Yay! Visiting Scarby for the first time!

[Merlin the Elder]

Ah, well.  Looks the same to me—boobs and bums—they're just pointed in a different direction.

Sir Richard, as I entered the Colorado Faire last season, they were checking weapons...I asked them if they needed to peace-tie my staff... you've seen it. They looked at me like I was nuts.  In fact I am, but they didn't know it.

[Merlin]

I always get in trouble when I open my mouth...so why should this time be any different?

There's obviously a difference between skanky whore and beautiful attire. Where is the line? Hard to say.... who am I to say?
Well...I have an opinion and we all know that opinions are like bottoms... everyone has one.

Many of the ladies look very elegant even though 99% of their boobs are showing in those push ups. I swear... I don't know how I've gone to faire for as many times as I have and never a nipple one has popped out. But it still looks like royalty...very elegant and beautiful... not skanky or distasteful. Now...if someone wears a "barbarian" top which isn't much more than a couple of fox faces on their boobs...but covers over 50% of the boob.... some consider that to be offensive. (for the record...i don't)

Let me back up for a second...I'm nae trying to change anyone's mind or opinion...simply offering mine because i'm off work...until Tuesday..YAY... I've done all me chores and I have time.

I've very.... liberal? Is that the term? My basics have always been... If you don't like pot, don't smoke it. If you don't like alcohol.. don't drink it. If you don't want a gay marriage...don't get one. Just don't infringe on my rights or interfere with my day. (I don't smoke pot and I'm not gay but couldn't care less who does or is)
If someone is wearing something obviously offensive...I move on. I understand about the children... I do.

ALSO... none of this is directed at this barbarian lady.... just chatting here. However...about her bum.... it's covered by chain mail. There are belly dancers and playtrons who wear chain mail bras where only the nipple is covered by fabric... and I don't find those in the least bit offensive or trashy.

I also don't care if Darth Vader shows up..... Once inside the walls... I am Merlin Gunn, Clan Chief of Gunn Caithness. All reality stays in the parking lot...I have many GREAT friends inside those walls.... those are the people I choose to converse with...have lunch with... share a nip from the flask with. I enjoy faire and unless you interfere directly with my day.... ie.. try to get me to participate in lane antics that are offensive or obnoxious... I don't care what you do or what you wear.

If I've offended anyone...I shouldn't have because I only gave my opinion and we all know how valuable THAT is.

ROW 12 ... 8:30 ... Saturday... I have 2 bottles of champagne for mimosas ! ! ! !

[Merlin]

Bahaha... Dad... they KNEW you were nuts when we first walked in the gate at Colorado...that's why they didn't respond to you.

Seriously though...Sir Richard is right... a staff in the hands of a person who knows how to use it is way more of a weapon than a battle axe is in the hands of a 17 year old who has only used one on the X-Box.

[Merlin the Elder]

That's my boy!  Well-spoken, son.  I have infinitely more respect for someone garbed for the occasion, such as BarbarianQueen, than some muggle with their arse hanging out of their ripped jeans. I've seen both at faire. One has gone to great lengths for a persona, the other is just too damned cheap to buy a new pair of jeans.  That may be the trashy whore you speak of, young Merlin.

Sholo nearly squeezed your mother Nimue's nips out of her blouse during his act a couple seasons back! It very well might have caused a stir!

[Lady von Engestrom]

I have an 8 year old who comes to faire with me as a "Guardian of the Fairies".  I would not be concerned with him seeing BarbarianQueen in that outfit.  He knows what a butt looks like and he knows what cleavage looks like.  I think for me, in regards to kids, it's more about the behavior and the words that are spoken.  When we went to Scarby a few weekends ago, I was far more upset by him hearing an inappropriate joke about fairies, that was told in front of him by someone who wasn't thinking, than I was by anything anyone was wearing.

I think if you're revealing a bit of skin, within reason, and acting in a respectable manner when there are kiddos around, there really isn't an issue. 

[angusmacinnes]

I would agree with Rime.

[Merlin the Elder]

Me, too, Angus. Really what it boils down to...for whatever reason...America seems to have a serious problem with the human body. I guess we aren't as free as many people would like to have us believe.

[SirRichardBear]

off topic but Merlin I always get a big laugh when the police stop the teenages at cons and checks their wall hanger toy swords while I go by with my oak cain.  Sorry guys but 20 years of martial arts training makes my cain a thousand times more dangerious than those swords and you can't see past your blind spot to know that.

[Merlin]

Geeeesh.... I can hardly wait to meet this barbarian chick-a-dee now.
I may wear my chain mail kilt... ummmm.... maybe not..

[Merlin the Elder]

Son, behave yourself! I'd hate to have to whoop you in front of all these nice people!

[Merlin]

Son, behave yourself! I'd hate to have to whoop you in front of all these nice people!

See...that's why I'm so screwed up.

[Otwell Throckmorton]

wow... looks like I missed a lot of activity yesterday!
...where to start, where to start...

I asked them if they needed to peace-tie my staff... you've seen it. They looked at me like I was nuts.  In fact I am, but they didn't know it.

