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Md part Nove...
It’s over, sadly, and while fighting off an infection that developed on Tuesday, I am trying to get my head around a fabulous season, with many odd things happening. Closing weekend is no exception, therefore, with many fond farewells, many mistaken memories, and imperfect details, I bring you, closing weekend of Maryland’s Renaissance Festival. (PS, week 8 is still forthcoming, promise, there was lots of good stuff there too.)
RUSHING PREPARATIONS
I was out of town for most of the week and got back in on Friday. There was much to get done, so I prepped what I could and Trinket arrived in the morning. We worked at the house till 11 and then headed out to site. I dropped off tickets, costumes, props, and we went to the White Hart to run some new music, play ukulele, and figure out some logistics. We also resorted the backstage area that had gotten a bit (understatement) messy over the season. I packed up things were weren’t going to used and took them home, where we rehearsed more, looked on You Tube for music, and found more lyrics to music that just isn’t our natural style. Finally, Trinket left and I got back to my other work. I finally crawled into bed a very tired puppy, but mostly ready for the weekend.
THE LAST DAY THIS EXACT WAY
I got up and got moving a bit late, but got to site early and ready to stretch in the cold, brrrr. Trinket calls and notes she will be running late, so I finish getting ready at the Gatehouse and head over to the White Hart. There, we meet the Rose Seller. and run through some things for tomorrow as well as getting our sound checked. Our sheet of notes is gone again and Mirth, who is utterly exhausted from his long week away from here, is not quite focused, but gets things working…then heads to sleep for a while…well, he should have, but he doesn’t nap…so he just gets more tired throughout the day. This is okay as I drag him to the massage booth and explain to the lady in the booth that I have to transfer a gift certificate I got to him, as I don’t have the time to stop and get a massage during the day, but he does, and he really needs it. She oks it and he comes back to set the time for later in the day.
THE LAST STUPINA
Since tomorrow I have to do the renewal of vows ceremony, today is my last one as Stupina. I head to the costume house to put her on for the last time this season and get ready to give out hugs. I add on socks that will go with today’s Columbina outfit, since you really have to pre-dress to save time with this stuff, and put on the last shirt and pantaloons for her…I also realize that I didn’t bring back all my tights, and the ones I left are 1, the wrong color and 2, ripped. Joy. I use the darker beige ones and throw out the ripped ones with the promise to myself that I will bring in better ones tomorrow. Once everything is gathered, I head to the Lyric for Cast Call.
OOOFA BEEP
There, I get settled since I am running on time and say a few early goodbye/hellos to those I don’t see much during the season. It’s a mixed feeling. Some are grateful for the end, some are weepy already. I know I will be missing it. Today is chilly and I am wearing my fluffy blue scarf to protect my throat. I put on the black head wrap early to keep the heat in and with socks and scarf and gloves, I am doing pretty well in the chill. We are hoping for decent numbers with the decent weather (for patrons) and the closing weekend. Business has been better all around, luckily. We go over notes for the tournament and other odds and ends for an exciting weekend. BEEP and off I head to the gate after stopping for a brief chat with a lady who needed some quick advice.
LAST HUGS OF THE SEASON
I have my sign and when the cannon booms and the line up of jousters heads into the village, after depositing quite a “gift” for us, the crowd comes pouring in. I am holding my sign and while saying not much of anything, am getting quite a reaction. Some to take pics, some to come up and hug, some to do both. It’s fun today. I do inform people that these are the last hugs of the season. Once these are gone, there will be no more free ones. Only a few regulars ask why and I explain that Columbina has to be somewhere so I have to stay home and guard stuff. Bleah. They are amused. Time speeds by and before I know it, I have hugged hundreds easily and now have to head in. My last hug of the season is to someone at Customer Service, and that makes me happy.
THE LAST MID-TRANSITION
I head down the hill and drop off my sign, etc, then pee again. The cold has made me need to use the bathroom as a more regular necessity. Less water in and more coming out. Joy. I head in to put my blues on. I am using all blue, blue chemise, blue bodice, blue scarf, blue, blue, blue…on purpose. Trinket is extra pink with her sleeves on, etc. and a burgundy scarf. I head out to street after fixing the last odds and ends and once at the White Hart, head over to Noblesse to get the last of the finishing touches for tomorrow’s outfits. I have a little work to do tonight and Trinket has finished most of hers. We have plans most evile and subtle for the day.
SHOW 1 AGAIN
For closing weekend, we decide to do shows 1 and 2 in that order. Show 1 is our longest show and we can’t do it in the late slot as the White Hart Stage tends to start running late by then. By doing it early, we don’t have to cut schtick all the time, though on occasion we have had to. I set my watch and we come to the stage as our audience pours in. There are those shows where EVERYTHING goes right. The audience just gets you, they are laughing at all the right stuff and you just roll on their energy. This 12:00 audience was just that. Amazing response, fabulous energy. It makes us very happy. I love it when our audience “gets” us. Reminds me that we have a good thing here.
OLD FRIENDS
I head back to the meade sign to sign a large number of CD’s today. Once we finish meeting and greeting everyone, we pack up. I had straightened the back room up because of the other weekend’s issue (which may be mentioned when I finally do that recap) and things are better sorted. I already delivered my last romance war hit last weekend and have only to wait to be gifted…I assume it will be last day given the message I got. I head out of the pub to see the general crowd and see…Holt Ramsey, or that was his name many years ago in this village. He is visiting, in costume, and in his normally silly mode. He has many people to see, and this is good. We catch up a bit and I let him know our schedule.
WANDER ABOUT QUICKLY
I head up to the food court and chat with a few tables, some that will come to our show, others that are not of the appropriate age. I tell them of the jousting tournament and other entertainments to suit them better. I run into a woman from my local drug store and let her know when the next show is. Soon enough, it is time to return and set up. The Rogues are playing and finish in time for us to get up, start, and wait for the violinist to be able to get his stuff off the stage. Soon enough, we can start. This audience, while good, isn’t AS with us. It’s a good show, but not the amazing energy as earlier. Always a bummer, but again, nothing to be embarrassed about, I’m just picky that way. I like it when we all synch up.
WANDER FOR THE PRIVY
I need to pee and head to the White Hart Privy, where there is a line for the first time that I have seen. Terrible Turnip is running the line and I join her and help get it moving. It takes at least ½ hour to get it moving properly and more before it’s empty. During that time, Lily Smith joins us and leaves. And finally, after an hour of needing to pee, I finally run into one of the privies myself. I am glad the line is gone and head up the hill to the Slide privy. Sadly, without Mother Love the line is bad and there is no one but me to help, so I jump in. It’s hard to run the line alone. They stand at the doorway, even when you say “everyone walk in”, they just won’t. I don’t want to scream, I can’t afford it. They wait texting, they want to wait since they are holding two beers. I don’t much care, there are 4-year-olds that have been waiting patiently behind them doing the dance of desperation. I may be sharp, but most of those in the line appreciate it. The drunks aren’t always so smart.
