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The Maryland Renaissance Festival -
CLOSING WEEKEND:
Saturday October 18, 2003:
This making gate is starting to become
a bad habit. LOL. I was there by 10:00. I guess when you fly 3000 miles it is
more important to make the most of every available moment than when you only
live an hour away. I do like the extra time it gives you to socialize. As soon
as the cannon sounded most everyone headed directly to the wedding. I saw Sunni
… and she looked AMAZING. Capi, don’t worry, I collected LOTS of Sunni-hugs …
and delivered a few Capi-hugs too.
Danicia & Ed's wedding was lovely. Yes, I did cry ... but I wasn't alone. The
entire wedding party looked amazing. Unfortunately most of my pictures didn't
turn out so well. It was a rather quick ceremony and everyone took off for the
Dragon Inn. I ran over to pick up the Madame gifts for Keltik and Lori. Theresa
& I didn’t do a formal presentation this year … we just sort of pulled them
aside and handed the gifts off. I did enjoy the momentary look of horror on
Keltik’s face when I told her that *I* got to pick the gifts this year. I wasn’t
evil. I think they both enjoyed their gifts :)
I had a hit set up to happen at one o’clock so I went to prepare. I'm sure by
now everyone knows that didn't happen. Yes, I failed to de-throne Keltik as the
reigning Goddess of EVIL. I tried. I really tried. My
target got tipped off :( There was a reason I was being so mysterious, but I
guess I wasn’t mysterious enough. Oh well. I apologize to anyone that took time
out of the day to be at the Dragon Inn to watch. It would have been fun if it
had played out. Perhaps next year.
Cathy wanted to SHOP. Twist my arm. LOL. So while Jim & Theresa went off to
play, Cathy and I went shopping. I think she managed to get all of the presents
that she wanted to. I bought her an early birthday present … even though she
keeps insisting that all she really wants is an IWG pin (I think I’ll leave that
present up to Theresa). My first faire purchase was a Moon Angel ring … so that
is what Cathy got, to remind her of her first trip to MDRF. I spent a good deal
of time with her on Saturday and I feel confident in saying it definitely won’t
be her last. She may be Jim’s baby sister, but I have quite a connection with
her and I could tell instantly she shared my love of Revel Grove.
After we had done enough damage to our pocketbooks, I took Cathy back to Theresa
at the Dragon Inn … and got sucked into a “Roll Your Leg Over” sing off. Have I
mentioned how much I *hate* to sing in front of strangers. I did two or three
verses before I found an excuse to leave and I went over to the chapel to say
good-bye to Bill for the season.
I have wanted to see Court’s Court on my previous visits, but it falls too close
to Pub Sing to fit in. I stopped by the White Hart to let my friends know I
would be late and went off to the show. WOW! Fred is a really good
actor … and is quite the royal asshole in this show. He had warned me, but I
still wasn’t quite prepared for those last few moments. I was truly floored. I
already know him to be a good man and am honored to call him a friend, but this
was my first real taste of his acting abilities. Whoa … very impressive.
After the show I made my way slowly back to the White Hart. I stopped and
chatted with several friends and just enjoyed the sights and sounds that are
Revel Grove. I walked down to the boardwalk, which was starting to clear out for
the day and enjoyed a little alone time. It was wonderful.
I was about 10 minutes late for Pub Sing, but Scott & Kris had saved me a seat.
Let me tell you, those tables are difficult to maneuver with petticoats on. I
thought the people behind us were going to kill me because I kept getting up to
talk to people and squeezing by them in my 100 yards of skirt. I finally decided
to remain standing until it was time for Calico Jack to make Pub Sing official.
In Our Cups performed the very bawdy “I’ll Drink You Under The Table” … and I
laughed until I cried watching Tim’s reactions. He had informed me much earlier
in the day that it was going to be a “tame” Pub Sing. Yeah … RIGHT! Mary
Ann showed up as Queen Ann Bovine (complete with Mini Moo). OMG, that was
hysterical. I about died when Fred took the stage and said “Got Milk”. Too
Funny. I was laughing so hard I forgot to take pictures. If anyone has any,
please pass them along … that really needs to go in the scrapbook. I reclaimed
my seat for Wild Mountain Tyme … and cried.
After we had made our way out to the gate I realized I was missing a pouch. It
was much too dark to find a black pouch on the ground, so I let security and
several employees know and we left. Em & I went over to Cantina D’Italia for
dinner. We ended up joining Sharon, Evelyn, Lance and another gentleman (whose
name escapes me at the moment) at their table. There was lots of (too much) good
food and MUCH laughter. Michele, Patrick, Sandy, Jeff, Dave, Deb &
several others stopped by to visit. I had a great time … except for Lance’s
CRUELTY!! *I* want an Amethyst driveway ::wink::
It was pretty late when I got back to Amy & Adam’s. Scott, Kris & Mark were all
there. Again, we stayed up much too late, but had a fantastic time rehashing the
day.
Sunday October 19, 2003:
I was up before anyone in the house. I
*had* to be at the gate before the cannon. I got there with about 10 minutes to
spare. I talked to Tom for a few moments that then squeezed through the crowd to
get up to Tammy & Company. WOW! She outdid herself on their DOW outfits. Tams,
Mark, Andrea, Dave, Amber & Jim all had a football theme to their pirate garb.
Tams and Andrea had Broncos & Dolphins corsets. Dave, Mark & Jim had Buccaneers,
Raiders & Vikings jerseys on under their pirate coats. Amber was the Referee. It
was AWESOME!!
