In a way, I was very lucky that House Corvus had so much going on in January. I was so excited over Sine's upcoming Laurel and then the good news that Julianna, too, would be getting her own Laurel only a few weeks later... It was very easy for me to go into "professional" mode (my standard SCA mode) and dive into the various preparations and celebrations soon to come. What with all of the things to get done, all of the plans to coordinate, all of the Corvus people to fly in... I barely had any time at all to deal with my grandmother's death. It was a mixed blessing. With so much happiness coming House Corvus's way, who could get all dragged down in overt melancholy? Certainly, not me. Because, as strange as it may sound, sharing how I feel is something I tend to do only when I'm happy.

Most people in House Corvus would laugh. Bran, not express himself? But it's true. I love sharing good things with you and, surely, you are all the source of so much happiness in my life, that it's easy to be smiling when I'm with you. It's not an act, I am happy when I'm with you! But, I see no point in being sad around you. I don't like to be sad, and it's just in my nature to always be "on" when I'm surrounded by the people I love.

So, I got through all of our wonderful January happenings with nary a crack in my emotional armor. Sine's Laurel elevation was fantastic and I was so very blessed to be able to be there and, better still(!), participate in her ceremony. Talk about something I have longed for and anticipated for years! And then the news of Julianna being elevated so hard upon Sine! I was busy for weeks! And having so many members of House Corvus attend was icing on the cake! The truth is, I needed to see you. Having still more of you fly in was probably more for me than it was for Julianna. I know that sounds selfish, but you guys truly do not know how important you are to me. I know I communicate poorly and far too infrequently, but there is not one, single day that I do not mark each of you in my mind and thank God you're a part of my life. I really do love you.

I can't explain it. Even the people in House Corvus that I barely know... You wouldn't be here if you didn't bring some unique, special quality to the Household and, by extension, me. I know that there may be times when you think, just where is House Corvus going and how much is Bran really involved? The answer is, more than you know, and in ways that would probably surprise you.

I know that some of you are currently disenchanted with the SCA on some level and still others are distracted. Some by things outside the SCA and some by shiny, more interactive peers within the SCA. I don't worry about that, per se, because the distractions fade and the shine dulls. And after all is said and done, House Corvus will still be here. The people who love you will still be here. And I will still be here for you.

I can say that, and I should say that. Often. But since January, my heart has simply hurt too much to really open up to anyone. Even you, my closest friends and confidantes.

You've all heard me talk about my grandmother before and it's no secret that she was the most important person in my life. I still can't quite explain her significance to you, because there have been no words invented to describe her role in my life. Nothing to do it justice or even quantify it on any conceivable way. And, while we have all lost people important to us, I lose her again every single day.

You all know what I do for a living. But I'm not sure if you understand just how my talent works.

I'm not an especially good writer. But my imagination is truly spectacular! People use the term "mind's eye" casually but there really is such a thing. In my head, I have a TV screen. And it is constantly showing new and original programming. When I work, I simply watch the screen in my head and then write down what I see. I'm simply describing what I'm watching, no differently than if you put in an episode of "I Love Lucy" and then transcribed the words and actions. That is literally what I do.

So, when that nurse called me from Florida at 11:02pm, Tuesday, January 2nd and described to me what had happened to my grandmother, she had no idea that I could actually see it in my mind. For all intents and purposes, I was there. I saw my grandmother in her bed, the pain in her chest reflected in her eyes. I saw the expression she gave to the nurse. I saw her die. And I see it every single time I close my eyes, or go to bed, or pause to think, or stop to breath. She is there, in pain, surrounded by strangers, and I can do nothing but watch it. Again and again and again.

It pre-empts every other thing in my imagination. And my talent died because of it. Until recently, I haven't written, drawn or done anything creative. It all just shut down.

So, what's changing?

