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Jun. 25th, 2007 04:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rowangolightlyWhat to say? I'm tired, I'm contented and as someone said, "Well, it didn't suck!" *chuckle*
No, it most definitely didn't suck. I'll TRY to keep this brief...
"What a long way we've come in a year!" I think that sums it up well. Yes, there were problems and scary moments, like when the ice machine didn't work on Friday night, but through hard work and great cooperation and a 'can do' attitude on everyones' parts; we made it. Yes, there were fewer patrons that we'd have liked for the first weekend but those who were there thoroughly enjoyed themselves, as did the performers and crafters and crew.
You see, we very consciously include everyone in the family and focus on the Family that we're creating. Everyone seems to get it and appreciate it, right along with the idea of treating everyone like adults and professionals and insisting on (everyone say it with me now) "No politics, no drama, no bullshit, NO KIDDING!" Working with an owner with whom we're precisely on the same page, a partner who is every step beside me in this and amazing volunteers who form the framework of getting stuff done and not being afraid of the hard work that it takes, partnering with an Entertainment Director who knows what he's doing and whom I trust and admire greatly...it all makes for a simply amazing experience. There isn't anything we can't overcome to build this thing right.
I'm not going to try to document things in an accurate timeline. Besides, I have too much sewing left to do this week; and entirely new costume for me to wear that is lighter weight and cooler. I had to do a whole lot more sitting this weekend than I preferred but at least I didn't go down from the heat! And yes, it was hot, particularly on Sunday. Rather humid, as the temps weren't all that high but the humidity! We even survived a pretty tremendous thunderstorm on Saturday night; kudos to those who held the tent to gether. Even more kudos to those who have such amazingly built tents that didn't even quiver in those winds and torrential rains!
Anyway...here's a ramble of memories of which I wish to keep track:
I drove up Thursday afternoon in order to make two TV promo appearances on Friday morning; both went well and seemed to be well-received. It's also obvious that the local TV stations are not accustomed to professional entertainers but we'll "train" them eventually. They could've had a whole lot more entertainment than they realized in the 2 minutes provided. *grin* Chris, Erin and I did the first one and then we added Julie and Heather for the second one. The rest of the afternoon was taken up with me moving my stuff out of the big bedroom so that Charles' son and daughter-in-law could use it. Finally got to meet them and discover that the acorn didn't fall too far from the tree; wonderful folk whose home faire is MNRF. So I moved into the newly-cleaned and prepared Dairy Room with all our stuff; many thanks to Adrienne and Robin-Pi for all the hard work and special touches. Once I unpacked and settled in, set up and made the bed, it seemed quite homey indeed.
The Site was hopping like mad then I drove up to see it on Friday evening just before dark as I'd spent most of the day sewing, finishing the two guards' costumes with very timely appearances of both fellas for fittings. During the afternoon I got to chat a bit with (can't remember her name, dammit) the daughter-in-law who offered to help; bless her and Becky's heart for helping me with the hand sewing of the fasteners or I'd've never gotten done in time.
Folk were industriously setting up tents and product, doing last-minute hammering and preparing and poor Adam was running around like a chicken with his head cut off finishing everything. I'm so immensely grateful that he took the Site Director's job; he did an awesome job of it and had a lot of wonderful help from all sorts of wonderful folk.
Lots of hugs, greetings and a few introductions the names of which I promised not to remember and everyone seemed to understand; it was very heartening to see the faire shaping up and looking twice the size, twice the vendors and lots of smiling faces. I headed back to finish the sewing and get ready to go to bed; tired didn't begin to cover how I felt.
Bruce and everyone else rolled in about 10:30 and the rest of the room got moved in and settled. Much thanks to Riley for the work in cleaning the far side of the Dairy Rooom both for Amber to sleep and for Bob's Falconers to cool off during the day, if needed. Crash and up early on Saturday to start this faire.
I went up to site for morning meeting in my usual garb; bloomers, chemise and corset so it wouldn't take me too long to get ready after the meeting. I unloaded stuff at the Court area and we quickly put up the side drapes for the pavilion for additional shade; had just enough time with wonderful help. I knew that Chris and Di would be busy and probably not there on time which proved to be true. I hollered around and told everyone about meeting at 8:45 and had a good crowd by the time we started, on time, too. Chris soon joined me and we set out the ground-rules, expectations and the basic philosophy; did the introductions, the thank yous and everything that needed to be done in about 10 minutes and then brief guild meetings and off to start the day.
