My Pennsic 2006 Diary Week 2

The Pennsic of an amateur bard and shameless flirt

This is the second week of my Pennsic diary for 2006. Click here to return to the first week.

The days on this page:

Monday, August 14

383.17 +
15.00 -- handout photocopies
1.00 -- bard
7.00 -- Vagabond
6.00 -- supper
= $412.17

morning -- Quatrefoil

Yesterday: 5 parties, 5 hours. It should have been six and six, but that's life.

After meeting up with Chiara and seeing Conrad, I went down to Enchanted Ground. I was so horrifically outclassed. I counted at least 5 bardic laurels (probably more), and even more bardic maunches. But, as I've said, that's never stopped me before. People started doing songs, so despite my general lack of repertoire, I did "The Valkyrie." I was actually really pleased with all my performances last night: my voice was particularly melodious and range-reaching. Shortly after performing (around 11 pm), I decided to leave before I got even further sucked in.

I went over to Casa Bardicci, toyed with the guards (though not as much as I could have), and had Dunstable help me find Guiseppi. And found him I did, in the end. We watched a really great band perform: Dunstable thought the flutist was Ian Anderson from Jethro Tull. How cool is that!

After a heartfelt parting from Guiseppi, I checked out the nearby camps to see if Michael was performing. i found him at Hedgehog. I stayed for a while, appreciating his singing. Again, I needed to leave before I wanted, lest I be drawn in for the rest of the night.

Making my way up Hangover Hill, I saw that Howling Mouse was open. With my bardic appetite whetted from Michael (I've still got "Least of my Kind" stuck in my head!), I offered to sing for them. I did "Maid on the Shore," followed up by "Serious Steel." I actually attracted people from the road who came to listen to me! Way cool!

Around 1:15 I made it up to Brion's circle. It was very full when I arrived: about 25-30 bards. It also wasn't the energy I wanted. I came in to Gaared performing, which was (as always) great, but there followed a succession of stories and "pretty" songs. I bemoaned that I would ever get to perform. Thankfully (perhaps), mostly people left shortly after I arrived, and Luccia requested I perform. So I did "Lady Isabelle and the Elf-Knight," which went over pretty well. I stayed for a few more songs before deciding the atmosphere was just a touch too serious for me, and I took my leave.

I went to Sharkpit, but found that when I arrived (around 2:15), the party was well and truly dead. I considered going back down into the Bog to find Michael, but I eventually decided against it. So I just went to bed. Despite the layers I put at the foot of the bed, my feet were still cold. I blame the dampness. This was the first morning in a while I didn't need to wake up, but here on the 'Ghetti it's hard to sleep past 8:30. Le sigh.

People around camp keep telling me someone from the Vagabond came by to see me. I have no idea who it was. I find this highly amusing. Yes, I'm easily amused.

I don't have much on the calendar for today. I want to swing by the A&S exhibition at some point, and tonight I've got EK Bardic and Ajax's party, but otherwise I'm free. Also, I don't have to wake up tomorrow morning -- yay!

There are supposed to be scattered thundershowers today. Fingers crossed that they're not too bad.

So that's it for now. Until later!

around noon -- food court

A lazy, meandering morning. I went down to the Marauders and gave some impromptu persona coaching. Then down to the A&S exhibition, where I was awed and humbled by the workmanship of the artisans. I was also complimented twice on my coif, which amuses me because it is 1) the first thing I ever embroidered and 2) completely anachronistic (celtic knotwork on a Viking coif done in Elizabethan blackwork). Finally, I went over to A&S Point. They don't need volunteers right now and it was a down period, so I performed "Serious Steel" for them (I'm getting an early start on bardic today, apparently).

I'm not entirely sure what to do now. I don't have much on the schedule until tonight. Ah well. I'm sure I'll figure something out. If I can't find something to do at Pennsic, I'm just not trying hard enough.

mid-afternoon -- Marauders

Strolling is. I stopped in briefly at Ajax's, but he was asleep. So instead I made my way to Bardicci and spent an hour or so there, relaxing. I went up to the Sea Chameleon but no one was about. Instead, I ran into Dirk from Howling Mouse, who invited me to help him taste-test a new concoction made of blueberry wine. Very tasty. Yum! Yay for free alcohol!

