Other Observations about GWW
Oct. 16th, 2013 12:44 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
storytimewithjoeWhenever I return to work after a big SCA event, I’m usually drop-dead tired and in need of a vacation from my vacation. Why? Well, because no matter how you do it, events are a lot of work! Heck, just getting dressed in my garb takes more time and preparation than it does to throw on a pair of shorts and sneakers. But then there is the stuff. In the very least, we usually have a day shade or a pavilion, rugs, some tables, chairs, food, etc. But then at big events such as Great Western, we pull out all the stops. Our pavilion has a four-poster bed, a chandelier, a sky-roof, banners, carpets, wash-stands, etc., etc., etc.
“Gee Guppyman… that sounds like a lot of work. Isn’t that exhausting?”
In a word – YES!!!!!!!!! And I won’t lie. I’m not getting any younger. Sometimes, between the stuff, the scheduling, the preps, the packing, the over-commitment, and the ever-increasing aches-and-pains; there are some times when I just feel pretty darned overwhelmed. Yet, when the whole package begins to take shape, and the atmosphere transforms from the woes and worries of 21st century life to a time out of time where things are actually ok, it feels worth it.
One of the things that I most enjoy about Great Western War is the time and opportunity to just spend time with people. Often, in Caid, events feel very rushed. I look back with fondness upon Trimarian events where in the span of time between Friday night and Sunday morning, you generally had time and opportunity to visit with friends, chit-chat, be silly, and really enjoy the escape. Most Caidan events, unfortunately, just don’t have such a luxury. Most often, we are limited by the constraints of the event sites and frequently find ourselves having day-tourneys in a park. That means spending the morning setting up, having a few hours to wander around (if possible) and touch base with people before having to pack up before the sun sets. But at Great Western, there is time…
…time to bring out all the stuff and really show what we can do;
…time to make new friends;
…time to spend with friends of old-standing;
…time to work on new projects;
…time to gain inspiration;
…time to see what other people are up to;
…and in my case, time to walk, bucket in hand, from tree to tree in search of ripe olives.
With so many activities and people and classes and events and parties, it is really hard to pinpoint one particular shining moment that really makes it for me at events such as Great Western War. But I think in general, my favorite moments involve those one on one or very small group gatherings where I can just chat with people, exchange ideas, and try to inspire one another. This can involve just sitting leisurely while trying a new fantastic brew, or talking about an idea for a future event, or discussing the stubborn challenge in the latest project. More often than not, regardless of how many crazy and convoluted ideas as I have in my head already, I typically leave an event with even more ideas of things I want to do, or things that I want to try. And I owe that all to the imagination and thoughts of the people that I meet on my journey through history.
Thank you, one and all. Even though my hair is turning gra..”platinum”, and my joints pop and click more and more; your love of history and challenge and of the game keep me eternally young.
“Gee Guppyman… that sounds like a lot of work. Isn’t that exhausting?”
In a word – YES!!!!!!!!! And I won’t lie. I’m not getting any younger. Sometimes, between the stuff, the scheduling, the preps, the packing, the over-commitment, and the ever-increasing aches-and-pains; there are some times when I just feel pretty darned overwhelmed. Yet, when the whole package begins to take shape, and the atmosphere transforms from the woes and worries of 21st century life to a time out of time where things are actually ok, it feels worth it.
One of the things that I most enjoy about Great Western War is the time and opportunity to just spend time with people. Often, in Caid, events feel very rushed. I look back with fondness upon Trimarian events where in the span of time between Friday night and Sunday morning, you generally had time and opportunity to visit with friends, chit-chat, be silly, and really enjoy the escape. Most Caidan events, unfortunately, just don’t have such a luxury. Most often, we are limited by the constraints of the event sites and frequently find ourselves having day-tourneys in a park. That means spending the morning setting up, having a few hours to wander around (if possible) and touch base with people before having to pack up before the sun sets. But at Great Western, there is time…
…time to bring out all the stuff and really show what we can do;
…time to make new friends;
…time to spend with friends of old-standing;
…time to work on new projects;
…time to gain inspiration;
…time to see what other people are up to;
…and in my case, time to walk, bucket in hand, from tree to tree in search of ripe olives.
With so many activities and people and classes and events and parties, it is really hard to pinpoint one particular shining moment that really makes it for me at events such as Great Western War. But I think in general, my favorite moments involve those one on one or very small group gatherings where I can just chat with people, exchange ideas, and try to inspire one another. This can involve just sitting leisurely while trying a new fantastic brew, or talking about an idea for a future event, or discussing the stubborn challenge in the latest project. More often than not, regardless of how many crazy and convoluted ideas as I have in my head already, I typically leave an event with even more ideas of things I want to do, or things that I want to try. And I owe that all to the imagination and thoughts of the people that I meet on my journey through history.
Thank you, one and all. Even though my hair is turning gra..”platinum”, and my joints pop and click more and more; your love of history and challenge and of the game keep me eternally young.
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Date: 2013-10-17 12:53 am (UTC)Dunno if I will ever get to GWW ... I've been to San Diego exactly once in my life, and it was a business trip. But I know the feeling from Pennsic.
What drives the "rushed" events in Caid? Is it just that most events take place in urban areas, which makes sites so expensive that the SCA can't possibly rent them for an entire weekend? As someone from an urban barony (Storvik), I certainly understand that.