Md part Nove and fini
Oct. 26th, 2006 12:04 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ptpgradI am beginning this at 5:30 am, as I can no longer sleep and my melancholia threatens to overwhelm me. To say it was the best of times, it was the worst of times, would be, as another wise person said, stealing someone else’s words, so let me find words of my own to express what this weekend’s experience was. So much in the details will be forgotten, revised, misremembered, and remembered, but not quite spoken of in detail. You know how it works by now…Let’s see how it turns out.
THE FIRST PREPARATIONS
Friday is all about getting things to site. Well, technically, I started doing that on Wednesday, since, it being closing weekend, there was more to get. I had to find gifts for T-shirt boy and Isabella (that’s Mrs. Lelio to you all) to thank them for their help above and beyond the call of duty. The second day of drop offs is very early as I have a houseguest arriving that night. Holt Ramsey, from MANY years ago, aka, the pie fight guy, needed to spend the night before arriving at faire to work in his research project, but more on that later. This day, I drop of things, and, when he arrives; I take him to a liquor store in Laurel, since he needs a good scotch selection. He finds the rare-ish scotch he wanted and I find far too many bottles of wine, which I still can’t drink. We head back to the house to watch the old pie fight, scan pictures of the first fight (for the love of god, APRON), and watch the Aristocrats, which was very apropos for what he was studying. Soon enough, it was sleep time and I headed off to bed.
RISE AND WANDER
I wake Holt up soon after I arise and am out of the bathroom. He finishes his ablutions just before the Lelios need the facilities. I get my protein shake, which I give him some of and we head to site. It’s rather cold again this morning, but I have my newly burned cd and the music is keeping me up and boppy. I get a great parking space and head in and onto Gatehouse. I am half dancing, half stretching this morning, but that is ok. It is keeping me warm and I am peeling off some of my 4 upper layers to keep my temp balanced. Bob Davinci is there and we greet each other. He is being a great stage person and sweeping the entire stage for the rest of us as I dance/stretch around him. Soon Holt arrives and I tell Bob about his project, and they begin to chat. Once my time is up, I head toward the Fortune.
LATE FOR THE FIRST TIME
So I get to Fortune and the Lelios are already there, turns out that they were inspired to leave early and are already setting up. We run the swordfight and do a sound check. Holt arrives there and I direct him to breakfast as I leave. Lelio checks his sound and I head off to the Costume House. I begin to dance around more while I wait for the space to open. I begin to share one particular song with a large number of people who I think will appreciate it. Queen Maggie and Lady Kytson are particularly appreciative. Finally, the doors open and I run my props up to the stage. Today, Bob’s Magic Show is going to be on before me, so I don’t have to worry about others using the space backstage, so I set up with a bit more ease. Then, back to the Costume House, to the privy, and then to change. I do the thin double socks and add the additional costume over Stupina. Then, I add my scarf and gloves and carry my bota and face to the Lyric.
MUCH CONVERSATION
Before the meeting starts, there is a heightened sense of joy in the space. Mrs. Lelio is bouncing about as someone has tied a penguin to her bodice…and she LOVES penguins. But she has NO idea who did it and no one is owning up. Then Jean Cabot provides her with another penguin that swells up when you put it in water. She is in penguin heaven. I begin to tell another of Holt’s project and she begins to spout tons of information that I know he wants to hear. I yell to him to come over and let the two of them talk as I wander off. Meeting starts and we are told of record-breaking crowds for last weekend. As we come toward the end of the announcements, Holt stands up and informs those of why he is here. He has been given a research grant to study the facial responses and emotional reactions of being hit in the face with a lemon meringue pie. I kid you not. He received money to figure out why being hit in the face with a pie is funny. (your education dollars at work). After much laughter, he notes he will be speaking to many of us in the next few hours to get our impressions, as there is no where else where he can get the level and variety of response he needs than what he will see at this venue.
AND AWAY WE GO
Beep and off we go. I have my pee break and drop off my things for BlueEowyn. I grab one of the better roses (cause most of them are frozen and dying when we get them) and fluff them. Today, my lines are better, but my daughter is not. It seems that there was a part of Baltimore that was virtually cut off from the world and no one in that section of town could get out, not Diego, the Larksong Lady, or my daughter. One of the kindly ladies on the cast stepped in short term (no change in costume) and we begin. The show is going rather well and the rose explodes on Zack again, much to the crowd’s amusement. Somewhere in the middle of the show, she is standing next to me and I am coaching her on what to do, sotto voce. I kiss her and my other “daughter” good bye and run downstairs.
QUICK CHANGES AND INTRODUCTIONS
I am switched quickly from one costume to the other and while readjusting, prepare for the day ahead. Once out, I greet patrons and climb on the fountain. It seems oddly empty today. I realize I don’t see Diego, and that is likely why. I wonder why he is not there and eventually realize he is stuck in the same traffic as my “daughter.” The crowd incoming is huge to today. I am calling Goodbye for hours on end it seems. I am greeted by those from far and near, those from each coast and about. It is very amusing. I am also greeted by a loyal fan and his even more loyal daughters…and their MOM. She hasn‘t been there and they have been talking about me it seems for weeks. I am pleased to welcome her to the place her husband and children seem to love so much.
RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
So Zach Rackham is reading for me today. When I head backstage, he is reading through the book to make sure he is familiar with it. I go over a few cues and he heads back out and I go to hawk. Bob is doing his magic show prior to mine and the timing worked out perfectly. I do not, however, see the man who is to film my shows. He makes it with about 3 minutes to spare and I hand over the materials to him out of the way and finish my cheering. Once the show begins, Zach is decidedly displeased with my slowness etc. The audience is having a blast. Toward the end, I pull an older man from the crowd. He is British and at a glance appears to be soft spoken and kindly. HOWEVER, when he gets on stage, he begins to kiss Stupina repeatedly. Suddenly, Stupina is staring to move away from him and he begins chasing her all over the stage. Zach is doing what he can between trying to keep the book going and coming up with statements to get the guy to stop slobbering on me. The audience is hysterical laughing. While I knew I could handle what he threw at me…it was a bit overwhelming. The show ends with Bob receiving his giftie, the audience cheering happily and lots of happy thoughts. Kinda glad that one was on tape.
RECOUP AND REGROUP
I go backstage and pack my props and T-shirt boy and I head down to put things away. I have to be at the wine garden by 12, so I am rushing a bit. But not too much. I take my “Free Hugs” sign out with me and hug people on the way. Again, there is less response from people IN the faire compared to people just entering the faire. There are others who are ecstatic, joyous, or amused, but I am still hugged a lot, but a number of people. All ages, colors, etc. More are asking me about the you tube video, but of course, Stupina doesn’t know what video is, so that becomes an odd discussion. I arrive at the wine garden for my first time this year and hug lots of people on the way.
