My Pennsic 2003 Diary

I don't take pictures. I don't really like doing it. On the other hand, I do journal. A lot. Especially when I'm travelling. Pennsic was no exception. This is an abridged version of the diary I kept at Pennsic. There are some things I have to say first, though:

This is abridged. My first Pennsic was a time of high emotions, both good and bad. Some experiences I had were highly personal. I respect the right to other people's privacy. In some sections, I have abbreviated names of people. Some sections I have removed entirely. This is because, even if 99.9% of people seeing this page don't know who they are, there will always be a few who know me who will recognize themselves on these pages. Any comments that I think might be harmful have been removed in their entirety.

At the beginning of each day, I listed how much money I spent that day. You will notice that I spent a lot of money at Pennsic. Hardly what you'd expect on a page for being in the SCA cheaply! But wait, I can explain! I had saved up a great deal of my money all summer to go to Pennsic. This was not a last-minute, unexpected splurge. I planned to spend. Much of what I bought was unnecessary. I ate at the food court a lot. I bought many snacks. I also bought many gifts and a lot of "stuff" from merchant's row. It is possible to go to Pennsic on signficantly less money than I spent. I estimate that only about $425 of my spending was on actual essentials (including camp gear, food, travel, troll, etc.). The rest was pure splurge money. On the other hand, it was lovely knowing that I had lots of spending money.

This page is long. Yes, I know I could have done it in multiple pages, but I decided it was easier for both you and me this way. If you have a problem loading it, email me and I'll set it up differently.

The days in this diary:

Friday, August 1

3.95: lunch
5.17: snack
50.00: hotel
17.00: supper at Applebees
1.00: cookie
= 77.12

7:40 PM

Meadville, PA. 45 minutes from the great land of medievalists, Pennsic. I'm not sure how I'm feeling. While I was working, I was so excited I couldn't talk about anything else. This past week, I've been so busy I barely thought about Pennsic except in the abstract. And now I'm nearly there. I hope I'll have a great time. I expect to, but then again you never know.

I'd like to stay in persona as much as possible. This is difficult to do in Montreal, because most other people don't care. But here... maybe I'll find enough people who think like I do.

I'm not sure how much I'll buy. I was planning on buying a lot, but there isn't much room in K's car. Maybe I'll mail some stuff back home to make place in the car. It's an option. If not, it'll just go to next year.

9:00 PM

Dinner's over. The TV in our hotel room gives off an annoying buzzing, but that's okay because I don't plan on watching much.

I haven't even gotten to Pennsic and I've already spent almost $80 US ($112 CAN). I'm glad I saved up.

Not much else is going on really. We rented a hotel room for the night so we don't have to start unpacking and repacking the car. Also, we can get in one last shower before Pennsic. So that's it. I'm going to watch TV and wait for tomorrow.

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Saturday, August 2

77.12 +
45.00: troll
5.00: lunch
= 127.12

7:15 PM

I am about to get into garb for the first time. It took us most of the day to get set up. There are 4, so far, in our encampment: M, A, K, and myself. It has been long and hard to get everything set up properly. Mostly we are tired and irritable. None of the others are in garb.

The good news: it didn't rain, even though it was supposed to. I offer my thanks to God for that.

I am not sure I completely like my campmates. I feel very young and inexperienced. There is no one in camp my age. Ah well, I'll find people, I'm sure.

I also feel a little on edge, mostly because of the sexually free attitudes most people have here. I know that when I'm not careful I give off the wrong signs. I don't want that to happen. I don't want to get to the point where someone has read me to want sex. I don't. I'll just have to be careful, that's all.

Well, in to garb with me. Until next time.

10:30 PM

I'm back from my first sightseeing tour around Pennsic. So far, not much is happening. Everyone is kind of settling in.

Reminder: brush teeth at night before it's dark.

Nothing else for now. Must journal before dark next time.

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Sunday, August 3

127.12 +
6.50: breakfast
= 133.62

6:30 AM

My tent leaks. Specifically, it has two leaks: both are over my bed. One is on top of my right foot and one is next to my head.

As you might have guessed, it rained last night. At 4 am. I hadn't slept well before that and I certainly didn't sleep well after. So I'm up now.

Let's see what the day brings.

7:30 PM

The bad news: it rained today. Almost all day. Huge, long, hard downpours. I have a large puddle right outside my front door. I think there's condensation, not leakage, on the roof of my tent. Annoyingly, it all falls on my bed, always in a different place. Aside from the two last night, there's also a spot around my stomach and one where my pillow meets my bed. Needless to say, I have a damp pillow.

