[Ansteorra] Conversation starter...

[Dan Baker]

Wait, I don't want to go right after the Queen.... Oh well, no doubt it
pales to hers, but here is my story such as it is,

Many many years ago when I was 18 and immortal, a friend introduced me to
the SCA.  I became a "stick jock" in the worst sense of the phrase, I came
to "hit people with big wooden stick".  I came to fight and when the
fighting ended I left.  Along about my 3rd event someone tossed me a
t-tunic and told me to wear it, I said Why?  Back then I was a mercenary
with Black Company in Trimaris and went by the name of Stephan.

A couple years later I got married to a woman who never attended and event
and refused to have anything to do with it.  I left the SCA and took a 14
year break henceforth known and "the first marriage".  Back then the SCA,
to me, was something to do on a weekend that was fun, but no big deal.

14 years and one divorce later, my niece was into the SCA in Michigan,
where I now lived.  She introduced me to the local group and I had a job
that was 4am to 4pm 5 days a week.  I had wednesdays off and tuesday night
was fencing, so I didn't have to get up early and decided to give that a
try.

Since then I have really joined the SCA like I never did the first time.  I
feel in love with the arts, and the honor and chivalry, I apprenticed in
furniture making, got started in brewing meads.  Found out the the SCA was
more then hitting your friends in the head with a stick.

Over the years I have received many honors, but one to me stands out over
all the rest.  I was presenting the Barony of Andelcrag with a new pair of
thrones at court and my Laurel, then Middle Kingdom Senchal, was standing
behind TRM and he leaned over to the King and said "That is MY
apprentice".  No higher praise has ever been needed.

For that, and many other reasons over the years, no matter where I go, or
what I do, I shall always be In Service to the Dream.

Capten Rhys