MD part Tres, 2010
Sep. 15th, 2010 09:14 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ptpgradYes, I know 2 is missing...I am still recuperating, so I expect I have missed names, order, people, events and times. Hopefully, there is enough left to entertain...here we go.
PREPARING FOR THE NEXT ONES
So during the prior week, I developed a nasty cold due to the 3 days of dust previously and flying. This does not make me happy. I am mostly healed, but know that it’s fragile and more dust is not going to make me happy, there is rain in the forecast for Sunday, but I still have Saturday to get through. I have taken meds and finish working around 9pm, greet my houseguests and stay up far too late for me.
QUIET TIMES
In the morning, I head out to site after stopping for brekkies on the way. I am there early and get to the stage to stretch. My timing is a bit off and I remember to stretch then start getting make up and hair done, realizing belatedly that I really didn’t warm up my voice. I sit down to fix that, but can’t lie down as the post nasal and other ending cold symptoms make some of my stretches and moves impossible. I do what I can and head down to the costume house. Today is the first day without Stitch for the season, as she had to go take care of stuff. The costume house is opened on time with Mary Tudor organizing things and getting help from others to set up. I head in and we quietly get organized. I finish my things and head out to sound check.
NEAR THE END
I am at the end of my licorice root, which is bad, as I really need it today. I find out that Daisy has gotten something for me and hope I see her soon, which I haven’t yet. I use the last drops of my extract, grab some lozenges and pray. Sound check is a bit crazy as we have 4 mics to set up and balance and pieces are missing. We work it out, but I am late to meet some ladies with instruments and we run what we needed to at White Hart instead. Then, off to the meeting I go. Morning meeting has lots of notes, I am already seeing dust and am not pleased. I have Mr. Hand Sock with me as he can keep a layer of something between patrons and me as well as keep my neck warm. At the end of the meeting, we BEEP and I head to the costume house to pull something for a castmate, then head to gate. I sit on the far end of the fountain and talk shoes and more with Merrlilee Effingham. Soon enough, Master Teller arrives, I face up, they sound booms and in they all come.
USING MY HEAD
The first rush comes in and Master Teller takes lead on the tours of the village. Once the rush ends, I head outside with a stack of programs and sit down to work. 50 programs on my head and some stillness, I make people laugh and stare, point and jump, or just encourage others to take one. Quickly the stack is gone and another makes its way to my head. Soon after, I finish that stack and head back in. It’s still a bit early and I go to sit on Fairy Godmother’s chair. Little ones do come up to me and I pose for pics and chat with the tiny ones and the not so tiny ones. Eventually, its time for me to move on and I head in to get my smart hat from the White Hart.
SMART PREPARATIONS
I grab my hat and say hello to my charming bartender Dave, who I only gather ice from...then head toward the hill. I chat with a few patrons along the way and avoid the Evile Piland Baubles...Near the bottom of the hill I stop to welcome people to the stairs. I get a number of laughs and a few confused looks from kids. I am keeping my energy low as I have so much more to get through today. As I head down the hill, I meet a man who asks me where the Royal Pavilion is as he is looking for the Stupina show. I direct him and moments later join him and one other for the show.
THE ART OF THE ACTIVE AUDIENCE
So with an audience of 2 to start, it’s hard to get things going. The one gentleman has seen the show before and happily asks me questions he has heard and enjoyed previously. I give them some questions to answer, but there is a limit to what we can do and the new gentleman is not an active audience member. He is there to watch, not play. A few others join and it’s better, but he leaves. Soon after, Kitty Fisher, one of the town pub wenches, joins us as I am talking about Anne Boleyn. I am amused as she plays Anne in 6 Wives. I draw her into the conversation. I also talk about seeing the world from a different perspective and sit upside down in the throne with my legs up the back and my head over the seat. I invite one of the parents to do this as well and we both enjoy it, then I bring Kitty up to answer questions and we both sit upside down. I discover the crowd gets much bigger at those moments. Kitty and I are having a blast when the Lady Whitetonge stops by to cajole me into leaving. Kitty doesn’t realize this and almost gets us lost on a sidetrack, but soon enough, we say goodbye to the little audience and have fun wandering away.
TALES TO WENCHES
As we wander, I begin to share a story with Kitty about years ago and we stop briefly to grovel to Lady Latimer. I realize that today’s show did much better because of the shared energy and silliness with Kitty and decide I will be asking guests to join me each day from now on. This takes the pressure off of Stupina and the audience. I say goodbye to Kitty and leave her with her fellow wenches then head back to the White Hart to return my hat. On the way, I show off my tassels and eventually, head back toward my tree at O’Shucks. At the other side of O’Shucks, I meet up with the Sheriff and Deputy. Deputy Bellamy says I have been loitering and if I cannot prove I am not a vagrant, I will either have to go to gaol or hug the Sheriff. The poor officer didn’t know what hit him. Edmund Marshall flinches just like his brother-in-law. It’s cute.
