Across the Lake [June 11-13]
I know, I know, this is sooooooo late. And this was so long ago and after everything that's happened this summer, I'm tempted to no to write about it; but it was fun and improved my English country dancing skills greatly so I won't skip it. (That being said you don't have to read it if you don't want, this is more for my memory...)
I took a bus to Plattsburg at 3 am so that I could arrive Friday morning. Masa (Satomi's boyfriend) drove me to the station which I'm still incredibly thankful about. He saved me from taking a questionable taxi at 3 am in the morning. Clayton picked me up at the Greyhound station that morning, but he was a bit late in getting there because he got lost. He apologized and explained once he got there and we drove back to his house to drop off my stuff and pick up his roommate, James, before they showed me around Burlington.
Burlington is a really nice city/town. Technically it's a city but it has a nice, friendly atmosphere that you would associate with a smaller town. We walked around for a bit and they showed me the boardwalk along the lake and got breakfast at a crepe place. Then we went grocery shopping at a co-op for dinner that night before we went back home so James could change for work and Clayton could get his bag for class.
I decided to go to the UVM campus with Clayton and he showed me a bit of the campus on his way to class. The campus is so much prettier than UAlbany's which is literally a slab of cement; so it was nice being on a campus that actually had grass and brick buildings. He dropped me off at the library where I was hoping I could write or read for a bit and get something accomplished while he was in class. I tried to write for a bit but then I gave up and got on a computer and watched various things on netflix before I got too clold and went outside. While I warmed up, I put on my music and found a place under a tree on a bench and finally began to write.
But I wasn't able to write for long because Clayton got out of class and we went back home. We hung out for a bit and then started dinner that consisted of curry chicken, stir fry, and peanut noodles. And dessert was cookies, made by truly yours.
After dinner, James and his friends were going to see a movie and he invited Clayton and I to join them. However, I decided I wanted to stay in and took a shower and changed into my sweats and curled up on the couch with a blanket to read while Clayton watched Monty Python. I fell asleep rather earl, most likely because of the very little sleep I got on the bus on the way up.
Saturday morning, I woke up before anyone else and read for a good while before Clayton and James woke up. After they woke up, I showered and dressed before we went back into Burlington for the Farmer's Market.
It was a really cute and well done market. Clayton knew a bunch of people with stands there and conversed with everyone. We also got dumplings for a small lunch. Then we went to the mall so I could get modern stockings and then JoAnn's to get ribbon for my locket. And Clayton ended up buying fabric with a period print to make curtains for his room.
After the fabric and ribbon was cut and paid for, we headed to the place where the dance was being held for, for the advanced workshop and practice session for the evening dances. We payed and got our name tags and began to dance.
I danced the first with Clayton and that one was quite easy. And it felt lovely to English Country dance again. At first I forgot the eye contact portion that comes with English country dancing but as soon as I remembered and realized it, I fixed my mistakes beautifully. (But I think what helped me remember is dancing with Clayton because his eyes are pretty... but shhh, I never said that.) Then an older gentleman asked me to dance to which I accepted.
As soon as the music for the next dance started, I recognized it. I could see the scene play out in my head, hear the conversation perfectly. (Although that only proved to distract me further...) Except I did not dance it as beautifully as Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy; unfortunately I rather resembled Mr. Collins as I blundered my way through the dance. And as Pride and Prejudice has many different ball scenes with several different dances I shall specify which dance in question that I fumbled my way through.
The dance is called Mr. Beveridge's Maggot and danced by Lizzie and Darcy during the Netherfield ball while she tries to sketch his characteristics and personality. And if I may say so, I think that even though I failed at dancing the previously mentioned dance, those few minutes were probably the most fangirling I've done in a while. But I couldn't help it! That is one of my favorite scenes and to be able to dance (fail at) it was amazing!
However, after failing at that dance, I decided to go into the review for the dances that evening so I wouldn't make a completely fool of myself when I was in my gown. I enjoyed the review immensely and after a few dances Clayton joined me and I danced a few more times with him before we left. I also met Eliza for the first time. (I'd like to say here, that at first I believe she didn't like me....but now after spending time with her this summer and reenacting with her a few times, I am happy to report we are rather good friends.)
