This is the list of possible events for us this spring/summer.
Event List
Feb 6 - Pens & Needles [Morgantown, WV]- 3 hours
Feb 20 - Alderford's Masque of Courtly Love Presents R.U.M. [Canton, OH] – 3 hours
Feb 27 - North Oaken Regional Academy of Defense [Dalton, OH] – 3 hours
Mar 5-7 - The Tournament of the White Hart XIV Shire of Port Oasis - 45 minutes
Mar 26-28 - Winged Hills Collegium [Dayton, OH] – 3 hours
Apr 17 - Mugmort Melees V: Attack of the Barbary Corsairs [Circleville, OH] – 3 hours
Apr 22-25 - Blackstone Raid XIX - 45 minutes
May 7-9 - Baron Wars XIII: Maybe It Won't Rain This Year [Perrysburg, OH] – 5 hours
May 20-23 - AEthelmearc War Practice XXI - 4.5 hours
June 11-13- Northern Oaken War Maneuvers XIV [Wellington, OH] - 4.5 hours
June 25-27 - Border Raids [Elizabethtown, KY] - 4.5 hours
July 10 – Prepare for Glory – 10 minutes
July 30- August 15- PENNSIC WAR 39 – 4.5 hours
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
BPAL sniffing notes 21 - Worm Moon
Worm Moon-
Do not smirk as a hearse goes by,
For you may be the next to die.
They wrap you up in a big white sheet
And throw you down six feet deep.
They put you in a big black box,
And cover you up with dirt and rocks.
All goes well for a week or two,
Then things start changing; all is new.
The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out,
The worms play pinochle on your snout.
A big green worm with rolling eyes,
Crawls in your stomach and out your eyes.
Til your blood turns mossy green
And oozes out like Devonshire cream.
Worm Moon marks the season of rains, when the worms scuttle forth, aerating the earth with their movements and enriching the soil by digesting waste in organic material, which creates organic fertilizer.
Since April is Black Phoenix's Month of Absurdity, we present a melding of Victorian Grotesquery and springtime fecundity: mold-crusted dirt, decomposing organic matter, coffin wood, drooping funeral flowers, congealed blood, gloomy lunar oils, cuckoo flower, and a gruesome burst of overripe red fruits.
In the vial, it smells very green and almost like a cleanser of some sort. Colorwise, I'm getting a mossy green.
Wet on my skin, it smells like wood and dirt and decaying leaves and dried flowers. It reminds me of an old garage or carriage house that's fallen into disuse.
10-15 minute dry-down - Now it has a weird, almost citrusy note to it. Maybe it's those 'overripe red fruits' they mentioned.
1 hour dry-down - There's a very prominent floral note in this now - something white. I know the scent but I can't place the flower other than I know it's a white one with a fairly big blossom. Not magnolia or carnation, but something like that. There's also an odd tart note, probably those fruits again.
2 hour dry-down - Too floral for me and that tart note isn't agreeing with my chemistry at the moment. I tried this one about a week ago and quite liked it - I'll have to try it again when shark week is over. :-P
*note - probably not the best time for me to be testing oils, hormonally speaking, so I may be giving this a second shot in a week or two.
Do not smirk as a hearse goes by,
For you may be the next to die.
They wrap you up in a big white sheet
And throw you down six feet deep.
They put you in a big black box,
And cover you up with dirt and rocks.
All goes well for a week or two,
Then things start changing; all is new.
The worms crawl in, the worms crawl out,
The worms play pinochle on your snout.
A big green worm with rolling eyes,
Crawls in your stomach and out your eyes.
Til your blood turns mossy green
And oozes out like Devonshire cream.
Worm Moon marks the season of rains, when the worms scuttle forth, aerating the earth with their movements and enriching the soil by digesting waste in organic material, which creates organic fertilizer.
Since April is Black Phoenix's Month of Absurdity, we present a melding of Victorian Grotesquery and springtime fecundity: mold-crusted dirt, decomposing organic matter, coffin wood, drooping funeral flowers, congealed blood, gloomy lunar oils, cuckoo flower, and a gruesome burst of overripe red fruits.
In the vial, it smells very green and almost like a cleanser of some sort. Colorwise, I'm getting a mossy green.
Wet on my skin, it smells like wood and dirt and decaying leaves and dried flowers. It reminds me of an old garage or carriage house that's fallen into disuse.
10-15 minute dry-down - Now it has a weird, almost citrusy note to it. Maybe it's those 'overripe red fruits' they mentioned.
1 hour dry-down - There's a very prominent floral note in this now - something white. I know the scent but I can't place the flower other than I know it's a white one with a fairly big blossom. Not magnolia or carnation, but something like that. There's also an odd tart note, probably those fruits again.
2 hour dry-down - Too floral for me and that tart note isn't agreeing with my chemistry at the moment. I tried this one about a week ago and quite liked it - I'll have to try it again when shark week is over. :-P
*note - probably not the best time for me to be testing oils, hormonally speaking, so I may be giving this a second shot in a week or two.
Yet MORE smellies!
Yes, I know I haven't done reviews of the others yet, but I got some xmas gifted imps too!
Worm Moon
Blood Amber
Mother Shub's Lait au Chevre
Mother Shub's Toothsome Banketstaaf
Black Rose
Mason and Jenkin's Port Jelly
Pet Magah Bird
Sleipnir
Helena
13 - Nov. 09 version
Oh, and I got Black Amethyst, Twilight Woods, and Moonlight Path body washes from B&BW. I smell good.
Worm Moon
Blood Amber
Mother Shub's Lait au Chevre
Mother Shub's Toothsome Banketstaaf
Black Rose
Mason and Jenkin's Port Jelly
Pet Magah Bird
Sleipnir
Helena
13 - Nov. 09 version
Oh, and I got Black Amethyst, Twilight Woods, and Moonlight Path body washes from B&BW. I smell good.
Monday, December 21, 2009
More smellies.
Next are reviews of:
Grandmother of Ghosts
Whitechapel
New Orleans
Jezirat al Tennyn
Athens
Initial sniffs are a big ole yes on Grandmother of Ghosts and Whitechapel and hell no on New Orleans and Athens. Jezirat al Tennyn is almost certainly going to become Josh's.
Grandmother of Ghosts
Whitechapel
New Orleans
Jezirat al Tennyn
Athens
Initial sniffs are a big ole yes on Grandmother of Ghosts and Whitechapel and hell no on New Orleans and Athens. Jezirat al Tennyn is almost certainly going to become Josh's.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
BPAL sniffing notes 21 - Eclipse, Bewitched, and Bastet
Eclipse - All the glory, warmth and majesty of the sun — darkened. A delicious blend of bitter almond, vanilla, frankincense and heliotrope, with a drop of cinnamon.
In the vial, it's almond and vanilla. Smells like a cookie. Colorwise, I'm getting light golden brown, like an almond cookie.
Wet on my skin, it's still cookies, but with a hint of flower and incense behind it.
10-15 minute dry-down - Barest hint of cinnamon coming through, but it's still mostly cookies.
1 hour dry-down - Meh. I still smell like a cookie. Not bad, but I don't wanna smell like a snickerdoodle.
******
Bewitched - Deep, luscious green and berry scents that evoke images of woodland witchcraft and the raw power of nature: blackberry, sage, green tea, wild berries and dark musk.
In the vial, I'm getting blackberry tea. Nummy. Colorwise, I'm getting purple and green.
Wet on my skin, it's blackberries and sage. Very nice.
10-15 minute dry-down - I smell like a cup of blackberry tea. Not unpleasant, but I don't think I'll order this.
1 hour dry-down - Nice, but it just smells like berry body wash to me now. Or better yet, the blackberry Wallflowers insert at B&BW.
