Preparing for War of the Wings 2017

War of the Wings is a 4-5 day long camping event in the Society for Creative Anachronism, and one of the bright spots on the calendar of events for the Kingdom of Atlantia.  We talk about what makes this event so popular, and all the ways that try to get involved.

From Bardic circles, to sitting at Troll welcoming the attendants, to the Masked Ball Dance, we discuss the activities that we have planned and how to make the most out of this great event.

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Episode 18: Fall University 2017

In this episode we return to the Fall University of the Kingdom of Atlantia, part of the Society for Creative Anachronism. This is one of our favorite events and we enjoyed it immensely, discussing everything from the site, to the classes, to the new skills we learned. Universities are the place where you learn the skills you need for crafts within the SCA, where you practice medieval arts like dance and music, and its where all arts and science begin.
But here, we also talk about what it takes to be a good student and a good teacher at a University class. We delve into thorny theoretical questions about how to respond when you know more than the teacher, and why being a good community member means being a good student.

Episode 17 Rip Rap Revisited

We look back at the recent event we attended with the Society For Creative Anachronism (SCA), a historical re-creation society. This event, the Rip Rap War, holds a special place for us because it was hosted by our local Barony, so we are not unbiased.

Nevertheless, we turn our critical gaze on all the good and bad that we experienced over the weekend. We examine everything from the martial field, to the Arts and Sciences competition, to the closing Feast and come away with a very favorable impression.

Episode 16: Rip Rap War

In this episode we take a look at what kinds of things draw us to an event in the Society for Creative Anachronism, and how we find that information. We take the example of the Rip Rap War, an event given by the Baronies of Marinus and Tir-Y-Don, and talk about our anticipation of, and expectations for, this creative event.

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Episode 15 Arts and Sciences Revisited

We look back to Pennsic 2017 and how we need to start now the preparations for next years visit to Pennsic. We talk about how we put the House Book to use this year, both to document the event, and also to give ourselves suggestions for next year. Then, we begin a discussion of the Arts and Sciences within the SCA (The Society for Creative Anachronism). As always, we look for ways to encourage it, from making it more accessible and inclusive, to offering more help at events, and welcoming all comers.

Segment one:
1:27   50 week town run.  Don't wait until July to begin preparing for Pennsic.  Spread it throughout the year

4:00  Put your Pennsic gear away packed.  Put them away ready to be used again.

7:10   What didn't I have at Pennsic that I missed?  Encampment border, banners, defining the boundaries of our camp.

9:30  Shopping will continue during the off season.  Collecting business cards, Pennsic merchants' websites, can continue shopping without pressure.

Segment 2
11:55 Fall SCA season begins

12:55  Pennsic is a preparation for the rest of the year, and the events throughout the rest of the year are preparations for Pennsic.

14:00  The House Book of the Golden Tree.  Documenting our group camping at Pennsic.  Capturing the recipes and menus we used.

17:00  We have now developed a full year of activities on the SCA calendar.  We pick the events that we like, and there's a lot to choose from.

19:52  When we attend an event, we should plan to enter something in the Arts and Sciences Competitions

Segment 3
20:50  Take full advantage of the internet and Facebook to find out what's coming up.

21:30  Some A&S competitions seem very limiting.  Organized around a restrictive theme.  And there haven't been many entries.

23:30  Competition vs Exhibition. The spirit of competition seems to be off-putting to creative people who just want to create.  What about an Arts exhibition that welcomes all entries, regardless of the construction technique.

27:00  What about A&S competitions that are divided into categories, from the most historically accurate, to modern materials and techniques.  Arts and Sciences should welcome all comers.

29:00  Have a A&S researchers consult table that helps people establish their documentation.  Suddenly you're teaching again.  Showing seamstresses and tailors how to research on the internet.  You get to choose the level at which you want to participate.

34:00  Participation at an event is the key to getting the most out of them.  Where was the Arts and Sciences table?  Why is it so hard to find? 

