When did you discover.....????

[Tiger_rifles]

Hello All,
Due to the fact that two threads are running neck and neck and nearing 50+ posts, lets all poke fun at ourselves and try to remember when it was that "YOU DISCOVERED YOU WERE A FARB!"

For me it was May of 2004, 140th of Spotsylvania. I had been a "just get by reenactor" for many years, I made all my own leather gear and lots of my clothes...... just good enuff to get by! I was waiten to get my picture took, when I started talking to a group of fellows from the 1st Md. (CS), well really only one of them, as only one of them would talk to me! I am sure he does not remember, but the fact that one person was willing to speak to me and help me with my impression changed everything. I made up my mind there and then that I wanted to get one step closer to the men that really did this 140 years ago.

By Oct. 2004 (Franklin Tn.), I had myself a new Jacket from Cantrell,( sure wish he was still makeing Uniforms!), w/Fed Eagle buttons, jeanclothe civilian trousers and proper draws,( got them off E-BAY! and they are perfect!), got me a sloch hat,(no more kepi's for me.... why did I ever wear those hot things anyway?), and I was ready to go. Marched out with the Red River Batt. and never looked back, Franklin 2004 is still my best reenactment!, sleepin on the ground, eatin what they issued me, marchin till I dropped!

Since then I have discovered i can still hand stitch some items,( haversacks, shirts, etc...), but jackets should be left to the Professionals,(IMHO). Same with leather gear, I learned the way to make correct leather dye and got rid of all that "Tandy Leather Works" stuff. I use linen thread and correct awls, etc... but still leave the big stuff,(cart boxes, cap pouches, etc...), up to L.D. Haning & Co., they are the Best!.

I have not pulled out the big tent for 4 years now and I enjoy myself royally!

[Memphis]

While standing at the urinal one day, it was at that precise moment that I realized I either had to convert to an entirely different religion or face facts.

[OVI]

It came to me in 1996 at the infamous Shiloh/Mudloh rained out event in TN. Once the event was called, I never forget me and a comrade lugging out my bread box to the parking swamp. It dawned on me that carrying boxes filled with crap I didnt need in miserable weather wasnt a productive exercise in living history. From then on I began the process of changing my ways.

Kent Dorr - Ohio
"Devils Own Mess"

[3rd_PA_Artillery]

I realized it when I came to my first reenactment (I thank God not many people were there) in a pair of jeans, some black church shoes, a button down shirt I borrowed from my dad, and an old tourist hat from a Gettysburg tour center. I'll admit, I'm still a farb, but its not as bad any more.

[Rob Weaver]

I marched with a fife and drum unit back in the Bicenntenial. After 2 years with them I joined the Brigade of the American Revolution. I said "I have a complete uniform - see!" and showed off my double-knit polyester uniform made from the Simplicity pattern.

[indguard]

I was never a FARB because at each stage I was learning to be more authentic. I think it does no good at all to call people names (including yourself) when they are steadily progressing.

Now, if they are wearing the same stuff they've had for 5 years, never improved and never learned a single new thing... well, that is different question. That's a person that has no interest in progressing. Call them what you will.

WTH
The Whydoyouhavetobeajerk Mess

[reb4lee]

When I took out my shell jacket from the box. (Before my first reenactment) From that point on, I slowly improved. Still not perfect but it's getting there.

[flattop32355]

In deference to Mr. Huston, I shall always be "inaccurate".
Hopefully, I shall continue to become less so as I go along in the hobby.

As to realizing how inadequate I was to where and what I would like to become, it came within the first year, having spent money on things that looked useful that weren't very, upon attending events that gave no sense of what I believed the war was like, and discovering that my years of studying the battle history of the war had only scratched the surface of what there was to know.

To my thinking, we are all farby. That's fine, because it's all we can attain. However, we can work to change the degree, if not the fact.

[Rob Weaver]

We are ALL farbs, even if we don't want to own that title. I don't just mean obvious things like we're too old or overweight or that we just pretend to kill people. We are visitors in the past, with a second-hand knowledge. That knowledge may grow, based on our interest, time, ability, etc, but it will always remain second-hand. Imagine, if you will, that you lived through the 1960s. At some point in your old age, you went to a 60s-themed weekend, where young people tried to demonstrate what life was like. How many of them will never succeed beyond the level of characature? How many will get just enough right to remind you of your youth and the people you knew? How many of them will look right, but mix details; in the words of Twain, they "have the notes but not the music?" How many of them can address the myriad of conditions which came together in your hometown at exactly that time? When all is said and done, though, YOU are the only authentic in the room. You were there. Remembering that we weren't there and are at best very very very good impersonators is a great step of humility that is greatly needed in living history ranks.

[7thMDYankee]

Rob,

Thanks for that perspective. I was just reading through the thread and thinking to myself, "the first volley fired in my general direction and it was not accompanied by lead rounds..." Of course I could go on and add other details like not walking to an event, returning to work Monday morning, the comfort of my home Sunday night, etc... Some may not like hearing it, but we are indeed all farbs of one flavor or another.