And now I'm here. I'm sure plans will come together. They always do. TTFN, then!

late afternoon -- Sharkpit

I forgot to mention: while I was at the Marauders, someone (I assume a member of i Sebastiani) asked if I wanted to be the intermezzi for the i Sebastiani show tonight. And while I was flattered, 1) my self-confidence isn't nearly high enough for that yet, especially since 2) I have no idea whether this guy had ever heard me before. If Michael and Lorelei had asked me to intermission for them, I'd have accepted because they know my repertoire (in part) and skill level. Random strangers... well, I'm not there yet.

After writing last, I spent some time with Alethea at the Vagabond, chatting. I tried an iced jasmine green tea -- yummy. Also more baklavah -- still yummy.

I wandered back down to the Sea Chameleon only to find that I'd missed Michael by about 45 minutes. At that point, I was frustrated with looking for him and decided to just come back here for a while.

Now the wind is up and I'm seeing (I think) flashes of lightening, though it's not raining yet. (fingers crossed) I'll wear the cloak tonight, just in case, though I'll probably leave the hood at home.

It's currently 4:45. I've got just over an hour until EK Bardic. I'll probably change and then relax here.

2:50 am -- my tent

I'm not particularly happy. It's not that I had a bad night, but that I am miffed at circumstances.

I found Michael and Lorelei in the barn, preparing for their sets, on my way to EK Royal. I told them where I'd be, but I didn't want to disturb them, so I just went over.

The bardic itself was quite good, except that the rain started. I got to perform "The Not at Pennsic Blues," which went over fairly well. I also got to listen to some amazingly talented people. I eventually left around 9, when the rain died down a bit.

Michael and Lorelei were not in the barn. I had no idea where they were. On a hunch, I went by the Vagabond. It was closed. However, walking past it, I heard the distinctive sound of their performance. Once I convinced the waitress I was there to see the bards and not to buy drinks, she let me in. Michael and Lorelei were doing a dress rehearsal for the show. They were near-ish the end, and finished up around 9:45. We headed over to the food court to catch the Fruity Cobbler before it closed.

Somewhere along the way, we lost Michael, and Lorelei went back to her camp to change into more appropriate clothes for a memorial service where she needed to be at 10. At 10:10, we finally discovered Michael (back in line at the Cobbler). Lorelei rushed off, Michael sat down to eat, and I tried to figure out what to do for the rest of the night.

In the end, he and I went back to the Sea Chameleon to dump his guitar. And not a moment too soon -- as we left camp, the rain started back up. My original plan had been to bring Lorelei and Michael down to Ajax's and enjoy the party. Instead, Michael and I took shelter in the dance tent while the heavens raged. When they had abated, and Michael had danced a dance he knew, we found ourselves at a small circle at the Marauders' camp. There were only 3 or 4 actual bards there, and quite a large audience, so we both got some performing time in. I did one or two songs, Michael did more (especially once Kenrick brought him his guitar). I harmonized on a few songs, though nowhere near as well as Lorelei does. Somewhere around 1:30, Michael decided to go back to the dance tent. We decided that we'd play the rest of the night by ear, and I hugged him goodbye.

I proceeded to entertain the few remaining Marauders, mostly on my own, for the better part of 45 minutes, until my voice was well and truly shot. I really need to learn to sing from the diaphragm.

I went by the dance tent, but it was closed, and looked like it had been for some time. So I trudged my way back to camp, only to find that despite the waterproofing job I'd done, my tent still leaks. A lot, apparently. I had thankfully put the garbage bag over my pillow, but there was water on that. And the blankets. And the sheepskin beside the bed. And the foot of my bed where I keep my tunics. Yeah... not pleased. I also need to wash my shoes because they are now filled with mud.

