![](\"https:\/\/l-stat.livejournal.net\/img\/userinfo_v8.png?v=17080&v=916.1\")
<\/a>fireflyfaery<\/b><\/a><\/span> found a little odd. The resulting goop bubbled in spectacular fashion but refused to set. The smell though! There was bread baking and honey cooking, and the smell was simply divine.We set up camp as the light was fading - the campsite was a working farm, so we were in paddocks with an emu as our neighbour. It kept up a friendly offbeat drumming throughout the following day, and took evil delight in spooking the horses.
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-vxfouvbCivs\/Tx0woNt9NkI\/AAAAAAAAAlQ\/aPKx9IEXS7Y\/w559-h745-k\/DSCN0499.JPG\")
The Sunday was the Le Champs du Chevalier - a tourney for rapier, archery, equestrian and heavy combat. I awoke to birdsong, and opened my tentflap to see banners waving in the morning air. It was...well, it was a lot like all the other camping trips I've been on. Feeling gritty without a morning shower, but surprisingly awake despite the hard ground. The air was really fresh. My general plan was to wear my fencing tunic for the rapier, then change into my sari afterwards - the forecast promised HOT. However, it also said windy, and that was delivered. It did blow the sweat off...
Anyway. Rapier! It was a small turnout, so we ran a round-robin then a melee. I was fully expecting to go 0-4, but surprisingly managed to get a bout off
<\/a>charlesnaismith<\/b><\/a><\/span>. My other highlight was decapitating the eventual victor, after he landed a groin shot which is still bright scarlet and purple. I collected a lot of bruises, which seem to be good indicators for where to place my guard - I started fencing with lots of upper arm bruises, now I'm getting hit on the legs and the stomach. This could be considered progress... I'm actually taking a macarbre glee in these 'battle wounds' - it's like I'm playing a real sport or something.Anyway, here are some more photos, for your enjoyment. Courtesy of
<\/a>neo_leviathan<\/b><\/a><\/span>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-D3dxqVmhdic\/TyZ6ucqTUlI\/AAAAAAAAAmo\/wx5i2e6eJh4\/w494-h371-k\/LCDCrapier3.jpg\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-ZLt6xtD3Ss4\/TyZ61p92kTI\/AAAAAAAAAmw\/ERJ4-uUqFJI\/w278-h371-k\/LCDCkittedup.jpg\")
In the afternoon I resorted to wearing my linen shirt with it's definitely-not-period pocket and trim. It was so hot though, I couldn't have worn my tunic. The heavy fighting was entertaining, with many dramatic deaths.
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-bF23K6NNU2s\/Tx02-nv6nDI\/AAAAAAAAAkU\/znbdymqZflw\/w453-h330-k\/image\")
Finally, I walked away with a token for my first tourney - the winner of the rapier game me his prize. I guess, it makes sense, got to infect the new person with the magic of it all. And it helps that this token is so beautiful that I did envy all the folks that got one.
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-knAG0PoK_r4\/TykO-P5cdBI\/AAAAAAAAAm0\/uhIEbGid6mY\/w309-h231-n-k\/CameraZOOM-20120201210537226\")
The medallion was your token of entry - proof you'd paid. It's a saddled horse at gallop. The horsehead is an exquisite miniature - you can see the lines of the muscles - and it's been pierced so you can put a string through. But what to do with it?! Recommendations so far are: collect the various beads and knick knacks, put them all on a string and wear it at events; Put it on a string and give it to some fighter to wear as my favour; Put it in a box and years from now give it to some bright eyed newcomer and keep the whole cycle going.
Currently it's sitting next to the bed and getting shown off a lot.
<\/a>
So that's all the stuff I wanted to talk about last week. It's Wednesday now, so I've hit the first day of VLA proper, seen my first case file, handled some cases. Tomorrow I might go to court, do some more case files, and get ready for Friday. My current problem isn't my colleagues, athletic and debonair as they are, it's the way my shoes - my beautiful, comfy, flat hushpuppies - are chewing up my ankles. Tried Party Heels - worse than useless. They stuck to the shoe and the heel, and grew the blister faster. The moleskin stuff from the chemist seems to be the best option, but instead of lasting for days only lasted an afternoon before my walking wore a hole in them. :( Wish I could wear my uberDocs...
Summary - VLA = awesome. I recommend their help line to anyone who has a legal matter that they're unsure of. 9269 0120. Now to track down whoever set office dress guidelines and throttle them with some pantyhose...
","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/20601.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/20391.html","pubDate":"Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:41:18 GMT","title":"Partying like it's 1499","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/20391.html","description":"
And I'm certain I'm not the first to make that joke. Okay, flexing the old typing muscles again...
On Saturday I went to the William Marshal Tourney, out in Alphington. It's an SCA event, focussing on melee fighting.
