My Pennsic 2008 Diary

Further Adventures of the Pocket Bard

Another year, another War (or, in this case, Peace, since His Majesty of the East conceded all war points to the Midrealm). Another chance to spend two weeks doing what I love best... bardic!

As in past years, I'm including my spending and near-complete text of my journal, all 14,000 words of it! If you would like to see diaries from my previous four Pennsics, please click here. If you have a livejournal and would like to stay in touch that way, click on over to my livejournal and friend me. Please let me know who you are, though, as I tend not to friend back people I haven't met in person.

Read and enjoy! If you can comments, please feel free to email me!

The days in this diary:

Monday, July 28

CAD 2.50 -- tolls
1.00 -- tolls
34.10 -- gas
15.00 -- supper
1.60 -- tea
10.00 -- phone card
= CAD $2.50; US $61.70

9:10 pm -- Days Inn, Meadville, PA

Yes, Meadville yet again. We hit the highway around 9:15 this morning and reached Meadville around 7:30. Admittedly, we made a few more stops than I would ideally have liked (mostly my fault), but they were all at least short stops. I was feeling very tired and headachy in the midafternoon, but that lifted around 5 or 6 o'clock, so at least the end of the drive was pleasant. No major hangups at the border, either, which is always nice.

Yet again I'm travelling with a passenger, Jeanne. It was kind-of an 11th hour decision, but it appears to be all working out. We did a masterful job of packing: everything is completely flat and just below my rear window. Yay for visibility! Her roof rack fit on my car, the better to allow her tent poles to fit atop it. Thankfully, she knows how to secure them because I've never really done that sort of thing before.

Yet again, even remembering the American penchant for over-large serving sizes, I misjudged. Jeanne and I had dinner at Perkins, and we both ordered the grilled tilapia. I kid you not: we could have split 1 portion and had enough for leftovers tomorrow. Obviously, neither of us finished our meal. We did share a piece of very tasty wildberry mousse cake for dessert, though.

This year, I'm trying something a bit different: I bought an international phone card to call back to Canada. Yes, I'll probably need to wait in line for the pay phones and pay an extra fee, but it will still (hopefully) be cheaper than trying to use my cell with roaming charges. [Editor's note: I never actually used the phone card. I always felt too lazy to walk to the pay phones, and opted for short conversations on my cell when calling home to Montreal.]

Otherwise, things have been pretty relaxed. The drive was, on the whole, uneventful. We drove through a few short showers, but the weather has so far been co-operating. Hopefully, it will continue to do so.

Now I'm just going to spend one last night relaxing in air-conditioned, electric-lit (albeit chlorine-smelling) surrounding before hitting the uncontrolled climate of Pennsic. I've got a busy War planned, teaching 3 classes, hosting a bardic song swap, retaining for Her Highness for three shifts... and that's just the stuff I'm officially scheduled for! [Editor's note: my dear friend and house-sister, Alethea Eastriding, was Princess of the East Kingdom during Pennsic, and I agreed to retain for her.] Beyond that, I've got bardic circles, classes to attend, gifts to buy, and people to hug. Should be fun, as always. And when I get home, I'll have the pleasure of knowing there will be only 11 days until Marc gets home as well. Yay!

Okay, that's it for now. Time to shower, read, and get a good night's sleep. I suspect I'll need it.

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Tuesday, July 29

61.70 +
42.00 -- gas
32.61 -- groceries, etc.
20.00 -- troll
50.00 -- camp fee
100.00 -- meal plan
5.00 -- Your Inner Vagabond
= $311.31

7:40 am -- Days Inn, Meadville

Not a great night of sleep last night. I don't know whether it was because of the excitement, the strange bed, or what, but I just didn't sleep well. I woke up twice to use the bathroom: once around 2:30 and once about 10 minutes before our 7:30 alarm. So despite crashing out around 10 last night, I'm not particularly rested. Ah, well. That's what caffein and adrenaline are for.

