I can't believe I was the only one with a camera. Unfortunately, I was a cheapskate and bought a bad camera a few years ago. Oh well, you'll get the idea.
Fortunately, no one got pictures of me bellydancing.
Dinner was excellent, fun was had.
[ February 20, 2005, 08:42 PM: Message edited by: Intelligence3 ]
Posted by CaySedai (Member # 6459) on :
with a napkin rabbit, no less!
Looks like a fun time. Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
Yay! Pictures of I3! Are you going to be around tomorrow for me to meet you?
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Cool pics! Looks like you all had fun.....as it should be.
Carry on!
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
I'm glad you were able to take pictures. I thought in the original thread (way back when) they specifically forbid any pictures since CT was going to be there.
Farmgirl
I3 -- you look nothing like I thought you would, whereas the Williams' folks (Posable Nurse and KrabbyPatty) look just exactly as I pictured them And I think I had already seen a photo of Brian at dkw's house, so I knew what he looked like.
[ February 19, 2005, 09:28 AM: Message edited by: Farmgirl ]
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
The napkin monster is awesome. Posted by Intelligence3 (Member # 6944) on :
I will be around later Ryuko!
Yes, I broke down and put a photo up. I considered photoshopping something fun over me to keep the joke going, but it was too much work.
quote: I'm glad you were able to take pictures. I thought in the original thread (way back when) they specifically forbid any pictures since CT was going to be there.
I took the camera out while she was away for the table for a few minutes, we warned her that there was a camera, and I gave her my solemn promise that no photos would be attempted.
[ February 19, 2005, 10:57 AM: Message edited by: Intelligence3 ]
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Although I do wish you would spell "Lebanese" correctly at the top of the photo page...
FG
(wait - did I spell it right?)
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Strictly on looks -- it looks to me like ElJay and Brian really favor their mother's side (and those two siblings really look like siblings!) and dkw favors her dad's looks more.
My 2 cents. Not that it is important.
Farmgirl
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
You know, I'd always pictured Int3 as looking like ElJay would if she were male. I hadn't realized this until I saw a picture of the actual Int3 though. Odd.
I had no idea that Dana and ElJay had a brother! Am I right in thinking that he's the only family member that hasn't made an appearance here?
Posted by Intelligence3 (Member # 6944) on :
Ack! I missed that. Fixed.
Man, I wish I still had GoLive so I could fix that with a few clicks.
Posted by Intelligence3 (Member # 6944) on :
quote: You know, I'd always pictured Int3 as looking like ElJay would if she were male. I hadn't realized this until I saw a picture of the actual Int3 though. Odd.
I am pretty, but not that pretty.
[ February 19, 2005, 11:12 AM: Message edited by: Intelligence3 ]
Posted by Intelligence3 (Member # 6944) on :
quote: I took the camera out while [ClaudiaTherese] was away for the table for a few minutes, we warned her that there was a camera, and I gave her my solemn promise that no photos would be attempted.
Which, by the way, is a shame. She's so flippin' beautiful it's quite selfish of her not to let the world know.
No one with a radiant smile should refuse photos. Ever.
End of (complimentary) rant.
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
That is unacceptable, and I am starting revolution!
CT pictures NOW!!!
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
quote:I had no idea that Dana and ElJay had a brother! Am I right in thinking that he's the only family member that hasn't made an appearance here?
He hasn't posted personally, but Porter linked to his website once. I did a spit-take.
Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
Really? Did he know he was your brother at the time he posted the link?
FG
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Nope.
Posted by Intelligence3 (Member # 6944) on :
quote: That is unacceptable, and I am starting revolution!
CT pictures NOW!!!
I gave my word. That means something to me. Posted by Kama (Member # 3022) on :
so, where's all the henna?
Posted by Intelligence3 (Member # 6944) on :
No boys allowed for the henna-ing.
It's getting cold out here on the stoop.
Posted by xnera (Member # 187) on :
I am talking to everyone right now! Sounds like they're having fun.
Posted by Theca (Member # 1629) on :
Wish I were there. Hey, xnera, did you/are you going to that concert thingie that you said was in Chicago this weekend? I can't remember what that was.
Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :
Y'all sounded like you had such fun that I did go out to see if I could find henna locally. I found it at Community Pharmacy! What a very cool store. We've also been finding chocolate there and the Burt's Bees day creme I went looking everywhere for.
I had no idea it was so inexpensive. As I told a few of you on the phone, I tried a kit before my wedding with poor success (which was about $20) and have had it done at a couple of festivals by Indian women where you pick out a design and they apply it for $20-60. The henna I bought was a little over $1 an ounce, which is more than enough for a good sized design. I've got it mixed and sitting now and will try a design either tonight or tomorrow morning.
