Gulf Wars XXX - A Preface
King's Arrow Ranch Lumberton, MS
March 12 - 20, 2022
As acceptance of a ‘new normality’ permeates society, with trepidation I am venturing forth into the larger part of my SCA hobby again. Gulf Wars XXX starts in a few days. With the exception in the fall of last year when there was a lull in the infections, I have been isolated from the in person aspects my hobby for the better part of 2 years. My house has been very pragmatic about the pestilence and isolation has been our primary means of combatting the plague on the land. From this controlled world, I am venturing forth into a large and chaotic environment of an SCA war event.
My thoughts for the past month have been all over the place as I have prepared for this trip. I have balanced on the edge of going and not going the whole time. It’s only really been this last week that I have fully convinced myself into acceptance. With that acceptance, I wanted to put some words down to provide myself a benchmark for future reference. This is no small act for me.
My reluctance comes from the fact that the disease has not left the land. It probably never will. The controls with which our society has to combat the problem have been placed firmly in the hands of the individual and while I want to trust people, the rule of thumb is that an individual can be smart but a crowd of people is quite often not. As a person that has several markers that put me in a high risk category for problems from infection, I exercise caution and accept personal protection as a requirement when I venture into the world now. My attitude in this is not fear driven, it is preventive care and the desire to have the best health I can have for me and mine as I grow older. All of this being said, a large gathering of people is concerning. Gulf Wars is a large gathering and I am electing to venture forth into it. Since Gulf Wars is an outdoor camping event, I feel if gives me a certain amount of control as an individual that works in my favor and is a large part of why I feel ‘OK’ going.
Masking will be a big part of my control while I am at the event. While there is a mask policy in play, the reality is that I fully expect that to be selectively ignored based on what I have seen in events held so far since things have started opening back up. For me, I plan to be wearing one anytime I am around people while there. Which means, Ill be wearing one most of the time. One of the challenges of masking around people will be if I do any fighting. There is no mask requirement for people fighting and social distancing while fighting is hard to do in some scenarios. I hope to do some fighting, but will be tempering that with some caution. I really don’t want to get into any ‘scrums’. That means I may not play in some scenarios (bridge, fort, ravine for example) where a ‘scrum’ is really how the fight plays out.
My management of personal needs protecting myself from the plague versus my obligations as a participant in my hobby will be challenging. Mentally, I’ve been putting pressure on myself in regards to what is expected of me (real or imagined) at the event. The game is what we make it. Can I do my ‘part in the play’ to the level of expectation I have set for myself with the real world controls I want to have in place? I am not sure.
I was inducted into the Legion of the Bear prior to the shutdown. The expectation from that at Gulf Wars is that I am on the field playing the good sergeant’s role in the cohort. There is also peripheral obligations like checking IDs at the Known World Party. Balancing the needs of the Order against my own will be challenging. As a new inductee, I want to be a member in good standing worthy of the honor. I don’t want to let down this order. I was also inducted into the Order of the Bough prior to the shutdown, a service order. Can I find a way to serve at the event that allows me to exercise the control I will be comfortable with? How will I uphold the honor of this recognition? Both orders deserve my participation. How to I weigh my commitments to them in the balance of my own needs?
I have an urge to fight. I find great enjoyment in the exercise. But, I don’t want to get into close crowds of people. At a war, this is a contradiction as fighting goes. Ill find some ways. Just not sure I will do as much as I normally would. I also have to be mindful of some physical limitations to not hobble myself trying to have some fun.
Parties. I will not be going to any parties without a good reason. A drink in hand is an justification to go without a mask at these gatherings. But, I don’t typically go to these things without reason anyway. Not a prude, but I don’t drink alcohol and really don’t like being around it.
While the event is a vacation and should be enjoyable and relaxing, I have a lot of anxiety about it. Ill be brewing on it the whole way down to the site. Reading my commentary to this point, I’m wondering why I even am going. But, I always feel anxiety when I go to events. I’m an introvert. The past two years have entrenched my feelings and comforts that come from my introverted nature. Being out in the world will do me good. Being around other people will do me good. At the very least, Ill enjoy being outside for a while. Even if the rest of the event gives me pause.
I think around people at the event, I will probably seem standoffish and maybe aloof. I laugh, but I think that is probably how many SCA folk that don’t know me see me anyway. I am the grim looking man standing off to the side watching the event. Now, I’ll be that grim looking, masked man off to the side watching the event. If you see me, know that I’m mostly friendly, only slightly abrasive, and I might even like you. I don’t mean to look angry, I’m just drawn that way.
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
