bullets before bed

• Spent most of yesterday at the SCA University. Basic shoemaking and blade engagement were interesting, but the piece de resistance was Patterning the Spanish Doublet - all from 6 measurements, stored tidily on a (easily stored, doesn't take up much space) length of ribbon. Didn't finish my pattern draft but I can go anywhere with these measurements - Spanish, English, Italian doublets, bodices, sleeveless or not, skirt attached or not - it's all so versatile!
  
• Also got a bit of sunburn because the weather was absolutely gorgeous. Must have missed a spot in the morning - at least I know what a difference the sunscreen makes.
  
• Today, went with dotheranon to see The Duchess. To the best of my knowledge stuck close-ish to history, with decent acting and miles and miles of 18th century dress (scroll down to 9/15/08 entry). I think these are mostly accurate; at least they didn't flinch at showing the actresses in styles that aren't flattering to modern eyes (the wigs, oh, the wigs....)
  
• Cats finally noticed they're on a diet. Their confusion (? frustration? Who knows what goes on in their little cat minds?) is tempered by cooler weather = open windows = lots of birdwatching.
  
• Trudging along with the Italian. Or rather I should say, short sprints - I'll do a whole module in 1/2 hour and then not go back to it for a week. Bad student, bad!
  
• Got some hand-me-downs from G., a friend with considerable vintage-fu. Results: sailor pants, light blue Chinese brocade jacket/shirt, 2 40s/50s style dresses, if I can figure out how to clean them.
  
• Watched "Back to the Future" for the first time in ~10 years. Got on a roll and watched the 2 sequels as well. Conclusions: first holds up well, 2 has too much going on, and 3 has a cute romance between the Doc and a schoolteacher. Conclusions: the franchise was better when going back to the past, and it's fun (if jaw-droppingly bad) to see projections of the 21st century from 23 years ago. Where's my damn flying car already?