Though the temptation is to close the door and my mind to festival work, I’m not indulging in that. I invested some money in clear plastic totes and storage solutions so that the growing inventory of festival stuff can be sorted and stored more easily. Not only will this corral and protect the items but it should stop the ?creep? into my personal space. Being able to see and find what I need when I need it should save time and frustration. One day I’m gathering props for a TV appearance; another day I’m prepping lanyards for volunteers or designing florals for the event.
So, with supplies spread across my living room, in the garage, in my studio, and in the basement, this sorting is taking some time and ingenuity. This fall I’m also forcing Hilary to sell the bins, supplies, and Christmas trees that she and her partner acquired during their event planning days. I’m no longer willing to offer warehouse space. That means that after their stuff is gone, I’ll actually be able to stack the see-through bins in one designated area.
Besides this extra job I’ve assigned myself, there is plenty of other post-event work needing attention. I’ve got databases to create and/or update, financial records to enter, reports to submit to governments, new grants to apply for. I also want to get a jumpstart on my report to Town Council. I intend to include stats and guest book comments to bring the report and presentation to life. Another fun job is compiling a scrapbook of press clippings and ads that document our promotion plan. Last year I wrote a personalized message in more than one hundred twenty-five Christmas cards.
After harvest I intend to begin meeting with people and companies (including a platinum sponsor and a radio station) who want to play a bigger role in the festival next year. It’s also not too early to nail down a band, caterer, food concessions, and theme for 2016. There are debriefing meetings to call and a volunteer wind-up to host next week.
In between this craziness, I’m trying to get my life back. I performed a marriage this weekend and fielded other inquiries. I finally got the sink of dishes done and umpteen loads of laundry washed. I’m tidying as I go. I need to schedule an oil change for the Venza and do some serious grocery shopping for the long harvest days ahead.
Today I began reading the ten or twelve Edmonton Journals plus local weeklies that have piled up in the last week or two. Unfortunately, I can’t give the Duffy trial, campaign coverage, or comics the attention they deserve. Let’s hope I didn’t miss a funeral.
I love the challenge and adrenaline rush of putting together a successful event of this scope and magnitude. I’m even getting better at setting boundaries and keeping work where it belongs. Now I just need to use the restaurant and theatre gift certificates getting old in my wallet, from where I sit.
Hazel Anaka’s first novel is Lucky Dog. Visit her website for more information or follow her on Twitter @anakawrites.