HELPING FROM A KIND SOURCE
After what seems like a long while, I am joined by a gentleman, who I know by face and short written conversation, but not really in meeting. He steps in and helps the line move with me. Shortly after, one of the wenches step in and between the two of them, they have the line in hand and I can go find my partner to get ready for all the new material for tonight. I am VERY grateful. I head to the White Hart line once more and see that it is being manned by 3 of the Wenches guild and they have things well in hand. I am most grateful that they have stepped in to help us out when we are overstressed. It is MUCH appreciated.
HUMPING ALONG
I head to Tiger’s booth as I figure I will find Trinket there, and I am correct, well sort of, I yell up for her to come down and they tell me to go up. As I head up, they laugh, as she has just walked into the shop. We meet in the back and start to run our music again. First the harmony, then the modern piece, then the harmony over and over to make it stick. It seems to be working. When she feels better, I head to the streets and again see that the lines are being well taken care of. I head to the Kenwood food court and stand up on a bench to make sure that everyone has had a good time. I am amused that “by a show of hands” always seems to be accompanied by cheers. Loud hands, they are. I thank the crowd and head back toward the pub area, after visiting Art of the Wood and a short stop by Merilee’s. The pub is crowded, as it always is this weekend and I walk through to the Petting Zoo to get any last notes. Finally, it’s time to begin.
PUB SING, PART ONE
The pub sing is energized and silly, as always. After two rather “rude” modern songs, we are brought up to show the boys how to do it right. We let the audience know that the song we are about to sing was the most requested song for Pub Sing. There is this odd hush in the crowd and I almost thought I heard someone start to applaud. Then, we begin…to “sing’ My Humps. What I said was not a lie ladies and gentleman. Just go to the website for MDRF. Before faire opened, there was a poll asking about everyone’s favorite Pub Sing song, and “My Hump” won first place. In her devotion to the cause, Trinket even bought an Italian Ice for the line “they buy me all these ices.” I preferred the jewelry route, but that does seem to fit our characters. After Mally has us stop, we move onto a slightly more period tune, saying we know that the boys don’t always do it right. A scarf drop and we sing “My Thing is My Own.”
I COME FOR THIS SONG
As we get near the end, the music becomes more solemn, as it is wont to do. We get to the final song and begin one of my personal favorites, “I Come for to Sing.” Each of the groups were asked to come up with a verse last week, the Pyrates do their traditional verse, the Hooligans a raunchier one, and the Interpreters to finish with something a bit more from the heart. I was told not everyone heard it clearly, so for those that missed it:
Some men behave poorly and ain’t it a shame
For they’ll never have us, if their wits be lame,
But you, have our hearts, come push or come shove
Because you are our family, and we come for your love.
I say that some didn’t hear it clearly, as both Trinket and myself had a tough time choking out the last words through the sudden onset of tears. While I was annoyed with myself for not staying professional, I was informed that our honest emotion touched a number of others in the crowd who shared our thoughts. Pub Sing ended in the deep dark, but the energy seemed good and appropriate for the penultimate day.
FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD
I headed back to the costume house quickly as we ran late. I go to change and pull out my stuff. I also go to call a friend who had shared some rather disturbing news and find out she is nearby. I go to sit with her and discuss the issue until she and her ride take off for their evening errands. In the meantime, I am told there is food and I should go get some…huh? Turns out that a number of the actors are being proactive about not leaving for dinner till late in the eve after the parking lot clears out, so they have all brought in food and are having a cold pot luck at the costume house picnic tables. They have too much and generously ask those of us unprepared to share in their bounty. It is appreciated. I take the time to sew trim on to costuming while partaking of chicken salad and pita and some yummy fruit salad. When it is time to leave, I am still a bit peckish and grab a small item on the way home and eat it while finishing trim and grabbing all the assorted odds and ends that I had to remember. I don’t know how, but I did manage to remember them all, even without a list. Go me. The Hood’s arrive home from their gathering and we all go our several ways to sleep.
CLOSING DAY
While there are many who work fest who look upon this day as a “oh thank god” kind of moment, I am not one of them. I adore working at festival and miss it dreadfully when season is over. The one good part of today is it’s the first time I can drink again since July. It’s also the first day I can have chocolate since that day. July 28…not that I am counting…yeah, right. Allora, because of this, I do not drive on closing day, just in case my tolerance is down. Trinket is picking me up and the Hoods have agreed to get me to the party and be a last resort ride home as they are not sure when their second event is ending. This has put a slight cramp in planning, but has mostly worked itself out. I am ready a bit early and start fixing my hair early as I have to be ready by gate. I check my phone and receive some disturbing news, but there is nothing I can do now and I continue preparations. As I am finishing, Trinket arrives and we make a quick breakfast stop on the way in.
THE DIFFERENCES
She is surprised about the different status of the morning odds and ends. This is old school for me. I do some physical, but not as much today, as I won’t need to be as stretched as I do for Stupina. We do make up, but it is really chilly here. Once done, we head to the stage and run some of the things we will be doing later today…new songs and the like. The Rose Seller arrives and we run things with her and go over transformation plans. Then, to try to keep us on schedule, we head to the costume house after I present the first of the thank you gifts for the day.
AN EARLY TRANSFORMATION
It doesn’t start out crowded, but by the time I am mostly ready, it’s a bit crazy in the dressing room. Trinket is getting assistance with her Romance War hit for the day. She is passing out carrots to everyone she can who will go up to her target and say “Treats! Treats!” just as she does in our show…to him. Trinket and I are getting the appropriate surprised comments and amused looks on our costumes. Some tell us our new outfits are pretty, but they don’t get the joke. No worries, it isn’t meant to be obvious. We head to morning meeting with minutes to spare. There, it’s the final gathering. We go over the rules for the day (make it normal), the plans for the cast party that night, and any other important logistics. Thank yous for those who helped out and then BEEP. Trinket heads out to put tickets out at will call, I head to grab last minute things, and we meet up before the cannon booms (and after a bathroom break).
THE DAY OF WRONG
So, for those who know of this event, on the last day of a festival, it is often found that those who work there (mostly vendors) dress up in some way that is wrong. I can be as obvious as a pirate tigger or the couple dressed as a steak on a stake and a witch on a stick, or even as subtle as Trinket and myself. Before Festival began, we both had purchased fabric that we planned for new outfits, but timing just worked that we would have them for today, which was perfect, as they were…wrong. Trinket is notoriously always in Barbie pink. I am in turquoise. Today, she is in a Carolina blue and I am in a deep fuschia. So I am in pink and she is in blue. This is relatively unheard of. All accessories switched, all feathers, scarfs and the like switched. As the gates open, we are greeted with many inappropriate patrons, and many of them gawk as they see us. Some smile knowingly, because to the random patron, we are just two very well dressed women. Anyone who knows us knows how VERY wrong the outfits are. This is a source of great amusement. One or two patrons actually short circuit in front of us. This makes us smile.
