MD part ses, mondo long...
Oct. 4th, 2006 11:34 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ptpgradYeah, long, yeah, wrong (or not completely utterly accurate) and yeah, missing stuff. I try, but I just can’t get to perfect yet, so this is what you get. See you at the end…
ARRIVAL AND ADJUSTMENTS
Lelio’s mom arrived on Friday to attend the faire and see both her son and daughter-in-law perform (which means she got to see me do a lot of stuff by proxy). They went to dinner whilst I did stuff here in preparation of the day (after dropping off stuff at site and NOT losing anything). In fact, I realized I found Stupina’s handkerchief I had not washed it and needed to do so. Finally, it was time to go to bed. I was hoping that my not talking a lot this week had helped repair my voice that disappeared last Monday. It was tired, so I was a bit worried, but I had been treating it with a whole bunch of different remedies, so I had hope it would last the weekend.
PREPARATIONS
I got to site even earlier than normal (change of schedule and one lo carb bowl from Hardees later) and begin to stretch. I am greeted by Bob DaVinci who is setting his props and hanging a clock in a very subtle, but useful position. I give myself a little more of a vocal warm up and head toward fortune. We check sound, which is perfect and the swordfight, which, while not perfect, is pretty cool. They head to breakfast and I head to the costume house to warm up more. I love walking through the almost empty site in the morning listening to my music and letting the rhythm move me. I end up dancing at the costume house or boogeying to the privies. Odd, I know, but it makes me happy to see the sunlight through a different energy each morning.
I’M NOT GONNA DO IT, YOU TRY IT
When I get there, the doors to the costume house have been unlocked. There is a rehearsal this morning for a show that was opening today, so the costume house has been unlocked so they can get their props out for the run. This means, I am stuck with a dilemna. The house is open, but “mom” isn’t home. Does this mean we can go in or not? I go with not and wait for her arrival, well, sort of. I go in and get my props and head to the stage to set up. Why waste time? Then, I wait. Once Stitch has arrived, I go in and get dressed. I am again filling in for our sick cohort, so the second costume is added on. It’s weird to have to add myself to the lacing line after all these years, but I wait my turn after lacing up another. Once I am done, I head to morning meeting. Again, my orange ladies lumps are abused. Ah well.
PLAGUE VICTIMS
So it seems that many of the “powers that be” have been coming down with various icky ailments. Some vocal, some internal, some just icky. Suffice to say, all of us are there. We go over the special expectations for the weekend. The Medieval Babes are performing and some of the incoming patrons have been requesting privileges over other patrons…um, no. Some schedules are adjusted and we BEEP and head to the gate. I make my normal quick final pee break and get ready to top the gate and beat women with roses. My voice is croakier than I want it to be, but I get through ok. I still love my quicky adlib, it makes me think of Ursula from the Little Mermaid. One of the other ladies does not destroy her rose in our fight. As the king enters she shows me she has it, gloating. I rip the rose from her hands and throw it on the floor. It’s pretty funny, but no audience member is even looking our way at that moment I am sure.
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE?
I rush downstairs and BlueEowyn is waiting for me with Stupina in hand. We switch, I “suit” up and head out. The crowd is still pouring in, and I am fine with that. I greet people, wave at kids and adults, hug the regulars, fall asleep on strangers and more. I still get a bit freaked out when people remember me. I find myself taken aback when I go to introduce myself and the person says ‘oh, I know you. You’re Stupina!” Um, yes, how did you know? Some have seen the show or met me in the street. Some come up to me and hug me saying they are glad to see me again. It’s really kinda cool. I end up talking up my show some, but not nearly as much as I probably should that early.
DON’T TOUCH IT! IT’S EEEEVVIILLLLLL
Today, the Ex-Sherrif Reginald Sharp is back in town and is reading the Girlie book. One of the things that I love about when he reads is the fact that he hates Stupina so very much, and it shows. The audience, though not a packed house, is thoroughly enjoying his abuse of me and my seemingly innocent inability to notice. I also know that, although we are very good together, we have a tendency to riff off each other too much and the show runs with only 2 minutes to spare to clear the stage. Many laughs and fun in between, but it’s time to clear the stage ASAP. I am off before my time is up, and the Pee Wee Pirate Show takes the stage as Tshirt boy and I clean up and pack away the props. For all we have worried that this day might be cold, I am sweating up a storm…the joy of the mask.
SPIT SPIT
By the end of the show, the rain has been starting and I am concerned that I can’t put the mask out in the weather, so I change while Mrs. Pugh is nearby. I head out and the rain stops…Bugger. Well, I head out to wander and see what is needed. I see that the lines are a bit crowded out front, so I head out and start handing out programs. Luckily, while they are busy, they are not overwhelmed and people are not standing in line for exorbitant amounts of time. While there, I run into Bliss Goodbody, who is alive and well. We chat as the rain starts to pick up again. One of the Smith’s comes by as well and they catch up. I am so very happy to see her and tell her how much she is loved. It is finally time to head in. I have been outside for about an hour going through two large stacks of programs. I head in to get more water and see the SM for French Folktales come backstage to get the shepherd’s crook. Seems that the Devil has again thrown Death high into the trees and is stuck. If you don’t understand what I mean, you will have to come see the show…so there. I head back out to get lunch.
