The Adequate Blog

In an earlier post I talked about my “Magic Survival Kit” when I’m at Faire, but I haven’t babbled much about the non-magic stuff I tote around with my when I’m not at “base camp” - my stage, backstage or “Someone kind is letting me dump all this stuff behind their booth or encampment so I have a backstage” area.

Some of this is may bear explanation:

• Wallet, ID, Keys - The Book Carter Beats The Devil gave me a show biz maxim which I will adhere to my entire life: Never go on stage without your wallet.  While this was thought up during the Vaudeville days when a common backstage area and a not-always-trustworthy peerage made it an imperative to keep an eye on your goodies, it’s just a good idea to have these things with you no matter what.  You never know when you’re going to want to buy something, prove you are who you say you are (new security guy? Have to suddenly run off-site to get something?).
• Cell Phone - Yes.  I have one. This thing is my “office” for the magician thing and contains, among other things, a running tally of my “hats” per show, my schedule, and of course a handy way to get in touch with people if necessary. Yes, I keep it on silent or vibrate mode.
  Note: having your phone on vibrate mode while carrying it in the codpiece of your costume trousers… may lead to hilarity. Or talking like Jerry Lewis. Sometimes in the most inappropriate times, like when you’re in front of the Queen.
• Chapstick - Me. Shouting. Dusty dry location. Sun. Nuff said.
• Small packet of wetwipes - FAIRE.  Nuff said.
• Beverage Container - This one’s a point of irritation for me. Mostly because in order for the container to hold enough to make drinking from it meaningful, it has to be big enough that carrying it around has to be done on your belt when empty, hand when full, or you get to play ‘Sloshy McSloshington’ with your Tankard On A Rope trick.  Size, weight, and the fact that it’s gonna contain a liquid at some time all make this an obnoxious thing to deal with even if you never accidentally sit on it. I’m still sorting out a better answer for this one. More as it develops.
• Small Tube of Sunscreen - FAIRE. SUN HOT. Etc.

Phew. That’s quite an assortment of goodies. Most of this has been carried about in the ubiquitous pouch on the belt strategy for the past few years - I don’t seem to do well with shoulder bags. As we work on the new costumery, I suspect we’ll find clever places to store a lot of this gear.