Greetings unto all from Gofanko Popavich

After a long absence, I have returned to blog writing. Much has happened since I last posted.

Spring Event season is over for me. I attended 3 SCA events in the month of April. First was the Viesha Demo, followed by the Heraldic, Dance and Scribal Symposium, then cam Melon Wars.

Above are a couple of Pictures taken at the VEISHA demo. Friday night was set up. Starting at about 6:00pm during a light rain we set up several tents, a couple of shade flys and list field (fighting area). we finished up at about 10:00. by this time it was considerably colder. By the time I had driven home, the rain had switched over to snow. While I was home in my warm bed, several members of our group stayed at the site to keep an eye on the stuff. There was enough snow to cover the ground.

I was back on Campus at about 8:00 am. We finished setting up, and spent the next couple of hours trying to stay warm. The parade ended and all of the fighters armoured up. It was alot easier to stay warm with all of the extra layers that armour provides.

The fighting was good. I fought most of the day with my great sword. The top picture shows from left to right Lenox, me, and Sir Angus.

Later in the day I fought in a tourney. It was designed for newer fighters. I ended up winning. For winning I was awarded a scroll and a medallion.

The second picture shows a shield wall made up of the participants in the days tourney. closest to the camera is me, then Hex, then Fernfels, and finally Ayla. All were Noble opponents.

The second event was the Symposium. It was a day of classes followed by a great night of dancing at a ball. I was able to meet several of the people I had previously only known online . Other than leaving at 4:30 on Saturday morning, it was a super fun event that I am looking forward to going to again next year.

Finally came Melon Wars. Again the weather was against us. As Cannon and I drove over on Friday afternoon we were listening to the radio. Every so Often the announcer would come on and say that a tornado or thunderstorm warning was expiring for the area that we had just entered. We Arrived to find a rain soaked campground. it was a beautiful area, just very damp. after getting reacquainted with a couple of people, Cannon and I decided not to set up our camp, but rather to sleep on the floor in the heated and dry buildings. I was a little disappointed by this. I had just finished up the poles for my new pavilion, and was excited to try it out. The picture above is one just like mine. We spent most of the evening helping friends old and new to set up their camps. Cannon work really hard during this time. Saturday morning arrive cool but clear. A strong breeze helped to dry out a lot of the mud. Cannon was able to shoot a bow borrowed from a friend. Thanks Xerxes. I later purchased the bow fro him. I fought extremely well. far better than I had hoped to. I received several positive comments both on my fighting and my kit.

Feast that evening was outstanding. One of the best I have ever had. After feast a large bardic circle formed. I heard several really outstanding singers, with some classic and some new(to me) songs.

That brings us to today. Once I have finished posting I am going outside to set up my new tent in the back yard. I need to make sure all of the pole are going to work before I take it to an event. I am going to try to talk Jennifer into attending and event with me over the memorial day weekend. Other than that my time will be spent getting things ready for Lillies.

Gofanko

Spring is here I think

So it is finaly starting to warm up. I am so far behind on projects I want to get done this spring. I need to clean out the garage, finish up some house stuff left over from the fall. And I have a full list of things I want to do for SCA. Some of them I have to do. Things like getting the camping gear ready. Making sure the Gabriel and I both have enough garb for 10 days. Making sure I have all of my weapons and armour ready. Other I things I would like to do. Make an weapon stand for on the field for the Canton. Make or Purchase a period tent.

I need to get my fighintg back up to speed to. I really feel slow and out of shape when I fight. (its because I am....shhhh dont tell, its a secret) Hopefully I can get enough decent helmet time in before event season gets rolling. I really want to step up my game and start to make a posative name for myself among the other fighters.

So far the heraldry thing hasnt been a big deal. There are a couple of people who want me to help them, but they never talk to me about it other than to say they want help. Its kinda annoying really. I lug 2 big totes full of books and papers and stuff with me to each and every practice. Before I get in armour I ask if anyone needs me for help with heraldry stuff. No one says anythnig, so I put onmy armour and I fight. THen later they say,"could you help me with XYZ later." I say sure, and they never find me later. I have helped one person out with a new device. Hopefully I can work with him to get it registered.

