And yes, once again, one of my real favorites from the festival, Dextre Tripp:

Ever tried to climb a ladder? Imagine climbing one not leaning up against anything. And then imagine someone ELSE climbing that ladder at the same time. That's what he's doing here -- that child is bringing him his hat by climbing the ladder and joining him at the top! This guy really is that good!

That's all for this weekend, but hopefully as you read this I'm taking more pictures and will have some more next week! Thanks for stopping by.

Posted by: Ogre at 05:03 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Presenting Don Juan and Miguel. Sorry the picture isn't great. I'll get better ones today.

These two are really neat people. They've got an impressive sword fighting and whip show, and they're clearly talented with both. They're also hilarious. And Miguel is quite often seen wandering about the fair grounds, talking with people. Just beware of him when he has a pickle...

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Hey folks! Ogre's not here today. Instead, he's over at the Carolina Renaissance Festival all day long. You should be there, too. For those who cannot, one more day of a few pictures from the festival. This one here is Manolete:

This guy's a nut. He lights the stage on fire and plays with fire. He balances fire on his body. He swings rope around -- lit on fire. Go watch him -- his show will be great this weekend when it's supposed to be chilly!

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Here's another very entertaining group, The London Broil. These are three funny guys that juggle and put on a great show.

They're supposed to be appearing live in Charlotte next Friday. Their web site keeps saying "check back soon for details." I hope they update it before next Friday so I can get some tickets! But don't miss them at the fair -- if you catch their last show, you might get to see them juggle stools!

Well, that's all the pictures for today! Be sure and stop by again tomorrow for more pictures. And if you're in the area, come on by the festival. I'll be the Ogre dressed as a pirate with a camera with the long lens.

Posted by: Ogre at 08:05 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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When you're walking through the tree-covered area of the Carolina Renaissance Festival and you hear the wonderful music of a harp wandering through the branches and leaves, you're sure to be getting closer to Sarah Marie Mullen:

I could sit and listen to that beautiful music all day. And she's not exactly rough on the eyes while you're sitting there, either...

Posted by: Ogre at 06:07 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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There is one show at the festival that showcases various birds of prey. It's neat, lots of fun, and the birds fly through and over the audience. It's pretty cool. This picture here came out just great, didn't it? The owl had just taken off.

This weekend, I'm taking a different lens and hope to get a few more close-ups of a few things -- like these great birds in flight.

Posted by: Ogre at 04:09 PM | Comments (8) | Add Comment
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1 That's pretty awesome! I wouldn't think it would be easy to train a bird of prey like that.

Posted by: HoosierArmyMom at November 09, 2007 04:42 PM (eaqGd)

2 Well, the claim to be trained... of course they're just bribing the silly animals with food...

Posted by: Ogre at November 09, 2007 04:43 PM (oifEm)

3 I guess they like sammiches too! LOL!!!

Posted by: HoosierArmyMom at November 09, 2007 04:44 PM (eaqGd)

4 The show is great when the bring out the vultures -- who then search the ground for scraps from turkey legs!

Posted by: Ogre at November 09, 2007 04:53 PM (oifEm)

5 I would think that would be kinda scary. They aren't exactly a warm and fuzzy bird! I kinda like watching the little finches taking dirt baths myself! They are pretty cute! LOL!!!

Posted by: HoosierArmyMom at November 09, 2007 04:59 PM (eaqGd)

6 It's scary, but funny -- the vulture hops around. His name is Igor. He hops like Igor.

Posted by: Ogre at November 09, 2007 05:13 PM (oifEm)

7 Take lots of pics because I want to see what Igor looks like. I also want to see how you turn out in a pirate costume Ogre! It sounds priceless!!!

Posted by: HoosierArmyMom at November 09, 2007 05:16 PM (eaqGd)

8 I'll try, but it's tough to get good Igor pictures. He moves around so much, it's hard to nail him down. But I'll take different lenses and give it a shot.

