The Big Bang Theory 2.2: “The Codpiece Topology”

The Wife:

After last week’s community college pamphlet incident, Leonard and Penny have decided to move on. Penny, evidently, has moved on a lot more quickly than Leonard, as the boys discover when they run into Penny and her new beau in the hall on their way home from The Word’s Most Historically Inaccurate Renaissance Faire, so proclaimeth Friar Sheldon.

I have several things to say, as a sometime enjoyer of Renaissance Faire and lover of Renaissance drama, regarding Sheldon’s remarks about the historical in/accuracy of the Faire he and his friends attended. To begin with, the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, hosted in Southern California at an old army base in Irwindale, CA (20 miles East of L.A.), does indeed adhere to a particular period of time. The company that produces this fair and the NorCal Faire construct their faire around the Elizabethan period, a time when England was flourishing and was open to global exploration. That is why, at Faire, participants are encouraged to dress in the traditional garb of any country that would have been in contact with England at the time. That’s why you will see people in Irish garb as well as English, in high Italian court garb and, yes, you will even see Arabian traders, gypsies and Asian merchants. How else would one be able to have tea, coffee or spices without them? Sheldon complains that participants were decked out in more medieval garb than Renaissance, which frankly seemed to be an offense perpetrated by Sheldon and Company, with Leonard in chain mail and a crushed velvet jerkin clearly purchased from a Halloween Store along with Sheldon’s own monastic garb. People who love Renaissance Faire and go in costume do so accurately, or at least more accurately than the costume shop crap each of our geeks were wearing. Only Raj had on something vaguely historically accurate, except for the fact that inside that suit was an Indian man. Good job, Chuck Lorre. Way to make a fucking point.

Furthermore, if Sheldon is really as smart as he thinks he is, then he would know that “ye olde” anything is pronounced “the old,” as “y” is the runic symbol for the phoneme “th.” I’m sure a lot of the physics mentioned on this show is wildly inaccurate, but I’m not a physicist so I certainly wouldn’t have noticed. I am, however, a linguist and if you’re gonna talk shit in my town, you better know what’s waiting for you. You and me, Sheldon, we’re gonna have an Old English/Middle English/Early Modern English smackdown.

Anyway, my defense of Renaissance Faires aside, Penny’s new boyfriend means that I get to see Sarah Gilbert again! Hooray!

Leslie Winkle, Leonard’s one-time fuck buddy, decides that she’s tired of waking up in a bed full of strangers and wants to begin having real relationships with people. She suggests that she and Leonard have a real date, ending in “light petting, no coitus.” Leonard agrees, which means that Sheldon, Leslie’s arch-nemesis, must go somewhere else while Leonard hosts his date in their mutual apartment. This drives Sheldon to mope on the staircase with vintage Super Mario Brothers games on his lap top (a laptop I have, mind you).

Penny somehow gets Sheldon to realize that he’s enabling his friend to do something that makes him very unhappy and that if Leonard were really Sheldon’s friend, Leonard would consider how his relationship with Penny impacts Sheldon, which ultimately leads to the two mortal enemies embroiled in an argument about loop theory vs. string theory.

Leslie and Leonard’s relationship dissipates the minute Leonard refuses to adhere to Leslie’s loop theory argument, noting that, like Sheldon, he prefers his space a little more stringy. Leslie breaks up with him over this, as believing in string theory over loop theory is her relationship deal breaker. To her credit, I’m glad her dealbreaker is something important, rather than, say, wearing socks to bed or liking ABBA.

The Husband:

I must point out that Sheldon was not, in fact, playing a vintage Super Mario Brothers game, as I don’t think that the N64 is technically vintage yet. (I know my wife. She meant old Nintendo. So she is wrong I say! Wrong!) What he was playing was “Super Mario 64,” the one game that everybody loves and I happen to despise. Believe me, I’ve given it multiple chances, and I just don’t like it. I prefer my Mario games to be side-scrolling, and if a game designer is to advance that platform (a platform of a platform game), they do something like Nintendo’s “Super Mario Brothers 3” or the Super Nintendo’s “Super Mario World” (a personal favorite). Props to the sound designer who grabbed the actual “game paused” sound effect for this episode.

On a less geeky note, I know this is a major stretch, but does anyone want to take bets that Sheldon and Penny may overcome their differences and might indulge in a little romancing by season’s end? I know creator Chuck Lorre doesn’t really care for overarching stories (curse you, Two and a Half Men!), but something tells me that I may not be far off. I can’t be the only person to consider this plot twist, can I?

Four Winds Faire auditions

Texas I missed getting information out to you for the first round of auditions but checked with Kristin and here’s what she said for rounds two and three.Four Winds Faire Cast AuditionsWhen: Sat. Oct. 4 (2 - 4pm), Sat. Nov. 8 (2 - 4pm)Where: 710 St. Hwy. 110 …

“Renaissance Inspiration”

I spent the better part of today at a Renaissance Faire, which really ought to be called a Medieval Faire, but either way, they’re not only fun pasttimes, but excellent inspirations for writing.  It just so happens that my NaNoWriMo prep novel has a few chapters taking place in a Medieval village, and today provided some good writing fodder.  Not that I haven’t been to one of these festivals before, or that I haven’t studied the Medieval era, but sometimes seeing actors and actresses acting the part of a Medieval villager, from peasant to King, can help jump start some of the details that will bring the scene to life.