CROWDS AGOGO
Ok, so I know that there are many here to see the Babes today, I know that many commented about getting there at opening and staking out their seats before their first show around 1ish. I know that they want to stay all day and see all the shows, but LORDY, EVERYONE is staying. I feel like I am crawling over people a bit with the crowds. While this is expected, it’s still a lot to work with. Instead of sitting with patrons, I stand at the edge of a table and stand and talk to them while I eat, hoping not to drip on myself. Yes, I did get a steak on a stake from the helpful people on the queen’s path. Yummeh. I still dream of another pork pocket, but I already had one and I don’t have a bowl or fork to eat it in public, so stick food is fine for me.
SO MANY, SO LITTLE TIME
I decide to take a slightly different path today and wander up by the Babes’ stage (Royal). The nut people are busy, but one still has time to say hello. I try the path less wandered (by me) and start to head to the hill to check the slide line, when I come up to a family with a mother in a wheel chair. They say they are going to the Royal Pavilion to get the kids knighted. Um, you are about to hit a VERY steep hill. I recommended taking the other way around. They are disturbed as they don’t want to miss getting in line. The mother says she can try her crutches and I suggest the steps might be easier for her. So, one child and her husband take the hill with the wheelchair, while I escort the mother and the other child down the steps. I block off running children who are not looking and call warnings to those who are about to inadvertently knock her over. By the time we get her safely to the bottom of the hill, her husband has arrived at the pavilion. I ask Lady Fitzwilliam if the knighting ceremony is coming up soon. She shows me where people need to stand and I say goodbye to a grateful family. That felt really good.
OVER THE BOARDWALK
I head across and toward the Fortune Stage area. I chat with random patrons along the way and in the food court. I stop and hit the pony ride line where two older boys are standing. I ask them why and they say they want to ride the ponies. I check with the people running the ride and inform them that they must be 12 or under to do so. Sadly, neither is, so they take off. I chat with kids who have been standing in line, hoping to soften the wait. I then head over toward Fortune and realize, there are likely lines elsewhere. I head to the jousting field’s Privy and there it is.
STEP ON UP
Ok, I have to admit, I get VERY frustrated by people who stand at the back of the entranceway, chat with their back toward me, and when they finally turn around, have to figure out what they want to do with their beer, while others are desperately waiting to pee and the line is growing. I feel a bit like a drill sergeant as I call out “next, Next, NEXT, PEOPLE WANT TO PEE BEHIIND YOU GET IN HERE” Oh, yeah, my sore voice. Whoops. Even with a lozenge, I can feel my voice starting to HATE me. Grand. I manage to totally remove the line with the short-term help of a gentleman I did not recognize (and I don’t think works there). Thank you sir. I head toward the Dragon, get some more water and wander through briefly, then head back to set up for the show.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
The stage seems to be running notoriously late. Many shows run a bit over then the next runs a bit over and by the time it gets to our show, there is a blank 15 minute spot that should bring us back on schedule…but not always. Today, the act before us not only runs through the entire 15 minutes, but about 10 or so into our time. We rush to set up and hope that we can get a crowd going without a preshow. Ah well. The show itself, actually is pretty damn funny today. Great Bob, audience that gets the jokes and finds ones we didn’t realize were there. They cheer and die quite well. All in all a very satisfying experience…AND, we have it on tape..well, DVD.
NO BOOM
Lelio needs the props today, so I just pack my things up and head back out to the streets. My voice is HATING me, A LOT. I am now just going to get something to eat and make sure I keep the throat moist and quiet. So I grab a sausage on a stick and sit with a few goth kids…well, not kids, I think they were old enough to drink. They are about to head to the last joust and I ask them about their day. They seem to be having fun, which always makes me happy. Until I drop mustard on myself. GREAT. We say our goodbyes and I stop to watch the end of the pumpkin toss. Very amusing, to be sure. I wander into the pub and am told I am not allowed to sing. ::pouting:: ok. ::/end pout::. I run into Ivanovich finally and we briefly catch up. I enjoy what I can of the evening and drag a few back into the pub for that special…fire ball…Poor Nymblwyck never does do it as he is shot by Mr. Lelio in a fireman suit…a Walmart Kids Plastic Fireman suit. I know, I was with him when he bought it. Nymblewyck elegantly swings down from Manny “dead” and the crowd cheers. Next, I am informed that Reginald Sharpe is beloved of the Babes…but it might not have hurt that he was rubbing their feet backstage. Finally, the pub sing is at its end.
MUSH MUSH
I am at the end of the line of Nobles headed by the King. We start walking and I suddenly get the HUGE desire to yell “Mush! Mush! Faster Faster!” I make the back of the line laugh…and then I shut up. There are HUGE crowds in the parking lot, so I know I have to wait. I chat with Ivanovitch, tshirt boy, and others. I call my friend who is waiting in the parking lot and let her know I don’t expect to leave here till 8pm. She and I plan on meeting at Sakura, the teppanyaki place. We meet up with her SO and T-shirt boy. Dinner is late, but good. The other rennies in the place are sat in the back at the table opposite us. I felt bad for the “normal” people. Though we were actually quite well behaved. I rush home to rinse of two costume pieces, including mustard skirt, and head off to sleep.
TOO SOON TOO SOON
I am sadly unable to sleep as late as I want, but I rest a decent amount. I am very concerned with my ability to make sound today. I start with licorice root, which eases the pain to be sure. I get my normal protein shake and drive the Lelio’s in as Momma Lelio is visiting the shire and will drive in later than we. Once on site, they go to sleep and I head in to stretch. I have some extra time, which is well needed and try to work on my voice again as well as getting extra stretching in. I head toward Fortune and we find out that Lelio left his mic in the costume house, so there is no sound check. We just run the sword fight and agree it’s time to shake it up a bit for next week. I head back to the costume house and move silently today.
STILL OPEN
Again the costume house is open when I arrive, but not really, so I stay outside. Dansr, the visiting Russian Fiddle Player, offers me tea and the like. When Stitch arrives, we enter. There happens to be a small amount of drama this morning, which I desperately try to avoid, and mostly do. I head out of the mostly empty costume house and take my props to the stage…All of them alone. T-shirt boy is not here today. I have a friend helping out, but he is a patron and won’t be here prior to the show, so I lug it all up. I set props. I head to the will call and drop off tickets for my friends to return today, then come back down… DAMN it got REALLY crowded in the costume house in the five minutes since I left. I get in my corner and get changed. Someone stops by to work on the door. I am trying not to talk as much as possible so I have a voice for the shows. I add the second costume and wait in line. There are many people using my lacing style now, so I feel like I started some sort of odd trend.
WARM AND SOOTHING
I grab my mug and fill it with hot water and soak the tea bag that Hermia has provided me. It was very soothing on my throat. I am once again “molested” for my orange lumps and we find out at cast call that the count, while big, isn’t AS big as I had thought. We go over plans,m learn it’s free wander day, and after the beep, I head to gate and my last pee of the morning. On the way, I suck down the last of the tea and suck on the teabag before I throw it out. I miss the dress luckily. I have a not so pretty rose today, and I have overstuffed my bag with ricola lozenges. I will NOT be without one today. I peek and see the crowd through the trees before I enter. I am testing my voice to make sure I don’t squawk. Ok, so I don’t sound amazing, but I don’t sound as bad as I expected. We get a few nice laughs as an ensemble. I could swear the King looked RIGHT at me, and the cannon booms. I say goodbye to my daughters and rush downstairs for the transformation.
SILENT GREETING
Where is my barrette? There is a barette that I use to hold my hair up in Stupina. I always have it with me, I ALWAYS use it, but it’s gone, BlueEowyn goes looking for it, but can’t find it and I have no luck when I got to find it at Lyric. Damn. I borrow a hair band and double wrap my hair to hold it in place. Not ideal, but it works. Now, to be quiet…Not really possible in the morning. I am not as loud and make sure to wave a lot. I make sure to hug Master William Teller as today was his last day. I do so love starting my mornings with his bright blue eyes and sweet nature. Even on his bad days, he is kinder and more pleasant than many on their good days. I will miss him these next 3 weekends. I meet a nice lady who calls me by name (Stupina, of course) and asks when the show is. She says she will be coming to see it. Gotta love when the outside world remembers you.
WHO’S GOT THE TICKETS
As we get close to showtime, Stand-in Boy stops by the stage. I go over the basics of how this is going to work. I head backstage to get things ready and am greeted by a friend who says my friends from up North are having issues because the tickets aren’t there and security is getting pissed. I grab my face and head out. I ask SM-Kshort to bring the tshirts to the stand-in, but she doesn’t hear me well and I can’t stop. I rush and the woman remembers me and does remember I bought tickets. She looks and doesn’t find them, I ask to look myself, at the end of the box, they are misfiled one letter behind where they should be. I hand them the tickets and run back in to hawk my show. Lost a few minutes. Ah well. I head backstage with Stand-in boy, hand him tshirts, and grab a lozenge before the show, and what’s in my bota? My barrette…sigh. Well, can’t put it on now…
WHEN IT’S RIGHT
Ok, it wasn’t a full house, but this was one of the best audiences I have had this season. One family is deciding if they want to see the show and I tell them they will have fun. When I get to the stage, they are taking up the front row. Mrs. Lelio is reading because Momma Lelio is in the audience and wants to see her daughter-in-law at work. There are days when people don’t get Stupina. I can see it in their faces as they stare in confusion and sometimes wander away. Today, they got it, I mean REALLY got it. By the time the show is over, the crowd has been laughing hysterically and Bob was great. The mom from the family in the front row has been laughing so hard she is crying and the two older women in the second row are falling all over each other laughing. The show’s pace was good and I am feeling wonderful. I give Mrs. Lelio her well deserved due and clear the stage for the next show.
LESSONG LEARNED LITE
I let stand-in boy know that he is allowed to be loud, to hawk both the shows and the shirts. I think he was afraid to. I also forgot to tell him the price of the shirts,..but he had it right. I get backstage and pile everything up and begin to carefully carry it down. I am met by Zach Rackham, who offers to take some of my burden and lifts the top ½ of the crap off my hands. I am very appreciative and we head to the costume house. He helps me bring the items in (with Trumpet man opening the door for us, as our hands were full) and he takes his leave. I put away the props and grab a big guzzle of water, add the barrette and lozenge and head back out. I am threatened by the other actors to be quiet and come up with another method of entertaining. I pull back in my memory banks and head to the street.
HANGING BY A LEG
So I start by dusting people and not saying anything. This works rather well, I also know that I can do more physical stuff if I get farther into the site where there is room to try physical things. I head toward the jousting field and Kate Cox Design’s chainmaile. There is a mini deck there where they sit and make chainmaile. Many years ago, I used to be Queen there, but today, J is sitting there making chainmaile. Without speaking, I try to climb up onto the level. Keep in mind, I am very aware of the chainmaile body and the box of materials by my feet, which makes the challenge all the more difficult and fun. I begin to struggle and end up hanging from it swinging slightly underneath and rather upside down with my butt displayed prominently. I hear cameras taking pictures as I flail. I see a brown preying mantis on the bottom side. After about 5 minutes, I manage to sit down. I get applause. I haven’t said a word. Life is good.
