Right, well, it looks like it's going to be another beautiful day, sunny, warm and not too humid. This is good for me since I'm going with Carrie to visit some bridal shops to look for bridesmaid type dresses. I'm still all for using Sandra of Heretic to make the actual gown, but we'll see.

Last night, Carrie and I went down to the Dome where we met Rick and Al for the ball game. A&C had won four free tickets to see the Jays play the Yankees. Happily, the players' strike was averted and the game played on. It was an excellent game, despite the fact that the Jays lost. Not really a big surprise, though we did whomp the Yanks the night before. It looked like it was going to be carnage after the Yanks had leapt into a rather pronounced lead within the first inning, but steadily, the Jays caught up. It ended up being really exciting with the final score being 9-7. I haven't been to a ball game in at least four years, so this, with the excellent seats not far past third base, nine rows up from the front, we all had a really good time. Carrie and I also looked adorable in our animal ears, which I'd bought at the zoo earlier that day, she in koala ears and me in white tiger ears.

And, indeed I was at the zoo. I met Gwyn, from RoD, for the first time and we had a great time. Gwyn is a very nice person with a good sense of humour and an incredibly cool wheelchair. In about four hours we did most of the zoo, skipping over the African Savana and the Canadian Wilderness. A lot of the animals were asleep, but some favourites like the elephants and rhinoseri (dictionary.com has the plural as being rhinoseroses, which is INCORRECT, stupid Americans killing classical language), the giant octopus, the clouded leopard who insisted on sleeping between the big water pipe and ceiling rather than its tree, and the otters. Always the otters. They always look like they're having a lot of fun. I'd be happy to be an otter, frankly. Anyway, it was a good time and the weather was great. The butterflies in the indomalaya woodland pavillion were out in the sunshine flitting through the trees like something out of a children's book, like art-nouveau book illustrations come to life. Simply beautiful.

Tonight we're playing D&D at Ryan's which will be a nice tight squeeze in his tiny appartment, but he insists on us playing there and we're humouring him, I guess. Tomorrow, I think we're going to do a small scale belated birthday dinner for me, and Rick would really like it if we went to Whisky Saigon for retro night, and maybe we will. I don't know. Maybe I've grown out of clubbing but I just can't bring myself to find this as something I want to do. I plan to work on my web stuff tomorrow and Monday, too, though on Monday I'm going to drop by Derek's new place (which is practically around the corner) and hang out for a bit. I really want to get web stuff done. I've been meaning to work on Ray's page for ages. Anyway, I'm feeling kind of sulky for no apparent reason, so I'll go before this gets me down.

Today I've actually had the pleasure of acting as a proper Union Steward. Whee ! Mostly this has entailed me shlepping all over the museum looking for the president in order to ask questions, Wilson (with his broken arm) in tow. Questions about leaves of absense and/or extended sick time foremost. And then giving some sort of council to Wilson about his insurance and what the ROM will and will not cover. I got to meet the Membership Dept.'s representative in HR and he's as much of a slime as people made him out to be. As one woman said to me on our way out of HR, "He looks evil." Anyway, maybe he's not, but he's all about saying things like, "Well it's really up to the union," and, "I can't really say, it depends on what the museum and union work out." Yeesh, a break... give me one, please. However, it's a useful experience and I got to take Wilson into areas of the ROM he's never been before. It's BIG. Anyway, now I should really get some work done since I've been doing this for the better part of two hours.

Another thing that happened on the weekend was Nadine's going away party. Yes, that's right, my jazz-singing friend has left for England. She found the Canadian scene a real bitch to break into and so, with a couple of leads in London, she decided to up and go. It can't be worse there, plus it puts her closer to the not insignificant jazz culture of continental Europe.

