Below are the 20 most recent journal entries recorded in Teflon Paladin's LiveJournal:

[ << Previous 20 ]

Tuesday, January 13th, 2009
8:29 pm	SCA Meme Borowed from welamom 1. Post this list to your LJ. 2. Add three SCA-related things to the bottom that you've done. 3. Bold everything in the list that you've done. 4. Tag people, if you're so inclined, and watch the list grow. 5. Put Comments in red, and change color of any text within the list that you have changed Taught a class at Pennsic Ran a court Not as royalty, but I was the chamberlin/court herald to the 13th Prince and Princess of Artemisia Fought or fenced at an event while drunk Worked the "Puking Duke" shift a Chirurgeons Point at Pennsic Been an Event Stewart/Autocrat More than once Been an officer (Local, Regional, Kingdom, Society) Local Herald, Kingdom Herald Deputy, Local Quartermaster, Baronial Seneschal Had a name and/or device accepted by the SCA College of Arms Name and device Had a name and/or device rejected by the SCA College of Arms Name Worked in at least three different volunteer departments at Pennsic Troll, Waterbearing, Chiurgeon Written a scroll text Ran a bardic circle Attend a foreign war Pennsic, Estrella, Gulf Traveled more than 10 hours each way for a one-day event Multiple times Had the privilege of begging a boon for a Peerage Been involved on some level with a Calontir "gotcha" moment Spent the night in a hotel room with more people than the bed space holds Many times Slept in more than 1 tent at a camping event Our first tent died in a rainstorm, so we had to buy another one – isn’t that what you meant? ::innocent look:: Fought/fought for in a Crown/Coronet Tourney Fought in an Artemisian Coronet List Been to an SCA event/function in every Kingdom except Drachenwald and Lochac Lived in three Kingdoms Atenveldt (now Artemisia), Meridies (now Gleann Abhann), Calontir, Middle Been in the SCA more than half my life Sort of – I’m 40 now, found the SCA in 14, went to some fighter practices at 16, then backed off until I was out of college. Started playing seriously in 1991. Won a tournament in five different kingdoms Been authorized in a fighting style not legal in your home kingdom at the time Met your future spouse at an SCA event Met her at my first ‘real’ event, and our 16th wedding anniversary is this month. Flown to an event Had to go on a business trip, so flew to Estrella from there Written a Coronation or Peerage Ceremony Wrote a Pelican re-dedication ceremony Received a Peerage from your future spouse before you were involved with him/her Streaked a campsite at a War Autocrated/Stewarded a kingdom event while pregnant Held the same office twice Watched one of your students accept their own peerage Created a Kingdom Office or Deputy Office Written an article for your Kingdom newsletter My three: Cooked an SCA feast for more than 100 people More than once Written an SCA filk song Several – wish I could remember them! Spent WAY too much time at a non-SCA party discussing SCA matters Sad but true Current Mood: amused Current Music: "A Man's Gotta Do" - Dr. Horrible Soundtrack (Comment on this)
Sunday, September 28th, 2008
10:21 pm	Its a boy! At 5:27pm on September 28th, our son Heath Alan was born. Erica and Heath are both doing well. Info: Weight: 9 lbs 13 oz Length: 21 1/2 inches Head: 14 inches Chest: 14 3/4 inches Tummy: 14 inches pictures behind the cut ( Read more... ) Current Mood: thankful (6 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, September 16th, 2008
7:24 pm	Ding! Level Two..... Lustfully grabbed from silk_noir and probably not surprising to me either! The Dante's Inferno Test has banished you to the Second Level of Hell! You have come to a place mute of all light, where the wind bellows as the sea does in a tempest. This is the realm where the lustful spend eternity. Here, sinners are blown around endlessly by the unforgiving winds of unquenchable desire as punishment for their transgressions. The infernal hurricane that never rests hurtles the spirits onward in its rapine, whirling them round, and smiting, it molests them. You have betrayed reason at the behest of your appetite for pleasure, and so here you are doomed to remain. Cleopatra and Helen of Troy are two that share in your fate.</i> Here is how you matched up against all the levels: Level Score Purgatory (Repenting Believers) Low Level 1 - Limbo (Virtuous Non-Believers) Moderate Level 2 (Lustful) Very High Level 3 (Gluttonous) Moderate Level 4 (Prodigal and Avaricious) Very Low Level 5 (Wrathful and Gloomy) High Level 6 - The City of Dis (Heretics) Very Low Level 7 (Violent) Moderate Level 8- the Malebolge (Fraudulent, Malicious, Panderers) Moderate Level 9 - Cocytus (Treacherous) Low Take the Dante's Divine Comedy Inferno Test Current Mood: lustful (Comment on this)
Saturday, September 13th, 2008
12:12 pm	C'est Moi? Another quiz shamelessly borrowed from silk_noir: Results not surprising for me I suppose... Your result for The Who Would You Be in 1400 AD Test... The Knight You scored 42% Cardinal, 26% Monk, 44% Lady, and 70% Knight! You are the hero. Brave and bold. You are strong and utterly selfless. You are also a pawn to your superiors and will be lucky if you live very long. If you survive the Holy wars you are thrust into you will be praised for your valor and opportunities both romantic and financial will become available to you. Take The Who Would You Be in 1400 AD Test at HelloQuizzy Current Mood: relaxed Current Music: Enya - La Sonadora (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Thursday, August 21st, 2008
7:43 pm	I'm sorry - what was that? Quiz filched from silk_noir Your result for The Perception Personality Image Test... NBPC - The Daydreamer Nature, Background, Big Picture, and Color You perceive the world with particular attention to nature. You focus on the hidden treasures of life (the background) and how that fits into the larger picture. You are also particularly drawn towards the colors around you. Because of the value you place on nature, you tend to find comfort in more subdued settings and find energy in solitude. You like to ponder ideas and imagine the many possibilities of your life without worrying about the details or specifics. You are in tune with all that is around you and understand your life as part of a larger whole. You are a down-to-earth person who enjoys going with the flow. The Perception Personality Types: Take The Perception Personality Image Test at HelloQuizzy (Comment on this)
Sunday, July 13th, 2008
1:50 pm	Tis I, I humbly reply... If ever I should filch a quiz, how could it be from silk_noir... Not that this result will surprise anyone, even without the obligatory references ::smirks:: Your result for The Camelot Test... Lancelot Honourable and passionate. You never back down from a challenge. Your friends are very important to you. You believe in justice and duty far above your own personal security and comfort. Congratulations! This was the most challenging result to get. You are one of a kind. Take The Camelot Test at HelloQuizzy Current Mood: amused Current Music: Skellig - Loreena McKennit (Comment on this)
Sunday, June 22nd, 2008
2:10 pm	The Sword that was Broken.... is still broken, but is on the mend. I’m going to skip a lot of detail here – if anyone wants to know more of the gruesome details, you have but to ask. (I'll be posting this same thing in various places, so forgive me the duplication). So, this all started the morning of June 11th. I was coughing in the shower (clearing my throat), and when I got out and started toweling off, I felt a sharp intense pain across the right side of my chest, and felt shortness of breath. Being it was on the right side, I figured it was a pulled muscle, and went to work. Felt horrid all day, but took some Excedrin in the afternoon, and that helped with the pain. Went home, did the usual evening things, went to bed. Woke up Wednesday morning, and hurt more, and it was harder to breathe. Now I’m thinking “did something to my diaphragm muscle or something.” Went to work, and found that walking 100 yards wore me out completely – gasping for breathe like I had just run a mile, and broke out in a cold sweat. At the end of the day I went to the clinic, and got a chest x-ray done. They came back in to discuss it with a bottle of oxygen – a good indicator that something was amiss. In kinder words, they showed me the x-ray, saying “The left side is normal. The right side where you see a little nub at the bottom – that’s your collapsed right lung.” Hmmm – less than optimal and certainly not what I had expected. They let me drive myself to the hospital (about 40 yards from the clinic, and my blood ox percentage was good) – I got checked in and into my room. The surgeon came in a few hours later and inserted a chest tube in my right side – this is something to avoid if you ever can – not all that bad, but not a lot of fun. I was awake for this, with local anesthetic – truly, it was only about eight seconds of real pain, but that eight seconds felt loooong. From there, it was hurry up and wait. They wanted to see if the lung would stop leaking on its own – it reinflated (mostly) once they got the chest tube in, but did not stop leaking. Lortab was my friend during this time. Come Monday