Md part Uno, 2009, you know the drill

[Michele/Columbina/Stupina]

And so it begins...I know that details, names and order will change,
but the weekend was very hot, and my brain got rather muddled...with
caveats in mind, away we go...

IN PREPARATION
Friday, I got up and finished some other work early in the morning,
then it was time to switch gears to faire. I headed out for some last
minute errands including the purchase of more cording and some sparkly
things. Back I went toward site with some rather overcast skies. One
more stop to assure good feelings and then to site. Once there, the
site was under rain alert, so no cars were allowed on the grounds. I
stopped at the costume house and unloaded the season’s materials.
Then, up to Gatehouse to pull out what was needed for the first set of
rehearsal items and get greeted by Kitteblue with the repaired bodice
from last season.

AND WAIT
I was called by a number of those I was to meet and was told they
would be late. It ended up being ok as they all arrived at about the
same time and I got the last bit of work I needed done. Then, it
began...Fitzjuice started working with Robin Hood and Maid Marian on
sound systems while I went over logistics with CDCB. Next, Bauble,
Trinket and I started working a bit, and stopped to check sound with
just Trinket and me. This year, we have one constant set at 3:00 at
the White Hart and a second set that is going to move around a bit. It
might be on Gatehouse (as it is this week), Globe, or back at White
Hart. I won’t know until sometime the week before, so check out
updates from us and we will let you know when we do.

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
We start to test with the new mics we have. We also ordered new XLR
cables and they have made ALL the difference in sound. This makes us
happy. We also realize there are a lot of things that aren’t quite
right yet and need multiple minds and hands to address. Fitzjuice
heads to my place to get other things, CDCB and Bauble head to Jo-
Ann’s to get fabric thingies, and Trinket and I head to the White Hart
to finish the unload and rehearse.

OFF BUT ON
Fitzjuice and Trinket head to Tiger’s to drop off a few items first,
so I unload my car to the famous closet. Once we meet up again.
Trinket and I begin to run the shows. And it starts to rain...bleah.
We stand in a drier spot and sing, noticing some of the equipment
hadn’t been covered. Soon enough SMAdam arrives to fix that and test
the foliage. After he packs up, the sun has come out and we start to
work again. Now, we are singing on the stage and cleaning up some
blocking and timing. We skip Parting Glass as we know we have multiple
other times to work on it during the day. We also finalize where
dinner is to be held this evening. I am asked about my car and
straighten out some confusion.

ARRIVALS AND REHEARSALS
Bauble and CDCB return and we run her section in the show, then finish
the show and run his section in the script, since it’s new to him.
Then, we head to the Gatehouse to run the other shows we will be
playing there. CDCB runs his part in the 3rd and 4th shows and
finally, we finish all rehearsing with Parting Glass. We are now VERY
close to our dinner reservation, so we all pile in our vehicles after
running one last thing and speaking with the ED about passes. Then, we
pack everyone up and drive off.

MELTED AWAY
Dinner is a treat to the Melting Pot as a thank you to my cast and
crew. Given some special needs (that sounds so wrong), we end up with
a number of adjusted choices, but everyone enjoys the meal, especially
the two who have never eaten there before. The waitress loves the
faire and is excited we are eating at her table. They even put a
birthday candle on my desert plate and my gang sings to me. The
restaurant also gifts each of the ladies with a rose. We are full and
sated and each head home our merry ways. I get home, fix a last minute
prop or two, sew, and get into bed with lights out by 10:30.

AND SO IT BEGINS
I wake up quickly to my alarm, grab my pre-set clothing, wash up, put
in new contacts, make my protein shake, and head to site. I get to
wave at the security guy, it’s nice to see him again, and head in.
There have been threats of rain, so I park a bit out toward the road.
I walk in and my feet are a bit stiff. I head to the Gatehouse and
begin to stretch, put on make up and fix up my hair. I am greeted near
the end of my hair switchover by Richard Southwell who makes some
appropriate morning noises and heads back to other things he needs to
do. Exactly on time, I head to the Costume House.

BUT IT”S OPEN...
A couple people wandered into the costume house because someone else
had to get something inside and unlocked it. I remind them that unless
Stitch unlocked it and let you in, or said you could go in, you don’t.
Sure enough, when she arrives, we tell her it’s unlocked and she
thanks us for not going in before she ok’d it. Always good to know the
rules and the best way to assure they things go according to plan.

