I'm still having problems with my computer. It won't even log in to my account here on RenSpace.  So, I plan for now to write up my blog entries and email them to myself. I can then open them at work (high speed access), copy them and then post on RenSpace. I did go to the Renaissance Street Faire in New Hope, Pennsylvania on May 10th. Two blocks of one street were set aside for the day and it was filled with vendors and a couple entertainment venues. Of course I brought the Renaissance Bubble Machine which was enjoyed by all.  Two Ladies who live just across the Delaware River in Lambertville, NJ walked across the bridge that connects the towns in full courtly garb. 

       June 10th found me debating which event to attend... Midsummer RenFaire in Pennsylvania, Medieval and Fantasy Festival in North New Jersey, Mystic Realms Fantasy Festival in South New Jersey, or the Maryland Faerie Festival. The Mystic Realms Fantasy Festival won out as it was the closest to me, only about 40 miles away. It was held at Wheaton Arts, formerly Wheaton Glass. The layout was in a quaint village from the mid 19th century with wide avenues and tree shaded lanes. Thank Heavens for these, as it hit 100 degrees F  and it was a scorcher. Despite that, Mystic Realms, the troupe that put on the show did a great job, being both entertaining and educational.         

       Faire season is almost upon us. In two weeks, the PaRenFaire will hold its "Meet the Cast" picnic, a perk for Season Ticket holders. This year I bought the Golden Pass, so I will be in attendance with the RBM. The week following the Faire opens for its run. HUZZAH!

From all appearances my RenSpace site looks like I've either abandoned it or passed on to the big RenFaire in the sky. There are a couple of reasons this is so. First and foremost are PC problems I've been having... or more correctly, problems caused by AOL on my computer. AOL has been wreaking havoc with my PC. At one point it decided since my last name is Spanish, all my acounts should come up in Spanish. Took a while to get that fixed.  AOL decided that I could only move from one account to another only once, then have to log off and sign on again. Took a reload to fix that. Many of the websites I frequent, including RenSpace, simply would not load or load incompletely. I was just dropped offline, which happens frequently. I am still on dial up (my only choice) and I think AOL is trying to discourage dial up users by frequent  disconnects. However, there have been other problems.

I get an annual physical because of my diabetes. This year my EKG was a bit off, so I had to do a stress test. When the results came back, my doctor wanted to see me immediately! It turns out sometime before Christmas I had a "silent heart attack", which is a heart attack with damage but no pain. I lost about 30% capacity in the left ventrical. I was having bouts of extreme exhaustion but I attributed this to my 10-1/2 hour work day. Since I had previously had a cardiac catheterization with no stents , I was given more meds, told no heavy lifting and come back in 6 weeks. I've been back to the cardiologist a few times and the meds seem to be working. Looking back, it was probably in the last 2 weeks of the PaRenfaire that I had the heart attack. It seemed the Renaissance Bubble Machine had gotten a lot heavier on the hills of the Shire. Now I know why!!!

Sooo... for the future I will only make bubbles at the Shire Gate to greet Rennies and Danes alike, and forgo the hills. I do plan to go to other RenFaire events but will be very cautious as to how I tread. In 3 weeks I plan to attend a 1 day RenFaire in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Look for a report. God Speed to you all.......  Felix

I have been remiss in posting. My excuse is that I have been working 12 hour days (daze?) and find myself falling asleep at the computer in the evenings. However, I have managed enough energy to go to a few Faires other than PARF. September 15th I attended the "Village Renaissance Faire" in Wrightstown, PA. When I arrived it was overcast and decidedly cool. I thought for a time I was not dressed  warmly enough, but the sun came out and made for a very pleasant day. There were many merchants I had not encountered before and lots of good food. Of course, I brought the Renaissance Bubble Machine for the entertainment of one and all. I really enjoyed the fact that the Faire grounds were very compact and level, which made it easy to navigate with the RBM. I look forward to visiting this Shire next year.

September 22nd I went to the "Maryland Renaissance Festival" in Crownsville, MD. For a number of reasons I did not bring the RBM with me. My mission, besides having a good time, was to bring a gift for Scotsman, which was handed over to Sir Black Fox for delivery the next day. You will have to ask Scotsman as to the nature of the gift... I'm sure he will regale you with the details. I wandered the lanes and took in a number of shows, including "The Renaissance Man" and "Hey Nunnie, Nunnie". The Good Sisters were hysterical and I became an instant fan. I bought their DVD, so I can savor the moment again and again. Of course, this was Adventure weekend ( read Pyrates) at the Faire. I wore my modest pyrate costume and my dollar store "pirate tatto sleeves", which proved to be a point of interest for patron and playtron alike. I guess from a distance they were rather convincing because many wanted to look at my "tats".  AND, I finally helped myself to "macaroni on a stick". It was much better that I thought it would be. I left rather early, so it only took me a half hour to get out of the lot and on my way.

This past weekend, I brought some longtime friends to PARF, where we met my brother Gene, who drove down from Connecticut. As I did not have the RBM, I was able to escort my friends and take them to selected acts. They especially liked "Looney Lucy and Ploppy Ann" and "Coyote Run". T'is sad to think upon, but there are only 2 weekends left at faire. I will of course, bring the Bubble Machine both days that I visit. Then... the long cold winter will be upon us.

 

About 20 miles into my 70 mile trip to the Faire, I rolled up the windows and put on the AC. By the time I arrived at 10:30, the temperature was on broil with 110% humidity. I had placed a cradle in my wooden wagon that would hold my 41" pirate ship. I put that together and trundled in to the gate. The ship was quite a hit with young and old alike. The kids liked picking out the pirates by name and the adults (ie, dads) were impressed that it was radio controlled. I limited my travels around the Shire because of the heat and so was able to take in a couple of shows. Not to be missed was the Looney Lucy and Ploppy show... bawdy and X-rated as ever. One of my favorites is Barby Holder, who sings while playing the guitar, and also plays the hammered dulcimer. The afternoon heat took a toll on visitors and cast alike, keeping the 1st Aid Station busy. Despite the heat, I hung in until 4 o'clock, when the Meet & Greet photo for the Pa.Netters was to take place. Only a handful showed up, so we conveniently gathered around the pirate ship for the group picture. I then proceeded to the parking lot and loaded everything back in the van. I was on my way by 5pm. Later the Finale in Song was cancelled as a violent thunder storm swept in, with hail the size of golf balls. Fortunately I was home by then and the storm did not track south. I put up 3 new photos taken at the Faire, so take a look........  Felix

 

Opening day was glorious. It was sunny and warm but nowhere near the scorcher of 2 years ago. I don't know the numbers but the crowd was huge. I stayed outside the Gate after it was flung open waiting for the line to subside for 40 minutes, the whole time making bubbles with the Renaissance Bubble Machine. Once inside, I made bubbles throughout the day all over the Shire, much to the delight of those who came upon the source of the bubbles. Late in the day I caught up with Will Knot, who operates the original RBM, which was donated to the Faire. Twice the bubbles, twice the fun! My next visit to Mt. Hope will be in 2 weeks for the Pirate Festival. I will bring my 41" radio controlled Pirate Ship, which fits perfectly in the bubble wagon. Can't wait....... aaarrrgh!