Clyde's Travel Log - Bacon Bash IV - Swine and Roses

Bacon Bash IV - Swine and Roses
Montgomery Bell State Park (Burns, TN)
Shire of Crimson River
August 28-30, 2015

The Hadi Banner Tour continues with my 5th event this year, Bacon Bash IV - Swine and Roses.

The Shire of Crimson River held its fourth iteration of a bacon themed event, much to the enjoyment of all of those in attendance. In line with the very best of Meridian tradition, the shire hosted a fun, relaxing, and friendly event steeped in southern hospitality that only the great Kingdom of Meridies can lay claim to.

Styrbjorn and I daytripped the event from Easaraigh. The event was held at Montgomery Bell State Bank, a favorite site in north Meridies (Tennessee), and is almost 2 hours west of Easariagh (Cookeville). We arrived at 8am local time as the camp was waking to the start of a bright, late August day in Tennessee. 

After trolling in, I procured myself a cup of java and found a seat at the edge of a dew covered field with a cool morning breeze, as a bleary eyed sun rose over the treetops. This was an ideal day for this time of year. The early morning calm of the camp and it's waking noises was a soothing balm. Monty Bell is one of the best places to be, period.

The days activities ran on the much appreciated and time-honored 'no rush' timeline. Styrbjorn and I setup our shade and settled in as other Scadians arrived. By the time the dew had disappeared from the field. the first heavy tournament of the day was announced and started. 

The first tournament was a free-for-all affair in the style of a 'Doom Tourney' or 'Tavern Brawl'. For those of you unfamiliar with the concept, all the participants occupy the field at the same time in a large circle. You are free to create/break alliances on the fly as well as engage anyone you want. It tests more than a fighter's skill. Strategy and guile as well as some underhandedness can also be prominent in such a contest. Shortly after 'Lay On' the chaos ensued. I'd like to thank my brother, Sir Griffin for reminding me how much of a sneak and subversive he can be. :) You will see in the retelling of events that transpired.

Griff had recently taken a Man-at-Arms, Malcolm Cameron. Malcolm was next to me in the circle. At the start of the fight, I was thinking this would be a good opportunity for me to demonstrate kinsmanship and start working on some bonding. He is a part of the family tree now that Griff and I both share. So, I saluted him and offered an alliance which, initially, I thought was an outstanding idea. He and I paired up, finding ourselves facing another loose alliance against 2 other fighters (John and Motal I believe). I then saw Griff. I hailed him and asked if he would like to join up with us. He appeared to accept. As he approached, he seems to align with Malcolm and I. I then turned to face our opposition when I heard the crack of rattan on armor. Turning at the report, I realized that my brother in squirehood, Griffin, had waylayed his unsuspecting man-at-arms, had turned and was casually walking away. John, Motal and I were stunned with surprise and disbelieve briefly before I noted the sudden downturn in my fortunes. In the matter of a few seconds, my good deed had turned into a gigantic fiasco. The promise of 3 vs 2 fight was now a 2 vs 1 with me playing the part of an old, overweight rabbit. The fight ended for me shortly thereafter. The two younger fighters eventually got their swords to bear and I was done. Never trust a Griffin.

Much laughter was brought on by the retelling of that small episode. Griffin won the free-for-all. His man-at-arms learned a valuable lesson as did I. Although, it does appear that I had a hand in setting up Malcolm for the lesson that was taught, I promise I had good intentions. But, have no proof. One must always leave room for doubt in a good tale of treachery. 

In the second tournament of the day, a standard double elimination was held. I did not go far (3 rd with 1 bye fight). I was happy that I fought 2 outstanding fighters in Sir Erick Griffin and Sir Hrothgar. I fought them as well as I was able. Both are very honorable men and it was a privilege to cross swords with them. They offered me some solid wisdom throughout the day and much encouragement. Sir Erick won the tournament and in a very gracious display of humility and honor, bequeathed his prize to John Imboden as an impromptu 'most chivalrous' on the field recognition during court. Huzzah John. Well done, Sir Erick.

The last heavy tournament of the day was a William Marshal affair. All participants had 5 tokens to loose. Losing fighters give 1 token to the victor with 30 minute time limit. If you run out a tokens, you are done. In a twist to the concept, His Majesty Mordan entered the fray as a 'bank' entity. He could give tokens if you defeat him, but not take any if he won. 

I lost all my fights except one pass with His Majesty that falls to the 'everyone gets lucky sometime' rule. I was able pass with Sir Gnaeus twice, Kevin, Motal, Sir Erick, Sir Hrothagar and His Majesty. Everyone was great and despite the losing, I enjoyed it and left the field content for the effort.

Overall, the heavy fighting was awesome. I had a blast. I learned lessons with value throughout the day. On and off the field, the chivalry present offered me sound advice and insight to help me improve my skill. Hrothgar, Gnaeus, Erick, Valdryk, and Griffin represented their peerage with distinction.

Special shout out to Earl Sir Benen for helping me with my heater-shield problem last week. Your solution was spot-on. The heater shield worked great for me, all day long.

Eventually, the late August humidity set in sapping the strength out of the heavy field in spite of the tolerable temperatures. Additional community socializing was held on the field late into the afternoon. Styrbjorn and I prepped for feast and packed up, finishing shortly before a brief court.

Feast was a enjoyable affair with music and BACON!. 4 removes were brought out as I recall, Styrbojorn and I both were able to eat our fill and left sated and happy. Of note, I know the bacon jam, bacon wrapped chicken and bacon wrapped pork were highlights. The pork, quite impressively, cut with a fork and melted in your mouth. Mmmm. I also really enjoyed the tasty salad and some fresh hot bread that was a treat. Songs were sung in between removes. Feckless Fear Dearg led off with the Bacon Song (a tradition for the event) and another song about Meridies that I didn't catch the name of (Fair Meridies is the name, I recently discovered :) ). Song and Gerard also graced the hall with melody. We all contributed to a round of happy birthday for Her Majesty, Emiline. If there as a let down in the evening, it was the lack of a bacon themed dessert. Cheescake? Not bacon cheescake? Are you kidding me! :) Need to work on that for next year.

Crimson River has a real winner in Bacon Bash. I found a solid, down home, event that represents all the best there is in being Meridian. Styrbjorn and I had a great time and it was well worth the trip from our home in Easaraigh. They are gracious hosts and a fun bunch of folks to hang out with. I wish them many more years of awesomeness with Bacon Bash. Excellent job!

Well met, friends. Safe journey to thee.

Ld. Eoin Mac Cana, CACM
Squire of House Aspiring
Seneschal, Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies

Musings - Summer 2015

Musings

Summer, 2015

I haven't blogged much this summer, allowing the incessant nagging of the mundane to embrace me and carry me on journeys I didn't seek out.

Here are a few observations and random thoughts to fill the digital void.

Friendship has as many definitions as there are stars in the sky. For me, friends once met and bonded are always there regardless of the time that passes, events that occur, or realities that impede. This year I have reconnected (on various levels) with many friends, siblings (metaphorical), and connections from the past. It has been a pleasant journey so far. If you are one of those that fall into this consideration, know that I truly do appreciate  knowing you and sharing brief episodes of my personal sitcom (exaggeration) with you as we move ever onward through life. Every small contact is worthy of the time we spend on the effort. While some of us have the charisma to make it known to the world what we are feeling at that moment in time, those of us who acknowledge with the short nod or the quiet smile or distant laugh or firm handshake do feel the same things as the rest and are better humans for the act sharing that moment of time with the people that make up our who's-who of friends.

The Shire of Easaraigh held our Northern Regional War Practice last month. It was a small, friendly event. Much fun was had. A big thanks to Ysabel and Corbin for the assist with rapier. It was great seeing many our our regional neighbors on a sunny day in July.

Being a SCAdian in a small shire is hard work.  A prosperous group must be cared for and nourished to stay in that state. A struggling group requires the same nourishment for nothing more than survival. I live in the latter. It takes all participants of the group to maintain the health of the group. I have existed in all states of membership in my Shire, from inactive to leader and back again. As SCAdians, it is important to remember that the greatest lesson that we get (IMHO) out of this hobby is the idea of practical service. It takes all participants of this hobby to make this hobby work. Without a willingness to serve there are no events, groups, or society. We go through an evolution of thought as we start 'Living the Dream'. When we truly decide to stay with it is when the realization of a 'service attitude' sinks in. It makes us better people in and out of our element. It is a gift. I try to remember this always in all things. But, I especially make the effort to bring this with me when I am with my Shire because that is where it is most needed. If you live in the prosperous SCA, keep an eye out for the small groups. Never forget that they are sharing in the same 'Dream' as you are, but are doing it without many of the luxuries that prosperity brings. If you are in that small group, don't get caught thinking you are on your path alone. Remember that there are others walking with you, unrealized, that are willing to share the journey with you and share in the joyful burden that is life with the SCA.

I was reminded today of the anniversary of another loss of life. A soldier. A trooper that I shared duty with and responsibility for for a period of his time with us. He was the best soldier he could be. He was his best version of himself at the end. He found his way out of the mundane distractions and temptations that lead us from the path of quality citizenship. Many people make an oath to serve and through innocence or ignorance fail to grasp what that oath means. An oath is a real thing. I was an innocent at first. Anyone who has witnessed that thing called 'sacrifice', that is so often made trivial, is taught the hard lesson of an oath's reality. As a veteran, I know the reality of an oath. It is not a thing to be taken lightly. It will always be cowardly to break an oath, regardless of innocence or ignorance. An oath is a hard thing that does not know mercy or cowardice. An oath is binding. An oath will always be honored and paid in full once given. On this anniversary of a troopers passing, I am reminded of the truth of an 'oath' and what it means.

The 'Hadi Banner Tour' will recommence soon. My friends farewell tour is not done yet.

Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!

Ld. Eoin Mac Cana, CACM
Squire of House Aspiring
Seneschal, Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies