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The first adventure was opening my briefcase on the train up to London on the Saturday before the convention. My hair mousse had exploded all over the inside and the contents, filling the case to the brim. Very comical sight, really - afterwards, anyway. Lots of frantic to and from the loos to get tissue paper and mop up. Then we found Simon had no oboe reeds with him. Apart from that, the first step on the journey was uneventful, and we spent a very pleasant evening with Ninja and Janet (thanks, guys!) and their cats. We set off next day and wrestled with The Monster that is Heathrow - and Corwin's first flight. Shame we had no window seats, but there you go. Resetting watches early on and drinking lots of orange juice started to set me up for the time change, and we reached Boston safe and were met by Spencer, Persis, and Wee Talis (thanks, guys!) and taken on a whirlwind drive round Boston plus quick stop through the park with the ducks ('Make way for Ducklings') before piling back to their house and realising that Halloween really gets exciting this side of the pond... especially liked the rings of ghosts dancing round trees and the flying witch gone SPLAT! Against the garage wall.
Spent Saturday evening resolutely not going to bed till local time said I could, thus getting jet lag over with at one go.
Monday, after lovely dim sum with the guys and an extended stop at a music store, we met with lots of Massfilk folks for a house concert / filksing and I reassured myself that my bouzouki, Kosh, had made transit safely. It was a pleasure to put faces to people like Dr Whom, Jacob Summers, Robin Holly and Rachel Silverman, and to hear and see old friends again too (Lois, Gary, Janet...)
Tuesday we set off for Ohio via Washington and Cleveland. I know, I know.... It made sense to my travel agent, anyway. Two lovely plane rides, Corwin charming the socks off the stewardess, bit of a wait for the second plane, ate some pretzels (I did a lot of that over the whole trip) and finally landed safe and were met by Diana Huey. She took us to Der Dutchman for dinner and disarmed Simon so adroitly from his English protests and reservations - he was charmed by her at once, I could see. We settled in at her house and met Robert, which was a pleasure, and then slept like logs.
Wedneday and Thursday: two delightful and restful days with Diana and a very engaging little Tavo, including a mall visit, a lot of laughter, many hugs, tears when the first batch of my album arrived finally - finally! (18 months in the recording, but actually about 5 years overdue, believe me.) Oh - and it blazed so hot we ran round the garden with water pistols soaking each other, in between games of football/quidditch which climaxed when Diana rushed the pitch as the Golden Snitch (holdign aloft a yelolw tennis ball) and we all collapsed for a rest. Lovely, lovely day.
Friday, we set off for the con hotel and made ourselves at home there. We had met Pat the Con-Suite Queen already, which was useful, as we knew where to go for food, drink, hilarity and company. Wound up collating and stapling programme books - that bit's traditional - and sneaked a quiet dinner with Dave & Judith Hayman, old friends whom Simon and Corwin had not met before.
The tea party was a good chance to chat to old friends and new, met Bob Kanefsky, hugged Tom Smith (the silly man wondered if I'd *remember* him! I mean, I ask you!) met Solomon Davidoff and re-met many others - Mike and Rennie with Liam, Kathleen and her sister, Robin, Mark Bernstein (whose hat looked very silly indeed on me - which meant people took pictures...) and Wee Talis was dressed up in her Plum Velvet dress; of course I was wearing mine.
Thus attired I performed 'Velvet' in the Pegasus nominees concert - Simon did 'Sam's Song' with Diana Huey playing guitar, oh he has a lovely voice... ahem, and a great many fine performances were heard.
Later: at this point it gets a bit muddled. I think that I must have met about 400 new people, although I am told that there were not *that* many at the con. But I met a lot of them! Later Friday I spent a lot of time in the Con Suite meeting and talking - sat in a circle and vividly remember Kathleen Sloan endangering her tongue and teeth with a song about maps and Middle Earth... Got a reasonably early night as I had a busy day ahead.
Saturday: workshop at 10.00 am. I didn't know whether it would be storytelling or songwriting until... about halfway through the workshop! It became an amalgam of both, perhaps emphasising the storytelling, which I think went well; Robert Stockton kindly lent me his harp and I free-form accompanied the gammadion story that went round the workshop, then did 'The Boy who drew Cats', and then 'Gold Tree and Silver Tree' as a storytelling exercise in which everybody came out with flying colours. I think it went well, anyway. I enjoyed it.
Oh yeah; Thursday (I know, I'm out of date order now - won't be the last time) Dave Clement and Tom Jeffers dropped by with Daniel and Melissa Glasser. Now, Daniel I knew by proxy in that he'd kindly lent his guitar for me to use at FilkOntario in 97, but he wasn't able to attend himself, so it was the first time I met him, and also Melissa, who I must say became something of a good fairy to us throughout the con. (We blessed the name of Melissa Glasser as we finished off chocolate chip bagels in a motel room in Lafayette, Indiana!) And Friday we jammed - oops, I mean *rehearsed* with Tom and Dave, in readiness for the upcoming performances.
