Plethora of Pennsic Doppelgangers

I'm putting off a big Pennsic post, so I guess I'll just degenerate into many little short ones.

Every so often, you'll run into someone, who knows someone, who's in the SCA; do you know them? Well, ok, what's their SCA name? Don't know, their real name is Fred, but you can't miss them, their really tall and heavy set with long hair and a full beard. Um, sorry, that description is not going to help.

As one of the many who match that description, I kind of blend in with the SCA crowd. I'm used to being momentarily mistaken for someone else at events, particularly large events. Still, this war was special.

Nearly ten separate people had run into apparently different doppelganger's of mine. Not surprising, that. No, the funny part is that each of these people was so convinced I was someone else that they sought me out and had conversations with me. Some never knew that I wasn't their doppelganger and the exchanges were short enough that I didn't have to burst their bubble.

The best was probably this kid who bee lined toward me in the food court. He looked like a LARPer, with his black karate gi, bokken, and sun glasses. His doppelganger had the unfortunate name of Kronos, reinforcing my larp assumption. He proceeded to talk about the exploits of the night before, when he helped place something in someone else's camp and then take something. It sounded like an in joke that he wasn't entirely in on. Alcohol was clearly involved. I stopped him at some point; "I'm sorry, no real tactful way to put this, I believe you have mistaken me for someone else." I then introduced myself, because it's only fair to know the name of the guy you've unintentionally spilled your guts to.

Another good one was a double mis recognition. I was at a party, it was dark and I was sitting. A woman comes up to me in a very familiar way, "Did you hear latest? No? Ok, well, you know my truck..." That sort of thing. I initially mistake her for someone completely different. I'm not sure but we eventually part company so no harm done. Later, I point her out to someone else who knows pretty much everyone I do. Who is that? No idea, why? Oops.

Others would holler as I passed. No sure of what was hollered and seeing an unknown but expectantly welcoming face, I'd walk over. Some would realize quickly I wasn't who they thought, but others would launch right into familiar conversation.

I'm good with faces but I do forget events. I've seen pretty much everyone at an even a few times, so the have-I-seen-you-before filter is simply broken. Thus crippled, I have to listen for a bit to figure out where I know you from. I have had many great conversations with people at events who I've seen before; who know my name about as well as I know their, which is not at all.

So, if you talked to me and I don't remember, it may not be my fault. If you talked to someone meeting my description and they don't recall, well... Pleased to meet you, I'm Wistan.

I was seriously thinking of starting a club, or putting an ad in the Pennsic News. I just couldn't think of a complementary name for nondescript fat hairy guys.

Pennsic XXXIV: the official post

I had fun. It was good. No one got hurt, the drama quotient was amazingly low.

I thought to list all the folks I was happy to see, but I'd surely forget someone. On that list I'd put "( wanted to talk more )" after a name, but realized that was most names, so was silly. Essentially, I saw almost everyone I wanted to, albeit usually far to briefly.

My party bone appears to have broken, I did little crawling. To be fair, I've always preferred talking to individuals or small groups in an atmosphere where no one has to raise their voice or lean in to be heard. Even at my most active partying, I'd usually bow out as soon a socially acceptable and find a bardic circle where I could actually hear the performer.

Parties also seemed less active, for some reason. I used to be able to set out in the direction of noise with an empty mug and a bottle to share and find a place to stop every block or so. There was still the noise of activity, but it seemed focused to a few well known places, not the celebration of local camps I recalled. This was my first Pennsic in nine years, but I just recall things being more lively. Did anyone else feel this?

I also met lots of cool new people. Quite simply, woodwindy and her LC (damn, that's cute) made my war. They had a friendly, welcoming pavilion and allowed me to share the atmosphere they provided. I was not the only one who appreciated their space, as I got to know many others who stopped and told stories at their little oasis. ( thank you Der, I will never think of porta-castles the same way... )

I'll leave this a happy post. I have some comments for party poopers and lost ren-fairies, but that's another day.