Last year I was in a funk and really was not in a mood to do any re-enacting what-so-ever. What a difference a year makes. I've got two weeks before my next event and I'm already chomping at the bit. To make matters even worse this is after two winter camps and Fort De Chartres, so I already have some under my belt for this year. It's not like I've been sitting dormant since October like I did in seasons past.

Poor Ktreva is having to deal with my rants and rampages of cleaning up the camp. We got our new Wedge tent last week and are selling our wall tent. I'm looking at getting rid of our camp chairs because they aren't period correct, in fact they aren't period correct until you get to modern times. Sure they are made of wood, but they really were a product of modern re-enacting. I'm having a new coat made for me so I can get rid of my Capote, you know the one that they questioned when I juried into Fort De Chartres.

I think the biggest change is going to be that I'm shaving my facial hair off. After a discussion at Fort De Chartres with my pals Petey and Wil, I came home and did some research. Damned if it isn't heavily documented that Western Europeans as a standard didn't have facial hair. Sure, some of my research shows they may have gone up to a week with out shaving, but they would have shaved on the Sabbath and/or upon returning to a settlement.

Thus, I'm going to be shaving off my facial hair. That's right, my upper lip and chin are once again going to be exposed to sunlight after at least a good 12 years of being covered. Ktreva is a little mixed on this. She really likes the idea of no more scruffy face. To be honest, part of me doesn't want to shave it off. I think I look even dorkier with out facial hair. Plus I think it makes me look like I'm about 12. Yet a larger part of me really doesn't want to be incorrect for my persona. Thus I'm set that I'm shaving it off. However, I'm going to wait until the last minute to do so. It's getting bushy again and I'm going to donate the trimmings to locks of love.

I'm kidding, but I wonder....

Anyways, so I'm a bustle around the house all worked up and ready to head out to Macktown. I've gotten so bad that Ktreva actually laughed at me.

Posted by: Contagion at 06:17 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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1 "I've gotten so bad that Ktreva actually laughed at me." Uhhhh yeah....and that's different from other times HOW?!?!?! ;-)

Posted by: Tammi at April 14, 2008 06:55 PM (pKwEP)

2 Ummm.. you do remember what happened when I shaved my facial hair off don't you? Bad, bad idea!

Posted by: Shadoglare at April 14, 2008 08:11 PM (zXx/Z)

3 Quit blaming your mid-life crisis' on me, dammit. Wil and I NEVER said you should shave your facial hair off, nor did we tell you to get rid of your chairs.

Posted by: Petey at April 14, 2008 08:24 PM (JhiOW)

4 Ummm no comment. You know how I know your're gay?

Posted by: Bruce at April 14, 2008 08:45 PM (Dw9SA)

5 YOU ARE THE MAN!!!!! I admire you so much that I want to pattern my life after you! Wait a minute. My mistake, I ment John Wayne. Anyway keep up the good fight. And do what you think is right and the rest be damned!!!

Posted by: wil at April 14, 2008 09:18 PM (i9qka)

6 Tammie: Not much Shadoglare: Yea, but I'm doing it anyway. Petey: I'm not having a mid-life crisis, and I didn't blame you. Defensive much? Bruce: Because I hang out with you? Wil: Sarcasm, really? From you?

Posted by: Contagion at April 15, 2008 07:17 AM (Q5WxB)

7 I heartily recommend a mid-life crisis. They're freakin' awesome! They work better with facial hair, though...

Posted by: Harvey at April 16, 2008 07:53 PM (VSEpa)

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I know that I normally post stuff like this on a Saturday, but a friend of mine just sent it to me and I don't want to wait a week. It's kind of long, but funny. It's a spoof of Shakespeare in Love and the Star Wars Trilogy.

Posted by: Contagion at 08:55 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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1 Having seen all 5 of the referenced movies (6, if you count THX-113 , I find this hilarious.

Posted by: Harvey at April 14, 2008 03:21 PM (VSEpa)

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I'm off to get the MRI on my foot. Here's to hoping for a really bad sprain.

Posted by: Contagion at 08:21 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Everybody is modifying their cars today. Be it rims, spoilers, artwork or what not, they are doing it. Well I finally found something I need to get for my truck... because I don't own a De Lorean. I can get a Flux Capacitor!

Yes, it's kinda geeky... but it's still cool. Right?

Posted by: Contagion at 08:19 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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We've all seen it before, you know where someone photoshops something and it looks like crap. Hell, I'm guilty of it too. But what if it's a professional company, say an add company or a magazine that photoshops something and it just goes awry? Well there is now a blog dedicated to Photoshop Disasters.

Some of these are funny, others are just kind of disturbing, especially the half baby.

Posted by: Contagion at 08:12 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Ever want to get revenge on someone or someplace for a slight, but really don't want to hurt anyone? Well over atRockford City Hall"> Come Bomb they have a solution for you. You can place a "bomb" on Google maps.

I decided that since I'm tired of the City of Rockford's government I'd tag the Rockford City Hall.

Go place a bomb yourself.

Posted by: Contagion at 07:56 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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I saw this over at A Wee Dram or Three and felt that I needed to take it.

Really, this wasn't much of a test. I re-enact an 18th century distiller. I've done a lot of research, both in library and bar, about alcohol.

Posted by: Contagion at 02:48 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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1 98%

Posted by: Quality Weenie at April 12, 2008 10:53 AM (BksWB)

2 I took your stupid test and guess what? I'm just a LUSH!!!!!! HA! HA!! I rekon that settles the who got who drunk. Because Pety was classed a drunkard. SO THERE!!!!!

Posted by: wil at April 12, 2008 06:53 PM (i9qka)

3 Wil, that doesn't settle anything. I just happen to know more about alcohol than you do. See, you're not sophisticated enough to drink anything other than beer.

Posted by: Contagion at April 13, 2008 09:06 AM (f5Co1)

4 I scored 95% - go figure...

Posted by: Richmond at April 13, 2008 04:21 PM (TusZ+)

5 Very outstanding website.Nice post — this really hits home for me. fast embroidery digitizing Now lets see if I can do something productive with it. industrial design I am definitely bookmarking this page and sharing it with my friends. Tape Digitizing Your work has always been a great source of inspiration for me. promotional products I refer you blog to many of my friends as well.Keep posting stuff like this i really like it.

Posted by: coolprototyping at February 16, 2011 12:43 AM (77xVM)

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I had a couple of readers leave comments on my orriginal post about Travis Castle and the break in of Stillman Valley. I left this comment on that post.

Penny: There is a wrong and a right side to the story. Travis and crew were wrong for breaking into the house. I'm sorry, they were. I don't care how anyone tries to sugar coat that fact. He ought to have known that it was illegal. Two wrongs don't make a right, but killing someone to defend life, limb or property is not wrong.

A Friend: I never said Travis pointed a gun at anyone, just that he had a gun. But to be honest gun or not if it had been my house and he was in there, you're damn right I would have shot him. And no, I would not have "aimed to maim". I'm ex-law enforcement and I'm sorry, I know that tactic more often than not doesn't work.

I have a son that is with in months of Travis' age. And you know what, I can keep him away from friends I don't want him hanging out with. I have also instilled in him a serious sense of right and wrong. I may have my issues with him, but to this point the only criminal activity he's been involved in was damage to my property.

Travis wasn't murdered. He was killed while committing a felony in self defense. God gave man a brain and free will. Whether or not Travis and his friends used the first is questionable, but they definitely used the second.

Maybe, just maybe in this society of pass the blame if people would wake up and take responsibility for their own actions our country would straighten things up. But no, we are a victim society. Every time someone does something wrong, or every time something bad happens to someone it's somebody elseÂ’s fault.

Travis made a decision. His decision was bad. As a result of that bad decision HE GOT HIMSELF KILLED. IE Travis killed himself. Don't blame anyone but Travis for the death. It's not being filled with hate, it's not being cold hearted, it's not being an asshole, it's just the way it is.

I thought my response, due to length, really demanded it's own post.

I know the family and friends are grieving. I feel for them and their loss. It is a tragedy, but this is something that Travis brought upon himself.

Also there is an update to the story in the Rockford Register Star.

"Moore drove Castle and the other two teens to what they thought was an unoccupied house in Stillman Valley to steal weapons, Ogle County Sheriff Gregory Beitel said Thursday.

Moore knew that there were firearms in the house; and Moore knew that the homeownder was hospitalized. He did not know that another person was staying overnight in the house, "Beitel said. Beitel said Moore was acquainted witht he family that owned the house. "

AND

"Other items taken from the house were found in Castle's jean pockets."

The article also states that the firearm that Travis was holding came from the house and that none of the individuals involved brought a firearm with them.

Again, to me it doesn't matter. Travis being in the house itself was room for self-defense in my eyes. The fact he was holding a gun just makes it more of a legally viable defense if the state decides to charge the House guest, which at this point doesn't appear they are going to.

Posted by: Contagion at 07:53 AM | Comments (12) | Add Comment
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I was doing some research on part of my persona when I stumbled across The Contemplator's Short History of the Jacobite Uprisings. Which, really is a very, very short (even for Cliff Notes) history of the Jacobites. But that's not why I'm posting about it. That is because at the bottom of the page there is a very nice list of Jacobite Songs/Music. I've spent some time listening to the ones I hadn't heard before.

They also give you a little bit of history about each song as to when it was written and what the song is about. I thought that was pretty neat. So for you Living History Musicians out there... (Cough) Wes, (Cough) Petey (Cough) Me when I'm really, really drunk (Cough), you might want to take a look at these.

Posted by: Contagion at 04:11 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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There was a news conference today regarding the Stillman Valley home invasion where Travis Castle was killed. While searching for information on what was said, I found this following video clip:

I know this video was prior to them catching the other boys that were involved, but I wanted to share it anyway. The father is blaming the boys involved and not the yet to officially be identified House Guest. I applaud the father for putting the blame in the right general direction. Travis is still part of the blame, but there appears to be outside influence.

When I get the info on the news conference today, I'll share that with you all as well.

Posted by: Contagion at 03:52 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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I went to the doctor today to follow up on my foot. He's pretty sure it's not broken, but he thinks I may have done something even worse. I may have ruptured a ligament. Tomorrow I get to schedule an MRI to see if this is the case. If I did rupture a ligament, that means surgery and rehab and could end up meaning I have to take a couple of months off of re-enacting. BAH! On the other hand he also said that if that's not the case I may have just sprained it really bad and that all I need to do then is stay off of it for a while. I'm hoping for option number two.

Oh and just in case you didn't notice, I created a special section in my side bar to give credit to those of you that have donated beers to my reviews. May the gods smile upon you!

Posted by: Contagion at 06:32 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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Shadoglare again sponsored tonightÂ’s beer. He was over a couple of weeks ago and left me a Great Northern Porter by the Summit Brewing Company in St. Paul, MN to review.

It came in a customized 12 oz brown bottle. The bottle had the summit logo with grain stalks on it cast into the glass. The label is brown with the summit logo on it and the name of the beer below. Along with a seal that states it was established in 1986.

The beer pours a nice dark brown color with ruby accents. A nice tan quarter inch head formed as it was being poured. The head faded to a nice film on the top of the beer that seems to last. There is some lacing on the side of the glass.

The smell is an overpowering combination of Coffee and Chocolate. You can also detect a faint scent of dark roasted grain. I donÂ’t know if it was the actual alcohol content or the combination of smells described, but there was a faint smell of alcohol. The taste starts with a bitter bakerÂ’s chocolate flavor with a hint of coffee. There is a slight bitter hop finish to it. The aftertaste is bitter, but not over powering.

It is a medium bodied beer. The combination level seems a little high for a porter, but itÂ’s nothing to complain about.

This is a decent beer, itÂ’s a little bitter for a porter, but not bitter enough I wouldnÂ’t drink more of it. Overall I give this a 5.5 out of 10.

Posted by: Contagion at 05:49 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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When I returned from my trip on Sunday I heard a news story about a 14 year old boy being killed during a home invasion in Stillman Valley. The kid was breaking into the house and a house guest who was house sitting for the owner that was in an accident a couple of days prior shot the kid. (Here are news stories about it from local news sources: Rockford Register Star, WREX, WIFR, WTVO). Tammi of Tammi's World has a post up about her reaction as she lives in the community shattered by this incident.

When I first heard this story, I told Ktreva I thought I knew the home owner from down at Fritz's. It turns out I was right, I had met him a couple of times when I was down there hanging out with T1G.

Today this was the big talk on the radio and news. I don't just mean the talk radio circuit either. The music stations where also discussing it. The big news today was that they announced the name of the 14 year old boy who was shot, Travis Castle.

This brought up a lot of different discussions, but the one that pissed me off was when people would say that the house guest should be arrested and sent to jail for killing the 14 year old boy. You know what, bullocks to that! The house guest, who was in the house legally heard someone breaking in, grabbed a firearm and chose to defend himself and his friends property. When he saw the 14 year old punk holding a weapon he shot him. This is a clear cut case of self defense if I ever heard one.

Now before I go any further I do want to give my condolences to the boy's mother and father. It's tough to lose a child. Yet, he shouldn't have been in the house. I don't know if this is the first time Travis got in trouble or if he had already started down the path to be a career criminal. Either way he chose the wrong day and the wrong house to break into. The kid brought it upon himself.

If anyone deserves to go to jail for Travis' death it's the two partners he had. I don't know if the kids are being protected, but I find it hard to believe that no one knows who Travis was hanging out with that night. If I was Travis' parents I'd be out looking for the two idiots, that along with Travis, decided to break into the house.

The police have not identified the house guest yet, so I'm not sure if I know the individual or not, but I really hope the State's attorney decides that he was acting with in his rights. If they don't I know I'll be donating to his defense fund.

The other thing that pissed me off about this is the number of people blaming the guns. "If guns were illegal, none of this would have happened. They wouldn't have broken into the house and no one would have gotten shot." Okay, were as if we lived in a world there were no firearms, that doesn't mean Travis would have been beaten to death with a baseball bat. The only way this whole thing could have been completely prevented would be if Travis and his friends didn't break into the house. The responsibility for the death lies solely at their feet.

UPDATE: (04/09/0 They caught the others involved.

