Md Part Otto...REALLY LATE, I know
Nov. 19th, 2008 09:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ptpgradMd part otto
Ok, before I even start this I know this is very late coming out. I preapologize for the missed info, order, details, etc. Let’s see what we can remember.
LA FAMIGLIA
Friday not only included my normal running around, but also some preparations for the arrival of my parents. Once I run to site early, I take over my stuff and help Robin Hood move a table and set some things in the White Hart Backstage area. Then, back to the house for work and some last minute cleaning up. My parents come to festival once a year to see the shows, etc. Once they arrive, we catch up and with the Hood’s go to Noodles and Co for a tasty and healthy dinner. Back at the house, we catch up more and I get to sleep relatively on time. Morning still comes too dark and too early these days. I had prepped my clothing, so I am dressed and ready much earlier. I wanted to be moving sooner as the Hood’s are running Pub Sing and wanted to get to site early. I also don’t want to run the blender while both parents are still asleep, so I head out and try to get brekkies at a new place. I regret this choice as the line is long.
FEED THE WORLD, ONE SOUND MAN AT A TIME.
I realize on the way to site that I got too much food. OOF. I only eat one sandwich and leave the other for a hungry soul. Site is a bit chilly still as it is before 7:30 when I get to the stage. Trinket had a late night at the Cheeky Monkey show the night before and is, ironically, running late. I take the time to dance around the stage. While doing so, I am met by the Sound God. When he heads past me to do his next bit of work, I ask him if he has had breakfast, he has not. He gets my additional sandwich while it is still minutely warm. By the time he gets to eat it, I fear it is already cold. Soon enough, I am ready for hair and realize I forgot my spray, Crap. Ok, either it dropped in the costume house or I borrow Trinket’s spray later. The curls don’t stay on their own.
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW
I head off to the White Hart where Trinket is already talking with Robin Hood, Sound God, and Mirth. They are setting up the space and Trinket and I get our sound together and run cables. While testing, our secret weapon showed up and we discuss and run the special surprise bit for closing day. It has great potential and I am very excited. Next, we run more sound and sort items for the weekend. We have a special visitor in Scapino so we need to decide how we are going to mic him for the show. We finish and I head to the costume house to get ready.
BRISK BEGINNINGS
It’s a bit chill, so changing is not an appetizing concept, but the day is promised to be warmer. I decide it’s time to pull out the Free Hugs sign again as it works well with big crowds and cool temps. I put on socks, get my shawl and head out to the Lyric for morning meeting. There are plans and much amusement. We Beep and finish our meeting after getting notes about the shows that are visiting and the upcoming fun.
LAST MOMENTS
I head to the gate, go to the quiet privies, then take my spot. Soon enough the boom happens after an all too short conversation with Anna. I take my spot on the fountain and keep my head down low as the horses enter. I remembered hearing once they might be spooked by the face I wear. Hell, humans are, but I can speak to them and that seems to help. They remount quickly and head out into the village at a slight canter with the boom. People come pouring in. It’s one of “those” days when I know in the first 10 minutes we are going to be slammed and hard. This is good as the faire attendance has been small and to have a job in the future, I kinda need an audience.
HUG ME
I have my free hugs sign again and the response is rather intense. Today’s annoying hug is from a guy who hugs me and then jumps up at my face thereby making me bite my own tongue. Otherwise, I love the responses from the patrons of all types. Teens getting so excited, adults waiting to hear my voice before they will hug me. Older men and women and tiny children. It’s aerobic work as the sign is rather heavy, but I enjoy it and it gives me a great rush for the weekend.
SWITCHING GEARS
I realize it’s now time to go in and head back to the Costume House giving out the last of my surplus hugs making up for the rain weekend. The last hug is for someone who works in the village and away I go. I peel off my face and head down the hill. I start getting changed and hear I have more costuming on its way. I switch over my money and other materials from point A to point B. Then a costume switch and other fixing stuff. I keep walking out and coming back in forgetting things. I am handed chocolate from Juliet as an apology/thank you for getting dirt on the pantaloons I lent her. I told her to use bleach and it’s ok. I set aside the chocolate till next week.
OFF TO BEGIN AGAIN
I head toward the White Hart dropping off a thank you to a soul who was helpful, then to the pub. On the way I am verbally accosted by a man who was determined that I smell his rose. It smelled nice, I suppose. Off I head to the stage area and to begin to prep for the show, mic up, and sort through the extra stuff that is in the area. The show comes quickly and in the house I see family. Luckily, they sit in the area that my partner is wandering through, as flirting with my dad would just be squicky. We do the shows that they have not seen yet.
LUNCH WITHOUT FOOD
The show went well and we sign many CDs as my parents head off and let me know where I can find them. Once we are done, I head off to lunch. The lines are long and I don’t see anything that I want right now. I find my mom and join her at a table. There isn’t much room and I hold what I can as she goes off to get food. Once they are back, we chat a bit and I include those around me. I try to keep my “I am from Italy” stance, which confuses a woman when she thinks this American is my mom, but I call her my friend. Mom understands and just smiles a bit and doesn’t speak. Soon enough, it’s time to go, but I never had lunch.