After the court arrived at 10:30, there were two young men, one on Saturday and one on Sunday, who made an obvious bee-line soon as they arrived, to greet the Queen and to ask, "do you remember me, you knighted me last year!" Of course I didn't but of course I said, "Yes, you've grown!" Both adorable children who took the knighting to heart in an amazing way. The youngster on Saturday blurted out, "I'm getting straight A's!" which made me and his mother standing back a bit both smile. I raised an eyebrow at her and she smiled and nodded. Without a word, she acknowledged that this little ceremony had made that much an impact on her son. It reminded me once again how important the work/play is that we're doing; we never know the impact we're having on those around us. By every small choice we make, we influence our world on a daily basis...another reason we can't afford 'moods' or personal stuff to intrude into the faire day. One never knows the impact an interaction will have on those we're not even aware may be watching us.
It was also a joy to see how my two guards, who are both new to the job and who are doing a fantastic job, get the nuances and the delights of watching the interactions with the children. I'm so very lucky in the two gentlemen I have as guards; I couldn't have chosen better if I'd tried. Both of them take the job with the right degree of seriousness and care but they also work so well together without me having to give any direction or even think about it. It's such a joy and makes my job so much easier.
I could go on and on about each member of my court and how fortunate I am to have each one of them as a part of the team. Surely, we can figure out ways to play more and have an actual "Court show" with people bringing cases to be heard and deliberated and to make a more splendid spectacle but for a first weekend with no actual rehearsal with the whole company, I couldn't be more pleased. The children's knighting is as always my favorite thing of the day. It took about 2 minutes to direct my court folk in how I wished it set up and then it was; great to work with pros, indeed.
The new stage looks wonderful, the whole site is so much improved and about twice the size with many more tents, vendors and reinacting groups, unexpected meetings with old friends added in to help build this faire along with new friends we've made help to make this an outstanding faire. Yes, rustic and new, but with such an amazing spirit that it's a joy to behold.
More highlights to fill out later:
Scenes that work
Delicious camp-made apple fritters
the ever-expanding feast
the official faire restaurant
surviving a storm
the Grove dedication
new friends who become instant siblings
watermelon hats
dancing fun
visitors who rock
Tired today and much to do. I'm sure I'll add more to this but right now I think I need a nap.
No, it most definitely didn't suck. I'll TRY to keep this brief...
"What a long way we've come in a year!" I think that sums it up well. Yes, there were problems and scary moments, like when the ice machine didn't work on Friday night, but through hard work and great cooperation and a 'can do' attitude on everyones' parts; we made it. Yes, there were fewer patrons that we'd have liked for the first weekend but those who were there thoroughly enjoyed themselves, as did the performers and crafters and crew.
You see, we very consciously include everyone in the family and focus on the Family that we're creating. Everyone seems to get it and appreciate it, right along with the idea of treating everyone like adults and professionals and insisting on (everyone say it with me now) "No politics, no drama, no bullshit, NO KIDDING!" Working with an owner with whom we're precisely on the same page, a partner who is every step beside me in this and amazing volunteers who form the framework of getting stuff done and not being afraid of the hard work that it takes, partnering with an Entertainment Director who knows what he's doing and whom I trust and admire greatly...it all makes for a simply amazing experience. There isn't anything we can't overcome to build this thing right.
I'm not going to try to document things in an accurate timeline. Besides, I have too much sewing left to do this week; and entirely new costume for me to wear that is lighter weight and cooler. I had to do a whole lot more sitting this weekend than I preferred but at least I didn't go down from the heat! And yes, it was hot, particularly on Sunday. Rather humid, as the temps weren't all that high but the humidity! We even survived a pretty tremendous thunderstorm on Saturday night; kudos to those who held the tent to gether. Even more kudos to those who have such amazingly built tents that didn't even quiver in those winds and torrential rains!
