It was the announcement on the news that brought me joy in late 2018.
Arizona has been my home for the last decade. In those ten years, the valley has grown so much. When I thought of Scottsdale, I pictured Old Town and the Sugar Bowl, and a place plentiful for Uber and Lyft pick-ups. As a driver many moons ago, my riders ranged from business people to folks who had a bit too much fun at the local hot spots. The Salt River area was home to Talking Stick Resort and the spring training facility for our Arizona Diamondbacks and other West Coast teams.
Then came the Via de Ventura explosion: OdySea Aquarium, Pangaea: Land of the Dinosaurs, Butterfly Wonderland, and the former, infamous Dolphinaris. An entertainment district was blossoming, and didn't look like it would stop any time soon.
After years of wanting a Medieval Times in Arizona, my wish came true. Scottsdale was announced as the location of the 10th castle in North America, with completion set for early/mid 2019. There was much rejoicing as the valley turned to Facebook and watched it become reality.
Now, I grew up roaming the Great Hall of the New Jersey castle. I spent many birthdays, field trips, nights out, and even a few New Year's Eves there. To say my family missed having one close to home when we crossed country was an understatement. The closest Medieval Times castle was hours away in Buena Park, CA. Having one in Scottsdale was a blessing.
I had always wanted to work at Medieval Times, and regretted not trying in Jersey. Truth be told, I wanted to be a squire, but historical accuracy was a huge wall standing in my way. Squires were boys, and I was not. Not even the recent ascension of Queen Maria Isabella changed that, as - yes - I did ask via Facebook. But to be fair, women's roles have increased, from Her Majesty to the Master (Mistress?) of Horse and in some castles, the Royal Falconer is a woman. So opportunity has grown!
But with no experience with horses or stage credits to my name, options were very limited. I had applied to be a serving wench (waitress) when the first call for hiring began, and did get a call for an interview. Unfortunately, this was happening around a period of unemployment, and I had to share the family car with my parents. It wasn't an ideal situation, and with great sadness, I had to decline the position. Pay was standard for waiting tables, which wasn't financially wise for someone trying to get back on their feet.
Fast forward to the present...
Working again and with a new used car, I was more capable of commuting. In Arizona, this means anywhere. The southeast valley where I reside is expanding as well, but at a slower pace. There aren't many options nearby, so a commute of 30 - 45 minutes at least is inevitable.
Medieval Times Scottsdale had posted a new round of hiring, and with my family's encouragement, I went for it. This time I applied for retail, i.e. gift shop and photos. While I swore I would never return to the horror that was retail, something felt so right about applying for it there. Retail wenches are costumed employees who interact with guests in a respectful, "in-character" manner, enhancing the experience that MT goes for. Think a smaller scale "Disney mentality"; not as intense as Disney parks, but enough to keep the 11th century theme going from the start. As a creative, it was right up my alley.
You can fill in the rest, considering the title of this blog. After the interview process, I received the best Christmas gift ever. I now work as a retail employee at Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament Scottsdale. My mind is racing with so many thoughts and curiosities, and most importantly happiness! I was diagnosed with clinical depression about two years ago, and I have been looking for something to "finally go right." This was it, my dream come true. I haven't felt so happy in such a long time.
So come along on the journey! Share the joys and sillies of my next chapter! It might be a crazy ride, sometimes bumpy, but it's going to be one epic adventure for sure!
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