These shoes are made for walking...

Some years ago I did the Walk To Rivendell Challenge, where you log your real-life walking distance every day and plot your course across a map of Middle Earth. Yeah, I'm a nerd. But a FIT nerd, eh? :-D

Well, I've decided to join Vixy and Brooke (the instigator) on their virtual walk around the world, visiting all the filk conventions. I can use my new fancypants pedometer to help me track distance, and then use Google maps to set up a route.

I'm starting from my P.O. Box in north Toronto (I'm not posting my real address, sorry) and walking to FilKONtario first, then am going counter-clockwise around Brooke's map (to OVFF in Columbus, OH after that). Maybe I'll even make virtual visits along the way, if anyone along the route is interested in offering virtual crash space. :-) Offering virtual crash space in no way commits you to offering REAL crash space at any point in the future, nor do you have to give me your real address -- just the city and prov/state will do.

Thanks, Brooke, for inspiring me! It sure makes tracking my walking progress much more interesting. I'll likely be doing a bit of running as well, but my right knee is acting up a bit so I'm leery about doing running for now - I'm doing longer walks instead. Walked nearly 7 km (about 4.5 miles) yesterday, woohoo!

I'm setting up my virtual route along real-life roads instead of a direct route wherever possible, though I may sometimes opt to take detours if they look interesting on the map. I figure this will be a good way to familiarize myself with some geography as well. :-)

Anyway, right now I'm about to take the exit for Highway 401...



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Glacial

[Update: Ah, it looks as if the aluminum case of my new MacBook Pro (I love getting Jeff's tech cast-offs!) isn't as Airport friendly as my old machine. Jeff says he's going to try moving the Airport base closer to my office. Meanwhile, I'm working on the dining room table upstairs, and I've added some photos to this post. :-)]

Augh, Internet access seems GLACIALLY SLOW today and I wondering if it's Bell's fault or the fact that we upgraded my machine yesterday (I suspect the latter). Example: it took one minute and 15 seconds from time I clicked on my Google bookmark for the page to load. Hence this photo-deprived Blathering today; I'm hoping things improve by tomorrow. Also having problems with e-mail, so may be incommunicado today.

But here's what I was going to post (if I manage to get this posted, that is)...



Above: Cross-stitch that Allison made for me.

I've been neglecting my harp lately, so decided to tune it. Tuning a harp is a more complicated process than tuning a guitar, especially when fiddling with a newly replaced string -- I find that the latter often requires some arm strength to get the new string to "take."



However, Gwyneth appears to be cooperating and holding her tuning now, and I went through some old pieces in my harp books on the weekend. And in case any of you are wondering why I named my harp Gwyneth Paltrow...back when I first got my harp, my harp-type friends kept asking me if my harp had told me its name yet. So I finally decided to ask it and...lo and behold, its name is Gwyneth Paltrow! Any nomenclature similarities with the actress are quite coincidental, of course.

Inspired by the Celtic jam at FilKONtario, I've also picked up my tin whistle again and started reviewing tunes. And learning new ones: I learned Banish Misfortune yesterday...now the trick is to keep practising it until it sinks in.



I also need to work on speed and confidence; I recognized many of the tunes that Al and the others were playing in the circle, but couldn't keep up. I've gotten back into the habit of keeping a whistle by my computer so I can take it out and run through a tune at least a couple times a day.

I'll continue my FKO highlights when I have better Internet access, but I did want to share the comments that Erica N. and Stevemac posted yesterday in response to my post about the Filk Hall Of Fame. Erica and Steve are involved in helping to run and promote the Pegasus Awards.



Erica:

"I actually believe that the Filk Hall of Fame is more significant than the Pegasus Awards. So I absolutely agree with promoting them more. *grin*"



Stevemac:

"Complete agreement.
The Pegasus Awards, by their very nature, are ephemeral. The Hall of Fame, on the other hand, is anything *but* ephemeral.

I mean, look at them. :) The Pegasus Awards recognize excellence in performance- while the whole focus of the HoF is acknowledging those who sponsor, build, and help glue together our *community*. And the requisite effort that each award demands is actually a mirror of its significance.

Pegasus? Spend a few minutes writing down people and songs you think are good (Brainstorming and Nomination phases), or spend anywhere from 5 minutes to a half hour voting in the Final Ballot.

HoF? Agonize over an essay- and care enough to make it the best writing you can, because the person you're writing about has left that much of a mark in your life.

In my life as a filker, I have won five Pegasus Awards. But the plaques that have the central place of honor in our living room are the one that say 'Hall of Fame'. (katyhh's and mine)."




