Gulf Wars XXX - An Epilogue
King's Arrow Ranch Lumberton, MS
March 12 - 20, 2022
First, let me preface this by saying that the observations and opinions that follow are mine. If I step on a toe or even graze a foot, it is not my intent to besmirch any names or offend. I am only tossing my thoughts to the ethereal wind for the world’s deckers to ignore as nothing more than some binary noise polluting the streams. In sharing, I am communicating ideas that normally would stay securely in my brainlocker for me to mumble under my breath in those moments when witnessed, an onlooker would classify me as a ‘nut’. I’m just shouting at the moon in a quiet voice for all to ignore. All that being said, you can choose to ignore my ramblings as well. This communication medium makes me feel better and that is all that matters in this telling. So, enjoy or not. There is no spoon.
Gulf Wars XXX as come and gone. Like the 29 before, it was Gulf Wars. But, it was also not Gulf Wars. Something felt off. We were there. I was there. Over 2,000 others were also there. What was off? The merchants were there. Mostly. I saw tents and fights and classes. I saw golf carts and porta johns. The things were there. But something… something felt amiss.
It could have been the two ‘missing’ years where the event did not officially occur. I do not really think that was the problem. Let us explore things a little here and brainstorm.
The 800lb gorilla in the world, Covid, could be the missing thing. But, at the event, it did not seem like it was even a concern. For someone like me, who has done there best to follow protocols and guidance as the disease has made it through the world, I did not ‘feel’ the presence of much in the way of precaution. Now granted, the event is outdoors. That works in our favor, but in general it appears that the majority that attended the event did not recognize or in some cases even acknowledge the happenings of the past two years. The event fell under the Gleann Abhann policy for protocols which at best is a common sense policy in the terms it outlines for mask usage. I think it was mostly ignored with few exceptions. The populace was adamant that there would be a Gulf Wars and most did their best to treat it like an island of normal SCA as it was pre-pandemic. Did I expect masks to be worn 100% of the time? No. I did not. Did I expect masks to be worn when distancing could not be achieved? Yeah, I think I did. What did I witness? Some masking early in the event to none by the end of the week. There was a general ‘so be it’ acceptance that said, ‘I trust that everyone is OK and clear of any infection’. I hope that no one gets sick, but if at least one person was there and was, then there will be others. If COVID came to Gulf Wars 30, It would have had plenty of opportunity for unimpeded transmission. I am saddened a little that the perceived collective populace attitude of my fellow SCAdians was one of denial and not caution. I cannot say that it is in opposition to my expectations through. From what I have noted in smaller events recently, this attitude was the trend. The mundane world has shown that it is tired of the virus and taking a ‘damn the torpedoes’ attitude in most if not all situations. Infection rates have tanked in recent weeks. That is good and I hope it stays this way. Even I felt this apathy toward self-protection by the end of the week. I still don’t know how I feel about how the week played out. I was happy for the appearance of normality but also alarmed at the cavalier attitude I witnessed. At best I am conflicted by the whole thing. Ill leave that there for now.
If not the gorilla, what was off about things? Something that seemed to be a constant was that the event seemed stale. Like it was going through the motions with little intent. There were things happening, albeit often behind schedule. Staff was there, often needing more help. Parties where held, but subdued. We had good and bad weather.. that may have been the only thing that was right and true as I think about it. When I look at the event with over 2,000 in attendance that still seemed to be a little off, I started thinking what was a normal Gulf Wars like? Normal attendance is around 3,500. That borders on almost twice many as the attendance we had. My theory, this is just an opinion, is that the ‘missing’ part of the event was the other almost 2,000 hearts and minds that did not come. So, the something missing is all the contributions of the attendance that was not there. How many ideas were not hatched? How many persons were not there to contribute to the events success? How many heroes were not there to leap out from the crowd and save the day? That, in my humble opinion, was the real missing element. Do not mistake my intent here. There was fun had. It was a good event. Lots of stuff happened. I just think that the missing attendance had the unfortunate result of creating gaps and vacancies in activities that while not immediately noticed did contribute to a feeling of something not exactly right. Staff shortages and scheduling issues were larger symptoms of the absent attendance. It felt to me that the collective ‘we’ tried to hold a ~4,000 person event with only ~2,000 people. ‘We’ tried to do all the things, just like we did last time there was a Gulf Wars. ‘We’ tried hard to do that. I think ‘we’ just overreached in the attempt and created an event that was good but not great.
So, what did I get out of it after the observations above?
Firstly, I did not fight much. ‘I has sad’ for that. All said, I geared up and fought one day of the event for just a few hours. Why? Time has granted me a foot issue that will most likely be my burden to bear for the rest of my days. I am still adjusting to this and I am not happy about it. I offer my apologies to my Bear brothers. I put a lot of side-eye on myself for not being on the field to help and prove my worth. I did have fun the day I fought. Warmed up with Sir Randver then fought in the Trimarian Bear Pit tourney. I got some good laughs in. Wanted more but trying to be smart and not liking it.
Second, I did some service. I marshalled for the heavy town battle on Tuesday. It wasn’t planned. I was going to take pictures, but before lay on there was a call for marshals and there were not enough by far on the field. So, I grabbed a tabard and a staff and marshalled. I also completed an entourage shift for HRH Paraskova on Thursday. So, that was my bit of service for the war and kingdom outside of the Foxes Den encampment. In camp, I tried to be a good campmate and help where able. Service was done.
Third, I socialized. Though, not to the level of most. I spent time with my camp around the fire. I spent time with my knight and sister squire. I visited with new friends over dinner at St Martins (it was some really good Korean food, mmmm). But, I mostly kept to myself. No parties. No battles. Only a few hugs and several fist bump greetings. Just me enjoying some outside time after a 2 year hibernation. It was enough and I did not feel the need to run off screaming from ‘too much people’.
The rest of the week was spent limiting my time on foot, which was not an easy thing to do at Gulf Wars. It’s a big site and nothing is ever close by it seems. I had so many hours of walking time each day before I had problems. Made it through the week without too much trouble. Just took care to be smart and not dumb with what I chose to do.
That is my take on Gulf Wars XXX. Was it a great event? Not by old standards. Was it a good event? Yeah. It allowed SCAdians to reconnect. If nothing more was accomplished than that, that made it successful. Gulf Wars XXX was a solid wedge in the door to normalization. It wasn’t perfect. It did not have to be. All it had to do was exist and have people come and they did. Good job.
Well met friends. Safe journey to thee!
Baron Eoin Mac Cana called 'Clyde'
Squire to Earl Benen MacTire
Warden of the Northern PlateauKnight Marshal, Shire of Easaraigh
Kingdom of Meridies