THE SOUND OF SILENCE
I sit and as people walk by, I show off the chainmaile top on the form and point to them with a thumbs up and an encouraging smile. I get laughter. I am still silent. My friend from out of town wanders by and quietly and closely we chat. We discuss the humor of the Aristocrats joke and how to make it funny. They agree with me. It is finally time to leave, but as I turn, I see that J has left her stand and I missed my opportunity to be queen again. Damn. She returns momentarily and, after looking longingly at the chair, head back toward the front of the faire and the costume house. I still have a voice. I feel good about that.
SILENT TAKE 2
I change into Columbina with the help of Mrs. Pugh. I grab more water, another lozenge and head out to grab that steak on a stake. My skirt keeps popping open, though, so I head back down to my sewing kit to fix the hook. It’s on the third set and yesterday, I was able to easily wear the 4th set…but for the show, I want it a bit loose so it’s easy to take off. I head out. I sit with a mother and her two daughters (one silent, the other gothlike). It’s a pleasant enough chat and I am on a Stupina high still. I head off and back to get Baby Stupina. I walk her around until I hear the Russian Fiddler lady. I begin to have Baby Stupina dance to the happy music and stay for 2 songs. She is happy to share the crowd of families and kids that build around the two of us: some for the music, some for the marionette, some for the ambiance, and the rest to see what the first 3 groups have stopped for. It was great energy and tons of fun. I wander away and let her sing. I meet more people. I don’t have to speak too much with her, so I am again saving my voice as much as possible.
LEARNING FROM THE YOUNG
I head slowly back and see FaireRaven in the Customer Service Booth with a young lady. Turns out all the men in her family seem to have lost her. She is keeping company with FR, so I stop to chat. I suddenly see the privy line. I simply can’t risk my voice before the last show, so I ask if FR can do it. I give her a lozenge and take charge off the little one. I sit inside and begin to teach her how to move the marionette. I hold her and let the girl try to move the strings to see what they do. She ends up teaching me a new wave. Shortly after, Daddy shows up. He looks unpleased, but I thank the girl for teaching me something new and head on my way.
THAT AGAIN
I take Baby Stupina back, grab the bag and materials I need, and head toward Fortune. I drop off my things and head toward the Dragon Inn for some water. I sit with some gentlemen who I do not know. I cannot speak. I mouth words or use sign language of sorts. They tell me it’s a good thing I am not a mime…um, technically I am, but I don’t bother to tell them that. If they don’t see white face, it’s not recognizable to them. One of them is Italian and keeps trying to speak to me. I quietly tell him I can’t afford to hear my language before I have to perform in this one. He finally stops after I scowl at him a few more times. Eventually, it is time to start the show and as I leave, some unaware drunk runs my full mug of water into my sleeve and it spills. Thank god it’s JUST water. I get a refill from my favs and head to the stage to set up.
TIMING IMPROVEMENT
Stand-in boy arrives as I am setting up and I provide him with the necessary materials. Today’s show only starts a minute or so late, so we get our energy going. We have a decent show, modestly responsive audience, a few good deaths, a good swordfight and better slo mo. Momma Lelio is there as well. She sits on my side (lol). I have the tree. We come out and meet a few regulars and I sell my last 3x tshirt in my stock for now. I have enough of all the other sizes, including the kids M size…so they should fit most anyone. (buy a tshirttttt you are cold and only a Teatro Tshirt will keep you waarrrrmmmm.) Today is my day to take stuff across site, so Stand-in boy helps me pack items and I briefly chat with Momma Lelio as I finish up. I head out with Stand-in Boy and we split at Kenwood. I head out to the costume house and get keys and take my stuff to the car for safety.
FOOOOOOOOOD
I come back and grab my bowl so I can eat something that ISN’T stick food. Filberta and I head out into the village and stop at Jezzards. We try a new stick he has designed with me in mind. It sort of works, but I really wanted the brass hair cup thingy and wander off. Filberta wanders to watch Pub Sing as we have made the day less scheduled. I go and try the teriyaki chicken and rice. Wasn’t as good today, not bad, but not as tasty. Bummer. I chat with a family in the food court who are watching the Pumpkin Toss. Once done, I head toward the pub. I listen some, I wander some, I can’t really find a seat. I head to the edge and sit on the rocks with BeerPam, Diego, and Ivanovich. Next, I head back in and don’t seem to want to settle anywhere. Mr. and Mrs. Lelio are singing again, but he picks a key that is great for him and almost impossible for her, the joys of live performance. They sing “I come for to Sing”, which sadly I cannot, but I do still have some of a voice, which was quite a surprise given what I was expecting.
DINNER FOR TWO
There are private birthday parties and other events going on this evening, so one other lady and I decide to head out to a quiet dinner on our own. So quiet the mall is closing and we sneak into the restaurant in the nick of time. We get warm soup, yummy salads and other treats. We talk about life and the life away from faire and the days we have had. It is a very pleasant and relaxing way to end the weekend. I notice I am hunched badly in my seat as I am exhausted. We say our goodbyes and head home to put away my rose and honey candy (thanks Tiger and Llama). And I woke this morning with regular Monday voice. I think I am going to be ok.
