Pennsic Post

[mikekn]

Let's start off by saying I wasn't looking forward to Pennsic this year. It just didn't have the draw for me that it had in previous years. So, I set up enough commitments to get me there and keep me there. I figured I'd probably enjoy myself once I got there, and for the most part I did.

This is long, but not very in depth. It took me this long just to get what's here - but I figure I wanted to post it sooner rather then later. Feel free to ask questions.

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Archery I'm in the midst of the slow process of becoming an archery marshal, so I spent some time up on the range helping out. I did a two hour shift inspecting bows (got to fail the second bow I saw) and a two hour shift running the advancing man range with my friend Seamus. I never got around to actually shooting while I was there. I have no real clue what the specific process is for becoming a marshal - need to see if there is anything actually in the rule books about it.

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Games Tent Not surprisingly, I spent most of my time at the Games Tent. All of our teachers showed up and the classes were very well attended. We added two extra classes once we were on site - both advanced Go classes. Hopefully we'll be able to get them in the schedule next time.

Galen ran two tournaments this year, both more successful then any we've had in the past (mostly because we got them onto the published schedule this year). We were pretty lax about opening the tent on time (9 AM), but we were usually there before the 10 AM class.

We need to try and get some more space for next year (bigger tent if possible, more tables and chairs). One year we had an extra 20x20 pavilion set up next to us, but it wasn't used for anything (was supposed to be for parking I think, but they changed how they were running it that year) so we took it over for our classes. It worked great, but the tent went away the following years. I need to contact next year's mayor soon to see if an increase is possible.

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Classes I only made it to two classes this year (not counting game classes). Stump the Seneschal with faheud and ghita. It was less "stumping" and more upcoming ideas and changes, plus stories and discussions. Good stuff - I look forward to see how it all works out.

The other class was Very Basic Card Weaving, but I got there too late to get the kit (or a good seat) so I didn't stay long.

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Shopping I only visited about half the merchants, but I didn't have much I was looking for, so no big loss. Picked up a Pennsic t-shirt, the new Stone Soup Band CD, Folo's new Pennsic History book and some SCA history related posters. I also got three new shirts, but nothing fancy - still need to find the right garb for my persona (violet_amy has started doing some research, which is cool because I wouldn't know where to begin)

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Visits & Nightlife None! Ok, not really true. I just didn't get out much - never made it over the hill down to the lake. Failed to visit Starry Knights, Flaming Gryphon, the Regnesfolke, and everyone in the B blocks... I tended to collapse as soon as I got back to camp each night.

Happily for me, several people stopped in to see me at the Games Tent. dame_margarete brought Duchess Garlanda around to say hi. shadowpony visited a few times so I got to hear what she's been up to. sansobel help out at the tent a few times, as did marietta_sca. I finally got to meet cellio (sorry for the confusion at first) and we had a nice chat with jducoeur. sskipstress stopped by for an all too brief visit (not her fault - I was tied up in a game). Got to see paquerette, laid (thanks for the game board!) and their daughter beatrice_ruth (cute!). Saw fionawolf a few time early in the war, which is alway cool. I'm probably forgetting a bunch of other folks (sorry!)

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Runnymede Dinner I helped to serve with sansobel and a bunch of others. Looked like it went extremely well. The food was excellent and the folks there seemed to be enjoying themselves. My only complaint was that some of the home brew I intended for the Allies Party got given out with the gift baskets - not a big deal, but none of it was labeled for presentation. The stuff I did donate to the baskets looked much better (and did get given out).

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SCA History Night Very cool. The Middle Kingdom Historian and her deputy brought a bunch of stuff out to display. Much of it was old newsletters and such; similar to what we have in the EK collection. They've also started a Reliquary for various artifacts (old helms, weapons, scrolls). There was some discussion about the accuracy of the info they had for some of their items, but only the claims of "earliest" and stuff like that. It would be interesting to try and put together something like that for the East.

I brought out the waiver from AS 1 as well as a bunch of actual event fliers from the first two years. Frederick of Holland found his name on the waver, which was pretty cool. Someone commented: "I bet the Society would love to have this...don't give it to them." :)

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East Kingdom Court Was the same night as the SCA History Night, and because of when it was supposed to start (6:30) I told a few people that I wouldn't be able to make it this year - this brought out more expressions of surprise then me missing a court should have, so I got suspicious. I knew something was going on, but not exactly what (I wasn't going to try and find out either). After that, anyone who asked was told I'd head up to court after the History Night was over. Court didn't actually start until a little after 7, so I only missed an hour or so before I got there.

