Ingrid Houwers announced the opening of her new webstore. The site features art, jewelry, bodices, and much much more. Ingrid designed the CD cover to Brobdingnagian Fairy Tales and also Marc's solo CD Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers.

So, are you looking for nice Celtic jewellery that is unlike the 'mass market' products? Looking for affordable neck Torcs? Come in and take a peek!

Direct link to the Torcs section

So have you heard of Wizard Rock?

Wizard Rock is a fairly new musical movement that started in 2002. The songs are all based on, you guessed it, the characters in JK Rowling's Harry Potter series. It's highly focused filking about those killer books.

I got an email a few weeks back from Ashley who wanted to start a Wizard Rock Podcast called Podcast of Awesome. So of course, I sent her my recording of "Harry Potter and The Rising of the Moon" that I originally recorded for Irish Drinking Songs for Cat Lovers, but couldn't put on the first album. (Or at least didn't think I could...)

Ashley played it on the first show. And I listened to the show while driving up to Four Winds Faire.

The show was a lot of fun. I should point out that most of the music is indeed rock, or alternative rock in style. The songs are rough and raw. Some sound like they're recorded with a computer mic. It seems like many of the musicians are fairly young. The music may not always professional sounding, like many filks, but ye know, I LOVED listening to the show.

It's fascinating hearing about this subculture that is flourishing on and off the net. The talent that's coming out of this movement is amazing. And these Wizard Rockers are just getting started too. Just imagine what they're gonna be doing ten years from now. Potter fans who are growing into the next big thing, writing songs, arranging music, and developing a passionate following.

Some cool songs from the first one from Draco and The Malfoys, DJ Luna Lovegood, Gred and Forge, and The Moaning Myrtles. But there's a lot of creative lyrics. I think I just saw that show #2 is out as well. It's a lot o'fun. So check it out.

Slainte!

I don't know much about the real Queen Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen. But I am looking forward to getting to learning more about her in the very near future. Because right now, I'm living with The Virgin Queen.

I know, I know. You're dreadfully jealous. Oh you're not? Just perplexed? Well, let me explain.

We're performing at the Louisiana Renaisssance Festival right now in Hammond, LA, an hour North of New Orelans. We're staying with some friends. And one of the people staying here is Kimberly, who performs at several Renaissance festivals as Queen Elizabeth. She is an awesome actress who has spent years learning about the Queen of England who lived during the time of Shakespeare. She will soon set her knowledge down in writing in a new website that I am helping her create at MyVirginQueen.com.

Right now, the site is fairly void of information. But there are a few beautiful pictures of her. We're hoping to soon offer Queen Elizabeth ringtones and other such fun oddities. It is all still coming together. It will be a fun site filled with Elizabethean facts and more.

Learn more about Queen Elizabeth, The Virgin Queen soon at www.MyVirginQueen.com. Add a link and tell a friend.

If you are looking for anything Celtic in Austin, then there is one place to go first. That place is Things Celtic.

Things Celtic is an awesome Celtic store that has served Central Texas since 1999. They feature some of the finest Celtic gifts from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, and Celtic artists in America. The show is open and the owner, Lanora, and the staff are just Amazing!

I shop there regularly. I have bought books, CDs, Celtic jewelry, a sporran, my Clan Gunn kilt, gifts for family and friends, and lots more from Things Celtic. I play a solo show there about every three months or so, plus the occasional Brobdingnagian Bards performance is there. I also studied Gaelic there, went to Irish song sessions, and sometimes, I just go to hang out. There's always something fun happening at Things Celtic.

The store is open from 10am to 6pm Monday through Saturday and noon to 5pm on Sunday. You can find them at 1806 West 35th Street in the heart of Austin, Texas.

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Things Celtic
1806 W. 35th Street
Austin, TX 78703

Yesterday, I was thinking about one Stacy. She's one of my best friends, yet I haven't talked to her in way too long. So I decided I'd call her after normal working hours.

An hour later, I had knock at my door. It was UPS. They had a package for me... from Stacy. She sent me a birthday present from my amazon wishlist--Serenity and The Princess Bride.

So I gave her a call and we caught up. I miss talking to her. She's an awesome friend. Then I called a couple more friends and decided to watch the movies. I saw my friend April was online so I invited her over

April had a few wedding headdresses to work. She needed to stay up late anyway. So she came over. She worked on her headdresses. I redesigned my Celtic MP3s Music Magazine website with my new template and with a new focus.

We watched Serenity, The Princess Bride, Gladiator, and I passed out at the beginning of The Last Samurai. I was pretty wiped. I think it was around 6am when I fell asleep. April was still working. I think she left around 7:30am. That was fun. Though consequently haven't done much of anything today when I *finally* woke up.

Now I'm all ready for I-CON. I love that convention and all the wonderful friends I have there. Just a couple more days.

Oh! And I think we'll be doing a Sunday evening Nagian Gathering after the Con as usual. Not sure where though prolly the same place as usual. I hope some of you can make it out.

Alright time to package some stuff that needs mailing. Slainte!

I was chatting with Mur Lafferty of the ultimate geek website, Geek Fu Action Grip, throwing out ideas for getting more people to send referrals to her podcast. Not saying she needs it because she's a brilliant essayist with a focus on geek topics. And a cherished contributor to Michael and Evo's DragonPage Podcasts.

Well that reminded me that I hadn't mentioned her in too dang long, considering I was raving about her several months ago. I don't even listen to one geek podcast any more. But hers, I stopped and then came back with excessive geeky joy.

Mur Lafferty is my Geek Fu Master!
Hey! That'd make a cool t-shirt...

http://www.geekfuactiongrip.com/