Cowboy R and the Crown Tourney

So, raventhourne had commented she might be able to make my birthday celebration, because she and her husband were going to be in Flagstaff, anyway. As it happens, they didn't, but it started me thinking about why they'd be in Flagstaff, and a little reseach on the web turned up the fact that this weekend is the Kingdom of Atenveldt's crown tourney, where they practice the worst possible way to choose leaders, trial by combat.

A little further explanation seems to be in order, here. A lifetime ago, I was a participating member of the Society for Creative Anachronism, also known as the SCA. I was sort of on the fringes of a great ego war, and thought, "You know, these really aren't the sort of people I want to hang out with," and I dropped out.

Well, in recent years, snotblossom, dorinda2212, raventhourne, forsair, and others have been leading me to reconsider my opinions about the SCA, or at least to visit the current SCA and form opinions on that, rather than things that happened a lifetime ago. So, when I realized that raventhourne was going to be out at this event today, which would give me someone I knew to hang out with, I decided to put on my ancient kilt and poet shirt, strap my dirk to my belt, and head on out there. I mean, what the heck, right? Worst case scenario, I'd say hello to raventhourne, realize it wasn't my scene, and head out.

As it happens, however, what occured was that I had a good time. raventhourne greeted me with a smile and a hug (which isn't a greeting I'm used to, so woo!) and her husband greeted me graciously, and the two of them let me hang out with them all day, were friendly and let me ask lots of stupid questions. For which, by the bye, I am deeply greatful.

raventhourne's husband and I had met before, but hadn't really spent much time together. Today, I had the pleasure and privilege of spending time with him, and realized that he was the sort of person who would fit in well with Sir Nigel and the White Company. He spoke very well of his opponents, both before and after his bouts, he never talked badly about anyone that I heard, and he was cheerful and friendly to a strange guy his wife dragged into their company. As much as anything else, his gracious behavior today has led me to think that I really ought to get involved in the SCA again.

At the end of the day, raventhourne introduced me to the baron of the group up here, Ered Sul, and he and I talked a little bit about things that are going on in the Northlands. And... I think I'm going to go to some of them, and try it out.

One of the things I'm constantly complaining about is my social isolation, here in Flagstaff. And being involved in the SCA will give me people to hang out with, with whom I have at least one thing in common. And I can't help but think that's a good thing.

So...

I just went and bought a membership from the SCA website. If you're a SCAtian, you may now know me as Bjorn the Navigator.