UPDATE: (04/12/0 I created a new post based on my comment below. Also, here is an update in the RRSTAR on the story about the Three others involved and more details. It appears they specifically went there to steal firearms.

Posted by: Contagion at 05:33 PM | Comments (14) | Add Comment
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1 We had an incident near here where a man pried the vent hood off the roof of a house, climbed into the attic and fell through the ceiling into the house in the middle of the night. The home owner grabbed his gun, went to investigate, found the stranger in his home, and ordered him to leave. Several times. He shouted so loud, the neighbors woke up and heard. The stranger, while unarmed, did not leave. He wandered down the hallway. And when he entered the bedroom of the home owner's daughter, the home owner shot him. In the back. But not dead. So later, the stranger was able to file suit for pain and suffering. Fortunately, the judge laughed him out of court. The only people who disagree with the judge are friends and family of the stranger. Everyone else wishes the home owner had aimed a little better.

Posted by: Roses at April 08, 2008 07:36 PM (bzwf1)

2 It's unfortunate that this had to happen. The blame lies solely at the feet of the children. At that age the DO know what they are doing but are still dumb enough to ignore the consequences. Of course the parents are NOT going to fess up to their child's wrong doings but will blame everything from the guns to the man staying there. I feel the for the man in the house. It's unimaginable what he will go through the rest of his life.

Posted by: Navy CPO at April 08, 2008 09:02 PM (D6gq/)

3 I feel bad for the kids parents, but I feel worse for the guy that shot him. I can't imagine what he must be going through right now, even though the kid had it coming - breaking and entering? With a weapon? Yeah, sad as it is, he had it coming.

Posted by: Wes at April 08, 2008 09:47 PM (1crE/)

4 "But Castle’s parents expressed doubt about the self-defense argument. “He was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” his mother said." -------------------------------------------------- I just read that in the Rockford Register Star. Doubts about the self-defense argument? Are they STONED!? Your precious little boy pointed a RIFLE AT ANOTHER HUMAN BEING! And got his chest perforated for it! And "he was in the wrong place at the wrong time"?! Who put him in that "wrong place"? HE DID! Willingly and knowingly!! It's not like he was eating in the local diner when a truck crashes through the window and kills him... He was willingly breaking and entering into another's home, and he pointed a gun at the resident! It wasn't an accident, it was a FELONY! If the parents want to blame somebody, they can blame their son (for starters) and they can blame THEMSELVES for letting their son hang out with people they suspected already where bad influences, but no they'll blame the eeevil guns, and the citizen that used one to defend himself. Bastards just piss me off...

Posted by: Wes at April 08, 2008 10:19 PM (1crE/)

5 The Castle Doctrine under Missouri Law defends the homeowner in cases just like this. Under that Doctrine you have the right to protectyour home, property or vehicle. Shame Illinois is still in the dark ages.

Posted by: BloodSpite at April 09, 2008 11:34 AM (dl14p)

6 "The only way this whole thing could have been completely prevented would be if Travis and his friends didn't break into the house. The responsibility for the death lies solely at their feet." So very true. And I feel bad for the guy who shot him - what a thing to have to live with even though he was in the right.

Posted by: Richmond at April 09, 2008 02:35 PM (VbTiz)

7 Nice. Nice how the older boys let the youngest hold their shotgun. I hope there was at least one more friend who decided not to join the rest that night. One kid with a brain.

Posted by: Roses at April 10, 2008 09:37 AM (jCDHV)

8 Amen. Couldn't have said it better myself. It is a shame for the parents; however, they may have been saved a lifetime of misery. It is pretty obvious the kid was headed down a nasty road in life and usually its the parents who bear the brunt of the child's bad choices in life. It may sound bad, but maybe better dead now than stuck in prison or dead in the gutter later?

Posted by: TNT at April 10, 2008 10:12 AM (VSEpa)

9 Hi Gang... I blogged about this: http://chucksplace.wordpress.com/2008/04/08/sorry-dont-have-no-pity-for-nobody-this-stupid/ and Yes, I do feel that way... Punk kid had it coming. -Chuck

Posted by: Chuck in Michigan at April 10, 2008 05:19 PM (BH4he)

10 In Florida this would be open and shut. Easy case... Our Governor is a member of the NRA and today they just passed a law stating we are allowed to have guns in our cars at work, as long as we have a concealed weapons permit, unless of course you work at a school and then you can't. People can say what they want about Florida, but you can protect yourself here and nobody questions. I feel for the guy who shot the kid. He was defending himself, but he will forever remember the day he shot a 14 year old kid, even if the kid was guilty as hell.

