Md part cinque, 2009, lots of stuff

[Michele/Columbina/Stupina]

Its late, but I have been a rather busy camper this week. Given the
delay, things are going to be out of order and forgotten, but
hopefully you will enjoy the tale with missing names, moments,
incorrect order and more. Away we go...

BUT IT’S QUIET HERE
The Duelists moved onto their next faire, so the house was a bit more
maneuverable and quiet Saturday morning. I headed to site with
threats of rain after fighting with a contact lens that burned like
there was toothpaste in it at first. After a stop for hot food, I
park as close to the road as I can, knowing how miserable the parking
lot is when it rains. I head to the Gatehouse to warm up. It’s a bit
crisp, but not too bad. The tarp covers are up on the stages to allow
us to perform even if the sky opens up. I stretch and warm up. Today,
my hair is going to be different as I am wearing a pirate hate for
pirate weekend. This means braids, lots of them, the old Columbina
hairstyle requires anywhere from 8-30 braids...today, there are 11.
This takes a little longer and I am running a bit late.

BUT OF COURSE I DO
I am getting change and one actress realizes she is missing her
personal items. I lend her both a mug and socks. It’s a good thing I
have a back ups. I am changing but with questions and other craziness,
I am not getting to places on time and rush to Gatehouse for sound
check missing time to say hi to Queen Maggie. They are partially set
up and I wire up and we test. We sound fine and take pieces parts to
the next stage, only to realize I was being overly helpful the other
day and pulled the cords we needed into the wrong box. Mirth has to
head back and fix my mistake, ::sheepish grin:: but I’m cute!?! In
the time while we wait, I gather an eye patch from Tiger and say hello
to Tom Collins of the Crimson Pirates. I see another new pirate that
looks familiar, though I can’t figure out why. Sound check goes fine
and I head off to morning meeting in time.

ME-OW
While sitting at the meeting, I am approached by Sir David Lindsey who
says “I am supposed to say ‘Mow.’ “ After opening the assorted gifts
I am given by him, I realize it is supposed to be Meow as my romance
war hitter has plied me with assorted cat gifts including a cat shaped
shake-able flashlight. THAT amuses me. Even the paper is cat
striped. This basket is lots of fun. Meeting starts and we welcome a
number of acts for the weekend: Crimson Pirates, Rambling
Sailors....RAMBLING SAILORS!?!?! I DO know him! He and his sweet
lady performed with Teatro at WIRF a couple years ago. After we BEEP,
I make sure to go and hug them hello, apologizing for my stupidness.
All is well and I must head to the gate to start the show.

DROPSIES
I take care of my last privy break and face up a bit early, as I have
to coordinate the eyepatch purchased from the lovely Tiger Torres
Masks. There is coordination with the 4 layers but I am ready. Things
aren’t laying well though and my mask feels like it’s being pulled up
into my eyes. I keep adjusting, but once the crowd starts coming in, I
can’t really fix it. It just feels weird. We give a few tours as
there is a surprisingly large crowd given the threats of rain today.
In this crowd are two fellow performers from a show farther south.
They have never been here before and I am excited for them to see our
home. Eventually, the first rush is over and I head outside with
programs. It is overcast, which is a blessing for my eyes. I sit
down and am having a few issues with programs. I spill a number of
times, mostly from people not grabbing well, but some just from me
trying to look up at someone. I CAN’T get the programs to rest on my
feet at all today. It’s a bit depressing for me, thought the crowd
enjoys it. I make it through around 16 stacks of programs today...I
had more, but other actors are taking them off my head (which caused
one of the spills) rather than getting fresh ones in the back.

