SCA Politics

Sometimes I tell fellow geeks I'm in the SCA. "I was for a while, but I left because of the politics," is a not-uncommon reply. And that's always bemused me, because I never saw much of politics. And I was the president/seneschal for our unofficial University group, and liaison to the barony, for three years.

So I've been trying to understand the hoo-hah luscious_purple reports on here. 'Cause that's real politics right there, by gum.

And you know, I'm really not sure why it's a big deal. Is there money involved? That might explain a lot.

So some people in North Atlantia think they should be a Principality. Okay. I would think, first things first, see if the rest of North Atlantia feels the same way. Or else that dog won't hunt. If the rest of North Atlantia does feel that way, why on earth would you get in their way? (Unless there's a money issue.) Do you want a bunch of angry, alienated malcontents guarding your northern border?

The trick, of course, is to accurately gauge the opinion of this nebulous "North Atlantia." Because the loudest people (on whatever side) rarely speak for most of the people.

Yes, it could lead to the formation of a new kingdom. So? That's how we became Atlantia, right? I was in the East when AEthelmearc spun off. The world continued to rotate on its axis, and we still enjoyed the events out in western PA. Issues with Pennsic were worked out, and if that can be worked out, anything can be.

Random nostalgia

I won't be making Pennsic this year, again. That's been happening more and more often.

( So I hide my whining and disappointment under a cover of reminisces. )

Heraldic surcoat

Highland River Melees is this weekend. They have a 14th century theme and, since it's also a demo, they've asked people to wear appropriate garb if they have it. I have a surcoat, but it's wool. So no.

But I also had a bunch of cheap poly/cotton sheeting in royal blue, after using most of it to make a disguise for the Spud's porta-crib. I managed, in relatively short order, to make something fairly surcoat-like. (There's something off about the armholes. Not sure how you can mess up sideless surcoat armholes, but I may have managed it.)

Now, my arms are divided sable and azure. I looked for some spare black fabric, but nothing I had was similar in weight to the cheapo blue, so I didn't go there. But I did have some white, so I decided to make a compass star (my primary charge) and appliqué it to the surcoat. Probably it's in conflict with someone, and if I meet them, I'll give way.

Not really thinking about it, I put the star on the... plastern? Plastron? Not-the-skirt part. I was tempting Fate, I know, ornamenting a quickie piece of bad garb like that, but I only sewed it to the back once, and I caught it quickly enough that it wasn't bad to fix. It went on without a problem, and I finished before the Spud woke up.

And when I tried it on, it made me look like a superhero.

Seriously. It's exactly where Batman, Superman, Green Lantern and all their ilk put their logos.

This is why most ladies put their heraldic decorations on the skirts of their surcoats, isn't it?

Quote of the Day

"As the scientists in Tucson cheered the result, Boynton put on the old disco tune "(Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty" and started swaying to the music."

- John Johnson Jr of the LA Times gratuitously breaks Rule 3 in his coverage of Phoenix Mars Lander's successful fix-it.

(Rule 3? Ah, we have three rules around here:

1. Don't visualize.
2. Don't visualize.
3. If you do visualize, don't share.)