AM, they stopped intake by mouth and started an IV. Monday around 5pm, they took me down to prep, and got me ready for surgery. Why they keep asking you the same bloody questions at every station boggles the mind. “What drugs are you currently taking sir?” “Um… the same ones that you people had me write down for you last Wednesday when I got here, and before you pumped me full of pre-surgery drugs. Can you please find the page in my record, or should I try to list them off for you?” Got into surgery – drugs took hold, and nighty-night. Woke up in recovery, feeling better than I had a right to. Was put into surgery ICU for the night – just to improve monitoring on my condition, apparently. This day was a haze of op meds, lortab, and a morphine drip. Moved me up to a private room the next day (15 bucks more out of my pocket, but so worth it). And more waiting, to make sure the surgery was taking well. Apparently it did, and I was finally allowed to come home on Friday 20 June. I’ve been doing a lot of sleeping and resting, trying to cuddle Moira without getting climbed on, and wishing I could do more to help Erica out. I will go back to work on Monday, but am going to take it very easy. At this point, still not breathing fully as I should, sore muscles, and a feeling like I have 30 or so very pointy elbows all in a line digging cruelly into my right side from about an inch below the point of my breastbone in a curving arc down to mid-right torso. I'd say I hurt, but it is just below the level of pain - more like constant intense pressure. Damnably distracting, and making it very hard to focus on anything. My sincere, heartfelt thanks to everyone who has sent me prayers, energy and well-wishes during this ordeal. It means more to me than I can ever express. (3 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, May 15th, 2008
8:13 pm	Food Meme silk_noir came up with the idea of doing a food meme - "Please post at your blog a comfort main dish that your family serves as an all-occasion kid/grown up pleaser." Since I love to cook, and I like to mess with medieval-ish spicing, here's an original that I came up with probably 13 years or so ago. I think its pretty darn yummy, for kids and adults alike! Buffalo Pasties 1 lb ground buffalo 1-2 tbsp olive oil (for browning the meat) salt and pepper to taste 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice (or 1/8 tsp each ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, ground allspice, ground ginger) 1/8 tsp garlic powder 1/4 tsp onion powder 2 servings Ore Ida frozen (just add milk) mashed potatoes, prepared according to package directions (or an equivalent amount of homemade mashed potatoes) 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 2 packages Pilsbury Grands Croissant roll dough (or make your own pastry dough) In a frying pan over medium-high heat, brown the ground buffalo with the spices. You may wish to add 1-2 tbsp of olive oil to the pan, as buffalo is very lean.  Make sure the meat is cooking up in small chunks.  Continue cooking until the outside of the meat just starts to caramelize. Without removing from heat, add the prepared mashed potatoes and the shredded sharp cheddar, mixing everything thoroughly, until all ingredients are well blended and the cheese is melted. Remove from heat. Preheat oven to the temperature indicated on the croissant roll dough package. Open the packages of croissant roll dough. Remove the pieces of dough in groups of two -- this should give you six large squares of dough, with a perforation running diagonally across each one.  Pinch down the dough along the perforation, so that the filling will not come out during cooking. Divide the filling into six equal portions, and place one portion in the center of each dough square. Fold up the sides of the dough, making a sealed packed with the filling inside.  Lay the pasties out on a nonstick cookie sheet, leaving room between them as the dough will expand. Cook the pasties for about the time indicated on the dough package -- it may require a bit more time because of the filling. Turn the pasties half way through the cooking time to get even browning.  Serve hot or cold. If hot, a green peppercorn sauce or hunter sauce goes very well with these! Current Mood: pleased Current Music: LOTR - The Fellowship of the Ring Soundtrack (Comment on this)
Sunday, May 11th, 2008
7:46 pm	More quizzy goodness... Snuggled away from swanofgrey This Is My Life, Rated Life: 6.7 Mind: 6.8 Body: 4.1 Spirit: 8.4 Friends/Family: 6.6 Love: 7.3 Finance: 7.6 Take the Rate My Life Quiz I guess its true - the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak ::smirks:: Current Mood: confused (Comment on this)
