Pointless Guilt

[jducoeur]

It's curious to note how remarkably guilty I feel when I miss a local event. I take considerable pride in making it to nearly all Carolingian events -- it feels very strange to have one going on while I'm sitting around in my bathrobe. Despite the fact that I'm not on the hook to do anything at this one, there's an odd feeling of letting down the team, or something like that.

Rationally speaking, punting is the right thing to do. While I'm feeling worlds better than yesterday (as the doctor predicted, this is mostly a one-day virus), I'm still slightly queasy, rather shaky (presumably because I haven't had any solid food in 36 hours), tired and aching all over. Not to mention that I don't know the contagion cycle of this particular virus, and I don't want anyone else getting this one on my account. This presumably came from an event in the first place (I came down with it three days after msmemory, who came down with it three days after Birka), and that's a cycle I don't need to perpetuate.

Still, it's rather disappointing. Carolingian University doesn't happen often, and I was looking forward to the lectures. Oh, well -- the hardest lesson for me, which I am spending years slowly learning, is that it just isn't possible for me to do everything that I want to. There just isn't enough time...

Comments

[cvirtue.livejournal.com]

There's also the feeling that one might be missing out on something fun, and that's also a bummer.

I hope you're feeling better soon!

[siderea]

Funny you should mention that. It's the fact that I no longer feel that way that caused me to realized that I'd dropped out, as opposed to taking a break.

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[jducoeur]

I can understand that. I've largely gotten to that point with Lodge, which does seem to indicate that, while I haven't dropped out per se, it's only a matter of time. At this point, I'm mostly going to support this particular Lodge and the people in it. Once it goes under -- as it inevitably will sooner or later -- I'll probably let myself fade quietly into the woodwork.

The SCA still continues to be my home base, though, both in terms of interests and friendships. That's proven impressively enduring, despite all the other activities I play with...

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[siderea]

I don't think one can ever really stop being a Carolingian -- Status Mentis Est, and all that. :) I figure wherever I go in the world, and whatever I do, I will be a Carolingian and will be bringing a little of what makes Carolingia great (and a little of what makes Carolingia nuts) with me.

I did feel as you report feeling about your lodge, but there was no chance that I'd be rescued from my vague sense of obligation by Carolingia or the Society going belly up. :) Nor would I want it to. So I rescued myself.

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[alexx-kay.livejournal.com]

It's too bad you missed the event. All through the disputation about Musica Mundana, I was wondering how you would react :-)

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[siderea]

Heh. Who was on which side?

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[alexx-kay.livejournal.com]

Gwendolyn (under another name) was in the "it's just an allegory" camp, and someone whose name I should remember but don't was on the "no, it's *really* audible music" camp.

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[siderea]

Well, they're both wrong, so it's just as well I wasn't there. ;)

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[alexx-kay.livejournal.com]

The program sez that the other person was "Aildreda de Tamwurthe", who I suspect is the same person as dreda.

By the way, though they disagreed with each other about the topic under disputation, they were in full agreement that the word "musician" should not be applied to such low-lifes as those who sing, play instruments, or compose. That lofty term should be reserved for people who were described in a way that a charitable modern might call "scientists" and a less-charitable one might call "music critics" :-)

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[siderea]

But, of course. As anyone knows, a "musician" is someone who studies the natural phenomenon of the making of music. The work of minstrels is the object of his study. To confuse the musician and the minstrel would be as to confuse the natural philosopher and the bird!

[liamstliam.livejournal.com]

OK, being sick should assuage the guilt.

But I feel nerd-guilty.

I went to my first gaming convention yesterday -- Unity Games 7 -- which was probably between 5 and 10 minutes from the event site.

Played Settlers of Catan, plus a very long German game about power grids and El Grande.

I brought my garb, but never made it to Weston.

Then, this morning, Rozi asks for someone to write about the event.

Liam

[alexx-kay.livejournal.com]

I entirely agree with your choice to stay home. That said, you were missed. No one was corrupting the student body with dicing! If I'd remembered that you were likely not going to make it, I would have brought some dice myself, but, alas, I was not so forethoughtful.

the hardest lesson for me, which I am spending years slowly learning, is that it just isn't possible for me to do everything that I want to. There just isn't enough time.

Amen, brother! Get (and stay) well soon, to maximize what time you have!

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[hfcougar.livejournal.com]

I was wondering why they had put that sign up. I thought it was simply a random source of amusement.

Never in my life had I so strongly wanted some dice...