Hope everyone is having a safe drive back and I'm looking forward to a gathering when Sophie is feeling better. She was much better today, but is raspy/coughy again this evening and a nasty diaper rash from the antibiotic despite my greatest efforts with diaper changes and sneaking her yogurt. We're hoping for some actual sleep tonight, though. *keeps fingers crossed*
Yay for pictures! I can't wait for the actual henna ones. I'm still so excited that Crabby Patty was henna'ed as well (what a cool gal, I can't wait to meet her) and everyone's designs sounded so neat
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Neat that you're trying it, Christy!
I wish you guys could have been there, Theca, xnera, Christy, and AJ! We talked about doing it again in the summer, when people will be able to actually see the designs... dkw and I might come out that way, or we would be more than happy to host here again.
I'll post the pics soon... mine is definitely the lightest of anyone's, I think my body chemistry must not react as much with the henna. And Sara did such a beautiful design on my back! I might try to go over the ankle one again in a day or so, and see if two applications makes it darker.
I'll get the pics up soon... relaxing now! Sara and Julie headed off around 5, and promised to post when they hit Madison.
Posted by xnera (Member # 187) on :
quote:Hey, xnera, did you/are you going to that concert thingie that you said was in Chicago this weekend? I can't remember what that was.
It was Nobuo Uematsu's "Dear Friends" concert featuring music from the Final Fantasy games, and no, I didn't go. *cries noisily* I really really really really really wanted to go, but I checked for tickets as soon as I made my decision to stay home this weekend, and they were all sold out.
I have his name and the concert on Google Alerts. What I'm going to do is take a long weekend sometime and go see it when it plays in another city. So far I know it's going to be in San Franciso next month, but that's a bit early for me to get away, financially. I'm very impatient for them to announce another date. I'm sure there will be at least one more, because he's supposed to be doing a U.S. tour, and to me, two dates does not make a tour.
I was going to do henna today, but I ended up sleeping most of the afternoon (as usual), and I don't have the stuff to mix it, so it will have to wait until tomorrow. And I would very much love to get together with everyone sometime in the summer. Posted by Theca (Member # 1629) on :
It never occurred to me to try henna by myself. Of course, I hadn't planned on trying it even if I had gone, I had been planning to just crochet and admire everyone else's designs. Posted by ghost of dkw (Member # 4046) on :
Bob and Smokey and I are home. We had some serious snow and rain on the way. Hope everyone else makes it home safe.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Smokey didn't get any henna, either.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
I'm home!
Vana left here about 20 minutes ago, and I expect she'll be home within an hour, maybe a little more.
I missed xnera and Christy so much. Our sisters were there in spirit with us. And little Sophie, too, as she is one of the Strong Women that Rock the World.
Tired, happy, all hennafied up and with a bunch of neat new friends, and closer to some cherished ones. What an awesome, awesome trip. The most charming family, I3 as the wry James Bond of techland, Bob being so very Boblike it was freaky, the enigmatic Brian of the awwwwwwww, Paul as the engineer that could (and did), the wit and sparkle of the non-Krabby Patty, Vana ever-young and soul-deep, Ryuko all smiles and dancing wings with her friends Terri and Lisa, and oh, the best ... a roomful of fantabulous women in various stages of undress, saris on the windows, Middle eastern music playing in the background, lemon-ginger beer, baklava and Turkish Delight.
All laughter and scrolling designs and powdered-sugar lips.
What a ball!
Thank you so much. I have to head off to bed now, as I haven't had this much excitement since the original WenchCon.
[ February 20, 2005, 12:01 AM: Message edited by: ClaudiaTherese ]
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Glad you made it safe. And I'm glad you had a good time.
Vana will post when she gets home too, yes?
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
*deliriously happy
So glad dkw and Bob_Scopatz made it home safe. We had flurries on the way out, but mostly we rode ahead of the storm once we got out of the Twin Cities area. Whew.
G'night, all!
[Yes, she should. I will be calling her cell in an hour and a half if we haven't heard from her. I'm setting an alarm. ]
[ February 19, 2005, 11:26 PM: Message edited by: ClaudiaTherese ]
Posted by Intelligence3 (Member # 6944) on :
It's a-snowing something fierce here right now. I realize that going home early was the most logical choice, but nevertheless I wish you had taken my feelings on the matter into account. Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
I3, you could be Bob's little brother. Glad you all had fun, sorry we couldn't be there.
CT, you still gonna come out here to visit?
