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I suppose I
Chatterbox: Down to Earth
I suppose I
I suppose I should say something by way of introduction, no? I've posted a few times, but I figured I'd might as well post a "hi howdy, nice to meet'cha" tidbit.
I'm 17 (as of yesterday), a musician, history enthusiast, bookworm, vegan and homeschooled to boot.
I started out reading Spider magazine (Kate & Toady ruled, IMHO), but then graduated to Cricket I don't even know how many years ago. Let's suffice it to say "many." I still recieve Cricket, although I also get Cicada and enjoy it very much. Anyway, bona fide Cricket fan, check.
Bookaholic? Check. I carry at least one book with me wherever I go, when I bought a new purse I chose one that would accommodate a standard size paperback...priorities!
I've been doing living history since I was around 5 years old, mainly mid 18th century (French & Indian War), some early 17th century (anyone ever been to Jamestown Settlement, VA?) and I hope to start out on some early 19th century (as in War of 1812) soon-ish, though I know Mom's not going to make my clothes for that, nor cart me to events. When I get a car...... Just a question, any other history fanatics out there? Any other living history peeps? What time periods, if so?
Music is another passion. I play violin, some classical music (currently working on the Bach Double Violin Concerto), but mainly traditional Irish, Scottish and English tunes. Also the English Concertina, a marvelous little beast, it's a free reed bellows driven instrument; in plain English, related to the accordian but not the same thing. I play much the same sort of music on that, and would like to get better at playing it so I could accompany my singing of sea shanties (maritime work songs). Great fun indeed. (For those flautists of you out there-you know who you are-several of my best friends play the flute; I'm well aquainted with the joys of the little dogwhistles, though I unfortunately have never had the desire to play one.)
I adore tall ships, preferably of the square rigged variety. This summer I'm going sailing on the Brig Niagara for a month, about which I am very, very excited.
If anyone from MuseBlog is wondering, yes, I am Midnight Fiddler. 
Nice to meet you all! *waves cheerily*
submitted by Fern, age 17, A Spiral Arm of
(May 19, 2009 - 7:24 pm)
(May 19, 2009 - 7:24 pm)
Hi, Fern! I love history, too, though I've never been to a living history event or anything. I play the piano, and (just for fun; I'm not good at it) the pennywhistle. Have you ever heard of the "Bloody Jack" series, by L.A. Meyer? It strikes me that you might like them, from reading your post. The first book is the adventures of Mary (Jacky) Faber in Cheapside, London and the high seas aboard the naval vessel HMS Dolphin. I would strongly suggest them to you!
(May 20, 2009 - 6:30 am)
And to the top....
(May 20, 2009 - 1:23 pm)
Hi, Midnight Fiddler! I am DuckyFlutePlayer on the MuseBlog! You can just call me Ducky, but not DFP.
(May 20, 2009 - 2:52 pm)
Hi, Fern! Nice to meet you; welcome to Chatterbox, etc., etc.
I've never been to any of the old VA towns, but my mother is thinking of dragging our whole family down this summer... and unfortunately, I cannot claim that same passion for history that you do. Nor for ships... I'm fine in planes and things like that, but ships are just... *creepy.* IMO, anyway.
Although I am also absolutely addicted to reading... back in my antisocial second/third grade years, I'd read in the cafeteria despite the constant brouhaha... :). Ever read... never mind, I can't narrow it down to one specific book... well, you said you enjoy music, what about Phantom of the Opera? Because after reading the GIC version- which just brutally murderered the original- I'm now reading the *real* novel... and I am considering writing a letter of complaint to the GIC publishers for their... butchery... of Gaston Leroux's masterpiece...
Yes, ask Lena; she'll tell you that I'm addicted to ellipses... among other things. /joke/
Anyhow, welcome again, Fern! It's nice to see someone posting an intro other than, "Hi, I'm new, my name is xxx, I'm going to start posting soon." Very refreshing.
(May 20, 2009 - 4:15 pm)
Yes...Mary is extremely addicted...to...elipses...like me...and if you want the full story, start a new thread. ;)
(May 21, 2009 - 5:38 pm)
Oh, and happy birthday.
(May 20, 2009 - 4:16 pm)
Yah! Anniversaire très joyeux!!!!!!!!!
(May 20, 2009 - 5:35 pm)
:D:D
(May 20, 2009 - 4:20 pm)
Happy slightly late birthday, and welcome to the Chatterbox! Have you ever heard of Young Chautauqua? Anybody? It's not exactly living history, but it's the only thing I've done that compares. I'm a musician, bookworm, and homeschooled, but I'm not so much into history (which explains why I did YC for only one year). So, again, welcome to the Chatterbox, Cricket and Muse both rock, our neighbor's cat just bit me, and I hope you never break your index finger. :D And I may as well tack on Angela's bit from Eldest: Farewell (replace that with welcome,) avoid roasted cabbage, don't eat earwax, and look on the bright side of life!
-EH the Random and Welcoming :P
(May 20, 2009 - 4:44 pm)
Welcome to the Chatterbox, Fern! By the way, I'm also on the MuseBlog. I'm Kiga___827 on there. And Jenni's fireandhemlock1996. Have a great time on here! Oh, by the way, I used to get Spider also. It was great, and I really like the Danderfield Twins!
(May 20, 2009 - 5:10 pm)
Oh, and happy birthday!
(May 21, 2009 - 8:19 am)
I love history... but only if it's in the form of a story. I too am a bookworm, and my main focus is historical fiction.
Right now I'm reading a really good book call The Musician's Daughter. I highly recommend it!!!!
It's set in 17-something-I-don't-quite-remember. By the way you describe yourself, I really think you'll like it. :)
(May 20, 2009 - 5:32 pm)
Thank you!
Aliza, yes, I have indeed read the Bloody Jack series, several times. They're grand. A rolicking adventure that I love, despite how much I pick them apart for some historical inaccuracies (the concertina was invented in the 1850s, yet Jacky plays one in the year 1803....). As far as writing and adventure however, I love them.
I have not heard of the other books, though I shall look them up when I'm finished with the Hornblower series by C.S. Forester, which I am currently reading. Thanks for the recommendations!
To Mary W., The "Old Towns" in VA are charming, I do hope you enjoy them, whether you are a history enthisiast or no.
I'm actually headed to Williamsburg tomorrow. I volunteer on the ships as a costumed interpreter. I was rather wondering if any of you all had been there for a school field trip or something. Unfortunately, I won't be there this summer.
Thanks for the welcomes and birthday cheer.
I've been to Williamsburg. I loved the peanut soup!
Old Cricket
(May 20, 2009 - 9:25 pm)
Thank you for your enthusiasm on the part of VA towns... though I will admit that really, I have better ways to spend my summer. Not that they wouldn't be interesting- if we hadn't just finished learning about them in school (which explains why I'm suffering from an overdosage of 1700s history), then visiting them would probably be okay. But the last thing I want to do is visit a place that I've looked at in a textbook.
Sorry if that came off a bit... obscurantist. Not a big fan of school. :/
@ Emily: You like the Paolini novels? I wasn't too impressed. /tangents/
(May 21, 2009 - 4:19 pm)
Hurray! Another Jacky Faber lover! You're right about the historical blips: you know in the last book to come out so far (and there is going to be at least one more! If you go to the website, it even gives you the name!!!) on the ship, with the doctor who wears a lab coat? Well, lab coats weren't invented yet....
(May 21, 2009 - 7:57 pm)