[MR] Persona Development

[Gina Shelley]

Blackjack, you couldn't be more right. 
 
I started in this game almost 30 year ago. Back then, we had personas. We were those personas the entire time we were at an event. We had histories. We spoke forsoothly. 
 
Let me tell you all something. It was seriously, seriously fun. Our garb was not as authentic. Some of our guys wore carpets and street signs for armor. Modern stand up comedy and conga lines were not unheard of at feasts. 
 
I have not been transported to another time and place by the SCA in over a decade the way I had been back in those bad old days. 
 
Why? Because if you believe you are who you say you are with enough conviction, you don't even NEED garb to transport yourself and those around you. 
 
I'm guilty of not going that extra step with my persona, too. I'm not blaming anyone else without taking perhaps the lion's share of blame for myself. I'm more guilty because I know better. Some of you, this is how the SCA is. As far as you know, it's always been this way. Trust me here, and many of the old timers will back me up on this: it hasn't always been like this. 
 
I had all these grand plans for the last event I was out. I was going to be my persona, speak forsoothly, not be shaken out of persona no matter what. Didn't happen. It just didn't. It's so hard to do if no one else is. It's hard to REMEMBER to do it, if no one else is. I'm sure that's everyone problem, that nobody else is. 
 
It used to be I would stay in persona even when I was alone. Now, it's the only time I can manage it. It's like the boundary between who I'm trying to be and who I am has firmed up and I am having a hard time stepping over that fence. 
 
So do me a favor. I'm going to be at Erasmus. I'm a Rromany transient, a foreign pilgrim. You might like my music, you might want to help me out in my travels, or you might think I'm going to make off with your kids or curse you with the Evil Eye. Whatever. Please treat me exactly as your persona might have treated me. (If that means you must behave as though you think I'm beneath you, so be it. I won't take offense.) You don't have to be in persona all weekend. Just do me this one little favor and we'll see what happens. 
 
Just be forwarned, I am planning on returning the favor. ;-)
 
Dulcy
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