A WEEKEND OF GAMES!

Ok, not really. In lieu of a wedding shower we have decided to host a Wedding Carnival and
Fundraiser to help us pay for our wedding this October 16th, 2009 and you're
invited!

WHO: Friends, Family & Guests

WHAT: Courtney & Frank's Wedding Carnival & Fundraiser

WHERE: Our place (Write for directions)

WHEN: September 11th-13th 2009 (4PM Friday through 12PM Sunday)

BRING: Everything you'll need for a weekend camp out or day camp. Bring games
to play, a water gun, food, snacks and cash to buy tickets and bid at the
auction. BYOB

TICKETS: .50¢ each or three for $1.00. Games will vary in price.

FEES: $3.00 daytime admission and $5.00 per tent camping fee. $10.00 to
participate in the LARP. (Admission and camping fees are to displace the cost of
port-a-john.)

WANTED: Books and things for auction. Game Masters are needed whom are willing
to run games on our behalf. Board games, card games, etc.

EVENTS: Daytime activities will include a Tattoo Party, Dolphin Ball, Bobbing
for Apples, Horseshoe Tournament, Spoon and String game, Water Gun Free-for-all,
Water Balloon Fight, Soda Roulette, Face Painting, Boffing Tournament, 50/50
Raffle, Three Dragon Ante, Jail, Fortunetelling, book auction, card games, board
games, strategy games, table-top role-playing games and much more! Evening
events consist of a bonfire and live-action Vampire: The Masquerade game (using
Laws of the Night 2nd Ed. Revised) from 6PM-12AM Friday & Saturday night with
merry making afterward.

NOTE: Well water and portable sanitary facilities will be provided.12 oz. cans
of soda and 16oz. bottles of distilled water will be available for 50¢ each.
This is not a wedding shower and so gifts are not necessary instead please bring
cash for tickets, etc.

Frankenmuth by Night returns!

As many of you know Courtney's primary job at Oneida ended when the store closed
earlier last month. Now, recently, she has lost her job at Reader's Digest
Outlet too. As a result our household income has reached a new all-time
miserable low.

We have cut corners everywhere we can. Overall expenses are at their lowest
possible. Outside of food (which we're rationing nicely) there is nothing else
to trim. The rest is mortgage, energy, insurance, the emergency credit card and
medical bills. I've even put aside most of my hobbies and stopped fronting
Michigan Trúfolk's expenses.

We still have auto repairs, plumbing work, a CPAP machine, dental work and new
shoes to purchase. Thereafter we'll be working toward money saving aims like
garden supplies, a chicken coop, rabbit hutch and fishing licenses.

Oh and no, we're not going to apply for state aid so please don't suggest it.
Food stamps, commodities and cash assistance are all well and great for some but
they're not right for us. We believe that the gods help those who help
themselves. We'll manage without the dole, thank you. That's not pride talking,
it's heathen werth. As for my tax money, well if it's not being used to maintain
an army for the common defense regulate interstate trade or handle international
relations then it's something I'll continue to write my congressman about…

Presently our only form of entertainment is Dungeons & Dragons at our place and
the occasional bonfire in the backyard—both of which cost nothing in fuel or
cash—just time, of which we have plenty. As an expense Coffee Night is all we
can handle ($3.00 for two cups of coffee isn't too difficult) and thank the gods
for the public library or I'd go mad without reading material.

Thankfully our InLife business is help keeping us afloat. If anyone knows
someone who smokes help us offer them a healthier alternative at
http://www.myinlife.com/coleman. Profits help us pay for the wedding.

Soon our cellular phones will be shut off due to non-payment. Thereafter you
will only be able to contact us by U.S. mail or email only. Fortunately, my
generous gamer friends from Clio gifted me with a fine rebuilt Dell Inspiron
1200 laptop computer with which to conduct my personal business. It will soon
have an inexpensive wireless card allowing me to check my email more frequently
at places that offer free Wi-Fi. Should you catch me on-site I'll be on AOL
Instant Messenger (Frank62281) or logged on with Facebook in the background.

Presently our wedding plans remain stable: October 16th of this year, rain, hail
or shine. As for the rest of the details, we're totally at a loss. Our original
plan, though modest by modern standards, is simply too much expense now and so
we're cutting it down yet again. We're considering eliminating the pig roast,
real tableware and trimming the guest list. The biggest expenses are the meat,
tent, tables and chair rentals. We may even consider turning the whole event
into little more than a bonfire, cider and doughnut
"punch `n cake" style reception. There has even been talk of getting hitched at
court and then later reaffirming our vows spiritually at worship. The idea is
not my favorite, I assure you, but it would save us $300.00 on the honorarium
alone. Regardless it'll happen in one form or another. There'll at least be a
gathering that much is certain.

