My Pennsic 2007 Diary

The Pocket Bard Goes to Pennsic

Despite the half-hearted efforts of fate, I was back at Pennsic this year. Feel free to go back to the main Pennsic page to see my diaries for my three previous Pennsics.

A note on the subtitle: I have been in the SCA for 8 years. Not only that, but I have lasted those 8 years with an incredibly common name ("Katherine") and no nick-name. This year, however, my new camp-mates started calling me "The Pocket Bard," an allusion to my powerful voice by diminutive stature. In terms of nick-names, it's a decent one, so I happily started answering to it, and even used it as a title for this War's diary.

A brief point of note: between last War and this, I acquired a boyfriend. He didn't come with me to Pennsic, partly because he's not a SCAdian, and partly because he's doing seasonal work out on the west coast. But if you see references to Marc, that's him.

That said, on to the diary. If you want to comment, please feel free to email me!

The days in this diary:

Monday, July 30

CAD 2.75 -- toll
6.85 -- lunch
30.30 -- gas
7.95 -- toll
14.00 -- supper
= CAD $2.75; US $59.10

9:14 pm -- Quality Inn, Meadville, PA

Back in Meadville. This is the third time I'm staying in this city, that must make it tradition. Different hotel each time, but the city's the same.

So. A brief rundown of the day, which was to all intents and purposes blissfully uneventful. Left home around 8:45. Reached the edge of the island at 9:10 and the Ontario border around 20 minutes after that. Around 11:17 I got into a line of cars waiting for the border crossing to the I-81. Waited for a half-hour. The border guard was merciful and didn't ask any trick questions:

Guard: "Purpose for visit?"
Me: "Historical camping."
Guard: "Oh, is that like those guys who re-enact the civil war?"
Me: "Well, we do the Middle Ages, but the idea's the same, yeah."

Note to international travellers: do not say "medieval" to the border guards. Bush uses the word "evil" a lot, and we don't want to be confused with him.

Anyway. The guard checked in my trunk, was immediately convinced based on what she found there that I am, in fact, going camping, and that was that.

Made it down to Syracuse and the I-90 by 1:10, had lunch about 10 minutes later at the first service station I could find. (McDonalds, alas.) Read a chapter of my book to clear my mind, and hit the road again around 2:20.

Sometime along the I-90, I spotted my first "they might be going to Pennsic" car, packed full of what looked like camping gear. Alas, I saw not one car with an SCA bumper sticker, but I am driving down on an off-time.

4:20 saw me driving through Buffalo, just in time for the start of afternoon rush-hour. An hour later, I was in the Pennsylvania welcome centre picking up a book of hotel coupons. Back in my car at 5:40, and reached the Quality Inn at Meadville about 45 minutes later. I probably could have driven all the way down to Pennsic today (I guess that it's less than an hour and a half further), but then I'd need to set up camp while tired and cranky, and in failing sunlight. Best to have one last day of civilization and start Pennsic fresh tomorrow.

The Quality Inn is quite nice and (more importantly) cheap: with the coupon from the welcome centre, my room costs $50 a night. I was worried I'd be paying double that. Though the room is pretty much "hotel generic," there are some nice perks: fitness centre, free hot beverages and cookies, free breakfast, and free high-speed internet access (wi-fi or a computer in the lobby). I took advantage of that last one, because I'm not at Pennsic yet and I couldn't resist checking in.

Meandered over to the nearby Red Lobster for a mightily tasty dinner, meandered back, took a shower, and now I'm just killing time until bedtime. The toilet is one of those annoying ones that runs all the time, but I was all McGuiver (sp?) and fixed it with nothing more than a large plastic bag. Go me.

I'm so excited that I will be at Pennsic by this time tomorrow. The Universe made several half-hearted attempts to prevent me, but victory is nearly in my grasp.

Ok. That's it for today, I think. If I'm lucky, the next time I journal, I'll be at Pennsic.

G'night!

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Tuesday, July 31

20.00 -- troll
7.75 -- sunscreen
= 27.75
+ 59.10
= 86.85

early afternoon -- McGuire's Marauders

Yay Pennsic! I arrived on-site about 45 minutes after leaving Meadville. I saw the tents along the highway and was positively giddy. I maintain that Tuesday morning is an awesome time to troll in -- I was the only one in line.

