Md part tres, not quite a long, but very eventful.
Michele/Columbina/Stupina
what happened, I won’t forget too many details about time/place/order,
and people. No guarantees, because it’s only Tuesday and already the
details are fuzzy.
ON THE SHADY SIDE OF THE STAGE
I get up and have my shake then head to site. When I arrive at
Gatehouse, I see that the stage coverings have arrived and are up on
the stage. There is a threat of rain today, and these are to protect
the actors so we can still perform no matter the weather. It is also
a little chilly as the high today is said to be 72 Fahrenheit.
Brrrr. Well, brrr as given that the previous days have been in the
80’s and more. I warm up, stretch out and fix hair and makeup before
heading down to get changed.
WHO’S GOT ME?
I change relatively quickly so I can get down to White Hart a bit
early. Mirth isn’t available this weekend (other work beckoned) and
CDCB and I are taking over for sound today. I meet up with Trinket
and CDCB and we start to plug everything up. I am now thankful that I
made Mirth show CDCB the way things were set up last week. I must be
p-sykick or somthin... He is being cautious but seems to have
everything under control. The weather is damp and sound is traveling
well. We balance us and get rid of sibilance then I head over to
morning meeting.
RISKING COLD
Morning meeting goes over the new and leaving acts for the weekend. We
talk about weather and the odd crowds we get this weekend (not weird,
just usually this is our hurricane weekend...so we never know what to
predict). There are many jokes made about the Hermit’s new and stylish
scar...some HP refs, others, just silly. It appears to be warmish
enough. I am debating on doing free hugs again, but figure there may
not be enough in attendance to warrant the sign, so I move on after we
BEEP and take my last privy break before the start.
KEEPING THINGS WARM...AND A NOTE
The cannon booms and people come in. It’s not a trickle, but it’s not
a heavy day either. The crowd gets one tour before they are all in
and I stay on the fountain for a bit to pose in some pics and to dust
and inform people. I am afraid of stepping down and ask a kind gent
to help me. Once down, I am able to wander a bit and I see that the
Fairy Godmom isn’t up yet, so I climb into her seat and talk to
patrons as they walk by. I am visited by some regulars.
NASTYGRAM REMINDER
OK GANG, here’s the not as nice reminder. When I am working at faire,
I am there to entertain EVERYONE...not just you. I will spend some
time with everyone I can, but I am not there to hang out and have long
conversations with any one person nor is it conducive to my work to
have anyone hanging out within 3 feet of me just to watch for over 15
minutes. I appreciate you like what I do, but I respectfully ask of
you that you let me do just that. There is much more to see at the
faire than me and you should take advantage of it. Say hi, stay for a
moment, and move on. End of ranty thing.
MORE CHAIR SITTING
Children suddenly seem not to be as afraid of me in the chair. I guess
it does have some magical properties. I am met by the Southwells who
ask me if I have permission and warn me that Bertilda might turn me
into a frog. This makes me cry loudly and the only way to fix it is a
hug from Richard...which he “LOVES” (cough cough). After they leave,
I stay for a short bit longer then head back onto the streets of Revel
Grove.
COURTED
Since the streets are lighter today, I take the opportunity to watch
the morning court show. There is A LOT of information in the piece.
I always sit near the back of the house, just in case I have to go.
As a family is leaving mid show...the kid sees me and his eyes bug out
a little and she smiles. She comes up and I shake her hand and
quietly ask her how her day is going. She is all smiles when she
heads out to the streets. Another family is somewhat similar and the
kids are happy when I wave to them as the leave. Yeah, it’s hard to
be subtle in a mask.
SHOULDA COULDA
It’s a bit chillier than expected and I am starting to feel the
chill. I dust people, but I am not really interested in sitting down
today, as the stillness might be even colder. I chat with some
patrons and somehow we get onto the subject of how super powers might
work. I decide to show them that I can fly. This consists of me
standing in one place with one foot on the ground and the other at
waist height behind me as I lean forward, ala a superhero and
“fly”...my balance is not good and I look rather unstable, but I keep
my balance for a little while. Enough to pose for a few pictures from
some confused onlookers.
