So many things to talk about!

1. If you happen by my Flickr account, you may be dazed & confused by the high number of older pics that I've been adding. This is being done to support my Ravelry habit... I feel compelled to add as many photos of projects and stash as I can. Having all those pics has had a nice side benefit: Two of my photos were requested to accompany pattern entries (Princess Leia wig/hat and Amulet Bags). Mostly, it's nice to see so many completed things in one place. Makes me feel all accomplished, even if the vast majority of the projects are rectangular.

I am really enjoying Ravelry -- I highly recommend that any knitter get over there and put themselves on the waiting list (and then be patient). In the meantime, start loading pics of stash, WIPs and FOs* into Flickr. If you're on there, my user name is the same as it is here: crazycatladymel. In addition to being a thrilled beta tester.** I'm a volunteer editor, too. Plus, I got to link my few, simple original designs to my new "designer profile.

Edited to add: Yikes! The waiting list is REALLY long (over 20,000), so you'll need to be REALLY patient. But the sooner you get on the list, the sooner you'll get your invite, even if it takes a while.

You can put in at least part of your book library (the site is still in beta, so it's not 100% functional), a needle inventory, projects you are working on or have finished, or projects you'd like to work on (queue) as well as your stash. I'm behind on the stash, but have entered the majority of my FOs. I'm not entering everything I've ever made, but there is still a lot there.

2. This is where the title comes in. On Saturday, fullfaun and I went to SLRF. I'd promised Heather that I'd help her distribute the vendor applications for next summer's Charlevoix Renaissance Festival, plus fullfaun and I just wanted to get out and "do" faire. A week prior, I'd brought home a huge dream catcher from my Dad's house. One of his cousins made it, I think, for her tribe's shop or a booth at a craft show. I'm not certain of the details, except that he loved that thing. Well, Heather is a shaman, and was so supportive of me during Dad's illness, and afterwards, so I wanted to share it with her. Somehow, I dropped it and didn't notice. I mean, it was 18" across, and I dropped it on my way in. I saw her at the back entry, and realized it was gone, so I got Anita's keys and walked all the way back to the car - I just figured I'd set it back down on the seat, but it was gone. I walked back to the gate and burst into tears. Big old crybaby tears!! It had been my dad's, and now it was gone forever. (Yes, this is a fairly typical reaction for me. I can be all stoic and reasonable when it's someone else's crisis, but when it's mine and it isn't life or death...)

I have such bad luck with things like that, so it didn't occur to me to check lost and found. Well, there it was. Not like someone could comfortably carry it around all day, said the cynic in me. But really, I was just glad that someone had turned it in - whether they were just good, honest people, or didn't want to be saddled down with it. So it's safe now, in its new home.

3. How much do I love knitting baby things?! Not for me, before anyone asks. I have an emergency pair of baby booties on the needle for a coworker who helped me out in an emergency yesterday. I told him I'd send cookies if I baked, but could offer something knitted. TUrns out his wife is expecting a baby girl in October. Another LJ friend had a baby last week, and I have something in mind to knit for that little girl, as soon as I'm done with this second bootie. Specs are with the photo - just click on it to open.


4. Finally... not a great health week for me. On Saturday, I hurt my hip in a big way. It's better now, but starts aching badly by late afternoon. Plus, my sugar has come close to crashing the last 2 days. It's kind of a good sign -- the meds are starting to work and just need to be tweaked -- but it leaves me feeling quite oogy. Like right now. Work pressues being added to this doesn't help. I need a couple of days off!


*WIPs: Works in Progress
FOs: Finished Objects
Stash: Yarn that isn't on the needles (OtN) yet

**Nothing special there. I heard about it and put my name & email on the waiting list. A few hundred people are automatically emailed invites each week, in order of the requests.

Finally – a weekend update.

I didn't get quite as much prep. done as I'd planned on Wednesday and Thursday, so I ended up packing (out of the dryer) on Friday morning, which led to a fairly late start, but all was good since I got there the same time Heather did. The faire started on Saturday, but vendors, etc. have to check-in prior to that and set up, and I was there to help with the check-in part. I think I told some people that I was going to Kalamazoo, but the faire is in Battle Creek. Luckily, I had an exit number and some directions before I set out!

