Combined Meme Answers!
I think this is the rest of the questions - ask away if anyone else wants to.
For bronx_baroness
1) If you could walk away from your house how much money would it take to convince you to do so?
To up and walk away today, probably $2 million. I’m not particularly wedded to this house - it’s really too big for me to take care of properly, and when the kidlets take flight, we won’t need the space. We have been working on a statement of requirements for the next house.
2) Where did you meet your beloved?
At a Disclave (local science fiction convention) in 1975 where Markland had a hospitality suite. Perfect combination of our 2 major interests.
3) Name one thing you would change about the world.
Eliminate environmental/resource problems.
4) Tell me about one skill that you don't already possess that should be granted to you for life.
I’ve said drawing before, but having the self discipline to effectively pursue my goals, with out frittering away time or sabotaging my efforts.
5) What did you want to be when you grew up?
I found a certain romance in being a scientist doing Important Work. Then again, there was stage acting, but I really didn’t have the talent.
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Answers for laruse
1. How did you find your way into the SCA?
This whole story is germaine - I promise.
I started in Markland (then the Maryland Medieval Mercenary Militia) in 1971 when I started college. Mwyrkwuld (now kinda Bright Hills) was a fairly new barony at the time - I think. The concept of medievalism was sufficiently unique that we would run into one another. There were some cultural conflicts, Markland was very externally oriented, while the SCA is pretty much internally oriented. Some ill feeling developed when some Scadians informed Atli that “Of *course* you are going to join us.” Bad move. So, for several years we would run into each other but each group had this feeling of superiority over the other, while it was all a matter of outlook and organizational goals. I did go to Pensic 2, and found this alien culture fascinating. {G}. After a particularly rough interaction at an event that both organizations were invited to, a small group decide that a bridge group was needed to explain one group to the other. This was a mixed group of Marklanders and Scadians traveling back from the event on our van. Rorik and I received out AOAs for This work.
Fast forward a few years - we were very active in Markland, both serving on the board for a while. Then Gosling#1 came along. Once she was mobile, we realized that Markland was still very much a college/singles group, and not very accommodating of children. The SCA was. Since we did belong to both groups, we slowly switched to primarily Scadian activities. So, in a long winded way, I started visiting the SCA over 35 years ago, with increasing amounts of involvement.
2. What are your thoughts on an Atlantian Principality? What about a Southern one versus a Northern one?
I am in favor of smaller kingdoms on an economic basis. I worked out that we reported to the IRS that we had 10,000 miles of deductible travel. At $4 a gallon and the milage in our smaller car, that works up to at least $1600. We just can’t afford that much now. We *have* friends in the southern part of the kingdom. We do still want to keep playing together. But it is getting increasingly difficult.
3. What aspect of being a Landed Baroness have you enjoyed the most?
Seeing people getting awards, and being responsible for their joy. And sitting up close and personal with the Royalty isn’t too shabby either to see what is happening at court.
4. Can you tell me about the Goose?
Ah - Frederic. Rorik’s arms are a grey goose in flight. When I was pregnant with Gosling#1, we were at a science fiction convention, and wandered into a local store that had stuffed puppets. There, int eh middle of a whole bunch of barnyard white geese, was this single grey goose. We bought it ‘for the baby’ Right. Now, Rorik is known as ‘the goose guy’. He is a great conversation starter, because how dangerous is a great big guy carrying a puppet? He got really good at manipulating Frederic, and a number of people have even thought he was alive. Now it’s habit and to some extent expected that we will bring him along. The kids even refer to him as their older brother. I found it amusing that some of the populace were worried about Frederic. We were told that we had an overwhelming affirmative polling. They knew who Rorik was when they voted, what made them think he was going to change. But we are aware of our position. Fred is not an active participant at any court and we did reassure the royalty that *we* were their representatives, not the goose.
Sometime ask Rorik to tell the story of Frederic being the agent of a miracle - a real one, not made up.
5. If you could go anywhere on vacation, with time and money being no object, where would you go and why?
We have had the very good fortune to visit several countries already. I want to go on a very extended world tour. I want to visit all the major and minor cultures. And I want a time machine to visit some that have been mostly destroyed or are too dangerous, such as parts of the Middle East.
>
And now for molly_world
1) Now that your children are flying the coop, what goals/interests are you now finding time for?
We nervously left them on their own for a weekend in 2001 while we went away to celebrate our 25th anniversary, when G#2 was 14, but his sister was 18. That was the point that we were able to begin to become active again as they were entertaining themselves and didn’t need that much supervision any more. That was the biggest result of them not needing constant attention. Now as mostly adults responsible for themselves, I find a little less stress in my life, but not a lot more time. And that is being sucked up by this wonderful opportunity of being B&B. I hope to find time to work on my fiber projects, keep a neat house, and travel more once I retire. All non-stressful activities. I want to take voice lessons so that I am not totally embarrassed to sing in public, even if I love choral music. And drawing lessons. I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler, and so much of the creative things I like need to be drawn.
2) What type of person inspires you?
People with grace in speech and interactions with others. The apparently unconscious hospitality is something I strive poorly to emulate. I frequently worry that something I have said may be interpreted as mean or insulting, or that something I do will be pushy or ill-received. Just a mess of insecurities, with a solid basis in reality.
3) If you could go back to "the good old days" in the SCA and return with just one thing, what would it be?
A small part in reality, but the group effort to make an event be as much a part of ‘the dream’ as possible. This was reflected in part by speaking ‘forsoothly’ - something that would be very out of place now but indicated the effort that people made to make it real. Did it work all the time - no, but it helped remind me at least of what we were trying to do. IT would seem very fake to even me today, and I wish there was some other way of encouraging the same group effort. But for me, insisting that everyone stay in persona doesn’t do the trick either.
I could go on forever about my views of the hybrid society we have jointly created, neither totally medieval nor modern.
4) Who is the coolest fighter in Atlantia (in terms of all-round panache & skill), in your opinion?
I have only recently started watching the fighting again with real attention. It all goes so fast that I can’t really see the skill. I guess my ageing eyes just can’t track that fast any more. And so many of the fighters look so wonderful in their fighting gear. I really need to come up with something acceptable to my guys to make them pretty too!
5) Is there someone from your past you'd trade a year of your life to be able to speak with again?
My Dad. He died in 1985, and I deeply miss his counsel and views on life. He never met my son, and I would love to know what he thinks. He was the rock solid base that held the family together and I would love for the children to have known him.
edited because I seem to have forgotten how to do cuts.
For bronx_baroness
1) If you could walk away from your house how much money would it take to convince you to do so?
To up and walk away today, probably $2 million. I’m not particularly wedded to this house - it’s really too big for me to take care of properly, and when the kidlets take flight, we won’t need the space. We have been working on a statement of requirements for the next house.
2) Where did you meet your beloved?
At a Disclave (local science fiction convention) in 1975 where Markland had a hospitality suite. Perfect combination of our 2 major interests.
3) Name one thing you would change about the world.
Eliminate environmental/resource problems.
4) Tell me about one skill that you don't already possess that should be granted to you for life.
I’ve said drawing before, but having the self discipline to effectively pursue my goals, with out frittering away time or sabotaging my efforts.
5) What did you want to be when you grew up?
I found a certain romance in being a scientist doing Important Work. Then again, there was stage acting, but I really didn’t have the talent.
'>
Answers for laruse
1. How did you find your way into the SCA?
This whole story is germaine - I promise.
I started in Markland (then the Maryland Medieval Mercenary Militia) in 1971 when I started college. Mwyrkwuld (now kinda Bright Hills) was a fairly new barony at the time - I think. The concept of medievalism was sufficiently unique that we would run into one another. There were some cultural conflicts, Markland was very externally oriented, while the SCA is pretty much internally oriented. Some ill feeling developed when some Scadians informed Atli that “Of *course* you are going to join us.” Bad move. So, for several years we would run into each other but each group had this feeling of superiority over the other, while it was all a matter of outlook and organizational goals. I did go to Pensic 2, and found this alien culture fascinating. {G}. After a particularly rough interaction at an event that both organizations were invited to, a small group decide that a bridge group was needed to explain one group to the other. This was a mixed group of Marklanders and Scadians traveling back from the event on our van. Rorik and I received out AOAs for This work.
Fast forward a few years - we were very active in Markland, both serving on the board for a while. Then Gosling#1 came along. Once she was mobile, we realized that Markland was still very much a college/singles group, and not very accommodating of children. The SCA was. Since we did belong to both groups, we slowly switched to primarily Scadian activities. So, in a long winded way, I started visiting the SCA over 35 years ago, with increasing amounts of involvement.