WHERE WE GO
Each pathway is different when I play Stupina. I never know which way
I am to head next, and it makes the day somewhat exciting. In the
back of my head, I am timing where I am in comparison to where I have
to be at a certain time and reviewing it with the street crowds and
how long it takes ADD girl to get through. Today, I suddenly realize
it is already time for me to be going to change, and I am still at the
end of Kenwood. Off I scurry to backstage. Luckily for me, there is
no crowd much today. This is sad to me, as I love to have as many
people as possible to interact with, but sometimes you just have to
work with what you have. Lemonade and all that stuff.
CHEERY AND WARMER
Since it is so much colder, I decide today I will wear my new thicker
chemise. It’s a rich mustard yellow and is a great counterpoint to the
cobalt blue side of my dress. I am shocked by the brightness of the
outfit...I am almost dayglo. But at least I am warmer. I grab my
shawl as well, but it’s not cold enough to warrant gloves yet.
Trinket and I choose the shows we are to do today and head out. The
day is damp and a bit muted...we feel like neon signs in the deeper
tones. Eh, not so bad.
WALKIES STEAKING WITH FRIENDS
I am able to get my steak on a stake quickly and sit at a half empty
table with patrons who are enjoying a meal. The wasps and bees are
having a hey day today. Meaning people keep waving them away saying
“HEY!” No one seems to be happy about it. Today’s company asks me
about home...Italy. I know enough to cover a conversation about the
basics and that is enough. Once done, I head to the streets again and
the crowd above the White Hart.
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
We get to the stage after going over logistics with CDCB. Things go
pretty smoothly for everyone’s re-acquaintance with the sound
system. The show seems to go well and the audience is packed and
cheering. It’s a good feeling. At the end of the show, I do the
quick mic switch and we are off like rabbits. We meet our regulars
and patrons but there are things to do. I hit the streets with my
half hour and chat with the people I can find. Sadly, it is rather
slim. I am also getting frustrated that I have not been able to take
Baby Stupina out at all. She is up at Dragon Wings, but once I switch
costume, there isn’t a chance for me to get down there before I would
have to turn around, and unfortunately, I can’t just sit her down
anywhere. I do have a chat with a woman whose husband was stationed
in Milan, near where I am “from. We chat and I am grateful I have been
to the country as I am able to cover my ass and talk as if I was
someone who called it home once.
BACK AGAIN
Soon enough, it’s time for the second show. It’s a smaller audience,
but it’s because it’s the show that isn’t on the schedule. They have
to get the hard copy that morning or have read and remembered my post
to know where to find us. They are still responsive and enjoying the
stuff. We are running later than we want, so we cut the last piece of
shtick and finish on Parting Glass. This time, I have to deconstruct
the sound system before we are done. I pull up the mics, switch the
sound and then try to untangle the cords. It takes a few seconds
longer than I planned but we are off ASAP and the Hooligans begin.
Off the stage, CDCB and I switch and he hides the sound while Trinket
handles the signs. Once sorted, we can stop to greet patrons who
want CD’s signed or just want to say hi. I am shown a pic of a doll
that some regulars have named Columbina...since it’s a porcelain
version of me.
IT”S THAT TIME ALREADY?
We chat with the patrons who are left and I wander the streets for a
short while to chat with those about. I also check with a vendor about
housing Baby Stupina there so I can bring her out more often. She is
amenable and starts to set up the hook. I am hungry and Trinket and I
stop by the nut booth to get some Pecans and cashews...mmmmm. Comedy
ensues. Then, it’s time for check in for Pub Sing. We have been
asked to remember a verse we wrote last year for the final song and
suggest a slower piece we just started performing this year to the
Rugbys. They are fine with it. We check our line up, run though the
songs, and catch up with those we don’t spend enough time with for a
few minutes. Soon enough, the call for places happens and we head to
the stage. The show has fun energy and our “Book of Love” has a very
positive response. Even Master Rugby asks if the song was new. We
end on one of my favorite closers (I Come for to Sing) and the cannon
bangs.
