MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30

Subject: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: MMario
Date: 20 May 01 - 10:53 AM

A combination of circumstances means I will be driving to Texas (Dallas Area) for Memorial Day weekend. Any MudCat's going to Scarborough Renaissance Faire that weekend?

This also means I get to see one of my nieces gradutate from High School.

yippee!

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: SINSULL
Date: 20 May 01 - 11:11 AM

Gradutate? Is this a school for the dyslexic? Sorry MMario - I couldn't resist. That is a hell of a long drive. Take your time and enjoy the proud uncle moment when you get there. Your nieces and nephews are so lucky to have you. Hope they know it. Have fun!
SINS

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 May 01 - 11:25 AM

Heading south, feel free to stop and crash at our house, you and anyone riding along. As you know we will be gone but Motorhead will be watching the house & cats, and Joanne will be in and out taking care of a housekeeping matter for me. Make yourself to home.

Heading north, we oughtta be back, so dew drop inn.

~S~

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: MMario
Date: 20 May 01 - 01:21 PM

oh -wierd; someone just contacted me - they want me to drive their car to houston and they will fly me back....I'd have the use of the car until the day of the flight back...gotta think about this one.

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: wysiwyg
Date: 20 May 01 - 01:24 PM

What, long term park your car at Elmira airport? Any way we can help? We get back the 30th.

~S~

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: MMario
Date: 20 May 01 - 01:37 PM

nope - chauffered back from the airport! (and flight paid for - no gas expenses for half the trip, an extra day in texas - possibly two...) as I said, this is gonna take some thinking about.

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: guinnesschik
Date: 20 May 01 - 09:14 PM

Well, we're having a to-do over here in GP, if you'd like a place for some picking and a meal on Sunday....

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: Sorcha
Date: 20 May 01 - 09:39 PM

Honey babe, if we still lived in Winfield, I would drive down--about 4 hrs, but can't do it from Wyoming! wwwaaaahhh! one more time! (Dumb question of the Day--Is Wyoming REALLY in the United States?)

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: guinnesschik
Date: 20 May 01 - 09:44 PM

Durn! But if you're ever in the area....

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: guinnesschik
Date: 21 May 01 - 09:05 AM

MMario, if you're interested, PM me, and I'll give you directions. Jed's sure to be here with the banjo and I've got new strings on my fiddle. We'll have two gods of hellfire cooking flesh of many sorts and I always do a few vegetarian dishes as well....this is an official invite: C'mon on out!

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: Jande
Date: 21 May 01 - 12:00 PM

OOOh! Have a fun time, Mario!!

Send back pics, etc! ::Grin::

~ Jande

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: mousethief
Date: 21 May 01 - 12:26 PM

Safe travels! Have a lot of fun and tell us all about it when you get back!

Alex

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: SINSULL
Date: 21 May 01 - 05:10 PM

jUST GOT MY SHAWL AND IT IS BEAUTIFUL! tHANK YOU, LOVE. i WILL TREASURE IT!
mARY

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: uncle bill
Date: 22 May 01 - 01:21 AM

Mario, saw your other post about Kerrville, it is 60 miles from San Antonio on a 68 acre ranch. It officially starts on Thursday, but there are over a thousand people there right now getting ready for its 30th anniversary. If you're going to Dallas, what's another 300 miles? It lasts 18 daysand is "home" each year to never less than 10,000 music lovers. The website is www.kerrville-music.com. bill.

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: MMario
Date: 22 May 01 - 08:43 AM

I checked it out on their website...maybe another year. Just two much to do this time around, with a family obligation in the center of the weekend.

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: JedMarum
Date: 22 May 01 - 09:10 AM

Mario, can you make the 100th annual Eammons Kicthen picnic on Sunday? Or how about the Emerald Mist on Sat night? If not, maybe we can do a special get together on Mon or Tues - do some music and a few left overs? We'd love to get a chance to visit some, if you can swing it.

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: MMario
Date: 22 May 01 - 09:32 AM

saturday night is a distinct possible -

(Note to self. put normal clothes in car to change into after Renaissance faire. put normal clothes in car. Remember to CHANGE.)

sunday depends on how late you guys run and how late family runs...I suspect they will be done much much earlier...

I have door to door directions for the picnic already.

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: GUEST,Kim C too lazy to reset cookie
Date: 22 May 01 - 03:59 PM

Are you coming thru Nashville atall? If so PM me and we'll have lunch or something.

Try coming to the Tennessee Renaissance Festival sometime. Mister and I just went back for the first time in about 6 years and We Had A BLAST!It's grown a lot. Happens every May - every weekend for the entire month.

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: WyoWoman
Date: 22 May 01 - 10:28 PM

Is Topeka on your way?

And just remember: Any of Emily Dickinson's poems successfully can be sung to the tune of "Yellow Rose of Texas." This could be more useful than you might imagine.

I have no idea how.

ww

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 23 May 01 - 06:36 AM

MMario--will you come thru Wichita? We'd love to meet you!

Lin

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: MMario
Date: 23 May 01 - 08:26 AM

sorry - Topeka and Wichita both way off the beaten path. if I had more time....