******
Bastet - Bast, Ubasti, Ailuros, Ba-en-Aset. Represented as both a domestic cat and a fierce lioness, she truly evidences traits of both. She is the Mother of All Cats, Goddess of Sensuality, Fertility, and a guardian and protector of women. She is also one of the Eyes of Ra, and in that aspect is an Avenging Goddess, seeking retribution and punishing enemies of her people. Luxuriant amber, warm Egyptian musk, fierce saffron and soft myrrh, almond, cardamom and golden lotus.
In the vial, I'm getting almond, musk, and a tiny bit of myrrh. Reminds me of kitty fur in the sunlight. Colorwise, I'm getting a very rich tawny gold.
Wet on my skin, so far so good. I'm getting almond, musk, myrrh, and cardamom. Mmm... Cardamom.
10-15 dry-down - Nice. Musk, myrrh, and amber in just the right blend to keep the almond and saffron in check. Hopefully this one stays right where it is.
1 hour dry-down - Oh! Hi, lotus! I like you. But what is this weird chocolate note you're bringing with you? Talk about a morpher! I think I might have to have a bottle of this one.
In the vial, it's almond and vanilla. Smells like a cookie. Colorwise, I'm getting light golden brown, like an almond cookie.
Wet on my skin, it's still cookies, but with a hint of flower and incense behind it.
10-15 minute dry-down - Barest hint of cinnamon coming through, but it's still mostly cookies.
1 hour dry-down - Meh. I still smell like a cookie. Not bad, but I don't wanna smell like a snickerdoodle.
******
Bewitched - Deep, luscious green and berry scents that evoke images of woodland witchcraft and the raw power of nature: blackberry, sage, green tea, wild berries and dark musk.
In the vial, I'm getting blackberry tea. Nummy. Colorwise, I'm getting purple and green.
Wet on my skin, it's blackberries and sage. Very nice.
10-15 minute dry-down - I smell like a cup of blackberry tea. Not unpleasant, but I don't think I'll order this.
1 hour dry-down - Nice, but it just smells like berry body wash to me now. Or better yet, the blackberry Wallflowers insert at B&BW.
******
Bastet - Bast, Ubasti, Ailuros, Ba-en-Aset. Represented as both a domestic cat and a fierce lioness, she truly evidences traits of both. She is the Mother of All Cats, Goddess of Sensuality, Fertility, and a guardian and protector of women. She is also one of the Eyes of Ra, and in that aspect is an Avenging Goddess, seeking retribution and punishing enemies of her people. Luxuriant amber, warm Egyptian musk, fierce saffron and soft myrrh, almond, cardamom and golden lotus.
In the vial, I'm getting almond, musk, and a tiny bit of myrrh. Reminds me of kitty fur in the sunlight. Colorwise, I'm getting a very rich tawny gold.
Wet on my skin, so far so good. I'm getting almond, musk, myrrh, and cardamom. Mmm... Cardamom.
10-15 dry-down - Nice. Musk, myrrh, and amber in just the right blend to keep the almond and saffron in check. Hopefully this one stays right where it is.
1 hour dry-down - Oh! Hi, lotus! I like you. But what is this weird chocolate note you're bringing with you? Talk about a morpher! I think I might have to have a bottle of this one.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
BPAL sniffing notes 20 - Plunder and Hecate
Plunder - The scent of a pirate's bumboat, overflowing with stolen wares: tea leaf, cassia, cinnamon bark, clove, allspice, sandalwood, tobacco, peppercorn, and nutmeg.
In the vial, I get spice and a weirdly medicinal note. Colorwise, the distinctive rust brown of ground spices.
Wet on my skin, Big Red gum! Ok, that's funny.
10-15 minute dry-down - Now it's all clove. This one's going to take some settling, I think.
1 hour dry-down - I smell like pie. :-) This isn't what I expected, but I still smell yummy. I doubt I'll order it, though.
*****
Hecate - Magnificent three-faced Goddess of Magic, the Dark Moon and the Crossroads. She is the Mother of Witches, and the midnight baying of hounds is her paean. Her compassion is evidenced in her role as Psychopomp for Persephone, and her wrath manifests as Medea's revenge. Deep, buttery almond layered over myrrh and dark musk.
