Being the adventures of a historic recreationist

Twenty-five years ago, I was in the middle of basic training, listening to world events on my 'illegal' radio (small AM/FM transistor!). Even then, I was a news junkie. I tracked the Nicaragua news. I tried really hard to contain my reaction when I heard the Gates had opened, and held back tears as I heard The Wall was coming down, uncontested.  I remember being aware of the Berlin Wall even as a smallish child,  as we lived in Europe in the 70s. We would hear stories of people getting shot as they tried to leave East Germany, by any means possible.

Even after The Wall came down, Eastern Europe was still living under Soviet rule. My first duty assignment was in Bavaria, so I saw quite close-up and personal the dissolution of the Soviet Regime. Artificially formed countries like Yugoslavia and the Caucasus regions crumbled into anarchy and revolution. Many of the borders the Stalin so diligently tried to blur and form to his whims reverted to their former political, pre-Soviet state. Some, like Armenia & Azerbaijan, may never fully recover. (Nogorna-Karabakh ring any bells?)

The countries of Central Asia are still littered with the evidence of Soviet occupation, some of which will take centuries to repair. Read the highlights here, starting on page 33 : http://books.google.com/books?id=7RJEAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA32&lpg=PA32&dq=soviet+debris+in+central+asia&source=bl&ots=HsyB9srgR7&sig=xEKvrXb3b4RPO3AvQMdDyxNQ_cs&hl=en&sa=X&ei=k0RfVPCZB5f6oQSPkIGYAw&ved=0CC0Q6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=soviet%20debris%20in%20central%20asia&f=false

All in all, that one commander of the guard in Berlin changed the shape of Europe and the Former Soviet Union. Danke schon, Herr Harald Jager. Even though your opening of the gate, allowing unhindered crossings was called a 'mistake', your move was a bold one. Families were reunited. Freedom rang.

1. It was sunny every day and did not rain.
2. I got to hand over my kingdom largesse in person, as well as a gift for Her Majesty. Both were well received.
3. Had very little personal obligations during the event and could do as I pleased, mostly.
4. The Biscuit was mostly well-behaved; always with everyone else in the encampment. Even received a compliment on what a gentleman he was.
5. The trip to Phoenix went without a hitch.
6. Visited with Husband's family Friday evening in Mesa.

1. Three quarters of my husband's driving companions bailed; two with very good reason, the third to probable spousal pressure.
2. I knew practically no one there. My husband seems to forget how few people I know and did not introduce me to anyone. Spent a large portion of the event feeling quite on the outside of everything.
3. I heard much muttering about how low the turn-out was. Merchants' Row had slightly more than half the merchants they had last year. Being the week after Gulf Wars was probably a big factor. ETA: last year there were 89 merchants, not including food (12); this year there were 61 merchants & 8 food vendors.
4. It was freakin' hot! At least 85F every day. Sure, there was a slight breaaze, but it functioned much like the fan in a convection oven, ensuring it was hot everywhere.
5. My in-laws visited the event on Saturday. Husband was on warfield most of the day, therefore I was expected to play host. Couldn't introduce them around camp, as I knew pretty much no one. My FIL really drives me batty... Him playing with his dentures during lunch was repulsive priceless.
6. Slept on the ground for three nights.

1. Truck threw out a heliocoil as my husband was going to park it after unloading. Picked him up Thursday on my way in. Thank goodness for AAA. Expensive repair...
2. Did I mentioned how fucking hot it was?
3. Trip home was beyond awful. Sure, I got home, but only after five delays and being stuck in Sacramento for an extra 90 minutes. That completely threw off the plan of taking Sound Transit home, at least without a very long wait. Dealt with petulant Eldest and his reluctance to fetch us at SeaTac. (Hello... how many times did I drag him & his girlfriend all over Puget Sound?) Once we were on the flight, had screaming children in quadraphonic sound. Gads.
4. Came home to a trashed house only marginally picked up. Eldest claims the DOG broke the TV... Yes, the new 47" plasma TV is now garbage. There is a possibility of truth, but I am skeptical. Can a tennis ball tossed by a dog break a plasma TV? ETA: This doubt in the veracity of Eldest's statement is based solely on the massive damage he has done to the walls and doors in his room, not to mention the number of holes he has slammed into walls in other parts of the house. I speculate he brought his game system down to the big TV and threw the controller in a losing/frustrating moment.

I am glad to be home. I will try to focus on the positive aspects of the trip.

Now to prepare for NorWesCon...