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FKO part 5: Filk Hall Of Fame

More highlights from FilKONtario...



Photo by Korak

Photo above: Allison, Jodi and I performing in an open filk circle on Saturday night.

The Filk Hall Of Fame banquet was, as usual, one of my FKO highlights. The FHOF honours contributions to filk music and the filk community, and I always find it an inspirational and moving event. While the Pegasus Awards focus on performance and songwriting, the Filk Hall Of Fame tends to focus on those who contribute behind the scenes in some way, and who make lasting contributions to the filk community.



Photo by Erin

Anyone in the filk community can make a nomination. Nominations don't have to be written in elegant language, and point form is fine. If a nominee is not chosen for the current year, they remain eligible, and ALL nominations are retained. You can find out who has been nominated but NOT yet inducted by e-mailing Dave Hayman. You can always update one of your old nominations anytime, if the person you nominated has not yet been inducted.

The nominations are reviewed by a jury, whose members include the FKO concom plus one representative from each of the other filk conventions.



Photo by Korak

The Filk Hall Of Fame doesn't tend to get nearly as much blog press as the Pegasus Awards, which is one reason I tend to mention it more in Blatherings. Performers tend to get more of the limelight / attention but while performers work very hard, I believe that the people behind the scenes deserve just as much and perhaps even more recognition.



Photo by Korak

Filk conventions wouldn't EXIST were it not for those working behind the scenes, after all, and people who make the greatest contributions to filk and the filk community tend to be the types who don't promote themselves. I'm grateful to the FHOF because it helps educate the rest of us about these subtler yet essential and deeper contributions, the people who help hold the community together as well as help it grow.

So in addition to sending in your Pegasus Award nominations and votes each year, do also consider sending in a Filk Hall Of Fame nomination as well!



Attending the FHOF banquet is one of the ways I choose to show my support for these community members as well as for the idea behind the award. I also aim to send in at least one nomination a year.

I encourage the rest of you to send in nominations, and to also NOT assume that anyone you'd want to nominate is already inducted. You can see a list of Filk Hall Of Fame Inductees and Citations online.



Photo by Korak

Thanks to Walter for being my date at the FHOF this year! We had a fun table: Tanya, Marilisa, David, Juliane, Erin and Rand. Plus we were beside the Wedding Table, so I had a great view of the newly married couple whenever they gazed into each other's eyes (which was often). :-)



Not sure how you other music groups manage your funds, but we each donate money into a communal pot each month. Allison, Jodi and I decided to use the Urban Tapestry travel fund to pay for our hotel room at FKO this year, which was a nice perk. In fact, we decided to get an upgraded room, which meant we got a fridge ... this not only added the benefit of enabling us to take perishables like cheese and cold cuts, but also meant we could store leftovers from restaurant outings and the occasional piece of smuggled fruit from the breakfast buffet.



Another highlight: seeing our friends in their finery. Filkers do clean up nicely. :-)



The Saturday night Celtic jam was WAY fun.



We enjoyed participating in the children's round robin concert on Sunday with Heather and Judith. Ironically, most of our audience were adults. :-)

Sadly, Katy was too ill to attend FKO this year, and we all missed her. It was wonderful to see Juliane, however, and Ju did a fine job in concert despite having to go unexpectedly solo.



Very much enjoyed hearing and meeting Hawke and Cedric from The Bedlam Bards, a Celtic duo who were performing at FilKONtario courtesy The Canadian Browncoats.



Allison, Jodi and I enjoyed chatting with these two during the convention, and I especially enjoyed hearing Cedric's fiddle in open filk.



Photo by Korak

Another highlight: playing with Steve Savitsky in the Filk Hall Of Fame concert. This year's inductees: Bob ("Doc") and Anne Passovoy, and Steve and Colleen Savitzky.


Photo by Phil Mills

I got to hang out with Steve a bit more at FKO while we rehearsed for the concert. SUPER nice guy! I hope we get to make more music together sometime.

To be continued...





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FKO part 4: The Squirrels Are Taking Over

Quit my membership to the local gym yesterday. Over recent months, I decided to test out whether I would still be motivated to work out on my own even in scuzzy weather, and I've decided that I do have the self-discipline even without the option of a gym. Plus now I have my fancypants pedometer to help track my stats.

More highlights from FilKONtario....



