[MR] I am .......... *wow*

[Tom Conti]

Amazing. This entire thread is amazing. I am actually ashamed of this. When 
I joined the SCA, which was only a few years ago, I was told it was started 
as a protest against the 20th century, against all the red tape and 
lawyering the world was turning to. That appealed to me. The world was not 
appealing, it was cynical and cold. The SCA felt like a place where people 
mattered. It was warm and inviting. People freely gave their time, their 
homes, their stuff. The King was this incredible thing to behold. The 
princess was right out of a story. Events were magical and I was enthralled 
by the glamour of it all. Now, I am ashamed. How far have we gone away from 
that place? Why have we gone away from the magic? How has the world we were 
trying to escape from managed to penetrate the dream of the SCA? I cannot 
properly put words to the saddness I feel, for myself and for those who may 
come to the sca from here. Why are you so angry? Why does the money matter? 
Do you not have enough? Do you need more? why? Why is the profit more 
important than the feel? Why is the bottom line more precious than the 
chance to feel a little bit of Magic? Why are you so angry? Is it so hard to 
make a Queen royal? Does it bring you pain to imagine young ladies swooning 
over a prince as he enters a hall? Does the sound of women singing in 
harmony, for love and hope, not stir you? When you hear a budding artisan's 
voice crack as they explain their art to a Laurel do you snear, or can you 
see a guildmaster assessing the talents of a young apprentice? When did you 
lose sight of the magic? When did the money become more important than the 
people? Maybe i am a fool. Perhaps I am sentimental and childish. Maybe I 
spend to much time "dreaming". maybe. But i still get anxious when i stand 
in front of a Knight. I still feel warm when the Queen smiles at me. My 
blood still boils when the King calls him men to arms. I still feel small 
when i see a scroll, handcrafted with love and skill that I can never hope 
to touch. presented to someone who doesnt think they deserve it. And yes 
dammit, when people cry as they get awards I feel their joy and have to 
fight off tears myself! I feel a little closer to the Dream just by haveing 
seen them in it. I still believe in "The Dream".  Why don't you?
Theron Andronikos
(MDA Tom Conti)
Squired to Duke Badouin Macenzie of Belfour
Seneshal of Dun Carraig

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