The plan for today, such as it is: have breakfast here at the hotel, fill up, and drive to War, hopefully by 10 am. Troll in, get Jeanne and I unpacked (after, of course, figuring out where her camp is), do a trip to the Walmart (after getting directions), come back, and park the car for good. Garb up and say hello to absolutely everyone I can find that I know. Hugs will probably be involved. I don't think there are any formal circles planned for tonight, so I'll probably go walkabout around Harpwood Hall / Howling Mouse / Bardicci and see what's going on. Unless something else comes up first, of course.

mid-afternoon -- McGuire's Marauders

Yay Pennsic! I trolled in, as expected, right around 10. It took us a while to find Jeanne's camp, but we eventually did find it. We set up her tent, my tent, determined it was far too hot to set anything up inside my tent, and went to Walmart. By around 1:30, we were back and I put the car away, hopefully for good this War. I'm now in garb, registered at First Aid Point and A&S Point... I'm officially at War! Yay!

I've given hugs to the Marauders, the Sharks, the guys at the Tudor House, and various other people. Certainly there will be more as the day goes on.

Apparently some people around camp have read my online journal, which is kind of neat. Also, people have taken to calling me Pocket Bard more often, which is odd but fun.

This afternoon there will be scones. Yum!

I have already done some bardic ("The Scottish Champion" over at the Tudor House), and judging by the lute music I'm hearing from the other side of the common area, there will most likely be more in the near future.

Aaah... I must be at Pennsic.

slightly afterwards -- same place

And... first recitation of "Beowulf" done. Apparently, John has been telling people about it for the last three days. Ah, the infectiousness has begun. "Cook, Marian, cook!"

later -- same place

It's officially Pennsic: I've composed. Based on the "official" response to Marian's scones: "These are dreadful. They should be wiped off the face of the Earth so you can try another batch. I will do my part my selflessly hurling myself upon the unexploded scones." [Editor's note: Marian's scones are really, really good, and always one of the highlights of my War. This is why the official response is so funny.] I wrote out a copy for her, and the performance was well-received. In fact, they have asked for a recitation every time there are scones. This can be arranged. So long as I get scones.

Now to check the class list or something. Still too hot to set up my bed.

late evening -- Marauders

I have wandered. I have met many, many people and given most of them hugs. I have done bardic and helped collaborate a jam session at Harpwood Hall tonight. I have had people recognise me that I didn't expect. All told, fine work for a few hours.

On the other hand, my bed still isn't set up. Can't have everything, I suppose.

I had some water but should probably have more, as I'm feeling a bit fatigued.

I should call Mom. Maybe I'll do that now.

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Wednesday, July 30

311.31 +
no spending
= $311.31

morning -- Marauders

I don't remember when I last wrote, but I had a highly enjoyable afternoon and evening. Afternoon consisted of my first walkabout of War, visiting Eleanor and Menkin (who had just arrived), Efenwealt (who was playing with his kids), the Bardicci (in their new home: a canal runs through it!), Harpwood Hall, and Howling Mouse. Even if half the people I wanted to see weren't there, that still leaves a lot of people.

More later: breakfast is ready!

after breakfast -- same place

So. Came back for supper, very tasty roast beef. Ate, enjoyed the company, and then dragged a few people over to Your Inner Vagabond. I wanted a Silk Road Sharbat, but there were no mixes ready, so I had a vanilla-lavender mix instead. It was okay, but I started getting a sugar headache about a third of the way from the end. So I didn't finish, paid, and moved on.

Did another walkabout, stopping to chat with Unnr, Charles, and Henry MacQueen. I stopped in at Familia Gladiatoria to say hi to Ajax and found myself invited for dinner. I had an ear of corn on the cob (and showed them how to butter it properly, using bread) and found out that Monday is Turkish Desserts Night. Anyway. Moved on further to Harpwood Hall, where I joined in on the jam session. Everyone there was better than me, but I never let that stop me from joining in anyway. We started with some fairly "high" bardic and eventually degenerated into filk and Arrogant Worms.

Eventually the circles wound down and Maraha and I walked up the hill. Howling Mouse was kind of quiet, so Maraha agreed to walk me back to camp. There, we chatted and found ourselves in a 3-person "I've never done this before; let me use you as a test audience" circle. Maraha did a few stories, I did one of my new stories, and Cedric performed a song.

Maraha left around 12:30, I took a chance and discovered Marc was home (yay!), so I got to talk to him for a bit. Finally got to bed around 1 am.