Shortly after arriving, suspicions were confirmed and I got called into court to be inducted into the Order of the Maunche. I received a beautiful scroll done by my friend Marti and a very nice medallion from my friend Alison. For those outside the SCA or the East kingdom, the Maunche is the East's High Order of Merit for "service to the arts and sciences".

I actually had to go read EK Law to see what the wording was, because I do (did) not believe my work to up to Maunche "level". I could probably talk myself into believing my service to the arts is there, but my actual "arts"? No. Reading further into the law makes it a fairly blurry line, so I continue to have mixed feelings about it. I may have more thoughts on this later when I'm feeling more coherent.

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EK Allies Party We got off to a slightly rough start as we tried to get everything set up in the short amount of time we had available, but it settled down in good order and we were in good shape by the time we had a good number of guests. The food and drinks were excellent and in good supply - unfortunately the guests were not. We barely made a dent into what had been prepared for the party, and ended up giving away a lot of food and taking home a lot of booze.

About an hour or so before the scheduled end, their Majesties headed out to visit some other parties. This had several of the folks who volunteered to help out wondering what was going on. Basically, why were the King and Queen leaving their own party, a party they were supposed to be hosting for the kingdom and it's allies? I still don't have a good answer for them.

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Brewing I brought some home brews along, including a keg of hard cider, but apart from the stuff used at Runnymede and the EK Allies Party, I don't think I opened any of it. The opportunities never really came up (a side effect of not visiting nor hanging out in camp much).

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Overall, not a bad Pennsic, but not a great one either.

Comments

[sskipstress.livejournal.com]

You were in a game when I visited, I was only there for 2 days, and the next time I walked by with time to say "hi" you weren't there (or was that the first time I walked by, I don't remember, but I do remember I didn't see you so I didn't detour one of the times I was in the neighborhood). All this means "brief visit"

But I'll be sure to let you and everyone near you know when I make the next obligatory visit to dad's place (near Valley Forge) because I will be in the area and probably only occupied with the visit long enough for dinner and a movie (usually we don't watch a movie, but we seem to have no more than 2 hours of stuff to talk about when we do visit each other).

[mikekn]

Oh, I understood you only had a little time. And with that in mind, it was very cool that you took a moment to say "Hi" :) Thanks! (Even if it did cause me to get an Uncle Bonsai song stuck in my head for the rest of the day ;) )

Valley Forge eh? Our place is within walking distance to the park.

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

I was very frustrated that the History Night was opposite EK Court. I wanted very much to see the Box contents, but being a court junkie and part of one of the Laurels' vigil committee, I also wanted to be in court. Should've done as you did, and split the difference. I suppose the conflict didn't exist for the MK Historian, whose brainstorm it was.

[mikekn]

Yeah, that was annoying. When they were first scheduled, History was from 6-8 and court started at 8, which wouldn't be too bad. Then they moved court up :/

I'm going to try and work with the MK Historian to prevent that conflict next year.

[mikekn]

Hey! Are you folks going to the 40th Year Celebration in Bridge? I could bring the whole Box there (maybe get some help sorting it finally :) )

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

Probably not. Seems it's jducoeur's father's 65th birthday party.... Our plans aren't firm, but we're likely to submit to familial obligation.

[mikekn]

Birthday, cool. Missing the event, bummer.

[kellan_the_tabby]

1) Congrats on the Manche; I'm sorry I wasn't there for court, but court at Pennsic always make my brain explode. I _do_ think you deserve it, and whill happily go into why if you like.

2) Persona: when/where? I might be able to help...

[chargirlgenius.livejournal.com]

I was going to comment, pretty much what she said. :-)

Your Maunche was well-deserved - I thought you deserved it a while ago!

and

What exactly is your persona? German something, I believe.

[mikekn]

violet_amy just posted it, but around the 1560s in Germany, specifically merchant class in the city of Augsburg.

Both parts of my SCA name can be dated to 1532 in Germany so I've been using that as my persona's birthdate.