CHANGES
Inside, this year, because of a switch of cast dynamic, there are more
men than women and the dressing rooms have switched. It takes some
reorganization, but we make everything work, even when we get some
surprise actors joining us to dress. There is a big bench in the way,
but we find the way to “make it work” and put it in the middle of the
floor as a sitting space for everyone. It is a very well used item
now. There are many questions from new actors, realizations that
figures reshape in the last few days, and supplying last minute things
for coworkers. I change over and grab Stupina as there doesn’t seem to
be too much more in the sky than over cast happening now. Once done, I
head to Gatehouse for Sound Check one.

WOW, THAT’S LOUD
The air is thick and humid, and there is no audience. We sound REALLY
LOUD. We adjust and leave what needs to stay, then head over to White
Hart. Set up is relatively uncomplicated, though given it’s the first
day, it takes a bit of time. Sound check goes relatively smoothly and
Skivee shows up to help Fitzjuice with some technical stuff while I
run out to cast call.

BEEP THE FIRST
At cast call, we get to see everyone in their grandeur for the first
time and they look great! Stitch outdid herself. There are many thank
yous and warnings and last notes so we are all ready to face the day
ahead. We BEEP and head off to begin the new season. The newbies are a
bit scared, the regulars are very ready...I run to the privy for the
last pre-show break...I already feel moist and not in a good way. I
get out, stretch a bit and start to time when I need to put my face
on. I am a bit early, but that’s ok. I am joined by a few who had
never been on the fountain before. Right before we open, I am greeted
by the beautiful blue eyes of Master Teller. I do so miss him
throughout the rest of the year. We do a couple adjustments, I teach
them the tour, and once it “BOOM”s the gates open.

IT’S A FESTIVAL
The crowd is decent, given the overcast and threat of rain. I hug and
greet and wave and yell goodbye. It’s truly like the family coming
home. Friendly faces I only see once a year are just as happy to see
me. I get a few short lines of people wanting to hug me and one girl
comes barreling up to me asking me if I had a free hug for her. I
didn’t even have the sign. Nice to be remembered. The crowd is done
and it’s time for me to wander. I get the help of a patron to step
down from that oh-so-tall fountain and begin to wander. I take a
moment to sit with Bertilda, but today, I feel like wandering as I
don’t have to be close...plus, there is a Princess and Pirate party
going on at 11 that I need to be at.

TIME GOES SLOW
I had been working a while and was sure I was already late for the
party when I ask someone the time...10:20. 10: 20!!!?!???!? Dear GOD
that felt longer. Well, I have plenty of time, so I start to wander. I
meet up with the Sheriff, who isn’t quite sure what to do with me,
though he chats for a moment or two. Then, farther toward O’Shucks and
hello’s to the back of the pub and a table or two. Finally, down
toward the Sun Bowl and the Boars Head...good thing it’s shady. As I
head toward the pub, I feel something weird up my nose, my real nose,
which means I need to get off site ASAP. I head off behind the ribs
booth and remove my face to see what is wrong. I can’t find out what
it is, but my nose feels ok now, so I face up and head back out.

OOH LA LA!
I see an extraordinarily dressed older gentleman and say hello. Turns
out he is a French Piratical type who frequents PA, if not works
there. I am not sure. He is friendly and fun and we chat for a bit
with his friends. This takes me all the way to the party, so I take my
leave and head toward the pub. Inside there is entertainment, places
for the kids to make things or have their silhouette cut, I talk with
the kids on the fringes and try to keep a child still, but end up
perhaps being more distracting. I head to the other side after making
sure the ED didn’t need me for anything else. About that time Robin
Hood and Maid Marian have joined the party and I am visiting with
people on the left side. One little boy is sure my face isn’t real.

HE HAD 8 WIVES?
So every once in a while, you get one of THOSE patrons. The one who
knows, well THINKS they know, the history, but actually doesn’t. A
woman keeps telling me he is going to kill his wife. I say he is
unmarried and even go through the wives to help her figure out where
we are in the timeline. This does not work and she is sure that he
will kill his next wife. I suppose I should tell the history writers
that he didn’t die before Catherine Parr and he actually killed
her...and Anna of Cleves. They would be rather surprised. Ah well, I
try to illuminate where I can, but give up after a few minutes of
unheard history.