SHOW THE 3RD, NO SECOND…
I head back to the stage and mic up again. Time for the second show. Again, the audience is full and having fun. My parents have to sit farther back in the center section, but they can see and hear us. This show includes the song written by myself and Z. Mulls, who they know rather well. They also get to see how my dad’s suggestion from the year before panned out. For those of you who like our “There Was an Old Woman”…thank him. The initial concept and perhaps even the specific song suggestion, was from him. After the show, they say they are to head off to get some rest. I direct them to a friend’s space to rest if they need to. Turns out, they borrowed space, but didn’t take the nap they thought they would. The show itself goes well and we schmooze a bit before moving on.
PRIVY TIME
I head to the White Hart privy line, which is nonexistent, then to the Slide privy line, which is BIG. I step in and start to run the line. I am having the damnedest time making it work and doing what I can to not yell. FINALLY, I am gifted by the late, but welcome presence of Queen Maggie, who is NOT Mother Love this weekend, but is still inordinately helpful. We switch spots and start running the line quickly. We run out of paper again, and I run out of time. I have to leave to check out a specific show today, so I apologize and leave Maggie in control.
LUNCH ON THE RUN
I rush down to get a lunch of a steak on a stake and take it with me behind the scenes to head toward Gatehouse. I must get there to see the replacement in the show I directed. Trinket is filling in for one of the actresses who had to leave early. She is ready, albeit a bit nervous as she really only watched the show and ran it once with the actors, and not completely in context. I head out to the audience and see my parents and sit behind them to see the show.
THE LITTLE PINK PIG
Trinket, all in pink, since it works with this character, does very well. She gets laughs that are different than the current actress. She is different…and she totally gets my timing, so she is finding new energy for the role. Please note, the actress that does the show normally is VERY good. I said “different”, not better. So there. The show ends well, I say a few words of goodbye to my parents, do a small amount of gate duty, then head in. So far, my sister, who was also supposed to be here, has not arrived…it’s that busy and I know she was coming later in the day.
THROUGH THE STREETS
Back in the village, I stop briefly and say hello to Bertilda then check the privy line, which I make short work of, and head back in. I wander about chatting with patrons, stop by the slide line again to move it along, and finally head to the petting zoo to begin prepping for Pub Sing. There, I see that my sister has finally arrived. She introduces me to her friend and she says hi to Robin Hood. She is in short sleeves and the night is promising chilly, so I lend her my scarf and let her know I will grab another one.
HAT TALES
There is much last minute preparation and finagling for the pub sing, but with so many parts, this is almost the norm. I am amused by the evolution of the hats that Robin and Marian made, as I watched them all being created weeks ago. During that time, Robin asked me if I would wear one. My reply…”can it be blue?” and he laughingly agreed. So, Trinket and I got blue and pink hats. We are the envy of a few who like the personalized chapeaus (Trinket and I dressed ours up before). Mine is having issues with balance and staying on my head, but I don’t have extra bobby pins. I am chuckling over how everyone has decided to wear theirs..the O’Danny’s turning their head dresses around so they fit better, the Hooligan’s wearing them at various angles, even the Rogues donning the green felt. It was really fun.
THE ROBIN HOOD SHOW BEGINS
There is a great energy around and Robin and Marian have pulled in a lot of acts that don’t perform at pub sing much as well as the regulars. They even have both the O’Danny’s AND the Interpreters perform in the same day, proving once and for all that we are NOT the same act and can be seen in the same place at the same time. My hat won’t stay on my head and I give up. We do an abbreviated version of Captain’s Daughter, which goes over well.
IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
I have been listening to the planning stages for the past weeks, and it’s been amusing and fun. The show goes well, though a few songs are a bit longer than expected, but it all ends up good and the audience is both amused and touched…mostly in good places. The cannon booms, and I head to my sister to get my scarf, while she heads to me, in the dark. Can you see where this is going? I end up getting my scarf from Robin Hood back at the costume house later and don’t get to say goodbye to my sis. Ah well.
WAITING WAITING
The parking lot is, well, a parking lot. So we all sit and wait. People start to brave the crowd, but I like to wait a bit longer and finally head out. I grab dinner with a few friends and head back home to fix my hat so it is prettier and put a bobby pin with it so it will stay on. I crash and morning comes quicker than expected. It’s cold again this morning, so I am layered and scarfed. I get ready at the Gatehouse and head over to the White Hart.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Tonight, we are doing something different for Pub Sing, so we have to do a bit extra with the sound check and I have to bring in an extension chord so everyone has power. Once that is done, and we do our regular check, we rehearse a bit more with our special surprise for closing day (which you all know about now). Things are progressing and we are expecting some nice surprises for closing day. We also start joking about another kids song and the start of an evile idea is burgeoning. Now, it’s time to change.
LESS IS MORE
I put on Stupina in the dressing room. It’s chilly again, so I go for the Free Hugs sign. I don’t use the whole drapey scarf, but I grab another scarf to keep my throat warm. I head to morning meeting after a few stops and turn arounds. There is a mixed reaction to the cold weather. Some are THRILLED, others are FREEZING. This has been a season for all weather. I put on my head covering (the black part) a bit early to keep some body warmth in. Meeting goes over the normal odds and ends and I hear I was right about the size of the prior day’s crowd. I am always amused to see the Hermit starting to get into character. I recognize the base character he is transforming into, and it is starting to bubble even before the gates open. We BEEP and off we go.