RELEASE AND RELEASE
With her great organization and kindness, Amethyst set up the annual butterfly release for this morning. It was not as official as in years past, and some of those who were supposed to be there forgot and got sidelined, but there were a number of us who did remember Mr. Bill and loved him deeply. She spoke few words and I added a few of my own, which had to be projected a bit within the mask and we released them. They were very cold, so many stayed with us and held on. Two landed on me and while one left relatively quickly, another landed on my chest and didn’t want to move. I was able to move it from my chest to my head so that I could continue upon my quest for the early afternoon.
WONDER AND WONDERMENT
Once the butterfly was safe, I began walking through the site offering my free hugs. I was hugged by the Earl of Hertford and other patrons. There wasn’t much of a slide line, so I headed toward the royal pavilion. Mistress Edgecombe was able to offer a hug and she encouraged a few others to join in hugging me. Every few people would note that I had a bug on my head or ask me if the butterfly was real. Sometimes, I would ask them if it was still there. I realized it was waiting for more warmth and I was in the coolest/darkest part of the site. I made my way across the entire boardwalk and toward the Market Stage area. There I saw Holt interviewing the mimes on film about why pie throwing is funny.
SAVING THE MEMORY
The next person I hugged said there was no butterfly. Then, about 10 feet away, I hear a woman yell “no, stop stop STOP! I think you killed it.” I see what they are looking at. A Monarch butterfly on the ground. DAMNIT. I come over and pick it up and its antenna is damaged, but the wings are still moving and it might be ok. I tell them I will take it away safely. Then, the little bugger (all puns intended) kept trying to fly away from me, only to land on the ground again amongst the leaves of the exact same colors. I was finally able to pick it up and put it on my hugs sign (which was not being used anymore) with the rose that had been gifted to me. Eventually, the butterfly attached itself to the rose and rolled a bit on the sign as I carted it off site behind Dragon Wings. After a few tries, I got it to the side of the road to enjoy the rocks and the sunlight. I knew it was off the pathway and, feeling secure, moved on, as it was time to change. I also see Macdobhran and hand off the camera and tripod to him.
ALMOST LUNCH
I bring back my sign and see the gents from Cercamon. They all happily give me hugs…and gosh darn, what a shame. I head in to change and Mrs. Pugh arrives for the switch. Today is a sleeves day and I take a bit longer to get into all the layers. Once I have my hat, scarf and gloves on, I actually am warm enough that I don’t need a cloak. I am about to head to get my lunch, but I realize that people are still coming in and I go out to hand out programs. I like playing with the fact that programs are given out for free at MD. “Get your programs, their free…cheap at ½ the price” “Free Programs, Get them while they are free!” and the like. Most people don’t get it, but once in a while, they chuckle as they pick one up. Once a large stack is handed out, I head inside and to the steak on a stake booth. Lines are long, so I head to the Super Seekrit line and get my meat. It’s yummy and even better when I sit with a few families and chat with them. Next, it’s to the privy lines at the jousting field. The usual suspects come and go and we get rid of the line rather quickly…though it takes 4 of us this time. Next, I see a friend who has been out of my world for a while near the Dragon. While I can’t say I heard what I needed to, things are better. Then back to Baby Stupina.
PIE-D
So I see my friend as I am heading out with Baby Stupina. He asks for the interview about the pie throwing and why it’s funny. It takes a little to get me going, but when I do, I think I do finally hit on some of the items that make his ears pique. He also tells me about his interview with Dash and how Hamish came up and randomly hit Dash with a pie, and how he and Dash got back at Hamish…all on camera, and all improv’d. I head back out and begin dancing with Baby Stupina and the ladies I have been playing with for the season. Almost immediately after, I see Bliss Goodbody and her husband and we discuss the pie fight, as the dear husband was the photographer of the pics I had shown Holt. He happily gives his permission for them to be used. We then discuss the whole concept and they are a bit thoughtful, but VERY silly. Mrs. Pugh comes running up to me shortly after and notes that they had been discussing when the first pie was thrown and how it must have been Egyptians because of how they stood in the hieroglyphics.
LINING UP
Next line I head toward is that infamous ATM line. On the way, I see a familiar face, who does NOT know me. I call him by his first name and introduce Columbina to him and his wife and the two little girls who have been watching Stupina regularly. The girls are polite but nonplussed to meet me, as we do not let on who I am, but I do believe that mom and dad figured it out. I hope so LG. Then, ATM. Some of the lines aren’t having the same sense of humor that others do, but then, not everyone likes to wait and get chatted up. The others have a hoot and laugh as I, hopefully, take their mind off of the line. I see the Kenwood bathroom line grow and head in and get it gone in less than a minute. It’s just cause people aren’t looking or going in. That privy should almost NEVER have a line. I wander back and head to my stage. The Crimson Pirates are filling in Emrys’ spots, so the stage is mostly on time now. I begin to pull props and get everything ready.
BOB WARNINGS
Today’s show is good energy. During the preshow, we call Isabella up to tell her favorite penguin joke. No one gets it. Sigh. The show itself does well, but when I pull Bob up, he starts to get skittish with Lelio. Before I leave, I turn my mike off and tell him exactly what to expect. After the Bob freak-out last weekend, I didn’t want to have that again. I see him still looking at me with a bit of fear, but he stays and plays well and on cue. The swordfight has a really cool double flip on the disarm. Lelio’s side stares. Sigh. LOL. The rest of the audience has fun and is playing well. The slow mo fight even gets applause on the roll down, which allows me to set up one more fun laugh that I can’t normally use. After the show, T-shirt boy is really getting into his hawking. I am wildly amused as he says “you can take this woman home with you for $15.” Well, my face IS on the shirt. He has really blossomed this year.
WANDERING AND WHATNOT
I head back out after packing up and putting away the props. I am carrying the items that need to go back out to the car and to the costume house. T-shirt boy escorts me and walks me all the way to my car. We meet Rock Boy, the security guru. In his down time, he has been taking rocks from the area and creating some amazing sculptures. On the way to the car, we see a dog has been locked into a vehicle with windows cracked, barking up a storm. We let Rock Boy know.
JOYOUS DELIVERY
My next stop is over to Bullseye back to pick up the donations left by the wenches’ guild. I am now frantically trying to find Captain Jean to get to her before she drops off the gift that so many of us in the village have been gathering for the last two weeks. I find her, but she has already made her delivery. I am told it is safe to bring more, and I do. I present them with the donation. They are very moved. I am asked to escort the lady to the pub. I walk slowly with her to the White Hart from Market and seat her at the Director’s table. Once I know she is safe, I head back away.
