since it is that time....
People expect to see many, and have a merry merry time at Cooper's Lake in good ole Slippery Rock,PA. I am one of many who will NOT be attending this years Pennsic war. My reasoning is multi-level in regards many things and some variant factors. I am posting to share just a couple of mine. Many people view Pennsic as a vacation, and seem to either enjoy the work that goes into it all or forget about it all. I myself am one who knows there is work involved with both set up and tear down among other things. Sure, there is alot of time in between with our encampment where we are not as busy and prone to slack. Overall it is a lot of work though. Bellz drilled that into my brain a long long time ago so as to relieve me of that disolussion. If you enjoy a working vacation, then Pennsic may just be for you. I wanted a stress free time for my time off from work for once. So I have been using my time towards my motorcycles, track dates, and trips amongst variant other things.
One of the other things that has changed my mind about going to war this year is the seemingly ever changing face of our encampment. Clan Kindred of the Wolf has in fact changed the face of how and who we are as a family, due to the participation and people whom are active. We are evolving folks with viewpoints that are changing as we grow and experience, which can change the face of a group as its parts change. This is not the same family and home that I came to when I 1st came to them. Different isn't necessarily bad, it is just that, "different"! I find myself questioning that fit and finish and if it is that same level of comfort, like that pair of jeans you have had for years, but don't wear as much anymore due to your body changing. Maybe time and circumstance will change things yet again to make that comfortable fit once again be the feeling that I want. I can not forsee the future myself and therefore can not say what it holds for me in decision and choice.
Money is not as free as it once was for me and I have to watch where I spend, as responsibility lurks around each corner. So due to the previous reasons stated, I find myself wanting to get the most bang for my bucks and spend my money where I am most comfortable in feeling that I do in fact get that. Pennsic is only a $100 pre-reg here, and then another $50 when you get there at the gate. Add in another couple/few hundred for here and there for gas to get there and eating and drinking expenses and before you know it, you have racked up an easy $500 vacation. This is before you add in any type of shopping or other expendatures you may encounter and I am being as general as possible as peoples particular needs and spending habits are as individual as they are, which can make this a whole lot more expensive or not. Kim and I used to supplant our encampments monetary needs in alot of cases out of our own pocket like Bellz and Jody used to do to a degree. Whether it be in terms of paying for storage for the encampment or for the $800 or so needed in beer and booze for an open party for that evening or something else. When it was the 2 of us doing it together, it wasn't as hard hitting to us. Being that I am on my own and not able to cover as many things as I used to, like I might be expected to, I am not willing to put myself near to being even remotely asked. Overall for individual expenses though, for a week or 2 jaunt, this isn't alot in the grand scheme of things, but if it isn't fun, then why make your wallet suffer and your head for going?
Finally, in closing, there are some personality clashes that I perceive as having to encounter and deal with that are of a dramatic level that I am choosing to take myself away from. I figure it takes 2 to tango and if I am not there, then this time, there is a part of the equation removed from having to answer or even deal with that problem. Stepping up and accepting that reality in my head helps in alleviating that drama from my life and makes me feel of being the better person for eliminating that situational probability. Drama is not something anyone wants to be around or have to deal with generally speaking, and even moreso on your vacation.
Once again, this is from my head and for me as a vent. Feel free to comment as you please whether here directly or to my Email as published in previous posts.