Hopefully it will be dry tonight. I'd like to experience some of the scorching Pennsic heat I've heard about.

The good news: I've met a bunch of new people. I heard voices when I got up this morning and discovered "Club Ed" across the road from us. They're the emergency soup kitchen. Friendly people.

I also met some people at breakfast. They camp behind Atlantian Royal, but I don't remember their names or the name of their group.

Finally, Freya's here! Yay! I was treated to Freya cooking tonight. I got to meet some of the people she's camping with, too.

I also sewed the first seam of my cloak lining. That's good. Maybe I'll have it done by the end of war, but I doubt it. Next year, I think I'll only come once war starts. There's nothing to do now. I'm bored. They have a fire next door, so I'm going to go there.

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Monday, August 4

133.62 +
16.24: towels, etc.
5.50: lunch
2.00: ice
= 157.36

Late afternoon:

Today we dug trenches. The rain from yesterday left our camp a near-swamp. Between the four of us, we cleaned out nearly 200 gallons of water, and K cleared 50 more. It is drier now, but not dry yet.

The rain that was supposed to come today has not yet arrived, though I fear it might soon. I hope there is no more rain. It is quite wet enough already.

I just met a merchant, Erwillian, across from the Bread Bowl. He is indeed a gentleman, and a sliver- and gold-smith besides. He has a rich Italian patron, Baron Bardicci. They camp at an Italian villa by the lake.

I also tried some Italian ices, and they were excellent. I shall have to remember it.

I think that, if there is no more rain, I shall quite enjoy myself. The merchants open tomorrow, I believe, so at last I will have something to do.

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Tuesday, August 5

157.36 +
52.95: books
1.25: water
6.00: breakfast
2.00: Italian ice
100.00: going-home money
= 319.56

9:30 AM

Yesterday night I toured the Bog. My guide, Castagear, seemed almost universally well-known. We must have been to eight different encampments, including two large parties. I did enjoy myself, buy I realize that I don't really belong in the Bog. I don't drink, drum, or dance, which I found were the main past-times of Bog folk.

One pavilion from the Bog particularly stands out in my mind: Vlad's Pleasure Pavilion. It is absolutely stunning. Three rooms to walk through, all covered in oriental-style carpets. Candles everywhere. A canopy bed. Stunning.

I woke, again, at 6:30 in need of the washrooms. Luckily I was able to fall back asleep again and catch up on the rest I missed the first two nights. The mattress didn't leak nearly as much as yesterday, which is a Very Good Thing.

I assume, though I haven't been outside yet, that it is cool and overcast. I assume this because I am still in my nylon tent, under a sleeping bag and heavy wool cloak, three hours after sunrise, and I am quite comfortable. I will wear warmer clothes.

Good news: merchants open today! Today I go shopping!

Late Afternoon

I did my first volunteer shift today: A&S point. It was actually a lot of fun. I met a bunch of people who are teaching classes I want to take. And, because of the teachers, I might add a few more to my "to take" list.

The first merchants have opened -- about half. I am already so overwhelmed by choice. There is simply so much to look at (and buy). While I was planning on only window-shopping today, I have already bought three books for $50 US. Me and bookstores -- bad combination.

I find myself wanting companionship. While K is a very nice person, I have found that she and I want different things. I don't really think she'd be interested in my long, slow browsing of merchants.

I find that I keep worrying about the stories I heard before Pennsic, that everyone at Pennsic wants sex. I wish I had someone here I could just be myself with and not have the nagging thought that they're only being nice because they want to have sex with me. I've barely met anyone my age -- most are slightly older. I miss having people around I can just talk to and be my natural, somewhat flirtatious self without worrying.

I have been complimented several times today, which is nice. Twice I was called pretty (or beautiful), and once I was complimented on my ability to portray my persona. Of the two types, I am more pleased with the latter. I don't really consider myself pretty, especially not in the fairly frumpy t-tunics I've been wearing. But I am pleased that people appreciate my role-playing. I haven't been able to do it nearly enough yet.

I wish I had a guide who could tell me all the good merchants and the good places to see. Castagear was great last night -- I really got a feel for Bog life (out of place as I felt in it).

I have discovered two things about my body:

1. It doesn't really like my sandals. They're okay, but not for long walks. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to wear my other shoes because it's been so wet around camp. I will probably buy a pair of medieval-style shoes tomorrow.

2. My back definitely doesn't like an air mattress with a hole in it. I don't even know where the hole is. All I know is that 6 hours after filling it, it is nearly half-deflated. My back hurts.

