djweso.net

2005-06-30T15:08:00.000-04:00

Mr. World (aka Ben) and Beaglette (aka Heather)

2005-06-30T15:07:00.000-04:00

Jerry who makes awesome lighters!

2005-06-30T15:06:00.000-04:00

Groom's Men and Bride's Maids & significant others - B Randy, Will and Anna

2005-06-30T14:40:00.002-04:00

ummm....The Best Man ;)

2005-06-30T14:40:00.001-04:00

Groom's Men and Bride's Maids & significant others -Beaglette, Paul and his many bouquet, and Mike

2005-06-30T14:40:00.000-04:00

Mike with his mountain man beard, for a role he of Mountain Man. Paul in the background taking time to smell the flowers

2005-06-30T14:39:00.000-04:00

Groom's Men and Bride's Maids & significant others - Ben Faulks, Wendy

2005-06-30T14:38:00.001-04:00

Groom's Men and Bride's Maids & significant others - Mr World and Beaglette, Paul, Mike and Wendy

2005-06-30T14:38:00.000-04:00

Groom's Men and Bride's Maids & significant others - Ben, Will and Anna, Jerry, Alicia(SP?)

2005-06-30T14:36:00.001-04:00

Uncle Sky and Coral help Xavier with his Birthday present from Ma Beagle

2005-06-30T14:36:00.000-04:00

Nathan Beagle :)

2005-06-30T14:34:00.000-04:00

Nathan and Emily Beagle's Wedding 6/25/05

2005-03-29T21:37:00.000-05:00

This a picture of the Tabards that Onimaster and I cooked up for Final Haven.

2005-02-16T12:43:00.000-05:00

For the Final Haven Forums

PodBrix . 1000 brix in your pocket

2005-02-10T08:35:00.000-05:00

PodBrix . 1000 brix in your pocket

This is very cool. But they sold out before I got there, its ok though I was gonna spend $16.99 on a minifig when I don't even own an iPod yet.

Not a bad combinations

2005-02-07T08:59:00.000-05:00

What superhuman team you'd be a member of by seductionjunkie
username
favorite color scheme
favorite clothing style
your superpowers:	the ability to create ice and cold
and	strange arcane magical powers
and	a suit of high-tech armor
your codename	O.G.Whiz
your greatest weakness	sunlight
your sidekick	azurethunder
your own particular idiom	wading into danger before knowing what's going on
your favorite quote	" the Guilty will be punished"
you would be a member of	The Fantastic Foursome

Quiz created with MemeGen!

I admit I had two clothing choices that I liked equally but this response was better

2005-02-07T08:51:00.000-05:00

What superhuman team you'd be a member of by seductionjunkie
username
favorite color scheme
favorite clothing style
your superpowers:	the ability to create ice and cold
and	strange arcane magical powers
and	a suit of high-tech armor
your codename	O.G.Whiz
your greatest weakness	sunlight
your sidekick	azurethunder
your own particular idiom	wading into danger before knowing what's going on
your favorite quote	" the Guilty will be punished"
you would be a member of	The Fantastic Foursome

Quiz created with MemeGen!

I like it!

2005-01-31T18:44:00.000-05:00

Your Superhero Persona by couplandesque
Your Name
Superhero Name	The Armadillo
Super Power	Ability To Fly
Enemy	The Gangsta
Mode Of Transportation	Cadillac With Rims
Weapon	Scissors

Quiz created with MemeGen!

Not unexpected

2005-01-26T13:53:00.000-05:00

You scored as Samwise. You're Samwise Gamgee! Samwise the brave is the most loyal friend that you could ever ask for. He'll be there for you through thick and thin, and be willing to do anything for you.
"There is some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it's worth fighting for."

Samwise

81%

Gandalf

75%

Pippin

63%

Frodo

56%

Eowyn

50%

Arwen

50%

Aragorn

44%

Faramir

44%

Gollum

38%

Which LOTR character are you?
created with QuizFarm.com

The Rocky Horror Show @ The Spectrum Theatre in Grand Rapids

2004-12-17T10:34:00.000-05:00

I went to see The Rocky Horror Show : "" @ The Spectrum Theater put on by Actors at Spectrum with my dad last night.

It was great. I haven't seen it in sooooo long. I didn't realize how much I missed it. I am a card carrying fan after all :P

gotta go to work now :(

MarvelDirectory -

2004-12-10T22:07:00.000-05:00

MarvelDirectory -

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

2004-12-10T21:48:00.000-05:00

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY: ""

QuizFarm.com - Alignment

2004-12-10T08:33:00.000-05:00

You scored as Lawful Good. A lawful good person acts as a good person is expected or required to act. They are dedicated to upholding both what is right and what is set down in law.