This weekend for the Girlie Book
Saturday, Lady Catherine Edgecombe
Sunday, Maid Marian (well, this time MY parents will be around)
Till next we meet.
ARRIVAL AND ADJUSTMENTS
Lelio’s mom arrived on Friday to attend the faire and see both her son and daughter-in-law perform (which means she got to see me do a lot of stuff by proxy). They went to dinner whilst I did stuff here in preparation of the day (after dropping off stuff at site and NOT losing anything). In fact, I realized I found Stupina’s handkerchief I had not washed it and needed to do so. Finally, it was time to go to bed. I was hoping that my not talking a lot this week had helped repair my voice that disappeared last Monday. It was tired, so I was a bit worried, but I had been treating it with a whole bunch of different remedies, so I had hope it would last the weekend.
PREPARATIONS
I got to site even earlier than normal (change of schedule and one lo carb bowl from Hardees later) and begin to stretch. I am greeted by Bob DaVinci who is setting his props and hanging a clock in a very subtle, but useful position. I give myself a little more of a vocal warm up and head toward fortune. We check sound, which is perfect and the swordfight, which, while not perfect, is pretty cool. They head to breakfast and I head to the costume house to warm up more. I love walking through the almost empty site in the morning listening to my music and letting the rhythm move me. I end up dancing at the costume house or boogeying to the privies. Odd, I know, but it makes me happy to see the sunlight through a different energy each morning.
I’M NOT GONNA DO IT, YOU TRY IT
When I get there, the doors to the costume house have been unlocked. There is a rehearsal this morning for a show that was opening today, so the costume house has been unlocked so they can get their props out for the run. This means, I am stuck with a dilemna. The house is open, but “mom” isn’t home. Does this mean we can go in or not? I go with not and wait for her arrival, well, sort of. I go in and get my props and head to the stage to set up. Why waste time? Then, I wait. Once Stitch has arrived, I go in and get dressed. I am again filling in for our sick cohort, so the second costume is added on. It’s weird to have to add myself to the lacing line after all these years, but I wait my turn after lacing up another. Once I am done, I head to morning meeting. Again, my orange ladies lumps are abused. Ah well.
PLAGUE VICTIMS
So it seems that many of the “powers that be” have been coming down with various icky ailments. Some vocal, some internal, some just icky. Suffice to say, all of us are there. We go over the special expectations for the weekend. The Medieval Babes are performing and some of the incoming patrons have been requesting privileges over other patrons…um, no. Some schedules are adjusted and we BEEP and head to the gate. I make my normal quick final pee break and get ready to top the gate and beat women with roses. My voice is croakier than I want it to be, but I get through ok. I still love my quicky adlib, it makes me think of Ursula from the Little Mermaid. One of the other ladies does not destroy her rose in our fight. As the king enters she shows me she has it, gloating. I rip the rose from her hands and throw it on the floor. It’s pretty funny, but no audience member is even looking our way at that moment I am sure.
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE?
I rush downstairs and BlueEowyn is waiting for me with Stupina in hand. We switch, I “suit” up and head out. The crowd is still pouring in, and I am fine with that. I greet people, wave at kids and adults, hug the regulars, fall asleep on strangers and more. I still get a bit freaked out when people remember me. I find myself taken aback when I go to introduce myself and the person says ‘oh, I know you. You’re Stupina!” Um, yes, how did you know? Some have seen the show or met me in the street. Some come up to me and hug me saying they are glad to see me again. It’s really kinda cool. I end up talking up my show some, but not nearly as much as I probably should that early.
DON’T TOUCH IT! IT’S EEEEVVIILLLLLL
Today, the Ex-Sherrif Reginald Sharp is back in town and is reading the Girlie book. One of the things that I love about when he reads is the fact that he hates Stupina so very much, and it shows. The audience, though not a packed house, is thoroughly enjoying his abuse of me and my seemingly innocent inability to notice. I also know that, although we are very good together, we have a tendency to riff off each other too much and the show runs with only 2 minutes to spare to clear the stage. Many laughs and fun in between, but it’s time to clear the stage ASAP. I am off before my time is up, and the Pee Wee Pirate Show takes the stage as Tshirt boy and I clean up and pack away the props. For all we have worried that this day might be cold, I am sweating up a storm…the joy of the mask.
SPIT SPIT
By the end of the show, the rain has been starting and I am concerned that I can’t put the mask out in the weather, so I change while Mrs. Pugh is nearby. I head out and the rain stops…Bugger. Well, I head out to wander and see what is needed. I see that the lines are a bit crowded out front, so I head out and start handing out programs. Luckily, while they are busy, they are not overwhelmed and people are not standing in line for exorbitant amounts of time. While there, I run into Bliss Goodbody, who is alive and well. We chat as the rain starts to pick up again. One of the Smith’s comes by as well and they catch up. I am so very happy to see her and tell her how much she is loved. It is finally time to head in. I have been outside for about an hour going through two large stacks of programs. I head in to get more water and see the SM for French Folktales come backstage to get the shepherd’s crook. Seems that the Devil has again thrown Death high into the trees and is stuck. If you don’t understand what I mean, you will have to come see the show…so there. I head back out to get lunch.
CROWDS AGOGO
Ok, so I know that there are many here to see the Babes today, I know that many commented about getting there at opening and staking out their seats before their first show around 1ish. I know that they want to stay all day and see all the shows, but LORDY, EVERYONE is staying. I feel like I am crawling over people a bit with the crowds. While this is expected, it’s still a lot to work with. Instead of sitting with patrons, I stand at the edge of a table and stand and talk to them while I eat, hoping not to drip on myself. Yes, I did get a steak on a stake from the helpful people on the queen’s path. Yummeh. I still dream of another pork pocket, but I already had one and I don’t have a bowl or fork to eat it in public, so stick food is fine for me.