It took a bit of time before we were able to set up my tent (some logistics needed to be figured out). I took advantage of the delay to visit the Sharks, say hi to Erwillian, and just general revel in the fact that I'm at War. I'm still in mundane clothes, but you can't have everything.

Apparently my camp has a breakfast-and-dinner meal plan for $7. Yay for not buying food!

Okay, plan for the afternoon: finish American Gods, get into garb, check in at A&S point and Chiurgeon's, and go wander. Tonight there will be stuff here in camp and maybe elsewhere as well. I'll know more after I've wandered.

Ok, time for reading. TTFN!

mid-afternoon -- same place

I have wandered. All is well.

More specifically, I did the tour of my favourite camps, gave and received hugs, and did a few logistical and administrative necessities. I'm amazed at how many people I know are already here. I ran into Michael Kelly, who is apparently taking it easy this War and playing in private camps. I'm sure we'll see each other at some point.

On the other hand, I miss Marc. I know that, really, there's not much for him to do here, but I'd love to be able to share it with him.

Now it's quite warm, which is making everyone tired. I feel like going to the Vagabond, but not alone. Also, I don't really want to walk anymore. Maybe later tonight.

o'dark -- Harpwood Hall

I'm surrounded by a 6-person jam session: violins, guitars, drums, a hammer dulcimer, bagpipes, recorders (not all at the same time, mind you). I wish I could play like this. I really, really do. They make music that makes me wish I could make music like that.

I may need to leave before I get too jealous.

night -- Hedgehog

I left after about an hour and a half because I was just getting too jealous. I got about two camps further before running into Michael Kelly performing at Hedgehog and was persuaded to join in for a while. Apparently we sound good in harmony. The Marauders will still be there later.

around midnight -- Marauders

Back at home now. I was tempted to go back to the Harpwood jam session (where Efenwealt had shown up) but decided against it, since the audience was large and I couldn't really pretend to be a performer with them anymore. So I trudged back up the hill to the Marauders'. There wasn't too much happening, but I (mostly through force of will) began a small circle of 3 performers, mostly storytelling. There were many requests for "Beowulf," which I happily provided.

I'm wondering if John is changing or asleep. Given that I just heard snores from his tent, I'm assuming the latter. Alas, it means I can't call Marc tonight. Maybe tomorrow after Haakon's circle.

I'm really, really fatigued, despite the relatively early hour. I suspect it's from today's heat. Also, my hair feels really dirty: heat, humidity, and coifs will do that. Perhaps I'll wash it tomorrow.

Anyway. I think I should sleep. No doubt tomorrow my usual "it's 5:30 am on the first day of Pennsic and I need to pee!" will strike, and I should rest before that. So... g'night!

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Wednesday, August 1

40.00 -- camp fees
2.00 -- bead-making class
4.00 -- cobbler
80.00 -- meal plan
= 126.00
+ 86.85
= 212.85

morning -- Marauders

Just woke up. Or, rather, just got out of bed. Surprisingly, I didn't wake up at 5:30, but rather around 7. It's much warmer at night this year than last year -- no shivering at all. Thank goodness I rarely get too hot due to excessive blankets, or I may even have overheated. On the down-side, my mattress is a fair bit softer this morning than it was last night. I don't want to buy a new one, and it's still comfortable (if not firm) in the morning, so I'll probably just use the hand-pump every night.

The early-birds are up and beginning to cook. I can tell based on dinner last night (fajitas and chicken molé) that I won't be losing any weight this War. On the other hand, the food is very, very tasty. As an added bonus, this morning Marian is making scones in addition to Seraphina's regular breakfast. Yum! [Editor's note: I didn't lose any weight at Pennsic, on the other hand, I didn't gain any, much to my surprise. I came home exactly the same weight I left, which shocked me mightily, given the extreme amount of food I ate during War.]

Okay, I should go see what I can do to help.

late morning -- Marauders

I made beads! Specifically, I made glass beads! This is an addictive hobby. If I had money, I could see myself plunking down a whole lot of money on it. Erlan is hosting some open bead-making time tomorrow night, that I may need to hit.

I also saw Nikki for the first time this War. We are off to go torment Sharkpit. TTFN!

early afternoon -- same place

I have wandered, and now I am back. Nikki and I hit some of my usual haunts in the merchant area, among them visiting Vince, Efenwealt, and John ap Wynne, and getting caught up on what Nikki has named the "Bardic Rumour Mill." It's an apt name, i suppose. The bards are scattered about Pennsic, but if there's one thing we all like to do, it's talk.

