Festival of Souls Overview

Festival of Souls was actually quite nice. Better than the last time. Partially because I really knew more people this time. Partially because I had a refuge to which I could retreat. I really, really disliked being in a cabin last time. It may have been cold in the tent, we may have been a long walk from the nearest bathroom, but I could go there, sit on the screened "porch," and still be social without being in the thick of things. The problem with having such a mix of people and paths is- having such a mix of people and paths. There is always an air of chaos about, and it's most evident when in the lodge for meal times and such. By the time I was done with dinner on Sat evening, and had listed to s00j and company perform for a bit, I'd had my fill of people and energy for the evening.

I was bad and didn't attend but one seminar. The one I did attend was neat though. It was a mandala workshop, run by Lyon (who is nifty cool awesome). The vendor were rather nifty as well. Got a handmade besom from Willow, another of s00j's CD's, and some nice lip balm and hand creams. ravynfyre spoiled me mightily though, by buying me a gorgeous leather mask, a looped snake arm bracelet, one of Zaidia's (sp?) necklaces, and uglygrandmother's book. Oh, and Tiger Butter. Tiger Butter is love.

Just barely made it through the labyrinth before it winked out, and got to see Fire and Strings perform. Skipped out on main rit, because I was hurting all weekend pretty badly and consequently had been hitting meds pretty hard. My coven members are used to me when I'm doped up; the person standing next to me may not have been. Didn't want to disrupt anyone's balance and such.

What really got to me was that here are a bunch of "tree-huggin', nature-loving pagans" together in the woods- and several could not be buggered to respect the property and land. Trash and cigarette butts were left all over. This bothers me on a rather deep level. It didn't used to be that way. I think that we are not bringing up the younger generations properly and not enforcing proper behaviors as we should. I know it's impossible to really do that last; too many people, too much to do, things are crazy. But still, it rankled. So for next year, I am in charge of implementing a recycling program for Festival, and will also be placing butt depositories at every cabin.

I may also be doing kitchen with moonstone_fae's husband. >_> A lengthy discussion while waiting (and waiting) on Sat night feast has caused us both to want to step up and run that kitchen right. Be afraid, be very afraid.

All and all, a good weekend. Good people, good energy. I was hit in the head about a few things- more on that to come later. I still have to ponder out what I need to do.