I’ll wrap up the NERFA reporting today. This is going to come from many different directions, that’s good as NERFA comes from many different directions. It’s going to start with a CT Scan, don’t worry, I won’t spend too much time on that.
My gastroenterologist ordered a CT scan aka CAT scan and I scheduled it as soon as possible. That ended up being the day I was going leaving for NERFA. I had an 11:00 volunteering shift but I would be able to make that if I took a cab from the hospital to the MetroNorth Station. Then they moved the time up for shift and I could no longer make it.
CT scans are cool, you go into a device that looks and sounds like pure science fiction. It should give you superpowers but instead it takes 3-D pictures of your insides. They inject a contrast into your veins so your tissues show up in the pictures. I thought I looked funny with the IV port in my arm and my hospital gown on, so I took a selfie and posted it on Facebook. That was a mistake. Everyone thought I was in the hospital because of an emergency and would miss NERFA. I had to spend the rest of the day reassuring people. I forget that other people don’t find medical procedures as amusing as I do.
I thought my first volunteering shift was at noon, I was wrong. It was at 3:00, that meant I had a lot of time, I arrived at 11:30. My room wasn’t ready until 2:00. I spent that time in the lobby talking to friends as they came in. There should be a second NERFA with no business done, all we do is socialize. That’s an integral part of the experience and even after four days there are people I never got a chance to hang out with.
This was my first time volunteering. My first shift was guarding the Exhibit Hall. For the first half hour only exhibiters were allowed in, after that it was only people that had registered for the conference. This was a security detail; I was disappointed that I was not given a weapon, not even a TASER. Anthony da Costa always says that Folk Alliance is the wimpiest alliance. He’s right. I had to rely on my martial arts skills. They were so intimidating that nobody tried anything. When I get like this just smile and nod; it’s easier on all of us.
The door duty was fun as I got to spend the time schmoozing with old friends and friends to be. Some of the exhibiters had chocolate, that was a bonus; as was seeing Heather Pierson juggling. I knew she was a great musician and could paint, but this was a talent I was unaware of. I ran over to watch her.
I had serious security duties at the end of the shift. First, Angela and I had to clear everyone out of the room before the dinner break. Angela was the brains and I was the muscle. I told the stragglers that we were hungry and that if we didn’t get dinner soon we’d eat them.
After the room cleared we still couldn’t leave because the hotel had a problem locking the doors and we couldn’t leave it unattended. They finally go it done 20 minutes after they it was scheduled. I thought that Angela and I would be at the back of the dinner line. We ended up near the front. Dinner was early, and I guess that others didn’t consider it the priority we did.
I need to start taking pictures of my dinner tables. I try to sit with strangers but things don’t always work out that way. I sat down at an empty table and ended up being joined by people I knew. I just can’t remember which ones. Two of my greatest NERFA discoveries, Ryanhood and Burning Bridget Cleary I made at the dinner table. I always hope to catch lightning in a bottle like that.
By tradition I always have one breakfast with Carolann and Mark. Carolann and the other Chicks with Dip were my security blanket my first NERFA, and hanging with them still has less pressure. I don’t have to be on. This year that never worked out. I had some quality time with Mark but not much with Carolann. That as a first. The only planned dinner companion I had was Shawna. She lives in Toronto and I don’t see her often so I’m allowed to schedule time with her. I did not spend enough time with Jake and Ethan from Pesky J. Nixon. I made plans to see them in December to make up for it. I didn’t have my usual spa time with Dennis. We never plan it but we always end up in the spa at the same time. This year we didn’t. I only got there on Saturday, I highly recommend it to NERFArians. Your muscles will thank you for the time in the pool, whirlpool, sauna, and steam. This year I just did the whirlpool. After not getting enough sleep and my back hurting me, it was a blessing.
My second volunteer shift was at Instrument Lock-Up. At the DJ showcase Ron joked that things are getting bad when they lock up instruments. People were joking about it and I ran with it. I made a sign, “End Mass Instrument Incarceration and posted it at the Lock-Up table. That was a fun shift. I chose it because I knew that meant the world would come to me. I saw old friends and made new ones. The shifts were two hours and staggered so what was one person’s first shift was the second person’s second. During the first I was the newbie, in the second I was the old pro showing the new guy, Peter, the ropes.
Every year they have a fitting for personal earplugs. This year I decided to go for them. The person behind me on line was Gordon Ward, who I know through Carolann. What’s fun is that the two Gordons were together. When we introduced ourselves, he’d say, “I’m Gordon” then I’d say, “I’m Gordon too.” That amused me to no end. Remember I enjoy CT scans too. Don’t judge me.
The fitting is interesting. They inject liquid silicone into your ear canal. I expected it to be warm but it was cool. After it hardens they pull it out. Then it’s hot. I thought it was because it picked up the heat inside your head and Dan thought it was an exothermic reaction. I love that I have friends that will casually say, “exothermic reaction.” Later than night during the Formal showcase it hit me that I have to be right. Part of the form is external, and that part doesn’t get hot. Inside your head is surprisingly warm. 98.6 F (37 C) is a lot warmer than the air in the hotel or even your skin.
The hotel was cool and I had a hoodie on, with the hood up, most of the time. Other people don’t do that but it’s how I’m cozy. Don’t judge. I never wear shoes at NERFA. I took them off when I got to my room and wore fuzzy slipper socks the rest of the conference. NERFA is physically wearing so it’s important to pamper yourself. Comfort counts.
For the first time I didn’t take part in any late night jamming. I went to sleep after the guerilla showcases. That was because I had trouble sleeping the time I did spend in bed so needed more rest. Going to sleep early is relative. I never made it to my room before 3 AM. On Friday I was going there at three when Marion and Meghan shouted my name as I walked past their room and I spent a delightful hour with them and their friends. Marion tried to kill me. She offered me food, there was a dish with chocolate, that’s enough for me, after taking a bit she mentioned the nuts. I’m allergic to pecans. I disappointed her and didn’t go into anaphylactic shock. I told Marion and Meghan that I associate them. Their names both begin with M and end with n, they are from Philly, they are blondes, and they both have an inordinate affection for me. I’m puzzled that anybody likes me.
I somehow went through NERFA without ever running into Christine Lavin except when she as emceeing or performing. I of course sang Sensitive New Age Guys, I suspect that I’ve been part of the SNAG chorus more than anyone, I was joined by Mark and Felix. The most disappointing thing was that I never got a Christine hug. That’s unheard of.
I got so many other hugs I can’t complain. Fine, I just did complain, but I shouldn’t. I saw old friends and made new ones. That’s what NERFA is about.
I was able to get a ride home from Ellen. That saved me loads of time. The train trip is only 50 minutes but it’s a 25-minute walk from the station to my home. I was very good when I arrived home, I unpacked and I immediately changed he cat litter. Even more surprising, yesterday I finished contacting all my new friends. I made Facebook friend requests to all and sent emails to some. The NERFA program gives everyone’s email address and phone number. Maybe this year I’ll be good and put everyone I know into my Google Contacts. The next order of business is ripping the CDs and then listening to them. I sometimes make discoveries months after NERFA that way.
Wise Madness 