A MOMENT OF RESPITE
I sit at my tree and chat with those walking by; I give directions, recommend shows and try not to scare a little girl. Mr., Hand Sock makes an appearance as well and coos for those who pet him. Soon enough, all my lozenges are gone and I head back to the costume house to change into the next incarnation. I gather more lozenges and pray I see Daisy soon. In the costume house, I pull out my new Scottish garb. Yes, Columbina has a tartan. It’s blue, on blue...same shade of blue...on blue...same shade again. But it’s silk and plaid weaved. This is as Scottish as this Italian will get on a festival day. I slowly get prepared happy that this chemise is not sheer and I can sit outside while getting ready. I get stories from the ladies and laugh while switching gears. Finally, it’s time to lace in and strap up. The new dress looks good and I am dressed and up the hill when I realize I have forgotten something I needed. Down the hill again and put on my jewelry...can’t be Columbina without sparklies. When out, I start chatting with patrons about their programs, the lovely little princesses, the day and the dust, which is getting heavy. I have fashioned a piece of sheer blue fabric to hang from the pearls I have in my hair. I can flip it to sing, but keep it over my face while walking site near the dust bowl. This keeps my coughing to a minimum, keeps me from getting others sick and helps protect my voice. And it’s blue and pretty. Everything a girl needs.
STARTING UP THE LUNGS
I get to White Hart and am handed the gift from Daisy. I open it and spray my throat, and begin coughing in earnest. Trinket has an inhaler, which should also help me, which I use and makes me cough so hard I am almost ill. Finally, my lungs settle down in time to wire up and head to the stage...well, SMDave and I head up alone. I remind everyone that last Monday was Trinket’s birthday and we didn’t celebrate so when she gets up on the stage, we should all yell “happy birthday, Trinket” I call her up and when I turn, it’s Bauble, not Trinket. She tells me that Trinket is all tied up for her birthday and she will be singing with me. Um, ok...Bauble and I sing Roll Me Over, which I sing melody for for the first time in years. At the end of the song, the Hermit comes from the back of the house with a bound and gagged Trinket on his shoulders. He complains that he came out of his shack and found this stuck in his stocking, but he doesn’t celebrate Blissmas. He didn’t unwrap it though, so I could return it, and pink is just not his color...dingy brown or green suit him better. I untie her and after a threat to tell her mom, Bauble and Trinket make up happily. We sing a little “lullaby” from their grandmother and off Bauble goes before she gets any ideas about being a star and getting paid. The rest of the show runs without a hitch and my voice miraculously lasts.
WANDERING IN A LOW KEY
Afterwards, we are greeted by our Canadian fans that managed to come to all of our shows this weekend and some other loyal fans that enjoy our music. It makes me happy to make others smile. Then there is the guy who is trying to just take a pic of my cleavage...I make my face fill half the space as I am more than what lies over my ribs. I may use them in my show, but it’s my choice how they are used, no one else’s. In between shows, I head over to get my steak and chat with patrons. Today is an older couple that had not been to the village before and I share some of my favorite food tips and shows. We talk of their last visits to Italy and when I was “home” last. Soon enough, I head back to the White Hart and make the attempt on my sore lungs to clear them off. Again, coughing fits, but not as bad. I do realize, I really need to get the licorice root extract, as the spray is just too aggressive on my throat. We wire up and get ready for the second show. Since it’s Scottish Weekend, we pull out the bodhran and sing our Celtic song show. We have a crowd that hasn’t seen the new material yet and they are laughing up a storm. I think this show is a good one. Again, my voice holds out much better than I expected. We finish and say hello to a few patrons before Trinket has to head over to the change to Katherine Howard. I help close up and head over to Tiger’s booth for tissues and a few other necessities. There, I try the spray and other items and cough so badly I can’t speak and almost throw up. I get out of the booth and on the back stairs to compose myself behind my silken mask. I am still wheezing and hacking, but at least they can’t see it as much.
ALTERNATIVE PLANS
I get to see some of Shakespeare Skum and Everyfool and eventually, with the generous gift of honey, water and a quiet space, I am able to get back to normal. I am still feeling a bit weak so I don’t try to bring out Baby Stupina, but rather wander a bit and chat with patrons much more low key. I practice the art of eye conversations and seduction and limit my speech in general. I am letting my voice rest, but each time I try to talk, it is sounding worse and worse. My volume is going and it is getting gravellier. I head to pyrate camp to meet with the ladies I am supposed to sing as a solo tonight, but I try, and it just doesn’t sound good. With profuse apologies to the ladies, I have to cancel for the evening. Luckily, it was perfect timing and our hosts are happily able to make an adjustment they were hoping for. This makes me feel much better. In the meantime, I am generously gifted with all kinds of herbal remedies and teas to try to heal the worst of the damage. Many don’t taste great, but they do ease the ache in my throat. We had planned another song for Trinket (who was actually going to be at the show after all) to fill in, but it is not needed this week.