--Pop
Posted by Vána (Member # 6593) on :
I'm home now! Safe and sound, but still a little disappointed that we had to cut our trip short. Though it is good to hear - thanks, I3 - that our decision was a good one.
Oh, it was so wonderful - I did so many new things in so little time! New foods to try, getting to watch a belly dancer, and body art! And getting to spend time with all of you - I mean it, it was just wonderful. Thank you all so much.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
A very good one... I'm going to be shoveling tomorrow!
Okay, everyone's home safe, I can go to bed. Goodnight, Hatrack. Posted by Vána (Member # 6593) on :
Goodnight, everyone!
[ February 20, 2005, 01:00 AM: Message edited by: Vána ]
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Looks like fun was had by all.
I think I've definitely been watching too much Stargate . . . this shot, which initially struck me as ElJay having silver finger stalls on her left hand, made me flinch, "Goa'uld!" Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
(we did, I will, and right on.)
Posted by Intelligence3 (Member # 6944) on :
Yay! Everyone's safe.
Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
Aw, I didn't check in, what if I wasn't safe?
I had a terrific time, and I'm glad everyone else did too. I loved the music and the henna and everybody. Sweet and awesome. I hope to see y'all again soon. (hugs)
Unfortunately, the plastic wrap smudged my wings a bit. Ah well. I still looked terrific in my dress, I'll post pictures as soon as they're available. Posted by Intelligence3 (Member # 6944) on :
Wasn't worried about you. Who'd mess with Ryuko?
Did you have fun at the dance?
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Okay, so in the interest of getting these up promptly, I let iPhoto make the webpage for me, so it's just the pictures without description/commentary. Warning: There's a lot of skin in these pics. Viewer discretion is advised.
Oh, and all the pics are with the henna still on. So they look very dark... that's the wet henna paste. When we brushed it off the designs were light to bright orange, and will continue to darken over 24 - 48 hours. Hopefully, everyone will post pics of their finished artwork over the next few days.
Okay, okay. Here's the link.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Those pics are great! It's almost like being there. Except for the lack of seeing everyone in various stages of undress and not getting to laugh again with all of you.
I would just like to say that: 1) I got to meet Sara!!! She has a very lucky hubby and she is very lucky herself, from what she told us. Yippee!!! 2) Spending some REAL time talking to Vana was good -- Kamacon wasn't enough quality time, you know... 3) I3 -- I will miss you when you leave for San Diego, but it sure was nice to meet you. Everyone says what a great person you are. They're right! 4) My future in-laws are the best people I know. 5) My napkin bunny is scarier than Brian's napkin bunny. 6) ElJay's house is very cool. The renovations upstairs are inspired! It's a very warm & inviting home. 7) Ryuko is like family.
8) And I hope that I get to see Tom, Lime, David along with their spouses at the next henna gathering. Maybe we can time it so there's a demolition derby or monster truck show in town for the guys to attend. Posted by KrabbyPatty (Member # 7055) on :
I'm glad to hear all the travelers made it home safely - although I, too, am sad the party ended early because of the weather. (Good decision - we have about five inches of fresh snow and it's still coming down. It is gorgeous, though . . . big fluffly flakes like someone shook up a snowbowl.)
It was really great to meet CT, Vana and Ryuko. We all had such a good time - at the Lebanese restaurant (we closed the place!); at brunch Saturday morning, with ElJay making CT's yummy pop-overs and dkw making her killer egg scramble; and then the "women-only" time at ElJay's. What a caring, intelligent, creative bunch of people - and what a special feeling to be welcomed into that group! Thank you all!
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Hi, Bob! At the breakfast table, I kept glancing at you out of the corner of my eye and yammering to myself "It's Bob_Scopatz! It's Bob_Scopatz!" I like to think you didn't notice the embarrassing fangirlishness.
Don't disillusion me.
Hey, Ryuko, it was so fun to meet you. I can't wait to see the dance pictures!
I3 is a perfect gentleman, and I am forever in his debt. What a delightful man. Trust me -- we just barely salvaged a real gem. Don't let go of him, Hatrack.
Rereading my fumbling half-asleep post last night, I realized I never mentioned ElJay. This is odd, because I've been talking about her since I arrived home. It is a bit scary for me to praise her, because her light shines so brightly that I almost don't want to draw attention to it. ElJay, I can see why you're forever beating them off with a stick. It isn't just the physical beauty, although that surely plays a role. I spent nearly an hour adorning the graceful wings of your shoulders: alae, the wings of the scapulae. Along the spine, a cadaceus for health and a lotus blossom for the unfolding of enlightenment.