Lawful Good

75%

True Neutral

70%

Neutral Good

70%

Chaotic Good

50%

Lawful Evil

45%

Neutral Evil

40%

Lawful Neutral

30%

Chaotic Evil

25%

Chaotic Neutral

20%

What is your Alignment?
created with QuizFarm.com

SCIFI.COM | Earthsea

2004-12-09T13:55:00.000-05:00

SCIFI.COM | Earthsea

I saw a commercial about a week or two ago and decided that I want t o reread the books. I swung by the B&N in GR I decided that I didn't want to pay $7 bucks. I looked at Hackley Public Library's website and found out that they wouldn't have a copy in for a few weeks. (Apparently someone else had the same idea I had). So I gave in and stopped by the B&N in Muskegon and paid $8.50. That was sunday, I finished it today. I would've finished it yesterday but I forgot to take it to work with me. I really enjoyed it. It helped I think that the weather had been truly grey this week, matching the weather in the book.

I am looking forward to the Mini-Series that starts on Monday on Sci-Fi. Even though according to the forums on Sci-Fi say that Ursula K LeGuin wasn't involved with it, which never bodes well. We'll see how it goes.

------------------------------------------------------------------

I haven't posted in awhile, its hard with the kids and all trying to get a few moments to myself. blah blah blah.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

I made up a new character for Travis, 3.5 Ed D&D game, "Thief." I haven't named her yet but I am looking forward to playing her tonight. She reminds me alot of Al my elf from up at NMU. Al was one of my favorite characters of all time. Travis and these guys haven't ever seen me play this kind of character either :-) . So it will be fun tonight, now I just have to find a name for her.

Just realized I never mentioned why I liked her. She is tough, violent. She can be cruel, but she also has a definite softer side, you just have to find it. She is designed to be the thug or enforcer of the group but wouldn't necessarily know it by looking at her. A smaller framed girl with strength and agility and a very very sharp knife. She is more dangerous with a knife than most trained soldier are with a sword. Watch your back ;-)

isLove Generator

2004-11-30T15:51:00.000-05:00


micro-brews are love
brought to you by the isLove Generator

No too bad - Lightsaber color

2004-11-19T14:54:00.000-05:00

Green is your Lightsaber's color.

Green is the color of nature. It symbolizes growth,
harmony, and freshness. Green has strong
emotional correspondence with safety. Green is
also commonly associated with wealth and
happiness, so someone with a green lightsaber
like yourself is a fortunate soul.

What Colored Lightsaber Would You Have?
brought to you by Quizilla

Where No Home Theater Has Gone Before

2004-11-04T23:03:00.000-05:00

Where No Home Theater Has Gone Before

I found this awesome home theatre based on Star Trek and I thought I would pass it along :)

2004-11-04T23:02:00.000-05:00

Where No Home Theater Has Gone Before

I found this awesome home theatre based on Star Trek and I thought I would pass it along :)

Virtual Pumpkin Carving

2004-10-26T18:25:00.000-04:00

Virtual Pumpkin Carving

XM MyFi

2004-10-26T18:22:00.000-04:00

XM Myfi also came out today. It is also soooo close to being really cool :(

It is a portable satelite radio reciever that can time shift up to 5 hours of high quality programing. It nice but it would be nicer if it had mp3 and the like playing abilities. But no. Bah!

Apple - iPod Photo

2004-10-26T18:19:00.000-04:00

Apple - iPod Photo

Well I'm kind of glad I waited to buy one now. But no video??!!?? And no easy way to go from media (Compact Flash, Smart Media, xD, etc.) I know Belkin makes an adapter but that's something close to an extra $100 on top of the $499 you paid for the iPod Photo.

But I still want one.

What type of Seducer are you?

2004-10-26T08:56:00.000-04:00

I am the Rake

A woman never quite feels desired and appreciated enough. She wants attention, but a man is too often distracted and unresponsive. The Rake is a great female fantasy-figure - when he desires a woman, brief though that moment may be, he will go to the ends of the earth for her. He may be disloyal, dishonest and amoral, but that only adds to his appeal. Stir a woman's repressed longings by adapting the Rake's mix of danger and pleasure.

Symbol: Fire. The Rake burns with a desire that enflames the woman he is seducing. It is extreme, uncontrollable and dangerous. The Rake may end in hell, but the flames surrounding him often make him seem that much more desirable to women.

What Type of Seducer are You?
created by polite_society

2004-10-15T17:37:00.000-04:00

My LiveJournal Trick-or-Treat Haul
djweso goes trick-or-treating, dressed up as Emperor's Royal Guard.
aidan_mcpryde gives you 19 brown chocolate-flavoured gummy bears.
alendark tricks you! You get a used tissue.
azurethunder tricks you! You lose 3 pieces of candy!
cammierose gives you 9 green passionfruit-flavoured miniature candy bars.
ezrekai gives you 19 dark blue vanilla-flavoured gumdrops.
faerykin gives you 8 white raspberry-flavoured gummy fruits.
onimaster tricks you! You get a dead frog.
porte tricks you! You get a used tissue.
skyballs tricks you! You lose 38 pieces of candy!
torakhan gives you 13 pink apple-flavoured gummy bears.
djweso ends up with 27 pieces of candy, a used tissue, a dead frog, and a used tissue.
Go trick-or-treating! Username:
Another fun meme brought to you by rfreebern.

