Proud to be a Geek!

Originally posted August 6, 2009

My names Claire and I’m a closet geek!

I wonder if there are group meetings that can help with my affliction. I wonder how easy it would be to drag Ken along because he is also in need of help. Maybe I should explain…

A couple of months ago Ken started going on about this organization that recreates aspects of the Middle Ages. Its not re-enactment like you see with all the Civil War groups, its more taking various aspects from a certain (about) 500 year period and bending yourself to a similar mold. Their website states…

The SCA is an international organization dedicated to researching and re-creating the arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe. Our “Known World” consists of 19 kingdoms, with over 30,000 members residing in countries around the world. Participants, dressed in clothing of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, attend events which may feature tournaments, arts exhibits, classes, workshops, dancing, feasts, and more. Our “royalty” hold courts at which they recognize and honor members for their contributions to the group.

Everyone takes on a persona and they develop that into a “real” person who others come to know and (hopefully) love. So long as you fall into the specified period of history you can be whomever you want. There are Samurai, Arabs,  Crusaders, Peasants, Kings & Queens – you can become anyone you want to. Ken and I are still trying to figure out who we want to be and what period of time we will occupy, but in time that will develop.

The big thing for us is that we can learn new and interesting skills, even develop some ones we already know. Our main interests right now are European martial arts in the form of heavy fighting for Ken (think knights in shining armor) and fencing for me (think three musketeers). Ken gets to dress up in shiny armor and beat other guys with sticks and I get to stab people with swords, what more could a girl ask for!

There will be lots of tales to be told from the “Current Middle Ages” and probably a ton of pictures too.