I’m going to start with the bad

[fbhjr]

There was a lot of good this weekend for our faire. But, that isn’t what floats to the top of my brain when I think about it. I’m sure you all know the saying about what floats and this is clearly the case.
So, I’m going to try and skim it off now so I can spend more time concentrating on the good.

In any event there is a share of chaos. I not only expect it, but almost look forward to it. I certainly don’t seek it as it will come after me on its own.
But, it doesn’t rate being “bad” for me. It’s something that always happens and just has to be dealt with. So, I’m not talking about that sort of standard event madness that always goes on.

These are the things that bothered me this weekend:

I’m horrified that we had to send someone to the dentist to get a tooth fixed.
I am in no way mad, upset, angry or anything like that with the people involved. I don’t blame them for it, or anything like that. It was one of those weird everything goes wrong kind of things, with slipping on grass, teeth with a preexisting flaw and a combination of bad luck.
We have a very good dentist that could take the person immediately and friends on hand to driver her there so she was getting it fixed as fast as humanly possible.
But, I am quite sad it happened, even knowing nothing could have predicted it or prevented it.
Let’s face it, my wife once broke a tooth on a piece of bread. When stuff like that happens, you can never say “this is a safe thing to do”.
So, as I said, no fault or blame for the folks involved.
I just wish it had been a piece of bread when they were home, not on our field in front of a crowd.
The fact I didn’t know it happened did show how good the folks are at covering as I was watching from the stage and hadn’t a clue.
But, that goes under the good stuff, so I’ll move on.

Honestly the other two injuries don’t bother me as much, even if I was one of them.
Josh getting the shield to the face makes me feel a bit bad. But, when they wrote that fight I specifically told them to watch out for that and they put back in the move I told them might cause that. And, getting them to practice that fight was like getting cats to take a bath. So, I’m sorry it happened, but…

With my getting hit by the launch arm of the trebuchet it’s a bit different. I’m told, and believe, that a warning was shouted. But, I didn’t hear it. I saw a dark shape swinging over me and moved. I didn’t move enough not to get hit, but actually might have landed in the best position. A bit more to my right, it probably would have split my skull open and might have outright killed me. A bit more to the left and it would have come right down on my already bad left shoulder. So, glancing off the front left of my head? That might have been better than the other choices. (Assuming not happening at all is off of the table.)
And, there was certainly a large number of folks who came and checked on my. Several nurses and EMTs all had a look. None were folks paid to be doing that, but that’s OK.

I do have to admit to a moment of weakness.
When David was asking me if my vision was blurry or I could hear any ringing or strange noises I did pause.
I could read the vendor signs on the opposite side of the field. I could pick out which types of insects were buzzing in the tall grass next to us and hear people talking in the pub across the road from us. I knew there was nothing wrong with my vision or hearing.
But, I did think “If I tell him I’m having trouble then I would get to go sit down for a while and rest.”
David, of course, took my pause as my having problems and was worried.
Then, I read him the sign that he admitted he couldn’t see at that distance and told him of the crickets and cicadas.
And, went and did my sword fight with Tom.
I was happy when my cousin Katie, one of the nurses that had looked at me, said “he is clearly not impaired” after seeing the fight.

But, late that night when the lights from a car in our apartment parking lot moved a dark shadow across our ceiling?
I shot awake and rolled to the left very quickly. It took a bit to get back to sleep.

I also feel bad that a few folks got stung by hornets there. I don’t feel guilty over it or anything, but wish it hadn’t happened.

I felt really bad when an older woman paid to get into our faire, then looked at the hill down to the field and decided it was too risky to climb down.
We gave her the money back. But, I feel bad that she didn’t get to see our shows.

I am also sad more people didn’t come to the faire.
I can’t deny some of that is because it cost my wife and huge amount of money and I was hoping she’d get more of it back.

But, the vast majority of it is that the whole purpose of the event was to share what we and our friends had with others. And, it’s disappointing when the others don’t show up.

I heard many of the folks who were there say things like “this is a great site” “You have terrific music here” “Your acts were so good” “We had so much fun” “We hope you do this again”.
And, I agree, it was wonderful. We had lots of great people doing great things. Not just in the performance, but in the set up, support, and preparation side as well.
I really wanted to share the greatness we had managed to gather with more people than that.
More money would be nice.
But, I really wanted more people to see how great my friends are. And, I’d gladly trade the money for that.

