Weekend 4 - Coolness Abounds
Sep. 17th, 2007 06:18 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
blueeowynAahhh, blessed coolness; we love thee. Finally a weekend that was NOT marked by very high temps (and usually humidity).
Thursday
We got booted out early because of impending traffic issues so I (of course) headed to site to see the knights practice. I got to have some scritching time with the 2 Clydesdale mares who were up for practice. I also got to meet one of the percheron brothers and nearly make him fall asleep with scritchies. As Sparowe said, I looked like I was in horsie heaven. It was neat watching the practice as they did some armor shots with ModernDayViking and some riding work. I was a bit helpful (Sir Jonathan needed out of the list and there wasn't anybody closer so I opened the list for him and the greener lady. Got to visit with Sparowe and her adopted SIL and make Sparowe melt rather impressively. Then home for some time with Java and sleeeep
Saturday
I was NOT in a good mood (sinuses were acting wonky from Friday through today and continuing ... *sigh*). Not what you want when you want to be a happy peppy peasant for several thousand visitors. I pulled myself together for when I was on the streets (though a few times I think I was a bit zoned fortunately not during any jousts). Caffeine was the name of the day. That said, I did have a good day. Mom showed up (she is addicted to the festival, I am VERY amused). I spent some time hanging with her which is fun. We managed to catch "Roses Among the Thorns" which had one time slot (replacing Maggie for one day). This group is made up of 1/2 of Clam Chowder with their respective spouses. We got a fable about a possum & a snake and some very nice music. It was such a treat to be able to hear them sing and play (and NOT have the music distorted like happens at some of the Clam concerts).
The jousts were spectacular. 12:00 was fairly hard hitting (Otto defeated James). 2:00 saw Don Martino get another lesson on why wearing a lot of armor above your waist is not conducive for retaining your seat. Tip, try to save, tip, tip, boom. He bounced to his feet really quickly so I knew he was unhurt (aside from his ego). It was a beautiful hit by Sir Henry. 4:00 saw the Henry vs. Otto show and Henry won (10 to 8 I think). 6:00 saw Don Martino redeem himself for being unhorsed. One beautifully shattered lance with pieces just hanging in the sky. *sigh* The games in all the shows went well as well. Lots of good competitive scores. Woot!
I saw Henry Meets Anna again, I love this show. I'll write more about it after the festival is done because I don't want to give anything away but as Mom pointed out, you almost have to see it twice to get all that is going on. A beautifully put together piece (fabulous writing, fabulous directing, fabulous acting). Fun, fun fun.
Hey Nunnie Nunnie was again fun to watch the end of and the clearing of the crowd went well (phew). Then off to the Joust Field for more Joust Info. It was also apparently "Bring Your Baby Carriage To The Joust Day", I swear we had them 6 deep on several aisles it was insane. Several parents were OK with leaving them at the top and holding the baby (fine answer by me, just make sure the child doesn't toddle off). One parent laughed as I was trying to get the child Off The Fence (hey, your kid, your responsibility; if the kid NEEDS to climb, go to the Pirate Ship). Most of the parents rounded them up quickly enough though I had to do one loom (the kid was oblivious as I am standing next to him "My Lord, you needs must step back from the fence ... My LORD ... MY LORD", stand next to kid, look down, shift to bass "MY LORD, YOU NEED TO MOVE BACK". Doing Back, Back, Back, Back in the timbre of a truck backing up seems to be effective with the smaller ones. Heck many of those will move with a gesture if I can get their attention.
After the day was over we went to dinner with some of the court which was nice. Had a nice chat with Anjabeth's husband, SparklesNSwords, and Dawntreader. Then home to shower and pass out.
Sunday
My goodness I felt HORRIBLE that morning. Head Pounding, joints complaining and creaking. Ugh, I was bad enough off that I think others were picking up on it. I did have the fun of giving one of the pranksters a thing of Peeps for her amusement. Giggle.
The jousts weren't as spectacular as Saturday but they were fairly solid. The knights were cheated a few times (some of those lances should have shattered as hard as they were hitting. One of the younger horses was fairly well behaved in the list (not great but not bad either). I hope he continues to do that.
I also inadvertantly scared a SM when DashRippington went up to her as soon as she showed up for the show saying "I have a message for you" and she thought "who is hurt/sick/whatever now?!?" and it was merely to tell her that I had the cloths and had gone out already. He wanted to be sure to tell her as soon as he saw her so he wouldn't forget. I had gone out 'early' so I could see some of the beginning of the Nun Show.
I did get the 'pleasure' of chasing 2 separate groups out of the list. I was there talking to some people before the 6:00 (around 5:30) and this group of teenagers climbed over the rope at the end and were trying to do piggyback rides or something. So I called over to them "ExCUSE Me?!" and they are like "What?" "Please get out of the arena" "You mean we aren't supposed to come in here?" "No, you aren't". *sigh* That is why they have the end roped off. Then about 10 minutes later at the other end someone climbs over the rope (and that one is easy to slip off). "Excuse Me???" "I'm not suposed to go here?" "No" "This isn't a cut-through to the other side? [pointing towards the archery booth]" "No" "How am I supposed to get there?" "Go around the other end" ... this is AFTER the squires start setting the field (i.e. lances are in place and I think maybe the games weapons one of them came out from back stage just as the two were leaving). MEEEP! I guess I'll just add that to the list of things I try to keep an eye on if I am out there early (need to check on how early some of that stuff gets set ... we do NOT need someone having a sword fight on the list).
This was "Rude Spectator Day". I hear that the Renaissance Man had a doozy at his 5:00 show. I know that we had some at the joust (esp. the 6:00). Being a press person does not give you carte blanche to go wherever you want. Being a drunken yahoo does not give you the right to distract the guiding knight from his work. It also does not give you the right to yell really rude stuff to the knights (esp. if there are kids in the area). Some of the stroller contingent argued with me about moving from the top of the hill. Fortunately (?) the one who was the most adamant does ride so when I mentioned the idea of "Equine Brain Fart" and "2000 pound draft horse" she decided that I had a really valid point. Yes, the horses are trained but when all is said and done they are indeed horses and horses sometimes will have their little brains go in weird directions. It happens. Esp. if something really weird happens on the field. If (for example) someone tried to land a hot air balloon at the festival, I would bet that at least one (if not most) of the joust horses would be very concerned and want to leave town by whatever method they had open to them. When confronted with certain things, obedience can fall apart. Ask Seigfried and Roy about their perfectly tame tigers (though that was partially someone not noticing that the animal was more excited than usual ... or that is my understanding of it. It happens with service animals too occasionally. I remember a group of bomb-proof horses going down the mall in DC a few years ago (they are used to crowds, bands, fire engines, swords, armor, etc. ... and they saw the dinosaur statue and en masse teleported about 6 feet sideways and accelerated away). This included one horse that didn't even bat an eye the first time she saw someone in full armor. But a Stegosaurus was something else entirely.
I did some goodbye duty and one of the kids who had questions earlier went by and he and his dad mentioned how much they enjoyed the joust and appreciated me telling them things. That sort of thing can really make your day.
I also got to meet a 'princess' who was utterly charming. She didn't want to sit still but her area of wandering was very small and her father had her well away from anything dangerous. She was chowing down on a sausage on a stick that 'was almost as big as she was' (it was as big as her mouth) but she was determined. When she fell down at one point, she managed to NOT put the sausage in the dirt and didn't cry either. Just got up and continued eating. Passed the sausage to dad and chomped on some ribbon fries while chattering about her day.
Dinner was silly (us? silly?) and relaxing but I was still tired and cranky. *sigh*
Weekend In General
I had a lot of questions from children that were fun to deal with. Some of them were worried about the horses (everything is done to keep them safe), some were worried about the knights being dangerous. One wanted to know if jousting is a sport and what the rules are. One wanted to know why ponies are called ponies (I have no idea where the word came from but I do know the distinction). Someone else wanted to know if Shires and Clydesdales are the same (no but they are cousins). Another question about the length of the list. Several Medieval Times questions (is it scripted? are we on the good side or the bad side? do we have the black knight? are the passes real?). One that may have been a MT question (are the lances padded?) but I wasn't sure.
Thursday
We got booted out early because of impending traffic issues so I (of course) headed to site to see the knights practice. I got to have some scritching time with the 2 Clydesdale mares who were up for practice. I also got to meet one of the percheron brothers and nearly make him fall asleep with scritchies. As Sparowe said, I looked like I was in horsie heaven. It was neat watching the practice as they did some armor shots with ModernDayViking and some riding work. I was a bit helpful (Sir Jonathan needed out of the list and there wasn't anybody closer so I opened the list for him and the greener lady. Got to visit with Sparowe and her adopted SIL and make Sparowe melt rather impressively. Then home for some time with Java and sleeeep
Saturday
I was NOT in a good mood (sinuses were acting wonky from Friday through today and continuing ... *sigh*). Not what you want when you want to be a happy peppy peasant for several thousand visitors. I pulled myself together for when I was on the streets (though a few times I think I was a bit zoned fortunately not during any jousts). Caffeine was the name of the day. That said, I did have a good day. Mom showed up (she is addicted to the festival, I am VERY amused). I spent some time hanging with her which is fun. We managed to catch "Roses Among the Thorns" which had one time slot (replacing Maggie for one day). This group is made up of 1/2 of Clam Chowder with their respective spouses. We got a fable about a possum & a snake and some very nice music. It was such a treat to be able to hear them sing and play (and NOT have the music distorted like happens at some of the Clam concerts).
The jousts were spectacular. 12:00 was fairly hard hitting (Otto defeated James). 2:00 saw Don Martino get another lesson on why wearing a lot of armor above your waist is not conducive for retaining your seat. Tip, try to save, tip, tip, boom. He bounced to his feet really quickly so I knew he was unhurt (aside from his ego). It was a beautiful hit by Sir Henry. 4:00 saw the Henry vs. Otto show and Henry won (10 to 8 I think). 6:00 saw Don Martino redeem himself for being unhorsed. One beautifully shattered lance with pieces just hanging in the sky. *sigh* The games in all the shows went well as well. Lots of good competitive scores. Woot!
I saw Henry Meets Anna again, I love this show. I'll write more about it after the festival is done because I don't want to give anything away but as Mom pointed out, you almost have to see it twice to get all that is going on. A beautifully put together piece (fabulous writing, fabulous directing, fabulous acting). Fun, fun fun.
Hey Nunnie Nunnie was again fun to watch the end of and the clearing of the crowd went well (phew). Then off to the Joust Field for more Joust Info. It was also apparently "Bring Your Baby Carriage To The Joust Day", I swear we had them 6 deep on several aisles it was insane. Several parents were OK with leaving them at the top and holding the baby (fine answer by me, just make sure the child doesn't toddle off). One parent laughed as I was trying to get the child Off The Fence (hey, your kid, your responsibility; if the kid NEEDS to climb, go to the Pirate Ship). Most of the parents rounded them up quickly enough though I had to do one loom (the kid was oblivious as I am standing next to him "My Lord, you needs must step back from the fence ... My LORD ... MY LORD", stand next to kid, look down, shift to bass "MY LORD, YOU NEED TO MOVE BACK". Doing Back, Back, Back, Back in the timbre of a truck backing up seems to be effective with the smaller ones. Heck many of those will move with a gesture if I can get their attention.
After the day was over we went to dinner with some of the court which was nice. Had a nice chat with Anjabeth's husband, SparklesNSwords, and Dawntreader. Then home to shower and pass out.
Sunday
My goodness I felt HORRIBLE that morning. Head Pounding, joints complaining and creaking. Ugh, I was bad enough off that I think others were picking up on it. I did have the fun of giving one of the pranksters a thing of Peeps for her amusement. Giggle.
The jousts weren't as spectacular as Saturday but they were fairly solid. The knights were cheated a few times (some of those lances should have shattered as hard as they were hitting. One of the younger horses was fairly well behaved in the list (not great but not bad either). I hope he continues to do that.
I also inadvertantly scared a SM when DashRippington went up to her as soon as she showed up for the show saying "I have a message for you" and she thought "who is hurt/sick/whatever now?!?" and it was merely to tell her that I had the cloths and had gone out already. He wanted to be sure to tell her as soon as he saw her so he wouldn't forget. I had gone out 'early' so I could see some of the beginning of the Nun Show.
I did get the 'pleasure' of chasing 2 separate groups out of the list. I was there talking to some people before the 6:00 (around 5:30) and this group of teenagers climbed over the rope at the end and were trying to do piggyback rides or something. So I called over to them "ExCUSE Me?!" and they are like "What?" "Please get out of the arena" "You mean we aren't supposed to come in here?" "No, you aren't". *sigh* That is why they have the end roped off. Then about 10 minutes later at the other end someone climbs over the rope (and that one is easy to slip off). "Excuse Me???" "I'm not suposed to go here?" "No" "This isn't a cut-through to the other side? [pointing towards the archery booth]" "No" "How am I supposed to get there?" "Go around the other end" ... this is AFTER the squires start setting the field (i.e. lances are in place and I think maybe the games weapons one of them came out from back stage just as the two were leaving). MEEEP! I guess I'll just add that to the list of things I try to keep an eye on if I am out there early (need to check on how early some of that stuff gets set ... we do NOT need someone having a sword fight on the list).
This was "Rude Spectator Day". I hear that the Renaissance Man had a doozy at his 5:00 show. I know that we had some at the joust (esp. the 6:00). Being a press person does not give you carte blanche to go wherever you want. Being a drunken yahoo does not give you the right to distract the guiding knight from his work. It also does not give you the right to yell really rude stuff to the knights (esp. if there are kids in the area). Some of the stroller contingent argued with me about moving from the top of the hill. Fortunately (?) the one who was the most adamant does ride so when I mentioned the idea of "Equine Brain Fart" and "2000 pound draft horse" she decided that I had a really valid point. Yes, the horses are trained but when all is said and done they are indeed horses and horses sometimes will have their little brains go in weird directions. It happens. Esp. if something really weird happens on the field. If (for example) someone tried to land a hot air balloon at the festival, I would bet that at least one (if not most) of the joust horses would be very concerned and want to leave town by whatever method they had open to them. When confronted with certain things, obedience can fall apart. Ask Seigfried and Roy about their perfectly tame tigers (though that was partially someone not noticing that the animal was more excited than usual ... or that is my understanding of it. It happens with service animals too occasionally. I remember a group of bomb-proof horses going down the mall in DC a few years ago (they are used to crowds, bands, fire engines, swords, armor, etc. ... and they saw the dinosaur statue and en masse teleported about 6 feet sideways and accelerated away). This included one horse that didn't even bat an eye the first time she saw someone in full armor. But a Stegosaurus was something else entirely.
I did some goodbye duty and one of the kids who had questions earlier went by and he and his dad mentioned how much they enjoyed the joust and appreciated me telling them things. That sort of thing can really make your day.
I also got to meet a 'princess' who was utterly charming. She didn't want to sit still but her area of wandering was very small and her father had her well away from anything dangerous. She was chowing down on a sausage on a stick that 'was almost as big as she was' (it was as big as her mouth) but she was determined. When she fell down at one point, she managed to NOT put the sausage in the dirt and didn't cry either. Just got up and continued eating. Passed the sausage to dad and chomped on some ribbon fries while chattering about her day.
Dinner was silly (us? silly?) and relaxing but I was still tired and cranky. *sigh*
Weekend In General
I had a lot of questions from children that were fun to deal with. Some of them were worried about the horses (everything is done to keep them safe), some were worried about the knights being dangerous. One wanted to know if jousting is a sport and what the rules are. One wanted to know why ponies are called ponies (I have no idea where the word came from but I do know the distinction). Someone else wanted to know if Shires and Clydesdales are the same (no but they are cousins). Another question about the length of the list. Several Medieval Times questions (is it scripted? are we on the good side or the bad side? do we have the black knight? are the passes real?). One that may have been a MT question (are the lances padded?) but I wasn't sure.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-09-18 01:58 am (UTC)Also more than possible; my brother is right and I desperately need more sleep. Soon.
No worries
Date: 2007-09-18 03:11 am (UTC)Sleep would be a good thing.
BTW, nice icon.
no subject
Date: 2007-09-18 03:16 am (UTC)BTW, there's a picture of a hot air balloon there too :-) (love that website)
no subject
Date: 2007-09-18 12:44 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-09-18 01:03 pm (UTC)and for the neat comment from a kid... at the 12 on Saturday, there was a youngun' behind me.... "look it's the king!" repeatedly, lol - glad to know he's impressed :-)