The sequel to the original HuSiStock was different, less raucous, but at the same time I felt closer and more involved. This may well just be from me being 9 years more adept at dealing with people, but I think was a factor of the folks who were there. In some ways, many things have changed since the last gathering. We’ve all had major life events happen to us. Some of us got married, some of us unmarried, some of our families got bigger, some smaller. You can’t go 9 years without something big happening in your life. Yet, the essence of the people I know and love were still there: Aphrael’s hearty laugh and unassuming articulateness and intelligence, ni’s dry wit and deep curiosity, misslake’s indefatigable delight at flora and fauna, and, well, everything, CBB’s rapturous raconteuring, littlestar’s welcoming and powerful personality, nstenz’s quiet presence, LFT’s smile and warmth. This time around there were a few new arrivals. Popsicle has grown from a quiet, pineapple preoccupied toddler into her very own being with style and opinions to match, Yam has gone from an abstract theory to very much an undeniable presence -- both of them show strong traits of both their parents. The MiniFlightStenzes are starting to make their way in the world, exploring and watching and learning; they too are exactly what you would expect of a child of their parents. The one adult addition was Oberon who won the furthest distance award, and was delightfully charming and conversant in that way that “pub culture” seems to encourage.

Also a delight were the more husi-peripheral residents of the Schoolhouse. People and beasts who appear in CBB & littlestar’s stories and are an essential part of the gestalt of The Schoolhouse, but who aren’t active participants of our site. They took to the invasion of The Internet with stride and made us all feel entirely welcome and at home. Even Blackberry the tortoise made an escape from her pen to join in on the fun. And possibly pilfer the dog kibble. Candy the gun-shy hunting dog was less enthusiastic about the fireworks, but seemed pleased by the availability of pats and scritches. The Australian cockatiel joined in with a chorus of cat-calls. I can only assume he was the manifestation of CBBs subconscious in avian form.

There were many adventures over the weekend, with lakes and quicksand, campfires and fireworks, and a few dabblings in psychonautery. Mostly, however, it was just simply about being able to spend time with one another. Being hussites the conversation was as wide-ranging as it was articulate. Many a beer was had, and many a bottle of harder spirits went around. Laughter was easy and plentiful. People asked me what the highlight of the trip was, and there wasn’t any one thing. It was just the delight in being able to see and to hug and to talk and to laugh with some of my favourite people. Also, I totally slept in a hammock. That was pretty awesome.

The Road to and from HuSiStock was a little more rocky, but to borrow a line from CBB: that is another story for another time.
Update [2014-8-20 7:20:33 by MostlyHarmless]: I totally forgot to include a link to the photos I posted on FaceBook