WHAT TO DO
I am hungry, but I had said I would be. Chatting with patrons, I head over toward the pub. The show has started early today and will again tomorrow as there is so much to do in it. I am in a wandering mood today and don’t stay any one place for long. I head out to grab a Scotch Egg since there are crowds and I will be hungry before we leave site. I head back and run into familiar and not familiar faces. I am amused to hear that information I noted has been misinterpreted (HOW could THAT happen…snerk). I end up sitting near RedSteve who is up at a table. The pub is very dark at the end of the show and people begin to file out relatively quickly.
FOOD SHIFTS
I meet up with friends and we decide where to eat. They say they get out of the parking lot easily and recommend I try…so I do. In 10 minutes, I am over at Chevy’s. We get a large table, but when we go to sit, only ½ of us are here, as we are finishing our meal, the second shift of people arrive and we leave to give them seats. At least we got the quiet meal and discussion we were hoping for. I head on home and crawl into bed to prepare for our last day.
LAST WARMUP
I wake up on time and rush in the bathroom as the Lelios are driving in with me and they need to get ready. I am really making good time and am prepared and waiting after drinking my protein shake. We head to site in my car and they rest while I go in to stretch. I am still enjoying my new blend of music and it keeps me bopping through my warm up and dancing to the Fortune Stage. I have pulled out swords and sound by the time the Lelios arrive. We test everything and joke about the rest of the fight we haven’t finished or added. I head over to the Costume House and they to their final on site breakfast. On the way, I prepare for the procurement of an item for a special thank you. I also buy a wine glass from the glass blowers that is very pretty.
LAST DANCE
I am dancing up a storm to keep warm and awake as I wait for the costume house to open. Eventually, people arrive and I head inside to grab my props. I borrow the Earl of Rutland who has shown up early today and make him help me. Next, I set props and head down to get dressed. I have many things to organize but I manage to get it all done. I head up to the meeting. Before it begins, I am presented with a box of Lindt chocolate as a thank you for filling in for an actress who was unable to perform in Opening Gate. Others who have done understudying are also receiving gifts of delectables. Morning meeting is rather bittersweet as we are informed that one of the ranks has decided to move on and this will be their last day performing/working faire. I have never known faire without this particular person being part of it and, for whatever reason; I had no idea that it was to happen. It hit me like a ton of bricks. Even the Powers-that-Be came to say a few words and to thank the person for their hard work and service to the place we all have played at for so many years. Many other thank yous and other announcements were made and then it is time to go and start.
LAST GATE
I have my pee, grab the pretty rose and head up to the stairs. Everyone is here today and the show seems to go well. It takes a while for them to really get into it, but they seem really interested by the end of the show. I kiss my “daughters” goodbye and head downstairs to change once more. As I hand off my costume pieces to BlueEowyn, I hand over one other piece, She tells me she will put it at my spot and I tell her (rather blasé), oh, no, that one is yours. THEN she looks at it. It has horses and I think she likes it. A hug later and I change into Stupina.
THE LAST GOODBYES
Um, well, not technically, but for Stupina, they are. We have others on the fountain with us today and it adds a happy new dynamic to the fountain. The entering crowd is HUGE and it takes forever before the first wave enters. I really think that Bob had already started his Magic show at 10:30 before it ended. I head out with programs (having seen the PTB passing them out this weekend). I take a stack or two and offer them through the crowds to alleviate the extra overload for the gate ladies. Outside, I am greeted by Lady Foxchase. She, Amethyst and I have organized our own version of “wrong” for the day of wrong. As you may know. I am a blue fanatic, Foxchase loves pink and Amethyst loves purple. We each own a scarf in our favorite color. We switched them so that I wore pink, Foxchase wore purple and Amethyst wore blue. Sadly, we never did get to stand near each other for people to realize the wrongness.
LAST STUPINA SHOW
Then, it’s time to come in and prepare for the show. I didn’t see my cameraman, so I rush to the costume house and turn on my phone to let him know I need the camera. He makes it before the show starts. The crowd is a bit small but once the show gets going, the house fills. Maid Marian and I have fun and Bob is very playful, but happily not as amorous as yesterday’s Bob. Insegnante was there in dayglo orange and I used him for color reference. Marian has had coffee this morning, so she is reading at a rather fast pace and we end two minutes early. Not bad. The audience seemed to have fun, so that is what mattered. I let a few in on the future and after a quick clear of the stage and changeover of camera holders - I am off.
COMMEDIA DEL ‘ARTE WHO?
I am backstage and Jean C tells me there is a woman in the house waiting to speak with me. I put Stupina back on and head out. The lady ran into Isabella and Lelio weeks ago and was a lover of Commedia from her neck of the woods. There, she is waiting with another gentleman, the man who, I believe, runs I Sebastiani from the Boston area. We had a brief chat and I was able to convince them to stay to see THAT Show before the day was out. I head backstage the long way to not disturb the Pee Wee Pirate Show that is already going on and pack up props to head down to the costume house.
ONE MORE SET OF HUGS
I remask and gather my sign to get free hugs. I have made arrangements to help at the Joust today, so I turn the sign backwards and head Trumpet Boy and I head off to the jousting field before the show. Backstage, I try to keep my face away from the horses (don’t want to spook them with a mask before they go on). I make arrangements with the ladies to go over what I will be doing, then I head into the crowd. The audience seems very focused and not super friendly, but that varies on where you go, so I am not surprised. Once they begin, I am the “bad child.” As they tell the audience what to do and not do with the railing, I do everything wrong. I walk up to the rail, climb on the rail, climb up on the rail, lay down on the rail, and almost fall into the bushes. All this time, the lady in the dais is laughing as she is trying to speak (while she watches me). Once she finishes, I wander away and get my sign, re-suit up and head out onto the street.
HUG ME!
NOW, it is time to hug everyone. I head by the jousting field to Kenwood Lane and around Market. Again, more people hug you when you are at the door than when they are wandering outside. Now I find that I have more teenagers hugging me than anyone else. Again, little ones come running up to me, some adults knock me over with the force of their hug, others are charmed and many note the you tube video. Toward the end of my time, I head back toward the customer service booth and the last person I ask does hug me. I leave the “stage” on a high and head back to change.
TRANSFORMATIONS
For the last time, I prepare for my costume change into Columbina. I see the Frenchmen before they head out and I go get undressed and redressed. Once laced up, I add my scarf, gloves, hat, and a bag of gifts then I am ready to head out. I head out directly to Fortune to drop off the gifts then decide to try something else for closing day’s lunch. I end up getting an Italian Cold Cut wrap. The food is tasty, but not nearly as satisfying as my normal meal. I sit with patrons and we analyze the food…they layer cream cheese on the wrap…I have to modify my eating pattern to protect my internal system for the rest of the day. I grab Baby Stupina, but before I go far, Mr. DragonWings and I discuss controllers for her. In the long run, we realize that she is already moving the way I need and the fancy controller might not be the answer I want. After a while, I head off to the jousting privy and kill the line rather quickly with only one other there. Next is the ATM and privy line at Kenwood, I chat with random patrons along the way and finally, it’s time. I head backstage.
