First of all, thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make the Stellar University of Northshield a success. It was a wonderful way to spend my last day as Baroness. Thanks to
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zarhooie for making a quick run back to my place for various items forgotten or otherwise found to be necessary. Special thanks to all the teachers - the range of classes offered was truly splendid and I wish I could have made it to, well, most of them. I also enjoyed the chance to judge the A&S display with Mistress S and Master G. There was a large number of entries, many of which were excellent and I was pleased we could go simply by the numerical winners rather than having to make a choice on gut instinct.
Court, and so the end of my tenure, seemed to come quite quickly. Thanks to
mightyjesse and
sirzig for letting me take some time in Their court to try to thank those who have supported me over the last few years. I had planned on being calm and collected, but of course that was a lie. I got a little weepy, and then it only got worse once I looked out in the audience and saw a lot of folks already leaky too. I'm copying my November Skein letter below, since I was somewhat more articulate there. All the thanks in the world, however, are not adequate to express my gratitude to these good gentles - thanks to them, I never truly served alone, but had dozens of hands supporting me at all times. Thank you all for the opportunity to serve - it is an experience I will never forget.
Finally, I had to pull it together and ask to be released from my duties. Their Royal Majesties graciously allowed me to enter into retirement and made me a Baroness of Their Court. Mr.S made my coronet - a lovely little one similar to one of the older Jara ones, but with carved bone froggies instead of fishies. It's the cutest evah. The Baronial High seats were not empty long before
goldfrog and Duke R were called forth and, having taken their oaths, they became to next Baron and Baroness of Jararvellir. Their lovely little spud joined them for much of the court and I was pleased that the little mini-me garb I made for her to match her mommy turned out reasonably well. (The coat is a bit big.... at least this week, but that was intentional.) Congratulations to
goldfrog and Duke R on taking the Fishy High Seats! May your reign be great and joyful.
After the event, we stopped by the Trader Joe's for munchies then went to MStC's for a postrevel and chili. Here, I made an error. I love spicey stuff and, seeing a jar of "salsa" that seemed to be positioned for adding to the chili, I added two scoops. Well, it was not salsa, but a concentrated chili paste. Wowie! My mouth and tummy liked it, but my lips were numb for an inch out and I don't think it is an experiement I ought to repeat anytime soon. :P The rest of the night was a load of fun with drinks and silliness and good company... I stayed out entirely too late (early?) and this morning I had a headache and a quality amount of dirt and grass stains in my shirt and jeans, clear evidence of a good night.
Once again, thank you all for a memorable end to an amazing six years...
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November Skein Letter:
Greetings unto the Populace of Jararvellir from Eithni ingen Talorgain,
This is my last letter to you as Baroness of Jararvellir and yet, it is not a letter of farewell. My time on the High Seat is coming to a close but I will be remaining in the Barony, continuing to serve and eager to participate in the next chapter of Jararvellir’s history. Therefore, rather than words of farewell, this is a letter of thanks.
Thanks to all the autocrats, guildmasters, and officers who have served under my tenure, most especially my Seneshals: Yseult de Cherbourg, Marian Elizabeth Wollenschlager, Robert the Stout and Ivan Matfeevich Rezansky. Compiling reports, running events and otherwise generally herding cats is never terribly glamorous work, but it is your day-to-day service that supports the Barony and ensures that it runs smoothly.
Thanks to those who directly supported me in my role as Baroness. Without your assistance, I could not have been successful in completing my duties or pulling off so many of my crazy schemes. Thanks especially to Baroness Josceline Levesque and Baron Adrien de Troyes who were gracious during the transition, guided me in my new role, and continued to give good counsel throughout my tenure. Thanks to Iohanna Carracci and Jois Corbet who so often were there to give me a helping pair of hands when it was most needed, often on short or late notice. Thanks to Marian for securing the Edgewood site for my Knowne World Costuming Symposium and for so many Baronial Moots. Thanks to Eliane and Colleen for reliably willing to be my Lady-and-Loon-in-Waiting for Baronial Court, even when that meant standing through long Warriors and Warlords Courts. Thanks to Masha for being my Amazing Helper Girl – no matter what I needed or where on site it was, I could count on you to teleport it to my hand! Special thanks to Robert the Stout, Chandler, AElfguire, Eliane, and Gwyneth for your private kindnesses and support when it was most needed. Thanks to the apprenti – Denis, Elizabeth, and Katlyn – who supported me and helped me feel a little more normal, or at least not alone in my insanities. And thanks to the innumerable others who at some point helped me load or unload my car, who carried, fetched, or created for me – there simply are too many of you to name singly, but your service was no less appreciated and no less critical to my being able to do this job well. I am indeed proud that this list can in no way be complete and inclusive – the Barony as a whole has been amazingly supportive, I would need to thank each and every person in some way for some assistance or kindness.
Thank you to Duncan MacPherson and Seonaid inghean Dhomnaill who put their names forth to be considered for the High Seats. Once the nomination period was closed, I was content, knowing that whoever was selected would serve well and ably. Special thanks and Congratulations to Kitakaze Tatsu Raito and AEsa Gilesdottir for being willing to take on the challenge of serving on the High Seats as I seek my ease. It is not always an easy job, but it is a most rewarding one and I wish you all the joy and satisfaction of it that I have enjoyed.
Last, but not least, thanks to the Barony as a whole for giving me this great opportunity to serve. It has been my honor and my joy to be your Baroness these past six years. There is no adequate way to express my pride in leading such a great Barony. Your talents, service, and enthusiasm make Jararvellir a shining jewel in the Crown of Northshield and I am so grateful to have had this opportunity. It is not an easy thing to step down from the High Seat, but a right and good thing to see the stewardship of the Barony to pass to others at this time. I will hold the memory of these past years in my heart and treasure them forever. Thank you for a truly special experience.
So, for one last time, I am yours in Fishy Service,
Eithni ingen Talorgain, Baroness of Jararvellir
creative
cheerful
bouncy
contemplative
calm
depressed
productive
