The Renaissance Fair

The drive up was quite quick. I really have to admit I was surprised but that could also be because we (my sweetie and myself) started from Hayward. So going out to Hollister was not too bad. Soon enough we were pulling in and getting out of the car. Everyone is changing into their 15th century garb and starting to change how they are talking. This is going to be kind of cool and the fair's last day.

Laundry Service

Once we enter the fair it is like going through a time warp. The first thing we are greeted by is a group of maids washing clothes. Now that is what I call dry cleaning. The fair turns into a myriad of circular paths each opening to other performances.

Their are stores selling all sorts of gift items and things from the time period. There were leather, metal and hand-made goods. All sorts of funny little nicks and knacks to put in your house or to use while at the fair. The best thing really was all the performances from the Capella groups to people teaching to actual mini theater performances.

Men in Tights

Like the above, an abridged version of a bunch of Shakespeare's plays. The actors gave a rather humorous twist to them via their improvisation. One thing I loved about this performance was there way of summarizing how to remember a few of the plays with inches. Like how "Much Ado About Nothing " as the 3" play where as 12" was for "Taming the Shrew". It was quiet a good way to help the crowd remember them and put a nice hidden adult twist to a family fun affair. During the play  actors incorporated in the crowd and joined in, just like real guest were.

 

After a bit we got bored and continued on to check out the rest of the fair. It really is just like a fair with games and all. There is a maze, petting zoos and a few rides. Funny to look at them and compare to our current rides. It is easy to see how they have evolved and actually kind of cool. I really enjoyed being able to stop and shoot a bit of archery. Plus I hit the target a few times too, cool huh? Things you did as a kid can be recalled.

 

The best thing for me was watching this man blow glass. I mean it is incredible the works of art he did and these pumpkins to solar lights and more. Listening to him was also a hoot. How the art was good for people who cannot wait since they could change things easily, unlike clay which is all about precision and taking its time to cure.

Dressage

Then we were off to explore again and some how managed to stumble into the last main show of jousting for the season. It was great! First there was a horse show where the riders did some tricks and mostly dressage. Which is a formal style of horseback riding. Then the real show was on.

Jousting: Salute

The jousting had four rounds, which was in my mind a bit unfair. The first round winner has to fight the next fresh guy and their were four guys. I don't get why two didn't fight two and have the winners fight each other. That way each guy was equally worn down, but I don't make the rules. It was fun to watch. Seeing them charge and try to break the other. Plus when they would actually play sword fight and sparks would fly. All in all the day was a success and I felt happy to have done it.

Yoga: Bikram

Finally I am getting into yoga! I found this great studio in the Mission right by where I am house/pet sitting. It is a Bikram Yoga Studio that had this great deal for newbies: $30 for 30 days! I could not resist and I bought it. So far I have managed to go at least five times. I am excited.
It is a hot yoga which means you are going to be seriously sweating by the time the 90 minuet class is over. It also goes through the same 26 poses every class. I like this cause I am starting to learn them and what to do next. Every time though it is pushing me or more I am pushing me to my limits. It is all about your own body and how far it can bend. Working yourself from the inside out and outside in.
I like how balanced I feel after. I am going to keep doing this.

Ghetto Tetris Squish

Packing for burning man is a crazy feat. It's a matter figuring out what you have and calculating your space.
Luckily between the twinzzzz (aka myself and ms. N.) We had it covered. Myself packing food and Ms. N. Playing Tetris with all our supplies in our Frank Sinatra automobile.

Pictures were lost with my phone I am working on recovering them.

Somehow we managed to fit a week of food and water, two shade structures, three chairs, one table, our daily costumes, kitchen gear, three tents, two air beds, yoga mat, etc......and last but not least, two colorful bikes.
Ms. N got it all on the roof, the trunk and inside the car. I was in WOW.Now on our very way. See you all after the burn!!!

Burnifing the bike

I learned last year that a bike is seriously needed in this dust bowl city I'm going to. When I mentioned needing to hunt for a cheap throw away bike, my hunny offered me the one he found ages ago.

