Md part Quatro, a cooler one
Sep. 18th, 2013 09:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ptpgradIt was cooler and almost comfortable this past weekend, but so much happened and I am sure I will forget dates, order, people, events and other stuff. But let’s see what I remember.
COOL AND CRISP
Saturday was bright and cool. I had to add some layers when I left the house so I could go stretching at gatehouse without the cold making the muscles seize up again. I discover the sweater I am wearing has some small holes in it, but at least it keeps me warm for now. Richard shows up as I am stretching and we talk about the introduction to the Morning Dance. He shares something evil he has been planning, which I find rather amusing. We listen to music and run a bit later than normal. He heads to breakfast and I to the costume house. Stitch has hurt her back, so when she arrives, which is amazing to me, we all do what we can to help her since she is limited and has a long weekend ahead of her.
LAYERING
Mustardseed’s costume is heavier than last year, but not by much, so I have to add a few layers underneath. I add extra socks, but don’t worry about much more as its not going to be that cold in the sun and I can hold the umbrella back so I can get more sun. I touch base with some ladies I am practicing singing with as I am getting dressed and head out to morning meeting. At the Lyric, I run the song with one lady who finally has her voice back. This makes me happy. Cast call is called out and I head to the front of the house. The meeting mentions new performers joining us and reviews everyone’s injuries. I feel surprisingly spry for 1/3 being done. We BEEP and head to gate.
RANDOM ENCOUNTERS
I hit the privy (which is tough in wings) and get a little more water (not from the privy). When the cannon booms, the crowds pour in and we announce tours and other random goodness. At the gate, I see the powers that be, well, I see THE power that is. I let our newbie on the fountain know and the other person turns to me and notes his presence as well. It’s nice to see him and after the big rush passes, he comes up and thanks us for greeting the guests…to which I reply, in fairy. He appears a bit bemused, but we agree the day looks to be very promising for crowds. Off he goes and we continue to greet people walking in.
BALANCING ACT
I see there are lines, short, but there, and that it’s a steady flow of people, so I go grab a bunch of programs and head out to put them on my head. It was easier to do in Stupina as the cloth is easier to stabilize the programs, but I don’t do too badly. I do drop a bit more though. People are amused and I am amused that children are much better at getting the programs as they are more careful than the adults. I go through the 3 stacks (150 programs) in maybe 10-15 minutes. I head back in and let Ethelfrith Gripley know there are lines. She grabs programs and heads out with me. I have taken another 150 programs out and again, they are gone quickly, though not as quickly since Ethelfrith is doing her job well. I run out and head back out again with another 150 programs. I go through all 450 programs in under an hour. Yeah, it’s going to be busy.
SWITCHING TO THE STREETS
I have to get across site to the Crooked Cottage, so I start to head in. I stop briefly at Fairy Godmother’s chair and sit there a little bit. I am visited by children and adults for pictures and more. I give out some of my gemlike mustardseeds and Believe ribbons. I meet two little girls and make sure to give them each something different. It makes them each special. Before I hand out a gem, I breathe onto it to put some “fairy magic” on it for each child. I have to make my way across site, so I head in.
IMPATIENTLY WAITING
I wander toward a booth where I am waiting for something special from them. I can’t wait, but I have to. Art takes time. I decide to try a different path and head down Kenwood. On my travels, I see a gent with an Ukulele. I chitter at him and he plays for me. A rock song, classic. I am amused. Then, I borrow it from him and play for him. He is impressed that I actually play. I am ok, not great, but he is amused. One of his friends goes to light up and I try to let him know that there are designated areas to do that. He and his friends head over to the area and I head down my path.
FLOATING FEAST
I wander down to the boardwalk where I see a number of nobles sitting on the benches and setting out their lunch. I wander by and steal a single grape. The nobles ask the air if it would like to try the beef. The air accepts. It was tasty. The air continues on. I head down and find myself near the benches at the other side of the boardwalk. I see a friend at a shop nearby and say a quick hello before sitting on the bench and singing a tune or 2. Soon enough, it’s moments before the show, so I head to the wall, grab my props and head to the stage. My wings keep drooping from the weight so I have to keep pulling the up. Of course, sometimes they are JUST out of reach and I look like a beached turtle trying to reach for it. I get them fixed and head into the public eye. The sisters are singing and soon enough packing up. I take the stage and have to clear a few children running through the stage and then begin.
