SCA-reasons-msg – 2/1/11
The reasons various people joined the SCA.
NOTE: See also the files: magic-moments-msg, SCA-as-family-msg, SCA-The-Dream-msg, SCA-gays-msg, non-SCA-part-msg, A-Study-o-SCA-art, The-Blow-art, Y-Join-th-SCA-art.
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NOTICE -
This file is a collection of various messages having a common theme that I have collected from my reading of the various computer networks. Some messages date back to 1989, some may be as recent as yesterday.
This file is part of a collection of files called Stefan's Florilegium. These files are available on the Internet at: http://www.florilegium.org
I have done a limited amount of editing. Messages having to do with separate topics were sometimes split into different files and sometimes extraneous information was removed. For instance, the message IDs were removed to save space and remove clutter.
The comments made in these messages are not necessarily my viewpoints. I make no claims as to the accuracy of the information given by the individual authors.
Please respect the time and efforts of those who have written these messages. The copyright status of these messages is unclear at this time. If information is published from these messages, please give credit to the originator(s).
Thank you,
Mark S. Harris AKA: THLord Stefan li Rous
Stefan at florilegium.org
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WHY I JOINED THE SCA (IN 125 WORDS OR LESS)
By Alden Pharamond
(Inspired by the survey at Pennsic mentioned in Mary Monica Pulver's book "Murder at the War")
Pageantry, colors, and Kings held in awe
Medieval feasts (although sometimes served raw)
.And the bards, who put glorious tales in our heads!
And the heralds, who pry us from comfortable beds.
And bloodlust in battle! .and beer later on!
.And the sight of a misty encampment, at dawn.
Ladies in Tudor, and fighters in steel
Who believe that, deep down, it's no game, that it's real.
Where your word is your bond, and that this thought holds true
For the Saxon, and Viking. and Cavalier, too
So. "Why do I stay with this game?" I reflect
Well, for Chivalry, Courtesy, Friendship, Respect
And a thousand small words, but mostly, you see
.For I've *lived* in the Dream. and now it. lives in me.
------------
From: hrjones at uclink.berkeley.edu (Heather Rose Jones)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: SCA vs Fishing?
Date: 26 Feb 1995 20:04:45 GMT
Organization: University of California, Berkeley
Beverly Roden (ac508 at dayton.wright.EDU) wrote:
: Why are you in the SCA? Why do you stay active? What keeps you coming
: back, even when some things frustrate or anger you?
Why do I stay in the SCA? Where else could I find one single organization
in which I could indulge my interest in: camping, sewing, reading,
painting, cooking, making music, history, poetry, languages, research,
embroidery, travel, teaching, etc. etc.
For me, being in the SCA is just a matter of efficiency!
Seriously, I did all the above-listed activities _before_ I joined the
SCA. I was the sort of kid who embroidered my school clothes, ground
pigments out of rocks I found lying around, couldn't have fibers in my
hands without absentmindedly spinning them into thread, made bows and
arrows out of old curtain rods and bamboo plant stakes. The SCA gave me
an explainable excuse to keep doing that stuff as an adult. All the
threads just come together in the right way.
Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn
From: hrjones at uclink.berkeley.edu (Heather Rose Jones)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Fantasy has No Place in t
Date: 18 Dec 1995 16:56:26 GMT
Organization: University of California, Berkeley
Mike Huber (mike.huber at software.rockwell.com) wrote:
: I challenge all:
: Does anyone claim that there was no element of
: fantasy that first brought you into either The
: Society or the study of the Middle Ages?
I accept the challenge.
What first brought me to the study of the Middle Ages was the experience
of spending my eleventh year living in eastern Europe, surrounded by more
history than a Californian had ever previously even dreamed about. I
fell, and I fell hard, and there has been no looking back (or rather,
there has been no _lack_ of "looking back" :> ).
What brought me to the SCA was the chance to study and experience history
from a wildly different perspective than books could give me. I'd always
been very much into "making and doing", low-tech crafts were almost an
obsession for me (my college dorm voted me Most Likely to Survive on a
Desert Island), and I had always tended to bring an experiential approach
to anything I was fascinated by.
When I joined the SCA, I had plenty of outlets for fantasy already. That
wasn't what I was looking for.
Tangwystyl verch Morgant Glasvryn
From: sclark at blues.epas.utoronto.ca (Susan Carroll-Clark)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Fantasy has No Place in t
Date: 18 Dec 1995 23:25:31 -0500
Organization: University of Toronto -- EPAS
Greetings!
Anaximander said,
>Does anyone claim that there was no element of
>fantasy that first brought you into either The
>Society or the study of the Middle Ages?
Well, me for one. I came to the Middle Ages through the back door--I was
a classicist as an undergrad and kept getting interested in later and later
periods, until I had been firmly ejected from Late Antiquity into the Middle
Ages. I came to the SCA enamored of Ostrogothic history and wishing to
try to make the clothes and jewellery I had seen in burials and museums
in order to better understand how these people lived. Although I have moved
to the thirteenth century, my driving force is to attempt to
understand the way the people of the past thought and viewed their world,
and to understand daily life via wearing the clothes, trying the food,
understanding the religion, hearing the music, and so forth.
I often shock my friends with how little I know of literary fantasy beyond
Tolkein, some Arthurian stuff, Katherine Kurtz, and a smattering of other
authors.
Although I have come to enjoy the fantasy of creating a persona, I still
think the Middle Ages would be a nice place to visit...but I wouldn't want
to live there.
Cheers!
Nicolaa de Bracton
sclark at epas.utoronto.ca
From: Garick Chamberlin <Garick at vonkopke.demon.co.uk>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Fantasy has No Place in t
Date: Tue, 19 Dec 95 20:52:29 GMT
Organization: Drachenwald
In article <4asbhf$193 at moci.mke.software.rockwell.com>
mike.huber at software.rockwell.com "Mike Huber" writes:
> I challenge all:
>
> Does anyone claim that there was no element of
> fantasy that first brought you into either The
> Society or the study of the Middle Ages?
Not taking up the challenge because I wouldn't stand a chance. I just thought
there should be a voice in this thread that is other than what I think of as an
exception.
My hook was, without a doubt, fantasy, though not elves and orcs type fantasy.
