Virtual Scadianing

I do realize a lot of people have various levels they "play" in in the SCA. Unfortunately, I have a glitch in my system that does not allow me to ignore the shit storm going on over my head and go on my merry way. It's against my nature. We're back to my insistence in holding the world to my Moral Standard.

I've had a lot of people shrug at me and say, "I just go to event to see my friends, anywya."

Ah, we've hit the second problem. With very few exceptions... these people are not my friends. Some of them are very nice people in their own right, but they're not friends. You all, in my virtual world, are more friends than most of the local SCAdians will ever be. Why?

1. I have nothing in common with these people outside of the SCA. Nada. Values, politics, likes and dislikes, lifestyle, other interests. Nothing. And this has been our main social outlet for quite a while. This is not so healthy for us. We spend no time with them at Non-SCA stuff. Some of the people that we do like best are also those whose lifestyle outside the SCA is so different from ours that we have no ability to socialize outside events. This is largely a kids/no kids thing. Going out to pubs, hanging out, etc. is just not an option for us.

2. With one or two rare exceptions - not a one of these people would lift a finger for us. I've stood on my head for some of these people both within the SCA and on a personal level. There has not been nor will there ever be any reciprocity. Often there's not even a "thank you." This is not Friendship. This is a Host/Parasite situation.

3. I've already poured so many hours and so much effort into the SCA and none of these people have shown an iota of appreciation for that either. Granted, scribal and consulting heraldic jobs are generally pretty thankless. But in 100+ Court scrolls I think I got 3 "thank yous." Three years as Regional Signet got me burnt out on scribal work and allergic to gum arabic.

4. The spleen! Oh, the spleen!! I suspect having even tried to kick start the Principality thing will leave me black-balled for years. And, frankly, I do not anticipate the Powers That Be dealing fairly with the idea. I think they're going to be sneaky, and underhanded, and attempt with all their might to squash it and ME. And I lack the will to really fight that.

5. My priorities have shifted. It's about the girls. Pretty much all about the girls. There are creative outlets I can find that work around their needs much better.

So, there is nothing for me locally, really. I might stay a Virtual Scadian. Keep up my website, do some costuming. I still have plans for some Dutch costumes and a photo session with same. There are still things I'm curious about. But, since the only interest IN it is certainly NOT in my Kingdom, it really matters not a bit whether I exist only in the virtual world as far as the SCA is concerned.

Spoiled, I R.

Yes, folks, it's September, time for my annual anti-Honeycrisp Apple Screed.

Or rather, time for me to suggest again that you hunt down a local orchard and try a new variety or two. In solid OR liquid form.

I'm a spoiled woman. BOTH of my grandfathers maintained small orchards. Every fall we ended up with multiple grocery bags of apples in the garage. You could just open the kitchen door and snag an apple, at least till they started to get soft and wrinkly. Multiple varieties, with a range of flavors.

I read an article the other day that stated that 95% of apples sold today are from the same 11 varieties. The ones you see in the grocery store. O.o Blech. Srsly?

I have some interesting web stuff for anybody interested. The first is the whys and wheres of heirloom apples - at least in Michigan:

http://www.michiganapples.com/blog/marketing/2009/seek-support-savor-and-share

The second is on craft cider (mostly the hard variety):

http://www.oldtimecider.com/

Go forth, and enjoy the bounty of Fall!!

And a goodie!

I actually managed a pretty good "score" the other day.

Our sweet little Kennel Manager also works a second job cleaning stalls at a farm owned by a woman who is so debilitated by diabetes that she shouldn't HAVE the horses. Nichole is too good to the Harpy by far, and runs a lot of petty errands. This time, she showed up with two boxes of kitchen stuff that the woman was getting rid of, up for grabs.

Among the junk was a Bundt pan. I got dibs on it, on the grounds that I bring in the most baked goods. :-)

Not just any Bundt pan. A vintage 60's Bundt pan that, as nearly as I can tell, has never been used. In the box. With the recipe book. And pan liner insert. Tee hee!! This pan.

It's in the oven being seasoned right now.

Of course, I've caught a cold from one of the tiny Germ Magnets, so I won't be doing anything with it tonight. And GF Bundt or Pound cake is going to take some musing.