[MR] ISO of the Perfect SCAdian

[Tina Paxton]

>From another "newbie" to the realm and the game, Greetings Milady!

Please see my comments interspersed with yours.....

on 10/30/03 4:20 PM, Judee StClair at cedarfox at msn.com wrote:

> 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.

Au contraire!  Your perspective is as valuable as any others.
  
[snip]
> 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.

If I may dare to expound on what I think the person's point was:  Any
research is valuable for just the reasons you state.  But, why reinvent the
wheel each time?  Before I begin to research a topic, I search websites to
see what others have already learned on the subject.  Yes, I will verify
what they have stated, but it gets me going in the right direction.  Plus,
if they are kind enough to list their bibliography it saves lots of time
trying to find sources!  :-)

Alas, I doubt it possible to have such resource books as the person was
dreaming of.  The information, level of knowledge, et al continues to
expand.  The best we can hope for is internet access to the information.
Saves a few forests, too.

> 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.

Well, I have heard lots of people speak of the 'garb nazis' but I've yet to
encounter one.  What I have encountered are some of the most gracious, kind
people one could ever hope to meet.  I've had...and continue to
have...people who offer their skills and knowledge to help me improve my
'authenticity'.  I've also had those who are themselves very authentcity
focused assure me that it is not necessary for me to be as obcessed as they.
They remind me that it is a learning process -- that my next set of garb
will be better than this set and the set after that will improve even more.
And...ummm...just because individuals discuss the issue of cotton cloth
being "period" or not doesn't mean you can't use cotton for your garb!
There's the "what you know was period" and the "what I have to use for
______ reason".  Use what I've come to call the '10-foot' rule.  If it looks
authentic from 10-feet away, it works!  Or, determine what level you are
comfortable with.  Enjoy the game! And, remember there is that "Creative"
aspect to the Society!
 
> 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?

Please don't hesitate to participate!  If you want to learn to spin, where
do you live?  I spin on a drop spindle and there is a guild of ladies who
would love to teach you just depending on who is closest to you!  Weave?  We
got those folk, too.  Perhaps you would find it easier to get to know
members of a guild to help you get your feet wet?

> 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.

Don't be afraid.  Do you know what happened to me at my first event?
Horrors, I was called before the Baron & Baroness of Steirbach during court!
GASP!  I thought I would forget to breath.  Where to stand...how do I tell
them I can't kneel...what do I say or do I say anything at all?  A hundred
questions ran through my head.  But, guess what.  They were quite gracious
and courtious.  I survived and had a wonderful memory of my first event.  No
one threw me out because I didn't kneel or stood in the wrong place.  No one
is going to throw you out, either.  Talk with your chataliene -- this person
lives to help you feel comfortable.  Join a guild!  Have fun!


> 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.

I think most of the SCAdians are as you have found in your local group.  I'm
beginning to think the "garb nazis" are a myth...like brownies and elves and
unicorns.  I hope to get to meet you at an event sometime.
 
YIS,

Cristiane de Paxtoun
MKA Tina Paxton
Shire of Seareach
Apprentice, Companions of the Silver Spindle
Atlantian Embroiderer's Guild
Keepers of the Clewe