Getting away from it all

So a lot has been going on in the past few weeks... I went from medieaval vacation to modern oral surgery and a weekend at home with the family. Which was, ironically, a sort of vacation extension. Anyway, it has been a good few weeks.

For those who were following the sewing saga, I learned how to sew the Monday (I think it was Monday...) before Pennsic, and I had two dresses finished enough to wear by the end of Thursday night. One is now completely done (I finished off the neck while at home recovering) and the other still needs the seams finished off so I can wash it without fear of fraying, but it is getting there. Both dresses served me well, and were far better than the cotton garb I had worn the first time around. (Yay linen!) Hooray for success with overly ambitious first sewing projects! (and much thanks to cynara_linnaea for the lessons.)

Pennsic itself was wonderful. We camped with a lovely bunch of people with whom we shared a camp kitchen and common area - and lots of good times. During the day, there were many classes that I went to - and many more that I did not make it to. I learned a lot and shopped a lot. Bought "Munchkin Bites" from the game merchant (yes, I know, not so medieval. But I had planned on buying one game...) and also bought a book on medieval games - a huge number of which can be played on chess/checkers boards, mancala boards, backgammon boards, or with a set of dice - all of which I own. I learned how to make oil lamps and bought two ceramic bowls for that purpose. I learned a technique called sprang weaving, and a cord-making technique called Lucet. I learned how to make soap and how to make cheese (though I am not sure I will ever get around to doing either). I bought all sorts of other stuff - only now I can't recall precisely what - but I somehow managed to spend about $200. mbarr and I spent a lot of time window shopping (some of that time was on Shabbat, which was convenient since we *really* couldn't buy anything) and also went up to the archery range to shoot some arrows with borrowed bows. I am pleased to report that I can actually hit the large straw targets. Anything smaller that is pinned onto the target? Not as likely. But possible.

And, just in case you think this vacation was way too geeky, there were the parties at night. We wandered around an area of camp called "the bog", where most of the drunken parties happen, and even poked our heads into one or two. One camp blocked the road and made us perform for them before letting us pass - good thing we had two belly dancers and two drummers with us... Yes, there was bellydancing. And I learned that bellydancers can be fully clothed when performing - which is nice. We also went to some tamer parties - one where alcohol was not allowed and one that was a bardic circle, at which people took turns singing songs or otherwise performing - some serious, many silly. That party had mead, but I did not drink any. We also spent a few evenings at shows - a bellydancing show and a medieval music group with quite the sense of humor...

Anyway, it was wonderful. And stress-free.

I had been so stressed out, and I got to Pennsic and just totally relaxed. I called home at one point and reality intruded and I was a bit stressed for about two hours - but then it went away again. It was so wonderful to be away from the computer (which even got repaired while I was gone) and the cell phone (reception, yes. Way to charge it, no - so it pretty much stayed off) and all real-world responsibilities. It was just great.

Then, the day after I got home, I got my other two wisdom teeth out - because better now than during the school year, and that was the best day of the summer to do it. I needed to be able to eat real food at Pennsic, and I want to be able to eat real food by mysticengineer's wedding.

This had the added bonus of getting me out of fasting on the Ninth of Av - though I had intended to fast for at least part of the day, but then there was grossness because stuff was bleeding, and, well, I figured replacing lost fluid is a good idea. So my fast lasted until, oh... 8 am? (I didn't eat food til the afternoon, though)

Anyway, my mom came to pick me up Thursday evening, and the novicaine wore off just as we were pulling up to the house - so I ran inside for an ice pack and that helped. I spent Friday doing a lot of napping and Saturday more of the same. My mom made me chicken soup; I made myself a small amount of home-made applesauce. And there was much hanging out with my 15-month-old nephew who is both mischievous and adorable. So that was a lot of fun too.

Anyway, it was a relaxing weekend, despite the icky, aching jaw and the inability to eat food.

And I got to stay home for an extra night because there was traffic and it was too late for my mom to sit in traffic on Sunday night, so I told her to turn around and go home and I slept at home one more night. Plus, we got to watch the Mens' swim relay and see how they won the gold at the last.... tenth of a second? It was really cool!

Anyway, the vacation part of my summer vacation is now over. Must go be productive and... oh.... clean my room? Right...