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: MMario
Date: 23 May 01 - 11:52 AM

refresh - only 4.5 hours left of work - only about 18 hours until I leave.

Am I there yet?

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: Lin in Kansas
Date: 23 May 01 - 02:41 PM

Sorry we'll miss you this time--sure you don't want to take I-35 and catch WyoWoman and me both? Next time, maybe...

Lin

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 May 01 - 07:49 PM

MMario, just sent you an email for Aine. She is not able to get to her computer and would love for you to call her, so she can meet you at the Faire!

Have a good trip!

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: Bill D
Date: 23 May 01 - 07:50 PM

Wichita has always been off the beaten path *grin*...that's part of the reason I keft there. (Lived near North High on Fairview for many years and near WSU also..)

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 May 01 - 08:51 PM

Just in case MMario doesn't see this, anymore, in case he is already on the road, will one of you who is going to see him, send me a PM, please? I need to get Aine's phone number to him. I've sent him a PM with it, so this is just in case he doesn't get it. Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: catspaw49
Date: 23 May 01 - 09:20 PM

I don't think he's leaving til tomorrow but he may not be back on here. I think he's leaving sometime in the early AM........If he doesn't check in on this thread kat, PM me Aine's phone number. He'll be here around 7 or 8 tomorrow night.

Spaw

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: MMario
Date: 23 May 01 - 10:14 PM

got it! *happy dance*

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: MMario
Date: 23 May 01 - 10:20 PM

P.S. - I'' be checking in in the am before taking off.

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 May 01 - 10:27 PM

kewl! Thanks, Spaw and have fun, Mmario!

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: MMario
Date: 23 May 01 - 10:33 PM

I thoroughly intend to!

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: MMario
Date: 24 May 01 - 08:03 AM

half an hour until I leave. ohmygaditsgonnaprobablybefivedaysbeforeicanmudcatagain!

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: guinnesschik
Date: 24 May 01 - 08:57 AM

Have fun, MMario! Hope we see you Sunday!

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 May 01 - 09:08 PM

MMario @ 'spaw's - you'll see me saturday night - sunday still up in the air.

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: catspaw49
Date: 24 May 01 - 11:17 PM

Mario left awhile ago and is rolling on southbound. We had a short but really wonderful visit. I love meeting people with passion and Mario has it in spades! Once again I am forced to say just how terrific and amazing this place is.

Jed and 'chik, he's looking forward to seeing you and I'm sure you'll enjoy his company! He hopes to get together with Aine, and THAT ought to be a pair!

Thanks Mario for the little detour and I hope your trip is fantastic!

Spaw

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: catspaw49
Date: 25 May 01 - 08:06 PM

One of you tell Mario that his gift to Tristan was a big success......or Mario can read it for himself here.

Mario gave a "Lobster Claw Harmonica" to Tristan and Tris took it to school today. It was the first thing he checked in his bookbag and I understand from Shelly at school that he was a big hit!!! I think Michael is considering cramming it down his throat, but Tris just loves it! Thank you Mario.

Even my son is now blowing on animal parts!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: Áine
Date: 26 May 01 - 09:25 PM

Well, it's Áine here, reporting on the goings on of our own dear MMario at the Scarborough Faire today . . .

Of course, I was an hour and a half late to the Faire, so I missed meeting up with him at the appointed hour/place. I walked around for another hour and a half looking for him -- he said he'd be wearing brown, beige and black -- do you realize how many guys wear that same color combination at Ren Faires????? At last, I decided to grab a drink and a turkey leg, figuring that if I got some really big pieces of black pepper and white meat between my teeth, I'd be sure to meet up with him. And it worked! I wandered into one of the 'pubs' to sit down and eat, and there was himself, as big as life!

We had a quick snog and several big hugs, and listened to a wonderful woman sing by the performing name of 'Bard O'Neill' (if you get a chance to hear her, take it -- she's got a voice that'll shake your scabbard and great stage presence!). I got to meet many of MMario's 'Faire Friends' (in and out of costume) and it was really nice to see how much he's appreciated by his peers.

It's really too bad that he wasn't one of the Faire performers, because he's a much better singer than most of the guys I heard out there (no brag on this fellow 'Cat, just the fact). However, our dear MM did break into a couple of beautiful songs, and I had a hard time keeping myself from jumping up on a table and yelling, 'Now THAT'S a singer, folks!'

The best part of the day was when he presented me with a beautiful crocheted shawl that he was finishing before my eyes, and which I was praising for his workmanship and saying things like, 'whoever gets this is sure a lucky lady!' MMario then achieved the (almost) impossible -- striking me speechless -- when he put the finished shawl around my shoulders and told me it was mine! What a treasure -- both the shawl and himself -- just shows to go what kind of great folks you Mudcatters are.

He's promised to call me before he leaves for Houston next week and give me the 'lowdown' on the 'unofficial pub thing' that was supposed to happen tonight at the Faire . . . Hopefully, he'll get a chance to share his beautiful voice with the folks there.