GREETING TO RENEW
We stay greeting the first rush and a bit more. We have to be at the Royal by 10:45, so we leave a bit early, head to the costume house to gather a few missing items, and head back out to the Royal greeting people along the way. Once there, we check in and verify the order of the renewal. We run through our song quietly and then go to hand out programs to the guests. The space fills up relatively quickly. Middle begins the service, and we step up to sing Red is the Rose (without the depressing final verse). Once we are finished, we quietly wander up toward the exit and to the White Hart to write up our song lists.
THE BEST OF…
Once we finish the lists, we realize we are missing a bit and can’t figure it out. Since Trinket has to go back to the costume house between shows, I ask her to check for the list that I brought and have appeared to have left behind in the costume house. We get mic’ed up, and get ready to start our first show. We are informed that CDCB has gotten stuck in the traffic on the way here, has just parked and should be here shortly. Ok. We head to the stage and he appears to have arrived just in time as I suddenly see him in his own glory…ALL bright pink, with a leopard codpiece. I smile and point him out to Trinket. She breaks. We introduce the show as the best of, but the audience doesn’t get a say, these will be our favorites.
SILLINESS ENSUES
We sing Captain’s Daughter, There Was an Old Woman, Limericks, Fathom the Bowl, and Parting Glass. The audience is festive, playful and enthusiastic. We pull out a few routines we like. We even pull out 4 new verses on limericks, which are rather well responded too. We pass the stage in time to the Pyrates and clear the stage to sign CD’s and chat with patrons. There is great amusement and I am handed white chocolate. This amuses me as in 5 hours, I will be back to dark chocolate again. I am touched by the kindness though. In preparation for the next show, Trinket takes off with the Rose Seller and I help our CDCB organize the rest. He has not quite dressed properly in his haste to get here and out working, so he makes some adjustments and I keep the door guarded in protection. We sort out CDs and the like, I hand him his thank you pressie for the season, and put things out of the way so the rest of the groups can use the closet, and I head out to the streets.
ROMANCE REVEALED
That is, before I am stopped and gifted with my final romance war hit. One of the Rose Sellers, dressed as Irish Mike today, but not him, brings me a basket filled with amazing chocolate, a scarf, mug, vodka and other treats including an Italian poem burned into leather. It is lovely. I thank him for his kindness and creativity during the season. His gifts were very considerate and took effort and thought. I appreciated it. I hide the treasures for later as I cannot partake of them yet.
THE FACES THAT YOU MEET
I head back out to the streets to see a few more friendly faces from our past years at MD. I try to remind people that our last show is not to be missed, but more often than not, they tell me. This makes me happy. I run into the MD Locale Madame of the Wenches guild and thank her for the ladies support in the privies the prior day. She glows about her ladies and there is great pride for the good that the group has done. It’s a great thing to see. I have to head back and prepare. I am warned by one regular that he has specifically brought a hat as he wants to prove that he learned the proper way to kiss an hand from me. I accept the offer after the next show is done. My mind is a bit preoccupied. I head back to the closet after a while and Trinket informs me of what we were missing. We complete the Rose Seller’s transformation, mic all 3 of us up, and get ready to do the show.
THE UNSCRIPTED SHOW…2008.
Well, last year’s unscripted show was such a great wealth of material, and we had a bunch of working ideas again, so we decided to do one more show just like that. Well, mostly like that, but with new ideas. The script is the songs we have been sort of working on and the concepts of bits. That’s about it. We just go with it, film it, and see what works. We start with our new “children’s song” that was taught to us just the last weekend in the costume house by Juliet. Earlier in the day, we sang to her what it became. She was ecstatic. We start with “The More We Come Together” with an awkward surprise twist, much to the amusement of the packed house. Next, we test Trinket on knowledge about herself. Um, well, it takes a reset, but she is able to tell me that she has a sister…who’s here!
MEET BAUBLE
Rose Seller has become Bauble…Trinket’s younger sister. You can’t say little as she is taller than Trinket. Normal sibling rivalry and other amusement follows as they are much the same in personality. The echoes of their shrieks of joy are still hurting my ears. They sing their granny’s Lullaby, which you might know as “The Guillotine.” After a moment of “panic” we safely boot Bauble off the stage and get back to “normal.” We discuss a party we have both been to, without saying much at all, then go back to singing about how badly we used to misunderstand men. We were “Lost in Translation.”
THE GREAT SWITCH
At that point, Trinket declares I am not having enough fun. To remedy this, she takes off her blonde curls and sticks them on my head. She pulls out a red wig that is exactly styled like my hair and then resets me. Suddenly, I am the giddy blonde and she is the serious Italian red. Hey, the colors were already switched. The audience goes nuts. Especially as I start discovering that I have girlie parts, and start bouncing. It’s became Stupina hits Puberty. Trinket just sat and scowled. At one point, I flipped my skirts over my butt and my hair fell off. At that moment, I became Italian again and the sigh of sadness was audible in the crowd. I yank off her red wig and she goes back to normal.
THE FINALE
To put us back to normal, Trinket pulls out my ukulele to sing our Revel Grove song. She then pulls out her ukulele…which is smaller…and pink. The audience cheers. She has learned her part and is ready to join in with me, but when I start, she doesn’t play. She assures me she has her part…which, by the end of the song, consists of 5 notes…not played consecutively. The audience is amused. Then, we go to pitch the CD’s, CDCB now has a blue coat over his pink. Trinket brings him up and pulls out a large carrot…he replied with 3 large carrots taped together. They end up eating each other’s…carrots with his having a bit of an extra wobble in it. I just watch in amusement. We pitch and finally end on the Parting Glass. The audience cheers and some give us a standing ovation. We pass the stage to the Hooligans and off we go.
ADVICE AND A PEE BREAK
We sign CDs and are told more than once that people laughed so hard their sides hurt or they peed a little, when they weren’t supposed to. These are actually rather high compliments, given the circumstances. We go to reset and an old friend who has moved in and amongst this business for a while sits and gives us some notes. Some we would have gotten with rehearsal, others just make us smile. He inspires us to try to go a bit farther with our travels. I would enjoy that. After many thank yous, I run to the privy myself, after getting rid of the line with some help. I head back and run the slide line and clear it. People are still as slow and rude as ever, but I guess there are less of them, and I need to pee again and use a privy when done. Yeesh.
THE LESSON AND RETURN
I wander back about and see the gentleman who had been preparing for me. We set a space and he tosses his hat under his feet, which ends up in front of them. I hope his peripheral vision is good because he may trip on it if he keeps eye contact. He steps smoothly. His execution is meticulous and accurate and I am well pleased with his progress. This calls for a reward. The ladies nearby, all wenches, help me find the right spot, which ends up being in front of the petting zoo. I give out my one and ONLY ear trick of the season. There were pictures, I don’t know if they turned out, but have been asked to request copies if they have, digital is fine Vyxen. ;-) He is amazingly able to stand. I thank him verbally and head on my way.
LUNCH?