Anyway, my intention was to visit for only a little while, but when I arrived at the place the party was being held and was given food and drink, extricating myself became more difficult. You should only know what this condo was like. It was hosted by Nadine's friend Shauna and my goodness was her place incredible. It was three levels with the kitchen, dinning/living room on the first level, her bedroom on the middle level, and a lounging area on the third, which also happened to open onto a fantastic L-shaped balcony overlooking downtown Toronto. *drool*

I talked a lot to Errol, Nadine's cousin, who I'd met on at least one other occasion, and to this other fellow named Louie who has a band. Louie, I think, dug me, but I left him with no contact information and took off (eventually) when he was distracted by the arrival of his friends. I'm so evil. *cackles* Anyway, it was fun. It was a lovely send-off for a cool, cool chick. I hope she does well in London.

Last night, skipping ahead to the very near past, I went to Paul's house. Paul being the boyfriend of Tracy. You see, Tracy, the night before, had visited me (and we'd both visited her Mom) and left her wallet/day-planner thing at my house. It was hiding under the Arrow-launching Action Aragorn (or whatever it is called) that she had given me for my birthday. So, after work and dinner, I drove up to Paul's neighbourhood to return this very important article to its rightful owner. Silly Tracy. I haven't been to Paul's house in at LEAST five years, but probably more.

Anyway, I got to meet her parrot, Coral, who tried to bite me, and then sat very quietly on my finger. When Paul arrived, he demonstrated how much Coral doesn't like him. Coral screams at Paul and tries to get away from him. It's quite funny. Then Paul and Tracy introduced me to the myriad of creatures residing in the house. Aside from the three cats, the dog, and Coral, there are countless spotted geckos (quite cool), a larger lizard that feels like a small pinapple, some fish, and two cameleons, male and female. I left smelling very much of animal, especially after hugging Paul goodbye after he'd worked all day in a barn. *laugh* It was a very nice visit and a very long time coming.

Before I tell any more stories, here are two pictures taken by my friend, Brian (from Seneca), on Friday at the expo. Here's the first (with Nicole on the side). Here's the second, a close up of some of my stuff. Keen, Brian, thanks !

Now for the fun. Well, basically, it was all fun, except Friday night when it was hard to take the amazing lack of sales. That was not fun. But on Saturday, things picked up a lot. Sunday was smashing, though. Due in part (the sales, sure, but more importantly) to my friends and family coming to show their love and support. Eric came, Tracy and her mother, Nicki (my other mother), my mom and Ray came, and most surprising of all... Ryan came. I'm sure I'm missing at least one person, but honestly, the whole weekend is a bit of a blur. One of the keenest things to happen on Sunday took place while I was coming back from the Independent Artists section with my mother was when I spotted this strange man whom I thought I recognised.

"That guy," said I as I stopped and turned, "looks a lot like Ed Greenwood." So, with much encouragement by my mother to go and find out if it was indeed him, off I trotted. He covers a lot of ground - he's a lot taller than he looks.

Me: Excuse me, is your name, by any chance, Ed?
Him: Why yes it is.
Me: And also Greenwood?
Him: Yes. But don't tell anyone, I'm in disguise.

Anyway, he remembered me from way back in high school when I was still going out with Jon (who was a family friend of Ed) and we started to chat. I explained that I had a booth and he wanted to know what I was selling. When I said my art, he nearly bounced, or maybe he did bounce, and said, "Well, let's take a look !" He ended up hanging around my booth for about 20 minutes and even bought my pack of six cards. I threw in a print for free. Anyway, he's a delightful man, a six foot tall gnome, as I called him, which made him laugh merrily, and also a dirty bastard. He takes pride in all these things. Perhaps the dirty bastard most of all. I gave him a business card, too, and asked him to write me fan mail, which he agreed to do, and who knows, maybe he will. That would be keen.

As Ryan said, which I will reitterate here and make them my own sentiments, "I owe a lot to that man."

The Fangirl.

