No. No. A Thousand Times, No!

[gurdymonkey]

As long as my kingdom insists on holding its Collegia in hotels, I fear I must  insist on not attending.

Yes, I realize the medieval-ambience argument has holes in it: I've done my fair share of eventing in schools, church halls, and even a Twelfth Night in a freezing armory with filthy floors somewhere in upstate New York.

And I realize that spring Collegium was at a hotel because of financial fallout from prior use of said hotel by the Kingdom and it was a use-it-or-lose-it proposition. However, this afternoon's announcement mentions a hotel that I am not aware of the Kingdom having used in the years I've been in the West. Therefore, I can only conclude that someone or multiple someones like Collegium-Con events.

I don't. That's not what I come to the SCA for. I particularly dislike the assumption that we can/should spend money on hotel rooms so we can socialize with people we see on a semi-regular basis anyway. After all, this is the kingdom that hates the NMS on the basis of the starving-student argument, so much so that it often gets paid from donations by the populace.

I will be teaching at Collegium Caidis (by invitation). I will be teaching at Great Western War. And I have just been invited to teach in Silver Desert on the weekend of September 12. I do believe the weekend of October 24 might be the perfect time for the Curmudgeon to take a well earned break.

Comments

[joycebre.livejournal.com]

we used to have them at middle schools, but I think it's hard to get them for both days on a weekend, and people are trying hard to get back to a 2 day collegium. It was 2 days when I first started, then dropped down to 1. But they were all at schools, because collegia are for the 'indoor, we need electricity for the presentation/lecture' classes as opposed to the A&S camping 'get dirty and noisy' classes.

[joycebre.livejournal.com]

p.s. when we had 2 day collegia previously, people either daytripped both days if it was close enough, or stayed in a motel overnight if it wasn't. At least, that's what I did. So I don't mind the 'con' part - I know I'll be near people and could ask more questions in the evening without stumbling around in the dark.

[trystbat.livejournal.com]

As a teacher, I found the whole 'teaching outdoors' thing very limiting at A&S. There are certain demos & hands-on classes you can do there, but anything more in-depth requires a modern classroom if you're going to share research to more than the person sitting next to you.

(Of course, I'm taking a big, fat break from teaching, but I know I'm not the only one who feels this way :-)

[allison-is.livejournal.com]

All I'm thinking is "jesus, $85 for a hotel room."

What. The. Hell.

[allison-is.livejournal.com]

and just in case someone says it, I know if we share a room it will cut down on the cost but it is STILL $85 for a weekend. That is still a lot.

[trystbat.livejournal.com]

Un, in California? $85 is a steal unless you're talking Motel 6 or you're waaaay out in the boonies.

[allison-is.livejournal.com]

Oh and the obvious "yay!" since it looks like you will be teaching here after all.

[vittoriosa.livejournal.com]

Ok, speaking semi-officially as one of the Collegium Chancellors: Not all Collegia will be at hotels; in fact, most will not be big enough. We did look at other types of sites (schools etc) but because we got so much positive feedback on the Spring Collegium in the hotel (and double average attendance!!), and because we would be sharing the site with a needleworkers' guild symposium that would bring in extra bodies, we thought it would be worth doing the hotel thing again for these attendance numbers if we found one within budget. The site is also accessible via BART and Caltrain so we hope that will encourage daytrippers as well. I totally understand why the hotel setting will not appeal to everyone, but I would simply like to point out that this is not necessarily the way all Collegia will be from now on. The Chancellorship really does appreciate feedback as well, so feel free to address comments directly to me, Vyncent or Constantina.

[sasha-khan.livejournal.com]

Hooray fof gurdymonkeys in Caid

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

I'm bringin' drums, tomodachi!

[takadai-no-tora.livejournal.com]

What sasha_khan said! Also, what time are you teaching? My class is Saturday morning.

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

gottasing says Taiko is Saturday 9am, clothing overview ("Before the Shogun") is Sunday 2pm.

[takadai-no-tora.livejournal.com]

OK, we're teaching at the same time Saturday morning, but maybe we can get together later in the day; lunch or dinner. I'll definitely see you on Sunday, though.

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

I would hope so!

[florentinescot.livejournal.com]

I really have mixed emotions. Our most recent collegium was held at a small college with reasonable priced rooms. Event cost was maybe $20 more than a State Park kind of event. (and in July, the A/C was very nice!

Hotel Costs can be unbelievable -- I *did* go to a KWA&S (in Orlando FL) at a hotel -- but I'd be disinclined to go to a hotel simply because of cost.

The flip side would be that the facility for teaching would be very nice -- but I still can't get past the cost issue.

[layla-lilah.livejournal.com]

I agree with you, gurdymonkey. I liked two-day events in schools. But i can't afford a weekend in a hotel. And this makes two such collegia in a row. One more event i can't attend. And i feel bad, because i love Collegia.