Our fourth foray into Scarborough was a hot, sticky morasse of sweat and burning heat...at least on the first day. Things were slow on Saturday as the heat and humidity was vicious...everyone including the cast and playtrons were moving slow.  The owners being in town and scrutinizing the faire did not help the overall feel.  A friend of ours was asked to leave because supposedly his costume was inappropriate...(trust me, it was not...very authentic...but not inappropriate) besides...what is exactly inappropriate at a Ren Faire?  I understand that Scarby is a family faire, but there are women walking around with their breasts half out (which I quite enjoy)...scantily clad men and women...everyone enjoying the fantasy of being someone that only faire allows.  Our friend has been a longstanding playtron at Scarby...well liked by cast and other playtrons...but outsiders who rarely attend the faire must go and cause problems.  It left a pall over the whole day saturday and tension could be felt all around. Sunday was much nicer though...the weather cooled and a nice breeze was to be had all day.   The owners were gone away and their was an dramatic difference in everyones demeanor.  We wondered about from place to place talking with old friends and new but I was still very disappointed that no one from RenSpace was to be seen.  Well we will be on foray again next week with several teenagers (from our youth group) in tow. Should prove to be an interesting weekend as most have never been to a faire before.  Hope to see some of you out there...until then

Merry Part

It was the summer between sixth and seventh grade. As a kid I had recently gained an interest in mythology and had been studying as much as I could Greek, Norse and Sumerian stories. I was just starting to develop a sense of who I was and I was seeking a foundation, I needed direction but had none. A friend of mine, Steve Couch called me up and invited me over to his place, he had gotten a new game and wanted to show me. As I walked in he had a blue box sitting in front of him, a dragon loomed on its cover, several polyhedral wax dice lay on the table. It was not long before I was entirely hooked on this new game...Dungeons and Dragons. I didn't know it at the time but this simple (not really) game would save my life. I grew up in a tough situation, an alcoholic mother, my dad worked constantly, I was in trouble a lot. By the sixth grade I was stealing, coming and going as I pleased, fighting and just generally in trouble on a regular basis. This game enthralled me, a system where I could create a world that I could control? A system where there were bigger than life heroes, mysterious ruins, hidden treasures and an environment were an adventurous spirit like mine could flourish? I couldn't have asked for a more tailor made tool to help me build some steady foundations for my developing sense of self. Dungeons and Dragons has gone on to be a weekly (if not daily) part of my life, and now the life of my children. I can't imagine what kind of person I might have turned out to be without this inspiration. It would be years before I would really get to know about the people who created the game, but eventually the names Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson took on legendary proportions among me and my friends. These men were the creators of something different, a game, but more than a game, something that caused kids like me to look beyond our simple, often crumbling worlds and see vast possibilities, learn about adventure, delve into our own histories, and learn to socialize across a table full of dice, books, soda and hand drawn maps. I always wanted to get a chance to actually sit down and play a game with Gary Gygax. He was a hero to me, for creating this simple game that changed my life. I will unfortunately not get the chance as Gary passed this week at the age of 69. I write this blog in memoriam. Gary Gygax gave me the chance at a better life through acknowledging the power of my own imagination...he opened doors to mythology and let me make that mythology my own. For that I will always be grateful. I am sure that Gary will be remembered by many people for many things, family and friends had the privilege of knowing him personally, I only knew Gary for his work in the gaming world, but it was more than enough. Thank you Gary...you will not be forgotten.