Tawdry Talk

The Team Bear Massage and Cuddle Tent got off to a rocky start: there was no tent in which to massage and cuddle! When I arrived at 09:30, the fair was in a state of disarray, with many tents still not erected. Apparently, the tent vendor had been on an all-night meth binge, and he showed up with not enough tent equipment, so many of the tents were not assembled or erected, including the cuddle tent.

I was dreading what to tell all of my volunteer MTs who had agreed to work for me for this event. They started to arrive one by orne, and I briefed them as to the situation. Fortunately, they all took it with good grace, and we hung out in the shade at the Team Bear Beer Booth while we waiting to see whether we’d be working or scrubbing the event. I wasn’t going to let them work in the full sun all day, certainly; that’s just heat stroke waiting to happen.

But, right around noon, I was informed that some tents were on their way, and we had two 10×10 shade tents provided to us, which we quickly assembled and set up on the sidewalk across 12th street from the Eagle Tavern. It turned out to be a favorable location for us, as there was plenty of foot traffic, but not too much.

The cuddle tent portion of the event, though, was a bust - the promised bean bag chairs did not materialize, and with the tents half the size of what we were originally told, we went with all massage. It didn’t matter, though, as we had a great time.

I was the barker for the tent, calling out in my stage voice, “GET YER RUB-ON! TEAM BEAR MASSAGE TENT! MASSAGE FOR CHARITY!” I know I could be heard from far away because heads would turn whenever I called out, which was about once a minute or so. Tons of people came up to me and the tent during the course of the day, and I collected the donations and assigned the client to the MTs. I didn’t do any massage myself all day, but was on my feet all day in the sun.

We collected over 700 dollars for Team Bear, though, so it was a great day in that department.

After the fair, Kenn gave Bjørn and I a ride home, and we delivered Paul’s table back up to Twin Peaks where he lives.

Thank you, Bjørn, Peter, Kenn, Charlie, Paul, and Shane for all your hard work today! I and Team Bear really appreciate it! And thank you to all you wonderful LJers and others who stopped by and donated! You have gotten Team Bear’s fundraising season for ALC8 off to a rousing start!