...it's frustrating that when i attempt to turn a dream into a reality, I seem to run into roadblocks. (See previous Blogpost for examples)

Today was NOT one of those times...

I 'think' I've found a site for the Faeriefest! I still need to talk to the 'person in charge' of this place and get the particulars, but I was given a lead to an indoor site (Which eliminates the need to worry about the weather, but is still my second choice) that can be had for next to nothing -- IF --and there's the rub (though in this case not an unpleasant one)-- I designate a significant piortion of the proceeds to a charity or non-profit group in the community.

I'll be talking to the person tomorrow, so send lost of good Faerie Thoghts in my direction!

It figures...

I make plans to do something, and the entire world comes down on me... (at least it felt that way to me!)

Friday morning, I got up early, did all the stuff I needed, checked my email, and went to the doctor's for my annual checkup. The good news is that myhealt is fair. The bad news is that Doc wants to install a pacemaker to increase my heartrate -- it seems that a steady rate of 42 beats a minute on a stresss test is a BAD thing! So that surgury is planned for the 28th of the month. (Sigh -- another stay in the hospital...)

So when I get home, the internet is down -- Cable problems.  The local service is already on site trying to fix it (caused by THEIR changeover to Digital from Analog broadcast transmissions) but while the TVs get fixed, my internet dosn't work. So they schedule to come back on Saturday...

Saturday, i get a call saying that they're swamped with complaints about the changeover, and won't be able to make it. I should call the office on Monday (!) to schedule a service call. This means i am without internet for the entire weekend -- talk about 'going cold turkey!' I LIVE for the internet (Yeah, Im an addict...)

So I spend Saturday checking out (both by phone and on foot) possible sites for the Faeriefest -- and come to the conclusion that in a valley wih a population of almost half a million people spread out over 50 miles, there are NO suitable sites that are affordable on my budget! Ergghhh!

And then I get caught in a rainstorm...

Sunday comes, I'm twitchy without internet access, and my vision starts to blur... so I use some eyedrops, and nothing gets better.  I make a run to the hopital (They have an optometry department that does emergency exams) and wait for three hours to see the tech on duty. I'm informed that  cataract in my left eye has expanded to the point where surgery is required...

(Twitch!)

That has to be postponed untill I'm well from the pacemaker implant .(Something about possible complcations to the operation due to high blood pressure, which the pacemaker should correct..)

(Twitch! Twitch!)

Today (Monday) I call to set up the service for the internet fix -- and I'm told the service person will be there "sometime between noon and 5:00"...

I have absolutely nothing to do -- I can't read bcause of the fuzzy eyesight, and since I listen to music only on the nternet radio, do not own anything else besides the computer for entertainment, the apartment stays silent...

(TWITCH!)

The service person shows up at 4:50... I've been waiting since 8:30 AM...

(TWITCH! TWITCH!)

Fixing the problem takes almost an hour, with five trips back to the truck for parts...

(TWITCH! TWITCH! TWITCH!)

But now, things are calm... Music is plying over the internet, I've adjusted the screen size so I can read fairly easily, and my worries about health can be put aside until later in the month...

So -- if I want the faeriefest to happen, I've either got to find a wa to increase mybudget, or scale back on the plans. Any suggestions out there?

I had previously mentioned holding the Faeriefest I'm planning on the first Saturday in August. Well, that is definitely NOT going to happen -- I refuse to offer ANY competition to the Faerieworlds Festival in Oregon on that weekend,  In fact, I urge EVERYONE to make every effort to attend there!

Their information:

Faerieworlds Festival
Dates: August 1, 2 & 3, 2008
Location: Eugene , OR
Attendance: 6,000+
Producer: Imaginosis
Admission: tba
Years Running: 5
Website: www.faerieworlds.com

So instead, I've decided on the date of September 20th, 2008 -- the Saturday closest to the Autumnal Equinox -- Schools will be back in session by then, students from the local college and university will be available as volunteers/attendees, and -- most important -- there are NO conflicts with other festivals!

Now to go check that off my to do list...

..and not very productive. I spent several hours checking out the possibility of using a number of sites in the area, but so far have come up empty; Every one that is affordable isn't suitable, and every one that's suitable isn't afforable. (Sigh!)

However, I di come up with some possible alternatives: First, consider an indoor Fest -- this would be more like a combination Faerie Ball and Bazaar. Second, check a bit further afield -- there are some sites that might be useable, but are a bit distant (Further than I'm comfortable with, but hey, if i want this to happen, I may have to make allowances.

I also got quite a bit of information about possible volunteers locally -- there are a college and a university within walkingg distance of where i live, and talking to the heads of each ones' Theater and Music Departments, there was at least a modicum of interest. There's also a local theater Guild with which I'll be making contact in the near future.

I'm considering the Saturday closest to Midsummer, a date that should not conflict with either of the other Faerie festivals in the state, but unfortunately does conflict with an event that may take a fair number of my possible volunteers out of town -- the SCA's two-week Pennsic War in Slippery Rock. They moved it this year to the last week of July and the first week of August from the first two weeks of August so as to allow the teachers and students some time to recover afterwards before heading back to classes.  But that may not be as big a problem if I don't rely on my friends in the SCA...

Of course, if anyone with firsthand knowledge about organizing something like this (It's NOT the same as organizing an SCA event!) wants to offer any advice (or help), it would surely be appreciated!

Bright Faerie Blessings!

 Robert

..at least for me. This Faeriefest idea has grown wings and taken off in my head -- even to the point of dreaming about it! And dream about it, I did!

'Lucid Dreaming" -- knowing that what you observe is a dream and being able to control that dream -- works well for me; I had an array of of two dozen Faeries in multihued costume, vendors in brightly colored pavilions, a couple of fauns (Think Mr. Tumnus from the Narnia Books), and a stiltwalker done up as a greenman/tree. There was a puppet show, strolling musicians busking throughout the event , and a 'performers stage' where short skits, musicians, and even a storyteller performed each hour.

'Twas a beautiful dream -- I almost hated waking up! But wakeing means I can now ACT on that dream to make it a reality! Wish me luck!

Bright Blessings!

Robert

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Can't you just imagine this wonderful tree on the grounds of the Faeriefest? Look at the photo closely, and perhaps you can spot some of the Fae that others have found!