That was a Looong Weekend....

[browncoat2x2]

Friday: was spent relaxing, watching tv and chatting on line, eating junk food (never buy no-name ketsup chips) and fiddling with my new fountain, adjusting the hose length to try to reduce the water flow so that it won't splash outside of the fountain, which I succeeded at, only now the pump has a low level hum that I have to try to muffle. Stayed up late, and still didn't finish Choices, even though I've only got a few paragraphs left to write of this chapter... it has been frustratingly elusive.

Saturday: woke up not too early and prepared to get picked up to go to the medieval event for the day. I was not in the mood, as - even though the event is at a castle, it was outdoors and it's cold here! But I figured I'd have fun once I got there, so our rides arrived at 10:30 or so, in two vehicles, and the second vehicle was picking up our friend K who lives the next town over, so rather than take directions, the second vehicle wanted either me or the hubby to go with and show them the way. The hubby volunteered so off they went. Had an enjoyable ride to site. Everyone else went to pay the gate fee, but the hubby had our money so I hung out until they got back and then went and changed into my fighting clothes so I could get my armour on. When I came back out of the castle I was met by my friends who told me the other vehicle had been in an accident on the highway. They rear-ended a car in front of them, and then were hit from behind by another car, which pushed them into the car in front of them again, which pushed them into the car in front of them! The car from behind left the scene, the other three stayed. No one was hurt, but between incompetant cops who didn't have enough paperwork to take everyone's statements and what not, the van not starting, the tow truck guy trying to scam them by not doing the boost properly the first time, hoping to get a tow out of it (fortunately the cop made him do it properly) they were stranded on the highway in the cold for three hours!!
Meanwhile, back at the event. I borrowed money to pay the site fee, waited in line for 15 minutes and didn't move one inch, so decided 'screw it' I'd pay when the hubby arrived. Got into armour. Found out that I had dropped my wallet on my way out of the change room and that they had it at the gate, fortunately, as my wedding and engagement rings were both in the change purse because I take htem off when I'm fighting. I figured I'd go get it after fighting a bit, so fought a warm up bout against a guy who used to be a friend but hasn't been around in a long time. He pretty much insulted me as we were fighting. He said he hadn't expected 'that' from me (meaning for me to be as good as I was) but it wasn't presented in a positive way, more a chauvenist way. It pissed me off, especially because I didn't kick his ass the way I should have. But the cold air is a trigger for my asthma, and that, coupled with what I think is a chest cold, left me completely breathless and unable to fight. I fought one bought with Her Royal Highness, and I had to stop because I just couldn't breath. It was very disappointing, as there were So Many different fighters there that I hadn't fought before.
So I sat and watched the fighting (which is really like slow torture when you can't do it too) and then this Goober guy comes up to me and tells me my 'presence is required at the gate table' and I said, oh yeah, they found my wallet... Met by complete blank stare. *Sigh* Okay, so, I go get my wallet. While I'm there I tell them that I'll pay as soon as my husband arrives, and they said no problem, they knew me, know where I live etc. haha no problem. So, doesn't it happen that not even an hour later, same Goober comes out and starts crying the fighting lists, yelling out names of folk who haven't paid, your's truly first name on that list. *SIGH* So I go and tell him, yeah, I told them at gate I'd pay as soon as my husband gets back from the accident. BLANK STARE. *sigh* So I ignored him...
So, I didn't get to fight the tournament, or the melee, didn't get to fight my friend's 40 minutes for his 40th birthday fight, didn't get to fight my friend's fighting vigil for his elevation to Knighthood... it just was sucky. At least I had broght my wool tunic and wool cloke, sheepskin hat, mits, and shoes so that I was toasty warm even outside in the cold. But I had no money for food or drink, and despite several offers, just didn't feel like borrowing money.
Then I had to follow HRH around as her entourage, which basically meant I held her cornet and veil while she kitted down out of her armour, followed her to the bathroom, and fetched her husband for her once. Four hours of standing around doing nothing.
Fortunately, the party for my friend's 40th birthday afterward was a blast. Ate porteguese chicken, rice and potatos, drank copious amounts of alcohol, had bonding conversation with my brother-in-law, an all around good time.

Sunday: I paid for it *G* Woke up groggy and a little rough, a feeling that persisted all day long. On the plus side, I bought two bamboo mats for the sitting room, which are very lovely, AND we picked up the paint!!!! (took 50 minutes to get it though!! Crazy)I've chosen Rapture for the walls (it's a red colour, but boy does it look pink when it's wet! It sure better dry a lot darker than it looks) and Deep Onyx (black) for the trim in a semi gloss. Exciting! I'm looking forward to painting, just not moving everything out of the room while we do it. :o) Have to find a light to replace the chandelier we have, as it's more a rustic country style light than an eastern style.
Went to the hubby's mom's for his other brother's birthday dinner. Good food. Some conversations were had that will have to be absorbed. Good and bad.

But, overall a very full and taxing weekend of highs and lows. And now I have to go to work.