SILENT, BUT PLAYFUL
I participate in Pub sing with the veil while off stage and without when on stage. I can see dust floating into open singing mouths as we perform and is makes my lungs sad. I am able to quietly participate in Health to the Company and the final song, but far quieter than normal and even lower than I usually sing. At least I can support those who did have voices left. The cannons boom and I gather my things and head backstage. There, I change and try to clear my lungs a bit. It is miserable. A group of us decide to go out for Chinese as I really am craving hot towels and hot and sour soup. I make sure the newer folks know how to get there and head off to Whole Foods to get the drops that I know they will have. I am so happy I buy two bottles of it while just about dancing to the front register. Once outside, I open the bottle and drop some of those wonderful drops on the back of my throat. Immediately, I feel the burning slow down and start to heal. Thank god.
NAUGHTY DINNER
Service is a bit slow, which is not normal, and we lose two at the table, but not before exchanging licorice for the other stuff...dinner is finally ordered and I am so very happy with my choices. Finally, hot towels, sherbet and...fortune cookies. 3 of our guests have not eaten here before and the first one who opens his cookie immediately hides his fortune and won’t share it. He might even have been blushing. When he realizes we all have filthy messages, he panics less and begins to be amused. It was a nice dinner with good company. My gang heads back to my place and we begin to watch “Zorro, the Gay Blade” while drinking cups of tea. I am worried about sleep but out last both of them and turn off the movie before Bunny even appears. Maybe next week. I head up to sleep and crash hard.
BLESSED HUMIDITY
I awake to a dark and dreary morning. I can hear the rain pouring and while this would normally fill me with dread, I am joyful! No dust on site, humidity in my lungs all day, this is perfect healing weather if I keep myself warm. I layer up, head out and get to site to park at the road so I don’t get stuck in the mud. I go to the top of gatehouse and begin to stretch and warm up. Luckily, since I cared so much for my voice the day before with tea and other remedies, I am hearing it again. It’s not perfect, but I have notes and with a volume push from friends, I should be ok. I finish stretching and begin with braids; I don’t bother with ringlets in the rain and revert to Columbina’s original hairstyle. For those of you that count, I believe it was 5 on top and 7 or 8 below...so only 12-14 today. I get the key and we head into the costume house. It is very subdued. Soon after I confirm that I will not be able to bring out Stupina, I pull out my turquoise tights and pull the new rain-gear Columbina on.
COSY AND DAMP
I verify that we are not bothering with a sound check, as we don’t know if we will even have sound at that point in the day. I get dressed, take more licorice and get ready for cast call being held at the Costume house. Once we beep, I pull out the magic hat of protection and scarf up, then head out. I am still coughing a lot, but I am pleased that I could sing a bit this morning, though my voice tires out quickly. At gate, I stay dry at the souvenir booth with a seat kindly offered to me. Then, I head to the fountain to stand there as gate opens and we greet the small group that comes in. It’s more crowded that I had even expected, but there are not enough people to stay up front and I head in. I wander a bit and chat with patrons and shopkeepers alike. I am informed that a man who used to work here is looking for me. After more clarification, I figure out what it is about and head down to the royal pavilion where they have sent him. It is still raining and I am not expecting anyone to show.
QUIET CONVERSATION
I arrive to the pavilion and sit on the throne under the covering. I am joined by one regular fan who thought he would see what would happen for Stupina’s show. I invite him to the queen’s chair in the dry and we chat. We talk about some issues he has had to deal with recently and I share tales of some moments I have loved in this shire. While there, the man I was expecting arrives and presents me with a very special surprise. I show it off to the other gent and some court and villagers when they arrive to prepare for the knighting ceremony. I am giddy and can’t wait to do more work to fix and finalize them for use. It is still missing one part, and I go off to remedy that.
TIME TO KILL
Normally, this is when I would change into Columbina, but I am already there, so I have more time to play. I head toward Art of the Wood and meet Merrilee Effingham in her coat of huge warmness. I wander over to Art and show them my new toy. They are pleased and help me figure out how to make the last part. They have thoughts and I hope to have something more specific shortly. MUHAHAHA.