Okay. It's becoming a thing. *grin* I kind of like it. Each time it happens, it's a different person, which makes it that much cooler. A young woman, maybe early 20s, came to my booth, where I'd pinned two prints to the tablecloth, one being the illustration from Waterloo (Obi in leather pants with microphone, being backed up by Mace, Qui-Gon, and Yoda in platform boots). She stopped, cracked up and the dialogue went much like this:

Meagan: That looks like -
Me: It is.
Meagan: From the -
Me: Sith Academy.
Meagan: Ya ! It's from -
Me: Ishyko's "Waterloo".
Meagan: Are you...?
Me: Maya, Mad Mambolica. Greetings.
Meagan: Wow ! I love your stuff !

It went from there and, ultimately, she bought the print and asked me to sign it. Cool eh? I rather thought so. She was actually a lot less gushy than my other two fangirls (ever) have been. But boy, was she ever pleased. Me too.

I will finish this progression of stories sometime later.

Today, I had an interview (again) in New Media. It wasn't so smashing an interview as the last one, but hey, it's hard to blow the mind twice in a row. Afterall, it was the exact same people sitting in on the interview. It went alright. Hopefully, I'll get it.

Okay.

The guy I haven't seen since high school... Adam Lewis. He used to intimidate me and I had a memory of him as being over six feet tall and built like a house. He's like, I don't know, 5'9" max. And not scary. We figure it was because he was high all the time. Ya. That and the piercings. Piercings scared me back then. In truth, he's just a huggy-bear and he happened to have the booth beside Nicole and I.

Wow, that was a lame story.

Pirate cookies. VERY important. Not only are they full of oatmealy goodness and peanut butter (mmm, protein), but they can sustain a person through an entire day of hard work at a trade show. I know this because on Sunday, I had some crappy yogurt, a bite of cake (supplied by Nicole for my birthday) - and I do mean a bite, a coffee, a juice box, and six Pirate cookes. These cookies, single-handedly, saved my life. Or at least made the hunger pangs bearable. And they're tasty. Not just alright, but darned good. Thanks to Nicole for bringing them.

That's enough tonight. I'll finish the stories tomorrow. Now I'm tired.

So... hm. I'm at the ROM, and am about to head out for cheap Chinese with Stacey. But before I do, here's one of the many stories from this past weekend.

The Ringwraith.

Remember my encounter with the Nazgul at Toronto Trek, back in early July? Well, the same costumers were at the expo, too, and there again, was the Ringwraith. I got all excited as it (he) headed past the booth and said, "Nicole, look, it's the Ringwraith ! The Ringwraith !! YAY THE RINGWRAITH !" the latter being said with muppetatious waving of arms above my head. Needless to say, the wraith turned around to see who was causing such a commotion. I swear I heard it chuckle and I even think I saw it's shoulders lift at the same time. I might be wrong. Anyway, it paused there a moment and then raised it's gauntleted hand and wiggled its fingers at me with a lovely clinking of armour. I think it remembered me. Whee !

So, the SFX was a success. I won't go into it now because I'm more tired than I've been in a long, long time. Details to follow soon, including stories about the ringwraithe (same one from T-Trek), the importance of Pirate Cookies, the guy I haven't seen since high school, the fangirl, and... the fun.

What else, what else? Oh, new stuff at my Lothlorien gallery at Elfwood. Updates to my portfolio will occur soon, as will updates to Ray's page.

Today is my birthday. All celebrating is off until I have the time. I have to prep for an interview tomorrow, and still I have not opened my presents (from Mom and Ray). Food was simply more important. Now I shall do that and then prep. Then bathe. Then prep. Then go to bed. The end.

Well, just a quick entry to start. Hopefully I'll get back to this sometime this crazy-busy weekend. I'm off to set up for the Sci-Fi Expo, with Rick's help, sometime in the near future. I've managed to get everything on my list done and, hopefully, I haven't forgotten anything. I spent an obscene amount at Kinkos, which stunned me, but my mother assured me that it's money for my future, and I feel marginally better about it. Sort of. Whichever way you look at it, $277 is a LOT of money. Both she and Rick assure me that I'll make it all back. There are moments when I think so too, and moments when I despair that anything will be sold at all.

