[Sca-cooks] You know you're in the SCA when... (was Hardliquor in period recipes, was Adamantius pants)

[rtanhil]

Often, the best I can say about an opinion I've held is that
"I read it in a book somewhere." As a longtime sufferer of
CRS (C*** Memory Syndrome), I often remember little bits of
trivia, and forget the source.

This being the case, unless I can remember where I read
something, I tend to regard it as an opinion, as opposed to
a fact. I am most emphatically not suggesting that anyone
else need do this. I'm merely making an observation that my
memory is not to be trusted.

It also means that if someone has a contradicting view that
they can back up with valid textual example, I'm either
going to say "You're right" or go back to my own books and
see if I can find a reference for my original opinion. Some
might call it waffling. I prefer to think of it as
understanding the restrictions of limited retention.

If, however, I have made note of what I read and where I
read it, or if I can even point out the text on the page,
I'm a lot more comfortable making more confident assertions
about something's veracity.

My world is full of little notes. Little notes reminding me
that Thursday is garbage night (and has been for the last 6
years, but then, I'm forgetful). Little notes reminding me
that I have yet to pack the car for an event. Little notes
reminding me that I'm going to an event. Little notes
reminding me to pay the gas bill. Lots and lots of little
notes about things I've read and want to remember. All of my
books have sprouted a forest of little paper tags. I used to
put a rubber band around my wrist as a reminder to do
something, but I'd lose circulation before I remembered what
the rubber band was for.

Berelinde