I came into the SCA to be Ivanhoe. My guiding force growing up was one hundred
percent Sir Walter Scott. I thought it was history, until I learned more. Even
as I have been hooked by Real History (TM) I lean heavily towards the
"fantastic" idealism of the Romances. I guess that, like Rat (Sir Richard of
Aldertree), I think that a perfect world for me would not be modern, or
medieval as it was, but medieval as *they* (the writers and followers of the
romances and philosophical treatises) would have it be.
--
Garick, Proud and happy to be a "knight in Shining Armor" and still striving to
be worthy.
Honor Virtus Est
From: rudi3964 at utdallas.edu
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Fantasy has No Place in t
Date: 19 Dec 1995 11:47:57 -0600
Organization: The University of Texas at Dallas
Anaximander of Xidon (Mike Huber <mike.huber at software.rockwell.com>) proclaims:
>I challenge all:
>Does anyone claim that there was no element of
>fantasy that first brought you into either The
>Society or the study of the Middle Ages?
The exceptions exist, but his point is generally true. My primary
motivation is Tolkien, and when I joined in the late 70s, virtually
everybody who joined was mostly brought to it either through Tolkien or
through SF conventions. By the late 80s, we were getting a large number
of people who were disenchanted with D&D, and wanted something more real.
My lady wife, Mistress Adelica Gilwell, joined through an interest in
history, and is often kind of bemused by the rarity of that motivation.
Actually, one of the greatest educational contributions of the SCA is that
people who joined just for the funny clothes, or fantasy, or to hit people
with sticks, are eventually led to an interest in real history. We do a
grave disservice to these people when we belittle the first beginnings of
serious study by comparing it to the work of long-term artists.
Robin of Gilwell / Jay Rudin
From: david.razler at compudata.com (DAVID RAZLER)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Fantasy has No Place
Date: Wed, 20 Dec 95 06:51:00 -0400
Organization: Compu-Data BBS -=- Turnersville, NJ -=- 609-232-1245
R>Anaximander of Xidon (Mike Huber <mike.huber at software.rockwell.com>)
R>proclaims: >I challenge all:
R>
R>>Does anyone claim that there was no element of
R>>fantasy that first brought you into either The
R>>Society or the study of the Middle Ages?
It was more Tuchman than Tolkien in my case. Really.
Mom got her MA by driving the final nail into the coffin of the theory
that Chaucer wrote The Romance of the Rose, and that it was translated
to French by two French poets (really, they believed that not too long
ago)
Dad got his MA for miscellaneous research, etc. into Western European
history.
But what got *me* into the SCA, in addition to growing up with the
family library, was hearing William the Subtle's twins run up to him
crying "do we really have to go to Page School at Pennsic (IXX) during a
demo I was covering for my paper.
I went to the War to cover the event through local participants - and
went native 24 hours after arrival.
I first read Tolkien in 4th Grade, and have just about a complete
collection of his published works, along with CJRT's publications of his
father's papers. I can point out the differences between the 1st Ed. Ace
edition, Ballentine edition, 2nd Brit. text, HMCO 1st text and the
recent final redacted most-authentic-text, the only one now in
publication in English.
I game-mastered using Chivalry and Sorcery, the game system "dedicated
to the SCA" and am one of the people responsible for crying 'foul' to
the publisher for plagerizing large sections from William Stearns
Davis's "Life in a Medieval Barony" without credit given that delightful
introductory volume to 12th C. culture, an error corrected in the Second
Ed. [as soon as I get confirmation that the copyright has lapsed on the
book, I'll be Gutenberging it and getting it into Society hands] I was
also able to identify the Renaisance and post-Ren sources of C&S
"magic," (mainly period/post-period texts based on Greek Gnostics or
completely synthetic period mss. later translated by the 19th/20th C.
theosophists, Waite, Crowley and the whole "magickle" crew etc.)
I joined the SCA because of, as Peter Beagle said, "the sounds." The
sounds and the smells and the flavors and the sights and the experiences
of period living got me. It was Cariodoc and others who *did* the
medieval thing better than I probably ever will; the sounds of 3,000
foot soldiers in leather and steel taking the field; watching the sun
come up behind a Pennsic campfire, burning off the night smells of wood
smoke, spilled food and drink, sweat and shit; the fact that we did not
give a damn when electric power for the entire region suddenly failed;
the study of the old arts - every feudal trade represented.
And learning things most historians will never know: like *how* to fight
on foot in armour, and why all of those second-hand explanations of how
it was done are wrong. The laws of physics apply - but the only way to
learn is to at least do it for an hour then watch others.
Master Iolo did not just sell me a crossbow - he explained to me exactly
how period bows were made (and the handful of differences between his
and the real thing). Others taught me how to turn wood on a bow lathe,
by building one, how fencers fenced without little wiry blades with
electronic tips, how to (well the list goes on and on)
I didn't come here for fantasy - I came here for the next best thing to
time travel and the most effective and enjoyable form of education on
the planet.
Hands On!
Aleksandr the Traveller here/david m. razler everywhere else
[david.razler at compudata.com]
From: HAROLD.FELD at hq.doe.GOV
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Fantasy has no place in it
Date: 18 Dec 1995 15:27:11 -0500
Organization: The Internet
Greetings from Yaakov.
Anaximader writes:
>Does anyone claim that there was no element of
>fantasy that first brought you into either The
>Society or the study of the Middle Ages?
That depends on how you define fantasy. The SCA appealed to my
romantic (in the non-libidinous sense) ideals. It offered a chance to
play act and role-play within a setting I thought I would enjoy. It
also gave me a common activity with people who seemed neat and who
apparently shared similar ideas.
However, I never had a desire to be Robin Hood, or Erol Flyn for that
matter. I never felt the need to spice up my recreation with
vampires, elves, dybuks or golems. I was an active role-player at the
time I joined the SCA, and that satisfied my desire to pretend to cast
spells or find lost treasures.
The SCA still appeals to my romantic instincts. Here I can write
poetry, tell stories, discourse passionatly, and a host of other
things that the rest of the world consider in bad taste. This does
not mean I enjoy the introduction of non-historic elements.
Yaakov
(Is Colonial Williamsburg a fantasy?)
From: "Joel \"Spydre\" Connors" <Joel_Connors at attpls.net>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: why i joined?
Date: Tue, 19 Dec 1995 08:55:53 -0800
Organization: Northwind Special Services
ALBAN at delphi.COM wrote:
>
> Mike Huber/Anaximander of Xidon said:
> >I challenge all:
> >Does anyone claim that there was no element of fantasy
> >that first brought you into either The Society or the study
> >of the Middle Ages? Certainly, authentic history has (in
> >my case, anyway) proved to be more rewarding in the
> >long run, but I won't deny what brought me in.
