Tanka challenge 04/04/09 and Mists Coronet
Apr. 5th, 2009 08:37 pmI just remembered my notebook is still in the camp box. I will have to post Saturday's tanka once I find it.
I'm counting the one I sent to danabren for Friday:
Writing three tanka
Today does not fulfill
The terms of the challenge.
Though scolding you does fulfill
MY requirement for the day.
Today's:
Alone with her thoughts
And the last of the sake,
She lays out her bed.
A breath to quell each lantern,
A sigh for the chilly quilts.
(Yes, it was cold last night and I cannot find my fleece tabi anywhere, which makes me wonder where they got to.)
Anyway, got up to American Canyon last night and stopped at the Safeway for supplies, then tried the new Steak Teriyaki Bowl at Jack In The Box because my tummy felt a bit unsettled and I figured rice would help. It's surprisingly Not Bad for something that came out of a fast food kitchen, though the sauce they use is a bit on the sweet side for me.
It was still light when I got to the park in Napa. I set up The House of Cheerful Monkeys at the end of the row, next to Joel the Brewer and his lady (I am mortified that I cannot remember her name - something with a C or K?). Lit the new lanterns at dusk and they were beautiful. Periodically I'd get up, touch the bottoms and sides of each - they stayed stone cold with the candles contained in votive cups. I am VERY pleased and must make a couple more - especially as the cast iron pagoda lanterns will not stay lit with live flame for love nor money.
Saturday was gorgeous. The fighters seemed to be having a great time, both finalists would have made for enjoyable reigns, but ultimately congratulations go out to Alfar and
duchessletitia . There wasn't ANYTHING stealthy about that big wreath of roses.
I hung out with the Westermarkers for a bit and drummed for the dance competition, which, owing to the deep, slick grass and uneven footing was a restrained alman.
I confess amusement and bemusement at being called into evening court as winner of Rose's Laurel Prize Challenge. "She entered her whole camp!"
Well, yes, why the heck not? The challenge was: "Create an object or accessory appropriate to your persona's time, place and station. This should be a small, utilitarian item, but can be just about anything -- combs, jewelry, utensils, toys -- the field is wide open. Document your item, describe how it was made, how it was used and why it's something you would use or carry, and be prepared to show it off."
And I thought, geez, there was all that stuff I took to the display for Estrella that the rest of the world got to see. And come to think of it, everything I make is the result of thinking "I need ____." And of course, Her Highness
syele had asked me to bring stuff to display and how could I refuse Miya-sama's wishes? So I set up my tent, I hung my beautiful new lanterns, I put out the sugoroku board with game pieces on it, suspended the Tosenin kosode on a bamboo pole and hung it in front of the blinds, and put on my shibori kosode. With the exception of the hiogi and binder of documentation left at the display table to hopefully lure people down to my camp with, my stuff had context. (The prize? I got a basket containing a tablecloth, a place setting of an Italianate maiolica-looking stoneware and a very nice leather bound journal for my troubles.)
The debut of the HOCM at this same site two years ago was met with a resounding yawn and a great deal of thrown-out food and unopened bottles. Since then I've learned to get the word out and I now tend to get a choice handful of visitors who are up for a non-rowdy, relaxed visit with a few snacks and nice things to drink.
Earlier in the day Theia handed off a leftover bottle that the Far Westerners had given her at Estrella, with instructions that it not go to waste. It had been previously opened, but had apparently been kept cool and out of direct light, because it was still excellent.* Not a word of English on the label, which had images from the Tale of Genji scroll on it, so I don't know if I'll ever be able to get my hands on it locally. It was extremely smooth and light with a melon-y note to it. Edward and Owen came by early in the evening and I put on some tea for Edward we had a nice visit. Elizabeth and Sarah (the Reannag Teine pottery ladies) came for a while, as did Miya-sama and her guardsman Sinjinius, and Conrad, formerly of the Far West. We killed the Hana Awaka and the Sho Chiku Bai nigorizake, both of which Miya-sama and the ladies liked very much. (The Hakutsuru junmai ginjo that was on special at the market was not bad, and I still have some of the stuff with the Genji label left as well, which I hope to try to enjoy before it goes off.) I was asked for stories, and told "Hoichi the Earless" and "Okiku and the Nine Plates" (which I had not told before and it needs some polishing on details). Conrad shared some personal experiences with some Japanese ghosts - which, given what I've read about Japanese ghosts I don't doubt. Joel also gave me a bottle of his plum wine, which we'll have to crack open and try at some point.