[violet-amy.livejournal.com]

2) Mid 1500s Augsberg, Germany. I've made him one puff and slash out of wool so far. Black with red lining. He wanted his heraldic colors.

I really want to make him pluderhosen! Pretty much because I just like saying it. Plus, they could have a comfy silk lining, and he'd be much more likely to be goosed (bonus!).

Also, I have a pleater and I want to make high-necked linen shirts. I already own the booklet of German embroidery patterns from around 1560 - 1590.

[kellan_the_tabby]

There's a whole lot of Landsknechts in the Eisental area you might want to talk to, Violet. Also, I know Kass has patterns out, now, for about that time period.

[mikekn]

Landsknecht is cool, but I can imagine that was what folks were wearing in the cities (at least not for everyday stuff). Still that's where we are starting.

[glenmarshall.livejournal.com]

Congrats on the Maunche!

[mikekn]

Thanks!

[loosecanon.livejournal.com]

I was hoping to meet some of the people you mentioned, but for one reason or another, no dice =/ ( and FionaWolf was even in my camp! )

We chose to work on marshalling Thrown, as it is... closer to camp. yes, for reasons of laziness, not for inspiration.

About 1/2 to 3/4 of the food we prepared was consumed at the party. The rest went to Settmour. They know who sent it, and they sent a thank you letter.

You deserve the maunche, because although you might perceive your involvement as being a service ( silver crescent ), it can be read as an intangible art.

Gaming leaves no mark, but it is a real activity which had been slipping in the Southern Region for a number of years. Your involvement and willingness to keep it going has more than just kept it alive, the reasonable expectation that the games "wouldnt suck" at any event you attend made for a reasonable chance people would look forward to playing, and expect to.

Teaching makes your service into an art. Teaching has allowed others to join in your art, share it, pass it on, and enjoy it, assuring that when I go to a February event, there will be something indoorsy but social to do.

[mikekn]

Thanks.

Teaching seems it hit the art and service buttons for many. I always think of it in relation to A&S, but others keep pointing out that it is also a service (at least they do when it comes up on the Silver Crecent list). I'll try to post more in depth thoughts on the topic soon.

[christianet.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on your maunche!

Although you feel you do not deserve it, you do. What the heck would Games & Galliards be without games?

[mikekn]

Thanks. :)

The G&G connection is one I can't take much credit for. The event had been running for years before I got involved with it, and all I did is continue what had already been started. I'll try and post more on the topic shortly.

[baavgai.livejournal.com]

Grats on the Maunche. You do deserve it, so suck it up. In think your real quandary is how games and gaming fit into "the arts and sciences" at all. Which, it sounds to me, is a question you are more than qualified to answer.

My take, all arts and sciences are evolutionary. As historians, we try to follow that process of development to, at the very least, gain greater insight into the modern variations. Games lend to this model as well as anything else. However, in order for most games to live they have to exist in the mind of at least two people. To be of service to this area of study necessitates teaching. From what I've seen, you're good that this. I look forward to learning more games from you some time soon. :p

As to persona: you have one? Seriously, last time I asked you seemed pointedly vague. I figured were just holding at T-Tunic about 1000AD somewhere until you came up with a better line. I can help with 10th century Saxon-Norse, if needed.

[mikekn]

Oh, I put games firmly into A&S. My issues are more with my perception of what the Maunche should/could be for and what I've actually done.

As to persona: you have one? Seriously, last time I asked you seemed pointedly vague.

Hmm, that may have been at a demo. When I'm wearing my generic t-tunics I don't put emphasis on my persona (especially at demos) because the garb is just completely wrong.

My real persona has all the basics filled in (born 1532 in the city state of Augsburg), but I've not put in the research to figure out some of the details (got the books, just need the time to dig into them).

[fionawolf.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on the Maunche! Didn't know, or I would have been there. It was very nice to see you (and thanks for teaching me Shogi, I'm now addicted). I second that it was a very middle-of-the-road Pennsic, thus it ensures that the next one will be fantastic.

[mikekn]

Thanks!

I knew there was game involved there somewhere :) I couldn't remember which one when I was writing my post. By the end of war I've played and taught so many they tend to blur a bit.

[blktauna.livejournal.com]

Vivat and congratulations fellow Maunche!

