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fungasm -> Ex-SCA Anonymous (6/7/2008 4:30:18 PM)

Hi, my name used to be Alise the Lost Wench and I *used* to be in the SCA.

Somewhere between those who would take all the fun out of it- and those for whom this was the only fun in their lives; it wasn't for me anymore.

I can see from tangents in other posts I'm not alone... Care to share?

Ali



Alumbrado -> RE: Ex-SCA Anonymous (6/7/2008 4:31:34 PM)

The only thing stopping you from going to any SCA event and having all the fun you want, is the glares from the 2 types you mentioned above.

Once I decided (very early on) that the only thing the SCA had to offer that I wanted, was the fun, I didn't let them get in my way... much to their eternal heartburn.




Irishknight -> RE: Ex-SCA Anonymous (6/7/2008 4:43:25 PM)

My experience with the SCA was short and annoying.  I had just gotten out of the navy and had been part of a live steel fighting group for about 2 years.  I attended my first fighter practice and, due to practicing with steel, pulled my blows out of habit.  After the third arrogant jerkoff started in on me with his mouth, I proceeded to pound him.  I beat every fighter at the pracvtice one right after the other and then they still wanted to talk trash.  I tossed the wooden sword on the ground and told them to call me when they learned either manners or how to fight.  I never got the call.
I was working an event a couple of years later and they were mouthing off to one of my fighters.  Another friend, who had shared a similar experience with these guys, and I walked over and they got really quiet.  They weren't very good fighters but they had some awesome memories.



Alumbrado -> RE: Ex-SCA Anonymous (6/7/2008 4:56:27 PM)

Our local group has some of the fighters in the SCA who do not match the model you describe... and they are really nice people, very charitable about admitting they have been scored upon, helpful to new people trying to adjust to the SCA style etc.

Two of them are known as 'Duke (or King) at will', because they are so good at actually using a stick... Oddly enough, they seem to have no need to talk the trash that the rest of the 'hefty fighters' talk in lieu of skills.

I used to get my fun by asking the rest of the fighters why they persisted in doing everything exactly the opposite of these 2 obviously skilled veteran fighters - or even people from outside the SCA like the Dog Brothers.

The replies were generally along the lines of 'That's just crazy talk!'.[:D]  (Sort of like I get here when I bring up inconvenient questions).

But the whole purpose of the SCA was not supposed to be winning at any cost in competitions to be the best at something...it was supposed to be about having the most fun doing something out of the ordinary.

Some folks still live that dream, others devote enormous amounts of time to pursuing a nightmare.



Irishknight -> RE: Ex-SCA Anonymous (6/7/2008 4:59:16 PM)

It might be worth the 2 hour drive to meet them some day.



CruelDesires -> RE: Ex-SCA Anonymous (6/7/2008 5:46:32 PM)

I attend the local fight practice/meets on occasion. I just don't really fit in. Never have. *shrugs*

CD



CalifChick -> RE: Ex-SCA Anonymous (6/7/2008 9:08:57 PM)

My SCA time started when I lived "downtown" in a huge kingdom, in the largest barony in the kingdom.  There were camping events every weekend of the month for most months.  If you didn't like one group, there was another in under an hour's drive.

Then I moved to the far edge of another kingdom, in a small barony (population numbers), and while it was a big adjustment (one or two camping events a year), I had fun for a while.  Then the politics and "inbreeding" got so ridiculous that in order to escape "those types of people", I would have had to drive at least four hours to go to a one-day event.  I did it a few times, but I lost my enthusiasm for it and just gave up. 

My gowns are in a portable closet in my garage, my camping and feast gear is packed up in the garage, and my inkle loom is in my bedroom closet.

Cali



Leatherist -> RE: Ex-SCA Anonymous (6/7/2008 9:12:30 PM)

I eventually got tired of people who seemed to think thier petty titles and awards were "real".

Pretty much the same as I have contempt for the trekkie "twue masters n slaves" here.



DomAviator -> RE: Ex-SCA Anonymous (6/7/2008 9:39:46 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Leatherist

I eventually got tired of people who seemed to think thier petty titles and awards were "real".

Pretty much the same as I have contempt for the trekkie "twue masters n slaves" here.


