[MR] That was then, this is now

[Kathrina Black]

"the sca is growing and becoming less and less of a simply dress up party
and more and more like a respectable living history experience."

I agree with His Grace regarding the growth of the SCA.  I have been
involved for the last 10 or so years.  I knew there have been changes, but
didn't realize how much until I went fabric shopping with a friend who has
not played in years.  She wanted to make new garb and was asking my opinion
on patterns and fabric.  Each time she pulled out fabric, I shook my head
and stated that it was not period or even period-ish.  She asked me why it
wasn't right when she had used something similar a few years ago.  I am in
no way a garb nazi.  I take lots of short cuts, but I was surprised to see
how my own perception of what's appropriate has changed.

I would never want the SCA become so strict as the Civil War groups, but I
like the direction of more periodness in all aspects, i.e. covering mundane
things, making better fabric choices, using more period patterns, more
period armor, etc.  At demos or when discussing the SCA with non-Scadians, I
make it a point to tell them that the heavy fighting is not just swinging
sticks around.  That fighters take it very seriously and has become a real
sport, and a competitive one at that!  This is a very cool thing!

As a teacher, in my classroom, I try to set a high standard.  Not all will
get there, but they will learn more on the journey to reach it.  I see the
SCA as the same.

-Catriona