What better day to begin my December 2006 journal than on my birthday. That's right, it's December 21st - the first day of Winter, the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and the longest night of the year, and... the same birthday as Duncan MacLeod of the Clan MacLeod. I'm sitting at my friend Sarnia's house on a cold enough, but still snow-free St. Paul, Minnesota morning. The time is 6:50am, but I've been awake for over an hour. What am I doing in the Twin Cities this time of year? How did I get here? What wild and crazy plans, if any, do I have for celebrating my birthday? Read on, Tortugaholics, and I will regale you with my latest adventures.
We closed out the Louisiana Renaissance Festival with fireworks booming in the background, lighting the night as we worked to put away our gear and close down the various businesses we have our fingers in to make all that extra jink. (See AD&D Sigil for a clue to that one - Geek we must!)
That being done, I headed westward towards Phoenix, Arizona and the site of the Arizona Renaissance Festival. That is usually our first renaissance festival of the year, so I like to get all our gear and left over merchandise there before I head for my winter locale(s). Taking this jaunt now instead of later cuts my driving in half - which, by the end of a festival season, makes me a much happier camper.
In case you didn't notice, I said "usually" when describing the Arizona Renaissance Festival as our first gig of the year. That is not currently the case. If you bear with me, I will happily elucidate this anomalous situation. (Don't be too impressed by the big words. I misspelled the first one - thank you Spell Check - and had to do a synonym check on both to make sure I was a-usin' them right. Don't you worry none, a-cause I is.)
First, we are exhibiting at the NATPE07 convention - also known as the National Association of Television Program Executives [or "NAMBLA"   -AB] convention. It is a convention where television studio executives from all over the world meet in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in search of innovative media content, new technical products, and a whole lot of networking. Oh yeah, and I'm sure there'll be some gambling, too!
This is the first time we're doing something like this, and we are looking forward to the experience. I'm sure we'll all be coming back with a few stories and at least one journal full of pix. Stay tuned to this here Tortuga Fan Site for the first run on all the good news!
Just over two weeks after that ends, your Tortugas will converge on Sarasota, Florida for the 28th Annual Sarasota Ringling Medieval Faire. Though we have not been seen at this faire in many a year, this is where the Tortuga Twins made their debut on that sunny Thursday in March of 1987. We will be appearing for the first weekend only, so make sure you come out Saturday and Sunday, February 3 & 4 to the only Florida appearance the Tortuga Twins will be making this year.
But, before all that... .
I'm currently in Mission Viejo, California. I'll be here till tomorrow when I drive to Palm Springs to visit rennie newlyweds Danielle (Daphne of Washing Well Wenches fame) and her new husband Will. While there, I'll be checking out the Palm Springs Film Festival. Sounds like a hoot, and not a bad way to spend my time before Vegas. You'll hear more about my time in California in next month's journal. For now, let's take a look at what's happened so far over the holiday season.
Tortugapalooza 2: Spies - the final rendition. We had a fun sendoff for our latest theatrical production. There was a whole lotta Tortuga-style screwing around, and even a practical joke or two. Not a bad way to end a theatrical tour. It was a good run, but now it's time for Bigger, Badder, Better, More! (Nope, not the name of a new show - just an attitude.) The most surprising thing for yours truly that night was a surprise indeed.
Fans, friends, and family decided to throw me a surprise birthday party at the Tortugapalooza Afterparty - complete with birthday cake, balloons, and gifts a-plenty. I am not often surprised in this fashion, but this time I never saw it comin'! Thank you everyone for your involvement in a moment that meant a lot to me.
The Twin Cities area of Minnesota was my home for the winter holidaze. I spent time with Bruce & Melissa Dehkes and their two sons Jacob and Joshua. You might remember that we've mentioned Bruce and his cohorts Ten Seconds of Harmony once or twice before. I saw most of them while I was there, celebrating Christmas, New Year's, and yet another Riki Birthday Party.
Not too much snow this time out, though. Last time I spent winter in Minnesota, it was the second coldest/snowiest ever. This time was running the record for the third warmest. I didn't mind - I don't like to drive on snow and ice anyhow.
Not that my time in Minnesota was all play. Oh no. There was NATPE07 to get ready for, and Sarina and I did a little scriptwriting.
We've been working on the screenplay version of "The Tao of Intimacy... " with a creative consultant based out of Minneapolis and Los Angeles. (*See my October 2006 journal for more info on the book project.) Things are going very well with that, and I'm getting the opportunity to learn how to write for another medium: film. This learning process is easier said than done, but I'm getting the hang of it. I've already begun exploring yet another medium: the fine art of comic book writing. Believe it our not, learning to write in scene format is helping me with the comic book writing. It has made it so much easier for me to make the jump from dialogue and exposition that tells everything - as in a novel - to stationary pictures and few words that must show all I want to convey in one shot - as with comic books.
You think that's a mouthful to say, try figuring out how to write it.
Okay, Tortugaholics - we've come to the close of my December 2006 journal. I apologize for the lack of pictures. With all my traveling, I have not been able to get my broken camera (*November 2006Â journal) looked at. Maybe I should just suck it up and buy another one... a brand new one... .
Ooh, shopping!