So, taking stock of the situation:

So, yeah. I'm not happy. I'm now going to try to go to sleep in a damp bed. Joy. 3:12 am. Goodnight.

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Tuesday, August 15

412.17 +
10.00 -- camp fees (Quatrefoil)
6.00 -- bard
2.00 -- ice cream
3.50 -- supper
4.00 -- snack
= $437.67

morning -- Sharkpit

I woke up in a foul mood. I'd slept 4 hours and pretended to sleep another hour and a half, which isn't enough. I woke to find water still on the floor, my voice still shot, and my tent still empty other than me. I admit I wasn't very good company for a while.

But many hugs later, some breakfast and chai later, and an utterly hilarious reading of the Pennsic Independent later (acted out by Diego and Alexander, read by Alice, with copious audience prompting), I'm feeling worlds better.

I have no real plans today. Rest my voice, some afternoon classes, and Michael and Lorelei's concert at 7. Also, I should probably apologize to Ajax for not making his party, and I want to swing by the Casa. I have no plans to see either Michael or Lorelei before the concert -- they'll be rehearsing in any case.

late morning -- still Sharkpit

It must be a real War: I have written my first song. A guy (Alex) was telling a story this morning and my ninja bard sense said, "there's a song in this!" So I wrote it. It's received very good reactions from the two performances I've done so far. Yay!

I also washed my shoes as best I could. There's still mud, but not nearly as much as last night. The downside is that they're now wet. I'm letting them dry in the sun for a while, but I've got wanderlust and want to head out. Maybe I'll go barefoot.

Oh, and my stripey tunic is currently at the laundry, which is good because I've been wearing it every day so far, almost. Yay for clean clothes! Yay for bardic! ... Boo for needing to use the bathroom. TTFN.

early afternoon -- downtown Pennsic

A relatively chill afternoon, so far, and yet due to a chance comment I now feel like an idiot. I performed my song a few more times, always to good reactions, and was even told I should perform it at the Calontir circle tonight. I listened to a half-hour, open-air performance by Wolgemut, chatted with Liam and some of the Regnesfolke, and sat in with Lorelei and another woman as they performed. All in all, very pleasant.

And yet a chance comment as I was leaving has sent my emotions in turmoil again. Apparently the dance pavilion closes at 11, and the dancing moves to the barn. Which is where Michael was when I went to bed. D'oh!

mid-afternoon -- Sharkpit

Back from a tour around the Bog. Poked my head into Havre des Glaces for hugs. Stopped into the Sea Chameleon, where I chatted with B and left a message for Michael, who (apparently) wasn't there. So I proceeded down the hill to Bardicci and chilled there for a while. Eventually, I headed out with Leonardo, continued past him and went over to Ajax's. His camp was filled with about 20-30 women, playing with henna and cosmetics. It was a typically Ajax moment. I didn't stay long, but headed back up to Sharkpit (stopping only to say hi to Riccardo, Thorson, Eleanor, Alethea, and Nikki in the food court). And now I'm back. My stuff is dry, my tunic is clean, and there are tortillas and guacamole. Though I'm still a bit sleep-deprived, life is good.

almost 7 -- Performing arts pavilion

Lorelei, Michael, and Amanda are warming up or fooling around backstage. I don't want to disturb them. I poked my head into the green room and Lorelei saw me. Michael just poked his head out, so he knows I'm here, too. But I think that'll be the extent of it until after the show. I'll give them hugs after.

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Wednesday, August 16

437.67 +
3.50 -- laundry
7.25 -- lunch
10.00 -- camp fees (Sharkpit)
15.00 -- Wolgemut CD
5.00 -- Vagabond
25.00 -- Whiskey Bards CDs
153.59 -- Angevin Treasures CDs
= $657.01

early morning -- Sharkpit

I'm highly sleep deprived, self-conscious, and sad this morning. Last night was fun, I suppose, but laced with an element of tension. And now at least one bit of interpersonal drama has turned a page -- I just need to turn with it.

So. The show itself was fun. Lorelei and Michael did a great job and I'm really happy for them.