> i can so claim. i joined in 1975 because it had been
> described as a. . . a . . . you know, i haven't the foggiest idea
Snip
>my nephew then asked "is that what college
> is for, to learn all that useless stuff?" we all laughed, said
> yes, and went on with the conversation.)
> did i join because i liked fantasy? no way.
>
> alban, old fogey slowly going senile
I myself can make the same claim. While I like fantasy very much it had
nothing to do with my joining the SCA. In fact the opposite could
possibly be said.
I have worked the CA Ren Faire circuit for ten years. I have studied
English 16th century history till I was blue in the face. It seems that
I am a motivational studier of history, no motivation, no study. That
combined with a desire to find a physical activity that I could enjoy
got me to give the SCA a chance that I might not have.
Of course it helped that friends of mine assured me that there were
people n the SCA who did care about history and doing it right. I may
not be a costume nazi, history maven etc, but I probably come pretty
damn close. I would have to say the only reason I am not is I don't
force my history down anothers throat.
If some guy wants to be a vampire, there is not a lot that I can do to
stop him. Not a lot except ignore him and walk away. If I want fantasy,
I'll read a book, join a D&D re-enactor group etc. If I want to live the
"fasinating" parts of history, I'll go play with the peop[le I have met
in the SCA. Heck with all the odd and unexplained parts of history to be
lived, who needs to bring fantasy into it?
Thanks to people like Flieg, Fabian, Tangwystal, Wander, Magnus and many
others I have found not only history, but honor, love, and caring.
With joy, honor happy wishes and fire retardent,
Teirnion Shadauw, The Mists
From: UDSD007 at DSIBM.OKLADOT.STATE.OK.US (Mike.Andrews)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: why i joined?
Date: Thu, 21 Dec 1995 16:48
Organization: The University of Oklahoma (USA)
I'll admit it right here: I joined for the music.
I joined because the SCA was a place where people were interested
in Renaissance and Medieval music, as I was and still am. Notthing
at all about fantasy entered my mind: fantasy doesn't particularly
interest me (aside from the literary genre), and never has. Real
life is plenty enough to cope with, ThankYouVeryMuch, but the
music is a relief and surcease.
I do other things, too: archery, illumination, some leatherwork,
etc., etc., But the music comes first.
--
udsd007 at dsibm.okladot.state.ok.us
Michael Fenwick of Fotheringhay, O.L. (Mike Andrews) Namron, Ansteorra
From: email at domain.com (Your Name)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: why i joined?
Date: Tue, 19 Dec 1995 19:35:02 -0500
Organization: World Lynx
Noble Cousins!
Although I joined a couple of years after Alban, I joined at about the same
time. Further, I had actually heard of the SCA many years earlier. Now
then, what were my impressions? First of all, the SCA was definitely not
a fantasy society. The society was about playing medieval and more
specifically about playing noble. One of my early questions about the
society when actually invited to an event was concern lest it be too expensive.
I was told that while a lot of people in the society like to affect being
wealthy and powerful, most enjoy rather humble stations in life and not to
worry. This corresponds rather well with my first impressions of the
society garnered from an episode of To Tell the Truth and my second impressions
garnered from conversations with someone in Science Fiction Fandom. (This
second person while showing me pictures of Baron Patri and Lord Ivan was
rather derissive of the people in the society in general. That put me off
from actually joining the society for a couple of years, even though I was
eager to join when she showed me the pictures. She was my boss at the time.)
Basically, while some people in the society were interested in fantasy, that
was not what the Society was about, at least in the Easter Rite. Even the
king and queen on the television program many years earlier had a very strong
grittyness too them which was very much non-fantasy.
Your Humble Servant
Solveig Throndardottir
Amateur Scholar
From: howland at noc.arc.nasa.gov (Chris de H.)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: why i joined?
Date: 22 Dec 1995 07:54:10 GMT
Organization: NASA Science Internet Project Office
|> Mike Huber/Anaximander of Xidon said:
|> >I challenge all:
|> >Does anyone claim that there was no element of fantasy
|> >that first brought you into either The Society or the study
|> >of the Middle Ages? Certainly, authentic history has (in
|> >my case, anyway) proved to be more rewarding in the
|> >long run, but I won't deny what brought me in.
I joined for the Ladies. Honestly, I've found
few activities that I can partisipate in where
the Ladies are an active, equal part.
I dance, I fence, I arch(?), done needlle-
point and poetry. I was interested first by the
historic recreation and investigation, having
always been interested in history. Yes, I also
enjoy fantasy and science fiction. But what
got me hooked was the acceptance given to me
because I wanted to try.
I didn't have to be the best at any thing, just
interested and ready to learn.
All that and beautifull Ladies, too? Can't beat
it!
(and before any flames, I am not speaking only
of external, transient appearience.)
Christofer de Hoyland, the Embarrassable
Southern Shores, Mists, West.
From: Bob Lyle <madrabit at metronet.com>
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: why i joined?
Date: 22 Dec 1995 14:00:44 GMT
Organization: Texas Metronet, Inc (login info (214/705-2901 - 817/571-0400))
Uh, I hate to say this . . .but I was a fencer when I joined and wanted
to learn broadsword techniques. Of course, I haven't fought heavy in
twelve years, so I obviously found something else.
Lyelf the Lame
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
From: MDyane at sisna.com (Dyane McSpadden)
Subject: Re: why i joined?
Date: Sat, 23 Dec 95 16:36:22 GMT
Organization: Source Internet Services
I joined for Three reasons,
I like to make Arrows,
I like to Shoot Traditional Archery,
I like to look at ladies in low cut Dresses,
The rest of the society is a bonus. The dancing, the
comraderie, the FUN. But I always harken back to the
"Thrilling days of yesteryear" when I talk about why I joined!
Chrystopher the Fletcher
Bard-Defender of Carraig Ruadh
From: jfoxdavis at aol.com (J FoxDavis)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: why i joined?
Date: 27 Dec 1995 16:34:32 -0500
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)
Cousins on the Bridge,
I guess I qualify as an official "old phart", having joined when TI was
still being mimeographed and there were only 4 kingdoms. I was enamored
then, and now, with the ideal of the knight. I suppose, having been
guilty of the crime of being only 18 at the time, I made a few errors
along the way, but the ideal still holds, if the vessel is somewhat weak
at 41.