Stuff like this:<\/p>
![\"Tourney\"](\"https:\/\/lh3.googleusercontent.com\/-dY3kccwAJRg\/TtnynZAgA3I\/AAAAAAAAAdI\/q5iIXySHM0Y\/w619-h464-k\/DSCN0479.JPG\")
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lh6.googleusercontent.com\/-NidxeIEpUI0\/TtnzscLDkYI\/AAAAAAAAAeM\/19BL1sHphnU\/w500-h376-k\/DSCN0496.JPG\")
I've got some more photos on my picasa account, if you want to see more.
It was my first big SCA event - I had been to one out at Monash, which was great, but all too short. This one went on for most of the day and seemed to have everything - singing, feasting, costumes and court, and of course, the loud thwacking of combat. I felt very welcome. I also got thoroughly roasted by the sun. My neck has started peeling by now, I seem to have saved my face from that fate. And yes, I used sunscreen. Clearly not enough.
It was nice to see some familiar faces from Second Floor again - these days it seems we only meet at Halloween.The nobility were also well represented - two baronies, the Crown Prince and Princess, and the Queen. It meant some really impressive bouts and a lot of formality. *wince* Still learning that bit.
I think what intrigues me about the Society for Creative Anachronism, is how matter of fact it is. It's a group of people working together to make life more awesome, and it's not a massive effort for an annual event, or a small effort for a weekly get-together. I'm used to the others, this is new and very impressive. While I've always been enchanted by swordplay, this is more than a game. I like this community that has built up around a common ideal.
As always, my challenge is to turn my plans into reality. I've had a lot of fun admiring people's garb and thinking of what I'd like to wear, or looking up the crafts they teach. I need to set some simple steps and get moving.
<\/p>","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/20391.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/20129.html","pubDate":"Sun, 27 Nov 2011 03:53:44 GMT","title":"Why are there so many father themes in swashbuckling movies?","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/20129.html","description":"I had a movie night for fencers and people who like swords last night - and we managed to run the gamut of quite-good-but... to WTF? But the one thing all four movies had in common was a strong emphasis on fatherhood. I suppose if we'd pulled out Three Musketeers, it would have been about brotherhood... yet I wonder, was this coincidence or is there something about the genre?
Le Bossu: Lets see, you have the protagonist, an impulsive fencer who insists on challenging the Duke to duels at the drop of a hat, intent on learning the secret Nevers Technique. The two become friends despite this, and dash off to marry the Dukes sweetheart who has just had his child. The Dukes cousin, who also loves the sweetheart, murders the entire wedding party. Protagonist escapes with the child, who turns out to be a girl, and raises her in a circus. After the time passing montage, the cousin becomes aware that the two are alive and starts hunting them down.The girl professes her love to the protagonist, whom she thinks is her father, and is most relieved to find out he's not. There's some cunning disguises (Clark Kent should have used a false nose) and rallying of their allies, and a happy ever after. Now. I had this problem in Damia, where she falls in love with the man who raised her - age gap aside, it's still a bit creepy. Apart from that squick, pretty good movie.
By the Sword: It's a modern day fencing school, run by the maestro - a man who hovers between arrogant douche and dedicated artiste. A stranger comes to the school who wants to teach, but who has abysmal skills. We learn he was a master back in the day, who spent a lot of time in prison, and most of the film is him gradually regaining form and confidence. There are these bizarre dream sequences of a boy watching two men fighting, with blood and screaming - terribly confusing, but these are the dreams of the fencing maestro who saw his father killed by a student. This is his motivation to be the best, not merely good. The climax of the film is pretty anti-climactic, with what looked like a rivalry between the maestro's students and the stranger's students suddenly moving into a duel with sharp blades between the stranger and the maestro. OMG the stranger killed the maestro's father and has returned to teach the maestro the meaning of Christmas<\/strike> that winning isn't everything. There's a particularly awful romance among two of the students, but that's it. Overall - terrible screenplay, reasonable acting from the leads, very good fencing apart from the bits where the maestro decides to dick around without masks. But the WTF prize goes to...
Zorro, the Gay Blade! The original Zorro has left his title to his two sons, not really caring which one puts on the mask.One son is a dashing ladies man, Diego, who gets the whole 'fighting tyranny' thing going - until he injures his ankle. The other son joined the navy to become a man, and changed his name from Ramon to the macho Bunny Wigglesworth. One Zorro fights in black, the other in scarlet, yellow, avocado, peach and finally blinding gold. Yes. Seriously. There is cross-dressing and terrible jokes and probably some good parodies of the original Zorro tropes which I didn't get. Both roles are played by the same actor, who has the best unconvincing grin I've seen in a while.
We wrapped up with D'Artagnan's Daughter. It's another conspiracy against the crown, which for some reason involves the convent that the daughter Eloise was sent to (I was walking the dog for this part). She vows vengeance for the death of the Mother Superior and rides to Paris to see her father, picking up a lovesick dissident along the way. What follows is a bit of a comedy of errors, as the new Cardinal receives what he thinks is a coded message from the conspiracy - actually an abysmal love poem. The Musketeers regather to bring down the conspiracy - which involves selling slaves to America, an instant contact poison, and a coded laundry list... Unfortunately the dvd cut off before the climactic battle, but what we saw was pretty good - good costumes, a strong female lead, nice banter between characters. Like Le Bossu, there was a lot of understated comedy going on.<\/a>
Overall, a good night, and people resolved to do it again. Hopefully with better weather.
","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/20129.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/19470.html","pubDate":"Thu, 08 Sep 2011 08:23:41 GMT","title":"State of Mind","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/19470.html","description":"I've made a New Financial Year Resolution - To stop running away from social encounters.
This started when I was in a sport shop, surveying the wall of goggles and pondering if I wanted the Active type or the Sports type (both made by the same brand). Guy wanders up, also baffled by the wall of almost-but-not-quite identical items, and passes me some friendly commiseration. To which I blurt out something, grab the box I'd just replaced, and scurry off to the registers where I then ponder this reaction. It's...well, silly. I'm not the Alien who reads all lunchtime that I was in primary school, or Wednesday Adams from high school. I don't need to be so defensive around strangers.
So I've made this resolution, and so far it's working out ok. More casual conversation with other law students (by this point we're all on nodding terms at least), and when I ran into one on the street he actually cancelled his phone call to have a proper chat. Still hesitant in aerobics classes - they're not really my age group I guess. And I went to SCA fencing last Tuesday and felt very welcome. I think I need to dial it down - planning video nights on the strength of two hours acquaintance might be a little too much.
Similarly, my long habit of lurking in social media has had a peculiar effect - now I've got my MacGuffin and easy access to all these sites, I'm feeling more familiar with people than is in fact the case. I love hearing all these stories of home renovations, toddlers being imaginative and friends expecting newborns. But when I get the urge to offer advice or assistance, I remind myself that I've never had an actual conversation with some of these folks, at least not for several years. It's...odd. And still something I'm chewing over as to what is the correct ettiquette to apply.
In the vein of online self-improvement I've joined the Epic Quest Game, and set myself targets for professional skills development - got at least 4 places to apply to this weekend. I've also helped a friend with his cover letter and he has linked me to some jobs, so teamwork there.
Finally I've been managing to lose weight, build strength, and restrain myself from snacking like I used to - a lot of which is due to couchsurfing with my parents. I'm swimming 1km a week, and started using 5kg weights in pump class.
Lots of little goals, building towards becoming someone I want to be.","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/19470.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/19249.html","pubDate":"Wed, 03 Aug 2011 06:53:34 GMT","title":"In short, in matters animal, vegetable, and mineral","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/19249.html","description":"Went to Sydney last week to catch up with my sister and enjoy a short break. Three days was far too short a time, but I managed to cram in the essentials: Taronga and the Opera House. The weather was bright but chill, perfect for photos.
The Menagerie
I was avoidably delayed by the nonappearance of the free shuttle bus. After waiting half an hour for it I decided to brave the arcane intricacies of the Sydney metropolitan train service - they have double decker trains! And seats that you can switch around so they face forward or backwards - handy for facing your friends or avoiding the creepy stare of the furtive petrol sniffer. I wonder how long before we get these marvels. I did manage to make the seal show, which was as amazing as promised, although I found the bird show far more impressive. See, I already knew that seals were smart and acrobatic - I didn't know that you could train pigeons, brolgas, chickens and galahs to perform routines, especially without a trainer on hand to cue them through it.
It was set in an open air amphitheatre, with the harbour as the backdrop and bushes flanking the stage. The show opened with a white pigeon flying down to a stand, pecking at a string which then released the flyer of the sponsor. The bird then flew off stage left. A voiceover started, telling the story of how the birds got their colours, and as it went all these galahs and cockatoos flew over the audience to the stage, did their display and exited into the wings while six or eight jungle roosters ran across the amphitheatre floor. Then a presenter walked on and began to talk about Australia's birdlife. A brolga swooped low over the audience to land and let us see the world's tallest flying bird, a tiny hawk demonstrated tool use in using a pebble to crack open an 'emu egg' (she was very enthusiastic, smashing up the proxy egg even after she got the treat out of it.), and a kite decided it was having too much fun in the sunshine to catch treats from the presenter. The show closed with a flight of white pigeons flying across the stage and circling a nearby tree over and over. The presenter told us that all these behaviours were created through positive reinforcement.
The rest of the zoo was fun, but not that eye opening. Elephants were adorable, snakes were looking for good sun baking spots (like my shoulder, it would be tempting to move to Sydney to have a python in the roof), and the tortoises can move surprisingly quickly when there's leafy greens involved.
The Corroborree
My sister and I went to see the Bengarra dance troupe perform at the Opera House that night, and that was absolutely breathtaking. They are an indigenous group, and their style is hard to pin down. Usually when you see a tribal style, it's all about the stomping and strong beat, but - as my sister put it - these dancers had nothing to prove, so their tribal was balletic, moving smoothly from a squat to a lunge, square strong arms to bending like branches. It was different from anything I'd seen before. Highly recommended.
