SCA query/thought

[rm]

While there's obviously no way I am going to Pennsic this year, I am having my every three or so years, "I wanna go to Pennsic!" thing.

I went once, under fucked up circumstances and it's one of the greatest things I've ever done. I think I need to make the choice to go next year. The thing is, I want to do it on much different terms -- which is to say, not a Japanese persona, and probably not a female persona. I think I wanna go fight.

So would like the SCA people I know are on my friends list (some of whom actually know me) tell me how much crack I am or am not smoking by thinking this. I know I'm a little thing, but I also think if I worked at it, I'd be good at it (also falls into the category of "doing stuff" exercise, which I've talked about before).

Also I know nothing about NYC SCA people beyond the folks I got a ride with all those years ago, and I know it's an organization rife with a lot of political/sexual drama that comes inevitably out of the smart, bored, creative, kooky set.

So... anyone, anyone?

I feel like being a big kid. And while I get to play dress up in acting, there's pressure and obligation there, hence my wanting to do this other thing that involves playing dress up. Also, hitting stuff with sticks would do me good.

Comments

[manycolored.livejournal.com]

One these years I'll actually make it to Pennsic.

http://www.swordmaiden.com/

http://www.peak.org/%7Egrainne/Ironrose/

[rm.livejournal.com]

Dude... I had no idea you were that sort of geek.

Greatest thing I've ever done. And hard work. Really hard work. But then my group cooked all our meals and didn't rely on the vendors there, and in the heat, that really adds to it.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Oh man, I just confused your black and white crazed cat icon with another black and white crazed cat icon on my friends list. EverythingI posted still stands but I was _really_ confused for a moment.

[rani23.livejournal.com]

I don't know much about the NYC SCA group, I must admit; but, I can definately say that Pennsic is a huge amount of fun. I definately think you can go and do it by whatever terms you like and definately don't think you're smoking crack or at least, I'll share my crack-pipe with you. :)

And, as a plug for my favorite activity, there's also stabbing people as well as hitting them with sticks. (I'm a hard-core fencer weenie and I utterly adore it.)

Definately come. There's lots of people in the SCA on livejournal (and online) and we can point you in the right direction(s).

--Illadore

[rm.livejournal.com]

I've always thought about learning fencing, quite entirely aside from Pennsic... I never really stumbled on much of that in the SCA world though, mainly because of the interests of the people I wound up knowing (hitting people with sticks, drinking strange alcohol and bedding stranger women)

[rani23.livejournal.com]

Fencing (or rapier combat or whatever you'd like to call it) has started to become more popular on the East Coast and the programs are really starting to hit it off. They've always been popular in the West.

I love the fencing crowd and just spent some time with the East Kingdom fencers about three weeks ago. They're very good natured and welcoming of new people. As for their interests, well, they seem to have the same as the fighters, except stabbing people with metal rather than hitting them with sticks.

Tho, I must say we're generally prettier than fighters. :) We can wear lace on the listfield. We also tend to be snobs about what we're drinking too. As for the bedding stranger women, well...that they have in common with the fighters. :)

Some websites:
http://www.ostgardr.org/ -- the greater NYC area
http://www.eastkingdom.org/fencing/index.html -- East Kingdom Rapier page

There are also some great fencing programs in the New York area as well, that aren't involved in the SCA, in particular classical fencing program with Martinez. If I lived in NYC, I'd definately take classes from him. http://www.martinez-destreza.com/

[rm.livejournal.com]

Thank you, these are fabulous resources.

Because I'm the sort of person who reads magazines backwards, does one like join the SCA first and make friends, and then start doing this stuff, or do one just sort of show up and say "hey I don't know shit, who wants to help?"

As another person on my friends list says -- I don't want to be a bambi. And I also don't want to be presumptuous, or look more clueful than I am (two things I tend to manage too well in RL).

[rani23.livejournal.com]

I've got lots more resources. :) The SCA has a plethera of resources online. Just about any topic can be googled and you'll find lots of stuff.

As for how to get involved -- you've got several options but I'd first find out who your local group is and see if they have any newcomer or local meetings. Also, the Chatalaine or the Seneschal are usually good "hey I'm new" contacts.

