Andreva Rigaldi's SCA journal
Jan. 19th, 2009
08:52 pm
Crap. I don't think I'm going to get the hairnet done in time for MidWinter. I need a head, preferably styrafoam so I can stick pins in it. And more time to fiddle with it than just two weeks. Oh well, at least I can probably get the new green belt done.
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rushedJan. 16th, 2009
02:52 pm - I did it!
I finished a sewing project! Nothing major, just wool stockings. But considering my axiom is typically "sewing makes Eeyore cry," it is still pretty major for me. I had lots of help from Lorenzo, so I'm sure that helped. I could not have done the fitting by myself.
To see pictures and more info, go to http://www.projectarchive.org/proj_deta
Now to work on the hair net. Hmmm....I found some green silk while cleaning out my sewing room. Might have to make a new belt, too. I might actually have new accessories for MidWinter A&S and Saltare!
Nov. 13th, 2008
02:59 pm - sponsoring an A&S competition
The A&S event sponsored by my barony is at the end of January. Since I am the current baronial A&S champion, I would like to sponsor something. The MidWinter A&S Champion is the entrant with the highest average score. I don't know if Their Excellencies will be choosing a new baronial champion or if they are planning on sponsoring anything. Last year, the A&S minister added a "skill level" competition that she will be doing again this year. Basically, you decide for yourself what your skill level is, and the highest score from all the entries at that skill level wins a prize. Skill level is determined by the A&S awards you have, your expertise in the area, and your personal assessment.
So I'm trying to figure out what I can sponsor. My particular art is performance and creative writing. I don't want to sponsor anything in those categories or in any one particular category. I would like to encourage more entries across the board. I had two ideas:
1. Sponsor a prize for anyone entering a category for the first time. Could be a novice entering their first competition, or it could be a C&I Laurel entering their first ever cook entry.
2. Sponsor a prize for all entries that are entered in more than one category. Interdisciplinary entries, as it were. (Actually, this was kinda ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
peteyfrogboy's idea. His was a bit more complex, and I might do steal it for next year. This is a simplified version since it's only 2 months before the event.)
Having never sponsored anything before, I'm not sure how these would go over. However, I do feel as champion, I need to do something to encourage A&S in the barony and in the Kingdom. Opinions? Ideas? I need to figure out something soon (like before next Wednesday's business meeting preferably).
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contemplativeSep. 25th, 2008
11:08 am - Overview of European Music 600-1300
I learn something every time I teach a class. Either a new bit of information that I need to add to the class, a comment from someone in the class that I want to research, or something to do with conducting the class itself. In this case it was a little of the former and LOTS of the latter. I've taught this class before, so maybe this time it was less about getting through it and more about making it better.
( Things I learned or want to change )
The class went okay. Those who took it said they enjoyed it and learned a good bit. I was just not satisfied with my presentation or level of preparation. But I am now considering classes on the development of written music and period music theory. The former would probably be of interest to musicians, vocalists, and scribes or those interested in printing. It really in kind of neat to see the advancement from tick marks above text to something that looks almost modern. I will probably need to do more research on written music for instruments, especially as you get later in period.
The latter class would probably be for a smaller, more focused group of people. It would require at least a basic understanding of music. It would deal more with the "rules" involved with musical modes, rhythmic modes, polyphony, etc and how those developed and changed during period. This one will take longer to develop, and would definitely require collaboration with Alasais. She is FAR more knowledgeable on theory. But I do see some interest from a few people who understand music and want to know more of the why behind it than just the history.
thoughtfulSep. 23rd, 2008
04:29 pm - Red Tower
WOW! The last time I posted was about MidWinter A&S in February. That's WAY too long. Of course, being down to one income, not going to events, and being in a bit of a funk about research or creating anything means there is not much to post about. This means I completely missed posting about the regional dance practice peteyfrogboy managed to pull together in AL. We went, we taught, we danced, we came up with some new ideas and inspirations, and I just as quickly lost focus again. Seems to be my standard MO lately.
