Ren Fair and New Year's Eve

[MadMatt]

In the Matthews Parade promoting the Ren Fest
Notice I've got Shelby walking with me, she's done so well after the surgery






Performing

Preparing to lead the entire cast in the last song of the day


The Irish Rogues and the Living Statue posing for a shot


The Rogues and Jana greeting patrons outside the front gate first thing in the morning


On stage, telling the true story of Sir Walter Raleigh


Preparing to start the show with my nephew looking on


New Year's Eve 2009

From left to right: Lumpy, Scott and myself dowing our Irish Car Bombs


Look, no more Car Bombs


Lumpy, Jerry and Scott, thats my posse!


Be glad I'm holding them back, someone said there was no more alcohol


Portraits from the Cast Party after the New Year

Tori and her dad


Donna, Tori and myself

[Bodhisattva]

I had forgotten about Shelby...it HAS been awhile since you stopped posting, (welcome back, BTW)
Glad to see everything turned out OK.
I have to keep my eye out for a Ren Fest and GO to one...I know we have them out here.

[MadMatt]

Thanks, its good to be back. She still has problems, but nothing like what she had before the surgery. She'll never be "normal", but I still maintain that none of us are "normal", so whats it matter?

Where in California are you? I'll see what I can dig up on ren fests in the area.

[Truck]

I'm glad to hear she's doing good. Great pics. Dude, I want to see one of those so badly! Are there NONE in TN?

[MadMatt]

For Bodi, Truck and anyone else interested, here is a link to Ren Fests listed by State, looks like there are several options for California and Tennessee

http://www.renfaire.com/Sites/state.html

[Bodhisattva]

Nearest one is in Lake Elsinore, but not until Sept.-Oct.
That is do-able.

[MadMatt]

You'll enjoy it, there is literally something for everyone.

[ELISABETH]

Are you coming to Atlanta?? There is one in Fairburn. Thats like 15 min from me!

[Truck]

If I'm hitting a touchy subject I apologize in advance, but some of those pics make you look damn short.

He's standing beside a chick on stilts you Hypnotard!!!

[Bodhisattva]

Stilts! aww...shit! I was thinking that babe has got legs that go for days.
Arrrrggghh!
But they're stilts...demmit.
Dream wrecker.

[IsoHockey92]

I apologize for not remembering, but what happened to your daughter?

[MadMatt]

Not touchy at all, E, I do look short in some of those pics. But remember, my ren fest partner is like 6'6'', and Jerry is almost seven feet tall, so my 5'10" height looks somewhat shorter, lol.

We are going to try and work at least one weekend in Atlanta this year, Lisa, I'll let you know.

And Iso, she has cerebral palsey, and on top of that had a skull and neck deformity, and it was putting pressure on her brain. They had to do brain surgery and reconstructive surgery on her skull and neck, which was a real delicate procedure. She had several strokes before she was ten, and had bad seizures all the time. She still has occasional seizures, but not near as often and not quite as bad, but she hasn't had a stroke since the surgery, thank God. Each one could have been the last one, if you know what I mean. I couldn't love her or her sister any more even if they were biologically mine. So it was a rough time. But we got through it.

[IsoHockey92]

Well I am glad to hear that she is doing very well! I can't imagine what it is like to go through that in either side of it. It has got to take a huge toll on you physically and mentally. Sounds like she is a tough girl though!

[MadMatt]

Thanks, Iso. She's very tough. Her actual costume she wore during festival was orange and black, and her character name was Harley. Yeah, she's biker gang tough, lol.

[The One]

Awesome , Matt , love all the pics!