2. What are your thoughts on an Atlantian Principality? What about a Southern one versus a Northern one?
I am in favor of smaller kingdoms on an economic basis. I worked out that we reported to the IRS that we had 10,000 miles of deductible travel. At $4 a gallon and the milage in our smaller car, that works up to at least $1600. We just can’t afford that much now. We *have* friends in the southern part of the kingdom. We do still want to keep playing together. But it is getting increasingly difficult.
3. What aspect of being a Landed Baroness have you enjoyed the most?
Seeing people getting awards, and being responsible for their joy. And sitting up close and personal with the Royalty isn’t too shabby either to see what is happening at court.
4. Can you tell me about the Goose?
Ah - Frederic. Rorik’s arms are a grey goose in flight. When I was pregnant with Gosling#1, we were at a science fiction convention, and wandered into a local store that had stuffed puppets. There, int eh middle of a whole bunch of barnyard white geese, was this single grey goose. We bought it ‘for the baby’ Right. Now, Rorik is known as ‘the goose guy’. He is a great conversation starter, because how dangerous is a great big guy carrying a puppet? He got really good at manipulating Frederic, and a number of people have even thought he was alive. Now it’s habit and to some extent expected that we will bring him along. The kids even refer to him as their older brother. I found it amusing that some of the populace were worried about Frederic. We were told that we had an overwhelming affirmative polling. They knew who Rorik was when they voted, what made them think he was going to change. But we are aware of our position. Fred is not an active participant at any court and we did reassure the royalty that *we* were their representatives, not the goose.
Sometime ask Rorik to tell the story of Frederic being the agent of a miracle - a real one, not made up.
5. If you could go anywhere on vacation, with time and money being no object, where would you go and why?
We have had the very good fortune to visit several countries already. I want to go on a very extended world tour. I want to visit all the major and minor cultures. And I want a time machine to visit some that have been mostly destroyed or are too dangerous, such as parts of the Middle East.
>
And now for molly_world
1) Now that your children are flying the coop, what goals/interests are you now finding time for?
We nervously left them on their own for a weekend in 2001 while we went away to celebrate our 25th anniversary, when G#2 was 14, but his sister was 18. That was the point that we were able to begin to become active again as they were entertaining themselves and didn’t need that much supervision any more. That was the biggest result of them not needing constant attention. Now as mostly adults responsible for themselves, I find a little less stress in my life, but not a lot more time. And that is being sucked up by this wonderful opportunity of being B&B. I hope to find time to work on my fiber projects, keep a neat house, and travel more once I retire. All non-stressful activities. I want to take voice lessons so that I am not totally embarrassed to sing in public, even if I love choral music. And drawing lessons. I can’t draw a straight line with a ruler, and so much of the creative things I like need to be drawn.
2) What type of person inspires you?
People with grace in speech and interactions with others. The apparently unconscious hospitality is something I strive poorly to emulate. I frequently worry that something I have said may be interpreted as mean or insulting, or that something I do will be pushy or ill-received. Just a mess of insecurities, with a solid basis in reality.
3) If you could go back to "the good old days" in the SCA and return with just one thing, what would it be?
A small part in reality, but the group effort to make an event be as much a part of ‘the dream’ as possible. This was reflected in part by speaking ‘forsoothly’ - something that would be very out of place now but indicated the effort that people made to make it real. Did it work all the time - no, but it helped remind me at least of what we were trying to do. IT would seem very fake to even me today, and I wish there was some other way of encouraging the same group effort. But for me, insisting that everyone stay in persona doesn’t do the trick either.
I could go on forever about my views of the hybrid society we have jointly created, neither totally medieval nor modern.
4) Who is the coolest fighter in Atlantia (in terms of all-round panache & skill), in your opinion?
I have only recently started watching the fighting again with real attention. It all goes so fast that I can’t really see the skill. I guess my ageing eyes just can’t track that fast any more. And so many of the fighters look so wonderful in their fighting gear. I really need to come up with something acceptable to my guys to make them pretty too!
5) Is there someone from your past you'd trade a year of your life to be able to speak with again?
My Dad. He died in 1985, and I deeply miss his counsel and views on life. He never met my son, and I would love to know what he thinks. He was the rock solid base that held the family together and I would love for the children to have known him.
edited because I seem to have forgotten how to do cuts.