After the show, I met Silence, one of Effenwealt's apprentices. We agreed to hook up with her at the De Laundres bardic and went off to the food court.

In the end, Michael and I left Lorelei in the food court and went to the circle together. As I understand it, it was a fairly exclusive, invite-only circle. Though I actually did have an invitation, I got in on Michael's coattails. Silence was already there, as was Mistress Gwen, and we sat with the two of them. Despite the high caliber of the circle, the best performers (Michael, Silence, and Gwen) were all sitting around me, highlighting (to my mind) my own lack of ability. We arrived at about 10:30 or 11, and let the circle go around three times until about 1. The first time, I passed. The second, I performed "Serious Steel," and the third time my new song. I received a bottle of raspberry mead for performing, which was nice. On the other hand, I felt like a complete incompetent.

Then we went off to the Northshield circle. We were there for 3 hours and the circle didn't even go around twice. Yet again, I was between Michael (when he showed up), Gwen, and Silence. Michael also brought another girl. He had all of us leaning on him at one point (well, not Gwen). Hence the tension, at least for me. For him, I believe the quote was, "life doesn't suck." At the circle, I performed "Follow Me Up to Carlow" (very poorly) and "Oedipus Rex" by Tom Lehrer (somewhat better). When it was all over, I somewhat disappointedly went back to my own tent. I had hoped to be going back to someone else's tent, but it didn't work out.

So I went home at 4 am. Shivered most of the night. Woke up at 8:30. Despite being offered a hammock and someone's bed, I could not fall back asleep. So I guess it's about 10 right now and I'm still on the verge of tears. I feel very self-conscious about both my bardic abilities and my own attractiveness. I want to have the bardic skills where people request stuff from me, where I can sit down after a performance and feel happy with it. And I want to fall asleep with someone's arms wrapped around me in a hug. I want to feel wanted.

Yeah... not happy this morning. My chest is tight, my emotions are shot, and I'm just generally unhappy.

about 2 pm -- Marauders

I was right -- a 2 1/2 hour nap later and I'm feeling much better. The Marauders were nice enough to let me sleep in John's tent for a while, and it was very comfy. I got up because it was getting hot in the tent.

I'm still bitter about the thing last night, but the rolling waves of emotion have abated and I'm feeling much more flirty.

Now to use the porto, eat, and shower. I'm going to go back to my first-week mode of uber-flirty, now that I don't have emotions tied up in a particular person. At least, that's the plan.

about 3 pm -- Quatrefoil

Mmm... food. Tasty food. It's good to have food in my body.

I've spoken to my lift about gas. It looks like I have an extra $100 of spending money. Score! That's... (quick calculation) about 5-6 more CDs! Yay!

I've also just performed my new song for Alexander, whose story it is based on. He liked it. I are pleased.

Now I'm just waiting for the showers to be free, because I was too slow in claiming them. After showering, I think I'll wander down to the food court, chat with Freya, and see what else is going on. I may take my basket with a spare tunic and veil, so I won't need to change in camp before court. I may swing by the Vagabond or the Bog, but I haven't decided yet.

4:40 pm -- Vagabond

On a whim, I decided to swing by the Vagabond after my shower. On the way, I picked up the new Wolgemut CD. I was tempted to buy two, but (despite by new-found windfall), I am still on a budget. So I contented myself with the one.

I also ran into Dolan (a common fixture around the circles) and got a huge ego boost in terms of my bardic abilities. Though he agrees I have my ups and downs, he highly complimented my "ups" and said that I myself was sometimes a hard act to follow. It was exactly what I needed to hear. He also gave me two pieces of amber: one for myself and one to pass on. I feel very gratified.

Though there are no actual circles tonight, there is the Heather Dale concert (well... "friends of" Heather Dale, since Heather herself isn't at Pennsic). It finishes at 11. Afterwards, a bunch of people (Dolan, Kirion, Luccia, Lorelei, ...) will be going fire-hopping, and Dolan invited me along. So I'll probably wind up doing that.