2004-10-14T15:00:00.000-04:00

Give me an W!       W!
Give me an A!       A!
Give me an L!       L!
Give me a SQUIGGLY!       SQUIGGLY!
yes I said squiggly and you had better say it too, damn it!

Give me an M!       M!
Give me an A!       A!
Give me an R!       R!
Give me a T!       T!

Sell me a CD! Maybe Not!

2004-10-12T07:59:00.000-04:00

Ever since my desktop died its been alot harder to update this.

Let's see Lavender turned 1 last week.
Nicole stared her new job.
Sky started his new job yesterday, in Chicago, he is living with Shane and Heather (blogs on the left).
Wendy won her court case more than a week ago, which means she will eventually start getting disability.
Taki's Mom has cancer and is in bad shape.

Final Haven which was like two weekends ago was awesome. I had a great time.
Phil and I stopped at Krispy Kreme Saturday night, in GR, after we dropped Taki off at Haunted Forest in Brighton. It was wonderful.
Sky and I had a great time while he was in town, its too long to list, I'm gonna miss him.
I found a second new coffee house in town, this one is way farther away but has better coffee and atmospehere, but I don't think either has wireless.
Muskegon is getting its first Starbucks.

Well that is most of it. check out me Live Journal for something I wrote about my FH character.

djweso.net

2004-10-10T12:32:00.000-04:00

YOU ARE FIRE!

Your inner element is one of great passion and
intensity. You are a dramatic person who loves
attention and knows how to get it. You tend to
have many
friends and admirers around you wherever you go.
You have a strong intellect, tend to have
strong opinions on issues close to your heart
and don't know the meaning of tact. You are
generally an active person who loves sports and
all things competitive... and you like to win!
Any career that will bring you the attention
you crave and uses your talents of persuasion
is ideal for you. Love tends to elude you
frequently - you can more easily find passion
or good friendship than true love. When you do
finally fall in love... you fall with all your
heart. However, when it comes to the passion
end of things, you are second to none.

Your greatest strengths are your courage to express
yourself no matter what and your incredible
charisma. You weaknesses are a tendency to
narcissism and the possibility of alienating
others with your forwardness. Balancing your
strengths and weaknesses is crucial for you to
achieve balance in your life.

Astrologically, Fire is associated with the signs
of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius. You are most
compatible for either love or friendship with
another Fire Elemental or with an Air. You are
least compatible with a Water Elemental.

Now that you have an idea of your strengths and
weaknesses, why don't you put them to the test?
If you follow my lead I can take you to a game
world where you can explore different sides of
yourself and taste real power....

Which of the 5 Prime Elements are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

2004-09-27T21:17:00.000-04:00

If LJ Was a Bar by Karen_Walker
Username
Bartender	onimaster
Bouncer	azurethunder
Dancing Badly	porte
Playing Pool	civet
Playing Darts	dragonsapp
Singing Karaoke	kimberlyn3972
Got in with a Fake ID	aidan_mcpryde
Guy with a Mullet	torakhan
Too Drunk to Stand	cammierose
Hitting on Everyone	skyballs
Hot Chick	skyballs

Quiz created with MemeGen!

2004-09-27T21:13:00.000-04:00

Generate your Anime Style by Jena-su
Name:
Hair:	Short and brightly coloured.
Clothes:	Long, super cool trenchcoats.
Powers:	Water magic
Special Features:	Wings
Sidekick:	An alternate personality, that on occasion takes on its own physical form.
Attitude:	Cheerful, but calm. The voice of reason.
Weapon:	Mallet of DOOM

Quiz created with MemeGen!

2004-09-21T15:37:00.000-04:00

http://games.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=04/09/21/1150247&tid=212&tid=10

Posted by Hello

2004-09-21T15:35:00.000-04:00

http://news.gaminghorizon.com/media/1095733748.html

Posted by Hello

2004-09-21T15:34:00.001-04:00

built in Network Adapter and Modem

Posted by Hello

2004-09-21T15:34:00.000-04:00

Available Nov 1st

Posted by Hello

2004-09-21T15:33:00.000-04:00

A new PS2

Posted by Hello

2004-09-21T15:29:00.000-04:00

Cool news!

Posted by Hello

2004-09-20T10:07:00.000-04:00

I caught Brother saturday night at the Irish Music Festival. Thanks to Blondie and Becka!

