[SCA-BMDL] Thank yous, congratulations, and inspirations

[Sharon Booth]

We had a perfect day for Iron Comet Challenge, Japanese Iris Festival, 
and the Kingdom Equestrian Champs. There was so much to enjoy. There 
were four martial tournaments and all were well fought. There were two 
arts and science competitions: an equestrian tournament and a 
non-equestrian tournament. Both tournaments had a number of entries and 
there was so much we could learn just from the tournaments. In addition 
to the tournaments, there was an Asian themed Arts and Sciences display 
with plenty to see (and taste). There was also all-day origami by Maire. 
And we had horses. There was the agility challenge, the A&S entries, and 
the riding for the Prince in the competition for King's choice and 
queens. To finish the day we had a joust followed by court for Baron and 
Baroness and the King and Queen.

There are so many thank yous: Thanks to Baron Brandubh and Baroness 
Hildarun for their support of the little Japanese event that grew to 
Iron Comet. Also thanks to Gesa for asking to include horses. Thank you 
also to Their  Majesties Byron and Ariella for expanding that little 
barony event to Kingdom Equestrian Champs. Thanks to my mentor Elss, and 
my other advisors Muirgheal, Arianna, and Hilda. Thank you as well to 
reservations by Alaric and troll by Forveleth, and Astridr. The site 
tokens design was found by Elss, and the tokens were made by Elss and 
Forveleth. Thank you also to covid checkers Graidhne, Elsa, Gwen. Thank 
you to Gesa for equestrian covid checkins and equestrian liason work. 
Thanks to the hard-working setup folks Robert, Alaric, Sean aka Jay, 
Maire, Elss, Ishiyama, and Gesa. Also thanks to Ishiyama for 
coordinating all the arts and For all the marshal efforts thanks to our 
marshals Ronan, Meinulf, Robert, Dorothea, and Gozen and also thanks to 
the MoLs Vika and Itome. Special thanks to Jussey for all the carrying. 
Thank you also for royalty hospitality by Saiaiko, Illadore, Sturrim, 
with help from Vaunda. The heralds gave us all the news of the days 
winners Gwendolyn the Graceful and new barony herald Jehannette. Also 
thanks to Niall for court streaming. Thanks to all the scribes who 
worked on all the lovely scrolls. Also at the end of a very full day, 
thank you to the clean-up crew of Arianna, Robert, Muirgheal, Jorundr, 
Alaric, Rachel, Elss, and Ishiyama who made the work go very quickly. 
Thank you as well to the equestrians for their cleanup.

Congratulations to competition winners:
heavy - Master Jussi Laplein
fencing - Don Cyrus Augur
thrown weapons - Lord Godzimir the Golden
archery - Lord Skjoldr Bjorn
a&s - Mistress Irene von Schmetterling
youth archery & youth a&s - Otto Brandulfarson & Sigrid von Fredeburg
youth thrown weapons - Otto Brandulfarson
overall iron comet - Count Andreas Morgan
youth iron comet - Otto Brandulfarson
completion of all five areas - Lord Patrokles Athenaios & Lord Ulf of 
the Wee Horn

Inspirations: The conversation with Oribe Tsukime was the spark of the 
idea. Elss encouraged, mentored, and contributed the origami pattern. It 
was fun that Alaric, Elss, and Ceindrech wanted to make their own garb 
even though they had no Japanese garb background. I provided guidance 
and advice as needed. Then as the event came closer, Aibell was working 
on new Japanese outfit and asked advice. Then she did all the research 
on the beetle shells. On the day of the event the weather was so lovely. 
I saw so many people who had made or borrowed Japanese clothing. I was 
thrilled to hear that poetry by Morien was inspired by the Japanese 
event. I was also quite impressed by Count Andreas explanation about why 
he tried his arts and sciences project. Also special thanks to my 
constant support Ishiyama.

In Service and Gratitude,

Hara Kikumatsu