Performing with Ishtar this Thursday at YIV

Join Ishtar as they play the classics of bellydance with a surf rock edge! Featured dancers are Mavi Kamani (that's me!).

8:30pm Doors/9pm Show

$5 cover in the Back Lounge---the flier is wrong!

BYOB for a nominal corking fee, or enjoy any of the fine coffees, teas, desserts, and appetizers from the menu.

Finally!

Went to Maria's Intermediate dance class at her new Boheme studio in Bellvue last night and got my butt kicked thoroughly. I was long overdue for a butt-kickin' the likes of which can only be had by going to Maria's class. She changed up her warmup routine a bit, but the drills were similar to those we worked on the last time I went to her class in Squill. Lots of technique and layering. I didn't realize how desperately I missed going to bellydance class until last night. It might have been almost a year since the last time I went to class. The good thing about having taken such a long break is that I'm very motivated now to get back into it and stick with it for a while.

Attn: Airsofters

www.darkthreads.com is live, and the forums are operational! Check them out here: www.darkthreads.com/forums.htm

There is even an off-topic section for those who just want to chat about costuming and other stuff.

Look for new products next week sometime. We will be offering the best military and tactical equipment that we can find, and everything is thoroughly field-tested so we can tell you all about it. I'll be posting product reviews and announcements to the blog, www.darkthreads.com/blog.htm when I can. If you would like to be a contributor to the DarkThreads blog, let me know.

Congrats Lady Melissa!...and persona development

Belated congrats to Melissa who received an AoA from Aethelmearc at Pennsic this year. I didn't get a chance to mention it because I was dealing with all the PITA stuff, and work, and more work.... but anyhoo, she earned it many times over. She now ranks as my #1 favorite noble. Come to think of it, I have a lot of friends with pointy hats, mostly Barons/Baronesses of either the land or court variety, not to mention all the folks I know who hold offices, like herald or seneschal, and those with Laurels and such in the SCA. Why am I not yet "on the books" so to speak? Hm, I guess I'm just a slacker. In my 12 years of playing this game, I've never even bothered to officially join the SCA. Well Stefan's interested in fighting and wants to join membership, so perhaps I'll become "official" too.

My Persona:
This has been a long work in progress, but each year I go to Pennsic, I get inspired and develop more of a story around why I am there.

Mavi Kemani - has only vague memories of parents and a home. She is not sure exactly where she came from or how old she is. When she was very young, she was sent on a sea voyage to an arranged marriage, perhaps, or maybe to study at a convent...but her ship was intercepted by corsairs, and she was sold to the Topkapi palace to become an odalisque. She was named Mavi because of her blue eyes, and her blue disposition. In the harem, she was trained as a musician and showed aptitude for playing the Keman, or violin, hence the name "Kemani." However, life in the harem was not for her. While attempting to escape the confines of the palace, she ran into a peculiar man who called himself, simply "The Doctor." He helped her escape, and gave her a device that enables her to travel through time and the universe. Since then she has had many incredible adventures and she tends to emulate many of the customs and cultures that she has seen on her travels.

Next show with Patricia Wake:

Oct. 4 at Pegasus

Android Lust, Margin of Error, Debutante, and Patricia Wake

8 pm, all ages
$12 advance/ $15 at door

More info: djheim@hotmail.com

You folks are awesome

So many people have expressed their condolences for PITA---he would have loved all the attention. Thanks.

It's a bit lonely without him, but the other kitties have upped their demand for attention in his absence and they be buggin'! But I guess you'll have that.

Stef wants to get another kitty, and I totally understand that because the girls (Misty and Bella) are pretty much "mine." He used to have his own cat, Irwin---a rambunctious Siamese---which he gave over to a friend when he moved into a tiny studio apartment. However, I want the girls and I to have enough of an adjustment period before the feline dynamics change again.

In other news, we are placing orders with vendors right now and we should have some products up in our Web store very soon. Check it out - www.darkthreads.com/ is live!

In Loving Memory of...

PITA, the Greatest of All Feline Companions

1994(?) - 2008

May he rest in peace.

He is survived by his human caregiver of 12 years, Mavi Kemani, who tried to give him a rich and fulfilling life.

PITA was a very loving, affectionate, and amiable cat. He liked hanging out with people, and he got along pretty well with his other feline housemates. He liked being the center of attention, and he was the life of the party. He even got to hang out with rockstars. He had a great sense of humor, moreso than any cat I've ever known. He was always making me laugh. I could tell so many stories about his antics...he was a great comfort to me through the worst of times. It is indeed the end of an era for me. I will miss him so much. Much thanks to those friends who have already shared their condolences.

Sad

I'm taking PITA to the vet tomorrow, for the long dirt nap...

Sadness

PITA is telling me that it's time for him to go. Very soon.

Back from Pennsic

9 days since I last touched the Internet, watched TiVo, or had a decent shower.

192 messages in my inbox. 22 tweets. Who knows how many flist entries?

I didn't take even one photo. Oh well. See photos from last year.

I accomplished pretty much what I wanted to do at Pennsic this year. Not much, actually. I watched "Pennsic TV"---the Lake Channel, a lot. There are a lot of interesting things on the lake channel: fish, frogs, birds, bats, rain, clouds, etc. I went to music class a couple times. I shopped. I spent too much money on a pair of killer boots. I danced at a party until I felt hot and uncomfortable. I played my violin with Patricia Wake a lot. I tested my limits for eating, drinking, and staying up late. Sadly, each year, my threshold for such activities gets lower. It sucks getting old.

It was really nice seeing everyone at Pennsic, even if it was only for a few minutes. I was especially surprised and thrilled to see [info]aminafiddler. You go girl!

Melissa the clarinet chick's music class RAWKED! I only went to the two melody-focused days, and it was like a rollercoaster ride of fun (for me as a musician). We worked on some of the more complex, challenging pieces that you don't typically hear around the campfire, and I bought her book. I am impressed with all the hard work she put into it. She is awesome. It was also especially fun to play with a large group of other melody musicians. One day, we had six violins and a double bass in the string section!

My 12x12 mitered corner pavilion with awning from Four Seasons Tentmasters performed incredibly well through rain, wind, and mud. I highly recommend their products, and they provide excellent service. All the other stuff I brought worked out well, too, and it all fit into the car in one load!!! Will be revising pennsic pack list for next year accordingly.

The new Japanese garb RAWKED. Will be making more.

Weather was very good this year. Not too much rain, a few hot days, a few cold nights. It doesn't get better.

I was concerned that boyfriend would hate it, but he said he had a good time. I think he's hooked. :)

Jumped in the shower within minutes of walking through the door. OMG. Hot water. Shampoo. Ahhhhhhh. Pedicure is in my future.

The only bad thing about coming home today was finding that PITA's ear mass has turned into a very large lump on the side of his head and neck. I was alarmed by how quickly it blew up like that. Will be taking him to the vet ASAP. He might not last as long as we hoped. I'm very sad about this...and I have a lot of catching up with real life to do in the next few days. It's gonna suck.