The Dickens Fair

For the past few years we've made it to the Dickens Fair in SF regularly. This year G brought a few friends in celebration of her 13th birthday. That's right 13. I can't believe it either. 

G at the harp store.

Man, to be accepted by the tween set I apparently need to get myself a faux fur lined hood. 3 for 3. 

M & D

Getting a brief explanation. 

Oohhhh, M is so trendy - she's got white furry stuff on her hood.

Sleigh bells.

Calligraphy pens. Previously M tried out one of the glass dipping pens, she wrote G's name on the practice paper. Mere moments later G went to try she was quite surprised to see her name already written out in another hand. 

Clamouring at the fudge sample counter.

Be still my heart - the Adventurers Club....

Filled to burst with old dudes dresses as 19th century military leaders...amazing. They even introduced themselves for the benefit of observers of their tactical discussion. A charming young major came right over to talk to me, but I was way more interested in the dashing man below with the ropes and less in the details he wanted to share regarding the latest British loses in the south of Africa at the hands of the natives. The 'trying just a little to hard' accent makes it difficult not to laugh in one on one conversation.

The schedule of events at the Adventurers Club:

11:00 Contemplation

12:30 Writers Lectures

1:00 Military Hour

1:45 Hang Fire

2:30 Writers Lectures

3:00 Society for the Dissemination of Useful Information

3:30 Pre-Raphaelite Artist Salon

4:15 Bohemian Salon

5:00 Gothic Hour

5:30 Adventurers Club Social

6:05 Officer's Mess "Members Only"

My entire next visit will be scheduled around events at the Adventurers Club. I was very disappointed to miss the Society for the Dissemination of Useful Information because Queen Victoria showed up for a visit and we had to go.

The most ridiculous hat display ever beheld - I need to find out where to get one just like it. You know you want to wear that hat - just look how much fun she is having.

The inventor of the mechanical man! Adorable.

The mechanical man and his totally hot mustache.

The girls - buying a weeks supply of cinnamon almonds.

At the Dickens Fair it is possible (for a fee, of course) to send a telegram that will be delivered by one of several young hooligans roaming the streets screaming "Telegram for....". I told D that he should send one to G for her birthday. Minutes later J and I are standing outside a shop when a young man walks by yelling "Telegram for G S!" in his adorable fake accent. J and I follow in hot pursuit. The poor kid, he just can't find GS. 

J decides to give him some help and after we follow him the length of a section of the fair leads him to where G & her friends are standing. He walks by yelling G's name - it doesn't even register with her. Thankfully, this time, because the poor bloke forgot the rose that was supposed to accompany the telegram. D grabs him, gives a gentle reminder and indicates we will remain there and stall until he returns.

Fast forward - the girls have their almonds, we are milling around talking. Young chap walks by slowly yelling "Telegram for G S." He is inches from us. It does not register with G. Finally, because everyone has indicated to him who she is he just walks right up to her and asks "Are you GS?" She is rather stunned, and blushing takes the telegram and rose. 

In what will hopefully be their last year performing - the jugging brothers. First they both juggle. Then the little one juggles while climbing progressively higher on the older brother's shoulders. Last year it looked painful. This year the climbing structure brother looked about ready to die. Little brother isn't quite so little anymore. 

Little Red J and the creepy Rats of Nimh wolf.

Those are the tiniest little ankles I've ever seen. It's amazing she can support herself. 

Cinderella. In this version, Cinderella appears to have one really hairy arm (perhaps as a show of camaraderie with the mice?), and the fairy godmother looks more like sleeping beauty's witch. The single star on top of her hat does change the tone of her outfit to make her look inviting. She can keep her glass slipper and magic pumpkin.

Victorian gambling. Lost every last pence in my pockets. 

The Writers Lecture with Rudyard Kippling. He did a lovely recitation of Gunga Din, and The Ballad of  East and West. 

As always it was great fun. The fodder for mockery is endless. The christmas spirit is ripe. The cinnamon almonds are delicious. And I successfully avoided blowing my entire pay check at the antiquarian booksellers shop - an impressive feat.