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This weekend is one of our anniversaries. Jon and I celebrate three. Yeah, yeah, I know I’m such a romantic. It always makes me feel a little silly, but in the end I love that we celebrate dates other than just the big wedding. The wedding was just one event, not the whole event, so it’s always made sense to us to celebrate some of the steps that led up to the commitment part.

I have Jon’s present in the present closet. Once he gets it, today, I’ll blog about it later, but I’ve managed to keep it a surprise from him, and he does look at the blog, so you guys have to wait. But Jon asked me what I wanted for this anniversary. I was stumped. Then I realized Friday, what I wanted. I wanted to go to the Renaissance Fair. I did not want to miss it this year.

Problem one: Trinity is with her father for their nearly week long trip together. It’s very cool that she gets to spend time with her dad, but this kind of thing is why we missed the faire last year. I kept waiting to do one trip and make it a family trip. For all you parents out there who have shared custody, you know that planning around everyone’s schedule can be something of a challenge. My ex and I are very cooperative with each other, and we still have to trade around to hit everything we both want to do with Trin. So, last year, I waited and waited, and none of us got to go to the faire.

Problem two: Charles is on vacation with his wife and kids. So, my security person is out of town. I generally don’t go to events where I’ve gotten recognized, and, or, had “problems” in the past without security. I am such a little celebrity compared to some, that my own problems make me wonder how the heck Angelina Joelie and Brad Pitt go anywhere. Anyway, let’s just say that we had one exciting incident at the faire a couple of years ago, and leave it at that. But it’s what prompted us to not want to go back without security, and especially when you’ve got your kid. But the incident was purely verbal. If I couldn’t take a few insults, well, let’s just say that I now have a polite speech for when fans call me, and or, my character, a whore, to our faces. You think I’m kidding? I wish.

I asked Charles before he left, and he told me to take precautions to not look like me, then go. He estimated the threat level as low, and I trust his judgment. I won’t tell you what those precautions are, because if I tell you my “Stealth Laurell” disguise, it might cease to work. Anyway, I did it, and Jon and I went off to the faire. We met my good friend Robin, who is also our priestess and married us, and her husband, Kevin. It had been ages since Robin and I had gone out and done anything together.

Yes, we knew there were tickets waiting for us at the gate, but we paid, and didn’t mention it. Why? Because, if you’re trying not to be noticed, then taking the tickets waiting under your name, can defeat the purpose. So, sub-rosa, in we went.

Let me thank, now, the handful people who recognized me, and or, Jon and me, and when I asked, you did not out me. Thank you. Also, for the people that said, “I know you, don’t I?” I answered that we came to the faire every year, which is true except for last year, and I didn’t want to have to be “ON”, at the faire. I just wanted to enjoy it. Any of you that asked me, “Do you write?” I answered honestly. I also answered truthfully, to, “Aren’t you . . .”

I guess, when it comes down to it, it’s not just security issues that made me want to be below the radar. I didn’t want to have to worry about what I bought, or how I looked being on the internet before I even got home. But, I did keep an eye on where the police were, as they walked by here and there. My world has forever been changed by my success. Most of it is very good, but not all of it.

We had a wonderful time at the faire. We saw a show. We bought jewelery. Ooh, shiny. We also bought cloaks, because it was cold. Usually the St. Louis Ren Faire is hot, as in sweltering, but yesterday it was chilly, and sprinkled a cold rain periodically. I bought a cloak at Sofie’s Stitches that was rain resistant. Very handy. Jon eventually was impressed enough with mine that he bought one for himself. Usually, I buy snow-cones, but yesterday we bought coffee. It was that kind of day. The coffee was good, and I’m picky, so if you go to the faire try out Arbuck’s Coffee. Pirate themed coffee, what could be better?

We bought more winged stuffed toys at Bast’s Garden. Sorry, that I didn’t introduce myself again this year, but without Charles along, I just didn’t feel confident enough. And that’s kind of sad. I actually asked my friend, and current policeman, Shawn, to come down and escort us, but he had to work this weekend. But, you know what, I’ve got to be braver. I’ve got to stop being afraid of the attention. I’ve found that if I ask quietly, that most of you guys are great. If I ask you, not to out me, then you honor that request.

If I’m at a event where I’m supposed to be LAURELL K HAMILTON, writer, then it’s okay to be enthusiastic. I’m “on”, and supposed to be. It’s only when I’m just doing the normal every day stuff that it sort of catches me off-guard.

I meant to write about how much I loved the Renn Faire, and how much fun Jon and I had. We bought pointy things. We both love swords. I bought a leather top/vest thingie, and finally found some leather and metal bracers that actually fit my forearms. I have tiny wrists and a lot of the armor stuff just doesn’t come in a size for me. It’s either sized for men, or sized for children. But yesterday, I found some. Yea!

We visited the art show. Got some cool stuff. Ash and Griffin pottery, as always. I got to replace the Dire Ferret mug that cracked, when it was dropped last year. I also bought a zombie moose mug. It’s supposed to be a heraldic moose, but it’s on it’s hind legs with it’s hooves out in front of it, and all I could think of was, zombie moose.

We had a good time, and nothing bad happened. I hope we get to go back with Trinity in tow, if the scheduling works out.