Here's the thread I discussed in the mainstream folder

Charles Heath
Posts : 689
I'd have to work my way up to
curmudgeon   Posted 13/05/2009 07:00:45 (13/05/2009 01:00:45 PM)        


Rob,

Funny how the term "fence sitter" has morphed over the years. At one time it was truly derisive, in that the original meaning was someone who could not get over the fence to the better quality events. These people would often say things such as "see you next year! (for a one time only effort), and "wish I had heard about this sooner!" (for events well advertised for 18-24 months), and that sort of thing. Perhaps Bill has been dealing with this somewhat with reenactors who fear their reproduction firearm must be upgraded to the point where it may be better than an original....only slightly tongue in cheek.

In more recent years, the term "fence sitter" has become as if a badge of honor amongst those who have dabbled in an event or two on the campaigner, progressive, and hardcore side of said fence. This provides some degree of comedy when a person who has finally attended his first and only event outside of the farb, mainstream, and authenticist realm begins using the term "fence sitter" in neo-neon lights. Some of these same "try one" (there's an old term) folks return for more, and others find they prefer their regular haunts. No mas.

I believe I, too, attend a wide variety of events, and maybe we all think that same way. Maybe it is just "those other guys" who attend the samo-samo. All I can say is taking a break from event production in 2009 has given some of us a wonderfully fresh perspective, because this has allowed us a certain degree of respite and reflection.

Charles Heath
Purveyor of finely composted manure and excelsior.
Bill
moderator
Posts : 1648
The original fence sitter
   Posted 13/05/2009 16:26:39 (13/05/2009 10:26:39 PM)        


Quote :Charles Heath wrote : In more recent years, the term "fence sitter" has become as if a badge of honor amongst those who have dabbled in an event or two on the campaigner, progressive, and hardcore side of said fence.  





Charles,

You may remember where I got my title of "The Original Fence Sitter". It was during my first post on the OTB Forum, which pretty much turned into a thread of it's own.

BTW, I like to think I've attended more than an event, or two, on the more authentic side of the fence. Of course, other people's mileage may vary!  

Bill Rodman
King of Prussia, PA
wrodman1@aol.com
Charles Heath
Posts : 689
I'd have to work my way up to
curmudgeon   Posted 14/05/2009 09:25:45 (14/05/2009 03:25:45 PM)        


Bill, as a latecomer to all this, you may not recall the term "fence sitter" was in common use long before the OTB Forum was created in 2002. That was a Duke Culberson contribution to the parlance and lexicon of the hobby describing those folks who couldn't manage to drag themselves over the fence to the  better events if they had a Holmes 770 to help them along.

In the mix of rumors and outright lies out there, one of the biggest has been the one about having to know the secret handshake to enter a quality event. That simply isn't true. In our case, we have had one closed event (2004), and only our second closed event is this coming weekend. That's a record that screams inclusiveness, rather than what may be whispered around the big glowing box.

Don't laugh too hard, but your name appears on our list twice as POC for two of the 2010 candidate (concept level) events. That in itself is worthy of note. The first is a throw away, but Camp Geiger is going to be an interesting sell. We'll see how that goes.

Charles Heath
Purveyor of finely composted manure and excelsior.
Marc
Posts : 205
Know Your History For We Are
Judges Of The Future   Posted 14/05/2009 10:06:07 (14/05/2009 04:06:07 PM)        


I can still remember vividly the first time Duke Culbertson organized the Cedar Creek all night pickett post etc. I was Duke's 1st Sgt and though small in numbers both the Confederates and the Yankees had a great experience. The chilly night air, the morning fog, pickett firing and just an overall great experience. At least for me that was the beginning of the movement that led to the formation of the Potomac Legion discussion at a quality living history event at Gettysburg NMP and of course Charles Heath encouragement to start the ball rolling. Those were great days.

Marc Riddell
Co D 1st Minnesota
2nd USSS
Potomac Legion

OK, sorry about having to paste the other posts in my post above but it seems I can't simply move a post without moving the thread but I thought the conversation above was good but needed to be in the CPH folder.

Not sure where I fit in acording to other people's standards.  There are some who probably think I am nothing more than a poser or possibly a farb, some who think I'm a stitch Nazi, and some who don't really care. I for one like to think of myself as someone who can and does go to a variety of events with the right attitude. I can think of only one event where I did not enjoy myself and it was a streamer event.

I have a few strikes against me from being a C/P/H only type person.

1. Limited vacation time from the day job and a host of responsibilities. Realistically I can make maybe one or two long distance events a year (long distance meaning a full day's drive each way requiring taking 3 vacation days minimum to do a weekend event). There are not many CPH events in my neck of the woods either, unfortunately I had a major family conflict with Westville or I would have been there.

2. As a sutler I need to be at a number of mainstream events as the course of business.

3. Health. With my asthma and bad knee, I have to be very careful what events I go to. Because of this I try to do more living history events than full out campaign events.

I generally try to make at least two or three CPH style events each year, as an example I was last at New Hope Church, am going to Ft. Moultrie in two weeks, and will be at Bummers in a civilian role (couldn't do the march unfortunately). I also hit four or five mainstream events as well. The mainstream events are enjoyable if for no other reason than to be with the folks who brought me into the hobby (many of whom do events like I do and mix it up betwen mainstream and more authentic events).

I also have a spouse who I am trying to get to try a full immersion event but have not quite gotten her to dip her toe in yet but I am working on it.

So where do I fit in? I really don't know but I do enjoy what I do.