: Miniver Cheevy had it right
Spent the weekend about 110 miles and 500-or-so years away from Knoxvegas, attending Black Gryphon, a weekend event held by The Barony of Thor's Mountain, Knoxville's local chapter of the Society of Creative Anachronism.
I performed in two plays at the event: "The Hawk-Eyed Sentinel" and "The Wonder Show" by Miguel de Cervantes. I had a couple short parts --an egoistic governor and a scrappy little shoemaker-- in my inaugral venture into acting; Never thought I'd end up on stage, but it does suit my natural hamminess.
The SCA? Yes, we dress up like the Middle Ages and hit each other with blunt objects. No, I wouldn't advise teasing us about it. Never piss off anyone wearing armor and carrying a sword. That's the basis of chivalry, after all. Politeness matters in an armed society.
All 'Miniver Cheevy' snarkiness aside, the SCA is collection of people who do. There are people living in Knoxville who can make chainmail armor or cook a feast for 120 or sew beautiful Elizabethan gowns or make beautiful, ornate, and functional handicrafts. I admire them greatly.
The event was great. I didn't screw up any lines. I made new friends. I attended my first-ever feast. (I was defeated, in the end, by the sheer amount of food. The conversation was wonderful, too.)
And then there was a delightfully carnal meeting with a new friend on Saturday night ...
. . . but that's another story.