Today I awoke to a bright and cheerful morning. It was a beautiful day which I was thankful for because on Friday I decided I had to go to the Strange Folk Festival. I drove over to pick up my friend Katie, and off we went to O'fallon, IL.
First, I have to state that I have never purposely driven into Illinois. The only exception to this self-imposed rule was when I was in college. In my early college days, my friends and I would stay out until the bars closed in Missouri. Then, we would shuttle across the Mississippi to the Purple Crackle which had dim lighting, stayed open until 4am, and most importantly, contained more alcohol than any one place would ever need. It was a sleazy club (it is even sleazier now), packed full of drunken college students and 45 year old cougars all looking for the same thing - "love". There, relationships were made and broken, and it wasn't uncommon for a relationship to end and a new one to begin all in the space of one Purple Crackle evening.
As the Purple Crackle was my only experience with Illinois, I've never felt the urge to drive across the river and visit the great land of Lincoln's birth. That is until today.
To my utter dismay, the portion of Illinois directly across the Mississippi is not the stinking cesspool I pictured it was. During the day it is not composed of women covered in too-tight animal print mini skirts and men still bearing the beloved mullet of the late 80s. It is not rife with stumbling drunkards or groping college co-eds. No. In fact, it is just like home. The people are normal, which once and for all proves to me crossing the river does not automatically turn a person into a vodka swilling lunatic.
The trip to the Strange Folk Festival was great. I purchased a new wallet from Dammnatation Reclaimation, five very interesting buttons from Pumpkinbear, and an adorable gnome pin cushion for my sewing projects. The best part about all of these items is that they were all handmade by crafty people making exciting things out of ordinary materials. It was a wonderful time to commune with people like me, and it has really inspired me to begin creating again.
Now it's time to unleash my inner artist. To my craft room I go. Perhaps I can make a Purple Crackle inspired plushie...
2 comments:
Looks so cool! Why haven't I ever heard of this?
And I love how you mixed memories in with the here and now.
1) I totally wish I could have gone to this. and 2) I think you should make a quilt, I really do. You can make something that's really simple but really fun and crazy, and you don't have to feel bad if it takes you 6 months, because it's supposed to :) Call me and I'll give you some pointers if you want :)
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