"MDRF Weekend the Second (Part II in a Series of 2)"

09/11/2001

*A list of links to the pictures from the various weeks of MDRF can be found here. The pictures associated with this update and the previous one can be found here.*

SUNDAY
My normal routine on Sundays is to bring the Clanlad with me to Faire and this Sunday was no exception. I was so exhausted from Saturday (all the running around, then dinner, then dropping Sunni off and finally getting home) that I didn't set the alarm because I knew the Lad would wake me up as soon as he got up. I probably could have slept until 11:00 a.m. or so but I was awaked around 8:00 a.m. with "Daddy.... DADDY! You have to get UP! You have to take me to Faire today!" I keep trying to remember that it was my idea to nurture his interest in Faire.

After a minimal of fussing, two fairly presentable Scottish lads piled into the car and headed for Faire. We arrived just after gate and still got a halfway decent parking space. Minutes later we're through the gate and making a bee-line for the BIG slide. (Don't think I've forgotten about my spinal surgery either...)The Clanlad flings himself down the slide a couple times and then it's off to the pirate ship slide, which is also a slide but much smaller. The only thing is that when we get there, the pirate ship slide is gone! Ack! In it's place is some kind of bird exhibit and a woman spinning wool on a spinning wheel. Not that I don't think that both of those aren't very informative booths, but the pirate ship slide was nice because it came with a covered bench area where you could sit and relax for an hour while the children played.

From there we decided to head over to the Dragon Inn... or rather, I decided to head over to the Dragon Inn. This of course meant another trip down the BIG slide and made my pouch another dollar lighter. In order to arrive at the Dragon Inn, we of course had to pass the pony ride and therefore had to stop so the Lad could ride a pony. Blessed be the deities of MDRF for keeping at least one kid's ride free. That's right, say it loud -- say it proud, the pony rides are FREE. Huzzah!

Before we actually went into the Dragon Inn, we walked down the hill to the Dragon's Tail area and found that where a booth called White Wizard had been was now a child size Test-of-Strength game and four big pinball tables. The pinball games are kinda neat. There is one that looks like a chessboard, one with ships on it, one with a castle and one with picture of Henry VIII and his wives, if I remember correctly. Naturally though the Clanlad can't just play one game. No, he has to play everyone of them in the row and some of them twice. My wallet was getting so light I thought I might float away!

In order to distract him from the games, I suggested food. We went back over the hill and got a hot dog and some fries then finally made it into the Dragon Inn to sit down. While we were sitting there, Josh and Nikki joined us. Soon after that it was time for the Rogues to play a set. The area filled up fairly quickly so we stayed to listen. I was actually surprised that the Clanlad was paying attention to the music and at one point he was even clapping along with everyone else! As soon as The Rogues were done though, he dragged me down to the Gypsy Stage (near the hairsticks booth) to watch the fire juggler. From there we went over to catch the last of Whipflash. While we were waiting for Josh to come back with his ice cream, Anvil (Ken) and Jerry came up. A couple of kids wanted to see Ken's griffon so he bent down to show them. We left soon after in order to beat the traffic... tired and poor. *g*

MONDAY
Huzzah for the three day weekend during Faire season! I know most of the Faire workers are worn out, and frankly I was also, but three days of Faire is grand. I arrived before gate and was scanning the crowd looking for someone I knew when the woman standing three feet to my left turned and said my name. It was Elizabeth Jane. I didn't recognize her with her straw hat on. We chatted (admittedly nervously) for a while until we were joined by LynneD, Randy, Ken and Patricia. Once the cannon sounded we all headed for Middleton's for oyster shooters. Well, they had oyster shooters, I had a grape soda. *g*

Eventually everyone else wandered off and left EJ and I alone. She asked if I had any plans or anything I wanted to see. Since I wasn't "shepherding" anyone or with the Clanlad I told her that I was at her immediate disposal. Okay, so I probably wasn't quite that fair spoken. I'm sure I said something though, most likely beginning with "Uh" and ending with... "Uh".

Since I was wearing my tights I suggested going over to see Kate Cox and inquire about a chainmail codpiece. Having gained the knowledge that I sought, we then went over to the Dragon Inn. There we met up with some of the otters as well as Josh and Nicole.

From there we went in search of food and eventually ended up at the White Hart. We ran into Dante who was understandably was curious since EJ and I were holding hands and walking arm in arm. I assurred her that no, we are not back together or even thinking of getting back together. We were trying very hard to let the past be the past. Admittedly there were some snarky comments. There's still a lot of pain there but also a lot of love. I can only speak for myself here. I was having a grand time and it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I have always truly enjoyed EJ's company and been proud to escort her around a faire site. She is a very beautiful woman... and I am afterall, a Rogue. *g*

Josh and I watched Desmond Deveraux (I think that's his name) perform a street gig involving slight of hand while EJ and Nicole went to Bullseye to buy skirts. After that we swung back through the White Hart where we ran into White Dragon. No matter what he says, he's the one that put on EJ's straw hat and held still long enough for me to take a photo. He's much too cheap to pay my standard bribe so I posted the picture. *eg* Did I mention that I was Evil?

None of us felt any time restraints so we spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around and going into various shops at random. At some point Josh and Nicole went off to do some shopping, leaving EJ and I to continue on our own. We ran into Queen Maggie cleverly disguised as the Mayor's wife. She was muchly sunburned from the day before. It was getting late and EJ had a long drive ahead of her so we headed for the front gate. Just before leaving though she got "Handsomed" since they (the Handsomes) were doing Goodbye duty. Even though there isn't a picture of me, I know that my smile echoed hers. It had been a long time since I had a day like that one.

Perfect.

Yay! You've finally almost caught up with yourself. I'm so proud. ~ Nicole @ 11:47 a.m. EST on 09/12/2001