West Kingdom Collegium 2011
Yesterday was Collegium in the West Kingdom. First time I've done a West Kingdom event, and it was a very enjoyable Collegium. It was held in Unitarian Church in downtown San Jose, that had a beautiful Sanctuary with lovely stained glass windows. I went with my Barony friend, Pamela. We skipped our own Kingdom's Coronation (an even farther distance away) to have fun with learning stuff, and seeing friends and folks I don't see often enough - usually once a year at Costume College. We got there in plenty of time to get dressed in garb (see icon) and find our way around the church site (small but 3 floors of class rooms including a very large Social room where they had dance classes).
Let see, I started with two Japanese classes with Saionji no Hana. First was on making Shibori resist dyeing (I have a sample hanky now) which went a little long because we started late because folks were checking in and had a hard time finding the room. The other class was on Japanese Tea. Her tea class brought back some nice memories of my childhood times with Mom and her teas, I learned quite a bit about its history, and we got to try a few different types of ocha.
Then Pam & I had lunch at a nearby Mexican restaurant. I think we startled a group of regular folks when we left, as their chatter stopped as we passed to head out the door.
After lunch was a round table class on SCA Camping which was geared towards ... well, it was noted as being for those needing help getting started with camping. But so many of the folks sitting at the round table discussion had been in a long time and were looking for help in other areas, from organization to possibly downsizing their stuff. I heard a lot of complaints about schlepping their stuff to their camp area, or needing many bodies to put up pavilions. I did learn a bit from the more experienced SCA campers (who have different needs than the renfaire guild areas I am more familiar with), and took a few notes. However, coming from a perspective of being fairly new to SCA camping needs, I didn't learn too much from that side of things and that frustrated me a little. I did realize that until I am willing to buy and haul a trailer full of stuff, or have a minivan, or both, that I should hold off on buying a pavilion. Instead I'll just focus on making small camp stuff that I can use in my current set up, including a simple day shade and a camp chair cover, and just deal with modern camping stuff for now.
Then it was Or Nue with Sabrina de la Bere, who is in charge of the West Kingdom's embroidery site. I had taken Or Nue with Mistress Teleri a couple of years ago, so I hadn't planned on taking Sabrina's class and didn't bring an embroidery hoop or anything. But that morning she saw me and asked why I wasn't taking her class, I explained, and she encouraged me to take it anyway as her technique was a little different and was learned from the Royal School of Needlework. Not having any firm plans for that time frame, I went to her class. And yes, I did learn a bit more that should help me improve upon what Teleri had taught. She also had some detailed images of extant embroideries which helped answer some questions I had about the technique. I spent the time taking a lot of notes instead of doing embroidery, which is going to help.
The last hour was spent in a class on making SCA Banners using modern techniques from Joel the Brewer. After having read about a more period technique in the latest C.A., it was interesting seeing the differences. I'm not sure which technique I want to try, but I am pretty sure I will be using polyester "Silk Essence" instead of real silk for various reasons (I know, sooooo modern!) Considering most banners are up high and out of range for close viewing, I think that suggestion from the guy would work best. I am thinking of doing the more period technique since I want to be a little more artistic in working the banner, and shaking hands using gutta resist doesn't seem appealing.
After all the classes, there was a music concert, with both period instruments and choral voices. This was held in the beautiful Sanctuary area and was rather enjoyable overall. I will have to say, and this isn't the fault of the musicians or singers skills, but my ears are trained to modern music styles and modern instruments from my own years in choir. There were times when the music would do odd things that made me either cringe or have my hair stand on end. This seems to be appropriate for the era of the music style they were doing or even the instruments themselves at times (like the crumphorn - however that's spelled), but overall it was very enjoyable to listen to.
Then it was changing clothes, and going out to dinner with Cathryn (Her Excellency, Megryth Bowbreaker, The Baroness Thescorre) who I know from renfaire stuff, as she's the lady involved with MAAS that I spent time with a few months ago. This was her return to the SCA after 13+ years away (life happened). We went to a Vietnamese restaurant since it was something different and we could park nearby, and I enjoyed a different type of curry and rice dish. We sat and talked about Collegium and other things, and had a good dinner (trying not to think of the smells we could smell). Then it was back to Pam's car and a long drive home to Fresno.