There are things I would like to gripe about, but can't. I can say, with certainty, that they have nothing to do with Heather (in case she gets 15 seconds to come visit here and wonders). I can say that I took lots of notes (“lessons learned") to apply to the next application package. You can't stop complainers, and you can't stop stupidity or laziness, but you can cover your butt as much as possible in advance. That way, when people do start to gripe, you can tell them that it was covered in their application package.

SLRF is set in this adorable wooded area. This is just year 2 at this location, and they've done a lot of work to make the site more level and accessible, but it is, essentially, the OUTDOORS. People whined about there being too much shade (imagine!) or not enough shade (can't fabricate that) and about the ground not being completely level. I don't know how Heather has put up with all this whining for the 4 or so seasons she's been doing this.

Can you honestly claim that something was sprung on you at the last minute, while at the same time declaring that you received the two emails that were sent and chose to ignore them? Can you show up an hour after the 3d day of check-in ends and really expect preferential treatment? Sigh. But there are complainers everywhere, I guess. All-in-all, I had fun, regardless, and hope I was some help.

Sometimes, vendors do so well that they have booths at different faires simultaneously, and have to hire managers to take care of their business at a location. Sometimes, they do not get lucky in their choice of employees. One entire team had to be booted from the site on Friday. They would have been sent home earlier if they hadn't disappeared for several days, after they got caught stealing from a construction site down the road. They were given more chances than I would have given, and still screwed up – on purpose (20 minutes later) – because they didn't believe they'd be sent home.

After the police left (to escort the kicked-off vendors), and the late complaining arrival was dealt with, a bunch of us went to a local bar to blow off some steam. Oh, but the music was dreadful! There was no real rhyme or reason to the DJ's selections. None of it seemed to fit the clientele (not just us, although except for us, it was mostly empty). Someone finally went over and made some requests, which improved things for a bit. There was all kinds of silliness, and it was good to be out with that kind of crowd again.* We didn't spot the dress code until we were on our way out. The use of the word “wore" caught my eye, and the grammar snobs in our departing group groaned a bit.


Saturday
On Saturday, it turned out that she didn't need my help so much. There was no way except cell phones to keep in touch, and there just wasn't much for me to do, plus I was sore from all the craziness on Friday (I am so out of shape), so I ended up leaving early. I spotted the lovely blue fairies (pictured above) on my way out, and HAD to get a picture! The kettle corn guy is immediately inside the front gate, which also means he's quite handy on the way out as well, so I bought a bag of corn for the trip home. Not generally allowed, but it's once a year.

Faire Impressions
It's been a couple of years since I was able to attend SLRF. Last year, Dad was sick, and the year before that, I boycotted the faire because of how something was handled. I missed their first year in the new location, and was very eager to see it in person. It did not disappoint! 80% of the grounds (not counting the joust field, because I didn't make it back there) are in a wooded area: very shady, and 10-degrees cooler than in the non- shaded areas. I know I'm a little biased, because one of my bestest friends is Co-Director for the vendor portion, but I'm continually impressed by the quality of vendors they pull in. There was some excellent shopping do be done! Great food selection, plus a coffee stand, fresh-squeezed lemonade, etc. If you are into the more adult beverages, they had cider on tap, mead, etc.

I didn't hang around to see the entertainment, but every stage I passed was standing-room only for the first show of the day. I saw Ded Bob wandering around, and Ric Rock.

It's a different faire from when the wench's guild was heavily active. I'm trying to count back on my fingers to remember how many years ago I started going. My first day at SLRF is the day I met Heather. She was just barely pregnant with her son, who is about 6-1/2 now, so I guess that makes it 7 years? Different doesn't mean worse. It's just different. It's a far more professionally-run faire. I miss being involved, but times do change.

I'll be heading back over, at least once before the run is over (there are 4 weekends to go). I believe fullfaun is going with me.

