[Northkeep] another opinion

[Melissa Long Blevins]

Yay, Lady Rowan!
   
  YIS,
  Elisabeth de Calais
  

Becky Johnson <bjohnson at nordam.com> wrote:
  I've been a member of the Northkeep list for a full 24 hours now and I find myself hit with a huge feeling of déjà vu. When last I was on the Northkeep list some 5-6 years ago, one of the last threads I remember was a lively (though somewhat embittered) discussion of Chivalry, the SCA and how things now weren't as good as in the old days. Hmm. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Having had several years to develop a refreshed opinion of the SCA through distance, my experience this past weekend was about the same as it was 5-6 years ago. There were the few boobs/goobs who appear at every event and make their goobish/boobish statements much to the displeasure and irritation of others. There were those old timers who have played the SCA they way they have chosen to play be it authentic or not. There were those newcomers enchanted by the whole romantic ideal of the SCA and obviously caught up in their version of the Dream. There were those who helped me and my husband wrangle our toddler and an ice chest and a basket full of "event stuff" and a diaper bag to the front of the Main Hall. There were those who bowed and curtsied to me and to my husband whenever our paths crossed. It was a wonderful mix of everything the SCA has to offer as far as people and behaviors.

Perhaps because I have been out of the picture for a long time, I was not offended or bothered by anyone or anything I encountered this past weekend. I came to Castellan with Piotr's words from many years ago echoing in my head: "Sometime we play their Game, sometimes we play your Game, sometimes we play my Game." Do I see this as license to be rude and destroy the fun (or rest) of others? Not at all. I don't believe the notion of common courtesy has fundamentally changed over the centuries, just the number of those who practice it. 

I do wish some people weren't so egocentric in their view (and/or practice) of the SCA. It makes the experience much more enjoyable for everyone when we all share a common vision even if it is somewhat vague about the edges. That given, I think many individuals "forget" that we do all have different personas, different personalities, different idea/ideals, different goals. Not sure how to incorporate all these differences into a balanced happy mix all the time but I know there have been those moments when it works. Those are the moments that I lived for and am looking forward to experiencing again.


Rowan
(who is still happy to be back)



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