gurdymonkey | On being a cosmopolite

Yesterday, one of my friends wrote "I am a true Westerner."

I applaud my friend's self identification, coming as it does as a rejection of a local rivalry being used as an excuse for discourtesy. However, I have given this some thought and concluded that I am not a true Westerner. Quite honestly, I am happy not to be.

My SCA "birthplace" is the Shire of Rusted Woodlands in the Kingdom of the East. At the time, it was the sort of place where one walked in the door and was immediately treated like long-lost family. The concept of a warm welcome was not just some officer's job or a political "up yours" to the non-member surcharge, it was part of the culture. I've been away several years, I realize that others have come and gone, however, I hope it is still like that. The Forest will always be my home.

Last night I got to see a picture of a new baby. Josie's parents just stepped down from reigning over Aethelmearc.

Thanks to the unmedieval miracle that is the Internet, I have friends all over the Known World. Between several bardic types and some honorable samurai, I appear to have been adopted by the Outlands. I know people in Atlantia, Ansteorra, Caid, Northshield, I've traded poems with a nice young man from Trimaris.

So, with my apologies to the Cradle of Kingdoms, you will never hear me say, "Kingdoms? What other kingdoms?" The West is home now, but it's only one of many places I can call that. As often as budget and time permits, I'm going to go home in person. When they do not, we'll always have e-mail.