*Once upon a time, I was in – or at least on the fringes of – the “in" crowd. Now, I'm pretty much ignored or even sneered at. Very different experience. Very Jr. High. But it was fun when I was in, and I missed the feeling of belonging I used to have. I just had to keep telling myself that I was there to help Heather.

I'm a sucker for any faire that has tons of trees and looks as though it's been dropped into the woods, which is the impression that the Mayfaire grounds give. For scenery, Mayfaire gets high marks. Otherwise, I wasn't really impressed.

Luckily, I was there to hang out with one of my best friends, and because I was also helping out in the booth she was running, I didn't have to pay to get in. I think if I'd driven the 2 hours and paid the $9 entrance fee, I would have been really annoyed. If I'd been handicapped in any way, I would have been pissed. One stage was at the top of a steep hill, completely inaccessible to anyone in a wheelchair, and questionable for anyone with bad knees, hips, etc.. I saw a woman with a walker attempting to climb the "steps," but don't know if she made it. The pathways and roads were very uneven and soft, and although there were a few handicapped porta-johns, at least one was on a slope and wobbled a little.

I've been struggling with how to write this so it didn't take a novel to explain. The closest comparison I could come up with is that this faire felt like a big 'ole rennie party, screw the 'danes,* screw the merchants. Certainly not anything like a business where the paying customers are a high priority. Very much like a hobbyist event, with some unprofessional signage, etc. Not to mention people smoking inside one of the food tents (reselling Little Ceasar's pizza). There were some downright scary-looking folks that appeared to be on cast,** and something about an ogre who wanted to eat children (I was there for a full day and never saw it, only saw and heard cast members running, ringing a bell and screaming about it.) The best way to phrase it is to say that I wouldn't recommend the faire to any non-rennies. Unless you lived nearby, had nothing better to do, and got free tickets. There was at least one excellent musical act (sadly, at the top of the steep hill, and my hips couldn't take the climb).

Now, if you are a rennie, and you've been to this faire, and you had fun, please don't take this personally! I'm coming at it from the perspective of someone who's only been on the fringes for the last couple of years, and who is trying to see it from the perspective of my non-rennie friends and family. Rennies can have fun anywhere there are at least a handful of other people in garb (they make their own fun).

So, I can't recommend this faire; however, I can recommend the Michigan Renaissance Festival (Holly, August/September) or Silver Leaf (Kalamazoo, July/August) for local folks who want to try a Ren faire. MiRF is very large and more commercial (not to everyone's taste), and SLRF is smaller and less commercial but very well run.


*'dane is short for "mundane," which is ren-speak for non-rennies, or folks in street clothes. It's not a put-down, just a distinction. Rennies who wear street clothes to faire aren't 'danes. They are wearing 'danes, and are said to be naked (as in, "why are you naked?").

**If these folks were playtrons (ticket-bearing folks who come in costume), then the faire can't be held accountable, of course. But I'm 97% sure that the ones I'm thinking about are on cast. Clarification: By "scary," I mean "could scare children." Not bad-garb-scary, although there were some of those too (every faire has those).

I hope to come back and post more details, but in the meantime, check out the descriptions for each of these photos here.

The bit about the rooster and the bagpipe? 2 spaces over from us was a pen with rescued birds, including a couple of hens and a rooster. The rooster crowed about every half hour, which was kind of annoying, but just before closing, a piper started to practice on the far side of our next door neighbor (a kilt shop), between that booth and the rooster's pen. Do roosters crow when they're happy or angry? This little guy was singing right along with the piper. He especially seemed to like it when the bagpipes were "idling" (I don't know that term, but you know the sound -- when the air is going through but the piper isn't playing?). I have video, but it's got troubles. First, I shot it sideways. Second, I think it could be edited down significantly. Third, not sure how/where to host it. I don't want it on YouTube, not really.

The time is not a typo. I woke up a little bit ago, and wasn't able to fall back to sleep. I have to be up in an hour or so, but am going to try and doze again in a bit.

