Rapier in Calontir?

A bit of SCA news from the Kingdom of Calontir tells me that apparently hell has frozen over along with the rest of us in this big snowstorm.

Word on the internet is that "it was announced at Court on the last Saturday at Gulf Wars that there will be a 6 month trial period for steel combat in Calontir, aka Rapier/Cut & Thrust. We will be collecting accurate information for you as it disseminates."

Huzzah to the many rogue Calontir fencers who have been waiting years for this!

And now for the Local Digital News...

It may soon be an anachronism to say that 'My Barony made the local newspaper!'

So now it's 'My Barony made the local news website!' Which it did.  I recognize lots of people in the photo gallery that accompanies the article, and the reporter has done a great job including many of the other aspects (besides heavy fighting) that make the SCA a fun game for so many non-fighters.

I am speaking, of course, of Art & Sciences! If anyone wants to view the original Outlands Map, I'll be exhibiting it, along with my scribal pigment kit and a Celtic "Argent Heart" Scroll, at this weekends' Arts and Sciences event that was mentioned in the Broomfield Enterprise news article.  So come on out and see my (and many other super-talented artists) attempt to re-create history!

The Caer Galen Arts and Sciences Exposition and Faire
Saturday, January 23rd, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
at Unity Church of Boulder, 2855 Folsom St., Boulder. 
Map of site


Site Fees:
Adult ~ $10
Youth (6-12) ~ $5
Child (5 and under) ~ free
Family Cap ~ $30 (does not include non-member surcharge)
Non-SCA member Surcharge ~ $3 per person


Need more information? Here's the complete event schedule from the Barony of Caer Galen's Website.

Voice Of America reports on Pennsic

As told from their info on YouTube; For two weeks every summer, a campground in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania is transformed into a medieval village where people dress and act as if they were living back in the middle ages. There are tournaments, musical performances and, perhaps most importantly, battles in nearby fields just for the honor and glory of it all. Our correspondent, Zorislav Baydyuk, reports on the Pennsic War -- a blend of the words Pennsylvania and Punic. Here is his report, as narrated by Julia Taboh.



If you cannot view this video due to your feed settings, please click here to watch it.

In which Wal Mart is challenged to a duel...

Verily, it has been long since I blogged. The summer, being busy time, full of events, henna and gardening leaves me not much time for collecting my thoughts and arranging them in a readable, much less funny way.

Being on Facebook also drags down my ability to blog, since I'm kind of micro-blogging there anyway. Seems like 'Facebooking' is the new way to share info, at least with the 200 friends or so who still think I'm funny.

One of my friends there linked to this Livejournal post about Walmart ripping off an SCA scribe. In the photos, it appears like they scanned an award scroll and incorporated it into medievalish design. Theories abound as to how WalMart may have acquired the scroll, and tempers are starting to flare, but many of the commenters have basically boiled it down to "challenge them to a duel."

Which would be FABULOUS marketing for the SCA. Wouldn't it be great to storm all the WalMarts of the country simultaneously? Let's do a costumed hostile takeover until this is resolved!

Just think...

We could replace the aging WalMart greeters with the customary Troll booth. Instead of "Nice to see you today" it would be, "Are you pre-registered? Not an SCA member? Would you mind signing this waiver?"

Hospitallers could help direct the confused public towards the newly medievalised departments. Squires could help the little old ladies get their heavy carts unloaded into thier cars. We could hold fighter practices there, and cries of "Have at thee, m'lord!" would echo throughout the parking lots. And let's not forget the shopping cart jousting!!

All those tacky sweatshop clothes could be replaced by garb from throughout history, and ladies-in-waiting could help shoppers into the new corsets, ruffs and dresses. There should be a whole section for "Joe T-tunic", after all, it's STILL WalMart. I would dearly, DEARLY love to see a codpiece aisle, though.

The sporting goods section would need a complete overhaul to include armor, rattan and fencing equipment. A complete line of colored duct tape, too. If there are still 1-hour photo developing services, we could re-purpose them into "1-hour Armor Repair." The whole camping section would need to be replaced with period alternatives, and a better selection of tiki torches.

You can bet the crafts section would get 100% better, as we could throw a couple of rabid Laurels in there to get rid of all the synthetic fabrics, buttons and accessories and replace them with proper silk, linens, wool, natural dyes and handmade fasteners. Heraldic displays, coming right up! But keep a couple of those "BeDazzlers" around, because they are fun!

