Parchment Paths

This past weekend I attended my first Steampunk convention with a friend. Though I looked at the event’s website and Facebook page, I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect at the Steampunk and Fantasy Showcase.   After navigating the crowded parking lot and traveling through the sports complex section of the building, we finally looked up and saw a cluster of parasols on the second level. Encouraged by this old timey beacon of Steampunk goodness, we made our way up the stairs to the registration desk. After getting our admission wrist bands, we strolled along the vendor lined hallway. Almost instantly, something shiny caught my eye, a wooden pin with a silver ribbon and dragon from Design by Night.   After buying it and chatting with the man working the stand, we moved along, each stand pulling us forward to examine hats, jewelry, plaques, coats, soap, magic wands, and the afore mentioned parasols, even a magician.  Aside from buying a few more things,

Once Halloween is over I have trouble remembering that autumn is not over for several more weeks. I’m not sure if the Christmas items flooding stores makes me forget or if concerns about work makes me want to forget about Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Until I know what I’m working Thanksgiving, I can’t enjoy the holiday fully.  .  I’ve completely missed Thanksgiving dinner before due to work and it’s always a possibility.  My mother passed away several years ago the week before the holiday, so I tend to guard Thanksgiving and other family centric holidays a bit jealously.  I know that working in retail means I need to work many holidays, but every year is seems that stores are open earlier and later on holidays we used to be closed completely or only open for a short amount of time.  It does make it difficult to be excited for the holidays, especially Thanksgiving since that day is over and done with in a flash, squished between Halloween and Christmas.  These are the thought