AMUSEMENTS
Some of the kids are fascinated with me and excited to talk to me when
they realize I am real. The sun comes out and I am now being blinded.
Given the errant contact lens, this is getting VERY painful and I need
to stop what I am doing so my eyeball doesn’t scream in pain. I see a
number of other actors out handing out programs and take that as my
cue to head back inside after an hour or so of programming. Time to
switch gears and bring out Mr. Hand Sock. I move the patch to the
center of my forhead for my “third eye.” Mr. Sock and I ramble a bit
around the village greeting patrons. While over by the jousting field
lunch tables, I run into Prescott Pierce, the town gravedigger. He
looks at me and says “Stupina, do you know what time it is?” I don’t
remember. A patron says “12:17”. OH! He reminds me it is time for
our daily hug. We stand back and on the count of 3 go barreling into
each other to hug. We are glad we have made sure the appt was
kept...even though it never existed until that very moment. Prescott
is a doll on street and very creative. Keep on your toes around that
one.

SWITCHEROO
After more greeting patrons, visiting Kate Cox’s and making my way
back to the cut through in Area A (front gate for those of you who
don’t know our weird space breakdowns) I head backstage to change. I
am amazed that the rain is holding out and am glad, though hoping it
will stay down through my shows...hope hope hope. Today, it seems
warmish, and I have decided to wear the turquoise. I am so very sad
that my scarf is missing...

LOST CLOTHING ALERT
If you find or see someone wearing a gold and turquoise scarf/shawl,
let me know. Trinket has a matching one in Fuscia (magenta) and gold.
Mine evaporated two Sundays’ ago. I really want it back. It seems to
be nowhere I was. I fear it grew legs and walked onto someone else’s
body, but I am hoping it will turn up, as it was not in the lost and
found yet.

BACK TO YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAM
I end up pulling out two scarfs and ask those backstage which would be
better. The women like the carribean blue one...the boy likes the
other blue, since he thought the other might be overkill of the same
color. I note “that’s the point” since this IS theater. He changes
his opinion to match the others. Smart boy. I finish the costume/
makeup and hair change (have to rebraid a bit as some have been
damaged in the hood under Stupina. I gather my water and head out to
the street. I am not craving steak today so I find myself with a
meatball calzone in my hands. I figure I will keep moving and won’t
get sleepy from it. It’s pretty tasty.

BABY TRICKS
I have time, so I head over to Tiger’s to get Baby Stupina and go
walkies. She has a pirate patch on today. Patrons love to stare at
her. Just watch. She will wave and they watch, she will wave again
and they watch. Finally, she adamantly waves and they finally realize
they are supposed to play. It’s amusing. One little boy likes her
enough that she can hug him. He enjoys it and hugs her back. Again,
I haven’t gotten farther than Noblesse, but some of those booths
finally get to see her. And it’s time to turn around. Back I head
stopping along the way to sit and wave at patrons. Sadly, it’s time
for her to return to her quiet spot...and it has started to look VERY
overcast.

WILL IT, BUT OF COURSE
We meet at White Hart and start to mic up. The overcast is now
spitting. I am annoyed. We head to the stage after the Pyrates
Royale and set up to start. This is after a Pyrate takes a tumble down
the stairs. He is fine, but ice is in his future, we are sure. We
cover the mics on stage and it spits more in earnest. The audience is
crowded under the awnings, but on this stage, we are not so lucky. We
perform our entire show as the rain isn’t getting heavier, but it’s
been consistent. I notice that my chemise is sheer enough that in the
rain, I can see my freckles through the fabric. Yeesh. We clear the
stage for the Rogues and stand toward the back just in case anyone
wants to say hi, and some do. Our next show is “cross town” at the
Gatehouse, so we head over.

HOBBLY GO LIGHTLY
For some reason, every Saturday, my feet have been acting up, but on
Sunday, they are better. This, being a Saturday, is the ouchy day. I
am feeling some foot pain, but am tolerating it. I head up to front
gate area to catch one of the last runs of the 3 Sillies. If you
didn’t see it by last week, you are SOL, it’s over for the season.
There are some really nice moments and they actors are doing well,
even with the drizzle...they are however getting VERY MUDDY as the
show is physical and uses the entire stage. Sigh. My own fault for
making them do it, but I do feel bad. Once the show is over, I walk
over to do some goodbye duty. People are flowing out and Sir William
Paget has found the brilliant method of standing under the gate
covering on top to say goodbye. The Gizzards are under the actual
gate doors staying dry. I have my hat of hugeness, so I am fine.