Her Highness, who has been heartwarmingly supportive of the House of Cheerful Monkeys (and not just 'cause I ply her with fizzy pink sake that tastes like happiness), asked if I was planning on attending Mists Cynagua War. I expressed my regrets as that's the weekend of James' & Sylvia's wedding. She asked if she might carry my fan at that event so that my art would be there.
I am deeply, deeply honored and would've done a full face plant on the ground, except I would've taken out a tableful of mochi and sake cups and knocked over a half a dozen bottles onto my Princess in the act. This morning, I set my hiogi aside as I packed my things and tied it closed with a very humble piece of twine to make it easier to transport without flying open at inopportune moments. I confess a bit of a wrench when I placed it in her hands this morning - that thing was weeks in the building and it sat unfinished for a very long time simply because I could not decide what to paint on it. It's different when you make something knowing you're going to give it away and when you make something for yourself and trust it to someone else. This must be what it feels like to leave your firstborn with a teacher on the very first day of kindergarten.
Tweaked my right knee while getting dressed this morning - the ground was uneven and must've put a foot wrong. Gulped down some Advil right away and began tearing down. It was quite windy and in fact, the tent decided to take itself part-way down after one gust, so I simply dropped all the poles and canvas at that point. Came home and had a much needed nap. (I didn't sleep well at this site either night, for some reason. Caught a rebroadcast of "Real Time" and the second installment of "Little Dorrit" on Masterpiece Classic. And so, to bed.
(*Sake, like beer and wine, is perishable. Light and heat are its enemies and I usually ruthlessly pour out opened bottles after parties because I don't expect to be able to get through the leftovers before they're likely to go off.)
I'm counting the one I sent to danabren for Friday:
Writing three tanka
Today does not fulfill
The terms of the challenge.
Though scolding you does fulfill
MY requirement for the day.

Today's:
Alone with her thoughts
And the last of the sake,
She lays out her bed.
A breath to quell each lantern,
A sigh for the chilly quilts.
(Yes, it was cold last night and I cannot find my fleece tabi anywhere, which makes me wonder where they got to.)
Anyway, got up to American Canyon last night and stopped at the Safeway for supplies, then tried the new Steak Teriyaki Bowl at Jack In The Box because my tummy felt a bit unsettled and I figured rice would help. It's surprisingly Not Bad for something that came out of a fast food kitchen, though the sauce they use is a bit on the sweet side for me.
It was still light when I got to the park in Napa. I set up The House of Cheerful Monkeys at the end of the row, next to Joel the Brewer and his lady (I am mortified that I cannot remember her name - something with a C or K?). Lit the new lanterns at dusk and they were beautiful. Periodically I'd get up, touch the bottoms and sides of each - they stayed stone cold with the candles contained in votive cups. I am VERY pleased and must make a couple more - especially as the cast iron pagoda lanterns will not stay lit with live flame for love nor money.
Saturday was gorgeous. The fighters seemed to be having a great time, both finalists would have made for enjoyable reigns, but ultimately congratulations go out to Alfar and
I hung out with the Westermarkers for a bit and drummed for the dance competition, which, owing to the deep, slick grass and uneven footing was a restrained alman.
I confess amusement and bemusement at being called into evening court as winner of Rose's Laurel Prize Challenge. "She entered her whole camp!"
Well, yes, why the heck not? The challenge was: "Create an object or accessory appropriate to your persona's time, place and station. This should be a small, utilitarian item, but can be just about anything -- combs, jewelry, utensils, toys -- the field is wide open. Document your item, describe how it was made, how it was used and why it's something you would use or carry, and be prepared to show it off."