Episode 14 - Return From Pennsic 2017

In this episode we talk about our experience at the major SCA event, The Pennsic War. This two-week long medieval re-creation event draws participants from across North America as well as around the world and attracts in excess of 10,000 participants. We were involved in many activities from music to dance to theater and we reflect on high and low points in our adventure.

Episode 11 - Pennsic Preparation 2017

In this episode we talk about our preparations for the annual pilgrammage to Pennsic War, the pre-eminant event for players in the Society for Creative Anachronism. We discuss our packing rituals and also our anticipation of what we will do when we get there.  Pennsic preparation is part practical, part emotional, and part ritual.

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Show Notes:

Part 1

0:45   Organization begins.

1:19   Can’t accept any other jobs when you prepare for Pennsic

1:50   Need a day of freedom just to get yourself mentally prepared for the journey

2:10   Pennsic Panic!

2:30   You always want to do more than you have time to do

3:00   Pennsic is something you have to prepare for

4:00   The tragedy of forgetting something you treasured

6:15   The tent challenge:  Afraid of mildew

7:00   On the cusp, pivotal moment to shift between finishing projects, and packing in earnest

8:15   Preparing each outfit

9:00   Just start

9:45   Tracking down lost stuff

12:00 At some point, enough is enough

Part 2

14:00   I’m going to make bread

14:30   Food for Pennsic:

Bread and butter and cheese

The pie at Arthurian Deed

18:00   Tortellini and Pesto,  Bratwurst and potato salad

20:00   Trips into Town

21:00   More Trips into the Bog

21:30   Boring at B block

22:00   Evening performances – no falling asleep

23:00   Merry Wives of Windsor.  Pennsic is about bringing the party with you.
24:00   Dance Ball / Royal encampment parties/ Burning of the Viking ship

26:00   Heralds point – register the name

27:15   Packing the basics

28:00   Embrace Pennsic panic

Part3

28:45   At this point, everything has to look at Pennsic

29:05   Cafe Merhaba
29:30   The Shopping Goal at the merchants

30:32   Strategy:  keep busy so you don’t just wander through the market

30:45   The belt pouch objective

31:30   Two dangers at Pennsic:  sit in camp by yourself, or wandering alone so that you lack the temerity to join in.

32:20   The social pressure of the insider and the outsider

33:40   Everyone agrees to the same rules

35:00   Ropes and canvas would not survive an airstrike

35:40   We are on the cusp

37:00   Time to do just three projects

37:18   Pack the “we didn’t get it finished" bag

39:00   Paralyzed by indecision

40:00   I think we are feeling that it’s 9:30, but it’s actually 11 o’clock

Episode 9: Return To Camelot

A discussion of our recent visit to the SCA event Return to Camelot: an Arthurian Deed.  In this episode, we podcast while on-site during the event.  We talk about the details of the event, and how this concept introduces a storyline to the SCA event.

We also talk about the myth of King Arthur, and why it is so important to the SCA, and to modern society's concept of honor and nobility.  Finally, we discuss the value of rehearsal in creating what are essentially theatrical moments.

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Show Notes:

Recording the podcast on-site at the SCA event Return to Camelot.

Evaluating the event site.
04:00   This event is introducing elements not always found in other SCA events:  Injecting narrative into the activities, creating a opportunity for theater among the Knights, the Monarchs and the Barons

06:00  Maintaining the "golden thread," the succession of key activities that form the core of the event.  Where is the important activity happening at any given moment.

07:25   Medieval events not related to the SCA:  Renaissance Consort performance and a play that referenced the medieval.  Using the medieval to reference something noble and honorable.

 11:33    The power of the Arthurian myth, and why it is so important to the SCA.  One of the primary reasons why we celebrate this time period in the SCA, and why we give honor to knights and nobles, is because of the Arthurian myth, the concept that knights and chivalry were high ideals and that nobility brought with it responsibility and an obligation to service.  And that still resonates with us in our modern lives.