GIBBERISH JOY
I start the show and again, the audience doesn’t seem to want to raise their hands. I do manage to get adult Momma and Papa Bear, but baby bear is small and Goldilocks is a youthful gent in costume. He is willing to play and they are all a lot of fun. The audience is playful and shares the story telling with me, which is a lot of fun. After the show, some of the cast is helpfully bringing me my props back. I find out that Goldilocks works at the playground next door and has watched the show from a distance before, but wanted to sit and watch the whole thing today. I say hello to many others who say thank you or just hello as I pack my things. I take my props to the wall and head back up the hill. On the way back, I wave and chitter at people. I sing a bit and commiserate with those whose teeth go “ouch”. I end up heading backstage to make the transition.
STUPINA RISING
I head to the costume house and a little sweaty, but not nearly as bad as on prior days. I cool a bit and clean off my face before pulling off the shirt of the costume so as not to get green over the fairy dress. I switch my hair in preparation for Columbina and prep it to go under the hood. I throw on Stupina’s clothing and get my props and water. I grab a honey drop as that will keep my throat from getting crazy by drying out or getting too dusty (even though the rain has kept the dust down). I head backstage at Gatehouse and set my props, get my last drink of water, then head out and face up. There I get a great reaction to her by the people I see. I head to the chair and chat with the people as they pass. Tell them I am becoming a girlie girl, pose for pics, and keep sucking on the honey drop. When the show on the stage ends, I head to the stage and move my props into place so they have all of backstage clear to reorganize their props. I start the show a bit later than I want, but it runs smoothly, albeit with a mostly silent audience. Today the Countess is reading my book. I feel bad because except for a very talkative boy (your underwear is showing) and two little girls rolling her eyes at all my mistakes, the audience seems dead. The only gent that seems to be smiling and not looking down at the ground, as I need a male audience member, is a gent in his 60-70’s and the bench I want him to sit on is REALLY low. I am concerned to call him up, but he is truly the best option. He is wonderful and playful. I am glad I chose him. He makes the audience feel the journey. After the show, the countess helps me repack my items and get them to the costume house.
THE MUSICAL TRANSITION
Once I put my props in the costume house and peel off layers, I begin to repaint myself for Columbina. Today is the Golds. I am changing and Carmita comes in so we can run a song we are performing at Pub Sing that evening and test another song we were playing with. We are helped with the assistance of Molly McCoy who has a break at the moment. Eventually, I am painted, dressed and ready to go out. I grab my props and head to the drop off point so I don’t have to carry them around for the next hour or so. It’s a little late, but they are used to my erratic drop offs. I head out to the street with a bowl and get fruit and cheese from the fruit stand and then head to get garlic butter on mashed potatoes. While entertaining the ATM line on my way to lunch, I run into a friend waiting. He looks terrific with a recent 70 lb weight drop, but the tale told is not the happiest. I am glad things are turning around and I give him some support and happy thoughts. Then, off to eat the rest of my meal. I sit with patrons and ask them about their day and give them a history lesson. The ladies are amused and pleased with the assorted suggestions I offer them.
SPACE AND TIMING
It’s about that time, so I wipe out my bowl and head to get my props. At the stage, I meet up with SMDave who hangs my sign and mics me up. I wander about the tables to make sure the guests are a, aware the next show is PG and b, to introduce myself and get some interested in staying (unless they were there for me anyway). Once the show starts, I start the first song wandering through the crowd. There is a prime seat in the center of the tables that is often the place I can get to and there is a guy sitting there. After I pick him, I realize he’s in the middle of a very heated emotional conversation with a woman. Grand. I try to barely reference him, but know that the woman is NOT happy. Nothing I can do now. The breeze is so bad that the sign blows off onto the stage. Joy. The rest of the show goes well and the people who have arrived end with happy cheering and applause. I pose for some pictures and pack up my things making way for the next act.
HURRY AND WAIT
I head to the costume house to drop my props, get some water and head to the Pyrate Camp. Carmita and I will be singing at Pub Sing tonight. Carmita has an obligation at the beginning and will be arriving a bit later. I join the ladies for Health to the Company and then head to the back of the house to meet up with Carmita to run our song one more time. We were requested to sing specific verses that are out of our normal order, and some of them are not ones I am singing in my regular show with her, so we need to make sure that we are on track together. I keep scanning the crowd and run into Wiggles and company. There her mom shows me a pic her dad took of me earlier that day. He got me just as I hit street for the first time and the lighting was quite perfect, though at an odd angle. I agree with her that it came out well. Suddenly, I see Carmita and we head to the back of the pub to speed through the song. We are set and she heads off for a drink right when I am asked if I can sing next. I am not exactly sure where she is, but the powers that be put one song between the one current and ours, so I head to find her.