When we got home we warmed up leftovers and began to watch the first episode of Horatio Hornblower. Before we actually started eating though, unfortunately I received an unwanted visit from mother nature...causing me to immediately pop some midol... But I really enjoyed enjoyed what I saw so I did end up watching more once I got home. We got through almost one episode before I decided I should probably begin to get ready.
I knew I had to put my petticoat on, and lace my stays and such but after everything was said and done it took me a lot less time than I originally thought; especially my hair. Usually when I try to put my hair up in the fancy twist I can do my hair is less than cooperative. And I lost my stupid ribbon that I just bought so I ended up wearing my pearls so it wasn't that bad but it still upset me.
While I was fixing my appearance in the bathroom, Clayton was getting ready in his room and James's friend that he was having over arrived. I didn't hear (and now don't remember) most of the conversation. But I think she asked James if Clayton had a friend over and he said yes.
friend: A girl?
James: Yes.
friend: A new one already?!
James: No, she's just a friend.
friend: You mean he has those??
...I guess that says a lot about Clayton's reputation... And she wasn't the only one that though I was more than a friend of Clayton's all night, apparently people asked him all night if I was his new girl (thank goodness I wasn't and aren't...) Later, he said I was the first girl he brought to a dance that he was just friend with.
Anyway, once Clayton was ready we headed over to the dance. I once again danced the first one with Clayton before I danced with others. And I'm proud to say I danced every dance with at least someone. I even was taught to waltz (by Clayton, who unfortunately stepped on my gown hemline a few times...) I was at times quietly over heated but all in all I had a lovely time. It was nice to meet some of Clayton's friends like Joe and Leigh who are also reenactors. And I made some of my own friends towards the end when I got out of my shell.
And after much persuading, we decided to go to the brunch the next morning which included a potluck brunch and an hour of dancing. So we grabbed some cookie mix at the grocery store, in full period of course, and headed back home. I changed first, and by the time I got out of the bathroom Clayton was already changed and spooning cookie mix out on the sheet pan. So while they were in the oven we finished the first episode of Hornblower. After the cookies came out and the episode finished we pretty much went to bed. Or I assume Clayton did, I remember reading for a while.
The next morning, I woke up later than I had originally planned and therefore was unable to shower before brunch. I wore my green outfit this time but forgot my kerchief sooooooo I was a bit risque and it definitely didn't go unnoticed; I got several... comments on my neckline. Breakfast was lovely though, all the food I had was delicious. But the dancing was more fun of course. It was only an hour so it ended too quickly but I enjoyed every second of it.
We left after dancing and socializing a little more. But since it was such a beautiful day we decided to go to the Ethan Allen homestead. It was a really nice site and the tour was small (a tourist, Clayton, and me). The tour guide however was... mistaken about a few of the facts that he shared with us. (LIke that men and women alike wore more leather than linen because it took too long ot make... LIES) Clayton and I were kind of poking of at him afterward during the car ride home.
When we got home, James was playing a video game so I changed and packed up before we warmed up the rest of the leftovers from Friday and watched James play his video game.
I know at some point I fell asleep (big surprise there) before Clayton took me back to Plattsburg to catch my bus home. The ride over was nice, but the ferry across the lake was gorgeous. I was a bit chilly but otherwise it was beautiful. The weather was amazing and clear so the view on the lake was breath taking.
We got to the bus station a little early and after Clayton helped me bring my giant bag over to the bench where the bus picked people up he said goodbye and left. A good thing too, because if he had waited for the bus he would have waited with me for over an hour, the bus was incredibly late. But I eventually the bus came and I got on and found a seat to myself and I texted and listened to music on the bus mostly while moping about returning to [ugly] Albany.
Young picked me up from the bus station in Albany because I got in pretty late at night; almost eleven or midnight if I remember correctly. He made fun of me for having a giant suitcase (nothing surprising there of course) but I was still incredibly thankful for him picking me up. Because it was later than we both thought, we went out for food at Denny's. I was really thankful I was able to spend some one on one time with him. I really value any time I get to spend with Young because not only is he a lot of fun with a fantastic sense of humor but because there's always something you can learn from him. He's always willing to pass on any knowledge that he has so he can help us learn from his makes takes and watch us from a distance so we won't repeat them. Anyway, having breakfast/late-night meal with Young was nice before he dropped me back off at my room.