Hmmm… let's see here are some noteworthy upcoming events:

April 30th is Walpurgisnacht. We plan on traveling south to visit the graveside
of my mother and grandmother. There we'll leave our offerings and then head
north to Westland to spend the afternoon and evening with our good friend Jason
Cook.

There will be an informal May Day Bonfire at our place on May 1st from 4pm until
Midnight. Bring something to roast over the flames. BYOB. Dress for the weather.

The brand new Star Trek movie premieres on May 7th with a showing at 7:00PM in
Cinema Hollywood of Birch Run. I'll be there, of course! (I've been saving the
bottle returns for just this special occasion.)

Midsummer Moot is on our property again on June 21st from 4pm until Midnight
sponsored by Lítt Ugla. Overnight camping welcome. BYOB. Guests must be
vouchsafed. Bring a dish to pass, a soup ingredient and cash for the
fund-raisers. More info upon request.

June 22nd is my birthday. If you'd like to get me a gift here is what I want:
Come to Midsummer Moot! (See above.) I do have a wish list on Amazon.com, but
I'd rather you saved your money and showed up. If you insist on a gesture of any
kind I'd rather you pitched in when I ask for help with a project like the
fence, kiln, patio, chicken coop or collecting firewood. In fact in lieu of a
gift you can always make a donation to the Lítt Ugla fund-raiser auction,

August 14th-16th is Gen Con Indy the world's largest role-playing games
convention. Courtney and I have been invited to participate as part of a staff
for a Vampire LARP (Live Action Role-Playing) company called Dark Remembrance
alongside our friends Chris and Sela Clein. The trip is all expenses paid! We're
very excited about going and plan to provided that my work gives me the time off
and we can find someone to watch the dog, cat, fish and chickens.

Well that's all for now. I'm looking forward to the fruits of summer. Until then
we'll endeavor to remain in the best of spirits so long as you continue to offer
us your patience.

So yeah, at the request of friends I created a Facebook account. As if MySpace isnt' useless enough. In the process of setting up my profile the damn site automatically emailed everyone in on Hotmail contacts list an Invite to "Come see my photos on Facebook." How embarassing! I've recieved a lot of angry replies. I'm annoyed.

To supplement my mead making I'm going to start Beekeeping.

I'm finding it difficult to understand how my financé and I can work three jobs between us and still not make ends meet. Outside of the mortgage, energy bill, car insurance, one modest credit card payment, medical bills and our monthly medications all we spend our cash on is groceries. We don't have cable television or the Internet at home. We don't own a video game system, MP3 players or go out to eat often. We live a very unplugged bare-bones lifestyle, making all the right choices to keep costs down. Yet we're still barely keeping our heads above water. I can't even afford the co-pay on my much-needed CPAP machine.

In contrast we go out and visit people whom work less (or not at all) and they have reliable cars, fancy flat-screen TVs, super fast laptop computers on wireless networks, brand new video game systems, cable TV, cable Internet and all the other fancy gadgets and expensive services the 21st Century can offer. Oh did I mention they smoke and drink too? Yet I can't even afford the time and gas to travel south to see a good friend. Instead we occupy our time playing table top games and reading used books. Ugh, how can someone afford to buy a brand new computer game every month and pay their bills, let alone fill their fridge?

If I eat another package of Raman Noodles I'm going to wretch.

*sigh* What am I doing wrong?

Are all these people on the dole?

Does anyone else find this hellishly funny?

http://www.bigbadtoystore.com/bbts/product.aspx?product=GNK10000&mode=retail


I think I absolutely MUST have it. *L*

It's true that though I'm not a regular smoker I do enjoy the occasional pipe on a holiday. (Yes, I know my mother died from lung cancer. And yes, I'm aware of my family history and the risks. There's no doubt that smoking is dangerous. Anyone raised in the past thirty years can't claim ignornace.) I'll also concede that it's a dirty habit, but I must admit that it also has it's pleasures.

Now, I'm a firm believer in moderation. I smoke as often as I drink liquor, which is not very often. I decided that quitting would be best but frankly, I don't want to. I don't do it enough to matter, right? Well, not extactly. So I've been trying to find an alternative.

