After church, we drove into the city for the annual Medieval Fair. We like to go to see our old friends from the neighborhood and to view the ye olde wackjobs.
For some reason every subgroup of alienated individuals — Goths, bikers, Dungeons and Dragons geeks, Pfish-heads, Apple “geniuses” — think that that the Medieval years would have embraced them. For many, the draw is the leather. Others like the corsets with bosom spillage. Some just like to say things “Kind sir, that’s a fine broad sword you have” or “Wench, another mead.”
Yes, these medieval fairs are havens for the ostracized and large, bearded folks. We stretched out on the grass, had a couple of beers with the friends, and, like Margaret Mead, dissected this peculiar subculture, until the kids begged us to buy them swords from the large lady in green velvet.
I’m reading Matt Bai’s article on Hillary Clinton.
Apt. 11d 
Neat things about the current middle ages include indoor plumbing, ability for anyone to join the nobility (unless desiring otherwise) and distinct lack of plagues. To say nothing of 12-course feasts and the social acceptability of whacking certain people with big sticks. What’s not to like?
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Back when we lived in the D.C. area, we always used to find the time every fall to head out to the huge Renaissance Faire near Annapolis. Such fun. Burnt lamb chops on a stick! Cheap pagan flower crowns for the girls! Madrigal groups wandering around, teaching people songs! It’s crazy how much we got into that stuff. And you’re so right how these fairs have created a weird, composite subculture, the sole common denominator being a kind of anarchism in regards to anything bourgeois. If you’re tattooed, or an actual silversmith, or a swinger, or one of the few remaining lost genuine head-bangers, or a theater geek, or a serious “Small Is Beautiful” disciple who sells homemade wordcarvings for a living, or have spent the best years of your life mastering the lute, or are just an old Grizzly Adams fan, the medieval fair is the place for you.
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Knights Swords
After this, head out of the storeroom and head Hanging around l
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