When I reached my hotel (the Comfort Inn in Gilroy) Saturday evening, I discovered they were again out of the size room I had reserved. They had to upgrade me to a suite. Ah, the sacrifices I make for faire! I got to the hotel at about 10:30pm, and immediately went through all of the pictures from Saturday. I noticed they came out very nice.

I also wrote my blog entry for Satuday; ah, I love wireless internet! By 12:30pm I was ready to sleep (I was a bit wound up, so that's why I was going through the pictures). I went to bed and was just drifting off to dream-land when my phone rang (my personal cell, I carry two phones). I just opened it up and said to whoever was there that if they were not dying, they should call back later. I have no idea who it was, except it's in my home area code, but they didn't call back.

I wanted to sleep later on Sunday, but my wonderful internal alarm clock woke me up at 5am as usual. Sigh. Four hours sleep? Plus only three hours the night before? Oh well, I've done worse.

I finished going through the pictures from Saturday, wrote an article and went through all of my work emails by 7am, then got ready to check out of the room. A spot of breakfast at the local Denny's and I was off to the faire.

As I drove the road from Gilroy to casa de Fruta, I noticed that it was a wonderful day. The animals were out, the sky was clear, the insects were buzzing... Hmm, I think I felt pretty darn good.

Since I've been going to faires for a while, I knew that Sunday mornings are always sparse. Thus, it's a great time to wander around and do things that I normally can't or won't because of the crowds.

I talked with Kayta. She was glowing from head to toe. Something about a proposal (grin). I knew about it yesterday, and wanted to snap some pictures of the big event, but missed it. I snapped a few photos of the happy couple, then offered to get better ones later in the day if they had the time. (I did manage to hook up with them later and got some great photos).

Since this was to be my last day at this faire this year, I wanted to get some good pictures of the opening show. Even though I've seen it six times now, I still enjoy it and find it fresh and delightful each time.

Since I had receive numerous "complaints" of taking too many pictures of Cassie on previous days, I decided to take even more! In fact, since I was in a mischievious mood, I purposely took lots and lots of pictures of her. Personally, I don't think you can take too many pictures of a lady as pretty and photogenic as Cassie ... and I'm sure her booyfriend Mike wouldn't mind adding them to his collection!

I've gained quite a bit of afinity for each of the cast members in this show, so I spent time trying to get very good pictures for them. I think they came out very good, among my best yet.

Once the faire was opened, Cassie immediately asked me if I wouldn't mind taking some pictures of her and some children on the swings. I was delighted to do so. I got some very nice pictures of them, which I am sure her parents will find and treasure for years to come. Even though it was kind of a quiet moment, it was one of the high points of the three weekends. (And yes, Cassie, I deleted the shot of the up your dress. Gone forever.)

One of my goals was to get group photos of some of the guilds. Right after finishing with Cassie on the swing, I noticed a couple of them forming up near one of the stages. I took advantage of the perfect opportunity to get some photos for them.

Now I wandered over to the court. I had a mission. I was asked to get a few pictures of Shakespeare wooing his real-life wife, and we had set the time for 10:20am. This was what I was trying to do Saturday at the same time without success.

On the way over, I got some really excellent photos of one of the Yeobabes fencing. She was pretty good and the photos are cool. From where I was standing, it looked to me like she was kicking his butt pretty good.

Now I caught DanWill in a gig. I snapped a couple of photos, he spotted me and removed his glasses, then continued on with the gig. He and some of the nobles formed up as a horse. It was ... interesting. It did make for a good photo opp.

I think I'll take the time to mention here how this man has effected my life. When Claudia passed away I began attending faires heavily to make friends and extrovert a bit. But, you see, extroverting was very terrifying to me at the time. But there he was, doing his gigs and being funny and goofy and flirting, and nothing had happened to him. In fact, quite the opposite. So over the last couple of years, I learned by watching him that perhaps I could extrovert as well, and perhaps nothing bad would happen to me. And guess what, not only did nothing bad happen, but I am better for it. So thank you Willie Banger, for being you.

Okay, back to the regularly scheduled programming.

I got the pictures of Shakespeare wooing his wife. One goal down! Yeah!

I got a few more pictures around the court, then tried my hand at wooing. It was Jessica's turn. Hey, this actually was fun! I think next time I'm at a faire, I'm going to do a lot more of this.

After some fun with the Puritans (they were really great this year) I ran into a lady who always blinked when I took a picture. Fooled her. Pressed halfway, red light, she blinked, opened her eyes, wham, got the picture.

I've also had people tell me, "you sure must like the Yeobabes 'cause you sure take a lot of pictures of them!" Well, duh. I'm a guy and these are not only very pretty ladies (all of them) but they are very nice was well. They photograph very well, they always have a smile and a kind word for me, and, well, I just like them. So sue me. (I like the Yeodudes as well ... they are always willing to help, they have a kind word, and they are very, very nice).

I spent a little while longer at the court to get a few more pictures. I want to say something here. I like this court. Like the court at Southern earlier his year, they are always smiling, always playing their role and always friendly. I like them all and consider all of them friends.

Oh yes, I almost forgot, I stopped around this time to get a henna. I wanted a spider and that's what I got. A nice, big spider on my left hand.

Now it was time to see a show. I hadn't see the "Bold and Stupid" men yet, so that's where I went. These two actors are incredible. I've seen their show many, many times and I love them each time. I took quite a few pictures (you are welcome Kate) and they made me laugh.

Now it was time to go back to the court to catch some photos of one of my favorite people: the queen. I got some good ones.

I wandered some more and ran into Renie, my friend from last night and a few weeks ago. We've been on the rocking horse together before.

Renie and I and her lady friend went over to the rocking horses and had a very pleasant ride together. I like this lady ... she's a lot of fun. Once she and I were finished, her friend and I ride together as well. Then the three of us went up on the swing.

We decided to spend a few hours together, wandering around the faire. Our next stop was the "Whirl and Hurl", and that's exactly what it is. Renie and I were sat next to a very small child, she must have been around three years old, and Renie's motherly instincts took over. She held the child in the chair until her father took her away.

Now it was time to do some juggling. I picked up two of the balls and found out, hey, this wasn't hard at all. That is, until one of the balls hit me in the nose!

We played a quick game of darts (I am terrible at it), then went back to the rocking horse! Wow. Three times on the horse with the same lady.

Now our day was just about done. Renie has delightful children, and she was off to entertain them. I ran into her later and met two of her kids. She's done a good job with them!

After she went on her way, I went over to the Belles and caught the end of their show. Willie had requested a last group photo (he's retiring from the group) and I was happy to oblige. They came out very nice.

More wandering. I spied a couple of very pretty ladies trying on hats and had a wonderful time playing with her. She tried on a number of hats and asked my opinion on each one. I gave her my honest feelings, then took pictures of her looking into the mirror. That's one of my absolutely favorite shots, and it was the perfect opportunity. She finally asked me which was best, and I told her the three she had tried on were all good and she could purchase all of them. I think she did too.

Sometime during my wanderings I ran across Boink and had a wonderful conversation. This is a very good man, caring and responsible. Over the course of these six days, I have learned to respect him and I consider him one of my good friends.

Her companion was a delightful lady with very pretty eyes from South America. I was enthralled with her accent and I could have starred into her eyes for hours.

I got a final couple of pictures of Jocelyn, which came out very, very nice. Of course, Joceyln almost always photographs well.

Now I was getting ready to leave for the long trip home. I was getting late in the afternoon and I had along drive ahead of me.

I decided to make one circuit of the whole faire and give my goodbyes to all of the friends that I could find. And that's exactly what I did. I took about an hour, got lots of hugs, a few smooches, and numerous handshakes.

What a great bunch of people!! I didn't want to go home, to return to reality, but it was time.