Photo by Korak

- Hearing Brooke Lunderville sing along on Starsoul in open filk. And many thanks to Brooke for buying our "Squirrels Are Evil And Taking Over The World" Interfilk package! I'll be adding the lyrics of my two new songs to the UT Songs List eventually, but for now here are the words to my squirrel song:



Photo by Korak

THE SQUIRRELS ARE TAKING OVER
By Debbie Ridpath Ohi, Mar/2008
Performed by Urban Tapestry


When we moved in, we loved the neighbourhood
We couldn't have asked for more
Though I admit I kinda wondered 'bout the
crucifix on each door.



We planted roses, revamped the roof, the
future was looking bright, but then we
started hearing the strangest noises
behind the walls at night...

CHORUS:
The squirrels are takin' over, they've
killed my plants and eaten Rover, my
postman used to think they were cute
but now he's gone (gone gone gone)
They're coming for me now, I think it won't be long.

One morning we saw Mrs. S.
Our next door neighbour, she's sweet!
We waved but I guess she didn't see us
as she ran down the street.

Suddenly we noticed something weird,
a seething mass of black and brown
and then the Evil Squirrel Horde took
Mrs. Scuridopolous down.



CHORUS:
The squirrels are takin' over, they've
killed my plants and eaten Rover, my
neighbour used to think they were cute
but now she's gone (gone gone gone)
They're coming for me now, I think it won't be long.

We boarded up the windows
put garlic on the door
Yet every day we found more scratches
and peanut shells on the floor.

This is stupid," my boyfriend said, "Squirrels are
harmless and that's a fact!
I'm going outside to check things out
stay here...I'LL BE RIGHT BACK."


CHORUS:
The squirrels are takin' over, they've
killed my plants and eaten Rover, my
boyfriend used to think they were cute
but now he's gone (gone gone gone)
They're coming for me now, I think it won't be long
They're coming for me now...

THE END

Speaking of squirrels, thanks to Rob Wynne for sending me this YouTube link to a hilarious parody that is done so well that I thought it was real at first...and as much as I hate squirrels, I admit I was initially horrified when I thought it was a real tv show.

But back to FKO highlights...



- Coming across Interfilk guest Marilyn Miller, playing the piano in the lobby, and soon there were others singing along with her. This sort of thing is what I love about filk conventions; wherever you wander, there's bound to be a nook or cranny filled with music.

- Getting treated to lunch by Michelle Dockrey (thank you, Vixy!).

- Rehearsing Phantom Doll with Dave Clement for the Urban Tapestry concert. His guitar greatly enhanced the song for all of us...and yay, he's going to be at Balticon, too.



- Seeing Marilisa and Allison bond over loom knitting.

- Seeing K. Roper again! That dimpled smile always makes me melt.

- As I mentioned in an earlier Blathering, hearing Michelle Dockrey and Tony Fabris in concert. They were truly fabulous. Great stage presence, nice variety of songs, and they have a great rapport with the audience. I bought a copy of their new CD, Thirteen, as soon as I had a chance. I think I must have listened to it at least a dozen times already, and it just seems to get better with each listening.


Photo by Phil Mills

(Aside: speaking of Phil Mills, I just found out that my friend Scott Murray used to work with Phil years ago. He recognized the name when Jeff took photos of Walter The Seventies Dude to show their gaming friends last night. Apparently they've printed out Phil's photos and put them up on the wall. Heh.)

- Participating in Vixy's and Tony's concert. They had written a parody about Edward Gorey's Gashleycrumb Tinies, and had asked Erin, Allison, Jodi and I to help with props. The timing was tricky but rehearsal helped and it all came together in the concert, yay!

- Heather Dale's concert. She and Ben did a fantastic job. And Heather's going to be Guest Of Honour at next year's FilKONtario! I bought one of Heather's gorgeous silk painting banners to hang up in my office.



- Seeing Kathy Johnson, a friend who came all the way out to the hotel just for our concert. Kathy jumpstarted Urban Tapestry's filk career when she offered us free studio time to record our first album, and has been a supporter of our music ever since.

- Getting an autographed copy of Juliane Honisch's new book, Das Obsidianherz. It's all in German, but I'm going to be able to read it someday, I swear.



- The guests were all excellent. Allison, Jodi and I had briefly met Marilyn Miller ages ago when we performed on the West coast. It was wonderful to hear her lovely voice again.

- Bill Roper also gave a fine concert, and also looks great in a tux. :-) He spent part of the Interfilk auction with his young daughter in his arms (she SO loves her daddy!) and had to explain that no, she wasn't for sale.



- Heather Bruton gave an excellent talk about her art and techniques; I learned quite a bit. She was super-friendly and easy to chat with. I bought some gorgeous bookmarks from her table.