Truthfully, there was little enough fantasy involved in the folk I hung
around with, although one was a fantasy _author_, and she's the one who
dragged me to my first bardic revel. The following interchange was between
the Seneschal of the Barony of Angels, one Lady Bevin Fraser of Stirling,
and one college student, Jim Davis, called "Clueless".
("You're going to a bardic revel. Here, (handing me a purple satin tunic)
put this on."
"Great!" I replied, "What's a Bardic Revel?" (at this point I would have
cheerfully jumped off a bridge to follow the combination of blond hair,
green eyes and big smile I was seeing)
"It's where a bunch of people sit around, sing songs and tell stories."
"Sounds like fun" I replied.)
I think it to my great credit that, upon being presented with the visage
of Edwin Bersark in naught but bathrobe and his own hirsute pelt, holding
forth with some Norse saga I could not understand, I stood my ground.
....I suppose the only fantasy involved herein was that I was hoping for
my chance for more than friendship with the lady in question at the time.
<grin>..(ah, well. The fantasies of youth. At least we're still friends,
and happily married (each to someone else))
The SCA has been responsible, over the last 23 years, for a house crammed
with books, weapons, fabric, instruments, feast making and dining gear,
scrolls, banners, and ghu only knows what else. It has also given me some
of the finest friends, best times, and, to be sure, greatest anguishes of
my life. All in all, though, looking around my home, and rifling through
my memories, I think it's been good to me.
Jared Alexandre Blaydeaux
Angels, Caid
From: dduncan348 at aol.com (DDuncan348)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Re: Fantasy has No Place in t
Date: 10 Jan 1996 06:23:33 -0500
Organization: America Online, Inc. (1-800-827-6364)
I find that there are a vast many reasons why people join the SCA. I am
one of the ones who joined during the '80s as a result of the D&D crowd,
but as I have grown older I find that my area of interests has centered
around the historical aspec of the Society.
Perspective changes during life. I would say now if people join wanting
jsut the fantasy aspect, there are many of the live role-playing groups
out there that I would think would appeal to them more.
Now, if one wants a more rewarding experience and learn and have fun, the
SCA is the choice I would make.
I am not knocking down the other organizations.
From: "j'lynn yeates" <jyeates at realtime.net>
To: <ansteorra at ansteorra.org>
Subject: ANST - thoughts on what is the sca all about ...
Date: Thu, 8 Jun 2000 13:36:29 -0500
> From: iainmacc at juno.com
> That's the true measure of honor: If you're honorable
> even when no one else would know or care.
something along the lines "... to thine own self be true", eh?
(g)
one dynamic that has always seemed obvious to me, is that the scadian
world is primarily made up of intelligent seekers.
most have been alienated from society at large (no surprises there,
can't see how *any* intelligent person would not be alienated by the
popular culture of the last few decades). this alienation & seeking
manifests in *many* areas - the beat movement (literary / cultural),
early rock-n-roll rebellion (artistic / cultural), 60's counter
culture, new age movement (religious / philosophical)., biker,
goth/punk, .... and in this group is scadia.
further, i can see two distict types within ... those seeking
"asylum" from the world and those that seek to enhance aspects of
self while keeping other areas outside the sca active. the former
often manifests in the total-immersion "live the dream" mindset
verses the later "hobbyist". from as long as i've been inside, there
has been at best a uneasy truce between the two camps. but seems
over last years, the sca seems attracting more and more seeking total
refuge. along with this seems to be a rising intolerance of those who
are not 100% 24/7 committed to the sca. this is a concern of many of
those i correspond with especially as the "cult level" of behavior
seems on the rise (won't go into the various cult evaluation
frameworks, they're out on the internet for those interested)
problem is that scadian is many things to many people. it is such a
wide ranging environment (as it was designed and evolved) that one
can find unique things that are relevent. problem is what is primary
for me is not primary for you ... my definitions of concept "x" is
different from your's. is this a bad thing? not at all.... that'
one reason i stay is that i *love* the many interpretations and the
sometimes reasoned and often impassioned debate on these differences
of opinions (keltoi blood i think) ... it reminds me of the old
university years when i could develop and test my understandings
against my peers (the "crucible" i mentioned elesewhere)
it also is a space that makes room for many of the deep meta-programs
("personal honor" in relationship to this thread)that are
increasingly squeezed out in the modern world. also and very
importantly, it's a venue that has historically allowed room for the
radical and sometimes outre' individual to carve a niche for
themselves, especially those of us of the wolfling persuasion (g).
it has tolerated those of us with strong opinion and a willingness to
state our minds freely irregardless of the current politics or rising
star-courts of public opinion.
to those who share these borderlands, ride free along the edges and
be well my brothers and sisters! stay well clear of "civilization",
it is a deadly trap will weaken and ultimately destry you if you stay
inside those walls for too long a time.
'wolf
... has always prided self in being "barbarian" (check your OED's for
deeper meanings of the term)
From: Theron Bretz [tbretz at io.com]
Sent: Friday, May 10, 2002 8:20 PM
To: ansteorra at ansteorra.org
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] Query...
> So...why did you join and why do you stay in the SCA?
I first heard of the SCA when I was 14 or 15, reading L. Sprague de Camp's
"The Blade of Conan", a collection of stories and articles from "Amra" (a
Conan fanzine from the 60s). One of the articles was by Poul Anderson and
entitled "Richard the Lionhearted is Alive, Well, and Living in the
Twentieth Century", which gave a snapshot of the SCA circa AS 5 or 6. The
notion of people putting on armour and playing knight was too cool to put
away and colored much of my free time for the next few years as I improvised
highly dangerous weapons and somehow avoided killing my brothers with them.
I finally found the Society just before TYC, and my first event was the
Crown Tourney in Emerald Keep that Inman won for Drusilla. I got horribly
ill from heat-prostration (the hole-in-the-ground toilets didn't help
either - another thing I don't miss about the old days), got better, watched
the tournament (which was held on a Sunday) and resolved to keep doing it.
Why do I stay is sometimes a tougher question. With job, family, mortgage,
a nascent writing career (very nascent, barely there at all, really), and
other interests, making time for the Society is something I have to do
consciously. My reasons for sticking around change depending on a number of
factors: a sense of obligation and "giving back", a desire to teach, the
joy of fighting in a tournament, sheer inertia. Often times, Bia and I
find that one or the other is more fired up about the Society than the other
and that helps to keep things going.
