My Pennsic 2003 Diary Week 2

This is the second week of my Pennsic diary for 2003. Click here to return to the first week.

The days on this page:

Monday, August 11

829.41 +
2.00: Pennsic Independent
10.50: lunch
= 841.91

Morning

Come see the wonders of beautiful Lake Zeebera! Well... not quite beautiful. We put up Bertha yesterday, and as we were doing so, it started to rain. So we put up a 20 x 40 foot pavilion in the rain. Let me tell you, that was a new and unique experience. I didn't get as wet as I could have, but that was mostly because I hid under the parts already up.

Then S, D, C, R and I dug new trenches and bailed more water. Until dinner. I didn't even keep track of how much this time. We were actually making a fair amount of progress.

Then, because God has a sense of humor, it started raining. (Noticing a trend here?) All our lovely bailing work was for nothing. The sump pit we had dug was completely filled. As was the surrounding area. As was about half (or more) of the common area. The puddle in front of my tent was back.

I went with S to buy boots and more towels. I now have waterproof galoshes. This is a Good Thing. My plan to go dancing didn't happen because I had a bad headache, which didn't go away until I ate and drank this morning.

Today, classes and shopping. Yay shopping. D is being nice enough to fix me a sandwich. Until later!

Noon

It's raining. Again. Not hard, but there. And despite that, I think I'm getting a heat rash. Sigh.

Waiting for what I hope will be a really cool class to start: How to Be Your Persona with Duke Cariadoc. He's shorter than I thought he would be.

Night, past midnight

I had an annoying afternoon and a wonderful evening.

This afternoon, I realized I'm PMSing. I started reacting to little insignificant things and had to go behind my tent three times to cry. It irks me that I still haven't been thanked for helping to bail almost 750 gallons of water. Also, I had a headache. I therefore didn't do much this afternoon except work on a token for D (including accidentally sewing up the sides and having to undo it). Supper was only marginally better. I felt very insignificant and useless.

After dinner, on the other hand, was wonderful. First, we went to a show by Coxcomb called "Whose Line Doth it Be". It was absolutely hilarious. There are some great improvers here.

Next, D and I went to a bardic circle at the Enchanted Ground. It was fantastic. It seems like Cariadoc knows a million stories at the tip of his tongue. I did my Beowulf and one other short story. All in all, a great evening. Now, to bed.

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Tuesday, August 12

841.91 +
12.00: lunch
2.00: musicians
= 855.91

Mid-afternoon

It's not raining. I'm almost afraid to write it, like it might disappear if I actually say it. But it's been dry all day.

Not that I've been out much today. I've done a little shopping. then took a class (again with Duke Cariadoc), then had a shift at Chirugeon's point. It was, surprisingly, lots of fun. Many cool people, and not a lot of blood. Now I can take a free hot shower (yay!).

I'm back at camp now feeling wonderful. Much less mud. The sun (yes, it exists!) has dried up so much mud I can actually walk without sinking in around most of camp! (grin)

Well... I have a heat rash. A big one. It goes over most of my body except my hands, lower legs, and head. Buy it only itches a little and not at all when I don't think about it, so it's good. I have what I think is a spider bite on my foot, but it's still okay! I'm happy and reveling in it! Yay! I might shop tonight, or not.

Later tonight, D and I will go do a shtick with Baron Ernst -- delivering a message and explaining why we're not delivering the coins that were sent with D. It sounds fun. So, that's it for now. Until later!

1 AM

We delivered D's message (sans coins) to Baron Ernst, which was fun. We hung around for about 5 minutes before we left and went to the Enchanted Ground for another bardic circle, which was also fun. We went back to camp and played 9 man morris, which he won soundly.

I still have about 650 dollars of spending money. I'm not really sure what I'm going to spend it on. I doubt I'll spend it all. Tomorrow I have to check with the post office about mailing home my laundry to free up some space in my bins. Must remember to do that.

It's still hot and humid. It's beginning to annoy me. Also, having nowhere to put my stuff is getting on my nerves. I have to dig over and around things to get to what I need. I have no idea how I'm going to bring some of my stuff home.

Tomorrow I will take a hot shower and wash my hair. Now, I will sleep.

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Wednesday, August 13

855.91 +
2.62: postcard
281.47: shopping
4.00: peach cobbler
= 1144.00

Here's what I bought shopping:

Almost 11 AM

I think my suntan lotion is reacting with my rash. Must remember not to put lotion on my arms.

I took a hot-ish shower this morning, which was lovely.