I'd love to say, I'm getting over it, but that would be a lie. The fact is, I don't want to. I like thinking about grandmom every moment of every day. Even her last moments are precious to me. But I'm coping with it in different ways. Music, oddly enough has helped a lot. Every day, I listen to Damien Rice's song, The Blower's Daughter and cry my eyes out. Then I listen to Perry Blake's song Ordinary Day and watch the film clip it accompanies on YouTube for Presque Rien. And I face the day. Odd therapy, I know. But it works.

And then there's you.

I can withdraw into my own pain all I want. And, while I know you're all sympathetic, it doesn't stop your lives from going on. You're still graduating from school and getting pregnant. Getting new jobs in life and the SCA! Planning for Pennsic and being invested as barons and baronesses. It's all still happening, and it's going to happen whether I'm there or not. And I want to be there.

I wanted this to be "The Year of Corvus!" And, look, the year's half over. And I'm missing it. Worse, I'm expecting you to do it all without me. That's hardly my role in the Household, is it?

Silly as it may seem, I think my chief function in House Corvus is to inspire. Mostly, I try to do that by talking a lot. I go on and on about the SCA, the Dream, those SCA buzz words like duty, and honor, and chivalry, and loyalty, and sacrifice and patience... And, more than that, I try to live up to them. I try to be an example. And, no, not so people can look up to me or want to be like me. But, so that I can know that the SCA isn't a lie. Those words do have meaning. They do. They have to. And I know they have meaning to you as well. Or you probably wouldn't be in the SCA and you absolutely wouldn't be in House Corvus.

It always has to be more than the words. I watch people throw words around all the time and, more often than not, I'm repulsed by how careless they are. The things I have seen done in the SCA -- by newbie and peer alike -- they make me nauseous sometimes. My God! There are some truly horrible, horrible people masquerading as decent folk in the SCA! But they're rarely the people I worry about. After all, they're just villains. There have always been villains and there will always be people like us around to be thorns in their sides. Yes, I'll say it... Heroes!

But the largest portion of people are rarely heroes or villains. They're just people trying to get by. And, you know what? That's okay, maybe even courageous in the real world. But the SCA isn't the real world. It's the way we want the world to be. And there is precious little room for people who just want to get by.

So, about this point, you're thinking, "What the hell is Bran going on about?"

It's simple. I haven't been making enough of a difference. And I'm going to work on changing that. But I can't do it alone. I never could. I need you to help. And while some of you are thinking, "What more can I possibly do?" I'm sorry to say it, but... more. Because I need more from you. I need your inspiration. I finally got off my ass and drew a picture simply because Mike mentioned he needed one for the Mountain Mayhem. What it took to snap me back to reality was that simple reminder that someone in House Corvus could use a hand with something. And I could help. Such a simple thing. I can use a hand.

So, these long silences on the e-list? Bullshit. You're a part of us. You made a commitment to us. And saying hello once every few months is not too much to expect. From anyone. It reminds us that you're there. There to rely on, even if it's just a friendly face. Even if it's just to bitch to. Or cry to. Or laugh with.

Don't feel like going to events? Make the effort! Rediscover why we fell in love with the SCA to begin with. It's still there. The Magic. I swear! And members of House Corvus are always there to welcome you. Let the belt guide you to friends!

And if there isn't anyone else in Corvus there, then you be the House Corvus member there to remind everyone else that we are still around and making a difference. Because, we are!

And if you're not proud enough to wear that Corvus belt, proud of the thing you swore to be a part of and contribute to, then it's time to mail that belt back to me. There's someone else who wants to earn it and live up to it. It means something. And if you've lost that meaning, you need to rediscover it. Do it with me. I'll help.

Too many people in life and, yes, the SCA take more than they give. Being in House Corvus means you give more than you take. It's always meant that. It always will. And, to be honest, it really isn't a chore. It's in your nature. That's what brought you into our circle in the first place. Sometimes, I need to remind myself of that. And, now, you've been reminded too. --BRAN

[03-11-07] Dear Bran,

I'm sorry this took so long. It's been months since I promised I'd write. It's funny how time seems to fly by while a person is caught up in every day minutiae. School is going really well and that's part of why I wanted to write.