TODAY’S HIT
I stop at the privy while it’s clean and quiet, then to gate to stretch. Again I can tell we are going to be hit pretty heavy, but the weather warrants it. I have more family and friends coming today, but again, not until later and I fear they will be stuck in traffic and miss most of the faire. Ah well. The boom happens, the gates open and the people pour in. Today’s annoying hug is from a child who while hugging me jumps up and his shoulder whallops me in the larynx. My immediate reaction is panic for my singing voice, but it appears to be well, if sore. More hugs, lines, and fun are had and I am glad to be able to make people smile and laugh as they pass by.
TRANSITION WITH A MUSICAL TWIST
I head to the costume house to begin to change. Juliet is there already, as is Trinket. We are talking about the song we started playing with, and Juliet sings another version of the lyrics to us…OH DEAR GOD. At that moment, we begin to start writing the new verses and giggling maniacally. Juliet promises to send us the original material for us to base this off of. We continue transforming and finally head out to the street giggling the whole time.
THE FINAL HIT, BUT EARLY
So the person I am hitting in the Romance Wars is leaving this weekend, so I have to give him his final hit this weekend. Luckily, I got info from the women he works with so I was prepared, or I would have been stuck with his last hit that I had purchased weeks ago in preparation. Since I get to the stage early enough, I have a minute to head over to the massage booth, where he works. Yes, I am hitting the one man who works at the massage booth. I have been informed that my missives have been taken to his office to be framed and he is still a bit bemused and not sure how to take them…let’s just say, I don’t skimp on creativity. I get there, and he is out on a walk, but he has an appt shortly, so he should be here shortly the woman behind the counter says…and he arrives. I head in to give him his gift. In most of my letters they ended with “till we meet, I am your secret admirer,” or “until next time, I am, your secret admirer.” This one is signed “Look up, I am your Secret Admirer.” He reads the letter, gets near the end and says “does she realize it’s my last weekend here?” I tell him to re-read the sign off. He does and the recognition hits. He thanks me and lets me know he appreciated my creativity (which I had heard from the women who worked there already, but it’s nice to know for sure). I give him a hug and run to my show as he leaves for his appointment.
INTERPRETATION 1
Since I did the shows my parent’s hadn’t seen the day before, today, we are doing the first show. I see neither of the expected friends in the audience. The show goes well and we clear the stage quickly and head to the back to sign CD’s. Once done, I see some visitors from another land, one known for years, one new, who are both talking in silly German accents (trust me Anjabeth, these were silly). I catch up and meet and then head out to the streets for a brief chat around the village. It’s crowded again and I see the lines growing.
A SWEET TREAT
Back at the White Hart setting up, I am greeted by Quislet being a veritable serpent with a container of fresh picked apples. I am tempted and take one, but have the patience to save it for later. (Actually, 3 days later, I think, but it was YUMMY!) I head back to the stage and we gear up for show 2. I am stopped by Puck who asks if I would teach him the art of the Hand Kiss today. I tell him I will do so after the show. It’s a good audience and we have quite a crowd afterwards to sign CDs. I keep passing off my mug for want of hands to Vaklam and CDCB. If it was empty, it could have gone on my belt, which was left off stage and not accessible. Ah, that’s the problem. As I am finishing up, I turn to see the first of the expected guests, my cousin M. He and his wife have arrived and JUST missed the show. I make them buy a CD. I also provide him with his 2 t-shirts that I found in Hawaii for him. He is very happy.
FAMILY BREAK
Since he did not see the show, I walk him and his toward food and his family, who have a wandered off and are not answering their cell phones. Finally, they do pick up and we meet them up by the food court. M leaves to use the privy and sanitize his hands while I chat with the others. I also pick at the patrons around us, which is my nature and my job. M comes back and after a bit longer, I give them advice on what to do during their limited time (what shows should we see? Well, what do you like? I don’t know what’s good? What do you like watching and I will tell you which of that type is good? But what’s good?…yeah, you see where this is going). I leave them with a heavily marked up and notated program when it dawns on me that I owed Puck a lesson, RASSAFRASSA. I say my good byes and rush back to the White Hart to find him.
LESSONS UNDER DURESS
The festival site is really crowded now. I don’t see Puck immediately and head into the pub to find him, trying to be unobvious to not disturb the show currently going on. I find his wife who directs me outside the pub, where I finally find him. I begin to give him the lesson. It’s almost impossible to find a clear space to be big and hold attention. I get a few people watching, but a large number are just walking through…the bit. His poor wife is trying to take pics and ends up with a person’s body in between us and her a few times. Sadlly, it was a tough one. He was a wonderfully apt pupil and did well, but I was frustrated that I felt I wasn’t able to give him his due. Ah well, he learned a few tricks, and that is what matters. I say goodbye and thank him for wanting to learn.