When you’re writing, or thinking about writing, it’s helpful to think about any experience you’ve had that even relates to what you’re writing.  Putting a bit of reality, even stretched reality, into your scenes and stories will make them more believable, as we discussed yesterday.  Whenever I go somewhere or do something that can contribute to my writing, as soon as I can, I make sure to jot down some of the more memorable parts of the day.  Furthermore, I try to interact with scenario as much as possible.

Today’s faire was perfect for that.  In between shows and events, the actors and actresses wander about so that faire-goers can speak with them.  They remain in character, which adds to the fun (and the value of the research).  Some of the colorful characters I spoke with today include King Arthur, Rufus, one of the “great unwashed,” and a pirate at the entrance gate.

I mentioned shows.  The actors and actresses put on a variety of shows, several times a day.  From jousting to magic, the shows typically have some comedy to them, and some are so funny that all of the laughter can cause facial cramps (it’s worth it though; laughing for several hour straight is always fun).  The environment is set to represent the Medieval era as well.  The “streets” are lined with merchants selling their various wares.  Some even call to passersby to visit their shops.  Available food includes everything from a hot dog to a giant turkey leg.

I reccommend attending a faire, if you’re interested in writing the Medieval era, for some entertainment and experiences that will enrich your writing and help to bring it to life.  Yesterday when I wrote a scene from the post card, I was able to weave in some experiences I’ve had with roller coasters and amusement parks.  When writing a scene in a Medieval village, the most that can be done to insert personal experience is to insert experience from a faire that is designed to reflect historical accuracy (mixed with entertainment of course).

Santa Fe Renaissance Festival’s succesful first year

The past weekend, I had the pleasure to attend and volunteer at the first annual Santa Fe Renaissance Festival. It was hosted by a local charity, Open Hands, and El Rancho de las Golondrinas, a quaint living history museum and working 18th-century Spanish villa. It was a one-weekend …

It’s about the moment, not necessarily a masterpiece

I loved the dynamic between these two brothers at ren faire.  They were just absolutely precious!

again, as I said earlier it’s not about the 100% masterful art photograph because these are pretty much anything but.  mostly I went for capturing a split second moment and mood.

My darling Moxie, who has currently gone out for adoption <3 Bless the family who gets this special little girl.  She’s truly a treasure!

Everywhere you go in NYC it seems to move, to breathe, to have a life all its own.

Fascinating little moments from day to day life.  The world around me is a beautiful place.

It’s about the moment, not necessarily a masterpiece

I loved the dynamic between these two brothers at ren faire.  They were just absolutely precious!

again, as I said earlier it’s not about the 100% masterful art photograph because these are pretty much anything but.  mostly I went for capturing a split second moment and mood.

My darling Moxie, who has currently gone out for adoption <3 Bless the family who gets this special little girl.  She’s truly a treasure!

Everywhere you go in NYC it seems to move, to breathe, to have a life all its own.

Fascinating little moments from day to day life.  The world around me is a beautiful place.

The Renaissance Symposium, Feb 6-9, 2009, in Modesto, California

Bill Watters sent us info about the 2009 Renaissance Workshops & Symposium today, asking that we share it with our readers.The 7th Annual Renaissance Workshops & Symposium, 2009It’s time to come together to learn from each other and share ideas to help make for a better Renaissance Faire experience. To …

RESCU Foundation’s Michigan Renaissance Festival Vaudeville Variety Show - September 25, 2008

R.E.S.C.U. Foundation News & Links9/8/08 - Get your tickets now for the Michigan Renaissance Festival Vaudeville Variety Show in Rochester, MI at the Avon Players Theatre! See event poster!Performers include: ManoleteDed BobGreen ZurchiniChristophe (The Insulter)Puente, Ky, & Friends (The Band)Bocca MusicaRic Rod ZooThe Washing Well Wenches& surprise Guest PerformancesWith your …

Michigan Renaissance Festival extends its season

Michigan Michigan Renaissance Festival has added a weekend to their season, I’m guessing because of the rainy weekend caused by Hurricane Ike. Cast members helped spread the word at RenaissanceFestival.com and a check of the website verifies the extension. So get out there and enjoy the Fall Harvest Celebration they’ve …

Announcing the Birth of "Renaissance Village"

For the past few weeks we have had a bit of uncertainty about the location of the faire for 2009. I can now happily and joyfully tell you about the location. We will be having the faire at what is currently called “Quaker Mills” This location is just outside of Joplin, and closer to Joplin than the previous site.

Over the next few months we will begin to transform Quaker Mills into “Renaissance Village”, which will become it’s permanent name. The site is just gorgeous! It has Spring river running along side it, plenty of shade, plenty of trees, parking for around 3,000 cars and even real priveys! On top of this, there is a huge camping site that has water hook-ups, no electricity yet, but maybe by faire time. There will be pictures posted of the site this evening.

It is the intentions of Joplin Renaissance Festival to make this a permanent site from now on. We will be holding many festivities at Renaissance Village, other than the faire, so keep watching for other activities coming up.

Thanks to all for the support and kind words during this transition time. None of this could be made possible without all of you “Rennies” out there. Thank you all so very much!!

Bruce Morgan

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