[Ansteorra] Conversation starter...

[Lisa May]

I had just moved to State College, PA and didn't know anyone. A friend from
California was coming to visit, so I looked at the community calendar in
the front of the phone book for something to do and saw a picture of a
knight on a rearing horse and an advertisement for a "ren faire" event
(which the site owners didn't tell the SCA they were going to do - it was
NOT a demo).  She ended up canceling her trip, but I had nothing else to do
that day, so I showed up with my blanket and cooler, sat on the grass and
watched these fascinating people run around hitting each other in teams.  A
guy came over to talk and explained that they were fighting melees and
talked about the SCA.  I mentioned how awesome some of the fighters on one
side looked - they were wearing landsknechte in a very pretty blue and
gold.  Next thing I knew a matched pair of 6'4" warriors (one blonde, one
brunette) came trotting over, dropped to their knees, each kissing one of
my hands and flirting outrageously.  I decided I could learn to live with
something like this.

The following week, I was working on Sunday at my job on the Penn State
campus when I looked out the window and saw a group doing the same kind of
fighting on the quad.  I went down, hovered around until someone called me
over and spent the next couple of hours having a great time and learning
about the SCA.  This was the first Sunday in July, and the group told me
there was an upcoming event I should think about going to - I could camp
with them, and they'd provide a tent and anything else I needed.  I
thought, "why not?" and attended 3 days of Pennsic 19 as my first event.
Less than a year later, I was asked by a gentleman if he could fight for me
in Crown Tourney, and shortly thereafter, I became Crown Princess of the
East.  I've never looked back!

Maggie

Countess Margaret ny Connor
Barony of the Steppes
Kingdom of Ansteorra