M&M 12 Recap

Ugh, what a month.

Well, as far as the outside observer is concerned, M&M went off without a hitch, yet again for another year. I think we are beginning to get the hang of this.

Even behind the curtain, things went pretty well. We did have a couple of hiccups that were unexpected, but we took care of it. About two weeks before M&M, our Autocrat, Mistress Maerwynn became Her Highness Maerwynn. So, to prevent any problems with the Society and it's army of lawyers, she had to pass the torch onto Mistress Katriana as the event steward. But thanks to Maerwynn, and all the hard work, she did getting things arranged and ready prior to her becoming Princess. So Katriana had no problems once she stepped in as event steward.

The other hiccup was feast. Wilhelm was planning on making a Italian feast for 30, but with his mundane job keeping him on his toes and unsure where he'll be at any given moment, feast was up in the air. It was about a couple of weeks before when Wilhelm knew it would be unlikely he would be here for M&M so we had to cancel feast this year. We were able to cancel it in advance enough that I think most people could make other arrangements. I didn't hear any complaints.

The rest of the event went off perfectly. I can mostly speak of fighting since I was on the field for majority of the day. But I heard the A&S competitions were fun and entertaining, and the archery was unique and challenging.

As for the fighting, we have two new Baby Seals in the Shire. Both Kjarten and Heinrich were able to pass their authorizations at M&M. Kjarten went first and was the "Baby" Seal for about 15 minutes until Heinrich authorized. So officially, Heinrich is now the official "Baby" Seal of Crescent Moon. Congratulations to both of them! Vivat!

We also added a new Noble to the Shire. Isolda of Skye is now LADY Isolda of Skye when she received her AoA at court on Saturday. Congratulations to Lady Isolda.

We had a record number of people at M&M this year. I think the final total was 187 people, but I haven't seen the official paperwork yet. I think our last record attendance was in the 150's, last year if I remember correctly. We had a large amount of people coming in on Friday and camping than we have before. We had to open up space behind the battlefield and archery line for campers this year. First time we've ever had to do that. Each year, our numbers have been growing and growing. Soon, we might have to either find a new site, or rearrange the site to accommodate all the people. Maybe as soon as next year. That will have to be something we need to think about.

I can't help but feel a little bit proud and honored that M&M has been doing so well. When I started in the SCA, we were at M&M 5, and it was a small, casual event. And although it is still a small, casual event, it is getting bigger. Much bigger than what it was when I started. I think it has to do with the people here in the Shire that make sure to keep this thing we have special, and fun for everyone who comes. For the last four years, I have had someone come up to me and tell me that they have never come to a M&M before, but they have had a great time and will be back every year. That is what I love to hear.

M&M is special, and unique. It is growing, and people are taking notice. We just did year twelve, and we must be doing something right if we've done it for twelve straight years. Not many other groups can say they have had the same event for that long, and still is getting bigger and better.

Not sure what we're going to do next year. It is the dreaded thirteen. We have to do something with that. It would be fun to work in superstitions or bad luck into the theme. I think it could be better than this year.

Pre-M&M

I'm about to head out to site for Melees & Mayhem 12. The forecast is for good weather. We should have quite a few people this year. I hear more people are excited about it than I have heard in years past. We have some new people who this will be their first M&M, and some their first event. We will have Their Majesties and Their Highnesses in attendance. So, it should be a fun and interested weekend.

I'll post a recap once the event is over.

Recap: 12th Night

I traveled to 12th Night this past weekend. I believe I've been to every one since I've been in the SCA, some 7+ years now. It is one of my favorite events. Lots of good fighting, food, people, and just a jolly good time.

In my old 360 blog, I wrote about Fighting to Win vs. Fighting to Not Loose. Sometimes it's a hard habit to break, especially when you've been doing it for so long. I found myself more concerned about my stats and how many fights I won than just having fun. I know I usually start slow but get better as I warm up, so it was not really a surprise that I was frustrated after my first five fights, and getting only one victory.

I decided to take a break and re-focus. While I was, I watched my squire-brother Shawn go out there and fight, and fight, and fight. I wish I had his stamina and speed. He was doing pretty well. Then I found Toen, and we sat and talked, and laughed for quite a while. It was good. I haven't seen him in a few months.

After sitting with Toen and watching the fighting, I decided to get back up there, and just have fun. Don't count my fights, don't worry about how I do, don't worry about who my opponent is, and just go out and fight, and try to win, not to not loose. And I honestly can not tell you how many fights I fought this time, but it was more than my first five, and I know I won more than one, but how many, I don't know, nor do I care.

This time, I just went out to fight, and I was more relaxed, and more confident in my fighting. Honestly, since I was awarded my axes at Lilies, I have felt I haven't deserved them yet. But I started to feel like I could wear them at 12th Night. Overall, I had the most fun during this time.

Afterwards I went to court, changed clothes, got a bite to eat with Toen and Shawn, and headed home. This was the longest I've driven to an event by myself before. I wasn't really worried about it, except for possibly being tired and falling asleep. If it wasn't for my lovely Isolda talking to me on the phone, I probably would of.

I got beat-up a bit more than usual at 12th Night. It's usually a very good tournament with some good fighters, but I had some fluke accidents. In my first fight of the day, I was fighting the byes in the Novice Tourney. The guy hit me in my sword arm in the small gap between my elbow cop and vambrace. Made my entire arm go numb for a bit. And on my last fight of the day, a two-stick authorization, he hit me on the underside of my wrist on my left arm, where I don't have any armor. I thought it was broke. But luckily, it isn't. Hurt like hell for a while though.

Overall, I have a good time. I didn't stay for feast, as I wanted to get home. I missed going up with Isolda, but maybe next year. I got to catch-up with Toen and Shawn, and talk with a few friends I haven't seen in awhile. All in all, it was a good event. Looking forward to next year.

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