PKD-8/29

Did a quick trip to PKD with terlan and had a lot of fun. It was rather warm, and the black-top didn't help (one think I like about 6 flags is that it is concrete and green painted asphalt ... much cooler). We went and got passes for next ye ar, processed ours with no wait (I brought back some for people who couldn't make it).

I then started introducing him to my friends. He liked Scooby, he agreed that Hypersonic is a one-trick pony (but boy what a trick!). It is rather bizarre seeing a p enny in free fall being left behind by the push of the coaster on you.

We did Ricochet (with me getting off his cordless in a big hurry so we could actually ride ... my friends who were going to meet us couldn't make it). Hurler, Grizzly, and Yell. W e (of course) rode the Carousel as well. Then off to the water park to cool down. A lot of the rides were down (due to lack of staff) but the wave pool was open so we happily hung out in there for quite awhile, people watched, played, bounced, etc.

T h en it was time to head to the theatre to see the Lara Croft Stunt show. It rocked. Good timing on most of the knaps, very good staging, nice use of the set, not too predictable in how it all worked out (though some of it was). Then we went and bought candles (I got one specially made), did some more shopping and headed home.

Labor Day Weekend

As was mentioned on Sunday; Saturday was way up the list of worst days at Fest due to weather (I think we were told it was number 4 ... after the September snow storm).

Saturday
Hot, humid. I prefer to breathe my air, not swim in it. Sheesh, I am fairly used to the heat but it was brutal. We danced what we could, traded off as much as we could, and did some slower stuff.

After dancing, I got some salt into me (pretzel style) and continued my quest for water. Then I wandered around. Gave people directions, watered various cast members that I could find, then wandered some more. I stopped by the German Camp (I'm not going to try to spell it properly right now) and visited. Then the storm came. I helped move the stuff to the chapel, stayed inside for the worst of it, then off to slog in the mud. The coolness was wonderful for about an hour, then the heat and humidity came back. Ugh. I got to hear William Teller's adult stories (there weren't any kids at the show so he brought out some more intense stories than he usually does) which was nice, stayed for part of Bedlam's set as well.

Got home, did laundry, passed out.

Sunday
Much cooler, still a bit drained from heat on Thur, stress on Fri, and the beastly heat on Sat. Dancing went fairly well (with a few minor bobbles that we have fixed) and I did more wandering. I saw a couple of things, parts of some things, but mostly wandered. I ran into silmaril and her guests. Did a fair amount of direction giving. Enjoyed the pub-sing with the King's birthday celebration. That was pretty fun. I have heard Happy Birthday to the Star Spangled Banner/Anachreon in Heaven, but hearing the tune on a shawm and bag-pipe was cool.

Monday
I didn't want to get up. Yuck! But I did, got to site fairly timely, had a huge line for lacing (I am flattered that P. put her corset next to me to secure a place in line). We had a guest dancer for Creekstomp in the form of JD who used to do the part but can't this year due to schedule. I am amazed at how much fun it is to watch him dance. We miss him. There were some minor bobbles but mostly it went well. I then went and got salt (it was hot and humid again, but not as bad); tied up the constable again (with a release option); then went wandering. Found Mom and Pete, spent some time with them (enjoyed sitting quite a bit ... I was more ragged out than I knew).

It was ladies night at Pubsing and there were many fun jokes. It was the last time that we got to see the two dancers with Gypsophilia (which is a shame because they do add quite a bit to the show ... I'm hoping that one or the other will be back as a solo act). The crowd was mostly polite about staying out of the way (with minor exceptions). The worst being the person who wouldn't move except to shove companion into me (ugh), then spilled beer on me (major ugh) during the very nice song at the end.

Dinner with friends, sleep in, then off to do Locator Service.