"The Clanchief's Birthday @ MDRF"

09/04/2001

*The pictures from the first weekend of MDRF can be found here. If you click on the paragraph titles below ("Birthday Rose Hit the...") you can read the birthday poems yourself!*

Well, I guess you've all waited long enough, so let's jump right in, shall we?

Sunday, August 26th
I arrived at the MD Renaissance Faire in time for gate. As I was putting on my final touches (i.e. strapping on the Ren Utility Belt) in the parking lot, I spied Jim and Keltique a couple cars down from me, and a few more cars from them were Russ and Ani. The latter couple (Russell and Ani) surprised me with a couple of little gifties (a pen that looks like a scantily clad blonde and a dancing ass... ya think they're trying to tell me something?!?!) and a card. We all headed to gate where we met up with many Otters and waited for the cannon to sound.

I hooked up with The Marcy, Lisa, John and the Spawn. We all headed over to Victor's booth for coffee and the hair braiding booth for the girls. I ran off to get some clam chowder in a bread bowl and sat down beneath a tree to eat. I had just finished eating and was changing the batteries in my camera when...

Birthday Rose Hit the First
John walks around in front of me, throws his brand new leather cavilier hat to the ground and proceeds to kneel in front of me with a rose and a rolled up piece of paper. What could I do? I had to cross my legs and assume a coquettish look. The dashing Rogue read aloud from the scroll (a couple of older women walked past and said, "Oh look, he's proposing!" I almost lost it completely at that point), handed me the rose and kissed my hand. Naturally I swooned. I am glad he was the first though because it put me in the right frame of mind to enjoy the rest of the day.

Once the laughter died down, we all decided to go see the Pyrates. Just prior to the show, there was raspberry wine from the Wine Garden. I think it must have been a little too strong for some of the ladies in our group because somehow they managed to get it into their heads that it would be a wonderful idea for me to go down the Big Slide. Me. In a kilt. For some reason, no matter how much I protested, they just couldn't let it go. Luckily they were distracted by the approach of...

Birthday Rose Hit the Second
Jim! The delicate Keltik's better half marched up to me while I was standing next to the White Hart. He also knelt and presented me with a rose and scroll. He didn't want to read it so I did. I almost cried right there. That had to the one of worst pieces of poetry I've ever seen. *g* I don't remember if he kissed my hand or not, but while I was standing there shaking my head in disbelief...

Birthday Rose Hit the Third
Anvil (of Anvil and MacGuire fame) snuck up on me. He started by seductively trailing the rose across my cheek and around my neck. I graciously offered my hand allowed him to kiss it after he handed me the rose and poem. I read the poem aloud much to the amusement of the assembled onlookers.

Soon after that, Ray and Sharon finally showed up... Ray announcing his presence by flipping up the back of my kilt. After the hugs and kisses (mostly with Sharon... not so much Ray) the subject of the Big Slide was brought up again. Protesting didn't work as well this time though. Marcy said she would go first and she did, so I caved and went too. All I can say is some people had better start saving their pennies to pay for my spinal decompression surgery. Humphff. After I flatly refused to scale the climbing castle (in a KILT!!) we all wandered around for awhile. Eventually we made it back to around to the White Hart in time for the performance we'd all been waiting for -- that talented trio known as In Our Cups! Being the good little Official Groupie #1, I had to be there. I even got to buy Serendipity (aka Sherry) a tankard of ale! *le swoon!* The lasses were spectacular as usual. John and I stood near the front like star-struck paparazzi.

Birthday Rose Hit the Fourth
While I was sitting in the White Hart, someone tapped my shoulder and imagine my surprise when I saw it was the Lady Dawntreader come to wish me a happy birthday! Now nobody could ever mistake her for a Rogue so I was even more surprised when she handed me a rose and another rolled up poem. I barely managed to finish reading that one when...

Birthday Rose Hit the Fifth
the velvety smooth petals of a rose caressed my cheek. Godling proceeded to rogue me as only the Godling can. *g* I must have lost conciousness at some point because the next thing I knew there was a rolled up poem sticking out of my shirt! How does he do that?!? Anyway, I read the poem outloud and then Keltik was ready for the finale.

Birthday Rose Hit the Finale
But first, John, Lisa and the Offspring gifted me with my very first Piland piece! A gorgeous silver kilt brooch with two black stones in it. :-) I'm still speechless about that. I quickly found my voice though when Keltique gave me her prezzie! A see-through lacy thong... with a bow on the front of it. Now she swears that they are men's, but for some reason I am not believing her. But she made this old man proud with her sneaky display of evilness *sniffle*... it's so sad when they grow up.

It was at some point after this (and another trip back to the Dragon Inn for more alcohol) that the subject of Jacob's Ladder came up. It had been mentioned before but once again certain lasses couldn't seem to take "No freakin' way!" for an answer. Of course my brother Rogues were no help whatsoever and seemed to enjoy inciting the ladies to even greater efforts in their quest. Because I am mush, I caved again. I think that the pictures pretty much speak for themselves so I don't think there's much that I could add here.

I'm sure I forgot some details and left some things out. That's my fault for waiting so long to write this. Because of all of the well wishes and silliness from friends and loved ones I will always remember this as one of the most excellent birthday weekends ever. Thank you all.

*G* Grow up?? I'm older than you are, boyo... :P you dont have to take pics of the poerty you know.. I have the original files and can rip you Jpegs of them easily enough... *extra post B-day hugs* ~ Keltique Ze Delicate @ 8:22 a.m. EST on 09/05/2001