SO MANY, SO LITTLE TIME
I decide to take a slightly different path today and wander up by the Babes’ stage (Royal). The nut people are busy, but one still has time to say hello. I try the path less wandered (by me) and start to head to the hill to check the slide line, when I come up to a family with a mother in a wheel chair. They say they are going to the Royal Pavilion to get the kids knighted. Um, you are about to hit a VERY steep hill. I recommended taking the other way around. They are disturbed as they don’t want to miss getting in line. The mother says she can try her crutches and I suggest the steps might be easier for her. So, one child and her husband take the hill with the wheelchair, while I escort the mother and the other child down the steps. I block off running children who are not looking and call warnings to those who are about to inadvertently knock her over. By the time we get her safely to the bottom of the hill, her husband has arrived at the pavilion. I ask Lady Fitzwilliam if the knighting ceremony is coming up soon. She shows me where people need to stand and I say goodbye to a grateful family. That felt really good.
OVER THE BOARDWALK
I head across and toward the Fortune Stage area. I chat with random patrons along the way and in the food court. I stop and hit the pony ride line where two older boys are standing. I ask them why and they say they want to ride the ponies. I check with the people running the ride and inform them that they must be 12 or under to do so. Sadly, neither is, so they take off. I chat with kids who have been standing in line, hoping to soften the wait. I then head over toward Fortune and realize, there are likely lines elsewhere. I head to the jousting field’s Privy and there it is.
STEP ON UP
Ok, I have to admit, I get VERY frustrated by people who stand at the back of the entranceway, chat with their back toward me, and when they finally turn around, have to figure out what they want to do with their beer, while others are desperately waiting to pee and the line is growing. I feel a bit like a drill sergeant as I call out “next, Next, NEXT, PEOPLE WANT TO PEE BEHIIND YOU GET IN HERE” Oh, yeah, my sore voice. Whoops. Even with a lozenge, I can feel my voice starting to HATE me. Grand. I manage to totally remove the line with the short-term help of a gentleman I did not recognize (and I don’t think works there). Thank you sir. I head toward the Dragon, get some more water and wander through briefly, then head back to set up for the show.
TIMING IS EVERYTHING
The stage seems to be running notoriously late. Many shows run a bit over then the next runs a bit over and by the time it gets to our show, there is a blank 15 minute spot that should bring us back on schedule…but not always. Today, the act before us not only runs through the entire 15 minutes, but about 10 or so into our time. We rush to set up and hope that we can get a crowd going without a preshow. Ah well. The show itself, actually is pretty damn funny today. Great Bob, audience that gets the jokes and finds ones we didn’t realize were there. They cheer and die quite well. All in all a very satisfying experience…AND, we have it on tape..well, DVD.
NO BOOM
Lelio needs the props today, so I just pack my things up and head back out to the streets. My voice is HATING me, A LOT. I am now just going to get something to eat and make sure I keep the throat moist and quiet. So I grab a sausage on a stick and sit with a few goth kids…well, not kids, I think they were old enough to drink. They are about to head to the last joust and I ask them about their day. They seem to be having fun, which always makes me happy. Until I drop mustard on myself. GREAT. We say our goodbyes and I stop to watch the end of the pumpkin toss. Very amusing, to be sure. I wander into the pub and am told I am not allowed to sing. ::pouting:: ok. ::/end pout::. I run into Ivanovich finally and we briefly catch up. I enjoy what I can of the evening and drag a few back into the pub for that special…fire ball…Poor Nymblwyck never does do it as he is shot by Mr. Lelio in a fireman suit…a Walmart Kids Plastic Fireman suit. I know, I was with him when he bought it. Nymblewyck elegantly swings down from Manny “dead” and the crowd cheers. Next, I am informed that Reginald Sharpe is beloved of the Babes…but it might not have hurt that he was rubbing their feet backstage. Finally, the pub sing is at its end.
MUSH MUSH
I am at the end of the line of Nobles headed by the King. We start walking and I suddenly get the HUGE desire to yell “Mush! Mush! Faster Faster!” I make the back of the line laugh…and then I shut up. There are HUGE crowds in the parking lot, so I know I have to wait. I chat with Ivanovitch, tshirt boy, and others. I call my friend who is waiting in the parking lot and let her know I don’t expect to leave here till 8pm. She and I plan on meeting at Sakura, the teppanyaki place. We meet up with her SO and T-shirt boy. Dinner is late, but good. The other rennies in the place are sat in the back at the table opposite us. I felt bad for the “normal” people. Though we were actually quite well behaved. I rush home to rinse of two costume pieces, including mustard skirt, and head off to sleep.
TOO SOON TOO SOON
I am sadly unable to sleep as late as I want, but I rest a decent amount. I am very concerned with my ability to make sound today. I start with licorice root, which eases the pain to be sure. I get my normal protein shake and drive the Lelio’s in as Momma Lelio is visiting the shire and will drive in later than we. Once on site, they go to sleep and I head in to stretch. I have some extra time, which is well needed and try to work on my voice again as well as getting extra stretching in. I head toward Fortune and we find out that Lelio left his mic in the costume house, so there is no sound check. We just run the sword fight and agree it’s time to shake it up a bit for next week. I head back to the costume house and move silently today.