In other news, last night, Willi caught a mouse in the house. Willi the Huntress ! I was photographing my dioramas with Nick's digital camera and I'd just finished when I heard something behind me. I turned around, camera still in my hands, and lo, there was Willi bopping the mouse on the head. I took some pictures of her flipping the poor thing about before getting a paper towel and picking it up. I threw it into the neighbour's yard (the one that doesn't like cats) and went back inside. Much praise for Willi-bee and then I cleaned my hands. Feh. If I thought she was actually going to bother killing it, I'd have let her, but, it was tiny and she was only half interested.

I'm back ! Huzzah !

I wish I weren't back, but I am, because real life has to happen no matter how we try to stall it. I love my cottage. There is no other place on Earth that I would rather be. We've called it many things, including Paradise, and for me, that is truly what it is. Paradise with distant chainsaw sounds. My cottage is nothing like the typical 'cottage'. There are no motor boats on our lake, only one other cottage (albeit owned by crazy people, though mostly they don't bother us), and a wide expanse of forest and overgrown farmland surrounding us. Up the road there are three other cottages (including our lake neighbours) and one permenant residence. Below us, there is another year-round house (owned by our close friend Jean and her son, Michael). My oldest friend lives around there, Kristina, the one who I visited in May. Anyway, it is quiet, beautiful, and technologically unburdened.

I was there for two weeks, about a third of which I devoted my time almost entirely to producing artwork for this weekend's SFX. I brought my cat, Willi, who got to be a real cat for a change, going outside, catching mice and other things. She was so happy up there. I have never seen her so totally thrilled and excited. She and Mom's cats, Chester and Melody, got along well, for a change, and she followed Chester around in the bush learning how to hunt. It was like he had a little shadow. There were no mice in the house, and seemingly there were few in the house through the winter. The damage was nil, but cleaning was still a priority as the old tenants didn't do much of a job worth mentioning. Mom bought a vacuum for the cottage and made good use of it, filling it with tons of the tenants' dog's hair. Ew. One thing that Mom did (of a few notable jobs) was to put up a shower.

Yes. A shower. This is a big thing for us. Previously, all bathing was done at the kitchen sink or in the lake as we have no bathroom per se, just a rather pleasant outhouse. The shower is a long-handled gardening tool affixed to the side of the covered work table in front of the brick barbeque. A coiling hose is attached to this tool and run into the house to the kitchen sink where you can adjust the hot and cold water. I suggested a large piece of plywood to make the shower floor, and Mom hung a curtain from the clothesline. My gosh, what an innovation !! While lake bathing is fun when the weather is hot and the water is nice, it's a good deal less so when the weather is inclemant and the lake is frigid. Also, because the weather up there had been so hot and muggy (far moreso than in just about any other year), it was super nice to have a quick shower to scrape off the sweat.

There was a great deal of damage in the bush this year from windstorms. Last year was a horrible drought that weakened a lot of mature and otherwise healthy trees. I took a hike around the camp in the first week up and I counted no less than 27 trees that were down, roots-up in the air, moss and soil peeled right off the rock. Many of these were mature oak and beech trees, as well as a few pine. It's a real mess. Many other trees have come down on the point around the path to the swimming point. Michael's cut up some of it and cleaned aside other bits, but even while we were up there, an oak tree that had fallen against another tree came down taking the other with it. Add to this the amount of beaver damage of half-girdled trees and it just gets worse. Anyway, sad as the damage is, it's testimonial of the ever changing state of nature.

