From: lawbkwn@buacca.BITNET (Yaakov HaMizrachi)
Subject: Pennsic (or 'what I did on my summer vacation)
Organization: The Internet
Date: Fri, 21 Aug 1992 14:25:12 GMT

Unto all who read these words, greetings from
Yaakov.
I am still plowing to catch up to the Rialto,
but I wanted to jot down my impressions before
they became completely irrelevant. (Please save
sarcasm. Thank you.)

First hearty vivats! to the following: Mistress Thora
Sharptooth (for elevation to Laurel) and Catrin Orhyrd
For (for the fantastic mumming on Friday).

I'd also like to thank everyone who showed up
at the Rialto party and made it a success.  I was
stunned.  Previous Rialto parties only lasted
until about sunset, so I was surprised that
some folks lingered until about 2 a.m.!
(I left at about 11:30 or so, Pennsic wanderlust.)

Got there Friday morning 8/7 and discovered that
all my careful mapwork had been thrown away due
to miscalculations in land-grab alottments.  This
meant I lost my supply tent, dining fly, and firepit.
Fortunately, I was able to negotiate a community
firepit with the campmaster (who felt as badly
about the situation as I did).  This, followed
by the weekend of nasty rains, did not bode well
for War.  Fortunately, the ill-omens proved false.

Sunday was T'isha B'av.  the classes were small,
but very pleasant.  I think I'd like to do my
'Intro to Talmud' again.  If anyone who attended
has criticisms, please email me.

Tuesday was the Rialto party, but also recertification
in Red Cross First Aid/CPR (gotta keep the
Chiurgeons happy).  This meant I had little time
to prepare.  My stew went bad and I had no time
to replace it.  For this, my appologies.  Maybe
next year (if I do it again).

The only battles I fought were field and friendship,
quite an experience.  Even though I did not exactly
shine in the combat department (died like a dear
in the headlights, damn!) I had a good time.

It seemed to me that peoplke were very friendly
during the holds, and that no one talked about
combat related stuff.  At least, that was my experience.

On the other hand, I discovered that most people
hit far harder than we do in Carolingia.  I'd say
it was peculiar to War, but I've seen it in other
places.

I think Vajk commented that War seems to be getting
quiter.  I don't think War is, but I am.
Last year was a party0-hearty sort of War for me.
this year was very mellow.

The only disappointing thing was Sunday night
the 16th.  In previous years, there's been
a large bardic circle somewhere.  Couldn't
find one this year after the Franz's St Yoder
Day circle broke up.

I'm sorry I missed the St Pyr's quest.
Oh well, can't be everywhere.

Random observation: This year, the Serengetti
actually had a nig life.  Until now, you
left the Serengetti at night to go somewhere
fun.  Now, the Serengetti is so huge
it supports its own collection of bardic
circles, parties, etc.

Facetious prediction: In 10 yrs, There
will be camping on the hilwhere parking is
today.  The Serengetti will be a merchant area.
The wetlands and the Hill will fight the Pennsic
War over who gets the Merchants and Bath house.

Finally, I'd like to say how much fun it was
to meet people.  Winner of the 'looks nothing
like what I expected' catagory is Esmerelda La
Sabia, who appears as a beautiful sparrow in
the Gardens of Paradise. (*sigh*)  Lovely
voice too.  BTW, thanks to Esmerelda for having
a really lovely circle on Wednsday night.

I thought the weather was fine.

This doesn't cover all of it, but it already
goes on far too long.

Yaakov