ES - Elfsea Defender footwear

[Paul Mitchell]

Galen here...

I _don't_ want to post on this thread, but...

Lady Sindara wrote:
<snip>
> 21 years ago,
>my garb at my first event consisted of an embroidered cotton India-import
>shirt and a long plaid skirt.  Not very period.  But I was a newbie.  Back
>then several individuals took me aside and offered to help me learn how to
>make period garb and make my own armor.  They took into consideration that
>I was a poor, starving college student and could not afford even a
>reasonable attempt at period armor.  I wore carpet armor or borrowed armor
>for the entire 2 years that I fought.  I think if someone had said to me
>that unless I make a reasonable attempt at being period on the field, I
>can't participate, I would not be in the SCA today.

Sindara, this _was_ your very best effort.  Given what the Baron
has clearly said, this wouldn't be banned from the field at Defender.
Your best effort, by definition, qualifies as a "reasonable attempt".

Llywelyn made it clear that the newbie who says, "this is my first 
tourney, and this gear is the best I could do so far" has nothing
to worry about.  To that person we say, "come on along!  Have a
great time!  And call me Tuesday, and we'll see what we can do
to help you get even better gear for the next event!"

But what's Galen's excuse?  I don't fight in period footwear.  I have
a pair of pointed-toe boots, but they're neither as safe nor durable
as my Justin Original steel-toed workboots.  However, as my Justins
are nothing glaring, just brown leather sticking out from under my
greaves, they're a "reasonable attempt".

Llywelyn, in his second post on the topic, said that what he's looking 
for is for the fighter to _care_ _about_ _how_ _he_ _looks_ and to make 
an effort to look his best.  My best will be different from the guy at 
his first tourney.  But we both need to care about our appearance and
try.

Llywelyn, you've raised an important issue, and made it clear that
someone who _doesn't_ care about his appearance on the field, as 
evidenced by his efforts at authentic footwear, would not be allowed
to compete for the title.  What about those of us who _do_ make our
best effort at period footwear?  May I suggest a prize for the most
authentic-looking shoes or boots on the field?

I don't think Sfi or anyone else is wrong to have taken issue with
Llywelyn's original post.  At first, it was vague enough that I
wasn't sure whether what I wear would pass.  That's bad policymaking,
but to the extent that it's thought-provoking, that's a good thing.
A man who's been fighting for a decade in jeans, t-shirt and 
tennis shoes _should_ be thinking about what else he can wear.
Obviously, clarification from the Baron was needed, which has been
forthcoming.  

But Sfi and Sindara, and those who agreed with them, have raised
the very important point that we want to make allowances for those
who, for reasons of finances, newness to the Society, etc., can't
do as well as we'd like.  I think Llywelyn has now made it clear 
that the intent is at _least_ as important as the result.  Such
allowances have always been intended, even if not so clearly
stated from the outset.

And now, putting on my ListAdmin hat, I'd like to ask for a bit
more civility on this issue.  I _don't_ agree it's a dead horse,
it's certainly a valid topic for the list, and folks are entitled
to express their opinions and concerns.  That said, I hope the
posts can be a tad less inflammatory; there's no need to imply
that Their Excellencies are tyrants, either.  As I see it, we
_all_ have the best motives at heart, even if we're not immediately
recognizing that in each other.

- Galen





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