femkes_follies (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
femkes_follies) wrote2011-06-15 09:16 pm
femkes_follies) wrote2011-06-15 09:16 pm
The Perils of Uniquitude
If you're the sort of SCAdian who wears a chainmail necklace, a brass-grommetted bodice and a broomstick skirt with a tankard on the belt, who takes "intro" classes at events and walks away making beaded bookmarks and embroidered gew gaws with no real purpose.... walk away.
If you're instead inclined to follow my Holmesian narcotic-induced ramble on the nature of artistry and research in the SCA
Yes, I can spell. I'm taking a leaf from Dad's book and inventing a word to fill a void. Uniquitude: Developing an individual course of pursuit that breaks new ground - and causes the searcher to develop a certain degree of 'tude in order to withstand the perils of that path.
Uniquitude doesn't spring forth fully born. We all start in the common areas: 14th century gothic, or Viking, or Italian Renn or Burgundian. And while some folks will tell you, "If you want to be a Laurel, find something nobody else is doing," that isn't really how it usually works. There is still progress to be made in English Tudor, Italian Renn, or what have you. But what happens to some of us is, in the process of learning about one of these common things we develop an eye for that thing. And one day, while we're learning we see something.... different. Curiosity! The thrill of discovery!
It begins. A thread is picked up and followed. Then another, then another. And, all unintentionally we go from Basic SCAdian - to Uniquitude. Excited, we create, probe, research, discover.. Alice has fallen down the Rabbit Hole.
And then we meet the Cheshire Cat:
"Ur Doin' it Wrong" - The well-meaning Laurel who confronts Uniquitude in it's first trip into the light and says, "Well dear, that' nice, but you've cut the bodice wrong just here" And, for Mainstream Culture A, this is true. But for the variation discovered by Uniquitude, it's just right! Though it's out on the List Field, and Alice doesn't have her documentation on her at the time. The Laurel sniffs and says, "All ways here are MY way."
And we meet Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum:
"That isn't how everybody else in Quirm does it!" - Alice begins to get more than a bit tired of hearing endless commentary on her new gown/dish/embroidery/carving... because it's not how everybody else does it, locally. "But Alice, we always have Pomegranate Chicken for Feast. What do you mean you're serving Golden Chicken?? There'll be a revolt!!" "But Alice, real Viking apron dresses have turtle brooches! Don't you think you should get some to replace those enameled ones you have?" Explaining, explaining, explaining begins to get a wee bit wearing, so she sidles away while they continue their recitation.
And we meet the Mad Hatter and the March Hare:
Alice, in a fit of whimsy, takes a bit of artistic license with her new find - just for fun. However, she carefully explains while taking tea that aspect "a" is undocumented. Just fun. The Hatter and the Hare nod..... and go off to recreate Alice's discovery, complete with aspect "a". And when Interested Parties enquire why they've made their things the way they have they reply, "Alice taught it this way." The Doormouse notes it, but is too lazy to do more than go back to sleep.
And then we meet the Queen of Hearts:
Alice has all her nice, neat documentation - and nobody cares. The Queen looks at the A&S entries of the Mad Hatter and the March Hare - with Alice's name on the references to document aspect "a". The Doormouse didn't finish his entry, with the correct construction, as Alice, in fact, had explained it. The Cheshire cat tells her about Alice's errors in recreating her project. Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-Dum explain how Alice doesn't do things the way they are meant to be done!! And the Queen shouts, "Off with her head!! And not only that, No Laurel for Alice!!"
...to be continued.
If you're instead inclined to follow my Holmesian narcotic-induced ramble on the nature of artistry and research in the SCA
Yes, I can spell. I'm taking a leaf from Dad's book and inventing a word to fill a void. Uniquitude: Developing an individual course of pursuit that breaks new ground - and causes the searcher to develop a certain degree of 'tude in order to withstand the perils of that path.
Uniquitude doesn't spring forth fully born. We all start in the common areas: 14th century gothic, or Viking, or Italian Renn or Burgundian. And while some folks will tell you, "If you want to be a Laurel, find something nobody else is doing," that isn't really how it usually works. There is still progress to be made in English Tudor, Italian Renn, or what have you. But what happens to some of us is, in the process of learning about one of these common things we develop an eye for that thing. And one day, while we're learning we see something.... different. Curiosity! The thrill of discovery!
It begins. A thread is picked up and followed. Then another, then another. And, all unintentionally we go from Basic SCAdian - to Uniquitude. Excited, we create, probe, research, discover.. Alice has fallen down the Rabbit Hole.
And then we meet the Cheshire Cat:
"Ur Doin' it Wrong" - The well-meaning Laurel who confronts Uniquitude in it's first trip into the light and says, "Well dear, that' nice, but you've cut the bodice wrong just here" And, for Mainstream Culture A, this is true. But for the variation discovered by Uniquitude, it's just right! Though it's out on the List Field, and Alice doesn't have her documentation on her at the time. The Laurel sniffs and says, "All ways here are MY way."
And we meet Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle-Dum:
"That isn't how everybody else in Quirm does it!" - Alice begins to get more than a bit tired of hearing endless commentary on her new gown/dish/embroidery/carving... because it's not how everybody else does it, locally. "But Alice, we always have Pomegranate Chicken for Feast. What do you mean you're serving Golden Chicken?? There'll be a revolt!!" "But Alice, real Viking apron dresses have turtle brooches! Don't you think you should get some to replace those enameled ones you have?" Explaining, explaining, explaining begins to get a wee bit wearing, so she sidles away while they continue their recitation.
And we meet the Mad Hatter and the March Hare:
Alice, in a fit of whimsy, takes a bit of artistic license with her new find - just for fun. However, she carefully explains while taking tea that aspect "a" is undocumented. Just fun. The Hatter and the Hare nod..... and go off to recreate Alice's discovery, complete with aspect "a". And when Interested Parties enquire why they've made their things the way they have they reply, "Alice taught it this way." The Doormouse notes it, but is too lazy to do more than go back to sleep.
And then we meet the Queen of Hearts:
Alice has all her nice, neat documentation - and nobody cares. The Queen looks at the A&S entries of the Mad Hatter and the March Hare - with Alice's name on the references to document aspect "a". The Doormouse didn't finish his entry, with the correct construction, as Alice, in fact, had explained it. The Cheshire cat tells her about Alice's errors in recreating her project. Tweedle-dee and Tweedle-Dum explain how Alice doesn't do things the way they are meant to be done!! And the Queen shouts, "Off with her head!! And not only that, No Laurel for Alice!!"
...to be continued.
no subject
I did have a Laurel friend tell me that "they" had told her not to get interested in embroidery -- that you couldn't get Laurel'd for that! I just smiled and said I wasn't doing it for any awards, I was doing it because it was my passion.
no subject
Keep feeding me more wacky stories of life in the SCA... who knows how they'll come out processed through Alice's eyes.
(Honestly, I had someone lecturing me after I bought a baby blue belt. Because "blue is for Men-at-arms"
no subject