Posted by: Ogre at November 09, 2007 05:28 PM (oifEm)

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Here he is, Thom Selectomy:

Thom is a great show. He was away from the Carolina Renaissance Festival for a couple years, but he's back. It's a really great and entertaining show and he really does swallow those swords. The one in this picture is really long, trust me!

There's just two weekends left, so if you're around, come on out and join in the fun and merriment. This really is a great place to come and relax and forget the troubles of the world, just for a day. Ogre will be there all day this Saturday -- and it's Pirate Day, so just try and imagine an Ogre dressed as a pirate. Yup, that'll be me.

Posted by: Ogre at 02:34 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Say hello to Dextre Tripp live at the Carolina Renaissance Festival:

Oh that ladder he's standing on? It's about 10 feet tall. And yes, those torches are on fire. I'm telling you, if you live in the area and don't get to this fair, you're really missing something. There's still two weekends left!

Posted by: Ogre at 08:03 PM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
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It's almost time! If you STILL don't have your tickets yet for the Carolina Renaissance Festival:

You can save $16 on opening weekend by receiving two adult admission tickets for $20.00 - with a coupon!! ($34 Value) Click here for discount ticket locations.

Cannot make it for opening weekend? Don't fret! Click here to print your own discount tickets online.

Visit www.RenFestInfo.com for directions, information, photos, video highlights, and much more.

Huzzah!!

Posted by: Ogre at 06:38 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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Hey, it's almost that time! The Carolina Renaissance Festival is coming up in just 10 days! Watch the right sidebar here for the hourly countdown, if you like. Now I won't be able to be there on opening day, but I'm going to try and get there Sunday afternoon. And after the first week, I will be there quite a bit. If you've never been, come on out!

It really is a wonderful place. It's a place to really escape from today. There's almost no electricity, and everyone is there to have fun. The performers are really entertaining and they ALL appear happy to be there. If you work around people who just hate to come to work every day, you will be refreshed.

In addition, there's almost no judgment there. People don't look at you and judge you by the way you look or who you voted for last year. There's almost no political discussion of any kind. And you can relax all day long around people who will become your friends. Again, I offer to anyone in the area, if you want to come out and hang around for a day, please do. I'm willing to meet up with about anyone nearly any day (certainly any day I'm there).

Oh, and I got my season pass a little while ago. They appear to be sequentially numbered. Should it bother me that mine is #18?

Posted by: Ogre at 07:09 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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1 #18? That is die hard!

Posted by: oddybobo at September 27, 2007 12:57 PM (mZfwW)

2 I wonder if I should try for #1 next year...

Posted by: Ogre at September 27, 2007 01:05 PM (oifEm)

3 Ogre - from last year's festival you posted a CD from a wonderful young lady with a voice like "water over silk" and who played a mandolin"?" She was playing most folk type music. What was her name or website. Thank you!

Posted by: Wuptdo at September 27, 2007 08:01 PM (axYNA)

4 Young lady and a mandolin? There's two wonderful voices that I can remember -- one plays the harp, the other sings unaccompanied. The harp player is Sarah Mullen: http://ogresview.mu.nu/archives/204845.php Is that the one you're looking for?

Posted by: Ogre at September 28, 2007 11:33 AM (oifEm)

5 Bingo, that's the one Ogre. Thanks, and may the God of your choice, Bless you!

Posted by: Wuptdo at September 28, 2007 05:15 PM (axYNA)

6 Glad to help out! Go and see her if you can, she's great!

Posted by: Ogre at September 28, 2007 06:40 PM (oifEm)

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It's almost time! The Carolina Renaissance Festival is coming. It starts this year on October 6th -- less than two months away now. Is it bad to be looking forward to this sort of event? Does it make me more of a geek (or is that nerd?)?

Unfortunately, I'll be out of town the first weekend (Oct 6-7), but I'll be there on more than a couple of the other weekends. If you have never been you really should make plans to attend. I really like it because it truly is an escape. You can spend the entire day pretending you're in another world. It's calm, it's peaceful, and you rarely hear a word about the troubles of the world today.

There's almost no electricity anywhere. My favorite guy to see is Dextre Tripp. He's an incredible acrobat and he's a downright wonderful person to meet and know. If you want to meet him, just hang around after a show and talk to him, he's really nice.

I'll start now by extending an open invitation to anyone to come out and join me. I'm there most weekends, and I'd love to meet up with anyone who can get out there. If you want a day of relaxation, total escape and fun, come on out. And no, I don't get paid by them for this ad, I'm just letting you know it really is nice. Oh, and if you're in a hurry and want to see everything in one day, count me out -- I like to go and just take my time and enjoy it.

Drop me a line in comments if you can make it out there one day and I'll be glad to meet up with you! Oh, and the counter in the right column does show exactly how many days to the first weekend...

Posted by: Ogre at 07:08 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Another interesting act at The Carolina Renaissance Festival is the Ancient Art of Falconry. This is a show put on by EarthQuest. They are:

a non profit environmental education organization, dedicated to the education of the public as to their impact on the natural world.

(Click to Enlarge)

If you want to see some big birds up close and personal, head on over and check these guys out.

Previous Performers:
Sarah Mullen
The Scullery Maids
Drums and Drones
Dextre Tripp: Up In Smoke
The Good Fairy
Manolete
Tree Man
Magician
Dextre Tripp
Jewels of the Caravan
Blackenshear the Curious
The London Broil
Dextre Tripp

Posted by: Ogre at 07:04 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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When you get close to this next performer, you will hear her before you see her. It is Sarah Mullen, a most wonderful and beautiful harpist. The music that comes from that instrument will entrance you for hours. I could sit and listen and watch this all day long.

And not only is Sarah stunningly beautiful, and incredibly talented, she's also darn smart -- she has a college degree with a triple major. And she studied at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Folks, she really is that good.

(Click to Enlarge)

And, if you want to hear her wonderful music and you simply cannot make it to the festival, you can listen to and order her CDs at her web site. Go listen and be amazed and impressed. I know I am.

Previous Performers:
The Scullery Maids
Drums and Drones
Dextre Tripp: Up In Smoke
The Good Fairy
Manolete
Tree Man
Magician
Dextre Tripp
Jewels of the Caravan
Blackenshear the Curious
The London Broil
Dextre Tripp

Posted by: Ogre at 07:02 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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1 For such a pes't, why is it that I feel so refreshed and relaxed coming to your site? Maybe I need to blog about other topics...hmmm! Maybe the pugs should be more highlighted.

Posted by: DagneyT at November 15, 2006 11:17 PM (oNSaJ)

2 Afternoons are ALWAYS more fun here!

Posted by: Ogre at November 15, 2006 11:22 PM (GPb4I)

3 She is absolutely beautiful. It took me awhile to find her music, so I'm going to put the direct link below to make it easier for everyone to listen. Thanks for posting it. http://www.sarahmariemullen.com/TRACK8.mp3 I can see why you never made it to the nuns

Posted by: michele at November 16, 2006 02:28 AM (1Akxj)

4 I think she might think I'm a stalker or something because I just sit there and listen for so long...

Posted by: Ogre at November 16, 2006 03:12 PM (oifEm)

5 Her music is great and she is stunning. But seriously, we know you stayed to "listen" cause her jugs are nearly fallingout of her corset!

Posted by: oddybobo at November 16, 2006 04:51 PM (mZfwW)

6 Oh yeah? Well then why were my eyes closed? OH wait. Never mind. Do NOT answer that...

Posted by: Ogre at November 16, 2006 04:58 PM (oifEm)

7 And according to my son who was there (remember that kid? Yeah, him...) She's also 'hott' - enough that he came home with a picture of her She really does have that effect on people, he was mesmerized and amazingly impressed. You don't expect a 15 yr old who prefers Eminem to all else, to come home and tell you how he "heard the most beautiful music today mom..."

Posted by: Erin Monahan at November 21, 2006 01:03 AM (JrfO0)

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Another "minor" act at The Carolina Renaissance Festival are The Scullery Maids. This was a unique and interesting show because they had an obviously plant in the audience who want interacting with them. I say "obvious," because that's him on the stage. He was posing as their director and was giving them "tips" during the show.

