In Persona

["Mohajerin, Leila" <mohaj001@onyx.dcri.duke.edu>]

Poster: "Mohajerin, Leila" <mohaj001@onyx.dcri.duke.edu>

As I see it there are two very different concepts going on here:
1. Pick a persona and develop it.  
2. Stay in with the theme of events.

The Points...(as I see it)?

The reason we pick a persona is to distance ourselves from the normal
90's life we all (hopefully) have.  Choosing an alternate name, time and
place helps to distance ourselves from that other life.  It also gives
us a starting point for researching and practicing elements of a
specific culture. 
This is all fair and good.  Personally I do not consider it a
"character" I put on and off.  I feel that is the attitude of a lot of
gamers or fantasy types.  Hopefully Sveva doesn't  behave any
differently that Leila would.  And, living in the SCA, Sveva can take
part in activities that a 15th c. Italian lady might not have
experienced.   

As for themed events, they provide an opportunity to look into a culture
that may not be your main focus.  I enjoy having a theme direct me in my
artistic endeavors.  And it makes planning an event more fun if you have
specific key things you want to emphasize. For example, at Feast of St.
George (April
10th...http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Crete/9447/stgeorge.html) we are
concentrating on late period England and all things Dragonish.  For
Cossacks, Mongols and Huns (Sept. 25th) we plan to invite people to
delve into Eastern European things.  I think it adds to the fun, but to
dictate that everyone  MUST be dressed that way adds far to much
pressure for this to stay a game.  

I do agree that often it is easy to slip into mundane chat.  I am guilty
of this and try to curb it. It is hard when people want to know what is
going on in your whole life and you only see each other at events.  

But we are doing this for fun and sport.  Facts are that modern tents
are easier to set up, and more accessible for the beginner, that certain
modern equipment is necessary (I heard of an person in a wheel chair
being chastised for distracting another- How Rude!) and there are levels
of comfort and sanitation I do not want to forgo!  There are "Enchanted
Grounds" at events in many parts of the Known World and Pennsic.  If you
want to set up your own, I am sure there are plenty of people to join
you.  As for the rest of us, we will try to do the best we can.  

Sveva
(voicing her own opinion)
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