LAST SHOW
I pull the props out and set them. Mrs. Lelio is out a bit earlier and she helps me prepare. The show before us ends much earlier than it has been and we have time to set and hawk before we have to start. Actually, we all watch a few minutes of the show and likely make him paranoid that he was late. We have a decent crowd and the Bob was great…and yes, I told him what to expect too. It seems to be helping the panic factor. The slo mo does well, but not as great as the day before and we get some good laughs. We finish, pass the stage to the Squire on the Wire. As we are clearing props, I hand gifts to T-shirt boy and Mrs. Lelio and payment due to Lelio himself. We finish packing up and T-shirt boy and I head out for the great excursion.
STEP ONE, CHOCOLATE PART 1
So many weeks ago, I found out that Sir Munch-a-lot said if we bring him chocolate to experimentally deep fry, he will do it. I have gotten Lindt Dark and Extra Dark truffles skewered on the wood sticks and he dunks them in batter and deep-fries them. Once they are done, T-shirt boy and I sit and stare at them while we mentally wait for them to cool. Eventually, we take the plunge. OH MY GOD. If you nibbled slowly, they were amazing. If you pulled it off the stick, the liquid chocolate would pool out the bottom hole. We were licking up liquid chocolate. It was good, but it didn’t overwhelm me like the first taste normally does. This was odd, but we had other stops, so we move on.
NOT TRUSTING THIS ONE AGAIN
I head over to Renfield’s to break my lack of alcohol with an old friend, Just as last year he assures me that NO ONE has either mead or cider. Crap. I hate beer. Ok, since he turned out to be wrong last year, I am going to move on and look further. Next, we head to O’Shucks to have my FIRST EVER oyster shooter. We get there and get in line. I order two shooters. Then, I find out that they have BOTH cider and mead, so I get a beesting. We sit with Keltik and Cronaccht. The oyster went down smoothly and T-shirt boy had the beer for me, he’s nice that way. While sitting there, a gentleman offers me some Ghirardelli 72% cacao chocolate. He gifts me and I open it and have my first real chocolate. I simultaneously begin to cry, laugh, and turn completely red. Through my tears I say “ I F*cking love chocolate.” The crowd is amused. They are even more amused when some unsuspecting male comes up and says “oh, that’s good dark chocolate, isn’t it,” The look of pure evil I gave him as I pull the chocolate out of his site and say “it’s mine” was enough to make everyone laugh and him back up a bit. I explain, not letting go of the chocolate, that it had been since July 27. He understands, but he still won’t get closer.
THE LAST PUB SING
I take my drink and head toward the white hart for the final pub sing. This is always an emotional experience, but I had a suspicion this might be worse today. I manage to find a spot in front of the tree with SMJen and eventually, Anjabeth. I have to step out for a moment to share some information, get my scarf back from the pink and purple ladies up front, and say goodbye to the pretty Frenchmen. At the tree, we are regaled after each song that we only have time for “one more song,” which no one believes. The pub is packed and, while there were people sitting and talking, they were far between and yelled at by the audience when the music was quieter. Louis the Moor, though held up by a technical difficulty, was very well received and seemed to visibly relax as he realized how much we remember those from our past and how much he was still a part of our family.
THE LAST OF AN ERA
As the pub sing got later and darker, the music became sadder and more melancholic. The stage was crowded as was the audience. I watched the years of my past echo in front of me. I don’t think Blown and Torn had EVER meant more to me. I don’t know that I EVER cried more at a pub sing. I watched my 11 years of performing and other 4-5 as a vendor echo in front of me as what I have always known is soon to be no more, or at least, not the same. Firing Nymblewyck was fabulous as was the brightness of the freedom that it gave him. THAT was cathartic. The bells rang, and I broke down harder than I had been. “Our revels now are ended” made me ache. I watched others even more distraught than myself. Anjabeth said “I miss him too.” But that had so many levels. When the cannon boomed and the king left, for the first time this year, I could not just leave. I headed to the stage to find a few people that I needed to see. Hugs, statements, questions. I am reminded of Little Alex, who, as Edward was leaving both the season, the faire, and his role as King in one night. He said to us “you are all the authors of my fondest memories and for that am I truly eternally grateful.” I do think it was the right words, and those who had been there in the past would have forgiven the usage, in fact, they would have really appreciated the sentiment, but I understand the reasoning. I realized I had to leave and took off to the Costume house.
FINALES
Inside the costume house, there was much laughter. I changed costume, already buzzed from the one drink of the day. I packed a few basics and headed out with the Lelios to the car, carefully, because I had FABULOUS new shoes on. At the restaurant, the crowd had already began to grow and the revelry was abounding. We joined Roper and one of my daughters at a table and I ordered crab dip and crab cakes…cause today, seafood is my friend. I begin to bop from table to table, chatting, flirting, being silly, and having a cosmo (after water and bread). The evening progressed with many leaving and some, who never have made it before, being able to attend. The energy is fun, the king comes in “naked,” the joy is palpable and the people are forgetting the sadness and just enjoying it. I ask Jack Rackham about a quote he used and he clarifies it for me, which leads me to have to apologize to Mr. Lelio. Whoops.
THE LAST MOMENTS
As the crowd gets smaller, those who just don’t want it to end, or got there later, or don’t have work the next day, are all lingering and chatting. I am sad to see everyone go, but it seems to be that time, so we head out with Julienne Romero and The REAL Lady Edina. Once we arrive back home, we open a bottle of wine and some good chocolate and sit and talk till after 1 am and I am in bed at 2am. Somewhere around 5:30 am, I can not sleep anymore and I woke up to begin this recap.
This has been an amazing season. Joyous, heartbreaking. There were beginnings and endings and the circle turns again. Faire will never be exactly the same, but it will also always be there for us. We evolve, move on, and come back home to be reminded of our roots and what makes us who we are. I have been blessed with the joy of being able to make others laugh and smile. I don’t think I could be luckier.
Perhaps I will see you in our little shire next year. That would make me truly happy. Until we meet again in this life…or the next. I bid you Godspeed and good day to all.
