Burning Tapirs Holiday Dinner 2007

[wickedwords]

When the snow was falling at 9 am this morning, I wasn't sure I'd be going as the dinner was being held in Ballard, which is a heck of a drive from my house, even on a good day. But it all melted enough that I felt safe going, and was the first to arrive.

I caught up with J and his wife, and then M arrived, with his dog Molly. M is moving back to Iowa next year, on the 'I will buy a triplex and rent out 2 units' retirement plan, so this was one of the last times that I will get to see him. He'd had Molly for six months and I had never met her(she had been the service dog of a friend who died last year, so he adopted her and coxed her out of her depression). She was very sweet natured and charming.

R arrived later, and we all chatted awhile, catching up on life before sitting down to an incredible meal and then presents. I felt bad as I had brought no gifts this year, as just coming was a last minute decision for me (I didn't go last year), but it was great to see everyone. I've known M and R since college--we all played D&D together, plus we were in the SCA together, and R was my partner for duo interp events in forensics (aka, debate club)--and it was wonderful to have a chance to talk. Everyone was impressed with the cycling I did last year, and R gave J and I copies of her first book,Crypt of the Moaning Diamond. We talked about writing a lot, and movies, and science fiction, and, of course, tv.

My little-known-fact takeaway was the the Seattle Opera buys vodka by the gallon, and uses it to spray down the costumes between shows to get rid of the smell of sweat that clings to them. They clean each costume after the show is over, but during the run, it's cleaned with Vodka alone. The same trick is used for the costumes of the Nutcracker, for the exact same reason.

Now my throat is sore from talking, and have have a list of authors to read and websites to vist, so I think I will call it a night. I am so glad I was able to go.

Comments

[mzlizzy.livejournal.com]

I've long known about the vodka trick for costumes, but I used to work backstage. We recommend it to people who buy our corsets (at www.farthingalesla.com) as a way to freshen your corset without dry cleaning.

As the vodka evaporates it pulls the scent with it and poof no more stinky costumes!

Don't buy the good vodka for this, the rotgut works just fine!

[pocketmouse]

Theatres are well-known for being massive consumers of vodka and condoms -- the vodka for cleaning costumes (pretty much any costume too delicate to shove in a washing machine), and the condoms for covering wireless mic packs (so the sweat doesn't short them out while the actors are wearing them -- non-lubed is preferred).

[wickedwords.livejournal.com]

I love hearing about little things like that. I swear, next time I go to vvc, I'm going to pack up an atomizer with some to spray down by dance dress after club vivid. I'm a sweat-er, not a glow-er.

[wickedwords.livejournal.com]

Fascinating! That is very cool.

[mzlizzy.livejournal.com]

Remember to hang it somewhere open (not a crowded closet) to let it dry after you've sprayed it.