Md part ses, 2009, lots to tell
Michele/Columbina/Stupina
completely incorrect, possibly missing. So please forgive the errors
if I make them. That being said - here we go for Oktoberfest weekend.
RAIN OR NOT DANGIT
So for the last week, we have seen weather reports promising up to 70%
rain and thunderstorms all weekend. Even up to the day before there
were threats of nasty weather of some kind on Saturday, which
virtually disappeared by morning. I made my protein shake and head to
site for warm ups and stretchies. The stage coverings were up, but
since there was a promise of pretty good weather, I planned to put on
Stupina first. Today, I am not feeling the depth of my breathing,
though in singing, it sounds ok. Once I finish hair and makeup, I
head to the costume house a bit early. There, we discover many of the
cast are not of good health. We relegate them to a separate table (or
actually, the healthy ones move another table). I love them, but I
can’t afford to get sick during faire, so I stay away. Then, it
starts raining. Ok, maybe I am not in Stupina...then it stops, so I
am. Sigh, make up your mind.
TESTING DELAY AHEAD
I head into the costume house and change into Stupina. Today, I grab
Mr. Hand Sock as I have decided that it would be a bad plan to give
out free hugs if illness is running rampant. I head out and see
Trinket in mid stage of “being beautiful.” We head up to Gatehouse
and Mirth is finishing set up with Robin and Marian. We test sound
and hear spitting, then change out batteries. Once done, we head over
to White Hart. Mirth has already been here, so we are up and done in
no time. I ask CDCB and the flower girl for a helping hand, as well
as a few others, then head off to morning meeting. Today, there is
much social conversation. The group seems in a good mood, but a bit
off, as we don’t know what weather will bring in terms of audience or
crowds. We are informed about some people from a TV show on the travel
channel visiting. We BEEP and head to the gate to see what the day
holds.
GUESS IT”S A GOOD DAY
I stop by the privy and use it for the last time before opening. I
had had my broken mug returned to me, so I have to take it back, but
it turns out another is heading that direction, so I am able to leave
things with her. I stop by Customer Service to see if my errant scarf
has returned. It has not. I need to go back and check for my missing
watch and the sock I lost during this day, but I am getting ahead of
myself. At gate, I can see through the cracks that there are LOTS of
cars outside and we are going to be busy, which is confirmed by the
Cudgels. I face up a little early and we are ready by the BOOM. And
I am hungry. Damn. Well, nothing for it now, won’t be eating for a
while.
FLOW, FLOW
And they come pouring in. It’s a really heavy start to the day. We
have oom-pah bands behind us, we have a tour between songs, and there
is just a very high energy. Once the first crowd has entered the
gates, I see there are still lots of people outside, so I grab around
5 stacks of programs and head outside. I sit with the programs on my
head and let people take them off of me. Most are just not sure if I
am a statue or a person. Some are shocked when I move. In the
distance, I hear the arguments. “no, it’s a statue”, “No, it’s not.”
At that time, I usually wave in the direction of the voices and hear
“Oh my god, it IS real!” I get a lot of “Sir”s and sometimes will ask
when I became a boy or the like. Other times I don’t, but they react
when they hear my voice. I let them know that I am not in my most
feminine outfit today. Of course, Stupina is NEVER really in a
feminine outfit, unless you count the Girlie Girl Show.
NEW TACTICS
I discover that if I face toward the road rather than to the length of
the field, the sun does not hit my eyes in the same way and I am not
blinded. This helps as I don’t like my eyes watering or bleeding as I
sit. I get lots of people taking pics of me. Sometimes kids will
pose with me, often they are afraid. I hear one mom say “We need a
program whether you take it from her or I do.” Mom gets it. Other
kids are fascinated when they see I am real and keep taking programs
just cause, even when they don’t need them. Parents return them. I
can’t see who is taking them as I have no peripheral vision. One guy
thinks it will be funny to press on my head as he takes a program and
says ‘Bet you get that a lot”...”No, you are the first.’ Of course,
after that, it happens 3 more times this weekend. Joy.
PUN-ISHMENT
I go to get my 3rd or 4th load of programs (anywhere from 250 to 350
each time) and when I return, Sir Richard is outside and tells me as
my punishment, I must learn discipline and I must sit and put the
programs on my head and remain very still. I pout in my stillness.
He just waits for people to come by and be shocked when I do move.
Richard is not a nice Mayor. He needs hug therapy. LOTS of hug
therapy. Stupina will work on this in the next few weeks.