Overall, it was a lovely weekend, dancing, socializing, and making future reenactor connections.
Connie, Eliza, me, Clayton, Ellen, Albert
picture, compliments of Eliza
I took a bus to Plattsburg at 3 am so that I could arrive Friday morning. Masa (Satomi's boyfriend) drove me to the station which I'm still incredibly thankful about. He saved me from taking a questionable taxi at 3 am in the morning. Clayton picked me up at the Greyhound station that morning, but he was a bit late in getting there because he got lost. He apologized and explained once he got there and we drove back to his house to drop off my stuff and pick up his roommate, James, before they showed me around Burlington.
Burlington is a really nice city/town. Technically it's a city but it has a nice, friendly atmosphere that you would associate with a smaller town. We walked around for a bit and they showed me the boardwalk along the lake and got breakfast at a crepe place. Then we went grocery shopping at a co-op for dinner that night before we went back home so James could change for work and Clayton could get his bag for class.
I decided to go to the UVM campus with Clayton and he showed me a bit of the campus on his way to class. The campus is so much prettier than UAlbany's which is literally a slab of cement; so it was nice being on a campus that actually had grass and brick buildings. He dropped me off at the library where I was hoping I could write or read for a bit and get something accomplished while he was in class. I tried to write for a bit but then I gave up and got on a computer and watched various things on netflix before I got too clold and went outside. While I warmed up, I put on my music and found a place under a tree on a bench and finally began to write.
But I wasn't able to write for long because Clayton got out of class and we went back home. We hung out for a bit and then started dinner that consisted of curry chicken, stir fry, and peanut noodles. And dessert was cookies, made by truly yours.
After dinner, James and his friends were going to see a movie and he invited Clayton and I to join them. However, I decided I wanted to stay in and took a shower and changed into my sweats and curled up on the couch with a blanket to read while Clayton watched Monty Python. I fell asleep rather earl, most likely because of the very little sleep I got on the bus on the way up.
Saturday morning, I woke up before anyone else and read for a good while before Clayton and James woke up. After they woke up, I showered and dressed before we went back into Burlington for the Farmer's Market.
It was a really cute and well done market. Clayton knew a bunch of people with stands there and conversed with everyone. We also got dumplings for a small lunch. Then we went to the mall so I could get modern stockings and then JoAnn's to get ribbon for my locket. And Clayton ended up buying fabric with a period print to make curtains for his room.
After the fabric and ribbon was cut and paid for, we headed to the place where the dance was being held for, for the advanced workshop and practice session for the evening dances. We payed and got our name tags and began to dance.
I danced the first with Clayton and that one was quite easy. And it felt lovely to English Country dance again. At first I forgot the eye contact portion that comes with English country dancing but as soon as I remembered and realized it, I fixed my mistakes beautifully. (But I think what helped me remember is dancing with Clayton because his eyes are pretty... but shhh, I never said that.) Then an older gentleman asked me to dance to which I accepted.
As soon as the music for the next dance started, I recognized it. I could see the scene play out in my head, hear the conversation perfectly. (Although that only proved to distract me further...) Except I did not dance it as beautifully as Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy; unfortunately I rather resembled Mr. Collins as I blundered my way through the dance. And as Pride and Prejudice has many different ball scenes with several different dances I shall specify which dance in question that I fumbled my way through.
The dance is called Mr. Beveridge's Maggot and danced by Lizzie and Darcy during the Netherfield ball while she tries to sketch his characteristics and personality. And if I may say so, I think that even though I failed at dancing the previously mentioned dance, those few minutes were probably the most fangirling I've done in a while. But I couldn't help it! That is one of my favorite scenes and to be able to dance (fail at) it was amazing!
However, after failing at that dance, I decided to go into the review for the dances that evening so I wouldn't make a completely fool of myself when I was in my gown. I enjoyed the review immensely and after a few dances Clayton joined me and I danced a few more times with him before we left. I also met Eliza for the first time. (I'd like to say here, that at first I believe she didn't like me....but now after spending time with her this summer and reenacting with her a few times, I am happy to report we are rather good friends.)
When we got home we warmed up leftovers and began to watch the first episode of Horatio Hornblower. Before we actually started eating though, unfortunately I received an unwanted visit from mother nature...causing me to immediately pop some midol... But I really enjoyed enjoyed what I saw so I did end up watching more once I got home. We got through almost one episode before I decided I should probably begin to get ready.