But I'd be lying if I said I didn't think once in a while about how much
easier things would be if I gave it up until the kid gets older. But I know
that if I did, I probably would keep finding reasons not to play, so I stick
around.
Luciano
From: Rob rose [onetruewolf at hotmail.com]
Sent: Friday, May 10, 2002 9:51 PM
To: ansteorra at ansteorra.org
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] Query...
Why did i join? It was new and different. At least to me. Plus it looked way
too fun.
Why do i stay? That's the easy one. extraordinary people. I think that
ordinary people stay home and play payrolls and paychecks. Extraordinary
people do extraordinary things. Somewhere, i found a home amongst some very
extraordinary people. I found family in them.
Ian macleod
From: Paul DeLisle [ferret at hot.rr.com]
Sent: Friday, May 10, 2002 10:29 PM
To: ansteorra at ansteorra.org
Subject: RE: [Ansteorra] Query...
> So...why did you join and why do you stay in the SCA?
Why I joined is not important...a chance occurrence with a fringe Sca'ers in
my early military days...
But why I stayed......
I stayed because I found in the SCA a group of people who valued what I was
taught to value. That Honor, and Honesty, and Courage (yes, with capital
letters) were "important" in this Society. That the values I had been
taught (by my parents) had finally found a place where they were valued.
I found a need to ...explain this...to others...
And so one day, I wrote this little piece...:
WHY I JOINED THE SCA (IN 125 WORDS OR LESS)
Alden Pharamond
(Inspired by the survey at Pennsic;
mentioned in Mary Monica Pulver’s book “Murder at the War”)
Pageantry, colors, and Kings held in awe
Medieval feasts (although sometimes served raw)
...And the bards who put glorious tales in our heads!
(And the heralds who pry us from comfortable beds
And bloodlust in battle! ...and beer later on!
...And the sight of a misty encampment at dawn...
Ladies in Tudor, and fighters in steel
Who believe that, deep down, its no game, that its real.
Where your word is your bond, and that this thought holds true
For the Saxon, and Viking... and Cavalier, too
So... "Why do I stay with this game?" I reflect
Well, for Chivalry, Courtesy, Friendship, Respect
And a thousand small words, but mostly, you see
...For I've lived in the Dream... and now it, lives in me.
In Service, I remain
Alden Pharamond
Tempio, Ansteorra
From: Dom [thunder-domi at coxinet.net]
Sent: Friday, May 10, 2002 10:48 PM
To: ansteorra at ansteorra.org
Subject: RE: [Ansteorra] Query...
I joined because of my parents. They were driving by a park in Dallas off
of Abrams Rd. and saw some people in "funny looking" clothes and decided to
go and check them out. I was about 3 1/2 to 4 yrs old. I have been in about
29 yrs now and I stay because I have learned so many cool things. Dancing,
Drumming, Sewing, Beadwork, Embroidery, and best of all I met my wonderful
husband. This just to name a few. But I think that the main reason for
staying is out of love for my friends that I have made. They are after all
an extension of my family. There are some aspects of the game that I do not
like but that happens with anything in the mundane world too. I also
believe in my heart that the majority of the children that are raised in
the SCA have more respect for other people and their belongings and most of
all in themselves. Their self-esteem is also higher and in most cases they
are a little too smart for their own britches (I know that I was...sheepish
grin). Sometimes I think about the things that my family and I could have
done instead of always going to an event and I do bitch a little about it
too but I do not regret it for one moment and I plan on bringing my child
up in it also with a healthy dose of other trips too. I am a lifer.
Something really bad has to happen to ever change that.
In Service to the Dream
Hldy Dominique Michelle LeVesseur
Hospitaler of Wiesenfeuer
Matriarch of Rogue Thunder
From: Lady Simone ui' Dunlaingh [simone at elfsea.net]
Sent: Saturday, May 11, 2002 8:50 PM
To: ansteorra at ansteorra.org
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] Query...
> So...why did you join and why do you stay in the SCA?
Why did I Join
Because mom said I needed to find a hobby and it looked cool and after
getting to play I found out it was cool.
Why do I stay
Because it has become a part of my life not just a hobby. The friends I have
found here have stood by me in the good times and the bad. Here I learned
how to be a human being. here they showed tolerance as I learned and
continue to live the ideals we dearly treasure. I get to shed off the 20th
century on a regular basis and slip back into a more simpler time. I love it
all the good, the bad the just ok. the SCA is a wondrous thing. and the more
I play the more I love it. I could go on forever on why I keep playing.
Lady Simone Maurian ui' Dunlaingh
From: Chris Zakes [moondrgn at austin.rr.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 11, 2002 7:31 PM
To: ansteorra at ansteorra.org
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] Query...
>So...why did you join and why do you stay in the SCA?
>
>Lorraine DeerSlayer
I first met the SCA over the point of a sword. Literally.
This was in March of 1975; my residential college at Rice University was
having its annual Shakespeare Fair, and one of the College officers had a
sister who was in the SCA, so they were invited out to add some color. At
that time I was in the Rice Fencing Club, and the rather battered
rattan-and-duct tape swords the SCA was using looked awfully big and clunky
to me, so I didn't go over and check them out.
I *had* planned a choreographed duel with a friend from the fencing club,
so I was wearing a sort of a costume and carrying a sword. After the duel,
I was wandering around the fair when I ran across another guy from the
fencing club. He challenged me, and I managed to beat him. I had just
stepped back and half-jokingly said "Next?" when this short, red-haired
fellow, wearing what looked like a rusty pine cone suit said "I'll fight
you, what are your weapons?" I was carrying a fencing saber and had a
costume dagger on my belt, so, straight out of "Hamlet", I said "rapier and
dagger".
We fought for a minute or two, and I quickly realized that while my saber
was quite a bit faster than his weapon, the blade was so flexible that he
couldn't feel my touches through his scale armor. I went ahead and let him
hit me and ended up on my back in a mud puddle.
*That* was my introduction to the SCA.
(About seven months later I actually went to a tournament, and was hooked.
I can recall just sitting at home and grinning for several hours
afterwards. I've been playing ever since.)
Why do I stay in? Well, to quote Robert Heinlein, "It beats the hell out of
card games." <G> Like many other SCA-folk, I've been reading fantasy for
most of my life, and the SCA gives me an opportunity to actually *live*
some of that neat stuff rather than just read about it. I've been
interested in Shakespeare since I first read "Julius Ceasar" in 7th grade,
and the SCA gives me a chance to live some of that, too.
