SC - Ambiance: Was : Cookery-Art or Science

[Brenna]

LrdRas at aol.com wrote:

> In a message dated 1/24/99 1:02:18 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> alysk at ix.netcom.com writes:
>
> <<  Or, am I  mistaken?>>
>
> IMO, yes. At our feasts when the lights are turned on after 2 hrs. or so of
> candlelight a general groan is heard throughout the hall. I am aware that some
> shires or kingdoms provide lights for the tables BUT it would seem that it
> would be a good thing if the general population in these shires were
> encouraged to bring their own lighting then this problem would quickly rectify
> itself. I have been to uncaountable feasts in both Aethelmearc and the East
> where the custom is for diners to provide their own lightiong and have never
> experienced the problem that you a are addressing. My own table always has at
> least 8 candles, one for each diner, and I myself use a candlelabra carves
> with Celtic designs that holds 5 candles. Most other people whoi sit at my
> table provide at least 2 candles in holders. Now I may be a bit naive but if a
> groupd at a table of 8 can't see sufficiently with 18 candles then there is
> something that I am missing. Alternatively, if feasters expect a candle
> provided by the shire then they would be eating in the dark if it weren't for
> the charity of those of us who know that new people sometimes have need.
>

I am in agreement here. This is alien to me.  I usually carry 3 candles and bases
in my feast gear, but then again so does almost everyone else here.  The head of
my (informal) household carries 2 singles and a candlelabra of 5 for her two
diners.  I often never have to unpack mine at all.  The feast I attended the other
night saw the candlelabra and 3 singles on a table for 9 (don't ask about the odd
number please).  The only time I ever had trouble seeing at a feast was when the
powers that be decided that we could only use one candle per table (which they
supplied) when borrowed tablecloths were a problem.  They ended up turning the
lights up in self defense.  The dark doesn't give me headaches unless I'm
foolishly trying to read without benefit of a hand-held candle to light for me.
However, I do like to see my food.  GRIN

Brenna

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