ONCE A YEAR DAY
My favorite meal (and I will happily tell you this) at faire is to get the Canterbury pork pocket, sans pocket and have it served over fries. That’s skin on fries, covered in roasted shredded pork, covered in coleslaw and barbeque sauce. OH DEAR GOD it’s yummy! I only let myself have this once a season, as it’s a huge meal. I have time and it’s cold enough. I get my bowl from the White Hart, after climbing over all of the instruments and music stands of the other group who has placed their materials in front of our shelves and blocked any way for us to get to our props. Joy. I head over to Canterbury and get my meal. I take it to O’Shucks and sit with the drunks of the round table, who are not sitting at round tables at all, but filling all the square ones. I enjoy my meal while sharing some repartee with them, to much amusement. And they thought I only do this on stage...pishaw! Once my meal is done, it’s time for me to head toward the White Hart. On the way, I meat SMAdam who tells me that we can use sound as we have our own mics and won’t be risking their cables or mics. HECK YEAH! Save my lungs!
WIRED UP
We get ready for the first show. I wire up and we try to figure out which show we are going to do. While my voice is better, I don’t have high notes or volume, so we have to pick songs carefully. I find the appropriate show and we set up to get going. During the show, we get a bit off script. The audience is quite amused when after Professions, Trinket exclaims how she hates tea, only to see the teabag in her mug. The conversation starts to go downhill from there, especially as she squirts tea at me. I break both her and a few audience members...but it’s amusing. The crowd has a great time and we pass the stage in time to the Pyrates who also get to use the sound system too.
CATCHING THEM IN THE ACT
I head over to see some of Don Q. I know they aren’t using all the masks, but I want to see how they are adjusting. I have some thoughts, but hopefully this won’t happen again. I chat with a charming caber tosser, no, that isn’t code. Eventually, Copernicus joins me and we talk masks a bit. I head out and wander back to the White Hart for the second show. We still have sound, but just don’t know what to do with this weather, so we make it an all request show. I warn her that that will mean she will get a request for “that” song, and she says no...we get on stage, announce a request show, and the first song asked for is Sir Eglamore...BWAHAHAHA. I am more concerned as my part is high in that. We do well, we get a few other requests and at the end, do the pitch, but still have time. I turn to Trinket and, knowing her friends are in the audience, tell her to sing the Folksinger’s Song. I only sort of have a harmony for the chorus, but it’s the right day and the right crowd for it. I see a few tears in the audience when she is done and I am very happy. We finish on Parting Glass and I hear a few of my notes go away. We made it, and the audience is happy. That’s all that matters. After the show, we chat with our Canadians and others and Trinket heads off to be queen.
WANDERING AND GAMES
I wander out and chat with patrons as I make my way around the village. I stop for my peanut butter coated banana and make another circle around the village while eating it. I find myself back in what would normally be the sun bowl, but with mud and no sun. I meet up with some of the swashbucklers who are off to play Tarochi with Felonius and Cora. I watch as they bring in two other patrons, a young boy and his mother. They start to play and she asks what the rules are. After two cards, I can tell and mouth to her “there are no rules.” She understands and encourages her son to play “any card.” Then, they really get into it and the boy wins a coin. Everyone is happy. Cora and I play a bit of a prank on the boys and watch as one by one they fall silent. It makes us laugh. I flirt with Tobias much to Samuel’s chagrin. He turns to me and asks, “Auntie Columbina, are you going to flirt with ALL of my coworkers?” “Samuel, are you just meeting me now? Of course I will!” I wander back to the Pyrate Camp and sit toward the back hacking up a small lung and treating my throat. Trinket gets our song list and we pick a second song for the show. I realize, it’s Scottish weekend, so we should do Scotsman. I ask to borrow Kat’s bodhran as mine is natural skin and she says yes. I get my ribbon and head out early to pub sing.
PUB SING FOR THE LOYAL ONES
This pub sing is extremely silly with a rap version of 7 Nights Drunk and Daisy O’Danny breaking John Rugby, the king kissing his new bride and other silliness. Its mostly loyal fans and regulars, so they love this kind of show. There is a great energy amongst the cast this year in the show where I think we all are feeling freer to play and jump in for each other when/if needed. Just to fill in the moments with some rehearsed bits and real improv. I love that kind of play. Scotsman and Long is the Dark both go over well and I have managed to sing all of our songs for this day without losing my voice completely. I have 5 days to heal so next week, baring stupid dust, I should be back to normal.
SLOWING DOWN
After potentially going to dinner for the celebration of a goodly gentleman, my group decides to go to a quieter dinner (since we went to that place the night before). Salad bar, great service (Thanks Scotty/Tobey/Topher) and amusingly open conversation are the way of the night. I am happy...overall it was a great weekend. We slowly head out and make our several ways home. I am tuckered out, but feeling good.