It was really good but not as good as I was expecting. :(

The Dig rocked! So did the Bag Pipes!

I didn't go to the CARPS picnic sunday because Blondie ran his game :D. Seems like its been awhile since we all got to together to play. It was good. Although I do usually like mass combat.

2004-09-18T09:14:00.000-04:00

My Wife and I vote! I wanted to say that right away. But we were talking the other day, and I came upon something, an idea.

Often when someone says "I don't vote." There reason is "because it doesn't matter!" This arguement is often followed by someone trying to convince them that their vote does count, tossing out some statistic where a recent or "important" vote was close and there fore every vote counted. Their basis for this arguement seems to make since. If a vote is won by 10 votes, then if 11 people had not voted it is possible that the outcome of the vote would be 100% different.

I realized that if I said my vote didn't count, and I remind you once again that I do vote, and try to be an informed voter. I would say that my vote doesn't count for another reason completely. Not because I don't believe my believe that I can change the outcome of a vote, but because no matter what the outcome of the vote is I will not see the changes that I want to see.

It is quite likely that you've heard the statement "Lesser of two evils" used when refering to the presidential race. We, as a populace, know that all though one person will make some decisions that agree with more, neither of them of them will be true to answering the call of the people. Neither person will make the sweeping changes to fix the things that are wrong with the government. I have had several discussions about what we believe is wrong with the government. Often the conclusion we come up with is that the system is broken and that people are doing the best they can with in that system. But that doesn't mean that "good" is getting done. The system its self has broken done and needed a major overhaul or as I like to put it, It needs a reboot.

So when I say my vote doesn't count I mean that I don't believe that anyone can make the changes that I believe are necessary to make a better world.I don't faith that either canidate has the strength to "reboot" the government. Hence "it doesn't matter."

2004-09-18T00:21:00.000-04:00

I just got home from the Irish Music Festival.

IT ROCKED!!!

The Young Dubliners started out kind of slow but eventually rocked really hard. I wished they had been a little more Irish/Celtic and a little less Modern Rock. But hey! Sky and I had a "great" time. In fact I was thinking as their set started that it had been a "good" day but not a "great" day. But thanks to The Young Dubliners it turned out to be "great". I danced and yelled and did all of things you are supposed to do at a concert. :)

We also heard Switchback and Seamus Kennedy, who is the first artist I have seen that uses CD Baby. They were both good, also.

I must take a moment to point out that the Guiness was flowing nicely and we had filled up on Irish Stew, potato soup, and a vegie tray.

Lastly I feel it necessary to point out that I went out and bought a CD this week. Its been a while since I've done that and I'm completely happy with the purchase :D - Flogging Molly, Within A Mile Of Home which is available at most stores and on iTunes.

And in one last piece of Flogging Molly news they are playing a show in Detroit early next month.

2004-09-17T01:06:00.000-04:00

Me: Say Goodnight Gracie.

Gracie: Goodnight Gracie!

2004-09-17T01:05:00.000-04:00

I've just returned from a lack luster trip to the bar with Skyballs. A local "pub" called Pints and Quarts threw a "Half Way to St. Patrick's Day" Party. I was really hoping for more. The crowd sucked, It looked like a alumni meeting at a Frat house at State (lots of green). The bad was pretty good but catering to the tastes of the crowd and the sax player had definitely listened to way too much Kenny G. They had $3.50 Black and Tans (Guiness was the same price) but they were made with Harp's instead of Bass. I never realized how much of a difference that makes. This was passable but I really like them made with Bass. The place was also a little too crowded for my taste.

Now good things. The green beer was Bud, which puts it right in it's place, the shit beer. Only shit beer is colored green. They also had these cool things, instead of pitchers, they were 3' tall clear plexiglass cylinders with a spiget like on old coke machines, the bottom six inches or so where colored black and weighted to make the thing more likely to stay standing, lastly it was about 4" across. We saw alot of them full of green beer but there were a few with better stuff in it. But the best thing was I went up to bar right we first got there, and as I was waiting to be served a woman asked me what was in my pocket, I answered "change mostly." I was distracted by the waitress, but when I turned back she was bending way down on the floor, as if she dropped something. This is when I realized she had just checked what was under my kilt! That was a first, except my wife that is.

I have been designing what I want my full house media intergration system to do and be for several years now. Sony and Casio have just come out with TVs that are LCDs that you can carry around the house. The use a base station with a tuner and wireless (wi-fi) transmitter that sends the cable tv data to the LCD anywhere in standard wi-fi range. I want this a step further. I want a wireless screen that can process any media I throw at it. I figure I will need a dedicated server for each pad. But I also want to instantly transfer whatever content I'm viewing/listening to to what ever video screen or projector or speaker are near me at that moment. Wether it be the TV built into the Jaccuzzi or the projector in the dining room. When the content transfer the pad immediately turns into a giant, super powerful remote.

