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Sapphire...
2005-06-02 - 5:15 p.m.
The new Sapphire Joust site is a very good thing. I loved the
proximity of everything, that the field was close to camping, was close
to bathrooms, was close to shopping, wasn't too far to get the truck
from parking... This new site at Tom Scott Park is faboo and
should definitely be an investment for the future. I was also
very pleased that it was within 5 miles of a Food Lion, and really
wasn't that far from Richmond proper. I think it took us 3 hours
each way from our spot in MD, with short stops. There was even an
Outback on our way home on
Sunday that was a major blessing.
We arrived on site on Saturday morning before 10am, and got our tent
set up just in time to get most stuff out of the rain. We had
folks to help us set up, so everything went really quickly and
smoothly, even if the staking wasn't quite to my normal
standards. The tent stayed up, so I guess that is all that
matters. Once set up, and I got out of my overalls and monkey
bandana, I spent most of the day fingerloop braiding an insanely fine
(gauge, small thread) and long medallion cord. Folks came to
visit, and I had plenty of company, but my crazy project meant that I
missed shopping and the A&S and stuff. And ohh did my hands need to stretch
when I finally finished. But I got to steal the King's crown from
the Chiv meeting and get it fixed and polished by Blackwood and returned
before said meeting was over. I got to help a few ladies with
veils and circlets in Blackwood's shop as he did said repair and
polishing. But astonishingly I didn't make a single merchant
purchase the entire event. I guess leaving the wallet in the tent
was a good money control technique.
Court was actually entertaining on Saturday night. Certainly the
anticipation of several awards made it a bit more so, and I had the fan
of power and another little mouse to work on. So I was thrilled
at Elspet's Pearl, Evil Bob's Dolphin, Grendel's Dolphin, and most
especially by Kynny's Dolphin. I am just sad that his lovely wife
missed it. There were other cool awards that are lost to my
feeble brain at the moment. I also had the fun company of Theo and Isobel, and the front row
peanut gallery comments. Seeing Roland trying to
sneak by the back of court in armour was too darn funny, and he
actually managed to be mostly silent. One major court critique
though, don't have court back the road, or have guards stand at either
ends halting vehicles. That was kinda distracting, especially on
Sunday morning.
Saturday night dinner was a Corby stir-fry of yummy foods, and I had
back up red beans and rice. Of course most folks bailed at the
last minute, so there was way too much food for the people left and we
had to find a way to get rid of it. Sadly a bunch of it found the
trash. But those remaining had a lovely dinner with great company
and pleasant seating, I dare say. Clean up even wasn't too bad at
all. I am still eating red beans and rice though.
Afterwards, the Vair and Ermine vigil service was called to emergency
again. Our table, benches and chairs were nearby and more easily
grabbed for Alianor's
vigil hospitality than running down the hill to the Sacred Stone
octagon. I also usurped the decoration of the vigil tent, which I
hope folks didn't mind. here's
some lighting... oh, this would make a lovely backdrop...
ack, that chair has no cushions!... if we arrange it just so it
is more intimate and you don't have to work around the pole....
you get the gist. I know, I'm neurotic, but occasionally
helpful. And luckily, morning collection of loaned items was
quick and easy too. I had fun hanging out at the vigil and
visiting sweet Alianor, and then hanging with folks under our shade
until sleep bested Alan, and then I went on to hang a bit at the BdeB bardic circle. I had
wanted to sing, but I left music back at the tent, and with allergies
I'd have sounded less like music and more like a frog, a little less
Gwen Stefani and a little more Joan Jett. But the ambiance was
nice and fun.
Sunday morning I awoke way too early, I think I was afraid I'd
oversleep, so I was up at 6:30am. My attempts to shower were
thwarted by lines, but I managed to put my hair up and out of the way
and wash my face. Had a PTA shower as Monya would say. Then
I boogied out to the grocery store to get stuff for the shower, and got
back with McD's breakfast for my sweet Alan, and food stuffs to set out
for the shower. We spent an hour rearranging the tent from
sleeping and setting it up to be wild women ready. We had plenty
of seating, lots of sweets, a few presents, and lots of mimosas.
Hooray the Bera! We actually got invaded by some laurels killing
time before the ceremony, but I offered them mimosas and told them to
wish Chris and Bera well
on their upcoming nuptials. They all had the grace and decency to
be appreciative and respectful at the same time. And the shower,
with a brief interlude for court, was, I think, a success. When
we began to wind down, we then headed on down the hill for Her
Majesty's tea. But it was lacking one thing...
mimosas! So since I had extras, I brought the remaining mimosas
down to the tea, which means I didn't have to drink it all
myself. :)
After shower and tea, because we are scadians, we had too much food
leftover. So, I took the first dozen donuts around the field to
fighters and other participants. You should have seen His
Majesty's eyes light up when I presented them to him. Then I went
to work on the second dozen donuts, which also quickly found homes in
other peoples bellies. I think the napkins with sticky glazed
donuts were the crowning achievement in many folks eyes. Sorry,
it is just part of my wiring, wrong though it may be. We packed
up after court with the help of many fine friends, and some really nice
Storviki. I awed Elizabeth with my canvas folding fu, but again
I'm just wired wrong that way. Canvas has to be folded
right! We were on the road and to the Outback for an early dinner
and home by 10ish. We then had to unpack a significant portion of
the truck since I realized all my drugs were nicely buried and I'd need
them that night.
My main complaint about the event (aside from the way the site went
through TP like it was going out of style) was the icky pollen and
dust. Oh my, I spent way too much time on antihistamines, which
means that poor Alan, despite a long day of fighting, had to drive all
the way home because I was really out of it. And I mean really
out of it. I slept until 11am on Monday, and needed it.
Okay, I do have one more gripe, but it has nothing to do with the way
the fine event was run. My friends, I love you, I really do, but
we need to set ground rules. Ask
in advance instead of assuming we have space for you in our
tent. Contribute in some way
if we are providing shade, bring food to share, furniture, etc. Help with set-up and take down if
possible.
For those who helped with set-up and break down, brought furniture,
asked in advance for shelter and who fed us and the others under the
shade, you have my undying appreciation.
For those few folks who didn't do any of the above, think about it next
time and contribute somehow. This only works if everybody chips
in. You do not want to wear out your welcome with me.
Oh, and the gear in the common tent has to be reassessed. Pack
your gear so that it is waterproof and can live out the back of the
tent. On Sat, we had far too many people in need of the shade to
use that space for fighting gear that then had the fighters crawling
over the civilians to get to their stuff. We need to not assume
that there will be enough space in the changing area for everyone's
mundane looking stuff.
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