alysten | [sca] Birka

Birka was long, fun and I didn't 'have' to really do anything. I marshaled for most of the morning. Draped a couple of people for garb. Went shopping and bought $50 worth of whole spices. Delivered a shirt and doublet. Worked on the Mamluk coat during court. Curia was actually fun. Company on the long drive was fantastic. I got to hang out with a lot of people that I don't get to see very often. I went 'Ding' fighter has gained one level in 'marshal' class. Had an interesting conversation with HRH about armor... 15th century Byzantine/Ottoman empire. More on that later.

Best quote of the weekend: "Congratulations, Alesone! You have just become the EK website." - Countess of Bad Ideas

This was an eye opening weekend. Several times through out the weekend I was approached by people where the conversation started out "You're Alesone! You do the [cooking/embrodiery/sewing/sugar/pick an activity] stuff." I remember being that SCAdian, in awe of everything and everyone. I have my heroes, people who have touched me in ways that I am only beginning to understand.

I cannot tell you how much it terrified me to hear the words "You are one of the reasons I joined the SCA", spoken to me. Another person told me "I ate your feast at Yule. Your's is the baseline to which I hold all other feasts and I've been in society for [mumble,mumble years]". I nearly dropped the bolt of fabric I was holding. When explaining my Fire coat project, one knight said he expected nothing less from a Laurel of the East. I explained that I was not a Laurel, companion of high order or anything other simply Alesone. To which he replied, "these things may be true, but 'simply' you are not."

I am not sure what all of this means yet, but it feels a lot like 'Ding' Alesone has gained one level in 'SCAdian' class. And I am terrified. I watched my SCA childhood die on the floor of the Birka merchants.

Maybe it has been doing so for a while and I am just now realizing it.