Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Texas Renaissance Fair

Flickr Set: Texas Renaissance Fair (298 Photos)


Texas Renaissance Fair

I recently visited friends in Houston and went to the Texas Renaissance Festival for the first time. It was well above and beyond what I had imagined even with my friends there hyping it up.

Texas Renaissance Fair

Hilarious live performances were certainly a highlight of the fair, pictured here Sound & Fury performing "Testaclese & ye Sack of Rome".

Texas Renaissance Fair

Numerous elaborate costumes could be seen everywhere, and lots of real plate armor and chainmail.

Texas Renaissance Fair

One of the things that consistently impressed me at the fair was how many permanent buildings had been erected on the grounds, and the level of detail that went into them. More elaborate then Fantasy Land at Disney Land by far, apart from not having a large castle with a moat in the middle.

Texas Renaissance Fair

What medieval reenactment would be complete with out staged violence in a jousting arena.

Texas Renaissance Fair

At dusk every night of the fair, the sky lights up with flying boom sticks.

One of the things I was also not expecting, is how crazy things would be outside the fair. There are campgrounds where some spend the night to enter the fair the next day, and some who just come to make their own festivities outside with no intention of actually going in the fair. Until late in the night or early in the morning, depending on how you look at it, there were fires and dancing, music and glow sticks. Hippies tripping out, frat kids getting hammered and everything in between.

Texas Ren Fair Campgrounds

Texas Ren Fair Campgrounds

Texas Ren Fair Campgrounds

There was lots of amazing craft works out there, and with so many who take a great interest in these Renaissance Fairs and role playing, it keeps a fairly vibrant economy of hand made goods alive.

Texas Renaissance Fair

Texas Renaissance Fair

Texas Renaissance Fair

Texas Renaissance Fair

Texas Renaissance Fair

All and all it was an awesome and memorable experience, one certainly worth the trip out there.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Halloween in West Hollywood

Flickr Set: WeHo Halloween (78 Photos)


Cinco de Mayo

Before riding our bikes out to WeHo, we got some sustenance from Cinco de Mayo, regular feeding grounds for night rides on the West Side.

WeHo Halloween

Drag queens posing in front of the religious protesters. We're they real protesters, or were they in costume as religious protesters?

WeHo Halloween

Warhol's 15 minutes of fame still ticking.

Finding Nemo The Ride Costume

Finding Nemo The Ride The Costume. Yes amazing!

WeHo Halloween

Don't know what the hell these were, but um interesting.. someone pointed out they were in colors from the Fanta girls.

WeHo Halloween

From Russia with love. Cosmonaut guy was one of my favorites.

WeHo Halloween

No Face from Spirited Away, was surprised I didn't see more Miyazaki characters out there.

WeHo Halloween

Superman escorts his lady friends.

WeHo Halloween

Bat Boy in the flesh.

WeHo Halloween

Freddy grabs himself a handful of little Asian girls. Creepy.


WeHo Halloween Flickr Set (78 Photos)

Thursday, November 08, 2007

TEAM MIDNIGHT RIDAZZ

Yes, Midnight Ridazz has formed a team for AIDS Life Cycle, with 9 officially registered and more expecting to join soon. Somehow I became nominated to be captain of this crew on this crazy voyage of epic cycling and fundraising. It will be 545 miles of cycling euphoria, and of course there will be some pain and suffering too, but come next summer, we'll be ready for it. WooOOoo00oo!!!


We had our first ride together at the official ALC kick off ride at the end of October, which featured an awesome 5 mile hill climb up La Tuna Canyon on the advanced course. Everyone seemed to be doing really well and I think we're all off to a good start. As we slowly progress closer to the ride date (next June), we'll ramp up training to longer and more challenging routes.

If you're feeling charitable, and would like to support a good cause, and our team's effort, we are graciously accepting donations through our official Team Midnight Ridazz Webpage. We each need to raise $2500 by next June, and every little bit can make a difference. We're also interested in seeking sponsorship from businesses and are intending to produce team jerseys and sell space for logos.

Currently we are exchanging ideas for fundraising special events, and as we work out the details I'll keep you all posted.


For more information about ALC, what the ride is like, and how their fund raising money is used check out their site. AIDS Life Cycle