Right now, I'm waiting for a dance class to start. I bought a bunch of postcards this morning and mailed one home. That'll be cool. I'm also trying to figure out what and how I'll mail home. Probably I'll mail my rubbermaid with laundry in it, and use my laundry bag as a kind of "treasure chest" for presents. That will probably work. I hope. *grin*

About 7 PM

Court is tonight. So is midnight madness. I'm very tired. I still haven't decided what I'm doing tonight. I finally finished cleaning up from dinner (with the help of about 6 other people). I'm hot and tired. Despite taking a shower this morning, I already feel sticky and dirty again.

I think I will go at one point to the chiurgeon's shower and do a huge washing of my feet. I hope the stuff that's on my toenails is just mud, not fungus. Sigh. Who would have thought that I would have been walking in mud all of Pennsic? I think after I wash my feet I'll walk in sneakers and socks for the rest of Pennsic. Camp is almost dry enough for that.

I did more shopping today. Got a new basket and some gifts (some for me, some for other people). I haven't decided whether I'm going to midnight madness. On the one hand, good deals. On the other, crowds and lots of walking (baby powder is my friend). Did I mention I'm really tired?

I should go to court. Camma is getting her laurel. I'd like to see it. But I don't really want to move. I think I need water. I don't want to get up.

It's been a while since I wrote the last sentence. I've had some water and am going to attempt to get up and go to court. After, I'll come to camp, get my shoes and socks, and go to the showers to wash my feet. Maybe after I'll go to midnight madness, maybe not.

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Thursday, August 14

1144.00 +
3.00: Pennsic Independent
20.95: mailing laundry
70.30: shopping
5.00: lunch
5.50: supper
= 1248.75

Here's what I bought shopping:

About 9 AM

It has been an eventful morning. Someone from a neighboring camp was drunk last night and, naked, ripped his way into the tent of a minor in our encampment and slept there all night. Needless to say, there has been an uproar this morning. The perpetrator is waiting at security for us to see what charges can be brought against him.

Also, our pump has stopped working, so we have standing water again. We need to buy another one.

So, that's the morning so far, and I've only been up 2 hours. Let's see what the rest of the day brings.

Almost 2 PM

Casa Bardicci is amazing. They were still setting up this morning when D and I came by, but it was still so fantastic. It doesn't feel like Pennsic at all. It's almost completely enclosed and almost completely lavish. D and I are planning on going back to serve at their grand gala tonight. It turns out Erwillian is fairly high up on the totem pole there. Who knew?

About 1 AM

You know, I could do worse for myself at my first Pennsic than being invited to one of the most exclusive parties in the Knowne Worlde. D and I did indeed go to Casa Bardicci. Our service consisted of setting up candles and lighting them. After that we were free to mingle with the crowd.

And what a crowd! It seemed like every other person had a crown or coronet on their head. Some, I'm sure, just weren't wearing theirs. The garb was as impressive as the people. They went all-out late-Period. Among the people there were the king and queen of Caid, the queen of Ansteora, the king and queen of (I believe) the West, Duchess Isabella, and more barons, baronesses, dukes, and duchesses than I could count.

The entertainment was equally impressive. Live musicians and bards (of course) including Wolgemut.

The guards were really cool also. There were many people trying (and failing) to get in without an invitation. When I had to go out for a minute, being able to walk past them all to the sound of "she can come in" was absolutely thrilling. It made me feel so important.

When we left, Erwillian and his brother Seamus thanked us profusely for all our help. In my mind, all I did was light candles, but they were tripping over themselves to say thank you. There will be a casual get-together at the Casa tomorrow which I might go to.

Oh, we also met the near-mythical Baron Bardicci. He's everything you might imagine: charming, flirtatious, extravagant, and very Londo-like. Lots of fun.

I don't know exactly what I'm doing tomorrow, but now I'm just going to enjoy my memories of tonight.

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Friday, August 15

1248.75 +
1.00: Pennsic Independent
3.00: period songs handout
2.00: slushies
116.85: shopping
= 1371.55

Here's what I bought shopping:

About 3 PM

Hot and tired. I did the last of my shopping this morning and now I'm just being lazy around camp. Oh, I went by Casa Bardicci earlier today also. D is out getting authorized for another form of fencing. I don't envy him being out in the sun right now. He says I'm really red. Hopefully that's just from being hot and not sunburn. I've been so good. It's just that I'm sweating through all my sunscreen right now.

Everything is slowly starting to come down. By Sunday evening, Pennsic will again by green fields. If it's cool out tonight, I'll ask D if he wants to go up to Horde Hill and look out at Pennsic. Until then, I'll sit here, drink water, and maybe lucet.

About 1 AM

We found the coins. We gave them to Ernst. All will be will with Joane and Eric.

We watched the fireworks. They were good, but not up the the usual standards I set, being a fireworks snob.

Finally, we went to Duke Cariadoc's fire for the last time this war. Still excellent. 'Night.

