This year quadrivium was determined that we wouldn't be exhausted and wouldn't miss a lot of programming, so we worked late earlier in the week and didn't rehearse on Friday. I got tapped for "My Filk". I didn't know boo about the Minneapolis scene or in fact any of the other topics except bands the guests were in, and I can't say I made major contributions to the instafilk either, but my teammates shouldered the burden and we made a good showing. The ladies edged us out with a song that couldn't miss because 1) it was racy and 2) it had a second song embedded inside it.

In one of the evenings, I think Friday, Emma Bull did "Railroad Bill and the Kitten". At my first GaFilk (2001), I heard three songs that I wanted to track down afterward. It didn't take long to find "The Word of God" and not too much longer for "Spiral Dance", but I just hadn't had any luck with this one--until now. She has a great sense of timing and is an all-around cool person.

Slept in Saturday. We were able to get into the banquet room early in the afternoon, which was good because we had plenty of time to deal with the inevitable gig dramas. Actually, it wasn't too bad this year--no serious instrument failures, though it made quite a sound when the guitar amp fell over (the reverb was turned up). Mostly it was the fact that the initial stage setup was 6'x16' for an eight-piece band with drumset etc. (We got more.) The tables were awfully close, which made it difficult to get to the buffet and dance floor, but the attendees made it work. The room was not near a loading dock, and we had to carry equipment up some stairs, but that wasn't a catastrophe. Actually, the biggest problem I had was getting back to the room after changing clothes: the elevators were full and stopping at every floor, and the stairs--help me on this one--don't have access to the lobby level.

Anyway, the gig went well. It was a little less stressful than in years past. Each year we're a little better prepared, and we've been playing together a little longer. Having Greg run sound is a huge help. (Recordings were made, but I haven't heard them, so I don't know how they turned out.) I did see someone post in a conrep that it got pretty loud. The doors were open. I hope the other convention was impressed.

Many pictures were taken. I didn't have to hide from the camera, because I've lost 42 pounds since August. Did you know that the band has lost over 150 pounds all together? Ask weirdsister for details.

They fed us afterward, but after a considerable delay. As there was no dessert left--I've heard it was no great shakes anyway--Wesley suggested we'd earned the right to "a piece of cake as big as your head", so we went across the bridge to the Landmark Diner and got exactly that. I did has caek. Some of us went back the next day for more oh no my diet coach is reading this I mean I love salad..

One of the evenings included Story Time outside the main programming room. Wesley told the infamous Plunger Story (sorry, I can't tell you, you'll have to catch him next year to hear it), and deborah_c related the incident with the #&@%ing sweet potatoes. deborah_c also made waves in the open filk accompanying various songs on--well, let's call it fiddle, though where she's from they probably use "violin" and "viola"--and playing some musical numbers on piano.

Spent some time Sunday afternoon writing, hit the dead dog, and drove home around 1:00. All in all, a good con.