Leatherist raised an interesting point. I assume the "Trekkies" his is referring to are the Gonnereahns? Some of them take it a bit far.... I mean ya know, different strokes for different folks and all but when you bring your wife to your kids school on a leash, have her sit on the floor, and answer the teachers questions in the third person and only when told she may speak - ya kind of gotta expect that the teacher is gonna call CPS and that the other parents are not going to look favorably on their kid associating with yours... My ex -wife the teacher, was not just vanilla but also a feminist bitch, so you can only imagine how her interaction with the cagedera went...  I never read the books so I dont know much about them - but I know I like Star Trek, I even own a Starfleet uniform (dont ask I have a thing for nerd girls), but I know Im not really Captain Kirk... LOL



IronBear -> RE: Ex-SCA Anonymous (6/7/2008 10:45:03 PM)

I left simply because after I moved from Western Australia to Queensland and after I had retired from Security which took my evenings and weekends as 2ic of the company and doing all the armed work, Neets and I contacted the local SCA where we were wellcomed untill:
  1. They were faced with an (at the time) a 56 year old man with a disability on one led who had a long and good reputation in other states wanting to reauthorise for heavy combat
  2. I am married to a lady 30 years younger.
We were cold shouldered and told no one would agree to fight with me or authorise me. We both contacted all the SAC groups within a resonacle driving distance with the same attitude. I spoke tp the local barony officials and then to Kingdom but as I was told, if members feel strongly aboiut the age difference between my wife and I and believed I was too old to be a fighter, there was nothing legally they could do.. We still attend the odd event as visitors and are by friends invited to feasts but it has lost much of it's fun. Were we to move back to Western Australia I'm told we'd be welcomed with open arms.

Iron Bear
Master of Bruin Cottage
(A Victorian Lifestyle poly home)

"I judge a Man by what I see him do and not by what others tell me he does." (Captain Sir Edward Pellew of the HMS Indefatigable to Midshipman Hornblower ~ C.S. Forrester)



Vendaval -> RE: Ex-SCA Anonymous (6/7/2008 11:10:58 PM)

Hello fungasm,
 
I have several friends who are and have been in the SCA.  Every once in a great while I will attend one of their events.  My two problems with the organization are -
 
#1 obsession with titles and politics
#2 people who spend all their free time and money on SCA events and do not take care of their real world needs
 
Like a few have mentioned previously, go and have fun if you want. If possible, find a group with less of the politics and bitching within a reasonable distance.
 
 
Iron Bear -
 
I have no idea why the age difference between you and Lady Neets would have any relevance to joining an SCA group.  It is terrible that the Queensland group behaved so poorly.



fungasm -> RE: Ex-SCA Anonymous (6/7/2008 11:22:48 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Vendaval

Like a few have mentioned previously, go and have fun if you want. If possible, find a group with less of the politics and bitching within a reasonable distance.


Sorry pet-

Neither "country proverb nor king's command" could get me back in.  I loved  a lot of people I met there.  But between the "Voices of Authenticity" | the "Society of Consenting Adults" Folk | the "no flirting" dowagers and the "It's okay if I'm only a secretary at work, I'm a Queen in the SCA" folk, it's not what I am looking for. 

If you enjoy it, brilliant. 

Edited to make point.



Vendaval -> RE: Ex-SCA Anonymous (6/7/2008 11:26:13 PM)

I think you misunderstood.  The 2 problems mentioned keep me from attending SCA events except on very rare occasions, like a fighting or dance demonstration.



bashfulhuck -> RE: Ex-SCA Anonymous (6/7/2008 11:47:21 PM)

I've been a proud member of the SCA now for 14 years. Like anyother large body of people, there are good and bad in it.
I've been a heavy fighter for the entire time I've been in, and have learned so much from the people I choose to call friend in the Society. I have also learned alot from those I don't particularly like at all.
I don't let other's obssessions with titles stand in my way of having fun, I don't allow other's obssessions with the SCA above all else, including real life get in my way, and I've learned that the only fighters out there that talk trash are those without any skill whatsoever to back it up.
A huge part of the Code of Chivalry, which I choose to try to live my life by, is to be humble, merciful and charitable. I've been most blessed by living in a great Kingdom, one full of extremely talented artisans, some of the best fighters in the Known World, Knights that truly know the Virtues of a Chivalric life, great teachers, and truly loving and friendly people.
One thing I have noticed is that every Kingdom has it's own culture. Some Kingdoms are more friendly and open than others can be.
I'm sorry to each of you that has had bad experiences within the SCA, and if you ever decide you want to truly see what the Dream can be about, and want to have a seriously great time, you just come up here to the Seattle area. I would most joyously host you, and try to show you just a little bit about how great the SCA truly can be when you are around people that truly care, and want to show others the joy and happiness they've found.
I've learned so much about being a submissive in the SCA, simply because I am a Squire to a Knight, and am in Fealty to the Crown. I have also served as Captain of the Queen's Guard, and been Champion to my Baroness 3 times, so placing myself on bended knee before people of higher rank has taught me so much that I can take with me into my life as a submissive. For me, being a submissive isn't about the pain or the sex (although those things are nice), it's about the happiness I feel when I am allowed to serve another, to bend myself to their will and not my own.
Again, I deeply apologize to any of you that have had bad experiences in the SCA, and invite you to come to my Kingdom anytime you wish, and I will guarentee you the warmest of hospitality, the finest of food, and the merriest of laughter.

