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Jan. 26th, 2011
Notes and Motes - from the road (part 1)
Jan. 26th, 2011 07:45 pmWork
If it hasn’t become obvious, I’m on the road again and back in Southern California. I was sent out to support an engineering test and help organize the madness at the site it’s being run from. My cat herding skills are being put to the test because half the assets we need to administratively do our job aren’t in place. I’m putting the administrative work ahead of the test execution side on this trip to gather more management and support experience.
Even though I’m on the road, I’ve had to prompt my manager (back in Huntsville) to schedule meetings and technical reviews; still following documentation for ops back in Huntsville; and watching developments there on the upcoming office move. While I may be a contractor, most of my coworkers regard me as the branch chief’s number 2. I haven’t jockeyed for it or done anything to shine the spotlight on myself. I just seem to be in the right place, or making the right decisions, or have earned the respect of my peers in this agency. I’m still a humble contractor and am working my tail off. The advantage is that in April, I’m supposed to be one of the few contractors moving into the new agency building on base.
Travel
Being here in SoCal is still surreal to me. The familiarity and the sensations are almost overwhelming. In a lot of ways, Los Angeles and the Southland will always be home. When I left Huntsville, it was 35 F and raining. When I landed at LAX, it was 74 F and mostly sunny. The drive out here was almost second nature; enough so that I tossed my Thomas Guide (map) aside and drove up to Oxnard from memory. Since I’m supposed to be here on and off for the next month, I’m planning to use my unscheduled time off creatively. Descanso Gardens, the Getty and a few abandoned site hunts are in the planning stage. Likewise, I plan to visit friends when & where possible. I intend to keep my connections here if I can manage it.
If it hasn’t become obvious, I’m on the road again and back in Southern California. I was sent out to support an engineering test and help organize the madness at the site it’s being run from. My cat herding skills are being put to the test because half the assets we need to administratively do our job aren’t in place. I’m putting the administrative work ahead of the test execution side on this trip to gather more management and support experience.
Even though I’m on the road, I’ve had to prompt my manager (back in Huntsville) to schedule meetings and technical reviews; still following documentation for ops back in Huntsville; and watching developments there on the upcoming office move. While I may be a contractor, most of my coworkers regard me as the branch chief’s number 2. I haven’t jockeyed for it or done anything to shine the spotlight on myself. I just seem to be in the right place, or making the right decisions, or have earned the respect of my peers in this agency. I’m still a humble contractor and am working my tail off. The advantage is that in April, I’m supposed to be one of the few contractors moving into the new agency building on base.
Travel
Being here in SoCal is still surreal to me. The familiarity and the sensations are almost overwhelming. In a lot of ways, Los Angeles and the Southland will always be home. When I left Huntsville, it was 35 F and raining. When I landed at LAX, it was 74 F and mostly sunny. The drive out here was almost second nature; enough so that I tossed my Thomas Guide (map) aside and drove up to Oxnard from memory. Since I’m supposed to be here on and off for the next month, I’m planning to use my unscheduled time off creatively. Descanso Gardens, the Getty and a few abandoned site hunts are in the planning stage. Likewise, I plan to visit friends when & where possible. I intend to keep my connections here if I can manage it.
Notes and Motes - from the road (part 2)
Jan. 26th, 2011 07:49 pmFriends and connections
While on that subject, I know I’ve had more than a few old friends and acquaintances from the past (SCA mainly) disconnect from me on LJ. Others have simply moved on to other services and other lives. I’m not lamenting or upset. Some have told me I don’t write enough. I really haven’t had the time or opportunity to write like I used to. The house is too noisy and the family won’t leave me alone long enough to string more than a couple thoughts together at any given time. My home isn’t configured so that the den/office has any appreciable separation from the living room or kitchen. Work is certainly off limits for writing – I’m far too busy and there’s no quiet time there. I write these when I can and where; sometimes in snippets and sometimes in essays. Sometimes I wish I had the time and opportunity to write more, but until my circumstances change work and family come first.