[mikekn]

Thanks!

[cellio]

Congratulations on the Manche!

[mikekn]

Thanks!

[aeliakirith.livejournal.com]

Congratulations on the Maunche! And, as other people have said, I'd consider gaming an art....or a science....not sure where it fits, but it has to fall in there somewhere. And you're certainly an expert on that topic and have shared that information with many other people. So, yes, the Maunche is well-deserved.

[mikekn]

Thanks!

Congrats

[math5.livejournal.com]

On the Maunche. It is deserved. Let's not forget also the research and teaching you do :)
To be frank there was only 2 things I came to see at that court and your Mauche was one of them

Re: Congrats

[mikekn]

Thanks :)

Oh, yes, it is...

[kandy-elizabet.livejournal.com]

Several others have expressed this, but I have to pipe up too. YES, the Maunche is well deserved, and appropriate to your games work.

Research is a backbone of all of our arts and sciences -- otherwise we might as well be doing modern stuff. Without research, for instance, where would my embroidery be -- just some threads on fabric. What makes it A&S is researching historic stuff. You've contributed to that mind-set for games mightily, examining, teaching and encouraging the playing of period games; without that we might as well play Gin Rummy and Canasta at events.... :)

Re: Oh, yes, it is...

[mikekn]

Thanks.

I'm going to try and pull together a post to explain my issues a bit better. We'll see how good a job I do :)

HOMEWORK!

[dame-margarete.livejournal.com]

You just made my job much easier as I've been trying to figure out what to give you for homework from war :-) Getting that post put together, or at least discussing it with me will be part of your homework. There will be a bit more once I figure out how best to express what I'm mulling over...sounds familiar, no?

[alricthemad.livejournal.com]

Mike,
As I was told when I got my Chirurgeon Masters Stripes, you weren't worthy to decide if you were deserving or not, since you weren't part of the order. :-)
Clearly those who were worthy considered you to be. Enjoy it.
Congrats!!!!!!
Alric

[mikekn]

Thanks

Yeah, they rarely consult us for our own awards :)

Stuff

[marietta-sca.livejournal.com]

Archery - You MIT until the Marshal you're learning from feels you're ready to take "The Test".
Games Tent - I hope next year I'll be prepared for the large number of people interested in learning the bestest game in the whole wide world!!
EK Court - Maunche is also an award for *research* into arts. Gaming is an A&S activity, and you do a fair amount of research.
Allied War Party - Hm... hm... Naah, better not :)

Re: Stuff

[mikekn]

Archery - When and were does this "test" get given?
Games - Friday we had another full house for it (about 25 people)

Re: Stuff

[marietta-sca.livejournal.com]

Archery - That's Tomaloc's call as your Marshal. He really should explain all of this to you.

[jducoeur]

I actually had to go read EK Law to see what the wording was, because I do (did) not believe my work to up to Maunche "level". I could probably talk myself into believing my service to the arts is there, but my actual "arts"?

Piffle -- you're there, and then some. Yes, there is some blurriness between "*Service* to the arts" and "service to the *Arts*", but you have plenty enough skill and expertise to qualify for the arts-track side of that.

Mind, this is coming from someone else who has always straddled that line -- I was a "service Laurel" to a certain degree. From that perspective, I am very confident that you qualify.

The way I think of the "arts track" is that it is all about leadership within the arts. The person who gets only service-track awards for arts work is someone who does a lot of work to *support* the arts, but isn't really *part* of those arts. That's not you: you've done plenty of teaching and practice within the gaming field, and people have learned from and begun to follow your examples. You're not "someone who helps the gamers", you're "someone who leads the gamers". That's what the Manche is all about...

[mikekn]

Thanks :)

I've got a post in progress to try and figure out what really bothered me. I think part of it is wishing I was adding to the body of knowledge and not just spreading the knowledge around. But more on that later.

[jducoeur]

I'm more familiar with that feeling than you might understand: I was in much the same position when I got my Laurel. At that point, I had done huge service, and was a great teacher, but my skill was mediocre and my research slight. I had much the same conversation with Baron Patri that we're having now.

Only thing I can say for it is, consider it motivation. That same feeling was what led me to start taking the research side more seriously. (And was part of what drove me into games, where there is still more scope for original research than there is in the relatively established field of dance...)