The pic to the left is one I took yesterday, after we got Shel home and he was resting (and I was waiting for a work email that never came (was busy enough w/o it, though)). It's my twine acorn, the one that SIL T got for me awhile back. There is still some of the white twine left, but ever since the baker's twine arrived, I've wanted to replace the white with the barber pole.

I used my ball winder to make a small, center-pull ball (so the twine can come straight through the opening). I accidentally made it too big, so I had to kind of stuff it in there (pic of it open), but it works perfectly.

I keep the acorn in my packaging basket, and now it's going to be a breeze to add this cute extra touch!

Around 6 AM, I'll be giving Shel his morning pill, feeding him, and hitting the road. Part of me wants to stay behind, but John will be here, and I have promises to keep (and a best friend to hang out with). Heather is an animal person, and if Shel were quite ill, she'd understand if I backed out, but the truth is, she needs me (I'm helping her with the booth she's helping out with, plus, she shouldn't be alone), and Shel is doing fine. (Plus, I miss her!) Last night, I couldn't find my overnight bag, so I sewed up a giant, lined tote. (Then found my overnight bag). It's missing a button and the threads haven't been snipped, but everything I needed fit inside, so I'm happy.

I promise pictures and a mini review after I return (Sunday morning). I've never been to this faire, and it should be interesting.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! John, Sheldon, the rest of the kitties and I all want to thank you for your long-distance scritches, kisses and hugs, for the prayers said and the candles lit. They absolutely made a difference!

Bonus: pics of Sheldon taken yesterday, over on Flickr - #1 and #2.

Shoes
I'm going to Mayfaire on Saturday. It's my first time there. I'm mostly going because Heather is manning a friend's booth and it's about halfway between our homes. The fact that it's a Renaissance faire is just a bonus. I realized the other day that I don't have any shoes to wear. I've completely worn out my Dreamshoes (both pair). Maybe someday I'll spend some $ and get some excellent, period shoes, but for Saturday, I just need something that will pass for period and don't cost too much.

I went to Payless at lunch on my at-home day. I was beginning to be very sad, because they had nothing I could work with. I was hoping for a simple pair of lace-up shoes, similar to a kind I'd worn to faire in the past, but they had nothing. On a whim, I went to check out the men's section, and found a pair of shoes that will do. Except they're not shoes. They're slippers. But they have rubber soles and suede uppers, and except for the bow (from the laces), they're just simple shoes.

Such a long list of things to get together by tomorrow night (I'll leave the house around 6 AM on Saturday)! In the last 3 seasons, I've been to MiRF a total of 3 times, and haven't been to SLRF since '04. So my stuff is spread out all over! Wish me luck on putting something wearable together.

Drugs
I think I mentioned before that my neurologist (whom I see about migraines) tried to medicate away my grief when I saw him last month. I don't have an issue with taking drugs when they're needed and, in fact, have been taking antidepressants off & on for years. However, doubling my regular antidepressant and adding .5 mg of Xanax three times a day? Pushing it to the extreme! I needed to actually function, you know? I left the stack of prescriptions on my sewing machine table, along with all the samples, and went on my way. But then my right eye started twitching again, and nothing I could do would stop it, so I figured an evening dose of the Xanax might help a little.

Day 1 (Monday), I took one .5 mg tab around 7 p.m. It didn't make me drowsy or anything, but I woke up feeling like complete crap. The only good news: my eye didn't start twitching until later than usual. Day 2 (Tuesday), I took half of a tablet, and didn't feel quite as bad on Wednesday, but not well enough to take any last night (although my eye twitched less). It definitely seems to help, but the sluggishness the next day isn't worth it. Maybe I'll try ½ a tablet on the weekends only.

What is it with doctors? When I was in college, a doctor asked me if I overate when I was anxious. (I was a little overweight then, nothing like now.) I said yes, because it was true. But he didn't ask if I overate when I was happy, celebrating, sad, bored... He wrote a prescription for Xanax: 0.25 mg, 1-2 every 4 hours. I didn't realize what they were, so I tried them, and just one turned me into a zombie. I wonder what EIGHT a day would do? I ended up keeping them just for major PMS days, but refused to take more than one a day, and even then only 1-2 days per month.

