Home.

I'm home - safe and happy, if not healthy. Among the many things I am glad to take home from Pennsic, this head cold is not one of them. 12 hours of sleep has done alot, but I'm still dopey and congested, although I am imitating a vertical, functioning human being here at work.

But that's not what I want to talk about. I don't even know where to begin. I think I should begin and end with an ENORMOUS thank you to all the people who make this Pennsic the most magical, most amazing Pennsic I hope ever to have had. In case the rumor mill hasn't gotten to you, gentle reader, I was elevated into the noble Order of the Laurel at Pennsic this year. (For those non-SCAdians reading this - this award is the single highest award for the Arts and Sciences that this organization gives. It is awarded for both excellence in research and recreation of some medieval area and for having good character.) That, on it's own is quite enough to be dizzying. But what is even more moving is how very, very many friends put so very, very much time and energy and money and good will into this endeavor.

From start to finish, the vigil and the ceremony where everything I could have ever dreamed of and more, much more. To see so many friends put so much love into this.... I am touched and hardly feel I deserve all of you.

Thank you so very much.

I will probably write more on this... I'm trying to collect pictures now, so that I may put together a little collection of images and words for those who could not make it to War or the vigil or ceremony. So... if you have images that you would be willing to share - please email them to me - I am beth at pir dot net

Along with this most wonderful suprise, this would have been a really fabulous war, anyway. I had a great camp, classes went well, the performances I was involved in were well-recieved, I saw many friends - both new and old, great shopping, and so many other wonderful experiences that I think it will take me weeks to put down all the special moments. But I hope to jot down some of them here, so I may remember them better.

But... once again, thank you to everyone. I don't even know what to say to express how truly awed by the time, effort and love that went into Wednesday at War.

Thank you.

Onward

Well... I really do need this work week to rest it seems... as next weekend is already looking exciting.

Before Pennsic, I agreed to take on a gig that Aparna couldn't do because she's out of town choreographing and performing in Bhopal - yes, I know the link is in French. There isn't an English one.

The gig was August 27th. What the heck, I thought. Well... it turns out it's a small, paying gig, with a honorarium and in Somerville at a festival in Union Square, and it's no joke, they want me, I'm in their propaganda and everything. I go on between 6:05 and 6:15 PM this Saturday. They'd have me for longer, but the idea of working up more than one thing, this soon after Pennsic is too insane, even for me. Challenging enough that this will be for an audience of some Indians - also on stage will be tabla players, the bhangra group from MIT, and a videographer and Bollywood DJ. Thank god no other Bharata Natyam dancers.

The call is out over email, now, to Aparna for insight into which peice she thinks is the strongest.

Not sure why this has me quavering... didn't I just give a good show to a bunch of amateur to pro-level dancers in the ME dance expo at Pennsic? Didn't I just get a mighty impressive award for this stuff? Yeah, but this one is my first gig under Aparna's wings without Aparna being there. That's a whole lot of trust. And they are giving me money. Must. Get. Healthy.

Must also get paperwork - to get the $$, I need to send an invoice and fill out a W-9. Hmm... new_man do you have a professional invoice statement document I might borrow?

On other fronts - the Boston Baby Dolls have their auditions on Sunday, and I want to knock their socks off. I have a piece, I have a tentative structure, I have a brainstormed costume but over this week, I *must* firm up this vague skeleton into something audition worthy.

Taking advantage of whole team being out of town today to go home, suck down a bunch more Vitamin C, a bunch of veggies, some meat, and then maybe a little more unpacking, and (dare I hope?) laundry. Must wash dirty saris before they stage a revolt and take over my basement. No practice, though maybe some dancing in the brain, if not the body. Not so sure the head is working good, either, it's a little medicated.