ANST - Interesting site... and poignant, too (LONG)

[Alan Boertjens]

Scott Powers wrote:
> 
> >http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/8500/sca.htm
> >
> >Was strolling about the Internet when I happened to stumble on these
> >gentlemen.  And I thought we had the market on humor.  Maybe through 
> >the laughs and the winces we can learn how to better ourselves, eh?
> >
> >Ritter Dieterich- Recovering from the ego-beating this site > >gave me....
> >*ouch*
> 
> I looked this over.  Wow!  I had a hard time deciding whether I should > be offended or burst out laughing.  I decided on laughing.  Thier 
> portrayal of the SCA is mostly not accurate of Ansteorra, although 
> there are some things we could improve.  Nevertheless,  they made some 
> good points.  I particularly liked the "worst-looking SCA fighter 
> ever."  I about hurt myself laughing at that one.
> 
> Rumil

I looked over this site as well.

As for deciding on whether to be offended or burst out laughing, I 
think it would be proper to do both.  Much of what is said on the
site is VERY accurate (they've done their research) :-)

Quite a bit of what they mention comes down to differing levels
of "authenticity" in the re-enactment methods of the various groups.
I have mixed feelings when it comes to "authenticity nazis".

Pro "Authenticity nazis":
- I appluaded Sir Seosaidh MacSeosaidh's (from Trimaris) decree to have
  NO visible duct tape showing accept to demark the cutting potions of
  combat weapons.  If, during combat, a fighter had a strap break...
  NO duct tape fixes allowed!  I, however, do use rolled duct tape
  to hold in some of the padding in my armour.(but it doesn't show)
- I was abhorred by the actions of the populace, and peers, at 
  my last Trimarian event before taking an SCA sabbatical.  Said
  actions were that everyone was wearing that damn neon-coloured
  glowlight jewelry all over the site!  At the same event, someone had
  the gall [ Gaul :-) ] of bringing an entire modern drum set to the
  bardic circle...from bass to highhat and cowbell! (notice I said
  this was my LAST event before taking an SCA sabbatical)
- This one is one of my biggest pet-peeves...I absolutely HATE seeing
  a car/truck/van/etc parked right next to a pavilion during an
  entire event. 

Con "Authenticity nazis":
- I have seen said 'nazis' barrage newcomers with putdowns and remarks.
- Sometimes it just isn't affordable to go all-out authentic:
  I have worn leather-covered tennis shoes for quite awhile.
  They look quite good, they only cost about $20, and they have lasted
  more than 10 years sofar.  I'd love to get a pair of good quality
  leather boots but I can't afford the $300-$500 for a pair, and I'm
  not good enough in leatherworking yet to make a pair for myself.
- My pavilion is made out of rip-stop nylon, canvas is too
  maintenance intensive...and besides it still looks authentic
  at the 3'-rule, much less the 10'-rule.
- Most of my armour is made from black Kydex (at least I cover it
  with black suede leather)
- I have found that most, but not all, "authenticity nazis" are WAY
  too up on themselves to do any good to their cause.  They just end
  up pissing people off and end up being called "Authenticity nazis".

OK, I'm just about done...heck I've about had it with myself at this
point in this message :-)  but wait! there's more...

My bucket-worth-of-pennies worth of comments:
- People who play SCA for the politics should go back and learn how to
  play with books/clay/wood/metal/cloth/leather instead!
- Hold fewer 'theme events' and more actual workshops!
- NO dry event sites!
- NO glow-light devices anywhere on site! (except in the privies)
- NO parking vehicles next to pavilions for the duration of an event!
  (Yes, I mentioned these last two earlier in this message, but I
   thought they were so important, that they needed saying twice)

There!  I'm done now...probably in more ways than one! :-)

~Ld.Johan Bjornsson
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