Rick joined Mom and I for the last four days I would be there, arriving in Ottawa by bus and leaving with me on the 20th and driving back to Toronto. This year was more smooth a visit than last year. My mother is more comfortable with Rick, and he is more comfortable with the space up there, enabling me to go off and do my own thing once in a while. He even borrowed a tackle box in order to go fishing, though, I must say, he spent more time talking about fishing than he actually did doing it. *laugh* Maybe next time he'll bring his own stuff and he can start fishing right away, that way he can have 'his own thing' to do up there like Mom and I do. For her it's doing things and swimming, for me it's hiking and canoeing. We played uchre (sp?) on two nights, on one night myself winning, the other Mom (I'm sure this was irksome for Rick), and a game of Scrabble, too, which I won and much to my mother's horror, she came last. It's okay, though, because before Rick came up, Mom had pretty much flogged me in several games.

Anyway, I'm home now, and though I have lots of other stories to tell, I can't really go into them now. I'm late for heading to Kinkos to make prints for this weekend. I'm exhausted, having slept very badly the night before, too. I'm currently getting Willi used to a harness so that she can maybe go out on the porch in a leash. I don't trust her not to jump off, but this way she can sit outside and stuff. We'll see. Maybe, if it works out, she can do it in Peterborough, too. It can't be bothering her too much, though initially she was slinking all over uncertainly, as she's just finished washing herself and has now gone to sleep with the harness on.

Well, I have rather a lot to say, but less time in which to say it than I would desire.

This weekend was the Realms of Despair 8th annual reunion. As always, it was great fun. I don't know what I should say. Gosh. So much happened.

Friday was the first official night, being held, as usual at the Fox and Fiddle in stunning Mississauga. Okay, that was sarcasm, for those who don't know. Mississauga is far from stunning. The usual faces were there, plus some new ones and the lovely pleasure of having both Lindsay and Deanna there as well (two of my favourite roleplayers from the game). Rick got quite looped before we headed to the airport to pick up Ben. We returned to the Fox for more merriment and did not leave until after last call. Ben seemed more than happy to sleep on my less than comfortable futon couch and Willi was more than happy to keep him company there.

Saturday was the Renn Fest and we arrived a bit late, but that was okay. We threw our friend, Kelly's, stuff into my car and all piled into the fair. Naturally, the Mud Show (the theatre in the ground) was a hit and we watched both of their shows, Beowulf and Dante's Inferno. Two plays that only barely resemble the works they portray. We separated and came back together through out the fair, now pairing up with Lindsay and Deanna, now breaking apart again. We ate tasty things (the broccoli and cheese soup in a bread-bowl was a highlight as well as their delicious smoothies), and laughed a lot and got a lot of sun. I caught one and a half jousts, the final one fully, which was quite dramatic though there was no unhorsing.

That night there was a slave auction in order to benefit Moonbeam (an immortal character on RoD) who will be running for the cure (breast cancer charity). Kelly and myself were auctioned as a pair and Rick spent 80$ on us. Here's the best part - we're considered a charitable donation and therefore are tax deductable. Neat, ya. I did a fantastic rendition of Grease Lightning with this guy named Chuck, the two of us acting out the entire song while twisting up a storm. There was much positive (and slightly less so) male attention and generally, everyone was in good spirits.

Sunday was the picnic at the Kelso Conservation Area. There was a quest that had a test of speed and constitution (which Rick placed second in - Go Rick !) which was a race down and up the bunny hill behind the picnic area. Two people wiped out on the uphill run, one of whom would otherwise have won. Too bad Rick didn't get anything for coming second. There was a RoD trivia challenge and I, knowing NOTHING of the game, despite playing it for three years, won a consolation prize (of nothing, I'll have you know) for the best humourous bullshit answer. There was also a scavenger hunt for which everyone who made it up the BIG FUCKING hill at the start got five in-game glory. Rick, Ben and I wandered through the woods for at least two hours giving our bodies quite the work-out. Today I feel more than a little stiff. *laugh*

In fact, I was so beat after the scavenger hunt that when I returned to the picnic, I just kept going and headed straight for the lake. Lindsay, Deanna, Kelly, and a bunch of other people were already down there and shortly after we were joined by Chuck. Feeling so much better, I went back up to get myself some dinner. There was, among other vegetable items, steak, lamb, turkey, rabbit and quail. YUM. Let me repeat that: YUM !!! Following dinner, there was a tug-o'-war which was also a lot of fun. And then, sadly, the day came to an end and neither Rick nor I would be returning to the Fox.