I think, on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being best, this Pennsic ranks about a 4. I haven't done much, and I've been mostly uncomfortable, both physically and emotionally. Hopefully things will change tomorrow, when classes start. I wish some of my friends from home were here.

I think the next time I come to Pennsic, I will camp somewhere with no meal plan. I have found that I don't really eat at camp, and it's a hassle going back. I eat mostly at the food court. And, in the end, it only costs a little more, all things considered.

It's starting to rain, so I will get somewhere dry.

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Wednesday, August 6

319.56 +
6.50: breakfast
0.75: class handout
65.00: shoes
10.00: tankard
25.00: camp food
= 426.81

Morning, about 8 AM

My bed is very damp from the humidity, but at last my back hurts less. I suspect my problem might be that my bed is not completely inflated, rather than a leak. I will try using a hand-pump this evening.

Today I will buy a new pair of shoes. My sandals are beginning to give my feet blisters, and my shoes (sneakers) would be useless with the wet ground (it rained again, briefly, last night). So today I buy new shoes.

I also take my first classes today. I am very much looking forward to that.

Not much else to say, really. Last night was a quiet one for me. Until later!

Early Evening

My feet are dry. This is a new and wonderful experience. I bought a new pair of shoes from Medieval Moccasins and they are wonderful. I haven't tried walking in swampland with them yet, but they handle mud without my feet getting muddy. I appreciate this.

I also bought a new tankard that I can tie to my belt. I also appreciate that. Water is a wonderful, wonderful thing, as long as it's not falling from the sky.

I feel a little dizzy despite the amount of water I've been drinking. I think it might be from mild dehydration. I will drink more, even though it feels like I'm floating.

Between buying those things, I took classes. Many classes. Here's what I took today:

I am also planning on taking "Developing an early period persona with grace and style" later this evening. Needless to say, I've been busy.

I met a very nice man named Patrick who works with the land agents. Actually, I met him yesterday but needed to leave abruptly. I saw him again today while waiting for Freya and he walked me back to camp.

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Thursday, August 7

426.81 +
2.00: Italian ice
2.00: bard
1.00: incense
3.00: ice
= 434.81

Morning

I slept gloriously last night! It turns out my mattress doesn't have a hole, it just wasn't filled well. I filled it with the hand-pump last night and it was firm all night. My back loves me.

I feel asleep early last night -- 11:30. I slept late. My body, I think, had had enough of 4-hour sleeps and wanted more. Admittedly, I needed to use the washroom at 5:30 am, but I was able to fall back asleep afterwards.

I didn't go to the class last night. Instead, I took a shower. Lukewarm water! I could actually stand under it. I even washed my feet. A good shower and a good nights' sleep -- who could ask for more?

Today I am having breakfast with our neighbours, Argent Company. Pancakes and bacon. Yummy. After that, I have two classes in the morning, and then I'm free the rest of the day. Maybe I'll shop some more, maybe volunteer, maybe just go visiting. Who knows?

Late Afternoon / Early Evening

There are too many merchants! I went by "window-shopping" and taking notes on the merchants south of troll, at least the ones that were set up. I thought I had done them all until I realized there were more south of the barn! I already have 12 pages of notes, and that's just those merchants.

Most of the stuff I saw will probably be for presents. Most of it doesn't really fit my persona, but that's okay. There's some really cool stuff. I wish I had more place to put things. Money, though it would be nice to have more, is okay. It's space I want.

I've also decided I'm not going to buy garb. I don't really know what I want anyway, and most of what I do want I can probably make myself. Instead, I'll buy patterns, fabric, and trim. I just don't know how I'll take it home.

I am quickly discovering that I don't particularly like my campmates. I don't dislike them, but they're not people I'd hang out with normally. Around them, I feel young, naive, and unhelpful.

I also still feel fairly lonely. I don't really know anyone buy Freya and K. Freya is a great person but not someone I'd just hang out with. K, I'm quickly realizing, though a great person, is very unlike me. There are some people I've met who are nice, but I haven't really had any significant one-on-one conversations with anyone since I got here. Therefore, I feel lonely.

I missed half a class hunting for the teacher this morning, so I'm going to the repeat tonight or tomorrow morning.

I want to leave camp and wander, but I feel guilty leaving before dishes are done, especially since I wasn't here for cooking. I can't wait for T to get here and set up chores so I don't need to feel guilty about abandoning camp. Ah well.

I think I'll call my mom tonight if I can find my phone card. I miss her -- and my best friend. There are so many things I could look at with him and laugh at, or admire.