SINGING IN THE DIRT
My feet are starting to hurt. I have some chronic issues that flare on
occasion, and even with the custom orthotics, my feet were not used to
the hard rocks. I am feeling it, but realize that as Stupina, I can
just sit anywhere I want to. So I do. Leaning on a tree near Bullseye
2 (perhaps a bit farther down). There, I begin to sing my sitting in
the dirt song, and I actually had forgotten a verse. This was odd, but
I rewrote another one as I sat there. Then, 3 of my regulars, two
young girls/women and their dad stopped by and I got to chat with them
and have them sing along with me. It was very fun. They were buying
their first real garb this day. I saw one outfit and am hoping the
other one found something fun too.

SEEING OLD FRIENDS THROUGH THE DRIPS
I wander farther down Kenwood and find myself at another tree near
Piland’s and Noblesse. I sing again and chat with a few strangers.
Kitteblue offers me some flowers that I can’t eat, which makes me sad.
I make a mini tree of them then give them to a little girl. Then, that
EVILE man tries to show me sparklies. Ironically, this is the moment
when it starts to sprinkle lightly. Given the weather predictions, I
don’t trust it will stay this way and I head away, safe from his
cruelty.

MORE EXPLORATION
I get past the White Hart and find the drips have stopped. OH heck.
Ok, I wander and chat with more patrons and climb up the bench behind
O’Shucks. There, I visit with some patrons and friends and give myself
a well-needed stretch by putting my foot up on the railing. I feel it,
a lot, but it’s good and I do the other side. I also wish my “baby
brother” Garrick a blessed natal day. Once I am stretched and ready, I
head off to travel some more. On the other side of the pub, I meet up
with 3 gentlemen and begin a conversation. By the end, we have decided
the day is ALL about him. The others are not thrilled with this. It
makes me laugh.

ALREADY?
I hit the other side of the pub and sit at my tree for a little while
and sing to the crowd. Once I see the Renaissance Man, I realize I am
near time to change. Time suddenly did fly, but it was amazing how
long it took. ;-) Slowly I make my way back toward Jezzards/Dragon
Wings sitting with a dad and daughter, stopping by the streets, saying
a VERY quick hello to the new booth owner and his glass...note to
self, have to check out the place...and one quick stop at Dragon Wings
to make sure I can hang Baby Stupina up there before I go get her.
They say ok and I head to the back.

PUDDLES AND PRETTY
I have pulled off my face and DEAR GOD I am sweaty. There’s a puddle
in my nose. I also have a red line across my forehead from the mask
and half of my base has totally sweated off. Grand, time to start from
scratch. Even my hair is a bit moist still and needs some more time to
air dry before I take it down. I have some new costuming this year
thanks to KitteBlue and Lady Mary. I guzzle some water and start to
transition from the dripping face to the bejeweled one. I am
particularly happy with the new bling and get a number of compliments
on it throughout the day. I am able to complete my hair alone and in
exactly one hour, my transition is complete. I grab my mug and
Columbina hits the streets after hanging up Baby Stupina in her Summer/
Fall Home.

STEAK WITH STRANGER FRIENDS
I head over toward the Steak on a Stake booth and get my mooer. Much
of the staff is new, so it’s harder for me to find someone I don’t
need to ask. I find one of the regulars and she knows exactly what I
want....and oooh, they are tasty. I take my lightly pinked meat to the
tables and find some patrons to sit and eat with. I give them show
suggestions throughout the faire and we chat a bit about the
disgusting weather. Soon enough, I am done and heading to the White
Hart a bit earlier. My foot is really starting to hurt and I keep
trying to stretch my calf muscles to alleviate it.