I realize it is getting late and if I am to drink later today, I MUST have food. I head to the sun bowl and get a wrap, which has tended to be my food preference for much of the season. I take my lunch and wander a bit and finally find some patrons to eat with at O’Shucks. A woman there begins talking to me and wanting to meet me outside of faire. Turns out, her friend is having a birthday, so I sing to her, in Italian. We are then joined by a gentleman in costume who is clearly a regular. We both have recommendations in the village for the ladies and I am asked a few questions that are very close to blowing my cover. I am able to get around them and as the group separates, I move on my merry way, still in character.
THE LAST LOUNGE
I wander back toward the sun bowl and to the Courtesean’s Coterie. Merliee veritably shrieks when she sees me, as my colors are now clashing with hers. We share a song and a final farewell and I head back along my way. I run into Quislet who notes he has something for me for later and we check times. I wander and am stopped by the front man at Leather Rose and we joke about waking him up (our sound checks have been his alarm clock and we called his name that morning on purpose). He has been festive today and is not as focused as normal. I wander off after finding myself amused by assorted passers by.
A ROSE BY ANOTHER NAME…WHICH I COULD HAVE BEEN TOLD
I am delivered a rose with a message poetic and sweet. I ask if I am allowed to know who sent it…no. ok. I find my way to the top of Stub Toe and sit to chat with some patrons when I am approached by another rose seller, with another rose, and another line of poetry, and no clue as to who sent it, but there are 4 more coming. This rose seller also mentions what she thinks might be questionable behavior in the village by workers, in front of these un-costumed random patrons. Even if it was true, you just DON’T talk about that kind of stuff in front of patrons. Bad form. Comments like that are how we can get an awful reputation, especially if they are assumptions and inaccurate. I do my damage control and she wanders away. I am approached by a 3rd rose seller who again has poetry, a rose, but no name. I am confused, the patrons are amused, and I am off to my final treat.
THAT TIME
At 5:30, I am off the clock, and at that moment, I can have my first chocolate and alcohol of the season. I am at the petting zoo at 5:20 bag in hand, forgive me for my enthusiasm. I bring my own chocolate because I know what I like and I like being sure I have it. It is just about that time when Quislet arrives with a taste of tawny porto and what he calls an average chocolate, Scharfenberger (sp). My eyes light up as this is what I used to such good effect in Wisconsin. We are stopped by 3 more roses, one delivered by Trinket, and none telling me who they are from. He offers the bar and I break off a piece, and begin to cry…then laugh, then turn bright red and cry again. Yeah, I like chocolate; I just can’t have it often. The second piece is just as good. The third I use to partake of the port and Quislet does as well. The epicurean in him appreciates my little addiction. I am offered other creamy chocolate sweets, but right now, they are too much. It is not sugar I crave, but cacao and slightly bitter isn’t a bad thing. I save them for later. Next, Hemloche provides me with the elixir I have had hidden in preparation. I donate the rest of it to the SM-A to keep the show in good spirits.
FINAL PUB SING
It’s finally time to start Pub Sing. We have our set list. There is a crew from a university filming about the family of faire. They are all over the pub getting both stage and audience shots. I note to the woman near me that I will move if she needs and on occasion, show her where to point the camera next, as I know what is going to happen. We start the show with Auld Lang Sine. It is a farewell to a member of our family who passed the weekend before. It hits others in many other, rather deep ways and I sit with one woman who needs a moment. She tells me of what the song means to her, and I appreciate it well. I stay with her till the song is over.
THE CROWD CONTROL
Because of safety issues, we need to keep the aisles as clear as possible. Its one reason I stand at or near the pole during the show. It also helps sight lines for other sitting behind. Today, there are many talking outside and others want to hear, so they keep walking forward, but they can’t stand where they are. I find seats for those I can and am grateful to those at tables who share their space with those who want to be in the same moment. Thank you from the depths of my heart and sanity for that.
ATMOSPHERE MAKERS
There is not much dancy music, but there are a few upbeat numbers. I take to dancing during one and realize my feet are being filmed…oh heck, I wasn’t planning on dancing the whole song. I don’t even do it right. I go for a while then switch back to clapping and encouraging the crowd. I wander to the edges of the pub and to share some of the wonderful vino I am finally partaking of. As we get closer to the end, Trinket and I come up on stage to share the Parting Glass with our family away from home. The last songs are appropriately poignant, sad, and warming. The King says his farewell, and we finish, just the kids. There is no comedy ending, it is a soft farewell of sorts. The lights go out, the people all grab their odds and ends and I gather the necessities and leave the rest for the morning.
THE CRAZIES
I head back to the costume house and while walking it suddenly dawns on me that the faire is over for the season. I start to cry while walking. Back at the costume house, I grab my check, and rush to get changed. I feel bad as I know Stitch has things to do as well, but I am so far behind. I am one of the last 3-4 people left trying to clean up. She leaves me in charge to lock up. I am fine with this. I continue to pack up. As I am getting ready to finish, one of the SMs comes in and says they will lock up, I have been left in charge and tell them I will wait. As they are just about done, ANOTHER SM comes in. This time, I know the person has been changing after the fact all season. Screw it, my ride is here and he is the ONLY person left. He can lock up, we lock our side, and leave.
AMONG FRIENDS
The party is at a smaller location than normal, so parking is at a premium, as is seating. The food is good, the service is keeping up with us, and in the meantime, I can be social. With the exception of one particularly snarky and relatively uncalled for comment, I have a great time talking to everyone. I eat seared tuna (yayee seafood) have another glass of wine (ménage a trios-red for those who care) and cry over the drippings from the chocolate cake someone ate. It was really good cake. I table hop. My ride there leaves for their second spot and we agree if I can’t get the ride I was expecting to call them. I check with that person and they are not able to take me. Ok, time to play it by ear. After more socializing, I see most are leaving and I check with a kindly group going my way. They agree to drop me at my home, I am grateful.
IT’S OVER
I am home before the others and feel this odd sense of empty. It just ended so very quickly and so very early it seemed. I unpack, clean up a bit, and crawl into bed. The Hoods are home soon and we talk a bit. I can’t quite sleep, but eventually do. Next morning, I head to site early, grab my stuff from the costume house and the White Hart, and stop by the Bizarre Bazaar…that is after almost killing myself in a car accident. Short story, I was stupid, lost control of the car, spun 360 and ended up facing forward center lane in a stalled car on 97. No one hit me, I hit no one. I only ended up with a tire that had a slow leak. I count myself lucky. I said thank you a lot.
REMINISCENCE
Back on site, I didn’t quite want to leave. I said many goodbyes, gave hugs, and finally took off home to meet up with the Hoods for all you can eat sushi. Our original plan back in August was the 3 of us. It turned out to be about 24-26 of us. We filled the front room and had a great time. It was a wonderful way to end the season. The jouster types had to leave after the meal but the rest of us told stories until we feared they would throw us out. So we left. We went home, and I began to put the faire away until next year.
IN CONCLUSION
I cannot thank you all enough for your support, enjoyment, and sense of play this season. This place is very special to us all, I know that, and I feel blessed to be able to share the gifts I have with all of you each year. This was one of my best seasons ever. It was incredible fun and there is no way it could have been done without each and every one of you. As Trinket and I say, we thank you for your laughter and your voices.
