TheBanyanTree: Renrat Chronicles 0f 2016 volume 1

[Robin Tennant-Wood]

Ah, Russ. Always good to hear about your Renaissance adventures. I'm sure
there will be life after The Bedlam Bards.

Robin

On 3 May 2016 at 05:10, Teague, Julie Anna <jateague at indiana.edu> wrote:

> This will be the end of an era, Andrus. I'm sure your fans will miss you
> as much as we'll miss hearing your tales.
>
> Julie
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: TheBanyanTree [mailto:thebanyantree-bounces at lists.remsset.com] On
> Behalf Of Russ Doden
> Sent: Monday, May 02, 2016 1:31 PM
> To: The Banyan Tree
> Subject: TheBanyanTree: Renrat Chronicles 0f 2016 volume 1
>
> Hail and well met once again!
>
> Once again, your not so humble (or sane) scribe will try to report the
> goings on at the Oklahoma Renaissance Festival.  This past Saturday marked
> the kick-off of the 2016 run of this grand event.  This is the 21st year
> for this particular bit of insanity.  It boggles me mind to realize that I
> have attended this event every year either as a cast member, booth person,
> or (mostly) as a performer (so called musician).
>
> Last year was known as the year of the rains.  It rained nearly every
> weekend last year.  For whatever reason the gods chose, it looked like it
> was going to pick up right where it left off!  There was much wailing and
> moaning when Friday night the sky came unzipped with rain coming down in
> buckets, accompanied by much sound and light from lightening and thunder.
> This was altogether unnecessary in our opinion, but it was what it was.
> Much to our relief the rains stopped in the wee hours of the morning
> leaving the grounds wet . . . OK, many areas were a bog.  At least the wet
> was staying on the ground and not in the sky.
>
> The first weekend is always a time of merriment and seeing many friends
> not seen for the past year.  Many of the people I enjoy there are not part
> of my regular circle.  This is either due to distance (some travel great
> distances to participate) or other factors.  It is sometimes a challenge to
> focus on the other patrons that are there when a long time friend comes
> into view!
>
> I am once again the third member of the duo The Bedlam Bards.  We are
> known for our gawd awful dirty songs in the Black Boar pub in the
> afternoon, but we do play sweet and silly songs at the Hidden Grove stage
> in the morning and kick off the pub sing at the Crown Inn about 4:45.  It
> is an aggressive schedule, but it does leave time to play with the patrons
> and rest between sets.
>
> As always there was much merriment throughout the day with much laughter
> and silliness as well as some wondrous conversations.
>
> I am thinking very strongly that this will be my “Farewell Tour” as a
> performer with The Bedlam Bards.  It just takes so much out of me, and I
> just don’t bounce back like I did in years past.  Many fans seemed to be
> seriously concerned but were very supportive when told that it wasn’t
> because of health as much as other opportunities being offered that are
> more in line with my main interests.
>
> Mostly I'm taking it kind of easy today.  My hips were NOT amused with the
> demands placed on them.  I have learned though that it is acceptable to
> "play the old guy card" and not walk the noon parade, or participate in the
> activities at closing.  That made a big difference, plus, I was sitting
> down as much as possible between sets.  That too helped a great deal.  In
> talking to a few other "old timers" I'm finding that I may not be the only
> one viewing this as their "farewell tour" this year.  Several others are
> realizing that it is time to hang up their spurs due to the demands on the
> bod.
>
>  Till next time fare the well wherever you may go,
>
> Andrus of the Bedlam Bards
>
> Aka Russ
>
> --
> Enjoy Life By Living In Joy
>
> Well Being Consultant
> www.rldwbc.com
>



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