic requires.”  There should be a 55a corollary for Birka.
 
 There were more than 1440 people who went through gate at Birka. I never realized just how big it was. That was about 100 fewer than last year, but almost the same as the year before. I thought the Birka staff did an excellent job, as usual, as did the hotel.

 Since I like Birka, I get a bit tired of the whole “Birka-Con” thing. Sure, everyone has an opinion, but Birka is what it is, and there are parts of it that are just like other events (the fighting areas, court, etc.). I would not like to see many more events like it, but it works for what it is.

 The hotel experience is different, and it makes it way too easy to stay up, chat with folks and drink. I definitely had too good a time Friday night, including visiting a great bar – Strange Brew – just down the street.

 I took it much easier Saturday night. As always, I swooped through the merchants several times, but did not buy anything. I always wind up chatting too much. It was great to see trimguy and snailstchr at Calontir Trim, but again, not for long enough,

 Court came in at 2 hours and 40 minutes, including a 10 to 15-minute commercial about Pennsic from the prince and the warlord. There was a number of great things in court – including well-deserved AoAs to annodomini and trilobites -- and at the morning court in the Armory, which cut the main court by seven items. I will post the court report later. There were three new peers – Mistress Moira Fenner of Argyle, a Laurel, and two new members of Chivalry – Master Edmund O’Rourke from the new Crown Principality of Northern Shores, and Sir Federach from Carolingia. Federach’s was one of those classic, emotional knighting ceremonies.

 Yes, the Canadian provinces are going principality. It seemed that everyone I talked to from there was really excited about that. I posted in detail on sca_east.

 I thought the prince and the princess looked great in Viking. The Mongol garb on alethea_eastrid was the result of the kindness of bernina2000de, as was the Mongol I was wearing. evilnicola wore Bess' own garb. The female garb has tower hats, so we joked about court "being brought to you by the letter I and the numbers 1 and 11.

 There’s probably a lot more to talk about. I saw some folks I had not seen in a while. I am home today with the beginnings of a sinus infection, so I may post later.

Monday noonish: Special home-from-work edition . . .

1. Welcome to dimmityhubbub!

2. I am taking a one-month sabbatical from beer for February. I am two months shy of turning 50, and yes, I am starting to put lifestyle changes into effect.

3. Locus Magazine has released its "Recommended Reading List" for 2008. Any thoughts?

4. I have started reading the NY Times Restaurant blog on a regular basis. You might too.

5. I am home sick from work. I went across the street to the doctor, and he is treating me for a possible sinus infection.

6. I did not watch the Super Bowl. (And folks, it's two words, dammit), but it sounded like the second great game in a row.

7. I am ecstatic that the Red Sox signed Jason Varitek. I wish it had gone more smoothly.

Seven compliments make a post . . .

So I have been fighting some depression over the last couple of days (not to mention a possible sinus infection and asthma-type stuff).

Now, even though life can be sucky in sports, I know I am a lucky man in many ways. I am always reminded that I am rich in friends.

Since I started reading my e-mail and my LJ this morning, I have received the following seven compliments. 1.   “I can’t thank you enough for the help, support, and assistance you’ve given us.  Your calm guidance has been reassuring and a blessing.”

2. “Thanks so much for your help this weekend. You were awesome. :-)”

3. “By the way, thank you for being my friend.“

4. “Thank you to my Daddy for being all around wonderful.”

5. “In truth, I’ve grown fond of your notes too.  It’s always a joy to discover the “real” people in our game.”

6. “. . . Realizing that I do *NOT* know everybody...it's just that everbody knows me. I was told that I'm "just like Liam", which I take as the high praise such a comparison is  :-D”

7. “It was a pleasure to see you, even if only for fleeting moments.”

I do feel a bit better now. Thanks.