I knew I had to put my petticoat on, and lace my stays and such but after everything was said and done it took me a lot less time than I originally thought; especially my hair. Usually when I try to put my hair up in the fancy twist I can do my hair is less than cooperative. And I lost my stupid ribbon that I just bought so I ended up wearing my pearls so it wasn't that bad but it still upset me.
While I was fixing my appearance in the bathroom, Clayton was getting ready in his room and James's friend that he was having over arrived. I didn't hear (and now don't remember) most of the conversation. But I think she asked James if Clayton had a friend over and he said yes.
friend: A girl?
James: Yes.
friend: A new one already?!
James: No, she's just a friend.
friend: You mean he has those??
...I guess that says a lot about Clayton's reputation... And she wasn't the only one that though I was more than a friend of Clayton's all night, apparently people asked him all night if I was his new girl (thank goodness I wasn't and aren't...) Later, he said I was the first girl he brought to a dance that he was just friend with.
Anyway, once Clayton was ready we headed over to the dance. I once again danced the first one with Clayton before I danced with others. And I'm proud to say I danced every dance with at least someone. I even was taught to waltz (by Clayton, who unfortunately stepped on my gown hemline a few times...) I was at times quietly over heated but all in all I had a lovely time. It was nice to meet some of Clayton's friends like Joe and Leigh who are also reenactors. And I made some of my own friends towards the end when I got out of my shell.
And after much persuading, we decided to go to the brunch the next morning which included a potluck brunch and an hour of dancing. So we grabbed some cookie mix at the grocery store, in full period of course, and headed back home. I changed first, and by the time I got out of the bathroom Clayton was already changed and spooning cookie mix out on the sheet pan. So while they were in the oven we finished the first episode of Hornblower. After the cookies came out and the episode finished we pretty much went to bed. Or I assume Clayton did, I remember reading for a while.
The next morning, I woke up later than I had originally planned and therefore was unable to shower before brunch. I wore my green outfit this time but forgot my kerchief sooooooo I was a bit risque and it definitely didn't go unnoticed; I got several... comments on my neckline. Breakfast was lovely though, all the food I had was delicious. But the dancing was more fun of course. It was only an hour so it ended too quickly but I enjoyed every second of it.
We left after dancing and socializing a little more. But since it was such a beautiful day we decided to go to the Ethan Allen homestead. It was a really nice site and the tour was small (a tourist, Clayton, and me). The tour guide however was... mistaken about a few of the facts that he shared with us. (LIke that men and women alike wore more leather than linen because it took too long ot make... LIES) Clayton and I were kind of poking of at him afterward during the car ride home.
When we got home, James was playing a video game so I changed and packed up before we warmed up the rest of the leftovers from Friday and watched James play his video game.
I know at some point I fell asleep (big surprise there) before Clayton took me back to Plattsburg to catch my bus home. The ride over was nice, but the ferry across the lake was gorgeous. I was a bit chilly but otherwise it was beautiful. The weather was amazing and clear so the view on the lake was breath taking.
We got to the bus station a little early and after Clayton helped me bring my giant bag over to the bench where the bus picked people up he said goodbye and left. A good thing too, because if he had waited for the bus he would have waited with me for over an hour, the bus was incredibly late. But I eventually the bus came and I got on and found a seat to myself and I texted and listened to music on the bus mostly while moping about returning to [ugly] Albany.
Young picked me up from the bus station in Albany because I got in pretty late at night; almost eleven or midnight if I remember correctly. He made fun of me for having a giant suitcase (nothing surprising there of course) but I was still incredibly thankful for him picking me up. Because it was later than we both thought, we went out for food at Denny's. I was really thankful I was able to spend some one on one time with him. I really value any time I get to spend with Young because not only is he a lot of fun with a fantastic sense of humor but because there's always something you can learn from him. He's always willing to pass on any knowledge that he has so he can help us learn from his makes takes and watch us from a distance so we won't repeat them. Anyway, having breakfast/late-night meal with Young was nice before he dropped me back off at my room.
Overall, it was a lovely weekend, dancing, socializing, and making future reenactor connections.
Connie, Eliza, me, Clayton, Ellen, Albert
picture, compliments of Eliza