However, joining and getting involved with something you like to do (like fighting) is also a way to start. Lots of people I know got started by driving by a fighter practice, stopping and deciding it was "cool."

[rm.livejournal.com]

So showing up to a fighter practice, saying this is my deal... how much loaner stuff is around / what's the barrier to me trying this out would be perfectly reasonable?

I can do that... I mean, the talking to strangers thing aside.

Drama is right...

[delchi.livejournal.com]

For your own good, under no circumstances mention my name. I'm not being snarky or playing wounded poor me. It's just that simple - you dont know me, and if anyome asks, you still don't.

This is re : the incident with the sword weilding psycho & circus monkey.

[targetmp.livejournal.com]

You may want to start here:

http://www.sca.org/ (http://www.sca.org/)

When I was active in the SCA, there wasn't really a way to "Just show up and fight heavy."

You can go as a male persona, you can fight eventually, nothing stopping you. There are many fighters in various gender thingies. Remember, it is the The Society for CREATIVE Anachronism, or the middle ages the way they should have been.

Things that made me think twice about this kind of comittment:
I remember you have to build the armor, or it has to be built, but doing yourself might be quicker. It should fit you properly. There will be much help there, to be sure, though. SCA folk are generally friendly that way.

There is also the training, training, training. There are hoops you have to jump through before you can fight, but I think it is a safety thing, besides a paying your dues thing, too.

Fencing is just a tournament type thing, it may be easier/less expensive to get into.

[rm.livejournal.com]

*nodnodnod* that helps.

I've also dropped a note to "my friend the armourer" who at the very least will give me a very detailed assessment of why I've just lost my mind.

[rani23.livejournal.com]

Fencing, btw, isn't just a tourney thing anymore. They're having Fencing Melees at Pennsic this year. They've had them for years out in the West. :)

[rm.livejournal.com]

Oh.... that's new and exciting!

[targetmp.livejournal.com]

That would be cool.

I wonder why pistolleer never told me that, being a fencer as he is?

I live in the West and was at an event this year after an 8 years absence. Lots of sparring. I would really like to see that.

[nisaa.livejournal.com]

#1 - if you wanna go to Pennsic, you can always camp with us. Besides, Ajax and I haven't seen you in years !

#2 - I wasn't involved much in the NYC SCA (Oestgard I believe is the name of the area) crowd because I joined right before I left the City. But as far as I know, there is practice every week in Union Square park. And I do know 2 women in the Boston area who have male personas.

You're just smoking the SCA kind of crack. And that's just fine if you ask me. Plus fighter chicks are cool (I'm not one of them, but I admire women fighters).

[rm.livejournal.com]

I know! I can't believe it's been years now... but I guess it has.

Here's to 2005.

You guys are going this year, right?

[nisaa.livejournal.com]

Yes, we go every year. This year we'll both be flying out and shipping stuff via amtrak. Crazy, but true. The shores of Cooper Lake have truly become our summer home. :)

[aynatonal.livejournal.com]

Ooh, SCA. I was active in college, although not since. During the years I was there, our shire was mostly populated with crazy dancer type folk. Since I could never be taught to Laendler effectively, I mostly hung out with the fighters and did a little fencing myself. Mad fun, especially since I'd fenced competitively in high school, but had always been a bit disappointed that it was nothing like Robin Hood. I also knew a wee bit of a girl who did quite well in heavy weapons, her heavy weapon of choice being the mace. She always had hideous bruises, though, even though her armour was quite good.

I never went to Pennsic, but I wish I had.

[ladyofthelog.livejournal.com]

As for SCA goodness, I am not unfortunately involved myself, but I shall point you in the direction of barbarian_qulan who has Mongol and Persian personas and fights. She's in CO, but I think she may be doing Pennsic this year, and she's very nice.

[dacuteturtle.livejournal.com]

My understanding is that fighting has more rules than you think. Swinging a weapon about is still swinging a weapon. You do need to wear the required safety equipment. You need to know the rules of the game. I'm sure that you can go there and get someone to teach you the basics, but don't expect to leap in and get to play. But if you do get to play, that's a great bonus!