As soon as the cannon sounded I was through the gate and headed for the White
Hart. My secret agent was holding the assigned table, as promised. I threw down
a couple of purple table coverings, a lantern, my scrapbooks and officially
joined the ranks of the “White Hart Squatters”. LOL. It took about five minutes
before all the front tables were taken up. I’m really not good at sitting still
for any period of time and got antsy quickly. The good thing is several people I
never get a chance to talk to came by to visit and we were able to catch up. I
really enjoyed being able to talk to Lauren for more than 5 minutes.
I sat with Richard and watched In Our Cups. It was Day of Wrong and I was
enjoying the outfits. Josie shocked me - it took me a second to even realize who
it was. I got to see Russ, the Penguin of Wrong (I only wish I could have seen
Ani’s face when SHE saw him). From where I was in the White Hart, I saw numerous
VERY WRONG outfits pass by ... unfortunately I didn’t get many pictures.
If there is going to be a 2003 scrapbook, I am going to have to rely on the
kindness of other photographers this year. In other words … if you have good
pictures, please share.
Once Scott, Kris, Mark, Amy, Adam, Sarah & Mel arrived I was free to move around
a bit. My first stop (revealed later to be a BIG MISTAKE) was the Wine
Garden. After I secured a drink I went back to watch The Rogues. At Southern
Invasion two years ago I loaned RennFoole my Rogue boxers so he could hot tub
with us. Somehow they got misplaced and he told me to pick up a new pair for
myself ... his treat :) Well, they no longer carry the boxers :( Instead I
purchased an adorable Rogue tee-shirt with a sparkly purple rose on it. I swear
Sharon knew I was coming :) The guys were great, as always. When they were done
I went back to the Wine Garden to get another drink (BAD IDEA).
I finally made it to lost & found to see if anyone had located my pouch.
HUZZAH!! They had. Whoever found it realized it was mine from the purple hankies
and pirate gloves it contained and took it to Bullseye for moi. It was waiting
safely for me in their back room. Such a relief.
I then made my way back to the Pub … via the Wine Garden (UGH! Are you seeing
the problem yet?). At the Wine Garden they serve a marvelous drink called “There
Outta Be a Law”. And there should be … against serving them to me
on closing weekend. Since I was pretty much confined to the Pub (except for
brief time spans), I didn’t take care of myself while drinking. I had NO food (NO
soup in a bread bowl & NO pork pocket … I am going to be kicking myself
about that for MONTHS). I drank NO water. I’m a BIG IDIOT!! After I
secured ANOTHER drink I ran into one of my favorite men ... and his
amazing & incredible boot flask, which I did as much damage to as I could before
returning it to it resting place. About that time Ani showed up and we FINALLY
had a chance to sit down and talk … something I had very much been looking
forward to. The only problem is, the alcohol had begun to take over. My chat
with her is one of the last thing I remember “clearly” on Sunday.
Although I did my chapel visit on Saturday, I still ended up having an emotional
break down on Sunday. I went into Piland’s to say good-bye to Rob and he showed
me the new wood-burning of Bill that Tigger made. It is completely amazing
and I was overwhelmed … even more so when Rob took Bill’s cup out of it’s case
and allowed me to have my picture with it and the phenomenal picture Tigger
created. Anyone that knows me can just imagine the water works display that
followed.
I messed up on the time I was supposed to do the special wenching I had been
asked to participate in and showed up after they were finished (Sorry Columbina).
Since the target was still there and I had dragged that purple feather tickler
3000 miles, I did a solo hit on Chris. Knowing it was his first trip to MDRF, I
invited he & his lady to sit at our table for Pub Sing so they could have a good
view. I only wish I could remember if they took me up on the offer.
The only thing I am positive of is that I missed my favorite thing … PUB SING! I
may have physically been in the White Hart, but my brain had long since checked
out. I am extremely mad at myself. I remember bits and pieces. For
instance, I distinctly remember telling Calico Jack that King Henry could NOT
run Pub Sing because he didn’t own the “correct” apron. I just couldn’t figure
out for the life of me WHY I had said that to him. Later someone
filled me in on the whole “everyone is fired” theme of the evening. Duh!
[sarcasm] Isn’t alcohol wonderful [/sarcasm]
I also failed to do my hit on Jim Grant (Sorry Theresa). She did remind me at
Pub Sing … I do remember that. When I stood up to go find a rose seller, I
pretty much resembled the ball bouncing off the bumpers in a pinball machine.
After I had slammed into about five people I remember thinking I should sit my
ass back down …. so I did …. right on the King’s lap. Only I found out later he
wasn’t the King anymore. It seems Queen Ann had fired him. It is all so very
confusing.
Thankfully I did have enough wits about me to know that I should GET OUT
before “cry time”. I told Emerald and Bethy that I needed to go and
thank them for helping me to get out in one piece with all of my belongings in
tact. I understand that they closed Pub Sing with Old Lang Syne and Mary Ann did
Bill’s parting speech … while I HATE that I wasn’t there, perhaps it was
for the best.
Unfortunately I didn’t get to say good-bye to many people. At least I don’t
think I did. LOL. There is a chance that I hugged everybody and their brother on
the way out … clingy weepy good-byes at that. UGH! I tend to be a rambling &
emotional “I love you guys” type drunk. If anyone had to endure this, I
sincerely apologize. Next year I promise to eat and keep the alcohol to a
minimum.
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