In the vial, can we say amaretto? The almond almost overpowers the myrrh... almost. Colorwise, doeskin - that butter yellow doeskin.
Wet on my skin, it's sweet almond with something dark keeping it from being cloying. So far, I quite like it.
10-15 minute dry-down - Guh. That's all I can say. The almond keeps the myrrh at bay but it's still noticable. *drool*
1 hour dry-down - Still guh. I can't say much else other than I'm in love.
In the vial, I get spice and a weirdly medicinal note. Colorwise, the distinctive rust brown of ground spices.
Wet on my skin, Big Red gum! Ok, that's funny.
10-15 minute dry-down - Now it's all clove. This one's going to take some settling, I think.
1 hour dry-down - I smell like pie. :-) This isn't what I expected, but I still smell yummy. I doubt I'll order it, though.
*****
Hecate - Magnificent three-faced Goddess of Magic, the Dark Moon and the Crossroads. She is the Mother of Witches, and the midnight baying of hounds is her paean. Her compassion is evidenced in her role as Psychopomp for Persephone, and her wrath manifests as Medea's revenge. Deep, buttery almond layered over myrrh and dark musk.
In the vial, can we say amaretto? The almond almost overpowers the myrrh... almost. Colorwise, doeskin - that butter yellow doeskin.
Wet on my skin, it's sweet almond with something dark keeping it from being cloying. So far, I quite like it.
10-15 minute dry-down - Guh. That's all I can say. The almond keeps the myrrh at bay but it's still noticable. *drool*
1 hour dry-down - Still guh. I can't say much else other than I'm in love.
BPAL sniffing notes 19 - Kumiho and Black Cat
Kumiho - Nine-tailed fox demon of Korean lore who transforms into the visage of an irresistible beauty in order to seduce men and lead them to their doom. A sharp, biting blend of crisp white tea and ginger.
In the vial - Holy ginger, Batman! That's some strong stuff, but it smells sooooo nice. Colorwise, I'm getting a whole lot of WHITE.
Wet on my skin, mmmm. White tea and ginger... I could so lick my wrist right now.
10-15 minute dry-down - It smells like ginger candy. I <3 it.
1 hour dry-down - Smells like hot ginger tea. Very nice. It's a very Springtime scent. I don't know that I'd wear it, but it smells pretty.
*****
Black Cat - A very tricky kitty, indeed. Used most often as a key to bringing back the joy one needs to have in life in order for living to feel worthwhile. Brings back a sense of delight in simple pleasures, and creates a surge of childlike curiosity and a youthful sense of fun. This blend can also be used to reverse troublesome lesser crossings, create a playful air of catlike sexuality, and, because cats will be cats, it can also be used to throw minor, irritating or bothersome hexes, causing small amounts of chaos and disruption to your foes.
In the vial, all I can smell is furniture polish. Ecch. Colorwise, I'm getting that oily yellow that can only be associated with Murphy's Oil Soap.
Wet on my skin... ew. Just ew. Swear to god, it even *smells* like Murphy's Oil Soap now.
10-15 minute dry-down - Oh god. Now it's *roses* and Murphy's Oil Soap. Eccch. Get it off me!!!!
In the vial - Holy ginger, Batman! That's some strong stuff, but it smells sooooo nice. Colorwise, I'm getting a whole lot of WHITE.
Wet on my skin, mmmm. White tea and ginger... I could so lick my wrist right now.
10-15 minute dry-down - It smells like ginger candy. I <3 it.
1 hour dry-down - Smells like hot ginger tea. Very nice. It's a very Springtime scent. I don't know that I'd wear it, but it smells pretty.
*****
Black Cat - A very tricky kitty, indeed. Used most often as a key to bringing back the joy one needs to have in life in order for living to feel worthwhile. Brings back a sense of delight in simple pleasures, and creates a surge of childlike curiosity and a youthful sense of fun. This blend can also be used to reverse troublesome lesser crossings, create a playful air of catlike sexuality, and, because cats will be cats, it can also be used to throw minor, irritating or bothersome hexes, causing small amounts of chaos and disruption to your foes.
