So *you're* Liam St. Liam

Yeah, I am going to jump in.

Have we met?

If we have, do you remember when and where?

It has been quite the amusing day . . .

I know there's a lot of crossover between here and EK List and sca_snark and certain other LJs, but I know there are a lot of folks who missed today's shenanigans.

So I want to share.

So I come to my computer this morning, ready to start on job-search stuff, and I see two IMs open, teasing me about being an authenticist.

Of course, we all know that while I have improved a little since my peerage, I am about as non-period as they come.

In the past I have been told on the EK List that I am a bad peer, because I prefer modern SCA music to period music. I think there are about 40 SCA CDs in the house.

I wear fuzzy, quilted booties at events.

My philosophy of the SCA, which I mentioned at a class at EKU, is "If you are not having fun, stop doing it." That means if you have fun being athentic, go for it. If you want to get by with a decent attempt, that's all good. (I also taught a class on modern SCA songs. This becomes important in a minute).

I could go on.

Let me not forget context. On the list, we had been discussing the new rules ragrding not using -- or hiding by use of a tabard -- plastic armor. I thought it was a worthy plan, but another gentleman disagree with me, and overnight, he posted the following:

(Wait, I wanted to add that I do not generally post from EK List, but I decided I got to make an exception here)

( It's under here )

I get it....all you seem to care about is Authenticity...

Just a note,  am in the process of licensing a CD of Andrew McRobb's music including the song "Pennsic 205" Not a single song listed for the CD is authentic.  Not in its musical tradition or its wording.  While some of the songs are about, and describe, actual historic events...NONE of them is authentic.

But the CD run will likely sell out because the songs are fun and/or interesting....even if they are no where near Authentic

I get that you will not likely buy a copy because they are not authentic, and will likely find them insulting.

But you must remember that the SCA does not exist because it is authentic.  It exists because it is fun.  From that first party in Diana Paxton's backyard to today there are a great many members who find it fun to participate in the way they do and could care less about the authenticity.  Many of them are fighters who do not own more than one set of garb and almost never wear garb at events.  They arrive in jeans and a t-shirt, get into armor and fight and then go out to a restaurant with friends.

I know you know this because I know you are intelligent enough to see and understand it... You just do no seem to "Want" to understand it. You want authenticity, because that is what makes it fun for you, and you do not care what you will do to those for whom the SCA is something other than dogged and complete authenticity.

So, while it is sad, we will have to agree to disagree.  I can make all the valid points I want but if you will not read them they are moot.

Some Guy I Have Never Met

The coolest part was, there were 14 comments from my friends pointing out the error of his ways.

Yeah, it was cool.