With Sincerity and deep respect,
the bashful one



Alumbrado -> RE: Ex-SCA Anonymous (6/7/2008 11:55:14 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Vendaval

Iron Bear -
 
I have no idea why the age difference between you and Lady Neets would have any relevance to joining an SCA group.  It is terrible that the Queensland group behaved so poorly.


Apparently they used to operate under an entirely different set of rules Down Under,,, now they seem to  follow Corpora, and the kingdom level Marshal would have to find a 'just and stated cause' ( i.e. one that wouldn't get them sued), for denying an authorization.



hizgeorgiapeach -> RE: Ex-SCA Anonymous (6/8/2008 12:35:31 AM)

Ya know - for the 24 years that I've played in the SCA, I was never titled, not even a simple aoa.  And yet, during the majority of that time, the folks that I hung out with were titled and several of them were along the lines of what Alumbrado mentioned - Duke "king when he wants ta be, he's taking some time off right now" types.  Hell, even the name that I'm known by here - Rhi - is a shortened form of the name I originally took as my main SCA persona, Rhianna, 25 years ago as of this past March.  Since I took that as a use name during my late teens, it's been with me for a long time, and has become more than just my old SCA name by a long shot.  For more than a decade I was known in this area as one of the Ansteorran Dwarf Moms.  (Long story - ask me privately if you Really wanna know lol)  I've been a merchant, a belly dancer, a tavern wench.  I've autocrated and feastocrated.  (Not easy having a unique gourmet meal for 150 people ready to go when they're ready to eat, with no modern kitchen, keeping the hot food hot but not overcooked and the cold food cold and not spoiled from Oklahoma summer heat!)  I learned a lot - some of it completely useless, some of it provided me with both a past profession and my current profession.  (Yep, I learned my profession as a Hobby thanks to an SCA  A&S demo nearly 20 years ago!)  I've made friends that are still with me almost 25 years later - whom I know I can count on to be there at the drop of a hat regardless of what's going on in their own lives, if I need them to be there for me.  I found unconditional love, acceptance as I am not as someone wanted me to Become, and comraderie almost unparalled.  I also found the same things that are found in EVERY group made from a diverse collection of humanity - ego, pride, greed, selfishness, self worth issues that caused bullies and control freaks.  Fortunately they were a lot fewer than the people that I still cherish the friendship and good times with.
 
I quit attending events regularly because my 10 yr old's father was vehemently (and Violently) opposed to me attending anything associated with the SCA.  He absolutely didn't approve of the friends I had there (mainly because they weren't hand picked by him, so he couldn't trust them to spy on me and tell him what he Wanted to hear).  He was to obsessed with things like online RP set in the far future to have any interest in History - and openly showed scorn for those who took interest in anything other than what HE prefered.   It took me some time, several bumps along the road of life, and rediscovering some of the things that I honestly Enjoy that I'd set aside for the sake of others' preferences - but I managed to start going to events again as a means of pure escapism and stress relief during the past couple of years.  (Hey, sometimes in life a gal has simply Got to have a way to escape for a couple of days!)
 
I have a Lot of fond memories of various events I attended - local, kingdom, and known worlde.  I spent my 30th birthday in Washington state along the Washington/Oregon border with about 80,000 Other people, celebrating the SCA's 30th birthday at the same time.  Some of the best parties I've been to were around the campfires at SCA events - whether bardic circles, drum circles, or simply a bunch of us sitting around getting completely snockered and making fun of each other.  Some of my most memorable Nights have been due to Knights in the SCA (and the main reason they're Memorable is because of how Little I can actually Remember LMAO)
 
I enjoy it, I've got a lot of fond memories of it, but it has never Consumed me any more than anything Else in my life has been allowed to Consume me.  I strive for Balance. Hell, I don't even consider BDSM a "lifestyle" thing with me, because THAT is obsessive and overboard to my thinking just as much as the SCA can be for those who Allow it to be.  Those friends that I could call at any point if I needed them - we have Other intersts in common besides Just the SCA, and we hang out together at times and places besides SCA events.  I may have met them there - but that isn't what our deep and abiding friendships are based on.