IT’S A CROWDED DAY, SO WHAT DO YOU DO?
Privy Duty! Yeah, it’s off to the down the hill line for a bit till it’s gone and to the slide line till it’s gone…which was easier than I thought. I am able to clear both lines in perhaps an hour, which makes me do the happy dance, followed by using a privy myself. Now that that’s done, I have nothing better to do than wander the streets and say hellos. In wandering by the petting zoo, I am informed that some man is looking for me. I have a vague suspicion that it might be the second person I am possibly expecting, but there was no description and I am not sure. Oh well. I head by Art of the Wood and gently harass the guests of the booth when I realize I haven’t eaten. Time for a trip to the Steak on Stake booth.
MMMMMM, MEAT
I head to the booth and with the lines, go to the back and ask for a moo’er. MmmMmMmMMM. I walk with my meat as there aren’t many seats. I am rather hungry and I make quick work of it leaving just a poor thin stick in its wake. I wander a bit more and find myself back on Kenwood but at the other end, I do a quick walk through Bullseye for hello/goodbyes and then wander up to work the ATM lane, which is long, even though the privy line is not. I ask what is at the end of this line, it must be a great ride if everyone wants to get on it. Some tell me I can get money, others tell me I need plastic, and others just want to talk about anything else. It’s a good conversation and the line goes down some…but my feet are not liking me. It’s time to sit.
TIME WITH AN ELEGANT LADY
I see the Courtesean’s Coterie and stop by to sit and “lounge” …trust me, it’s not easy to do in a corset. She is entertaining passers by and I join in where I can. We have taken to playing “187” with subjects from the visitors and quite enjoy punning with each other. She sings and tells tales and I join in where I can, or just pose and look pretty for photographs. Soon enough, it’s time for me to get ready for the Pub Sing, so I take my leave and head to get my fixed hat and head to the zoo.
ONE MISSING ONE FOUND
I arrive with my hat to find that Trinket can’t find hers. She is frustrated and I feel bad as I had complained about hers looking better than mine all the day before. Today, mine is pinned on, dressed up, and I feel overdressed next to Trinket’s plain green with the pink feather. We run some changes and get mics ready for the show. Today, we will be singing in the crowd, which hasn’t happened at a pub sing for quite a while, so there has been extra prep and there will be another sound check. As I am getting ready to head over, I see him.
THE BEGINNING FROM A GREAT ADVENTURE
DG has arrived and finds me. DG is my VERY FIRST BOYFRIEND EVER…really. Having met when I was 15, we have kept in touch on and off for some of the time and got reacquainted each other through myspace. He, his wife, and his daughter have all arrived…equally delayed in traffic, and got to faire not too much before. While he has missed the main shows, he will get to see the Pub Sing, so I direct him in to grab a seat…on the aisle. I also send CDCB to him as he wants to get a CD. I then go to sound check. There is a bit of a chaotic nature to the stage today with the arrival of a peg…legged pyrate. Um, I look at men’s eyes, so I didn’t notice the odd protrusion until he told me to look down. Good thing too as I could have been impaled when I wasn’t looking. I would have wanted to know about that.
PUT YOUR SHOULDER OVER HERE
We start the show and Robin continues to bring on unusual entertainment. We start our song in the audience to make sure they are aware of where we will be. The song sheet helps the crowd follow along on the chorus quickly. Luckily, DG is on my side of the crowd and I use him for one of the verses. This makes me happy…I think it did him as well. The audience seems to like Trinket and my interaction and the comedy really gets good laughs. Once the song is done, I wander around encouraging the crowd. I also find a rose seller to wander to DG’s wife with a message “The best one won.” I see her with it later, and this makes me happy. Also to the stage is “O” and The Hermit sings in the crowd using my old BF as well. It’s pretty funny.
DARKNESS CAN”T HIDE YOU
The pub sing runs long then shortens up to fix the long. There is much more behind the scenes craziness than anyone in the crowd did or should ever know about. The pub sing ends well and in the dark, I head to hug DG and his kin once more, then head back to gather props, etc. As I am heading toward the area, I see Security and the light is already on in the closet. It seems that some random teens have decided to go searching through the closet to see what they could find. It doesn’t appear that they have gotten anything, but caught. But it scares the bejeezus out of me because there is much of value to Trinket and me in there. I am again glad that CDCB had a lock box for the cash that no one could take. I gather my things a bit frantically and shaken while RH and MM are trying to add their items to the mix and get back to the costume house on time. I get most of what I need and head away.
RUSHING FOR BURGERS
I head back, change as quickly as I can (which means I am still one of the last ones out of there) and head out. I find a group going to Cheeburger Cheeburger for a thoroughly unhealthy meal, but it is a pleasure of company and comfort food, I feel rather comatose from the long crazy week and the preparation for the longer week ahead. I enjoy the time though and great stories are shared. These moments of comraderie are what the festival is for me.
Normally, this is where I announce things about the next weekend of faire, but as you all know, it ended just a month ago today. Hopefully, I will have more to share come March, but until there are tales to tell, I leave you with these happy memories and the hope to share many more with you.
