Wh-What? You're kicking me out???

Ungrateful Limey bastards! They'll PAY for this...all of them.

Departure...

Today is the day. The final head count is eight. Ed and Duffy are already 'In country' as the special ops people say. I have not received any contact from them yet. I can only hope their cover hasn't been blown. But they knew the risks. I bought a new coat, because I am a gear WHORE. I needed one though, and after some actual haggling at Wilsons I got a good price.

With luck I will get a chance to meet up with both a programmer I have been conversing with and some members of the local SCA group. My right foot has been acting up again at exactly the wrong time. It annoys me. Early reports are that 'The Two Towers' will be great. Of this I have no doubts. Now we just need to keep the rest of this trip as cool. Heather actually asked Rossana is we'd get a chance to eat 'Real pub food'. That's like asking if you'll get a chance to real 'Real Fast food' if you visit America. Me? I'm bringing Tabasco. I've eaten Shepards pie. It leaves much to be desired. On the other hand there is plenty of Indian food places (a sort of payback for a hundred years of British Colonialism).

The clock has actually stopped moving. I wait for what seems like an eternity.... and then it ticks off another second. This is gonna be a long day.

Over there... over theeeeeeere...

London, the frightened city. A city that has no idea what's coming. There are 10 of us. Ugly Americans, every one. Our cover story is that we're visiting to see the next Lord of the Rings movie. But we've got seven days to get into trouble. If the world can be made in six days, we can damn well make England regret allowing us in the country in three. This is the first time my wife and I have travelled with a group. I know half of these people, the other half come from god-knows-where. If this all goes to shit I will NEVER live this down. My wife will be able to hold this over me for eternity and a month. It won't matter what great idea I come up with.

"Honey, I have an ideas for bringing peace to the middle-east"

"Is it like your brilliant idea of going to London with a bunch of people?"

You can see where this could be bad for me.

And so it begins...

The 2002 Ren Season has started. Great weather, new booth. Too bad no one showed up. Oy. At least next weekend is Celtic Weekend, traditionally a rockin time.

The Ugly American-All the sordid details

Check out the full and uncut story here (Word format)

Photographic Evidence

London and Istanbul pics are UP! I will have the complete and sordid tale of this trip available here soon. Check the pics