A very nice interlude at the fair -- they're at the Washer Wenches stage near the Pirate's launch bouncy-thing. Stop on by!

(Click to Enlarge)

Previous Performers:
Drums and Drones
Dextre Tripp: Up In Smoke
The Good Fairy
Manolete
Tree Man
Magician
Dextre Tripp
Jewels of the Caravan
Blackenshear the Curious
The London Broil
Dextre Tripp

Posted by: Ogre at 07:01 PM | Comments (12) | Add Comment
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1 Its all very nice, thank you, but what about the nuns. Did you visit the nuns? Sir, upon revisiting, please get thee to the nunnery! Ah, here's the rub... does anyone know which of Shakespeare's plays I'm referencing? Ogre, this is to pay you back for that elusive and obscure reference of yesterday. Mwuahhahahaha!

Posted by: michele at November 14, 2006 07:58 PM (FJ2Bh)

2 Strangely enough, the nuns' stage is right across from this stage. I've just never been near that stage at the time the nuns are there -- it's not planned, they're just not around when I am! I wish they'd plan their schedule around me, that would be so much easier... Well, just one weekend left, so I shall have to find time for them. But I'm not sure -- there is the Michigan-Ohio State game I should watch Saturday afternoon...

Posted by: Ogre at November 14, 2006 08:04 PM (oifEm)

3 Ah thanks for the change of pace. Thought for the day for you. *:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:* A doctrine fostered by a delusional, Illogical liberal minority, And rabidly promoted By an unscrupulous mainstream media, Which holds forth the proposition That it is entirely possible to pick up a turd by the clean end. *:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*'``'*:-.,_,.-:*

Posted by: patty at November 14, 2006 08:48 PM (ByBdH)

4 Now, whyc would you be watching that game. I know that I'll be watching in case one of my mentees is put on screen as she was in a game a month ago. But you? Why?

Posted by: michele at November 14, 2006 09:08 PM (BN/Fu)

5 GO WOLVERINES!!!

Posted by: Ogre at November 14, 2006 10:41 PM (GPb4I)

6 And thanks again, Patty. I like to try and lighten things up each and every afternoon. Too much stress makes Jack a dull boy...

Posted by: Ogre at November 14, 2006 10:42 PM (GPb4I)

7 Thank you, you gorgeous pes[..simes...]t, for distracting me. I wish I had such distractions locally. I'll continue to be vigilant until '08...and beyond, but I'll also continue to visit so as to be distracted occasionally.

Posted by: DagneyT at November 15, 2006 02:35 AM (oNSaJ)

8 You've got to let up and relax sometimes!

Posted by: Ogre at November 15, 2006 03:00 AM (GPb4I)

9 OK since no one guessed I'll tell. The obscure reference is from Hamlet. I believe it is in Act 3 Hamlet tells his formerly beloved Ophelia, who's been nagging the hell out of him, to get thee to a nunnery, which in those days were more often than not brothels. Nice fella huh! For the record: I'm Not saying that anyone should send their girlfriends there or visit brothels themselves. I'm simply sharing a little bit of literary history. Now that I've bored your readers, you may resume blogging.

Posted by: michele at November 15, 2006 06:03 AM (1Akxj)

10 I had no clue. No clue at all.

Posted by: Ogre at November 15, 2006 12:40 PM (oifEm)

11 Hence: Clueless in Carolina

Posted by: michele at November 15, 2006 06:38 PM (FRjNx)

12 Well at least I KNOW I'm clueless!!!

Posted by: Ogre at November 15, 2006 06:41 PM (oifEm)

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Another of the "smaller" acts at the Carolina Renaissance Festival -- smaller only in that they don't appear on a main stage, but instead appear at a smaller section -- is the Drums and Drones. These guys play lots of neat music. I could sit and listen to these guys for hours -- only they seem to get tired of playing much quicker than I get tired of listening.

(Click to Enlarge)

For bonus points, can anyone identify that instrument on the left? (And yes, it's a drone, but what kind?)