Oh, yes, the fellow with whom I had the choreographed duel is now known as
[Don] Robin of Gilwell; my opponent in the scale armor was [Duke] Lloyd von Eaker.
-Tivar Moondragon
From: Genie Barrett <maggegene at gmail.com>
Date: July 13, 2010 10:51:53 PM CDT
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] I have a question
On Tue, Jul 13, 2010 at 10:21 PM, Rachel's <hallarachel at yahoo.com> wrote:
<<< I never post to this list or any list. Yet, I am puzzled can some one
please tell me why they joined the SCA?
Just wondering? >>>
The chance to perform and learn good music,
the adrenaline rush when I got hit in the helmet for the first time,
the chance to escape this world in a way that was going to challenge me,
and the friends I made while I did it.
This is my fifth kingdom, and those friends still fill my heart and hold
places of honor there.
As does every friend I've made since.
Magge MacPherson
Bard
From: Amanda Smith <kyrogue at gmail.com>
Date: July 13, 2010 10:50:08 PM CDT
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] I have a question
I needed to get out of the house. WoW was eating all of my free time and
getting me no where. I heard about it online and went to my first meeting.
I'm not a very socially outgoing person so I was nervous. What I found was
some of the best friends I will ever make. I found -family- in the SCA.
People who accepted me for who and what I was. I stay in the SCA because of
that, because to me the SCA is that family.
~Lady Yuming
From: Cisco Cividanes <engtrktwo at gmail.com>
Date: July 13, 2010 10:52:53 PM CDT
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] I have a question
Combat, pure and simple. I was drawn into the SCA by the prospects of
full-contact, armored, melee combat.
However, since joining, I have retired my armor and developed a love
of the vocal heraldic arts.
Ivo Blackhawk
From: pancua <pancua at gmail.com>
Date: July 13, 2010 11:06:06 PM CDT
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] I have a question
At first, cause of the parties! I was young and had this new sense of
freedom. It was all very intoxicating.
Then as time went on, I grew up and realized the wealth of information I had
at my fingertips. The gold I had uncovered in the people I was surrounded by
and those parties slowly transformed into meetings, sewing circles, offices
and deep meaningful relationships with people. At levels I never had growing
up.
And like Liam says...some of them let me poke them with swords. :D
--Dena
From: "Keith Jefferson" <KEJefferson at embarqmail.com>
Date: July 13, 2010 11:10:05 PM CDT
To: "'Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc.'" <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] I have a question
Well my wife literally drug me to 2 events. The first was all heavy fighters
in Austin the people were nice I was wearing funny clothing. The fighting to
me was nuts people hitting each other with big sticks. 2nd event was the
Tors event I remember that day back in 99. Me in funny clothing, again, and
a bunch of nuts hitting each other with sticks. Then Don Brendon and back
then Lord Valentine took the field with live steel (epees) and with chivalry
and honor fought I was hooked ever since. I've met a lot of people that I
not only call family, but they are family. That's why I'm here. The SCA has
its ups and downs but it's my family.
Lord Guyon
From: Liam Gordon <cenliamgordon2005 at gmail.com>
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Sent: Tue, July 13, 2010 11:03:05 PM
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] I have a question
I was drawn because where else can I hit my friends with sticks (and
inversely, they hit me) then sit down and have a beer with them later that
night?
Of course it's evolved since then. But that's why I joined.
Liam
From: "Ian Dun Gillan" <ian1550 at sbcglobal.net>
Date: July 13, 2010 11:12:57 PM CDT
To: "'Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc.'" <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] I have a question
Why the SCA?
Because it was a place filled with people who spoke to all the parts of me
that I held dearest. Honor, courage, and integrity. That and those same
people made this super geeky kid feel like he had a place where he finally
feel safe, confident, and oddly normal, a place where he belonged.
Most Kindly
Ian
From: "Elisava Illiesca" <thebloodymistress at satx.rr.com>
Date: July 14, 2010 12:06:51 AM CDT
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] I have a question
I originally joined the SCA because my roommate and husband wanted to do it. I had some odd (notice I didn't say bad) experiences with the SCA when I was in college, and wasn't sure I wanted to deal with that again. A good friend of mine promptly found the name of my barony's hospitaler after I'd mentioned the boys interest in the SCA and I was going to "check it out" and we did.
It took some time, I had a couple more odd moments, but eventually I found something I'd been missing for a long time.
My Barony is my family. They accept me for my shortcomings, and love me because of them. they know I am human, they forgive me when I screw up. My Laurel is my best friend, my sister, my teacher. Her husband is one of those people who I can not only talk to when I'm having a crappy day but then have him say something that makes it better, and he shares my sort of odd sense of humor. he has become the best friend of my husband and has taught Spike so much I can't even begin to list it.
I would be lost without these people now, they are such a large part of my life. If they weren't in my life, I would have to say my life would be hollow and incomplete.
As campy as it might be there is a line from Lilo and Stitch that pretty much sums it all up for me when it comes to the SCA..
"This is my family. I found it, all on my own. Is little, and broken, but still good. Yeah, still good. "
-Elisava Illiesca
From: "Cynthia Whitford" <simonevalery at comcast.net>
Date: July 14, 2010 6:00:52 AM CDT
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] I have a question
<< I never post to this list or any list. Yet, I am puzzled can some one please
tell me why they joined the SCA? >>
I was a newly single parent raising a small boy when I stumbled across the SCA at TRF. I joined because it was a chance for us to get outside the house and go camping, so he could run around with other kids, play in the dirt and have fun while being exposed to some excellent male role models. And I liked the costumes :-)
Simone
From: "Elisabeth B. Zakes" <kitharis at gmail.com>
Date: July 14, 2010 7:49:56 AM CDT
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] I have a question
I can't remember a time when I *wasn't* interested in swords and knives.
Reading "Julius Caesar" in seventh grade got me hooked on Shakespeare as
well. When I was in college, I was doing choreographed duels at parties and
suchlike with another guy in the fencing club before I ever heard of the
SCA. I went to my first event in the fall of 1975 and was hooked; I've been
playing ever since.
Between the fencing and the Shakespeare, is it any wonder that I'd be doing
rapier combat?
-Tivar Moondragon
I was reading fantasy stories and fairy tales from a young age, and
watching "The Six Wives of Henry VIII" and "Elizabeth R" on the local public
channel any chance I could get. Playing Guenevere in "Camelot" didn't hurt,
either.