TRAVELING TO THE RENAISSANCE
The travel show people are outside the gates and setting up their
first shots. I am still giving out programs and they decide my head is
the perfect place for their host to take his. We film a few times
with him taking the program and walking in, but the camera man assures
them that the first shot was the best. They do it, but once they look
at the footage, they all agree. I continue to head out programs, but
eventually, it’s time to go.
MR. HAND SOCK?
I go inside after handing out my last programs of the day. As I go
inside, I reach for Mr. Hand Sock, but he is not to be found. I don’t
know where I might have dropped him. As noted previously, I need to
check with Lost and Found to see if it got turned in...or it could
have been thrown out, since it was just one cream sock. Sigh. Inside,
I dust patrons, dance with musicians and see no one is in the maypole
area. I decide to lie down and see what being there is like. I get
some people taking pics, I try to sit up and realize I am laying on a
downhill grade and it is a lot of work, like sit ups, to make that
curl. I also realize that I am STILL allergic to straw and why I
chose to lie in it I don’t know. I get up as I feel my legs start to
get a bit itchy. Nothing happened, but I decide I cannot hang out in
that field anymore...my body will hate me for it.
NOMAD’S LAND
I wander about and am not sure where to stop now. I go to my tree,
but it doesn’t seem as welcomy. I try the back of O’Shucks, but don’t
see the people I know. I instead just try to make the ribbons by the
coin both move like a cat that hits something just to watch the
aftershocks. It’s fun. Finally, it’s time to head in. I start the
change over. Today, I do make up first on the deck area. The lighting
is very weird there and I remember why I normally do it IN the costume
house. Once changed, I second guess myself and decide to wear the
blues today instead of the turquoises. I change out jewelry and get
organized. I get dressed then add on the final new piece of
accoutrement, the glorious hair pieces that Trinket made to hide our
body mics. We had come up with the idea during season last year and
after a few different ideas, Trinket decided to make them. She
started before season and finally finished them on Friday night, and
only because I was there to tell her it looked fine and don’t pull
them apart again. It is mostly successful, though I notice that mine
is sliding down a bit because of weight and my hair. Whee.
NEW TASTES
I am not craving my steak today, but want something more filling;
however, I want to preserve my silk. I decide for the first time to
try the chicken tenders at the pork pocket place. They are pretty darn
good and they come with “THOSE” fries. I sit with some patrons and we
chat about the faire and shows they should see. I only mention mine
after a number of others, as I know that our materials are not for
everyone. This meal is somewhat large, so they are done before me,
and I chat with the group on my right as well. Soon enough, I am done
and can head to get Baby Stupina for some walkies.
AND HOW FAR WAS THAT?
I have a good chunk of time, so I figure I can get to a farther
distance than before. I start to walk up Stub Toe and get stopped, and
stopped, and stopped. By the time I have run out of time, I am AGAIN,
just to Bullseye. Harrumph. At least there was much rejoicing and
entertainment. I keep feeling myself adjusting the hairpiece as it
seems to want to be worn on my check rather than where it should be.
And without hands, this doesn’t get me far. Back she goes and off I
head to the White Hart by way of the secret cast watering hole.
BACK TO BASICS
We hadn’t run “Show 1” recently, so we decided to pull it out again.
It’s the intro show to the Interpreters and since the audience will be
filled with a lot of people who don’t know us as well and people who
haven’t seen us in a while, we go back to the basics. It was a good
plan. The audience loves it and a number of people who are new to us
do decide to take us home with them. We are short on time and have to
cut the end bit, which makes me sad as I really like it, but this one
is our longest show, we just don’t like to futz with it because it’s
so funny on it’s own. After the show, Mirth strikes and Trinket and I
stand with CDCB to sign and chat with those who wish to speak with
us. We pose for a few pics and get lots of compliments on the new
feathers. One of the regulars even makes a point of saying something
to me as she doesn’t want us to think she didn’t notice. It was VERY
sweet of her.
PRIVY DUTY
After the show, I decide to check the privies as the crowd looks
large. Down the hill at the White Hart, there is a line, but there is
no one helping like last time. I jump in and in about 10 minutes get
the little line gone. Most people are afraid to step in for fear of
stepping ahead of someone. But they miss spaces and then NO ONE gets
in. Once done, I head up the hill to check the other privy. There is
the most minute line and I get it gone in a matter of 3 minutes or
less. There is no slide line, this surprises me. I make a quick stop
to Piland’s to purchase something for a friend, then I head back and
get Baby Stupina. We have time since our second show isn’t till much
later. I do make it to Piland’s with her for the first time in forever
before it’s time to head back. Once I drop her off, it’s time to head
to the front.
IT’S JUST A KISS
As I am heading toward the front of the Festival, I meet two couples.