After more years than I care to think about, I'm finally going to be graduating from AB Tech. It's just an Associates in Arts, but it's my first real milestone since high school and I'm excited. It's a little stressful, too, as I'm sure your and Robert understand.

I've been applying to UNCA and for every scholarship in sight this semester. My classes are fun this semester, too. I'm taking a science fiction literature course that is so fun I can't believe I'm actually getting credit for it. We've been reading the classic, cheesy pulp sci-fi and now we're moving into the more modern biggies: Bradbury, Heinlein, Asimov, and Clarke. I told mom about the class and she actually asked to borrow my textbook at the end of the semester.

I'm running out of space - so, mainly, I wanted to invite you both to my graduation (on May 11th). if you can't come, that's fine since you are the busiest person I know. but if you're in town, you're welcome! -- SIGNY

[04-02-07] Namaste (Hello)

My family and I are fine here by the grace of God and hope the same for you and your family. I received your letter, pictures, and a drawing sent by you. I liked the photo and the drawing very much. I came to know about you all from the letter.

My elder brother's name is Ghanshyam. He is 19 years old. My elder sister's name is Roopshilla. She is 17 years old. Next is me. I am 12 years old. My younger sister's name is Yogeshwari. She is 11 years old.

Now I am preparing for my annual examination. Winter season is over and summer season has started here. Everything is fine here. Convey my hello to your friends. With lots od love to you, hereby I am closing this letter. Rest in the next letter. Waiting for your letter. -- UMESH

[05-07-07] Hi, Bran,

I was looking a my e-mail this morning b.c. (before coffee) and saw in the subject line thingummy and asomethings investments. I was headed for the delete button when I noticed that the sender was swmyers and said, "Wait a minute, I care what he sends!"

I decided that this would be a good excuse to send an e-mail and tell House Corvus what's doing at our house. We have sold the house that Mike has lived in since he was 13 almost continually. We close on the 30th of May and have 72 hrs to get out so we are packing like crazy!

Antonia is done with classes this Thursday and then starts summer school the 29th. George's school is done June 5th, I think. Mike just got a "promotion" at work so he is learning new stuff and pooped. I have started working at the school that George goes to for social skills to help with his autism. And a friend is coming to stay with us over Memorial Day weekend. I think we are just plain crazy and happen to be packing! Hope your life is less exciting. TTFN -- HELENA

Ravens can toboggan, ride other animals and spy on their enemies. Their life as cadgers stealing prey from wolves, eagles and bears has made them outstandingly intelligent. But do ravens know what they're doing and why? Austrian biologists want to find out.

Those ravens! Their newest form of entertainment is wild boar rodeo. Biologist Mareike Stöwe swears she often sees ravens trotting through the enclosure on the backs of irritated wild boars.

"Ravens like to make an impression," Stöwe says. The birds are always out to perform unusual tricks likely to impress their kin. Dangling head-down from a branch is another popular past-time of theirs.

Ravenologists always have something to laugh about. They're currently observing some common ravens (corvus corax) in large aviaries at the Konrad Lorenz Research Center in Grünau, Austria, where Stöwe works. The play instinct displayed by the birds is tremendous. In the winter time, they tumble down snowy hills. The especially courageous ones grab a boar by the tail and let themselves be towed through the snow on their backs, as if by a drag lift.

And yet the questions explored in Grünau are serious. The most important one is: How intelligent are the animals really?

Their skills when it comes to tricking and cheating, for example, have not been thoroughly explored. Ravens are cunning enough to set up mock hiding places in order to distract their thievish fellows from their real food stores. They're generally very inventive when it comes to tricking those who would snatch away their food. But how much truth is there to reports according to which ravens play dead next to carcasses in order to simulate a case of food poisoning?

Stöwe's colleague Thomas Bugnyar hesitates to believe such reports: "Many animals play dead in stressful stituations," he says. "But when it comes to ravens, everyone always suspects some hidden intention." Bugnyar has been examining numerous winged wise guys, partly in collaboration with US ravenologist Bernd Heinrich. They found that corvus corax has plenty of surprises in store even under strictly controlled laboratory conditions.