Previous Performers:
Dextre Tripp: Up In Smoke
The Good Fairy
Manolete
Tree Man
Magician
Dextre Tripp
Jewels of the Caravan
Blackenshear the Curious
The London Broil
Dextre Tripp

Posted by: Ogre at 07:01 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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Yeah, so I cheated again. What can I say, I like the Dextre Tripp Thrill Show. It's so good that I go to at least one show every time I'm there, and usually more than one. It really is that good.

In the last show of the day, the 4:45 show, he does the fire-rope walk. Yes, as you can see in the picture below, he walks UP a rope that's on fire. And the picture doesn't do this feat justice because there's a lot more evil-looking smoke than appears in the photo. And heck, would YOU walk up a burning rope?

(Click to Enlarge)

Previous Performers:
The Good Fairy
Manolete
Tree Man
Magician
Dextre Tripp
Jewels of the Caravan
Blackenshear the Curious
The London Broil
Dextre Tripp

Posted by: Ogre at 07:03 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Another fixture at the fair that doesn't have a "stage" is the fairy. If you've been to the festival, you've seen her picture on the tickets. In case you saw her picture and never saw her, well here she is in all her beauty:

(Click to Enlarge)

Previous Performers:
Manolete
Tree Man
Magician
Dextre Tripp
Jewels of the Caravan
Blackenshear the Curious
The London Broil
Dextre Tripp

Posted by: Ogre at 07:04 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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1 Dee Snider?

Posted by: Harvey at November 09, 2006 07:26 PM (L7a63)

2 No, no, I said GOOD fairy...

Posted by: Ogre at November 09, 2006 07:58 PM (oifEm)

3 Dude - e-mail me, OK? I have a blog question!

Posted by: Smokey at November 10, 2006 06:04 AM (fq59s)

4 Hmm.... I think technically tinkerbell was a pixy, wasn't she?

Posted by: Ogre at November 10, 2006 10:53 AM (GPb4I)

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Now this guy is really a class act. This is his second year at the Carolina Renaissance Festival, and he's just getting better and better. I went to his 4:15 show this past Sunday, and that's the same time as the final joust -- therefore he gets quite the small crowd -- so I just cheered more.

I also saw him standing around before his show. I stood there and talked with him for a little bit while we waited for the previous act to clear off the stage (they were late). Another just honestly nice fellow, this Manolete.

(click to enlarge)

A very nice fellow and quite the impressive show. And ladies, how about those abs, eh? Mine look like that too, but you just can't tell for the padding. Hey, if airbags are safe...

But seriously, if you get a chance to get to the show, be sure to head down to the stage and watch this show. And if you've already seen the joust, make sure you get to his 4:15 show so I won't be there by myself next time!

Previous Performers:
Tree Man
Magician
Dextre Tripp
Jewels of the Caravan
Blackenshear the Curious
The London Broil
Dextre Tripp

Posted by: Ogre at 07:02 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Another fun sight at the Carolina Renaissance Festival is the tree man. As you can see from the picture, he's, well, as tall as a tree. He can walk around a little bit. And he doesn't talk much -- after all, he IS a tree.

(click to enlarge)

Previously:
Magician
Dextre Tripp
Jewels of the Caravan
Blackenshear the Curious
The London Broil
Dextre Tripp

Posted by: Ogre at 07:01 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Today I present a magician...and I don't know his name. He was performing this weekend at The Carolina Renaissance Festival at the Washer Wenches stage, but I didn't catch his name. Take a careful look and see if you can see what he's doing in this picture:

This fellow was an excellent magician, working the crowd and working classic magic tricks. Towards the end he really made the cups and balls tricks interesting when oranges started showing up! And for the grand finale, SIX oranges and a cantaloupe showed up! Very impressive. He also said he's be on Letterman in a couple weeks, so I'll see what else there might be to that!

Previously:
Dextre Tripp
Jewels of the Caravan
Blackenshear the Curious
The London Broil
Dextre Tripp

Posted by: Ogre at 07:03 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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