Content collection would be handled by several computers that record and archive a day's worth of TV on say my 24 favorite channels for later play back. Anything worth saving would then be moved to the library, ie one of the media servers for storage and instant access. Every diplay device in the house fould have means of playing any media in the library, all data in the library would be cataloged and searchable. The interface would have to be simple yet powerful. Touch Screens are a must. Voice recognition wouldn't hurt either, plus I really like it when my computer talks to me in a human-like voice.

2004-09-16T17:39:00.000-04:00

Which Family Guy character are you?

2004-09-15T22:07:00.000-04:00

Yeah!!!! Beer is good for you (in limited quantities)!!!

Beer drinkers can toast the news that their favourite beverage possesses the same benefits as red wine, the alcohol long celebrated for its antioxidant properties.

...

Biochemistry and kinesiology professor John Trevithick, one of the lead researchers and a long-time expert on the role of antioxidants in human health, says, “We were very surprised one drink of beer or stout contributed an equal amount of antioxidant benefit as wine, especially since red wine contains about 20 times the amount of polyphenols as beer.”

Here is a link to Slashdot story that lead me to this.

This is GREAT news since I just got back from buying a growler full of Hefeweizen from Jamesport Brewing Company. Which reminds me that if anyone is looking for a present for me, a growler cooler like this the one they sell would be much appreciated.

2004-09-11T09:22:00.000-04:00

::singing::
I feel pretty, oh so pretty, oh so pretty and happy and gay!

But not in that Tasty Queen the gay porn star kind of way.

I am flower named djweso !

I consist of my friends!

Are you flower too?

honestly I find this picture very intrigueing. I think its really cool to use html to make picutres like this and then to create it based so random-ish information.

2004-09-11T08:52:00.000-04:00

I thought it was funny since I got this from Onimaster

Which movie? by travel_crazy
Username
Favourite colour
You belong in
And your co-star should be	onimaster

Quiz created with MemeGen!

2004-09-11T08:48:00.000-04:00

Does this make me hot headed too?

If your life was a sci-fi TV show... by guybrush

Username

Series Name:

Core sci-fi trope:

Your nerdy but brilliant scientist:

porte

Your robot/half-alien/etc. trying to become human:

azurethunder

Your sexy but brilliant scientist:

kimberlyn3972

Version of you from a parallel universe:

dragonsapp

Your brooding but brilliant scientist:

aidan_mcpryde

Your hot-headed military/action type:

dragonsapp

Number of seasons before cancellation:

Your show is cancelled because:

it's too commercial, so the fans only tune in to argue about how crap it is.

The chance of your show becoming a cult hit is:: 86%

Quiz created with MemeGen!

The Man throws a party :)

2004-09-07T16:52:00.000-04:00

The Whole Family spent Labor Day at Mr. Nick's cottage north of Newaygo, up above above to Croton-Hardy Dam. Mr. Nick aka The Man was my college roommate and although we haven't kept in touch like I would've prefered it was great to see him again. I also got to see the Notorious BCC who was my co-host on Swankier Than You, our radio show on WMTU. There was some other WMTU guys there round out the party and increase the fun level.

Posted by Hello

This is not the best picture of Mr. Nick but its the only one I have :(. He may get really mad at me for posting it. Oh yeah and he got ahold of me by searching the web and finding my blog :).

www.voteornot.org

2004-09-07T16:31:00.000-04:00

From the guys who brought you HotOrNot.com :

VoteOrNot.org

You can win $100,000 for telling them that you are registered to vote or by telling some one else to tell them that they are registered to vote (of course you have to actually be registered to vote & yes I am now your referer).

Link to Slashdot article

East Lansing Trip

2004-09-07T16:06:00.000-04:00

Last Friday Skyballs and the kids and I went and visited Azurethunder at his new digs in East Lansing. The day began lunching with Evan and Brad of Final Haven fame. Later, We all had a grand time explorer MSU's campus and East Lansing. We spent a bunch of time in the Children's Garden on MSU's campus and finished off the day with an excellent diner at the Traveler's Club International and Tuba Museum, amazing exotic foods and wonderful microbrewed beer.

Pictures below this are from the Gardens

2004-09-07T16:05:00.000-04:00

Skyballs and Lavender

Posted by Hello

2004-09-07T15:56:00.001-04:00

Azurethunder and Xavier @ the entrance to the hedge maze

Posted by Hello

2004-09-07T15:56:00.000-04:00

Skyballs and Lavender arriving at the fountain

Posted by Hello

2004-09-07T15:55:00.000-04:00

Azurethunder and Xavier

Posted by Hello

2004-09-05T15:54:00.000-04:00

My angst tastes like...

Vanilla
Find your angst's flavor

Holy Accuracy Batman !!

