I went over and checked, but no one was home and I was tired and still needed to make a run to the store for water and other stuff. When I got back there was a van at the tents, but all was quiet. Of course, I marched right up to the three tents, drew my Squeaky Toy and proceeded to give a Squeaky Toy salute... Nothing. I did it again... Nothing. Then I yelled, at the top of my little, soft-spoken, quiet, polite lungs... "OTTTTTTERS!". To which there was the sort of sleepy response from all three tents... "weezohs?". Out popped the Clansman/Gareth, Raymond and Tony! A quick hello and then everyone agreed it was time to sleep.

I woke up and was vaguely hungry but decided to wait (big mistake #2) til I got in and go get some of the yummy garlic bread. Ran into Mike Bonk (OW!) and he pinned me... er, rather I got my Geek Pin; saw the MacDóbhran contingent from the East (hey! I thought I was supposed to be initiated...!]; stopped by the Shadow of Time and saw Lettia, Martin, Rust'n/Suni and Wynd'n M'Crack; over to the Dark Rose Armory to see Greg and Eric and Ivy and eventually MarQ and his merry band of North Dallasers; and then... Then it all becomes very unclear...

It was about here that I started feeling woozy and realized I hadn't had anything to eat in about 48 hours, but had had a bloody mary and a couple of beers. For more information, consult your local OED and look up 'moron' and there should be a picture of me next to it. Special thanks to Thunder'n M'Crack and Mike Bonk for playing Daddies and getting me to food and making me eat it and to the M'Cracks in general for putting out the alert that there is a moron in their midst that must be fed on sight! Who'd a thunk I had SO many damned mothers? Thanks to all of you!!!

The skies in my world started to turn blue again and it was time for the Wench Walk, which I was not in the mood for, so someone else will have to relate. I was supposed to get in my HUGE rentacar and drive to Austin for my roommate's birthday party, but was convinced that was not a good idea so I stayed for the Big Party. Shortly after the wench walk, all the rogues gathered over across from the Dark Rose and were acting very secretive and seemed especially nervous when I approached. What EVER could they have been talking about???!?

Ran into Gareth and Raymond and walked around the Faire aimlessly with them for a while... And let me tell you, I can not think of two finer rogues to walk aimlessly around a faire with! These guys are the tip top in my book. I can't wait for them to come back down for TRF... Cuz you guys are coming down...RIGHT???!?

Eventually we all moved to the Painted Badger and enjoyed Lucy and Fannie doing their Lacivious Lasses bit... (What naughty girls!!!) and discussed cigars and traded flirts with Bonk, Gareth, Raymond and sometimes Tony! Then it was time to get kicked out, and on to the Party!

VICKY, THAT VANILLA MEAD IS WONDEROUS! ahem I arrived a little late to the party as I was seeing some friends inside the gates, but Gareth was good enough to save me some of this GREAT stuff... Thanks to him and Vicky! Greg had his equally Scrumdilialicious Grape Mead on hand too, so I was a happy camper, no matter how much I paid for it later. The party was HUGE... I had never seen that many folks up on Patron Hill the whole run of faire...much much fun! My only regret is that I missed someone I had REALLY wanted to see that evening.... Too many people in the crowd to pick ONE out.... Well... Unless you had a Squeaky Toy as a beacon.... Ah, well. I think folks finally fell down around 3 or 4am....!

Sunday was a strange day. I have had so much fun at Hawkwood this season, I didn't want to go in for the Last Day. By the time I had gotten myself in order and ready to go in, I was dreading it, in a kind of weird way. But in I went. Everything seemed strangely calm, not like I sort of expected it to be, which was the manic frenzy that the whole run had seemed to be building to. I guess everyone was just exhausted! I stumbled around, said hallos and goodbyes and was cooling my heels in the Painted Badger with a nice tall glass of ice water when I was ordered to follow Greg out. Much to my suprise and glee, I was Rogued. I am not sure how much I am supposed to say about it, but I can report that it made my toes curl and the hair on the back of neck stand on end. And the evidence I have left from it is much nicer than any lipstick a Wench may leave behind! You guys are amazing!!!

I know, as usual, I am leaving important bits out (MarQ, did Dave get his rock???!?). Just want to say thanks to James (ack, didn't realize when I walked away from you at the pub that would be the last time I would see you!) for being such a Cool God of Management and not taking my Squeak Toy away when he probably should have! And thanks to John and John at the Painted Badger for being the coolest guys I know behind bars; Greg and Eric for being such gracious hosts at the Dark Rose (and for frap's and ice and grapes!); Ivy and Suni for being the best two goddesses I could share a Triumverate with; MarQ and the Regiment and their wenches for being there all season and being my pals; the Clan M'Crack for doing such a great job with security while not being imposing like security can be; Shadow of Time for hosting me off and on throughout the Faire; the bakers' mothers from the garlic bread place for giving them to us; the pickleman for his happy always-present smile; and the rest of the folks whose names I am leaving out now for the sake of brevity. Ok, I suppose that's a little late now anyway...

On my way out of Faire, on 114, I was stopped. I was doing 71 in a 40 (say oops, rental cars are fun). It was Highway Patrol, so I was certain I was going to get a Big Ass Ticket, if not go straight to jail. He asked for my id, ran it and came back and asked if I had been at the Faire. I said yes, and that I was just heading home. He smiled, handed me my ID and told me to try and slow it down a bit. If he belongs to any of you, please give him an extra big wet kiss for me tonite, ok?

I will be at TRF for the entire run save one weekend, working with the guys at Maspien leather armour. Do stop buy and browse their AMAZING stuff and buy lots too!

Thank you, Hawkwood. And goodnight.

Mandalyn aka Squeak

IWG #406
Luscious McHussy
Manevolent Ruler, Bean Counter and Great Chairman of All That Can Be Seen
GuyswillFollowya Garafaloya of Sarcastica, Measuring Maiden of What'sunderdatder Kilt
"You may call me Czarina Mandalyn. Now run and fetch me a Frappuccino!"

Standard Disclaimer: These webpages are strictly an *Unofficial* look at the Hawkwood Medieval Fantasy Faire held near Fort Worth, Texas in 1998. The author of these pages is in no way, shape, manner or form connected with the Hawkwood Medieval Fantasy Faire, Past Times Productions and/or any of the sponsors associated with this event. All opinions expressed are strictly this author's own. Unless expressly noted otherwise, all photographs are copyright ©1998 by George Laking.

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