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/sigh The weekend is over. I am a little worn out from all the festivities... and, as shameful as it is to admit, a little sore from all the walking at the Renaissance Festival. Yes, that's right... not hiking in the mountains, running a 10k, or swimming in the surf... just walking. I really need to get to the gym. The Ren Faire was nice. Jason and I especially got a kick out of the quirks of anachronism and misplaced accents. For example, the exquisitely prepared costumes to seemingly the finest detail being accompanied by a big digital watch or sneakers as the exception. Strong drawled southerners trying their best at bending that twang into Elizabethan vernacular and failing in the most miserable, but cute way. There were tons of activities, performance art, food, and drink to be taken in throughout the day. The fairground was quite large, covering many more acres than I'd imagined. I took my camera, but only in a documentary capacity. Most of the folks out at the event with cameras were focused on the plethora of erupting cleavage from the bodice and bustier population density. Most of those women were one sneeze from a wardrobe malfunction. We left with enough time to beat the traffic out of the parking areas and headed into town for some food that involved sitting in chairs during consumption. Here are a few shots I snapped as I walked around the grounds: We had a snack at TMH a.k.a. Mi Rancho and a few jumbo margaritas before searching every easily accessible grocery store for fresh whole chickens. This proved to be quite challenging and we ended up having to drive to Woodland's Market to find uncut poultry that wasn't frozen solid. Beer can chicken on the grill, baby squash, and Jason's "special" macaroni and cheese casserole were the menu after Ted, Jenny, and Miranda came over to my place. It was nice to have people over at the house again... odd entertaining without EL's warm conversation embracing the room, but nice none the less. The weather was just cool enough to justify a crackling fire in the den. Penny was obviously happy I started up the fireplace for the season because she slept in front of it most of the evening. After dinner, everyone left Jason and I to our movie and wine. It was a pleasant end to an active weekend. I need a weekend to recover from this weekend. I slept too little, spent too much, and definitely ate too much, but seeing an old friend was just what the doctor ordered.