Posted by: Bou at April 10, 2008 07:05 PM (mPTKU)

11 the saddest thing of all of this is that all of you self righteous, non God fearing idiots feel there is a right or wrong side to this. that you with out knowning either party want to side with, defend or condemn. your lives are pitiful. i hope sometime in your pointless future you learn to love and cherish life, and rid yourselves of your hatred. those of you who have written the "bad road" Travis would have been on, you are on a worse road because you are the evil that infests this world. There are two broken families here, and there are always two sides, but sorrow should be left to be sorrow, and stupidity should be silenced.

Posted by: penny isham at April 10, 2008 07:57 PM (3tfsp)

12 First of all, the story that was given to this person is incorrect. Travis didn't point a gun at anybody! He may of had a weapon in his hand but he dropped it as soon as he say the homeowner. And did I mention that the lights were on. So, that means the homeowner saw this and stll decided to pull the trigger..in the head and in the chest. So pretty muvh shoot to kill. Now, I agree that he shouldn't have been doing what he was doing but the homeowner didn't have to kill him. I am a very close firend of the cousin of Travis and I had met him once before and he didn't seem like a bad kid at all. And his parents loved him dearly. And how can you say the parents shouldn't have let him hang out with those kids....have you tried telling your kids not to hang out with somebody...but it didn't work to well.Unless your over protective and lock them in the house forever. YOu people have no heart. A 14 year old just basically got murdered and you think he deserved it. OH and by the way the police wont the the family kinow anything about the autopsey or about the police repoets....nice keeping the family in the dark. Havent they been through enough!

Posted by: A friend at April 10, 2008 07:58 PM (cgBwc)

13 Dear, "A Friend", While I'm sorry for the Travis's family for the unbelievable loss that they are experiencing. Let's call a spade a spade. First, "He may of had a weapon in his hand but he dropped it as soon as he say the homeowner.", um were you there? Did you witness firsthand what took place in that house? If so, then you need to be talking to the police and explaining your actions or lack thereof. Second, "Now, I agree that he shouldn't have been doing what he was doing but the homeowner didn't have to kill him." Um, that's where you're wrong. See kids today are coddled WAY too much. There are fewer parents that know by drawing a hard line in the sand and setting expectations and consequences, is the only way you raise a good person. Travis should not have even had the THOUGHT of entering someone else's home for the purpose of seeing what they could get. There was no point to this and this dumb kid brought about his own death as a result. He made the choice to go. He made the choice to break into a home. He made the choice to pick up a weapon. He made the choice to die. The guest of the home owner had no way of knowing what that kid was going to do. Drop the gun and run like hell or start shooting. He took appropriate actions for the situation. Now, when you're done singing kumbaya by the firepit with your other tree-hugging hippie friends, try pulling your head out of your arse and seeing what the world has been turned into because kids today and generation before are being raised to think they have a RIGHT to whatever what they want, without working for it. Again, I feel badly that Travis' parents have lost a son. But their son was doing something ILLEGAL as well as stupid and paid a high price for being an idiot. And the houseguest, who should not face any charges whatsoever, will have to live with the fact that he had to take a persons life. Nobody won in this instance. Hopefully Travis' other stupid friends will learn a lesson from this. Doubtful, but dare to dream.

Posted by: Lee Ann at April 11, 2008 07:22 AM (In0yv)

14 Penny: There is a wrong and a right side to the story. Travis and crew were wrong for breaking into the house. I'm sorry, they were. I don't care how anyone tries to sugar coat that fact. He ought to have known that it was illegal. Two wrongs don't make a right, but killing someone to defend life, limb or property is not wrong. A Friend: I never said Travis pointed a gun at anyone, just that he had a gun. But to be honest gun or not if it had been my house and he was in there, you're damn right I would have shot him. And no, I would not have "aimed to maim". I'm ex-law enforcement and I'm sorry, I know that tactic more often than not doesn't work. I have a son that is with in months of Travis' age. And you know what, I can keep him away from friends I don't want him hanging out with. I have also instilled in him a serious sense of right and wrong. I may have my issues with him, but to this point the only criminal activity he's been involved in was damage to my property. Travis wasn't murdered. He was killed while committing a felony in self defense. God gave man a brain and free will. Whether or not Travis and his friends used the first is questionable, but they definitely used the second. Maybe, just maybe in this society of pass the blame if people would wake up and take responsibility for their own actions our country would straighten things up. But no, we are a victim society. Every time someone does something wrong, or every time something bad happens to someone it's somebody elseÂ’s fault. Travis made a decision. His decision was bad. As a result of that bad decision HE GOT HIMSELF KILLED. IE Travis killed himself. Don't blame anyone but Travis for the death. It's not being filled with hate, it's not being cold hearted, it's not being an asshole, it's just the way it is.

Posted by: Contagion at April 11, 2008 07:50 AM (Q5WxB)

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Over at the Spoon and Blade I have the review up of the Les Pays Des Illinois Colonial Trade Faire & Rifle and Musket Frolic. (Gasps for breath after saying that mouthful.) Most re-enactors I know just refer to the event as Fort De Chartres. (Which seems to be mostly pronounced like: Fort Duh Shard). That fills in a lot of the plain day to day stuff, but now I'm going to share with you the stories of things that happened that I didn't put into the review.