FAMILIAR TERRITORY
When we are called to the stage, Carmita and I are greeted warmly and as I begin the introduction, I see the smiles and happy reactions of the crowd. It’s nice to be missed. The song goes well and the audience plays along. We leave the stage and head toward the back again. At the end of the eve, I head to the stage again, but am a song early. Luckily, I know this one and sing along from the back of the stage. For the next song, the finale, I come forward. With the talk of 9/11/01 and the story I had recently reminded others of, the bells at the end are a bit more poignant for me. Arms around friends and comrades, the day ends with a big BOOM. I head out stopping quickly to say goodbye to a friend then off to the costume house to change out of “this old thing.”
UNFORTUNATE MISTAKES
Once changed, I get out of the costume house and a bunch of us decide to go to dinner at a place with a gluten free menu that has variety. We head over and eventually all arrive. The conversation is good and the last person arrives after Yom Kippur has officially ended so he can eat. One of the others in my group is VERY sensitive to gluten and toward the end of her meal, starts to feel off. I have also started showing mild symptoms. There has been a slight cross contamination in the kitchen and the wheat floating through the air has gotten into her meal. She is feeling ill but not horrible. Luckily, it wasn’t direct so there is no hospital in her future, but we leave quickly and I leave my leftovers of my meal. Sadly, we won’t be back there again.
BRIGHT AND BUSHY TAILED
I get up quickly in the morning and layer up again as a chill has hit the air. I eat brekkies on the way and head to the stage with the sound guys. They are always starting when I am. I don’t envy them the furniture moving. I start to stretch out and get my voice warmed up. I sing a bit and then it’s time to put my hair and face on. Today, my hair looks GREAT. It’s sticking up really high and looking wild and unkempt in a good way. This makes me extremely happy. The makeup is a bit too wet and it’s a bit harder to make my lines, but eventually, everything works out. Richard is there and we are both running late again. I head down the hill just as Stitch is arriving. I go to help her put out the coffee and tea she generously provides to the actors. My guess is we aren’t far from hot chocolate time…not for me, but I know the cast enjoys it. Stitch is moving better, but still slowly. Everyone is doing what they can to help out. I change and head out relatively quickly, this time, taking props with me.
MORNING MUSIC
I leave my umbrella and take the props up the hill where I am greeted by pretty smells and sights. I find space and head back to find 3 ladies, a few shakers and an ukulele. We run our song again. We finish just in time for morning meeting. There, we are regaled with happy and amusing tales, go over details, get a serious note of concern and get ready for the day. I didn’t have room for water with all my props this morning, so I go and stop by the place for lemon water with special thanks to the ladies. I drink, then go pee, then drink more. Given the cooler air, I have been drinking the same, but hitting the privy a lot more in the last day or so. I grab the hands of a close by security guy and use him as a counter balance to stretch my low back out before we start. The Duke screams, my umbrella opens, the cannon booms, and in they come.
THE DANGERS OF “NATURE”
I call and welcome the people. I hug many people and one little boy walks away with a little sheen of green on his hair…um. Ok. Next, one of the many years prior SMs enters and I give her a big hug, then have to wipe her face as she steps back with a leaf pattern on her face…ok, watery makeup is less sticky too I guess. Once the crowd dies down, I see there isn’t as heavy a flow of people outside, so I head in a bit. I decide to sit on the blue chair and greet people. Little children come up to see the fairy. I pose for lots of pictures. I see friends and regulars and try to offer directions and advice. Every time I think the crowd has died down enough and I should head in, I am approached by another group or 3 to interact with them. One of the ladies from Customer Service stops by to tell me she is happy to see the chair being used more for its original purpose. I am glad to oblige.
AMUSING TUNES
I head in and find myself on the street between Piland’s and Noblesse. I sit on the ground by a tree and begin to sing. It’s Sunday, so Amazing Grace comes out again as well as some other pretty tunes. People stop to listen, some smile. I am amused that I often lose my high range during the season, but my fairy seems to have her high notes all the time. Thank goodness. There is something gentle about her voice when she is happy. Soon, it’s time to head down the hill and I make my way past the Crooked Cottage and to the benches. Where I sit on the top of two and sing again to the people passing by and the ladies sitting below me. I pose for pics as the lighting there is good and evocative. Soon enough, I head back to the wall to get my props, then off to the Cottage. The ladies are just about done as I arrive and they are clear in plenty of time.
THE LUCK OF THE DRAW
Today, the audience fills quickly. They are following, but no one wants to volunteer themself to be in the show. I do manage to get three kids to be my bears and they all do well. Goldilocks, well, no one offers up a hand, so I pick a tall short-haired guy in the back with a girlfriend. He is wonderfully funny and playful and the audience all has a good time. Once it ends, the Goldilocks brings me back my props and I pack it up, drink the rest of the potion and take it to the wall where I repack for the next week. I head out and up the hill. I am a bit sweatier today than yesterday, but that is to be expected with the slightly warmer temps. On the way back, I find another person with a Uke and play a little bit of a song for them before hurrying on my way. I fan and chitter and enjoy my walk. Soon enough, I am back and heading backstage, umbrella and arms down.