Tlll next time…
Ok, before I even start this I know this is very late coming out. I preapologize for the missed info, order, details, etc. Let’s see what we can remember.
LA FAMIGLIA
Friday not only included my normal running around, but also some preparations for the arrival of my parents. Once I run to site early, I take over my stuff and help Robin Hood move a table and set some things in the White Hart Backstage area. Then, back to the house for work and some last minute cleaning up. My parents come to festival once a year to see the shows, etc. Once they arrive, we catch up and with the Hood’s go to Noodles and Co for a tasty and healthy dinner. Back at the house, we catch up more and I get to sleep relatively on time. Morning still comes too dark and too early these days. I had prepped my clothing, so I am dressed and ready much earlier. I wanted to be moving sooner as the Hood’s are running Pub Sing and wanted to get to site early. I also don’t want to run the blender while both parents are still asleep, so I head out and try to get brekkies at a new place. I regret this choice as the line is long.
FEED THE WORLD, ONE SOUND MAN AT A TIME.
I realize on the way to site that I got too much food. OOF. I only eat one sandwich and leave the other for a hungry soul. Site is a bit chilly still as it is before 7:30 when I get to the stage. Trinket had a late night at the Cheeky Monkey show the night before and is, ironically, running late. I take the time to dance around the stage. While doing so, I am met by the Sound God. When he heads past me to do his next bit of work, I ask him if he has had breakfast, he has not. He gets my additional sandwich while it is still minutely warm. By the time he gets to eat it, I fear it is already cold. Soon enough, I am ready for hair and realize I forgot my spray, Crap. Ok, either it dropped in the costume house or I borrow Trinket’s spray later. The curls don’t stay on their own.
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW
I head off to the White Hart where Trinket is already talking with Robin Hood, Sound God, and Mirth. They are setting up the space and Trinket and I get our sound together and run cables. While testing, our secret weapon showed up and we discuss and run the special surprise bit for closing day. It has great potential and I am very excited. Next, we run more sound and sort items for the weekend. We have a special visitor in Scapino so we need to decide how we are going to mic him for the show. We finish and I head to the costume house to get ready.
BRISK BEGINNINGS
It’s a bit chill, so changing is not an appetizing concept, but the day is promised to be warmer. I decide it’s time to pull out the Free Hugs sign again as it works well with big crowds and cool temps. I put on socks, get my shawl and head out to the Lyric for morning meeting. There are plans and much amusement. We Beep and finish our meeting after getting notes about the shows that are visiting and the upcoming fun.
LAST MOMENTS
I head to the gate, go to the quiet privies, then take my spot. Soon enough the boom happens after an all too short conversation with Anna. I take my spot on the fountain and keep my head down low as the horses enter. I remembered hearing once they might be spooked by the face I wear. Hell, humans are, but I can speak to them and that seems to help. They remount quickly and head out into the village at a slight canter with the boom. People come pouring in. It’s one of “those” days when I know in the first 10 minutes we are going to be slammed and hard. This is good as the faire attendance has been small and to have a job in the future, I kinda need an audience.
HUG ME
I have my free hugs sign again and the response is rather intense. Today’s annoying hug is from a guy who hugs me and then jumps up at my face thereby making me bite my own tongue. Otherwise, I love the responses from the patrons of all types. Teens getting so excited, adults waiting to hear my voice before they will hug me. Older men and women and tiny children. It’s aerobic work as the sign is rather heavy, but I enjoy it and it gives me a great rush for the weekend.
SWITCHING GEARS
I realize it’s now time to go in and head back to the Costume House giving out the last of my surplus hugs making up for the rain weekend. The last hug is for someone who works in the village and away I go. I peel off my face and head down the hill. I start getting changed and hear I have more costuming on its way. I switch over my money and other materials from point A to point B. Then a costume switch and other fixing stuff. I keep walking out and coming back in forgetting things. I am handed chocolate from Juliet as an apology/thank you for getting dirt on the pantaloons I lent her. I told her to use bleach and it’s ok. I set aside the chocolate till next week.
OFF TO BEGIN AGAIN
I head toward the White Hart dropping off a thank you to a soul who was helpful, then to the pub. On the way I am verbally accosted by a man who was determined that I smell his rose. It smelled nice, I suppose. Off I head to the stage area and to begin to prep for the show, mic up, and sort through the extra stuff that is in the area. The show comes quickly and in the house I see family. Luckily, they sit in the area that my partner is wandering through, as flirting with my dad would just be squicky. We do the shows that they have not seen yet.
LUNCH WITHOUT FOOD
The show went well and we sign many CDs as my parents head off and let me know where I can find them. Once we are done, I head off to lunch. The lines are long and I don’t see anything that I want right now. I find my mom and join her at a table. There isn’t much room and I hold what I can as she goes off to get food. Once they are back, we chat a bit and I include those around me. I try to keep my “I am from Italy” stance, which confuses a woman when she thinks this American is my mom, but I call her my friend. Mom understands and just smiles a bit and doesn’t speak. Soon enough, it’s time to go, but I never had lunch.
