What is CelticHarpy.com?
Basically, it's my little corner of the World Wide Web. It has nothing to do with mythical harpies, though I like the play on words. You see, I play the harp. Not the orchestral pedal variety, but the type known as the folk harp, the Celtic harp, or the lever harp. I'm my own little harpy — I mean harper! The name appealed to my sense of the absurd. I play the harp. I'm of Irish descent — et voila! CelticHarpy was born.
So, who am I then?
That question deserves a multi-part answer. No, I don't suffer from Multiple Personality Disorder but I do have a few alter egos all the same.
I'm a 40-something corporate travel agent living in the Greater Chicagoland area of the U.S. My interests are varied and eclectic (or so I've been told…). The pages on this site reflect some of those interests, most notably travel — did I mention I work in the travel industry? Kind of a given, eh?—, Shakespeare, medieval history, Jane Austen, soccer (Internazionale di Milano), and harping —bet you saw that one coming!
CelticLass (or Alter Ego #2)
Some people in the internet world know me as CelticLass. My previous website was CelticLass' Fief. I believe it's still up and about. You'd think the provider would have removed the files from non-paying subscribers instead of clogging up their servers for over 2 years, wouldn't you? Then again, a good friend of mine said that would mean they'd have to do some work! So until they do, a previous version of myself is floating out there in cyberspace in all its irrelevant and outdated glory.
Philippa of Otterbourne (or Alter Ego #3)
Others also know me as Philippa of Otterbourne. I am a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism. The SCA is basically a medieval and renaissance re-enactment group with local branches all over the globe —or the Known World, as we like to call it. Within the SCA, each person chooses a medieval or renaissance period name. It's quite a unique experience to name yourself! My persona is Norman-English so I wanted a name that would have been recognized in England during the 13th-15th Centuries. I chose Philippa — well, just because. I chose Otterbourne because I LOVE otters. Otterbourne is an actual village in England near Winchester. It was listed as Otreburne in the Domesday Book during the reign of William the Conqueror.
For more information about Philippa of Otterbourne or the SCA, use the SCA link above or click here.
There you have it — more than you ever wanted to know about the origins of CelticHarpy.com.