Anyway...here's a ramble of memories of which I wish to keep track:
I drove up Thursday afternoon in order to make two TV promo appearances on Friday morning; both went well and seemed to be well-received. It's also obvious that the local TV stations are not accustomed to professional entertainers but we'll "train" them eventually. They could've had a whole lot more entertainment than they realized in the 2 minutes provided. *grin* Chris, Erin and I did the first one and then we added Julie and Heather for the second one. The rest of the afternoon was taken up with me moving my stuff out of the big bedroom so that Charles' son and daughter-in-law could use it. Finally got to meet them and discover that the acorn didn't fall too far from the tree; wonderful folk whose home faire is MNRF. So I moved into the newly-cleaned and prepared Dairy Room with all our stuff; many thanks to Adrienne and Robin-Pi for all the hard work and special touches. Once I unpacked and settled in, set up and made the bed, it seemed quite homey indeed.
The Site was hopping like mad then I drove up to see it on Friday evening just before dark as I'd spent most of the day sewing, finishing the two guards' costumes with very timely appearances of both fellas for fittings. During the afternoon I got to chat a bit with (can't remember her name, dammit) the daughter-in-law who offered to help; bless her and Becky's heart for helping me with the hand sewing of the fasteners or I'd've never gotten done in time.
Folk were industriously setting up tents and product, doing last-minute hammering and preparing and poor Adam was running around like a chicken with his head cut off finishing everything. I'm so immensely grateful that he took the Site Director's job; he did an awesome job of it and had a lot of wonderful help from all sorts of wonderful folk.
Lots of hugs, greetings and a few introductions the names of which I promised not to remember and everyone seemed to understand; it was very heartening to see the faire shaping up and looking twice the size, twice the vendors and lots of smiling faces. I headed back to finish the sewing and get ready to go to bed; tired didn't begin to cover how I felt.
Bruce and everyone else rolled in about 10:30 and the rest of the room got moved in and settled. Much thanks to Riley for the work in cleaning the far side of the Dairy Rooom both for Amber to sleep and for Bob's Falconers to cool off during the day, if needed. Crash and up early on Saturday to start this faire.
I went up to site for morning meeting in my usual garb; bloomers, chemise and corset so it wouldn't take me too long to get ready after the meeting. I unloaded stuff at the Court area and we quickly put up the side drapes for the pavilion for additional shade; had just enough time with wonderful help. I knew that Chris and Di would be busy and probably not there on time which proved to be true. I hollered around and told everyone about meeting at 8:45 and had a good crowd by the time we started, on time, too. Chris soon joined me and we set out the ground-rules, expectations and the basic philosophy; did the introductions, the thank yous and everything that needed to be done in about 10 minutes and then brief guild meetings and off to start the day.
After the court arrived at 10:30, there were two young men, one on Saturday and one on Sunday, who made an obvious bee-line soon as they arrived, to greet the Queen and to ask, "do you remember me, you knighted me last year!" Of course I didn't but of course I said, "Yes, you've grown!" Both adorable children who took the knighting to heart in an amazing way. The youngster on Saturday blurted out, "I'm getting straight A's!" which made me and his mother standing back a bit both smile. I raised an eyebrow at her and she smiled and nodded. Without a word, she acknowledged that this little ceremony had made that much an impact on her son. It reminded me once again how important the work/play is that we're doing; we never know the impact we're having on those around us. By every small choice we make, we influence our world on a daily basis...another reason we can't afford 'moods' or personal stuff to intrude into the faire day. One never knows the impact an interaction will have on those we're not even aware may be watching us.
It was also a joy to see how my two guards, who are both new to the job and who are doing a fantastic job, get the nuances and the delights of watching the interactions with the children. I'm so very lucky in the two gentlemen I have as guards; I couldn't have chosen better if I'd tried. Both of them take the job with the right degree of seriousness and care but they also work so well together without me having to give any direction or even think about it. It's such a joy and makes my job so much easier.
I could go on and on about each member of my court and how fortunate I am to have each one of them as a part of the team. Surely, we can figure out ways to play more and have an actual "Court show" with people bringing cases to be heard and deliberated and to make a more splendid spectacle but for a first weekend with no actual rehearsal with the whole company, I couldn't be more pleased. The children's knighting is as always my favorite thing of the day. It took about 2 minutes to direct my court folk in how I wished it set up and then it was; great to work with pros, indeed.