THE FIRST PREPARATIONS
Friday is all about getting things to site. Well, technically, I started doing that on Wednesday, since, it being closing weekend, there was more to get. I had to find gifts for T-shirt boy and Isabella (that’s Mrs. Lelio to you all) to thank them for their help above and beyond the call of duty. The second day of drop offs is very early as I have a houseguest arriving that night. Holt Ramsey, from MANY years ago, aka, the pie fight guy, needed to spend the night before arriving at faire to work in his research project, but more on that later. This day, I drop of things, and, when he arrives; I take him to a liquor store in Laurel, since he needs a good scotch selection. He finds the rare-ish scotch he wanted and I find far too many bottles of wine, which I still can’t drink. We head back to the house to watch the old pie fight, scan pictures of the first fight (for the love of god, APRON), and watch the Aristocrats, which was very apropos for what he was studying. Soon enough, it was sleep time and I headed off to bed.
RISE AND WANDER
I wake Holt up soon after I arise and am out of the bathroom. He finishes his ablutions just before the Lelios need the facilities. I get my protein shake, which I give him some of and we head to site. It’s rather cold again this morning, but I have my newly burned cd and the music is keeping me up and boppy. I get a great parking space and head in and onto Gatehouse. I am half dancing, half stretching this morning, but that is ok. It is keeping me warm and I am peeling off some of my 4 upper layers to keep my temp balanced. Bob Davinci is there and we greet each other. He is being a great stage person and sweeping the entire stage for the rest of us as I dance/stretch around him. Soon Holt arrives and I tell Bob about his project, and they begin to chat. Once my time is up, I head toward the Fortune.
LATE FOR THE FIRST TIME
So I get to Fortune and the Lelios are already there, turns out that they were inspired to leave early and are already setting up. We run the swordfight and do a sound check. Holt arrives there and I direct him to breakfast as I leave. Lelio checks his sound and I head off to the Costume House. I begin to dance around more while I wait for the space to open. I begin to share one particular song with a large number of people who I think will appreciate it. Queen Maggie and Lady Kytson are particularly appreciative. Finally, the doors open and I run my props up to the stage. Today, Bob’s Magic Show is going to be on before me, so I don’t have to worry about others using the space backstage, so I set up with a bit more ease. Then, back to the Costume House, to the privy, and then to change. I do the thin double socks and add the additional costume over Stupina. Then, I add my scarf and gloves and carry my bota and face to the Lyric.
MUCH CONVERSATION
Before the meeting starts, there is a heightened sense of joy in the space. Mrs. Lelio is bouncing about as someone has tied a penguin to her bodice…and she LOVES penguins. But she has NO idea who did it and no one is owning up. Then Jean Cabot provides her with another penguin that swells up when you put it in water. She is in penguin heaven. I begin to tell another of Holt’s project and she begins to spout tons of information that I know he wants to hear. I yell to him to come over and let the two of them talk as I wander off. Meeting starts and we are told of record-breaking crowds for last weekend. As we come toward the end of the announcements, Holt stands up and informs those of why he is here. He has been given a research grant to study the facial responses and emotional reactions of being hit in the face with a lemon meringue pie. I kid you not. He received money to figure out why being hit in the face with a pie is funny. (your education dollars at work). After much laughter, he notes he will be speaking to many of us in the next few hours to get our impressions, as there is no where else where he can get the level and variety of response he needs than what he will see at this venue.
AND AWAY WE GO
Beep and off we go. I have my pee break and drop off my things for BlueEowyn. I grab one of the better roses (cause most of them are frozen and dying when we get them) and fluff them. Today, my lines are better, but my daughter is not. It seems that there was a part of Baltimore that was virtually cut off from the world and no one in that section of town could get out, not Diego, the Larksong Lady, or my daughter. One of the kindly ladies on the cast stepped in short term (no change in costume) and we begin. The show is going rather well and the rose explodes on Zack again, much to the crowd’s amusement. Somewhere in the middle of the show, she is standing next to me and I am coaching her on what to do, sotto voce. I kiss her and my other “daughter” good bye and run downstairs.
QUICK CHANGES AND INTRODUCTIONS
I am switched quickly from one costume to the other and while readjusting, prepare for the day ahead. Once out, I greet patrons and climb on the fountain. It seems oddly empty today. I realize I don’t see Diego, and that is likely why. I wonder why he is not there and eventually realize he is stuck in the same traffic as my “daughter.” The crowd incoming is huge to today. I am calling Goodbye for hours on end it seems. I am greeted by those from far and near, those from each coast and about. It is very amusing. I am also greeted by a loyal fan and his even more loyal daughters…and their MOM. She hasn‘t been there and they have been talking about me it seems for weeks. I am pleased to welcome her to the place her husband and children seem to love so much.
RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
So Zach Rackham is reading for me today. When I head backstage, he is reading through the book to make sure he is familiar with it. I go over a few cues and he heads back out and I go to hawk. Bob is doing his magic show prior to mine and the timing worked out perfectly. I do not, however, see the man who is to film my shows. He makes it with about 3 minutes to spare and I hand over the materials to him out of the way and finish my cheering. Once the show begins, Zach is decidedly displeased with my slowness etc. The audience is having a blast. Toward the end, I pull an older man from the crowd. He is British and at a glance appears to be soft spoken and kindly. HOWEVER, when he gets on stage, he begins to kiss Stupina repeatedly. Suddenly, Stupina is staring to move away from him and he begins chasing her all over the stage. Zach is doing what he can between trying to keep the book going and coming up with statements to get the guy to stop slobbering on me. The audience is hysterical laughing. While I knew I could handle what he threw at me…it was a bit overwhelming. The show ends with Bob receiving his giftie, the audience cheering happily and lots of happy thoughts. Kinda glad that one was on tape.
RECOUP AND REGROUP
I go backstage and pack my props and T-shirt boy and I head down to put things away. I have to be at the wine garden by 12, so I am rushing a bit. But not too much. I take my “Free Hugs” sign out with me and hug people on the way. Again, there is less response from people IN the faire compared to people just entering the faire. There are others who are ecstatic, joyous, or amused, but I am still hugged a lot, but a number of people. All ages, colors, etc. More are asking me about the you tube video, but of course, Stupina doesn’t know what video is, so that becomes an odd discussion. I arrive at the wine garden for my first time this year and hug lots of people on the way.
RELEASE AND RELEASE
With her great organization and kindness, Amethyst set up the annual butterfly release for this morning. It was not as official as in years past, and some of those who were supposed to be there forgot and got sidelined, but there were a number of us who did remember Mr. Bill and loved him deeply. She spoke few words and I added a few of my own, which had to be projected a bit within the mask and we released them. They were very cold, so many stayed with us and held on. Two landed on me and while one left relatively quickly, another landed on my chest and didn’t want to move. I was able to move it from my chest to my head so that I could continue upon my quest for the early afternoon.
