Pennsic 32
I roasted marshmallows over an open fire, in the woods, in a
thunderstorm, naked.
Yes, there is much more to
Pennsic than combat and partying.
Completely missed the combat, but yes, the partying is good.
What better way to spend 10 days than among 12,000 friends in medieval
garb, in a tent city, waking up at noon, eating, swimming nude in a
stream in the woods, napping, eating, then following the sound of drums
to a bonfire surrounded by dancers surrounded by drummers ? Every night.
Oh yes, and an open bar with the most creative alcohol I've experienced,
like vagabond venom and weasel squeezings, both of which I'd like a
recipe for. The two parties I enjoyed the most this year were Men
Without Pants at Dun Phalen, and Rogues vs. Beer. For some reason
I'd shied away from the no pants party in previous wars, well, probably
because I was more shy. I wore a sarong, tied at my right hip, with my
ka-bar
attached to my belt and tied around my right thigh, as I had the rest of
the war, sandals, and nothing else. At Three Skulls the night before, I
was particularly impressed by the way a belly dancer was moving. At the
no pants party she tried to coax me out into the dancing circle, while I
was squatting on the ground, she was doing her thing right in front of my
face, close enough I could have reached out and touched. So obviously
I did. Ran my fingers down her belly. Yum. Unfortunately I hadn't
had enough vagabond venom to get me to dance. :Sigh:. Maybe next year.
Rogues had a 12' trampoline. An entertaining addition to a drunken hoard,
including women in various dresses, including corsets. It was up on a
hill above the bonfire, which gave an excellent view of the gathering
from up in the air.
After stepping into this world, even the site of a single person in
mundane clothing is an eye sore.
I survived the
Blue Feather
Ball again. Really need to have a light blue feather to wear for that
next year. Neat people, but... I do hate inevitably disappointing a few.
Q. What is the difference between light and dark
blue feathers?
A. As a general rule, dark blue feathers are worn by
homosexuals and bisexuals, while light blue feathers are worn by our
supporters...
There are also many (Arts and Sciences) classes held at Pennsic, a few
for each hour of the day. This was my fourth war, and I still haven't
gotten to one. One that I'd like to attend eventually is middle eastern
dance for manly men. I have had some interest in this sort of dancing
for some time (even before the woman dancing in my face), but haven't
yet gotten up the courage to get out there. Maybe a little instruction
will help. Although I suspect that woman would've done a better job.
For completeness, of course, one of the biggest parts of the Pennsic
War for many people is the combat. The largest battle is hundreds of
people on a side with 1.25" diameter rattan sticks the length of various
medieval weapons, wrapped in duct tape, wearing (strictly regulated)
armour, beating on each other. I have, of course, had some interest
in combat, but this year I realized that actively participating means
waking up at 8am every day of Pennsic, which is rather unacceptable.
I wasn't sure I was going to make it to Pennsic this year, even
with all of water_childe's help, up to the last minute.
I was rather overwhelmed with the little things I needed to complete.
The most significant being making a few pairs of paints. When it looked
like I was actually going to make it, a bobbin ran out on me, and I just
about gave up. Fortunately, nchanter was able to give me
the moral support and hints I needed to succeed.
So I've survived yet another war, and am, once again, a more complete
person for it. Another Pennsic faded, forcing me back into the real
world.
I need to go to more SCA events.
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