THE FIRST INTERPRETATION
I get to the White Hart, visit a few friends around the pub, pull out
signs, sounds, and all the others stuff needed for the show. There is
a bit of a high energy today. We get the stage from the Pyrates and
begin. I go to hang the sign and the piece I sewed had been cut off.
Turns out someone got a bit enthusiastic, in the wrong way. We had a
back up plan. This is our one scheduled pub show every day, so people
know they can find us here. The crowd fills quickly and the energy is
great. It’s one of those shows where everything clicks. This makes me
happy. Once the show is over, we meet people near the back and sign a
few CD’s and are greeted by people who are happy to have us back. We
finish up and I head out to the Gatehouse Stage to catch the first
full run of The 3 Sillies.

THIS LITTLE PIGGIE
I have missed the start of the show where the new actress in our show
makes her debut in this production. The show is suffering from the
extreme humidity and I can see the timing is a bit off. The actress
who played the one role last year is in the back with me and pouts a
bit when her part comes up. She laughs even more at the other scenes
she hadn’t seen when in the show and has a good time. The audience is
small, but at 3:30 on a super humid day, the kids are the first to go
flop...so there are fewer left. I am grateful for the sitting time as
my feet are KILLING me. I stop by Bertilda for a moment, chat with a
few patrons, then head backstage to get ready for the show and get OFF
my feet. While backstage, my heel lands on a rock and I shoot through
my skin. It’s almost more painful to sit with my feet throbbing.

GATE SMUT
We understood that our show might be a bit racy for the Gatehouse, so
we designed a PG sign which Trinket painstakingly painted...twice. It
even has a cute 13 on it...well, when we say something naughty we add
it. The audience started with a small group of our regulars and
instead of our scheduled show, we thought we might just do a best of.
We let the crowd pick our opening song and the audience starts filling
in. We did lose one parent/child in the audience, but we didn’t hide
our PG sign nor did we hide the fact that we would be racy, but I
suppose each person has a different tolerance. We end up switching a
few things around, but end up doing the full show anyway. The audience
has filled pretty well and is enjoying the show. By the end, we clear
the stage and come out to sign CD’s and talk to those who haven’t
moved on. It’s fun, but the court show after us begins and I clear the
space ASAP.

MORE OWIES TO THE ZOO
My food is seriously acting up and I find myself now going a bit
slower and adjusting my pace. I am hot, sweaty, and my feet are in
agony, even with orthotics. I meander toward the Pyrate Petting Zoo as
it is already 5:30. There I check in with Jack to find out what he
wants us to do...which is “whatever, something sing a long.” I wait
for Trinket to show up to choose the right song. We also find out
that, yes, we are starting with Health to the Company...the song sung
in “boy key” which is too high for me and too low for Trinket,
depending on who starts it. Right now, it’s in OUR key which is
singable and we find out the O’Danny’s will be near, so we ask them to
sing along with us. Turns out they already had a harmony for it as
they filk it in their show. We run it, give them the lyrics, and it
sounds pretty darn good.

HOBBLING AT THE WHITE HART
It’s time so we head over to the Pub. I leave my stuff on the
performer’s table and head over to my spot in the crowd by some of my
favorite regulars. We start the show and, as per usual, Jack starts in
a key I simply was not meant to sing in. I am now down that octave
that Trinket has to jump up. This is very depressing, but at least we
can reach the ends and sound like we are in harmony. The addition of
the O’Danny’s is great and the group sounds full and festive. This
makes me happy. Once the show gets rolling, we start getting sillier.
As it is Children’s Weekend, Trinket and I have chosen to sing one of
our Children’s songs...”The More We Come Together.” I don’t see joyous
smiles on the face of the ED, but I have learned not to expect
that...as long as I don’t get the look of death, I am ok. The show
ends on Wild Mountain Thyme. We are home again.

BRING BACK THE MEMORIES
Today, when they fire the cannon and ring the bells of...7?...I am
remembering old dear friends and emotions get the better of me. It’s
ok, we are amongst friends. The cannon booms, the microphones go off
the air for the night, and we head backstage. I am grateful today just
because I can get off my poor throbbing feet. Once backstage, we all
change in a tizzy and Stitch makes the realization that the only
reason the boy’s dressing room is warm is because they give off too
much body heat. Even in our smaller space, the women’s space is cooler
and less stinky. Out we go and discuss our plans for the dinner. Many
of us are going to Ruby Tuesday’s and I drive Sir William Paget over.
We get there and they are simply not ready for our group...AT ALL.
They end up putting my group on the other side of the restaurant where
I can’t even SEE the others from faire. Scapino and I whine a bit
about this, but take the time to catch up with Cromwell and are
visited by many others. Finally, dinner is done and I must go home to
fix a body mic and get some sleep.