SHOW THE 3RD, NO SECOND…
I head back to the stage and mic up again. Time for the second show. Again, the audience is full and having fun. My parents have to sit farther back in the center section, but they can see and hear us. This show includes the song written by myself and Z. Mulls, who they know rather well. They also get to see how my dad’s suggestion from the year before panned out. For those of you who like our “There Was an Old Woman”…thank him. The initial concept and perhaps even the specific song suggestion, was from him. After the show, they say they are to head off to get some rest. I direct them to a friend’s space to rest if they need to. Turns out, they borrowed space, but didn’t take the nap they thought they would. The show itself goes well and we schmooze a bit before moving on.
PRIVY TIME
I head to the White Hart privy line, which is nonexistent, then to the Slide privy line, which is BIG. I step in and start to run the line. I am having the damnedest time making it work and doing what I can to not yell. FINALLY, I am gifted by the late, but welcome presence of Queen Maggie, who is NOT Mother Love this weekend, but is still inordinately helpful. We switch spots and start running the line quickly. We run out of paper again, and I run out of time. I have to leave to check out a specific show today, so I apologize and leave Maggie in control.
LUNCH ON THE RUN
I rush down to get a lunch of a steak on a stake and take it with me behind the scenes to head toward Gatehouse. I must get there to see the replacement in the show I directed. Trinket is filling in for one of the actresses who had to leave early. She is ready, albeit a bit nervous as she really only watched the show and ran it once with the actors, and not completely in context. I head out to the audience and see my parents and sit behind them to see the show.
THE LITTLE PINK PIG
Trinket, all in pink, since it works with this character, does very well. She gets laughs that are different than the current actress. She is different…and she totally gets my timing, so she is finding new energy for the role. Please note, the actress that does the show normally is VERY good. I said “different”, not better. So there. The show ends well, I say a few words of goodbye to my parents, do a small amount of gate duty, then head in. So far, my sister, who was also supposed to be here, has not arrived…it’s that busy and I know she was coming later in the day.
THROUGH THE STREETS
Back in the village, I stop briefly and say hello to Bertilda then check the privy line, which I make short work of, and head back in. I wander about chatting with patrons, stop by the slide line again to move it along, and finally head to the petting zoo to begin prepping for Pub Sing. There, I see that my sister has finally arrived. She introduces me to her friend and she says hi to Robin Hood. She is in short sleeves and the night is promising chilly, so I lend her my scarf and let her know I will grab another one.
HAT TALES
There is much last minute preparation and finagling for the pub sing, but with so many parts, this is almost the norm. I am amused by the evolution of the hats that Robin and Marian made, as I watched them all being created weeks ago. During that time, Robin asked me if I would wear one. My reply…”can it be blue?” and he laughingly agreed. So, Trinket and I got blue and pink hats. We are the envy of a few who like the personalized chapeaus (Trinket and I dressed ours up before). Mine is having issues with balance and staying on my head, but I don’t have extra bobby pins. I am chuckling over how everyone has decided to wear theirs..the O’Danny’s turning their head dresses around so they fit better, the Hooligan’s wearing them at various angles, even the Rogues donning the green felt. It was really fun.
THE ROBIN HOOD SHOW BEGINS
There is a great energy around and Robin and Marian have pulled in a lot of acts that don’t perform at pub sing much as well as the regulars. They even have both the O’Danny’s AND the Interpreters perform in the same day, proving once and for all that we are NOT the same act and can be seen in the same place at the same time. My hat won’t stay on my head and I give up. We do an abbreviated version of Captain’s Daughter, which goes over well.
IT’S ALL IN THE DETAILS
I have been listening to the planning stages for the past weeks, and it’s been amusing and fun. The show goes well, though a few songs are a bit longer than expected, but it all ends up good and the audience is both amused and touched…mostly in good places. The cannon booms, and I head to my sister to get my scarf, while she heads to me, in the dark. Can you see where this is going? I end up getting my scarf from Robin Hood back at the costume house later and don’t get to say goodbye to my sis. Ah well.
WAITING WAITING
The parking lot is, well, a parking lot. So we all sit and wait. People start to brave the crowd, but I like to wait a bit longer and finally head out. I grab dinner with a few friends and head back home to fix my hat so it is prettier and put a bobby pin with it so it will stay on. I crash and morning comes quicker than expected. It’s cold again this morning, so I am layered and scarfed. I get ready at the Gatehouse and head over to the White Hart.
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Tonight, we are doing something different for Pub Sing, so we have to do a bit extra with the sound check and I have to bring in an extension chord so everyone has power. Once that is done, and we do our regular check, we rehearse a bit more with our special surprise for closing day (which you all know about now). Things are progressing and we are expecting some nice surprises for closing day. We also start joking about another kids song and the start of an evile idea is burgeoning. Now, it’s time to change.
LESS IS MORE
I put on Stupina in the dressing room. It’s chilly again, so I go for the Free Hugs sign. I don’t use the whole drapey scarf, but I grab another scarf to keep my throat warm. I head to morning meeting after a few stops and turn arounds. There is a mixed reaction to the cold weather. Some are THRILLED, others are FREEZING. This has been a season for all weather. I put on my head covering (the black part) a bit early to keep some body warmth in. Meeting goes over the normal odds and ends and I hear I was right about the size of the prior day’s crowd. I am always amused to see the Hermit starting to get into character. I recognize the base character he is transforming into, and it is starting to bubble even before the gates open. We BEEP and off we go.