My spring event season will be going strong soon. I have events the last threee weeks in April and one in May. Then in June its Lillies War for 10 days straight.


Not much else going on. things have been pretty quite at home and work.

As it goes with most things in the SCA, A Big Deal was made about figuring out who the Group Herald was going to be. In the end it ended up being not a big deal, and I was chosen. For all of the non-SCA readers of this highly entertaining blog, The group Herald is responsible for hleping people find period corect names and devices. It is something I have been interested in since I first started in the SCA, now I have to be good at it too.

Its late and Im tired

OK, so its been 2 weeks and I still dont know if I'm going to be the Group Herald. Its kinda frustrating. I really dont care all that much really. It was just a way to help the group out.

Jewel had her birthday party last week. 4 little 8 year old girls for a sleep over. Man, that was a lot of giggling. Not as bad as it could have been though, they were all well behaved. Not too wild. We made homemade pizza, played pin the tail on the donkey, and watched about 1,000 episodes of Full House.

I started selling plasma. Its kinda creepy really. Did you ever see the episode of Simpsons where Fat Tony is selling rat's milk to the school for kids lunches? It reminds me of that. ther are row after row of chairs with I.V. stations. They hook you up, suck all the plasma out, put the other parts of you blood back, unhook you, and send you on your way.
Im using the money I "earn" to help pay for my summer vacation to Lillies War.

I have already started planning for War. It isnt until the middle of June. I already know what I am eating, where I will most likly be setting up camp, and my schedule for most of the days. Its kinda sad really.

Thanks it for now.

Here are a couple of pictures of my helm. They were taken by the guy who made it, in his shop.

We are supposed to close on the trailer today. I'm pretty excited about it. It will free up quite a bit of cash for us every month. Plus I wont have to worry about the pipes freezing or something else happening. I still have quite a bit of junk in the shed over there, but the buyers are being cool about giving me time to get it out. Hopefully it will be warm enough on Monday.

SCA wise things are going well. We have had several new fighters at practice the last couple of weeks. ISU just had their club fest and several new contacts have been made. Tonight's practice looks to be just as wild. Quite a few people are coming up form the barony, plus all of the new fighters. Plenty of people to hit with a stick. IF i get to fight. WE have had so many fighters that I have loaned out my gear, just to make sure every one was safe. Plus tonight I have an interview to take one of the local group offices. I am hoping to become the Group Herald. Im not to worried about it either way. If I were to not get it, I would continue to play my game, follow my interests, and continue to have fun with all of it.

Gaming wise, thing have been ok. The game I was putting together seems to have stalled out. However, the solo game I have been GMing for Gabriel is going extremely well.

That is about it for now

This is an older picture from Ages of War last year. My lady has posted it on her blog before, sorry if you have seen it before. I'm the guy in red.

Not much to write about. I worked all weekend. It was pastariffic.

Went to a work dinner on Thursday night. The food was good. After dinner I left to go to fighter practice. One of my co-workers went with me to check it out. He said he would probably give fighting a try. I fought poorly. I was stuffed to the gills with dinner and quickly developed a side ache. Also, my left hip has been bothering me for a while, and was really acting up. That is enough excuses.

I am really trying to step up my SCA game. Not just my fighting, but all aspects of SCA. I am trying to be more involved in the Canton. I am trying to improve my garb. I am trying to improve my feast gear. I am trying to improve my encampment. I am also working to improve my heraldic skills.

Tonight my Lady is having a jewelry party. She is a little disappointed, several people she wanted to come are unable to attend. I'm going to clean house all day, to make sure everything looks good. The kids are home from school today, I don't know if that is a help or hindrance.

WE are back form Lonley Tower. The event was a lot of fun. I fought a little. Didn't win a single fight. But I fought with the best out kingdom has to offer. Sat in on a disscussion about some heraldry stuff. Introduced Cannon to some of the knights in the kingdom. Cannon worked with one of the best heralds in Calontir to pick aout a nome he liked. Feast was ok.
More later