IMPROMPTU
I head backstage to prep for the show. My feet are really acting up,
but I know they will be ok tomorrow. We have decided on 2 songs for
the show, and decide this will be a request one, given that so many
people have already jumped ship for the faire. It’s also raining more
because there was no bat hat...inside story...so we unmic as there is
no reason to get the sound system wet. We have a decent crowd, given
the weather and time of day. Trinket and I are gifted with semi
matching bears. Hers is blondish with a redish ribbon, mine is redder
furred with a turquoise ribbon. It’s evil. We sit them down and do
our request show. We also pick a few songs we want to do and find we
have even more time as there is less schtick between. I am missing
the comedy though. We make up for it in a number of ways.

THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS
We head to the back of the house and say hello to our diehard fans who
have toughed it out in the weather. We sign CDs then head off to
London Broil to hopefully see our friends in a surprise visit. I am
escorted by a perfect gentleman who sits with me in the rain and
watches as I clear my nose and throat. I praise his fortitude. At the
show, I see Trinket. She is in a hooded green cloak and braids and I
am in my hat of doom. Next to each other, we look like Gretel and the
Wicked Witch of the West. Soon enough, it was over and I have to head
to find out the details for the evening’s Radio Hour.

A WHAT?
Yes, Radio Hour. MacIntyre’s Hard Tack Biscuit Radio Hour. Fletcher
has set up an “on the air” light, an old style mic (1940’s, not
1440’s). The rain is making things a bit difficult to plan, but at
least Fletcher’s mic is movable and can be protected from the rain.
In the camp, we go over the line up, find out what we are to sing, and
head into places. The show has an odd energy, but the crowd is very
loving. Hell, they stayed through the rain, so they WANT to be here.
Wolgemut amuses everyone with their rendition of What Do You Do with a
Drunken Sailor. Toward the end, we get up to do Captain’s Daughter,
you know, the song I partially wrote? Yeah, that one. Somewhere in
the middle, we lose our places in the verses and look at each other,
after a sound interruption, we start up...but on different keys.
Sounds like my dust filled throat went lower. Trinket doesn’t quite
match me and it’s not the best we have sounded. Fletcher’s Girl
Friday steps behind Trinket to feed her the notes, but she doesn’t
hear and somehow, we finish...without being thrown off the stage.

A WARM FINALE
There are also songs of raining men, General Taylor and others. And a
special song about an itsy bitsy spider sung to a familiar tune. At
the end, we sing WMT and suddenly, its over. There are things to
gather and people to say things to quickly, then, it’s time to run to
get changed before the costume house is closed for the night. It’s
crowded in there and wet. Icky wet. People are hanging things up with
as much air space as possible in hopes their garments will dry. Others
are taking pieces home to help in the process. I am insanely lucky in
that I have an entirely different outfit for the next day and can take
all of this home to wash for next week. Out on the deck, we all clear
as they dump the water that has overflowed in the tarp and is at risk
of dropping on us anyway. Brave people with brooms fix things.

PIZZA PIZZA
We organize a group to head out to CPK tonight. A group of 5 becomes 9
then almost becomes 15. We decide to split groups, but do end up
sitting right next to each other. My favorite waiter helps us out to
get the rest of our hungry gang seated and eating. It ends up being a
much later night with much food coming home in boxes. I am hosting
Lady Seymour and Lady Bouchier this weekend and we all arrive about
the same time. I teach them the special quirks of the house and they
start a load of laundry. Lady Seymour washes my socks before
officially returning them to me. Far too late, I head to bed and
sleep for the evening.