May you continue to shine forth so strong and beautiful, vibrant with inner health and joy. Thank you for a marvelous weekend.
[As regards the blushing bride, to her I'll be devoting my next landmark: "Mehndi my Broken Heart." All my love to you, Dana. And thank you.]
[ February 20, 2005, 01:31 PM: Message edited by: ClaudiaTherese ]
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
KrabbyPatty, it almost broke my heart to leave. Vana and I were soooo glad that snowflakes had already started to fall by the time we got out to the car -- we agreed that without that unmistakable reminder, we couldn't have left.
Thanks to you and Paul again for opening your home to us. Minnesota is certainly not a cold place in my heart. Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Okay, I know I said I'd share the contents of my gift bag with Bob, but that was before I tasted the white cheddar with cranberries.
Wow, that's some good cheese.
*hoards*
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I3, if you see this and get a chance, could you change the title to reflect that round 2 photos are up? I didn't think they needed their own thread, but I want to make sure the people who are interested see them. Posted by Intelligence3 (Member # 6944) on :
I am forever at your disposal. Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
As long as you're there, why don't you run a lemon down it? I've been noticing that that that drain has been smelling kind of foul the the last day or two.
Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :
I love your designs! Beautiful!
Mine turned out a bit light as well, but I did it at 9pm and was asleep by 10 after dosing it with sugared lemon juice. It was pretty well all rubbed off by 2 when I got up to nurse Sophie, so I suspect it just didn't adhere as well as it could've if I'd been awake.
Maybe the trick is to leave it in the refrigerator overnight to steep/set after making the paste. I'm going to test that out with the leftover paste I have. Also, my paste might have been a touch on the dry side. I've been trying to make sense of the thousand just slightly different recipes that I've found online. Another one lets the tea steep overnight and then adds it to the henna. Posted by Intelligence3 (Member # 6944) on :
quote: As long as you're there, why don't you run a lemon down it? I've been noticing that that that drain has been smelling kind of foul the the last day or two.
I was worried about that.
Missed ya, Noem. Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Christy, I let ours set for about 3 hours before we started using it, and most of them took about an hour to dry before they started flaking off. One of the hints I read that we didn't do is to use a spray bottle to mist them down with lemon water and make it take longer to dry, but we didn't try it... I think if it had been summer, maybe, but it's February and even with the heat turned up my house is awfully drafty to be intentionally spraying yourself with water.
I3, thank you.
Noemon, I don't have that kind of a disposal.
[ February 20, 2005, 11:01 PM: Message edited by: ElJay ]
Posted by Vána (Member # 6593) on :
Looks like I get to be the first to post my finished henna! Here is the flowered vine that ElJay did for me. It came out really nicely! I hope you can tell from the photo.
Edited to avoid confusion.
[ February 20, 2005, 10:50 PM: Message edited by: Vána ]
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Yay Vana!
I will have to have someone take a pic of my back... or I suppose I could use a timer. Maybe I'll do that in the morning.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
[ February 22, 2005, 07:44 PM: Message edited by: ClaudiaTherese ]
Posted by Intelligence3 (Member # 6944) on :
You, madame, are a peach.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
Posted by punwit (Member # 6388) on :
beer and feet in the same photo... no wonder I'm consigned to the third level of hell... thoughts like these are sinful.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
It's a pretty nice porter, too.
Vana, the vine looks lovely. ElJay really did a precise and detailed job with it. The vine she did on the inside of my arm is much more delicate than the footwork I did on myself.
[ February 22, 2005, 08:10 PM: Message edited by: ClaudiaTherese ]
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
*ahem*
Nice pics.
Posted by imogen (Member # 5485) on :
That's fantastic CT!
Great photos everyone. Makes me wish I could have been there.
Posted by rivka (Member # 4859) on :
Awesome.
Y'know, the pictures make much more sense in the order CT linked them here than in the order Flickr wanted to show them.
Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
Wonderful.
dkw included a bit of henna lore in her services on Sunday. It was really neat. She talked about how henna is used and that, while the designs last, the new bride doesn't have to do any housework.
I think all the designs came out very nice.
CT's little picture story is perfect! Posted by Christy (Member # 4397) on :
Perhaps these should go in the porn thread... but I think they're safe enough.
Since it was just Tom and I, we did henna around my breasts. I also did around my belly button, but oddly, my stomach is so disformed still from giving birth that the picture looked more like some sort of space crater, and I deleted it. left and right
*giggle* I love the picture story! And Vana's vine is awesome!
[ February 23, 2005, 09:54 AM: Message edited by: Christy ]
Posted by Intelligence3 (Member # 6944) on :
Good job!
