You would think that folks in the Davis area would know not to plan events on Picnic Day. You would think.
Folks who are out of the area, allow me to explain. Remember Open House back in elementary school? How you'd paint your best picture to put up on the wall of your first grade classroom so that night you could eagerly drag your parents into the class and point it out, "That one, up there on the top." Meanwhile your teacher stands up in front of the class in way nicer clothes than she ever show up to teach in and greets the parents of your classmates. Remember that? This, essentially, is Picnic Day, but on a university scale. It's a huge event. Every hotel room in Davis is taken Picnic Day weekend. Parents come out, alumni come home, the entire town shows up, and the departments all put their best foot forward. There are dachshund races, bovine bingo, the geology department builds a dinosaur in the center of their building, the chemistry department puts on magic shows that people wait around the block for, and the CalAggie Marching Band-Uh! takes on rival colleges in a battle of the bands.
It's a huge event. So why then did so many other groups schedule their festivals and events for the same day? Like how many licks it takes to get to the center of tootsie pop, the world may never know.
This year the debate was between Picnic Day and the Middle Earth Festival in neighboring Vacaville. Middle Earth won out. Though I knew I would miss the geology department lecture series, when do I ever turn down an opportunity to dress up in funny clothes?
This year, I had to scratch out a new dress to accommodate my expanding waist line, but working up to the last second I managed an empire waist velvet and chiffon gown that I'm quite proud of. The fair was much improved from its first run a year ago. There were probably twice as many vendors, and while a Middle Earth recreation in the middle of downtown Vacaville may lack the ambience of a full-fledged renfaire, the people were wonderfully friendly and it was absolutely free so I didn't feel bad for purchasing a pair of suede-crafted elf ears.
The ball was at a smaller venue with a beautiful spread of food which was fresh and healthy for the most part. Forgive me, but at 4 months pregnant, a good party is judged heavily on the buffet table.
Rats in the Haggis played yet again and we danced ourselves silly all night. (I don't know about you, Megan, but after 2.5 hours of ballet earlier in the day, and an evening of practicing my pas de basque steps to "Ball of Yarn" and the like, my calves were a little sore yesterday.) My friend Cheryl was such a convincing hobbit in both costume and footwork that she was recruited by one of the event coordinators for a hobbit guild next year. First Vacaville, then New Zealand, my friend. I have no doubt.
I won a t-shirt with a ballerina fairy on it in a raffle, Shawn drooled over an electric stand-up base that belonged to the band, and all were entertained by Adam the Juggler. A good night, all in all. Pictures are up on my photos page.
Sunday I tackled the mowing of the back yard. It put up a good fight, but ultimately I won. I celebrated with a root beer and about 6 hours reading my new literary obsession, Speaker for the Dead. I wish to say that if you live your whole life without ever reading a novel by Orson Scott Card, you are doing yourself a grave disservice. (Important note: Don't read "Speaker for the Dead" unless you read Ender's Game first.)
Shawn began the first alterations to the house to prepare for the baby by rearranging our washer and dryer. I've become fairly useless in the area of lifting and moving heavy objects due to my delicate condition, so thank you thank you to our friend Jeremy who lent us a hand. You rock.
So ends an illustrious weekend and so begins another week. Sunlight on your road.