Opening day observations

[Chianti]

Element of Air, there is no WAY that TRF cast would be stopping you and asking for a picture. We aren't allowed to carry cameras, for one, and we're in character at all times inside the gates, for another.

No the cast do not stop me asking for my picture. But the cast and hawkers try to tell you jokes and get you to laugh and they play jokes on you and try to get you involved. And make it difficult for you to be on your way. They will stop you on your way somewhere. It is highly annoying.

You do realize that performance company members read and participate in this forum.  All you have to do is politely say you are in a hurry and thank them.   They are only doing their job.   I know it's annoying for hawkers to try to sell to cast members but I usually just show them the badge and say I work there, then thank them and go on my way if I'm in a hurry.  Or maybe don't make eye contact if we are that aggravating to you. 

[*Teach*]

Opening weekend
Wow
Just now feeling human again, I don't recall the last time I was that tired. I don't think I ever stopped moving from the walkabout Friday night as we invaded a few other camps picking up stragglers along the way to getting my brand new purty boots first thing Saturday to getting new garb for the Lovely Lady Trinn to seeing Iris and Rose to more shopping to the train wreck show to the loki challenge to dinner at McLotofus to the next days shopping trips and shows.... wow what a blast!

Met tons of new friends, had a fantastic time. Can't wait for All Hallow's Eve!

*and there was a lot of rum mixed in there as well*

[rumy]

You're wrong, there.  We do.  Perhaps even more so, as we're actually interacting with them.  Greg and 'Lela's guards don't refuse requests, and I can pretty much promise you that traveling in a group of people isn't going to stop the onslaught of photo requests. 

I've purchased the materials for and constructed (or commissioned) every single one of my court gowns, but even if I hadn't - you're right, I'm paid to do just that.  You're not.  You pay to get in and enjoy your time.  It's unfair, but when you wear such an outrageous costume, you're going to get photographed.  Like I said, avoid eye-contact, pretend you didn't hear - whatever.  Put yourself in those shoes and try and think of the best way to get out of offending someone.

Plus, we might have hiding-holes, but you're always welcome to go back out to the parking lot and hide in your car. 

So, you can say all you want about me sticking up for my sis and being bias, but really this chasticement is completely uncalled for.... I bet u have never met us or even seen us.  so how can u know how we interact with the crowds? 

You have a good point, liz could simply come in no costume.  it is her choice.  but really, i doubt u don't dress up.  i love to dress up and so does liz.  and we simply love love love acting the part of whoever we dress as.  we love interacting with patrons, mundanes and everyone else that comes up.  we love getting out of the day to day life and reinacting the past, fully engrossed in the time period!!  we are the nicest and friendliest people to everyone we meet.  so no way will i allow u to address her in such a way!!!

i spent 30 min dancing around and playing with some random mundane kids who came up to me.  i held 4 babies.  talked to all kinds of mundanes all day long.  engaged sorely looking people just to see them smile, talked to anyone just looking at me, was extremely friendly and nice to all of them!!!  i interact, play along, crack jokes and am generally extremely nice to everyone--- same goes for liz.

however, there were some people who came up to us at very inopportune moments and simply demanded that we pay attention to them, like they owned us.  they were extremely rude.  now, i understand they want pics of us.  we look great.  but really, there is a way to ask and a way not to.  The costumes won't look any different whether we are smiling at you or trying to have a conversation. 

if we were paid or these weren't our costumes or we could have more than a 3 min conversation without being interupted, it wouldn't be an issue.  but this is a forum of friends.  of rennies who support each other and try to understand the issues others have.  so please withold your judgement princess until u've walked a mile in our shoes.

neither she or i would ever think for a second about pretending to not hear someone or trying to ignore another person, we are NOT rude people.  that's being just as bad as those people who were offensive to us.  and i'm sorry, but going back out to the car to cower is not an option.  and btw, neither liz or i offended anyone to our knowledge the whole day, but thier offenses did weigh on us... and that is why she mentioned something on here.... among 'understanding friends'.

