"Hit her again!"
Getting to Ohio was no problem. I did (as usual) spend more time than I wanted, sitting in the airport waiting for my flight. But I'd rather do that than be late and miss it.
Julian and Quill picked me up from the airport. Most of the day was spent hanging out with Jeremy, Leon, and Quill, and Grey and Otter when they arrived. Then a couple of beers with Mike and Jessie. Finally an early bedtime for an early morning.
Which I overslept.
I guess I forgot to mention that I didn't have an alarm clock and someone should try to wake me up. Ah well. We still headed out on time and all was well. Until we hit the cellular dead-zone and the GPS stopped working and we couldn't even call one of the other cars (cause of no cell phone service). Eventually got back to the main highway, and met everyone at Coffee Cup. Then made it to Wisteria.
Set up went smoothly, and the rest of the Coordinators and early arrivals trickled in throughout the day.
The first day was like all the first days as BTW. An ongoing ever increasing joy at seeing faces that have been absent for far to long. As well as the introduction of new faces that you just know are going to play a special ongoing part in your life.
Well, there was one thing that was different this year. Because I flew in, I had planned to pick up booze in Ohio. Since I flew in on Sunday, and we started our day at 5am monday, Tuesday was the first chance I had to buy any booze. So Grey, Otter, Drake, and myself went into Athens for a supply run. The first part was simple, but when we tried to find a liquor store suddenly it was an adventure. One set of bad directions, one closed store, one beer&wine only shop, and one misunderstanding of what the words "right next door" mean we found what has to be the only liquor store in Athens. And let me tell you, I enjoyed every single drop of booze all the more because we had to work for it.
Anyway.
Opening meeting and Opening Ritual went off without a hitch, and soon it was time for the no talent show.
This was our first year on the main stage and Wow did it make a difference. Standing on a big stage under all those lights really encourages you to let yourself go and give it your all. Of course not being able to see the audience helps too. The acts were fantastic; stories, song, and theater. By far one of the best No Talent Shows ever.
Then a night at Caffineas for drinking chatting and general flirting.
And next year, I must pace myself on the drinks.
(Tomorrow: A short sojourn with spiders and sleepiness.)