STILL OPEN
Again the costume house is open when I arrive, but not really, so I stay outside. Dansr, the visiting Russian Fiddle Player, offers me tea and the like. When Stitch arrives, we enter. There happens to be a small amount of drama this morning, which I desperately try to avoid, and mostly do. I head out of the mostly empty costume house and take my props to the stage…All of them alone. T-shirt boy is not here today. I have a friend helping out, but he is a patron and won’t be here prior to the show, so I lug it all up. I set props. I head to the will call and drop off tickets for my friends to return today, then come back down… DAMN it got REALLY crowded in the costume house in the five minutes since I left. I get in my corner and get changed. Someone stops by to work on the door. I am trying not to talk as much as possible so I have a voice for the shows. I add the second costume and wait in line. There are many people using my lacing style now, so I feel like I started some sort of odd trend.
WARM AND SOOTHING
I grab my mug and fill it with hot water and soak the tea bag that Hermia has provided me. It was very soothing on my throat. I am once again “molested” for my orange lumps and we find out at cast call that the count, while big, isn’t AS big as I had thought. We go over plans,m learn it’s free wander day, and after the beep, I head to gate and my last pee of the morning. On the way, I suck down the last of the tea and suck on the teabag before I throw it out. I miss the dress luckily. I have a not so pretty rose today, and I have overstuffed my bag with ricola lozenges. I will NOT be without one today. I peek and see the crowd through the trees before I enter. I am testing my voice to make sure I don’t squawk. Ok, so I don’t sound amazing, but I don’t sound as bad as I expected. We get a few nice laughs as an ensemble. I could swear the King looked RIGHT at me, and the cannon booms. I say goodbye to my daughters and rush downstairs for the transformation.
SILENT GREETING
Where is my barrette? There is a barette that I use to hold my hair up in Stupina. I always have it with me, I ALWAYS use it, but it’s gone, BlueEowyn goes looking for it, but can’t find it and I have no luck when I got to find it at Lyric. Damn. I borrow a hair band and double wrap my hair to hold it in place. Not ideal, but it works. Now, to be quiet…Not really possible in the morning. I am not as loud and make sure to wave a lot. I make sure to hug Master William Teller as today was his last day. I do so love starting my mornings with his bright blue eyes and sweet nature. Even on his bad days, he is kinder and more pleasant than many on their good days. I will miss him these next 3 weekends. I meet a nice lady who calls me by name (Stupina, of course) and asks when the show is. She says she will be coming to see it. Gotta love when the outside world remembers you.
WHO’S GOT THE TICKETS
As we get close to showtime, Stand-in Boy stops by the stage. I go over the basics of how this is going to work. I head backstage to get things ready and am greeted by a friend who says my friends from up North are having issues because the tickets aren’t there and security is getting pissed. I grab my face and head out. I ask SM-Kshort to bring the tshirts to the stand-in, but she doesn’t hear me well and I can’t stop. I rush and the woman remembers me and does remember I bought tickets. She looks and doesn’t find them, I ask to look myself, at the end of the box, they are misfiled one letter behind where they should be. I hand them the tickets and run back in to hawk my show. Lost a few minutes. Ah well. I head backstage with Stand-in boy, hand him tshirts, and grab a lozenge before the show, and what’s in my bota? My barrette…sigh. Well, can’t put it on now…
WHEN IT’S RIGHT
Ok, it wasn’t a full house, but this was one of the best audiences I have had this season. One family is deciding if they want to see the show and I tell them they will have fun. When I get to the stage, they are taking up the front row. Mrs. Lelio is reading because Momma Lelio is in the audience and wants to see her daughter-in-law at work. There are days when people don’t get Stupina. I can see it in their faces as they stare in confusion and sometimes wander away. Today, they got it, I mean REALLY got it. By the time the show is over, the crowd has been laughing hysterically and Bob was great. The mom from the family in the front row has been laughing so hard she is crying and the two older women in the second row are falling all over each other laughing. The show’s pace was good and I am feeling wonderful. I give Mrs. Lelio her well deserved due and clear the stage for the next show.
LESSONG LEARNED LITE
I let stand-in boy know that he is allowed to be loud, to hawk both the shows and the shirts. I think he was afraid to. I also forgot to tell him the price of the shirts,..but he had it right. I get backstage and pile everything up and begin to carefully carry it down. I am met by Zach Rackham, who offers to take some of my burden and lifts the top ½ of the crap off my hands. I am very appreciative and we head to the costume house. He helps me bring the items in (with Trumpet man opening the door for us, as our hands were full) and he takes his leave. I put away the props and grab a big guzzle of water, add the barrette and lozenge and head back out. I am threatened by the other actors to be quiet and come up with another method of entertaining. I pull back in my memory banks and head to the street.
HANGING BY A LEG
So I start by dusting people and not saying anything. This works rather well, I also know that I can do more physical stuff if I get farther into the site where there is room to try physical things. I head toward the jousting field and Kate Cox Design’s chainmaile. There is a mini deck there where they sit and make chainmaile. Many years ago, I used to be Queen there, but today, J is sitting there making chainmaile. Without speaking, I try to climb up onto the level. Keep in mind, I am very aware of the chainmaile body and the box of materials by my feet, which makes the challenge all the more difficult and fun. I begin to struggle and end up hanging from it swinging slightly underneath and rather upside down with my butt displayed prominently. I hear cameras taking pictures as I flail. I see a brown preying mantis on the bottom side. After about 5 minutes, I manage to sit down. I get applause. I haven’t said a word. Life is good.
