Back in that ol' Blackwolf groove!

Y'know, Mortals, since August 2004, when first your Dragonmaster joined the world community of bloggers, you have not had a proper look at what I look like. Of course, this is my current regalia as of two years ago; me wielding me trusty staff and all; hopefully, once April rolls around and we get to the Easter Parade, a different photo of me will find its way here to the Diary of Magecraft.

Meantime, please be content with this particular image; it was, as you may expect, taken during the Fort Tryon Park Medieval Festival. I am, I must admit, very proud of it.

Still, on this St. Patrick's Day 2006, I have a lot to look forward to! G4, America's all-videogame, all-the-time cable network, wants to do a series of 1-minute vignettes with yours truly, which --- if all goes well --- might yet blossom into a weekly television series! How about that, eh what? So maybe now I can get out of the shadow of ol' Poopstar himself! (Heh-heh!) Then again, how I miss working with the fresh hound! I know not why, but suddenly, I've grown immensely fond of Triumph. He, no doubt, would rather poop on that sentiment. I would expect no less.

Well, enough nonsense for now. There are 66 Bagpipe Bands out there marching down 5th Avenue right now for yours truly to worry about; I don't think a lot of them will make the newspapers tomorrow; but if you must visit a Pipe Band on the web, I hope you'll pay attention to York, PA's one and only Kiltie Band of York, Jim Britcher, Pipe Major. They would certainly love to perform for you, as I hope they will on Tartan Saturday Afternoon, April 8th, here in Manhattan.

Until next time, then, I remain, as ever,

Fearlessly yours,

Master Blackwolf

Today's Guest Blogger: St. Patrick! (Well, duh!)

Top o' the mornin', Mortals!

"Tis an honor on me Big Green Day to take over Blackwolf the Dragonmaster's Diary of Magecraft for a wee while or so. As an auld son of Eire, the Wizard, who, o' course, began his life sharin' me name before those wise sorcerers, the Grand High Istari got through with him, should be knowin' a thing or two about St. Patrick's Day! (Heh-heh!)

Now, as ye knows, my two most favorite New York City-based Bagpipe Bands are the FDNY and NYPD Emerald Society Pipes and Drums! They always do me proud with their honkin' and bangin' each and every year --- but both bands are always at their best when they celebrate their respective Medal Day Ceremonies. That's when Medals of Valor are presented to the most deservin' Peace Officers and Firefighters for honorable actions performed by them in the precedin' 12 months. So all I'm gonna say here is just please make a note to support these Medal Day Ceremonies and the people who work hard each year to make them possible.

Now since there be a lot o' Highland Pipin' on me otherwise Irish mind, I'm gonna recommend that ye visit the website o' Calum "Spud" Fraser, the dude what honked his pipes at the Madonna weddin' of a few years or so ago. He'll be happy tae tell ye his own way cool story --- and even give ye a sample o' what he does!

As fer our NYC St. Patrick's Day Parade itself, I do have a beef about NewsChannel 4's live coverage of it, and it is this: The live broadcast runs about 4 hours, and doesn't really do much in the way o' justice to all 66 of this year's participatin' Pipe Bands. Luckily, I can always count on me good friend Uncle Fergus tae do right by this auld son o' the green! Of course, knowin' Uncle Fergus --- Pipe Major Fergus MacAndrich Lochinvar Gordon (Retired), tae give the auld goat his full name --- he'll nae doubt be all over Tartanweek in NYC, April 1st through 8th, as well.

For the record, the telecast is being anchored by Nancy O'Dell, Tommy Smyth and Chris Cahill. Operatic diva Mary Dunleavy is expected tae sing an auld Irish melody; and there'll be loads of spots fer the Irish Tourist Board, too!

I should also mention today that no American city is greener in spirit than Shamrock, Texas. Why? Because every St. Patrick's -- er, my Day! -- the folks there have their own unique annual celebration. The key highlight is the crownin' o' Miss Irish Rose, who reigns over the festivities --- and if ye be bare-faced, prepare tae be sentenced to a few hours of confinement in the Bare-Faced Jail! (Heh-heh!)

Well, Mortals, I think I've said enough for 2006, Mortal-reckoning. May the wind greet yer back, etc. Oh yeah, one more thing about the snakes: they were cobras. Real nasty buggers too. Later, dudes and dudettes!