Most of the toy section would be gone, replaced by nice wooden toys and castle building kits. Electronics? Wiped out. In fact, that would be a great location for a period arts display and heraldic consultations. The Health and Beauty section would of course turn into an apothecary/alchemist. I'm sure the aging beauty queen customers will find that sheep's dung mixed with buttermilk is JUST as effective as their $30 a bottle wrinkle cream.

The larger Walmarts might have a fast-food corner, which will of course need to be remade into a Tavern. Better watch out for those tavern brawls the fencers are so fond of stirring up. Speaking of food, 90% of the food section would have to go. Way too much processed, packaged, plastic 'food' will be replaced with more fresh vegetables, grains and fruits. And saffron! Maybe there should be a subtlety aisle for the marzipan-inclined? I'll leave that mess up to the Cooks Guild!

Oh, what fun we could have at WalMart! And, once the CEO's of WalMart get sick of this, they'd have to come down and duel us in person to get their stores back. Actually, I'm thinking larger scale war might have to be readied for, just in case we have to siege. Let's park a few catapults in the back of the parking lot too.

Rocking the Outlands, Darbuka style

So this is what I did for Memorial Day weekend. Finally got to camp again at an SCA event (Crossroads in the Barony of Caerthe) and hang out with my musical friends. Sorry about the shaky camera...I'm not too good at walking in the dark and filming at the same time.



And that's why I play in the SCA. Where else in the USA can you camp out and bellydance to live sitar, saz, qanun and drums?

Another Great SCA video from Atlantia

The Kingdom of Atlantia, Barony of Pontealto, holds the Tournament of Love and Beauty every year. This year they were visited by modern video cameras and interviewers...



Huzzah to the much higher production values than I'm used to seeing on most SCA videos! This was produced by "Push-Pause," a Verizon original production in collaboration with Michael Rosenblum's HyperLocal News Productions. Push-Pause features high-impact hyper-local news and community stories shot by trained citizen video journalists.

Top 13 signs you are at a Bad SCA Event

Apparently, these are all true. Hopefully none of these are happening to anyone at Estrella War...number 8 seems likely though. Always bring earplugs!

Top 13 Signs You are at a "Bad SCA Event" (original via the Medieval Trivia Yahoo Group)

13. As you enter the site, there is a ferocious fist fight going on. It is between the autocrat and the head cook, both female.

12. One hour after the bread and butter course is served, the kitchen staff announces that everything else is burned. And...you can smell it.

11. The special meat presentation is being carved and served cafeteria style. You are 2/3 of the way back in the line and when they serve you it is just a bone.

10. Even Mapquest.com can't find directions to the site.

9. Reservationcrat's phone number is disconnected.

8. On the event schedule - doumbek drum-off at 2 a.m.

7. Weekend cost without feast is $20 (Oh, wait, that's a sign you're at a Kingdom event).

6. Feast is being prepared by big, sweaty, hairy, shirtless guys.

5. No fighting, but there's an embroidery tournament.

4. Feast theme is "Lactose Intolerance in the Middle Ages."

3. Guy who gives you the clipboard at Troll insists on a kiss after he reads you your license plate number.

2. Earl Marshall makes you wear plastic bags over your shoes.

1. Site token is a flea and tick collar.

Massive museum photo collection

I learned a lesson today: one should not clicketh too many interesting links whilst at work. Especially ones that involve SCAdian museum visits.

I teased my eyeballs with just a few images from Racaire's beautiful Flickr museum gallery earlier, and counted the clock until I could leave. Now that I'm home, I'm sitting down for a long spell.

Here's one of her many galleries full of amazing artifacts, objects and images of the past:



Got some time? Good. Peruse all of Racaire's museum Flickr galleries - they are truly a wonderful gift to us anachronists...

Vintage Pennsic 18 battle footage

I hadn't yet heard of the SCA, in 1989, when this footage was taken of a couple of battles at Pennsic 18. Posted to YouTube by Skutai, he has some newer Pennsic footage as well. And a rather disturbing Spore creature...

Reliving Chivalry

Reliving Chivalry is a multimedia class project from UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism. The birthplace of the SCA, Berkeley is located in the West Kingdom. Huzzah and well done!