Until we meet again, I give you my joy, my happiness and my best wishes for an incredible year…
See you in the Grove…
RUSHING PREPARATIONS
I was out of town for most of the week and got back in on Friday. There was much to get done, so I prepped what I could and Trinket arrived in the morning. We worked at the house till 11 and then headed out to site. I dropped off tickets, costumes, props, and we went to the White Hart to run some new music, play ukulele, and figure out some logistics. We also resorted the backstage area that had gotten a bit (understatement) messy over the season. I packed up things were weren’t going to used and took them home, where we rehearsed more, looked on You Tube for music, and found more lyrics to music that just isn’t our natural style. Finally, Trinket left and I got back to my other work. I finally crawled into bed a very tired puppy, but mostly ready for the weekend.
THE LAST DAY THIS EXACT WAY
I got up and got moving a bit late, but got to site early and ready to stretch in the cold, brrrr. Trinket calls and notes she will be running late, so I finish getting ready at the Gatehouse and head over to the White Hart. There, we meet the Rose Seller. and run through some things for tomorrow as well as getting our sound checked. Our sheet of notes is gone again and Mirth, who is utterly exhausted from his long week away from here, is not quite focused, but gets things working…then heads to sleep for a while…well, he should have, but he doesn’t nap…so he just gets more tired throughout the day. This is okay as I drag him to the massage booth and explain to the lady in the booth that I have to transfer a gift certificate I got to him, as I don’t have the time to stop and get a massage during the day, but he does, and he really needs it. She oks it and he comes back to set the time for later in the day.
THE LAST STUPINA
Since tomorrow I have to do the renewal of vows ceremony, today is my last one as Stupina. I head to the costume house to put her on for the last time this season and get ready to give out hugs. I add on socks that will go with today’s Columbina outfit, since you really have to pre-dress to save time with this stuff, and put on the last shirt and pantaloons for her…I also realize that I didn’t bring back all my tights, and the ones I left are 1, the wrong color and 2, ripped. Joy. I use the darker beige ones and throw out the ripped ones with the promise to myself that I will bring in better ones tomorrow. Once everything is gathered, I head to the Lyric for Cast Call.
OOOFA BEEP
There, I get settled since I am running on time and say a few early goodbye/hellos to those I don’t see much during the season. It’s a mixed feeling. Some are grateful for the end, some are weepy already. I know I will be missing it. Today is chilly and I am wearing my fluffy blue scarf to protect my throat. I put on the black head wrap early to keep the heat in and with socks and scarf and gloves, I am doing pretty well in the chill. We are hoping for decent numbers with the decent weather (for patrons) and the closing weekend. Business has been better all around, luckily. We go over notes for the tournament and other odds and ends for an exciting weekend. BEEP and off I head to the gate after stopping for a brief chat with a lady who needed some quick advice.
LAST HUGS OF THE SEASON
I have my sign and when the cannon booms and the line up of jousters heads into the village, after depositing quite a “gift” for us, the crowd comes pouring in. I am holding my sign and while saying not much of anything, am getting quite a reaction. Some to take pics, some to come up and hug, some to do both. It’s fun today. I do inform people that these are the last hugs of the season. Once these are gone, there will be no more free ones. Only a few regulars ask why and I explain that Columbina has to be somewhere so I have to stay home and guard stuff. Bleah. They are amused. Time speeds by and before I know it, I have hugged hundreds easily and now have to head in. My last hug of the season is to someone at Customer Service, and that makes me happy.
THE LAST MID-TRANSITION
I head down the hill and drop off my sign, etc, then pee again. The cold has made me need to use the bathroom as a more regular necessity. Less water in and more coming out. Joy. I head in to put my blues on. I am using all blue, blue chemise, blue bodice, blue scarf, blue, blue, blue…on purpose. Trinket is extra pink with her sleeves on, etc. and a burgundy scarf. I head out to street after fixing the last odds and ends and once at the White Hart, head over to Noblesse to get the last of the finishing touches for tomorrow’s outfits. I have a little work to do tonight and Trinket has finished most of hers. We have plans most evile and subtle for the day.
SHOW 1 AGAIN
For closing weekend, we decide to do shows 1 and 2 in that order. Show 1 is our longest show and we can’t do it in the late slot as the White Hart Stage tends to start running late by then. By doing it early, we don’t have to cut schtick all the time, though on occasion we have had to. I set my watch and we come to the stage as our audience pours in. There are those shows where EVERYTHING goes right. The audience just gets you, they are laughing at all the right stuff and you just roll on their energy. This 12:00 audience was just that. Amazing response, fabulous energy. It makes us very happy. I love it when our audience “gets” us. Reminds me that we have a good thing here.
OLD FRIENDS
I head back to the meade sign to sign a large number of CD’s today. Once we finish meeting and greeting everyone, we pack up. I had straightened the back room up because of the other weekend’s issue (which may be mentioned when I finally do that recap) and things are better sorted. I already delivered my last romance war hit last weekend and have only to wait to be gifted…I assume it will be last day given the message I got. I head out of the pub to see the general crowd and see…Holt Ramsey, or that was his name many years ago in this village. He is visiting, in costume, and in his normally silly mode. He has many people to see, and this is good. We catch up a bit and I let him know our schedule.
WANDER ABOUT QUICKLY
I head up to the food court and chat with a few tables, some that will come to our show, others that are not of the appropriate age. I tell them of the jousting tournament and other entertainments to suit them better. I run into a woman from my local drug store and let her know when the next show is. Soon enough, it is time to return and set up. The Rogues are playing and finish in time for us to get up, start, and wait for the violinist to be able to get his stuff off the stage. Soon enough, we can start. This audience, while good, isn’t AS with us. It’s a good show, but not the amazing energy as earlier. Always a bummer, but again, nothing to be embarrassed about, I’m just picky that way. I like it when we all synch up.
WANDER FOR THE PRIVY
I need to pee and head to the White Hart Privy, where there is a line for the first time that I have seen. Terrible Turnip is running the line and I join her and help get it moving. It takes at least ½ hour to get it moving properly and more before it’s empty. During that time, Lily Smith joins us and leaves. And finally, after an hour of needing to pee, I finally run into one of the privies myself. I am glad the line is gone and head up the hill to the Slide privy. Sadly, without Mother Love the line is bad and there is no one but me to help, so I jump in. It’s hard to run the line alone. They stand at the doorway, even when you say “everyone walk in”, they just won’t. I don’t want to scream, I can’t afford it. They wait texting, they want to wait since they are holding two beers. I don’t much care, there are 4-year-olds that have been waiting patiently behind them doing the dance of desperation. I may be sharp, but most of those in the line appreciate it. The drunks aren’t always so smart.
HELPING FROM A KIND SOURCE
After what seems like a long while, I am joined by a gentleman, who I know by face and short written conversation, but not really in meeting. He steps in and helps the line move with me. Shortly after, one of the wenches step in and between the two of them, they have the line in hand and I can go find my partner to get ready for all the new material for tonight. I am VERY grateful. I head to the White Hart line once more and see that it is being manned by 3 of the Wenches guild and they have things well in hand. I am most grateful that they have stepped in to help us out when we are overstressed. It is MUCH appreciated.