However, I'm feeling the stirrings of change. Red Tower was this past weekend. ( Long breakdown of running reservations and troll )
As for the rest of the event, this had to be one of the most laid back, stress free events I have been involved with in a long time. Part of that was those involved. Part of it was the format. There were quite a few fighters on both sides of the field. There weren't as many classes as the staff probably would have liked, but most of those who could have taught were involved in other areas of the event. Also, it hard to get people to attend classes away from the field when that is where the main center of attraction for a tourney event is. I spent the majority of my time in the hall at the troll table, but I was able to go to the field for lunch and later in the afternoon after troll closed. Watching the tavern scenario was hilarious! Everyone participated - populace, heavy, and rapier fighters. I can't remember laughing that hard at a "fighting" scenario in a long time.
Court was short, but wasn't. The King and Queen were attending another event, so we only had baronial court. There were the scrolls and awards for those that won the various tournaments. We had the three traditional awards that are given at Red Tower every year - the Heart of South Downs (from the men to a woman), the Chivalry award (from the women to a man), and The Red Raven (our baronial polling order award). I missed the Red Raven being given out because I was conducting troll business. The Baron and Baroness also gave out Tower Awards, our baronial awards for service, arts, and fighting. I received a Tower Award for arts.
Feast was amazing, as all of
Clean-up the next day was super easy! It seems everyone cleaned up their units, so we only had to do the cursory go-over. The hall was swept, mopped, and set-up by the time the event steward made it out of her cabin the next morning. The field was broken down in record time. We were off-site by 12:30, which is almost unheard of. The ranger was quite pleased. All in all, it was a great event. I know I had LOTS of fun, and from what I've heard everyone that attended had the same experience.
Feb. 12th, 2008
01:48 pm - MidWinter A&S
( Wow! A post about an event during the week it actually happened! :-P )
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energeticDec. 4th, 2007
01:52 pm - Magna Fair part 1
( Site )
( Administration )
( Food )
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sick01:39 pm - 15th century Italian dance for sets of couples
Pizochara - http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ajfgnvd5w
Colonesse - http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ajfgnvd5w
Legiadra - http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ajfgnvd5w
sickNov. 30th, 2007
01:45 pm - dancey dancey
More reconstructions:
Lauro - http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ajfgnvd5w
Marchesana - http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ajfgnvd5w
Grazioso - http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ajfgnvd5w
Friday after Thanksgiving, I went over to peteyfrogboy's house to work on dance reconstructions. We were working on the above three dances for an upcoming class. We spent the most time (3-4 hours at least) working on Spero, a dance entry he, I, and alasais are doing for Magna Fair - comparing sources, looking at the music, trying to define the various steps, and making sure we had documentation for everything. I spent two hours yesterday typing everything up.
Spero documentation - http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ajfgnvd5w
bouncyNov. 9th, 2007
01:24 pm - Prep for Saltare
First a couple of odds and ends. New reconstruction of a dance for 2 couples:
Hit and Misse
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ajfgnvd5w
New reconstruction of a dance for 4 couples in a circle:
Mage on a Cree
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ajfgnvd5w
Corrected reconstruction of a dance for 4 couples in a line:
Nonesuch
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ajfgnvd5w
For Saltare, one of the classes I am teaching is English Country Dance for sets of 4 couples. I knew I wanted to teach Newcastle and wanted to stick with dances that had the doubles/sides/arms verses. I considered doing Nonesuch, but I decided I wanted all three dances to be 4 couples in a circle so it would be easier to transition from one dance to another. It also avoids the "lead couples has to know what they are doing because they start everything." In circle dances, either Men/Women do something or opposing couples do something.
If All the World Were Paper (known dance in Meridies)
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ajfgnvd5w
The Fine Companion (new reconstruction)
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ajfgnvd5w
Newcastle (a bit more complex because it has more steps and position changes)
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ajfgnvd5w
( contemplation on how to teach specific steps )
contemplative10:09 am - Something to remember
*The Paradoxical Commandments
by Dr. Kent M. Keith (c)1998, 2001*
People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.
Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives.
Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.
Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.
Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness makes you vulnerable.
Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the
smallest men and women with the smallest minds.
Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.
Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.
Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.
Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.
Oct. 31st, 2007
10:46 am - future events
I am definitely going
I would like to go
I am interested in going if I can afford the money and time
Nov 10 - Fighter's Collegium (working in the kitchen with Art's apprentice sister)
Dec 1 - Magna Fair (various A&S entries)
Jan 12 - Saltare (teaching 4 classes)
Feb 9 - MidWinter A&S (various A&S entries, bathroom duty)
Feb 16 - Black Gryphon
***edit*** Newcomer's Collegium is definitely out. I have a mundane conflict that I will not miss. ***edit***
Apr 5 - Coronation
Apr 19 - Dreamstone
Apr 26 - Beltaine (Grey Niche, Gleann Abhann)
May 3 - Crown List
May 10 - either Heroes & Heroines or May Tourney (also Mother's Day weekend)
Jun 7 - Kingdom A&S (various A&S entries, possibly something more)
Jul 19 - Royal University of Meridies (teaching classes)
Jul 26 - Dance Symposium (Iron Ox, Gleann Abhann)
Aug 23 - Tourney of the Foxes
Sep 13 - Coronation (depends on if work send me out of town again or not)
Sep 20 - Red Tower
Oct 11 - Crown List
Oct 25 - Silver Hammer
Dec 6 - Magna Fair
Not too bad. Starting in January, 8 definites, 5 interesteds, and 4 maybes. The only ones that might be truly difficult is April into May. September is always crazy between Dragon*Con, work, Coronation, and Red Tower.
thoughtfulOct. 30th, 2007
03:59 pm - recent pictures & Silver Hammer
( Silver Hammer )
And now for some recent pictures.
( singing at Crown List )
( Italian dress )
( Italian with Giornia )
( Lorenzo got a little creative )
( my new favorite way to wear my hair at events )
Oct. 12th, 2007
04:28 pm - Decisions made
I am not going to put a bid in for KA&S. I didn't enter anything last year because I wasn't prepared. I'm on a role with my projects and documentation, and I don't want to put a stop to that. I could potentially enter 1 or 2 things, but not everything I want to. If I don't enter something, I want it to be because I don't think it is ready, not because I set it aside to put my energies elsewhere.
It's why I wear a green belt instead of a yellow one.
The other decision I made was to leave the apprentice list. I did get a few good things off the list, and reconnected with a couple of people. However, it seems to devolve into a bitch session more and more often. I realize we all need to vent, but when you have 20+ people venting at the same time or about the same thing, it gets old really fast. Currently there is a thread going on that is a bit more personal to me that will drive me nuts if I stay there. Rather than do something stupid or rash, I am removing myself from the source of irritation.
I made some good friends through the list, and most of them are also here on LJ. I'll miss potentially make new ones. But right now I'd rather not go hoarse from screaming at the computer. I have to sing this weekend. ;-)
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satisfiedOct. 11th, 2007
09:27 am - combined revel article
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ajfgnvd5w
This is the article I wrote for our local newsletter on running a combined revel. A couple of things I touched on in the article but didn't go into in depth:
As peteyfrogboy mentioned in my previous posts, when there are melody instrument involved in the Hafla, not just drums, it gives the audience something to listen to. It is difficult to have melody instruments outside in the damp air. Most drummers complain about what the damp does to their drum heads. I don't want to think about what it would do to something more delicate. Not to mention the sound of most instruments gets lost under the drums if there are no acoustics to play with. Also, it is easier to control access to the instruments inside. You can set them in a corner blocked off by chairs or the musicians themselves. Outside, unless you have a tent and someone guarding it, it is more difficult.
