Well Florida is getting ready for Hermine the tropical storm that’s probably gonna be in some part of the state by some time tomorrow. In preparation it look bleak and gloomy outside, while still managing to be hot enough to qualify as blast furnace summer…..and I live here because? (ask me again when you all are under a hundred feet of ice and snow and I’ll have a better answer.)
Today the main picture is Alnwick Castle and the rest are along the English and up into the Scottish border country.
The topic is still fantasy–but today we look at how people live theirs on a day to day basis.
But first mine—a time travel, Scottish love story where a nurse ends up with a Scottish warrior and the rest is AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH and UHHHHHHHHHHHHH
“There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.” ― Patrick Rothfuss, The Wise Man’s Fear
“Bran thought about it. ‘Can a man still be brave if he’s afraid?’ ‘That is the only time a man can be brave,’ his father told him.”
― George R.R. Martin, A Game of Thrones
and this one in Wisconsin is nothing if not innovative: “Parent Organization: University of Wisconsin – Madison: Fantasy Sports and Finance strives to educate and involve it’s members in fantasy sports and stocks leagues by provoking debate and discussion of the valuation of investments and professional athletes. By combining a growing hobby with a lucrative career path, the group provides it’s members with entertainment, education, and networking. Through group meetings, socials, and club trips; members are provided with a unique college organization experience.”
“I’m getting my ass kicked by tiny faeries!” – Jim Butcher, Cold Days
Now we go from innovative to just insane: Paul Holze, a sophomore at the University of Illinois, loved Seinfield so much, he decided to form a legitimate college club dedicated to everything Seinfeld for other fanatics to share in. BUT: ” the club…is more complex and sweeping than simply getting together to watch old episodes for the 100th time. Since its formation, the club has used themes from Seinfeld to spice up otherwise tired and bland occasions on campus such as holding a black and white cookie bake sale, celebrating Festivus, and adopting sections of campus as a parallel to Kramer’s involvement with the adopt-a-highway program. ” From someone who never really GOT the show this is probably the weirdest thing so far. http://www.thebestcolleges.org
Or how about something a bit more well historical and physically involved: There’s an Association of Renaissance Martial Art where you learn to fight with sword, dagger and I saw some people in armor on the site as well. Or here’s how they describe it: “ARMA focuses on researching and reviving the forgotten teachings of the historical Masters of Defence and fighting schools. Sharing love for the culture of swords and swordsmanship from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance, we offer authoritative information to improve understanding of these combatives and advance the quality of demonstrated skill. Offering free educational resources and information to celebrate and explore our Western martial heritage, we pursue armed and unarmed knightly combat methods, swordplay, rapier fencing, and other weaponry.” A really good place to start if you’re eventually going to do some Knightly deed or more.
Confluence in Pittsburgh has a session to make your own little monsters, costume get together with prizes for specific entries and this program that they had in July is interesting: “Principal theme this year: heroic fantasy (our Guest of Honor is fantasy author Saladin Ahmed). But we will also have lots of SF, science, horror, and writing panels, and special guest Lawrence M. Schoen will be talking about both the Klingon language and the sentient elements of his Nebula nominated novel, BARSK. We have an outstanding filk track, and this year many of our filk guests will also be appearing on panels and in workshops.” I love the Star Trek influence….a show that was cancelled after 3 seasons has lasted forever and the show (Mod Squad) that beat them out is now a bad joke.
“Kneel before the Lord Dragon,” he said softly, “or you will be knelt.”
-Mazrim Taim, Wheel of Time
But if you’re more involved how about something like: Camp Carathir’s role-playing experience caters to adults, older teens, and families. It says that their community is reminiscent of ” a self-sustaining…rustic village…and offer 3, 7, 10, or 14 day sessions, as well as staff and artisan positions.” So to me that’s taking the whole thing several steps further in the fantasy destination arena.
“Do you wish me a good morning, or mean that it is a good morning whether I want it or not; or that you feel good this morning; or that it is a morning to be good on?” ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
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“There is no sound more annoying than the chatter of a child, and none more sad than the silence they leave when they are gone.” ― Mark Lawrence, King of Thorns
“The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.”
-Stephen King, The Gunslinger
