Hilary Booth... of course!

All right, I've fallen off a bit on updating this LJ. Mainly because there was little to report other than my unemployment woes. I thought I'd spare you that. It wasn't pretty. I am currently temping at a nice little assignment for an unknown amount of time. All my romantic notions about peer reviewed publications is going out through the window. But it's employment and there's been a sincere lack of assignments lately, so I'll take what I can get. This group actually asked for me specifically, since I'd done work for them before, which felt good.

Other excitement, I went to Small Press Expo in Bethesda on Saturday. Then Sunday I sat down to watch the Redskins lose... to the Detroit Lions. The Lions hadn't won in nearly two years. Ouch, that really hurt. But somehow our young coach is still our coach. Old Danny Boy is notorious for having a short leash, so we'll see how long that lasts. That's nothing compared to criticisms hurled at Jason Campbell, our quarterback. Early last season everyone was singing both of their praises... how quickly it changes.

Happy birthday confettiofstars! We celebrated it in high style on Saturday evening with darthblitzkrieg and their friend in Baltimore. On a previous trip, I'd wandered around Little Italy, but I didn't know enough about the restaurants to choose something. Dinner was at Della Notte with its very Romanesque ambience with columns, marble busts, and immense tree in the center of the main dining room. No, I'm not kidding.

However, if you wanted real authentic Baltimore and its unique local color, you went over to Vaccaro's for dessert. The place has been around since 1956 and it's the perfect after dinner stop. If you're used to a short list of desserts, your mouth will drop when you see two pages worth, not counting all the drinkables. I almost wish I drank coffee, because it seemed like just the place for a little cup of espresso/cappuccino. You can scan the pastry shelves to see what looks yummy. (Just about everything, I might add!)

Now I've grown used to people adding nuts to my chocolate cake. I like mine plain, thank you very much. I know I'm odd. It's just a thing. So when I spotted the Chocolate Cannoli Cake, I was prepared to be disappointed. Actually, no, that version didn't have any nuts, just heavenly cannoli cream sandwiched with devil's food cake. The vanilla version had almonds all around the edges, but the chocolate one used chocolate chips instead. Cake excuses much. *pleased little sigh*

Baltimore wasn't quite done having fun with us. Our nearest neighbors were chatting about politics. From what little I heard, I knew somehow confettiofstars would get involved. I didn't want anyone to ruin her birthday. Fortunately it turned into a good-natured little interaction, rather than fisticuffs. They didn't mind Republicans, as long as they were Green ones. The two of them were a riot. Now all of us assumed they were married. Until they were ready to leave and she sorta apologized for him saying before she left -- "I could never be married to someone like him". That dumbfounded all of us. Never let it be said that visiting Baltimore isn't without its moments.

I had a great time. I came home way way too late. I do wish that some of good feeling had trickled over to my sports teams. Alabama lost to flipping La-Monroe. For this we wanted Saban? And those scowls and dejected sighs you heard in a DC elevator Monday morning? Were all the Redskins fans after losing yet another close game, this one to our hated rivals the Cowboys. Ironically DC is where you'll find a fair number of Cowboy fans. At least someone will be happy this morning.

Saturday I went to the Maryland Renaissance Festival with confettiofstars, darthblitzkrieg and ariadnesthread. Summer was determined to go out like a lion this September. Instead of the cool weather we'd been blessed with recently, the humid temperatures came back to haunt us and they'll stick around for most of the week. A far cry from the sweltering temps of opening weekend, when I was dying in nearby Baltimore, but still not particularly comfortable. At least the skies stayed clear.

It was Pirate Day weekend, so there were Jolly Rogers and black and white and red costumes wherever we looked. Some were more outrageous than piratical, the Ren Faire still preferring a more in-your-face costuming style.

As usual there was much shopping to be had. I've started to despair that I have no garb that fits anymore. My SCA garb is several mes ago sadly, so we went to Faire in search of clothing. Yes, I know they're relatively easy to make, but you're speaking to someone who can do needlework and cross-stitch, but can't sew worth anything!

I shocked myself by acquiring a skirt, a beautiful long dark green cotton skirt. I might have bought a second one if they'd carried the cotton skirts in purple. But they only carried them in the silk. I'm hoping to find the right blouse/shirt to go with it. The search continues...

I acquired a second coin from Somewear Beyond Coin Mint. Alas we were running late so I only had time to drop off my order, rather than stick around and enjoy the floor show from the minters. This site shows most of the designs. I went with a bronze coin with a Spanish galleon on one side and Elizabeth I on the other.

( Coins of the realm )

Alas both of my football teams lost at the last minute. ESPN's College Gameday visited Tuscaloosa and their curse continues. We lost to Georgia in overtime. Wearing their throw-back uniforms designed by Vince Lombardi, the Redskins blew the second half of the game against the Giants. What a time for the Jints to find inspiration...

And the Nats bade farewell to RFK. She was a grand old stadium. Even Troy Aikman commented on playing in RFK where you felt like the fans were right on top of you and the stands rocked and rolled in a thunderous roar. He felt like the Skins gave up a huge home field advantage when we left RFK behind. Maybe we did.

This has been a depressing weekend for sports. Both Bama and Redskins lost at the last minute. I know, I know, they gave a good ole try... *cries in my Sunkist*

On the bright side, I received a confirmation letter from Media West's hotel, so at least I don't have to worry about those arrangements. Instead I can plan my door. Do I want a Sheppard door or do I go with my fannish Jacks door I came up with last year? Decisions, decisions...

A shut out. We went from scoring 52 points to scoring none. Ow. What an awful game to watch if you were a Skins fan.

On the other hand, I have to hand it to them, the Giants played their hearts out.

But it's not a loss I want to take into the Eagles game.