switchtosub -> RE: Ex-SCA Anonymous (6/8/2008 12:36:07 AM)

I have been in the SCA since 1980, in the Mid and East Kingdoms, done everything from merely observe to organize, A&S stuff, fencing, archery, garb making, ad nauseum. Anything you can do without a "name." I've spent 28 years studiously avoiding getting any kind of award or official AoA. It's more fun for me that way. The SCA is what you make of it. Personally, I can't stand the Authenticity Police who won't let you into the feast if you're not garbed in the current royalty's period. The self-important puffed-up cockerels all seem to be some kind of fighter. I recall in particular a group of officious fencing marshalls in downstate NY who were so full of themselves they actually injured a new fencer who was trying to authorize, and she couldn't fight for six months. That's unforgiveable in those who are responsible for seeing that everyone else plays safely.

But nearly everyone I've met From America's midwest to the east coast has been warm, wonderful, accepting of lifestyle choices, polite, gracious and well educated. Where else can you find ten-year-old kids who can accurately quote Shakespeare before breakfast? Who else will loan you a beer so you can brush your teeth because there's no drinkable water?

My current household group are a bunch of ribald Vermonters who refuse to take themselves or the SCA too seriously and take every opportunity to poke fun. Yeah, it gets to be tiring sometimes, but they're a riot at an event. And they are always looking for more people who need to get out and have some serious fun.

And *that* is what I like best about the SCA. Always willing to teach, to accept, to help and explain.

Cesira Blackwork, Scourge of Lake Champlain



slaveboyforyou -> RE: Ex-SCA Anonymous (6/8/2008 1:17:57 AM)

quote:

 I never read the books so I dont know much about them


You're not missing anything, Aviator.  I read a few of them out of curiosity, and I still don't understand the fascination with them.  The books are written at around the 5th grade level.  I am not joking about that.  Seriously, they are just absolute moronic pieces of shit.  I am saying this from the perspective of someone that is a pulp literature and B-grade sci-fi and horror film fanatic.  So that should give you a clue how bad they are.  John Norman basically ripped off the Edgar Rice Burroughs novels about Mars and added sado-masochism to them.   Different strokes as you said, but holy jumpin' Jesus some people just take shit too far. 




Najakcharmer -> RE: Ex-SCA Anonymous (6/8/2008 1:29:47 AM)

I enjoyed the SCA while I was growing up, but when I moved to the East (Florida and North Carolina) the only chapters near me treated new folks like they had the plague, so I said "fuck it" and moved over to become a LARP boffer fighter so I could get my gaming and exercise on at the same time.  



IronBear -> RE: Ex-SCA Anonymous (6/8/2008 3:17:22 AM)

Ohh it's  not just the SCA who have problems with the age difference here, it is spread right accross Australia. We've been cold shouldered in a nukmber of social groups as well as costing me business as a counsellor. Certainly in the UK, Europe, Middle East and Asia such age diferences are mor the norm and in some traditions the custom. But y'see you decades there has been a national focus on youth and the worship of all things young to the exclusion of the older folk. The other reason for the local SCA I'm told is the same for being outgcast in the Pagan/Wiccan Community here, is two fold, I am not a born Queensland and thus I'm a foreigner and thus not to be accepted, and then there is the cazse with the Wiccan community, I was a founding member of the original Covan in perth and was known Australia wide (recognised and welcomed everywhere except Queensland). It appears that the local group leaders think I'll steal their thunder. SCA wise I just happen to be friends with many of the old school and well respected fighters some have been princes and later kings and most are knights.   I guess no one like the chance of some new bloke lobbing in and beating the local hero.. In my book anyone well seasomned and experienced, would be welcomed with open arms for they have a lot to teach....Like the Pagan Communities here, as the old farts retire, die out or relocate interstate the young bloods have no respecrt for those who have done the hard yards and helped develop things which thew current herd now use and take for granted.. Such is life I guess. me? I shut my doors and bunker up till my wealth is such that we can and probably will (providing my parents in law remain in good health), do what many of the old folk are doing....Migrating to places in other countries where the system looks after the elderly and there is a better system.... 

Iron Bear
Master of Bruin Cottage
(A Victorian Lifestyle poly home)

"I judge a Man by what I see him do and not by what others tell me he does." (Captain Sir Edward Pellew of the HMS Indefatigable to Midshipman Hornblower ~ C.S. Forrester)




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