My neurologist prescribed almost the same amount - 0.50 mg, 3x per day - because I was sad over my father's death. I don't understand that. Am I just super-sensitive to these meds, or do some people really need to be that numb? Even if I didn't have to get in a car and drive an hour each way to work, and function all day, I can't imagine taking pills like that on a regular basis.

Charlevoix Renaissance Fair: June 2008 @ Castle Farms in Charlevoix, MI. It's a fab location - castle, marketplace (with stalls) and all that good stuff. I can't wait!

Keeping this secret's been KILLING me! I'm normally not "in" on things like this, but since I made Silver Leaf's vendor application this year, I was asked to modify it for the new faire. I had to promise not to breathe a word of it to anyone until the official announcement was made. That happened last night, so I'm free to blab now.

All but bottom right: Wonderful storyteller! Everyone was fascinated when this came down the "street." There are 6 or more openings for puppets to pop out and take part (1 puppeteer inside), all these little peepholes to look in, bubbles coming out the back, and a fairy dust shower.

Bottom right: These guys were having too much fun. Not official entertainment.

In this post, you can see my new garb from head-to-toe, plus watch the progression on the Red Scarf Project scarf #4.

Top left: The beginning of the day. I got a little bit done on Friday.

Bottom left: I spent a lot of time here, just outside the shop, but under the horizontal shutters that cover the windows after hours. This kept me out of the way if there were customers, but out of the rain too. The scarf has grown! See the big bulge in the left pocket? That's the gigantic ball of yarn! It was perfect - nothing to carry, and everywhere I went, I had my knitting. If anyone asked what I was knitting, I explained about the Red Scarf Project. One young man was so excited, he had to give me a hug: he's adopting a 12-year-old boy! Kids that age hardly ever get adopted.

Top right: Guest Knitter #2 - Heather

Bottom right: End of the day - can you see how long it is? Full size pic is here.

I love the mistake rib! To do: cast on an uneven # of stitches (I went with a multiple of 4, minus 1 so I ended on a P1) and K2, P2 (ending w/ P1) on every row. It doesn't collapse as much as a 2x2 ribbing would.

I also adore this yarn! I think the zig-zags might be annoying on a different project, but they work on a scarf. Well, a different project would yield a different pattern.

Saturday was a great day! I got to spend 12 hours with one of my favorite people in the entire world, help her learn to knit, get some knitting done myself, dress up, and eat some bad soup in a breadbowl (okay, that part... not so good).

I have SO much to write about, so I'm going to try to chunk it up a little. I'll do knitting later, because it will be easy enough to remember. First, the shop (and there will be more on that too, because I took some pics of the items there): Heather was at MiRF* in the first place to help out a vendor friend of hers, who got a slot at MiRF at the last second and a chance to spilt time in one of the permanent structures. For the first 4 weeks of the run, Beckalyn's Masquerade had the shop, and the owner of the shop will be there for the last 3 weeks. They had - literally - almost no time to prepare (maybe a week?), so Heather came on Saturdays to help out. I was able to go to faire and hang out twice. This time, it was rainy and icky, and business was slow**, so I was able to spend a lot of time in the tiny shop. I helped out a little, but mostly tried to not be in the way. I even bought a tail, to show off to customers how they worked. It probably wasn't necessary to buy it, but I can definitely use it as part of my garb next summer. I did appreciate them letting me hang out, and constantly offering to feed me.

As you can see by the big pic in the collage (the pic was taken from outside the shop), we had a great vantage point to people-watch. Because we both had decided to deviate from "period" garb (see how shiny Heather's sleeves are?), we couldn't rag on the non-period garb like we used to, but there was plenty to gawk at. I understand that shop owners are there to make money, but it was really sad to see people spending hundreds of dollars on new garb - that didn't fit - and wearing it with tennis shoes. The worst was a lady who'd purchased the entire Sea Queen outfit from Pendgragon ($625). The only thing that fit was the coat; she was bulging out in all the wrong places. And then tennies.