THE SOUND OF SILENCE
I sit and as people walk by, I show off the chainmaile top on the form and point to them with a thumbs up and an encouraging smile. I get laughter. I am still silent. My friend from out of town wanders by and quietly and closely we chat. We discuss the humor of the Aristocrats joke and how to make it funny. They agree with me. It is finally time to leave, but as I turn, I see that J has left her stand and I missed my opportunity to be queen again. Damn. She returns momentarily and, after looking longingly at the chair, head back toward the front of the faire and the costume house. I still have a voice. I feel good about that.
SILENT TAKE 2
I change into Columbina with the help of Mrs. Pugh. I grab more water, another lozenge and head out to grab that steak on a stake. My skirt keeps popping open, though, so I head back down to my sewing kit to fix the hook. It’s on the third set and yesterday, I was able to easily wear the 4th set…but for the show, I want it a bit loose so it’s easy to take off. I head out. I sit with a mother and her two daughters (one silent, the other gothlike). It’s a pleasant enough chat and I am on a Stupina high still. I head off and back to get Baby Stupina. I walk her around until I hear the Russian Fiddler lady. I begin to have Baby Stupina dance to the happy music and stay for 2 songs. She is happy to share the crowd of families and kids that build around the two of us: some for the music, some for the marionette, some for the ambiance, and the rest to see what the first 3 groups have stopped for. It was great energy and tons of fun. I wander away and let her sing. I meet more people. I don’t have to speak too much with her, so I am again saving my voice as much as possible.
LEARNING FROM THE YOUNG
I head slowly back and see FaireRaven in the Customer Service Booth with a young lady. Turns out all the men in her family seem to have lost her. She is keeping company with FR, so I stop to chat. I suddenly see the privy line. I simply can’t risk my voice before the last show, so I ask if FR can do it. I give her a lozenge and take charge off the little one. I sit inside and begin to teach her how to move the marionette. I hold her and let the girl try to move the strings to see what they do. She ends up teaching me a new wave. Shortly after, Daddy shows up. He looks unpleased, but I thank the girl for teaching me something new and head on my way.
THAT AGAIN
I take Baby Stupina back, grab the bag and materials I need, and head toward Fortune. I drop off my things and head toward the Dragon Inn for some water. I sit with some gentlemen who I do not know. I cannot speak. I mouth words or use sign language of sorts. They tell me it’s a good thing I am not a mime…um, technically I am, but I don’t bother to tell them that. If they don’t see white face, it’s not recognizable to them. One of them is Italian and keeps trying to speak to me. I quietly tell him I can’t afford to hear my language before I have to perform in this one. He finally stops after I scowl at him a few more times. Eventually, it is time to start the show and as I leave, some unaware drunk runs my full mug of water into my sleeve and it spills. Thank god it’s JUST water. I get a refill from my favs and head to the stage to set up.
TIMING IMPROVEMENT
Stand-in boy arrives as I am setting up and I provide him with the necessary materials. Today’s show only starts a minute or so late, so we get our energy going. We have a decent show, modestly responsive audience, a few good deaths, a good swordfight and better slo mo. Momma Lelio is there as well. She sits on my side (lol). I have the tree. We come out and meet a few regulars and I sell my last 3x tshirt in my stock for now. I have enough of all the other sizes, including the kids M size…so they should fit most anyone. (buy a tshirttttt you are cold and only a Teatro Tshirt will keep you waarrrrmmmm.) Today is my day to take stuff across site, so Stand-in boy helps me pack items and I briefly chat with Momma Lelio as I finish up. I head out with Stand-in Boy and we split at Kenwood. I head out to the costume house and get keys and take my stuff to the car for safety.
FOOOOOOOOOD
I come back and grab my bowl so I can eat something that ISN’T stick food. Filberta and I head out into the village and stop at Jezzards. We try a new stick he has designed with me in mind. It sort of works, but I really wanted the brass hair cup thingy and wander off. Filberta wanders to watch Pub Sing as we have made the day less scheduled. I go and try the teriyaki chicken and rice. Wasn’t as good today, not bad, but not as tasty. Bummer. I chat with a family in the food court who are watching the Pumpkin Toss. Once done, I head toward the pub. I listen some, I wander some, I can’t really find a seat. I head to the edge and sit on the rocks with BeerPam, Diego, and Ivanovich. Next, I head back in and don’t seem to want to settle anywhere. Mr. and Mrs. Lelio are singing again, but he picks a key that is great for him and almost impossible for her, the joys of live performance. They sing “I come for to Sing”, which sadly I cannot, but I do still have some of a voice, which was quite a surprise given what I was expecting.
DINNER FOR TWO
There are private birthday parties and other events going on this evening, so one other lady and I decide to head out to a quiet dinner on our own. So quiet the mall is closing and we sneak into the restaurant in the nick of time. We get warm soup, yummy salads and other treats. We talk about life and the life away from faire and the days we have had. It is a very pleasant and relaxing way to end the weekend. I notice I am hunched badly in my seat as I am exhausted. We say our goodbyes and head home to put away my rose and honey candy (thanks Tiger and Llama). And I woke this morning with regular Monday voice. I think I am going to be ok.
This weekend for the Girlie Book
Saturday, Lady Catherine Edgecombe
Sunday, Maid Marian (well, this time MY parents will be around)
Till next we meet.