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Feb. 15th, 2009
It wasn't all about the archery. Saturday was also the day of the grand procession, when each of the visiting Kings and Queens lined up with their processions and paraded into court. It was fantastic to witness. Note for those of you who've only seen local courts - there were more Kings and Queens on stage then we get by including Prince/Princess, Tanist/Tanista and Baron/Baroness.
I have to say, after watching it all, that the first Kingdom to march in, Artemesia, set the bar so high that no one else could compete. They came in on the backs of two dragons (of the sort that you see in a Chinese New Year parade). They threw out fortune cookies and rose petals. They sang and danced and pranced about. If there was a prize for best procession, they'd win best-of-show.
An Tir conversely, was a somber parade of stern-and-serious Norsemen. When I mentioned this later to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
justgemma17, who was part of the procession, she objected.thekillerb69's quip about having multiple personas depending on the season.
I wonder sometimes if the high Viking/Mongol percentage in Avacal is due to the climate in the Canadian prairies or if it's a result of Founder's effect (HM Vik is a viking so a lot of his followers are too).
I settled down to watch the court. I then remembered something about court - the only reason I like the local courts is because I stand a good chance of knowing the people involved, either the royals, retinue or people called up. This makes it personal and therefore more interesting. Seeing total strangers getting called up by total strangers, not so much. A woman entered my row of chairs and moved to sit beside me. At the last moment she saw that the seat of the chair was filthy. I took this opportunity to give her my seat and make my escape.
Incidentally, I gave up a number of seats over the event to random strangers. All voiced some shock that I would do such a thing. How is it possible that I'm the first person to do this for multiple people at an SCA event?
Leaving the court area I discovered that ten yards beyond the rear crowds there was no light, no witnesses and - most importantly - an abandoned Artemesian dragon. If only I had two compatriots willing to engage in some shenanigans - I'd have kidnapped that dragon in a heartbeat and ransomed it off back to HM Timur. Alas I'm just one man.
I went looking for the An Tir/West party and failed to find it (It hadn't really gotten started yet). So I went back to camp, folded my cloak around me in a camp chair and spent a pleasant half hour looking at the stars. Eventuallyconejita_diabla and SA returned to camp and I joined them in finding the now very lively party. I also discovered that I love Malibu Rum.
The party was fun, but cold. My neurotic personality emerged slightly and I ended up somewhat withdrawn during the party. Not much mind you, but enough that I felt awkward talking to acquaintances (but not friends). I eventually went back to camp and crashed.
I'd have to say that Saturday was the best overall day of the event for me personally.
I have to say, after watching it all, that the first Kingdom to march in, Artemesia, set the bar so high that no one else could compete. They came in on the backs of two dragons (of the sort that you see in a Chinese New Year parade). They threw out fortune cookies and rose petals. They sang and danced and pranced about. If there was a prize for best procession, they'd win best-of-show.
An Tir conversely, was a somber parade of stern-and-serious Norsemen. When I mentioned this later to
justgemma17, who was part of the procession, she objected."My persona isn't Norse - it's 15th century French", she said.This led to
"Yes, but you were dressed Norse", I said.
"Only because it was so cold."
thekillerb69's quip about having multiple personas depending on the season.I wonder sometimes if the high Viking/Mongol percentage in Avacal is due to the climate in the Canadian prairies or if it's a result of Founder's effect (HM Vik is a viking so a lot of his followers are too).
I settled down to watch the court. I then remembered something about court - the only reason I like the local courts is because I stand a good chance of knowing the people involved, either the royals, retinue or people called up. This makes it personal and therefore more interesting. Seeing total strangers getting called up by total strangers, not so much. A woman entered my row of chairs and moved to sit beside me. At the last moment she saw that the seat of the chair was filthy. I took this opportunity to give her my seat and make my escape.
Incidentally, I gave up a number of seats over the event to random strangers. All voiced some shock that I would do such a thing. How is it possible that I'm the first person to do this for multiple people at an SCA event?
Leaving the court area I discovered that ten yards beyond the rear crowds there was no light, no witnesses and - most importantly - an abandoned Artemesian dragon. If only I had two compatriots willing to engage in some shenanigans - I'd have kidnapped that dragon in a heartbeat and ransomed it off back to HM Timur. Alas I'm just one man.
I went looking for the An Tir/West party and failed to find it (It hadn't really gotten started yet). So I went back to camp, folded my cloak around me in a camp chair and spent a pleasant half hour looking at the stars. Eventually
conejita_diabla and SA returned to camp and I joined them in finding the now very lively party. I also discovered that I love Malibu Rum.The party was fun, but cold. My neurotic personality emerged slightly and I ended up somewhat withdrawn during the party. Not much mind you, but enough that I felt awkward talking to acquaintances (but not friends). I eventually went back to camp and crashed.
I'd have to say that Saturday was the best overall day of the event for me personally.