One of the trickiest challenges consists in making the raven sit on a bar with a piece of meat suspended vertically below it by a long string. What can the raven do to get at the dangling meal? There is only one solution: The raven has to use its beak to carefully pull the string a short way up. It then has to shape the string into a loop and place one talon on that loop. Then it has to pull the string up a little further and repeat the process. Done properly, the procedure allows the raven to gradually move the meat upward.

Too much trouble for a bird? The smartest ravens examined in Grünau patiently considered the challenge and then pulled the meat up. They discovered the right procedure right away. It seems they mentally rehearsed the problem before getting started.

Highly intelligent

Quiet premeditation and reflection on possible action represent a pretty high level of intelligence -- one that even primates struggle with sometimes.

The researchers ran a second experiment to rule out errors: The ravens were shooed from the bar the moment they had seized on their dangling booty. Stupid birds would have held on to the meat even though it was still tied to the bar. But most ravens were happy to let it drop: They apparently knew it wouldn't be lost for good. The researchers were finally convinced following a further experiment in which the string was unfastened from the bar. Once the string had been unfastened, the birds flew away with the meat.

The ravens have now passed so many tests the researchers are wondering what purpose all this cleverness serves. Other birds get through life just fine with far less intelligence. A congenital program tells them how to build elaborate nests and sing cheerful songs. But intelligence is -- from a biological view -- laborious and costly. Those who think make mistakes. The question is: Why has evolution made ravens so smart? Why don't they have the luxury of just doing the right thing automatically?

Ravenologist Heinrich has a simple answer: "The right thing hardly exists for ravens." The birds lead an extremely changeful life. In the wild, they live mostly off carrion slain by larger predators. Their survival depends on whether or not they reach the scene of the slaughter in time to grab whatever is there -- usually in the presence of the predator.

It's difficult to imagine a more precarious situation. Wolves, bears and foxes are easily angered when a pesky animal wants to eat their food. One casual snap of the jaws, and things are over for the raven. The bird needs to be able to assess just how far it can go at any moment. It always needs to consider the question of what is going through the minds of the larger beasts whose food it is stealing.

In such dangerous situations, where nothing is predictable, a rigid program of behavior would spell certain death. That's why ravens already acquire the art of flexibility during the first weeks of their lives. Barely fledged, they display an almost pathological curiosity for everything that can be pecked at and tweaked. Most importantly, they're driven by a powerful desire to annoy dangerous predators. The squabs repeatedly land near bears or wolves and approach them quietly from behind.

The art of flexibility

Bernd Heinrich has repeatedly seen young ravens tweaking the tail of a wolf and then immediately jumping away with wings flapping. That way, the birds gradually determine the point at which audacity becomes life-threatening -- as well as acquiring a sense of how far the animal they are taunting can jump in one leap. Young ravens engage in these activities despite the fact that they are visibly terrified of the predators. "It's not a senseless game," Heinrich concludes, "but a congenital drive."

Grown ravens are already so skilful at interpreting the behavior of other animals they usually get most of the prey. Up to 90 percent of the slain animal goes to the black-feathered nags. "So far, ravens have been grossly underestimated as carrion consumers," says Thomas Bugnyar. "They don't just grab the leftovers: They get almost everything."

It seems that from the point of view of the winged slyboots, large predators are little more than simpletons. Wherever such predators have slain their prey, ravens are quick to appear on the scene, as efficient as a clean-up squad. They don't even waste any time eating. Whatever they can get their beaks around is swiftly taken away and carefully hidden in the surrounding landscape - to be enjoyed later. That's why even large carcasses have often already been fully ransacked within half a day.

Ravens especially like working with wolves. Sometimes they'll croak loudly to direct a pack of wolves to weak game they couldn't themselves attack. Researches who have examined this kind of cooperation even suspect wolves are driven to hunt in packs mainly because of the ravens. The predators are good sprinters and could theoretically slay game the size of deer alone or in pairs. But they would harldy get any meat for themselves during the feast that follows the slaying, due to the superior number of ravens.