Those were the high points of my holiday, and the only thing I regret is not visiting Mrs Macquarie seat - I still think that is a really impressive piece of ironwork.","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/19249.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/19041.html","pubDate":"Sun, 31 Jul 2011 00:55:35 GMT","title":"Just to let you know ","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/19041.html","description":"<\/a>neo_leviathan<\/b><\/a><\/span> and I have broken up. Formally a week ago, but it was brewing for a while. I had a grand adventure, however in the end we faded away.
Social stuff and games are on hiatus while I get myself sorted.","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/19041.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/18774.html","pubDate":"Fri, 17 Jun 2011 13:11:19 GMT","title":"The value of a good story","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/18774.html","description":" It was the first class of my winter intensive today - Evidence and Proof - which is all about the journey from the event in question to the events in the courtroom. We watched the tale of Ronald Cotton and Jennifer Thompson - with the moral that even a rational, focused eyewitness can be critically mistaken when it comes to identifying her rapist. We then heard the story of Farrah Jama - a Victorian case - where the only thing linking him to the scene of the alleged crime was the crisis centre identifying his dna in the victims hair (the woman had passed out in a nightclub, woken up in the toilet with her pants down, and worried that she might have been assaulted).
It comes out that the centre had contaminated samples, but in any case, the story didn't make sense. Jama was a young Somali man, and the location of the incident was an over 40s nightclub full of white people. He didn't appear on the security tapes, surely it would be too much of a stretch to think he danced around the gaps in the coverage?
And that's what the next two weeks will be about for me - creating stories that are consistent with the facts and assessing the reliability of those facts. I'm already enjoying it - we're covering a murder trial, and it's like running a murder mystery. And the methods we're learning should have wide application inside and outside of law.
In other news, I've joined the world of twitter and online scrabble. If anyone wants a game send me a message. Clearly MacGuffin is a tool for evil. My tool.","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/18774.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/18310.html","pubDate":"Mon, 30 May 2011 06:26:12 GMT","title":"The serious business of dressing up","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/18310.html","description":"
Welp, one exam down, two to go, then a winter subject, then another exam... Here's hoping the cocktail of caffeine and natural stimulants I took this weekend don't have too many side-effects.
On a more pleasant note, I'm tossing up what to wear to two upcoming events.
Firstly, the Continuum Maskobalo. I'm considering either a mishmash of my halloween outfit from last year and my bridesmaid dress. So think a punked out cornrow wig with horns and headphones, a kimono-esque skirt and obi, with stompin' silver docs. OR use neoleviathan's costume from last halloween - and go to a ball in a ballgown.
Second event - Halloween! The theme this year is to come as a character from a musical - and I love musicals. Currently thinking about:
- Frederick from Pirates of Penzance (I'm a G&S fangirl, but I think there should be some variety in what I dress as, otherwise it would be Katisha all the way!)
- Animal or possible the Swedish Chef from the Muppets (unless someone wants to partner me as a Statler and Waldorf duo?)
- Lina Lamont from Singing in the Rain
- Sebastian the Crab from the Little Mermaid (ok, that one would be less serious)
- Javert from Les Mis
I'm looking forward to seeing what other musicals are being dug up for this year!<\/p>
","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/18310.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/18026.html","pubDate":"Tue, 24 May 2011 04:01:39 GMT","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/18026.html","description":" Saw neo_leviathan off last night. You'd think after two farewell parties and getting the keys that it would have sunk in that he was off and out of my world for a serious amount of time, but that realisation hadn't quite sunk into my hindbrain until he walked through the gate and I realised I couldn't follow after him. It was a bit like when the hot water cuts out unexpectantly.
Judging from the text messages I got before he embarked, he was feeling similarly unnerved. Despite all the advice that's been flowing, no one mentioned green cards, or the labyrinth of corridors that is the International Terminal. For someone who isn't afraid of performing in front of Terry Pratchett, the thought of flying solo to the other side of the world suddenly struck rather hard. But the plane left, with him in it, and anyone who wants to join me in planning the biggest welcome home banner ever is free to leave some ideas.
"LF1M: DPS\/GM\/ BFF" sound reasonable?
Edit: I give up on LJ nametags.","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/18026.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/17890.html","pubDate":"Fri, 13 May 2011 05:03:23 GMT","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/17890.html","description":"Just a link for people who like to read stuff, the 2011 Press Freedom Report is out - http:\/\/issuu.com\/meaa\/docs\/press_freedom_report_2011<\/a> - which has articles including the legality of Wikileaks, the status of shield laws in Australia and the battle that is FOI. Most of the tone is about the Freedom of Information legislation, federally and on the state level, and the tensions between the media and the judiciary\/executive. They got some good people to write this stuff, so if you want an idea of where Australia stands on these issues - go to!
