OK, I suck; no pictures yet. The email at Pennsic is horrifically expensive , so Stuff is going to wait 'til motel internet on trip home. Fun, weather has been, well, erratically vile. Rained like hell last night, but after snug in bed. We got the truck unstuck with plenty of time to get Bera to the airport.

Meh!, storm moving in, again.


alail/scott



PS Miss my kitties

Whee, at Pittsburgh airport to pickup Bera, free wi-fi!!!!!


Rained horrifically all day : <

Still haven't loaded pics, I suck!

Nothing happening today, everyone huddled away from rain, last of the merchants arriving today.

Positives: New tent weather torrential downpoors well, upslope enough not to flood but seem to have no need to trench.

Will attempt a few photos next time, promise!


a/s

Mystic Mail finally up!



Very hot and humid, doing the merchant gig today, hopefully shopping as well

Minutes expensive, post short. I'll try a longer post composed off-line and send it up tonight. Alysaundre and Angharad having great fun!!!

We just had a GIANT tearing sound occur, and upon investigation it turns out that our neighbors 60+ foot oak let go a major section. Fell on the house to the south, not ours, no one is hurt, but in the words of the resident, "oh yeah, the house is cracked" It will be interesting to follow up on, and see the damage in daylight. No one is hurt, everyone has insurance, and it was great to see that there were a dozen neighbors at the scene in less than 5 minutes at quarter after 11 at night.



aalail/scott

http://www.tinguely.ch/en/press/photo_ruestung.html


May 13 – August 30, 2009

Armour & Evening Dress

In 1991, the exhibition “Dresses like Armour” was shown in the Neue Hofburg
in Vienna. The memorable and dazzling presentation of splendid Viennese
state armour paired with evening dresses by the couturier Roberto Capucci
has prompted the present project to revive within a larger context the
glorious profession of the armourer. On the basis of pieces of armour mainly
from the armoury in Graz, flanked by contemporary designers’ dresses and
‘war props‘ by Tinguely, Spoerri and Luginbühl, the exhibition is a
celebration and parody of military history (from 1315 to 1991) and haute
couture that is worn as a “second skin”. From the days of the prestigious
profession of the armourer down to the entourage of the declared amateur
locksmith Tinguely the development leads to the central issue of the
“hinge”: the malleability of iron.

Home to the works of the self-declared amateur metalworker Jean Tinguely,
the Museum hosts within its walls examples of the prominent schools and
craft of the plate armourer, in a presentation of ‘menswear’ fashioned of
steel for war, tournament and the parade ground. Modern female styles are
represented by the couturier Roberto Capucci, and works by Eva Aeppli and
Niki de Saint Phalle as well as figurines by Oskar Schlemmer lend an
existential component to this world stage. All this to be shown under the
eye of all sorts of “war props” by Tinguely, Luginbühl and Spoerri, as well
as a comic strip “Apocalypse” by M. S. Bastian: a survey of world culture
between astonishment and parody, fear and rapture.

The core of the show will consist of suits of armour from the Armoury in
Graz, Styria, with a Swiss delegation from Solothurn – both are the last
original European armouries. Crowning these sixty sets of armour are twelve
ceremonial suits from the Hofjagd- und Rüstkammer Vienna, in a face to face
with twelve specially chosen sculptural robes by Roberto Capucci (*1930),
the Italian designer who over and again sought inspiration for his own
creations in this “second skin” of menswear in metal.

Thus an unusual stage setting awaits you, and the museum will be transformed
into a theatre.