Tasty Estrella War XXIV videos

YouTube offers up more delicious morsels of Estrella war, each with a distinctly different flavor. Don't skip dessert!


This video by spencerosborne looks like a trailer for a hopefully longer project. There is a link on the video page to their website where there are longer videos for sale.



This video by VickiCollins has tons of Outlanders and cameos by some Darbukans playing the War Wagon. I thought the soundtrack was the War Wagon up until it switched to jazz. I must say that's the first time I've ever heard jazz used in an SCA video, but it's better than death metal!



Now THIS video is special. Taken by zellykat, it is a bit of the Bawdy Bardic Concert, and features Wolgemuts' version of Stairway To Heaven, accompanied by a large dancing rabbit. Being the "Bawdy" Bardic, this material may be unsuitable for children.

Two fighting videos from Estrella War 2008

If you listen close you can hear the drums of the War Wagon...

...and pick out a bunch of Outlanders!




Thanks, echalberg! Welcome to YouTube...

Get your Outlands history in bardic poetry style!

It has been mentioned yet AGAIN that I should write a book. I replied 'that is why I blog, I'm too lazy to write a book.' Committing short thoughts to digital media is probably a thousand times easier than trying to hold down a plot anyway...

Then I thought about the time and words I've invested in this site, and yes, I could have written a book instead. Or maybe two, if they were short. Why not?

I thought about what to write. Now, a publisher isn't going to touch *NSTIW stories, or a detailed account of my life, however interesting it seems to be. Just not sellable. Good thing finding a source for printing or publishing isn't the nightmare it used to be, back in the dark ages before the internet arrived.

Now, there are 'online on demand' printing services like Lulu.com, where anyone can self-publish their own works. I have created a profile and then, I immediately turned to searching their catalog for relevant keywords, so that I would know the quality or existence of other works such as I would write.

Considering it would be poems, songs or anecdotal humor about the SCA, I didn't figure there would be much competition.

Lo and behold a mighty Bard has beat me to it:

Guernen Sang It: King Arthur’s Raid on Hell and other poems: A First Collection of Poems for the Current Middle Ages

and

Guernen Sang Again: Pryderi’s Pigs and other poems: A Second Collection of Poems from the Current – and Past – Middle Ages

are both available as a free PDF download, but you can also purchase them as a real paper BOOK for less than $8 each.

These are some of the greatest stories of the Outlands, and even if you know nothing of the Kingdom or its people, you can clearly see the glory rising off these poems like a heat-haze in the deserts of Atenveldt.

I am already outdone before I begin!! Sneaky bards.

*"No $#!T there I was", which is a common opening line to many SCA stories. This is much like "Once upon a Time..." so that you know you are about to hear a fairy-tale. There is usually some suspension of disbelief required for stories that start with NSTIW.

Estrella War 2008 videos have begun...

Videos from Estrella War 2008 are starting to appear on YouTube! Huzzah!

This one is shaky in places, but the opening charge on the trash barrel has got to be the best tactical maneuver I've ever seen.




Then there's this short but sweet battle clip...

OK, OK I'll do it! Attack of the SCA meme.

I swear I've been sent this at least 10 times, so I'm getting the hint that people want to know more about my SCA lifestyle and history. Well, here goes...

1. What is your SCA Name?
Currently, it is Jinan al-Hedaya. (pronounced ji-NAYN al huhDIEuh) It means Garden of Gifts, which I think is a nice way to say I'm multi-talented.

I did not always have this name: I was once a Celt. Changing personas from Celtic to Middle Eastern was difficult, as I wanted the name to be phonetically similar to my first one, so people wouldn't have a hard time adapting to it. My original name in the SCA was Brenainn (pronounced briNAYN). My early last names included "ni Brandubh" and "Lamfhada".

Some people will forever call me Brenainn, which is a constant reminder of why one should never find persona names from a D&D sourcebook.

2. What time and where do you portray?
Most of my event time is spent with Darbuka, a middle eastern household whose purpose seems to revolve around drumming, music and dancing, though we also do quite a bit of lounging around on pillows. We don't have a particular 'time period' or place that is enforced. Most onlookers think us gypsy nomads, a melting pot of desert cultures and costume. My garb closet is heavy on the ghawazees and shalwar, with a few tassels and veils. But I have costumes ranging from Roman togas to Elizabethan, so I can blend well in many time periods.

