So tonight I let blond-ponytail boy and girlfriend lure me to a Markland meeting. (The Markland Medieval Mercenary Militia is a reenactment group similar to SCA, except that instead of pretending to be lords and ladies, they *embrace* the nasty and brutish aspects of the period (the apocryphal origin story includes an early SCA event where some Maryland students showed up and acted like authentic medieval rabble, and were promptly asked not to return)).

So, it was interesting. I kinda expected it to feel more like a village square or a solar and less like a keep under siege, although since they meet in the basement of the armory, I don't know *why* I was surprised. They were friendly in the same antisocial sort of way that I am, and there were a downright astonishing number of classic sf novels laying around the room. I helped trim six dozen "arrows" and was shown how to "fletch" them to standard. I'd never before been around people who could use the noun "mundane" with a straight face.

The meeting seemed to consist mostly of sitting around talking and working on garb or weapons, which was all right, but not that much different from what I'd've been doing if I stayed in my room. I was kinda hoping for something more focused on living history, though I'm aware my standards are absurdly high. Actually it reminded me a great deal of old-school stage crew, right down to the old guys who had been there since the beginning. It was kinda fun; I may go again next week if I feel like working on my quilt in company, but generally it felt like I would need to commit a lot more energy if I wanted to really get anything out of it. Besides, I like my medieval things to be useful out of context.

Anyway, nobody complimented me on my cloak. I feel petulant.

Edit : Look, look, new mood theme! Currently in embryonic form, as I've only filled top-level of the tree, and have no clue what I'm doing, but still, I like! #27826 .