Friday, May 9th, 2008
7:27 pm	Sigh no more, ladies.... Another quizzer, shamelessly stolen from silk_noir Yes, I'd say this fits. Your Score: Much Ado About Nothing You scored 21% = Tragic, 41% = Comic, 46% = Romantic, 33% = Historic You Scored Much Ado About Nothing! First published in 1600, Much Ado About Nothing is one of Shakespeare's most enduring comedies, and probably his most performed to this day. Much Ado About Nothing tells the story of two pairs of would-be lovers and the hysterical events that happen surrounding the wedding. As Claudio and Hero prepare to marry, Don Pedro and his friends, bored with the length of preparation time, take it upon themselves in the meantime to play matchmaker to Benedick and Beatrice, two sharp-tongued would-be lovers whose love for each other is masked by the "merry war of words" in which they are engaged that both of them are too stubborn to lose. Based on your results, we believe you to be a quick-witted, light-hearted romantic who is probably very charming and charismatic. While your stubbornness may sometimes get the better of you, we are confident that you always eventually come to your senses and do what's best. You probably have a lot of friends and we like you too! Link: The Which Shakespeare Play Are You? Test written by macbee The bigger question is which character am I: Don Pedro, Don John, Leonato, Antonio, Claudio, or Benedick? Hmmmm... Current Mood: okay (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Thursday, May 8th, 2008
6:30 pm	So, what exactly again *is* normal? A while back, silk_noir posted an interesting commentary on authorship. Her closing thought stuck in my mind: "Instead I'll close by saying that the demonization of sexuality is sheer laziness. So all you writers (to return to my initial concept) who think that you can get away with signaling to your readers that Mr. Z is a bad guy because he enjoys spanking his girlfriend? Work harder, damnit." Stuck there, in fact, until I had to write this little scene to make it drop out of my head. What if current societal norms were turned on their head? The piece feels vaguely Heinlein-ian to me, but so be it... ( Read more... ) (2 Comments |Comment on this)
6:22 pm	Another swiped quiz... Filched again from silk_noir Greed: Medium   Gluttony: Medium   Wrath: Medium   Sloth: Medium   Envy: Very Low   Lust: High   Pride: High   Take the Seven Deadly Sins Quiz So basically, I'm lustful, and I'm proud of it! Current Mood: amused (Comment on this)
Thursday, May 1st, 2008
3:10 pm	The Lusty Month of May Dia Ceadamhan. Latha Buidhe Bealtuin. Luan Lae Bealtaine. Beltaine. Walpurgisnacht. Roodmas. Mayday. Call it whatever you will, I wish you health, happiness, passion and energy today and throughout the rest of the year. In some places, a community Beltaine fire is lit, and then bits of it are taken away to light home hearth fires. So here is my Beltaine Fire to share with you all: I hereby declare this picture to be copyright free, and released to the public domain. If you are so inclined, I invite you to please take it, post it to your own 'hearth', spread the light around, and encourage others to do so. I don't think I ever do a good enough job of telling my friends how much I appreciate them. You are a big part of what kindles my flame, and I love you for it. (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Thursday, April 24th, 2008
7:40 pm	'Take' on me... Filched from silk_noir My Personality Neuroticism 52 Extraversion 50 Openness to Experience 78 Agreeableness 58 Conscientiousness 66 You often resist any cravings or urges that you have, but sometimes you give in, however you feel enraged when things do not go your way. You are sensitive about being treated fairly and feel resentful and bitter if you think you are being cheated. You get overwhelmed by too much noise and commotion and do not like thrill-seeking activities. You like the security of tradition, but sometimes have a desire to bend the rules and challenge conventional thinking. You find helping other people genuinely rewarding and are generally willing to assist those who are in need. You find that doing things for others is a form of self-fulfillment rather than self-sacrifice, however you feel superior to those around you and sometimes tend to be seen as arrogant by other people. You have a strong sense of duty and obligation, and feel a moral obligation to do the right thing. Take a Personality Test now or view the full Personality Report. Interesting, to say the least. You'd almost think I was well-balanced or something ::smirks:: Current Mood: bemused (4 Comments |Comment on this)