Which all means I should do my CD shopping before court. I should have enough for about 10-14 more CDs. Score! That's 14-18 I'll have accumulated at War. Yay for more music!

And now my drink is done, so I should be off.

evening -- East Kingdom court

What a pleasant afternoon. Upon leaving the Vagabond, I heard some musicians busking in the marketplace. They were really good. I bought their CDs. Thence onwards to Angevin Treasures. Silence was there, and we chatted for a while. It was fun. Then she and Effenwealt helped me pick out CDs, and I walked away with quite a stash.

Then I high-tailed it over to the Marauders' camp to sample the Ansteorran chilli. Yum! I chatted, changed, ate, and ran, and now I'm at court. It's just begun so far. Hopefully it won't go too long.

Tomorrow afternoon I'm going to play dress-up with Nikki's clothes before the Bardicci party. Should be fun.

And now begins the long, slow process of court...

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Thursday, August 17

657.01 +
0.80 -- postcard to Ernst
+10.00 -- class handouts
5.00 -- lunch
18.00 -- Vagabond
30.00 -- CDs
= $700.81

morning -- Quatrefoil

In what is apparently becoming Pennsic tradition, my body decided to shut down last night. About an hour and a half into court, I started getting tired and headachy, so I left early and came back to camp.

I popped an advil around 9, and the next 45 minutes were spent in increasing levels of agony as my headache became a full-blown migraine and I huddled under my cloak. People returned from court and even started singing, and all I could think was, "oh gods, make the noise and light stop!"

Eventually the migraine did go away. Pasqual gave me a head massage and the advil finally kicked in. After that, things were better. I flirted mildly with a guy from camp for about an hour (he's sweet and somewhat cute, but too old for me). After that, I hung around the campfire until about 11:30. I felt like a true party pooper: I didn't even get out to midnight madness. But I couldn't go out, I was just too tired.

I got over 8 hours of sleep last night for the first time all War. Yay. I'm feeling much better this morning. Other than the Bardicci party, I don't have anything on for tonight... yet. That'll change, I'm sure. :)

Now for breakfast.

still morning -- same place

I can apparently now perform my new song without stumbling over the lyrics. I are pleased.

mid-afternoon -- Marauders'

Class went well. I got about 30 students and recouped about $10 of photocopy fees. Yay! I'm still working on perfecting the timing, but I got through everything, so all is well.

After class, I strolled around and finally decided to swing down into the Bog. No one I knew was at Ajax's, so I continued straight on to the Bardicci. They were busy preparing for open house, but I stayed for about an hour, performing a few Irish drinking songs for the household. I also managed to secure an invitation to the high party for Lynette, who showed up shortly after I did. I like being in a position where I can do nice things for people. It makes me feel happy.

I walked up Hangover Hill, but no one was stirring in either the Sea Chameleon or the Howling Mouse camps. Probably for the best, really.

I then got spiffy clothes from Nikki, said hi to Lorelei, and dropped the clothes off at camp. I dropped into the Marauders, ate some cake (left over from Master Mcguire's subtlety), and am now on my way to the Vagabond to watch Lakshmi (sp?) dance and buy Alethea coffee. TTFN!

evening -- Sharkpit

The dancing was actually lovely. Lakshmi (sp?) does Indian dancing, a form I'm not really familiar with, but it was very interesting.

Then I went off to a class about the re-creation book of Ecclesiastes. The class was fascinating, but I needed to leave because I was close to passing out from dehydration. I skipped over to Chiurgeon's Point and drunk 3 mugs of water. Then I decided to head back to camp.

On the way, I ran into Luccia, who told me about all sorts of parties happening tonight. There are many circles -- yay! I'll be a busy girl tonight.

I also picked up Lorelei's and Michael's new CDs. Yay! I think I'm mostly done with my shopping now, except for the cloak clasps. That makes 16 CDs total. Score!