SWITCHEROO
I clear the face, fix the hair and remove the costuming. Then I dress up in Stupina, grab my props and head out to the stage. I discover I left my face at the stage again yesterday. This is a VERY bad habit, but at least I know where to find it. I head out and see my reader. I have a very special surprise today. My reader, for the first time, is not someone on cast. To be fair, she WAS on cast last year. Princess Mary, back from…france?... jumps in and saves the day for me, but as a mundane. The crowd is again, rather quiet, but I find a dad who is willing to play and since he had been sitting with a young lady, was very ready to accept me for who I was, rather than needing all the Girlie dolled up stuff. I kinda thought he’d feel that way. Toward the end of the show, some of last year’s cast shows up and I recognize one from their terrific laugh. Ah, were it there earlier to get the rest of the audience to react. After the show, I clear the stage quickly and repack my props making sure I bring the face back with me. Yeesh. I am redfaced, hot and sweaty. Welcome to mask work.
MULTI-TASKING
Back at the Costume House, I start to change costume and put up my hair and do my make up. Carmita is going to stop by my show today, so we re-run the song from last night and sing both it and another. It slows the pace down a bit for my transition, but once I am done, we head out together and I take her to my holding place where the Uke is waiting. She uses mine rather than drag hers out too as I was going to use mine already. Once she has what she needs, I head back out onto the street and chat people up. I grab lunch on a stick and walk around the center food court chatting with patrons. I sit down at a table of 30 something men and women and teach them about the benefits of a courtesan’s life. Lots of stuff they never knew. Kinda great to share. Learn, be entertained and have a great time. That’s a successful interaction. Soon enough, I must grab my props, saying hello to the ladies I serenaded earlier in the day and head to the stage.
DOUBLING OVER
So I get miced up and we fix the sign. SMDave figures how to avoid it flying away as it broke again recently. The audience is responsive and fills up as I start. Most people are playful except for one who watches the show, but scowls at me while I am singing to him. Not sure why, but I just do what I do and move on. My gent for this show is a charming man who I find out afterwards has been pulled up on stage for almost every show he has been at. Oops. He has the friendly look and he’s in mundanes. Always a give away. Carmita joins me to sing Captain’s Daughter and the crowd enjoys the song. She comes back to join me for the finale of 3 Jolly Coachmen which may take another technical rehearsal to figure out what works best for the space. I think she will need her own mic in future. The stand is limiting.
POETRY WITH FRUIT
I gather the props and head back to the costume house. The poets are getting ready and I let them know I will be heading their way as soon as I get a treat. I head to the banana booth and get my favorite: Peanut butter dip with marshmallow fluff. I take my decadent treat and head to the front of the festival. I meet up with the poets and help gather words to write their poems. For some reason, the first word I get is Banana…what a surprise. I let the gents write and at one poem, I believe the word was elephant, the Other Italian forfeits. I am asked to defend my country and I win. Later, one of the other poets asks me for advice on this kind of competition. I say I just open my mouth and start to speak. I don’t even have the first rhyme often and sentences don’t have to end at the end of a line. But after having written lyrics and poetry in my youth, it’s kinda second nature. My feet are killing me, so I attempt to lounge on their blanket. This is not as easy as it looks in a corset…trust me. But I do alright and we as a group pose for some pictures. I also finally test run a bit that just hasn’t worked yet with one of the other actors. While there isn’t a great crowd, it was good for us to have it ready for other days. We fill the time till the day is over and are surprised by the cannons. I head out with the gents and end another day.
PACKING UP
I head into the costume house to change. We don’t want Stitch lifting if she doesn’t have to, so I, as well as others, take the bags of costumes into the truck for washing during the week. Then, I finish changing and when I take down my hair, I am really impressed at how it falls. I even step out of the house to show it off. Small things please me. Once changed, I head out and meet with others to hear how their days went. Many are going out for sushi, which I can’t have this time of year, so I opt for a small gathering at a place with a tasty salad bar. The conversation is amusing and I get some great suggestions for a bit the Marquessa and I have been playing with. She may not be happy, but I think this is going to be hysterical. The day ends, and we all head home. I am reminded why I can’t forget to take my probiotic. But over all, it’s a good weekend.
This weekend is Scottish weekend, and there is rain in the forecast (ah the irony), but let’s see how it pans out.
