I wanna count da Rogue

The Rogue festival kicks off tomorrow. This is my 2nd as Moneypenny, and the third I will attend. Rogue has been very, very, good to me. I just want to share my virgin Rogue experience:
Three years ago, I had comfortably retreated to a very cozy (but lonely) hermit-like existence. I had my VERY supportive friends that had known me "4-ever" and I didn't feel the need for expansion. My friends felt differently....

Superman Steve had come to perform his show, "Adventures of a Substitute Teacher" at the 2005 RogueFestival. I remember feeling nervous (but excited), exhilarated (but simlutaneously terrified) about being in such a bubbly, eclectic mix of performers. Steve did a five minute show at Arthop (he followed some skinny Asian strumming on a guitar singing La-la, LA-la La-la-la...). After being totally oblivious to interest from some blonde guy with a camera --

HIM: How long have you been together?
APJ: Oh, we're not a couple, we're just friends.
HIM: Oh, you just came down from San Francisco to see the shows?
APJ: No, I live here.
HIM: Cool! You're not a couple, and you live in Fresno! Where are you going next?

-- Steve decided drastic measures were necessary:
This was no longer "RogueFestival: opportunity for Steve to make money." No....this was "RogueFestival: The OC"
--No, not the T.V. show......."Operation Circulation."

I know, I know. I'm sextarded. what can I say.

We went to Veni's, where many performers had gathered. Steve said he was going to network (ever the media whore, that one), and that we wouldn't leave until I had talked to three people-- and that the scotch-drinking-chain-smoking-Rasputin-channeling-Master-Rogue didn't count because he talked to everyone...

::sigh::

I went and sat at a table, and started talking to a fiddle player. Unfortunately, his fiddle talked more than he did, and I was beginning to think that maybe I had forgotten the art of gab (Horrors! Me? Unable to chat people up?!?!). Steve thought the same from across the room, but thankfully, I was saved by two foreigners that joined my table. One was a tall lanky New Zealander, and the other, the skinny Asian troubadour(I remember thinking, "geez, he could sing/stare the pants off a lion tamer! Glad he's so much younger then me...."). And talk I did. Rasputin joined us, as did Steve. I don't remember the entire conversation, but I remember feeling less and less hermitish, and more and more like the APj of old.

Throughout the festival, Steve and Rasputin introduced me to other Rogues. such as SSM (who, by the way, refused to talk to me until closing night. what a snob! He says he was suffering from VenueManagerMadness. I hope that's not stillgoing around), Blake, Dr. O, and John B ('nother story about those two later!). Before I knew it, I found myself drawn into the Rogue, and even getting de-Rogued. Uh-huh, I was excited when I heard the term too, but breathe, dirty boys -- that's just a BBQ.

And here I am, two years later: Rockin' and Roguein'
Thank you Marcel, for being such an enigmatic and excellent RogueMaster. Even though you have passed on the helm, it is your baby. Be proud. And thank you for inviting me into this world.

Thanks to SSM, even though it took two years for me to get your phone number. whatevah, you're still a good dance partner, so I'll keep ya.

Dr. O and John B (my Rupert), you guys are great. You make me smile and laugh.

CindyLou (who has moved from Whoville) and Jade Ed, thanks for letting me in -- you were the toughest nuts to crack, but the crack was worth it.

Devon and Dana: you both are unsung heroes. Thanks for always encouraging me.

Jag - you no longer scare me. I'm glad.

Mustang -- oh, mustang. Thanks for thinking I'm a warrior. Really, I'm still a scared little girl playing dressup -- but don't tell anyone.

And troubadour --I'm blessed to have gotten to know you. I still think you could sing the pants off a lion tamer....