Also: Giving back the crutches today. It's been fun, swinging around like a knuckle-walking ape, but considering how odd trying to walk properly felt it's probably a good idea to let them go. If the weekend proves me wrong, well, I can always use an excuse to stay inside and do more study.","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/17890.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/17509.html","pubDate":"Mon, 09 May 2011 12:17:49 GMT","title":"How can one man be in charge of so much awesome?","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/17509.html","description":"On Saturday I hobbled down to All Star Comics (ok, I had some help) and met the very cool Tristan Jones. As I babbled down the phone to neoleviathan: "This guy is in charge of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles AND Ghostbusters! So - what should I ask him to draw?"
He now has a sketch of Donatello, teeth clenched, working away at his PC. The day was officially awesome right there.
But it continued, with people turning up in costumes that must have taken ages to work on - including a troupe of Batman movie villains and a most authentic Venkman.
When we managed to pull away from the spectacle, a bunch of us hunted down some lunch and discussed memes, communication and law jokes. We also discussed this little toy - http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=w06zvM2x_lw<\/a> - and it's potential to change the cues we use to read people's moods. Also, the possibility of cybernetics that don't require brain surgery. It's a simple idea in it's way - a headband that reads your brain activity and moves some cat ears to suit. It looks like it covers the temporal and frontal lobes, so the basic theory seems sound - detecting levels of activity and translating into 'relaxed' or 'concentrating'. In short, I'd love to play with one of these.","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/17509.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/16487.html","pubDate":"Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:03:41 GMT","title":"Around the Bay in a Day","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/16487.html","description":"Ok, I've put this off long enough I guess.
This year we stepped up from 50km to 100km - Sorrento to Melbourne.
That said, our training was somewhat haphazard, tempers were tried, harsh words said, and we never did achieve our goal of getting 110km into our legs before the big day.
On the Friday the heavens opened and did their best to drown Melbourne.
On Saturday we were watching the forecasts and danced around the possibility of pulling out while munching on our pasta.
On Sunday we got up bleary and left the house about twenty minutes after our planned time of departure. The start time was 8am and we wanted to have a decent chance of getting home in time for baths and birthday dinners. As people snoozed in the back seat Dad and I scanned the horizon - grey, windy, drizzle. There was a suggestion that maybe, maybe, we could just get a coffee in Sorrento and drive home again.
Then we saw a cyclist powering through the rain, spandex and all - all except his lower right leg. And after that we really couldn't pull out - not when the one-legged man was managing. And after that the weather did clear a little and favour us with a tailwind.
Without the rear basket my bike had a nice turn of speed and I was off! Mum and Dad would pass me when I stopped to lose a layer or two, then I'd pass one or the other of them at a toilet break. When I reached the first rest stop in Dromana I decided to wait for them to catch up, then we could attack the hill together.
I poked my rear tire. Hmm, a little soft. I sent some triumphant texts to folks enjoying their Sunday morning snooze. Waited a good 15min. Finally messaged parents that I'd see them in Frankston and tested my tires again. Ohcrap. That's _very_soft now.
Spit, blood and pus, there was no repair station set up at the rest stop. I wasn't carrying a repair kit or my wallet, so I lost two hours waiting for my sister to return from Mordialloc, give me a lift to the nearest bike shop (who were amazing - the owner's mum changed my tube and everything!) and then I had to consider my options. Ride on from Dromana, 2 hours behind the group, or get a lift to the Mordialloc lunch stop.
I took the lift, and cut a good chunk out of the ride. Still not happy with that - feels like a cop out, what with the Frankston stretch being the hardest with the hills. I guess next time I do it I make sure I carry a spare tube and have the know-how to change it.
The stretch from Mordialloc was good. It was nice to speed off, overtake people (granted, my legs were fresher than theirs) and at one point I even led a peloton up a hill!!! There were people cheering as I wheeled into Alexandra Gardens and frabjulous day - a free massage tent.
Parents were about 30min behind me, and I'm hugely proud of the two of them. 100km was a big goal, and Dad wasn't too sure his ankle would last the whole way, having sprained it earlier that week. Of course, now Mum is talking about some 180km ride over two days somewhere near Bright...
I don't know if we will do Round the Bay again anytime soon - for one thing, it's not a good time of year for me or my sister, with study and exams. For another, it's a little annoying that all the entry fee goes to Bicycle Victoria and not to the Smith Family. Yes, I thoroughly appreciate the efforts they go to making my city a better place to ride, but...
Then again, is this the deal with all organised rides?
Anyway. Good day out, good time with family, feel free to post some questions if you have any.","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/16487.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/15534.html","pubDate":"Fri, 23 Feb 2007 22:25:01 GMT","title":"The Interview Meme Spreads...","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/15534.html","description":"1) Out of all the roleplaying systems you've seen or played, what style do you like best?
Hmm...I admire the In Nomine system, in some ways its simpler than freeforming or the variant
we used in IMU - 3D6 only. The Deadlands style looks charming, but has a ridiculous interaction
of dice and cards that will either entertain or infuriate. And if D10 is the metric system then
D20 is the Imperial - origins lost in the past, a sedimentary layering of rules...
2) If you had to walk into a salon and get three piercings, what would you get?
I have been considering getting my upper pinna or even the rim pierced. I don't think I have the
face to carry a nose or eyebrow ring, and a tongue or lip would be irritating. Below the face is
currently off the cards.