First off I left here Thursday and drove to my friend Will's house. If you read the comments on this post, he was one of the ones arguing with me as to whom gets who drunk. Well lets just say, we have an answer to that question. I show up and am not there for more than 5 minutes when he throws a beer at me. Later that night we go out to a local bar in Galesburg called Buddes. They were having an open mic night and Will's son was going to be playing. They had Dirty Bastard on tap. So there we sat, Will, his wife Red, our friend Taco and myself listening to these local kids get up and play songs. Well we'd been drinking since about oh, 1 when he pawned the first beer off on me. We watched and drank and waited for Long Spawn o' Willie to take the stage. This girl gets ups there and starts singing. She's really not that good. The first song was by Patsy Cline and her second by Pink Floyd. About half way through her second song Will starts booing here and telling her she sucks. He goes outside to talk to his son. The girl comes off the stage at the end of the song and goes outside to have a cigarette. The next thing I know she comes running back in crying.

I run outside to make sure Will is okay. I get out there and as soon as I see him I ask, "Did you make that girl cry?" He acknowledged he did, I couldn't help but laugh. Yes, it was mean, yes it was cruel... but dammit, it was funny cause she sucked.

Friday we got down to Fort De Chartres and that night we go to the period Tavern. Everything is done in the style of the 1750's. One of my Mortar Maidens, Davina Baillie whom has long since been captured by the natives and has changed her entire look, is one of the serving wenches. All I know is that when ever I turned around there she was with a pitcher of ale and filling my flagon. Now, I'm not complaining, but I did have to listen to a lot of complaining from my companions. She'd fill mine and then leave them empty. Or she would put the last of the ale in my flagon and then have to go get more. When she came back she'd refill mine before anyone else's. Now she is married to my friend whom I've referred to as Wind in his Hair, his actual native name is Wahoopitae (Wa-hoop-e-tay) I'm not really sure on the spelling, dang natives. Since I knew him and her I felt comfortable in telling everyone that I thought she was trying to get me drunk so she could take advantage of me.

It was at the end of this night that on my long drunken walk back to camp I jumped off of one of the low unfinished walls between the tavern and my camp that I hurt my foot. That just means that every time I go to an event I have to watch for Will, Petey and Davina trying to get me drunk.

Now you would think that I would have learned my lesson the night before, but I didn't. I want back Saturday night. I knew I was safe because Davina wasn't working... or so I thought. I forgot Will and Petey were in there still. Early in the night the tavern was crowded. Standing room only, all the tables and benches were full and the people were standing elbow to elbow in there. At one point a couple of guys get up from a bench to leave. Will, another guy I know called Wolfie and some shorter older guy all sat down on it. A couple of minutes later the older guy gets up. Will tells me to sit down. I really can't because the guy is standing right in front of where the bench is.

Will starts pushing the guy in the back. He turns and looks at Will. Will makes an innocent face and kind of chuckles. Then he starts to do it again, this time when the guy turns around Will points at me and I say, "it wasn't me." The guy then says, "That's okay, we like the French." I roared back "I'm a farooking Scot you Manky Anglish Get*!" I said it in a thick brogue and according to those that witnessed it, there was anger in my voice. So the guy, looking scared, apologizes and backs away. Will and Wolfie are laughing their asses off. I sit down and I'm having a little chuckle, but Will and Wolfie just keep laughing. I didn't think it was that funny.

Will finally says to me, "Do you know who that is?" No, of course I didn't, he was just some short older guy. Will then says, "That's Mark Baker." For those of you not in the re-enacting circle, he is considered some big re-enacting celebrity because he has written articles for magazines and has books out that everyone refers to. Hell, I have some of his stuff. I just never was star struck enough to an author to really care. Well apparently the big joke is that at these events most of the people come up and, to use the phrase they did, "humps his leg" all weekend and tells him how great he is. I meet him and I tell him off. Well anyway, this story spread fast and all I heard for the rest of the weekend is how I told off Mark Baker.

I wasn't even mad, I was just playing around. O'well, at least it's a good story to tell around the campfire. I'm sure many a person will laugh at this.

I had a great time there. I couldn't believe how much fun it was. I also can't believe how quickly it passed by.

*Manky Anglish Get: I've had enough people ask about this I'm just putting up the explication. Manky is Scottish word meaning unclean person or unclean act. Anglish is the nationality (English, just said in a Scottish Brogue) Get: Now more commonly spelled git, started as an illegitimate child/brat. It turned into a contemptible person or a stupid and unpleasant person. So basically when I'm calling him a Manky Anglish Git. I'm saying he's a filthy English bastard/idiot.

Posted by: Contagion at 04:15 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Okay, for those of you in the know. I just got back from the hospital and everything is better than expected. Nothing is broken as I had thought. Well, they didn't see anything but they are going to send off the x-rays to a specialist just to verify.

For those of you not in the know. Friday night on my jaunt back from the 1756 tavern I climbed over a short wall to get back to camp. When I jumped down I landed funny and I walked around all weekend thinking I broke my foot. It was swollen and bruised. The pain was okay... if I wasn't standing or walking on it.

Even the doctor when he looked at it was sure it was broken. He also lectured me on waiting until Monday to have it looked at.

His order to me was to take some pain killers and stay off of it as much as possible.

As for the rest of the weekend, I'll post that later.

Posted by: Contagion at 12:10 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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I'm taking a little break from cleaning out the truck. Tomorrow I'm starting the first part of my trip to Fort De Chartres. I'm heading down to my friend Will's place. On Friday morning we are going to meet up with some of the other ONW guys and head down to Fort De Chartres. This is a really light pack for me as Ktreva and the Boys aren't going.

I'm pretty excited. Having never done this event before I'm not exactly sure what to expect, but looking at the group of guys I'm going with, at least I know I'm going to have fun... and very possibly a hang over. Especially since one of them is Petey.

I need to go finish getting some stuff ready, if I don't post again before I leave, I'll make sure to give you all kinds of details upon my return.

Posted by: Contagion at 04:13 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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1 What the farck?!!! I always accuse Wil of being the instigator and root of many a drunken nights. But You are Blaming ME!!!!! WTF!?!?!?!?!?!?! When have I EVER been the cause of your hangover? Arsehole.

Posted by: Petey at April 02, 2008 09:35 PM (JhiOW)

2 wil says: I'm not the one who brought the keg of Liennie to ft. obie wintercamp one year or the small german keg you brought to ft. atkins. Meanwhile, Contagion I'm not the one that brought the Dragons Milk to Ft. Obie and got me drunk the first time we met and everytime since. So it looks like it's a group effort.

Posted by: red at April 03, 2008 07:12 AM (lbJyz)

3 Excuse me? Whom got who drunk at Theatiki and Galesburg this year on the first night? And I never brought a keg anywhere... except trail, Macktown and one highland's game... but you weren't at any of those! And I'm not the one that started serving the hot buttered rum at noon at Fort Atkinson!

Posted by: Contagion at April 03, 2008 07:24 AM (Q5WxB)

4 Actually, it was 2 kegs of Leinie's to Ft. Obie Wintercamp. And that was for a wake.

Posted by: Petey at April 03, 2008 07:24 AM (tmnSV)

5 I did not say you brought the kegs. It was Petey!!! And I don't think that anyone here ought to be pointing any fingers at anyone else!

Posted by: wil at April 03, 2008 08:34 AM (Xw6pC)

6 Yay! I hope that you had a wonderful time!!

Posted by: Richmond at April 06, 2008 10:14 PM (p8h1f)

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I love April Fools day. I just love pulling pranks on people. Unfortunately, due to past, uh, "incidents" I've been forced to promise that I wouldn't play jokes on certain people anymore. Or because of my position at work, I can't pull anymore on the job pranks. Something about lawsuits and stuff. That being said, I want to give credit to some really good pranks pulled today.

First: The IT department at work. When we all showed up this morning, none of our phones worked except in the customer service arena. We couldn't make or take any calls. This caused people to panic for about an hour. I on the other hand just sat back and laughed. ITG, you guys rock!

Second: Ken DeCoster of Rockford's WNTA 1330 talk radio pulled one on the city. On his talk show, separate of the news portion, he asked people what they thought of the City of Rockford spending Millions of dollars to replace the street signs around the city. They are going to do all of them so they are in English on top and the Spanish equivalent on the bottom. IE if it was Cat Street it would say Calle Del Gato underneath it. He kept this going for hours. I didn't hear the whole thing, only part of it when I went to lunch. I did get to hear him tell everyone it was an April Fools joke however. Ken, I applaud you! At five o'clock tonight they were still talking about it!

Yea, some people are mad over the whole thing, even after it was brought out that it was a joke. To those people, get a life. It was a joke, and funny. Sure my blood boiled, but once he said "April Fools" I cooled off quickly and admitted he got me. It's for fun.

Third: The guy that thought it would be fun to chase his friend way too close. It was hilarious when he slammed on his brakes and you rammed him so hard you both slid into a ditch. Nothing is funnier than two teenage morons playing bumper tag at 70+ miles per hour. Wait, that wasn't an April Fool's joke. Those were just April Fools.

