[Artemisia] Estrella War highlights?

[HL Isabeau de Sevingy]

tangl <tangl at myway.com> wrote: <SNIPPAGE) Anyone else? Tangl

 
Ok, I'll bite. 
 
War for me was quite the time this year. As some of you know, I went to Estrella at Schnepff Farms two years ago. Unfortunately, my back was really bugging me that year, so I spent the entire war sitting with a friend in his merchant pavillion and my nights at a hotel, I didn't really get to play much. What fewer of you know is that the last time I was at an Estrella prior to that was held at Estrella Mountian Park, back in AS 25, the last year I attended War regularly. Wow! Honestly, I didn't think you could crowd that many people into that little park! I mean, I heard it had gotten big, but really!
 
Maikeru, Katlin, William Kyle, and myself traveled in style. We left Monday morning and arrived on site at noon on Wednesday, intentionally. We had a lovely time staying with Katlins sister and parents in Las Vegas and stayed with Master Rhodri in Phoenix. I realize that the person to bring up this thread specified to please avoid the door-to-door blow-by-blow, but this is paramount to the experience. We arrived Tuesday night relaxed and un-stressed. Master Rhodri, instigator to the Atenvelt Beautification Project, and his lovely roommate The Lady in Residence, welcomed us with chocolate truffels and the smell of dinner to come. Rhodri, whom some of you will remember as the very dear man who crafted the Artemisian Royal Scepter used in our coronations (until it's tragic loss, but the parts for it's replacement are being hunted for) and has the most impeccable taste in Elizabethean jewelry, is nearing completion of the decoration of his home. The entry hall is an amazing tribute to
 the Versailles Hall of Mirrors. The living room is every Scadians dream. from floor to the tops of the walls where they meet the vaulted ceiling, there is layer after layer gothic and baroque art and sculpture. Every time you think you eye has seen what's there, a veil parts and you spot the layer underneath. Extremely cool. Well, the two hosts had spent all day preparing whole roast chickens is seven different styles and while both are accomplished cooks, Tamalin, the Lady in Residence, is a trained professional. Her skills were put to the test and we supped on succulent chicken, cheeses, fruits, breads and wine. After a wonderful evening of story telling and laughter, we went to bed. The next morning was breakfast burritos with left over chicken, eggs, salsas, cheeses and cinnamon scones with tea. *sigh* By the time we headed off to the site, it was 11am, we were all rested, full, happy and feeling far more satisfied than any Cheshire Cat has a right to. 
 
Honestly, I can't state emphatically enough how much I think Scadians should go out of there way to utilize 'crash space'. Rhodri and his roommate Tamalin are, of course, the finest anyone could ever hope for, completely over-the-top. But over the years, I've been welcomed into all kinds of homes, by all kinds of people, and I've never been disappointed nor felt unwelcome by any of them. From the cabin in the woods north of Missoula, to the estate on the beach in the West, I've met the neatest people and had the happiest experiences asking for crash space. Small shires in rural Southern Utah to huge Baronies in downtown Caid, amazing experiences, every one. I don't want to forget the flip side either. Open your homes to folks needing crash space. Be the host, make travelers feel welcome, a little planning can create a warm and inviting experience and it's a great way to make new friends and welcome old ones. 
 
Anyhow, back to the War. The gate was run smoothly, we arrived to find that Their Excellencies William and Elizabeth (yeay, they're back!) had blocked out Artemisia Royal perfectly. TRM's John and Simmone were set up and relaxing as we arrived. Elizabeth took stock of our period pavillions, our mundane tents and our huge kitchen setup and in five minutes, we knew where each would go and we were unpacked and setup with dinner made by dark. The next day saw the start of the fighting and William Kyle embarked on a three day fighting spree that tested and proved the ACL relacement in his left knee from this summer. All told, he fought 24 hours. Happy man.
 
Hogar, Bronwen and the kids, arrived Thursday morning safe and sound. Her Excellency Mary Amanda was there, too. She may have played for Artemisian court, and for the Grand Royal dinner, for Grand Court and for a wedding, but she also played in camp and when she did, it was magical and wonderful. On Thursday we got to witness a true You Know You're in the SCA When... moment. The Caidians had a huge trebuchet set up accross the road from our kitchen. We were sitting around enjoying the first cup off coffee when we say a father holding his daughters hand and walking with her down the road. Each was dressed perfectly and, approaching the massive siege engine, he leaned down and said 'See this, honey? This is a trebuchet.' *grin*  Well, the shower truck were great, lots of hot water and pressure, and the truck guy would open the truck early for me when I arrived at 7:30am, though I heard the lines could be 2 hours long after the battles. Shopping was great, though I must say, I didn't
 spend much. 
 
