The Pennsic Obsession
May. 26th, 2002 10:42 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
anotheranonI was realizing earlier that if I want to do some period-style fencing, I would do well to get my butt in gear - my last modern fencing class is winding up in June and won't start up again until September so it would be a good time to play with this.
Problem (? if it is a problem - maybe it's just me) is that at this time of year every SCA group is primarily focused on preparations for Pennsic War, the huge 2 week 10,000 person event that takes place every year in rural PA somewhere. Which is great - it just means that I will get barraged with exhortations about how I should go, how I MUST go, and doubtless every rapier practice around will be enraptured with the idea of the duels (tourneys? still not up on SCA lingo) that will happen at Pennsic. And all I want to do is fence a few bouts.
Which is great - for them. Every single SCAdian I've met in the past year and a half has been just fantastically nice, open, giving, willing to help out a newbie like nobody's business. But I am tired of hearing about Pennsic, and here is why:
It's sad - I'd like to enjoy the SCA but it seems like you have to dedicate every last second of free time and $ to it to really get anything out of it.
Problem (? if it is a problem - maybe it's just me) is that at this time of year every SCA group is primarily focused on preparations for Pennsic War, the huge 2 week 10,000 person event that takes place every year in rural PA somewhere. Which is great - it just means that I will get barraged with exhortations about how I should go, how I MUST go, and doubtless every rapier practice around will be enraptured with the idea of the duels (tourneys? still not up on SCA lingo) that will happen at Pennsic. And all I want to do is fence a few bouts.
Which is great - for them. Every single SCAdian I've met in the past year and a half has been just fantastically nice, open, giving, willing to help out a newbie like nobody's business. But I am tired of hearing about Pennsic, and here is why:
- I'm VERY new to this whole thing - given my slacking I've been a member for nearly a year and a half and still haven't been to that many events. I don't know too many people.
- The kindness is just overwhelming! I've had offers of sharing camps with folks and people who are willing to loan tents, etc. - from people I've just met. Could be just me but it's almost too open - the "I don't trust any club that would have me as a member" thing.
- I've never been regular camping, let alone camping in period clothing and all the extras that entails. I am not sure I want to lay out the $ for tent, tools, etc. when I'm a plumbing and air conditioning aficionado who would probably totally miss the appeal of sleeping with the mosquitoes.
- If I plan to have anything resembling non-SCA interests, there is no way I'd be able to make/buy/something the necessary clothing and neverending list of necessities by August.
It's sad - I'd like to enjoy the SCA but it seems like you have to dedicate every last second of free time and $ to it to really get anything out of it.