DAY DUE BEGINS
I wake up after having taken some major painkillers for my feet and
they still hurt, but a bit less than the day before. After some
thinking, I pull some thicker shoe supports from another pair I own
and take them in with me. I have premade protein shake for breakfast
and have to swish clean my teeth as blueberry REALLY likes to stick.
Once done, I get on the road and arrive at Gatehouse on time. I
stretch and warm up. Today is much less sticky than the day before and
a bit cooler. This makes me happy. I get slightly prettified realizing
that much will come off in the mask. There has been rain the night
between days, but now, it appears that the skies are clear.

PREPARATIONS RUNNING BEHIND
I get to the costume house and start to get dressed, I know I have
some extra time today as sound check is supposed to be at 9 and I was
early the day before. Of course, today, things are later and once we
get one stage done, we are a bit behind for the second one, especially
as we have a 3rd system to check. We are part way done when I am
informed “Oh, BTW, morning meeting already started and you are late.”
WHAT!?!?! I let them finish up and run off to find out what I have
missed. Luckily, the orthotics are making my feet feel a whole lot
better.

MISSING NOT
I get there and the meeting is underway, about 6 minutes in. I HATE
missing morning meeting...HATE. Only ever did it once before in my 14
seasons. Can’t let it happen again. While there, we go over the random
important odds and ends for the day, what went wrong, what went well,
and what needs to happen to make sure everything stays ok. We BEEP and
head out. I take my last pee break, see ex SMKristen, and stretch a
bit more. There is a sense of comfort today. I take a little longer
before putting on my mask, Master Teller is there earlier to hug me...
(YAYEE)...and the audience is more responsive. This is good. I am
hugged by a friend from last year who I wasn’t sure made it back. The
king rides in, the court plugs their ears, and the cannon booms!

EBB AND FLOW
The crowd comes in steadily and a bit heavier today. Trinket has been
a doll and provided me with a much-needed item. The weather has proven
to be much more auspicious. I hug more patrons and guests. The kind
Frenchman is back in another fabulous outfit. I pose for pics (some of
which I have already seen on the web), and we even get a chance to
give a tour of the village. It’s nice to have a bunch of strong voices
cheering along. We need to do that again. Finally, the crowd has died
down and it’s time for me to move into the village. Today, I travel a
different path. I have time to follow different roads in the village,
so I do. I am given a Philosopher’s stone by Bertram Ripley, which I
can’t pronounce. I trade it for a Fairy stone from a patron. I make
lots of new friends while heading down the path.

THAT’S NOT GOOD
I find myself choking on something in my nose. Normally, you should
not touch the mask as it breaks the reality of it, but death is
generally not good, so break convention. I feel the mask and realize
that a string from my hood/wrap has gone up Stupina’s nose and into
mine. I pull it out and feel MUCH better. It makes me laugh quite a
bit as the site of a LONG thread coming out of Stupina’s nose isn’t
pretty. I keep on down the path. A bit of the way down, I see
strangers sitting in O’Schucks and join them.

STUPINA’S NEW BEST FRIENDS
I talk to strangers and proclaim that the lady next to me must be very
high status if she wants me as a servant. I begin to call her Lady
Melissa, for that is her name. She has brought Mike, Margo, Matt, and
Frank, who needs to change his name to an “M”. After a few minutes,
Stupina has discovered her new best friends. They love her and tell
her that her name should be “Stupenda” not “Stupina” because she is so
cool. We love them. I even introduce them to Mistress Vyxen and Amber
who are purchasing shooters or drinks from the pub. They are having a
great time, but I must take my leave. I see my favorite salesman from
Southern Sun jewelers and he and Stupina coyly flirt. He tells me that
he didn’t see me last year, which is true, but that will be amended
this year.

STRETCHIES
I head to the back of O’Schucks to stand on the back end bench and say
hi to those sitting at the tables. I also put my leg up so my foot is
up on the high railing...yes, I am that flexible, and chat with them.
I am entertaining, AND it is a GREAT stretch that my body really
needs. I switch legs and people. Once suitably stretched. I head
farther down the path and head up toward Stub Toe.