3) If Subject to Change was running another play, what terry pratchett play would you most like to do, and what character would you want to play?
Good Omens! Anathema Device...or Sister Mary and a cameo as Hastur. They'd be pretty fun.
The burning car would be a bitch, but, as an actor - not my problem!
4) What is the skill that you have that you are most proud of?
Problemsolving. Its kind of related to debating, I visualise the problem as this vague 3D shape, and
I find its strengths and weaknesses. I'll happily argue either side of any issue with someone who
doesn't take it personally. It gets messy otherwise.
I realised a while ago that its very rare for anyone in my family to say \"I don't know how\", we may
recommend someone else as an expert, but we will still give a lot of thought to the matter.
5) Which tactic in a combat situation would you be more likely to employ:
a) Run and hide
b) Use an efficient and careful force to take out your opponent, thereby conserving your resources
c) Obliterate your enemy with and overwhelming assault, thereby ensuring you win that skirmish
Can I choose a combination of A and B? I trust my hiding and sniping skills more than my ability for
overwhelming assault. Besides, you need good intel and a clear goal before you smite, otherwise
its wasteful.","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/15534.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/14856.html","pubDate":"Fri, 17 Nov 2006 01:40:51 GMT","title":"Bad Film Festival","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/14856.html","description":"And we ain't talking your regular class of bad. These are films that are so bad, they're good.
On the line-up so far we have:
Tongan Ninja! (by the creators of Tongan Ninja)
Horror Express (satanic alien mutants, or alien mutant satanists or...Has Peter Cushing!)
and that classic, Plan 9 from Outer Space.
My place, 26th of November, 6.00pm start. Hopefully after running around shooting each other with lasers the night before some of us will be in the right frame of mind.
Other details - while a reverent silence is customary in order to fully appreciate the lack of substance on the screen, this event borrows more from the MST tradition. Heckle, please, and wear something to ensure you have a distinctive sillouette.
Please feel free to reply with RSVPs and what you can bring to this event.","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/14856.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/14583.html","pubDate":"Wed, 27 Sep 2006 15:17:38 GMT","title":"Something I thought of years ago. And posted today.","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/14583.html","description":"I think the deciding difference between the city and the country is the amount of personal attention paid to everything. I walk through town and realise that every brick, every tree, every inch of bitumen was placed there by the hand of man. In the country you can see things no other human has ever seen.
I think this is what we call \u2018civilization\u2019, the ability to cocoon ourselves in an environment of our own making. Like caddis-fly larva, we collect things as we go and use them as a home, a shell, a mini-world for ourselves. It distracts us from whatever is going on outside and occludes our view with assumptions.
For example, the Australian Government\u2019s attempts to incorporate the Aboriginals into capitalist culture. We assume that what every family wants is a roof over their heads, electricity and running water. There is a photograph that still makes me laugh: A commission house in the outback, with the required fridge, television and lights. The family has moved all the furniture outside, and are cheerfully watching telly in the backyard. Even funnier, a few months after this ambitious program began, the electricity cut out. Western Civilization seems to rely on power supply, or else it cuts out along with the fridge.","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/14583.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/14272.html","pubDate":"Wed, 20 Sep 2006 03:30:23 GMT","title":"Song meme","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/14272.html","description":"It seems simple enough. Five songs, starting with a given letter. Comment and get a letter of your own.
BUT.
I got mine from <\/a>neo_leviathan<\/b><\/a><\/span> and being the devious soul that he is, he gave me E. There are some perfectly good letters available, D would have given me Devils Advocate and Diamonds on the inside, F has Fisherman's Woman and Feel Good by Numbers. My own selection of tunes would be hard pressed to provide five songs, but for this week only I have the truly extensive, eclectic, and eccentric collection of my brother. Have at thee!
Evil Woman, by the ELO.
I'm sure I've heard this one elsewhere...good song. But do extra Es give me extra points?
Embrace the Sunshine, by Quench
I was first introduced to this song by <\/a>sols_light<\/b><\/a><\/span>, and it has remained one of my favourites. Now if only someone would write about the rain....
El Tango de Roxanne, from Moulin Rouge
I love the tune so much! The way the strings weave and snap - if only there weren't those irritating vocals.
Eyes without a Face, by Billy Idol
Eh, the title sounded cool. The song itself...its a bit bland.
Existing in a Crisis, by Bayside
Never heard of the band, or the song. *listens* Not bad, not hugely distinctive, fine lyrics.","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/14272.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/14040.html","pubDate":"Mon, 18 Sep 2006 03:03:00 GMT","title":"A device for catching lions in Scotland","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/14040.html","description":"Its been a while. Lots of stuff has happened, and I really don't know where to start. Um.
In the relevant section of the news, I'm taking leave from uni for a year. Hoping to finish my unfortunately-extended course in the summer of 2007, I'll be using the time to work on all those good intentions I started the year with, which have fallen into the gutter in favour of quick distractions.