Came back here and got some Helpful Bardic Advice (tm) from Caera (the camp harpist). Stole some camp leftovers (I suppose it's not really stealing if they're communal, but never mind), and they were tasty.

It's very hot out, and very humid. I'm dressed in only my undertunic. It's odd how I can feel more exposed in a full-length, long-sleeved tunic than I do in jeans and a t-shirt, which technically exposes more.

I've been debating whether or not to get a fruity cobbler. They have peach today. I really probably shouldn't, and in this heat and humidity I'm not actually hungry. The only part of me saying "go eat it" is the part that remembers how tasty it is. Maybe later tonight, out of the heat of the day, when my appetite comes back. We'll see.

Now, maybe I'll take a shower and be clean... until I sweat through everything again. Hm... maybe not. We'll see.

slightly later -- same place

I feel human again. It's amazing what a cold shower and clean tunic will do for comfort. And John bought us freezies! (Apparently in the US they're called freezer pops.) Yummy!

Point of note: Lush soaps are not designed for Pennsic. The "this will last for 80 hair washes" shampoo bar (a lovely one, and I'm sure it works fine under normal circumstances) is going mushy and crumbly in my nylon tent. Oh well. I only wanted it for Pennsic, anyway. Otherwise, I feel great. I'm not moving for 4 hours, mind you. Sun too hot, will melt brain.

somewhat later, still afternoon -- same place

People around me are talking about cell phones and computers. I can't tell them not to, obviously, but it annoys me. I feel like wandering around, but it's still bloody hot out and I don't want to re-apply sunscreen to my newly-cleaned (but rapidly becoming sweaty again) body. Sigh. Two hours in the same place makes me fidgety.

late afternoon -- Marauders

Two firsts this afternoon: 1. I received my first piece of Bardicci silver, and 2. I had my first fruity cobbler. So many calories, but so very tasty. In terms of the former, I got the coin because of my extensive (ha ha) Latin skills -- essentially good enough to puzzle my way through a page of the Luttrell Psalter (a book with easy script and no abbreviations). Erwillian was impressed enough to give me a coin for my skill, and also maybe an advance payment for Latin services yet to be rendered. It seems my M.A. does have a use: who'd-a-thunk-it? So now I've got the silver piece I'm taking home; now I just need the pieces to get into the parties. :) [Editor's note: Casa Bardicci hosts two parties every Pennsic: a low party on the middle Sunday, and a high party on the last Thursday. To enter the former, you need a piece of silver minted by the Bardicci. To enter the later, you need two pieces.]

In completely different news, three hours after my shower and my feet are dirty and I'm all sweaty. Sometimes I wonder why I bother.

after dinner -- Marauders

A thoroughly enjoyable late afternoon. I met Michael Alewright in the merchant area, and together we wandered. We got a "hammer dulcimer 101" lesson from Vince, which was very informative and makes me appreciate the system behind the instrument. I accompanied Michael while he bought a gorgeous 1860s book of ballads and chatted with the merchant who sold it. Then we headed over to de Londres, where Michael is apparently good friends with Alaric, who runs the circle. I got my invite to the circle and we got to sample 4 very tasty meads to boot. Yum!

Then back here, Michael in tow, for a tasty meal of fish accompanied by potato-corn-and-meat soup. It's been a good day for food.

Just as we were finishing, a woman came up to camp with the shout of "will do dishes for food." She's a member of the mendicant order and quite friendly. And, in fact, is keeping a log of where's she's eaten and how she liked it. We get a rating of "yum!", with which I heartily agree.

So now it's time to relax until calling Marc and then going across the street to the circle, assuming the circle is happening across the street. If not, it may happen here. Who knows? We've got chocolate!

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Thursday, August 2

8.00 -- calligraphy class
3.00 -- phone charging
35.00 -- CDs
5.00 -- linen for coifs
= 51.00
+ 212.85
= 263.85

morning -- Marauders

Yesterday night was fun. Haakon's circle ended moderately early, as these things go, but everyone who wanted to perform, did. There were some excellent performances, too, including a song by Dolan ("Strike the Drums") I absolutely must learn. I performed a very well-received rendition of "I Charged the Calontiri Army," so well-received that I was given a bracelet (well, armband on me) by Fiona the Prepared. Huzzah for that.