Stupina has two special guest readers this weekend:
Saturday: Mayor Frances Yaxley
Sunday: Poet John Skelton
Don’t miss your chance to see these gents and their take on how to be Girlie!
Till next time…
COOL AND CRISP
Saturday was bright and cool. I had to add some layers when I left the house so I could go stretching at gatehouse without the cold making the muscles seize up again. I discover the sweater I am wearing has some small holes in it, but at least it keeps me warm for now. Richard shows up as I am stretching and we talk about the introduction to the Morning Dance. He shares something evil he has been planning, which I find rather amusing. We listen to music and run a bit later than normal. He heads to breakfast and I to the costume house. Stitch has hurt her back, so when she arrives, which is amazing to me, we all do what we can to help her since she is limited and has a long weekend ahead of her.
LAYERING
Mustardseed’s costume is heavier than last year, but not by much, so I have to add a few layers underneath. I add extra socks, but don’t worry about much more as its not going to be that cold in the sun and I can hold the umbrella back so I can get more sun. I touch base with some ladies I am practicing singing with as I am getting dressed and head out to morning meeting. At the Lyric, I run the song with one lady who finally has her voice back. This makes me happy. Cast call is called out and I head to the front of the house. The meeting mentions new performers joining us and reviews everyone’s injuries. I feel surprisingly spry for 1/3 being done. We BEEP and head to gate.
RANDOM ENCOUNTERS
I hit the privy (which is tough in wings) and get a little more water (not from the privy). When the cannon booms, the crowds pour in and we announce tours and other random goodness. At the gate, I see the powers that be, well, I see THE power that is. I let our newbie on the fountain know and the other person turns to me and notes his presence as well. It’s nice to see him and after the big rush passes, he comes up and thanks us for greeting the guests…to which I reply, in fairy. He appears a bit bemused, but we agree the day looks to be very promising for crowds. Off he goes and we continue to greet people walking in.
BALANCING ACT
I see there are lines, short, but there, and that it’s a steady flow of people, so I go grab a bunch of programs and head out to put them on my head. It was easier to do in Stupina as the cloth is easier to stabilize the programs, but I don’t do too badly. I do drop a bit more though. People are amused and I am amused that children are much better at getting the programs as they are more careful than the adults. I go through the 3 stacks (150 programs) in maybe 10-15 minutes. I head back in and let Ethelfrith Gripley know there are lines. She grabs programs and heads out with me. I have taken another 150 programs out and again, they are gone quickly, though not as quickly since Ethelfrith is doing her job well. I run out and head back out again with another 150 programs. I go through all 450 programs in under an hour. Yeah, it’s going to be busy.
SWITCHING TO THE STREETS
I have to get across site to the Crooked Cottage, so I start to head in. I stop briefly at Fairy Godmother’s chair and sit there a little bit. I am visited by children and adults for pictures and more. I give out some of my gemlike mustardseeds and Believe ribbons. I meet two little girls and make sure to give them each something different. It makes them each special. Before I hand out a gem, I breathe onto it to put some “fairy magic” on it for each child. I have to make my way across site, so I head in.
IMPATIENTLY WAITING
I wander toward a booth where I am waiting for something special from them. I can’t wait, but I have to. Art takes time. I decide to try a different path and head down Kenwood. On my travels, I see a gent with an Ukulele. I chitter at him and he plays for me. A rock song, classic. I am amused. Then, I borrow it from him and play for him. He is impressed that I actually play. I am ok, not great, but he is amused. One of his friends goes to light up and I try to let him know that there are designated areas to do that. He and his friends head over to the area and I head down my path.
FLOATING FEAST
I wander down to the boardwalk where I see a number of nobles sitting on the benches and setting out their lunch. I wander by and steal a single grape. The nobles ask the air if it would like to try the beef. The air accepts. It was tasty. The air continues on. I head down and find myself near the benches at the other side of the boardwalk. I see a friend at a shop nearby and say a quick hello before sitting on the bench and singing a tune or 2. Soon enough, it’s moments before the show, so I head to the wall, grab my props and head to the stage. My wings keep drooping from the weight so I have to keep pulling the up. Of course, sometimes they are JUST out of reach and I look like a beached turtle trying to reach for it. I get them fixed and head into the public eye. The sisters are singing and soon enough packing up. I take the stage and have to clear a few children running through the stage and then begin.
GIBBERISH JOY
I start the show and again, the audience doesn’t seem to want to raise their hands. I do manage to get adult Momma and Papa Bear, but baby bear is small and Goldilocks is a youthful gent in costume. He is willing to play and they are all a lot of fun. The audience is playful and shares the story telling with me, which is a lot of fun. After the show, some of the cast is helpfully bringing me my props back. I find out that Goldilocks works at the playground next door and has watched the show from a distance before, but wanted to sit and watch the whole thing today. I say hello to many others who say thank you or just hello as I pack my things. I take my props to the wall and head back up the hill. On the way back, I wave and chitter at people. I sing a bit and commiserate with those whose teeth go “ouch”. I end up heading backstage to make the transition.