- Speaking of art tables, I had my first art table at a convention. Half a table, rather. Although I didn't sell any of my mini-paintings or pottery, I sold some cards. I was told that the dealers' room was slower than normal, probably because of the weaker U.S. dollar. I also realized that I would likely have sold more art if I had been sitting at the table. FilKONtario, however, wasn't a convention I wanted to spend sitting behind an art table, even if it meant lower sales. Many thanks to Gabi for watching my table for me. I ended up spending more money in the dealers' rooms than I made. :-)



- Like buying fabric. Doreen The Fabric Lady was having a sale, and I couldn't resist since I needed fabric to play with on my new sewing machine. I used my Spiderman Frog fabric for my very first sewing project last night. I'll post pics soon.



- Chocolate from Seattle, a birthday gift from Vixy. Yummm...

- Sitting outside one of the filk rooms and looking at Kathleen Sloan's beaded creations. Holy cow, this woman is talented.

- Vanilla jasmine tea from Colleen Savitsky. Dave Weingart got me hooked on jasmine tea, and the vanilla adds a wonderfully mellow flavour.

FKO highlights continued in an upcoming Blathering...





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Garmin Forerunner and FKO part 3

Inspired by conversations with Greg McMullan (back at GAfilk) and Tanya Huff, I went out and used some of my birthday money to buy a Garmin Forerunner 205, which is a GPS-enabled pedometer/trainer.

I've found that tracking progress is a big motivator in my exercise, but I haven't had much luck with my pedometers. One stopped working and I accidentally dropped another into an indoor fountain. :-( The Forerunner tracks all kinds of data without me having to do anything other than turn the device on and off. When I get home after a run or a walk, I just stick the device on a cradle connected to a USB port on my computer, and the stats are uploaded.

Yesterday, for example, I was out for two walks: 5.22 km (1:02 hours, avg speed 5.1 km/hr, burned 322 calories) and 2.45 km (26 min, avg speed 5.6 km/hr, burned 123 calories). I can track my progress locally on my computer, or on the MotionBased Web site.



But back to FilKONtario. So far I've posted Part 1 and
Part 2. Allison's finished posting her FKO reports at:

FilKONtario '08 - Part 1: concom thanks, Tony birthday conspiracy, rehearsals, Marilyn Miller
FilKONtario '08 - Part 2: Tom and Sue's wedding
FilKONtario '08 - Part 3: Urban Tapestry concert
FilKONtario '08 - Part 4: Friday night concerts, one-shots
FilKONtario '08 - Part 5: Thirteen and Desserts and Auctions and Anvils.
FilKONtario '08 - Part 6: Orgami Penguins and Art Slideshows and Harbors and Home.

As Allison mentioned, it was fun to help Vixy with her birthday conspiracy. Jodi found a cute stuffed moose and card, and I brought along some balloons and other birthday party gear. I didn't have time to make a cake plus knew I wouldn't be able to carry one with my other luggage, so I improvised with store-bought cupcakes.



The wedding was wonderful. Like Tom and Sue, the ceremony was relaxed and full of joy. People were encouraged to wear medieval costumes, and the celebratory atmosphere was punctuated by colour and laughter throughout. Sue had made her own costume, and Tom's and Dave's costumes were made by France Andrews.



Music was provided by Al Thomson and Dave Clement, two of Tom's closest friends. I hadn't seen Al in a while, and it was great to hang out with him a bit during the rest of the weekend as well as see him perform in open filk. Dave and Al perform in Curraugh back in Winnipeg. Also great to see Elizabeth (Dave Clement's wife), Doug, and David Rivers from Winnipeg again!



Above: Merle putting the finishing touches on the wedding cake. Merle von Thorn and Marah Searle-Kovacevic did a fantastic job in the con suite as well. Their dessert buffet after the Filk Hall of Fame Banquet was a feast, including homemade caramel apple squares, harvest bars (cranberries, apricots, walnuts, white chocolate), brownies, magic bars, rice krispy treats, apple pie, strawberries cardinal, fruit, veggies, brie, havarti, chocolate truffles, Laura Secora chocolate, and butter tarts. Yum.

I didn't get a chance to sample the wedding dessert buffet table because Allison, Jodi and I had to go warm up for our concert, but those desserts looked pretty amazing as well!


Photo by Korak

One of the things I loved most about the wedding: the focus on the joy of the occasion rather than the details.



The handfasting ceremony was lovely, simple, and deeply moving. You can read a description of it in Allison's Livejournal entry about the wedding.



You can see more photos from the wedding and the convention in my Flickr set, plus Korak and Phil Mills took some great wedding photos.



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