August 2007

Savage, Minnesota Click to view the full plaque

Hola, Tortugaholics! Greetings and salutations from the state of Minnesota. Still here. Still living in Savage and still enjoying it. I've been in one place for nigh unto three months, and I have to admit that I'm growing accustomed to the stationary life. This is not to say that I won't be chomping at the bit for North Carolina in the fall and Arizona by the end of winter. That said, it sure is nice seeing the same folk for a longer period of time than I'm usually used to.

Sarina Works on a Marketing Letter

Book News

Big news first! It's finally happening! I am publishing my first body of work... and I'm going to give you the honor of first dibs at a glimpse. Sarina (my non-Tortuga writing partner) & I have finished work on Why Real Women Drink Straight Tequila - the Tao of Intimacy, and sent it to a self-publishing company. As I've said in earlier journals, it is a self-help guide on dating intimacy (mostly geared toward women - sorry guys). Check out my June 2007 and October 2006 journals if you want to know a little more about my involvement on this project.

Though the book will not be officially out until the spring of 2008, the website is up. Included there for your viewing pleasure are a couple excerpts from the book and a blog where you can jot down an opinion/question or two. Please feel free to take a look around, then let me know what you think. The link is: quantumdatingclub.com.

The Winery Gig

Ohio called, and we answered! That's right, the good people of northeast Ohio were outraged that we were not performing at the Great Lakes Medieval Faire, and demanded that we do something to make up for it. We headed up to Madison, Ohio for a two-night run at the Grand River Cellars Winery to perform our Swordfighting & Stupidity show. I'm sure Jef's and Ronn's journals will reflect what happened. Me? It gave me a chance to see one of my best friends in all the world: Eric Michael aka the world famous Jouster Emo. He is currently jousting at the Michigan Renaissance Festival with another good friend Greg Oatley.

 

Eric and a couple Tortugas (I'm happier than I look)

Jef & Sharon with Eric at the hotel room

Rockin' at the Cleveland airport

Emo and I go waaaay back. We've done renaissance festivals together, traveled the world (Thailand, Lao PDR, and the like), even shot at each other across a paintball battlefield or two - we've been through a lot. Though we haven't seen each other much over the past few years, there's always that spark of friendship that remains lit no matter the time or distance traveled. Needless to say - but I'll say it any way, 'cause that's what I'm doing here - it was great seeing him again. Though it was unfortunate that it couldn't be longer - he wasn't able to stay for the winery show - it was a good visit nonetheless.

My Vision Board Click to view the full plaque

My Vision Board

What the heck is a Vision Board, you ask? Surely, you've heard of them. People get together; cut pictures out of magazines, then paste them to poster board. But... why? You see, what they're suppose to be cutting out are representations ofwhat they want to see in their lives. In some cases, they reflect more who the person currently is, as well as who they wish to become. If you've read my journals before, you already know that I'm super into all this self-help, motivational type stuffage. Though I'm waaaay not perfect (no, really... it's okay... we're all friends here, I can say it), I feel that I am much better off than I would have been without.

So, yeah, I finally put together a Vision Board of my own. It sits in my room, facing my work area, and I glance at it from time to time. It reminds me of what I'm striving for, what I'm working towards, what I'm sacrificing for when I give up my spare time and those delightful slabs of immediate gratification that I sometimes miss. I have a glimpse of the person I'm becoming, a glimmer that makes that person more real to me.

Check them out sometime on your own. Google Vision Board or God Board or look up Oprah (I'm sure she or one of her guests has something to say about them). Check them out for yourself. If they work for you, great! If not, then that's five minutes you spent trying to turn your brain onto something new, and that's never a waste of time.

Phoenix Phlamer Ben

We are not the only Ren Fest act with minions. There are others out there who also have a support staff to help put on the show. Johnny Phoenix also has a few people to call his own. Where we call ours helpers Tortuga Minions, his people have named themselves Phoenix Phlamers. Don't ask me why - even he couldn't explain it.

Anywho, one of those fine young men has joined the United States Navy. We had a going-away dinner at the Mystic Casino buffet for young Ben Loveland, and, as I'm finding I often say, a good time was had by all. Ronn & Heather were in attendance, as were Minnesota Tortuga Fan Club Chapter Head, Kay Kinsey, & her husband Chad, and fellow Phoenix Phlamer Michael Schottmuller & his girlfriend, Anna LaVigne. Oh yeah... I was there, too. And I gorged myself on fantastic buffet food and good conversation. Yeah!

 

Ben and Ronn talk Navy Talk

Anna & Michael

Telling the Tale of Ronn & Heather

Well, Tortugaholics, that's all I got for now. Hope you're having a great time out there in the wide, wonderful world. If not, work on that - it's well worth the ride! Ciao for now, my friends!