Travels with the Pig, part IV, part 3
James H Sweetland
(continuing the May updates--hey it's still more or less mid June)
Monday dawns, not raining. And, there is a bizarre bazaar, with breakfast,
in the pavilion. Hang out until noon, and then to site. I have an
experimentI have obtained cat poo from some neighbors, and will spread the
cat litter around my booth. Cats dont like mice, and vice versa, right?
On the way back from site, which is soggy as usual, my rider and I stop
and get a slightly used 10x20 carport--he needs a new cover and I could
use
some of the poles. And no rain all day, as a lot more socializing, music
playing and general camaraderie ensues.
Tuesday mostly work on the class, and back to site, I have cleaned up all
evidence of mouse, and find only one (1!) new turd,and no apparent damage.
And the place doesnt smell too bad. Wednesday mostly class, some reading,
and trying out different pole arrangements. Spaghetti dinner at another
rennies camp, and then I get a phone call:one publisher is having a
massive sale to close a warehouse--
big discount but when this stock is gone, the sale is over. I spend about
3 hours once I get the emailed list of
goodies, and send in an order. So, will have spent all my gross and then
some on new stock (but a bigger than usual discount will mean larger
profits later in the year.
Thursday much the same, but dinner at my neighbors place and more good
talk. (It comes up that we are both aware the other actually does use
words like ensue in normal conversation:
see, nerds can pick each other out, as can literati
(the latter does sound more classy). Friday, in return, I
talk with her kids about the renaissance (they have to do a paper for
school).
And of course, Friday is pancake day. And I get to site: no smell
left and no mice or mice detritus. Yay, the theory works. I do find a wasp
nest in the wall, however.
Saturday dawns well, with even some sun poking out. And then, just as my
break is over about 2:15, a massive thunder/lightning/rain/plague of
locusts/sky-is-falling event, which lasts until a little after 5:00.
Oddly, I gross nearly $100 during this debacle, some who come in actually
buy while sheltering from the rain. Oh, and I destroy the small wasp nest,
but the wasp wont leave, even before the rain. Out to dinner at Ryans
(buffet) with a bunch of rennies. And some chat to support one of our own
who has had some trouble with her doctoral exams (as in didnt pass). We
commiserate (I only passed part on my first try). And, I wonder if anyone
in the place overhears the conversation. There's at least two PhDs or
almost at that table over there?
Probably not, or if they do, dont believe it. (At a faire not to be
named a couple of years ago, a management person warned the volunteer
cast not to hang out with the road rennies, who were "dirty hippy
carnies". No wonder the outside sees us as strange.
High point of the evening is a long call to my wife a we celebrate our
(mmmpphh) anniversary today. Still in love, even if celibate for about
half the year. (Absence makes the heart, etc. grow fonder). Yeah, the real
sex at renfaire includes *all* possible combinations and permutations,
including monogamy. (Tell that to the media)
Sunday is cool and dark, but becomes clear after noon, And, for the first
time this faire, there is *no*rain*all*day*. Good sales, great mood,
everybody makes some money. Notably, two different of my online students
both get tickets and come to the faire (one for the very first time at any
faire) to see me. These are the first two online students I have met in
person, and I am likely the only instructor in the program they will see
in the flesh. I am touched, actually. Of course, ironically, I am finally
busy enough I dont have much time to talk with either of them. Out to
dinner with pretty much the same group as Saturday, this time to Chef
Wangs in Murfreesboro. This is a high end buffet, but all feel flush
tonight having actually had tips/purchases/orders. By nightfall it is
quite cold, and so to bed in a nice fuzzy sleeping bag with dreams of
maybe breaking even (and there are others who have similar dreams of
actually having enough money to get to the next faire)and there is joy
throughout the camp.
Next week is Memorial Day, so 3 days. If the weather holds I have
calculated that I just might, possibly, maybe, break even--unlikely but it
isnt over until its over. And if the weather holds and sales increase, I
may just get less snarky, even about the media.
--
James Sweetland, Pigasus Enterprises
Books, maps, prints, playing cards and all manner of printed material of the
middle ages and renaissance.