Hopefully, I will be able to play catch up with weekend two soon, then, Irish weekend....where did I put that tartan.
PREPARING FOR THE NEXT ONES
So during the prior week, I developed a nasty cold due to the 3 days of dust previously and flying. This does not make me happy. I am mostly healed, but know that it’s fragile and more dust is not going to make me happy, there is rain in the forecast for Sunday, but I still have Saturday to get through. I have taken meds and finish working around 9pm, greet my houseguests and stay up far too late for me.
QUIET TIMES
In the morning, I head out to site after stopping for brekkies on the way. I am there early and get to the stage to stretch. My timing is a bit off and I remember to stretch then start getting make up and hair done, realizing belatedly that I really didn’t warm up my voice. I sit down to fix that, but can’t lie down as the post nasal and other ending cold symptoms make some of my stretches and moves impossible. I do what I can and head down to the costume house. Today is the first day without Stitch for the season, as she had to go take care of stuff. The costume house is opened on time with Mary Tudor organizing things and getting help from others to set up. I head in and we quietly get organized. I finish my things and head out to sound check.
NEAR THE END
I am at the end of my licorice root, which is bad, as I really need it today. I find out that Daisy has gotten something for me and hope I see her soon, which I haven’t yet. I use the last drops of my extract, grab some lozenges and pray. Sound check is a bit crazy as we have 4 mics to set up and balance and pieces are missing. We work it out, but I am late to meet some ladies with instruments and we run what we needed to at White Hart instead. Then, off to the meeting I go. Morning meeting has lots of notes, I am already seeing dust and am not pleased. I have Mr. Hand Sock with me as he can keep a layer of something between patrons and me as well as keep my neck warm. At the end of the meeting, we BEEP and I head to the costume house to pull something for a castmate, then head to gate. I sit on the far end of the fountain and talk shoes and more with Merrlilee Effingham. Soon enough, Master Teller arrives, I face up, they sound booms and in they all come.
USING MY HEAD
The first rush comes in and Master Teller takes lead on the tours of the village. Once the rush ends, I head outside with a stack of programs and sit down to work. 50 programs on my head and some stillness, I make people laugh and stare, point and jump, or just encourage others to take one. Quickly the stack is gone and another makes its way to my head. Soon after, I finish that stack and head back in. It’s still a bit early and I go to sit on Fairy Godmother’s chair. Little ones do come up to me and I pose for pics and chat with the tiny ones and the not so tiny ones. Eventually, its time for me to move on and I head in to get my smart hat from the White Hart.
SMART PREPARATIONS
I grab my hat and say hello to my charming bartender Dave, who I only gather ice from...then head toward the hill. I chat with a few patrons along the way and avoid the Evile Piland Baubles...Near the bottom of the hill I stop to welcome people to the stairs. I get a number of laughs and a few confused looks from kids. I am keeping my energy low as I have so much more to get through today. As I head down the hill, I meet a man who asks me where the Royal Pavilion is as he is looking for the Stupina show. I direct him and moments later join him and one other for the show.
THE ART OF THE ACTIVE AUDIENCE
So with an audience of 2 to start, it’s hard to get things going. The one gentleman has seen the show before and happily asks me questions he has heard and enjoyed previously. I give them some questions to answer, but there is a limit to what we can do and the new gentleman is not an active audience member. He is there to watch, not play. A few others join and it’s better, but he leaves. Soon after, Kitty Fisher, one of the town pub wenches, joins us as I am talking about Anne Boleyn. I am amused as she plays Anne in 6 Wives. I draw her into the conversation. I also talk about seeing the world from a different perspective and sit upside down in the throne with my legs up the back and my head over the seat. I invite one of the parents to do this as well and we both enjoy it, then I bring Kitty up to answer questions and we both sit upside down. I discover the crowd gets much bigger at those moments. Kitty and I are having a blast when the Lady Whitetonge stops by to cajole me into leaving. Kitty doesn’t realize this and almost gets us lost on a sidetrack, but soon enough, we say goodbye to the little audience and have fun wandering away.
TALES TO WENCHES
As we wander, I begin to share a story with Kitty about years ago and we stop briefly to grovel to Lady Latimer. I realize that today’s show did much better because of the shared energy and silliness with Kitty and decide I will be asking guests to join me each day from now on. This takes the pressure off of Stupina and the audience. I say goodbye to Kitty and leave her with her fellow wenches then head back to the White Hart to return my hat. On the way, I show off my tassels and eventually, head back toward my tree at O’Shucks. At the other side of O’Shucks, I meet up with the Sheriff and Deputy. Deputy Bellamy says I have been loitering and if I cannot prove I am not a vagrant, I will either have to go to gaol or hug the Sheriff. The poor officer didn’t know what hit him. Edmund Marshall flinches just like his brother-in-law. It’s cute.