Where was I? Saturday afternoon... getting ready for my concert, catching all I could of other peoples' (I wasn't always in eyeshot but I was listening, Gary Erlich, Daniel & Melissa, lots of other folk...) and then doing my concert (boy, was I nervous) with my floating band Mythical Beasts consisting on this occasion of Simon Fairbourn, Dave Clement, and Tom Jeffers. Apart from introducing 'Ceinwen's Bow' then singing 'The Centaur' instead (d'oh!) I think we did OK - Simon's bassoon made its usual impact, Tom added mandolin/cittern and I think bass, Dave percussion, and floating backing vocals all over. Anyway, I burst into tears because everyone stood up to clap at the end - I don't think I've had one of those before, it was rather overwhelming - and I was glad that TM Mark Bernstein saved me from an encore (I don't think I could have done, I was too emotional by then) by declaring dinner.
I made a quick change and sat to dine with various charming company including TM Mark, Alan and Alta Thiesen with their young'un, and Maureen. The Pegasus awards were nailbiting, and I was so glad I was watching Simon when it was announced that Zander's Sam's Song had won its Peggy. He was gobsmacked, and he and Diana did victory hugs, and made a very sweet and dignified little speech. Rand from Ookla was there - just as well, cos they won one as well - and Tom Smith and Debbie Ohi tied on theirs. Lots of hugs and happy tears.
Diana Huey announced that she is stepping down as con-chair for OVFF; as a new mom she has her hands full with Tavo, and mention should be made of the considerable work she has put in over the years, encouraging, planning, chivvying, beign where the buck stops, and charming and delighting all who have had the privilege of spending time with her. I am very grateful that she enabled me to attend OVFF as GoH while she was still esconced. I know that the committee will carry on and continue to run successful and enjoyable conventions in the future; I thought OVFF was great.
Off yer soapbox, girl. OK. Ah yes - the Interfilk auction - and the wenching thereat. I was being very demure (OK, giggling with MEW and Judith, and Barb Rietel and UT) until Count Spatula's deadly chocolate was put up for auction. I was engaged to eat a truffle... seductively. Well, actually, Judith suggested another word, but you know Judith. If you don't, you should. She's fun. And trouble. (Like there's a difference...?) So I did my best, I swooned and sighed, and Daniel Glasser took digital pictures of the whole thing in sequence... it's all Judith's fault, honest... ask me what I contributed to the Interfilk Auction and I will reply: 'my dignity'...
Saturday - backtracking here - there was the pool party (Corwin
especially enjoyed that) - cut to the circles later - I made it to three
out of four, I think - started in the con suite playing requests (Still
Catch the Tide for Seanen, Pagan Angel for Deirdre and Angel, assorted
others - no, not Triptych! I don't play Triptych any more!) and various
noodling and goodnatured hilarity. Went on to a smallish circle in the
workshop room where I heard lots of fun songs, Maureen, Crystal,
Deirdre, I may be muddling with Sunday night's circle but what the heck,
Renee, Emory and Barb and ... sorry, I can't remember all the names I
read and heard! But as I said to Lois Mangan in Boston, even when I
don't recall the name and face, doesn't meen I forget the person. Re-
introduced to her at Spencer & Persis' house - we'd met at Boskone 5
years previous - I exclaimed 'the last time I saw you, you had fruit on
your head!' - which was true, she was being Carmen Miranda. I think she
took it the right way...
Moved on after a few rounds to the rock jam, and heard the likes of Scott 'Cosmo' Snyder, Howie, and Steve MacDonald making lots of good noises. I decided that was the place to sing Tom Jeffers a song I'd written for him - I'm mean that way. Heard 'Wild King' for the first time. Oh boy. Boggled Scott when Simon and I added Britfilk-style 'signing' to something which included the term pies... he nearly fell off his chair, that was fun. UT did their 'Friends' song which always cracks me up. I did 'Smoke gets in your Eyes' (my filk of it - I know, the title can't be anything else, really!) acapella and the room joined in.
Stayed too late and badly needed to crash and burn.
Had a difficult time co-judging a songwriting contest - was very glad that more experienced hands were also there. Joy Parker (she's fun) TM Mark, and Diana and I were the panel. Renee was the winner, I remember Scott, Steve, Susan Urban, Seanen (wow, what a voice!) and a wonderful rap about reading being a licence to drive.
Ed and MEW led a very enjoyable session on Sunday morning, their lad Rowan is a sweet natured soul; played some backgammon with Dan...? Lots of chat and meetings turning into goodbyes - then we kidnapped Ed and MEW and the Snyders for a quiet supper and ice cream, before returning to the con suite and attached filk circle (Judith's 'Yuk! - what a treat seeing Simon hear that for the first time) which spiralled out next door. Erica was there, and Scott and Steve Mac, the wildly-talented Casie, and lots of others - as I say, I'm sure I'm blurring all the circles together a bit, so if you weren't there, sorry! Crystal, Seanen, um... ... I can see your faces but the names are going... stayed up way too late ... went to bed very late, didn't want the con to stop...
Special thanks to BJ, to the gentlemen who were playing cards with Corwin, to Pat and Jenny and Andy, Kathy Mar, everyone on the comitte who worked so hard, everyone who attended the con who made it such fun... I enjoyed meeting you all, and hope to see you again one of these days.
Course, I didn't stop at Columbus. Some of you will kniow that I went on to perform in Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Winnipeg - but that's the next chapter. Right now I need a cup of tea.
Chicago - sorry to leave Diana and Tavo behind, we set off in the afternoon; we drove (well, OK, Tom Jeffers drove) to Lafayette Indiana where we stopped at a motel for the night - we don't have motels in England, it was *cool*! Everyone except Simon was snoring nicely - Corwin adding an offbeat to Tom's and Dave's mellifluous rhythm (I could've done with Simon snoring too - I know how to sleep through that!) - only kidding guys, honest... anyway, so I took pen and paper to the bathroom and wrote a song instead.
Next day we hit Chicago and I was faced with the biggest waffle I had ever seen at an IHOP. We met up with the delightful Bill Roper, who was recording our gig that night.
Turned out our host, Rita, was away as her mother had undergone surgery - hope she's making full recovery, Rita, Kevin & Heidi, if you read this. Rita's husband and sister and niece hosted us in her place, and Heidi even took Corwin trick or treating. I got to howl with a husky!
Howie and Cynthia were in Japanese costume and looked very fine; Steve Mac won the 'furthest travelled on no sleep at all and with work the next morning because he's as mad as a fridge' prize.
Given that it was 31st October, I sang 'The Dancing' for my mother, and 'Death Danced' had, for me, even more than its usual poignancy. Bill was a complete star and took us home for the night (we all drooled over his studio - we wiped it off after, honest).
Milwaukee - we had the honour of being the inaugural act at Barb's Basement - and with a crowd of enthusiasts who joined in, heckled (in a friendly way) and brought chocolate truffles (Jan!) how could we go wrong? After the concert came the jam and the drum session - anyone who thinks they saw me dancing was clearly hallucinating as I Don't Dance Where People Can See Me, OK? Jan DiMasi gave me a back rub that threatened to reduce me publicly to a puddle of ooze - suggestions that my happy mewings be recorded and interfilk-auctioned were, I think, not taken seriously... and we had waffles for breakfast! Wow!
Minneapolis - at Jerry's house (where I had Cups of Tea) we performed for a friendly Twin Cities set of people - and what a sight Minneapolis is at night, rising from the plain like a jewelled citadel... seriously, I didn't know a city could be that pretty. We had fun there, and I had the honour of meeting, playing for, and then hearing Nate Bucklin... what this man does with the English language and a guitar must be heard to be believed. Jerry worried way too much, I hope he's reassured now!
It was a pleasure to spend time with Erin McKee, who's work I've admired for years. A more charming, kind and creative wellspring you couldn't wish to meet. Her ball python, Spook, flowed delightfully round my neck and confirmed my long-held assertation that I like snakes. He was lovely, warm and soft and beautiful.
We reached Winnipeg after a long drive through seemingly endless plains
of Wisconsin and North Dakota, having halted at the border where I had
to answer lots of questions and Tom and Dave were fearful of arrest as
white slavers
The Bhigg House - red door, warm welcome, bhigg heart. Connie created us a wonderland for a backdrop - Dave had mentioned the hares/rabbits thing, and we had hats and rabbits and glorious drapes all round. Doll perched comfortably in a plush rabbit's lap, Curragh opened (I joked that Tom and Dave's band got bigger as we went along while mine got smaller - then I kidnapped All for smallpipes on 'Farewell to Childhood') with rousing and lively music, and then we did the last concert of the tour - Ruth (who's Rapunzel, really, I'm absolutely sure) took pictures of Connie taking pictures of me, I tried on a lot of hats, we had fun, we played and sang like wild things, we had fun, and then... we were done. I kept to the set list for the first time on the tour, so I got my cookie.
Sundayafternoon, I was delighted to meet and hear Sam Baardman in person - a delightful and talented performer whose songs I've loved for some time - we swapped songs and wished we had longer to talk - he jammed in on a couple of mine, and he sang not only 'Soft Grey Glove' but also 'Solar Flare' - both unutterably lovely. Somehow in between the tears I was able to notice what he was doing with the capo... oh my. What a bright afternoon.
After Dave Clement's Killer Chilli, I was live on radio with Tom, who made it easy - the urge to cough, hiccup, or giggle while you're waiting through those last seconds before you go live, is considerable. I resisted. Tom didn't even ask me any embarrassing questions, bless him. Al rang to say he was listening - an hour away and with radio held aloft!
Home to the Bhigg House for Dandelion Wine, and a delightful and silly farewell party / pretzel war (Ruth started it, honest!) with Kylea Fulton, Ruth, Elizabeth, Tom and Dave. Snow was on its way.
Then I went home; parted in tears, boarded my plane with a mixed bag of sorrow and joy - going home to one family, leaving behind another.
So that was Talis's Archetype Caf Tour 2000; I sang a lot of songs to a lot of people. I made a lot of friends. I saw a lot of places. I came home filled with memories, images, hugs, and music; thank you all so very very much. I'll come back one day and do it again, if you'll have me.
Talis Kimberley