After that, the evening was something of a denouement. I dragged a bunch of people back here with the promise of audiences and chocolate, only to find everyone had gone to bed. We went down to Howling Mouse and wound up getting into a small pun war, but my heart wasn't in it. I came back up the hill.

I went to bed, the dampness like a clammy handshake over my whole body. It was unpleasant. Then this morning I had the experience I'd expected yesterday: 4:50 and my body said, "you, porto-potty, now!" There was no arguing, so I went. Came back, got another 2 hours of sleep, and now I'm awake again. Breakfast is waffles and strawberries -- what am I waiting for?!?

late morning -- Sharkpit

I have chai. It's bloody hot out and I may have burned two knuckles in the receiving of it, but the chai's the important thing. Eleanor is awesome.

I also took a class this morning: calligraphy 101. So I can now officially calligraph -- very, very badly. But it's a start. I've also now got some ink and a calligraphy pen. Yes, I know Mom has all sorts of calligraphy stuff, but I learn best by doing, and I know how to use the stuff from the class this morning.

I have no idea what I'm doing for the rest of the day. There aren't really any classes I want to hit, and it's shaping up to be too hot to go shopping. Even tonight, there's a sit-down dinner at camp, but nothing after that as far as I know. I'm sure I'll find something (if you're bored at Pennsic, it's your own damn fault), but I have no idea what... yet. For now, I'm relaxing with chai, which is a fine way to pass some time.

Speaking of shopping, it was very weird wandering around the merchant area yesterday. I'm not sure whether it was the heat or my own temperament, but nothing was calling to me (other than CDs, but we knew that). Usually, I have lots of "stuff lust," lots of items tend to jump off the shelves and ask me to buy them. This year, almost nothing. Sure, there's lots of stuff I'd like or that could be nfity to own, and if I had lots and lots of money (like my first Pennsic), I'm sure I'd find lots of stuff to buy. Probably mostly clothes. But with my moderately limited budget (I estimate I'll have $300 or so of spending money), I don't really feel much need to go out shopping. I may do a first run of CDs today, but that's about it. I don't plan on buying presents, and I've got most of my own gear already (there's always more I could get, but what I have is sufficient). Big-ticket items like full sets of garb, furniture, or tents are simply too expensive or cumbersome.

So... yeah. It's been an odd shopping experience.

Dear God, it's hot. So very, very hot, and it's not even noon yet. I have finished my chai (yum!) but I don't want to move.

early afternoon -- Marauders

Oddly enough, I wish I had my Latin dictionary. Erwillian has a Luttrell Psalter, which I read 2 pages of yesterday. Or, rather, I struggled to read 2 pages of. Today I came back and saw it was opened to a different page, and struggled to read those. I actually went through 6 pages, and Erwillian and Maggie seemed entertained by my attempt at translation. I feel incredibly rusty, but they claim it sounds good to them. I just wish I had my dictionary.

So now every day when I go over there, they're going to open the book to a new page and I'll give a reading. It seems period and it's fun to boot. Erwillian also bought me a vanilla slushie, and it is muchly tasty in the heat of the day.

Interestingly enough, the Psalter pages we're reading are actually still relevant. It's full of practical advice for living, and while it's more religious and Christian than I believe, the core message is still eminently practical. Amazing how that works.

after dinner -- Marauders

My goodness, it's been an eventful afternoon and evening. I went wandering with John McGuire to the merchants' area. Among other things, I picked out two CDs, ran into more than a few bardic friends, and bought some linen. The linen, specifically, was to make me some coifs. More specifically, John agreed to make the coifs for me, because he is awesome.

We got back to camp, and I had a glancing blow from heat and humidity: very much fatigue. But I drank water and ate pecans while John sewed (almost in their entirety) four coifs for me. Have I mentioned he's awesome?

Then was dinner. Sit-down dinner in two seatings, and wow was I full by the end of it. Between seatings, I performed "The Feast Song" by Ken Theriot, to which people laughed at all the appropriate places, so all was well. I helped serve the second, much larger seating. After that, I had a request to perform "The Feast Song" again, which I happily did. I got many compliments, one or two requests for lyrics, and I was well pleased.

Then I did dishes. I like doing dishes after feasts. I also found out a lead for a potential new bardic venue, which always pleases me.

I have also made a treasure necklace of my Bardicci gold and my bardic tokens. I need to find a better string for it, mind you. It is pretty, and I like it. Hopefully it will grow.

It turns out there was an accident on the I-79 just next to Pennsic. They had med-evac helicopters and everything. All our EMS people are over there, too.

