Concerning the Commedia Performance
August 10th
It was fabulous! It began with an impromptu court held by Their Majesties of Atlantia. There were actually a few that were awarded and all to people who somehow participate in the performing arts. This took close to 30 minutes so the show began around 10 PM--give or take. It was interesting for me to see how a court from a different Kingdom was done. I have played in 2 Kingdoms and they all have different traditions.
The show began and there was fun and laughter. Unfortunately I was very tired at this point and I actually drifted off a few times. It seemed to be very well put together. At some point, maybe around half way through, the actors started throwing in some jokes that made the show mildly more adult. It was a late night performance, so this is not a complaint, just an observation. However, for some reason it just seemed misplaced. As Commedia is an impromptu performance art I wonder if whoever struck that first adult tone was trying to liven things up or if it just seemed to work. Some of the mild adult remarks did, others almost seemed forced. All in all, a great show and story line. I didn't take any pictures.
Prior to the show a gentle that I had not seen in years sat down behind me and we started catching up a bit. After the show I sat down next to him and we chatted a bit more. He introduced me the lady he was sitting with--this would be the same lady who the next day suggested I could stay with her if I ever traveled to Ireland. Eventually another old friend joined us, the one that had been in the i Sebastiani show I saw earlier in the week. These 2 seasoned performers had been couches for the All Star show we had just watched and they critiqued it as well. It was interesting for me to hear how some of my thoughts echoed theirs, only they were better at it. ;)
The Last Day
August 11th
Having stopped driving in the middle of the night my Blog for this day was very short. What tends to happen the last day is mostly packing and therefore can be rather boring. I worked SO hard to do as little as possible and still be helpful. I packed my own stuff and tried not to move too much around. I let others take down the tent. I put some of the tent poles in the car, one at a time. Normally I would be doing 4 at a time. I did this until one slipped and pinched my arm between it and my splint, leaving an instant bruise. Last day so I forgot to use sunscreen and got a sunburn. Once we were packed I parked the van in the shade and wandered to say goodbye to some of the people I knew that I could find. I managed to catch up with someone I hadn't seen yet, so that was good.
The drive home was thankfully uneventful. I should have slept more because I didn't make it far before I needed a nap. Then made it to what I call my halfway point before needing another nap.
Getting Home
August 12th
We ended up sleeping about 5 HOURS at my halfway point, so a bit more than a nap. Somehow I did not experience as much pain sleeping as I thought I would. There was still much stiffness and clunking sounds from some of my joints when I got up and started moving again, though. Having slept until about dawn I expected the drive home to have the sun glaring in my eyes. It was overcast enough that was not a big problem. Thankful that the rain storms from the night before had either dissipated or taken a more southerly route than we did. There were some beautiful fog rising formations on this part of the drive. I got my passenger home and his mother was happy to see us safely returned from the Pennsic War.
Back to the house I only unpacked what I had to-cooler and some dirty clothes bins. Laundry and a nap and catching up with a few things around the house until, well, yesterday's Blog post.
General Thoughts about My Vacation
Impressions...
Sun peeking through clouds and with rays streaking the sky.
Knights and fighters going out of their way to pay tribute to their Kingdom and to the person they fight for.
Drinking too much around the fire and the occasional song.
Making sure my passenger was alive every day and fed sometimes too.
Greeting friends.
Meeting new friends.
Cribbage games (which according to Wiki isn't quite within the SCA pre 17th century time frame--but Noddy is and so I must learn this game).
Hugs-many. Are there ever enough hugs?
One day while waiting to shower there was this tree in the distance... Just a few leaves were blowing in the slight breeze such that it appeared to have a few small birds or butterflies alighting randomly on branches throughout. It mesmerized me for a bit. I think it was an ash tree, so did someone else, but I forgot to go and look at it closer to confirm this.
Watching children play and missing Gideon.
Walking by encampments and catching snatches of songs, drums, laughter, storytelling.
Listening to the battle stories told by others as they returned from fighting.
Remembering friends who are no longer with us.
Arts.
Military exercises overhead (Real World Invasions).
Seeing people's faces light up as they speak of whatever it is that is their passion.
Going to the Pennsic War is something I do every year. I have plans in my head as to how I will be picked up while hiking the AT so that Pennsic will still happen. All the things I will want to have for War will be packed and ready for someone else to bring. As all I will have with me is a backpack I could either get a ride with anyone with just that much room or take a bus to Pittsburgh and get a ride from there to the campground. Some things will need to be planned well in advance (what goes to Pennsic and who with) others on the fly (where to meet is dependent some on where I will be on the trail). Since I did not sell my house, saving every penny I can over the next few months is crucial.
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