Friday saw the arrival of one of our late arriving camp mates. My dear old friend, Krieger von Blau Rosen from Caid underwent a monumental effort to join us at War this year and his efforts were well rewarded. He and I learned the art of armour craft at the Thornbird Arms shop back in the late eighties. In the early nineties, college and a transfer to the U of U seperated us and we had no idea where the other was, until a happy accident. A while back I was 'thumbing' through one of my favorite historical shopping websites and there was his photo! Long after the demise of the Thornbird shop, Krieger was still making armour and was really, really good. A few emails and a visit later and old friends are united. He presence in our encampent was indescribable. We are currently embarking on a long term mission to convince him to move to Artemisia.
 
Nikki arrived with Sir Robert and Sir Leah (thanks!) on Saturday morning and a few hours later, Bradley was brought to site by his step-dad. Saturday night we stacked 14 people up to our table and had a huge birthday tri-tip dinner to celebrate Nikki's 18th Birthday. The whole family was together and a good time was had by all. 
 
Saturday I was the Artemisian judge for costuming and suprisingly, there were only three entries and none from Artemisia. What's the deal folks??? At any rate, it was a great experience working with two judges from different areas. I was really struck by the differences in attitudes and pet-peeves in Caid and Outlands and Artemisia right now. The pieces brought to the table were nice examples and, for the most part, well researched. But each judge was radically opposed when it came to what they liked and disliked about each piece. One hated the fact that a corner seam wasn't mitered, where as another didn't give a whiff about that, but hated that 'yummy silk' was used to line 'perfectly awful' upholstry fabric. The same judge that hated the fabric on one, loved the upholstry fabric on another. One loved a funky tailoring cut and another nearly sputtered herself to death over it. The interesting thing was, in each case, the unusual choice on the part of the entrant was well documented
 (either 'I did it this way on purpose' or the proof that the artist misinterpreted the extand example) but what was facinating was each judges reaction to the result. Having made the art and science of judging a study of mine for many years, I know that These Particular Judges would never be as harsh on the score sheet as they were verbally. I know that there are judges out there that appear, for all the world, to get off on trashing someone elses soul, and I really don't think that was the case here. But, it was the differences in SCA culture that was truly facinating. It really makes me wonder, if a piece won at the Kingdom level here, how would it fare, say in the East or in Caid. Not to put down a more rural Kingdom, mind you. The judge from Caid was fine with things that I know for a fact Artemisian judges would have a cow over. Anyhow, I can ramble on about cultural differences within Scaian society for hours, so I'l stop now. Oh, they did serve a rather delightful luncheon to
 the judges. Yum!
 
I was up early on Saturday, as usual, so I was the first person to get signed up for the metal threadwork class being taught by metal threadwork guru Countess Albra of Caid on Sunday morning. I also took advantage of my position in line to sign up the Mothership Bianca, and give her something new to do while getting everything ready for upcoming Japanese Quest, she didn't have enough to do, right? *evil grin* So, bright and early Sunday morning, we braved the cold and went to the class. Ten minutes into the class, Albra made a horrifying discovery, the beeswax used to keep the metal threads from exploding had froze overnight. You couldn't draft the threads through the wax, they would only skip over the surface. Well, creativity and warm bosoms overcame the problem and, once again, a good time was had by all. 
 
There were bad things that happened to good people, as happens at all Estrellas, but each was handled well and each is getting throught it. There was a yound Caidian lady who's arm was broken through well-above minimum standard armor. A gentleman who broke his leg when he took a twisting fall over a hay-bale. One of our own, Hamish, injured his knee 3 hours in of the 4 hour rez battle on Sunday. His Grace Sean's truck has system failures on the way down, making the trip somewhat more of an adventure than he and His Excelleny William (aka Wicked Uncle Bill) had really hoped for. TE's Timmur and Tianna also had vehicular issues delaying their arrival, too. However, in no case, was it as bad as it could have been and there were good people there to help in each case. 
 
If you couldn't go and would like to see what it looked like, or if you went and want to see if there is a spiffy picture of you, visit www.TomeiStudios.com/sca.html
There are lots of spiffy picture taken with a real lens, so you can see the lines on their faces and the grit in their eyes. She's respectable war photographer who pays attention to framing and faces. 
 
Well, that's my take on war. I came back refreshed and rearing to go on a whole new set of projects. 
 
Isabeau


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