[Element of Air]

(I am removeing my postes because people are making this an argument. I said nothing about cast taking pictures, and nothing about unwanted attention. Only that when i have to be somewhere, I dont like to be stopped. Just as a person in general, Not even at Fair.) Sorry for the arguments

[Miranda]

I hate to say it but, rude people are just a fact of life.  And the person that feels entitled to taking a whole memory card of photos with you is probably the same sort of person who honks when you don't move as quickly as they would like when the light turns green, cuts you off in the grocery checkout line, and answers their cell phone in the movie theater. 

Part of the reason, I believe, people come to faire is to see the pageantry and suspend reality. 
As a playtron and fellow "big dress wearer",  if I can provide even an inkling of aid toward this end, its a good thing.  I love the fact that kids think I'm some sort of princess, and by taking the time to speak to them I feel I am helping to cultivate a future generation of Ren-Folk.  Granted, I'm probably mildly narcissistic and I thrive on the attention, which is usually positive and sincere, because faire is a way for me to exhibit my talents and the attention is good for my self esteem.

However, for every positive encounter there will likely be an equally negative one.  When one considers the concentration of people, of all sorts of walks of life, add to that impaired judgment, either from too many libations or the "magic" of faire, and negative encounters are inevitable.

Keep in mind that part of faire's charm, the whole other world aspect, may induce culture shock in the mundanes.  Many of them really just don't know how to behave, be it insisting on photo after photo or stepping on the hem of a skirt and then laughing inanely when the wearer nearly keels over.

Keeping in mind these things, one must come up with one's own coping strategy, be it dress less ostentatiously, explaining that you don't work at faire and buy a ticket like the rest of the hoi poli, or taking it in stride with grace and dignity befitting someone of your station.

[princess farcical]

You're wrong, there.  We do.  Perhaps even more so, as we're actually interacting with them.  Greg and 'Lela's guards don't refuse requests, and I can pretty much promise you that traveling in a group of people isn't going to stop the onslaught of photo requests. 

I've purchased the materials for and constructed (or commissioned) every single one of my court gowns, but even if I hadn't - you're right, I'm paid to do just that.  You're not.  You pay to get in and enjoy your time.  It's unfair, but when you wear such an outrageous costume, you're going to get photographed.  Like I said, avoid eye-contact, pretend you didn't hear - whatever.  Put yourself in those shoes and try and think of the best way to get out of offending someone.

Plus, we might have hiding-holes, but you're always welcome to go back out to the parking lot and hide in your car. 

So, you can say all you want about me sticking up for my sis and being bias, but really this chasticement is completely uncalled for.... I bet u have never met us or even seen us.  so how can u know how we interact with the crowds? 

You have a good point, liz could simply come in a no costume.  it is her choice.  but really, i doubt u don't dress up.  i love to dress up and so does liz.  and we simply love love love acting the part of whoever we dress as.  we love interacting with patrons, mundanes and everyone else that comes up.  we love getting out of the day to day life and reinacting the past, fully engrossed in the time period!!  we are the nicest and friendliest people to everyone we meet.  so no way will i allow u to address her in such a way!!!

i spent 30 min dancing around and playing with some random mundane kids who came up to me.  i held 4 babies.  talked to all kinds of mundanes all day long.  engaged sorely looking people just to see them smile, talked to anyone just looking at me, was extremely friendly and nice to all of them!!!  i interact, play along, crack jokes and am generally extremely nice to everyone--- same goes for liz.

however, there were some people who came up to us at very unopportune moments and simply demanded that we pay attention to them, like they owned us.  they was extremely rude.  now, i understand they want pics of us.  we look great.  but really, there is a way to ask and a way not to.  The costumes won't look any different whether we are smiling at you or trying to have a conversation. 

if we were paid or these weren't our costumes or we could have more than a 3 min conversation without being interupted, it wouldn't be an issue.  but this is a forum of friends.  of rennies who support each other and try to understand the issues others have.  so please withold your judgement princess until u've walked a mile in our shoes.

neither she or i would ever think for a second about pretending to not hear someone or trying to ignore another person, we are NOT rude people.  that's being just as bad as those people who were offensive to us.  and i'm sorry, but going back out to the car to cower is not an option.  and btw, neither liz or i offended anyone to our knowledge the whole day, but thier offenses did weigh on us... and that is why she mentioned something on here.... among 'understanding friends'.

thank you for your defense of liz below...