STUPINA RISING
I head to the costume house and a little sweaty, but not nearly as bad as on prior days. I cool a bit and clean off my face before pulling off the shirt of the costume so as not to get green over the fairy dress. I switch my hair in preparation for Columbina and prep it to go under the hood. I throw on Stupina’s clothing and get my props and water. I grab a honey drop as that will keep my throat from getting crazy by drying out or getting too dusty (even though the rain has kept the dust down). I head backstage at Gatehouse and set my props, get my last drink of water, then head out and face up. There I get a great reaction to her by the people I see. I head to the chair and chat with the people as they pass. Tell them I am becoming a girlie girl, pose for pics, and keep sucking on the honey drop. When the show on the stage ends, I head to the stage and move my props into place so they have all of backstage clear to reorganize their props. I start the show a bit later than I want, but it runs smoothly, albeit with a mostly silent audience. Today the Countess is reading my book. I feel bad because except for a very talkative boy (your underwear is showing) and two little girls rolling her eyes at all my mistakes, the audience seems dead. The only gent that seems to be smiling and not looking down at the ground, as I need a male audience member, is a gent in his 60-70’s and the bench I want him to sit on is REALLY low. I am concerned to call him up, but he is truly the best option. He is wonderful and playful. I am glad I chose him. He makes the audience feel the journey. After the show, the countess helps me repack my items and get them to the costume house.
THE MUSICAL TRANSITION
Once I put my props in the costume house and peel off layers, I begin to repaint myself for Columbina. Today is the Golds. I am changing and Carmita comes in so we can run a song we are performing at Pub Sing that evening and test another song we were playing with. We are helped with the assistance of Molly McCoy who has a break at the moment. Eventually, I am painted, dressed and ready to go out. I grab my props and head to the drop off point so I don’t have to carry them around for the next hour or so. It’s a little late, but they are used to my erratic drop offs. I head out to the street with a bowl and get fruit and cheese from the fruit stand and then head to get garlic butter on mashed potatoes. While entertaining the ATM line on my way to lunch, I run into a friend waiting. He looks terrific with a recent 70 lb weight drop, but the tale told is not the happiest. I am glad things are turning around and I give him some support and happy thoughts. Then, off to eat the rest of my meal. I sit with patrons and ask them about their day and give them a history lesson. The ladies are amused and pleased with the assorted suggestions I offer them.
SPACE AND TIMING
It’s about that time, so I wipe out my bowl and head to get my props. At the stage, I meet up with SMDave who hangs my sign and mics me up. I wander about the tables to make sure the guests are a, aware the next show is PG and b, to introduce myself and get some interested in staying (unless they were there for me anyway). Once the show starts, I start the first song wandering through the crowd. There is a prime seat in the center of the tables that is often the place I can get to and there is a guy sitting there. After I pick him, I realize he’s in the middle of a very heated emotional conversation with a woman. Grand. I try to barely reference him, but know that the woman is NOT happy. Nothing I can do now. The breeze is so bad that the sign blows off onto the stage. Joy. The rest of the show goes well and the people who have arrived end with happy cheering and applause. I pose for some pictures and pack up my things making way for the next act.
HURRY AND WAIT
I head to the costume house to drop my props, get some water and head to the Pyrate Camp. Carmita and I will be singing at Pub Sing tonight. Carmita has an obligation at the beginning and will be arriving a bit later. I join the ladies for Health to the Company and then head to the back of the house to meet up with Carmita to run our song one more time. We were requested to sing specific verses that are out of our normal order, and some of them are not ones I am singing in my regular show with her, so we need to make sure that we are on track together. I keep scanning the crowd and run into Wiggles and company. There her mom shows me a pic her dad took of me earlier that day. He got me just as I hit street for the first time and the lighting was quite perfect, though at an odd angle. I agree with her that it came out well. Suddenly, I see Carmita and we head to the back of the pub to speed through the song. We are set and she heads off for a drink right when I am asked if I can sing next. I am not exactly sure where she is, but the powers that be put one song between the one current and ours, so I head to find her.