A MOMENT OF RESPITE
I sit at my tree and chat with those walking by; I give directions, recommend shows and try not to scare a little girl. Mr., Hand Sock makes an appearance as well and coos for those who pet him. Soon enough, all my lozenges are gone and I head back to the costume house to change into the next incarnation. I gather more lozenges and pray I see Daisy soon. In the costume house, I pull out my new Scottish garb. Yes, Columbina has a tartan. It’s blue, on blue...same shade of blue...on blue...same shade again. But it’s silk and plaid weaved. This is as Scottish as this Italian will get on a festival day. I slowly get prepared happy that this chemise is not sheer and I can sit outside while getting ready. I get stories from the ladies and laugh while switching gears. Finally, it’s time to lace in and strap up. The new dress looks good and I am dressed and up the hill when I realize I have forgotten something I needed. Down the hill again and put on my jewelry...can’t be Columbina without sparklies. When out, I start chatting with patrons about their programs, the lovely little princesses, the day and the dust, which is getting heavy. I have fashioned a piece of sheer blue fabric to hang from the pearls I have in my hair. I can flip it to sing, but keep it over my face while walking site near the dust bowl. This keeps my coughing to a minimum, keeps me from getting others sick and helps protect my voice. And it’s blue and pretty. Everything a girl needs.
STARTING UP THE LUNGS
I get to White Hart and am handed the gift from Daisy. I open it and spray my throat, and begin coughing in earnest. Trinket has an inhaler, which should also help me, which I use and makes me cough so hard I am almost ill. Finally, my lungs settle down in time to wire up and head to the stage...well, SMDave and I head up alone. I remind everyone that last Monday was Trinket’s birthday and we didn’t celebrate so when she gets up on the stage, we should all yell “happy birthday, Trinket” I call her up and when I turn, it’s Bauble, not Trinket. She tells me that Trinket is all tied up for her birthday and she will be singing with me. Um, ok...Bauble and I sing Roll Me Over, which I sing melody for for the first time in years. At the end of the song, the Hermit comes from the back of the house with a bound and gagged Trinket on his shoulders. He complains that he came out of his shack and found this stuck in his stocking, but he doesn’t celebrate Blissmas. He didn’t unwrap it though, so I could return it, and pink is just not his color...dingy brown or green suit him better. I untie her and after a threat to tell her mom, Bauble and Trinket make up happily. We sing a little “lullaby” from their grandmother and off Bauble goes before she gets any ideas about being a star and getting paid. The rest of the show runs without a hitch and my voice miraculously lasts.
WANDERING IN A LOW KEY
Afterwards, we are greeted by our Canadian fans that managed to come to all of our shows this weekend and some other loyal fans that enjoy our music. It makes me happy to make others smile. Then there is the guy who is trying to just take a pic of my cleavage...I make my face fill half the space as I am more than what lies over my ribs. I may use them in my show, but it’s my choice how they are used, no one else’s. In between shows, I head over to get my steak and chat with patrons. Today is an older couple that had not been to the village before and I share some of my favorite food tips and shows. We talk of their last visits to Italy and when I was “home” last. Soon enough, I head back to the White Hart and make the attempt on my sore lungs to clear them off. Again, coughing fits, but not as bad. I do realize, I really need to get the licorice root extract, as the spray is just too aggressive on my throat. We wire up and get ready for the second show. Since it’s Scottish Weekend, we pull out the bodhran and sing our Celtic song show. We have a crowd that hasn’t seen the new material yet and they are laughing up a storm. I think this show is a good one. Again, my voice holds out much better than I expected. We finish and say hello to a few patrons before Trinket has to head over to the change to Katherine Howard. I help close up and head over to Tiger’s booth for tissues and a few other necessities. There, I try the spray and other items and cough so badly I can’t speak and almost throw up. I get out of the booth and on the back stairs to compose myself behind my silken mask. I am still wheezing and hacking, but at least they can’t see it as much.
ALTERNATIVE PLANS
I get to see some of Shakespeare Skum and Everyfool and eventually, with the generous gift of honey, water and a quiet space, I am able to get back to normal. I am still feeling a bit weak so I don’t try to bring out Baby Stupina, but rather wander a bit and chat with patrons much more low key. I practice the art of eye conversations and seduction and limit my speech in general. I am letting my voice rest, but each time I try to talk, it is sounding worse and worse. My volume is going and it is getting gravellier. I head to pyrate camp to meet with the ladies I am supposed to sing as a solo tonight, but I try, and it just doesn’t sound good. With profuse apologies to the ladies, I have to cancel for the evening. Luckily, it was perfect timing and our hosts are happily able to make an adjustment they were hoping for. This makes me feel much better. In the meantime, I am generously gifted with all kinds of herbal remedies and teas to try to heal the worst of the damage. Many don’t taste great, but they do ease the ache in my throat. We had planned another song for Trinket (who was actually going to be at the show after all) to fill in, but it is not needed this week.
