[MR] Giving back to our Society

[Phillip Jones]

I visited several rapier academies in Texas, and had a great time teaching 
people at all skill levels and in multiple weapons forms. I went to all of 
the Society -level academies for 10 years or so, again teaching several 
levels or weapon techniques. I've taught classes in period Rhetoric (that's 
one of my post grad degrees), how to write a period letter, which I ought to 
teach again. Most of my teaching was in Rapier, and I've been to every 
kingdom in the contiguous states at least twice. I've traveled extensively 
at my own expense, and had a great time. I enjoyed it for itself. This has 
been a while though.

I broke my neck in a woods battle at Pennsic in 2002, and am just coming out 
of the coma I've been in since. I'll never not hurt, but at least I can 
think again. This experience has made me care much less about what people 
think of me. As long as I behave in what I consider an honourable and 
courteous manner, I can live with myself

I can cook on a fire. I know how to live off the land, and have done so for 
months at a time with nothing but a knife. I can knap one of those. I could 
have been more precise and say "in cooking competitions no one expects the 
cooks to use period stoves". I admire those who make clay ovens at Pennsic; 
they are more efficient than a bonfire, and more versatile. But they aren't 
the sort of cooking surfaces one would find in a noble household, are they? 
I'm certainly no authority. In woodwork, I admire the beauty of the woods I 
chose, and so do not paint them as they would have in period, though I can 
make period paints. I've entered several pieces of wood, and two batches of 
sakanjabeen (sp) I documented the history of the potion, the various types 
of vinegar, flavoring agents, et c.  No comment. My friends and I enjoyed 
drinking it.

don't mistake me, I don't dislike peers qua peers. I simply like people qua 
people, and don't see the other.

I've not kept the documentation or class handouts. I'll be happy to write up 
an article on how to write a period letter for your wonderful site; 'll get 
to work on one. And thank you for maintaining such a valuable compendium.

I used to be known as Phillip Bell, but to me, he died that day at Pennsic. 
So my new name is Ghaltai Jida, Ghaltie is pronounced "ash tie" The 't', 
normally formed as a dental stop, is formed at the roof of the mouth, but no 
big deal. Folks who wear dentures will understand the difference better than 
most.  Together, the words mean "burning or blazing spear" Ashta would be an 
acceptable short name, and just means fiery, as does Ghaltai.   By including 
that in my sig I am trying to get people to accept the new me, and give them 
a clue on how to say the name I'd prefer. I'll add "pronounced."


-----Original Message----- 
From: Stefan li Rous
Sent: Saturday, December 03, 2011 12:24 AM
To: Atlantia maillist
Cc: jonesjp at surry.net
Subject: Giving back to our Society

ghaltai  (ash tie) commented:
<<< I'd still  enter projects had I received -any- feedback. I don't
expect a
judge to sugar-coat, but I do expect them to comment. >>>

Agreed. That has happened to me, also. But not in Atlantia.

<<<  I've incorporated more
period technique into my woodworking, hand-cutting dovetails or finger
joints, making and using hide glue, but I'm doing it for me, because I
enjoy
the process of building. >>>

Yes, that is the best reason to do such. Even if you have to use more
modern tools or techniques for various reasons (time, expense,
safety), it is nice to learn how to use and do the period methods.

<<< No one expects cooks to use period stoves. >>>

Do you mean for cooking SCA feasts? or for camp or personal cooking?
I've seen few people actually use period stoves, but I have seen folks
cook meals in period-style clay pots and skillets over open fires.
Again, it's a matter of learning by doing something in a period way.

<<< I too don't expect to be a peer; I feel no paths are open to me. I
can't do
heavy combat, I've traveled at my own expense to every kingdom in North
America to teach diverse topics, typically three or more classes, and
frankly think that my service to the entire SCA had long ago risen way
above
any reasonable rubric. >>>

Ohhh. What classes have you taught? Unfortunately, I've not been to
any of the classes you might have taught in Ansteorra.

Have you written up handouts for any of your classes? Or articles on
the subjects you have taught? I'd be interested in considering such
handouts or articles for inclusion in the Florilegium. Copyright
remains with the author and I will accept updates at any time. This
would be another way to introduce more folks across the Known World to
the arts you practice. Many people, like me, may have missed out on
what you have to teach.

Stefan
(not a Peer, either)
PS: What is the "(ash tie)"? Is that the meaning of your persona name?
a nickname?

--------
THLord Stefan li Rous    Barony of Bryn Gwlad    Kingdom of Ansteorra
    Mark S. Harris           Austin, Texas 
StefanliRous at austin.rr.com
http://www.linkedin.com/in/marksharris
**** See Stefan's Florilegium files at:  http://www.florilegium.org ****