So that's it for now. Folkvang (sp?), the camp next to Sharkpit, invited me to diner, so I am now fed and watered. Now to find a belt to go with this dress...

still evening -- same place

Michael just showed up at camp, up in this neck of the woods on some errand or other. We compared notes on what's happening tonight, hugged, and essentially decided to play things by ear for the rest of the night: if we see each other, we see each other, if not, not. Works for me.

At some point soon, I should head out.

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Friday, August 18

700.81 +
6.00 -- cloak clasps
5.30 -- Claus books
+53.00 -- PI articles
5.00 -- cobbler
2.00 -- bards
= $666.11

morning -- Sharkpit

Last night was fun, though not necessarily according to plan. I went over to Bardicci, looking durn spiffy if-I-do-say-so-myself. On the way down, I encountered Leondardo, who escorted me around the lake. It was quite romantic, actually.

We also stopped into Jules' encampment, where I performed my new song to an appreciative audience. Yay!

We made our way onwards to Bardicci. It truly is enchanting at the high party, utterly splendid. I spent most of my time there on Seamus' arm, which was great. I love doing schtick with them. The subtleties were also great: Gisella (under the name Smuticelli) did "a ship of seamen" in marzipan ("seamen" here being synonymous for, well... you get the idea). John Mcguire, under the assumed name "Ludwig von Krotchengrobber" made two cakes, the first "a bird in the hand" (a gauntleted hand holding a chicken), the second "two in the bush" (two chickens nesting in, well... you get the idea).

Somewhere around 10:30, it was getting too crowded for my tastes, so I took my leave. I found Michael about 15 minutes later, at O'Choda. They had fresh-baked cookies. Yummy cookies.

I followed Michael for the rest of the night, from there to Regnesfolke. I still do love listening to him sing. I left for my camp around 1:30, and for the first time in a while, my bed was warm and I didn't shiver all night.

And now it is morning of my last full day at Pennsic. I'm helping Freya pack up her merchanting tent at 7, and after that I'll stay for the sing-along at Quatrefoil and then hit the Ealdormere circle. At least, that's the plan. As with all plans, we'll see how long it survives encounters with reality.

early afternoon -- Sharkpit

A meandering morning. I did the last bit of my shopping, stopped by the Marauders' for a while, found Ajax at his camp (for once!), swung by Bardicci and Sea Chameleon, and then back to the Marauders, where I performed Rathflaed DuNoir's "Beowulf." It went over well, and they fed me. Yay food.

A chance encounter with Lorelei tells me that inclement weather is imminent: drizzles today turning to rain tomorrow and not letting up until Monday. I've packed up everything I can in my tent: everything but the clothes I'm wearing, bed stuff, and toiletries. And the camp gear (tent, chair, etc.) We can't put it into the van tonight, but hopefully the bad weather will hold off until after we leave. Fingers crossed.

People here are preparing to leave for the woods battle; I'm preparing for the bardic exhibition. I may have one last cobbler today as well.

And I am not seeing lightening flashes. If I don't see them, they don't exist.

mid-afternoon -- Performing arts pavilion

Unexpected windfall! The Independent paid me for my two articles! I had thought I was just doing those as a volunteer. But they gave me money, yay! I can buy more CDs!

And now I'm sitting here watching the tail end of the Coxcomb show (running late) before the bardic exhibition. It's actually quite funny.

That's it for now!

around 7 -- Freya's booth

The bardic exhibition was lots of fun. I wound up going fourth, after Brion (second) and Peregrine (third). So, no pressure. *grin* Actually, I think I did pretty well. I performed my new song and "The Not at Pennsic Blues," and really drummed up the energy. The best compliment was given inadvertently by Maraha, who said he was happy he didn't need to go after me. All told, it was a fun two and a half hours.

After, I went with Grim (Toki's student) to the Marauders, who told me Michael had been by and I missed him. D'oh! I did a brief walkabout but didn't find him.

Now to help Freya do tear-down.

late night -- Sharkpit

Tonight I found myself with an entourage. After packing up Freya (I left early because I was wiped), dinner at the Marauders, and a brief stop-in at Quatrefoil, I found myself back at the Marauders for cake and performing. After I did my new song, Alethea insisted I perform it for the Calontir circle. I said I would, but only if I had an escort to be sure they didn't kill me. So off with Alethea and three other guys I went.