LET”S TRY THIS AGAIN
Today is rainy and overcast. I head to site grabbing a warm breakfast
and go to the top of Gatehouse where it is semi dry. There I stretch
and prep for the day. I am rather certain I won’t be able to do
Stupina, so I am a bit more careful with make up and hair, as I won’t
be redoing anything. I don’t add the blue yet, just in case. Once
that’s done, I head downstairs and to get changed...but the rain has
stopped, so I am going into Stupina after all. This sets me back in
time and again, I am rushing to get to Gatehouse. We check sound
there and we are loud, really loud. The damp makes the sound travel,
and in the wrong direction as backstage hears us better than in the
house. Joy.

TRAVELS AND TRAVAILS
We head to White Hart to test there. Today, we are adding a 3rd mic
but hadn’t given the time to the other person, so he’s not there. Um,
whoops, I thought one thing and should have been clearer. Sound check
goes well, but again, we are REALLY LOUD. I mention to Mirth that this
is what it was like the day our sound went into the scales food court
and we need to be careful when we start the show. I check with
Fletcher to see what we are doing tonight. Once done, I head to
morning meeting and let the person know he has to get checked for
sound. Then, down to the meeting. We actually had a bit of a crowd
before the rain, but it is icky. The drunks started coming out in
force, but that is the way of things on rainy days. We run through
some notes and I remind people this is the last day for the 3 Sillies,
which somehow gets garbled from what I say to what the ED hears. I
seem to be talking in another language, but then, after playing an
Italian for all these years, I guess it starts to wear in weird ways.
BEEP and off we go.

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME
I get to the front gate, set down my Free Hugs sign, hit the privy and
when I come out, it’s drizzling. DAMN. If this keeps up, I have to
leave and change to Columbina. I am pissed as I hate losing time I
don’t have to and I REALLY hate not being at opening. I take my mask
over to the souvenir booth and face up where it is dry. I pick up the
free hugs sign I was carrying and realize it will make a fabulous face
cover. I put it over my head and get up on the fountain. Young Wesley
Cudgel had been scared when he didn’t see me. His thought was that if
either I or the Gizzards give up because of weather, it would be time
to hit the road as we are the die hards who are always working no
matter what. An odd but sweet compliment. As the cannon booms, the
rain miraculously stops and I can hold the sign normally as the crowd
comes in.

DRIP DRIP
Ok, so cause of the threat of rain, there is not much of any crowd.
Really, almost nothing. I stay a bit, but figure its time for this
little mask to go a traveling. In the village, I walk with my sign, I
hug patrons many times over. Some are amused by the lines of people
waiting for their hugs. Others think I look sad and give me a hug.
As there aren’t many patrons, I am hugging many more performers and
vendors. Edward Seymour and his crew hug me as do most people working
in booths. One man is heard to mumble “I know what’s under that mask,
no way in hell I am turning down a hug.” Percival Southwell even asks
for one as it keeps away the plague.

THE SOUTHWELL FAMILY EXPERIENCE
I run into the Southwells who are wandering the village together. I
hug Prescott for our “daily morning hug” which actually draws applause
today. Then, his sisters decide that Richard needs a hug. Which I
generously offer him and he becomes sour faced and stiff (just his
stance, don’t be icky). He then suggests to his wife that she needs
one, and Stupina hugs and lifts Agnes. She suddenly has pain she
can’t explain as her face curls into an actual grin. They sick me on
the sherrif who gets a 3-limbed hug and I pronounce that the only
family member not hugged is Morghana, and remedy the situation. We
entertained a few people in O’Shucks, but that was a moment that
appeared more for us than anyone else. I move on.