You're wrong, there.  We do.  Perhaps even more so, as we're actually interacting with them.  Greg and 'Lela's guards don't refuse requests, and I can pretty much promise you that traveling in a group of people isn't going to stop the onslaught of photo requests. 

I've purchased the materials for and constructed (or commissioned) every single one of my court gowns, but even if I hadn't - you're right, I'm paid to do just that.  You're not.  You pay to get in and enjoy your time.  It's unfair, but when you wear such an outrageous costume, you're going to get photographed.  Like I said, avoid eye-contact, pretend you didn't hear - whatever.  Put yourself in those shoes and try and think of the best way to get out of offending someone.

Plus, we might have hiding-holes, but you're always welcome to go back out to the parking lot and hide in your car. 

Okay, I think my tone was a little misunderstood.  I didn't mean to chastise - really, truly I didn't.  The internet is weird - here, I thought I was being fairly even-toned, but I can see how that came off as a bit stiff.  So, lemme rephrase.  

I agree - it's highly annoying to be insistently stopped when you're on your way to do something.  Anything.  Especially when you're obliged to be somewhere.  I've learned, through years of dealing with this, that there are ways around it (such as explaining that you're obliged elsewhere, that you're on your way to pee - no one can refuse that - or, when all else fails and you HAVE to get somewhere such as a joust, like, five minutes ago, running flat-out, no matter what, until you get there).  I didn't mean that she needed to be rude about it - at several points, I did say "polite refusal" and "place yourself in their shoes."  

I just got this vision of a group of people ganging up on photograph-requesters - and that disturbed me.  What if that group of people got really aggravated, and insisted on standing up "In the Name of the Queen?"  *That's* what I was pointing to, not your (understandable) wish to ward off your sister's hasslers.

Honestly, though, I do understand where you're both coming from.  All I was trying to do was point to a reasonable compromise.  And your sister did say that she got noticeably less *unwanted* attention when she wore her pirate costume.  

Again, I'm really sorry that my intentions were misinterpreted - but I can totally see how easy it was.  

[princess farcical]

I camp at fair, so my site is a good 20 minute walk from the front gate in all my garb... not really an option for a respite! 

I know that many of those on cast are wearing gowns owned by TRF, so you are more of one of the unusual there.

I really don't mind the photos and I also "interact" with the crowds, I just mind it when they are rude, abusive, take up my entire day, or make me late.  Sat was the only day I've ever worn my QE1 garb and actually found the crowds and attention a bit much.

I hope you didn't take that car comment as, "If you don't like it, go take your toys and play elsewhere" - there are times when I definitely wish for that particular freedom!    But I agree - 20 minutes is a bit long to shlep for some peace and quiet. 

Surely one of your friends mans a booth - could you not hide out there? 

Many do wear TRF-owned gowns, you're right.  I share that same "love to make 'em AND wear 'em" passion.

[rumy]

all is forgiven as misunderstandings often occur without ur facial expessions to show true feelings.  it's no big deal.  some people outside of the forums have ACTUALLY chastised her for her remarks.  so i wanted to make things absolutely clear and unmistakeable.  not just for u princess f.

[Miranda]

I just got this vision of a group of people ganging up on photograph-requesters - and that disturbed me.  What if that group of people got really aggravated, and insisted on standing up "In the Name of the Queen?"  *That's* what I was pointing to, not your (understandable) wish to ward off your sister's hasslers.

I just keep picturing the brute squad from the Princess Bride.

[mieljolie]

We had a great first opening weekend!  It did seem really busy on Saturday.  We are really excited to get back there again in a couple weeks.