When ravenologist Heinrich once experimentally placed two cow carcasses on the ground, he counted a total of 500 ravens that arrived to feast on the meat. "Some of them must have arrived from hundreds of miles away," Heinrich says. "The restaurant was obviously well advertized."

The mobile younger ravens, who ramble about in loose flocks, are in charge of spreading information. When they discover carrion, they immediately begin croaking to their companions, who rush to the scene. It's only that way that the young ravens stand a chance against their elders, life-long pairs of which rule over vast territories. The gangs of young ravens bet on the power of superior numbers, and the rulers of the local territory are often left out to dry.

But companionship ends as soon as the prey has been secured. There is no sharing. Every animals puts as much meat aside for private consumption as possible. What is more, the smarter ones prefer letting others work for them, spying on their hiding places in order to plunder them as soon as an opportunity arises.

No sharing

But few ravens are stupid enough to just let themselves be watched as they hide their prey. So the lurking thief must under no circumstances arouse the suspicion of its victim: "He has to restrain himself with iron discipline until the other has finally left," says Bugnyar. "That's an incredibly difficult thing for an animal to do."

Ravens can do it. They have a long evolutionary process of espionage and counter-espionage to build on, in the course of which they became masters of deceit and problem-solving. They got better and better at guessing the intentions of others and concealing their own. "Ravens are cognitively equal to a two-year-old child," says Bugnyar.

The birds are highly sophisticated when it comes to assessing their adversary's degree of knowledge and considering it for the purpose of their deeds and misdeeds. They won't attribute much brainpower to a wolf, for example. "When ravens discover a wolf burying a piece of meat, they watch him openly, "Bugnyar reports. "And when he leaves, they just dig it up." But when it comes to their conspecifics, who are prepared for such tricks, they act demonstratively uninvolved, grooming their feathers and stilting about as if bored.

Bugnyar discovered that thieving ravens even spy on each other when searching for goods to steal. A raven will remember the other ravens that, together with it, witnessed the hiding of the meat. On top of that, it remembers which raven is likely to have seen which hiding place, and acts accordingly: Hiding places not far from other ravens who may also be in the know are plundered first. The others can wait.

Such intricate strategic planning requires ravens to consider things from various points of view. It's almost a question of seeing through the eyes of others. That's a skill ravens share with the cleverest primates. But do ravens also know what they're doing and why? Or have they just developed an extraordinary cunningness in the struggle for food during the course of their evolution?

In search of an answer to this question, Bugnyar next wants to investigate whether the birds also display intelligence in other contexts. At the research center in Grünau, things look very much as if that were the case. Ravens cultivate a rich social life, especially prior to sexual maturity, when they live in groups. And they deliberately forge alliances in their quest for certain positions. Ravens that have befriended each other stick together in conflict situations, and they don't steal from each other quite as unrestrainedly.

Ravenologist Stöwe has even observed gestures of consolation. When one raven has lost out in an argument, the other appeasingly runs its beak between the loser's feathers. "It's touching to see what gentleness these mighty beaks are capable of," says Stöwe.

The biologist is a long way from growing bored of the lively birds with their searching spirit. "They look at everything we do so carefully," Stöwe says. "We're really the ones under observation."

This article is reprinted from Spiegel Online News and was written by Manfred Dworschak

et•i•quette
('e-ti-k&t, -"ket, Fr. étiquette

I'm hearing about the mumblings and grumblings of people about how terrible things are in the SCA now, and how it Isn't Like It Used To Be In The Old Days™. I think it's because many people go around with a roseate vision of their early days in the SCA, when everything was magical because omg! It's just like the Renfaire, but y'know, like, all day! And there's no public!!!!eleventy!!!

Sad to say, if you've been in long enough for that feeling to wear off, it ain't never coming back again. Expecting other people to provide that for you, and worse, bitching when they don't, is not only never going to bring it back, it's contributing to that feeling's early demise in others.