He had already brought it over and a glue gun and sticks, these will end up becoming the best most handy thing EVER! A bit later we set out to decorate it. How? My first idea was neon puff balls but didn't know where the store I saw them was. So I thought about caution tape, not very Burner. Then about a garden bike. You know with leaves, flowers and such? Talking to my Mom, Mr. A heard the store I was looking and took me straight there!

Went to Jo Ann's and got the neon puff balls that were my original idea. Then once home the project was about to start! We started gluing these puff balls all over the bike. I turned the reins over to Mr.A because he seemed to really kinda get into it. Sweet! There is hope to get him into Burning Man yet, maybe. Then it is just putting them everywhere! I mean every corner and nook and cranny I can find I am putting them on. From the frame, to the top and even the handle bars!

Then when there are no more puff balls to use, I put extra padding in my seat. Yup I am making it comfy since I do not like riding bikes and have not since last Burn I might as well try to make it better. I put cushion on the seat and the handle bars. This bike is rocking hard core and is so sick you will not believe.

Sadly I do not think the butterfly lights will work, kinda sure they were broken while putting them on. Oh well as casualty to the bike. I kept going since I knew I had no love of bike riding, I made sure to pad the seat! Yes I but extra cushion on and even made sure to match colors. Since I was on a roll, I did the handle bars too... this bike might be so comfy I will wanna ride it all the time. Hell, it looks cool enough too. Playa beware! We are coming!

Masters program... DONE!

Quick than I could blink this year flew by, suddenly I was almost done with it. All my school terms have blended one into another. Leaving me done and wide eyed.
Do I know 100% what I want to do? No I don't. This is why I am reading a book called I could do anything I wanted if only I knew what that was.
I do have the feeling of accomplishment. I just finished my Masters in Marketing. Plus I got to certificates one in Integrated Marketing Communications and one in Public Relations.
I have always know what to study, now it is about what I can do with this wonderful degree. I am ready for my next step... I think.

Fly me by the bay

Rushing cause its the way life seems to run when you juggle to much and try to be everywhere at once. I am finally using a gift certificate I won ages ago. I had to rent a zip car to do it which breaks the bank of course.

Lucky for me I got an Audi. It was so much fun driving around in this sleek spacious car. A little weird since I don't usually drive and it takes a bit to get used to a new car. Once that is done and traffic gets the heck out of my way I am doing fine. Granted Google maps sent me all over the place in weird directions that made NO SENSE!! Yet I made it there!

Once there it was pretty easy to find the place and wait a quick bit for my instructor. Then its to the parking lot for planes to pick up ours. It's a small private plane, is really not meant for more than four. The instructor, Mr. G is checking the plane and showing me some of the main checks too.

Then when we are climbing into the plane and I get to check out the dashboard. Mr. G starts telling me what does what. I get acquainted with the real control. Its fascinating stuff really. How the plane works all the different dials and knobs. What does what probably takes a good bit of time to get use too.

Suddenly we are in the air, the world below us getting smaller. I get to help in the ascend. This tiny plane is making a huge racket and really working to get up there. Then suddenly it is level and we are just flying around the bay. Looking out the window trying to listen through the head phones.

Once you get the hang of it and being up there, which for my evil tummy is not a great thing always. It is quite easy to do. Looking out is the crazy part. The whole experience is like being a little kid again in some senses. Very happy I did it, wishing I had the money to be able to do it regularly.
My certificate! Just saying I did it. =)

Gimp

Be careful, really I am serious even the house can be dangerous. I know this as I stubbed my toe real bad at home. Suddenly I could not walk. Really, no weight could be put on that darn pinkie toe. It became about hobbling around and keeping my foot up. I was useless!

First time in a while I have three days off in a row and now I cannot walk at all. I spent them entirely with my foot up and watching whatever. During these days was my birthday, yup! What a fun way to spend it. A gimp worshiping ice.

A week has gone by and I am still not on my feet 100%. Have watched way too much TV, worked on projects and resumes/job stuff. Plus built a race car lego and was like a kid again. Now nine days later I am up and about, walking a good bit. Tomorrow is my first day at work, its going to be hard.