[Ansteorra] Um...should I buy an armband?

[Paul DeLisle]

Gunthar, buddy...you *rock*!

(yes, a totally non-period sentiment...but then, we *are* posting these
messages on the InformationSuperHighway...)

I would also like to point out a simple concept....WE ARE ALL LEARNING THIS!
Every *one* of us grew up in the 20th (or 21st) Century...we are trying to
learn, and re-create,  and understand a *completely* different time and
place.

We *all* have our different interests and foci (the plural of "focus"
*G*)..and so, we tend to zero in on those (For Gunthar, it's food...for
others, it's costuning...for still others, it's period fighting styles, or
period bardcraft, or heraldry, or archery...ad nauseum.)

Anyone who has the gall to attempt to lecture someone else on period
practices is (quite frankly) deluding themselves. (I would *love* to be a
fly-on-the-wall back in A.S. X ....and listen to some of the pontifications
thrown about back *then*!)

As with all other scholars...we stand on the shoulders of those before us
(and sometimes...the shoulders of those *beside* us!)

That, if for no other... is the absolute *best* reason to exercise a bit of
restraint and understanding when dealing with "newbies"...or "Classic
SCAers"...perhaps they haven't yet found their Authenticity Nazi Niche...and
you just wait until they do!!!

Alden
Olde Farte


> With all of this talk of Period Nazis and such it kind of got me
> wondering just what a Period Nazi truly is. And does that
> person KNOW they are a PN?
>
> Evidently PN's are rude people who exist for ruining other
> peoples' fun by pointing out their defect du jour. Most are
> callous and smug. And usually impose their opinions unasked.
>
> I just realized that maybe I proved myself to be one by semi-starting
> this thread by wondering why a tavern didn't serve more period
> style food.  This comment was unasked for and I offered
> alternate suggestions. Now any of my rapier friends who openly
> weep at the sight of my "fancy court dress sweatpants" and
> my armor that looks more like football pads than fine plate and
> consider me a major hypocrite. And I guess they'd be right.
>
> But I also think there is a difference between the PN and someone
> who is sharing a passion. Yeah, I like period foods at events. My
> earliest memory of the SCA was a demo I attended as a curious
> mundane. I was impressed that one family had taken a lunch
> break and was eating cheese, fruits, bread and roasted chicken.
> It wasn't something set out for the crowd, but a private lunch.
> Even then they were getting the feel of it and it impressed me
> more than the fighting.
>
> Since I got converted to the "period food really doesn't suck"
> crowd I've tried to make changes in how people percieve it. Not
> by sneering at a feast of all modern stuff (I do admit to sometimes
> sadly shaking my head) but by sharing how that modern stuff
> could be converted to at least peri-oid. The same with the tavern
> suggestions. I'm not telling them to only sell meat pies and lech
> lombard. But ways to make things kind of cooler with the
> facilities they are already using.
>
> The difference between PN's and enthusiasts are the enthusiasts
> are happy to help you get to the place they think you should be.
> Not the person who sniffs at you and tells you that t-tunic is the
> wrong material and you need to get proper garb, but the person
> who says this material is just as cheap as that polyester and is period
> and more comfortable. Or invites you over to show you how to make
> better garb. Or gives you an old piece of period garb. Someone who
> inspires rather than discourages.
>
> But I did stick my nose in where it wasn't asked to be. So I guess
> I'll have to sign on for an armband.
>
> At least I have the name to go along with it.
>
> Gunthar
> Only following orders