HUMPING ALONG
I head to Tiger’s booth as I figure I will find Trinket there, and I am correct, well sort of, I yell up for her to come down and they tell me to go up. As I head up, they laugh, as she has just walked into the shop. We meet in the back and start to run our music again. First the harmony, then the modern piece, then the harmony over and over to make it stick. It seems to be working. When she feels better, I head to the streets and again see that the lines are being well taken care of. I head to the Kenwood food court and stand up on a bench to make sure that everyone has had a good time. I am amused that “by a show of hands” always seems to be accompanied by cheers. Loud hands, they are. I thank the crowd and head back toward the pub area, after visiting Art of the Wood and a short stop by Merilee’s. The pub is crowded, as it always is this weekend and I walk through to the Petting Zoo to get any last notes. Finally, it’s time to begin.
PUB SING, PART ONE
The pub sing is energized and silly, as always. After two rather “rude” modern songs, we are brought up to show the boys how to do it right. We let the audience know that the song we are about to sing was the most requested song for Pub Sing. There is this odd hush in the crowd and I almost thought I heard someone start to applaud. Then, we begin…to “sing’ My Humps. What I said was not a lie ladies and gentleman. Just go to the website for MDRF. Before faire opened, there was a poll asking about everyone’s favorite Pub Sing song, and “My Hump” won first place. In her devotion to the cause, Trinket even bought an Italian Ice for the line “they buy me all these ices.” I preferred the jewelry route, but that does seem to fit our characters. After Mally has us stop, we move onto a slightly more period tune, saying we know that the boys don’t always do it right. A scarf drop and we sing “My Thing is My Own.”
I COME FOR THIS SONG
As we get near the end, the music becomes more solemn, as it is wont to do. We get to the final song and begin one of my personal favorites, “I Come for to Sing.” Each of the groups were asked to come up with a verse last week, the Pyrates do their traditional verse, the Hooligans a raunchier one, and the Interpreters to finish with something a bit more from the heart. I was told not everyone heard it clearly, so for those that missed it:
Some men behave poorly and ain’t it a shame
For they’ll never have us, if their wits be lame,
But you, have our hearts, come push or come shove
Because you are our family, and we come for your love.
I say that some didn’t hear it clearly, as both Trinket and myself had a tough time choking out the last words through the sudden onset of tears. While I was annoyed with myself for not staying professional, I was informed that our honest emotion touched a number of others in the crowd who shared our thoughts. Pub Sing ended in the deep dark, but the energy seemed good and appropriate for the penultimate day.
FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD
I headed back to the costume house quickly as we ran late. I go to change and pull out my stuff. I also go to call a friend who had shared some rather disturbing news and find out she is nearby. I go to sit with her and discuss the issue until she and her ride take off for their evening errands. In the meantime, I am told there is food and I should go get some…huh? Turns out that a number of the actors are being proactive about not leaving for dinner till late in the eve after the parking lot clears out, so they have all brought in food and are having a cold pot luck at the costume house picnic tables. They have too much and generously ask those of us unprepared to share in their bounty. It is appreciated. I take the time to sew trim on to costuming while partaking of chicken salad and pita and some yummy fruit salad. When it is time to leave, I am still a bit peckish and grab a small item on the way home and eat it while finishing trim and grabbing all the assorted odds and ends that I had to remember. I don’t know how, but I did manage to remember them all, even without a list. Go me. The Hood’s arrive home from their gathering and we all go our several ways to sleep.
CLOSING DAY
While there are many who work fest who look upon this day as a “oh thank god” kind of moment, I am not one of them. I adore working at festival and miss it dreadfully when season is over. The one good part of today is it’s the first time I can drink again since July. It’s also the first day I can have chocolate since that day. July 28…not that I am counting…yeah, right. Allora, because of this, I do not drive on closing day, just in case my tolerance is down. Trinket is picking me up and the Hoods have agreed to get me to the party and be a last resort ride home as they are not sure when their second event is ending. This has put a slight cramp in planning, but has mostly worked itself out. I am ready a bit early and start fixing my hair early as I have to be ready by gate. I check my phone and receive some disturbing news, but there is nothing I can do now and I continue preparations. As I am finishing, Trinket arrives and we make a quick breakfast stop on the way in.
THE DIFFERENCES
She is surprised about the different status of the morning odds and ends. This is old school for me. I do some physical, but not as much today, as I won’t need to be as stretched as I do for Stupina. We do make up, but it is really chilly here. Once done, we head to the stage and run some of the things we will be doing later today…new songs and the like. The Rose Seller arrives and we run things with her and go over transformation plans. Then, to try to keep us on schedule, we head to the costume house after I present the first of the thank you gifts for the day.
AN EARLY TRANSFORMATION
It doesn’t start out crowded, but by the time I am mostly ready, it’s a bit crazy in the dressing room. Trinket is getting assistance with her Romance War hit for the day. She is passing out carrots to everyone she can who will go up to her target and say “Treats! Treats!” just as she does in our show…to him. Trinket and I are getting the appropriate surprised comments and amused looks on our costumes. Some tell us our new outfits are pretty, but they don’t get the joke. No worries, it isn’t meant to be obvious. We head to morning meeting with minutes to spare. There, it’s the final gathering. We go over the rules for the day (make it normal), the plans for the cast party that night, and any other important logistics. Thank yous for those who helped out and then BEEP. Trinket heads out to put tickets out at will call, I head to grab last minute things, and we meet up before the cannon booms (and after a bathroom break).
THE DAY OF WRONG
So, for those who know of this event, on the last day of a festival, it is often found that those who work there (mostly vendors) dress up in some way that is wrong. I can be as obvious as a pirate tigger or the couple dressed as a steak on a stake and a witch on a stick, or even as subtle as Trinket and myself. Before Festival began, we both had purchased fabric that we planned for new outfits, but timing just worked that we would have them for today, which was perfect, as they were…wrong. Trinket is notoriously always in Barbie pink. I am in turquoise. Today, she is in a Carolina blue and I am in a deep fuschia. So I am in pink and she is in blue. This is relatively unheard of. All accessories switched, all feathers, scarfs and the like switched. As the gates open, we are greeted with many inappropriate patrons, and many of them gawk as they see us. Some smile knowingly, because to the random patron, we are just two very well dressed women. Anyone who knows us knows how VERY wrong the outfits are. This is a source of great amusement. One or two patrons actually short circuit in front of us. This makes us smile.
GREETING TO RENEW
We stay greeting the first rush and a bit more. We have to be at the Royal by 10:45, so we leave a bit early, head to the costume house to gather a few missing items, and head back out to the Royal greeting people along the way. Once there, we check in and verify the order of the renewal. We run through our song quietly and then go to hand out programs to the guests. The space fills up relatively quickly. Middle begins the service, and we step up to sing Red is the Rose (without the depressing final verse). Once we are finished, we quietly wander up toward the exit and to the White Hart to write up our song lists.
