Alysten FAQs

There are a bunch of new people to my little LJ. [waves] Hi there!  This is my online dining room table, where I talk about all the little things going on in life, The Boy (tm), SCA, work, cats, food and costuming.  It is the place where friendly debate is welcomed and encouraged. Every once in a while I do a FAQ sheet type post, so you can get the flavor of who I am as a person. Let's take care of the easy one first. I am in the SCA.  Name: Alesone Gray (yeah got one of those title thingies, but I only use it when I need to get official business done). Era: late 16th century. Persona: English, though I fight in German, and people keep trying to lure me to the "darkside".  My activities are costuming (mostly rapier armor, all eras and more recently heraldic clothing), rapier fighting, worked sugar and cooking/baking.

Other things you should know about alysten:

• I do not have multiple personalities.  I am the same person in real life as I am in the SCA or online.
• I have a black and white view of the world, I tend to take things literally.
• I am actually an introvert, being around people takes a lot work.
• I can be blunt, mincing words has gotten me into more trouble.
• I will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.
• I value truth over pretty words.
• I am fiercely loyal, my friends are my family.
• I am slow to trust and slower to forgive.
• I ask a lot of questions.
• I try to protect people, sometimes I shouldn't.
• I love to laugh, play and feel joy.
• I find wonder in the smallest of things.
• I am a bit on the snarky/sarcastic side, with a twist of dry humor.
• I am not afraid to be wrong or make mistakes.
• I do not dwell on the past. There is too much now to experience.
• I am both technically savvy and artistically creative.
• I love to dance.  Not on a dance floor, but in the kitchen.
• I am a practicing Druid, but I am not a "typical" pagan.
• I love going to SCA courts.  I hate being called up into court (though I think I'm safe for the rest of this reign and probably the next one).
• I am a geek. Which kind? Yes.
• I have a low tolerance for stupid.
• I cannot spell my way out of a paper bag.  I have dyslexia and sometimes the spell checker and I guess wrong.  Point out my errors in private email, not on a public post/response.
• I enjoy feeding people. One of my nicknames is the Food Faerie.
• I don't have an off switch, this really is the way I am.
• I have been called both an immovable object  and an unstoppable force.
• I can be an asshat, and for that, I apologize.

I know I can be a hard person.  It is just who I am. Either I will be your cup of tea or I won't. I will not be offended if you choose to "de-friend" nor will I hold it against anyone.  There is very little that I take personally. All I ask is that you treat everyone with respect and play "nice" with others (constructive disagreements are welcome, not flaming or asshattery).

I have a project journal here where I post mostly SCA related costuming, classes, research and cooking projects.

Still here? Welcome. Have a glass of port.