A Beginner Scribal Series in BMDL at Tech Shop

There have been many requests for classes on the scribal arts for the ABSOLUTE beginner, and now they are available, thanks to Antoinette de la Croix:

A Beginner Scribal Series in BMDL at Tech Shop

A sequential learning series for folks who want to try their hand at painting scrolls and are not sure where to begin.

Part 1 Saturday, Feb 11, 1-5pm Orientation and Materials

Part 2 Saturday, Feb 25, 1-5pm Beginner painting techniques & brushwork

Part 3 Saturday, March 11, 1-5pm Calligraphy

Part 4 Saturday, March 25, 1-5pm Painting your first piece of art

Part 5 Saturday, April 15, 1-5pm Painting a notecard or prize scroll

There is a $5.00 Materials fee for Parts 2-5 payable the day of the workshop. You must preregister with Antoinette de la Croix at ScribalTour20162017(at)yahoo9dot)com so that she can have supplies for the correct number of students.

TechShop is at: 192 Bakery Square Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15206 Parking is available in the garage nearby and is free for the first two hours ONLY. Curb parking may also be available. Come early and get a tour, this place is absolutely awesome!

Questions about the content of the classes can go to ScribalTour20162017(at)yahoo(dot)com, for anything else, contact me at ansminister(at)debatablelands(dot)org.

Hope to see you there!
Elß

Call for Letters: Webminister

My term as your Webminister is up in April, and while I am perfectly willing to continue doing this job, I will not be offended if somebody else would like a chance.

The Webminister is responsible for the official Baronial web site and its related functions. The Webminister updates the information on the web site as necessary, such as when office holders change or a new calendar event is announced. Knowledge of HTML and basic web design is required. Some functions of the web site are written in PHP, and an understanding of PHP would be helpful. You must have a reliable computer, Internet connection, and email address. Most changes to the current site can be made in a text editor and uploaded via FTP, so no special software is required. The web site is hosted by a commercial service provider, so the ability to pay hosting and domain registration fees via credit card is required, though you will be reimbursed by the Barony after you make payment.

The Webminister is also responsible for maintaining the list of email aliases. The hosting service also provides email forwarding so that senders can always send email to a Baronial officer without having to remember who currently holds that office and what that person’s address is. Updating the list of aliases involves logging into the hosting provider’s domain management web interface, so some ability to deal with that kind of thing is required.

The Webminister is also responsible for maintaining and administrating the Baronial Blog. The Debatable Blog uses the WordPress system and all interactions with the site are through a web interface. Some knowledge of WordPress usage and administration would be helpful.

The job of Webminister is not constant. It mostly consists of small amounts of work on a irregular basis, but occasionally requires a large amount of work in a short time period. The editorial policy of the website is available on the site. Some familiarity with the current policy, and an interest in upholding or improving on these traditions would be to your advantage.

The Webminister is not responsible for the Barony’s social media presence, as this is a function of the Seneschal’s office by society policy. Some coordination with the Seneschal or Social Media Deputy will doubtless be required, however.

If you are interested in standing for this position, please submit a letter of intent to the Webminister and Seneschal before the next officers’ meeting, which will be on April 5th, 2017.

12th Night Top 10 from the Baroness

We had a wonderful time this past Saturday at 12th Night! Thank you to the autocrats, THL Elss and THL Muirgheal, and all your staff. It was a day of merriment and laughter! Here are some of out favorite moments, in no particular order:

