Campfyre Stories

The aftermath of the rain is scattered, brief showers, lots and lots of mud and a little apprehension.  Although I’ve been working like mad since before the festival started and during my off hours, I certainly was hearing the rumblings when I would slack off at other times.

It seems the rain infected some personalities that were already a little grey and cloudy.  Which was really a shame, because some of these people struck me as folks I probably would have gotten along well with, but people don’t always cope well with change and those folks who *also* have pessimistic outlooks are the ones who wind up making themselves more miserable when things they can’t control go awry.

When my mom asked "Did [my crew chief] talk to you?", I assumed it was bad things coming from those unhappy with my large personality and go-getter attitude.  When I spoke with my crew chief, it turned out to be a statement  from one of the Powers That Be of the festival that I was one of the few "with brains".  Only a few words being worth a million from this particular person, I feel well-acknowledged and this is the first year I feel that I have really come to be a part of the whole process, rather than "just" a volunteer.  I know quite a few ‘key’ people and can really be effective in getting things done.

Since I get bored easily, and don’t really need to *see* the music, I have no problems giving up some of my "free" time.  I like the satisfaction of knowing I helped make things really happen.  I like even more when other people notice.

I realized that I tend to befriend people who are busy and/or self-motivated.  As a result, unless we schedule things, we have a hard time connecting.  That translates to FRFF as well.  I still run into people, but being understaffed and many of us taking on extra responsibilities, we usually find each other while one or both of us are en route to fix some kind of problem.

I was discussing this with a new friend and she agreed.  I think that volunteering attracts that kind of personality.  Sure, there are a few who do it to get into the Festival for free, but they usually don’t continue for the (probably) decade like me and so many others.

If my vacation consisted of anything else, I would probably need to have a planned schedule and itinerary.  Here, whenever I get bored there is something that needs doing.  Even though I brought books and games and things to do, I haven’t even wanted any of them.  For me busy is relaxing when it’s done in the right setting.

I was finally able to make time to play Cosmic Wimpout with my CW guy as well as do my annual late-night with my crew chief and other members of the crew.

I had been making myself a crown of glow sticks every night.  Two strands of three glow sticks twisted together.  On my way to bed Saturday night, it finally occurred to me to give it away before climbing into the tent.

Me:  Excuse me.  I’m heading to bed  *pull off crown*  Do you want this?

Random Girl:  Hell yeah!  Thank you.

Random Guy:  Wow, thanks.  You have a good night.

Me: You’re welcome.  Enjoy.

Random Guy:  Hey, sleep well!

Random Girl:  Yeah, enjoy the festival…  Tomorrow.

They kept talking and all I wanted to do was go to sleep so that I could wake up in the morning.  It was cool, though, since they seemed a little at a loss for something fun to do.

I think I made their night.