2004-08-29T01:15:00.000-04:00

2004-08-28T22:47:00.000-04:00

I've uploaded some pics of Final Haven Pratice or Birds with Swords :)

Posting it here for those that read my blog first, later I will post it in the Forums over at FH.

I may upload a couple of pics to here with Hello later.

-------------------------------------------->

Its my 5th year anniversary today. Just thought I should mention it. My father took my wife and I (and the kids) out for lunch to celebrate.

Nicole and I are planing to try and get away next month for at least a night if not two.

------------------------------------------->

I spent a bunch of time in Radio Shack and found a digital picture frame for $50. It didn't take Smart Media or xD but it could plug into a TV and had a 3"+ screen. I wonder if I can hack it to do what I want :) . I haven't found a link for it yet, can't find it on Radio Shack's website at all. I'll have to go back and look at it again.

I don't know how acurate this is

2004-08-17T16:53:00.000-04:00

Since I haven't post one of these in a while

2004-08-16T10:18:00.000-04:00

2004-08-10T23:38:00.000-04:00

Oh yeah I got a gmail account. Bad Ass!!

1 gig of space for email. I knew there was a reason for using blogger :)

2004-08-10T21:41:00.000-04:00

Let's see where to start?

Nic applied for a job with the Girl Scout Council around here. Its a Science Coordinator or something ike that. She is waiting to hear about that but it'll next week before we hear anything.

Two weekends ago, Saturday and Sunday the kids, Taki and I drove down to Silverleaf Reneissance Faire, near Kalamazoo. we were joined by vaious friends on both days and met with friends from Final Haven there. On Sunday Blondie ran his 7th Sea game as a demo for the role playing store that is there, the owner used to own a role playing store in Muskegon. We all had a great time. The jousting was excellent, a new group this year. Xavier bunny fenced with my friend Jared. All in all it was a busy weekend but fun.

Last weekend, Saturday we had practise/foam combat/sparring. It was a lot of fun. We had almost everybody there and after two weeks off since Final Haven, we were ready for it. We also got three new guys out for the first time. Except for Jared puking all went well. We were there for about 6 1/2 hours. There is still a lot I want to play with. I think all of the new people had a good time. Lala took a two and one half hour nap, so I got to partisipate for the hole thing. Afterward we had combat to pick were we were going to eat. Mr Quicks won. Mmmmm.....5 burgers and 1/2 pound of fries. Its a local burger joint that I grew up on, it being the only fast food downtown at the time or at least the closest to me. Then we went back to Phil/Kookie's place to watch Eurotrip. One of the movies I hate to love.

Sunday we chilled at home the went to my Dad's for a couple of hours. X and Nic went to lead a hike and Lala and went to Phil/Kookie's. I wanted to work on my character for Kookie's 7th Sea game that will evetually be run. I randomly got the things I needed to make a begining version of one of Blondie's NPCs. He is Scottsman Priest who wields a claymore to "Kick Ass for the LORD!!" Its gonna be alot of fun.

On Monday, Our famly and Nic's sisters and their kids and Nic's Aunt Sue went to the Frederick Meijer Garden. They have a new children's garden and it was alot of fun. I'll try and post pics later. There were pools shaped like the Great Lakes and you could make a log house out of giant foam logs. We also got to walk through all of the gardens and see all of the sculptures that I had missed in the spring when it was still snowing. It was great. We ate lunch there, pretty good but a little pricey. After that we dealt with a little key locked in van problem, everyone except my family headed home. We went back in and let the kids play some more. They got soaked in the wading pool. Lala was so wet her diaper actually exploded and leaked absorbent chemicals. We seriously thought about buying a memebership to the gardens but decided we just didn't have the money right now. But hint hint for chrismas :) After the gardens we shot over to the Grand Rapids Brewing Company so thatI could buy a bottle of their Lambic.

So I went up to the bar to ask if they had any left, knowing that they only make it once a year around christmas and new years. So the bar tender says he has a couple of bottles left. I asked him if he knew how they made Lambic since I was under the impression it could only be made in belgium. He explained that they do it a little different, how I guessed, and then offered to show me the kegs. He also told me about how they got started making it and what their plans are for the future batch. He was not only the bar tender but the assistant brewer and the one in charge of the Lambic. Needless to say the whole thing was a great experience.

Well that's good for now. I've written this twice. I got lots of plans for this weekend so expect more posts.

Oh and I actually dreamt about Final Haven last night. Oi Ve!

2004-07-28T11:43:00.000-04:00

According to this website.

Swordfighting burns 600 calories in one hour (that’s as much as tennis and bicycling and 65% more calories burned than swimming!)*

* Oregon Health & Science University PHLAME guide March 2001

2004-07-26T19:33:00.000-04:00

Lambic - My character for Final Haven

2004-07-26T19:28:00.000-04:00

Well I have mentioned Final Haven (warning it doesn’t work in Mozilla) before and last weekend I finally got to go. I’ve been trying since last the event last November. However, things seem to keep getting in the way. This time I had to leave early but at least I got to go for some of it.