When a university friend of mine told me about the SCA I was all eager to
join. Took me a few months, but a notice in the campus newspaper mentioned a
meeting to organize a group on campus as an associated group to the Shire of
Bryn Gwlad. You can bet I was there with bells on!
Aethelyan Moondragon
Bryn Gwlad
From: Michelle Lopez <ivarra20 at yahoo.com>
Date: July 14, 2010 8:42:03 AM CDT
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] I have a question
As a teen I had seen the heavy fighters on the mound at the TRF. I was hooked
then, as I spent my childhood galloping around with a stick in my hand on my
little shetland pony being a valiant knight. I started to learn to fight with a
heavy fighter in carpet armor, but life interfered and I never went but to a
couple of FPs to watch. A couple of years later after finding myself divorced
with 3 kids and the ability to do what I want again I joined back up with the
SCA. I finally made my first event last year, and loved it. I took my eldest
and we did what makes us the most happy, rode around in funny clothes on our
horses and had a blast. My daughter wants to do everything the SCA has to
offer, and so does my youngest son. MY middle boy has decided he is an archer
and is happily learning the skill. Not only have we met some of the greatest
people in my life, but for the whole the attitudes are ones fairly lost to
modern society. My daughter said it best, "Mom boys at school push me off
playgrounds to go first, but here the boys make sure I go first. It's so weird
but I like it."
Irial
Oh and before I forget I also met my soul mate in the SCA. I have it to thank
for bringing me to him, how cool is that!
From: Zubeydah Jamilla al-Badawiyyah <zubeydah at gmail.com>
Date: July 14, 2010 10:58:38 AM CDT
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] I have a question
I was almost 17, and my sister was in it, and my boyfriend was in it,
and it seemed like fun. I'd been playing D&D for almost 8 years at
that point and had been to tons of renfaires... so I went to an event.
It was fun. But then I broke up with said boyfriend, and dropped
out, not to play again for almost a decade - got involved in LARPs
instead. Got back into it when I moved to Oklahoma and missed 'my
kind of weirdos'.
- zubeydah
From: Tom Kyle <tomkyle2 at gmail.com>
Date: July 14, 2010 10:59:07 AM CDT
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] I have a question
What a wonderful question! Too many of us get too caught up in what is
wrong with this or that, and forget why we're here. I'm going to answer not
only the original question, but elaborate with some musing about why I keep
coming back, even thought I've moved and it's no longer convenient to play
as often as I'd like.
I joined because I enjoyed going to renn faires and someone one of them
suggested I check out the SCA in my area. I checked it out, and found what
could only be described as a 2nd family. Now understand, most people's
families are dysfunctional in one way or another, and we're no different
here. I could go on and on about the good, bad and the ugly about this
group, but let me summarize some stories about the good:
In my barony we suffered two tragedies in a short period of time. Without
going into details, let me just say the response of the people in the
barony was tremendous in both cases. With a simple phone call, a small army
of people were called to action, doing whatever needed to be done. Much of
it happened behind the scenes, and few people knew the amazing details of
what people were willing to do for their friends. The outpouring of support
was global and immense. It was simply amazing to watch the people of this
organization at it's best.
Perhaps the most telling example of what we have here in the SCA was when I
moved away, got married, and took my new wife to her first event (a medium
sized war). It was just the two of us the first year, because she is very
protective of her autistic son (about 10 at the time). The comments were
predictable:
"So you just leave your stuff in your tent and no one bothers it?"
"Wow, everyone is so nice. I never expected to feel this welcome."
"I guess it will be ok to bring my son; he'll love it!"
and I knew she was hooked when while we were packing up she said "I'm going
to have to volunteer next time."
The SCA is about relationships, and like minded people creating and living a
dream. Being human, we make mistakes and disappoint each other sometimes.
But when it comes right down to it, I've never found a better group of
people this large ever, anywhere.
Yours in humble service,
Tomas
From: Sonja Crocker <sonja.crocker at gmail.com>
Date: July 14, 2010 12:23:43 PM CDT
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] I have a question
In Atlantia (in 1989), some high school friends took me to a fighter
practice every week for months. All we would do was sit around, chat,
and watch the fighters. Then, my boyfriend took me to an event. I was
hooked. I went to demos and practices and the like after that.
I was later accepted to UT in Austin where I majored in English
Literature. Once I settled in, I looked them up again and found
instant friends. Then, I moved again. I looked up the SCA in my new
area and found the Shire of Loch Ruadh and more welcoming friends.
Nowhere else have I found such gracious and loving friends. It feels
almost like a brother/sisterhood. You need crash space, you got it.
You need to borrow something, you got it. That is why I joined. Why do
I keep coming back?
At this last Gulf Wars my pavilion was savagely attacked by the wind.
It was torn apart. I went to a friend and told her what had happened.
She told me to return to camp and she would get some help taking it
all down. Within minutes, I had 5 strong men and women helping me take
the pavilion down. A man then donated a spare pavilion that he had
brought. And he helped us put it up. I also had several people in Loch
Ruadh help me out when our heater quit working and our food spoiled.
With all of those things going wrong, it could have been a very bad
experience. But, with so many wonderful SCAdians there (most of who I
had never even met before), it was still a wonderful event. I still
cherish the memories of those people who made my family feel loved and
safe.
Cait
From: Catrin ferch Maelgwn <ladycatrin at gmail.com>
Date: July 14, 2010 7:58:37 PM CDT
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] I have a question
As many girls do, I used to play at being a princess. But when I played, I
was a princess with a toy sword and paper bag armor. I wore boots that got
muddy when I rode into the woods behind our house, to battle with dragons
and rescue handsome princes. My mother would pack me a bag with sandwiches,
and pens and paper, and whatever book of heroic adventures I was reading at
the time. I'd go up into the hills and the woods, and spend all afternoon
reading and having adventures of my own - and then writing about them in
halting verses that, once written, meant all the adventures had been real.
Sometimes I was lucky enough to meet others who understood the make-believe,
and then I would lead expeditions of neighborhood children to look for
Narnia in our backyards. But mostly I kept it to myself, kept to the books
and stories that filled my dreams and shaped a little world of my own
making. I had friends in the stories, and heroes I could look up to -
Arthur with his knights, and the Pevensie children, and Bilbo Baggins, and a
girl named Alanna who disguised herself as a boy so she could become a
knight.