Following an extended tour of Europe and the United States where hundreds of
thousands of enthusiastic visitors were able to admire the exhibition of
armour from the Styrian State Armoury Graz, Austria, the show travels in May
to Basel. For the venue in Basel the presentation has been totally
redesigned and adapted to relate historical armour in its technical
functionality to works by Jean Tinguely.
The Styrian State Armoury was originally established as an arms depot in
defence against the Ottoman menace. Around the mid-18th century at the
request of the estates it was decided to maintain it as a monument to the
bravery of the Styrian defence. The Armoury thus became one of the most
important and complete collections of armour worldwide.
The exhibition in Basel will not deal primarily with the historical events
that led to the establishment in the 16th century of such an arms depot on
the south-eastern frontier of the Habsburg Empire that was heavily under
Ottoman threat, but will treat the suits of armour beyond their function as
body protection and mainly as garments that were subject to the same
currents of fashion as were the fabric models that inspired them. It is
revealing to what extent the desire for aesthetics was able to overcome
technical constraints and at the same time make use of them. On one hand,
the suit of armour remains a functional unity that mainly protects the
wearer but also affords him a certain degree of mobility; on the other hand,
one can sense the fabric model in various details such as the colouring, the
etched decoration of the hard surface of the steel. A few select examples of
ceremonial armour from the Hofjagd- und Rüstkammer, Kunsthistorisches Museum
Vienna are being added to the loans from the Styrian State Armoury in Graz
so as to present as broad a survey as possible of the diverse methods of
working and shaping the metal. Information boards will explain the
individual procedures in metalworking and provide a deeper understanding of
the artistry behind the profession of armourer.
In contrast to the cold male world of the iron man Haute Couture models by
the Florentine designer Roberto Capucci present the sensual and delicate
feminine element. Capucci’s creations lend themselves particularly to a
dialogue with historical suits of armour since the designer considers his
works to be sculptures, the soft fabrics converse with but also offer a
contrast to the iron envelop of the suits of armour. This antithesis is the
expression of a basic human principle already known in antique mythology
that coupled Venus, goddess of love and sensuality, with Vulcan, the
accomplished smith – the subject matter also of numerous paintings
representing Venus in Vulcan’s forge.
Over ten years ago a most successful exhibition took place in Vienna with a
daring dialogue between Capucci’s robes and historical ceremonial suits of
armour. The combination of highly polished steel and the soft drapery of
evening robes underline the festive character of the presentation, while the
functional aspect of the armour ties in with the fantastic machines of Jean
Tinguely. Thus, the exhibition underlines the two essential features of
armour as gala dress and as protective covering for the human body, and
sheds new light on historical arsenals of which Switzerland also has a few.

The catalogue of the exhibition will be published in a German edition by
Kehrer Verlag, Heidelberg,
with texts by Christian Beaufort, Andreas Beyer, Silvia Ferino, Marco
Leutenegger, Guido Magnaguagno, Andres Pardey, Johannes Ramharter and Daniel
Spoerri (Hardcover, c. 200 pages, 200 col. ill.).

The official presentation of the publication will take place on Sunday, June
14, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. on the occasion of the Art Breakfast at the Museum
Tinguely.

<http://www.tinguely.ch/global_img/exhibitions/ruestung/pressrelease_ruestun> >> download Press release English

Ummm, Wow!!!


Surprised the &*%^! out of myself Saturday, went to the finals at Summits Coronet; lost in 3 to Brogan O'Brian the Bull. Here's a photo of about the last second of the last fight.






Hard fought day, all great fights, wonderful, not even the periodic hail and snow detracted to much!!! : >

Not bad for a grizzled old knight who last finaled in 1989!


alail/scott

This none gives me a different answer, or I've changed as well. I think it's the question set as I repeatedly wanted another choice, or to mark both! : <

You Are An ENTJ

The Executive You are a natural leader - with confidence and strength that inspires others. Driven to succeed, you are always looking for ways to gain, power, knowledge, and expertise. Sometimes you aren't the most considerate person, especially to those who are a bit slow. You are not easily intimidated - and you have a commanding, awe-inspiring presence. In love, you hold high standards... for yourself, for your relationship, and for your significant other. While it's easy for you to impress others, it's hard for you to find someone who impresses you. At work, you are organized and good at delegating. You understand how to achieve goals. You would make a great CEO, entrepreneur, or consultant. How you see yourself: Rational, calm, and objective When other people don't get you, they see you as: Inflexible, controlling, and overbearing

Still snowing. Spent the last hour starting to learn how to X-country ski, in my own street!

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/american_airlines_now_charging
Quote:
FORT WORTH, TX—Cash-strapped American Airlines announced a new series of fees this week that will apply to all customers not currently flying, scheduled to fly, or even thinking about flying aboard the commercial carrier.
Enlarge Image American Airlines Stub

American Airlines has promised never to raise its fees for not printing a boarding pass.

The fees, the latest introduced by American Airlines in a continuing effort to combat its financial woes, will take effect on Monday. According to company officials, these charges will include a $25 tax on citizens traveling with any other airline, as well as a mandatory $30 surcharge for passengers who decide to just stay home for the holidays instead.