And, most of all, my wife worked really, really, really, really hard to make it a fantastic show, and it was.
So, I wish more people had seen just how good a job she did.
I’m sad more didn’t.
If you were there this weekend and have any interest in making me feel better about it, please go and tell her what a wonderful job she did planning and running the faire.

Comments

[chris-warrior.livejournal.com]

But, the vast majority of it is that the whole purpose of the event was to share what we and our friends had with others...I heard many of the folks who were there say things like “this is a great site” “You have terrific music here” “Your acts were so good” “We had so much fun” “We hope you do this again”. And, I agree, it was wonderful. We had lots of great people doing great things

you really, really did. April and i loved all the stuff we got to see on Saturday, fights and music and fire inclusive. :D April had no idea the Faire was going to be there until i told her, and came out to see you on my say-so but she stayed til the end because you guys were just that good. :D

gah, tho. getting hit by a the trebuchet and someone breaking a tooth don't sound fun, and i'm sorry they happened. did that happen Sunday, or did i just miss it on Saturday???

[fbhjr.livejournal.com]

We had three performance injuries on Saturday, counting me and the trebuchet. We've only had 9 total in the 250 shows we've done. So, Saturday was not a good day for that.

But, they were fairly subtle. I didn't see the other two until it was over. Both fights continued, and took care of their problems out of sight. I did my best to do the same with the trebuchet, but that was a bit harder being in the middle of the field.
Still if you didn't notice, I must have done OK.

[chris-warrior.livejournal.com]

we didn't get to see the trebuchet firing. we were actually up in the Tavern. but seeing you (and forcing various liquids on you) during the day, i didn't get a sense of "This person neared died earlier", no. while impressed, i'm not completely sure this is a Good Thing. perhaps you just have a very hard head?

we saw the Judgement fights and i knew about the shield bash cut because i saw the guy later on, but that's it.

still sorry you had so many injuries. :(

[palusbuteo.livejournal.com]

I had no idea about the trebuchet until way after the fact. And I had been watching you and everyone setting up the engine from where I was. I even turned and said "Aaah, they are now setting up the trebuchet. I hope it goes over well" I had no idea about the shield hit either.

despite all of the problems that happened I still had a good time, enjoyed seeing all of our friends, making new friends and the overall
experience.

I felt really great when I saw a large group from another faire organizer came en masse on Sunday and took the time to tour everyone and see everything - I thought that was a very nice gesture and showed some good support.

Seeing the two "pike and shot" groups together was pretty awesome, and I really enjoyed seeing that interaction. I doubt such a chance meeting would have occurred otherwise, so I know I was seeing something very rare.

Also, seeing all of these acts and performers from far away was just delightful, that they came out all the way and still performed for small crowds, and even going to other performers and mutually supporting them. Ladyhawke and I had a fantastic conversation with Reagan and...Jack Salt (I don't remember his real name) Sat night.

I was not expecting the dinner Sat night to be nearly as huge as it was. I know that'll sound weird seeing as putting all the numbers of vendors and performers together still made for a big party, but, it was a BIG party. :D

[pallid-regina.livejournal.com]

Hi *waves* - this is the Regan part. Jack's "real" name is Lance, he's not active on LJ. I just friended you.

We really enjoyed talking with you guys. Thanks for sharing a table with us!

[pallid-regina.livejournal.com]

Processing the bad is a huge part of what makes the possibility that you'll do it again work better, yes? Yes.

And you guys kicked serious ass, on EVERY front. I know I keep telling you both but, hey, if I say it often enough maybe you will both believe me!

[cissa.livejournal.com]

I totally agree!

It was a FABULOUS weekend. And I've been talking it up, so hopefully if you do it again I can add a few attendees to the mix- one friend was really sad to have missed it because her husband and kid would have adored it- but they had family stuff that weekend. Sigh.

And hey- if you do it again J and I will brew some kind of special beer to bring to the feast. :) We'll need to know 6 weeks-2 months ahead... but I expect that's not a problem!

[cissa.livejournal.com]

Also: I, too, have broken a tooth on a piece of bread. it happens.

I had not realized you were attacked by the trebuchet, though- yikes! I'm SO glad you're OK.