Final Haven is a LARP (Live Action Role Playing game). It has its own system and is fantasy based. The system includes a combat system that uses foam weapons. Foam weapons are safe to beat on each other with and people are very cautious about what is allowed and what is not. Costume and makeup is not always required but definitely encouraged. We play at Brighton Recreation Area near Brighton, MI. So included in the almost 48 hour event is camping out in cabins.

I had an amazing time. I’ve only ever been in one other LARP and it was mediocre in quality and short lived. However, I have had a few run ins with other LARPs and they were not very encouraging. Guys in green makeup and fairy wings running around the building while I was trying to get work done or hiding in the back corner of a café with vampire teeth and leering at customers.

This was very much different. We weren’t bothering anyone else and the environment and other people created an immersive feeling. This feeling made it easier for me to slip to and out of character as necessary. And it was exciting to see how quickly you can learn to look past the makeup and foam sword and see only the orc warrior standing in front of me.

I am playing a Dwarf (I know big surprise) who wears a kilt (and everyone does the Home Alone face). His name is Lambic (like the beer not like “Clambake”). He is a sage/alchemist, which means I pretend to mix random foliage into “magic” potions. Sounds silly I know but it really is a good time. Think improvisation with a safe combat system it a really immersive presentation space (wow who’s the theatre geek?).

I posted more about my experiences in the Final Haven Forums. Feel free to read it, although I don’t how much since it will make if you weren’t there, since that was the audience it was written for.

I am really long winded today.

2004-07-17T23:21:00.000-04:00

I HATE MARTINIS

""Which cocktail are you?""
brought to you by Quizilla

2004-07-17T22:31:00.000-04:00

What's my Pirate Name? mwWlat's ml pirate'N-m?

brought to you by fidius.org

Your pirate name is:

Black Roger Bonney

Like anyone confronted with the harshness of robbery on the high seas, you can be pessimistic at times. You can be a little bit unpredictable, but a pirate's life is far from full of certainties, so that fits in pretty well. Arr!

What's Your Pirate Name?

2004-07-05T07:56:00.000-04:00

The last week has been out of control with Summer Celebration and Xavier's Birthday and Dad's 4th of July "thing" and Nicole working all days and lots of movies comnig out and Heather being in town and Wendy and Nico visiting and fireworks and ....

Well you get the picture.

Anyway its been alot of fun and I will post pictures of Xavier's Party today or tomorrow. The Art Fair at Summer Celebration was awesome I went all three days. I just always wish I had hundreds of dollars to spend there. More and more as I get older I get drawn to larger pieces of art and specifically photography. But not today :(

The other thing I think more and more about is that I could do alot of the things the crafters do. And how cool would it be, at least for awhile, to live on the road for a year, new town every couple of days. I may not want to make it my entire life but its sounds like fun for awhile, kinda one of my dreams.

WEll anyway while down at the Art Fair I ran into Ma Beagle. And she passed on this info about Beagle's wedding next year. I'm not sure all of the stuff on that site is correct or not. But hey its a cool idea.

2004-06-23T21:55:00.000-04:00

Flourish & Blotts: a bookshop in Diagon Alley

Gringotts: wizards' bank hundreds of miles under London, run by Goblins

The Leaky Cauldron: Shabby old pub and inn next to which is the entrance to Diagon Alley

Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions: Shop in Diagon Alley where wizards buy their clothing

Ollivanders: shop for wands in Diagon Alley

Quality Quidditch Supplies: a shop in Diagon Alley which sells broomsticks and other Quidditch supplies

Cauldron Shop : Hogwarts students can buy their cauldrons here. Choose from brass, pewter, gold, silver, copper cauldrons of all sizes. Some are self-stirring and some are collapsible.

2004-06-15T19:13:00.000-04:00

For those around Michigan with some free time and a couple of bucks. This is a good time

2004-06-11T23:36:00.000-04:00

weso
LOVES
Nicole

12021
3223
545
99

Love Level: 99%

Loves-O-Meter
From Go-Quiz.com

2004-06-09T14:00:00.000-04:00

I haven't posted much worth anything lately. Probably lost the few readers I had :(

Lavender has had an ear infection so the last week+ has been a bit rough. I think I might have caught it from her.

Plans for Xavier's birthday are coming along well. Now its down to getting things done and figuring out how to pay for it. Its going to be alot of fun one way or another. Thanks for all of the ideas you guys posted and passed along.

I'm excited about joining Oni's [look right for a link -->] Masque Game.

I'm looking forward to all of the Birthday Parties, Concerts and Role Playing this month.