SILENT, BUT PLAYFUL
I participate in Pub sing with the veil while off stage and without when on stage. I can see dust floating into open singing mouths as we perform and is makes my lungs sad. I am able to quietly participate in Health to the Company and the final song, but far quieter than normal and even lower than I usually sing. At least I can support those who did have voices left. The cannons boom and I gather my things and head backstage. There, I change and try to clear my lungs a bit. It is miserable. A group of us decide to go out for Chinese as I really am craving hot towels and hot and sour soup. I make sure the newer folks know how to get there and head off to Whole Foods to get the drops that I know they will have. I am so happy I buy two bottles of it while just about dancing to the front register. Once outside, I open the bottle and drop some of those wonderful drops on the back of my throat. Immediately, I feel the burning slow down and start to heal. Thank god.
NAUGHTY DINNER
Service is a bit slow, which is not normal, and we lose two at the table, but not before exchanging licorice for the other stuff...dinner is finally ordered and I am so very happy with my choices. Finally, hot towels, sherbet and...fortune cookies. 3 of our guests have not eaten here before and the first one who opens his cookie immediately hides his fortune and won’t share it. He might even have been blushing. When he realizes we all have filthy messages, he panics less and begins to be amused. It was a nice dinner with good company. My gang heads back to my place and we begin to watch “Zorro, the Gay Blade” while drinking cups of tea. I am worried about sleep but out last both of them and turn off the movie before Bunny even appears. Maybe next week. I head up to sleep and crash hard.
BLESSED HUMIDITY
I awake to a dark and dreary morning. I can hear the rain pouring and while this would normally fill me with dread, I am joyful! No dust on site, humidity in my lungs all day, this is perfect healing weather if I keep myself warm. I layer up, head out and get to site to park at the road so I don’t get stuck in the mud. I go to the top of gatehouse and begin to stretch and warm up. Luckily, since I cared so much for my voice the day before with tea and other remedies, I am hearing it again. It’s not perfect, but I have notes and with a volume push from friends, I should be ok. I finish stretching and begin with braids; I don’t bother with ringlets in the rain and revert to Columbina’s original hairstyle. For those of you that count, I believe it was 5 on top and 7 or 8 below...so only 12-14 today. I get the key and we head into the costume house. It is very subdued. Soon after I confirm that I will not be able to bring out Stupina, I pull out my turquoise tights and pull the new rain-gear Columbina on.
COSY AND DAMP
I verify that we are not bothering with a sound check, as we don’t know if we will even have sound at that point in the day. I get dressed, take more licorice and get ready for cast call being held at the Costume house. Once we beep, I pull out the magic hat of protection and scarf up, then head out. I am still coughing a lot, but I am pleased that I could sing a bit this morning, though my voice tires out quickly. At gate, I stay dry at the souvenir booth with a seat kindly offered to me. Then, I head to the fountain to stand there as gate opens and we greet the small group that comes in. It’s more crowded that I had even expected, but there are not enough people to stay up front and I head in. I wander a bit and chat with patrons and shopkeepers alike. I am informed that a man who used to work here is looking for me. After more clarification, I figure out what it is about and head down to the royal pavilion where they have sent him. It is still raining and I am not expecting anyone to show.
QUIET CONVERSATION
I arrive to the pavilion and sit on the throne under the covering. I am joined by one regular fan who thought he would see what would happen for Stupina’s show. I invite him to the queen’s chair in the dry and we chat. We talk about some issues he has had to deal with recently and I share tales of some moments I have loved in this shire. While there, the man I was expecting arrives and presents me with a very special surprise. I show it off to the other gent and some court and villagers when they arrive to prepare for the knighting ceremony. I am giddy and can’t wait to do more work to fix and finalize them for use. It is still missing one part, and I go off to remedy that.
TIME TO KILL
Normally, this is when I would change into Columbina, but I am already there, so I have more time to play. I head toward Art of the Wood and meet Merrilee Effingham in her coat of huge warmness. I wander over to Art and show them my new toy. They are pleased and help me figure out how to make the last part. They have thoughts and I hope to have something more specific shortly. MUHAHAHA.