I have lots of things I want to get back into, like my art (which has always been there for when I'm stressed), writing, and travel. Work is being overly helpful with the last part - after being in debt over rent, I've found a tidy sum in my account, large enough to make me pause and wonder \"Did I actually work 50+ hours last fortnight?\"
So I'm sitting pretty on the cash front and hoping like hell to never be broke again. Unlikely, but as I have fulltime contracts with the department until mid-February I should be fine.
On a more trivial note - new icons! I made them years ago on a laptop without net-access, and my Dad recently ravaged said laptop for my files, burnt them onto a CD, then asked if I wanted a few dozen albums to fill the remaining space. Three years of uni squeezed onto 200MB. *sigh*
This icon comes from playing around with Utena images taken from
Empty Movement <\/a>. Its a brilliant source for Utena-fans...if you're into that sort of thing.
Lastly, Mad Scientists are Back. If you don't believe me, check out Girl Genius <\/a> and Narbonic <\/a>. Cool, neh?","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/14040.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/13572.html","pubDate":"Thu, 29 Jun 2006 05:32:43 GMT","title":"Pirate Day at Readings","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/13572.html","description":"PIRATES!
Spruiking for Readings here, but on the 15th of July, 10-10.30am they're having a Pirate Day!
Do we really need more of an excuse to dress up and go Arrr! at small children?
Oh yes, and some author will appear.
Arrrrrrrr!
Reply and we shall endeavour to set up some kind of brunch.","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/13572.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/13492.html","pubDate":"Thu, 27 Apr 2006 01:45:20 GMT","title":"Pratchett, you are a bad, bad, man","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/13492.html","description":"Months ago I astounded flatmates with my insight. In the hazy moments of waking up, I had an epiphany. Pausing only to put on my dressing gown I opened my door and pronounced:
\"The Wee Free Men are Smurfs!\"
(They _are_. Just think about it.)
Today I had a similar moment.
Twoflower is the Occidental Tourist.
All of you who already knew this can refrain from patting me on the head. Thankyou.","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/13492.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/13243.html","pubDate":"Wed, 19 Apr 2006 03:27:42 GMT","title":"Just to prove that you can reach the internet from here...","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/13243.html","description":"Even at the far end of the phone grid, the net is within reach.
I haven't posted in...well forever. Partly because I can never think of something to say that isn't trite, obvious or redundant since those who need to know tend to see me weekly. However, this clearly should not be a consideration in LiveJournal.
My life is damn good at the moment. This year has the potential to be one of the best. I've moved out of the bedsit and into a sharehouse - now I'm really out of the family support net. If I need their help I will have to ask for it - and most people who know me know that I find that difficult. Eldest child pride I suspect. But at the same time my work has become more secure. I have regular shifts at a house only an hour away, with High Needs, so there is little chace of being injured in the line of duty. High chance of catching Hep B, though, so I'll have to check my immunities.
I've taken up Wu Shu, a harder (in the sense of being more agressive) relative of Tai Chi. And I can now touch my toes for the first time in years! This is quite big for me, as I could once lace my ankles behind my neck and comfortably watch tv. Over time I convinced myself that my legs were simply to long to reach. I wonder what else will become possible this year, that I previously assumed impossible.
Relationships are a big one. I've never been comfortable in strange groups, so I have to keep encouraging myself to start the connection, rather than riding along in the wake of friends.Its something I have to keep in mind whenever opportunity presents, rather than retiring to my room to hermit for the day.
Conquest.
I didn't actually sign up for any games, but came solely to paint. I used to paint miniatures and I wanted to see if I still could. I won third place in the Novices Category, which is a kind of mixed answer. I understand my prize is something in theme with what I painted over the weekend, which is kind of creepy. I painted an Inquisitor, a Deathknight and a Succubus (she was chosen solely for her dynamic pose and if anyone suggests different they shall suffer wrathful smiting), so pondering what else could be in keeping with the theme is rather daunting. These pieces will hopefully become minions in the next DnD campaign I run, which I'm storyboarding at the moment. Its an extension of the game I ran at Unicon, so if anyone is interested or has ideas for a gothic setting, give me a call.
For example, what could a demon use to divide and possibly corrupt two orders of LG? How can I best use an evil bard? What random acts of villainy can illustrate the foul depths of Intelligent Evil? Why doesn't the villain smite the players while they are still weak and puny, instead of letting them grow to dangerous levels?
This is what I'm scheming for at the moment.","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/13243.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/12806.html","pubDate":"Tue, 21 Feb 2006 09:13:00 GMT","title":"In Nomine Veritas...","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/12806.html","description":"In Nomine is a game that allows players to really analyse the shades of good and evil. Unlike DnD (hah!), it is possible to be nominally good, yet murder, lie and steal. In the name of heaven of course. Most of the characters special abilities give a roleplaying effect, rather than a straight mechanical effect. AND YOU ONLY NEED 3 DICE. (If that).