In the vial, all I can smell is furniture polish. Ecch. Colorwise, I'm getting that oily yellow that can only be associated with Murphy's Oil Soap.
Wet on my skin... ew. Just ew. Swear to god, it even *smells* like Murphy's Oil Soap now.
10-15 minute dry-down - Oh god. Now it's *roses* and Murphy's Oil Soap. Eccch. Get it off me!!!!
BPAL sniffing notes 18 - Sudha Segara and Dana O'Shee
Sudha Segara - Named after the primordial ocean of milk where Lord Vishnu reclines upon the thousand-headed Naga. Sweet milk and warm, healing ginger with a touch of golden honey and our blend of Ambrosia.
In the vial, it's milk and ginger. I'm liking that. Colorwise, I'm getting pale gold.
Wet on my skin, I'm getting milk, ginger, and something that reminds me of pollen. I like it.
10-15 minute dry-down - I swear, this just makes me think of baklava. It's foody without being *too* foody.
1 hour dry-down - Erk. It went south on me. Now I'm getting ginger, perfume, and slightly sour milk. Pity, because it was so nice starting out.
2 hour dry-down - Whew. That was close. The sour milk went away and now all I get is ginger. Ginger so musky that you have to basically have nose to skin to smell it. Not bad, but I'm not ordering any.
*****
Dana O'Shee - In Irish folklore the Dana O'Shee are a fae, elven people that live in a realm of beauty, their nobility akin to our that own Age of Chivalry, eternally beautiful and eternally young. They surround themselves with the pleasures of the Arts, they live for the hunt, and to this day can be seen riding in procession through the Irish countryside at twilight, led by their King and Queen. However, the Dana O'Shee are not benevolent creatures, despite what their unearthly beauty may imply. They are vengeful and treacherous and possess a streak of mischievous malice, and many have whispered that their true home lies deep in the shadowed groves of the Realm of the Dead. Hearing even a single chord of their otherworldly music leaves one stunned and lost to the mortal realms for ever, finding themselves prey to the Dana O'Shee's hunt or enslaved in their Court as servants or playthings. Offerings of milk, honey and sweet grains were made to placate these creatures, and it is that the basis of the scent created in their name.
In the vial - I don't see any mention of it, but I smell almond. Not almond that you eat, though. Amaretto almond - that sticky sweet almond that permeates everything. Colorwise, it's a pale pink-brown.
Wet on my skin, it smells like a cookie!!! Seriously, lots of honey and grains.
10-15 minute dry-down - Where is that almond coming from? This is almost too sweet, really.
1 hour dry-down - I smell like a sugar cookie scented candle. Seriously, that is *exactly* what this smells like on me. Might be nice as a room scent, though.
In the vial, it's milk and ginger. I'm liking that. Colorwise, I'm getting pale gold.
Wet on my skin, I'm getting milk, ginger, and something that reminds me of pollen. I like it.
10-15 minute dry-down - I swear, this just makes me think of baklava. It's foody without being *too* foody.
1 hour dry-down - Erk. It went south on me. Now I'm getting ginger, perfume, and slightly sour milk. Pity, because it was so nice starting out.
2 hour dry-down - Whew. That was close. The sour milk went away and now all I get is ginger. Ginger so musky that you have to basically have nose to skin to smell it. Not bad, but I'm not ordering any.
*****
Dana O'Shee - In Irish folklore the Dana O'Shee are a fae, elven people that live in a realm of beauty, their nobility akin to our that own Age of Chivalry, eternally beautiful and eternally young. They surround themselves with the pleasures of the Arts, they live for the hunt, and to this day can be seen riding in procession through the Irish countryside at twilight, led by their King and Queen. However, the Dana O'Shee are not benevolent creatures, despite what their unearthly beauty may imply. They are vengeful and treacherous and possess a streak of mischievous malice, and many have whispered that their true home lies deep in the shadowed groves of the Realm of the Dead. Hearing even a single chord of their otherworldly music leaves one stunned and lost to the mortal realms for ever, finding themselves prey to the Dana O'Shee's hunt or enslaved in their Court as servants or playthings. Offerings of milk, honey and sweet grains were made to placate these creatures, and it is that the basis of the scent created in their name.