STUPINA HUGS THE WORLD
Well, it felt like it. I walked down what is normallythe sunbowl and
hugged people, then down to make a delivery, then to the hill behind
the Dragon, hugs to Tracy and his lovely lady, then even, dare I say
it, INTO the Dragon Inn. I give and get hugs from each level of the
pub and head out and over the hill. Down the boardwalk, I am hugging
almost everyone in their booths. I run the gauntlet down the soda
booth. People behind the scenes are ecstatic to come out and hug me
over the counter. I hug patrons, even the scary shirtless guy, who
was surprisingly not a sweaty mess. This makes me VERY happy, as I was
a bit afraid of that.

THE HILL OF DOOM
At the end of the boardwalk, I see Ghoster and hug him. He begins
pimping my hugs to patrons. I leave and get ready to head up the
stairs of doom, when I hear from the distance, “we want hugs on the
hill!” So up to the hill of DOOOOOM I go and hug the dart people and
others on the way up. Surprisingly, it is not as slippery as I feared
with the weather. Next, I head down Stubtoe, past the Pyrate camp,
and over to Hengrave Hall. There, all the ladies and gents in yellow,
even Master Kendall come out and hug me. I see Sancho Panza who
bemoans where he could possibly find a free hug on a day like today. I
oblige. I meet Mistress Champernowne who gives me a hug as I give her
one. That was the BEST. I keep seeing people eating pork pockets.
Those guys must have made a killing this weekend.

NATIONAL HUGS
I head up to Kenwood and see Prescott again. We have our “daily hug”
again for the first time. I also hug Master Southwell and Angelique
Saville. We discuss that she would give a French Hug, I would give an
Italian hug perhaps, which means that Switzerland is in between and we
both hug Sir Richard. Then, I say I have a better Swuss hug and go to
hug Richard but stop saying “um well, I can’t really commit to this, I
mean, I can’t choose which side to hug on...I can’t sorry” and never
hug him. This gets a laugh. Then, down the Queen’s Path to the front.
I start my countdown, only 4 minutes of free hugs left! I start to
count down by Jezzard’s and someone runs up on “one!” Then, I am way.
That was 3 hours of hugging. My arms hurt and my fingers are sore from
gripping the sign. It was fun though.

SWITCHEROO TWO – WHO DO YOU DO
The sun is almost coming out now and I am not as chilled as I was the
day before, so I feel safe to wear the sheer blue chemise rather than
the yellow one. However, this means I go with the lighter jewelry.
Yes, it is a chore being a fashion plate. Backstage, another person
is eating that pork pocket. I give him the advice I give everyone
else. ;-) I am informed that our friends have had a car accident on
their way in today and won’t be at faire after all. And Mirth has to
run out to help them...which means he might not make the show. Eep.
I have to repair make up and hair and soon enough, I am able to head
out to the streets. Again, I am not craving steak, so I travel a bit
farther down the path and find the Pork Chop on a stick. It’s much the
same, but the flavor is different and more fits my mood. As I go to
sit, I see Tom Collins from the Crimson Pirates and his lady. We are
eating pork chops and she is eating the barbequed pork pocket (yes
ANOTHER person is eating it today). She generously offers some of her
fries (these are my favs, but I can never eat a whole order). I thank
her profusely.

HOW WAS YOUR DAY
Before I go, I jump up on a bench and ask the crowd how their day
was. As I mention “have you seen a goodly show” I see Sir Nigel Hack
in the crowd and mention “like Hack and Slash”. After my
announcement, I am asked how to find their stage and I give
directions. Then, I head over to see about Baby Stupina. She still has
her pirate patch and we walk her about the village for a short while.
Back she goes and off to the White Hart I go. We mic up and prep with
Mirth back safely. Today we are adding in a special guest for this
show, so we are organizing a few extra things and I send CDCB to the
back to prepare the bowls. At 5 minutes, we head toward the stage and
wait for our cue.