I'd like to say I slept well, but I would lie. My air mattress wasn't as inflated as I'd have liked, the air was very damp, and my body was doing wonky things to me. My body, as normal, forced me to the portos around 6 (actually later than I'd expected). I got almost another hour in bed -- "sleep" would be too strong a word -- before deciding to get up.

Breakfast was very nummy biscuits, eggs, and sausage. Yum! We love you, Seraphina. [Editor's note: Seraphina is our camp cook, and she's stunningly awesome. One year, when she was contemplating not going to Pennsic, about half the camp decided they didn't want to go if Seraphina wasn't coming.] Punctuating breakfast was camp-specific "no shit, there I was" stories, which are always fun.

It was supposed to rain today, and the sky is still overcast, but apparently now the forecast is saying "no rain." I hope so: I'd hate to be teaching in the amphitheatre, with no roof, in the rain. [Editor's note: It turns out the amphitheatre does, in fact, have a roof.]

Other things on for today (besides teaching): two classes that look interesting and Haakon's circle, where I still don't know what I'll be performing. I'm sure I'll figure it out.

That's it for now. Time to wash the breakfast dishes.

slightly later -- same place

Stepping on tent stakes hurts.

later morning -- amphitheatre

I've got about 25 minutes before my class starts and figured I'd come down early on the off-chance Sarah would be here, but she isn't. [Editor's note: I was co-teaching the class with Sarah, but we hadn't had much time to communicate beforehand.] More journaling time for me. I admit, I don't think we're going to have a particularly good turnout, what with all the scheduling mixups. Also, the amphitheatre is a bit far for many people to treck to. Sure, I may be pleasantly surprised, but we'll see.

Sisuila and I have plans to go shopping (or at least window-shopping) when my class is done. Should be fun, especially since I haven't hit the merchants' area yet except to say a few hellos.

It's quite humid and I'm sweating profusely. I'll probably shower just before or after dinner, before heading over to Haakon's. My hair could really use washing. On the other hand, I haven't had to use my inhaler yet this War, which is good.

Otherwise, things have been pretty chill this morning. It's amazing how much time there seems to be before 10 am when you wake up, completely alert, at 7.

Hmm... maybe I should go wanter for the next 10 minutes.

just after class -- Marauders

The weather gods waited until the end of class to start drizzling, and until just after I walked into camp and closed my windows to started the downpour, so overall I am satisfied. Thank you, weather gods, for if we were in for rain today, you picked a good time.

And, five minutes later, it has slackened down to merely "rain." Though I suspect it may intensify and slacken several more times before it's over.

slightly later -- same place

I was right. Sisuila has interrupted our impromptu "intro to rosaries" class to dump rain out of the edges of the communal pavilion. I'm afraid to see what my tent will be like after this. Probably a lot like last year, actually. Hopefully it doesn't last too long.

Anyway. My class (Singing 101) had 5 students, which was actually more than I was expecting. It went well, I think. I certainly learned stuff about breathing and projection, along with 2 new rounds. Yay! My section was a bit curtailed, but it worked out all right in the end. And I got back just in time to beat the rain, so that's all for the good.

midafternoon -- Marauders

Sisuila and I went shopping / window-shopping. I met a few new merchants, sang "Of Cabbages" to Erwilian, and browsed. I was saddened to hear that Anastasia's last War was apparently last year. Oh, no! I wanted presents from there! D'oh!

On the other hand, John is probably going to be making me lots of garb: a sideless surcoat out of my blue silk velvet; the silk-linen gown; a yellow linen tunic or overtunic; fixing my bodice... yay clothes! We love you, John! [Editor's note: due to excessive business and some health issues, John wasn't able to make me my garb. I'm sure he'll get around to it soon, though.]

The rain started as Sisuila and I were shopping and my knee started to act up, so we came back to camp, and here we are. I'm getting tired (like I said, bad sleep last night), but Sisuila is making some nice herbal tea. I'm trying to decide whether to get my embroidery or to take a nap. [Editor's note: I don't think I took out my embroidery once all war.] In either case, I need to go back to my tent to get my mug. The state of my tent is better than I thought: puddles, but not on anything that's harmed by water. On the other hand, I foolishly forgot to take in my "welcome" back (a bath mat from Walmart), so it's soaked through and the welcome mat of my tent (the flap that's part of the tent) is also very wet. It could be worse. I'm not complaining.

