Burning out, frazzled, and dehydrated

The world seemed so cheery at the beginning of summer. It still is, sometimes. With the daunting school year drawing ever closer and the days growing ever hotter, though, I sometimes find it hard to keep my positive outlook. That being said, know that this will probably turn into a rant at some point, that life probably isn't so terrible as I'm about to make it, and that I'll probably love the summer again tomorrow (well, if I don't get stuck at the train and/or front gate all weekend).

My once dream job of sitting in a pioneer era house explaining the spinning wheel and spinning all day has come crashing down somewhere in the not-too-distant past, or at least has slipped further and further away in the preceding weeks. I still put on the outfit, but seem to have made an impression at the front gate and giving tours on the train. I dislike them both. As a long-time reenactor I would have thought that I would be useful...well...reenacting, but I guess someone thinks I'm good at doing the two spots where you don't. Now, I exaggerate, I haven't actually been stationed at the front gate in a while, but I had a stretch of nearly every day, during which I was informed that the man in whom my interest lay was already dating someone, which just made life at work suck. I'm getting over that tolerably well, and have decided I like the girl he's dating better than him anyway (in a very platonic not gay way, he's just really quiet and hard to get to know, whereas she's awesome) Never give up a great friendship on account of a boy, that's what I say.

Well, things got better, in fact I had a great week or so where I got to be in sites I'd never been in almost every day. It was great! I love learning about the new things, and the sites, and I met more of my co-workers some of whom I particularly like. I had a wonderful conversation with a girl who does Civil War reenacting like I do Medeival and she's awesome. I always love meeting people who appreciate history in the same way I do...like, in the same manner I do...like dressing up and pretending your part of it.

So, things were going very well until the dreaded day came, the day I thought I could avoid all summer, the day they put me on the train. I don't know why they thought this was a good idea, plenty of people already knew how to do the train, and it was a pain for them to train me, but come it did, and now it seems my fate to be stuck there at least once a week, although so far it's been twice this week, and I've only worked two days. I know, I know, I'm being very whiny. Others did the train for the for the first month of summer, but I hate it. Perhaps I just get frustrated since I have talents that would be better employed anywhere else in the park, perhaps it's because they always go on about how they take our talents an interests into consideration when they assign us, and how they try to get us into spots we'll enjoy and if there's one we really don't like we can ask not to be put there yadda yadda. Well in my interview I was asked the question what would be the hardest part of working at the park, my response: the heat. I punctuated that very badly I know, but the point is that the train and the gate are the two places that are miserably hot, the train especially. I don't care if I'm 'good at it' I'm miserable. Like I said, this is a rant, it's probably not that bad, and I am actually pretty lucky that it took them this long to put me there, but ugh, after two days of it strait, I feel horrible. I don't know how the other girls did it earlier, well it wasn't as hot then I guess, but really no one should be made to be out in the sun all day for multiple days strait if it can be helped. I know construction workers have to do it, but they could do something for us, like switch us out or something. (Ow, as I scratch my sunburn from rolling up my sleeves yesterday. I have a wonderful tan line right at my wrist since that's where my sleeves hit)


So, I went to SCA in the middle of this post and now I'm back, and like I said, life doesn't really suck, I was being horribly whiny, and I feel better now. I do love my job, my bosses, and everyone I work with...I'm still not a fan of the train, but whatever, with some shade and/or airconditioning it would actually be pretty fun, too It's amazing what stabbing someone in the gut with a blunt sword for and hour and a half will do for your frustrations...that and a lot of water and some air conditioning, oh, and eating dinner helps too, yay for protein, and never underestimate the power of a good cool shower.

And now it's time for bed.

I just had to post this. I actually stole the photo from the facebook group and had some fun in iPhoto with the original. Doesn't this just make you want a nice pioneer man to settle down with?

The Pain of good health

Well, I've done it (she says in her mundane voice) I've done the unthinkable. I joined a gym. Don't worry, it's not one of those buy a years worth of gym and quit going but keep paying deals, it's month to month, and I've officially gone for two days in a row. And all I have to say about the results so far is "ow."

Why does being healthy involve so much pain?

For the beauty of the Earth

Friday night I decided that I wanted to go to the temple by myself for the first time since my Endowment. I have to say, it was again a beautiful experience. It seems a little surreal at this point, and so otherworldly. The absolute beauty and purity of the temple is so awesome (and I use that word in the old fashioned actually in context way) compared to the vileness that exists in some of this world. When I have forgotten how nasty the world can be I often wonder to think that celestial world will be more beautiful than this world because I can't comprehend anything more lovely than being in a meadow of flowers on a perfect afternoon, or under a tree by a river, but I suppose as I think about it, to have those perfect moments in a perfect place without the surrounding possibility of corruption or filth would be perfectly beautiful.

Life is Amazing!

Today was a most wondrous day filled to the brim with spinning. I have come to the realization that I love spinning. I have, of course, always had an appreciation for the fiber arts and a deep seeded love of wool, but spinning*, it's amazing. The feel of wool fibers slipping through your fingers twisting smoothly into yarn. Amazing coradell wool. It sparkles in the sunlight, and produces this wonderfully buttery colored yarn, and dyes well, too. I think my favorite thing about this wool is that it continues to sparkle even if you dye it, so it's going to make some very pretty things.


