[MR] Things I didn't know about Barracuda

[Anthony Bryant]

On Apr 29, 2008, at 2:28 PM, firespiter at yahoo.com wrote:

> Yes, please let us discuss historical authenticity. But let's do it  
> while you are cleaning the mud off of your combat boots, touching up  
> the paint on your aluminum shield, and re-taping your rattan weapon  
> in vinyl duct tape. Because I really want to hear how unauthentic  
> and period incorrect it would be for anyone to ever consider using  
> something as ludicrous as a Seahorse as a badge.

I suppose you have never heard of the idea of "not making the perfect  
the enemy of the good."

The mud we must endure (as they had to). The rattan we must use per  
rules. The aluminum shields are a sop to the problem of constant wear  
and tear and the inability to purchase (or make) new tourney-grade  
shields every month.

There is no excuse, however, for butterfly-winged dragons, pirate  
ninjas, modern jungle-camouflage surcoats, bondage-gear barbarians, or  
spike.

> Meanwhile I will open the volumes of historic heraldry where people  
> have actually used charges of squirrels, fleas and enflamed snails.  
> But that blue and white Seahorse really gets under your skin, huh?

I'm sure there are stories behind all of these. In the case of Spike,  
however, it's "someone thought it was cool."

IMHO, these are the same people that paint pastel colored bat-winged  
cats and enter them in art shows at SF conventions and think it's cool.

>
> Or is your objection because Spike has a horn? Is that the problem?  
> It's a totally unrealistic projection of a real seahorse..

Yeah, actually, I think that is the problem. It's SUCH a freaking  
"fanboy SCA" concept.


Effingham