[Ansteorra] The Journey (was SCA slang)

[Theron Bretz]

> "If that's the way things are shaping up, we (the history crowd) can't
> possibly win, and that's depressing."
>
> It's not a win or lose competition I think, as more of a growing process.
> We all start our Journey into the SCA for different reasons. We are a
group
> who's individuals comes from diverse social and economical backgrounds. We
> all have one thing in common We each were introduced into the SCA and
during
> that introduction found an element of the SCA that became special for us.

[remaining good stuff snipped]

Nicely said.  To be fair, I must point out that I did not join this
organization brimming over with knowledge of the middle ages.  Anything but.
I got in for the same reason so many of us did -- to play knight in shining
armour.  I took up fencing to meet girls (who knew I'd be good at it?).  I
maintain (with my lady-wife's support) that I'm probably the biggest
role-playing game geek in the Kingdom (I'll stake the diversity, shelf
footage, depth, weight and obscurity of my collection against all comers),
but I don't take that particular hobby with me to events.  Just like I don't
talk about my mundane job (plus, let's face it, most people don't want to
hear about the HIV epidemic at an event, it tends to bum people out).

I still am nowhere near where I want to be on a persona level (especially
since I just violently retired the old one), and never will be.  There's
always something more to learn, something more to incorporate into my
Renaissance self.  I tend to focus on the knowledge and persona-play aspects
of the game (and I do think the SCA is a game, first and foremost) because
it's a good deal less expensive than investing in all the pieces of material
culture Luciano Malatesta, Venetian Merchant-Prince would tote around with
him (also, I'm addicted to books).

In person, those who know me well will assure those who don't, I'm a good
deal more tolerant of things.  It's when we get into the realm of ideas
(which is largely what this list is) that I take up verbal arms to defend my
cherished viewpoints.  If I debate robustly, it's from passion, not
acrimony.

Luciano Malatesta
WSA, E. de Montagu - deceased