*I suppose I should qualify that statement...wheel spinning is amazing and has made me very loath to spinning on a drop spindle, though I prefer that to nothing. And a word to the wise, never ever ever buy wool roving to spin on a drop spindle...or a wheel...card it yourself! why do I keep taking up ridiculously expensive hobbies?

Rain rain go away...

Historical word of the day: Cake or Cakie: a foolish person

It was supposed to be our biggest weekend yet, more people than we'd gotten in all the season so far, but it rained. It didn't just rain a little, no, it poured all day. I was surprised that a few families braved the weather to come to the village and despite being mostly soaked apeared to be enjoying themselves. Among these dedicated folks were several members of the Quill and the Sword, among whom were Sam, Ally, Laren, and Christina, who visited with me, and whom I took on a tour of the park. Unfortunately they got there quite late so their visit had to be quite short, but included a stop at the blacksmith shop, the tinsmith*, the Kimball home, and the Jewkes home. I very much appreciated the company and the excuse to get out of the small cabin which I was stuck in for the duration of the day with three other ladies, two young girls, and a baby. They were pleasant enough company, and the baby was adorable, even though he missed his nap. It was still a very long and dull day. I wished for a spinning wheel often. I think I'm going to take up knitting or perhaps crochet to keep myself occupied, and so that I have something to do with the wool I keep spinning.
I wore my hair in Emma Smith style ringlets, which, with a bonnet look rather lovely. I was quite pleased with them, and I believe that I shall be doing them again on many occasion. I simply need better garb to put with my ringlets. That, I'm afraid, will be a long process.
I also went to dinner with the aformentioned clubbies, which was a new experience. Not the going to dinner part, but the eating at a resteraunt in m pioneer attire and attempting to not look so much like a polygamyst. Unfortunately, my friends kept making jokes about Sam, since he was the only guy in the party and there was that silly April fools joke where we got engaged fr the day, so I , naturally, was the first wife. what a silly bunch, but they were so very sweet to come to see me and my park. I appologize for my probably disconnected writing, my eyes are rather feeling like they have sand in them from having just taken out my contacts, which is distracting, and I haven't been able to keep my them open for more than just a minute or two this whole time. This is just a testiment to my need for period glasses so that I might not have to torture myself with contacts or look silly in modern frames. I do so enjoy my job. I love that the time period is very narrow, so it makes creating the persona easier. Enacting a decade is so much more specific than say...The middle ages. People are forced to be more particular, more focused and detailed if they want something a little different from the other dresses. I say it again, I am in despeate need of a corset. I think I shall stop my intermitant rantings and go to bed.

*I tried to strike a conversation with the Tinsmith, but it ended up going rather badly.

I'm turning over a new leaf

Well, here I am, in the midst of a fantastically interesting job, and I finally have something to blog about, so for all you people who keep telling me I need to post, I'm posting. so there.

Eventually I'm going to blog about NYC too, but that will have to wait until I'm feeling more ambitious.

It's currently sunday night and I'm anxiously awaiting what tomorrow will hold in store, even though I know I'm not going to be in the Jewkes home, which means that I will not be in proximity to a spinning wheel. It's nigh on tragic. This makes me glad for my drop spindle though, and I'm currently spinning some lovely blue wool for some mittens, or perhaps socks, whichever comes first. Speaking of socks, I need to find mine for tomorrow, since we're required to wear at least knee highs to look fashionably pioneer-y. Oh, by the way, I suppose I should mention that I'm working at This is the Place Heritage Park, which is a pioneer village. Aparently if we reach our goal of 200,000 visitors this summer we'll be second only to Collonial Williamsburg, VA, which surprises me greatly.

I suppose the most exciting news of the village is that on saturday alone we had a girl go home with a possible case of Haunta virus, and another girl got run over by a wagon, but appears to not have any permanent injuries, or even broken bones, thank goodness. This is apart from the two, maybe three rattle snakes that were found last week. It makes me wonder if every summer is like this in the village.

Speaking of the village, my life reminds me of The Village, the rediculous suspense movie by M. Knight Shamala.....whatever. I've started feeling very scandelous if I wear my hair down and uncovered even in mundane clothing, and often have to explain that I am not, in fact, a real polygamist whenever I have to stop for gas or go to the bank after work. I am desperately in want of a corset, and am going to order one probably as soon as I can get my measurements accurately taken, then get a pattern and make my own clothing. I discovered today that the garb I have rented is completely inappropriate for recieving guests in, and I simply can't have that. I have also found this evening that period shoes are quite expensive, which saddens me.

As the time grows quite late I will quit this post and change my laundry, but I will mention that in my mundane life, I have planted a garden and am excited to report that it is doing quite well. My peas and beets have sprouted and increase in size daily, and my tomatoes, squash and Cabbage are looking very well, along with my peppers. I have yet to plant the herbs and broccoli that I had first planned on, but perhaps I shall venture to the nursury located at the end of the block tomorrow. Indeed I have a very happy situation here in South Salt Lake, and have even recently aquired a teaching position for the fall and winter seasons at Taylorsville High School where I will be teaching a combination of Foods, Adult Roles, and Child development classes.