Earlier this week I solved my dilemma. I've left tobacco completely behind but kept the cigarette. How? I'm now an e-smoker. When the desire strikes me I use a small rechargeable device that atomizes a liquid suspension containing propylene glycol (an FDA approved food addative that your body can metabolize), synthetic (plant derived) nicotine and flavorant. The solution turns into water vapor that acts and feels like smoke. It even tastes like tobacco just without the ashy nastiness. It's far safer because you're not in hailing any carcinogenic particulate matter, no tar, no carbon monoxide, etc. just water, the drug and flavor. It might not be the safest but I bet it's far safer than a analog cigarette. The best part is that there's no second-hand smoke, no flame, no stink and it costs far less than buying an ounce of loose leaf or a pack of squares every couple of months.

I've since become an independant distributor. (See link below)

Imagine if all laws were abolished and we started off with a clean slate. Here is what I envision for a reformed United States of America. Please note that if I didn’t mention it below, it doesn’t exist anymore this frees up the private sector or in some cases the state government to take over. (Granted many of these imply as “spirit of the law” which may have to be later further defined by a Supreme Court.) I’m not interested in knit-picking specifics, just discussing the ideas of personal freedom and private enterprise to beliefs I whole-heartedly feel our forefathers held dear. Your comments are encouraged.

( Read more... )

I'm presently reading Frank Herbert's DUNE sequel "Dune Messiah", so I'm especially amused.

I'm resurrecting my Livejournal. I've also established a presence on WritersCafe.org as well. It's time I started writing again.

Notice: Due to an unexpected family emergency and urgent dental surgery the wedding of Courtney Pierce and Frank Coleman is postponed until Friday October 16th, 2009. Please save the date. Invitations to follow.

Needless to say we're embarassed, but given the circumstances we simply can't make even a humble backyard reception remotely respectable with our funds as depleated as they've become. I hope everyone understands and is willing to hang with us while we try to recover for next year. This decision has put a lot of stress on our families and household, I trust our invitees will remain amiable to the idea of waiting so long.

Anyone who would like an invitation to my wedding should email me at Frank62281 at Hotmail.com. Thank you!

Meet little Arthur Eamonn Coleman, son of A. Ryan and Christina Coleman, sister to Maebh.

It's almost Yuletide at Háma O’Colmaín.

This is how I prefer to think of my Grandad in the afterlife.

It’s time to retire this Livejournal. It’s been grand but the drama is a little too thick and honestly, I’ve got better things to do.

As per my New Year’s Resolution I’ve simplified my life immensely by reducing my focus down to four elements: Háma O’ Colmaín (my household), Lítt Ugla (my kindred and kinsmen), Michigan Trúfolk (the heathen outreach ministry I serve), and Frankenmuth by Night (the live action role-playing game I administrate)—in that order of importance. Háma O’ Colmaín includes Courtney and I, our animal companions, and the household affairs themselves. Lítt Ugla is my kinsmen Matt and Melisa. Michigan Trúfolk is primarily the community’s monthly worship services, Introduction to Ásatrú class, and the Höff Project. Frankenmuth by Night is simply for entertainment purposes only and will always be considered a side project. Every other responsibility has been removed from my life, as these are my three highest priorities and one most-appreciated form of group leisure-time activity (save perhaps D&D with a few friends).

My long-standing Yahoo! egroup The Friends News Network has been deleted, as have all other Internet accounts including my MySpace page and all my MSN communities. Save a Hotmail address and a few organizational websites I will be completely off-line from this day forward. Simply put, I’m too busy with life anymore.

For those of you who enjoy live action role-playing games feel free to keep in touch with me through Frankenmuth by Night via Storyteller@FrankenmuthbyNight.org. If you are at all interested in participating in the upcoming game I encourage you to visit http://www.FrankenmuthbyNight.org for game information after March 1st.

To my fellow heathens and interfaith associates: I can still be reached by my professional account at Frank@Michigantrufolk.org. Details and information about the ministry I work through can be found at http://www.MichiganTrufolk.org. There’s a placeholder there now but website should be updated for 2007 by mid-February.

For the rest of you I can be reached by writing to Frank62281@hotmail.com, an address that is as old as dirt. Go ahead and write me, I always reply!

Well, that’s all I’ve got left to say. Wow. This is it, my last written LJ post.

Rather unceremonious huh?

Perhaps I'll post a few random pictures every once in a while but that'll be all. You know they say they're worth a 1000 words, saves me time I suppose.

Wish me luck. Goodbye.

This sudden trip to Oklahoma cost us just a little over $400.00 for gasoline, food, and car supplies (oil, windsheild washer fluid, etc.). That's all of our grocery money for the month and what was set aside for the electric bill. Because I called in for this trip my hours were cut at Bombay. Luckily The North Face allowed me to use my vacation hours to buy up my next paycheck. Unfortunetly this most-likely will cost me Vikings Come Home or Border Wars (SCA events) this year. In the meanwhile I need to figure out how to make ends meet, again.