FriendsOfMDRF.org - THE BLOG!

It's the first day in months that I won't be driving 1.5 hours down 95, looking for that exit to I-97 (the shortest interstate in the United States) and then the Crownsville exit.

It's the first day in months that I don't hear cannonfire to REALLY start my day.

It's the first day in months that I don't get the hugs and handshakes from the men and ladies that I consider the best friends I've ever had.

It's the first day in months that I can't rationalize having a hard cider or an ale at 1030 in the morning. . . and noticing I'm not alone in that rationalization.

It's the first day in months that I don't give a Klingon chest salute to Ray the guard and be granted either a hug or a wink from His Majesty, King Fred.

It's the first day in months that I won't growl at the O'Danny's first show when they ask men, "comfortable with their masculinity" to swoon. . . and have Daisy point at me and accuse me of creeping out the crowd!

It's the first day in months that I won't hear all the background noises of faire, from vendors to knights. . . . I won't smell the folding of iron from the blacksmith or the steak-on-a-stake. . . . I won't see the leaves changing from green to gold. . . I won't feel the sod/straw/chips/gravel/stone/dirt/mud of Revel Grove's lanes underfoot . . . and I won't taste an ice cold cider, washing down a Scotch Egg.

It's the first day in months that I'll be sad.

It will also be the first day in months that I get to experience the expectation of a new season of The Maryland Renaissance Festival and all the joy that suspense brings. Melancholy over the season that's spent but joyous in hope that the faire will do what it always does. . . . evolve into a spectacular event that exceeds every expectation. . . and brings with it more magic than the year before.

It's the first day to share a new season with everyone at www.friendsofmdrf.org

For years now at MDRF, since I voiced my unpopular opinions in 2002, there have been those that "don't appreciate" my sardonic wit and very dark humours. Many of the folks who populate faires are of a tender and sensitive nature. . . . most of those can't take a joke.

Because folks consider Faire a serious hobby, one that makes them pine for it in the off-season, wishing away much of "real life" to get back to Revel Grove. Some make it their sole reason for living and MDRF and those who enjoy its fruits, the only people they consider friends. It's a bit sad in my opinion.

It is those type of folks who vandalized The Pyrates Way truck last weekend, giving a rotten end to an almost perfect day. If making me miserable in the short term was their goal then they won. If they think such actions would deter or even bother me long term then they're very sadly mistaken. Worst part of the situation is that m'luv Cynthia owns said vehicle and regardless of what anyone thinks of me. . . . why would they go out of their way to injure my wife in such a way?

Anyway it wasn't a lot of vandalizm. . . . just ripping apart one of the Pyrates Way logo magnets that I sported on each forward doors of the vehicle. Just enough damage to scratch a bit of paint and piss me off a bit. . . nothing more.

It does suck though that there are people who revel in such juvenile and criminal actions. Most humans interact when they have a problem with another. . . criminal cowards however, take a different path because deep down they know they're both wrong and a scared of facing me. No biggie. . . life goes on. . . but as I said. . .it DOES suck.

from Rennfest.com:

October 3rd & 4th:
Oktoberfest - Renaissance Style

German music and dancing.

That's all the excitement we can build for Oktoberfest weekend? Personally, I love wearing my lederhosen and drunken-chicken hat for the wonderful German festivities. I think this weekend needs a big boost in appreciation as the German "Queen Ann" is celebrated as Henry VIII's most recent wife!

OOOOOOOOOOOmpa! Let's get ta' polka-ing!

I'm always playing "devil's advocate" with myself when I let an opinion of mine fly. . . like the recent thought (see opinion blog on Sep 17) about bringing food into faire and that the very act "steals money from the food vendors."

Well today in a very real daydream/hallucination during this plague I've been fighting for three weeks, I came to a very interesting counter-thought to the issue.

As most folks who know me know, my wife Cynthia is one of the finest seamstresses at MDRF. The clothes she makes rival anyone else's. Yes, she's THAT respected. So the thought is. . . . if I wear the clothes she makes to Festival instead of buying the garb at Festival, am I not guilty of "stealing money from the clothing vendors?"

woah.

My brain works in very mysterious ways and this is not a product of second-guessing. It's more like seeing the argument from the opponent's view. . . it's liberating and scary all at the same time.

It gives me a lot to think about. . . . and I don't have that kind of time!

Food is allowed to be brought into MDRF but some abuse the privilege. Case in point, pick any day of the season, head down to the Dragon's Inn and find a whole table full of food that people can snack on and fill up on all day for free. I've even seen crockpots full of food on some tables at the White Hart!

If one is on a special diet or needs certain foods because of an intolerance, I completely have no problem with that sort of snack being brought through the gates. I see no issues with wedding, anniversary, or birthday cakes being shared.

I do have a problem with thoughtless playtrons who steal money from food vendors by bringing in their own full, daily meals. The vendors have to jump through hoops just to get a spot to sell their food and rely on the income that it brings for their very lives.

If you can't afford to purchase food at festival, you need to re-think your priorities in life (a sermon for another time).

With all of the low-cost fare at faire, and the variety of foods from fresh fruit to gluten-free offerings, there's something edible there for everyone.

If you want to share food among friends, then go throw a bbq... MDRF is a business and you're taking money out of the food vendors' pockets.