Newcomer Triumphant
Jump in to learn something new, fearlessly. First of all, your everyday skills and innate talents will likely translate. If your enthusiasm and joy at doing something new are there, you will probably become proficient. That new thing might just become "your thing". Maybe not, but at least you'll have tried. And remember, everyone is new to something, sometime. At a recent event, contenders for A&S Champion were challenged to do/learn something completely new to them, outside their accomplished areas. Lesson for me: one never stop being new to something. I'm sharing the talent of someone who has been a SCAdian for less than a year, from right here in An Tir. I encourage you to check out her website. Perhaps you will be inspired to try something new. I know I am.
Þóra, mundanely known as Kerry, is a new SCAdian and beginner weaver. She is enthusiastic to further her learning and started this blog to share her adventure with others and show people intimidated about learning something new that it is *VERY* possible with absolutely zero experience. Here's her website: https://tabletweavingfun.blogspot.com/.
A toast to those who bravely try something new; even if you try and fail, you have a new story to share. Come sit at my table and tell me about it, and I will share my stories of failed projects, too. Sometimes, I've managed to persevere and improve. Other times, I learned "this is NOT for me". And then there were times I decided that, although I probably lack the passionate enthusiasm and skill to become proficient, I'd continue to work on it, intermittently, for the fun and social aspect of it. Many in the SCA find "hands-on" history meaningful in many ways.
"By reconstructing ancient structures and technologies using only the tools available to past societies, archaeologists are able to test both standing hypotheses about ancient life as well as generate new theories based on experimental findings. Experimental archaeology offers a unique approach to research, in that it allows speculations based on context, artifacts, and historical sources to be tested in a systematic manner. Feats such as the construction of the pyramids at Giza, for instance, have long been the source of academic speculation. Though many hypotheses have resulted from years of excavation and research, experimental archaeology has allowed archaeologists to evaluate the feasibility of these methods on a realistic level thus disproving some and adding credibility to others.
Not only will these projects expose us to the technologies of past cultures, but they will also give us insight into the daily life and societal structure of those whose tools and artifacts we seek to replicate. Activities such as flint-knapping and basket weaving allow researchers to experience first hand both the technical struggles of the crafts as well as the community structures they create. Reconstructions, such as those of ancient attire, give archaeologists an intimate view of everyday life. Experimental archaeology seeks to understand not only the final product or reconstruction, but also the process that leads to the product and thus the most valuable knowledge gleaned from these experiments is often the process itself."
~ http://blogs.bu.edu/buarch/experimental-archaeology/