My one day of rest.

JAPANESE FESTIVAL  - 1 down, 1 to go.

That's right, the Missouri Botanical Gardens J-Fest is over, and was a success.  It rained, but the show did not get cancelled!  Here is a video of that happening:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXIeldx1XAc

See how they had to ninja the drums out of direct exposure?  And still, most of the crowd stayed!!  They probably don't know it, but we (the performers) have the highest respect for that level of dedication.  We actually LIKE it when the *ahem* fair-weather fans are weeded out.  We are left with a great and energetic crowd, which we always like.  Way to go, you guys!!!!  (Wherever you are...)  Okay, so we also like enormous crowds, too. 

Most of Saturday when I wasn't dressing, loading or performing, I was in the Dashi.  I think I was there for between 3 and 4 hours.  I played taiko with lots of little kids, but not as many as usual by a long shot.  It was very quiet, due to the rain.  So, I played a lot with my "teammates".  It was great fun.  It rained some, but we were under an overhang.  The wetness did give me blisters, though.  Bad ones, which I fought all weekend long.

 

This pic is actually of my playing in the Dashi last year.  Note the taped up fingers.

Would you like to hear what I had for lunch the first day?  Onigiri, with salmon in the middle.  SO. VERY. Yum!!  I didn't have time for dinner.  I also bought some presents for the kids,and geta to dance in for Suwako.  It terrified me that I was going to dance in front of a zillion people in footwear I'd never worn before, but I didn't fall down or anything.  At the end of the night I felt tired, but it was nothing to how wet and gross I felt.  I went home, took Motrin and WASHED my costume.

Sunday I played in the Dashi, too, but only until Josh and the kids came (an hour).  They played in the Dashi, of course, and got water yo-yos from the Natsukashia and made origami.  We had lunch together, too.  Then they watched the 2pm show.  So did my parents!  I walked around with them for about 45 minutes and then said good-bye.  Before the 7pm show was a performance by the community group, and I helped with that.  I think they did a really great job.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NN2wdhn6OY

Monday I grabbed food as I came in.  I was hungry.  I got onigiri and sushi.  It was just what I wanted.  Ahh...  By then I was actually feeling the exhaustion, and was tired of trying to keep my torn up hands from hurting.  However, I scraped up as much energy as I could, and we had a gigantic crowd.  Monday was probably our best performance. Sadly, I don't think anyone was taking video for that.

I'm doing the photo compilation, as usual, but the photos aren't coming in as fast as they have in the past.  I'm a little nervous about what we'll end up with, but that's what we get for not hiring someone!! 

Anyway, don't get comfy, because we are far from done!!!  Last night was another performance practice, and tomorrow will be, too.  Friday morning, I will drive to Michelle's and then we will head off to Springfield to yet another weekend of taiko fun!  RAWR!  In fact, today is my one and only day of rest.  Yesterday, the kids did not have school.  Today, however, I took an hour long nap.  I need to start cleaning, but I'm going to rest first. 

You wouldn't believe the kind of gross mess that a man and two kids can make when they are unsupervised for a weekend.  Ew. 

Anyway, taking it easy-ish today, and then more taiko, taiko, taiko and taiko!  I hope to be somewhat human again by next Wednesday.

Then I can look for a job.

Gonna be in Springfield, MO this weekend?  Come see us!