[MR] ISO of the Perfect SCAdian

[logan]

the people that you have met, the ones that you say sound like they came
right out of the known world handbook, are indeed the majority of the sca.
as are most of the people that have posted on this, and other, topics.
regardless of whether they feel it is ok for someone to forego all aspects
of appearing medieval in the name of convenience or if they think that
someone who is wearing stainless steel should retire it for mild almost all
of them are willing to help new people come into the sca and learn and grow.
further, some of the people that post on this board, and others, in a rude
and vitriolic way would not behave like that in person.  the safety of the
keyboard causes some people to behave poorly at times.  and yet others
simply do not communicate very well electronically. thats why the stupid
emoticons were created 8^)

i will point out that this "discussion" started out regarding the atlantian
law that will come into effect on dec 1 regarding participation on the
field.  its purpose is to try to clean up the blatantly modern items that
are becoming more and more displayed.  this draws the sca further and
further away from being anything related to an organization in which the
members can learn and experience their supposed area of interest.  an
environment in which one can take their interests and create them as real,
tangible things.  otherwise the sca would simply be a book reading club.

then someone decided that this must mean that now everything must be grown,
cultivated, chopped, dried, dyed, spun, racked, and woven or else it couldnt
be worn.  then it went further to become almost a fear of conspiracy or a
doorway to limit anyone from participating.  but it only requires that those
who have decided to take to the field should be prepared to meet the
expectations of acceptable appearance.  that, by its nature, precludes new
people.  

personally i have never seen, nor heard, of a new person showing up at an
event and being treated like an outcast or ridiculed, tormented, run off, or
anything like that.  the sca allows people that really dont know much about
it to come to events and participate to a certain degree.  it allows you to
wear a bad tunic, bad armor, eat off of a bad plate, or sit on a bad bench.
so it really can not be compared to most of the lh groups that have very
different requirements/expectations.  but neither should it be compared to
the fantasy larp groups that do not have limits or expectations (well,
except that your fireballs are made a certain way).  the sca is unique in
both those respects and that allows it to be the biggest and oldest of them
all.

so put your fears and concerns aside.  the sca is full of some wonderful,
helpful, and amazingly talented people.  most of them are willing to help
and enjoy sharing the knowledge they have.  there are a few people that are
below the standards of good character but you will find that in any
organization.  the sca has no more "bad seeds" than any other group, perhaps
less.  but i dont think you have been exposed to any of them on this list.

your expectations are certainly in line and your concerns are certainly
understood.  im not sure that i can convenience you that they are wrong with
mere words but i suggest you try an event.  i feel secure that your fears
will be greatly diminished once you relate to the people of the sca
directly.  the best thing i can suggest is that find a date on your calendar
that is open and check the kingdom web site for events.  pick one to go to
and then come back to this list and simply say you are planning your first
event and could use some assistance.  i would be surprised if you did not
receive offers of everything from garb to feast gear to a place to sit under
someone pavilion to a ride to the event.  my first couple of events were
like that and i have taken scores of people to their first events and
returned the experience.  give it a try and im sure you will see that im
right.  just make sure you cover up that blatantly modern stuff before you
start fighting!!  8^P

feel free to contact me, or anyone on this list, privately if you have
questions that you dont want to post publicly.


regards
logan

-----Original Message-----
From: atlantia-bounces at atlantia.sca.org
[mailto:atlantia-bounces at atlantia.sca.org] On Behalf Of Judee St.Clair
Sent: Thursday, October 30, 2003 4:21 PM
To: atlantia at atlantia.sca.org
Subject: [MR] ISO of the Perfect SCAdian


Good day to all--

   I am very new to the Society -- I suspect, therefor, that my perspective
isn't going to count for much. This is especially true considering that I
know almost nobody here, and have had no time or history to form either bias
or prejudice towards anyone.

   I think the SCA and its gatherings are a bit different from the
reenactment groups I've noticed before. The civil war reenactors I've known
have had non-participating observers, always--their reenactments are often
performaces, in that way. The SCA, from what I've seen, mostly has a
complete participation policy at gatherings -- "we" (if I may be so bold as
to include myself) expect everyone attending a real event/gathering to be
involved in the event/gathering, in a Period way. Though there are
presentations and exhibitions, they don't seem to be the bulk of what is
done here.

   I am surprised at a msg I read the other day (suggesting a printed
version of all correct research done in the SCA), wherein a fellow expressed
upset that his research was as nothing, because it had been done already. I
thought that we each were supposed to have the experience of researching
whatever our interest -- from his message, it seemed to me that he thought
his effort wasted, as would a graduate student upon finding that his thesis
had already been published by another. I had understood that much of the
value lay in the process of research, and the learning always valuable --
that even where a subject had been done before, one should still check out
the sources presented by that person, so as to still gain personal value
from that research.

   And the authenticity -- naturally, I am distressed at finding a tone that
I must already be a perfect SCAdian. If I were, I would not need to
research, but could instead come in and teach those already here. And if I
were already a Perfect SCAdian, I hope I would also know how to teach
without disdain for the wretches who were not already on the Absolutely One
Correct Path. I would hope that the Perfect SCAdian could allow learning
experiences for others who are not yet perfect.

   I have been mighty hesitant to participate in Gatherings and Events,
because I am not only not in the same arena as the Perfect SCAdian, I am
sure I am not even within a thousand leagues of woefully inadequate. At
first, I was so excited at the thought of learning so much that I don't know
-- how to spin and weave, to till and reap and put away, make my own . . .
everything! . . . and how to fight as I have seen you all fight.
(Physically, that is.) How to apply courtesy and courtliness to situations,
putting individuals at their ease. How to fight (non-physically) in a
genteel and magnanimous manner. And how to to do all this whilst having fun
-- playing, as you say. The way I read it in the Known World Handbook. But
then, it was published over 10 years ago. Things change?

   I feel that I am sounding as though I chide, and I don't mean to. Really,
I am trying to politely express how scared I have become that I will be
called out, or put down, or ridiculed. Or even thrown out, before I can
learn a fraction of what you all already know. And evenso, I wanted so much
to have fun while learning.

   But I will continue to follow these threads, and learn SOMETHING while I
do so (in between 10-12 hour shifts, 6 days a week at my mundane job -- I
know this should be no excuse, but it is what is happening, and at least one
"excuse" for my laziness so far in my 5 months here). I think I should
"lurk" for another year or two, before I even venture forth, because I am
sure to offend or spoil it for the true SCAdians with my ineptness and lack
of knowledge.

   I seek reassurance. Yet I am not sure there can be any. And what I've
read here is really no different than I've seen at groups of other types,
where those who came before (old-timers) are so unhappy with the newcomers
who just don't get it, or get it right.

   I am so very grateful that the SCAdians where I live have been tolerant,
gracious, and helpful. They have loaned, taught, and acted in a way that I
want to emulate, moreso now than ever since I have read how they could have
been otherwise. They sound and act just like the Known World Handbook
described the Society, and I want to be more like them. I think I have
figured out that I should stay right where I am, in the SCA, until  I have
learned enough not to spoil it for those who no longer are like me. If I
should have to move, I suspect I might be humiliated.

Regards,
Richikha
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