This may not seem like something a dude should know about but I do and I thought I would share with you my dear dear readers that there is a hidden and forgotten language of the fan.
Does anyone even use fans anymore? Well I was seeing a lady once, or rather, I visited her a couple times. She told me a little about the fan language. In essence, its a way for proper ladies to communicate their true feelings without being too obvious and using words I suppose.
I think about this lady once in a while and I hope she is happy and healthy.
I think the problem with this fan language is that really only another lady would understand what you are trying to say, and most of these fan signs do not appear to be intended to other ladies but to gentlemen.
Here is a site that has some of the basic signs. A Cool Breeze.
Still have no idea what I am talking about? Someone made short video clips of the most necessary signs. The Royal Collection
Even Wikipedia has a mention of it on their page for fan. Though hint it may have been a marketing ploy and not actually used by people. Somethings start off as marketing ploys but become genuine enough if there is the need.
Who knows, maybe you will need to use this at Dickens Fair? Make sure you let me know if you do.
I have been able to go to Dickens Fair this year. Sometimes the family goes and sometimes they don’t. Yesterday they didn’t and I was all on my own. I kinda like being all alone becuase it means I can go a wandering. I talk to my friends which is nice and reminds me why I bother in the first place to go to this silly thing year after year.
Yesterday I went to Fezziwigs to see if I could dance with Ammy. I was standing there minding my own business. When I got asked to dance by this woman. Well how to put this? The woman was very very tall. She had very wide hands and a deep voice. For what I surmise this person is um transsexual or maybe a transvestite? Any way I said yes. and it was very odd. Anyway they were not a horrible dancer so I suppose it wasn’t all that bad.
But I did think to myself I should write about this and maybe someone would find it interesting.
Finally, Ammy appeared and we did get to waltz one waltz. I had an insight. I am a horrible dancer, yet Ammy always, always wants to dance with me. I think perhaps Ammy and my wife both like dancing with me because they like me, not because I am a terrific dancer. I’m sure there are plenty of better dancers but once you get to know the mice you love him. That’s my theory.
I also got to see Lady X who seemed genuinely happy to see me. She looked into my eyes and gave be a great big hug. I was happy to see her and she seemed to be just as full of life and happiness as ever which was good. I missed her a little but it seemed like her life was progressing just fine without me.
At fair I also get to see a young lady we’ll call Miss Chevia though really she is now Mrs. Chevia. When I first met her she would constantly be playing jokes at my expense. Now she’s married and almost the age I was when we met. It is good to see her but I am very happy the jokes are over.
Nothing against being queer, but I did find this somewhat amusing - especially the picture.
I am here. I miss Mrs. mice and my DJ. The room is nice as you can see.
I played Wheel of Fortune and broke even. Time to stop for now. Much later as I am writing this Blues Brothers 2000 is on the tube. Nice.
We have been doing Dickens Fair. It’s really been very nice for me to see many of my old friends. I have been selling chocolates at Bramosia. It has been a long time since I was at fair and an even longer time since I was a “boothie”. What is that you may well ask. Of the persons who work a fair, you are either a boothie or a performer. If you are a boothie, you are selling something. As a performer you are of course part of the entertainment.
In years past I was a part of a guild called St. Helenas or dancing with a troupe called Newcastle. Regardless of not performing, it is still nice to be back at fair. My little DJ has been enjoying it probably too much.
Anyway its time to fall asleep. Or at least to try.
A news article with several of the details wrong
Renaissance Entertainment Corporation after having bought this faire from the Pattersons a couple years ago.
Now the Pattersons have their own faire in Northern California. Heart of the Forest. In many ways the two faires were competing. It looks like the Pattersons won. I guess that's a good thing. I certainly enjoyed my time at Heart of the Forest at Stafford Lake more than REC at Casa De Fruita Faire.
The thing that keeps me from feeling too bad is that REC was always in it for the money, never the fun, nor the true spirit of it. When they lost money they decided to bail. Oh well I say. Get what you pay for, so to speak. I became very disillusioned with REC when they broke up the Guild I was in: St. Helena's. To me this meant that they didn't really care about authenticity, nor the spirit of Faire. They saw us as a nuisance. Well now REC are the nuisance. Good luck in SoCal and NY or wherever else you are. Good Riddance. Jerks.
So now there is only one Northern Faire. I hope we can make it good. Its never gonna be like Black Point. Man, I miss that place.
More Later,
My friend Gabe says making funny faces like we do is called gurneying.
We got to dance a late street set with Merry Pranksters which was fun. We got to see some dear friends we hadn't seen in a while. And although many of our friends who are working this faire say it sucks because attendance is down, we had an OK time.
More Later,
