meirwen_1988

Oh. Right. They pay me.

That would be why I worked the end of May, all of June, and up until today of July, rather than going to conferences, working on my promotion packet, or otherwise recharging. They pay me. Duh. Seems so simple when you put it like that.

But now I am off. I celebrated with a mid-day shower and a glass of wine. Luxury. This weekend is GAIF, which oddly enough even counts towards promotion (5%, but "Yay!"), putting ducks in rows for the rest, then packing for Pennsic.

But now it's all about the wine, and book. Four o'clock I start taking care of others, but the next 44 minutes are MINE!!!

So, the Halfway Hoolie was today (Great American Irish Festival party that marks the midpoint between last year's festival and the upcoming one). They announced the major lineup for the festival and the Grand Marshall for the St. Patrick's Day parade.

Volunteers got in for $10--all the food you can eat, all the beer (Smithwick's and Saranac Irish Red), wine, soda, coffee, and tea you can drink, The Blarney Rebel Band to warm-up, then one of the headliners for the main act. All in a room the size of your average Utica wedding reception hall. Got the image? Nice and small venue, very intimate, very personal. Last year it was The Prodigals. This year...

THE ELDERS!

It was wonderful. (And there was a television in the corner so those of us who cared about the game could keep track, if we were a little motivated to get over there. Nice.)

Morguhn loved the hoolie, and was really looking forward to this year's since we'd know more people this time around.

( An indication of the kind of people running the show )

BTW--The Elders and Enter the Haggis are two of the headliners this year, along with Tannahill Weavers, The Fenians, Dublin City Ramblers, and Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfetones.

Now we're watching the Steelers and the Ravens try to smash each other into submission. Yummy.

It was a blast! It was, and has been every July for the last 5 years! We *just* (as in 20 minutes ago) got back from the volunteer party (they throw us a party after the festival closes). Lots of food, beer, and music (this year The Elders played for us, and Enter the Haggis joined them for the encore). Very cool.

But we are TOTALLY exhausted.