From: Rich Addison <Rich_Addison@med.umich.edu>
Subject: Many questions, Ann Arbor Medieval Festival, and SCA
Organization: U of Mich Organ Transplantation Center
X-Useragent: Nuntius v1.1b2
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1992 19:44:21 GMT

To all who read these letters, greetings!

   I am a resident of Ann Arbor, MI.  I've no idea what Shire I'm in,
although I've deduced that it would seem to be in the Middle Kingdom, no?
 Ever since I knew of the existance of the SCA (early eighties, when I
was in HS) I've wanted to find out more about it.  I have several
questions I'd like to ask about SCA in general, and specifically about
Ann Arbor.  (Is it ill practice to pronounce the acronym 'scah?'  I've
heard many mundaners refer to the Society as that, but realize that
members of a group are sometimes offended by what outsiders call them. 
Members of a fraternity of which I was one used to say "Don't call it a
'Frat'.  Do you call your country a cunt?"  Sincere apologies to any whom
this analogy offends.)

   For one thing, I've been to the Ann Arbor Medieval Festival two or
three times, and know that it's either sponsored by SCA or they at least
have the strongest showing there.  I'd like to go to the one this summer,
but don't know when it is.  Have I missed it?

   I also know, from watching demonstrations at the Medieval Festival,
that there are (or at least were at the last one I attended probably 5
years ago) at least a couple practicing armigers (correct term?) in the
area.  The last Med.Fest. I saw had a sword/dagger maker with several
apprentices or helpers of some sort working with him, and at least one
person making a shirt (or hauberk or something) of mail.  I'd love to
learn to do either for myself!  (I certainly couldn't afford to buy
either!)  Is there some sort of apprenticeship program within SCA
structure?  Are there actually formally structured guilds?  Or can I get
information on the crafts from SCA publications?

   I've followed with great interest the discussion of patterns in mail
since I started reading this group a few days ago.  I'm having some
trouble translating the O-O diagrams to 3D visions in my mind, however. 
I think I've got 3 in 1 and 4 in 1 feasibly drawn on paper, but with 5 in
1 I can't seem to figure out how individual rings must be configured so
that they can be so interweaved without bending.  Are the rings bent, or
is 5 in 1 multi-layered, as it was explained that 6 in 1 is?  Or am I
simply too thick to get such complex 3D geometry?  (I know--flame on...)

   I also need to know about costs involved in SCA membership.  $25/2
years, for national membership, is that correct?  But then you also have
to pay for many specific publications and to attend most events, true? 
Are there any other hidden expenses in participating?  I'm in rather dire
financial straits, at the moment, so I could only participate for the
most part as an observer at events that are cheap/free.  Hopefully this
condition will soon change.

My sincerest thanks to any who respond, and health and long life to all
who read my words

Woefully mundane and looking for Ann Arbor, MI SCA contact:
Rich_Addison@med.umich.edu
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Rich Addison                   |        Do not meddle in
Programmer Analyst             |     the affairs of wizards,
U of M Organ Transplant Center |    for they are clever, and
Ann Arbor, MI                  | you would make a great doorknob.