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Saturday, August 16

1371.55 +
1.00: Pennsic Independent
20.00: for T, for extra expenses around camp
= 1392.55

4:40 PM

You know you've been at Pennsic too long when you ask someone else the time and only afterwards realize you're wearing a watch. *grin*

We did most of the takedown today. D is crashing in my tent tonight and coming back with K and I tomorrow.

It is thundering. It might rain. I thought we were past that. Consequently, Bertha is still up. We had moved everything out, and then we moved everything back.

I taught D how to lucet. His lucet isn't a particularly good one, but he's actually fairly good for someone first starting. Certainly better than I was when I started.

I was thinking about the many things I have done without or learned to live without at Pennsic:

On the other hand, there are things at Pennsic I don't have at home:

Oh! The two kids in our camp (3 and 5 years old) have decided that they are my little cousins. That's so cute! They really are adorable kids. At least three people have thanked me for spending so much time with them. I would have done it anyway. It's just something about kids that magnetically attracts me to them.

I also realized that I will have to get used to being called "Julie" again. I've been answering to "Katherine" all War.

Finally, a list in no particular order of great Pennsic memories:

D and I were talking last night. We've both more or less decided we don't really want to camp with Zeebera again next year. They're really nice people, but they have too rigid a structure for my tastes. Also, I don't want to feel obliged to be home for dinner every day. Yes, having a cheap cooked meal every night has been great. But to me, it's too regimental.

Camping with Duke Cariadoc would be really cool, but I wouldn't do it without my own car. Also, it would take me a fair amount of time and money to put together a proper kit. But it's certainly tempting. My persona is even relatively contemporary to his. Something to think about.

11:15 PM

It rained. Again. I am convinced God must have a sense of humor. Why else would s/he have allowed the site to dry out for a week, only to rain during takedown?

Bertha is still up. I don't know whether or how she will be taken down tomorrow, and quite frankly, I don't care. It's not my problem.

It's not even late yet but I'm quite tired. I have a sneaking suspicion we will not leave before mid-afternoon tomorrow. By the time we leave, my last pair of shoes will likely be muddy and wet.

Because D is sleeping in my tent tonight, I am sleeping clothed. because I packed my sheets, I'm sleeping in my sleeping bag directly on the air mattress. This does not make me particularly happy. On the upside, there is no water in my tent. My sleeping bag is, however, quite damp. Or maybe that's my tunic. Regardless, I get the impression that I will have an uncomfortable night and irritable tomorrow. Or, I could prove myself wrong, sleep like a log, and be bright and chipper in the morning despite everyone's grumblings. Right.

If K or D had the budget, I'd suggest doing half the trip tomorrow and half Monday during the day. But they don't, and I'm actually quite close to mine, so I doubt we'll do that.

I didn't shower for a few days, so I must stink. I don't care, and I hope the others don't. Anyway, I'm going to sleep now.

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Sunday, August 17

1392.55 +
-42.77: left over from drive home
= 1349.78

12:25 PM

The dream that is Pennsic is over. As I took down my modern tent in modern clothes while listening to goth music, the medieval feel slipped away from me more each moment.

There were a few tense moments while packing, but that's mostly because we were all tense and irritable. We're in the car now, about to stop for gas, and then head out. We'll probably be home before midnight, but I don't know how much before.

D and I have decided that if at all possible, we will try to camp with Duke Cariadoc next year. ie: If D can stay in Montreal, if we can make a pavilion, if we can rent a car, and if Cariadoc says yes. We are both incredibly impressed with Cariadoc. He represents everything we love about Pennsic and the SCA.

Despite the weather, I really had a good time at Pennsic, except for the first half-week. It was so odd to put on modern clothes this morning. I never realized quite how constrictive they were. I'm wearing a bra for the first time in 2 weeks. Also pants. Also, my arms are uncovered. It feels very strange. I'm sure there will be other things that feel strange when I get home.

Until next year!

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Post-Pennsic
Tuesday, August 19

I'm bored. I didn't really remember what it's like to be bored. I'm home and have been for two days. I'm unpacked. I've given away some presents and caught up on my email. And now, I find that there's nothing for me to do. Unlike at Pennsic, when there was always something happening somewhere, here there is just me. Sure, I have sewing projects I can do, but it's not the same as being surrounded by 11,000 like-minded people.

I am going to SCA practice in just over an hour, but I don't know what I'll do until then. Well, I just spoke on the phone with a friend. We're going to be getting together tomorrow. It's good that I'm actually doing things. I've been hyper-busy for three weeks, and at least had lots to do to get me out of the house since April. So it's very odd to have nothing to do.

I suppose I'll just have to slow down and get used to the rhythms of a more solitary life (everything is more solitary after Pennsic).

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