I mention that dancers and musicians do not need to make a choice about which one they want to attend. What also happened is that those that would automatically chose one over the other had a chance to experience something they would not normally. And many of them experimented with a new style of dance or incorporating elements of that dance into what they already do. We had several European dancers trying Middle Eastern dance. We also had a line of European dancers doing bransle steps around the room to the Middle Eastern music. While we did really only had one strictly Middle Eastern dancers (technically Persian), we did do at least one dance that was influenced by Middle Eastern dance ("Maltese" Bransle). I also think other dances can incorporate elements from Middle Eastern dance, and am interested in exploring that more as I learn and teach.
Oct. 10th, 2007
04:59 pm - Decisions, decisions
Research in progress: how to make cheese, how to perform an Anglo-Saxon poem
Research done: helped peteyfrogboy edit and proofread his beginner's dance manual, compiled handout for 15th Century Italian Dance for Sets of Couples (dance class tonight), wrote article Running a Combined European Revel and Middle Eastern Hafla (for local newsletter)
Research to start: 3-person 15th century Italian dance (Spero - 2 women, 1 man), Thomas Morley duet, Landini duet, recipes with cheese (preferably from same book or at least same time period as recipe for making cheese), 15th century Italian musical formsroget told me last night KA&S next year will be at FDR. It would be the perfect event for our barony to put in a bid for. I personally would love to put in the bid. Unfortunately, that would also mean putting most if not all of the research project on hold for KA&S 2009. I would not have time to enter all of those if I am also in charge of the event. I know most KLE's run themselves, but I would still need to do management stuff. Eh, I'll have to think about it. I would really like to do a KLE, and this is almost perfect. *sigh*
thoughtfulOct. 4th, 2007
04:51 pm - letter to the populace
Greetings!
I would like to thank everyone to attended the Red Tower revel. This was the first time I had ever organized a combined European revel and Hafla, and I hope everyone enjoyed themselves as much as I did. I would especially like to thank Mistress Jadi Fatima for helping me organize the Hafla, Peach Curry for entertaining us with live music, and Lady Arioghanwyn Ferchangus for providing all the delicious desserts.
Because this is the first time I had ever organized this kind of activity, I would appreciate any and all feedback. Did you have a good time? Do you have any suggestions of things to change or improve for next time? Comments can be made here or sent privately to ladyeorann AT gmail DOT com.
Thank you again to everyone!
Lady Andreva Rigaldi (called Eeyore)
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curiousOct. 3rd, 2007
05:30 pm - Anglo-Saxon poem documentation
Updated my Anglo-Saxon poem with proper punctuation. Also updated the documentation since I added two more stanzas. I probably will end up updating it again now that I'm doing more research. I'll also do separate documentation for the performance of Anglo-Saxon poetry.
Poem: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ajfgnvd5w
Documentation: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=ajfgnvd5w
I really need to get a webpage started. Keeping track of things in google documents and on here is okay, but rather tedious.
thoughtfulOct. 2nd, 2007
02:57 pm - catching up on event reviews
( Red Tower )
( Harvest Home )
As I mentioned in my other journal, I am looking to maybe go to a couple of GA events next year. Grey Niche is doing Beltaine April 26th, the weekend before our Crown List. I would really like to go and see my old group. Also, Iron Ox (Jackson, MS) is hosting a Dance Symposium July 26th, the weekend after RUM. It would be fun to attend that and offer to teach. Maybe a few local friends would like to go along to either of these (hint hint).
Locally, we are changing dance practices a bit. Instead of 2 straight hours of European dance on 2nd Wednesdays, Mistress Jadi is going to Middle Eastern dance for the first hour, and I am going to teach European dance the 2nd hour. This still gives us two hours of dance, just two different types. It gives us a chance to try ME dance in the group again, and still gives the European dancers at least one night a month where the dance practice is later for those that can't make it at 7. Also, for that later hour, I want to try having an organized class, rather than the typical "what do we feel like doing." I'm still working on the one for next week, but I have an idea. Also, it will give other dancers who want to try a class before an event a venue to do that.
We are also trying again to find a place to have a regional dance practice. We have a few new ideas to try, and some possible dates. I'll post more once there is more info, but right now there are a couple of things in the works.
Now, to run to the library to research Anglo-Saxon poetry and think of something to perform at Crown List in two weeks.
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