Vakkotaur

I'm not sure what jmaynard's schedule will be for much of this year, mainly since so much can change at the last minute. But my plans, so far, are these:

Late May: Rocket City FurMeet. I'll be driving down a bit early to hopefully arrive on Thursday, and then I don't plan on leaving until Tuesday morning. This should give me time to not only attend RCFM but maybe also see stuff in the area. Last year I went to Huntsville and didn't go see the rockets. That must be rectified.

June 4-5: Siouxland Renaissance Festival. Actually I expect to go to Sioux Falls on the afternoon of the third. I expect it'll be like last year - only better. That's what Siouxland does.

Later in June? - Jubilee Faire. I think that's it. One that has been much recommended but somehow it always seemed to conflict with something else. This year it seems that the faire(s) that would normally conflict are likely not happening.

August/September: Minnesota Renaissance Festival. Probably only a couple times. Jay and I decided not to bother with the season pass this year, so we won't be going every chance there is, most likely. I like opening day since that's the least crowded time.

Early September: Probably one day at Iowa Renaissance Festival

Mid-November: Midwest FurFest. I had a good time last year, so I'm planning on doing it again.

After a couple recent events that resulted in my taking time off work, I looked things over to see if I could still make it to Midwest FurFest without that messing up anything else. It looked like I could it, but I'd have to leave on Monday rather than Tuesday. I goofed. I forgot I'd need Wednesday off for traveling to (or near to) Blue Eye, AR.

That means either I burn another 8 hours of off-time and further erode the buffer I have, or I leave sometime Sunday afternoon. Probably early Sunday afternoon, so I can get home at a not too unreasonable time in the evening. Yahoo maps claims the travel time is about 6 hours and 40 minutes. It will be a bit longer than that, most likely, with stops for all the annoying tolls with which Illinois impedes its better roads, and a stop or two for food, fuel, and such. So, call it 8 hours to be a bit more realistic.

Checking the MFF web site, I don't see a schedule readily available yet, so I don't know what I might miss (besides closing ceremonies and any "dead dog" gathering) with an early departure. I'd like to know that before deciding for sure, even though I'm almost certain I'll end up leaving around 2 PM Sunday.

Tentative schedule is:
* Depart Fairmont Thursday morning and drive to Schaumburg, arriving Thursday afternoon. (If this takes a different amount time than expected, Sunday's departure time gets adjusted.)
* Spend Friday & Saturday & Sunday morning at MFF.
* Depart Schaumburg Sunday afternoon, arriving back in Fairmont Sunday evening.

jmaynard summed up our the final day of MNRF. I realized again just how much I don't like huge crowds. I like the first day of MNRF much better than the last day as there are fewer people. The first day is by no means empty, but if I want to get from point A to point B the first day, at worst I have to weave through folks a bit. On the last day, it's more of a struggle to even maintain momentum.

The will-call window was taking payment for next year's season passes at an alleged discount. Jay and I decided not to get season passes for next year. A friend might be getting us comp tickets. If not, well, I realized I was going almost every weekend mainly to "get my money's worth" out of the pass, and to see a few friends. If I end up paying for individual tickets, it can still be savings by my simply not going every weekend. I don't need to go every weekend. It'd be nice to have some weekends of not really doing anything - or perhaps I should say, where I can more easily do something else.

This coming weekend (Oct. 2-3) I plan on not doing too much. I could go to Albert Lea for the Big Island Rendezvous, but there's not all that much of a reason for me to do so. It'd likely chew up about 4 or 5 hours of my time.

The next weekend (Oct. 9-10) , I plan on being at the Des Moines fall fair - and I'm not expecting much as it's being put on the same folks (person) that puts on IRF. I'm going to see a few friends, really, and to see irpooh's theatrical performance.

The weekend after (Oct 16-17), Saturday evening is the Siouxland Harvest Feast. And then my faire season will be over. Then my concern will turn toward the upcoming holidays and to MFF in November.

Also, I expect to catch up on COLT during October. I'm halfway or more through dealing with issue #18 and then only 19 and 20 will be left. They might even get taken care of before I get the next new issue. It's getting close, I feel a bit of a need to press on and finish things. Last night I felt a bit guilty about not doing anything with #18 even though I was ahead. It will be nice to be caught up.