The performance at Calontir actually went really well. (tagline, "please don't kill me.") I stayed for another song and a hilariously funny lesson in Latin pick-up lines by Master Drix. Though the circle was rousing, I decided to continue on in search of Michael, and the three guys followed as my minions / entourage. They confided (well, shouted drunkenly) that they were a supervillain group called "The Inebriators," also known as the AMA ("Against Medical Advice") fighting squad. Their mighty battle cry: "Do what you want with the girl, but leave us alone!" "Flabilicious" couldn't come, but "Captain Anonymous," "The Duct Tape Elemental," and "The Mead Bomber" accompanied me. They were already drunk and proceeded to get drunker. It was lots of fun. They named me their evil criminal mastermind, the "Mad Minstrel," and they would not leave my side (no matter how much I occasionally desired it. *grin*)

After a few false leads and a short performance of "Serious Steel" for Howling Mouse, I found Michael at the Regnesfolk. Together, the five of us stopped in at the Ealdormere circle, decided it was too slow, and proceeded up Runestone Hill, accumulating alcohol as we went (well, they did, anyway).

At one point, Michael split off from us as we continued up to the Marauders. I actually had my minions chanting at my cue: it was way nifty. I performed "Beowulf" by Rathflaed DuNoir (yes, again) for them, and I fear the speech patterns will be stuck with the Marauders for a long time. Even Master Mcguire ("The Enabler") seemed chagrined at the trouble I returned to his camp. (As I rubbed my fingers in a Burns-like fashion.)

Michael eventually caught up with us there, and we had a great time. I love Pennsic. It was a fantastic last night. I've never had an entourage before, and it was great. I shall have to do this more often.

So that's it. 2:10 am on a humid night, of my last full day at Pennsic. G'night.

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Saturday, August 19

666.11 +
9.00 -- for Freya
8.00 -- lunch
4.90 -- tolls
2.15 -- snack
12.50 -- dinner
= $702.66

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Sunday, August 20

702.66 +
8.50 -- breakfast
5.00 -- batteries
5.10 -- tolls
CAD 3.17 -- lunch
CAD 10.80 -- supper
= $721.26 (USD)
= $19.22 (CAD)

9:35 am -- travelling, just outside Rochester

Wow... not a single entry yesterday. I had meant to write when we stopped into our hotel, but I fell asleep instead. So now, a brief recap of yesterday's events.

Friday night / early Saturday morning, it began to rain. Though the storm wasn't as bad as the one earlier in the week, it meant we were packing up wet tents in at least a trickle of rain. I'll need to set up my tent again when I get home to let it dry out. Friday night was very humid, and I woke up with a headache and aching shoulder blades and neck. Packing up was, shall we say, not fun.

You could really tell that the dream of Pennsic was dying. It seems most people were leaving Saturday, as opposed to Sunday. There were cars everywhere, tents coming down left and right, and every other person was wearing mundane clothing. It was, to me at least, a clear sign that the pseudo-medieval community we'd built for the last two weeks was at an end, at least until next year. "Have fun on your 50-week town run," some people told me.

Freya and I left site around 11:30, but she needed to replace two tires and had forgotten to do something at Pennsic, so we didn't hit the highway until about 2. We drove until about 5:30, putting us at Rochester, NY. I was dead tired and all achy. I saw myself in a mirror once: I looked like a zombie. By the time we went to dinner, I was nodding. I actually left the restaurant after the appetizers, went back to the room, and crashed. It was 7 pm.

I slept straight through until 3 am, then on-and-off until about 8. This morning I had a long, hot shower and a hot, sit-down breakfast. I feel almost human again. And now we're back on the road, and should arrive in Montreal around 5.

So... now that Pennsic is well and truly over, a few reflections:

Hm... I can't think of anything else to say. So, that being the case, I'll end here. From just outside Syracuse, good-bye until next year.

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