So, we got back from Akasha Con exhausted. It was a fun event, if a demanding one for me.
I’ve been so drained the past few weeks, taking care of a sick kid and writing like crazy, and the day job has been intense. So to somehow manage to get up to Poughkeepsie on a Friday evening, well, I’m amazed we got out of the house in one piece.
Because we arrived late, it was hard for me to feel, at first, like I was in the swing of things, but I was welcomed with graciousness and enthusiasm, and I did manage to enjoy the Friday evening festivities and relaxed and laughed and made friends. Maybe I had too good a time Friday night, because exhaustion hit me hard on Saturday. Or maybe it was just getting out of town after the terrible stress of the last few weeks. I have to say, it’s unusual for me to just fold up from the tiredness like I did Saturday. It made me feel weird. And a little embarrassed.
There was a very nice merchanting room, small but beautifully laid out, with very interesting vendors, some of whom were old friends. It was great seeing Billy, and Amy, and it was a total joy that my table was situated so that I was sitting with Dorothy Morrison.
Even nicer than the merchanting room was the Wellness Room. There healers were set up with a great range of treatments, from a portable personal sauna, to foot baths, to massage, to reflexology, and more. Also, this was where readings were done. The most popular reader was a lady named Lisa Sullivan. I have no real idea what an Angel reading is, but she was sweet and down to earth and fun, so I bet they’re as real as she is.
So, Saturday I did readings and and sold some books and taught a class on the Structure of Ritual, and all of a sudden, towards the end of the class, I sort of collapsed under the weight of my own exhaustion. So, despite my intentions to really participate and engage, I took a nap. Then I changed for dinner, did another reading, and went to the banquet.
Can I just say this about the banquet? There appeared to be twelve long tables of ten people each. We were served last. Last. We. Were. Hungry. Also, there was one little roll per person and they weren’t fresh. Hungry. So. Hungry. So finally the food came, and the food was good. Ordering salmon is high risk at a banquet, because it is usually terribly overcooked, but I didn’t want steak or vegetable Wellington. The salmon was not overcooked, it was very tasty, but by the time the food came (we. were. last.) it wasn’t enough.
Then dessert came and it was cheesecake and I demanded the waiter find dairy-free cake for Arthur. “It’s his birthday,” said I, “You can’t have no dessert for him!” And Arthur got a plate full of pound cake, which he devoured.
Then the raffle prizes were given out, and that was a lot of fun. Arthur has a new friend who is very pretty and sweet and smart. She ate with us, but got up to assist in giving out raffle prizes, and it was fun applauding her. My student Christine won one of Lisa Sullivan’s “I Surrender” kits. The raffle benefits a scholarship fund, about which I am well impressed.
After that, Skinny White Chick performed. Now, this was funny. I was listening, and I liked the lead singer (SJ Tucker, who said she was from Memphis) and I danced some, but whatever. You go places, you hear musicians. I wasn’t focused on the music, even though it was very good. Then I hear this song that is so familiar, and I say to Mike “I know this song. This must be a cover.” And Mike says “‘Godboy’ can’t be a cover, can it?” And then I realized, I’ve been to Memphis for a Pagan event. And there was a local musician. Click! After the show, when I introduced myself, she hadn’t remembered me either. I mean, we both recognized each other, but when you travel to lots and lots of events, as both of us do, the fact that you recognize someone doesn’t register in the same way. I swear I could see a relative at a Pagan event and my first thought would be “Someone I recognize from events but won’t be able to name” before I realize who they are.
Anyway, SJ did a rousing “Happy Birthday” number for my birthday boy, and everyone danced. Amy took pictures and promised to send them.
After that was the Alchemical Fire Circle, which was very trancy and powerful for me, but I went to bed early, because when I began to feel sleepy, I didn’t want to risk a second day of crash and burn.
Arthur’s new friend joined us for breakfast Sunday, which was nice. I did more readings, taught another class (on The Way of Four), sold another book or two, and got a reflexology session. Which, yum.
Getting out was terribly chaotic, especially because Arth started feeling poorly again and I had to do a lot of the hauling myself. But he rallied and I rallied. There was rallying. And we managed to say our goodbyes and hit the road and have sushi and go home.
Phew.