FAMILIAR TERRITORY
When we are called to the stage, Carmita and I are greeted warmly and as I begin the introduction, I see the smiles and happy reactions of the crowd. It’s nice to be missed. The song goes well and the audience plays along. We leave the stage and head toward the back again. At the end of the eve, I head to the stage again, but am a song early. Luckily, I know this one and sing along from the back of the stage. For the next song, the finale, I come forward. With the talk of 9/11/01 and the story I had recently reminded others of, the bells at the end are a bit more poignant for me. Arms around friends and comrades, the day ends with a big BOOM. I head out stopping quickly to say goodbye to a friend then off to the costume house to change out of “this old thing.”
UNFORTUNATE MISTAKES
Once changed, I get out of the costume house and a bunch of us decide to go to dinner at a place with a gluten free menu that has variety. We head over and eventually all arrive. The conversation is good and the last person arrives after Yom Kippur has officially ended so he can eat. One of the others in my group is VERY sensitive to gluten and toward the end of her meal, starts to feel off. I have also started showing mild symptoms. There has been a slight cross contamination in the kitchen and the wheat floating through the air has gotten into her meal. She is feeling ill but not horrible. Luckily, it wasn’t direct so there is no hospital in her future, but we leave quickly and I leave my leftovers of my meal. Sadly, we won’t be back there again.
BRIGHT AND BUSHY TAILED
I get up quickly in the morning and layer up again as a chill has hit the air. I eat brekkies on the way and head to the stage with the sound guys. They are always starting when I am. I don’t envy them the furniture moving. I start to stretch out and get my voice warmed up. I sing a bit and then it’s time to put my hair and face on. Today, my hair looks GREAT. It’s sticking up really high and looking wild and unkempt in a good way. This makes me extremely happy. The makeup is a bit too wet and it’s a bit harder to make my lines, but eventually, everything works out. Richard is there and we are both running late again. I head down the hill just as Stitch is arriving. I go to help her put out the coffee and tea she generously provides to the actors. My guess is we aren’t far from hot chocolate time…not for me, but I know the cast enjoys it. Stitch is moving better, but still slowly. Everyone is doing what they can to help out. I change and head out relatively quickly, this time, taking props with me.
MORNING MUSIC
I leave my umbrella and take the props up the hill where I am greeted by pretty smells and sights. I find space and head back to find 3 ladies, a few shakers and an ukulele. We run our song again. We finish just in time for morning meeting. There, we are regaled with happy and amusing tales, go over details, get a serious note of concern and get ready for the day. I didn’t have room for water with all my props this morning, so I go and stop by the place for lemon water with special thanks to the ladies. I drink, then go pee, then drink more. Given the cooler air, I have been drinking the same, but hitting the privy a lot more in the last day or so. I grab the hands of a close by security guy and use him as a counter balance to stretch my low back out before we start. The Duke screams, my umbrella opens, the cannon booms, and in they come.
THE DANGERS OF “NATURE”
I call and welcome the people. I hug many people and one little boy walks away with a little sheen of green on his hair…um. Ok. Next, one of the many years prior SMs enters and I give her a big hug, then have to wipe her face as she steps back with a leaf pattern on her face…ok, watery makeup is less sticky too I guess. Once the crowd dies down, I see there isn’t as heavy a flow of people outside, so I head in a bit. I decide to sit on the blue chair and greet people. Little children come up to see the fairy. I pose for lots of pictures. I see friends and regulars and try to offer directions and advice. Every time I think the crowd has died down enough and I should head in, I am approached by another group or 3 to interact with them. One of the ladies from Customer Service stops by to tell me she is happy to see the chair being used more for its original purpose. I am glad to oblige.
AMUSING TUNES
I head in and find myself on the street between Piland’s and Noblesse. I sit on the ground by a tree and begin to sing. It’s Sunday, so Amazing Grace comes out again as well as some other pretty tunes. People stop to listen, some smile. I am amused that I often lose my high range during the season, but my fairy seems to have her high notes all the time. Thank goodness. There is something gentle about her voice when she is happy. Soon, it’s time to head down the hill and I make my way past the Crooked Cottage and to the benches. Where I sit on the top of two and sing again to the people passing by and the ladies sitting below me. I pose for pics as the lighting there is good and evocative. Soon enough, I head back to the wall to get my props, then off to the Cottage. The ladies are just about done as I arrive and they are clear in plenty of time.
THE LUCK OF THE DRAW
Today, the audience fills quickly. They are following, but no one wants to volunteer themself to be in the show. I do manage to get three kids to be my bears and they all do well. Goldilocks, well, no one offers up a hand, so I pick a tall short-haired guy in the back with a girlfriend. He is wonderfully funny and playful and the audience all has a good time. Once it ends, the Goldilocks brings me back my props and I pack it up, drink the rest of the potion and take it to the wall where I repack for the next week. I head out and up the hill. I am a bit sweatier today than yesterday, but that is to be expected with the slightly warmer temps. On the way back, I find another person with a Uke and play a little bit of a song for them before hurrying on my way. I fan and chitter and enjoy my walk. Soon enough, I am back and heading backstage, umbrella and arms down.