Sometimes I'm Cavalier, when I want to fence. It's tremendously difficult to fence in flowing desert robes and veils, so that's my SCA alter ego, though that one doesn't have a separate name. Yet.

3. In plain English describe your device.
I have toyed with device ideas for years, but never actually submitted one. I have on several occasions consulted with heralds, but it seems everything I want is already taken. I am leaning towards flying camels now though. Is that an allowable charge? Should be.

4. How long have you been in the SCA?
I joined in 1993, so right around 15 years, give or take a few months. Apparently, you have to be in the SCA more than 20 years to call yourself 'older than dirt'.

5. Do you have any special titles you have earned?
Order of the Dragons' Blood (a Baronial Arts award) and Order of the Flower of the Desert (Outlands Grant of Arms for Arts) which means I can place the initials THL before my name and be referred to as an "Honorable Lady". Heh. That still makes me chuckle.

6. What kingdom and local group do you belong to?
The Barony of Caer Galen in the Outlands is what I write on the forms at troll, but I hardly ever make it out of Darbuka camp, unless there's some fencing going on or a big sale at Merchant's Row.

7. Do you have preferred colors for your SCA Persona?
Red and black for dancing, and green for fencing. Oh, excuse me, gules and sable and vert.

8. What is your war that you look forward to going to every year?
Glory War (in the Outlands) is awesome. It's not really on the Known World radar yet, but I think it's going to become the next Estrella War for us midlanders. Pennsic and Estrella are both great fun, but I just can't afford to travel to them anymore.

9. Do you hold any offices?
No, and I likely never will. I hate paperwork.

10. Favorite memory from an event?
In fifteen years you want me to pick ONE??!! If you are just looking for a NSTIW story, try reading about my first event, Pennsic.

11. Are you a fighter? What kind?
As I mentioned, I fence occasionally. Probably should do that more often. I tried heavy once, but my little birdy bones break too easy.

12. Are you crafty (making things)?
That *is* why I have two Arts awards...I've made scrolls, maps, costumes, and various other items, but lately I've been slacking creatively. I'm starting to pick up Henna again as an artistic outlet. Some of you will remember me disappearing from the SCA for a few years, when I was doing Henna for living. I'm not going to get back into it THAT much.

13. Do you teach classes at events?
I used to, many years ago, on Celtic subjects, and once or twice about Henna.

14. Do you play instruments at events?
If I'm exceptionally drunk I might pick up a drum and pound it until someone begs me to stop.

15. Do you dance at events?
Apparently not often enough, but I have been known to get out on the carpets and shake a bit. Again this is something I used to do *much* more often than I do now.

16. Do you feel that there is enough flirting and chivalrous behavior in the SCA?
I don't see too much flirting in my camp, but I can recall a time in the Barony of Dragonsspine when flirting was a given part of EVERY event. Cloven fruits and court dances like "Heartsies" or "Hole in the Wall" are a great way to get flirting going at an event, but I generally don't involve myself in open flirting as it's uncomfortable for me to do when I'm not single.

As for chivalrous behavior, there can never be too much of that. In fifteen years, I've seen chivalry take a backseat to some other less savory behaviors, but I guess everyone has their own game within the SCA, so I don't let it trouble me too much.

17. Are you a "Black Hat" or a "White Hat"?
I have a black cavalier hat, but does that mean I'm on the side of evil? Black goes with everything! White hats show the Outlands dirt too much anyway.

18. What is one of the reasons you've remained in the SCA?
It contains about 95% of my social circle. And I need a place to wear all this garb I've collected. Since there's a dress code at work and all...

19. What peerage(s) do you aspire to?
I once thought I'd like to be a Laurel, and then I learned how early the morning meetings are at events. You want me to be not only awake, but alert at 9 AM at a camping event? HAHAHAAAHAAHAA!

There are many, many gentles in the SCA who think I am a Laurel, though, and I still get the title ascribed to me occasionally. If you call me "Mistress" at an event, I will politely correct you.

I was close to getting my Laurel once, years ago, when I was doing lots of scrolls, singing and sewing. Then I had the idea that I would move back to the east coast. I was told I would be Laureled before I left, like a 'parting gift'. But when the King at the time (who shall remain nameless) learned I had changed my mind and decided to stay in the Outlands, he changed his mind, too. Apparently, he just wanted to impress the East Kingdom with my status. I'll never accept Laurel unless it is on my own merit, and not the political machinations of some shiny hat.

