The Renn Faire that almost wasn't

There was, of course, the broken toe and torn tissues to worry about but I figured I could handle that. Then last night at 11 let's just say I had some GI distress so bad I thought maybe I had food poisoning (from what who could say) but in an hour it all disappeared (weird). I woke up with some ominous gurgles from down below but it calmed. I said okay I love the band Albannach. I want to hear them. I'm going and praying I'm not in a portapotty with this. I wasn't. Didn't flare back up until about 20 miles from home so not sure what's up with any of that but it didn't ruin anything. (and being on that injectable trulicity instead of Invokana always changed the whole must constantly pee thing).

The only real downside to the faire was a) too fucking hot, it was mid-80s if not hotter (thank god for breezes) b) too fucking crowded but other than that it was a great time. Last year the faire was under new management. this year....they crammed almost too many new vendors into this place. If there was a spot for a tent, there was a tent. It's nearly overwhelming but all my old favorites were there too.

I did have to turn in one of the parking lot employees. I tried to ask her if there was anything closer because of the broken foot and she told me she didn't care and to keep driving (this right after her partner had scolded her for acting like an idiot directing traffic. NOR did she give me a ticket to park or take my money. I found an older woman down the road a bit and asked her (no there wasn't any place closer but okay at least I asked) and I told her about this and she described the girl to ME so obviously she's been terrible to other people. Don't feel guilty about turning her in either.

I started out in an athletic shoe but brought my surgical shoe in case I couldn't handle it. Smart move. I put it on almost immediately and surprisingly it didn't bother me at all.

I will say the faire is hard on my wallet. I bought less than normal but what I did buy was much more expensive. I did pay more than was intelligent for a walking stick but I've wanted one for hiking for years. It's topped with a smoky quartz crystal in a bed of silver. I love it so I'm not going to beat myself up for the money I dropped on it. I got to hear Albannach twice and FINALLY after all these years they had their own damn cds there. It's always been the Tartan Terrors (whose stuff I like too) but never their own. Because the band is from Scotland it's very hard to get their stuff here. I bought two of them (had to use a check which is weird because I almost never carry it but this morning I tossed it in the bag. I hate using cash so...) I haven't listened to them yet (I was wasting time with a book on tape on the drive). Can't wait.

I did pass on a few other of my usual vendors. I liked the stone pendants but the cost was more than I wanted to pay this time out (they weren't as pretty as her usual). I did get some amethyst earrings from Uncommon Adornments (Who I've been buying from since the 90s when I went to the faire when I lived in COlumbus) and they're set in gold which is unusual for me (I'm allergic to gold but since it won't be touching me it's okay).

I still greatly miss the pagan sculptor who I bought gargoyles from in the 90s and tons of pagan stuff for me (and evil_little_dog & silvrethorn) but he's been gone for years now (he might even have passed as he was ill with COPD). Speaking of old vendors that I've been buying from since the 90s (in Wisconsin) I bought two other unusual things for me: rings. I rarely wear them but they were beautiful, silver and blue opal and silver and a blue (Dyed) freshwater pearl of impressive size. He spotted my wolf torc and asked 'is that one of my old ones? (he asks every year) Yes sir, I am a loyal customer.

Speaking of that, I bought a black and white glass bowl from the wizards from Columbus for mom. If she doesn't love it, I do. And I'm now mostly done with mom for the holidays.

I did get a little henna, emphasis on little. I thought about the new henna place but they were even more expensive than the one i usually do (that I have had some poor results from the last couple years). But now that most of the really nice ones are 30-40$ for something that lasts a week....I'd rather have gotten another pendant I don't need before that. So 10$ and I got some Elvish script and a cat. They came out well.

I'll post pictures eventually. I'm having internet issues so not tonight.

And I got Popeye for dinner. I'm not much on fast food but I DO love their chicken. I know I know....and the only one around is right where I-71 35 intersect about an hour and half from me so I only get it when I go to Cinci. Oh and it took me nearly an hour to get out of the parking lot. THAT'S how many people are there now. I could barely find my car.