PSG: I Have Arrived

I’m blogging from Media Camp at PSG here in Earlville, IL. Some interesting things to know for the trip:

• Do not plan to stop and sleep in Mattoon, IL. There is a softball competition.
• There is no fast food in Earlville. If you want grub before you pitch tents grab it when you see it.
• There are mosquitos, so apply bug repellant before you set up camp.
• This place is beautiful. You’re gonna love it.

My tent is pitched, and one screen tent for interviewing/hanging out/eating is up, and a second screen tent set up as a recharge/workstation for bloggers and podcasters here in Media Camp. I’m very excited to see other media folks arrive!

The best part so far, and I’m sure this is true of any Pagan festival, is seeing old familiar faces. I literally knew no one last year, including Arthur and Kathryn, with whom I carpooled. This year I see people I know every time I turn around. Last year I wasn’t certain how I would feel about nudity. This year the moment my tent was up I was stripping down in the shower house without a thought for who was in the room. Last year, I wasn’t certain I was going to enjoy the event or that I would have anything to write about. This year I’m not only certain I will enjoy myself, I’m also certain I will have plenty to write about and plenty of stories to record and share. Last year I arrived feeling out of place and uncertain. This year I feel as if I’m right where I belong.

For those who are solitaries or who have to remain in the closet for whatever reason, festivals like this must mean so much more. Being able to relax and simply be Pagan for a week without any explanations or apologies is a glorious thing. Being able to celebrate rites of passage with other Pagans is important.

I’m going to grab some grub and relax before everyone begins arriving tomorrow. The heralds are already making rounds, groups of kids exploring the site and Porta-Potties being placed in strategic locations.

For those of you celebrating Midsummer this weekend: have a blast! For those of you headed in to PSG tomorrow: Welcome Home!