TwelfthNightCon

[gurdymonkey]

I survived Twelfth Night without taking a header down a single flight of stairs, however, my legs and shoulders ache from the Karaginu Mo Workout.  That's right, O My Readers, stairs. In this.

That would be because of the layout of the Ramada Inn in Santa Nella. For starters, the only public restrooms I could locate in the place were in the main lobby building: a one-holer on the ground floor RIGHT next to the royal ready room and one on the floor above, which at least had a couple of stalls and a chair to put stuff on while I dressed. For another, they stuck a group of merchants in a 2nd floor meeting room and the A&S stuff in another 2nd floor meeting room in a different wing. My hems are tragic, and that's not just because of the occasional foot planted on them, but from sweeping across the paved courtyard several times to get from one place to the other. This event could have been a complete disaster if it had rained.

The hiogi is just the thing for playing peekaboo with a bored toddler during Coronation Court. At least it kept me from shuffling up the aisle to bludgeon the King with it. I could not believe that he told the Laurels who assembled to swear fealty that the light and creativity would go out of the kingdom if they weren't there. BULLSHIT, Your Majesty! What about all the people who create and toil and teach, regardless of rank, regardless of who's looking, regardless of whether it ends up in a competition or some table where it might or might not get looked at? I am sorely tempted to write to him about this grave insult to the artists and artisans of the West who may never be peers - because some folks never get there and that should be OK too, dammit. No. Better yet, I ought to write to the Queen.

Hit the wall around 4 PM or so and just had to scrape it all off. KMo is TIRING - and I was appalled to find just how streaky the makeup had gotten by the time I made it back to the rest-room to deal with it all. (I think it's time to start looking for a new product.) I had rather hoped to get away without momstable  noticing, but it was not to be. My Dear Mistress Na'arah, I say here now before all here present, that I am pleased and proud and happy for you on your elevation to the Order of the Pelican, but I also know my limits and when to acknowledge them. I need to find another bottle of that Barefoot Bubbly for when I see you next so we can celebrate properly.

That goes for mediea  too. Felicitations on being the awesomeness that is you. 

Comments

[allison-is.livejournal.com]

I am sorely tempted to write to him about this grave insult to the artists and artisans of the West who may never be peers - because some folks never get there and that should be OK too, dammit

QFMFT.

Quote for mother effing truth.

Eewwww....

[shalmestere.livejournal.com]

I could not believe that he told the Laurels who assembled to swear fealty that the light and creativity would go out of the kingdom if they weren't there.

Agreed, for the reason you stated--but also because, as a Peer, I get resentful when Royalty lay out that kind of emotional manipulation. (I couldn't help but read the above as <Python>"Nice Kingdom ya got here; pity somthin' should...happen to it....")

(But I'm a Bad Peer, so Cum Grano Salis and all that :->)

[takadai-no-tora.livejournal.com]

I'm not even a Western peer and I'm appalled on their behalf. What was your King trying to do? Butter up the Laurels? Oh, please! Maybe he's just afflicted with hoof-in-mouth disease, like a former Majesty around here who gave out a grant-level award with verbiage to the effect that it was being given not because the person deserved it, but because he liked them. In actuality, the award was richly deserved, but after what he'd said, the recipient left in tears.

[danabren.livejournal.com]

Oh dear.

[cayswann.livejournal.com]

Btw, congrats doubly on (a) looking fabulous, and (b) not falling down the stairs.

[xrian.livejournal.com]

I would guess it is probably not foot-in-mouth, but quite deliberate. This King has considerable political experience and doesn't do these things by accident.

FWIW, you have to remember that this is a King who is -- as the West so often is -- very, very Chivalry-centric. This may tend to foster a mindset that treats "inspiration" as an almost sacred calling, and hence, perhaps somewhat overvalues recognized Peers (as opposed to ordinary people Doing Good Stuff).

I should also point out for anyone out of Kingdom that this is a longtime Duke who has (I think for the first time) chosen a Laurel as his consort, so there may well be an element of "buttering up" here....

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

1. Political experience: He should damn well know better.
2. Inspiration is not the sole property of the Chivalry. It is not the sole property of peers. Even us armigerous pondscum can be touched by inspiration. Personally, I wouldn't get anything done otherwise.
3. The choice of consort: He should damn well know better.

I feel so much better about firing off that letter.

[syele.livejournal.com]

To be fair, His Grace has reigned with at least two laurels that I know of, as well as several mistresses of the order of the Pelican. Their Graces Siobhan and Juana are both companions of the Order of the Laurel. Not side picking, but clarifying. :)

[momstable.livejournal.com]

Of course I noticed, silly. You were one of the people I was specifically looking for, since I know the whole evening partying thing is NOT your scene.

You looked fabulous, even if it was a heavy and tiring ensemble to carry. I was so happy to see you in it again. I love that outfit.

Pink and Fizzy in the future - absolutely!!!

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

Barefoot Bubbly: It's a sparkling zinfandel we tried at Christmas and it's got a sweet, fruity, strawberry kinda thing going on. I think it's right up your alley.

[aureellia.livejournal.com]

You looked fabu, but I told you that.

The King is the King and he looks at these things from another side of the mental gymnastics. I think in his reckoning, it would be utterly incomprehensible for anyone not to want to be the peerage that most represents their interests. I think he grasps that not everyone will be the peer of their choice but since they would be naturally wanting to be that peer they should be thinking like that peer. I could be putting words in his mouth. My analysis is based on past conversations with him and I do believe it was intentional.

I think the fashion now is to make the laurels and the poppy look super uber important. It isn't the same game without the arts and sciences. I think we can all agree on that, since it would just be a game of hitty-sticks. In this case, I think he really feels strongly that they should inspire the rest of us.

[gottasing.livejournal.com]

It was good to see you and get to see your fan in person. Congrats on not falling down the stairs or in the courtyard. My dress wasn't nearly as long and I swear I tripped at least 10 times.

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

Likewise. Sorry we didn't get more time to chat.

You looked very elegant.