stellar_muddle | This will be general rambling

Brain has taken to composing random LJ postings while lying in bed unable to sleep in the late evenings. Don't worry, I will only inflict some of them on you...

Distractions for later in the year: Australian Costumers Guild National Ball. Sounds like fun and an excuse for trying to make something Victorian (or for those who had the excuse to wear gorgeous late Victorian silk gowns last night, who may or may not read this :), wear it again). Again up against the will or wont Z be in the field issue, but we shall see.

margaretta and

sandhi, how does the 25 August fit in with your tour plans? Interested?

It is fairly well established that I am apparently going straight to hell (do not pass go, do not collect $100) - atheism and living in sin will do things like that. But the mental (yes, good and silent and just to myself) monologue and rebuttal composed while listening to the marriage sermon last evening, especially after spending part of the earlier afternoon reading Richard Dawkins "The God Delusion" will definitely fast track things. Even if it was a generally mild and inoffensive Uniting minister and the sentiments were well meant and in some cases expressed well. Certain phrases just hit nails on blackboard for me. YMMV. See previous rants on marriage and religion (and probably future ones).

What is interesting is seeing what various people vow to each other in formalising their relationship. Afraid I am working off small number statistics (4 weddings and 1 civil union), so difficult to draw any conclusions from trends observed. Some seem overly florid, others heart felt and direct. We didn't really have any sort of vows done for the civil union, so did the basics of "I, (name) take (other person) as my/a (can't remember which) civil union partner". Possibly a bit on the basic side and we may or may not embelish that at a later date. I liked the fact that last night, the couple swore to protect each other. Nice touch. The main thing being, I suppose, is that it expresses the the intent they want and the commitments they wish to make to each other and they are happy about it.

And the clothing... :) Note comments about Victorian. The bride and bridesmaids were in stunning late Victorian - silk, bustles and all. Gorgeous detailing and layers. And matching stripy stockings in the silk colours. Very very well done. Z is still hassling me about wanting to undress the bridesmaids - got to know the right layering to get the look right in the first place. Apparently the corsets were a variety of brocades and satins and the bustles themselves were 3 padded crescents and carefully placed ruffles. And they remembered to take photos :)

Z is currently (well, at the start of writing) in the garage having fun making a viking chest which hides a set of chinese box bellows so he can set up a forge in the back yard to make the hinges and metal furniture etc for the other Viking chests he is working on (one assembled and just needs hinges, others in pieces). This will be bellows set number 4 since the start of the year - 1 double bellows for CF (y-shaped leather nozzles), repairs to last years box bellows for Festival, 1 double bellows for Festival (verdict that wood frame nozzle for both works better than the y-shaped leather pipes). Z flinches slightly if you describe it as 6 bellows. Only averaging one set a month...

Need more good wax tablet wood. Circular wood cutting didn't quite work as well as would have been liked.

There is nothing like that sinking feeling when you realise that in moving between 3-4 cities and 2 countries, you either culled out or left behind in a box in a shed the 200-400 level atmospheric physics and maths notes you thought would be of no further use, but now might be. Plan to start working my way through the 100 level maths text just to start trying to get my brain back up to speed.

So, current project is sewing the pseudo-Victorian chemise. Eyeing up which canvases we have are good to try a corset base out of, with a chinese brocade for outer. Should have everything needed bar boning. Then possibly that doublet out of Z's black velvet and silk. Or Edwardian riding jacket...

Enough random rambling over the course of the day. Sleep might be a sensible option.