HEARTY FOOD WITH HEARTY LAUGHS
We head back to the costume house and change quickly. I am hungry and
when I ask where we are to eat, I am reminded that I promised barbeque
to my roomies. Famous Dave’s it is. We are joined by a Hermit, Son
of Strum, Phillip Van Wilder, a beautiful purple lady and her next-
door neighbor, who is equally pretty. Dinner is had after a short
wait and many leftovers come home after many laughs and tales of
memories. It is here I hear about the women literally throwing
themselves at the Duelists. The beach at Normandy never looked so
good. We head back to the house and crash...hard.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A NIGHT MAKES
Today is sunny and warmer already. Not badly, but the chill isn’t
there, meaning I don’t see my breath as I do my vocal warm up and I
don’t have to wrap my neck while I am walking about. I head to site
and begin my warm up and then the hair and makeup. The stage still has
a tarp on it and as I am finishing the make up, I am greeted by Smiths
who want to take the tarp down. I grab my stuff and quickly get off
the stage...being hit by a swinging tarp is not my idea of a fun way
to start the day. Once done, I head down to the costume house and see
my cohort, who is a bit less cheery this morning. Sundays and
all...The costume house opens and I head in and change. Today, I am
going to pull out a prop and I grab one of my acrylic balls. For
those of you who have seen my shows for a number of years, it is one
of the “jewels” that Pantalone juggled when Arlecchino wanted to get
paid. It’s the blue one...yes, today, Stupina has Blue Ball.
Singular.
CAN YOU HEAR ME AT ALL?
CDCB is running late, so Trinket and I run our sound check on our own.
It’s a bit tougher to check balance and sibilance, but we had to do it
before, so it works rather well for us and we are done in no time. I
head to meeting and she to breakfast...after I pet the very sweet
Corva. What an amazingly well behaved pup. At morning meeting, we
learn there were a lot of sound issues the day before, not the least
of which is that our sound at the White Hart traveled up the hill
toward O’Shucks...our PG-13 show. To say that this displeased me is
an understatement. I talk with SMAdam to make sure we can address t
his ASAP as well as give CDCB some additional instructions to make
sure that nothing is out of place before he moves to sales. I am also
VERY thankful we did NOT do “show 4” as that one is the dirtiest one
we do...and I really don’t want those just wandering by to get that
kind of an earful. Trinket and I agree we will not do Show 4 at all
until we know for sure the sound isn’t traveling.
HUG AND PLAY
We BEEP and head up to gate. I take my pit stop and chat with the
Cudgels while we wait till the gates open. Master Wood makes it just
in time and I face up so we can greet the crowd. The weather is
amazing, but the crowd is still smallish. It’s a pity as this is
perfect faire weather and even a couple thousand more wouldn’t have
made it a crowded day. I wave and hug people, jump into a picture or
two, dust and play. Today, Bertilda is back, and this makes me happy.
After the crowd dies down, I wait a bit then head into site. I keep
running into the same patrons as we are walking the same path. I
decide to take the time t to pull out my toy.
I WANT A HUG!
As I wander, I see Prescott Pierce. It appears that my hug with him
last week left an impression and he wants another. Well, after I
deliver a summons that neither of us can read. He grabs a patron (who
I ironically know relatively well) and asks his help to read the
note. He reads it poorly. Stupina ends up translating. We hug and
move our separate ways. THEN, I see Prescott hugging the king.
Stupina begins to pout and almost cries. The King says “See what you
have done!” and offers Stupina a hug which she takes readily! King
hugs are almost as good as Southwell hugs.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO PET...
Ok, so when Stupina gets some object, she makes it her own little
friend and asks people to pet them. Leaves, sticks (I still have the
holy stick of Revel Grove in my house), and today, it’s my blue ball.
Depending on the audience, I change what I say. Some hear the word
blue, most don’t. When they ask me my pet’s name, I tell them “Ball”.
Stupina was never one for creativity in names. Many do pet her when
they realize she isn’t sticky or gross. I even show them her new
tricks. She can jump to the back of my hand and to the front and can
even balance on my nose. She is very well behaved for a ball. It
becomes a great source of amusement. I stop by the tree between
Piland’s and Nobless and show off my ball.
IT WON’T DO THAT FOR ME!!