WONDER AND WONDERMENT
Once the butterfly was safe, I began walking through the site offering my free hugs. I was hugged by the Earl of Hertford and other patrons. There wasn’t much of a slide line, so I headed toward the royal pavilion. Mistress Edgecombe was able to offer a hug and she encouraged a few others to join in hugging me. Every few people would note that I had a bug on my head or ask me if the butterfly was real. Sometimes, I would ask them if it was still there. I realized it was waiting for more warmth and I was in the coolest/darkest part of the site. I made my way across the entire boardwalk and toward the Market Stage area. There I saw Holt interviewing the mimes on film about why pie throwing is funny.
SAVING THE MEMORY
The next person I hugged said there was no butterfly. Then, about 10 feet away, I hear a woman yell “no, stop stop STOP! I think you killed it.” I see what they are looking at. A Monarch butterfly on the ground. DAMNIT. I come over and pick it up and its antenna is damaged, but the wings are still moving and it might be ok. I tell them I will take it away safely. Then, the little bugger (all puns intended) kept trying to fly away from me, only to land on the ground again amongst the leaves of the exact same colors. I was finally able to pick it up and put it on my hugs sign (which was not being used anymore) with the rose that had been gifted to me. Eventually, the butterfly attached itself to the rose and rolled a bit on the sign as I carted it off site behind Dragon Wings. After a few tries, I got it to the side of the road to enjoy the rocks and the sunlight. I knew it was off the pathway and, feeling secure, moved on, as it was time to change. I also see Macdobhran and hand off the camera and tripod to him.
ALMOST LUNCH
I bring back my sign and see the gents from Cercamon. They all happily give me hugs…and gosh darn, what a shame. I head in to change and Mrs. Pugh arrives for the switch. Today is a sleeves day and I take a bit longer to get into all the layers. Once I have my hat, scarf and gloves on, I actually am warm enough that I don’t need a cloak. I am about to head to get my lunch, but I realize that people are still coming in and I go out to hand out programs. I like playing with the fact that programs are given out for free at MD. “Get your programs, their free…cheap at ½ the price” “Free Programs, Get them while they are free!” and the like. Most people don’t get it, but once in a while, they chuckle as they pick one up. Once a large stack is handed out, I head inside and to the steak on a stake booth. Lines are long, so I head to the Super Seekrit line and get my meat. It’s yummy and even better when I sit with a few families and chat with them. Next, it’s to the privy lines at the jousting field. The usual suspects come and go and we get rid of the line rather quickly…though it takes 4 of us this time. Next, I see a friend who has been out of my world for a while near the Dragon. While I can’t say I heard what I needed to, things are better. Then back to Baby Stupina.
PIE-D
So I see my friend as I am heading out with Baby Stupina. He asks for the interview about the pie throwing and why it’s funny. It takes a little to get me going, but when I do, I think I do finally hit on some of the items that make his ears pique. He also tells me about his interview with Dash and how Hamish came up and randomly hit Dash with a pie, and how he and Dash got back at Hamish…all on camera, and all improv’d. I head back out and begin dancing with Baby Stupina and the ladies I have been playing with for the season. Almost immediately after, I see Bliss Goodbody and her husband and we discuss the pie fight, as the dear husband was the photographer of the pics I had shown Holt. He happily gives his permission for them to be used. We then discuss the whole concept and they are a bit thoughtful, but VERY silly. Mrs. Pugh comes running up to me shortly after and notes that they had been discussing when the first pie was thrown and how it must have been Egyptians because of how they stood in the hieroglyphics.
LINING UP
Next line I head toward is that infamous ATM line. On the way, I see a familiar face, who does NOT know me. I call him by his first name and introduce Columbina to him and his wife and the two little girls who have been watching Stupina regularly. The girls are polite but nonplussed to meet me, as we do not let on who I am, but I do believe that mom and dad figured it out. I hope so LG. Then, ATM. Some of the lines aren’t having the same sense of humor that others do, but then, not everyone likes to wait and get chatted up. The others have a hoot and laugh as I, hopefully, take their mind off of the line. I see the Kenwood bathroom line grow and head in and get it gone in less than a minute. It’s just cause people aren’t looking or going in. That privy should almost NEVER have a line. I wander back and head to my stage. The Crimson Pirates are filling in Emrys’ spots, so the stage is mostly on time now. I begin to pull props and get everything ready.
BOB WARNINGS
Today’s show is good energy. During the preshow, we call Isabella up to tell her favorite penguin joke. No one gets it. Sigh. The show itself does well, but when I pull Bob up, he starts to get skittish with Lelio. Before I leave, I turn my mike off and tell him exactly what to expect. After the Bob freak-out last weekend, I didn’t want to have that again. I see him still looking at me with a bit of fear, but he stays and plays well and on cue. The swordfight has a really cool double flip on the disarm. Lelio’s side stares. Sigh. LOL. The rest of the audience has fun and is playing well. The slow mo fight even gets applause on the roll down, which allows me to set up one more fun laugh that I can’t normally use. After the show, T-shirt boy is really getting into his hawking. I am wildly amused as he says “you can take this woman home with you for $15.” Well, my face IS on the shirt. He has really blossomed this year.
WANDERING AND WHATNOT
I head back out after packing up and putting away the props. I am carrying the items that need to go back out to the car and to the costume house. T-shirt boy escorts me and walks me all the way to my car. We meet Rock Boy, the security guru. In his down time, he has been taking rocks from the area and creating some amazing sculptures. On the way to the car, we see a dog has been locked into a vehicle with windows cracked, barking up a storm. We let Rock Boy know.
JOYOUS DELIVERY
My next stop is over to Bullseye back to pick up the donations left by the wenches’ guild. I am now frantically trying to find Captain Jean to get to her before she drops off the gift that so many of us in the village have been gathering for the last two weeks. I find her, but she has already made her delivery. I am told it is safe to bring more, and I do. I present them with the donation. They are very moved. I am asked to escort the lady to the pub. I walk slowly with her to the White Hart from Market and seat her at the Director’s table. Once I know she is safe, I head back away.
WHAT TO DO
I am hungry, but I had said I would be. Chatting with patrons, I head over toward the pub. The show has started early today and will again tomorrow as there is so much to do in it. I am in a wandering mood today and don’t stay any one place for long. I head out to grab a Scotch Egg since there are crowds and I will be hungry before we leave site. I head back and run into familiar and not familiar faces. I am amused to hear that information I noted has been misinterpreted (HOW could THAT happen…snerk). I end up sitting near RedSteve who is up at a table. The pub is very dark at the end of the show and people begin to file out relatively quickly.
