Tue May 21 - I haven't written in two weeks. My sincerest apologies, dearhearts. Let's see, what can I say.

First, I scribbled a note to myself sometime in the past two weeks, intending to finish a journal entry: I've finally put together a full accounting of all my digital photos and I'm working on how to organize them. There are now 296 (I checked) photos in rotation in a little frame on my desktop, linked to my screensaver, and synch'ed to my iPod. I've been organizing all my personal photos and website designs on my new portable 40 Gig hard drive (whee!). I can hardly tell you how wonderful it is to see all my friends and family pop up on my screen, smiling, silly, dressed funny, celebrating, relaxing, and just being wonderful. Sometimes seeing a face reminds "Oh! I should drop them a line!" and off I scamper to write a short email. It makes me want to go through my address book, find out who I don't have photos of, and start getting those pictures too.

So, to expand on that a little further, I have some wonderful news to announce: I've finally put together a photo website for you to enjoy. Head on over to www.cayswann.com (named after this journal, of course). I have four albums up so far: Pictures from Kings Hunt (camping with my household), the Lyondemere Bardic event last year, the wedding for my step-brother in Vegas, and Alan's birthday party.

The last time I wrote in my journal, I mentioned Today is Alan's birthday, so I'm about to head over to the park for a big turning-30 bash. I'll probably sit and take it easy at the park, and I'm taking some hand-sewing with me. I hope I can finish it and start another project next. The party itself was wonderful (and I hope you can see that from the photos). I still need to caption the photos as best I can, but I've been working on several other craft projects all week (with some seriously important deadlines). But certainly the best part of the party, besides being there for Alan, was getting to meet his family. His brother is absolutely a doll, and I had a great time there will all my friends.

Let's see, what else since then? Oh! My home shire's anniversary was last Saturday, and they surprised me with an award I don't feel that I deserve. You see, there's three levels of awards in our society -- the top level awards are called "Patents of Arms" or "Peerages." These include Knights, Laurels, and Pelicans. It's probably self-explanatory that Knights are accomplished in sword-fighting, among other skills. Laurels (as in "resting on your laurels") are awarded a Peerage for exceptional skill in an Art or Science (like leather-working, costuming, cooking, etc.) Pelicans are awarded a Peerage for exceptional skill in volunteering, services, organizing, and related dedication.

There are also mid-level awards and first-level awards: a Grant of Arms or an Award of Arms, respectively. Sometimes these are given by themselves, sometimes they are given in specific reward for excellence in an area (heavy sword fighting, rapier sword fighting, an art or science, volunteerism and service, etc.). It all depends on your regional geographic area, what their award structure tradition is.

Here's where the surprise and disbelief comes in. Even though I sang with our local Madrigals group for years, and even directed for one year, and even though I've always been a musician in general, I feel like I've only been truly *dedicated* to pursuing Bardic Arts (music, story-telling, and all performance arts) in the group for the past year or more, almost two years now. If you has asked me how far I'd gotten in my pursuits, I might have guessed I was no further along in my studies, performances, and teaching than any other Award-of-Arms recipient.

But here's how the award scroll reads: "From time to time it comes to the attention of the Crown that an artisan has displayed surpassing skill in some art or science for a span of years, and has thereby enriched the kingdom and enhanced the enjoyment of all. It is meet that such persons should be recognized and praised. So therefore was created the Order of the Lux Caidis, for such artisans are the light of the kingdom."

They awarded me with a Lux Caidis for Bardic Arts. I was stunned and completely speechless. (I even felt all scattered because this was during opening court, early in the morning, and I just kept thinking, "Oh, you cannot photograph me yet, I don't have anything on my head!")

Uncovered hair notwithstanding, I was truly honored by Kolfinna and Sven presenting me with a Lux, and this is possibly my most treasured award or gift ever.

And it got me to thinking (of a song that I want to write, which makes me laugh at myself a little): Sometimes being given an award, title, and rank is the very motivation that can make you want to live up to that title and rank. I don't feel equivalent to a Lux in Bardic Arts, but my friends and the Royalty of our Kingdom believe that I am. So this makes me want to live up to this title, and *become* a true Lux in Bardic Arts. It's a lot to live up to, and I just hope I have the energy to do this.

In other things, all of last week and this week is about preparations for Potrero War camping this weekend. One of our household has been offered a Laurel, and so before being elevated to the Peerage on Saturday June 3, he'll be holding a Vigil at camping this weekend. So our household is scampering with Vigil preparations, along with all the other preparations that go with just camping and SCA events for 3-4 days in general.

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And finally, a funny little LotR clip (an animated graphic):
http://www.chouffeavond.nl/funny/one_does_not_simply_walk_into_mortor.gif

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Today's Blessing That I'm Thankful For: The friends who believe in me more than I do, which inspires me to live up to their belief. You all are amazing.

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Exercise: Not much lately.
Weight Loss This Week: Still at a plateau between 15-20 lbs lost total.