We had two very interesting couples in the shop in the afternoon. Words cannot describe our amazement at the husband who was WAY more into selecting his wife's jewelry than she was. She didn't have a say in it at all. Bossy little control freak! He picked out a choker that he thought would match her dress (for a party, I think), and then spent 20 minutes going through the earrings, looking for an exact match. "'We' don't like that color" "'We' don't think that matches well enough." "'We' want it to match your dress perfectly." All the while, she's just standing there, like she gave up on having her own opinion a long time ago. We got the impression that he'd also picked out the dress.

The other couple... wow. Glad for them that they had money to burn. It was good for the shops they spent it all in, for sure, but I felt so bad for their small children. They parked them outside, a 6-y.o. girl, a 4-y.o. boy, and an 18-m.o. girl, and really thought they'd stay put and behaved themselves for the forty-five minutes it took them to decide on masks. They seemed really nice until you saw them interact with the kids. The poor little boy, 4 or so to start with, had too much energy to stay put in the baby's stroller! Oh yeah, she was out and wandering around, and they buckled and zipped him into the stroller and rain cover. At least I think it was the baby's stroller. Maybe it was his portable prison. The older girl was expected to look after the younger two, and was scolded when they acted up. The little boy (of course) got out of the stroller and it was 10 minutes before the parents realized it (and only when he came into the shop). "How did you get out of that?" And then yelling at him because he might have damaged the very expensive rain cover. Truth be told, they all acted like kids their ages act. I've definitely seen worse! But it wasn't enough. I got the impression that the folks were shopping for a party - maybe a costume ball or big Halloween extravaganze - because they each bought masks (over $300 total) and three total shoulder puppets from Midsummer Night's Dream (maybe $500?) - maybe they should have hired a sitter?

Food experiences for the day were less than steller. The one soup place was out of their baked potato soup, so I walked to the other place that never had it. I settled on brocolli cheese. Ack. Not very good. And even less soup than the "expensive," "gourmet" place. A few hours later, I got a "steak" sandwich (minute steak) that wasn't half bad, but I wasn't that hungry (being laced into a bodice will do that to you).

The best part was just hanging out with Heather and catching up on everything. Of course, now that her season is over***, we talk on the phone almost daily (love Verizon), but it's just not the same. We've already made tentative plans to meet in Lansing at the cool Threadbear yarn shop I've heard so much about. It's not quite half-way, but close enough.

More later!

*Michigan Renaissance Festival.
**A large part of the shop's stock is feather masks and fans, which don't do so well in the rain, plus attendance was down because of the weather.
***She and Beckalyn are the "Vendor Goddesses" for the Silver Leaf Renaissance Festival in Battle Creek.

I love how Amy at Inspire Co. did her captions in this post! It's a wonderful crafty blog - which deserves checking out on it's own, but this new caption thing is too cool. ETA: She added a random good fortune generator! Everytime you visit, or refresh, you get a fresh fortune.

And, please check out The Felt Mouse's Principal Skinner Craft Night results.

Well, I'm off to faire in a little bit. I'm meeting milady1 a little early, so we can help each other get dressed.

Yes, I am constructing new garb to go with the hat I bought 2 weeks ago. I am well aware that I have one or two days left at faire, but there is always Halloween! And next summer at Silver Leaf. Heather and I are going to dress as old-timey healers/witches. I didn't want to do all new garb, so we hatched this idea to add an apron with big pockets and modify one existing piece (the skirt). My tribute to Nanny Ogg are the two hedgehog patches on the pockets.

Right: I made this fabulous gored skirt for my privateer garb a few seasons ago. Unfortunately, it got into a fight with a pair of Dreamshoes and lost. I thought there was no hope, but Heather and I were working out garbs for our newest personas and she suggested a patchwork skirt.

I thought, why not a patched skirt? This is the back view - since the front will be covered by the apron, I didn't add patches there.


I don't know how it will LOOK on me (bodice + apron?) but I'm so glad my old skirt got a new lease on life! And now, it's the wonkier, the better.

milady1 is ill, so she won't be coming to faire. I'll take this opportunity to work a little longer on my garb for next weekend and go then. My plans for the long weekend are light. Hope everyone has fun.

