The Arizona Renaissance Festival opened last weekend, and for the first time in 21 years (that I’ve, you know, been in the same hemisphere), I was not a contracted participant of the Festival.
That didn’t stop me from attending on opening day however. I still put on my costume, helped my (very pregnant) wife in to hers, and off to the Faire we went.
The day was a little bit bittersweet and a LOT bit hot (80 degrees on the 7th of February . . . but, you know, climate change is a myth), but I was wonderfully reminded as to why I go to these things when a fellow costumed-patron decided she needed her bodice tightened.
Well . . . what was a gentleman to do?
I’ll tell you what. Make sure there’s someone there to photograph it.

Believe it or not, there’s an art/science to getting a bodice laced perfectly, and you have to be fairly willing to leave some of your fingers’ skin behind on the cord to get it right.
The things we do for our craft.