He's supposed to go to the Emerald Mist to see Eammon's Kitchen, and he's really excited about hearing them. And 'Spaw - I'm sorry, but I forgot to tell him about how much Tristan liked his pressie . . . but I know it'll make him so happy when he hears about it!

Oh, and another thing, 'Spaw -- MMario and I both were comparing notes on you (and your 'complete (compleat?)oral rehabilitation' -- be afraid, be very afraid . . .)

That's all from the Ren Faire Front for this reporter -- Well, except for the bit about MMario's new pair of tights and his thing about eating mudballs . . .

Slán, Áine

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 May 01 - 12:33 AM

Hah!! Great reports, Spaw and Aine! I see you braved the smell just to get to your computer, eh, darlin'? Good for you. A shawl!!! WOW!!!

MMario, knock 'em dead! May the rest of your journey be as delightful and safe.

kat

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: JedMarum
Date: 27 May 01 - 10:30 AM

MMario made it to the Emerald Mist last night and visited with us for a while. It was great to meet him, and we enjoyed sharing a story or two in the limited time we had between sets. He'd experienced some adventures, following the web-based directions he was carrying, but still found the pub OK.

We are trying to get him him out to the Grand Prairie outdoor 'fest' we have today, where we'll get him singing. He has some family committments, but may still get out our way by day's end. All-in-all it was a great, if brief visit!

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: GUEST,MMario in Dallas
Date: 27 May 01 - 02:13 PM

only have a few seconds - but our Gaelic goddess is too kind! *blush*

Eammon's Kitchen was a superb ending to a nearly perfect day. i truly hope I get over to the shindig tonight. I'm trying, buys, really!

too much to say now, but glad Tris liked the lobster claw.

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: Amergin
Date: 27 May 01 - 07:07 PM

So Bard O'Neill will shake my scabbard? What about my sword?

Glad to hear you all had a great time! Making me jealous....

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: GUEST,MMario - in Dallas
Date: 28 May 01 - 08:26 AM

driving through Grand Prairie - found the street, think I found the right house, none of Eammonn's Kitchen visible - is this the place? wait! that's RICK FIELDING I hear! HAS to be the right place. it was.

good food, good music, good conversations, good beer, great weather. OH my god, Texas is heaven after all...

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: JedMarum
Date: 28 May 01 - 08:03 PM

LOL MMario!

It turns out that we played a dozen or so CDs over the PA systems during the 100th annual Eammons Kitchen picnic. We played "canned" music during the frequent 'grazing' breaks, when the musicians we off eating (vennison, elk, antelope, burgers, pot salad, etc etc) - well I had so many people asking me "who is that?" and "where can I buy his record?" when we played This One's the Dreamer. I ended up giving away my copy, and writing down the details for a several others. I think Rick's record was the hit of the party! And as luck would have it, MMario drove up just as that Rick was singing about Patrick Spencer.

Great party, and we're glad MMario made it. I hope they didn't keep you out too late, MMario. I know Ed and Karen said they kicked the last of the revelers out at 3 this AM!

MMario you need to come out again, when we do an acoustic session around the living room. It's a bit more condusive to getting everyone singing. Then there's no worries about mic shyness, either! It was great meeting you. I hope we'll see you again soon.

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: GUEST,MMario in Dallas
Date: 29 May 01 - 12:38 AM

"weekend" is almost over. drive to houston in the morning - then a flight out wednesday. I don't think I could have crammed more experiences in without being twins. and they were all great - well - except for the screwed up mapp blast directions to the Emerald Mist - and texas highways. But it was worth every wrong turn!

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: SINSULL
Date: 29 May 01 - 10:40 AM

Aine - isn't the shawl a treasure? All wrapped up in the Mudcat warm and fuzzies. MMario - we need you back east. Texas isn't heaven! Damn! They wear string ties! Come home.

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 29 May 01 - 11:00 AM

Hot Dang! Sure hope I can get out to Texas one of these days and do the damned song LIVE!

Enjoyin' the "travelogue" Mmario, continue to be safe.

Rick

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: JedMarum
Date: 30 May 01 - 12:26 AM

Rick - we need to get you down here one of these days! I am sure TX would love you.

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: guinnesschik
Date: 30 May 01 - 09:17 AM

Finally, finally, FINALLY got the 'puter back: she's been down for repairs. MMario, thanks so much for joining us! It's always a thrill to meet 'Catters. I do wish we'd done a bit more singing and picking into the night, but I think most everyone was worn out, so you will have to come back.

Rick, if you come down, you're welcome here. We'll build a party around you...

And what, pray tell, is wrong with string ties?

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: MMario
Date: 31 May 01 - 09:38 AM

I'm home - back to w*rk. (*shudder*)

lots of warm fuzzy memories of the long weekend (a six day "weekend" - I guess I streched that about as long as a weekend can be streched, didn't I?)

Now to spend a few days wading through mey e-mail and trying to catch up on the 'cat...

Subject: RE: MMArio to Texas!!!! 5/24-30
From: JedMarum
Date: 31 May 01 - 10:29 AM

glad you got home safe and sound, MMario. Sorry about that w*rk stuff. Thanks again for visiting with us!