Trying again

When a blog entry is lost to technology failures, Abby gets just a tiny bit fussy. Seven hours later, I'm willing to give it another try.

I got to go hiking for birds the last couple of days. The weather was amazing and the birds have been singing.


This is a view from Lost Dutchman State Park. The desert is green. Can you believe it?

Three weeks are done. Nine performing days are over. We have five more weekends left. I'm sure it will get hotter and hotter, but hopefully that will bring out many happy people.

Arizona

This is my stage....  the best smelling stage at the fair with the coffee and cinnamon rolls scenting the air all day long.  Much better than the stage near the elephants.
Looking down an otherwise boring street I could see the sun set with the distant mountains.

Happiness

I have a fabulous bed. I have a roof over my head. I have a shower and food and a place to cook it. And my small space is pretty and comfortable.


What's even better is that everyone out here on this first big adventure has been so nice. I went to book club on Tuesday. We were having so much fun that we all went to see Coraline in 3D and out to eat and out for laundry. It was a great day. I miss people and I miss having a fridge, but I look around at what I have and I feel so happy and lucky to be able to be doing this.

AZ Ren Fest

Weekend one was perfect and disgusting packed into 48 hours.  Saturday was a perfect first day on the job.  The weather was sunny and 65.  The gate count wasn't huge, but good enough to give me a friendly audience on every set.  I'm assigned to the tiny stage near the front gate.  The stage catches people as they come in - sort of.  People are looking at the schedule deciding where to go next, but often people would stop to get their coffee and pastry which is right next to me, and then stay to listen.  I felt good about my playing and singing and people were very happy and receptive to my silly translations and songs.  

Sunday was wet...  Multiple downpours with some hail thrown in for fun.  It was cold enough that after 8 hours, I was pretty much frozen.  I managed to have fun despite the fact that I made exactly $4 in tips - bless those sweet people :-)  One of my "set" times, I chose to visit the court who is set up in the lane in front of my stage.  They have a large covered space.  They were super friendly and one woman was learning a few of the songs I sing from the McLaughlin book.  She enjoyed singing along and I enjoyed the company.  By my last set at 4:30 the fair was clearing out but it finally stopped raining so I played at the lane for the folks that were left or were leaving.

At the end of the day, there is a group sing-along to my favorite song in the history of the world.  In case you are new to sarcasm, you might not notice the sarcastic tone of that last sentence.  And for anyone in the group here at AZ Ren Fest, please don't take offense, I will be happy to tell you the story...  and in the meantime, torture me each and every end of fair day with this adorable song that I will forever love to HATE!  :-)  And, NO, I won't tell anyone what song it is...  I can just imagine receiving every known recording out there...  urf and ouch.

Patrons were great as I said, but I was even luckier to find that there are some seriously talented people out here who are supportive and friendly.  It is really the experience I hoped it would be.

Photos to be posted later...  one friend got many really good shots. I'll post some of my own pics, but they are without the action of the fair because I can't take pictures during fair hours.