Posted by: Contagion at 06:03 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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Since tomorrow night IÂ’m going to be packing and getting ready to head to Fort Des Chartres, I thought I should do my beer review tonight. That and with Ktreva being out of town and the boys running rampant all over me, I figured I could use a beerÂ… or twelve. TonightÂ’s brew is one that many people have been waiting for me to do. ItÂ’s a beer that anyone that has been drinking with me knows is probably one of my favorite beers to drink. Plus Ktreva sponsored this one before she left. She knew I was going to have a hard time with her gone and she left me an emergency sixer. Tonight I review Miller Lite by the Miller Brewing Company.

Some Miller Lite Girls, Litey and me at a Packer game.

The method of delivery this time was a 12 oz aluminum can. ItÂ’s blue in color with the Miller Lite logo in an oval tilted sideways. The can boasts all kinds of awards it has won, including the World Beer Cup Gold Award for Best American-style Light Lager in 2006,2002,1998 and 1996. None of the other beers IÂ’ve review can claim this!

In the glass itÂ’s a light straw yellow color. Light passes through it easily; there isnÂ’t a hint of cloudiness or impurities to it. When it was poured it formed an inch thick white head that faded quickly to a patching film on top. There was some lacing, but really not much to speak of.

The aroma has a slight metallic hint to it. ItÂ’s not because it came from a can. IÂ’ve drunk enough of this to know that itÂ’s like this from a bottle too. The main sent is a mix of grains and bread. The taste is Mild and unoffending. You can taste some malts, but not much. ItÂ’s pretty watery. There really is no after taste, in fact if you eat anything while drinking this beer that pretty much becomes the flavor and aftertaste of it.

This is a light bodied beer. There isnÂ’t much to it. The mouthfeel is like you are drinking a glass of carbonated water.

Overall I think this has to be one of the greatest beers on the market. It goes with everything. You can enjoy one with a lobster or a microwave burrito. There really is nothing that Miller Lite doesnÂ’t go with. Because of that I give this a 9 out of 10. ItÂ’s a damn good beerÂ… at a damn good price.

Okay, yes April Fools. I actually give this beer a 3.5 out of 10. It really is one of my favorite beers to drink. Mainly because 90% of the time I can get one in any bar or any stadium that I go to. That and I can still get a case of it for under $15.00. And even though this was partially an April fool’s joke, the review above is accurate. Over the years I’ve had friends make fun of me over my dedication to Miller Lite. Such comments as, “How can you be such a beer snob and still drink Miller Lite?” or “For someone with a distinguished beer pallet why do you drink Miller Lite all the time?” The answer folks is simple. Yes, I love beer. I love really good beer. But sometimes I don’t feel like spending $20.00 for two six packs when I can get 24 for $15.00 and I really don’t like spending $100.00 in a bar tabs when I can spend $35.00. Special occasions, beer tastings and when I’m in the mood is when I prefer a higher quality beer. Sitting around the house watching the game and shooting the shit with the friends, give me a Miller Lite. Plus it’s the official beer of Lambeau Field.

Posted by: Contagion at 05:32 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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1 I knew there was a good reason I don't like Miller Lite. Because it is packer bear and I am a fan of DA BEARS. And there is a reason that it has won some many World Beer Cup Gold Awards for "American Style Light Lager." American Style Light Lagers SUCK MAJOR MONKEY BALLS. Look at the selection. Miller Lite, Bud Light, Coors Light, Keystone Light, Busch Light. All poor excuses for beer comparatively. Of course, we all drink this craptastic beer for exactly why you say-it is a cheap drunk. I drink Coors Light when I am buying. Just the way of life.

Posted by: Petey at April 01, 2008 09:00 PM (JhiOW)

2 Being a whisky drinker, I don't drink a lot of beer, but when I do I like to drink Beck's. A nice refreshing drink made to the German Purity Standards. I recently bought a 20 pack for £9.98. If they sold it in pubs it would be around £1.50 or more for a pint.

Posted by: bx19 at April 02, 2008 12:10 AM (wr7x2)

3 oops.... for pint read bottle...need a few drams to get the brain kicked in...

Posted by: bx19 at April 02, 2008 12:12 AM (wr7x2)

4 There are other Light beers in that catagory, a lot of the microbrew lights are there. Also, Miller is what is served at Soldier Field too. Damn fair weather Bear fans.

Posted by: Contagion at April 02, 2008 07:19 AM (Q5WxB)

5 In the cheap beer catagory I'm more of a Coors Light, and Coors original guy, but I like Miller as well. Otherwise? The most common beer in my fridge is Sam Adams Boston.

Posted by: BloodSpite at April 02, 2008 08:07 AM (dl14p)

6 There is nothing fair weather about me being a bears fan. I am a lifelong bears fan. I remember listening to the Super Bowl Shuffle when it came out, and I was 3 or 4. Always been a Bears and Cubs Fan. I'm just too cheap and hate the rest of Chicago so much that I haven't ever been to Soldier Field. I would like to see a game there.

Posted by: Petey at April 03, 2008 07:23 AM (tmnSV)

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