FOOD SHIFTS
I meet up with friends and we decide where to eat. They say they get out of the parking lot easily and recommend I try…so I do. In 10 minutes, I am over at Chevy’s. We get a large table, but when we go to sit, only ½ of us are here, as we are finishing our meal, the second shift of people arrive and we leave to give them seats. At least we got the quiet meal and discussion we were hoping for. I head on home and crawl into bed to prepare for our last day.
LAST WARMUP
I wake up on time and rush in the bathroom as the Lelios are driving in with me and they need to get ready. I am really making good time and am prepared and waiting after drinking my protein shake. We head to site in my car and they rest while I go in to stretch. I am still enjoying my new blend of music and it keeps me bopping through my warm up and dancing to the Fortune Stage. I have pulled out swords and sound by the time the Lelios arrive. We test everything and joke about the rest of the fight we haven’t finished or added. I head over to the Costume House and they to their final on site breakfast. On the way, I prepare for the procurement of an item for a special thank you. I also buy a wine glass from the glass blowers that is very pretty.
LAST DANCE
I am dancing up a storm to keep warm and awake as I wait for the costume house to open. Eventually, people arrive and I head inside to grab my props. I borrow the Earl of Rutland who has shown up early today and make him help me. Next, I set props and head down to get dressed. I have many things to organize but I manage to get it all done. I head up to the meeting. Before it begins, I am presented with a box of Lindt chocolate as a thank you for filling in for an actress who was unable to perform in Opening Gate. Others who have done understudying are also receiving gifts of delectables. Morning meeting is rather bittersweet as we are informed that one of the ranks has decided to move on and this will be their last day performing/working faire. I have never known faire without this particular person being part of it and, for whatever reason; I had no idea that it was to happen. It hit me like a ton of bricks. Even the Powers-that-Be came to say a few words and to thank the person for their hard work and service to the place we all have played at for so many years. Many other thank yous and other announcements were made and then it is time to go and start.
LAST GATE
I have my pee, grab the pretty rose and head up to the stairs. Everyone is here today and the show seems to go well. It takes a while for them to really get into it, but they seem really interested by the end of the show. I kiss my “daughters” goodbye and head downstairs to change once more. As I hand off my costume pieces to BlueEowyn, I hand over one other piece, She tells me she will put it at my spot and I tell her (rather blasé), oh, no, that one is yours. THEN she looks at it. It has horses and I think she likes it. A hug later and I change into Stupina.
THE LAST GOODBYES
Um, well, not technically, but for Stupina, they are. We have others on the fountain with us today and it adds a happy new dynamic to the fountain. The entering crowd is HUGE and it takes forever before the first wave enters. I really think that Bob had already started his Magic show at 10:30 before it ended. I head out with programs (having seen the PTB passing them out this weekend). I take a stack or two and offer them through the crowds to alleviate the extra overload for the gate ladies. Outside, I am greeted by Lady Foxchase. She, Amethyst and I have organized our own version of “wrong” for the day of wrong. As you may know. I am a blue fanatic, Foxchase loves pink and Amethyst loves purple. We each own a scarf in our favorite color. We switched them so that I wore pink, Foxchase wore purple and Amethyst wore blue. Sadly, we never did get to stand near each other for people to realize the wrongness.
LAST STUPINA SHOW
Then, it’s time to come in and prepare for the show. I didn’t see my cameraman, so I rush to the costume house and turn on my phone to let him know I need the camera. He makes it before the show starts. The crowd is a bit small but once the show gets going, the house fills. Maid Marian and I have fun and Bob is very playful, but happily not as amorous as yesterday’s Bob. Insegnante was there in dayglo orange and I used him for color reference. Marian has had coffee this morning, so she is reading at a rather fast pace and we end two minutes early. Not bad. The audience seemed to have fun, so that is what mattered. I let a few in on the future and after a quick clear of the stage and changeover of camera holders - I am off.
COMMEDIA DEL ‘ARTE WHO?
I am backstage and Jean C tells me there is a woman in the house waiting to speak with me. I put Stupina back on and head out. The lady ran into Isabella and Lelio weeks ago and was a lover of Commedia from her neck of the woods. There, she is waiting with another gentleman, the man who, I believe, runs I Sebastiani from the Boston area. We had a brief chat and I was able to convince them to stay to see THAT Show before the day was out. I head backstage the long way to not disturb the Pee Wee Pirate Show that is already going on and pack up props to head down to the costume house.
ONE MORE SET OF HUGS
I remask and gather my sign to get free hugs. I have made arrangements to help at the Joust today, so I turn the sign backwards and head Trumpet Boy and I head off to the jousting field before the show. Backstage, I try to keep my face away from the horses (don’t want to spook them with a mask before they go on). I make arrangements with the ladies to go over what I will be doing, then I head into the crowd. The audience seems very focused and not super friendly, but that varies on where you go, so I am not surprised. Once they begin, I am the “bad child.” As they tell the audience what to do and not do with the railing, I do everything wrong. I walk up to the rail, climb on the rail, climb up on the rail, lay down on the rail, and almost fall into the bushes. All this time, the lady in the dais is laughing as she is trying to speak (while she watches me). Once she finishes, I wander away and get my sign, re-suit up and head out onto the street.
HUG ME!
NOW, it is time to hug everyone. I head by the jousting field to Kenwood Lane and around Market. Again, more people hug you when you are at the door than when they are wandering outside. Now I find that I have more teenagers hugging me than anyone else. Again, little ones come running up to me, some adults knock me over with the force of their hug, others are charmed and many note the you tube video. Toward the end of my time, I head back toward the customer service booth and the last person I ask does hug me. I leave the “stage” on a high and head back to change.
TRANSFORMATIONS
For the last time, I prepare for my costume change into Columbina. I see the Frenchmen before they head out and I go get undressed and redressed. Once laced up, I add my scarf, gloves, hat, and a bag of gifts then I am ready to head out. I head out directly to Fortune to drop off the gifts then decide to try something else for closing day’s lunch. I end up getting an Italian Cold Cut wrap. The food is tasty, but not nearly as satisfying as my normal meal. I sit with patrons and we analyze the food…they layer cream cheese on the wrap…I have to modify my eating pattern to protect my internal system for the rest of the day. I grab Baby Stupina, but before I go far, Mr. DragonWings and I discuss controllers for her. In the long run, we realize that she is already moving the way I need and the fancy controller might not be the answer I want. After a while, I head off to the jousting privy and kill the line rather quickly with only one other there. Next is the ATM and privy line at Kenwood, I chat with random patrons along the way and finally, it’s time. I head backstage.
