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Last Five Entries
Veteran's Day and an Etiquette Question
2002-12-15 - 10:33 a.m.
St. Fortunatas
Well, all I can say about the event this weekend was... WOW!
We got there a little later than we had planned... it didn't SEEM that far away when we got the directions, but it was. We showed up, helped set up for a bit, then set up where I planned to perch as the Chirurgeon (since I didn't see anyone else pretending to be a Chirurgeon) then I went to change into the new garb I'd been working on. It looked really great! I got so many compliments.
I saw lots of good friends, and lots of people I don't know well, but hope to someday. Andrew, Sorcha and little Regan were there and I got my baby fix.. .I got to hold her and love on her and just plain have a ball with her. I didn't want to give her up, she's just the sweetest and most well-adjusted baby I've ever met. Andrew and Sorcha, thank you so much for letting me spend some time with your little one. She's a treasure and I can see why you're so proud of her. You two really helped make my day with such a great gift.
I gotta hand it to everyone.. the set up in the gym was incredible. Other than the painted floors and the basketball goals, you really weren't bowled over by the "gym feel". It was so nice! Court was pretty neat... they set it up in the gym and once things got started, my attention was riveted to the three on the thrones and the
"gym" atmosphere seemed to disappear. This was the first time there'd been a royal progress in our Barony for about two years; so there was an air excitement from everyone.
Throughout the day, I had several people come over and tell me how much they loved the dress I made and how nice I looked. That made me feel wonderful! Of course, as is my way, I pointed out all of the problems with the dress, and thankfully those I talked to had the good grace to either redirect my thoughts, or offer some good advice as to why certain things happened and give me ideas to fix them for the next one.
The funniest part was just after my love changed into his new garb with the trim on it. He was walking by when someone practically reached out the fondled the trim (it was around the neck of the shirt)! He wasn't really sure what to do, so he stood there and enjoyed it. I think several people were amazed that anyone would do 8 yards of lucet cord for trim, then attempt to dye it antique yellow. The dye didnt work all that well, it came out a pale yellow, but it still set things off really well. He looked really nice, and so did I. It was nice to feel like one of the "pretty people" for a change.
The fighting was really good and fun to watch (as was watching Regan sleep); and we only had a few injuries... One person had an armor pinch, and one person got whacked on the wrist pretty hard. Other than that, it was pretty normal.
After the fighting was over, I got a surprise..... one of the fighters, Syr Arradd walkd up to me and said that he was given a token to give to someone else they found worthy... he gave me his. I was dumbfounded and thanked him profusely and put it on my belt.... who could have thought it was the tip of the proverbial iceberg...
Towards the end of the Baronial Court, my love and I were called forward TOGETHER and were awarded the Briese de Mere (that's probably not spelled right) and the Umbonis Ferrei Ordo (UFO). The Briese de Mere is the Baronial A&S award and the UFO is the Baronial Fighting Order (in case anyone's confused, I got the Briese de Mere, and my love got the UFO.
Hrmm... how to say this without sounding odd.... The Briese de Mere is the one award I've wanted during my entire time in the SCA. Once I found my "passion" I tucked that little "want" in my pocket and just decided to keep doing what I do and maybe someday someone will think I deserve it.
It was just an incredible experience to get that award, and I still can't believe that I have it... and the scroll... it's just absolutely beautiful! It already sits in our curio cabinet to keep it away from the animals until we get them framed. Thanks to Katarina (she pointed out who the actual calligrapher and illuminator was who worked on my scroll) I was able to find her and thank her for her hard work. It's just absolutely gorgeous and a high school student did it. It's just awesome!
The best part of it, was I got to share this wonderful moment with the person that's the most dearest to me. I know he'd been wanting and hoping for a UFO, he does rapier, heavy and combat archery. While he's not perfect at any of them, he certainly tries hard and puts forth incredible effort. He keeps at it and keeps at it, even though he's frustrated beyond words sometimes. It's one of the things I love about him...his preserverance when things just don't go his way is just incredible. I wanted him to have the award, but it just doesn't seem "right" for a wife to try to start the campaign for an award for her husband.
Attempting that can backfire in a really big way.
After court was feast, which was wonderful! During court, we had the opportunity to give their Majesties the basket I'd been working on. It was filled just perfectly with everything! We had some really wonderful gifts, both handmade and purchased... it was a really wonderful mix of both. The people of Caer Mear did a wonderful job... thank you EVERYONE for coming through with everything that you did.. you helped make that project a success!
To sum it up:
Best:
1. Regan
2. Chirurgeoning-only had to give out one bandaid, some tape and a couple of ice packs... not bad for a day's work.
3. The cast feather
4. Feeling like one of the "pretty people"
5. Friends - in a word... WOW
6. Briese de Mere
7. Sharing a moment with the love of my life and watching him tear-up over his award. It meant to much to him.. and I got to share it!
8. Roast beef in the first course at Feast!!
Worst:
1. It took us longer to get there than we had planned, so we didn't get to help set up as much as we liked.
2. Chirurgeoning - I hadn't planned on really doing any Chirurgeoning at this event, but for some odd reason, I just couldn't leave the house without my first aid kit. It was almost a moral imperative. I don't usually take it to every event I go to, but I think I am going to start. I now have a decent baldric. It's not that I don't like to be the Chirurgeon in Charge, or "work" an event, not at all... I just don't like showing up and "taking over". It always feels odd.
3. Watching a friend in pain and knowing there's very little I can do.
4. Having to leave without helping to clean up. The new puppy had been outside since we left that morning and was more than ready to come in.
5. By the ride home, I was exhausted. I remember going to bed, but I don't remember much past that.
6. Getting up at 4:30 on Sunday because the little dog wanted me awake and she was making such a racket she woke up the other dog. I was doomed to gtting up early this morning.
7. No pictures of us at the Event. We had a really spiffy camera to take pictures, and while we took pictures of other people and things, we didn't get any of ourselves.
In summation, it was a great event, I had a wonderful time and I'm just so thankful to everyone!
Please don't forget to answer my survey... it's research for a small business idea... all comments appreciated, no reasonable offer refused!!! It won't take five minutes, I PROMISE!
