The weekend of the Fair was incredible. I didn't take a single picture (sorry guys), but the moments were unforgettable, even with my terrible memory. I can't believe that I have to leave this corner of paradise and head back into the world of planes, trains and automobiles. Even though I'm excited about the rest of my summer, right now my emotions are leaning more towards melancholy, as the reality of a year before I can come back sets in.

I've never felt such a sense of family at the Fair as I did this year. It was my first time working during the month before the Fair, but I know that this has to be a part of my life from now on. To my Fair family: I miss you all already, and I can't wait to see you again. Have a great year, and I'll see you in June.

Also while at the Fair, I had a chance to go up in a little 4-person plane with our resident pilot, Cliff, along with Dru and Windy (fabulous campmates extraordinaire). We were the "take it easy on us" flight crew, since Dru gets airsick, I sometimes do, and Windy wasn't really into the idea of zero gravity. Cliff was very accommodating, and we all trundled off to the grass airstrip, about 10 minutes away from the fairgrounds.


Our pilot, Cliff


The fabulous flight crew.

We were pretty gung-ho at the beginning. I got to sit in front, which meant that I would also get to fly the plane for 5 seconds-a couple minutes, depending on how well I flew.



Dru and Windy were doing well in the back, until about halfway through the flight, when Dru started to get sick. Panic ensued as Windy and I tried to get her an airsick bag in time. They happened to be disguised as little blue envelopes, so we almost didn't make it before Dru yakked. I wasn't feeling so hot myself, so we asked Cliff to land the plane (with a slight tone of desperation).

All in all, a very cool experience, I got to fly for about 3 or 4 minutes, which was awesome. I did ask Cliff to take control of the plane back several times during those minutes, as I was totally terrified the whole time, but the important thing is that I didn't crash the plane :)


I'm flying!

As you can imagine, internet access while camping is rather scarce. That is, unless you're camping at the Fair, where there is wireless access in the campgrounds! I didn't know this ahead of time, and so left my computer at home, but it's actually been really nice to be away from email, websites, and computers in general. I had forgotten that I actually know how to live without a computer within 20 feet of where I am at all times. It's pretty refreshing...

The Fair is coming up next weekend, but this weekend the Pre-Fair crew had a Disco-Drag party. It's exactly what it sounds like, but I've never seen a group of people with such enthusiasm for dressing up and getting wild before. I love it. The pictures really say it all I think...


Having chest hair was actually pretty interesting, especially since I didn't realize I still had a bunch that didn't come off in the initial washing, and stayed around till the next afternoon



Dru was the biggest player there, all the "ladies" loved her!



Dru and Brian, gettin' down



The lovely ladies of construction and site crew.



Didn't I say that Dru was popular with the ladies?



Chris is overjoyed to be getting Matt's attention... incidentally, I think Matt looks better in my skirt than I do.



Gaby, the casanova



Show us your elephant, Eric!

After brief stops in Boston (happy birthday mom!), and San Francisco (have a great trip Bri!), I'm headed off to Oregon for my month of work and play at the Oregon Country Fair (http://www.oregoncountryfair.org). The Fair is an incredible coming together of artists, craftspeople, food, music, dance, and family. I have the lucky task of helping to build and repair the fairgrounds in preparation for the weekend of July 13-15, when tens of thousands of people will come from all over the state and beyond to experience the Fair. That means I get to hang out in a beautiful Oregon forest, camp, meet lots of amazing people, and hone my fairly non-existent construction skills. What could be better?