THE BEST OF…
Once we finish the lists, we realize we are missing a bit and can’t figure it out. Since Trinket has to go back to the costume house between shows, I ask her to check for the list that I brought and have appeared to have left behind in the costume house. We get mic’ed up, and get ready to start our first show. We are informed that CDCB has gotten stuck in the traffic on the way here, has just parked and should be here shortly. Ok. We head to the stage and he appears to have arrived just in time as I suddenly see him in his own glory…ALL bright pink, with a leopard codpiece. I smile and point him out to Trinket. She breaks. We introduce the show as the best of, but the audience doesn’t get a say, these will be our favorites.
SILLINESS ENSUES
We sing Captain’s Daughter, There Was an Old Woman, Limericks, Fathom the Bowl, and Parting Glass. The audience is festive, playful and enthusiastic. We pull out a few routines we like. We even pull out 4 new verses on limericks, which are rather well responded too. We pass the stage in time to the Pyrates and clear the stage to sign CD’s and chat with patrons. There is great amusement and I am handed white chocolate. This amuses me as in 5 hours, I will be back to dark chocolate again. I am touched by the kindness though. In preparation for the next show, Trinket takes off with the Rose Seller and I help our CDCB organize the rest. He has not quite dressed properly in his haste to get here and out working, so he makes some adjustments and I keep the door guarded in protection. We sort out CDs and the like, I hand him his thank you pressie for the season, and put things out of the way so the rest of the groups can use the closet, and I head out to the streets.
ROMANCE REVEALED
That is, before I am stopped and gifted with my final romance war hit. One of the Rose Sellers, dressed as Irish Mike today, but not him, brings me a basket filled with amazing chocolate, a scarf, mug, vodka and other treats including an Italian poem burned into leather. It is lovely. I thank him for his kindness and creativity during the season. His gifts were very considerate and took effort and thought. I appreciated it. I hide the treasures for later as I cannot partake of them yet.
THE FACES THAT YOU MEET
I head back out to the streets to see a few more friendly faces from our past years at MD. I try to remind people that our last show is not to be missed, but more often than not, they tell me. This makes me happy. I run into the MD Locale Madame of the Wenches guild and thank her for the ladies support in the privies the prior day. She glows about her ladies and there is great pride for the good that the group has done. It’s a great thing to see. I have to head back and prepare. I am warned by one regular that he has specifically brought a hat as he wants to prove that he learned the proper way to kiss an hand from me. I accept the offer after the next show is done. My mind is a bit preoccupied. I head back to the closet after a while and Trinket informs me of what we were missing. We complete the Rose Seller’s transformation, mic all 3 of us up, and get ready to do the show.
THE UNSCRIPTED SHOW…2008.
Well, last year’s unscripted show was such a great wealth of material, and we had a bunch of working ideas again, so we decided to do one more show just like that. Well, mostly like that, but with new ideas. The script is the songs we have been sort of working on and the concepts of bits. That’s about it. We just go with it, film it, and see what works. We start with our new “children’s song” that was taught to us just the last weekend in the costume house by Juliet. Earlier in the day, we sang to her what it became. She was ecstatic. We start with “The More We Come Together” with an awkward surprise twist, much to the amusement of the packed house. Next, we test Trinket on knowledge about herself. Um, well, it takes a reset, but she is able to tell me that she has a sister…who’s here!
MEET BAUBLE
Rose Seller has become Bauble…Trinket’s younger sister. You can’t say little as she is taller than Trinket. Normal sibling rivalry and other amusement follows as they are much the same in personality. The echoes of their shrieks of joy are still hurting my ears. They sing their granny’s Lullaby, which you might know as “The Guillotine.” After a moment of “panic” we safely boot Bauble off the stage and get back to “normal.” We discuss a party we have both been to, without saying much at all, then go back to singing about how badly we used to misunderstand men. We were “Lost in Translation.”
THE GREAT SWITCH
At that point, Trinket declares I am not having enough fun. To remedy this, she takes off her blonde curls and sticks them on my head. She pulls out a red wig that is exactly styled like my hair and then resets me. Suddenly, I am the giddy blonde and she is the serious Italian red. Hey, the colors were already switched. The audience goes nuts. Especially as I start discovering that I have girlie parts, and start bouncing. It’s became Stupina hits Puberty. Trinket just sat and scowled. At one point, I flipped my skirts over my butt and my hair fell off. At that moment, I became Italian again and the sigh of sadness was audible in the crowd. I yank off her red wig and she goes back to normal.
THE FINALE
To put us back to normal, Trinket pulls out my ukulele to sing our Revel Grove song. She then pulls out her ukulele…which is smaller…and pink. The audience cheers. She has learned her part and is ready to join in with me, but when I start, she doesn’t play. She assures me she has her part…which, by the end of the song, consists of 5 notes…not played consecutively. The audience is amused. Then, we go to pitch the CD’s, CDCB now has a blue coat over his pink. Trinket brings him up and pulls out a large carrot…he replied with 3 large carrots taped together. They end up eating each other’s…carrots with his having a bit of an extra wobble in it. I just watch in amusement. We pitch and finally end on the Parting Glass. The audience cheers and some give us a standing ovation. We pass the stage to the Hooligans and off we go.
ADVICE AND A PEE BREAK
We sign CDs and are told more than once that people laughed so hard their sides hurt or they peed a little, when they weren’t supposed to. These are actually rather high compliments, given the circumstances. We go to reset and an old friend who has moved in and amongst this business for a while sits and gives us some notes. Some we would have gotten with rehearsal, others just make us smile. He inspires us to try to go a bit farther with our travels. I would enjoy that. After many thank yous, I run to the privy myself, after getting rid of the line with some help. I head back and run the slide line and clear it. People are still as slow and rude as ever, but I guess there are less of them, and I need to pee again and use a privy when done. Yeesh.
THE LESSON AND RETURN
I wander back about and see the gentleman who had been preparing for me. We set a space and he tosses his hat under his feet, which ends up in front of them. I hope his peripheral vision is good because he may trip on it if he keeps eye contact. He steps smoothly. His execution is meticulous and accurate and I am well pleased with his progress. This calls for a reward. The ladies nearby, all wenches, help me find the right spot, which ends up being in front of the petting zoo. I give out my one and ONLY ear trick of the season. There were pictures, I don’t know if they turned out, but have been asked to request copies if they have, digital is fine Vyxen. ;-) He is amazingly able to stand. I thank him verbally and head on my way.
LUNCH?
I realize it is getting late and if I am to drink later today, I MUST have food. I head to the sun bowl and get a wrap, which has tended to be my food preference for much of the season. I take my lunch and wander a bit and finally find some patrons to eat with at O’Shucks. A woman there begins talking to me and wanting to meet me outside of faire. Turns out, her friend is having a birthday, so I sing to her, in Italian. We are then joined by a gentleman in costume who is clearly a regular. We both have recommendations in the village for the ladies and I am asked a few questions that are very close to blowing my cover. I am able to get around them and as the group separates, I move on my merry way, still in character.