Rick was a good guy and came with me to my house and helped me pack the car with stuff for the cottage, and he lay down for a nap with me where we were neither properly rested, nor comfortable since we were both still racing from the exersion of the day. Then we were both crabby when we got up. I hate the post-nap crabbiness. Bleh. I packed Willi into her box and we set off. I dropped Rick at his place and then continued to Peterborough.

Tomorrow, Mom and I will be leaving for the cottage. We're being not terribly environmentally good, though, each taking her own car, but since I'm probably going to have to leave before her and head directly to Toronto, it just seems best. Rick will be joining us up there on the 16th and we'll leave together on the 20th. I wish I could be staying longer, since I feel I desperately need this holiday, but since I'll be working SFX the weekend of the 23rd to the 25th (my birthday, coincidentally), I have to get back in time to continue my love-hate relationship with Kinkos as I have art reproductions printed.

Anyway, now it's much later than I meant it to be and there's still laundry sitting in the machine. *sigh* I wish you all a good most-of-August. Enjoy it.

I forgot to mention my jeans ! I bought a rather nice, if slightly large, pair of jeans from the store just a little west of Heretic called Alkatraz. I don't usually buy things there because the things I do like are overpriced, or not in my size. Ever. Anyway, they usually have a sale rack out on the sidewalk and today was no exception. There were a ton of blue jeans with red stitching. And lo - a pair in my size ! The mind boggles. Anyway, here's the best part: 7.99. I kid you not. Including tax, I did not pay ten bucks. That's right, $60 jeans for less than $10. *cackle* I win !

Today, at Heretic, I choked so hard that I coughed up water and lung juice all over the floor. John (who happened to be there with Sandra) ran to my rescue as my choking didn't seem to want to let up, and I couldn't breathe and I couldn't talk. But, just as he was about to perform some heroics, I spluttered wetly, "I *cough* I'm *cough cough* I'm okay *hack hack cough*" It was actually quite frightening.

I applied for the other New Media job at the ROM. I'm quite excited. Hopefully there won't be a problem with me interviewing at the end of August. I hope, I hope, I hope. I have to call the HR representative and let her know that I'll be away and what my phone number there will be. Also, I got 30 prints each of "Waterloo" and "Kenobispotting" done at Kinkos for less than I thought it would cost. I feel secure that other printing needs will be met upon my return from the cottage.

Mark brought 'round the shirt Nicole made for me. Nuh ! So sexy ! I was going to wear it to the Reunion, or more specifically the Renn Fest, on Saturday, but I fear it will be a bit too hot. I may have to make do with wearing it tomorrow. The fabric is soft and light, but quite warm, but in an airconditioned pub, I should be fine. So, what will I wear to the fair on Saturday, you may ask (or you may not, but whatever). I'll be wearing the shirt that Sandra made for me - a lovely little number she calls the 'willow' shirt. The key characteristic are the dangly faerie bits that hang over the shoulder rather than sleeves. Mine is black with red danglies and it looks so cute ! They flip and flop when I hop about. Gah, at moments like this, I am such a girl.

Tomorrow is going to be a bit sad, as it's my last day at Heretic, but also keen ! The Reunion starts tomorrow night and I'll be there. With Rick, of course. Shortly after 11pm, I have to be at the airport to pick up Ben (my friend in Philly) who will be flying in for the Saturday, Sunday, Monday festivities. He'll be staying at my place tomorrow night and Saturday night. Also, on Saturday, Kelly will be crashing at my place as well, since she's being abandoned by her much less social boyfriend. Whee ! So much Reunion fun to be had. I hope I don't have a migraine or something.