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008
9:53 pm	((Well, you can tell I have not posted as much here as I would like. Please read the first post I made today before the last two, or things just don't make as much sense!) From the point of view of an elven jewel-smith, as he and his companions journey to the Circle of Blood in the Lone Lands (LOTRO) Delu Agamaur -Tefthalion Mirdan Bleak lands, black lands, Lone Lands. What fell secrets do you hold? Snared in Shadow's menacing hand You dispel hope with cruelty cold. Minstrel, Huntress, Hobbit Thief Did leave from the Forsaken Inn. The Huntress sought she knew not what Far from the hearth, from kith, from kin. Agamaur their destination, Leagues away on the Great East Road. Past Ost Guruth their path would take them Into swampland rank with mold. Bleak lands, red lands, Lone Lands. What fell secrets do you hold? Blood like water taints the landscape, Turns our dreams into Fool's gold. Crumbling ruins surround the cauldron, Foul and bubbling, ruddy doom. Red the swamps, more blood than water. The metallic tang pervades the gloom. Horrific wights – the walking dead, Patrol the mire eternally. Hungry for the taste of life, Lipless heads show charnel glee. Bleak lands, harsh lands, Lone Lands. What fell secrets do you hold? Evil stalks without a warning, Denying treasures rich as gold. The Huntress showed the Hobbit where Within the muck her goal did lie, Half-hidden something, only glimpsed Compelled fair Elf to find or die. Then Burglar, with stealthy step, Searched the swamp, while watchful eye Of Wight did seek her. She emerged Unscathed, but wanting for the prize. Bleak lands, warped lands, Lone Lands. What fell secrets do you hold? Vile miasma clouding judgment, Twisting sanity's frail hold. Then Minstrel crept into the gloom, To distract the dead he tried, Whilst the Huntress sought her quarry, A glimpse, a grab, and they did fly. A stone medallion, age untarnished, Plucked forth from that place of pain. An artifact from ages past Was the treasure they had gained. We knew not why she had to find it, But from compulsion she is now free. Now we must delve its lore together, Just as it was meant to be. Bleak lands, repellent lands, Lone Lands. What other secrets do you hold? When will your lure again compel us Against all sense, into your fold? Current Mood: Slightly Embarassed (5 Comments |Comment on this)
9:49 pm	From the point of view of an Elven jewel-smith, raised in Lorien, as he and his companions ride through the Lone Lands, across the Ford of Bruinin, into the mountains, and finally down into Rivendell for the first time. For those of you who have not played LOTRO, their interpretation of Rivendell still brings mist to my eyes. Its the first game setting I've personally ever seen that made me ache with desire to live there. Silly I know... Lend An Imladris -Tefthalion Mirdan In the company of two, then three Fair Ladies – two of Elven kin, And one child of the race of Men, Did we run forth to cross the span Of weary miles across the land Where the Shadow’s skeletal grip Held sway; We left the Forsaken Inn And into the Lone Lands we slipped. At first, more travelers we passed, Grim-eyed dwarves and humorless men, Made haste on errands still unknown. As we skirted many a den Of red-eyed wargs, and treacherous webs Of skittering spiders with faceted eyes. And cruel-visaged orc, that would indeed Make a meal of elf or man. Through the Trollshaws, aptly named – Where boulders rained down from above From stone-faced Trolls who guarded roads To stop the passage of all who strove To pass. Both bear and boar, And things half seen in shadow chased Our fine company again Through Bruinen Gorge our pace Never flagged or failed, nor did we rest Until we stopped to drink and wonder At the Ford of Bruinin. Then onward And upward we did press again Until at last, the path did crest, the mountain summit, high and cold, And downward passing through the gates, Until at last we finally did behold. Imladris. Born in the wood of Lorien, I never thought to see a place That could so quickly rob from me All thoughts and memories of grace Of my woodland home. Yet still My breath did catch and halt, When my eyes fell then that day On a place that has no fault. I, who sing of noble deeds And tell the tales of days gone past, Still to this day can find no words To match the beauty that holds fast In Elrond’s halls – nor can I ever Tell in speech the change that came Upon my spirit then. I knew that I had found my heart’s new home. Until that day when I depart Upon a White Ship headed West, For the peace of Valinor Where this Galadhrim’s soul shall rest, And though I soon may pledge my heart, To an Elven maid, with whom I’ll dwell. A part of my true soul shall rest Forever more in Rivendell. ((My thanks to Alyesse, Lilithiel, and Ilorin, for what can only be described as a truly magical evening)) (Comment on this)
