Do things ever change?

[Anders]

Well,

I hope they have...

Pards,

[lincolnsguard]

There certainly is more on the menu now, then there was in Jonah's hey day.

[S.D.Swart]

Yep, case in point. BGA Shiloh. Many thought it was the greatest thing since peanutbutter. For me in was not. Morning Saturday was my favorite part. The rest I could have missed. That said, it could have been better depending on what part of the field you were on and what command structure you were under. Not a fan of the MEGA events, even though my pards get me to go in with them. For me the Highlights of this year are:

Mills Spring Kentucky: Jan. on the accual field with the fence rail scenario and the flanking of the confederate lines and the running retreat, battle beyond the camp. Really gave the feel of the action.

Hale Farm: Aug. Being in with the Medich Battalion for that event, was fun. Holding actions and counter attacks of Williamsburg VA. I came prepared campaign style, and even the rain all Saturday, did not damper my fun. Sunday was a treat with Battalion drill, and practice with the Federal Cavalary charging Battalion Square. Something I can take home and have good memories of.

I am hoping Maryland my Maryland will exceed beyond my expectations. I am not getting young, and starting to look hard at events. Been to many this year, and they have been pleasant, but not what I was looking for. I want to have more quality events before I retire from the hobby, and start working on Organization and Safety elements for the younger pards.

[Rob Weaver]

Over the years, I learned to adjust my own expectations too. I learned to quit trying to campaign at mainstream events. There is nothing more discouraging than hearing other reenactors say, "Gee, I wouldn't eat that." "Do you always make coffee that way?" "We've got some real food in the tent, if you want." I'm not trying to pick a fight here. Part of that was me. I was trying to show off, and picked the wrong venue. So it was frustrating to both. I've learned, partly through the 125-130th cycles that I can dial the impression up or down as appropriate, still within reasonable bounds of authenticity. Fortunately, I came into Civil War reenacting with a good dose of Rev War already under my belt. I'd been to several large 200th events and realized early on that those big events are about the battle. Everything else is pretty much secondary.

[hanktrent]

There is nothing more discouraging than hearing other reenactors say, "Gee, I wouldn't eat that." "Do you always make coffee that way?" "We've got some real food in the tent, if you want."

Exactly!

I was trying to show off, and picked the wrong venue. So it was frustrating to both. I've learned, partly through the 125-130th cycles that I can dial the impression up or down as appropriate, still within reasonable bounds of authenticity.

For me, it's not about showing off, it's about doing what I enjoy, with others who enjoy the same thing. I just can't dial it down to please others, because then they may enjoy it, but I don't, and there's no point in spending a weekend being miserable just to make others happy. I think a lot of reenactors enjoy mainstream events, so they don't understand that others simply can't, no matter how hard they try or how low they set their expectations.

When reenactors want everyone to attend the same events, well, that's why it doesn't work. I'm attending a genuine raging farbfest in a couple weeks, but the difference is that I know I won't be expected to dial down my impression, and the people I'll be with won't dial down theirs either to abandon me halfway through. In my experience, the latter problem is the hardest part about trying a successful adjunct or carpe eventum with higher standards than the surrounding event. Given the choice of history or funnel cakes, funnel cakes will win out for most reenactors, who are just as happy with a dialed-down impression, so they don't care which they do.

Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

[Rob Weaver]

As long as the 4-6 people closest to me know how I prefer to reenact, with a minimal camping style, avoiding modern topics of conversation, it works out. What I call dailing back, at this point, is opening cans instead of cooking, and not trying to maintain a strict 19th century dialogue. I'm not too concerned about what other companies are doing (provided a base line of sanity and safety).

[S.D.Swart]

For me, it's not about showing off, it's about doing what I enjoy, with others who enjoy the same thing. I just can't dial it down to please others, because then they may enjoy it, but I don't, and there's no point in spending a weekend being miserable just to make others happy.
Hank Trent
hanktrent@gmail.com

Spot On!!! Every event I have been to this year, I came prepared to go Campaign. Once I went Garrison, it I did it because I wanted to and not what others wanted me to do. I would not be happy if I had to dial down to fit in. I too am lucky in that I have friends in all aspects of the hobby and understand my zeal.