Seven Memories

1.

"Hey Holly, I have something to tell you."

I paused in mid-step, unconsciously reaching out with my right hand and grabbing the railing on the stairs. Turning, I looked out the window at the fall leaves covering the ground, phone cradled against my ear. I was surprised that Will had happened to call while I was back in town to see The Tempest, but I considered it a happy coincidence.

"Oh? What's up?" I asked, trying to sound casual. He seemed far too excited for it to be bad news, but I'm naturally paranoid.

"Kim's pregnant! We're expecting a baby next summer! We haven't told hardly anyone yet, so I don't necessarily want to you tell everybody, but I had to talk to you and let you know that..."

I grinned and continued to stand in that stairwell for thirty minutes as Will's joy flooded out of the cell phone.


2.

"What did you think of it?" Will asked as I threw his script down on the desk in front of him.

"I've beta'ed better fanfic," I noted dryly, looking at the bent top page of Car Wars. It really wasn't that bad of writing, but for the past several months it seemed like everyone had done nothing but stroke his ego about his writing, his acting, his singing... really, just about anything he'd done. And, for his age, he was good at those things. But somebody needed to keep him from getting too big a head.

Good thing I was around.

"I understand it's supposed to be a parody, but the characters..."


3.

With practiced ease I slipped around and between tables, taking pictures of all our friends currently at Fazoli's.

"Make sure to get all the cousins!" Kim teased.

"That's what I'm doing," I replied with a grin.

Alumni and current students were all crammed together at the long table, around twenty of us eating and catching up with one another. We had completed a reading for Hero Squad earlier that afternoon and were celebrating with laughter and cheap pasta.

Finally I made my way back over to where Will, Kim, and Sherri were. Will grinned and poked Sherri in the side.

"You know, when I told you to get as many people together as you could, this was the last thing I expected. Thank you."


4.

We hurried along the sidewalk, trying to get back to the theater in good time. "...and then there's option c: chicken nuggets," Will said.

Big T and I had gone several steps before we realized that Will had completely stopped walking. Big T and I exchanged puzzled looks before turning back towards him. Will had taken off his orange hat and looked as bemused as we felt.

"You know... I think that may be the most random thing I've ever said."


5.

A horrible trombone noise filled the apartment, and I awoke with a start. I shot upright on the couch in an instant, looking around a bit in panic.

Sherri and Will started laughing at me and told me to go back to sleep. "It's just the music they play when Godzilla..."

"Wait!" I said, my tired eyes fixing on the television screen. "Is Godzilla using a breath attack and flying?"

They just kept laughing at me.

Grumbling about stupid Japanese monsters, I rolled over and went back to sleep.


6.

"Sorry I don't call as much any more. It feels weird to call a married woman at night."

Will was on his way to Kroger and had needed someone to talk to. It made me happy as we rarely got the chance to talk much on the phone any more.

"I understand. I'm always paranoid I'm going to wake your family up if I call at night, and I hate to interrupt you during the day," I replied.

We kept chatting, catching the other person up on everything new going on in life. After a bit, Will explained, "I was really nervous to send that manuscript to you, you know. All I could think of was you walking into that classroom, slamming my script on the desk and telling me how it was utter crap."

I blinked a few times. That wasn't how I remembered it. Then again, it had happened over ten years ago.

"Well, we both know I wasn't the nicest person in high school..."


7.

I was collecting the last of my things on my desk, making sure I had everything I needed for the upcoming weekend. It was going to be my last state tournament for Forensics. In less than a month I would finally graduate from high school, and in the fall I would be starting college.

Now is no time to get sentimental.

It was a little weird not having Will going with us. We would of course be stopping at the Japanese steak house again (how Mr. and Mrs. H were going to manage nearly thirty high school kids on a weekend trip...). In the past it had always served as a birthday celebration for him.

"Hey Holly, miss me?"

My ears registered who it was before my eyes fully pinpointed where Will was standing. As soon as they had a lock, however, I took off running and nearly tackled him in a hug. "What are you doing here?"

Will laughed, barely managing to keep his balance. "Mr. H was needing another chaperon for the trip, and asked if I'd like to go with...." He laughed again, and I let go of him. "I can't believe I finally succeeded in surprising you."

*    *    *    *    * 

Happy birthday, Will!

Love you, Mama

Fifty-nine years ago today, Grandma Nena brought my Mama into this world. Today, she and Papa and a couple of their friends are headed out east to celebrate this fact. With any luck, they'll return a little bit richer than when they left.

Happy Birthday, Mama! It was good to see you this weekend, and I can't wait to hear how your trip went. :-)

Tradition

Saturday, in celebration of Rapier Wit's birthday, we went to Ted's Cafe Escandido for excellent Mexican food, and then we proceeded to the local Medieval Faire.

Our group of friends have attended this particular faire every year since '05. Not everyone can always make it (I missed it both years I was in Dallas), but at least four or five of us make it there every year.  Part of that is because it always falls the weekend before or after Rapier Wit's birthday, and thus it's become a tradition.

This year we did not dress up in full regalia, partly because it was in the 80's. However, we still had a great time. Sherri got to pet an owl this year. To be honest, I don't know how that matches up with the year she got to ride an elephant (pictured right), but she was pretty excited about it. I, however, did not pet an owl this year, because I made a poor choice in footwear so Sam and I left early. Ah well.

The fun thing about returning to the same faire year after year is seeing people you recognize from previous years, whether that be vendors, other vistors, or those participating in the jousting tournaments.

We of course had to make a stop for the huge glass bottles of root beer that are sold each year. I sometimes suspect that the root beer is why we make this trip each year.

Yes, it's that good.

Through virtue of lack of funds, Sam and I managed to resist purchasing any of the clothing that they sell there. However, I will confess that there were a couple of dresses which I lusted after.

First there was this blue dress, which immediately made me think of my halfling character, Annie. It's totally something that I could see her wearing.

However, the one that really got my heart pounding was this gorgeous outfit:

I make an excellent pirate wench, for the record, and this dress would be perfect. Alas, it was not meant to be.

The other outfit which we came across that excited Adorable Nurse in particular was this awesome steampunk outfit:

Adorable Nurse has a not-quite-obsession with steampunk, so she had a grand time seeing all of the steampunk-style items for sale at the faire.

Here you can see Adorable Nurse modeling that rocking hat. 

Isn't this completely awesome? I love the detail work on it!

Of course, Adorable Nurse had to show it to her husband, Walking Hyperbole.

Doesn't he look distinguished? If only he had a cane with a sword in it....

The Christmas Story

Luke 2:1-20
New International Version


  In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirnius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
  So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son.  She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
  And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,
  "Glory to God in the highest heaven,
 and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
  When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
  So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Happy Birthday, My Dear Baginses!

Today is Bilbo and Frodo's birthday!

I know it's a little late in the day, as most people have already finished up second breakfast and are getting ready for elevenses, but I couldn't let it pass by without celebrating. After all, without the adventures of these two wonderful, lovable Hobbits, many beloved games in my life would never have gotten their start, whether on pen and paper or in the various realms of the internet.

So start up the music, cut you some cake, and raise a glass in honor of Bilbo and Frodo!

Day Three -- Happy Birthday to Sherri and Susan!

August 19th is a pretty good day, when all is said and done. On this august occasion several different people have been born (pun intended), including but not limited to: my almost-twin Sherri, my sister-in-law Susan, and as of about 10 am this morning, Jude (Sam's best friend Paul's new son!).

That makes this a pretty rocking day in my book!

Sam and I went to Shawnee this afternoon to help Sherri celebrate her birthday, and I believe a good time was had by all. Still, I can't resist an opportunity to make a big deal about my sister, so I wanted to say one more time for all the world to see:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHERRI!

That is all.


"To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time."
--Clara Ortega

Day One -- Welcome to my 25th year!

It's official: I have now lived for a quarter of a century. To be honest, a part of me never expected to make it this far. The rest of me has been waiting for me to be in my 70's and the matriarch of a large family (if Sam has his way, it will be a large family *mutters something about five kids*).

Perhaps I should have some great words of wisdom, but all I can think of is that God has been incredibly good to a small girl from a small town in Kansas. I look forward to all of the great and small things He has in store for my future!

I'm having a great birthday so far. I had to work (on a Monday no less [which is always the worst day on the phones at work]), but all of the customers I worked with today were extremely happy with me by the end of the call. I even received two compliment calls. This is exciting because I never get compliment calls, though I always score well on the surveys they do of customers after the call.

I've talked to lots of people yesterday and today and been inundated with text messages, emails, and Facebook posts. Makes a girl feel loved. Also, in addition to the fantastic present of an iPhone(!), Sam got me a cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory and we're getting ready to download some songs for Rock Band. Even more importantly--Sam cleaned the ENTIRE APARTMENT for me while I was at work today!

That, my friends, is a prime example of genuine and selfless love.



"I mean, what is an un-birthday present?"
"A present given when it isn't your birthday, of course."
Alice considered a little. "I like birthday presents best," she said at last.
"You don't know what you're talking about!" cried Humpty Dumpty. "How many days are there in a year?"
"Three hundred and sixty-five," said Alice.
"And how many birthdays have you?"
"One."
--Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll