From Nothing to Something...

[Conn]

In 1992 I was introduced to the SCA buy a group of new-found friends. I was fresh out of High School and tooling around my home city doing not much at all. I had time on my hands. I started going to numerous events in the Outlands where I am from. I started gathering experience and great memories; my first Outlandish..met a girl, it was Awesome!, working with a small group of people and Sir Kragon readying his land for the next Outlandish...freezing at night during a freak snowstorm at same work party...thereafter referred to as the Donner Party (jokingly)...and many, many more memories. I played heavily for a few years until I left for the Army. Played a bit there as well. Moved back to the States, played some more and eventually got married (again) and had some kids. At which point I stopped playing totally. I sold or gave away every single SCA item I had; soft kit, armour, weapons, etc. I lost my original AoA scroll. Everything. The only thing I did not give away or sell or lose was my Honor and my love of the Chivalric dream.

Recently, I found myself yearning for the feeling I get when at an SCA event. Actually a multitude of things, but mostly people being nice to each other (whether they mean it or not), people having fun fighting or cooking or listening to drums. A whole group of people looking at something, our dream, and making it a reality. So, I decide to get back into the SCA. I start research again...I have moved and am now in a new Kingdom (sort of), I need to get authorized again, I need soft kit, armour, etc. I need it all.

My wife (does not play) is pissed. "You just sold all of that stuff last year!" Yeah, yeah...I know, but I have that bug again...it must happen. She is grudgingly supportive.

I start putting it all together: armour, weapons, tent, persona, garb. I start pre-planning some vacations to match event dates, such as Estrella War. I watch more video of fighting than I knew even existed. I built a pell and actually use it. I have a drive and passion to play and am ambitious to grow, skill-wise and eventually into the realm of becoming a Peer. I want to become a Squire and learn everything I can. I tried to volunteer for various things within two Kingdoms, but have not heard anything back from anyone as of yet. Slightly disappointing and a head scratcher, nonetheless, I will re-double my efforts. This website (AA) is amazing and a recent discovery. So much information!

Not sure where this is going, but it feels as though I have come from a place of Nothing into a place of Something...

[Gaston de Clermont]

Welcome back! You may have more success volunteering in person at least until folks get to know you. Give it time. Just show up and get into the swim of things. I've never met anyone from Artemesia or the Outlands that I didn't like.

[maxntropy]

The sleeper must awaken.

Max Von Halstern

[Ogedei]

Do you have a local group? You might try getting in touch with them and look at volunteering at local events etc. Always good to meet local people. Most are happy to help, even if they come across as standoffish initially. Most are happy to share.

[Conn]

Thanks...no, there is no group near me...part of the problem I guess. Nearest one is in a new Kingdom for me (Artemisia) a little over 2 hours away. I used to play in the Outlands. But since the Artemisian Shire is the closest by far, it will do. I plan on attending 3 practices a month until Estrella War, then a bunch of smaller events this year...all with Artemisia. I was just hoping to get my foot in the door prior to me showing up out of the blue. Still no response at all to my queries. I do understand that in many ways this thing of our operates within the group dynamic, and as such, I get that communication is sparse with those you do not know personally. But...I at least was hoping to confirm that they are even holding practices at the published place and time! It is the dead of Winter here in Colorado and I just wanted to be sure before driving 4.5 hours total for a fighter practice.

[Ogedei]

Did you ever get in touch with the local group? What group is it?

[Conn]

I was able to reach the webminister for the Shire of Draca Mor, Artemisia. I will be attending several fighter practices in February and March before Estrella War. It is a long way to drive for a fighter practice (4.5 hours round-trip), but I think it will be worth it.

[twoswords]

Since you have gotten hold of one person now, perhaps an idea could be to utilize said individual to get hold of the Knights Marshal and explain that you are willing to commit, and also ask how the practices are usually built up. Explain that you are coming out of "retirement", and want to train with specific goals in mind.

[Conn]

Do you mean the local Knight marshal or the Kingdom one? Either way, I plan on discussing it with the only local peer in that Shire, a Master. He cannot authorize (apparently) but maybe he will be able to point me in the right direction. I am just trying not to show up to Estrella War un-authorized...