Henna-ing would be a really nice, intimate thing to do as a couple.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Christy, that's fabulous! Posted by Vána (Member # 6593) on :
CT, your story is so fun! I love it.
Mine is fading already, I'm sure because of handwashing. But, it still looks really nice. I don't want it to go away - we need to have another henna party soon! I think I'm hooked.
Christy, that is just beautiful. I'm so glad you got to participate - and we got to talk to you on the phone - even though you couldn't be there.
xnera, it was so wonderful to talk with you on the phone too!
Guys, really, I had such a wonderful time. Thank you all so much for being such great people. Posted by KrabbyPatty (Member # 7055) on :
Christy's pictures are blocked on my computer here at work - so maybe they should have been in the porn thread!! I will have to check them out from home.
Eljay had me redo her designs Monday evening . . . they were so light I could barely see them to trace over them. Mine, on the other hand, are quite dark. I did embellish the "dancing lizards" on my leg as long as I had a tube of henna in my hand. Much more decorative now . . . and less reptilian.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Those are beautiful. I wish I had been there. Of course, knowing me, I would have had a bad reaction to the henna, swelled up, and turned purple. Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
I took pics this morning, and will post when I get home tonight. They're still not as dark as Mom's, but they're much better. I used a lot more oil this time, so it took a lot longer for them to dry. I think that'll be the secret for this summer... mix with a high oil content and then sit in the sun and bake. I bet they come out really dark then.
Posted by MidnightBlue (Member # 6146) on :
Wouldn't that also cause you to tan (the sit in the sun and bake part) making the difference between the henna and the rest of your skin about the same?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Unless, like me, you would end up with fried-in designs on red skin.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Possibly, but I think the additional darkening of the henna from the heat would be more than the tanning of the rest of the skin. I've read it as a recommendation several places, to sit in the sun if you can, and spritz the henna down with water to make it take longer to dry. Apparently warmth and length of time drying are the main factors in how dark it gets... that and quality/freshness of the henna powder used.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Oh, and kq, you'd probably be fine in our mild MN sun. But I wouldn't do it in Texas.
Posted by Jay (Member # 5786) on :
Cool
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I don't know, ElJay. I've been known to burn in the 3 minutes it took to go from the garage to the house. With a hat and sunscreen on.
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
"She talked about how henna is used and that, while the designs last, the new bride doesn't have to do any housework."
OK, Dana, I say you get yourself some henna-colored permanent tatoos.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
I didn't exactly use it during the service. I just mentioned it during the announcement time so I wouldn't have to explain it individually to everyone who shook hands with me on the way out.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Sneaky!
Posted by amira tharani (Member # 182) on :
There's also a tradition that the darker the bride's henna is, the luckier their marriage will be. The designs look great! I wish I'd been there... It's very strange thinking of non-Indian/Middle Eastern people having a henna party as part of the wedding celebrations, especially in the US where Indian culture isn't as prevalent as in Britain, but it's very cool. I'm definitely having one before my wedding if and when I get married.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Mine got quite dark, especially the foot. My hand is already starting to fade, though.
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
(dkw, KrabbyPatty, and I took bellydancing lessons for years. The studio has a henna party every January. We loved doing it. That may have played a role in our interest. )
Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
I should have Teri take some pictures of my back.
Comic club is tonight, maybe after that...
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
I thought I posted in here last night, I really did. *grumble*
I loved the pics - henna parties rule! I used to work at a hotel, night auditor, graveyard shift. Had to check in the late arrivals. It was a touristy type of hotel, and very popular among the wedding scene - as in, June to August, on weekends, we'd typically have 40 or more wedding couples check in each day, and typically 1/3 to 1/4 would check in on my shift. Well, there are a lot of funny stories in there, but I won't get into that now. I'll just mention the brides who came in with henna designs.
That had to be the first time I'd ever seen a henna design on a bride. It was elaborate and beautiful, and I couldn't help but stare. She was Indian, I think, and the bride and groom checked in with the entire bridal party - parents of both the bride and groom, best men, bridesmaids, probably even siblings. There had to have been twenty or more people with them. And they didn't leave on my shift!
Now that I know more about Indian culture, there's this burning question . . .
Posted by ElJay (Member # 6358) on :
Okay, here are my henna pictures, taken this morning. The designs have gotten a little darker since then, but not much. The arm and back ones were done by our own lovely CT, I did the ankle myself. KrabbyPatty, of course, went over all of them Monday in an attempt to make them show up better... the back especially. CT freehanded it, and put so much thought and effort into it I really didn't want it to disappear right away.