Maroussia on the left, Michel Modo, and Jette.
Click on the pictures to see them up close and personal
I remember being too much of a chicken to introduce myself to Jim Byrnes and am still regretting it. I caught glimpses of him in the bar(s), loved his concert and really enjoyed his Q&A sessions. When I finally got to meet him face to face at the autograph session, he and I had both been at the bar late that night/morning. I got to bed somewhere around 4 am, and I understand that he was up a good bit longer. Neither one of us were in much shape for idle chit chat at that delicate hour of the morning so my opportunity passed. I'll have another one at some point. (I am hooked on cons! Now if I only had a way to make more money�)
Valentine was wonderful, very entertaining and really quite a different animal that the character he portrayed on HL. I asked him if there was a role he coveted, or a particular kind of role he would like to do and his reply was comedy. I could see him in comedic roles, especially after his 'dramatic pause' story! He said he really admires Kevin Kline for his dramatic and comedic abilities and I agreed. Then it hit me. That's who Valentine Pelka reminds me of when he is being himself. He has that same adorable mobile face and incredible timing that would make him a wonderful comedic actor. My best wishes for he, his wife, their imminent child and their future.
Michel Modo came in with Maroussia (
Maroussia was fantastic, very witty and funny, just as I expected her to be. And that voice! Imagine what smoke would sound like if it had a voice. She was funny as hell and we laughed so hard that night in the bar after the ceilidh, along with Christy, Neil, Libby, David, Kat, Narina, and others that I can't remember the names (but I'm terrible with names anyway!) If you were there and I've snubbed you, I apologize! The members of the party kinda shifted and changed as the evening wore on.
The beautiful handfasting ceremony that Jette officiated at for Neil and Christy. I had never seen one and it was beautiful. Neil and Christy were wearing Jane Austen-era costumes that Christy had made and looked stunning. (Be warned guys: your pictures will be on my website and I will send you copies as soon at they are developed.) Libby stood up with Christy, David stood with Neil, Margaret assisted in the ceremony and Steve the Elf was the Guardian of the circle. It was truly an intimate and beautiful moment and I feel honored that I was asked to be part of it.
Slightly less formal was the Masquerade in which Chrisy and Neil won in the best design? handmade? category. (I'm not exactly sure how it was worded.) They were favorites of the con paparazzi, of which I was an enthusiatic member that night. They posed formally in front of this great curtain that served as a perfect backdrop.
Then they gave us a less formal pose. From such things are legends born...{vbg}
Then there is Jette as Amanda and Maroussia posing together. Until Jette spoke, I had no clue it was her... The Amanda look was such a huge change from what I had seen of her to that point.
Maroussia in her masqueade costume. Blue is her color, don't you think?
Kat and Paul allowed me to attach myself to their coattails and tag along for the weekend. Kat and I tried not to do too much injury to each other learning the Gay Gordon (not THAT kind of dance!) at the ceileidh practice and we did manage to 'strip the willow' at the ceilidh proper. There were more than a few 'real' Scotsmen at the dance, as evidenced by the view procured from under flying kilts! I love Scotland....(sigh) (VBG). Kat and I laughed until I thought we were going to die over coffee and had a great time. And Paul had his own built-in cheering section that shouted and applauded wildly for each answer he gave, so much so that Elaine made some sort of comment that I can't seem to remember. The right-but-wrong answer provided by Roddy about how Alexi Voshin was beheaded will still send me into gales of giggles. I didn't think it was possible to reduce Elaine to speechlessness, but Roddy attained that. For that alone he will go down in HL fandom history�
Jette and Margaret on the left, Christy and Neil, then David and Libby.
Elf standing as Guardian of the Circle, with the help of a beautiful basket-hilt broadsword.
The filking session/dirty joke exchange. This was an absolute blast. We sang songs, competed for the worst farm animal jokes and a great time was had by all. Elf was fun and I wish I'd had a chance to tell him thanks and give him a proper goodbye. I'm so glad he got the job he wanted and hope to see him online again soon (Are you listening Elfie? Don't work TOO hard...) And I'd like to have the words to that song about the cat. That would go over great at work!!
To The Tour!