Merlin, it sounds like you and I need to stay away from each other... we may drive everyone away with our combined nuttiness!  The more I read from you, the more I realize I'm but a younger version of you!



Merlin... um...  Junior?, if I sound harsh... forgive me... I swear I'm not trying to be, but I've been told I come off a bit like an arse sometimes (Keep in mind I am a philosopher, and am basically the love child of Socrates and Nietzsche)...  and since I know no other way of being... I am forced to just be (of course I warn people now though!  haha)

I always get in trouble when I open my mouth...so why should this time be any different?

ME TOO!!!

There's obviously a difference between skanky whore and beautiful attire.

I think the line is blured by the character played, and the personality of the individual... if the BarbarianQueen was going up and sitting on people's laps, and groping people, and flashing people due to easy access that would be skanky...  but if she is walking around minding her own business playing with children, engaging in conversations, etc, etc... it's a character and is beautiful!  I personally feel that it is the person that makes the garb... the garb doesn't make the person

Well...I have an opinion and we all know that opinions are like bottoms... everyone has one.

Here's where I may sound like an arse... I'm not sure where you got this from... but it is excuses are like bottoms... Opinions are good, opinions are priceless!!!  Your opinions are just as valuable as mine, Merlin the Elder's, Serenity's, The POTUS, etc, etc!  Your opinion is invaluable!  Never let anyone treat you like it's not!  But on the same token... ALL opinions are invaluable!  None is any better than another! (unless of course said opinion infringes on the rights of another being)

I've very.... liberal? Is that the term? My basics have always been... If you don't like pot, don't smoke it. If you don't like alcohol.. don't drink it. If you don't want a gay marriage...don't get one. Just don't infringe on my rights or interfere with my day. (I don't smoke pot and I'm not gay but couldn't care less who does or is)

Based on what you state here... it seems the term you are looking for is libertarian... lol

If I've offended anyone...I shouldn't have because I only gave my opinion and we all know how valuable THAT is.

yeah... we do....  INVALUABLE!!!!

ROW 12 ... 8:30 ... Saturday... I have 2 bottles of champagne for mimosas ! ! ! !

Well that's dumb... I made it abundantly clear that I wouldn't be making my debut until memorial day weekend!

Me, too, Angus. Really what it boils down to...for whatever reason...America seems to have a serious problem with the human body.

   *Slow clap, eventually leading to a fast clap!*
I'm not even going to touch this one... I'll go on all day with America's screwed up views in general... I'll spare everyone my soapbox!

I guess we aren't as free as many people would like to have us believe.

What gave you your first clue?  haha!  I'll close with this - As a United States Marine, I'm becoming more and more appalled DAILY as to how the general populace of America is screwing up the word "freedom" and perverting the idea of "Liberty"  Our founding fathers would be appalled as well, and I'm sure they are rolling in their graves because of what America has become due to the effects of religious, political, economical, business, and social corruption!

[Merlin the Elder]

Make your presence known to me Memorial Day weekend, Otwell.  I've some peripheral experience with the Marines. My high school was the second high school in the country to be commissioned with a JROTC unit. I was in the first class to go all the way through the 3-year program. Our drill instructor was a retired drill instructor instructor from Parris Island. He was an extraordinary man, and we got along extremely well. You couldn't tell by looking at me now, but I was the commander of our precision rifle drill team my senior year.

[Serenity]

Actually, thank heavens for the Amish Communities, as they somehow manage to spiritually balance out the Jersey Shore, just a few miles away.  Otherwise, I think NJ would be in danger of breaking off and sliding into the ocean. - This is great and so true!  Something has to balance out THAT mess!

Pennsylvania actually recognizes this, and has anticipated this event in selecting their state Motto - " Pennsylvania - America starts HERE"  (as opposed to with it's more Easterly sister state, NJ.  I remember New Jerseyans being pretty insulted when they published this). - Interesting fact.  Learn something new every day

Anyway... all in fun!  I really do appreciate your input, Serenity, but couldn't resist posting back   Absolutely!  That's half the fun of it.  I'm glad you didn't take offense to my opinion.  You do have a lovely figure!

Actually, it's good to be reminded that people have differing views on attire, and what's appropriate. Yes, that is all I was trying to say.  Not start a fight or anything.  I guess I was born in the wrong century.  People are always saying I'm "wrong" for being a bit prudish, but it's MY opinion!  Sheesh!  Thank you, Barbarian Queen for recognizing this.

When I read your post, I couldn't help but be reminded of the moment in the Danish fable "The Emperor's New Clothes", when, after everybody had commented favorably on the Emperor's "new" (but nonexistant) clothing, the little boy ran up and said,
"But...he's NAKED!!" LMAO!  Yes!!  That is the response I was going for.  I was trying to be funny, not mean

[SirRichardBear]

 You should hear our history, customs and manners instructors talk about the going on in the French court and the Italians were even worst.   And of couse people of that century not only shared bath in the local bath house families not only shared the same bedroom they shared the same bed somethings three and four generations.  The closer people live to nature and each other the less taboos they have on nudity.  But I understand what you mean I grew up in western PA and my family is totally scandalized that I wear a kilt.  Of course my family is scandalized by just about everything I do which is why I'm so glad to live in Texas.