14:00   When you are performing, when you are creating theater, rehearsal is not a bad thing and speaking extemporaneously is not inherently better.  When moments are thought out before hand, the experience of the onlookers, the audience, is enhanced every time.

18:20   This was a lot more theater than the SCA usually does, and it was worth it.

19:00  The SCA is not the only place where the SCA intersects with our lives.  Early music, medieval theater such as Shakespeare, fantasy and fantastical stories found in modern movies and television from Arthur to Game of Thrones.  In fact, most fantasy stories take the medieval as their reference point.  All of fantastical literature is looking for a connection between the medieval and the modern.

Episode 8 - Red Mountain Mead Hall

In this episode, we discuss our recent visit to the Shire of Isenfir to attend their weekend event - the Red Mountain Mead Hall.  This was a weekend of feasting, dancing, knitting and weaving. 

We talk about what was special about this event, and the positives and negatives experienced during our visit.  Mostly, we talk about all the things that they did right as hosts and organizers. 

As we usually do, we throw a few grenades in the direction of some Thorny Theoretical Questions, hoping to touch a nerve or spark some thought on a few delicate subjects unique to the SCA.

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Episode 2 - Preparing For Ruby Joust

This episode was first published on May 12, 2016 - nearly a year ago.  I am re-posting this as part of a hosting migration so I can keep the links to all the episodes in one place.

In this episode, we discuss our preparations for an upcoming Kingdom-level event with the Society for Creative Anachronism called The Ruby Joust.  We talk about our experiences at this event last year, and what we'd like to change this time.

In many ways, a camping event like this one is one of the classic SCA experience.  It's a place where all the individual components of persona, garb, encampment, arts and performance all come together.

Link to download episode

Episode 3 - The Big Questions

In this episode of A Distant Campfire, we talk a little about the structure of the podcast, and frame the kinds of questions that we'd like to ask.  We continue our discussion about SCA Garb, and introduce the Thorny Theoretical Question, and the Most Medieval Moment.  Finally, we end up with the beloved "Phrase of the Day."

Check out this episode!

Episode 4 - After Ruby Joust

We discuss our reactions and experiences from attending the Ruby Joust, a weekend camping event of the Society for Creative Anachronism hosted by the Barony of Caer Mear in the Kingdom of Atlantia.
We talk about the basics of setting up an encampment, preparing and wearing our garb, our favorite activities and magical or Medieval  moments to remember.

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Episode 5 - Thorny Theoretical Persona

In this episode of A Distant Campfire, we examine the concept of the Persona and how it seems central to the SCA experience.  But as we look closer, we see that it means different things to different people, particularly when we consider Pennsic, where "normal" SCA rules don't seem to apply.

We discuss the tension between living in a kingdom within the Society for Creative Anachronism and holding true to some historical place and identity. This is one of the Thorny Theoretical Questions that make the SCA such an interesting topic of discussion.

This is a short, mini-episode in the run-up to our leaving for Pennsic.
Check out this episode!

Episode 6 - The Ivory Tower

Christophilos Airetokos, Anne Whatley, Octavo
We discuss the SCA Winter University in the Kingdom of Atlantia, and the way it affects our participation in the Society for Creative Anachronism.  After our recent visit to the Winter University we talk about what it is that the university offers that might be different from a more conventional SCA event.  This discussion is rife with what we consider to be thorny theoretical questions, and is offered in a spirit of discovery, rather than criticism.

What is it about the University that appeals to us, and how can we harness its creative energy throughout the year?

Check out this episode!

Episode 7 - The Ides of March

This episode, we talk about the transition from winter SCA events to the beginning of the spring and summer camping event season.  We also wrap up our discussion about the role of the University in the SCA, and how it has inspired us.

MP3 download link:  Episode 7 - The Ides of March

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