The new stage looks wonderful, the whole site is so much improved and about twice the size with many more tents, vendors and reinacting groups, unexpected meetings with old friends added in to help build this faire along with new friends we've made help to make this an outstanding faire. Yes, rustic and new, but with such an amazing spirit that it's a joy to behold.
More highlights to fill out later:
Scenes that work
Delicious camp-made apple fritters
the ever-expanding feast
the official faire restaurant
surviving a storm
the Grove dedication
new friends who become instant siblings
watermelon hats
dancing fun
visitors who rock
Tired today and much to do. I'm sure I'll add more to this but right now I think I need a nap.
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no subject
Date: 2007-06-25 09:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-25 10:03 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-25 09:50 pm (UTC)What's this? Have you become a rabid right-wing Christian whose taken up residence in Colorado Springs? *grin*
no subject
Date: 2007-06-25 10:01 pm (UTC)Not hardly!
no subject
Date: 2007-06-25 09:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-25 10:04 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-25 09:57 pm (UTC)So True!! A flood of memories at that one sentence...
I'm delighted that you had such a lovely opening weekend! Wish I could have been there, but that whole "real life" thing again this year... Next Year! Definitely Next Year!
no subject
Date: 2007-06-25 10:06 pm (UTC)And yes, I wish you could come visit, too!
no subject
Date: 2007-06-25 10:15 pm (UTC)A woman confided in me at faire one day, pointing out a garbed gent across the way, "That man gave me the courage to leave my abusive husband." Several years prior at a different faire the man had casually flirted with her one morning and showered her with flowery comments and such, then a few hours later the husband put her down horribly and included a statement about how "no man would ever find her attractive." Because of the flirt, and the VERY recent evidence to the contrary that she *was* attractive, she had the strength to leave the abusive marriage. Amazing and true.
no subject
Date: 2007-06-25 10:19 pm (UTC)Yep, I have all sorts of stories about those small moments and I know others do as well. Think there could be a good book there if we'd collect them....
no subject
Date: 2007-06-25 11:59 pm (UTC)Probably would be an excellent book! (got any spare time laying about? I know I'm fresh out!)
no subject
Date: 2007-06-26 12:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-25 10:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-25 11:10 pm (UTC)Thanks, and today WAS my day of rest!
no subject
Date: 2007-06-26 03:02 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-26 03:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-26 03:51 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-26 04:17 am (UTC)Looking forward to next Sat after at first not wanting to come back on Sunday this weekend.
no subject
Date: 2007-06-26 04:32 am (UTC)More stuff like that needs to happen earlier in the day! If I'd been thinking better, we would've played with it more and finished it this next weekend. Hindsight....
But I"m glad you found your play switch!
no subject
Date: 2007-06-26 06:00 am (UTC)Wish I was there *le sigh* i miss faire days...
no subject
Date: 2007-06-26 03:38 pm (UTC)It's a pretty amazing place; you'll have to come and visit sometime!
no subject
Date: 2007-06-26 09:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-26 03:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-26 03:36 pm (UTC)You know, I even have to watch myself at other faires when that is said? It's damned embarrassing...
no subject
Date: 2007-06-26 03:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-26 03:59 pm (UTC)I'll also admit that it's the very first time I ever flipped anybody off in costume! But at least I looked around to make sure there weren't any patrons around....
no subject
Date: 2007-06-26 04:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-06-27 01:57 am (UTC)The box with the extra trims, etc. from the guards' uniforms is in the first bedroom at the house (where we were sleeping). We had put it there for safekeeping after the sewing was finished, and I set my bag on top of it to prevent any kitty abuse. So it was still there when we packed the truck up on Monday morning. It's got stuff on top of it again, so that the cats don't try to eat all of the trims.
Oh, and the ice maker will fill to the top in less than 12 hours. We had oodles of ice on Monday morning. And Di has worked out some weekday uses for the ice so we can keep the machine running (which is better for it in the long run).
no subject
Date: 2007-06-27 01:51 pm (UTC)Yay for ice! Yeah, keeping it running it definitely a good idea, I can see that.