INTRODUCTIONS WITH A STINKY THING
While walking down the path, I see CDCB. He, however, has never met
Stupina before. She begins flirting with him from behind a tree. She
is VERY SHY sometimes. After a while, he comes out and hands her a
rose. I quietly murmur to him, “you know this is dead now, right?” He
is a bit confused. Stupina is so excited she runs into Tiger’s shop to
proclaim “look! He loves me!” and proceeds to show the amused group
how he loves her. One petal at a time. Over and over. She then leaves
the shop and begins to show everyone ELSE in the village how much he
loves her...by the time she has made it to the middle of the
boardwalk, she can’ not remember who “he” is anymore and there are no
petals left. She asks for help and people begin to offer assorted
“he’s. One even directs her to the no bit land...The Dragon Inn.
However, Stupina has a special magic and gives it one more try.

ARE YOU HE?
She follows her directions looking for that specific guy she was told
to find. She finds one and asks “Are you he?” to which he says “yes”.
Stupina is overjoyed and hugs he and thanks him for what is now little
more than a green stick. He takes credit. The woman who identified He
arrives and I tell her I found he. She informs me that that wasn’t he
and sends me to a different He, who says he isn’t he...yes, it was
confusing to me too. But on the way to he, I got to play a little bit
with a little girl who was looking for fun as the rest of her group
was adults. I felt bad leaving her, but my search for He was done.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF MALE (MAILLE)?
Stupina stops by Kate Cox Designs on her way through the village and
greets all of the ladies, some men, and a brilliant little girl who,
for her minimal years, is vibrantly intelligent and wildly precocious.
Stupina bemoans the fact that there is a big boxy thing in the way of
her hanging shelf, so she travels onward. I now can’t decide which way
to go. I end up walking down Kenwood and find Lady Melissa and her
crew again. They have just come from the O’Danny’s show (which I
recommended) and had a great time. They are happy to see me, but not
as happy to see Thomas Cudgel, who fines Margo because her food is not
on a stick. She happy yells out how she loves turkey legs.

THE STUB
After saying hello to Art of the Wood nearby, I head back to the shade
near the front. I chat with strangers, make friends, and my rose is
now, after telling EVERYONE how much he loves me, just a green stick
as I have removed everything that makes it look rose-like, though even
as a stub, it still smells pretty and green. My feet are hurting less
today, though still not happy. I am grateful for the slight respite.
It is finally time and I head back behind the wall and peel off my
slightly less drippy face.

THE GREAT SWITCHEROO
My oh my changing still feels good. I am wearing a new color today and
am a screaming vision of cobalt blue. Even the sparklies are
new...though I find out later in the day that I am still too sweaty
and my skin turns a bit blue too. It’s still better than the bleeding
pink forehead that Trinket was sporting during our show the day
before. Trinket is waiting for Bauble and I am getting myself
organized. I take a moment to take a pic for our revenant, then finish
up and head out to the streets.

MEAT IN A PHOTO OP
I head off and wander toward the Steak on a Stake booth. There, I get
a mooer from more regular staff members I recognize then head to the
tables. One of the regular photographers I know is there with space
around him and his friend, so I join them. It’s one of the few times I
actually knew my lunch company. I also chat with a few others at the
table and head over to the White Hart and its environs. I wander away
from the pub as it’s too early and see Charles Garrick is working with
his new company to get a new alto. I do not wish to disturb them, so I
stay on the other side. I meet an older couple and move so the husband
can sit. Next thing I know, the entire family is there as well. We
chat a bit and now it is time to return. Back to the White Hart to mic
up.

WHERE OH WHERE
I can’t find pink, but see CDCB who directs me over to the ladies.
There, I mic up and we begin a few last minute checks. We are already
getting some amused looks. Finally, the show begins and Trinket and I
get the crowd ready. In the front row is our biggest 8-year-old fan
(she was 7 last year) and an entire row of kids in the front. We do
our warning and hang the PG sign, but they don’t really get the jokes
(though Kayleh is starting too, or so we think from her facial
reactions during some of the dirtier songs). We bring up Bauble. She
is a bigger hit now she is in Pink as well. The song goes well and she
is on her way. Then, our raunchiest song. I am waiting for the kids to
sing along...oh dear. In the other side of the audience, I see Lady
Melissa and gang. The audience is in good energy, we tell everyone
about our second set, then hand over the stage to the Rogues. Once I
leave the stage, I call them all by name confusing them, until I
laugh. They think I am that much cooler now....Stupina has the best
friends.