In the vial - I don't see any mention of it, but I smell almond. Not almond that you eat, though. Amaretto almond - that sticky sweet almond that permeates everything. Colorwise, it's a pale pink-brown.
Wet on my skin, it smells like a cookie!!! Seriously, lots of honey and grains.
10-15 minute dry-down - Where is that almond coming from? This is almost too sweet, really.
1 hour dry-down - I smell like a sugar cookie scented candle. Seriously, that is *exactly* what this smells like on me. Might be nice as a room scent, though.
BPAL sniffing notes 17 - The Ghost
The Ghost -
Softly as brown-eyed Angels rove
I will return to thy alcove,
And glide upon the night to thee,
Treading the shadows silently.
And I will give to thee, my own,
Kisses as icy as the moon,
And the caresses of a snake
Cold gliding in the thorny brake.
And when returns the livid morn
Thou shalt find all my place forlorn
And chilly, till the falling night.
Others would rule by tenderness
Over thy life and youthfulness,
But I would conquer thee by fright!
A thin, sinuous, creeping chill, the scent of glee-filled undeath: white iris, osmanthus, Calla lily, tomb-crawling ivy and a coffin spray of gladiolus, lisianthus and delphinium.
In the vial, very sharp and green. Reminiscent of that tang of freshly cut greenery. Colorwise, I'm getting just that - Green. The sappy green of a fresh cut stem.
Wet on my skin, still very green. I'm getting a lot of ivy and a lot of lily. Not unpleasant, but not what I wanted.
10-15 minute dry-down - Still ivy, but there's a weird floral that I'm not familiar with. I'm not caring much for it.
1 hour dry-down - Holy flowers! I smell like aloe shampoo and a spray of funeral flowers. Not liking this one.
Softly as brown-eyed Angels rove
I will return to thy alcove,
And glide upon the night to thee,
Treading the shadows silently.
And I will give to thee, my own,
Kisses as icy as the moon,
And the caresses of a snake
Cold gliding in the thorny brake.
And when returns the livid morn
Thou shalt find all my place forlorn
And chilly, till the falling night.
Others would rule by tenderness
Over thy life and youthfulness,
But I would conquer thee by fright!
A thin, sinuous, creeping chill, the scent of glee-filled undeath: white iris, osmanthus, Calla lily, tomb-crawling ivy and a coffin spray of gladiolus, lisianthus and delphinium.
In the vial, very sharp and green. Reminiscent of that tang of freshly cut greenery. Colorwise, I'm getting just that - Green. The sappy green of a fresh cut stem.
Wet on my skin, still very green. I'm getting a lot of ivy and a lot of lily. Not unpleasant, but not what I wanted.
10-15 minute dry-down - Still ivy, but there's a weird floral that I'm not familiar with. I'm not caring much for it.
1 hour dry-down - Holy flowers! I smell like aloe shampoo and a spray of funeral flowers. Not liking this one.
bpal sniffing info
Ok, a friend got a new order of imps in and graciously let me borrow them after she finished her sniffings. I still have to return them, but at least I get to *try* them. Up on the chopping block are:
The Ghost
Gaueko
Dana O'Shee
Sudha Sagara
Les Fleurs du Mal big old hell no - roses!!!
Kumiho
Black Cat
Hecate
Plunder
Eclipse
Bewitched
Bastet
The Ghost
Gaueko
Dana O'Shee
Sudha Sagara
Kumiho
Black Cat
Hecate
Plunder
Eclipse
Bewitched
Bastet
Monday, December 7, 2009
weirdness
for some reason, i keep getting whiffs of jasmine here at work. i don't have anything with jasmine in it on me or in my bag, and my boss has no idea where it's coming from. it smells nice, but no clue. this is the 2nd time since last week.
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