Because slipping into a sleep dep-induced coma is totally period

[slipjig3]

So yesterday was Northern Region War Camp, a local annual SCA hoopty-thingy that's been growing by leaps and bounds over the last few years. I had been debating not going for months, but there were people I really wanted to see, and jenphalian ("Putting the 'Rat' Back in 'Autocrat'" *) needed someone to cover troll duties in the morning, so off I went, under power of about 45 minutes' sleep and far too much caffeine.

I'm glad I did. I mentioned in a recent post that this was a make-or-break event for me—"whether or not I ever return to the SCA depends on how well this NRWC goes." I'm pleased to say that I will indeed be returning. It helps that after all these years, I've finally figured out something to do. My standard complaint and reason for thinking of dropping out was that I don't fight, don't do A&S, don't have money to buy stuff and don't drink, which pretty much eliminates every reason to stay. Somewhere in the middle of court, however, I face-palmed myself I-coulda-had-a-V8-style and wondered why the hell I haven't been doing calligraphy all this time. Answer: Because I'm an idjit. (Of course, then daev had to go and say, "Hey, now you've got another activity!" Oy.)

The socializing went beautifully well, though, which was the main thing. For the first time, I actually enjoyed the after-dark portion of the day (I went back up to Warrensburg after dinner, guitar in hand), especially when I found myself at a bardic circle of superb quality—good enough that when their Majesties wandered by to listen to one extraordinary tale, they waved down everyone who was standing to bow so they wouldn't interrupt the story. That and cordials that made me wish I did drink.

Best part was getting to hang out with Awesome People: jenphalian and lbitw and knoggleknot and sideshownate, of course, and katharinealdrch, who did a fantastic job of keeping me from slipping into emo-mode, and zarhooie, who got her well-earned A.o.A. (congratulations, hon! *mwah!*), and liamstliam and alethea_eastrid, and the wonderful auntiegrizelda, who tackle-hugged me on the way in and again on the way out, and a bunch of LJ-less Folks of Awesomeness. Love you all!

Then I hauled my sunburnt self home and slept like a bag of rocks until noon. Good times.

* = Her SCA nickname is Rat. Not a judgement call.

Comments

[chris-walsh.livejournal.com]

Want a challenge? Do calligraphy upside down and backwards.

Signed,
Someone's who's done calligraphy upside down, backwards, and lefthanded. Not well, but still.

[fiddledragon]

Awesome, I'm glad to hear that you brought your guitar up. Ya know - even if you didn't do calligraphy, bardic stuff alone could take you far within SCA. ;)

phew!

[katharinealdrch.livejournal.com]

i'm glad you had a good time, last night i read that other entry, and i thought good grief i never should have... but i'm glad just being myself was good company. you are refreshing company and i enjoyed hanging out with you too.

[perldiver.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you found something you enjoy there. Having been fortunate enough to once hear you play and sing, I'm sure that the SCA would be better for it if you decide to stick around as a bard.