Besides feeling like the biggest grinch ever, my initial foray into the world of Christmas wasn't exactly what I hoped it would be.
I got a really great deal on tickets to Dicken's Fair through LivingSocial (Family four pack - two adults, two children - for less than the cost of two adults tickets), which means I was locked in to going at some point this year. Our initial plan was to go last weekend when I came down with the deathly death flu, and wound up stuck at home with a 102 degree fever. Yuck. Okay, new plan, go closing weekend.
Closing Weekend. Yuck.
Woke up Saturday morning still fighting the remnants of the deathly death flu crud, and not sure if I'd actually be interested in dressing up. Cut to an hour later, my geeky soul is begging to dress up in corset and Victoriana, so I caved and my inner geek did a little jig.
Our initial plans to get there between 11 a.m. and noon were offset by my perpetual inability to stick to a schedule on any given weekend that requires me to not look like I just rolled out of bed. Come 12:15, we're just tossing the last few things in the car, heading off to get gas and get on the road, finally pulling into the Cow Palace at 1:15 p.m., and hastily corseting up and heading in.
Immediately, I was reminded why I loathe closing weekend of any event. LOATHE IT. Crowds like you wouldn't believe. Lines half an hour long for the freaking ATM. And I won't even start on the lines for food. The topper of the day? We meet up with friends only to discover one of them just had her purse stolen. Happy effing Christmas. Have I ever mentioned I hate people?
Only one thing to do if the food lines are too long, you want to strangle the jerkface that stole your friend's purse, and claustrophobia is threatening to turn you into a giant, seething ball of hate: DRINK. Same way I dealt with Mardi Gras and my desire to punch people in the face. Also, Dave discovered his new second favorite drink: Absinthe. I tried it, but - eh - take it or leave it. The Raspberry Hard Cider on the other hand? Yum. I had many over the course of several hours.
At some point after waiting in a half an hour long line for the ATM and me drinking another cider, my friends decided to leave. The purse stealing had really ruined their day. Stupid, jerkface, purse thief!
Finally, filled with liquid courage, Dave, Shelly and I decided to brave the food lines, only to discover almost no line!!! Wewt, drinking time and show watching time apparently well spent.
The rest of the day was basically a blur. Watched shows over at Mad Sal's (the Adult stage), since the "family variety" of fun really wasn't our speed. Then some window shopping, a few more treks around the fair, one more show, and I was kaput.
For the most part we stayed out of the shops, but a few pieces were simply calling our names (and our pocketbooks):
Dave picked up a new vest, a couple of lovely cravats, and a new pocket watch to complete his Victorian outfit. Hubba hubba:
Then, being the sweetheart he totally is, picked me up this incredible fascinator/headpiece which I will now build an outfit entirely around:
Sadly, there's no picture of me wearing it day of; I was sorely lacking in the picture taking department, likely cause I was picking up the slack in the drinking department. And the oh-my-god-how-many-people-can-they-cram-into-this-place department.
Yep, that was my start of the holiday season. About three weeks after everyone else. I'm trying.
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