From the first time I read those stories, I knew what I wanted to be - not
the princess to be rescued, but the brave warrior who did great deeds, who
protected the small and downtrodden and always tried to do what was right.
I was small myself, of course, often bullied at school like so many weird,
awkward young dreamers are. I wrote myself into my own story and found
solace there, brave enough to be a warrior even if I wasn't beautiful enough
to be a fair lady. It was a good story, but it didn't mean much when it was
only in my head.
Then somehow or another, when I was 16, I heard about the SCA. I went and
read everything I could about it, devoured the history and the heraldry and
the ideals before I made it to a single event. From the beginning, it was
the fighting that drew me - not just the rush and excitement of the fight
itself, but the chance to *be* what I had ached for, for so many years - to
be a warrior, in real armor, to know brotherhood and courage and chivalry,
not just on the pages of a book, but all around me. To be in the story.
So I went to my first war practice in Caid, still too young at 16 to put on
armor and fight. Instead, I spent the day waterbearing and volunteering at
the chirurgeon's tent. And while I brimmed over with excitement and joy to
watch the fighting, I found something else that day, something completely
unexpected. As I walked among the fighters with a bottle of water and a
basket of oranges, they greeted me--shy, awkward, unglamorous me--with warm
smiles, with courtesy and gratitude, with more compliments than I had ever
received in my life up to that day.
When I went to my first event, people invited me to sit with them. I could
sit and talk about history and music and poetry and adventure, without fear
of being mocked for my enthusiasm. They understood. They wanted to be in
the story, too. I could share songs at a bardic circle, singing hesitantly
and forgetting my words, and still be treated with welcoming kindness. I
delighted in the way people called each other "M'lord" and "M'lady." And
the first time my hand was kissed in greeting by a young lord, my heart
nearly leapt from my chest.
A couple of years later, I fought in my first tourney at Estrella War. I
walked off the field battered and exhausted at the end, with a long hike
across site to look forward to before I would reach my encampment. I had
just begun that walk when one of the marshals from the tourney caught up
with me. He wore a white belt and a coronet of strawberry leaves. He
introduced himself, complimented my fighting (I was terrible)--and then,
without another word, he took up my shield, my sword, and my helm, and
carried them as he escorted me back to camp. When we parted ways, he bowed
and kissed my hand and bid me farewell. I was a bruised, dusty,
sweat-drenched, brand new fighter, and he was a knight and a duke--and he
treated me with the same reverence he might have afforded the Queen herself.
I joined the SCA because I wanted to be a brave warrior. I stayed--among so
many other reasons--because of kindnesses like these. Because of people who
helped me believe that I could be not just the brave warrior, but the fair
lady, too.
I wish I could remember that duke's name, but the best I can manage is to
try to follow his example. You never know when you're going to be someone's
first impression.
Catrin ferch Maelgwn
From: "Sher M" <runa.herd at earthlink.net>
Date: July 15, 2010 1:56:15 PM CDT
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] I have a question
I joined because I'm addicted to fabric, sewing machines, smelly fighters (skip that one) and meeting new friends.
Runa The Wore Out
Sher Montgomery & The Thundering Herd
www.bedlambazaar.com
From: marlyna at aol.com
Date: July 16, 2010 10:41:26 PM CDT
To: ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] I have a question
The SCA saved my life....
I had gone to an Arts Festival in Lubbock with my husband and had seen this group in really neat clothes there. The marriage was not a good one and soon ended. By that time, I was not in a good place mentally and emotionally. The next year I was at the Arts Festival again and again saw this group of people in wonderful clothes. I went and signed up for more information. Soon I was contacted about a Newcomer's revel so I went.
When I am around people I don't know, I usually sit apart and watch. The revel was in the backyard of one of the member's house. I was sitting by myself and two different gentlemen came over at different times and sat and talked to me telling me about the SCA and what all was happening at the revel. I didn't think I had anything to offer the group because my ex had emotionally torn me apart. During the next few years, I realized that I had LOTS to offer. The SCA helped me to rebuild my life and my self-esteem. They became my family (I know you have heard that many times before, but it is so true).
Sadly, one of the gentlemen that talked to me that first time has since passed on and I have lost touch with Lord Anton, but their actions had a bigger impact than either of them ever knew. I no longer live in Bonwicke, but it will always have a special place in my heart.
Marlyna
From: Sir Lyonel <sirlyonel at hotmail.com>
Date: July 17, 2010 5:16:52 AM CDT
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] I have a question
A bunch of guys in dresses and funny hats and hose put me in what they said was "armor" and gave me a "sword" and told me to kill another guy who was also dressed in "armor." The "armor" was metal-covered knee and elbow pads and an over-sized coat made of inside-out carpet. It smelled of old feet. They also stuck a "helm" on my head. It was a big steel cylinder with eye slots. I felt like I was stuck in a smelly closet, looking out a little window. My hands were protected by hockey gloves covered with chunks of over-lapping rust. The sword was a five-foot long, duct-taped stick.
The other guy's armor looked like it actually fit him. He had a shorter "sword" and a big shield with fishes painted on it. I guess that meant he was a pisces.
One of the guys in a dress said "Lay on." The guy with the shield came toward me, I managed to side-step him, even though the closet I was in seemed to only just barely move with me.
The guy with the shield charged. I turned ten kan and brought my sword down hard on his helm. The guy with the shield fell down.
"Hey," said the guy with the dress, "you've done this before."
I said, "Well, I have a black belt in kendo, but this is my first time fighting while wearing a closet. Can someone help me out of this? I can no longer feel my arms."
As they were pulling the scraps of carpet off of me, a pretty lady in a huge dress (she could have hidden a small army of children in those skirts) asked, "What is your name, milord?"
My name is Dennis, but I figured that would sound like a straight-line for a Monty Python joke, and I'd already heard enough of those for one day. So I said, "Lyonel," which was the only name I could recall from the Morte D'Arthur that didn't sound pretentious. I couldn't very well say "Lancelot" with my hair all helmet-scrunched like that.
Then the pretty lady fed me. I smelled like feet for the rest of the day.
En Lyonel
From: Cheri Hodek <texastornado_50 at yahoo.com>
Date: July 22, 2010 1:20:38 PM CDT
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] I have a question
Our son was at OU and we decided we had better check out this group he was
hanging out with. One event and we were hooked
Muirenn and Gunnarr
<the end>