THE LAST LOUNGE
I wander back toward the sun bowl and to the Courtesean’s Coterie. Merliee veritably shrieks when she sees me, as my colors are now clashing with hers. We share a song and a final farewell and I head back along my way. I run into Quislet who notes he has something for me for later and we check times. I wander and am stopped by the front man at Leather Rose and we joke about waking him up (our sound checks have been his alarm clock and we called his name that morning on purpose). He has been festive today and is not as focused as normal. I wander off after finding myself amused by assorted passers by.
A ROSE BY ANOTHER NAME…WHICH I COULD HAVE BEEN TOLD
I am delivered a rose with a message poetic and sweet. I ask if I am allowed to know who sent it…no. ok. I find my way to the top of Stub Toe and sit to chat with some patrons when I am approached by another rose seller, with another rose, and another line of poetry, and no clue as to who sent it, but there are 4 more coming. This rose seller also mentions what she thinks might be questionable behavior in the village by workers, in front of these un-costumed random patrons. Even if it was true, you just DON’T talk about that kind of stuff in front of patrons. Bad form. Comments like that are how we can get an awful reputation, especially if they are assumptions and inaccurate. I do my damage control and she wanders away. I am approached by a 3rd rose seller who again has poetry, a rose, but no name. I am confused, the patrons are amused, and I am off to my final treat.
THAT TIME
At 5:30, I am off the clock, and at that moment, I can have my first chocolate and alcohol of the season. I am at the petting zoo at 5:20 bag in hand, forgive me for my enthusiasm. I bring my own chocolate because I know what I like and I like being sure I have it. It is just about that time when Quislet arrives with a taste of tawny porto and what he calls an average chocolate, Scharfenberger (sp). My eyes light up as this is what I used to such good effect in Wisconsin. We are stopped by 3 more roses, one delivered by Trinket, and none telling me who they are from. He offers the bar and I break off a piece, and begin to cry…then laugh, then turn bright red and cry again. Yeah, I like chocolate; I just can’t have it often. The second piece is just as good. The third I use to partake of the port and Quislet does as well. The epicurean in him appreciates my little addiction. I am offered other creamy chocolate sweets, but right now, they are too much. It is not sugar I crave, but cacao and slightly bitter isn’t a bad thing. I save them for later. Next, Hemloche provides me with the elixir I have had hidden in preparation. I donate the rest of it to the SM-A to keep the show in good spirits.
FINAL PUB SING
It’s finally time to start Pub Sing. We have our set list. There is a crew from a university filming about the family of faire. They are all over the pub getting both stage and audience shots. I note to the woman near me that I will move if she needs and on occasion, show her where to point the camera next, as I know what is going to happen. We start the show with Auld Lang Sine. It is a farewell to a member of our family who passed the weekend before. It hits others in many other, rather deep ways and I sit with one woman who needs a moment. She tells me of what the song means to her, and I appreciate it well. I stay with her till the song is over.
THE CROWD CONTROL
Because of safety issues, we need to keep the aisles as clear as possible. Its one reason I stand at or near the pole during the show. It also helps sight lines for other sitting behind. Today, there are many talking outside and others want to hear, so they keep walking forward, but they can’t stand where they are. I find seats for those I can and am grateful to those at tables who share their space with those who want to be in the same moment. Thank you from the depths of my heart and sanity for that.
ATMOSPHERE MAKERS
There is not much dancy music, but there are a few upbeat numbers. I take to dancing during one and realize my feet are being filmed…oh heck, I wasn’t planning on dancing the whole song. I don’t even do it right. I go for a while then switch back to clapping and encouraging the crowd. I wander to the edges of the pub and to share some of the wonderful vino I am finally partaking of. As we get closer to the end, Trinket and I come up on stage to share the Parting Glass with our family away from home. The last songs are appropriately poignant, sad, and warming. The King says his farewell, and we finish, just the kids. There is no comedy ending, it is a soft farewell of sorts. The lights go out, the people all grab their odds and ends and I gather the necessities and leave the rest for the morning.
THE CRAZIES
I head back to the costume house and while walking it suddenly dawns on me that the faire is over for the season. I start to cry while walking. Back at the costume house, I grab my check, and rush to get changed. I feel bad as I know Stitch has things to do as well, but I am so far behind. I am one of the last 3-4 people left trying to clean up. She leaves me in charge to lock up. I am fine with this. I continue to pack up. As I am getting ready to finish, one of the SMs comes in and says they will lock up, I have been left in charge and tell them I will wait. As they are just about done, ANOTHER SM comes in. This time, I know the person has been changing after the fact all season. Screw it, my ride is here and he is the ONLY person left. He can lock up, we lock our side, and leave.
AMONG FRIENDS
The party is at a smaller location than normal, so parking is at a premium, as is seating. The food is good, the service is keeping up with us, and in the meantime, I can be social. With the exception of one particularly snarky and relatively uncalled for comment, I have a great time talking to everyone. I eat seared tuna (yayee seafood) have another glass of wine (ménage a trios-red for those who care) and cry over the drippings from the chocolate cake someone ate. It was really good cake. I table hop. My ride there leaves for their second spot and we agree if I can’t get the ride I was expecting to call them. I check with that person and they are not able to take me. Ok, time to play it by ear. After more socializing, I see most are leaving and I check with a kindly group going my way. They agree to drop me at my home, I am grateful.
IT’S OVER
I am home before the others and feel this odd sense of empty. It just ended so very quickly and so very early it seemed. I unpack, clean up a bit, and crawl into bed. The Hoods are home soon and we talk a bit. I can’t quite sleep, but eventually do. Next morning, I head to site early, grab my stuff from the costume house and the White Hart, and stop by the Bizarre Bazaar…that is after almost killing myself in a car accident. Short story, I was stupid, lost control of the car, spun 360 and ended up facing forward center lane in a stalled car on 97. No one hit me, I hit no one. I only ended up with a tire that had a slow leak. I count myself lucky. I said thank you a lot.
REMINISCENCE
Back on site, I didn’t quite want to leave. I said many goodbyes, gave hugs, and finally took off home to meet up with the Hoods for all you can eat sushi. Our original plan back in August was the 3 of us. It turned out to be about 24-26 of us. We filled the front room and had a great time. It was a wonderful way to end the season. The jouster types had to leave after the meal but the rest of us told stories until we feared they would throw us out. So we left. We went home, and I began to put the faire away until next year.
IN CONCLUSION
I cannot thank you all enough for your support, enjoyment, and sense of play this season. This place is very special to us all, I know that, and I feel blessed to be able to share the gifts I have with all of you each year. This was one of my best seasons ever. It was incredible fun and there is no way it could have been done without each and every one of you. As Trinket and I say, we thank you for your laughter and your voices.
Until we meet again, I give you my joy, my happiness and my best wishes for an incredible year…
See you in the Grove…
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(Beth, Tiger's friend)