I start my research on the internet, but I end up with books. The internet is a great place to get a list of the books that will help in your research…. whether from a bibliography or being able to buy. I still prefer books over the internet though.

I wanted to comment on the competition aspect. I have seen the other side of the coin, unfortunately. I was a single mother with two young boys when I first came into the wonderful fold of the SCA. I was constantly reminded by the occasional “Period Police” that my material of my dress or the boys’ garments was not period. That some of the items I used for feast were not period. I even heard the comment about how my tent was not period. At the time, that was all I could afford. I have been playing for 10 years now… and we are just starting to work on a period tent. Slow process.

I think, no matter what, (whether you have elaborate items or just a few basics)in the end people need to remember… 1. It is a Hobby. 2. We do it for fun. 3. Most of us do not have jobs that provide the money to play to the extent we may want, because no matter what we Scadians always find something more that we want to try. and 4. Again, it is a HOBBY. =)

Touching on the feeling of welcome into the SCA. It is unfortunate, but I have heard about and seen where a newcomer is ignored. I think some Scadians forget that not everyone is outgoing and that sometimes people just don’t know how to approach strangers. We have a newcomers night in our meetings (Our Barony meets weekly) and we celebrate our newcomers. People in the Barony donate items and the newcomers are put into a drawing to pick from the items. We also have Socials and Movie nights. It gives some time to just… have fun.

Currently, my family is working toward a period encampment. That is our goal. It is a slow process, but some day.

Thank you for your post and those of the others. (sorry about rambling)

Though a trick is to challenge the “naysayers” head on: I try to engage those folks to learn more about my hobby and willing to teach them more. Some are receptive and some folks just want to pick on someone for one thing or another. My theory if you are not having fun you may want to look at yourself and ask why and fix it. Its not fun to ruin everyone elses time with gossip.

The SCA is one melding pot of personalities, interests and time periods. When you have this many influences things will be interesting. The SCA is like stone soup, you never know what someone is going to throw in the cook pot next.

Speaking of cooking, its only common sense to bring extra food in case you can’t eat what is served for any reason. Its impossible to plan for every situation and allergy, would never expect the feastocrat to do so. Its ridiculous to expect this burden to be solved by the event staff. As far as food costs, my shire has cost for feast listed separate and menu at troll in case someone has a question, so that does help with those who may not be able to eat certain things. Also can plan to go get food later when feast is happening and planning costs of food and such. I don’t have food allergies but I have friends that do and I try to take that into consideration but sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t. Packing for a SCA event I bring more than I need, my poor car. Though its best to be prepared, you never know and doesnt hurts to plan ahead.

I agree alot of us work really hard at our passions within the SCA. I am that person who is always making new renaissance garb. Yeah my wardrobe is huge but I have been participating since 2004, so yeah I got trunks of garb. Though lots of it has short cuts from when I started, though as everything I learned more about period sewing and pattern making. They still it look fantastic and were done with the materials I could afford at the time. Just because my newer gowns are more period correct doesn’t make the old ones worthless.

They are each a wearable learning experience, some I have sold other I keep for various reasons. Either way our journey in the SCA will always be marked with triumphs or defeats, and it all comes down to personality outlook. Do you learn from your mistakes? What can you do better next time? And is all the investment really worth the toil and outcome? Whenever I evaluate my time in the SCA, so far the answer for most things is yes its worth it.

Thank you again for posting this, very informative and accurate challenges we all face from one time to another in or out of society.

And not congratulating you on well-deserved awards? Jealousy is a terrible thing to have in a hobby like this. You sound like you’re really throwing yourself into everything, which is only to be admired and rightfully awarded. I would love to cross your path at an event someday and learn a few things from you– like where you get your energy!

As for the no water days, Ffair Rhaglen at Raglan Castle in Wales is one of the flagship events of the Principality. Yet if you want a shower you have to stay (or know someone staying) in the motel down the road. Nobody whines about that, but we would like to have better access to water if it extends to more than a week (when it’s this damp even in Summer, driving to get a shower isn’t fun…). Even so, a lot of people bring camping stoves and can access large buckets, and there is a tap/faucet on site. And baby wipes are a great invention and close ally to the mucky student!

I 99% agree with your thoughts and others have wrote down pretty interesting and concuring comments. It’s good to see I have not been the only one, who have been less active because of the folks’ behavior.
Personally I still slightly fear talking to my ‘superiors’, witch is a bit funny, as I have been in society 14 years now. I guess I am bit envous too, as I can not do anything (aka crafts) as well as I’d like to. I seem to talk to my laurels etc better gifted folk only when I have something to ask about their area of expertice. Oh well, maybe I am just shy or something… I can imagine how scared ‘newbies’ can sometimes be, If I get dreads after 14 years, they must be really scared…
I have too many allergies myself, and I have figured out one way to make sure I have something to eat at events, I simply slave myself at the kitchen whole weekend. I like cooking a lot (and I am pretty good at it too) within last 3 years I have attended only one event where I have not been working at all, and that time I hardly got my tummy full. Most of the cooks do take care of us ‘demanding customers’ pretty well, but I have seen some, who only caters for her/his own allergies and ‘give a shit’ to others. (note: these persons are not SCAdians) I can understand, if feastocrats don’t always make, for example, versions of non-carb dishes etc, but forgetting lifetreathening allergies is something different totally.
Actually I don’t have anything new to say about ‘making things for awards’. I have seen some people ‘always’ getting new awards etc, but most of them are well-earned. There might be a ‘slightly blind eye’ for new talents, but I guess that’s mostly due Scandinavian mentality about ‘showing off’ (or lack of it). People who whine about there ‘award-collectors’ should start to make something themselfs and they might have change to get shiny rewards themself. (For me it took 13 years to get any award xD and I only have Green virvaliekki and AoA. Althou apparently there was years of delay…)
I hope my babble is somewhat understanable. It’s a bit hard to put down all the things I feel/think atm.

On the topic of people and their sense of entitlement, we had an event this past season where there was no potable water on site. The county was being jerky, and were imposing a ridiculous tax on the water truck. Rather than charge an exorbitant gate fee, the autocrats simply decided to have no water. They explained the fact and the reasons for it well in advance. And lordy, but people started to WHINE on the kingdom list. Myself, I consider this an AMENITY. Haveing water on site is lovely. But I remember back in the day, you rarely had water on site, and always had to bring your own. I still do it as a mater of course. I mean, we’re CAMPING. I’m not willing to autocrat myself, so when the autocrats say this is all we can provide, we tried our best, I generally nod my head and say thank you, I’ll take responsibility for the rest myself. I get it, this isn’t a 5 star cruse package I bought. Relax! Have fun! I know I’m going to…