On the other hand, I may just take one of the mugs here in the communal tent, as the downpour just started again.

later afternoon -- same place

I tried and failed to nap, then joined in on some chocolate sampling. I had yet another biscuit (I think that makes 4 today -- oi!). It's clear that I'm not losing any weight this War. [Editor's note: I think I gained 1-2 pounds overall, which is actually better than I was expecting.]

My tent escaped the afternoon rained more-or-less unscathed. I got very, very good last year at mitigating the effects of the mesh drips. Sisuila was not so lucky: her tent has two rather large leaks, one right on top of her bed.

It looks like the rain is over for now, so Cynric and I are going shopping. As soon as I put on more sunscreen. Sigh.

slightly before dinner -- Marauders

In fact, Sisuila and I went window-shopping again, this time joined by Paul at the merchants south of Currie Road. It looks like there are only three or four CDs at Efenwealt's that I want, which means I may only be buying five or six CDs this war. This is an odd, odd thought. [Editor's note: In fact, I bought 9, which is still only about half my usual amount.]

I priced belts at By My Hand: about $20, which isn't too bad. They also have lucets, which I may pick up if I decide mine has gone AWOL. I also have my lust object for the war: the softest pelt (beaver) I have ever felt in my life. At $65-80+, I probably won't get it, but I'd like to pet it forever. So soft. So pettable. I also found a long string of amber for $25, which I may purchase.

I got a new Bardicci quarter-coin for singing today, but I'm certainly going to need to get more if I want to attend the parties. I'll have to see if they have more performers' medallions this year. [Editor's note: the Bardicci mint their own silver coins and medallions every year. It costs one silver coin to enter their low party on the middle Sunday, and two to enter their high party on Thursday of War Week. With a medallion, you can enter and leave as you please.]

After the rain, it's been the perfect temperature and humidity. If it stays like this all War, I will be very, very happy.

Hmm... I haven't gone down to the Bog at all today, nor up to Sharkpit. I heard Cariadoc arrived today, and I haven't see him either. I'll have to see if I can do some wandering before Haakon's circle.

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Thursday, July 31

311.31 +
7.00 -- lunch
3.00 -- Master El fund
+4.70 -- class handouts
= $316.61

just after breakfast -- Marauders

After dinner last night, I took Cedric to meet Erwilian, and he was invited to perform during the open house and high party. Meanwhile, Erwilian showed me his new performers' medallions: all agents of the household, who need to come and go from the party, are given small versions of the gold medallion. Bards' medallions have a little silver harp hanging off them (I'll receive mine today) and guards get a little silver dagger. I'm looking forward to seeing them. Meanwhile, Erwilian gave me a small gold one to bestow on a person I think deserves it. Yay!

Afterwards I wandered down to Enchanted Ground to say hello to Cariadoc, but he had apparently left site because of the weather. Hopefully he'll be back today and hosting his circle.

I went back to Beowulf," which almost no one there had heard before but all now appreciate. I also performed late in the evening, "Valhalla" by Leslie Fish, and was complimented on it afterwards.

I and others walked Morgana back to High Rafters, and them Michael Alewright, Maraha, and I went to Your Inner Vagabond, which was surprisingly still open (it being past midnight). Maraha left, and we were joined by Dur (sp?), a Syrian Arab. Conversation ranged and could have easily gone on another hour, except that I looked at my watch and realised it was 1:15. Michael, ever the gentleman, paid for my hot chocolate and baklava, and then he walked me back to camp. By the time I spoke to Marc and got myself ready for bed, it was 2. I woke up at 6:30, managed to fall back asleep for an hour, and now it's tomorrow.

Conversation around breakfast featured persona development talk, and now I'm just preparing for my day. I'm teaching my persona development class at three. Beforehand, there are a few classes I may take, especially Morgana's storytelling tips class at one. I'll probably go walkabout (since I didn't yesterday) and take a shower (since I desperately need one). Maybe take a nap. Tonight, hopefully Enchanted Ground. If I'm lucky, more Your Inner Vagabond.

