Good things and bad things

Good thing: Renaissance Faire! Or Festival, as they call it here. Men in kilts, turkey legs to eat, lots of things to see and tons of shops. The prices were exceedingly reasonable, and everyone was so nice. I even treated myself to a bellydancer's outfit (no, there is no picture) Jonathan and I had a mango smoothie to die for, and the layout was a simple circle, so even though it was a full 30 acres we didn't get lost once. Our favorite place was the candlemaker's shop, where the owner made beautiful candles to order while we watched. She said that it was the way a pyromaniac makes a living. :)

Bad thing: It just wasn't like home. The Faire here is more of a shopping extravaganza. There are no guilds, no people who work the booths wandering around in garb. It's very kid- and family-focused, so lots of carnival games and mazes but no risque shows (no risque period... one woman was wearing a shirt that said Abortion is Murder).

Ohio Festival has more shops than Southern CA Faire (and more than Northern Faires too, according to Jonathan), but not as much to do (e.g. no fencing booth, no man sandpainting, etc). Because of more lenient Ohio laws, and the culture here, there were three times as many weapons booths as at home. And the historicity was a bit loose; 16th-century garb was sold next to Gypsy outfits and pirate hats. I was also disappointed by the lack of Scottishness: no one spoke in brogue, and they had camel rides. (I'm still trying to figure out what camels had to do with Great Britain.)

String lady. She's alive, not a statue, and has adorned herself with more favors than God.

Renaissance dog.

Bad thing: There's been a drought in Ohio, so everyone keeps saying that fall is so boring this year, and that nothing changes color.

Good thing: I haven't noticed. I was reared in Los Angeles and Tel Aviv, two deserts. I think it's gorgeous, and can only imagine next year.

Driving to Faire.

Such pretty countryside.

See the horses? This is a half-hour out of downtown Cincinnati.

Good thing: Today at the end of Sunday school, one boisterous 3rd-grader said, "Aww, is it time to go already?" Another one invited me to the football game to see her cheer this afternoon.

Bad thing: A second boy was completely bored throughout class, no matter what we were doing. He's also been absent twice (out of 5 sessions) due to football. Guess I can't win them all.


Good thing: Package from Savta! Halloween candy from Jan!

Bad thing: Halloween candy is fattening.

Loot from Savta. One of the things she sent was a new toy for the cats. Simcha's on the chair, Osher's in the box. Savta's waving at everyone from the webcam on the laptop. Hi, Savta! (How I love technology.)

Good thing: I'm now completely caught up in my reading for every class. And Maura came over and we actually had fun studying for a quiz.

Bad thing: Said quiz is tomorrow at 8am. Sigh. And so the week begins...