Priorities Part 3

In previous posts, I've asked myself why I belong to the Society for Creative Anachronism, what I want from the group and from my participation, and where the SCA falls on my list of life's priorities.  The first two questions were easy.  For the third, there are no easy answers jumping out at me.  Each situation requires careful consideration. 

I know that being part of the SCA has given me good friends, many of whom have become part of my family.  There is much I have to offer the SCA in the way of experience and, according to a dear friend, tenacity. 

I want to be able to enjoy myself, give freely of the time I have available, and continue to learn.  So, that answers my last question.  The SCA might not be first on my priorities at this point in my life, but it is near the top.  The time that I'm not committed to family and work will certainly continue to be filled by the Soceity and my friends there.

Rose

SCA-desires, wants, and priorities (part 2)

A quick recap...in the last post, I had called for us "old-times" to ask ourselves the questions I ask of newcomers.  What it is that we think of when we bring to mind the Middle Ages, what it is we want from the Society for Creative Anachronism, and where the SCA lies in our priorities.

When I think of the Middle Ages, I still picture castles and knights and ladies wearing pointy hats, that I now know are called hennins.  I think of cathedrals and abbeys, fields of grain and fields for tourneys.  And under it all is still a little of old Hollywood with Camelot and Danny Kaye and Errol Flynn.

For what I want from the SCA?  That's a harder question.  I want to feel that initial awe I felt at that first event.  To breathe in the experience.  How amazing is it that these people pull together to create a taste of the Middle Ages and Renaissance?  I want to make sure I go to events and be the persona so many people helped me to develop over the years.  Lady Elizabeth is a delightful flirt, a hardworking laborer who sets up and clears away decorations for the tournament, a cook that wants to make sure the people are well fed and enjoyed the food, an artisan who might not be a major talent but is willing to share what she knows in hopes that those gentles she taught will go on to out stripe her abilities.  I want to improve the skills I have and continue to dabble in new experiences.

But where to find the time and what to focus on?  Unlike that time back in college when we had weekly gatherings to plan and hold workshops and nearly daily fencing practices, I am responsible for more than just getting to class and getting good grades.  I have a full time job and since marrying, two families that live 60 miles apart.  How do I balance the commitment to the SCA with my modern responsibilities.  How do you  decide which is more important....a business meeting or your husband's grandfather's 85th birthday party that was planned at the last minute so he wouldn't raise a fuss about a fuss being raised over him?  Which is more important to a parent, fighter practice or their child's school play?  You have a bad cold but committed to teaching a workshop?  You are supposed to help out with court, but your company is behind on filling orders or got a new account that needs immediate attention?

SCA-desires, wants, and priorities (two parts)

I would challenge those who have been in the SCA for more than five year, twenty years or even facing a golden anniversary of participation to aks ourselves those questions once more. What do I want from the SCA and where does the SCA sit on the list of my life's priorities.

Frequently, when meeting newcomers to the SCA, I ask them to describe their picture of the Middle Ages and what they hope to "get out of" and expierence in the SCA.  The viewpoints are varied, but all have carried a common theme.  The romanticism of Chivalric Ideal.  Bright banners and horns calling to announce the arrival or Royalty or to signal the start of battles.  Food of great variety to temp the palate.  The question, "What do you want from the SCA," is so much harder to answer.  Are you here to learn, to find frienship or even romance, recognition of your skills, to "live the dream," or some combination of it all.

Another question we should ask them is, "How involved do you want to be?"  This hobby of ours has the potential to become all consuming if we let it.  Should we be looking at newcomers and assuming they want to dive in and hold offices and help run events, or should we instead be giving them time to discover the SCA at their own pace. 

I asked myself why I joined the SCA in the first place.  The answer was easy.  I loved fairy tales and gowns and movies with castles and princesses. 

My first exposure to the SCA was a demo on my college campus.  I didn't get to go to the demo because of classes, but I heard there were people wearing amour and beatiful clothes, they danced and fought and sang!  I wanted to know more.  The next year I met this boy with beautiful eyes and we started dating.  He belonged to that group.  I fell in love...with the boy with the beautiful eyes and the SCA.   I wanted to do everything!  Okay, except the heavy armoured combat.  My first event was over in the Barony Marche of Debatable Lands...I think the theme was Eros vs. Agape, the different kinds of love.  It was a fairy tale day of fighting, feasting, and theater with dinner.  I was introduced to ladies working needlepoint and knitting, met knights and great fencers, and had brandied pears.

 I've been a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA) for over two decades. In that time, I've have held the offices of Herald, Seneschal, and A&S officer. I have been a fencer, autocrat, feast-o-crat, and seamstress. I have dabbled in calligraphy, illumination, tablet weaving, knitting, fingerloop braiding, brewing and more.  Recognition and awards have come my way over the years, too.  It's a wonderful feeling when your peer acknowledge the work you've been doing, but mostly a simple, "Thanks!" warms my heart the most.

But were do I go from here?

...to be continued in a couple days