While I was gone the family and docryder also drove to San Jose area for the day, to Santa Clara University to visit the mission still there. They have lots of photos for Cam to do up his project on the California Missions. Most of them was asleep when I got home. Rob showed me some of the photos as he was still up from dinner. I then tried to get some sleep. My mind churned on the activities of the day, and plans for what SCA stuff I want to work on next, so as tired as I was I didn't fall asleep until I took some melatonin. Thank goodness last night our clock was set back an hour as I needed that extra sleep. In fact I'm still a little groggy.
I think I need to write down which projects I want to work on next.
Let see, I started with two Japanese classes with Saionji no Hana. First was on making Shibori resist dyeing (I have a sample hanky now) which went a little long because we started late because folks were checking in and had a hard time finding the room. The other class was on Japanese Tea. Her tea class brought back some nice memories of my childhood times with Mom and her teas, I learned quite a bit about its history, and we got to try a few different types of ocha.
Then Pam & I had lunch at a nearby Mexican restaurant. I think we startled a group of regular folks when we left, as their chatter stopped as we passed to head out the door.
After lunch was a round table class on SCA Camping which was geared towards ... well, it was noted as being for those needing help getting started with camping. But so many of the folks sitting at the round table discussion had been in a long time and were looking for help in other areas, from organization to possibly downsizing their stuff. I heard a lot of complaints about schlepping their stuff to their camp area, or needing many bodies to put up pavilions. I did learn a bit from the more experienced SCA campers (who have different needs than the renfaire guild areas I am more familiar with), and took a few notes. However, coming from a perspective of being fairly new to SCA camping needs, I didn't learn too much from that side of things and that frustrated me a little. I did realize that until I am willing to buy and haul a trailer full of stuff, or have a minivan, or both, that I should hold off on buying a pavilion. Instead I'll just focus on making small camp stuff that I can use in my current set up, including a simple day shade and a camp chair cover, and just deal with modern camping stuff for now.
Then it was Or Nue with Sabrina de la Bere, who is in charge of the West Kingdom's embroidery site. I had taken Or Nue with Mistress Teleri a couple of years ago, so I hadn't planned on taking Sabrina's class and didn't bring an embroidery hoop or anything. But that morning she saw me and asked why I wasn't taking her class, I explained, and she encouraged me to take it anyway as her technique was a little different and was learned from the Royal School of Needlework. Not having any firm plans for that time frame, I went to her class. And yes, I did learn a bit more that should help me improve upon what Teleri had taught. She also had some detailed images of extant embroideries which helped answer some questions I had about the technique. I spent the time taking a lot of notes instead of doing embroidery, which is going to help.
The last hour was spent in a class on making SCA Banners using modern techniques from Joel the Brewer. After having read about a more period technique in the latest C.A., it was interesting seeing the differences. I'm not sure which technique I want to try, but I am pretty sure I will be using polyester "Silk Essence" instead of real silk for various reasons (I know, sooooo modern!) Considering most banners are up high and out of range for close viewing, I think that suggestion from the guy would work best. I am thinking of doing the more period technique since I want to be a little more artistic in working the banner, and shaking hands using gutta resist doesn't seem appealing.
After all the classes, there was a music concert, with both period instruments and choral voices. This was held in the beautiful Sanctuary area and was rather enjoyable overall. I will have to say, and this isn't the fault of the musicians or singers skills, but my ears are trained to modern music styles and modern instruments from my own years in choir. There were times when the music would do odd things that made me either cringe or have my hair stand on end. This seems to be appropriate for the era of the music style they were doing or even the instruments themselves at times (like the crumphorn - however that's spelled), but overall it was very enjoyable to listen to.
Then it was changing clothes, and going out to dinner with Cathryn (Her Excellency, Megryth Bowbreaker, The Baroness Thescorre) who I know from renfaire stuff, as she's the lady involved with MAAS that I spent time with a few months ago. This was her return to the SCA after 13+ years away (life happened). We went to a Vietnamese restaurant since it was something different and we could park nearby, and I enjoyed a different type of curry and rice dish. We sat and talked about Collegium and other things, and had a good dinner (trying not to think of the smells we could smell). Then it was back to Pam's car and a long drive home to Fresno.
While I was gone the family and docryder also drove to San Jose area for the day, to Santa Clara University to visit the mission still there. They have lots of photos for Cam to do up his project on the California Missions. Most of them was asleep when I got home. Rob showed me some of the photos as he was still up from dinner. I then tried to get some sleep. My mind churned on the activities of the day, and plans for what SCA stuff I want to work on next, so as tired as I was I didn't fall asleep until I took some melatonin. Thank goodness last night our clock was set back an hour as I needed that extra sleep. In fact I'm still a little groggy.
I think I need to write down which projects I want to work on next.