9:33 pm	Poems Every now and then, I just *have* to create. The monkey jumps on my back and pounds me about the head and shoulders, and there's nothing for it but doing something creative. When this hit me yesterday, I was fortunate enough to have had some very recent inspiration. Now that we're back in Wichita, and have re-connected with some dear friends, we've also jumped back into the SCA. We were working at the ren faire this weekend. I found myself fascinated with the silk pennants that my 'foster knight' had made - watching them cavort on the wind as I worked in our Photo Booth. And I also found myself fascinated by a dear lady friend who was dancing - the pure joy and abandon I saw on her face, and in her movement, transported me. In my warped little brain, this all morphed into a Shakespearian Sonnet. While free form writing is fun and cathartic, there is something fun to me about being occasionally forced to use a strict form, and bending it to my desire, so that what I need to express comes out. Do enjoy! Pennants of the Faire She dances dervish-like upon the wind! Kaleidoscopic color fills my sight. Her swirling hues of apricot I find Entwined with honeyed strands of captured light. She leaps for joy – a sprightly fae! Her touch Would surely burn my soul like fire. Yet would Such price for perfect grace be found too much? My heart cries No! Yet I find that I could Not move my hand to save my life, held fast - Quite motionless in place. Beauty's fair spell Had mesmerized my mind. As well be cast From marble! Cruel Aeolus mocked me well. He turned his head away. Her muse was gone. Yet in my muddled mind her dance goes ever on. (I need to start using this site more, so I'm going to post some older, in character, poems that I wrote from the POV of one of my LOTRO characters later. But this *had* to come first - I hope you agree!) Current Mood: Inspired (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Tuesday, January 15th, 2008
7:05 pm	Wantonly filched from swanofgrey: What Fictional Vampire Archtype are You? You are the Final Lover. Romanic, honey-tongued romeo, you are the master of love's last kiss. You woo the young ladies, pluck them from light's caress and give them a smile as they sink into death. Take this quiz! Quizilla | Join | Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code Current Mood: enthralled (Comment on this)
Thursday, January 10th, 2008
11:02 am	Goodbye Aramis (1993 - 2007) At around 10:30 eastern last night, our elder kitty Aramis passed away at the ripe old age of 15. He'd been going downhill for the last few days, and escaped in relative peace to the Elysian Fields of catnip. A wonderful companion, friend and family member. A ginormous and exceptionally tolerant kitty (His last picture, being used as a pillow by Moira, shows off both qualities). He had enough love for all, and received great love in return. He is already greatly missed. Current Mood: grieving (2 Comments |Comment on this)
Saturday, December 15th, 2007
10:01 am	blatantly swiped from eve_dot_com I Am A: Neutral Good Human Druid (6th Level) Ability Scores: Strength-13 Dexterity-13 Constitution-14 Intelligence-18 Wisdom-17 Charisma-18 Alignment: Neutral Good A neutral good character does the best that a good person can do. He is devoted to helping others. He works with kings and magistrates but does not feel beholden to them. Neutral good is the best alignment you can be because it means doing what is good without bias for or against order. However, neutral good can be a dangerous alignment because because it advances mediocrity by limiting the actions of the truly capable. Race: Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like. Class: Druids gain power not by ruling nature but by being at one with it. They hate the unnatural, including aberrations or undead, and destroy them where possible. Druids receive divine spells from nature, not the gods, and can gain an array of powers as they gain experience, including the ability to take the shapes of animals. The weapons and armor of a druid are restricted by their traditional oaths, not simply training. A druid's Wisdom score should be high, as this determines the maximum spell level that they can cast. Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail) Current Mood: amused (Comment on this)