SWITCHEROO
I clear the face, fix the hair and remove the costuming. Then I dress up in Stupina, grab my props and head out to the stage. I discover I left my face at the stage again yesterday. This is a VERY bad habit, but at least I know where to find it. I head out and see my reader. I have a very special surprise today. My reader, for the first time, is not someone on cast. To be fair, she WAS on cast last year. Princess Mary, back from…france?... jumps in and saves the day for me, but as a mundane. The crowd is again, rather quiet, but I find a dad who is willing to play and since he had been sitting with a young lady, was very ready to accept me for who I was, rather than needing all the Girlie dolled up stuff. I kinda thought he’d feel that way. Toward the end of the show, some of last year’s cast shows up and I recognize one from their terrific laugh. Ah, were it there earlier to get the rest of the audience to react. After the show, I clear the stage quickly and repack my props making sure I bring the face back with me. Yeesh. I am redfaced, hot and sweaty. Welcome to mask work.
MULTI-TASKING
Back at the Costume House, I start to change costume and put up my hair and do my make up. Carmita is going to stop by my show today, so we re-run the song from last night and sing both it and another. It slows the pace down a bit for my transition, but once I am done, we head out together and I take her to my holding place where the Uke is waiting. She uses mine rather than drag hers out too as I was going to use mine already. Once she has what she needs, I head back out onto the street and chat people up. I grab lunch on a stick and walk around the center food court chatting with patrons. I sit down at a table of 30 something men and women and teach them about the benefits of a courtesan’s life. Lots of stuff they never knew. Kinda great to share. Learn, be entertained and have a great time. That’s a successful interaction. Soon enough, I must grab my props, saying hello to the ladies I serenaded earlier in the day and head to the stage.
DOUBLING OVER
So I get miced up and we fix the sign. SMDave figures how to avoid it flying away as it broke again recently. The audience is responsive and fills up as I start. Most people are playful except for one who watches the show, but scowls at me while I am singing to him. Not sure why, but I just do what I do and move on. My gent for this show is a charming man who I find out afterwards has been pulled up on stage for almost every show he has been at. Oops. He has the friendly look and he’s in mundanes. Always a give away. Carmita joins me to sing Captain’s Daughter and the crowd enjoys the song. She comes back to join me for the finale of 3 Jolly Coachmen which may take another technical rehearsal to figure out what works best for the space. I think she will need her own mic in future. The stand is limiting.
POETRY WITH FRUIT
I gather the props and head back to the costume house. The poets are getting ready and I let them know I will be heading their way as soon as I get a treat. I head to the banana booth and get my favorite: Peanut butter dip with marshmallow fluff. I take my decadent treat and head to the front of the festival. I meet up with the poets and help gather words to write their poems. For some reason, the first word I get is Banana…what a surprise. I let the gents write and at one poem, I believe the word was elephant, the Other Italian forfeits. I am asked to defend my country and I win. Later, one of the other poets asks me for advice on this kind of competition. I say I just open my mouth and start to speak. I don’t even have the first rhyme often and sentences don’t have to end at the end of a line. But after having written lyrics and poetry in my youth, it’s kinda second nature. My feet are killing me, so I attempt to lounge on their blanket. This is not as easy as it looks in a corset…trust me. But I do alright and we as a group pose for some pictures. I also finally test run a bit that just hasn’t worked yet with one of the other actors. While there isn’t a great crowd, it was good for us to have it ready for other days. We fill the time till the day is over and are surprised by the cannons. I head out with the gents and end another day.
PACKING UP
I head into the costume house to change. We don’t want Stitch lifting if she doesn’t have to, so I, as well as others, take the bags of costumes into the truck for washing during the week. Then, I finish changing and when I take down my hair, I am really impressed at how it falls. I even step out of the house to show it off. Small things please me. Once changed, I head out and meet with others to hear how their days went. Many are going out for sushi, which I can’t have this time of year, so I opt for a small gathering at a place with a tasty salad bar. The conversation is amusing and I get some great suggestions for a bit the Marquessa and I have been playing with. She may not be happy, but I think this is going to be hysterical. The day ends, and we all head home. I am reminded why I can’t forget to take my probiotic. But over all, it’s a good weekend.
This weekend is Scottish weekend, and there is rain in the forecast (ah the irony), but let’s see how it pans out.
Stupina has two special guest readers this weekend:
Saturday: Mayor Frances Yaxley
Sunday: Poet John Skelton
Don’t miss your chance to see these gents and their take on how to be Girlie!
Till next time…