A brief recap of my day at faire.

This coming weekend would mark two years without going to faire. Luckily, I'm not "Monk" enough to stay away an extra week just to make it even. I was going to see several of my favorite people, and I did!

fullfaun & I met in the parking lot (parked literally kitty-corner from each other - that never happens), helped each other finish dressing (What? You don't get dressed* in parking lots?) and headed to buy tickets. I figured on a long line. Nope. Which was good for us, because I hate waiting in line, but not so good for the faire. Hopefully, business picked up later.

We immediately headed in the direction of Heather's friend's booth. I went left when I should have turned right, so it took us a few minutes (the only direction I had was "near the fountain" so it wasn't really my fault). I was delighted to see Heather! I haven't seen her since the wedding, and hardly talked to her since the spring, because of her job with another faire. She had the most FABULOUS hat, and of course I needed one. She's a good sport, but I tried to get one as different in color as possible. We'll have fun dressing similarly - after all, we were 2/3 of the Sanderson Sisters one Halloween (moiracoon was the third), and have matching tattoos! So, it's cool that we now both have fabulous pointed "witch" hats.

The shop is really tiny, so I didn't hang around there all day (didn't want to obstruct business!), but popped in every little bit. fullfaun's friends came, so we parted ways, then I ran into downy_alltide, then Jennifer & her hubby showed up. I had an extra buy one get one free coupon in my bag, so I met them at the gate. My calves are STILL sore from all the walking! I didn't do much but walk, and talk, and window shop. I ate a little bit - fabulous baked potato soup in a bread bowl and chocolate ice cream in a waffle cone (I ate both using my wonderful wooden spoon). I even got some knitting done! But I didn't realize that the spot I settled in was exactly where the wenches were mustering for their walk. That caused some confusion! If anyone of them is reading this: I didn't know - I swear! I'm sure it looked like I picked that spot just to make it obvious that I wasn't walking.

I was asked several times by concerned friends if I had any awkward encounters. And the answer is no. (Amazing!) Not one of the people I talked to was a person I was hoping to avoid. Those folks either weren't there, didn't recognize me, didn't see me, or, there is a slim chance people thought they were punishing me by giving me the silent treatment (funny how people think that's punishment, when it's really like a present). It was lovely to see and talk to the folks I did see. I missed moiracoon, though. It was weird without her. (ETA: I've been informed that Saturday was the 5th anniversary of our meeting. If I did the math, I could figure out which year in July I met Heather. I think it's been 7 years?)

Since Heather will be there the next two Saturdays, I think I will too! When one of your best friends, who normally lives on the other side of the state, is less than an hour away, you have to go! (Yeah, twist my arm.)

*I don't drive in bodices, ever. And since I'm usually going somewhere afterwards, dressing in 'danes to drive to faire ensures that I have every article of clothing I need. Nothing like changing afterwards and realizing you don't have a bra. There is an art to changing into garb in a parking lot. After my first try, I've been able to do it completely - from jeans and shirt to chemise, skirt & bodice (and back again) - without showing anything I shouldn't.

It's looking like I will actually make it to faire* this summer! I haven't seen one of my best women (Heather) since the wedding. She's going to be helping out at a booth, and I'm going to dig out garb and go visit (and maybe help out too, just for the heck of it) next Saturday. She'll be there this weekend, but I'm broke (and have much to do). So next weekend it is. This is going to be great, but weird at the same time. It will be yet another phase in my life at faire. First was the discovery, and the first few visits without knowing anyone. Second was my time with the guilds. Now, I'll be attending, knowing some people, but without the social network that I had for so many years. Some folks have moved away, some aren't speaking to me, and some have forgotten I exist. It will be like attending an almost entirely new faire!

There are a couple of reasons things have changed for me regarding faire. One of the biggest is that I've changed. I got a lot out of faire, but I'm not the same person anymore. I still love it, but it's different.

( My history with faire, and its future (in my life) - (Really long) )