The Revels now have ended

Well, faire has closed for the season and I think with a bang!

It's been an amazing and very focus changing experience for me this season. Working with such a fearless and talented cast of people who I can now call true friends. We were all so generous and supportive of each other it made this closing weekend all the harder to say goodbye.

As such a great group we all agreed that we didn't want to go out with a fizzle and came up with the idea that at the announcement and close of our faire long gig to elect a new Lord Mayor that we would raise Tobias (the old, and allegedly dead Mayor) from the dead. We all agreed that it would be such a great and comedic close to such a fun and exciting gig. So we hatched our plan and told Johnny Breen about it setting him in motion...I assure you, he didn't disappoint...but more on that later.

Lord Mayor's final show was on so many levels bittersweet. We were all in top form to give this show one final send off, along with these great characters. The show was so much fun and so funny it was hard not to break a few times when the riffing on each other began. One part in the show I play a Scottish translator and it's my job to interpret whatever Carlos throws at me. Well, he got me good as he began to speak in Scottish gibberish that turned into the "Manomana" song from the Muppets. So when he went "ManOmMana" the whole crowd went "Do do De Do Do". I almost lost it completely. It became an all out war of getting each other to flat out laugh. Neither of us broke our poker faces...but it wasn't easy. As the show progressed it became harder and harder to give the closing lines because once they were delivered...that was it. Several months of hard work, dedication, and support would be at an end. Oooh, it was tough.

The rest of the day was spent walking about with several of my candidates one last time, but because there was no voting...there wasn't much to do. That was hard too. We had fun greeting people and joking around with our friends. Then came the end of the day when the Mayor would finally be announced. We were all nervous and a bit weary of letting our baby go. It seemed like half the faire was there, and that made us all the more nervous. I could have done without all the particpants who piled all around the stage not leaving us much if any space for entrances and exits. Making the stage also very narrow and hard to work in. I was a little bent when I was announced as the "Campaign Manager for all the candidates" which basically blew my gig right out the window...but I worked around it. Then began the process by announcing several people who only got 1 vote, where I think it's nice to acknowledge that...the idea of announcing how many votes they got seemed a little demeaning. I also have my own issues with the amount of "write in" candidates who attempted to take over this gig that was originally deemed "not period and wouldn't work" by much of the faire community. However, it got people involved which was it's soul purpose so I can't complain too much.

After the announcement of the write-in's the end was coming near. The top 3 candidates were named...Don Giuseppe in 3rd who vowed revenge. Thaddeus Foote in 2nd who begin this long and very "Thaddeus" speech, soon to be dragged off by Gusseppi thugs...then the winner was announced. The one and only OPHEILA OLIVER! She worked it with a great and very funny speech, and was so lively in her acceptance. Then I asked the crowd "Does anyone object to a lovely Lady Mayor for Deptford?" and that was Johnny's queue...to the shock and surprise of everyone in the crowd...Tobias Scratchet came back from the dead! Johnny delivered far beyond any expectations we had as a cast. He was spot on hysterical, and it was exactly what we wanted. The mayhem and joy on everyone’s faces was worth ever second. We then bribed Tobias to leave, and Ophelia and her Merry Wives of Windsor performed a great song, ending a wonderful gig for the season. It was a great curtain call for us, but it was very hard to let it end. I admit I got a bit teary eyed seeing her being cheered by all, because it marked a lot of great work that we all had with the faire and audience alike. She earned that win, as did my other cast mates. All of them really worked hard, and I'm so grateful and proud of all of them.

It's been a long time since I felt such a loss at the end of a faire season. I made such amazing friends and true talented colleagues. It was such a privilege. So to Jenny, Greg, Wylie, Dennis, Tom and J Paul...I cannot thank you enough for such a rewarding season. *sob*

It was a great run, and now I have to think about next season. We've all talked about keeping this going and working together again next season...because we can't let lightning in a bottle go to waste. ;-)

Man, I'm tired. And I'm at work today. Blarg. The cough, and slight dehydration makes it all the more worth while when I can write of such amazing experiences.

Photos of my closing day soon to follow, though many have already posted some great shots…that I want!!!