Now, though... shower.

slightly later -- same place

I feel clean. Yay, showers!

around noon -- same place

I slept through most of the morning in John's tent. On the other hand, I am very well rested now. On the other, my morning is gone. Oh, noes!

While I was sleeping, someone set up a massage table in the common area. I love our camp.

midafternoon -- Marauders

My class went okay, but not as well as it normally does. I gave out 25 handouts, but some people left after receiving them. I made less than $5 back of my photocopy costs, which is far less than normal. On the other hand, my students seemed interested and asked good questions, so it all worked out. One of these years I should adapt a class from The SCA Without Breaking the Bank.

Before my class, I went to Morgana's, which was very good. She didn't work from notes but just talked and answered questions. It was very informative, actually.

I've been accumulating Bardicci coins, which is very nice. Maggy tends to give me a "Bardino" (quarter-silver) whenever I perform, and one of my students (Seamus' wife, it turns out) gave me a silver since she didn't have cash for the handout. Yay Bardicci coins!

I don't have much to do before dinner, so I'll probably go walkabout. Starting right... now!

late afternoon -- Marauders

Walking is. I said brief hellos to Cariadoc and Charles, conspired with Seamus, ran into Michael Kelly, and greeted the Quebecois for the first time this War. I wanted to conspire further with Erwilian, but he had many people in his shop and I didn't want to interrupt. Now I'm going to have some water because I'm tired.

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Friday, August 1

316.61 +
2.00 -- lunch
4.00 -- cobbler
4.00 -- smoothie
= $326.61

morning -- Marauders

After dinner, I met Henry MacQueen in the merchants' area and went with him to his birthday party at Eoforwic. There, I sampled some very tasty fresh-baked bread from Hector, ate very tasty birthday cake, and traded stories with Henry. I had to remind myself that if I started trading pun songs with Henry, though, I'd lose a lot of the night and I'd lose. So I went across the street to Enchanted Ground.

Cariadoc's circle was very nice, though a bit small, maybe 12 people at its peak. It also appeared to be the night of people inadvertently doing the same piece that was done a half-hour before. I fell into that trap, with the tale of the Baron and the Troubadour. Apparently the Pardoner's Tale was nearly performed thrice. I told His Grace that I might bring him the tale of Seven Bards and One Tale, which I may or may not write over the next few days. I did about four pieces, which pretty much used up my available repertoire, but the circle broke up around then anyway, so all was well.

Now I've got very little time left before the first class I'm taking. I've got three I want to take before 1 pm. So I should really get ready for that now.

early afternoon -- Marauders

The day has actually been quite good so far. I went to the Storytelling Academy class hosted by Morgana, which was wonderful. After that, I opted out of the next class I wanted to attend in favour of following Morgana, Michael Alewright, Maraha, and a few others back to High Rafters. There, I got some personalised brainstorming on the piece I want to write for Cariadoc, which was very cool. Maraha and I killed each other laughing, which was also fun.

Then I wandered a bit, stopped in with Erwilian and conspired with him. I had lunch with Michael, his lady, and some friends of theirs. I had my first cobbler of the War: tasty but oh, so bad for me. [Editor's note: actually, it turned out to be my only cobbler of the War, but it was still very tasty.]

I also got to see Toki and Grim (separately) for the first time this War. Yay! Hopefully I'll see at least one of them at filk night tonight.

Now, off to a lucet class (my own lucet is AWOL, but never mind). Afterwards I'll sit down and work on composing my new Bardicci piece. Off we go.

midafternoon -- Marauders

The lucet class was really cool, actually. I've got all sorts of cool ideas for two-colour cord now, but I'm going to have to practice a lot. First, of course, I'm going to have to find my lucet or buy another one.

I have also written my new piece for the Bardicci. It took about an hour and a half: 13 ballad verses. I'm just letting it settle now. Maybe I'll try to find Jeanne to tell her dinner is early tonight. Maybe while I'm there I'll go say hi to Sharkpit.

just before dinner -- Marauders

60% chance of thunderstorms later tonight. Here's hoping it passes us by. I'm very tired now.

after dinner -- same place

I've decided that filk night deserves the ultra-garish orange-and-blue striped tunic.

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Saturday, August 2

326.61 +
1.50 -- Pennsic Independent
10.00 -- lunch
+3.80 -- handouts
= $334.31

morning -- Sharkpit

Last night was awesome. I haven't laughed that hard, that long for a long time. The best part of the evening was actually the beginning of it when it was quite small, only about 8 people. But among those 8 were me and Darian, so that pretty much set the tone. I laughed. I laughed a lot. The circle went around a whole bunch of times. Efenwealt was there. Grim did Katrusha's "Anti-Singalong Song," which also did a lot to set the tone. I wound up performing 7 or 8 times, essentially running through my entire repertoire of non-bawdy filk songs.

After that ended (shortly after 11, I believe), I went across the street to say hi to the newly-arrived Liam and Alethea. Then I snagged Toki and Dolan and we went off to Northshield. There wasn't much happening, but we brought a bit of bardic with us (of course) that was well-received. The tale of "Beowulf" spreads, and someone requested I perform "The Wild Eastman Spam," which is kind of cool. [Editor's note: I always find it really cool when people request performances of stuff I wrote.]

Then Toki walked me back to camp and we chatted for a while. I went to bed shortly after 1:30.

My body told me to go to the bathroom at 5:30, but I fell back to sleep until about 8. Had breakfast (waffles!), rinsed my tunics (I spilled cider on them yesterday night), and did a few bardic pieces (would you believe people in my own camp don't know the wild spam song?!). Then Dolan and I went off to the Storytelling Academy: medieval sources for short stories offered by Master Jehan. After sitting through it for a half-hour, I decided to move on and came up to Sharkpit. And here I am. I just missed chai, but at least the company is good. And now they're talking about chocolate-covered bacon. I'm afraid.

At some point before 2, I really need to review the paper my class is based on. Eh, I have time.

early afternoon -- Marauders

About 20 minutes until my class. I haven't done much today, actually. Had lunch with Alethea, reviewed my notes, and chilled.

I was reading the Independent and getting really annoyed at all the typos and errors I was seeing... until I got to the second page and saw a notice that there were 144 errors in the paper and anyone who delivered a copy with all the errors marked in red pen would receive a free subscription. I went through, but actually only caught 80-something objective errors. Admittedly, I didn't go through the ads or classifieds with my red pen. Also, while there was a lot of really bad writing and a lot of stuff that was poorly phrased, I couldn't really call them objective errors. So I guess I'll skip on the free subscription. [Editor's note: I'm actually an editor in mundania. Spelling and grammar mistakes in official publications bug me. A lot.]

Class is in 15 minutes.

late afternoon -- Marauders

An eventful afternoon. My class (By My Bones!) went very well. I got far more students than I was expecting and actually ran out of handouts. I got some very good questions and didn't forget too much.

Afterwards, I did my traditional afternoon wander. I stopped by the Independent, where I got to hug Og. Yay hugs!

Then I stumbled father down the hill and performed "Beowulf" at Eoforwic for the cooks. Hector taunted me with the knowledge that he's baking 23 loaves of bread in the Dutch oven today. I may have to go down there later tonight to claim some.

Went further down and and performed for about 45 minutes for a dozen Bardicci. I love performing for them. I got commissioned to write a piece (yes, another one) for Captain Gordon, and he paid me a decent handful of silver for it, too. I also got invited to put my pieces into "The Book of Witticisms," a book of Bardicci household lore, which Artemesia is putting together.

And now I'm back at camp. I'm thinking of buying a pair of Medieval Moccasins sandals for mundane use. I saw some blown-glass shot glasses I may get for a gift, but they're quite expensive. Still don't know what I'm getting for Marc's mom, but it may be something from the wax / honey merchant.

Anyway. I think I should transcribe my Bardicci piece into this book.

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Sunday, August 3

334.31 +
+11.00 -- bardic
40.00 -- shopping (gifts)
5.00 -- lunch
5.00 -- YIV
= $373.31

morning -- Marauders

Last night seemed to be the night of adjusting my energy to match the circle. The Efenwealt concert was, as always, quite funny, though perhaps a bit heavy on the Harry Potter filk. Also, there was a very tenacious commentator in the front row who, once she got started, would not stop. It was distracting. On the other hand, I got to see Silence. Yay! [Editor's note: Silence is Efenwealt's apprentice.]

When I got to the EK teaching circle, I admit I wasn't really in the mood for it. I would have rather been at the open mic storytelling. But after we'd done a few songs (mostly from Sing for the East), I started to warm up to it. I learned a bunch of new songs, though I doubt I'll remember most of them. Someone actually had a handout of Born on the List Field, to which Grim had the same reaction I did: "Huh? That's just not right." Apparently the teacher got permission, but I still felt it was wrong. [Editor's note: "Born on the List Field" is supposed to be passed along solely by oral tradition -- no bard should have it in their written song-book. Admittedly, the handout did say to destroy the paper once we had learned the song, but still...]

At the EK circle, the girl who did "Greensleeves" on Wednesday at Haakon's asked me for a copy of "Beowulf," which I'll give her today at the song swap.

Then I went to open mic storytelling. The first few stories, I just wasn't in the mood. From the high energy of four-part choral rhymes to single storytellers was a huge energy slowdown. I was antsy. It didn't help that the first few storytellers either weren't particularly good or were telling somewhat downbeat tales. Things picked up eventually as I lowered my energy and the stories got better. I waited for quite a few stories before I went myself. Toki performed before me with a relatively gruesome tale of revenge, but it had a somewhat downturn ending. So when I stood up, Morgana said, "something cheerful, please." I could have done "Beowulf" but chose instead to do "The Unhappy King." People laughed in all the right places and I got genuine applause after. One thing I've been ruminating on yesterday is how, after performing a while, you start to learn the difference between real applause and polite-but-we-didn't-really-care-for-it applause. So I was happy.

After me, Darian told a tale about "A good day's wage," all about a man who was given his pay in a different form each day, to often hilarious results. Line of the night: "I promised to give him half of my possessions. And not in the King Solomon destroy-everything-I-care-about way, but in the let-me-help-you-and-make-you-rich way." It was precious.

Afterwards I swung by Eoforwic and got some fresh bread, but no one was really around that I knew. The fire at Cariadoc's was over by that point as well, so I just went home.

I called Marc and went to bed around quarter to one: an early night for me. It was actually pretty chilly when I woke up today: the sun was clouded and the fog was thick. It's heating up now, though.

So. Plan for today: maybe a class or two this morning, maybe some shopping, be back at camp by two. The song swap starts at three, but I accidentally told one class that it was at two, so I'll be here just in case. I suspect that it will go on until dinner, and then it's the night of "dear God, I've got too much to do." I need to get my Bardicci medallion this morning or threaten not to show up at the low party tonight. I'll deal with that later, though.

Time for sunscreen.

shortly after -- same place

Cool sight of the morning: steam rising from a chair as the first morning light hits it.

midmorning -- Marauders

Barely past 10 and the shtick is fast and furious. I stopped by the Tudor House and kibitzed with Erwilian until I got my medallion. Then Guiseppi came in and told me I still had a duty to perform, and I'd get a beautiful wooden box he made if I did it. It turns out that a merchant across the street had taken a Bardicci medallion, so I was enlisted to go perform "A Warning to Thieves" for her. I actually made $11 in tips! How cool is that? She had me bring a purple (plastic) rose back to Erwilian. I, for my part, am happy to be the agent of chaos.

I had barely walked back into camp with Sisuila came up to me and said, "I'm going to go sing. Wanna come?" What a foolish question! So I followed her. To Calontir muster. At Midrealm Royal. Oops. I stayed for a while but left before anyone could accuse me of being a traitor to my native East.

I came back to camp and restrung my necklace (I don't like the position of some of the medallions, but it's good enough for now) while drinking chai (not Eleanor's, alas) and listening to Wolgemut rehearse. There are advantages to living down the street from the Performing Arts pavilion.

Now John tells me if I leave a tunic for him, he'll put together a yellow one for me. Yay! Then, to read the Independent and maybe do some window-shopping.

early afternoon -- Marauders

I was expecting to only window-shop, but I actually bought something: a designer doll for Marc's mom, because it was the last one they had in stock. I figured out where I'm going to buy Marc's horn -- Ian Grove House -- because it's cheap and FDA approved. I'm still waffling on what to get Ian, but I'm sure I'll figure it out.

I'm back at camp now, waiting to see if any of the people I accidentally told to show up at 2 will arrive, but there's bardic going on in Ansteorra. I'm wavering on going over there. On the upside, Marian's making scones for the song swap Yay!

late night -- Your Inner Vagabond

I normally would wait until tomorrow to journal, but I have so many things to write about that I decided to come down to the Vagabond and journal with some hot beverage.

So. Just after I last wrote, I went over to Ansteorra next door and jammed with Cynric and a man named Iohn. We did a lot of songs I knew and some I didn't. Shortly after 3, I convinced everyone to move back to the Marauders so I wouldn't be half-distracted. The bards started to trickle in just as the scones came out of the oven. Yum! I only got one, but it was worth it.

I hereby declare the song swap a success: at its height we had about a dozen bards, and the songs ranged from period to horribly modern filk. It was lots and lots of fun. Things started winding down around 5:15, so I decided to bow out of my own circle to take a shower. There were only 4 people left anyway, all perfectly capable of entertaining themselves without me. When I got out of the shower, I discovered Adelaide and her husband (Lisa and Ken Theriot) had joined us, so I finally got to meet them. Very nice people.

Eleanor and Garraed came by so Garraed could play on Cynric's new drum. It was good to have them around.

Dinner was chicken-fried steak. Marc approves.

After dinner, I got into my wench garb (John helped) and headed over to Toki's bardic workshop. The idea behind it, "fighter practice for bards," was actually pretty cool. I performed almost as soon as I arrived and learned a lot from the commentary. My chief takeaway: when telling stories, shift eye contact after phrases or sentences, and progress slowly around the circle.

I watched a few other people perform, offering advice when I could (odd moment: someone performing "Mordred's Lullaby," never having heard Heather's version). At some point, Master John Littleton arrived. Toward the end of the evening, we had some time left, so I performed my "Judah and Tamar" piece. My chief fear -- that I'd condensed it so much it would be incomprehensible -- seems unfounded. Master John offered me some good advice about punctuating key moments with pauses or breaking "meter reciting" and pointed out one area that was confusing. Otherwise, it seems to have gone well.

From there, I went down to Bardicci. The low party was just picking up. I said hi to the people I knew and performed a few songs, but the acoustics in the main hall are horrid, especially with a lot of people talking in the background. I knew if I continued, I'd blow out my voice, and I've still got five and a half days of War left (my God, is that it?). So I stopped.

I had some nice conversation with Leonardo, was invited to be on Seamus' arm during the high party (I accepted), and met someone who invited me to perform tomorrow at tea. It's nice to be recognised.

I stopped by Ajax's, but it was pretty quiet. Eoforwic, on the other hand, had about a half-dozen people around the fire. Since I was there anyway, I offered some bardic, two of my staples ("Ancient and Old Irish Condom" and "Fairy Story") that none of the audience had heard before. I like performing for small audiences; I get to kibitz. They also really liked my taster mug.

On my way up from Eoforwic, I had a Pennsic moment: about 20 people, all dressed in white, came up a side-path, accompanied by violins. They were dancing, a weaving, processing dance. The men had horns that they held to their heads. Another onlooker told me it was a "Blackmoors" dance, apparently very old. It was magical. I may have to write something about it. [Editor's note: I still have no idea what the dance was. If you know anything about this, please contact me.]

Speaking of writing, I may have promised something very foolish: I told Alethea that if she let me know what was happening over her reign, I'd write it up as verse. She mentioned that it would be really cool if I did that for the battles at War, too, and I agreed. My God, what have I let myself in for?

Anyway. I went back to camp, called Marc, and decided I wanted to get my thoughts onto paper before I lost the nuances. So I came here. Now it's 1:30 and I should really get back to camp so I'm not sleep-deprived tomorrow.

I'd forgotten how cold my wench garb is compared to my normal linen-and-wool tunics.

Mmm... sahlep. How I missed you.

Okay, time to go home.

To see Week Two, click here.

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