I ask their names and get 3 names and one “Delighted to meet you.” I
call him Dee. After chatting a bit, we discuss manners and romance
and I ask if Dee wants to learn the proper way to kiss a hand. I step
back and go into the show. It’s VERY rocky at Stub Toe. This hurts
my knees. Bleah. Once done, he returns the skill and does VERY well.
He notes that he would have been better if there had been someone
available and says I must not be as I am so skilled in the art. I show
him my blank hand and he tells me to stand back. He is better the
second time. I tell them about our show and go about my way.
THE MADE ROSE AND FOOT OF DOOM
I do a bit of gate duty until it’s time to meet up backstage. Before
I go, I am given a made rose by a daughter of a friend. She comments
that Stupina didn’t know how to make one, so she did it for her. It’s
rather impressive as she stuck petals on a stem in a way that it
cupped like a live rose and it smells great. The crew meets up in our
spot and mic up as well as check song lists and get signs etc ready.
I am gifted with a rose from one of our loyal friend/fans via
delivery, and I go with the one that smells the best. Much Ado has
cut time on their show, so part of the set up is complete already and
we will only have to wait a short while till we start. My foot is
starting to throb from the rocks on site and sitting is needed.
LET’S MAKE IT SPECIAL
Once it’s time, we head to the stage and hang our signs and see who is
out and about. In the crowd are “Dee” and his gang and it seems he
brought a few more friends with him. The show is a mix of regulars
and newbies and the back two rows are mostly developmentally
challenged adults who have no clue what we sing, but they love the
clapping. The energy is great. We sing Oom Pah Pah for Oktoberfest as
well as our normal show. We have a bit of time and even can squeeze
in a request. Once the show is over, we meet people in the back of
the house and Dee’s Family all want pics and signed CDs. They are
wonderfully fun. I tell Trinket of Dee’s new skill and he shows her.
Her reply makes him blush, much to his mom’s amusement (the whole
family was there it seemed). I should mention he is African American,
and yes, you COULD see the blush. Trinket is very impressive when she
wants to be. Everyone is in good spirits, and we tell them we are off
to the Pub Sing. Dee wants a tshirt, but we don’t have the size/color
he wants nearby, so their group follows along.
PUBING WITH THE GERMANS
We arrive at Pub Sing as it is already underway. We are not sure when
we are up so we try to make sure we are visible, which isn’t hard. I
try to find out what the set list is, but not many people know it. As
I am standing on the side, I am gifted by a rose from “Dee” in person
with a thank you for making the day so enjoyable. A big hug and we go
our several ways...but the rose is lovely and still alive today.
Finally, we are called to the stage. We proclaim we are going to sing
oompah and get booed. I tell them again we WILL sing Oom pah, they
WILL sing with us and they WILL like it. They behave. We all sing
Oom Pah Pah and the crowd oompahs through the entire song. It’s really
cool as it’s the first time this has happened since we started singing
it. A rather scary “new guy” sings about Springtime for Heinrich and
I am a bit frightened. I wander the pub and connect with some regulars
as well as get the crowd clapping. Soon enough, we are near the end
and it is dark and cozy. We end on a song that I know will make
someone VERY unhappy she was not here, but it made me happy to sing it
none-the-less. Eventually, it is time and we BOOM. We say a few
quick goodbyes as we head out and off to the costume house.
AND WAIT
We rush to get changed and out, but when we do, we hear that no one is
moving in the parking lot and we should just sit. Bleah. We start to
make plans for dinner and remember that we haven’t gone the other way
yet, so when we can finally move with traffic, a small group of us,
including Mother Loveh head to Lures where we all indulge in our
desires...well, the edible ones...some of them. I still have a few
weeks left before the biggies. Dinner is tasty and fun with stories
and conversation. When it’s done, we head our several ways with two
ladies coming with me. At home, there is strudel and ice cream and
flannel sheets for some. The day has been long and we all need sleep.
WITH THE FALL CHILL
Today, it’s dark when it’s time to get up and this is not fun. I have
preset my clothes so I don’t have to think much, just put them on.
And that’s about all I can do. I had left over shake and reblend it.
I offer some to one of my house guests, who didn’t hear the
ingredients well and ends up with stomach issues because she is
allergic to cherries. Yikes. Never list ingredients to a sleeping
woman, lesson learned. The crystalized ginger helped later though. I
head out to site in the chill with extra layers on. Once there, I
stretch realizing it will be a bit hard to keep warm. I keep layers
on my throat while warming up and feel the chill when I rinse my
hands. Once done, I head to the costume house, but I am early. Once
it opens, I am in and adding the appropriate layers and scarf.
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW
Mirth is setting up White Hart first, so there is time to say Hi and
watch Trinket prettify before we head to Gatehouse. Once there, we
start running a song or two as we check sound. Through the front gate
grid, we see faces watching. We have an audience of those who like
being early. I think I recognize most of them too. Guys, you are
crazy...get sleep! We also see a Corva and mommy. Corva is confused
as she approaches as she hears the sound coming from a different spot
than us. Once done, we head over to White Hart and find out how my
delivery went the day before. I am interested in my book and am
looking forward to the chance to read it.
SOUNDING OFF
We head to White Hart and set up is quick and painless. I head to
morning meeting and get a status update on some planned things, then
to sit and get the update on the day. On the way down, I see Bob
DaVinci and share a big hug as it’s been since NCRF since we saw each
other. We are asked to guess what the attendance is and no one gets
it right, but that’s ok, today promises to be even better. We get
some notes, hear some congrats, hear about some people on NPRand about
some lost items and get ready to BEEP and head out for the day.
BRIGHT AND BIG
Today, after my privy break, I stretch a bit more before gates open.
We always have a different perspective on the gate show than those
watching, and we hear some odd things, like most of what Richard
Southwell is calling to the crowd as the horses come in. Oh dear.
Master Cudgel and I are laughing away. Soon enough, it’s time to suit
up and wait for the BOOM. It’s a bit loud this morning, but the gates
open and the crowd comes in. Even when they are done, it’s pretty
darn crowded out there, so I go grab around 5-6 stacks of programs and
sit to work.
BLOW THE STUPINA DOWN
The wind is high today with gusts making the parking lot look like a
dust bowl, light brown and rolling toward the gates. I sit with my
programs, and to avoid the sun, I sit facing that direction again. I
find myself closing my eyes and mouth when I see the wind really kick
up, as I want to breathe later and sing. Again, people are amazed or
surprised. I get tons of people taking pics. I run out of programs
pretty quickly and rush to get more, then more, then more. Richard
Southwell and his brother Percival visit while I am heading back to
sit and see people taking some from my lap. He then writes an edict
stating that I am the official Head Program Dispenser and that none of
my programs should be taken from my lap. I have to pull it out a few
times as people are trying to break his rule. By the time I am done,
I have put about 1,500 on my head that have ended up in patrons
hands. The wind was bad so that some errant programs blew off my
head, but were normally picked up and used by someone. I dropped some
just cause of wind and a few times from unbalanced hands.
SHORT LINE
Once my neck and back had had enough, I head over to the lines, as I
see they are longer than they need to be. I call out “short line
here” and people move in. I am a bit frustrated as I call short line
and the people who just moved into the short line next to it seem to
think they have to move into that line as well. I clear it up and
people are in in no time. Angelique Saville begins to hand out
programs after I leave and I know the crowd is in good, if not undead,
hands. I head in and help a few people, dance a bit, and try a new
tree near O’Shucks. I am the object of admiration by one photographer
who keeps on coming closer. She can’t speak English well, so I can’t
figure out if she wants me watching her or no. I finally gather she
wants natural positions. Ironically, people keep coming up to say hi,
so her shot gets blocked a lot. Finally, she gets what she needs and
it’s time for me to go in to find Columbina
TRANSFORMATION AND A PLAN
I get changed first as I am meeting someone mid change and need to
make sure I can be out on the deck to talk. Once changed, I pull out
make up, hair stuff, jewels and feathers and head outside to complete
the look. I am greeted by a gentleman and we brainstorm about an event
for next weekend. He seems pleased with the ideas we have ready and
fills in some blanks. I test one of my ideas out and it makes another
giggle. This is always a good sign. Once our conversation is hatched
and planned, I finish prettifying and head out for lunch. Again, the
cold makes me crave something heartier than a steak, so I head to the
sunbowl and the ribs and chips booth.
DINNER WITH MANY GUESTS
The lady behind the counter had come to the pub sing last week and
raved about us. When she heard we had a CD, she was thrilled and was
able to buy it this weekend. I was glad to have made her happy. I
take my ribs and head to the Boar’s Head. I am having trouble finding
a table of people to join as most are full, or are on their way. I
find a table with two older couples. When I ask to sit, the men
enthusiastically welcome me and the women pick on the men and complain
they will be ignored now. We chat about the faire and the day, then
they take their leave. I am alone, but not for long. I am joined by a
father and early teen son, then a mother and 20-something daughter.
They all have questions about the faire, the site, the potential move.
I answer what I can and tell them I don’t know when I don’t. The
daughter asks about what I do and I tell her about our show. She is
interested but knows her mother wouldn’t be comfortable. I am finally
done, use my wetnaps, and head on my way.
NAUGHTY, NAUGHTY
I walk site and before I fill my tankard, I rub my finger across the
dust build up in my tankard. My finger comes back partially black.
Yes, we are breathing that stuff in...joy. I wipe away what I can and
refill. There, I chat again with Master Piland, who always berates me
for being unkind to Stupina. Or cajoles me for not understanding
Columbina. Same stories, different costume. I head to the White Hart
to mic up and get ready. We are being filmed again today so we are
pulling out the new shows. The audience is full and enthusiastic.
More regulars and returning people along with the new faces, including
the daughter. The show is fun and we end up screwing up lyrics to
Parting Glass, you know, the song we do in EVERY SHOW. Wow, that’s
bad. It causes some amusement with our audience, and for us. We are
forgiven and head to the back. We take some pictures and chat with
some patrons. Then, I head back out with Baby Stupina.
POSING
Baby Stupina and I have a follower this weekend. SCarlyle is filming
her walking the streets and chatting with people. Today, there is a
little boy brave enough to hug her. There are normal conversations,
some dancing and more. She has a great time and does make it to the
blacksmith and a bit beyond before it’s time to go back. In returning
her, I watch a moment of the show on the Globe. It was amusing. I
also run into Daisy O’Danny who asks me a question then heads back in
for her cue. I check the privy lines, but there aren’t any. This is
surprising. I wander and chat with patrons, see nuns hugging people
from their last show, and make new friends. I had been craving a
banana earlier, but the sweet craving is now gone. Soon enough, it’s
time to head to the front. My tankard is black again inside. BLEAH. I
fill my tankard with water from Gatehouse’s backstage and take a
moment off my feet. With little time left, it’s time for the show.
CAN I HEAR A...?
The audience is again a mix of new and old, We are REALLY clear about
the PG-13 sign, but people still bring in their kids. Some parents
realize we mean it after the first song. It’s not awful, but they
likely will get the jokes and might repeat them. Even as the show
progresses with the sign up, there are more youngun’s brought in. We
can’t do anything about it. We are doing one show and switch out a
song for Oktoberfest, but it ends up giving us extra time, so we take
another request. We get two and are able to do them both. This is
good. As the show ends we welcome people to come up. Many don’t, I
think they actually would prefer us being in the back for them to walk
by rather than the effort of walking down to the stage. Just the
nature of humans. We pack up after chatting with some and head back
to the White Hart for Pub Sing already in progress.
WHATCHA DOIN?
On the way, we decide on what we will be singing at Pub Sing and
practice it once through. Walking and singing is tough, but good
training. Once in the pub, we take our spots (after Sinead finds a
different one...but I share anyway). The music is fun. This is the
last week of Wolgemut and they play two songs and get the audience up
and dancing. We head up to sing Fathom the Bowl and return for the
songs at the end. Kat ends the evening with a quiet and heartbreaking
song, so very quiet the pub gets for her. Soon enough, it’s over and
the cannon booms. We sing one more song and head out.
DAG NABBIT
We pack up and head back to the Costume House. Once there, I realize
I forgot my key to pick up the items I left on site and have to
whimper at CDCB if he would get things for me. He is an absolute doll
and does so. I hold his things the entire time he is gone and don’t
set them on the ground. I am set to join one group for dinner and
discover that I need to switch and meet a second group. Before I
leave, Lady Bouchier calls and finds out if she can get back into the
costume house. As I go to get the key for her, she runs in the office
just ahead of me to get it and get everything that she locked inside.
Yeesh, that was lucky.
T T T T T
Ok, well it’ was only 2 T’s for dinner, or Double T Diner. They had
my favorite soup and our group expanded more than expected. I had a
hard time deciding what to get beyond the soup, but I find a sandwich
and take half of it home. The conversation is fun as we explain the
origins of the “broken broken broken” routine in our show and laugh
over random silliness including Tiger’s sister now hating me. On the
way out, we run into more people we know. We are all tired and I am
happy to get home. Sleep comes, but not till after paperwork. Joy.
This weekend, we have shows at 3:00 and 4:30 at the White Hart and
Columbina will be reading two sonnets in the afternoon slot of the
sonnets at the Boars Head...then of course, there will be Pub Sing
too.
Hope to see you there!
Michele/Columbina/Stupina
Teatro, when all you need is a little cheese
The Interpreters, And we're back!
AFR Goddess of Love
www . Taskmaskers. com