And I thought, geez, there was all that stuff I took to the display for Estrella that the rest of the world got to see. And come to think of it, everything I make is the result of thinking "I need ____." And of course, Her Highness
The debut of the HOCM at this same site two years ago was met with a resounding yawn and a great deal of thrown-out food and unopened bottles. Since then I've learned to get the word out and I now tend to get a choice handful of visitors who are up for a non-rowdy, relaxed visit with a few snacks and nice things to drink.
Earlier in the day Theia handed off a leftover bottle that the Far Westerners had given her at Estrella, with instructions that it not go to waste. It had been previously opened, but had apparently been kept cool and out of direct light, because it was still excellent.* Not a word of English on the label, which had images from the Tale of Genji scroll on it, so I don't know if I'll ever be able to get my hands on it locally. It was extremely smooth and light with a melon-y note to it. Edward and Owen came by early in the evening and I put on some tea for Edward we had a nice visit. Elizabeth and Sarah (the Reannag Teine pottery ladies) came for a while, as did Miya-sama and her guardsman Sinjinius, and Conrad, formerly of the Far West. We killed the Hana Awaka and the Sho Chiku Bai nigorizake, both of which Miya-sama and the ladies liked very much. (The Hakutsuru junmai ginjo that was on special at the market was not bad, and I still have some of the stuff with the Genji label left as well, which I hope to try to enjoy before it goes off.) I was asked for stories, and told "Hoichi the Earless" and "Okiku and the Nine Plates" (which I had not told before and it needs some polishing on details). Conrad shared some personal experiences with some Japanese ghosts - which, given what I've read about Japanese ghosts I don't doubt. Joel also gave me a bottle of his plum wine, which we'll have to crack open and try at some point.
Her Highness, who has been heartwarmingly supportive of the House of Cheerful Monkeys (and not just 'cause I ply her with fizzy pink sake that tastes like happiness), asked if I was planning on attending Mists Cynagua War. I expressed my regrets as that's the weekend of James' & Sylvia's wedding. She asked if she might carry my fan at that event so that my art would be there.
I am deeply, deeply honored and would've done a full face plant on the ground, except I would've taken out a tableful of mochi and sake cups and knocked over a half a dozen bottles onto my Princess in the act. This morning, I set my hiogi aside as I packed my things and tied it closed with a very humble piece of twine to make it easier to transport without flying open at inopportune moments. I confess a bit of a wrench when I placed it in her hands this morning - that thing was weeks in the building and it sat unfinished for a very long time simply because I could not decide what to paint on it. It's different when you make something knowing you're going to give it away and when you make something for yourself and trust it to someone else. This must be what it feels like to leave your firstborn with a teacher on the very first day of kindergarten.
Tweaked my right knee while getting dressed this morning - the ground was uneven and must've put a foot wrong. Gulped down some Advil right away and began tearing down. It was quite windy and in fact, the tent decided to take itself part-way down after one gust, so I simply dropped all the poles and canvas at that point. Came home and had a much needed nap. (I didn't sleep well at this site either night, for some reason. Caught a rebroadcast of "Real Time" and the second installment of "Little Dorrit" on Masterpiece Classic. And so, to bed.
(*Sake, like beer and wine, is perishable. Light and heat are its enemies and I usually ruthlessly pour out opened bottles after parties because I don't expect to be able to get through the leftovers before they're likely to go off.)
no subject
Date: 2009-04-06 07:11 am (UTC)As always, your poetry is a delight. Very evocative, and the form suits you very well.
Entering your entire camp: Brilliant!
no subject
Date: 2009-04-06 02:12 pm (UTC)I regret that I did not get back to site until almost 2 am on Saturday night. I had an off site event and the timing was inflexible.
no subject
Date: 2009-04-06 04:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-06 04:40 pm (UTC)(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2009-04-06 04:41 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-06 05:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-06 06:15 pm (UTC)(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2009-04-06 07:26 pm (UTC)