Pennsic, etc.
It's been a busy Pennsic. This is the third year I've gone, and it's never been the same twice or even close to such.
I spent most of my time this year at the thrown weapons range as a Marshal-in-Training. I took the classes, put in the Marshaling hours, took the test (and passed) and as soon as I receive my SCA Member ID, I can submit the paperwork and officially be a Thrown Weapons Marshal for the Kingdom of Atlantia. :-) This means I know how to set up and run a safe throwing range, inspect thrown weapons for safety and repair them if possible, and teach people how to safely throw weapons.
It also means I could set up a regular practice in our area provided interest, baronial support, and a throwing location. I need to contact a lumber yard about a round for a target. This is progress though. Currently, the nearest practice is 2 hours away. I'm hoping to start one a little closer to home than that. I've enjoyed throwing at Pennsic, but not having a chance to practice during the rest of the year wasn't helping me to become any better at it. If we can start a program, and perhaps another person will want to become a marshal for the barony next Pennsic, and then I could practice much closer to home. I had some really good teachers (aka Collin and Quinton and Diala- you're wonderful!) and got in a good amount of practice teaching and marshaling, so I am confident in my abilities to do a good job at it. I can also call for back-up if we have an event. :-) ::fingers crossed::
The better part of 2 days of this past week I wasn't at Pennsic though. I drove across Pennsylvania for my grandmother B's funeral. She looked good. I had a chance to talk to family that I have not seen in ages, or at least not since grandpa B's funeral in March. baby Sophia is still adorable, but is now walking and into everything. My second(?) cousin who never wanted to have kids decided she wanted one after exposure to Sophia and is well one her way towards having one. My third(?) cousin's wife is a nurse and we talked about the master's program she is going into and how to design a thesis research project in medicine. Someone once told me the last gift loved ones give us when they die is to bring us all together again. I was really appreciating that this time around.
The funeral service was acquitted competently and faithfully, but was somehow lackluster to me and not really capturing the spirit of the grandma I knew. I did most of my crying the week before when I just took a time out and cried and didn't function very well for a couple of days. It was just somehow easier to find peace this time around though. I love my grandmother, but it was her time to go. It was past her time to go. She never wanted to out-live grandpa, never wanted to be in a nursing home, never wanted to be dependent on others for the basic functions of life, or have her brain play tricks on her. She still loved us, and made the best of the time, but I think on some level she was ready to go, and we were ready to let her go. Not that it made it any easier to say goodbye.
I digress. Pennsic. Drunken court went very well, with the usual cajoling of the rather drunk baron to try pole-dancing. It was a bit bittersweet though, as at the end the baron and baroness announced that this is they are retiring from their posts.
A number of people I know created a zombie crawl for midnight madness. They did a very good job, although I could have done without being chased into a merchant tent. For future reference, I like to enforce my three feet (at least) of personal space when it comes to the undead.
I went to 3 new-to-me parties this year, thanks to friends of mine. One sub rosa, one two camp meal with Clan Tinker performing (juggling feats, etc) and another was a luau with a very friendly family camp of French Canadians. :-) I need to remember to get that Sekanjabin recipe...
I also got a know several new people and old friends and acquaintances much better, which I think made my Pennsic. Connecting with others and community is high on my list of what's important in life. All in all, I am very happy with this year's experience. To everyone I see at Pennsic, I'll definitely see you next year. ;-)
I spent most of my time this year at the thrown weapons range as a Marshal-in-Training. I took the classes, put in the Marshaling hours, took the test (and passed) and as soon as I receive my SCA Member ID, I can submit the paperwork and officially be a Thrown Weapons Marshal for the Kingdom of Atlantia. :-) This means I know how to set up and run a safe throwing range, inspect thrown weapons for safety and repair them if possible, and teach people how to safely throw weapons.
It also means I could set up a regular practice in our area provided interest, baronial support, and a throwing location. I need to contact a lumber yard about a round for a target. This is progress though. Currently, the nearest practice is 2 hours away. I'm hoping to start one a little closer to home than that. I've enjoyed throwing at Pennsic, but not having a chance to practice during the rest of the year wasn't helping me to become any better at it. If we can start a program, and perhaps another person will want to become a marshal for the barony next Pennsic, and then I could practice much closer to home. I had some really good teachers (aka Collin and Quinton and Diala- you're wonderful!) and got in a good amount of practice teaching and marshaling, so I am confident in my abilities to do a good job at it. I can also call for back-up if we have an event. :-) ::fingers crossed::
The better part of 2 days of this past week I wasn't at Pennsic though. I drove across Pennsylvania for my grandmother B's funeral. She looked good. I had a chance to talk to family that I have not seen in ages, or at least not since grandpa B's funeral in March. baby Sophia is still adorable, but is now walking and into everything. My second(?) cousin who never wanted to have kids decided she wanted one after exposure to Sophia and is well one her way towards having one. My third(?) cousin's wife is a nurse and we talked about the master's program she is going into and how to design a thesis research project in medicine. Someone once told me the last gift loved ones give us when they die is to bring us all together again. I was really appreciating that this time around.
The funeral service was acquitted competently and faithfully, but was somehow lackluster to me and not really capturing the spirit of the grandma I knew. I did most of my crying the week before when I just took a time out and cried and didn't function very well for a couple of days. It was just somehow easier to find peace this time around though. I love my grandmother, but it was her time to go. It was past her time to go. She never wanted to out-live grandpa, never wanted to be in a nursing home, never wanted to be dependent on others for the basic functions of life, or have her brain play tricks on her. She still loved us, and made the best of the time, but I think on some level she was ready to go, and we were ready to let her go. Not that it made it any easier to say goodbye.
I digress. Pennsic. Drunken court went very well, with the usual cajoling of the rather drunk baron to try pole-dancing. It was a bit bittersweet though, as at the end the baron and baroness announced that this is they are retiring from their posts.
A number of people I know created a zombie crawl for midnight madness. They did a very good job, although I could have done without being chased into a merchant tent. For future reference, I like to enforce my three feet (at least) of personal space when it comes to the undead.
I went to 3 new-to-me parties this year, thanks to friends of mine. One sub rosa, one two camp meal with Clan Tinker performing (juggling feats, etc) and another was a luau with a very friendly family camp of French Canadians. :-) I need to remember to get that Sekanjabin recipe...
I also got a know several new people and old friends and acquaintances much better, which I think made my Pennsic. Connecting with others and community is high on my list of what's important in life. All in all, I am very happy with this year's experience. To everyone I see at Pennsic, I'll definitely see you next year. ;-)