TODAY’S HIT
I stop at the privy while it’s clean and quiet, then to gate to stretch. Again I can tell we are going to be hit pretty heavy, but the weather warrants it. I have more family and friends coming today, but again, not until later and I fear they will be stuck in traffic and miss most of the faire. Ah well. The boom happens, the gates open and the people pour in. Today’s annoying hug is from a child who while hugging me jumps up and his shoulder whallops me in the larynx. My immediate reaction is panic for my singing voice, but it appears to be well, if sore. More hugs, lines, and fun are had and I am glad to be able to make people smile and laugh as they pass by.
TRANSITION WITH A MUSICAL TWIST
I head to the costume house to begin to change. Juliet is there already, as is Trinket. We are talking about the song we started playing with, and Juliet sings another version of the lyrics to us…OH DEAR GOD. At that moment, we begin to start writing the new verses and giggling maniacally. Juliet promises to send us the original material for us to base this off of. We continue transforming and finally head out to the street giggling the whole time.
THE FINAL HIT, BUT EARLY
So the person I am hitting in the Romance Wars is leaving this weekend, so I have to give him his final hit this weekend. Luckily, I got info from the women he works with so I was prepared, or I would have been stuck with his last hit that I had purchased weeks ago in preparation. Since I get to the stage early enough, I have a minute to head over to the massage booth, where he works. Yes, I am hitting the one man who works at the massage booth. I have been informed that my missives have been taken to his office to be framed and he is still a bit bemused and not sure how to take them…let’s just say, I don’t skimp on creativity. I get there, and he is out on a walk, but he has an appt shortly, so he should be here shortly the woman behind the counter says…and he arrives. I head in to give him his gift. In most of my letters they ended with “till we meet, I am your secret admirer,” or “until next time, I am, your secret admirer.” This one is signed “Look up, I am your Secret Admirer.” He reads the letter, gets near the end and says “does she realize it’s my last weekend here?” I tell him to re-read the sign off. He does and the recognition hits. He thanks me and lets me know he appreciated my creativity (which I had heard from the women who worked there already, but it’s nice to know for sure). I give him a hug and run to my show as he leaves for his appointment.
INTERPRETATION 1
Since I did the shows my parent’s hadn’t seen the day before, today, we are doing the first show. I see neither of the expected friends in the audience. The show goes well and we clear the stage quickly and head to the back to sign CD’s. Once done, I see some visitors from another land, one known for years, one new, who are both talking in silly German accents (trust me Anjabeth, these were silly). I catch up and meet and then head out to the streets for a brief chat around the village. It’s crowded again and I see the lines growing.
A SWEET TREAT
Back at the White Hart setting up, I am greeted by Quislet being a veritable serpent with a container of fresh picked apples. I am tempted and take one, but have the patience to save it for later. (Actually, 3 days later, I think, but it was YUMMY!) I head back to the stage and we gear up for show 2. I am stopped by Puck who asks if I would teach him the art of the Hand Kiss today. I tell him I will do so after the show. It’s a good audience and we have quite a crowd afterwards to sign CDs. I keep passing off my mug for want of hands to Vaklam and CDCB. If it was empty, it could have gone on my belt, which was left off stage and not accessible. Ah, that’s the problem. As I am finishing up, I turn to see the first of the expected guests, my cousin M. He and his wife have arrived and JUST missed the show. I make them buy a CD. I also provide him with his 2 t-shirts that I found in Hawaii for him. He is very happy.
FAMILY BREAK
Since he did not see the show, I walk him and his toward food and his family, who have a wandered off and are not answering their cell phones. Finally, they do pick up and we meet them up by the food court. M leaves to use the privy and sanitize his hands while I chat with the others. I also pick at the patrons around us, which is my nature and my job. M comes back and after a bit longer, I give them advice on what to do during their limited time (what shows should we see? Well, what do you like? I don’t know what’s good? What do you like watching and I will tell you which of that type is good? But what’s good?…yeah, you see where this is going). I leave them with a heavily marked up and notated program when it dawns on me that I owed Puck a lesson, RASSAFRASSA. I say my good byes and rush back to the White Hart to find him.
LESSONS UNDER DURESS
The festival site is really crowded now. I don’t see Puck immediately and head into the pub to find him, trying to be unobvious to not disturb the show currently going on. I find his wife who directs me outside the pub, where I finally find him. I begin to give him the lesson. It’s almost impossible to find a clear space to be big and hold attention. I get a few people watching, but a large number are just walking through…the bit. His poor wife is trying to take pics and ends up with a person’s body in between us and her a few times. Sadlly, it was a tough one. He was a wonderfully apt pupil and did well, but I was frustrated that I felt I wasn’t able to give him his due. Ah well, he learned a few tricks, and that is what matters. I say goodbye and thank him for wanting to learn.
IT’S A CROWDED DAY, SO WHAT DO YOU DO?