I have no plans for tonight. I've got a few leads, and will probably just wander until I find something interesting.

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Friday, August 3

+8.00 -- class handouts
3.00 -- flashlight
= +5.00
+ 263.85
= 258.85

morning -- Marauders

Plans last night turned into "wander with Cynric (pronounced Kenrick) in search of bardic." After several darkened camps, we made our way to Harpwood Hall, where we encountered Garraed, Vince, and Simonetta. So we sat ourselves down and settled in. Unfortunately, the humidity was playing havoc with all of us: we were all congested and yucky-feeling. Garraed hacked up a lung. Despite that, we did some light bardic and chatted a lot, and it was great. Simonetta did a great song called "Fruit of the Yew," which I really want to learn. Otherwise, it was a very chill evening. Around midnight, Eleanor arrived, and after a few minutes of greetings, the rest of us bade adieu and left the couple alone. (Note: only in the SCA will a husband and wife, after nearly a week without seeing each other, find themselves debating about kennings within 5 minutes of their reunion. Or, as someone said last night, "your laurel is showing.")

I went to bed around 1 am, woke up, had breakfast, and now I must be off to class. Bye!

late morning -- Marauders

My class went really well. I didn't count precisely, but I think I had about 30 students, and they were all interested. I love teaching for SCA audiences. There were a fair amount of ambient distracting noises, but I ploughed through them and was even complimented afterwards for doing so. My timing was pretty on, my voice held out, the audience was engaged... it was all I could hope for.

It's getting on the hot part of the day. I suppose I should go say hi to people before afternoon heat hits. Also, I should take off the wool overtunic I just remembered I was wearing.

mid-afternoon -- Casa Bardicci

After a fairly relaxed (and thankfully cooler than the last few days) afternoon, I decided to go walkabout. I met Duke Cariadoc and his wife, who arrived today, and told them about Fiana's party. Then I came down here to Bardicci. It turns out it's good I did: they're in the process of hosting a tea in honour of Oma, a great Norse matriarchal queen who cannot be at Pennsic for the first time. The tea, therefore, is in her honour. Unfortunately for the Bardicci, their musicians apparently bailed on them. Fortunately, I'm around and always happy to perform. Who knows, there may be some silver or gold in this for me.

Speaking of Bardicci, Erwillian was telling me stories about Domenico of Tiger-Shark, who stole the chest of coins two years ago, and the subsequent... eventfulness that happened to him. In short, my bardic brain got working, and this may be my next piece. It's not a real Pennsic until I've composed something.

Now I'm just waiting for Seamus to get dressed so we can head over to the tea. I feel somewhat underdressed in only my undertunic, but Seamus assures me I look fine.

late afternoon -- Marauders

What a great afternoon! I did in fact perform at the tea (held at Camp of the Seven Leaves). Among the other members of the 15-person audience was none other than Linda Cooper. She said she really liked my performance (she stayed for 3 of my 7 songs) and especially liked the "Not at Pennsic Blues." She actually asked that I record it and send it to the Coopers. She also asked me to attend the de Londres circle of Tuesday. Yay! Actually, she's a very sweet lady. I gave her the glass bead I made at the class yesterday because she was admiring it. It felt good to give it to her; it seemed appropriate. Also, I not have a standing invitation to House Seven Leaves. Yay!

Oh, also, I got a new Bardicci token: a silver performers' pendant. It's a smaller version of the gold coin, and in silver, but it works to let me in to the parties, which is good. That's not to say I won't still try to get myself a gold token, but this is a very nice start.

Oddly, I don't think I've seen any other bardic people (by which I mean the people who tend to go to bardic circles and perform, or people on the pbardic list) today except for Rufina, Fiana, and Cariadoc, which is practically nothing. It's very odd.

And now the camp apparently has hammocks. Not that I can really sleep in hammocks, but they're nice to have.

All things considered, a very good day so far.

after dinner -- same place

I have showered, dined (perogies and hunter's stew), and brushed my teeth. I feel wonderful.

Arkel is hosting a Shabbat service in about an hour. I'd rather be out wandering, but technically there aren't all that many places to wander to at this time of night, or rather, this early in the evening. So I've got an hour to kill. I may go to the merchants' area.

Point of note: around 7:30-8 pm today, it was the absolute perfect temperature in my tent.

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Saturday, August 4

5.00 -- lunch
1.00 -- Independent
5.00 -- Vagabond
= 11.00
+ 258.85
= 269.85

morning -- Marauders

We have a baby in camp! A 5-month-old baby girl named Joy. She's so cute! I suspect I'll be spending a great deal of time with her. Squee!

Ok, enough squealing. To return to our narrative...

The Shabbat service was... nice, I suppose. Simple, for the most part, until inevitability descended: when you've got a group of practising Jews gathered together in one place, sooner or later they're going to start discussing Jewish theology. And we did. Sad to say, my heart wasn't in it, and all I was thinking was, "I want to go out to the party." We wound up talking for around a half-hour before the group broke up and I took my leave. Sean, who ran the service, invited us all to Shabbat lunch. Arkel is trying very hard to get me to go, but I'm not really sure I want to. In fact, I'm fairly certain I don't, but we'll see.

Anyway. The service ended and I headed over to the combined party celebrating Fiana's graduation and Morgana's elevation to the Pelican (which she got last year at Pennsic). We spent a long time schmoozing until we finally settled down to some actual bardicking around 11-ish. It was a mid-sized circle, about 20 people, and it went around about once and a quarter before I decided I was cold and tired and it was bedtime. I performed twice: "Of Cabbages" (because Maraha had never heart it) and "I Met a Bard Upon a Moonstruck Night" (because the guy before me -- Dolan -- had done an awesome song and I didn't want to follow it with another song). The latter was better received than the former, but both were fun. And, despite only being at one circle last night, I still consider it a successful evening.

I got back to camp, borrowed John's phone to call Marc and babble at him with all my Pennsic stories.

So. Plans for today. There are many classes, though none that are must-attends. Possibly the Shabbat lunch in the early afternoon. There's a "no peers allowed" circle around 5 and tea and scones back at camp at 4. I don't know of any circles tonight, but I may discover some or hit Enchanted Ground. And at some point I want to write my poem for the Bardicci. In other words, it'll be a busy day. Onwards to it!

later morning -- same place

Trying to compose poetry while bagpipes and drummers are practising in the background -- and not always well -- is making me want to scream. Every time I think I have a line, I hear the ear-splitting sounds of bagpipes played out of tune from each other or at 3 separate rhythms. It's driving all the thoughts out of my head. I want to kill something.

just after last writing -- same place

Point of note: when looking for sympathy, make sure you ask the right people. The answer to my rant of, "can I please kill them?" should not be, "no, you can move." I wanted sympathy, not well-intentioned reasoning. Damn it, I'm so close to being done! Why can't they [Editor's note: the performers, that is] just shut up?!?

shortly after -- food court

Done. That was probably the most frustrating poem I've ever written. I need to calm down. But at least it's done. I refuse to look at it for at least an hour.

shortly after -- Marauders

It's amazing how therapeutic it is to play with a baby for 10 minutes, especially when they're being good. I'm feeling much better.

mid-afternoon -- Marauders

Back to happy. I looked at the poem a while after I wrote it, and I do in fact like it. I performed it for the camp and for Erwillian, and it seems to be a hit. I'll try it at the no-peers circle later today.

Otherwise, things have been pretty relaxed. I wandered a bit, ran into Michael Kelly and Grim (separately) and swung by the Casa. I also broke my rule for this War and bought lunch, because I didn't feel like scavenging for leftovers.

A quote: "we have hot and cold running decadence."

I haven't actually read the Independent yet today; I will at some point. But now, there are scones. Mmm... scones...

just before dinner -- Marauders

The "no peers allowed" circle was lots of fun: there were 7 of us, but I only knew Grim and Maraha. It started off fairly serious and then degenerated into silly and bawdy. It was fun. Plus I got to have Vagabond drinkage, which is always good.

Now the King and Queen of Ansteorra's arrival is imminent, and so is dinner. Time to stop writing.

after dinner -- same place

There are, on the other hand, some advantages to being down the street from the Performing Arts Pavilion: lots of seating and quite decent acoustics for the Wolgemut concert currently in progress. I can only assume that whoever was practising this morning was not, in fact, Wolgemut.

It's that lovely time of the evening when the weather is just perfect. If all Pennsic could have weather just like this, I'd be happy.

Point of note: the official welcoming line of McGuire's Marauders: "D'ja eat yet?"

To see Week Two, click here.

Have a comment on this page? Want to share your own Pennsic experienes? Email the webmistress at julie.golick@gmail.com.

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