Photography
Yes, even that has been taking an ever increasingly back seat to things. I’ve held off on heavy photo editing sessions for weeks at a time now to stave off burning out. Instead, I grab small batches and work them for a few days at a time and set them aside when I get numb to the colors and sights. I’ve been working on the abandoned site taken during trips over the last 6 months and coming back to nature sets I haven’t touched for a year or more. I’ve been making contacts and inroads on getting access to several more spectacular sites in the region. In keep finding sources of info that amaze me. Model photography wise, the spark is slowly coming back. I have a commercial shoot coming up with Lolly and a follow-up with our make-up artist immediately afterward. I’m also working on plans for a shoot with five other models in the next three months (including several high end models traveling through the region).
Extrivia –
Trish – Remember that I mentioned our old ‘friend’ Trish had (recently) moved to New Orleans. Brenna told me recently that Trish laid another bombshell on her. Trish is newly pregnant. To the uninitiated, Trish is in her early 30’s and has been sexually active since she’s been 14. It’s been unprotected the entire time. Most of us took this as a likely sign that she was unable to conceive due to physical issues. Those same physical issues concern me that she may or may not be able to carry to term. When I was told she was with child, the first thought that swept into my consciousness was concern that she wouldn’t be able to carry the baby full term safely. As I once wrote, Trish seems to defy explanations. The pregnancy may ease her mood swings and behavior or make them far worse. Again the question is whether this sword of Damocles is poised to drop into our lives again.
While on that subject, I know I’ve had more than a few old friends and acquaintances from the past (SCA mainly) disconnect from me on LJ. Others have simply moved on to other services and other lives. I’m not lamenting or upset. Some have told me I don’t write enough. I really haven’t had the time or opportunity to write like I used to. The house is too noisy and the family won’t leave me alone long enough to string more than a couple thoughts together at any given time. My home isn’t configured so that the den/office has any appreciable separation from the living room or kitchen. Work is certainly off limits for writing – I’m far too busy and there’s no quiet time there. I write these when I can and where; sometimes in snippets and sometimes in essays. Sometimes I wish I had the time and opportunity to write more, but until my circumstances change work and family come first.
Photography
Yes, even that has been taking an ever increasingly back seat to things. I’ve held off on heavy photo editing sessions for weeks at a time now to stave off burning out. Instead, I grab small batches and work them for a few days at a time and set them aside when I get numb to the colors and sights. I’ve been working on the abandoned site taken during trips over the last 6 months and coming back to nature sets I haven’t touched for a year or more. I’ve been making contacts and inroads on getting access to several more spectacular sites in the region. In keep finding sources of info that amaze me. Model photography wise, the spark is slowly coming back. I have a commercial shoot coming up with Lolly and a follow-up with our make-up artist immediately afterward. I’m also working on plans for a shoot with five other models in the next three months (including several high end models traveling through the region).
Extrivia –
Trish – Remember that I mentioned our old ‘friend’ Trish had (recently) moved to New Orleans. Brenna told me recently that Trish laid another bombshell on her. Trish is newly pregnant. To the uninitiated, Trish is in her early 30’s and has been sexually active since she’s been 14. It’s been unprotected the entire time. Most of us took this as a likely sign that she was unable to conceive due to physical issues. Those same physical issues concern me that she may or may not be able to carry to term. When I was told she was with child, the first thought that swept into my consciousness was concern that she wouldn’t be able to carry the baby full term safely. As I once wrote, Trish seems to defy explanations. The pregnancy may ease her mood swings and behavior or make them far worse. Again the question is whether this sword of Damocles is poised to drop into our lives again.
Notes and Motes - from the road (part 3)
Jan. 26th, 2011 07:53 pmSCA
I’ve now taught at another event (Winter Collegium). I presented my melee philosophy class (KWAR 2006) to a very small audience. Most of the veterans that attended the event hung out and sparred rather than attended. I’m concerned about that. Melee wise, this Kingdom has some remarkably experienced fencers. The problem is most of that fighting experience equates to being in skirmish units versus line infantry. In simplest terms, they fight really well in small contingents but don’t appear to have the patience or experience (can’t tell which) to fight as large cohesive unit or army group. No insult intended. Some of these same veterans can’t understand why they keep getting run over by larger but less experienced forces. I wish I knew what to do to help, but motivation is a delicate thing. I finally find myself in a place where I’m appreciated and can make a difference. The question is how to do so with pushing too hard.
