Tuesday, May 24, 2011

A Stubbornly Persistent Illusion

I've always had a desire to travel back in time. I've even written a novel about it called Camelot & Vine.

I'm not the only one with this desire. We want to go back and take a look—safely, of course—with plenty of food and decent sanitation and toilet paper. And beer.

Renaissance Faire! That's the way you do it. You can go, have lunch, and be back in time to feed the dog.

Friends of ours spend their spring weekends working at Faire. The mom is a serving wench. The older daughter dances. The younger—I'm not sure, she's cute enough to sell anything and she'd make a fine pick-pocket (she'd fit right in with these kids). The dad is a Poxy Boggard. (Don't click that link unless you enjoy sublime harmonies and profanity as much as I do. Click this one if you want to skip the profanity.)

My only regret is that we waited until the last day of this year's Faire, and a massive crowd of other time-travelers did the same. But the weather was cool, the mead flowed (very good and very strong but not very cheap! huzzah!) and we had a good time.

I realize this post doesn't help you one bit, as it's too late for you to time-travel to the Renaissance Faire this year. But I couldn't time-travel to the future to post it, so I've done my best. 


The distinction between the past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.
--Albert Einstein

26 comments:

Dina said...

That's a fantastic photo.

Mazal tov on your new book, new website, new headshots.
Come to the Old City in Jerusalem and you can time travel every day.
Good luck, Petrea, Public Figure.

Shell Sherree said...

Now, that's fabulous news about your novel. You will indeed keep me up-to-date, seeing as how I Like you so much. I'm glad you had the chance for a wee taste of time travel and mead at the Faire.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thank you. I feel tentative about even mentioning the book; I've been working on it for so long and keeping my mouth shut about it for the most part. But it's time.

You know what I'd love? A world-wide book tour, where I could visit all the cities around the world where I've made blog friends. I would love a visit to Jerusalem, Dina. And Brisbane. And Paris and Norwich and Birmingham and Berkeley and London and Moscow and...

Anonymous said...

Exciting news! (Is that Falstaff on the right?)

Bellis said...

Good luck with finding a publisher! Great baby website.

You've made me really regret missing the Renaissance Fayre, but I didn't even know it was on until this weekend. Next year, I'll definitely make the effort - those Poxy Boggards alone are worth the $20 admission.

I'd love to visit Jerusalem, but Turkey and India are also good places to time travel - artisans still sit outside their holes in the wall making copper pans, buttons, jewellery, car engines, spices, etc. One area for each trade. Fascinating. All this is ahead of you when you go on that international book tour.

-K- said...

"Camelot & Vine" - great title!

Susan Campisi said...

Great news about your book! I can't wait to read it. Like Shell, I Like you so much.

What a fun (and funny) photo.

Petrea Burchard said...

Thank you for the "Likes." As soon as I have 25 I can have a dedicated url! Yay!

Did you all go Like Shell's professional page, too? I hadn't even known about it 'til today.
https://www.facebook.com/ShellSherreeIllustration

John Sandel said...

You never step in the same cowpie twice.

pasadenapio said...

Love the photo! The two on the left look like they're floating in mid-air (or aire).

My one and only Renaissance Faire experience was in Novato (in the woods of northern Marin County) in the early 1980s when I lived and worked in the Bay Area.

Someday I'll get to the one closer to present-day home. A friend of mine officiated at a wedding at this year's faire.

Petrea Burchard said...

J, maybe you don't.

A wedding! That sounds like fun. I was surprised to find that it takes about ten minutes to get from Pasadena to the fairgrounds in Irwindale. Then we waited in the longest line of cars EVURR. I don't know if it's like that every day or just the last day, but next time I go I'm going early--in the day and the season.

Laurie Allee said...

Jon is old friends with Bill Roper of the Poxy Boggards! It is truly a small world.

Steven said...

I love the Renaissance Fair. My favorite character is the Ratcatcher. And I always order a brew from the most buxom wench at Maid Marian's Ale House. And often it is a huge decision. Pun intended.

PS That is a very fine photo. I wish it included sound.

Petrea Burchard said...

Laurie, my friend is named Stork. True.

Steven, there are definitely a lot--A LOT--of boobs at the Renaissance Faire. And it's not just the performers. Attendees make it an opportunity to show as much cleavage as they can. It's sort of a tamer version of Burning Man.

John Sandel said...

Those Boggards really "get around"—that's why they're Poxy.

J.J. in L.A. said...

I've wanted to go to the Ren Faire for years but I just can't justify the ticket price (x 2 = $50) and couldn't find decent discounts. Grr!

And good luck!!!

Tash said...

The photo is really outstanding. A timeless scene set in a different time in the present time. I adore each of the poses and expressions. The Faire was big even when I was in High School. Same one I bet.

So cool about your book. I'm ready for you to publish it so I can read it.

Shell Sherree said...

Petrea, can I vote or sign a petition somewhere for your world tour, please??? {And how sweet are you ~ that explains my overnight Likes! I was very excited to be able to zip off and get my dedicated URL.}

Virginia said...

Bon chance with your book P. I'm so proud of you!!!

Now this is a seriously delightful photo. What a great moment you captured! Even peasants need a break!
V

Pasadena Adjacent said...

Excellent!!! congratulations for getting to "the end" fingers crossed for the next part of the journey.

Haven't been to the Renaissance Faire since the 70's. Then you had to drive to the idyllic Paramont Ranch up in the Augora Hills. Irwindale? that just seems wrong

Margaret said...

Sending out good thoughts For Camelot and Vine

Petrea Burchard said...

I thought the ticket price was worth it, but don't go on the last day. J.J., the crowd was just too much. Go early in the season and early in the day. The Faire is huge and there's a lot of expensive stuff to buy. The ticket price pays for the time travel atmosphere and lots of "free" shows.

It's at the Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, so it's on a lovely lake. So maybe that sounds better than Irwindale? It was nice. And you could see the big Miller Beer sign from many different points along the way.

Thanks for the photo praise. I do love this one and I feel lucky for catching this moment. And thanks for your good wishes on the book. I'll keep you updated!

TheChieftess said...

Ditto re: the great photo!!! The first Renaissance Faire I wen to was in the late 60's, then again in the early 70's...at the Paramount ranch in Agoura Hills!!! Not very crowded then! I went again the first time it moved...but didn't enjoy it as much...primarily because of the crowds and location...the problem with successful fairs like this is they get too crowded!!! This location sounds as good as the Paramount...Do people still get in free if they ride their horses or dress up in authentic costumes???

Petrea Burchard said...

I don't think they allow horses, Chieftess, but yes, authentic costumes will get you in free. I don't know how authentic they have to be.

TheChieftess said...

When it was at the Paramount Ranch, if you rode a horse or a donkey in, you got in free!!!

Petrea Burchard said...

It's too crowded now. I'm sure you can't bring any animals at all. Boz would hate it.