We wore our can tab outfits and had a really good response to them.  We got stopped quite a bit, which is totally new to us, but great.  I can just imagine what it's like to be stopped every few steps trying to go somewhere in those beautiful gowns.  I must say it was strange having strangers snapping pics.    We actually had more people running up to touch us and ask questions than taking pics.  It was a hoot!

Sorry, everyone, we had to dash away from the POW.  My daughter wore her sandals after we warned her not to.  She tripped on a crack scrapping her knee and then got a blister.  Poor girl, we needed to get her back to camp for repairs.  She says she still had lots of fun, anyway.

[Tudor-Diva]

(I am removeing my postes because people are making this an argument. I said nothing about cast taking pictures, and nothing about unwanted attention. Only that when i have to be somewhere, I dont like to be stopped. Just as a person in general, Not even at Fair.) Sorry for the arguments

NO NO!!  No arguments here.

As one of the directors of the Performance Company, and a fellow performer, I need to clarify where things might be misunderstood, miscontrued, misrepresented or not realized.  Its also my job to support my fellow player as they come under my tutelage.

On the other hand, if there is someone out there representing themselves as a member of the performance company and they are in fact NOT, we need to know about that.  And if there is a member of the performance company behaving innapropriately, that needs to be known too.

We all, actors, attendees, vendor personnel. are busy, have things to do, places to be, and sometimes we just have to accept that there are going to be obstacles to us getting where we need to go and getting done what we need to get done.  We have a saying in the Performance Company;  "We are like reeds.  We bend in the wind."

[SirRichardBear]

I've done royal guard at Four Winds and Scarby you would be surprised how just having a excort leading the way will clear a path and stop people from asking for a picture.  You just put on a serious face and march and 9 times out of 10 people get the idea that you are in a hurry and not to be stopped.  First couple of times I saw people start to move forward see the escort and back off was a surprise its like hey do they think we are really guards or something?  Body clues go a long way most of the time. 

[Lady Kitara]

We had a great opening weekend. Though we're completely and totally exhausted. We bought lots of new items for camp this year, but that means a whole helluva lot more to put up and take down. But other than Thursday night being so cold, it was a great weekend. I haven't had that good of time at TRF since the Don Miguel proposed back in 2003. *Barbara Streisand singing Memories ensues*

The wee one had a blast chasing the fairies and playing with them. She got her very first set of wings and was playing butterfly all day. I didn't think she'd keep them on being only 2, but we couldn't get them off her! And all she wanted to do was play with the "Faywees".

I can't wait to get back. Nov 1 seems so far away right now......

[Broadside]

(I am removeing my postes because people are making this an argument. I said nothing about cast taking pictures, and nothing about unwanted attention. Only that when i have to be somewhere, I dont like to be stopped. Just as a person in general, Not even at Fair.) Sorry for the arguments

We all, actors, attendees, vendor personnel. are busy, have things to do, places to be, and sometimes we just have to accept that there are going to be obstacles to us getting where we need to go and getting done what we need to get done.  We have a saying in the Performance Company;  "We are like reeds.  We bend in the wind."

and when you don't bend you call for a BROADSIDE..... and he will clear a path. This is why i love being a PIRATE.... The Flying V works well to move people from you path....

P.O.B.

[KiltedPrivateer]

Opening weekend
Wow
Just now feeling human again, I don't recall the last time I was that tired. I don't think I ever stopped moving from the walkabout Friday night as we invaded a few other camps picking up stragglers along the way to getting my brand new purty boots first thing Saturday to getting new garb for the Lovely Lady Trinn to seeing Iris and Rose to more shopping to the train wreck show to the loki challenge to dinner at McLotofus to the next days shopping trips and shows.... wow what a blast!

Met tons of new friends, had a fantastic time. Can't wait for All Hallow's Eve!

*and there was a lot of rum mixed in there as well*

And with all that - I still have Trinns bottle of Tequila...  Eventually I'll get this bottle to ya...  Our next visit will be Pirate weekend, Saturday only though.  After that we'll be back in the campground for Highland Fling and Celtic Christmas (closing weekend).

See y'all then,

Michael