Gentle Readers,

So, I'm in the third day of my new year which is the last of my fourth decade. I'm feeling a little excited and a little melancholy because it's been such an amazing decade so far. I've really enjoyed being in my thirties. It's so far been a decade of learning to be a better and more well rounded human being. I'm in better shape (well, I was before the back injury) than I've ever been. I'm more comfortable in my own skin. I have a handle on how food makes me feel and what I should not ever eat, as well as what are ok Sometimes Foods. I have been working on expressing my interests in the arts and sciences, being creative and studious.

I know lots of people have had 2011s filled with turmoil and strife and I feel for them. While I am glad to see the end of 2011, in my case it's less about hoping for an end to troubles and more about excitement to see what the new year will bring.

I hope you all get the new year you desire.

Edit: PARTY CANCELED.


Gentle Readers,

The plan today was pretty good. First the Ottawa Classical Swordplay open house to check out the new dojo space that we are renting and then back home for my birthday party. Yesterday I got some wine and some (read lots) of interesting cheese for said party.

This morning however, it's looking more and more like we are going to have to cancel. I'll confirm in a couple hours, but it does not look good. I am disappointed. Not sure what I'm going to do with my evening or with all the cheese if we cancel.

Gentle Readers,

I'm gonna be 38. I will no longer be able to tell King Arthur that I am not old.

I just sent out an invitation on facebook for the party I'm having on the 1st. It's going to be a simple wine and cheese thing, i.e. I'll be providing wine and cheese. It would also be cool if people who can play them brought instruments.

If you didn't get an invite, it's because I'm tired and missed clicking on your name, not because I don't want you there. In fact, if you have a cool friend you'd like me to meet, you can bring them too. If you want the facebook invite, let me know and I will add you there. I'll even invite you if you can't go but just want to see the inane prattle.

Gentle Readers,

It's really amazing the things that can push us out of a story. I ever expected one of those things to be fruit. I was reading a story and the main character mentioned sliced raspberries. At that point, all I could think was: has the author even seen a raspberry? What were they imagining when they wrote that line? Where would the idea for sliced raspberries come from.

Have you ever had one?

In other news we had a lovely weekend. First we helped Kira-lynn celebrate the epic milestone of both graduating and finishing another year of existence on the same day. They fed us tasty treats and while I didn't get any of the diploma cake (that looked better than the real one) the hors d'oeuvres and champagne were both delicious. She even gave Lydia a loot bag (it *was* a birthday party). We left just as the young people were starting to arrive. Lydia complained for all the way to bed that she wasn't tired and then fell asleep about 30 seconds after her head hit the pillow.

The next morning I got up at 7 to sew and got a bunch of stuff to the point of hand sewing for our trip to Kingston where we helped guin and peredur celibrate their birthdays. It'a good thing that us (and Gaynip) came as we were the only ones who made it. I saw Shrek 4 with the girls (and it was quite good). I saw Lesbian Vampire Killers with the grownups and it was surprisingly good, considering.

Sunday I got in some sword fighting as my back had finally recovered from a bad throw on wednesday. It was great fun. I've been worried about my lack of practice with the rapier lately as we have a couple of people attempting their provost prize in 2 weeks and I want to give them a good fight. While it won't be a great fight, I do think I won't embarrass myself. This is good.

Also, it looks like I will be finished my sewing project in time for Trillies. Yay!

Gentle Readers,

As of today I'm embarking on my thirty-seventh year. This last year has been so amazing and insane. I ran for and was selected as Baron of Skraeling Althing and in doing so rejuvenated my love for the SCA. As a result we spent most of our weekends traveling around Ontario. This was facilitated by my being laid off from my job were I had been working for a couple of weeks shy of five years.

Not only did my unemployment make being a new baron easier, but it also let me help with the suprisingly extensive renovations we did. Originally meant to be just 2 rooms, it became a gutting and rebuilding of half our house.

I had a short contract with my old company but managed to find new employment just as a longer contract came through. I'm feeling very comfortable with my new collection of co-workers who seem to have much more in common with me, being that they are a bunch of Martial-Arts geeks. The fact that half the company does kick-boxing twice a week was a big incentive to my wanting to be a part of the company. The opportunity to work with some aspects of Java that have been off my radar for a couple of years was a lovely added incentive.

This is also the year I've managed to figure out what works for me in terms of diet and just how important Vitamin D is for me. I'm in some of the best shape of my life and I feel strong and happy.

Thank you all for being such an amazing part of my life and contributing to an amazing year.