Privy Duty! Yeah, it’s off to the down the hill line for a bit till it’s gone and to the slide line till it’s gone…which was easier than I thought. I am able to clear both lines in perhaps an hour, which makes me do the happy dance, followed by using a privy myself. Now that that’s done, I have nothing better to do than wander the streets and say hellos. In wandering by the petting zoo, I am informed that some man is looking for me. I have a vague suspicion that it might be the second person I am possibly expecting, but there was no description and I am not sure. Oh well. I head by Art of the Wood and gently harass the guests of the booth when I realize I haven’t eaten. Time for a trip to the Steak on Stake booth.
MMMMMM, MEAT
I head to the booth and with the lines, go to the back and ask for a moo’er. MmmMmMmMMM. I walk with my meat as there aren’t many seats. I am rather hungry and I make quick work of it leaving just a poor thin stick in its wake. I wander a bit more and find myself back on Kenwood but at the other end, I do a quick walk through Bullseye for hello/goodbyes and then wander up to work the ATM lane, which is long, even though the privy line is not. I ask what is at the end of this line, it must be a great ride if everyone wants to get on it. Some tell me I can get money, others tell me I need plastic, and others just want to talk about anything else. It’s a good conversation and the line goes down some…but my feet are not liking me. It’s time to sit.
TIME WITH AN ELEGANT LADY
I see the Courtesean’s Coterie and stop by to sit and “lounge” …trust me, it’s not easy to do in a corset. She is entertaining passers by and I join in where I can. We have taken to playing “187” with subjects from the visitors and quite enjoy punning with each other. She sings and tells tales and I join in where I can, or just pose and look pretty for photographs. Soon enough, it’s time for me to get ready for the Pub Sing, so I take my leave and head to get my fixed hat and head to the zoo.
ONE MISSING ONE FOUND
I arrive with my hat to find that Trinket can’t find hers. She is frustrated and I feel bad as I had complained about hers looking better than mine all the day before. Today, mine is pinned on, dressed up, and I feel overdressed next to Trinket’s plain green with the pink feather. We run some changes and get mics ready for the show. Today, we will be singing in the crowd, which hasn’t happened at a pub sing for quite a while, so there has been extra prep and there will be another sound check. As I am getting ready to head over, I see him.
THE BEGINNING FROM A GREAT ADVENTURE
DG has arrived and finds me. DG is my VERY FIRST BOYFRIEND EVER…really. Having met when I was 15, we have kept in touch on and off for some of the time and got reacquainted each other through myspace. He, his wife, and his daughter have all arrived…equally delayed in traffic, and got to faire not too much before. While he has missed the main shows, he will get to see the Pub Sing, so I direct him in to grab a seat…on the aisle. I also send CDCB to him as he wants to get a CD. I then go to sound check. There is a bit of a chaotic nature to the stage today with the arrival of a peg…legged pyrate. Um, I look at men’s eyes, so I didn’t notice the odd protrusion until he told me to look down. Good thing too as I could have been impaled when I wasn’t looking. I would have wanted to know about that.
PUT YOUR SHOULDER OVER HERE
We start the show and Robin continues to bring on unusual entertainment. We start our song in the audience to make sure they are aware of where we will be. The song sheet helps the crowd follow along on the chorus quickly. Luckily, DG is on my side of the crowd and I use him for one of the verses. This makes me happy…I think it did him as well. The audience seems to like Trinket and my interaction and the comedy really gets good laughs. Once the song is done, I wander around encouraging the crowd. I also find a rose seller to wander to DG’s wife with a message “The best one won.” I see her with it later, and this makes me happy. Also to the stage is “O” and The Hermit sings in the crowd using my old BF as well. It’s pretty funny.
DARKNESS CAN”T HIDE YOU
The pub sing runs long then shortens up to fix the long. There is much more behind the scenes craziness than anyone in the crowd did or should ever know about. The pub sing ends well and in the dark, I head to hug DG and his kin once more, then head back to gather props, etc. As I am heading toward the area, I see Security and the light is already on in the closet. It seems that some random teens have decided to go searching through the closet to see what they could find. It doesn’t appear that they have gotten anything, but caught. But it scares the bejeezus out of me because there is much of value to Trinket and me in there. I am again glad that CDCB had a lock box for the cash that no one could take. I gather my things a bit frantically and shaken while RH and MM are trying to add their items to the mix and get back to the costume house on time. I get most of what I need and head away.
RUSHING FOR BURGERS
I head back, change as quickly as I can (which means I am still one of the last ones out of there) and head out. I find a group going to Cheeburger Cheeburger for a thoroughly unhealthy meal, but it is a pleasure of company and comfort food, I feel rather comatose from the long crazy week and the preparation for the longer week ahead. I enjoy the time though and great stories are shared. These moments of comraderie are what the festival is for me.
Normally, this is where I announce things about the next weekend of faire, but as you all know, it ended just a month ago today. Hopefully, I will have more to share come March, but until there are tales to tell, I leave you with these happy memories and the hope to share many more with you.
Tlll next time…
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Date: 2008-11-20 03:31 am (UTC):)
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Date: 2008-11-20 02:34 pm (UTC)