20. Who was Crown when you joined the SCA?
I'm not sure, as I did not meet any upper Royalty for many months. I think it was Lief and Elisheva, though.

21. If you are a Peer, who was the Crown that elevated you?
I am not a Peer, but there are many who think I am. Again, I am NOT a Laurel.

22. Have you lived in more than 1 kingdom and which ones?
Outlands born and raised, baby!

23. Have you helped found a group?
I started the MySpace SCA group. Does that count?

24. Have you had any house affiliations?
I was, in the beginnings of my SCA life, involved with Corvus Aurorae in the Barony of Dragonsspine. I was also adopted at a long ago Pennsic by Clan MacDeth, and I can also walk into a NightWolf camp without too much trouble. I don't know if that is an actual 'affiliation', or just the fact that I'm a redhead and their leader seems to put up with me when I visit.

I also carry the favor of Happy Clan, where I was named "Kermit" for my extraordinary stage management skill, or maybe the fact that I look and act like a Muppet.

My current household is Darbuka, which is spread out over the Outlands and some other Kingdoms as well. So if you hear the sounds of drums on the night breeze, it could be one of us!

Well, now, wasn't that enlightening? All that writing made me hungry. It's long past my lunchtime....

The SCA in SL

So I've just attended my first virtual SCA gathering in Second Life. I happened upon it accidentally when a couple of the SCA in SL group members started instant messaging each other about an event that was taking place in a few minutes, and my account is set to deliver all group messages, so I asked and was invited.

Pretty hospitable, just like the real SCA. Huzzah!

The gathering took place on a store roof, which had been converted into a large field with a tourney eric and some nice colorful tents. A circle of viking chairs around a toasty fire completed the scene. A screen of trees protected us from the virtual mundanity below.

There were just four of us, and we traded some ideas for marketing the virtual SCA group, chatted a bit about our respective real life kingdoms and eventually the topic turned to NSTIW stories.

ANd it struck me: I have experienced my first virtual NSTIW story, while sitting around a virtual fire, drinking virtual mead, and virtually 'LOLing'.

Ironic. And sort of creepy. I wonder if there will ever be virtual tournaments? Or A&S contests?

They are hoping to attract more SCA members to the virtual world, especially fighters. Yes, I know that it's not like fighting in real life, but seriously, in SL you can launch yourself out of a catapult and fear no harm. Now, wouldn't THAT make a great battle scenario?

So if you have a Second Life account and are looking for other SCA members, log in and search for the SCA in SL group. As of now, they are meeting on Thursday nights, which knowing the SCA, is likely to change at some point in the future.

By The Sword

Well, a plethora of SCA documentaries have surfaced since the last time I searched...this one is all about the fighting it seems!

King Thor of Long Island

Can you handle MORE?? Yes, it is a SERIES. Watch them all here!

"King Thor of Long Island is a reality/documentary hybrid series focusing on King Thor who runs a medieval fantasy group full of colorful, strange and interesting characters. Throughout the series, Jim, (AKA Thor) deals with the trials and tribulations of his new queens’ coronation, the strained inter-kingdom relations with a rival king, and the possible demise of his own kingdom. Jim works tirelessly to keep his small fringe group entacted. Throughout this 8 part series, everyone will be taken on an unbelievable journey into this alter-world of fun, games, drama and fantasy. Once you tune in, you won’t want to leave the Kingdom of Avalon!"

What is your SCA clothing style?

Another test! Terribly accurate, too...

What Is Your SCA Clothing Style?

You Are Middle Eastern! You shun European clothing and customs as marks of the Infidels. Either that, or you live in the West Kingdom and it's more of a necessity to cope with the summer heat than it is anything else... Still, there's lots of cool stuff about the various cultures of the Middle East during the scope of the SCA that attracts you to this persona. From the music, to dance, to the food, you've got it all!
Take this quiz!








Quizilla |
Join

| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

Pennsic 36 Playlist

It appears that even with all the rain at Pennsic 36, some people still found time to take videos. And LOTS of them. This playlist is only a small selection of what can be found on YouTube right now.