PERFECTION, KA-POW
We start the show and things are going smoothy. We have a good crowd
and they are having fun. We hear a few cannons go off as the
privateers are doing a demonstration in the jousting field. We
acknowledge the sound early in the show but continue on. Then,
Scapino arrives and shares his bowls of peanuts with me. After he
explains how he will shower Trinket with a spray of peanut butter she
realizes what we are talking about. When we say “What did you think
we are talking about?” Trinket looks up in horror and “BOOM”.
Literally. The cannon went off again. It shocked her enough that her
face reacted once more. The audience cheered and couldn’t stop
laughing, which slowly broke us all. I think we stood there laughing
for over a minute with the crowd. Even after the show, people
couldn’t stop telling me how perfect that moment was and how we
couldn’t have paid to have it go better.

SO NEW
The rest of the show is mostly good and everyone is in good spirits
from the boom before. Ok, Note/Peeve. Gang, if you come to my show,
especially if you are a friend and come to the show, if you show up
late, don’t: 1, stand in front of people who are sitting and trying to
see the show (and got there on time). Or 2,TALK in the front of the
house. These are surefire ways to piss me off. I am here for this
audience, not for you alone. If you were watching a show and someone
else came in and did that to you, you’d be pissed. And you SHOULD
know better...rant off. Once over, we head back to much joy from some
regulars and some new audience.

THE QUICK TRIP
We pack up and head to the front of the faire for the second show. I
take a moment to chat with Zenobia and her new helper. We discuss
fashion and faire briefly then I head to the front. I take longer
getting to the front and only spend a short time out in the main
area. Soon it is time to mic up backstage. As we sit, there are some
overcast clouds coming by and I feel a single drop. I call for the bat
hat, and it saves the day, just as promised. Time for the show and we
have a good mixed crowd. Today, we are mic-ed and the sound is better
now that it’s dry. We sing a good mix of songs and the audience is
very appreciative.

MOMENTS OF SADNESS
Once done, we sign a few CDs and as the next show starts, we begin to
say our goodbyes. I actually want to see this show, and this is
likely the best time. I sit and watch next to the SM for the piece.
It is sad on many levels and my eyes did well up. Once over I head to
Pyrate Camp and verify what we are doing. And THERE he was, Louis the
Moor. It is lovely to see him and we compare our beverages, as the
are much the same. At places, we all head to the stage and Trinket and
I are a bit confused when what we thought would happen suddenly
doesn’t seem like it is. This pub sing has great energy. Master
Louis amazes and thrills us all as normal. And The O’Danny’s have a
similar brain fart in their song, which makes me happy after
yesterday’s fiasco. It’s not that I don’t wish them well, but it’s
nice to know we aren’t the only ones having these odd moments of
cluster F.....

ARE WE OR AREN’T WE
I double check with the SMs if we are going to do what we thought we
were, and are assured that we will be. Toward the end of the evening,
in the dark, we are running late, but Trinket and I are brought up and
with a very simple “This one’s for you” share the Parting Glass with
the crowd. It’s starting to get dark by the end of pub sing, so the
feeling is more intimate. It makes me happy. One more song after
bells then cannon, and away we go. There are a few people being
stupid and I am tempted to get security, but those around them seem
able to handle it. I grab the things I need and head to the costume
house. While picking up my check, I am asked about the audience and
agree that the drunk quotient this weekend was a lot higher than
normal. Pity.

MUST EAT
A small group, that grows slowly end up meeting at Cheeburger
Cheeburger for unhealthy but incredibly satisfying food. I get an
update, find out that my mug is being fixed by a kind sir (since the
lady who borrowed it today dropped and broke it...it’s ok, it was a
clean simple break and easily fixable), and order food. Late to
dinner is Scapino who very kindly helped out two ladies in need. We
feed him and keep him company. Its good conversation and company and
a great way to end the weekend. I settle up things once home and get
ready for an early morning. Ghoster arrives and we touch base until I
am almost comatose...

This weekend is Oktoberfest and we will have shows at 3:00 at White
Hart and 5:30 pm at Gatehouse. Hope to see you there!

Till next week!
Michele/Columbina/Stupina
AFR Goddess of Love
Taskmaskers. com
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