Funny thing about having fun. . .

The more I am enjoying life, the less time I have to write about it.

I had wanted to do a post about Pennsic, but its already nearly a month gone by at this point. Suffice to say, it was AMAZING. The weather (even with the first few days of rain) was AMAZING. I love my wonderful friends who really are the ones who make the event memorable. I adore the folks who come up to show me the garb they have made with my instructions or advice - it makes me feel great. I loooove the fact that one VERY sweet woman wrote a song for me! And I love making new friends (you know who you are!).

I even started learning to knit this year! lol

Aside from Pennsic, the summer was a whirlwind of cabin-ing and cars. This past weekend was the Labor Day Double event at the Track. The Big Man got his new top speed on the course, and I got a ride in a wicked Ferrari (on the track)! We also went to check out the new Summit Point Karts, which were a total blast.

Best of all, we had an awesome birthday for the Big Man at the track - beer and birthday cake with friends.

This weekend we get Big Man B-day Part II as my parents are headed out to our end of WV :-)

So many things coming up too - Glengary, the big fall camping trip with the Norwegians, more track stuff, including me driving. I need to prep for the competition driving school this spring, as I now have a race car waiting for me :-) Big Man helped me build too tablet weaving looms so I need to get on making us some trim. We want to go to War next year with wool garb as there were a few really chilly nights this year. And I can already feel the holidays rolling around. Yikes!

And the cats, well they are awesome! Nimar will be 3 at the end of this month. . . I think he needs a birthday party too!

So, life is just really, really good.

(And I have to say, that I am sooooo very glad I can count on continued humor from one facet. At least somethings are consistent - even if they dont know it!)

Haberci is here!!!

www.yousendit.com/download/...WUxIRGc9PQ

tinyurl.com/lrqcy2

Please, please, please make a few extra copies and take them to YIV when you arrive at war, that way newcomers can get a copy as well (or you if you forget to take yours!)! The folks there are very generous to allow us to use their establishment every year for Haberci, so please stop in while there and have some of their excellent coffees and desserts!

HABERCI TIME!!!!

For those who don't know, each year for Pennsic, I (with some help) produce a flyer that's made available free (while supplies last) at Pennsic. This has Middle Eastern class listings (both official classes and non-official classes), a performance calender and an event calender (haflas, informal performances and parties that cater to those whose interests in the SCA lay in the Near or Middle East).

If you know that your group is having an event that you want listed on the calender, please let me know so that I can include it!

Please send the information to my yahoo email ( teinenishea@yahoo.com ), so that I can include it. I will need Name of host or hosting group, date and time, location (block number and camp name if its not at official place like the ME tent), brief description and other information as necessary.

If you would like to donate to the effort making copies, please email me at the above address and I will give you the paypal info! Thanks!

Uum Hurayrah bint Khalid (aka Basina, Elf, and NAzirah)

Let the Pennsic Prep begin!!!!!

Pennsic Pennsic Pennsic!!!

FiestaMovement Cars in Baltimore!

Just came off the boat and are sitting outside a downtown hotel for the media to take a peek. Of course I had to go check them out.

I have to say they look sweet, and that green is amazing in person!

www.flickr.com/photos/326...3387906182/


Fiestas in the Port: carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/03...-on.html


Remember - new blog here!!! beingcrazyisntenough.wordpress.com

Fiesta Movement!

I am trying to win a chance to be part of the Fiesta Movement - which is Ford's introduction of the new Fiesta to the US market! The contest requires a video, but between the lagging cough/cold and spring allergies, I am too raspy for filming. Instead, I made a brief intro, and also built (finally) my new (permanent) blog (which is currently Fiesta themed for the occasion).

Please click the link here for the slide show, and the full written blog/entry is below if you care to read!

tinyurl.com/cbn6bj

Here is a little bit about myself, my background and life, and the reasons that I think I would be a good “Agent” for Ford and the Fiesta Movement. (Told here, because my voice is too raspy right now to do a proper video.)

I live in Maryland and spend most of my weekends traveling by car to various social functions. I was raised by a Ford family. My grandfather owned only Fords, and even now my parents own a Ranger, a motorhome on a Ford chassis and a restored-by-my-father 1929 Model A Ford. My very first ride in a car was in a Pinto and I have a collection of Ford toy antique trucks on display in the West Virginia cabin. My “dream car” is a 1947 Ford Pickup and I am presently trying to save up to buy an old Pinto race car.

I never expected to be a “car person” but at some point, after I met my boyfriend, it was just the natural progression of things. We are both WRC, Nascar, ALMS and F1 fans. We currently participate in the SCCA Mid-Atlantic Road Racing Series where I crew-chief for his Showroom Stock Mini Cooper S and American Sedan 2008 Mustang GT. Until the Mustang GT went into the shop for race-prep, I used to be able to drive that car. I could use that car for autocross, Rallycross, track days, etc. Now I am left without a “sporty” ride. I would love to take that new Fiesta to these and give the car enthusiasts there a glimpse of what is to come. I would also enjoy taking the Fiesta ON the track and in the dirt for track days and Rallycrosses. . . Ford permitting, of course.


I have many friends (both male and female) that enjoy their cars beyond just “as a mode of transportation”. We take pride in our vehicles and like to show them off. Similarly though we have all seen the exciting and stylish Ford vehicles offered in other markets and have longed for their release here. The new Fiesta - from what I have seen and read - really seems to be one of these vehicles that have traditionally been out of our grasp. Whereas an AWD Focus in Wimbledon white and a rally package would be the ideal, a lime green Fiesta would fit the bill nicely!

