Scarborough?
At present, I have not yet decided whether to participate in Scarborough Faire again this year. Should I do so, it will be my Eleventh Season with the Performing Company. More than a decade. It may be time for a break. Sometimes when I think of Faire, I get all excited again. Sometimes, I just feel weary. It does take up a significant amount of time, as well as energy-physical, mental, emotional, and creative-not to mention the drain on resources, of which I have little, and funds, of which I have none.
Let's say I do it again. First off, I would need a ride. Every weekend. Well, that was true last year and I managed it. It's possible, even perhaps probable, that I will manage that again.
I would really like a new costume. The one I have works in that it passes the costume requirements, is reasonably appropriate for my character, and is relatively comfortable. On the other hand, since my job is to entertain and my character's job is that of a musician, my costume doesn't suit as it really doesn't draw attention or "stand-out" from the countless costumes that come through the gates, let alone the rest of the Cast, Masquers, etc. And it is old. There are parts of the costume that were made in 1995. One of the shirts might be yet older. Still, if there are no alternatives the old costume may make it one more Season.
Additionally, my 12-string guitar, which at present is the only guitar I own that is up to playing in an outdoor venue, is in need of repair. It quite unfortunately took a blow towards the end of last Season causing a worrisome crack which I have not yet had the funds to repair. And just how would I manage to portray a musician without an instrument?
Lastly, since it cuts into so much time, it aggravates me that Spriggan may suffer for it. Since we started to try and make Spriggan a real band, we have been hamstrung for four to eight months each year due to our involvements in Faires. Trying to do a gig on a Friday or Saturday night would be bloody difficult to manage. I know I'm usually worn out completely by the end of a day of Scarborough. The prospect of then trying to muster enough energy to then do a Spriggan show is fairly bleak. Huh. I just imagine doing Saturday at Scarborough, dashing off through the mass of exit traffic to make it to a gig on time, struggling through the show, and then…THEN!…having Sunday at Scarborough left to do. Still, as far as I know, my bandmate Chris intends to participate in Scarborough this year.
On the other hand, Scarborough has been a big part of my life for a long time. I love camaraderie, the friendships, the performing (both of music and acting), bringing that magic of the Faire to a patron. Scarborough is one of the high points of my year. I recall the one year I had to miss due to the combined schedules of college and work. I missed it dreadfully. I think I would miss it just as much if I did not participate this year. Then there's the thought that at present, Scarborough is the only regular pay I have coming.
I probably shan't be able to so much as even begin to decide until after Orientation this Saturday. Then I'll have two weeks before Workshops begin to decide.
Let's see what my calenders have for today:
Alice Cooper (B) 1948 (Vincent Fournier) Detroit, MI. Original shock rocker best known for Billion Dollar Babies, School's Out, and Welcome To My Nightmare.
Karen Carpenter (D) 1983. Drummer and sister to Richard, didn't do to well in the spotlight, done in by insecurity and anorexia.
1974-Patricia Hearst, heiress to the Hearst publishing empire, is kidnapped from her Berkeley, CA, apartment by the Symbionese Liberation Army. She later joins them, calling herself "Tanya." At the time she had a fiancé but with a sensational trial and time in prison she later married her body guard.
"If you refuse to entertain a baby cousin, the baby cousin may get bored and entertain itself by wandering off and falling down a well."
-The Vile Village
Let's say I do it again. First off, I would need a ride. Every weekend. Well, that was true last year and I managed it. It's possible, even perhaps probable, that I will manage that again.
I would really like a new costume. The one I have works in that it passes the costume requirements, is reasonably appropriate for my character, and is relatively comfortable. On the other hand, since my job is to entertain and my character's job is that of a musician, my costume doesn't suit as it really doesn't draw attention or "stand-out" from the countless costumes that come through the gates, let alone the rest of the Cast, Masquers, etc. And it is old. There are parts of the costume that were made in 1995. One of the shirts might be yet older. Still, if there are no alternatives the old costume may make it one more Season.
Additionally, my 12-string guitar, which at present is the only guitar I own that is up to playing in an outdoor venue, is in need of repair. It quite unfortunately took a blow towards the end of last Season causing a worrisome crack which I have not yet had the funds to repair. And just how would I manage to portray a musician without an instrument?
Lastly, since it cuts into so much time, it aggravates me that Spriggan may suffer for it. Since we started to try and make Spriggan a real band, we have been hamstrung for four to eight months each year due to our involvements in Faires. Trying to do a gig on a Friday or Saturday night would be bloody difficult to manage. I know I'm usually worn out completely by the end of a day of Scarborough. The prospect of then trying to muster enough energy to then do a Spriggan show is fairly bleak. Huh. I just imagine doing Saturday at Scarborough, dashing off through the mass of exit traffic to make it to a gig on time, struggling through the show, and then…THEN!…having Sunday at Scarborough left to do. Still, as far as I know, my bandmate Chris intends to participate in Scarborough this year.
On the other hand, Scarborough has been a big part of my life for a long time. I love camaraderie, the friendships, the performing (both of music and acting), bringing that magic of the Faire to a patron. Scarborough is one of the high points of my year. I recall the one year I had to miss due to the combined schedules of college and work. I missed it dreadfully. I think I would miss it just as much if I did not participate this year. Then there's the thought that at present, Scarborough is the only regular pay I have coming.
I probably shan't be able to so much as even begin to decide until after Orientation this Saturday. Then I'll have two weeks before Workshops begin to decide.
Let's see what my calenders have for today:
Alice Cooper (B) 1948 (Vincent Fournier) Detroit, MI. Original shock rocker best known for Billion Dollar Babies, School's Out, and Welcome To My Nightmare.
Karen Carpenter (D) 1983. Drummer and sister to Richard, didn't do to well in the spotlight, done in by insecurity and anorexia.
1974-Patricia Hearst, heiress to the Hearst publishing empire, is kidnapped from her Berkeley, CA, apartment by the Symbionese Liberation Army. She later joins them, calling herself "Tanya." At the time she had a fiancé but with a sensational trial and time in prison she later married her body guard.
"If you refuse to entertain a baby cousin, the baby cousin may get bored and entertain itself by wandering off and falling down a well."
-The Vile Village