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Post by alvin on Mar 20, 2009 20:42:15 GMT
I've lived and/or worked in the Southern, Western, Eastern and Northern parts of the United States. I have traveled, worked or lived in countries outside of the United States. I've known many people and have friends who are United States citizens as well as many who are not. As a whole, I have found all to be tolerant and intolerant. They are alike in that they - most anyway - think that folks not from where they come from are intolerant, stupid, hillbillies, uneducated, ect. ect. ect., whilst being the epitome of tolerance and sophistication themselves. So basically, what I've found is that everyone is the same.
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Post by shadowhowler on Mar 20, 2009 21:31:26 GMT
I have had experinces EXACTLY like what Odingaard is describing... In fact, I had almost THE exact same experince he had in a gas station last year coming back from the exact same Carolina RenFaire that he was coming from. I wonder if it was the same gas station? That would be creepy. It really, honestly *IS* the south, and the mentality here. Like I said... I used to live in NorCal and go to RenFaires all over California... and I never had any problems stoping for gas, going to resturants or into Safeway's for soda, or anything like that one the way too/from the faire. Also, I used to dress in Renfaire clothes on weekands of after work... and walk around, go to resturants, hang out at the beach, whatever... and never had a problem, not for 14 years or so. HERE in georgia, however... it's a VERY different story. At the above mentioned gas station... I got hassled by a biker... a BIKER for christs sake! The guy is waring LEATHER pants!!! Anyway, he gave me a rassion of s@#t about looking like an elf-queer and so forth... and not wanting to get into a brawl with my wife and her friend there, I told him that he's entitled to his opinion, but he might consider that a lot of people might find the way HE is dressed to be odd also... and that you should not judge a man by the clothes that he wares. It could have easily become physical... and had the girls not been there... I think it would have. I have worn Ren outfits out into town 2-3 times in the 3 years I've been in Georgia... and each time I get a lot of stares and weird looks, whispered comments... stuff that I never delt with in NorCal. So yeah... it's different in the south for SURE. I also know exactly what Odingaard is talking about as far as his job gos. I had a friend who, when he left the army he became a Federal Police officer on the Fort Ord and DLI grounds in Monterey. He used to play RPG's with me... some pen and paper style (like the clasic well known D&D) and some LARP style Vampire the Masqurade. When someone at his department found out about it, it started spreading that he was one of those 'weird D&D guys' and he was ordered by his boss to stop playing. Lame. So sometimes you have to make a call... if expressing yourself openly and doing what you want to is worth the backlash you will get for it... no matter how wrong that backlash is. For me, since my wife is in the service here, I try not to make to much of a spectical of myself for her. If I where on my own... (well, I wouldn't be in Georgia THATS for sure!) I would be more inclined to do as I pleased and let others piss off if they don't like it.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 21, 2009 0:02:09 GMT
I got into a pretty heated argument one time over it that I won't forget in North Carolina. I really can't state enough, this it pretty typical here in the rural South I can vouch for this. You would think since North Carolina was settled in large part by the Scots, and we have one of the country's largest highland games here, people would not be weirded out by the sight of a kilt, but you can't wear those around here either. In fact, I had almost THE exact same experince he had in a gas station last year coming back from the exact same Carolina RenFaire that he was coming from. Exact same faire, exact same thing happened to me too. And it usually happens on the way to and coming back from the highland games in Huntersville, Hendersonville, and Grandfather mountain. Unlike you guys though, my friends and I have no reputation worth protecting, and so we usually "kilt up" and go out on the town every once in a while just to make people uncomfortable.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2009 1:02:49 GMT
I make a lot of my things, but I'm not too sure if I should make my jerkin or not. I'm looking at the Knights Jerkin for a Geralt of Rivia Costume. Thanks for confirming the items are quality:D
I'm just wondering, what kind of leather is it? You said it's thicker, so is it like a cowhide thickness?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2009 1:24:00 GMT
I have not had much trouble here in Connecticut. Most of my friends know I am a little off kilter anyway. I have sworn that if I ever win the lottery I am going to build a house with a stone turret, equip it with a reproduction eight pounder, dress upin a Napoleonic era uniform and welome the sunrise with a big bang. I work as a carpenter and the only problem I ever had with my co-workers, was when I wore a kilt to work they all insisted I was the last up the ladder. What's up with that
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Post by shadowhowler on Mar 26, 2009 4:46:04 GMT
I work as a carpenter and the only problem I ever had with my co-workers, was when I wore a kilt to work they all insisted I was the last up the ladder. What's up with that Heh heh! ;D Hell, I don't blame em ONE BIT for that.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2009 8:07:04 GMT
I am guessing here, but I'd say the Ravenswood leather is tanned 2-3 oz. It's very soft, with the interior feeling like chamois and the outer having a good textured quality. It's not thin, but not thick either. It's very flexible as well. Of course, I don't know how it will hold up yet. Seems like it would do well; because it is made to a much higher standard than your typical MRL / GDFB stuff, but honestly, I won't be able to say until I put a couple faires/Cons under my belt wearing it. Things like seams ripping, buttons falling off, shrinkage or excessive stretching, losing color; none of these come out until you get some good milage and put it through the paces a few times. You'd be suprised what happens to alot of stuff if you get accidently rained on or sweat too much! I will definately report anything out of the ordinary as far as their gear goes. As for now, I am completely satisfied with it!
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Post by shadowhowler on Mar 26, 2009 14:51:38 GMT
Well... I have not worn my deerskin fencing gloves much... but I can talk about my Ravenswood pouch. I have worn that one to 5-6 ReFaires... and overstuff the CRAP out of it. To give you an idea... try to imagen how much 200 doller coins weigh. Cuz that, plus my cellphone and credit card and ID is what normonly gets stuffed in there... 200 solver dollers. It's pretty heavy.... pulls at my belt something fierce... but the bag has vere ripped or faltered. I get the impression there stuff is pretty well made... but I have not gotten a coat or jerkin from them... yet. It's only a matter of time... I LOVE their stuff.
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Post by shadowhowler on Mar 27, 2009 21:04:57 GMT
I have to admit it's still hard to do the accent seriously, though. I always have a bit of a chuckle where as my gf can do it perfectly. My accent (or if I do one at all) varries depending on what persona I'm trying to pull off.
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