I wish I knew how to de-stress Nicole. I thought going back to work would help her focus and relax, but it hasn't seem to yet.

one last parting thought .... How can I spend so much time and accomplish so little?

2004-06-09T13:54:00.000-04:00

Well I just found out that blogger and google and Picasa have teamed up to make putting pictures in your blogger blog super easy, plus they host it for free. Pretty slick. Plus I didn't think there were enough pictures of my daughter on here.

Lavender Ann Oman @ age 7 months

2004-06-08T17:08:00.000-04:00

2004-06-08T16:55:00.000-04:00

Your Years at Hogwarts by nevermindless
Name:
The Sorting Hat places you in:	Ravenclaw (Blue and Bronze)
Subject you are naturally best at:	Arithmancy
Your favorite book:	Holidays With Hags by Gilderoy Lockhart
Pet you bring to school:	Ochre-bellied Boobook Owl
You are most known for:	Being the fake Prof. Moody's favorite student.

Created with the ORIGINAL MemeGen!

2004-05-31T21:08:00.000-04:00

2004-05-31T11:10:00.000-04:00

You whine a lot, but for some reason you always

let your reckless nature get in the way of your

better judgement and you end up helping to save

the day. Shut up and take it like a man b/c as

long as your best friend is Harry Potter, you're

gonna be living dangerously.

What annoying COS character are you? Click here to find out!!

2004-05-31T10:53:00.000-04:00

Which Gryffindor Are You?

2004-05-31T10:42:00.000-04:00

What Marauder are you?

Created by legomyelfboy with help from goleafsgo

2004-05-31T09:46:00.000-04:00

You belong in Gryffindor, Where dwell the brave at
heart, Their daring, nerve, and chivalry, Set
Gryffindors apart!

Hogwarts Sorting Hat
brought to you by Quizilla

2004-05-31T09:43:00.000-04:00

YOU ARE A TRUE HOGWARTS STUDENT! WLECOME TO THE
COMMUNITY!

Are you a harry potter freak?
brought to you by Quizilla

2004-05-31T09:29:00.000-04:00

This one makes you host your own image!

2004-05-31T01:03:00.000-04:00

Padfoot
(Sirius Black)

Are you Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, or Prongs? (4 Harry Potter Fans)
brought to you by Quizilla

2004-05-31T01:01:00.000-04:00

Which HP Kid Are You?

2004-05-31T00:49:00.000-04:00

You are a Hermione at heart! You are obviously
smart and sophisticated...but you tend to get a
little annoying at times. I would put down the
books for a little while and get out more!

!!! The Ultimate Harry Potter Character Quiz !!!
brought to you by Quizilla

2004-05-31T00:33:00.000-04:00

You belong in Hufflepuff!

Not Your Average Harry Potter House Quiz
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2004-05-31T00:32:00.000-04:00

I'm a Ravenclaw!

2004-05-31T00:28:00.000-04:00

Which Harry Potter Marauder Are You?

2004-05-31T00:23:00.000-04:00

You're loyal and hard-working, no doubt, and that
puts you, my friend, in HUFFLEPUFF! Cedric
Diggory, Professor Sprout, and Susan Bones are
all admirable Hufflepuffs.

Which Hogwarts house are you in? (Harry Potter)
brought to you by Quizilla

2004-05-31T00:13:00.000-04:00

Like Oliver Wood, here, you're a Keeper! You can
block those darn quaffles from getting through
those hoops without batting an eyelash, and
you'll look spectacular making all those saves!

Which Quidditch position should you play? (Harry Potter)
brought to you by Quizilla

2004-05-31T00:12:00.000-04:00

Lupin - Defense Against the Dark Arts

Harry Potter: Which Hogwarts professor would you be?
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2004-05-30T23:58:00.000-04:00

...and which lesser Harry Potter character are you?

2004-05-30T23:50:00.000-04:00

Seamus Finnigan-You're a devoted sweetheart, and a
genuinely good person, a true rarity. You try
your hardest to be there for people, even if
you aren't appreciated. You are honest and
good-natured, love Quiddich, and have a cute
Irish accent. Okay, so maybe you haven't won
Draco over just yet...and your life may be a
tad bit boring. But, all in all, you're a sweet
kid. Hope you live to the end of the story!

Which Draco Trilogy Male Character Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

2004-05-30T23:47:00.000-04:00

You are a Gryffindor!

If you take this image, please link back to my quiz
on the preceding page. Thank you!

What House are you at Hogwarts? Harry Potter!
brought to you by Quizilla

What Kind of Geek are You?
Name
DOB
Favourite Color
Your IQ is	quite high
You are a	word nerd
Your strength is	you actually have social skills
Your weakness is	alcohol
You think normal people are	interesting
Normal people think that you are	disturbed

This cool quiz by owlsamantha - Taken 78094 Times.