MORE FRIENDS AND FANS
After the show, there are more people who wish to talk and get
signatures, even on a Tshirt. It takes a lot longer and by the time I
manage to get down toward Gatehouse, the 3 Sillies are done for the
day. I head to the gate and get in some Goodbye Duty with Richard
Southwell and William Paget...who is flirting with me OUTLANDISHLY,
much to the amusement of the Security staff. It is not long before I
have to head backstage. My feet are doing much better, until my heel
lands on THAT rock again and I about keel over from the pain in my
foot. I sit and let it settle, then we head to the stage. Today, the
house is a bit fuller at the start and we kick it into high gear. The
audience is having fun, especially the “priest” who seems to know all
the dirty songs, and we do not fail to comment on it. Overall the show
is good. We end, I take my things off the stage, I head into the house
and am stopped by a man who needed some advice. It’s a rather odd and
serious request but I promise to try to get him the info he needs.
Then, backstage. I find out that the sound system did not get totally
broken down, and am concerned. We game plan on what can be done in the
future to avoid this.

PREPARATIONS FOR THE WAKE
I head back out to street and get ready for Pub Sing. On the way, I am
informed that we are going to hold Jack Rackham’s wake. I need to find
out what is going on for the show and head down to the petting zoo
relatively quickly. There, Jack himself tells me we are holding his
funeral. I check the set list and see we are singing after the reading
of the will. They are running through materials and laughing
hysterically. I see our resident photographer seeming to be on a
mission that includes me somehow. I wait till Trinket arrives and we
discuss what is appropriate to sing. She brings up her friend the
opera singer who sings a few notes for me. Jack’s ears perk and he
says he wants an Ave Maria at his funeral. She asks which one. She’s
in and is worked into the show.

THE WAKE OF JACK RACKHAM
The show starts normally, when Fletcher informs the crowd that Jack
died in the sea of Japan. The music being played is VERY
recognizable...as is the script. The show continues with Jack cursing
everyone out while we morn his death. We cry on his coffin, spit on
his coffin, dance around his coffin, sing about him, and the Pyrates
bring out one of my favorite songs I haven’t heard in FOREVER.
Overall, the show is quite the hit. The Ave Maria goes over perfectly
with many people being SHOCKED that the lady in leather could sing
that way. Hee! Mission accomplished. Finally, he is raised from the
dead and joins us for the end of the eve. Bells ring, cannon booms and
we grab our things and head to the costume house.

COMFORT FOOD
We get organized and get out. While I like the space of my space, the
location gets me stepped over a lot, but it’s ok. Finally, we finish
and head out. We hear some good news, bad news and a group decides
tonight is about Double T. There, they have our favorite soup and
other food that fills our souls and bellies. We head home, then
laundry is begun, a shower is had, and sleep comes quickly. The
weekend is done, but there is 3-day coming!

I don’t know where our second show will be this weekend, but will post
it wherever appropriate once I know. Guaranteed, we are at White Hart
at 3:00!

Sincerely,
Michele/Columbina/Stupina
AFR Goddess of Love
When all you need is a little cheese...AND we're back!

[Fionna O'Leary]

On Sep 3, 7:56 am, "Michele/Columbina/Stupina" <ptpg...@yahoo.com>
wrote:

> And so it begins...I know that details, names and order will change,
> but the weekend was very hot, and my brain got rather muddled...with
> caveats in mind, away we go...

> from last season.
> <snip>

> Sincerely,
> Michele/Columbina/Stupina
> AFR Goddess of Love
> When all you need is a little cheese...AND we're back!

Michele,

Thank you for taking the time to share your weekends. Short or long it
brings MD a bit closer in my mind. Silly as it sounds, I can close my
eyes, except that makes it hard to read, and see, hear, and taste
Revel Grove as you go through your day.

Have a stupendous season of magic and merriment.

Love and miss you all,