Remembering How It Used To Be[also ™] is like remembering the 1950s: A smidgen of actual truth, a wad of personal perception, and a giant blob of fantasy caused by the blurring effects of the subsequent years of actually realizing that to maintain the SCA, one has to put in a fair amount of hard work. How It Used To Be is a lovely concept, but becomes damaging when it's used to find fault with the current set of circumstances.

Maybe you remember when feasts always came out on time, the food was great, and people performed all during the removes, and man, those were the days. This is usually brought on by some sort of delay in the kitchen, causing all sorts of consternation and dismay amongst the people who have paid six whole dollars for this meal, and want their money's worth. Some people get rude as a result of this delay, talking loudly about how much better it used to be, and how much everything sucks now.

Or the sites aren't as good as they used to be. Or the event is too expensive. Or the Court isn't done as well. Or the event staff sucks. Troll was too long. Parking is too far away. No-one does bardic circles any more, and anyway, the music sucks. The SCA is just going to hell in a hand basket, and you're going to complain and take it out on the poor person stuck serving you feast, because It Used To Be So Much Better.

Get over yourself. It wasn't better back then, you just didn't notice the negative stuff because it was all so new. Don't piss and moan because things aren't the way you think they should be. If it's just the standard stuff that comes with putting on events run by people who aren't paid for working their butts off (and probably aren't massively trained in their jobs, because people learn by experience in this Society, not through months of exhaustive training), either find a way to fix it, or learn to deal. If it's a real problem, pissing and moaning isn't going to fix it, but getting involved might.

If you're a peer and you think you've paid your dues and deserve to have everyone else work for you, hand in your medallion and start calling the autocrats of all the events you've been to since you started feeling this way, because you've clearly dropped your peer-like qualities somewhere. They're probably sitting in someone's lost and found box in their basement.

Your troll is not a hotel clerk, your feast server is not your waiter (you should be tipping more!), and the cook is not your personal chef. There is no manager to complain to, and if you want a better cheaper site, go find one. You may find, as we all have, that you can have a good site, or you can have a cheap site, but it's rare and wonderful when the two coincide. If they do, please do your part to ensure that we get to use it again by following all the site rules. Yes, even if you're a triple peer and have been in the SCA since the year dot, no alcohol means no alcohol (a common deal-breaker violation for most sites we use these days). Save it for the after-party. Making things better for everyone should be your first priority, and making things better doesn't involve dramatics, temper tantrums, or breaking the rules.

People who have been in the SCA a long time (peer or not) should be showing new people how to behave, not how to behave badly. Every step of the way, at every event, we should be striving to lead by example. From pre-registering for an event to helping pick up at the end, everyone should be pitching in. Yes, even if it's not your group's event. If it is your group's event, an hour of sitting at Troll isn't going to cut it; you should be alert throughout the entire event for ways to make things go more smoothly, and jump in to help without being asked.

Do everything with a smile, from being patient at Troll, to making sure they have enough help in the kitchen during clean-up. If everyone did this, we'd have less drama, and the people who do work their butts off to make sure the event goes well won't be burnt out in five years.

Sure, we all don't get it right all of the time, but by keeping in mind that this is a full-participation hobby, not a spectator sport, you'll be doing your part to make things even better than They Used To Be. -- ISOBEL

Mistress Rhiannon asked Mistress Isobel Gildingwater of Ditchingham, OL of Atlantia if we could reprint a copy of one of her recent LiveJournal entries here in the the Roundtable. The original post can be found at http://attack-laurel.livejournal.com/27852.html. Thank you to Mistress Isobel for giving us permission to reprint it here. She notes: This rant is not directed at people who already work hard and do their best at events. You know who you are, because you won't feel defensive when reading this. You may e-mail her directly at: elsworthy@netzero.net).

Written for Mistress Julianna Fiorentini on the occasion of her elevation into the Order of the Laurel on February 3, 2007 by Bran Trefonnen.