Love to ya all...back to sleeping at my desk!

My Drums

So, last night I sat at my drum kit. Thinking, how good am I? Really?

I set the iTunes to random and played the first thing that came off the set. It wound up being "What is Rock" by BMG. Ironic? And I sort of ignored that I had neighbors and went for it. I kept the tempo, and did some of the more advanced rolls...but without all the gear, some parts were missed. I can't get those sharper tom sounds, mostly because all my toms are tuned very low for a much deeper sound.

However, when those low ends kick in. It shakes the rafters.

I wondered what it was about getting a groove and just going for it. The amount of energy, and the pure rush you get from hitting those notes. Smashing the crash symbol as you roll a triple off the bass drums...what is that? The amount of power it gives off, as well as the thought that you're producing that. Hmm.

Anyway, blasted that song off and then on to the next, then the next...everyone I could play pretty well from my knowledge of the song. I'm sure I missed some beats, or some changes. Played some with brushes. Some with A sticks, others with B sticks. The louder I played, the less i could hear the song and the more lost I became in the patterns. It became no real matter to me if I had the song right, it sounded right to me...and better yet it felt right.

Am I fast? Not in the slightest...at least not up to my heroes standards. Do I think I'm good?..not bad. Great, hardly. Do I love to play? Most certainly. I'm not playing for anyone but myself, and may never play for anyone else again...but that too is okay by me. Would I love to play for a crowd of my cheering friends, sure. Who wouldn't. But when I see how talented my friends are when they perform...I crawl back into my own world of playing to my audience of one. I love my music, and I love how it takes me out of whatever I happen to be wanting to escape from.

Anyway, just thought I'd expound on my playing...cause I don't really talk about it and I should.

Sir Thaddus This is for you

Cause Dennis asked...heh

LOLMAYORZ

I don't have a moment to post all of the ones I've done so far, but you can check them out at this link:

pics.livejournal.com/igigged...0003h1g1

Well, I might as well get it started

I'm starting LOLMAYORZ

Heh

15 Min Extended

For those of you who may or may not know, Season 3 of "The Girls Next Door" was released. So, what's the big deal?

Well...first a photo of me and the girls landed on the back cover of the DVD. *Ego inflates, can't fit though door*

Second, in the special features: There are several deleted segments. INCLUDING our trip to see Beven "The Troll" and Joseph wooing Holly. Lots of additional footage of everyone involved.

Third is the audio commentary where the girls discuss things that landed on the cutting room floor INCLUDING, The Jack Sparrow game!!! They said it was so fun to play and smack us around and hoped it would end up in the "Deleted footage" on the DVD (It did not). We made them laugh all day with it.

And finally the girls gave a very sweet shout out to their 3 escorts for the day who were "the nicest and funniest guys", and commented on how sweet and funny it was for us to run after the bus when they left. *beam*

If you're not interested in owning the entire season, Netflix Season 3 Disc 3 and check it out. It's worth a good laugh, and some great memories.

*clock continues to tick away on 15min of fame*

Faire Must Be Starting

Because it seems 2 cents are falling out of everyones pocket.

"In Store" then end of an era

So, I was driving home from seeing Pink Floyd's THE WALL. What a spectacular film, and so amazing in 70mm, oooch.

As I drove home I decided to take Sunset Blvd and drive past many of my old stomping grounds. As I came around the corner I saw it...the empty, bereft of any trace...old Sunset Tower Records. It was boarded up, the signs were down, the parking lot chained off...and empty. *sob*

Then I started thinking. That Tower held many memories for me. Waiting in line to get the first copy of Metallica's "Black" album. Picking up the latest Record, Cassette and then CD's of my favorite bands. But most of all, the "In Store".

The infamous "In Store's" that let me meet for the first time some of my favorite and legendary artists. From DEVO to STYX. Motley Crue, Van Halen, Pat Benatar, Motorhead, Slayer, and so on. There will never be things like that again, now that Tower Sunset is Closed. Perhaps Virgin Megastore will carry on the tradition? But really, how long have they got?

The end of an era is truly upon us...*moment of silence*

Now, I know I'm old.