While sitting and chatting with a little boy who really likes Ball and
all his tricks, I am suddenly surrounded by the ladies of court. I
show them the tricks of Ball and they are impressed. Then, Nicholas
Throckmorton stops by. I know something that most of the ladies don’t
know and I ask Master Throckmorton if he would like to hold Ball. He
has to find a home for the Kings Cup and trusts the little boy I was
chatting with. The boy is very good and won’t let ANY of the court
ladies near the cup. Nicholas asks me if Ball would be ok and I think
it will. Ball rolls onto his hands and begins to jump and roll
around. He is a bit concerned and I tell him to just talk to Ball. As
soon as he does, Ball begins to roll smoothly all over Master
Throckmorton’s hands, arms, and begins to do some pretty tricks. Yes,
Nicholas is a contact juggler. He garners applause from the small
crowd that has joined us. Soon after, Nicholas treats the boy to a
look at the king’s cup. That little boy is going to have GREAT
stories. Shortly thereafter, everyone departs, including me.
FOR ME?
I head around with my ball and head around the back of the White Hart
to visit Stub Toe. On the way, I show Ball to the Pyrates. As a
gift, Skivee hands me food. He starts with chocolate, which I can’t
have, then an apricot, which I can’t have, and settles on a grape. I
walk about with my grape and my ball. Around Potomac Leather, I get
into a heated discussion about how Ball is just as good as Boy.
Father and I keep showing off our little one’s tricks. Sadly, Boy
wins. There is much laughter.
STUPID BEE
I head up Stub Toe and try to gum half of my grape. Stupina can’t
close her mouth or use her upper lip or teeth, so eating consists of
me mushing food with my tongue. Not pretty. Once that piece is
swallowed, I go to shred more grape on my teeth, but the grape bites
back. I spit and a wasp flies out of my mouth. The stupid @$)($*#@
(%#* wasp stung me INSIDE my lip. Luckily, I know I am not allergic,
but I want to get it checked ASAP. I put pressure on it and head
toward the White Hart where I see two EMT’s. Perfect. I show it to
them and they ask me about symptoms. I don’t have the bad ones, but
they take me off to First Aid to get ice and to make sure that my face
under the mask looks ok.
THE INNER WORLD
My only request is that we don’t de-mask me until I am inside the
first aid room in the back. There is no need to make people see that
transition unless it’s life or death, and I seem to be ok. They check
my face, fill out paperwork and give me ice. I feel STUPID. I always
tell others to check their food, but I have no peripheral vision in
the mask and forgot to look down before I tried to eat...DOH. Once
paperwork is done, I re-mask, put the ice up to my mouth after
wrapping it in my handkerchief, and head to the costume house. Along
the way, I meet up with a few regular patrons who offer their regrets
including a White Dragon. I am in mask with a huge handkerchief
sticking out of my mouth looking a bit sour. I don’t know what was
the magic of that look, but suddenly patrons are all waving at me
happily before I even make contact. They are all so happy to see the
grumpy looking Goblin thingy. It was somewhat odd. But, it kept me
working as I crossed the street and disappeared back behind the scenes
to deface once more and really get the ice on. Once at the Costume
house, I took Benadryl and sat for a bit to let the ice soak and
melt. It melted quickly as the heat of my mouth/breath melted things
better. Stupid bee. Though I have to say I apologize to bees,
because it was a STUPID WASP. The bees are generally nice, including
those big ole wood bees that just hang around being fuzzy never
stinging anyone. Stupid wasp.
BEETOX?
The First Aid guys warned me it would hurt and I should sit until it
feels “normal”....um, no time for that. After about 20-30 minutes I
started changing over into Columbina. I had to stop icing my mouth to
do that and it started to throb a bit. Whee. It also started to swell
a little. The good part, it was inside my mouth. It made half of my
mouth look pouty and full... The bad part...it made HALF my mouth look
pouty and full. I look mostly ok, until I try to put on lipstick and
there is this odd Joker effect taking place. Charming. I hope that
the benadryl will kick in and this will go down a bit. I head up to
the street, grab Baby Stupina from Dragon Wings and walk her up to her
new home at Tiger Torre Art. She should be with Masks, I suppose.
NO ONE PUT’S BABY IN THE CORNER
Even when I am walking relatively quickly, Baby Stupina brings out
lots of looks. I can’t stop right now as I have her in one hand and
my mug in the other and other than walking, I can’t manipulate her one
handed. She can walk, but waving could coat her in a deluge and
actually does at one point. I get her across site and put down my mug,
then take her out for walkies. It turns out that one of the musicians
she loves dancing to is there on Stub Toe and Baby Stupina has her
first dance of the season. She draws a small crowd watching and
taking pics. She poses and smiles...as much as a marionette can.