ONCE A YEAR DAY
My favorite meal (and I will happily tell you this) at faire is to get the Canterbury pork pocket, sans pocket and have it served over fries. That’s skin on fries, covered in roasted shredded pork, covered in coleslaw and barbeque sauce. OH DEAR GOD it’s yummy! I only let myself have this once a season, as it’s a huge meal. I have time and it’s cold enough. I get my bowl from the White Hart, after climbing over all of the instruments and music stands of the other group who has placed their materials in front of our shelves and blocked any way for us to get to our props. Joy. I head over to Canterbury and get my meal. I take it to O’Shucks and sit with the drunks of the round table, who are not sitting at round tables at all, but filling all the square ones. I enjoy my meal while sharing some repartee with them, to much amusement. And they thought I only do this on stage...pishaw! Once my meal is done, it’s time for me to head toward the White Hart. On the way, I meat SMAdam who tells me that we can use sound as we have our own mics and won’t be risking their cables or mics. HECK YEAH! Save my lungs!
WIRED UP
We get ready for the first show. I wire up and we try to figure out which show we are going to do. While my voice is better, I don’t have high notes or volume, so we have to pick songs carefully. I find the appropriate show and we set up to get going. During the show, we get a bit off script. The audience is quite amused when after Professions, Trinket exclaims how she hates tea, only to see the teabag in her mug. The conversation starts to go downhill from there, especially as she squirts tea at me. I break both her and a few audience members...but it’s amusing. The crowd has a great time and we pass the stage in time to the Pyrates who also get to use the sound system too.
CATCHING THEM IN THE ACT
I head over to see some of Don Q. I know they aren’t using all the masks, but I want to see how they are adjusting. I have some thoughts, but hopefully this won’t happen again. I chat with a charming caber tosser, no, that isn’t code. Eventually, Copernicus joins me and we talk masks a bit. I head out and wander back to the White Hart for the second show. We still have sound, but just don’t know what to do with this weather, so we make it an all request show. I warn her that that will mean she will get a request for “that” song, and she says no...we get on stage, announce a request show, and the first song asked for is Sir Eglamore...BWAHAHAHA. I am more concerned as my part is high in that. We do well, we get a few other requests and at the end, do the pitch, but still have time. I turn to Trinket and, knowing her friends are in the audience, tell her to sing the Folksinger’s Song. I only sort of have a harmony for the chorus, but it’s the right day and the right crowd for it. I see a few tears in the audience when she is done and I am very happy. We finish on Parting Glass and I hear a few of my notes go away. We made it, and the audience is happy. That’s all that matters. After the show, we chat with our Canadians and others and Trinket heads off to be queen.
WANDERING AND GAMES
I wander out and chat with patrons as I make my way around the village. I stop for my peanut butter coated banana and make another circle around the village while eating it. I find myself back in what would normally be the sun bowl, but with mud and no sun. I meet up with some of the swashbucklers who are off to play Tarochi with Felonius and Cora. I watch as they bring in two other patrons, a young boy and his mother. They start to play and she asks what the rules are. After two cards, I can tell and mouth to her “there are no rules.” She understands and encourages her son to play “any card.” Then, they really get into it and the boy wins a coin. Everyone is happy. Cora and I play a bit of a prank on the boys and watch as one by one they fall silent. It makes us laugh. I flirt with Tobias much to Samuel’s chagrin. He turns to me and asks, “Auntie Columbina, are you going to flirt with ALL of my coworkers?” “Samuel, are you just meeting me now? Of course I will!” I wander back to the Pyrate Camp and sit toward the back hacking up a small lung and treating my throat. Trinket gets our song list and we pick a second song for the show. I realize, it’s Scottish weekend, so we should do Scotsman. I ask to borrow Kat’s bodhran as mine is natural skin and she says yes. I get my ribbon and head out early to pub sing.
PUB SING FOR THE LOYAL ONES
This pub sing is extremely silly with a rap version of 7 Nights Drunk and Daisy O’Danny breaking John Rugby, the king kissing his new bride and other silliness. Its mostly loyal fans and regulars, so they love this kind of show. There is a great energy amongst the cast this year in the show where I think we all are feeling freer to play and jump in for each other when/if needed. Just to fill in the moments with some rehearsed bits and real improv. I love that kind of play. Scotsman and Long is the Dark both go over well and I have managed to sing all of our songs for this day without losing my voice completely. I have 5 days to heal so next week, baring stupid dust, I should be back to normal.
SLOWING DOWN
After potentially going to dinner for the celebration of a goodly gentleman, my group decides to go to a quieter dinner (since we went to that place the night before). Salad bar, great service (Thanks Scotty/Tobey/Topher) and amusingly open conversation are the way of the night. I am happy...overall it was a great weekend. We slowly head out and make our several ways home. I am tuckered out, but feeling good.
Hopefully, I will be able to play catch up with weekend two soon, then, Irish weekend....where did I put that tartan.
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