"Tough times unfortunately mean tough measures," American Airlines president Gerard Arpey said. "It's never an easy decision to ask our loyal customers, as well as thousands of people chosen at random out of a telephone book, to pay a little extra, but that's just the reality of today's economic climate. We hope all Americans will understand this when receiving one of our new bills in the mail."

Arpey said that non-passengers of American Airlines should expect to pay a small fee when making Greyhound bus reservations, choosing to drive to their final destination, or simply being a citizen of the United States with a valid Social Security number.

Arpey went on to note that some additional charges would also apply, including a $15 fee for every piece of luggage customers have inside their bedroom closet, and a one-time payment of $40 for any American whose name is Greg.

"We are confident that these new measures will not discourage customers from flying with American Airlines," vice president Margaret Wilkinson said. "However, we'd like to remind our customers that there is a 'discouraged-from-flying-with-American-Airlines' charge if they do in fact choose not to fly with us."

American Airlines, which posted a $1.45 billion loss in the second quarter of 2008 alone, claimed that the new fees—including the Taking A Shower Fee, the Knowing What An Airplane Looks Like Fee, and the Eating E.L. Fudge Cookies While Watching A Rerun Of House Fee—will help the company rebound. According to internal projections, the airline will recoup $500 million in the next three months alone, with nearly 80 percent of that revenue coming from citizens asleep at home.

"Watching television last night cost me $250," said Baltimore resident Michael Peterson, one of many Americans now forced to pay high airline costs for folding their laundry and going to the ophthalmologist. "It's ridiculous, but what can you do? I guess that's just the price of not flying these days."

"American Airlines charged me for cleaning out my attic," said 74-year-old Samantha Pratt, a New Jersey resident who has not left the state since 2005. "Sure, I didn't have to wait in any long lines, or go through invasive security searches, and I got to clean out my attic, which is something I've been wanting to do for weeks, but come on now."

In response to American's move, other airlines have begun offering more competitive rates. United this week unveiled a new $99 "spend the weekend quietly reading indoors" offer, while Southwest is introducing a $125 round-trip fare for those walking to their corner store for some groceries.

JetBlue, a commercial carrier known for its thrifty rates, has come out ahead of the pack, however, and is being lauded for its decision not to charge non-passengers not to fly.

Despite reduced offers such as these, many remain concerned over the new fees. Some have even expressed doubt about whether they'll be able to afford to see family members they currently live with during Christmas.

"It's just not worth it anymore," said Caroline Huza, an Ohio native and mother of two. "Plus, every time I stay at home, I always get trapped next to some kid who won't stop crying."

Ummm,

This un is just WRONG!

Wheee!!!!

Is it my imasgination or is it really April 15th; 1st, no-one has wanked about taxes, and 2nd, the high today was 39 degrees and it frackin snowed!!! This would be understandable if we lived in , say, NOME! but we live 20 minutes outside of Portland at 700'.

Jeawous gwumbwing about Dwea Weed seminar, but we'll make the next

Must go, or Cawibean thwimps in gawick will burn.


alail/scott


P. Eth. Thowy about the Wupertanian, I find it difficult to thpeak Engwith nowdaythz

Happy Birthday Moi.


a/s

Ummm,

It's 34 and snowing heavily here at the house. This is the end of March, isn't it.


alail/scott

Which Historical Lunatic Are You?

Travel can be odd. I'm not sure I'm going to be able o approach a restroom with confidence the rest of this trip.

Yesterday morning, at a popular Sacramento breakfast spot:
I get op and go down the little closed hall to the men's room (a single), door locked, no biggie, knock and wait. Time passes, a variety of unusual sounds echo through the door. Just as I start to knock again, the door opens and two young men start to exit. The first one meets my eyes for a second then drops his gaze and says, "Like, sorry dude, we didn't, like, think anyone was waiting."

Ummm, 9:30 am at very popular restaurant NOT!!! the place for whatever that was.


Next, at Anderson's in Santa Nella for stop with my friend Alec:
Shambling old man in front of me on way to bathroom. I'm trying to get around him as he lumbers to a halt, both arms raised as he fumbles at chest level. As I slide around him I watch, dumbfounded as he slides a cigarette out of a pack. I'm thinking, "you so can't lite up here" when he snaps the cigarette in half and pops it into his mouth, chewing with vigor and relish. About then I'm wishing I had a black suit, RayBans, and Will Smith, as this is obviously an alien.


All this while still NORTH of the Tehatchapis.