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