Happy Birthday to me

[Kim]

Just bought myself a birthday present, "Imaginative Realism" by James Gurney of Gurney Journey blog fame: http://gurneyjourney.blogspot.com/
Can't wait to check it out! (No affiliation, just a fan.) Just had to share. *Jumping up and down like a little kid.*

[Kim]

Got it and am currently enjoying it. If no one steps up to the plate on the next book I just might have to give you my opinion. ;0)

[S. Kay]

I have this book too! Got him to sign it and everything, I truly love James Gurney. Maybe I'll take a more in depth look at it now.

[Kim]

Oh, cool! I would love to pick his brain. Did you see him at a signing only or did he lecture? Looks like we are going to have that conversation, Kay!

[S. Kay]

I actually ordered it directly from him, so he signed it that way. I do live close enough though, so I've been trying to work out how I can get enough notice to drive up his way for one of the museum openings or lectures or something like that. Such an interesting guy.

[Kim]

He is interesting. You might like this: http://sidebar.typepad.com/my_weblog/...
I like that he's willing to share his insights on his blog and he sounds very down-to-earth in this interview. Great podcasts here, btw. Didn't realize he was in Virginia. If I ever get back "home" I'll have to make sure I make it a parallel venture. I'll be back...

[S. Kay]

I think he's actually in Pennsylvania (need to double check), but it's just a hop-skip-jump from here... certainly worth a little drive!

[S. Kay]

Oh, and let me know when you do make it this way, we'll have to go sketching or at least meet up for coffee or something. Sigh, someday.

[Kim]

Wouldn't miss it. Some day...

Pennsylvania is not far away at all. Made it up there many a time. Beautiful state.

[S. Kay]

I go up for a fairy festival every year and it's only about a two hour drive. Definitely worth it!

[Kim]

I wanna go to a fairy land festival! ;0) I went to a fantasy fair festival last year. The costumes were awesome but the rest seemed more about selling than anything and that turned me off. I want to go to one where you totally submit yourself to the story. Does that exist?

[S. Kay]

Yes! It's called LARPing (live action role playing), if you haven't heard of it. We have a few around here, but they're all over. Most of them are fantasy based, but there are all sorts of subjects. That's a little more involved than just dressing up, and no selling involved. There are ones that are less story-telling and more enjoying actives specific to a time period as well. I've never been to that kind of thing though.

The fay festivals here are very much selling type things, but they have amazing music... that's what I mainly go for!

I want to take you and Emilie to one, you'd both love it.

[Kim]

Ooo, I'm totally there. That would be so fun. I just got my hair cut really short and am dreaming up all kinds of elfin images. I know we could do something really cool. Gonna go google LARPing today.

[Kim]

I'd like to go to one though that is more artist-oriented, where there are not so many rote characters but stuff totally invented (as much as anything can be invented) from scratch.

[Kim]

Or maybe acting out a favorite story but going beyond the story.

[S. Kay]

I really liked "Changeling", which was a white wolf LARP, because it was all related the world of faerie. You completely make up your character, though it will fit into a race of fay, etc.

http://whitewolf.wikia.com/wiki/Chang...

But I'm not sure what's available around you! What fun to research though.