I spend a great deal of time in my car commuting from southern Maryland to Baltimore City to work, where I spend my days behind a computer monitor working on special projects and dabbling in social media. With so much time spent in a car, I need my ride to not only be comfortable, economical and safe, but it really also needs to be FUN to drive. Why not enjoy the many miles on the road?

A bit more about myself, I am a computer geek, I sew and create costumes, I camp and fish and travel, and I am a bellydancer. I am fashionable and like to have fun. I have a fairly fast paced life and like cars with personality. So why should I be chosen to join the Fiesta movement? I live cars, love cars, and would be a fantastic person to test out the new Fiesta and spread the word about the Fiesta Movement!

New blog is at:

beingcrazyisntenough.wordpress.com/

Fantastic Middle Eastern event for those in the DC/MD area (and beyond!)

I know there are quite a few SCA members here on Tribe, so I thought I would put this info out for those who might not know about this great event (or for anyone who might want to try one!).

I have gone to this event since its inception several years back. It really is one of the best Middle Eastern events the SCA has to offer!!! There will be music all day (most will be live!), there will be AMAZING AMAZING food, there will be classes and there will be lots and lots of open dance!

More information, directions and registration info can be found at the link below!

www.duncarraig.net/middle_eastern/

Hope to see some of you there!!!

Umm Hurayrah bint Khaalid

Basina/Hurayrah

Driving, driving, driving

I have a long commute. And even when I am not commuting to work, I always seem to be on the road to somewhere else. . .

Did you know that I blow a 3 year/36K warantee in less than a year?

I dont know if thats impressive or just ridiculous, but there it is. I know, my cargon footprint sucks, but living in the city again would suck worse, so there it is ;-)

All this driving one reason that I went from viewing a car as something that merely gets you from point A to point B, to something that should get you there, get you there comfortably AND let you have some fun behind the wheel in the process.

Speaking of "fun behind the wheel" have have to also comment that I really am itching to get an old Pinto to use as a race car. . . .

ITS NOT ME!

Some of you here know me, I go by Basina and Hurayrah in the SCA and for dance, and in real life my name is Jenn. I live in Maryland, in the Baltimore/DC area. A few people here might have also heard of my past travails with a mentally ill neighbor (diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic). That neighbor abruptly left her husband and moved almost 2 years ago I think, but something recent has come up and I feel I need to let the community be aware of it and possibly help stop anything before it becomes an issue.

This woman is living now in the Owings Mills area and has printed business cards for several people (me, my BF, an employer from 10 years ago and her enstranged brother) and leaving them in appartment buildings and possibly other places. The cards she printed for me state that I give free bellydance lessons AND free stripping lessons (I dont teach classes at all, except the occasional baby beginner lesson at an SCA event). They have my full name and home phone number on them. That isnt so bad compared to those for my BF, who apparently does free auto repair and teaches Ghost Extermination Classes. . .

We found out about this only because the woman who was our neighbors former employer has had cards put out for her that state that she gives free sex magic and she has started this weekend to get a number of calls. She tracked down one source of the cards (Briarwood appartments near Owings Mills MD) and had the management pull the cards from their common area.

I would really appreciate that if anyone in the area sees or hears of these cards, that they remove them from boards or common areas, or let me know where they are so that I can take care of this. I am rather mortified, but there is also concern over the fact that some of the people involved hold govt clearances. This situation is SO surreal, and I finally thought it was past. . .

(Ok, the fact that my BF is supposed to be teaching Ghost Extermination IS actually a bit funny, lol)

Jenn/Hurayrah/Basina

The Christmas Spirit is. . .

...the guy who stepped out into the cold wind to see if traffic was coming so that I could make a right on red.

...helping a frail, elder lady into a cab when no one else would even bother to open the door for her.

...the people who brought sooooo many fabulous toys (bags and bags and BAGS) of toys to a Toys for Tots drive at a small company Christmas party.

...the people who responded to a call from a homeless shelter that ran out of food. They got food to the families who needed it.

...the people who sat out in the cold playing holiday music (very cool Victorian-ish brass band) to encourage people to donate to the Salvation Army.

...the folks who helped to pitch in to get cats rescued from a quick-kill shelter spayed and neutered so that they have a better chance of finding a forever home. Want to help? They still have 9 cats to do, I think. Awesome people and totally legit. Every little bit counts, and the addy for paypal is at this link:
www.exoticheritagecats.org/Exot...0.htm

...and because I love critters -- Rude Ranch in Maryland does the most fabulous animal rescue effort. I have been to their facility. Mr. & Mrs. Rude are WONDERFUL people. The Isis and The Reeses came from there and are the bestest cats. Do you need a last minute holiday gift for an animal lover? They have permanent residents (special needs cats and ferals), that will not find a forever home, you can "virtually" adopt one and help them to provide it with the care it needs!!! (They send you photos and updates of your cat too!)

www.ruderanch.org/

And, like I said before, the little things help. Do you shop at Food Lion? If you have their MVP savings card, you can link your account to any number of charities! (Just google Food Lion Shop & Share and you will find the info). Dont have a favorite? Think about choosing Rude Ranch, in Harwood, MD.

Wishing everyone a fabulous Christmas filled with the true beauty of Christmas Spirit!!!!!


(and on the day I mentioned Rude Ranch they are - big time - in the news!!! www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/...se/index.html )