So, year one of grad school is almost gone. It has been a very interesting experience. I have learned a lot about myself and why I am compelled to make things. I passed my first year review yesterday, THE DEADLINE FOR ONLINE PREREGISTRATION IS JUNE 15TH! "House Corvus" is our group name. If you are even thinking about going to Pennsic go ahead and register. You can always get a refund up until July 20th.

I need everyone's input on the following items, these are some of the items we would like to have for our camp:
1. Furniture
2. Flag
3. Gate
4. Portable Holes
5. Shield Tree
6. Oil Lamps
7. Camp Wall
8. Meal Plan

For those going, a few camp rules:
1. No Smoking in camp
2. All tents must be period pavilions
3. Any items outside of the tents must be period or nicely covered (except in the kitchen)

Fees: These fees will cover the general running of the camp. Things like camp ice, water, oil for lamps, firewood, cleaning supplies, etc.
1. Daily fees are $6.00 a day from Wednesday the 1st to Friday the 10th
2. Fees are due the day you arrive in cash.

Things I need a.s.a.p.:
1. Mundane and SCA name
2. Any medical conditions others should know about (bee allergies, asthma, etc.)
3. Tent info (if you will be sharing, who all is in the tent)
a. Tent size (with and w/o ropes)
b. Shape
c. Which side the door is on
4. What days you plan to arrive/depart -- GRIFFITH

MAY 2007
5th - Atlantia: Spring Crown in Isenfir (Swope, VA)
9th - Antonia's Birthday
10th - Thorgrimr's Birthday
10th - Anne Marie's Birthday
12th - Alys's Birthday
12th - Atlantia: Below the Salt in Baelfire Dunn (Lenoir, NC)
12th - Atlantia: Feast of Saint Hermengild in Falcon Cree (Marietta, SC)
12th - Atlantia: 21st Baronial Birthday in Bright Hills (Manchester, MD)
15th - Helfdane's Birthday
18th - Cassan's Birthday
19th - Atlantia: Beyond Chivalry in Hidden Mountain (Fairfax, SC)
24th - 28th - Caid: Potrero War in Calafia (Potrero, CA)
26th - Atlantia: Sapphire Joust VII in Caer Mear (Amelia, VA)
26th - Trimaris: Trimaris Memorial Tourney in An Crosaire (Altoona, FL)
30th - Luqman's Birthday

JUNE 2007
2nd - Atlantia: Summer University in Storvik (College Park, MD)
2nd - Caid: Coronation/Queen's Champion in Laguna Hills, CA
4th - Rowan's Birthday
8th - 17th - Calontir: Lilies War XXI in Forgotten Sea (Kansas City, MO)
9th - Atlantia: A Midsummer Twilight Tourney in Buckston-on-Eno (Leasburg, NC)
14th - 17th - Caid: 2007 Known World Heralds & Scribes Symposium in Los Angeles, CA
16th - Atlantia: Warrior Games in Tear-Sea's Shore (Harleyville, SC)
16th - Northshield: Castle Fever in Silfren Mere (Oronoco, MN)
23rd - Northshield: Schutzenfest on the Steppes in Nordskogen (Waconia, MN)
23rd - Atlantia: Wastelands in Hindscroft (Booneville, NC)
23rd - Caid: Gyldenholt Anniversary in Gyldenholt (Irvine, CA)
25th - Joseph's Birthday
26th - Krystyne's Birthday
29th - Isabella & Rouland's Anniversary
30th - Alessandra's Birthday
30th - Atlantia: Hawkwood's Inter-Baronial Collegium in Hawkwood (Candler, NC)

Robert and I spent the past week out in California apartment hunting in Los Angeles. What an interesting experience. We managed to find a place that is slightly less than half the size of our apartment here in Houston and for only half again as much! So, we'll now be paying $1800 a month for a postage stamp with no closets or appliances. Yet, everyone out there seems to think we got an amazing deal. No wonder I never understand anyone who lives in California. They truly do live in their own world. Regardless, here's our new address: