Sunday wasn't quite as hot, though. I was still sweaty, but not nearly as disgustingly as I was those first two times. We saw the joust, the acrobatic group Barely Balanced, had lunch (spinach calzones- which were fantastic!), I took loads of photos- not an exaggeration. I had over 180 photos to go through! And we got to see Maxx and Mauldron's A Knight at the Opera (comedy, singing, dancing- done by two men who also do the joust). I did feel better Sunday than I did on those other two days and it looked like we might stay later than those previous days. Not so much though. The first day, July 10th (opening day), it was around 130 or 2 PM when it finally got so bad I couldn't take it anymore. The second day, August 1st, it was around the same time, but also, my feet were in agony. I'm pretty sure my "ren shoes" have had it. This time, I didn't even start to feel tired till around 2 PM. The girls went back toward the entrance to see the Mud Show and I stayed closer to the jousting ring. We were going to take in the 3 PM jousting tournament. Around 230, I made my way down the hill and it was quite literally, standing room only. I saw "Maxx" and stood next to him to watch the Andalusian horse show (I can't remember the real name of that show). Full disclosure- I know "Maxx" (not his real name) and we stayed around after the first joust to take photos with him. In fact, he and Mauldron involved me in the show, even called me "Lady Smelly"- the whole bit was far too hilarious to explain.
When the dancing horse was through, almost no one got up from their seats. I walked around to the side where Maxx's fans are seated (you cheer for the knight for where you're seated) but there wasn't even one seat available. People were sitting in the grass and standing, but there was no way I could stand for that long. I can't get down on the ground either. Partly because of my knees and partly because even if I got down there, in the tightly-laced-up garb, I wouldn't have been able to get up.
I sat down a lot between 2 PM and the time we left. Four people thought I worked there this time. When I was there with Christine on August 1st, two people thought I was a performer. I didn't think my garb looked all that great- not by comparison to anyone else's! But it was nice and I did know enough about the faire to be able to answer their questions. One would think that the digital camera I had in plain view would have been the big tip-off that I wasn't a worker.
My feet were the big problem on Sunday. I wore my non-ren-faire Doc Martens boots for that reason, but by the end of our time, I could barely walk. Kat, the oldest, suggested next time we don't come AT opening, that way we could stay later. The problem there is that if we don't come as early as possible, we end up parking too far away and that works against me.
Monday, I woke up with every muscle in my body protesting every movement I made. I shuffled from my room to the bathroom and then down the stairs. I was utterly exhausted and everything screamed in agony. My skin didn't itch, but I think it was because the pain overwhelmed the itching. All day long, every time I sat down for longer than a few minutes (which I tried to do often!), getting up was an experiment in pain. Today, I woke up the same- in pain. But, today, my skin is itchy too. Oh, and my feet- yesterday was worse, but anytime I move my feet, whether I'm standing or not, I get a shooting muscle spasm in my arches. I'm pretty sure the foot thing isn't fibromyalgia, but it isn't helping! I'm also slightly swollen today. I can feel it in my hands and I can see it in my feet.
Its my own fault, but it was definitely worth it. And I'll show you why- Photos!
The first photo of the day-
Left to right- Me, Kat, Christine (aka- Ceej).
My daughters- Kathrine (21) and Christine (17)
Barely Balanced is an acrobatic/comedy trio who are just hilarious. They walk around on stilts between shows and delight us all.
They're Casey, Cameron and Jimmy- but if you have trouble remembering names, they're also: "Small! Medium! And LARGE!" (respectively).
This is Cameron. We saw him almost as soon as we'd arrived. I called to him- the girls went to Bristol without me two weeks ago and I mentioned on Facebook how they were there with half my gear (belt, pouches, hair doo-dads). I said that they damn well better get a photo of themselves with someone like Barely Balanced or Jane the Phoole. Cameron said he'd be glad to pose for a photo with them, so I texted them that very statement. But they didn't do it! When we saw Cameron, I told him who we were and he said, "Oh, are these them? Why didn't you stop last time!?"
Then he used them as furniture.
Jimmy- who is actually friends with one of Kat's best friends. He knew her in college. He even talked to Kat about waiting to go to college instead of going right out of high school (which is what she did- she just started going to college last week).
And with the lovely Casey. She's not only amazing in the acrobat group, she does stand-up. And she's hilarious.
If my 18 year old son had been with us, this photo would have been perfect because Casey could have done something to him, like hung onto him like Cameron is to Kat or even had him pick her up. But he thinks we're nerds and won't go with us.
This is Jane the Phoole. I've met her several times at the small Janesville Faire. She's also hilarious and she's part of the cast at Bristol. Its an honor knowing her and here she explained to the girls how to be famous (by looking into that small hole and saying: "Monkeys!")
Sir Maximilian and his loyal steed- Kilvarough.
He's a bit more awesome than the Old Spice guy, because not only is he on a horse, he has sword.
A knight and ladies-
Me and Maximilian. He's sweaty because he just completed a joust. I'm sweaty because I'm conscious and upright. I do a 365days self-portrait project on Flickr. And he agreed to be in my photo of the day (Day 204).
And, the girls again... Christine and Kathrine
If you want to see ALL the photos, here is the link- "Bristol Renaissance Faire"
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