[MR] raising and lowering expectations - a WET method

[Arthur Donadio]

Unto the good people of Atlantia does his Highness Cuan send greetings this 
31st day of May, Anno Societatis XXXVIII:

Good Gentles All:

Her Highness and I have read with interest the recent posts on reasonable 
attempts to recreate the Middle Ages.  I would like to thank Kenneth Samson 
for raising the issue and all those who have expressed an opinion to this 
point.  I would ask you all to really read what people are posting here 
before you reply in haste.  As far as I can see, no one has suggested that 
we should exclude poor college students, ban modern tentage, or set some 
sort of means test for participation in our events.  What His Majesty and 
others are suggesting is that we all need to think about what each of us can 
do to make the illusion of medieval society (or the idealized SCA version of 
it) more compelling.  I have always believed that people will rise up to 
meet expectations placed upon them if they have the tools to do so, are 
directed and encouraged in their efforts, and are recognized for their 
attempts.  I am pleased by those who have recognized that Kenneth's post 
raises serious questions for an SCA that is struggling to attract new 
members and retain the ones we have.  The SCA competes against a variety of 
other entertainment options, and if we do not do all we can to bring life to 
our little medieval kingdom, then folks may as well opt for paintball, 
karaoke, or internet gaming.  To those who suggest that we do more with 
university classes that focus on creating a period feel on a budget, I say 
good idea and I hope the Chancellor of the University is monitoring the 
list.  But I also know that every Barony has folks who are willing to share 
their knowledge and experience with spiffing up their gear.  Have you sought 
those people out?  Is it up to others to hand you what you want, or does the 
desire to do it better and find someone to show you how have to come from 
within?  I suspect the latter is the correct answer.  Cheap plywood, fabric, 
and paint - the same materials used to create terrific theater sets - can be 
used to create banners, tables and chairs, cheaply and beautifully.  Those 
of you who are committed to nylon camp chairs should consider slip covering 
them in canvas painted with your device, or atleast throw some colorful 
fabric over them.  And it is not too much to ask that folks get black cotton 
pants from Wal-Mart for $7.50 to replace jeans, and shoes that are not 
sneakers to go with their T-tunics?  There should be no debate about 
original containers because we have rules that forbid them - period.  Put 
your beverage in a mug.  We also have a rule against smoking in the central 
area of the event; I would like to see it enforced.  As for tentage, I 
understand that a period tent is for most people the last stage of immersion 
in the SCA, and a good pavillion is expensive.  I would just ask that you 
not take offense when those who plan events want to surround the list field 
with period pavillions and shades.  You may have to set up behind the first 
row, but the illusion created for all attendees is immeasurably enhanced by 
when you look around all four sides of the square and behold period tents 
and banners flying.  An effect is created and none are being singled out or 
punished.
  Her Highness and I would encourage everyone to take a look at the way they 
go to events during our upcoming reign and make an effort to spiff up your 
rig.  Pick one thing, maybe it's your chairs or your feast gear box, or 
making banners, and stretch a little.  Seek out the craftsmen in your area 
if you do not know how to achieve the effect you want.
  I would also challenge each Peer of Our Realm to clothe one new member 
during our reign.  What I mean is, provide one card carrying member who has 
been playing for less than six months with one set of garb.  For example, 
our reign will focus on the 14th century so the first new member (who has 
had a membership card for less than six months) to contact me after reading 
this post will receive a pair of pants, an undershirt, and a 
cotehardie/houppelande at my expense.  If each peer does the same, we will 
raise the spiff factor significantly.
Her Highness' watchword is pageantry, so let's get started.  Banners and 
pennons around the tourney field, well set feast tables, period tents, 
polished armor, surcoats, cloth covers for ice chests, and myriad other 
little touches make the game more real for all of us.
Join us in creating the kind of atmosphere that made me a lifer the first 
time I went to an event; I want to see Kenneth wandering around an event 
going, " Aha, I get it now!".

In Service to Crown and Kingdom, I remain

Cuan Princeps



>From: "Kenneth G. Samson - Delmarva Arts" <samsonkg at dmv.com>
>To: <mebrett at vassar.edu>, Merry Rose <atlantia at atlantia.sca.org>
>Subject: Re: [MR] raising and lowering expectations - a WET method
>Date: Sat, 01 Jun 2002 00:13:06 -0400
>
>On 5/31/02 4:55 PM, "mebrett at vassar.edu" <mebrett at vassar.edu> took keyboard
>in hand and wrote:
>
> > That does
> > not give us an excuse to say "We're a non-profit educational
> > organization recreating the middle ages" while wearing blue jeans,
> > white sneakers, and a t-tunic in an orange fold-up chair beside our
> > "throw it in the air poof it's a tent" abode.
>
>
>I'll tell ya, after my first event I talked about in a prior post, I was
>seriously considering bringing my 10 foot pool [inflatable with battery
>powered rechargeable pump] to sleep in at the next one just to make a
>point.....  it would be oh, so comfty...... drap a mosquito net over it and
>have sweet, wet dreams.
>
>  [oops - are there children on this list? Sorry!]
>
>Ken
>
>========================================================================
>                    The Merry Rose Tavern at Cheapside
>     List Info: http://merryrose.atlantia.sca.org/
>   Submissions: Atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
>Subscriptions: http://seahorse.atlantia.sca.org/mailman/listinfo/atlantia




_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp.