OOP Space
If you have been following the thread through various of my friends' journals
http://new-man.livejournal.com/158518.html
http://jdulac.livejournal.com/64056.html
http://jducoeur.livejournal.com/312188.html
http://siderea.livejournal.com/477988.html
discussing the supposed rise of out-of-period conversation at events, and what might be done about it, this is a tangent along those lines.
Some of us have, especially in the last year or two, lamented the "death of the postrevel." My speculation is that these two things are related. The people I attend SCA events to see are my friends. I care very much about what's going on in their lives, their health, their jobs and kids and houses and such. So when I see someone at an event, I am likely to say "How's the new house?" or "I hear you had rotator cuff surgery last month." Yes, it's out of period and I know it. But I'm not necessarily just making chatty conversation, I care about the answers, and don't want to resort just to LJ or email for catching up.
With the decreasing freqency of postrevels, and other open parties, there are fewer opportunities for this sort of conversation between friends. If I knew I were going to see so-and-so later and could postpone the Linux conversation, I'd be more inclined to. As is, I take the opportunity when I see them to find out how they're getting along, and to share how I'm doing. For people I see elsewhere, at barbecues or picnics or New Year's Eve parties or SF conventions, or postrevels, I can bide my time while still keeping up the friendships.
This isn't about deflecting the blame, saying I'm not responsible for my behavior at SCA events. I am responsible for what I say and where I say it. But I do suggest that if we socialized more with one another, we could keep up the level of friendly contact AND still implement period-neutral times at SCA functions. For me the friendships are more important than the SCA atmosphere - but that's only if I have to choose. And I'd rather not choose: I want to have my Digby cakes and my chocolate cake, both.
http://new-man.livejournal.com/158518.html
http://jdulac.livejournal.com/64056.html
http://jducoeur.livejournal.com/312188.html
http://siderea.livejournal.com/477988.html
discussing the supposed rise of out-of-period conversation at events, and what might be done about it, this is a tangent along those lines.
Some of us have, especially in the last year or two, lamented the "death of the postrevel." My speculation is that these two things are related. The people I attend SCA events to see are my friends. I care very much about what's going on in their lives, their health, their jobs and kids and houses and such. So when I see someone at an event, I am likely to say "How's the new house?" or "I hear you had rotator cuff surgery last month." Yes, it's out of period and I know it. But I'm not necessarily just making chatty conversation, I care about the answers, and don't want to resort just to LJ or email for catching up.
With the decreasing freqency of postrevels, and other open parties, there are fewer opportunities for this sort of conversation between friends. If I knew I were going to see so-and-so later and could postpone the Linux conversation, I'd be more inclined to. As is, I take the opportunity when I see them to find out how they're getting along, and to share how I'm doing. For people I see elsewhere, at barbecues or picnics or New Year's Eve parties or SF conventions, or postrevels, I can bide my time while still keeping up the friendships.
This isn't about deflecting the blame, saying I'm not responsible for my behavior at SCA events. I am responsible for what I say and where I say it. But I do suggest that if we socialized more with one another, we could keep up the level of friendly contact AND still implement period-neutral times at SCA functions. For me the friendships are more important than the SCA atmosphere - but that's only if I have to choose. And I'd rather not choose: I want to have my Digby cakes and my chocolate cake, both.