[Ponte Alto] sapphire joust thanks

[Brian Caswell]

I wanted to pass a word of thanks to those of you that camped with  
Ponte Alto at Sapphire Joust this year.  We were the shy family  
camped next to Ponte Alto, with the infant, two kids, and the bus.

My wife and I noticed a number of things about your group.

Everyone was very gracious in regards to our infant.  While we tried  
to keep him as calm as could be, it was *very* hot this weekend.   
This was his first experience outside of A.C. and so he's adjusting.   
What we thought was fever was him disliking heat.  By Sunday  
afternoon, he was quite happy, having become accustomed to it.

There was no bitching.  Normally, when my wife and I overhear people  
discussing an event, a decent amount of it revolves around "This part  
sucked, and that part sucked, and OMG did you see that horrid outfit  
that girl was wearing?"  We were both shocked at the complete lack of  
snarkyness.   Instead of complaining, we heard repeated comments such  
as "They didn't seem to have enough people working on X, perhaps next  
year we need to offer some of our services to make sure they have  
everything they need."   or "Did you see X?  I'm glad she made it  
out.  We should invite her to our next garb making session and help  
her work out a pattern for ..."

While this shouldn't come as a shock, it was.  I must wonder if  
someone spiked the water that you all were drinking.

I had only one complaint.  We went to bed early, because we were  
exhausted.  The group that was out front singing, chose to get quiet  
because we went to bed.  How rude!  How were we to sleep without such  
nice background music?!?  We enjoyed the singing, loved hearing the  
tales from past events, and smiled at the laughter throughout the  
evening.  It was hard to fall asleep once it ended.  If we ever have  
the pleasure of camping near you all again, please sing away.

It was the first event for my wife in quite some time.  Those of you  
in Ponte Alto's camp this weekend reminded her about what she loved  
about the SCA.  Hopefully, this means I can drag her out more often.

Thanks,
Brian de Morray