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Wellspring: A Festival ReviewAh, Wellspring. What can I say, I had a blast :) Some background. Every day, I sit, minding my own business, doing Real Work (TM). Around 11:30, as I'm ignoring everything, I get this IM, often with an opening line like:I walked up to Narabali and pulled out the trump cards: my pre-made IMs. I'd written out exactly what I wanted to say. I stood there holding the cards until she looked up at me, and then ran through them. This is what they said: Chronarchy: Hi, [name withheld]! Chronarchy: Since I don't have the ability to send IM's, I figure I can write them out. Chronarchy: However, we know I'm lazy, and we know that I can't predict what an Imp will say next, I'm giving up. Chronarchy: Unless, of course, you want to wait for me to write things out. . . To which she asked if she wanted me to speak at all. (For clarity's sake, her name was actually in the space marked [name withheld].) Well, we managed to converse verbally for a while after that, after which (and you'll notice a pattern here), I had to go do something else. I dragged as many people as possible back to see Narabali and m3ch give a presentation on [something I can't pronounce or spell], which is a Vedic ritual all about boiling milk the right temperature or else you (or your wife) will die. I still can't wrap my brain around doing that every morning before sunrise and every evening after sunset. I'm amazed. On my way back to my tent, and then back over to the pavilion, I was called into the CLG fairie mound by Sati, who accused me (rightly so) of ignoring my harem. We chatted for a bit, and then I (you know the drill by now) had to leave. I caught up with Linda for a bit, and with Kirk, and then had to move on again to something else. Later that night was a Norse Blot that was kind of, ah, strange. I'd asked Narabali and m3ch to come hang out with us, but by the time they got up, the area around us was full. Instead, I listened to kids scream for a while during the rite, and this prompted a thought: Can we please teach children that, if they're going to be in a ritual, they need to treat it more like a movie than a playground. Screaming children do not honour the Gods. Laughing children, yes. Screaming children, no. Thank you for your attention. Now, after the blot, I got to hang out more with Narabali and m3ch. Narabali says that m3ch was displaying some jealous tendencies around me. I didn't see it, but I still think it's a bit funny. I tried some interesting drinks, and mentally smacked myself when I offered some alcohol to Narabali because I should have known better. I also gave her a present, Bubba Ho-Tep because she has a love of Bruce Campbell as well, and we must stick together on that. Jenni also hung out with us, as did Zimra. We all talked for a while, standing next to the fire. I also got some more of that Bowmore Whisky I liked so much at Trillium. It was a good night. I went down and hung out in a hot tub for a while after that. Yes, people saw me nekkid. I was amused to find that several people deny looking, and more amused in that I believe them, for I wasn't looking either. On Saturday morning, I went to a GSP meeting that covered not nearly enough info. I was disappointed by that, but it was okay. We still had some good discussion. I slept through a potluck breakfast that morning put on by the Eastern IE Kin, which wasn't too cool, but I couldn't get myself to move. I got a shower and hung out a bit more between places. I did that so much that weekend that I didn't manage to get nearly as much done as I wished. I went to the Seer's Guild meeting, which I was decidedly non-fascinated by, despite wanting to know about their SP. I need to get around to joining the Guild, and maybe having some investment, because if I do that, I'll be much more interested in their SP. For lunch that day, we had the Dance Guild potluck. Narabali and m3ch hosted that, and 10 of us showed up, including Raa-Raa. We sat around, a few of us having rum and coke, talked, and got to know each other better. Hopefully, the LDG will take off nicely. I certainly think we have a very good group that represents ADF well. After lunch, I laid down for a while. I got up that night in time for the bardic circle, at which Ian and Liafal were given the title "ADF Bard Laureate". The evening was passed nicely giving and getting hugs. m3ch did an awesome set with some cool looping, if indeed those are the correct terms. I recently saw the video of it, and it was very good. Near the end, most of my harem had left, and I got up on stage a few people later. I was sad to see my harem walk away before I got to tell a story, but I did get to tell it. I'm looking forward to the video on that. The next day, Sunday, was full again of meetings and workshops. My Gods, the number of potlucks that weekend was astonishing! Sati and I sat down with the Clergy Council and went over the CC Study Program. Most of our suggestions seemed accepted, which made me very happy. We'll see when the stuff finally comes out. I spent time between people, trying to keep my sunburned legs out of the hottub, and generally having a good time. That night, though. . . Wow. The main ritual, in which Jenni was consecrated as a Dedicant Priest of ADF and the image of Mananan was installed was simply amazing. There are no words to describe it, but I understand that it will be on DVD, and I look forward to that (Thanks to m3ch and Narabali). After the rite, our Grove called Jenni back up onto the mound, near the altar (we were going to do this during the rite, but we were forgotten). I said some things that I don't remember, mostly because I was speaking extemporaneously rather than from a script, and then pinned a new brooch on her: a crane. Tears went around, and we all had a good hug. That night, I spent part of the evening with Sati, Alison, KaeLea Day, and Rod in the hot tub. You know, it's amusing that every time I get near a bunch of women, another man shows up. *rolls eyes* Not that I begrudge Rod's attendance, but I have to admit, me and three women in a hot tub is better than me, three women, and a guy, at least in my book. About a half hour before we got out, a strange guy got in with us. Well, I thought he was strange. We got out, feeling generally refreshed after a couple hours in the hottub and a series of back-rubs, and I headed back up to my camp. I sat out for a while with my Grove and the PSA people who showed up, and relaxed. The next morning, we got up, and said good byes. I swung by Narabali's tent and offered to help them, but m3ch said they were good, so I gave a hug to Narabali and wandered off. I said good-bye to my harem, and lamented that I didn't get to spend nearly enough time with them. It was so true. As we were getting ready to go, though, m3ch came down, bearing blueberry muffins. I took them greedily, and we hugged. Apparently, Narabali was a bit angry she missed that. :) Finally, as I was about to get into the car, Alison came up. She wouldn't tell me what she wanted, so I went for the stand-by: a hug. This resulted in the fruition of her evil plan, and I was suddenly covered in glitter. Revenge will be sweet, though. After that, Meghan and I rolled into the car (me leaving a trail of glitter), and we drove home. Basically: the weekend was great, except for one thing: I never got to spend enough time with all the cool people I wanted to. Methinks I have to road trip to see people individually for a while. That's the only way to solve this. Even people who I don't spend so much time with commented on how little time I was spending with others! As much fun as I had, it just wasn't enough. But I did have fun, and it was especially good to meet some members of my harem that I hadn't met yet, and Narabali in particular. To those who were there, thank you for a wonderful time. I go to these things to meet people and to enjoy their company, and you all provided that. Thank you very much.
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