Victorian Heritage Festival recap

Cpt. Frye leads the cavalry.

This isn't much of a recap of the annual Port Townsend Victorian Heritage Festival since I was only there one day and worked most of it at the Old Consulate Inn (a fabulous place). I helped out with the parade as a cavalry "outwalker" and then rushed down the hill to shoot pics and video of the Gatling Gun demonstration. Next year I hope to be more involved...beyond just doing all the graphic design. I'd really like to have gone to some of the panels, and it's been ages since I've been able to get to a ball. 

Next year...

Col Marshall explains the gatling gun.

Cpt. Frye distracts the press at the gat demo.

Cpt. Frye and Mrs. Snow

Port Townsend Victorian Heritage Festival 2014

My writing in general, and blogging specifically, has been a bit spotty lately as I've been teetering between nursing a bad back and grinding out graphics for the looming Victorian Heritage Festival in Pt. Townsend, WA. If you're interested at all in history, and in the Puget Sound area weekend after next, come pay us a visit!

Anzac Day: Remember

It's Anzac Day today, and Radio Riel is presenting a special musical program hosted by my online pal and Aussie, "Edward Pearse". Tune in and remember the brave ones from the Southern Hemisphere who gave their all in World War 1.

Second Man on the Moon

The other day I went to the bank to cash a check, and one of the clerks had hand-lettered a little sign that asked, "Who was the second man to walk on the Moon?" This was taped to the front of the counter, so I assumed it was "today's trivia question" or something.

I knew it wasn't Neil "one small step" Armstrong, and I didn't think it was John Glen, so I asked my teller, "Um, is it Buzz Aldrin?" Her eyes big as saucers, she blurted out, "You'r the only person to get it so far today!!"

"What?! You're kidding...."

"No! Most people just come up and say 'ok, I give up. Who is it?'!"

I had to then tell her about my run-in with ignorance at another bank, this time back in Stockton, CA. The shiny golden dollar coins hadn't been out long, and I was trying to amass a stash for use as spending money at historical events. I asked the teller if I could trade her a $10 bill for ten Sacajeweyas, and she just returned a blank stare. So I said, "The gold dollar coins." She then said, "Who's Sacajeweya?" The thought bubble over my head was reading, "What rock have you been living under? Don't they teach US history in schools anymore?! Do you even know who Lewis & Clark were you ignorant little twit? Put down the remote and read a book!!!!"

Luckily I didn't say any of that. Still, I weep for this country.

Tall Ships Festival - Tacoma

The boys (and girls dressed as boys) of our Military Guild (Goode's Company of Foote and the Renaissance Military Society) turned out to support the Nina replica at last weekend's Tacoma Tall Ships Festival. Apparently it went well, and the public was treated to the sight of actual Spanish Conquistadors of a sort.

From the Shorpy Archive: Gen. Custer's Dog

What a great shot! That must have been a short exposure....the dog isn't even blurry!

International Assn. of Time Travelers: forum excerpts

What if there really existed a group of time travelers in the distant future? Wouldn't it make sense that they would be no different from ordinary, mortal tech geeks? This short piece made me laugh out loud, for several reasons. Very nicely done.

Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder

Apparently absinthe is no longer illegal...in some countries. Have to look into that, not that I'm much of an imbiber, but there's just something cool and mysterious about absinthe. And it's green!

Update: Looks like this distillery in CA is on the wagon (scroll down the page 'till you see it). They're sold out at the moment, apparently, but that doesn't matter since the price is out of my range at the moment. Here's hoping that it catches on, more folks produce their own versions, and the price comes down a bit!

Memorial Day

Take some time today to remember those who have gone before us, fighting to preserve our peace and security. Yes, peace and security suffer entropy just like anything else in this fallen world: if you don't put energy in, it degrades.

Side note: You know how Google almost always modifies its logo to reflect the holiday or historical happening of the day, no matter how obscure? Events like, say Leonardo da Vinci's birthday or compost awareness day are cleverly noted, so what's the deal with there being no clever logo for Memorial Day?! Exceedingly, embarassingly lame, folks.