The other thing I like is that it adapts to almost any setting. The default setting is still Earth today, but a historical saga, leaping forward a few hundred years at a time across continents is still possible. The future could be a standard post-apocalyptic battleground - which dramatically alters the face of the game.
The Apocalypse is a rather important event in the battle between Heaven and Hell, even if humanity remains under the impression that nothing more has happened than a nuclear holocaust. Or we could have Utopia, a la Aeon Flux, with an underground resistance of demons and those angels who fear the loss of free will.
The story of each character should be a journey from their Choir\/Band and Superior stereotype to something human. Really good players should appreciate the power humans have in the game, as they alone are not defined by what they are.
Makes sense? No sense? This isn't an introduction to the game, go look at the In Nomine Collection<\/a> for that. This is just my plea that in the mad popularity of games with stereotyped characters, something that requires a little more art is still appreciated.","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/12806.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/12774.html","pubDate":"Wed, 04 Jan 2006 01:33:58 GMT","title":"While I was away...","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/12774.html","description":"Looking over others LJs, it seems to be the season of da loot. I'm actually very happy with my haul, with just about everything I asked for, including a very fine easel. My grandmother (who is still advising my mum to get a face-lift) got me a facial care case, with the advice that at 22 I should really be looking after my skin - the case doubles nicely as a toiletries bag. But I'm really quite proud of the gifts I gave, which seemed to hit that note of pleased surprise I strive for every year.
Pride of place goes to the print I got my sister, \"Make Art not War\". Its partly a housewarming gift, and partly just too perfect not to get for her. But the Late Show runs a close second. Music and dvds really require that you know the person, otherwise it's a bit like chocolate - perfectly ok, just not much thought invested in it.
I'm practically getting a second Christmas - unpacking boxes and sorting out my new room! It will require tight control over the amount of crap that I can't bear to part with - but I do have a couple of convenient 'free spaces' such as above the wardrobe and under the bed. AND I can finally put all those posters up!
For New Year I skipped off to Cairns with Mum and my brother. We went to Cape Trib two days before, in the Last Car in Cairns (a Suzuki Sierra) which achieved top speed of 82km\/hr. No suspension. Mum was hugely embarassed by being overtaken by a Getz. We didn't see any cassowaries or crocodiles, but I did see Ulysses butterflies - absolutely gorgeous. Mangrove swamps were kind of creepy, the lines and the light reminded me of ancient cathedrals.
My overwhelming memory is of snorkelling out at Michaelmas Cay. It's a bird sanctuary, with 20'000 nesting seabirds crammed onto a tiny island. We were only permitted on to a small roped-off area, but I barely spent any time onshore. The time just flew, and I used up the film in my overpriced marine camera before lunch. I hopehopehope there's some decent shots in that - I forgot my cardinal rule, it may seem beautiful at the time but photos are more interesting for others when there is a person in them. I was stuck in a HUGE gimp suit -ahem- stinger suit, but I barely noticed. My time was spent going \"wow\" and making other sounds of awe. It wasn't like the press releases, but it was...breathtaking. Simply Beautiful. Just one of those holy moments when you forget everything in a blue daze - but it lasted four hours.
Next time I'm going on a three day cruise where all you do is snorkel. I might try scubadiving - but I have had occasional attacks of claustrophobia. T taught me to deep-dive, to get up close, then huff all the water out of the snorkel when I resurfaced. And you can get some decent speed with flippers.
New Years Eve was not much when compared to this.
So that was my first holiday in five years. I think the next will be a roadtrip.","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/12774.html?view=comments#comments"},{"guid":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/12447.html","pubDate":"Fri, 02 Dec 2005 05:22:05 GMT","author":"aurellia","link":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/12447.html","description":"Its that time of year again, where I set myself numerous goals and achieve only half of them. The priority is to earn as much cash as I'm legally permitted, in order to be comfortable about moving out of Cairo and marking another box off in the Becoming Independant checklist. I'll also want enough to fly to Cairns and back in peak season, and after that I'll save for a laptop. It looks like I'll be getting very little sleep.
The accomodation situation is like a shell game. My sister was going to be moving in with me since forever, in order to find a job in town and prepare for her first year. Two weeks before she moves in, I'm asked if I'd like to move in with <\/a>hespa<\/b><\/a><\/span> and <\/a>sols_light<\/b><\/a><\/span>. My initial reaction was \"I'd love to, but...\" But I have obligations. But I don't know if I can hold up my end. But I've never even considered this, not really, not practically. My sister is going to think I don't want to share with her - and this was the big issue. I'd already hurt her when I flagged that I didn't think I could share a bedsit with her for seven months. I _really_ did'nt want to hurt her again.
Fortunately, me moving out was entirely reliant on having a place to move in to. And the flatmate moving out seemed to oscillate between right now and sometime soon. So I'll have a month with B, enough time for her to appreciate having a place of her own, then move to a place three blocks away. Anytime she calls I'm just ten minutes away. So I seem to have fallen on my feet again.","comments":"https:\/\/aurellia.livejournal.com\/12447.html?view=comments#comments"}]}}