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Hm... (SCA)
Nov. 24th, 2008 11:30 amThere are some people who do the work to get the recognition. There are some people who do the work for the work's sake and are pleased at the recognition. And then there are some people who do the work, get the recognition, look at the recognition, say "Hey, this comes with Cool Jewelry(TM)!" and go back to what they were doing.
Juliana Von Altenfeld, the woman who coaxed me into feast cooking despite my deepseated terror, received a simultaneous Double Peerage (Laurel and Pelican) on Saturday. (For those playing along outside the SCA, this is like getting two PhD's at the same ceremony, or, though on a much smaller scale, getting the Nobel Peace Prize and the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in the same year. Unusual. Generally shows either someone is brilliant, or people giving the recognition were a bit daft in the past. The awards are decided on separately, but it's unusual to give them both in the same year, let alone at the same time.)
Now, this is a woman who laughs at herself as "Garden Party Barbie" and "A retired Jessica Rabbit"* -- she is half German, was raised in Florida, and has been a Navy wife. There are a few people I know who don't get along with her, but both men and women generally do. She's famous for pushing people out into the spotlight with a stick, and being perfectly willing to stand in one position imparting information (and sometimes goodnatured gossip) for hours.
I think her cooking really is that good. I know a bunch of people who have gotten out there and done high level cooking because of her. So, I was pleased and proud to be there when she got the award. In fact, when they 'cornered' her to put her on vigil (a pre-award phase where you sit around and people come in and congratulate you, give you advice, and if necessary convince you to accept) I volunteered to be the one to find her and keep her in one place long enough for the ceremony.
This is typical. I heard she was coming down the hall so I wandered about saying "Juliana! I need to find Juliana! Have you seen Juliana?" (as Bunnies are Wont to Do). I tracked her down and realized that after I said, "I need to talk to you..." I didn't have a cover story. Fortunately, we have had enough conversations like this that I could hum and haw long enough to draft something-- Ah. Someone needed dishes to bring something (oh dear, I can't say to the dayboard or the A&S display-- I don't even know if they have an A&S Display!) um... into the Royal Room. She immediately sprang into action, listing what she had with her, and summoning her husband for the keys. While he stood there with the Royals waiting for them to get the ceremony started. I stalled some more. I claimed I needed to find my coat to go out the car with her. Still no movement on the Royal end. No coat, because of course it was not where I was looking for it-- I was stalling! So she offered to go out to the car and just get her stuff while I talked to the mythical cook... So, I claimed I wasn't sure what she would need, and claimed I needed to head off and check in my basket, and circled around the Royals to hiss "What are we waiting for?" to the herald. Turns out that the Prince (call him the Ceremonial Vice President) was not there, and he was a particular friend of hers (while her husband is a student of the King / Ceremonial President) and they were waiting for him. I walked down the hallway VERRYYYY sLLLOWWLLLY until I heard the Herald say "Draw Near! Draw Near! Now Opens the Court of Their Majesties..." and I RAN back.
I will point out that this whole thing was so typical of a Juliana-Jadwiga interaction at events that she apparently never expected a thing. :)
P.S. If you were there, know that Brunissende did the food, and it was very tasty, very period, and exactly what was wanted. (Yes, it's traditional in our area to have food out near the 'vigil' for the awardee and those waiting to go in and speak with the awardee.)
*Yes, well. To my previous shire who don't travel much but have excellent memories, I need only say "'Red Bikini' got a double Peerage" and at least all of the Gentlemen will remember her. :)
Juliana Von Altenfeld, the woman who coaxed me into feast cooking despite my deepseated terror, received a simultaneous Double Peerage (Laurel and Pelican) on Saturday. (For those playing along outside the SCA, this is like getting two PhD's at the same ceremony, or, though on a much smaller scale, getting the Nobel Peace Prize and the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in the same year. Unusual. Generally shows either someone is brilliant, or people giving the recognition were a bit daft in the past. The awards are decided on separately, but it's unusual to give them both in the same year, let alone at the same time.)
Now, this is a woman who laughs at herself as "Garden Party Barbie" and "A retired Jessica Rabbit"* -- she is half German, was raised in Florida, and has been a Navy wife. There are a few people I know who don't get along with her, but both men and women generally do. She's famous for pushing people out into the spotlight with a stick, and being perfectly willing to stand in one position imparting information (and sometimes goodnatured gossip) for hours.
I think her cooking really is that good. I know a bunch of people who have gotten out there and done high level cooking because of her. So, I was pleased and proud to be there when she got the award. In fact, when they 'cornered' her to put her on vigil (a pre-award phase where you sit around and people come in and congratulate you, give you advice, and if necessary convince you to accept) I volunteered to be the one to find her and keep her in one place long enough for the ceremony.
This is typical. I heard she was coming down the hall so I wandered about saying "Juliana! I need to find Juliana! Have you seen Juliana?" (as Bunnies are Wont to Do). I tracked her down and realized that after I said, "I need to talk to you..." I didn't have a cover story. Fortunately, we have had enough conversations like this that I could hum and haw long enough to draft something-- Ah. Someone needed dishes to bring something (oh dear, I can't say to the dayboard or the A&S display-- I don't even know if they have an A&S Display!) um... into the Royal Room. She immediately sprang into action, listing what she had with her, and summoning her husband for the keys. While he stood there with the Royals waiting for them to get the ceremony started. I stalled some more. I claimed I needed to find my coat to go out the car with her. Still no movement on the Royal end. No coat, because of course it was not where I was looking for it-- I was stalling! So she offered to go out to the car and just get her stuff while I talked to the mythical cook... So, I claimed I wasn't sure what she would need, and claimed I needed to head off and check in my basket, and circled around the Royals to hiss "What are we waiting for?" to the herald. Turns out that the Prince (call him the Ceremonial Vice President) was not there, and he was a particular friend of hers (while her husband is a student of the King / Ceremonial President) and they were waiting for him. I walked down the hallway VERRYYYY sLLLOWWLLLY until I heard the Herald say "Draw Near! Draw Near! Now Opens the Court of Their Majesties..." and I RAN back.
I will point out that this whole thing was so typical of a Juliana-Jadwiga interaction at events that she apparently never expected a thing. :)
P.S. If you were there, know that Brunissende did the food, and it was very tasty, very period, and exactly what was wanted. (Yes, it's traditional in our area to have food out near the 'vigil' for the awardee and those waiting to go in and speak with the awardee.)
*Yes, well. To my previous shire who don't travel much but have excellent memories, I need only say "'Red Bikini' got a double Peerage" and at least all of the Gentlemen will remember her. :)
