Sunday 'Twas an excellent final day for PARF's 2008 season.  The weather was a bit cool, but comfortable for those of us wearing armor.  Although some of our regulars were missing, most took advantage and enjoyed the weather, quite a contrast to Saturday's rainy condition.  In addition, I met the lovely renspace lady Artemissia and the beguiling pirate Jax.

Most enjoyably, I finally met the Reaver and Bard Blackwolf and his enchanting Lady Anita.  We knew each planned to be there that day but it took quite a while to run into each other given the size of the Shire.  Near the end of the day Blackwolf strummed his bardic instrument whilst singing the most bloodthirsty song methinks I have ever heard.  Most pleasurable and hopefully a harbinger of future get-togethers.   

I was able to attend a few hours on Sunday afternoon of the NYRF opening weekend.  I did not know until about 10:00 that morning whether I would be able to make the adventurous first time journey.  It came with some restrictions that I maintain contact with my guild (via Bluetooth) which substantially increased the level of difficulty.  I was unable to armor up with my regular helmet since it's weight turned off the device.  Instead I took another helm which would keep the device on, but was ill fitting and would fall in front of my eyes.  Thus I spent most of my jaunt pushing up the helm to see where I was going.  'Twas most annoying, (yet few would recognize my dilemma until I stumbled into them.)

My purpose was to meet a few friends have a few beers and see NYRF for the first time.  Unfortunately it was so last-minute, I didn't find out where to meet anyone.  My biggest mistake was to park in a remote parking area that I could not easily get back to without bringing any picture ID with me.  Not having been carded in 20 years, it did not occur to me that I would not be able to purchase an ale in the rather strict NYRF shire.  I bounced unsuccessfully from bar to bar hoping that some kind bar wench would take pity on a warrior clearly of legal age.  To no avail.  In the end I was forced to partake of a green liquid known as "a Dew."  In the meantime, the sky occasionally took the time (on a day scheduled for pure sunshine) to rain down on the shire, scattering the patrons and amusing the gods at the same time.

I did run into the wiley pyrate Macko whom methought would be there, yet missed pyrates Staples and Sassy and most unfortuitously the reaver Blackwolf whom I had hoped to meet for the first time.  Clearly for me to visit the shire again, I must rearmor (okay, come when I am not under the gun) and bring ID.  :)

Vlad