There is much rejoicing (insert cheer here). I take her back in and
hang her in her new home, then head out for lunch. I have steak again
and take some time to warn patrons to look in sodas. One person notes
that he is very allergic and though alone, knows where his epipen is.
I stress that someone ELSE needs to know and make sure he is aware
where first aid is as there had been 7 other stings before me.
THE GODDESS OF GIFT CHOICE
I am heading up toward Piland's and am stopped by Master Harry
Knuckles. He has a letter for me from nobility. We make a big
commotion and draw a crowd to read the letter. Lady Anne Herbert is
looking for the perfect gift for her husband while he is away at war
and asks for my advice, as I am known for gift giving. Her letter is
flowery and annoys her cousin who has stopped by to listen. I finish
the letter and propose that the perfect gift is a sword crafted with a
symbol on the hilt that represents her to him, so whenever he must
charge into battle, she is the strength of his arm and will always be
with him. The crowd approves...except for Anne’s cousin. Once done,
I am off to the show.
DON”T HEAR ME, OK?
I head to the White Hart and we mic up for the show and pull out signs
and set list. I see the sound guy and double check that he will be
able to review sound as will CDCB. We start the show and even though
we have to cut the final shtick, the audience seems to be having a
good time. It’s the 3:00 show and it is definitely a full audience for
the day...No one really seems to have great crowds for them, so I am
pleased. After the show, we clear. I notice that my lip seems a bit
more normal in shape even though it still hurts a little. My teeth
are also starting to feel weird...ah, moving toxins, joy. At least
the SMAdam says that sound was fine and we have nothing to worry
about, it was just a fluke of the day before.
BABY STUPINA, WHERE DOES THE TIME GO
I take Baby Stupina back out between shows. Good god but she eats
away time. I bow, take pics, dance, sit, hide and have fun with
patrons. Little ones shake her hand. There is much interest and I am
suddenly out of time. I end up getting back to White Hart a bit late,
but we still have time to prep for the show. The second show starts
with the new music and they happily sing along and enjoy the show.
After the show, I pull sound from the stage, and it is much smoother
today. We are clear with time to spare. One of our loyals takes a
pic of us before she travels home...to Australia...yeah, you tell me
you travel to see us all the way from Australia and mean it...then you
can get special treatment like her. We pack up after talking with
people who want to share a word or two or get CD’s signed.
PUBY PREP
I wander around a bit feeling a bit hungry, but not sure I want
something sweet again. I think more fennel would have been
better....mmmm, fennel from the day before....mmmm. I head to the
Pyrates and check the setlist. There are new songs to run through and
Trinket and I check our position in the line up and pic an upbeat sing
along song tonight. At places, we head in and start to sing. There
are no O’Danny’s at the opening, but they do join us to sing Ugly
Lass, which made most of the rest of the cast on stage wince in pain
and laughter. It was very funny. Some mild tension passing by, the
show was good, life was good and the weekend was over. We Boom on time
and head to pick up stuff from backstage, head to the costume house,
change and get paid. Whee!
DO YOU WANT A RAT WITH THAT?
A few of us agree to meet at Heroes, after the great Iphone gps
search. It’s off the beaten path and the food is ok, but the company
is fun. The Rat Catcher, Daisy O’Danny, Robin Hood and Maid Marian, a
few Angels and some vendors all join together. Daisy is in a good
mood and continues to say “Bee!” to me when I am getting too
enthusiastic. It makes me pout. It’s funny though. BEE!... I
think Daisy is one of the few that could out energy me when I get
going. Finally, dinner is done and I head home. Once there, I see
that both my roomies have fallen asleep in front of the TV watching a
movie. It’s amusing to be sure. I head upstairs, start laundry,
balance the CDCB materials and finally head to sleep.
This weekend is Irish Weekend. We will be at the White Hart at 3:00 pm
and 4:30 pm! Come see a show and say hi! Till next week!
Michele/Stupina/Columbina
www taskmaskers.com
AFR Goddess of Love
Teatro di Pecorino Romano, when all you need is a little cheese
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