Tics and Performing at Ren Faires
Eric & Debra Hathaway Heath
years ago. We're there every year in Booth number 25 - by the elephant ride
(take a right after you enter the faire, keep going to the top of the hill,
and listen for the loud strange words).
This year I will be arriving in Larkspur early to build a new booth in space
#26 to expand our sales area. I have to say that I get a little nervous
around power tools sometimes, twitches and all, but so far I still have all
my fingers!
I too am a musician, I studied voice and piano at Syracuse University, and I
have been messing around with a bowed psaltery (you can make some really
hideous screeching noises with it without much practice).
A funny story. My vocalizations constantly change and many times take ME by
surprise. Last year, while I was stringing marionettes in front of the
booth, I suddenly shouted "Soap!" in a ringing baritone that echoed up and
down the hillside. I noticed several dozen people stop in their tracks and
turn to look at me, waiting for a follow-up. So I continued with, "We don't
sell soap!" They laughed and came up to talk to me and wandered into the
shop. One man asked me if I had any soap and I told him no. No soap, no
cauliflower, no pork . . .
People thought it was funny and for the next few weeks I played word
association games with the patrons. But Soap seemed to be the most frequent
big loud word that I used (uncontrollably).
By the end of the faire I found that craftspeople at the other side of the
festival were "using my lines" and I actually heard a man trying to lure
people into his booth by shouting, "Soap, I don't sell soap."
A very strange way to become notorious, don't you agree.
I hope to see you in CO. I have only been to one support group meeting
(because of our heavy travel schedule) and really haven't met anyone else
with TS. For a long time I thought I was a "freak of nature" and was alone
in the world. So it will be nice to compare experiences.
feel free to contact me at ohb...@yahoo.com and you can visit our website
at http://dragonwings.net to see some of the cool stuff my wife and I make.
beglyfam
Do you ever do any ren faires in the Pittsburgh, PA area?
Singer
Eric & Debra Hathaway Heath <ohb...@yahoo.com> wrote in article
<76h1u4$1...@bgtnsc02.worldnet.att.net>...
Fenisz
>years ago. We're there every year in Booth number 25 - by the elephant ride
I will look for you. I have been comeing to see a Hammered Dulcimer player
named Jim Jewell. I love listening to him. I will definatly look for you this
summer. You might try working with Puke and Snot. You would fit right in.
Actually, in a humerous way, you have found a perfect nitch for your talents.
When I see you, I will tell you about one of my experiences with one of the
"wenches" there.
Have a Happy and Profitable New Year
Fred
BlessedBy2
>"wenches" there.
Oh thanks Fred :-)))
BB2
Fenisz
>years ago. We're there every year in Booth number 25 - by the elephant ride
I just checked out your web page. Just a few points of interest. I have
always enjoyed certain circus acts. I bought a Unicycle in 1972 and still ride
it from time to time. I learned to Juggle and built a set of stilts that were
6 feet high when I was a teenager. I have a complete woodworking shop where I
built my Hammered Dulcimer. I do not have any problems around power tools. I
am very steady and focused when opperating my tools. I used to really have
problems when I was working in my workshop with my tics. Before I was
diagnosed, I used to hold them in. This was problematic because of the energy
required fighting tics. It would cause all kinds of anxiety. Now, I just let
them out. The machinery is making enough noise so nobody hears what I say and
frankly, I no longer care what I say when I tic. If you are interested, I can
show you the Hammered Dulcimer and some of my other creations.
You mentioned Syracuse University. I grew up near Palmyra, New York.
Fred
BlessedBy2
BB2