I still don't know what I'm doing tonight. I don't want to stay in again, but I'm not that interested in the parties down at the Bog. Ideally, I'd find a nice guy who just wanted to hang out and talk, or maybe a bardic circle. Somehow, I don't think either of those are likely.

Why does it seem that people my age are the minority here? I've seen many people in their mid-to-late twenties and their thirties, but relatively few in their low-twenties.

It sounds like it's going to rain again. Damn. Just what we don't need. At least it's not my duty to figure out where to put people who get here tomorrow. Yay swamp. I have some things to do before sundown, so I'll do them.

Night (1 hour past sunset)

I just spend an hour in Castagear's tent. Nothing happened, though I'm sure he wishes something had. To his credit, he was a gentleman. I told him my limits and he did not cross them. All in all, we had a very good time.

Good news! S and D are here. D is here for his first Pennsic also. I'm actually older at Pennsic than someone! Tomorrow I will how him around what I know. He's on his own for finding the rapier field, though. I have no idea where it is. I told him I would give him a token for when he's fighting. He seemed very pleased with that.

D is camped in the tiniest tent I've ever seen. It is barely big enough to fit his body. I think he'll be buying a new one tomorrow.

We had a wonderful lightening storm tonight. No rain -- yet. There might be some tonight. It was really pretty, though.

Now I have to figure out what I want to buy tomorrow. Later!

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Friday, August 8

434.81 +
4.00: fruit cobbler
6.00: supper
2.00: lemonade
140.12: shopping
= 586.93

Here's what I bought shopping. Prices blow are approximate. Price above is the actual total.

Late Afternoon

I did many things today. First, I attended the "Developing an Early Period Persona" class with Mistress Brid. It was wonderful. She's a fantastic woman and has so many cool things. She's really inspired me to delve deeper into my persona. The only problem I've discovered is that there seems to be a gap in knowledge right around my time period of interest. Perhaps I can become a new expert. *grin*

Then I went shopping. I bought many things. Most were small but nifty. I got to show them to people around camp.

Then I went to herald's point and began the submission process on my arms and name.

Now I'm heading off with people and might party tonight. Later!

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Saturday, August 9

586.93 +
1.00: catalogue
4.00: lunch
10.00: t-shirt
4.00: peach cobbler
1.00: musician
80.00: food plan
20.00: heraldry submission
2.00: musician
15.00: CD
= 723.93

Midmorning

Last night, it rained, but despite that I had a wonderful time. I had a long conversation with Patrick and D and a few assorted others. On the way back, we passed by an impromptu flute concert.

I woke up this morning to the resurgence of lake Zeebera (our encampment is called Zeebera). We bailed 200 gallons of water (again). Then, I took a much-needed shower. It was cold, but I'm slowly getting used to that.

Now, I'm watching D fence, and I will probably go window-shopping later.

1 PM, waiting for class to start

I don't know why I feel guilty every time I walk into camp. I feel as though I should be doing something, anything, like the others are. I'm generally a helpful person, and I feel useless in camp. Useless and naive. Maybe now that there are more people, and the meal plan is starting, things will get better. I have a sneaking suspicion that if I camp at Pennsic again, it will be either with a different group or only for the second week. The worst part is, I haven't spoken to K or M about it. I've spoken to D, Castagear, and Patrick, but not the people who count. Sigh.

Other than that, I'm having a wonderful time. Lots of shopping; lots of cool people to meet who also like me, and so on.

Late Night

So many things to say... where to start?

First, our camp blossomed today. Suddenly, we have three times as many tents and people. We luckily did not have to put up the big tent today since Master H brought it after dark. It's a project for tomorrow.

Next, I spoke to Mom today. It was nice to hear a familiar voice again. She assured me I didn't need to call her again before I come home.

No shopping today, but I did submit my name and device to the heralds.

Finally, two great shows tonight! The first was a really funny bard, Effinwealt. I must email him when I get home for a copy of the "beowulf" (not the one you know). Second, a great bagpipe / drum band called Wolgumut. I got one of their CDs. It's nice to walk around and know I can buy something if I want to.

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Sunday, August 10

723.93 +
26.48: camping gear
79.00: shopping
= 829.41

Here's what I bought shopping:

10 AM

It's raining... again. I will probably be missing at least one class today, since we will be watching the Opening Ceremonies. Also, we will be setting up Bertha, the huge pavilion, (yes, the pavilion is called Bertha) this afternoon.

Many of the shops are not quite open, because it's threatening to rain hard again.

Now, I'm just waiting for the ceremonies to start.

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To see Week Two, click here.

Have a comment on this page? Want to share your own Pennsic experienes? Email the webmistress at julie.golick@gmail.com.

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