What is it with groups and clubs that bring out the worst in people? I am a member of the 501st Storm Trooper Legion. Before that I was a member of the SCA. In the SCA it really became a pissing contest of “Who has the better costume” “Whose stuff is more historically accurate” and so on. When I joined, I just wanted to Dress the period and have fun with people who did the same thing. It was like that for around the first year or two, then I started getting further and further into the mechanics of the club and seeing the beast for what it truly was. There would constantly be bickering over who was doing what event, and so many people had to be there to do certain things. It became less of a Fun place to hang out and more of a “Job.” Well, I didn’t want an extra job that didn’t pay me, so I left. I still have some of the out fits and I wear them at conventions, but No more SCA.
So along came this great group called the 501st. Storm Troopers! Who doesn’t like star wars and storm troopers? I have always loved Star Wars. And the idea of Dressing up as a Scout Trooper from Return of the Jedi appealed to me. I could go to Conventions, I could help with Charities. These people are huge star wars fans, as well as other Sci-Fi fantasy movies. So I dove in head first. Assembled my Scout Trooper with some help from some very talented people, and started in having fun. Conventions, Parties, Parades, you name it and I was trying to be a part of it!
Now sadly, my motivation has died down. Partly, I am sure, to the winter blahs, but also to the fact that I see the same politics and bickering going on here that I saw in the 501st. Is it really so hard for people to Just get together and have fun? Why does it have to be a contest? I shouldn’t feel the need to spend $3k on a costume just because you spent $2k on yours. If I want to throw a Bed Sheet over myself and call it a ghost, why can’t we just have fun with it?
Anyways, I wonder what the next group will be like.
Carnival Workers