10.18.08. We went to Pirate Days at The Colony with Joel and his daughter Caitrin. There was music, food, booze, stuff to buy and lots of people dressed up like pirates. Michael and i were too lazy to dress up, but Joel and Caitrin did. And, predictably, Caitrin stole the show.

10.17.08. So today, i made of point of doing whatever i wanted. i slept in, read a bit, got a (really great!) massage and went shopping. As i was out, i stopped at a neat little Thai place for dinner. And it hit me that i cannot remember the last time i went out for a nice meal by myself. Maybe never. Which is a little odd to think about. It’s not as if i have no money or time of my own. i was a little taken aback as i realized i was a bit excited. It felt strange and kinda liberating, though in an admittedly dorky, Mary-Tyler-Moore-in-the-seventies sort of way. Nevertheless, i was inspired to document the experience… especially since there was no one there to protest! See what happens when i’m left unsupervised?

10.11.08. We found our way to a couple of alternative bonfires when we camped on the grounds of Texas Renaissance Festival on it’s opening weekend. i took these shots at a camp called Safe Haven. Fire pics are a first for me and i enjoyed experimenting. Be sure to check out the amazing pictures Michael took of the same fire folk with his badass camera: michaelbirdtx.wordpress.com

10.11.08-10.12.08. We attended Texas Renaissance Festival’s opening weekend and camped on the grounds with friends. The weather was great. Cecelia hung out with us on Sunday. We met Beth, who is really cool. And there was some great fire dancing/spinning/spitting, etc. i included a few fire pics in this set. i’ll post the rest in a different set dedicated just to the fire dancers. And don’t forget to check out Michael’s pictures of the fire dancers. They’re amazing!

10.08.08. My sister and i traveled to Houston to attend my Aunt Bennell’s funeral. It was a lovely memorial service followed by a reception at her home. i think she would have liked it. i took pictures for my parents who couldn’t attend and because, well, that’s just what i do these days. i saw family members i haven’t seen in years. We all said we should keep in touch. i hope we do!

09.30.08-10.01.08. We took a short road trip to Houston to visit my Aunt Bennell (my dad’s sister) in the hospital and see some family. Seeing everyone and staying in my aunt’s home was rather nostalgic for me. The house is full of pictures and furnishings that i remember from my childhood visits. Bennell’s home always seemed so stylish and relatively exotic to me when i was growing up. Her house always felt like an extension of Bennell herself.