GFLOE - attempt 2 at a summary
Aug. 2nd, 2004 10:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dreaminghopeI cannot record it all. It is impossible to summarize the whole experience. But there are some random memorable moments
Feeling the energy coming together, along with the responses to the call and responses, during the Opening Ritual.
Hugs, head rubs, back rubs, flirting, random compliments and all kinds of affection.
Getting to see some wonderful people I saw all too rarely (sometimes only the once a year), including Fritz, Jen, Steven, Christoph, Lisa, Chris, and so many others.
Russ and Ryan, who's about to go into grade 1, sympathizing with each other about how hard it is to tell time.
Codes: misquitoes and sausages.
Watching beautiful, bright children being cared for by loving, attentive parents. Rowan, Ryan and Emma almost make me want to have children of my own.
A caring ear and a hug whenever I needed one.
Talking to Jen about her opinions on parenting and her Childcare Coordinator duties, while she rubs her extremely pregnant belly (her second child is due on August 15th). It was also beautiful to see that belly painted with a henna design the next day.
The AGM: It went smoothly, for once. The new theme, "Tricksters", is the one we wanted. Russ and I both got ourselves elected on to the Board. (Oh Goddess, what have we done?!?) And seeing the new site unanimously accepted by the Gathering was such a great surprise.
Lisa, high on sugar and caffeine, bouncing and ending all her sentences with "doo-dah, doo-dah".
Beautiful dragonflies everywhere!
Davon telling me I'm beautiful, a wonderful random compliment.
Helping a very drunk Kate back and forth from the Grotto. She gets bossy when she's drunk... it is a good thing she's so cute!
Doing tequila shots, complete with lime slices carved using a mini Swiss Army knife, with Elaine, Holly and ED.
Glittering and being glittered!
The Mysteries: The play was wonderful. Kara, as The Kore/Persephone, was particularly entrancing to watch. Seeing Fritz jump into the lake, still wearing his costume, was hilarious. Also, the wild dancing to drumming and fiddling during the ritual portion was powerful, as was the energy raised.
The Bardic Festival, especially "Nuns with Bling" and Jamey's performance. It was so brave of her to perform. She has a beautiful voice, but she often doubts her abilities and she didn't know a lot of the crowd.
Helping Elaine set up Aphrodite's Temple and assisting with the magical transformation from an ugly tent and some boxes of stuff to a gorgeous sacred space.
The drumming, the dancing, the chanting... the Spiral Dance from the opening ritual... dancing to drum and fiddle in the Grotto as part of the Mysteries... feeling sexy while dancing by the fire pit to the new drummers.
Seeing the beautiful results of so many talented people's hard work: Pan's Lair, Gen's clothing creations, the face painting, the henna work, Deb's belly ties.
Random conversations, some deep and powerful, some extremely silly, and many a little of each, all through the weekend.
Seeing so much dedication to the Gathering (especially site cleaning on Monday, all the Board's work before and during the Gathering, and the hard work by the Otters) and hearing that dedication being noticed and appreciated by the community.
Swimming naked under the sun. Seeing new people and people who are often very self-conscious throw themselves into the spirit. Running around in clothing that would be unacceptable anywhere but the Gathering. Getting to wear my horns!
There's too much! I'll have to process some more and maybe add more later.
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no subject
Date: 2004-08-03 04:14 am (UTC)Was it anything like "Men in Black"? :)
no subject
Date: 2004-08-04 06:51 pm (UTC)Brand new initiates tied up with string,
These are some more of my favourite things!
no subject
Date: 2004-08-04 09:25 pm (UTC)