Oh while still on the topic of SCA, I’ve been sewing costume and garb again. One project I need to finish soon is near and dear to my heart, er head.. My cavalier hat. Folks, many in the Society know me for the fading, frayed, burned and worn cavalier hat I’ve worn of nearly 18 years. I got it from an incredible seamstress; though now, I can’t recall whether it was at the first KWAR in Tre Girt Sea (Chicago) or at my first An Tir 12th Night (‘94). It saw multiple events demos and more over those years. When I moved to Meridies, I wore it to several events but it was falling apart. This past fall, I bought fabric, stiffener and other supplies to make a replacement. To do this right, it meant taking apart the old hat to see how it was built. With a tear in one eye, I removed tattered feathers, cut away tokens and jewelry, then started ripping seams, pulling out bracings and carefully laying out the deeply worn or faded cloth which made me so recognizable. I now know what conservationists go through with historic costumes. Some pieces were very fragile.
I measured, cut and started piecing together a new version that would be true to the look, feel and character of my old one. Tammy added to my creation when found some Duponi silk that was nearly the same color as the old ‘red’ hat band. Slowly and patiently, I’ve built the new version. Another thing Tammy suggested was to take one piece of the old hat and include it in the new one to link the past and present. The top lining piece is the only one that had the physical integrity to be reused, so it was carefully washed, pressed and sewn in. The only thing that remains is to hand stitch the silk band and the hardware/jewelry that had been on the predecessor.
I’ve now taught at another event (Winter Collegium). I presented my melee philosophy class (KWAR 2006) to a very small audience. Most of the veterans that attended the event hung out and sparred rather than attended. I’m concerned about that. Melee wise, this Kingdom has some remarkably experienced fencers. The problem is most of that fighting experience equates to being in skirmish units versus line infantry. In simplest terms, they fight really well in small contingents but don’t appear to have the patience or experience (can’t tell which) to fight as large cohesive unit or army group. No insult intended. Some of these same veterans can’t understand why they keep getting run over by larger but less experienced forces. I wish I knew what to do to help, but motivation is a delicate thing. I finally find myself in a place where I’m appreciated and can make a difference. The question is how to do so with pushing too hard.
Oh while still on the topic of SCA, I’ve been sewing costume and garb again. One project I need to finish soon is near and dear to my heart, er head.. My cavalier hat. Folks, many in the Society know me for the fading, frayed, burned and worn cavalier hat I’ve worn of nearly 18 years. I got it from an incredible seamstress; though now, I can’t recall whether it was at the first KWAR in Tre Girt Sea (Chicago) or at my first An Tir 12th Night (‘94). It saw multiple events demos and more over those years. When I moved to Meridies, I wore it to several events but it was falling apart. This past fall, I bought fabric, stiffener and other supplies to make a replacement. To do this right, it meant taking apart the old hat to see how it was built. With a tear in one eye, I removed tattered feathers, cut away tokens and jewelry, then started ripping seams, pulling out bracings and carefully laying out the deeply worn or faded cloth which made me so recognizable. I now know what conservationists go through with historic costumes. Some pieces were very fragile.
I measured, cut and started piecing together a new version that would be true to the look, feel and character of my old one. Tammy added to my creation when found some Duponi silk that was nearly the same color as the old ‘red’ hat band. Slowly and patiently, I’ve built the new version. Another thing Tammy suggested was to take one piece of the old hat and include it in the new one to link the past and present. The top lining piece is the only one that had the physical integrity to be reused, so it was carefully washed, pressed and sewn in. The only thing that remains is to hand stitch the silk band and the hardware/jewelry that had been on the predecessor.