LAST SHOW
I pull the props out and set them. Mrs. Lelio is out a bit earlier and she helps me prepare. The show before us ends much earlier than it has been and we have time to set and hawk before we have to start. Actually, we all watch a few minutes of the show and likely make him paranoid that he was late. We have a decent crowd and the Bob was great…and yes, I told him what to expect too. It seems to be helping the panic factor. The slo mo does well, but not as great as the day before and we get some good laughs. We finish, pass the stage to the Squire on the Wire. As we are clearing props, I hand gifts to T-shirt boy and Mrs. Lelio and payment due to Lelio himself. We finish packing up and T-shirt boy and I head out for the great excursion.
STEP ONE, CHOCOLATE PART 1
So many weeks ago, I found out that Sir Munch-a-lot said if we bring him chocolate to experimentally deep fry, he will do it. I have gotten Lindt Dark and Extra Dark truffles skewered on the wood sticks and he dunks them in batter and deep-fries them. Once they are done, T-shirt boy and I sit and stare at them while we mentally wait for them to cool. Eventually, we take the plunge. OH MY GOD. If you nibbled slowly, they were amazing. If you pulled it off the stick, the liquid chocolate would pool out the bottom hole. We were licking up liquid chocolate. It was good, but it didn’t overwhelm me like the first taste normally does. This was odd, but we had other stops, so we move on.
NOT TRUSTING THIS ONE AGAIN
I head over to Renfield’s to break my lack of alcohol with an old friend, Just as last year he assures me that NO ONE has either mead or cider. Crap. I hate beer. Ok, since he turned out to be wrong last year, I am going to move on and look further. Next, we head to O’Shucks to have my FIRST EVER oyster shooter. We get there and get in line. I order two shooters. Then, I find out that they have BOTH cider and mead, so I get a beesting. We sit with Keltik and Cronaccht. The oyster went down smoothly and T-shirt boy had the beer for me, he’s nice that way. While sitting there, a gentleman offers me some Ghirardelli 72% cacao chocolate. He gifts me and I open it and have my first real chocolate. I simultaneously begin to cry, laugh, and turn completely red. Through my tears I say “ I F*cking love chocolate.” The crowd is amused. They are even more amused when some unsuspecting male comes up and says “oh, that’s good dark chocolate, isn’t it,” The look of pure evil I gave him as I pull the chocolate out of his site and say “it’s mine” was enough to make everyone laugh and him back up a bit. I explain, not letting go of the chocolate, that it had been since July 27. He understands, but he still won’t get closer.
THE LAST PUB SING
I take my drink and head toward the white hart for the final pub sing. This is always an emotional experience, but I had a suspicion this might be worse today. I manage to find a spot in front of the tree with SMJen and eventually, Anjabeth. I have to step out for a moment to share some information, get my scarf back from the pink and purple ladies up front, and say goodbye to the pretty Frenchmen. At the tree, we are regaled after each song that we only have time for “one more song,” which no one believes. The pub is packed and, while there were people sitting and talking, they were far between and yelled at by the audience when the music was quieter. Louis the Moor, though held up by a technical difficulty, was very well received and seemed to visibly relax as he realized how much we remember those from our past and how much he was still a part of our family.
THE LAST OF AN ERA
As the pub sing got later and darker, the music became sadder and more melancholic. The stage was crowded as was the audience. I watched the years of my past echo in front of me. I don’t think Blown and Torn had EVER meant more to me. I don’t know that I EVER cried more at a pub sing. I watched my 11 years of performing and other 4-5 as a vendor echo in front of me as what I have always known is soon to be no more, or at least, not the same. Firing Nymblewyck was fabulous as was the brightness of the freedom that it gave him. THAT was cathartic. The bells rang, and I broke down harder than I had been. “Our revels now are ended” made me ache. I watched others even more distraught than myself. Anjabeth said “I miss him too.” But that had so many levels. When the cannon boomed and the king left, for the first time this year, I could not just leave. I headed to the stage to find a few people that I needed to see. Hugs, statements, questions. I am reminded of Little Alex, who, as Edward was leaving both the season, the faire, and his role as King in one night. He said to us “you are all the authors of my fondest memories and for that am I truly eternally grateful.” I do think it was the right words, and those who had been there in the past would have forgiven the usage, in fact, they would have really appreciated the sentiment, but I understand the reasoning. I realized I had to leave and took off to the Costume house.
FINALES
Inside the costume house, there was much laughter. I changed costume, already buzzed from the one drink of the day. I packed a few basics and headed out with the Lelios to the car, carefully, because I had FABULOUS new shoes on. At the restaurant, the crowd had already began to grow and the revelry was abounding. We joined Roper and one of my daughters at a table and I ordered crab dip and crab cakes…cause today, seafood is my friend. I begin to bop from table to table, chatting, flirting, being silly, and having a cosmo (after water and bread). The evening progressed with many leaving and some, who never have made it before, being able to attend. The energy is fun, the king comes in “naked,” the joy is palpable and the people are forgetting the sadness and just enjoying it. I ask Jack Rackham about a quote he used and he clarifies it for me, which leads me to have to apologize to Mr. Lelio. Whoops.
THE LAST MOMENTS
As the crowd gets smaller, those who just don’t want it to end, or got there later, or don’t have work the next day, are all lingering and chatting. I am sad to see everyone go, but it seems to be that time, so we head out with Julienne Romero and The REAL Lady Edina. Once we arrive back home, we open a bottle of wine and some good chocolate and sit and talk till after 1 am and I am in bed at 2am. Somewhere around 5:30 am, I can not sleep anymore and I woke up to begin this recap.
This has been an amazing season. Joyous, heartbreaking. There were beginnings and endings and the circle turns again. Faire will never be exactly the same, but it will also always be there for us. We evolve, move on, and come back home to be reminded of our roots and what makes us who we are. I have been blessed with the joy of being able to make others laugh and smile. I don’t think I could be luckier.
Perhaps I will see you in our little shire next year. That would make me truly happy. Until we meet again in this life…or the next. I bid you Godspeed and good day to all.
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Date: 2006-10-26 04:45 am (UTC)Especially the chocolate moment! *G*
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Date: 2006-10-26 04:52 pm (UTC)And the oyster was very yummy. Because of that I had more oysters on Tuesday at Harry Browne's and am still craving them. No, no reason to be worried...depresesd maybe, but not worried.
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Date: 2006-10-26 10:13 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-26 01:41 pm (UTC)That was wonderful, my friend. Overwhelming and very bittersweet....
(((((((( huuuuuuuuugs ))))))))) Thank you for taking the time to type it all up, and sharing it here. I can scarcely articulate how it transports me, the emotions you've stirred......
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Date: 2006-10-26 03:52 pm (UTC)dammit. you made me cry again. that's exactly how i feel about it.
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Date: 2006-10-26 04:54 pm (UTC)No, that is a memory I will simply never forget.
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Date: 2006-10-26 04:25 pm (UTC)