  1. The Court of Misrule, administered skillfully and with maximum ridiculousness by the incomparable I Genesii. The King (Lord Kuma), and the Queen (Lady Aine) of Misrule declared many silly things, including calling all Peers “Monster” or “Monstress”, and voguing instead of bowing, among other silliness. It was fun!
  2. Our beautiful new red wool garb, made in just a week by Mistress Ts’vee’a. Thank you!
  3. The ball! An amazing time dancing, with so many dancers! One of the best balls in the Kingdom every year. Thank you to Lord Pavel and all the musicians! And thank you for allowing the Baron and Baroness a dance to ourselves (Rosiboli Gioioso) to end the night. It was lovely!
  4. The Amazing Auction of Highly Desirable Items. Always so much cool stuff, and again, raised enough to cover the cost of the event, so our yearly revel can remain free! Thank you for running it again, Baroness Elizabeth. And, uh, sorry about Otto and Carl bidding on everything… I’ll make sure to explain to them what a “minimum bid” is next time….
  5. The Baronial Bard competition was superb! You made me laugh so hard! Vivat to our new champ, THL Silence!
  6. The Pillow fights! The kids just kept going and going – so much fun! Thanks to THL Jorundr and Mistress Arianna for running it, and Lady Arthes for MOLing, plus THL Muirgheal stepping in to marshal when the kids wanted to keep going after time was up.
  7. Cookies! Thank you Meistari Urho for running the cookie competition again. They were tasty, tasty things! I picked Snickertangles as  my favorite. Snickerdoodles and Tang!! Lady Luceta plays to the audience. 🙂
  8. Court. Small and fun, and always a favorite, to recognize folks that give so much to our beloved Barony! A privilege and honor. And…ummm…. I’m really sorry about throwing the kisses so hard. Baronessing lesson #243: largesse tossing… always underhand!
  9. The wonderful A&S entries. Thanks to all that entered, and congratulations to the new champ, THL Bugga, for her beautiful knitted socks.
  10. The amazing rubbings activity run by Lady Maire. Just beautiful artwork! And thank you for providing an extra prize for Court!
  11. (What, so I can’t count…) The Brewers’ Tap Room. Mmmmmmm. ‘Nuff said.

And of course, the very best thing…all of you! A beautiful day of laughter and eating and drinking and frolicking and fun. Exactly what a 12th Night should be! Thank you all so much!

~Baroness Hilda

Your New Champions!

Hello Debatable Lands!

Forgive the delay on this announcement…. This past Saturday, there were competitions for this year’s Baronial Bard and Baronial A&S Champions. We are very pleased to announce that your new Baronial Bard is THL Silence de Cherbourg, and your new Baronial A&S Champion is THL Bugga Billibit! Both are seconded by Lady Cairdha Eilis O’Coileain.

Vivant to you all! And thank you!

In Levitate et Caritate, and Cheers,
Baron Brandubh and Baroness Hilda

Archery Practice January 22

Due to the fair weather we will be onsite at Highland park for some archery! 11am-2pm.

*Please bring your own equipment.*

This Practice there will not be loaner equipment available as it is still in storage. We will have it out for our next practice. Thank you for your understanding.

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Gift Exchange This Saturday!

Unto the Barony, greetings from Kameshima!

Once again, we will be running the “White Elephant” Gift Exchange at BMDL 12th Night this Saturday. However, to try to streamline the process of gift “registration” we will be running things just a smidge differently this year than in previous years.

This year, there will be blank pieces of paper and a bag (or basket, or whatever I decide to bring) at the gift drop-off table. When you drop off a present, write your name on a piece of paper and drop it into the bag. Then, when it’s time for the exchange, instead of counting people up and putting numbers in, we’ll simply draw names one by one out of the hat. No more strategizing based on your number, MWAHAHA!!! ^_^

The rest of the rules remain the same:

* Bring a present (or more than one, if you want, but remember to put your name in once for each present) of approximately $10-20 value. Please remember to mark your present as kid-focused, kid-appropriate or adults-only.

* When your name is drawn, you have the choice to take a present from the table or steal an already-claimed present from one of the other players, who when has the choice to steal or take from the table, and so on until someone takes a present from the table.

* Each present can only be stolen once per round.

Any questions? Email me at cadell at gmail.com. I look forward to seeing everyone (and their presents) on Saturday!

In Honor and Service,
亀島
Kameshima Zentarō Umakai

January Scriptorium: Introduction to Cadels

Scriptorium is the monthly gathering of calligraphers, illuminators, wordsmiths, and anyone interested in taking up and learning more about these creative arts. We welcome all skill levels, from the most accomplished Laurels to those that have never picked up a pen or a brush. Become part of creating the atmosphere and visual splendor of the SCA!

This month, join us on Wednesday, January 18th, from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at Kameshima and Isabel’s house in the North Hills. (Our address is listed in the Dark Pages, or you can contact us at scriptorium at debatablelands dot org for more information.) Our topic for January will be “Introduction to Cadels” taught by Master Kieran Macrae.

This evening’s class will center around the design and construction of cadels. Those are the fancy capital letters with lots of lines and ornamentation. Different styles of cadels will be included, and those attending will get a chance to practice the basics of cadel construction and make their own!

Please be aware, our house contains a cat, a dog, and an infant: medicate or otherwise prepare yourself as necessary.