The Candlemas Countdown.

.....Got the Candlemas check-lists staring me in the face in my head. Probably would be a good thing to get them somewhere in writing as it might help me remember things. :-)

Let's see:
1. Garb: Shoes, leg-wrap, pants, tunic, belt and pouch, necklace wearables, Coronet and cap.
2. Baronial Cloak.
3. Chair - being supplied by Oliver and Tegus.
* DON'T FORGET CUSHIONS!
* Footstool being supplied for Her Excellency by Oliver and Tegus.
4. Baronial Banner.
5. Tokens for competitors.
6. Her Excellency Tsuruko will have the Ceremony for Invocation.
7. Snackie-bits and drinky-bits for the day.
* Some being supplied by others, but should have a few 'supplies' for on-the-go.
8. Tokens for those who have Arts and Sciences displays set up.
9. Bell
* Tripod (which is sitting next to the stairwell).
* Mallet (which needs to be covered in leather).
10. Print our copy of processional to review.
11. Bring notebook and note-taking materials.
12. Bring calligraphy pen and ink.
13. Don't forget scrolls and tokens.
14. Don't forget copies of Serjeantry Overview.
15. Bring copy of SLTC Songbook.
16. Pack feast-gear and check for completeness.
* Plates, bowls, forks / spoons / knives, drinking vessel(s), salt & pepper, tabasco :-)
17. Talk to a couple of people about being guards / escorts for Court.
18. Talk to Mateusz about toasting - will this happen at Candlemas?
* If THL Mateusz is not in attendance, we will need someone to round up the toasts.
19. Make a print-out of the proposed Arts and Sciences competition format to have as Mistress Gwen is put through the process.
20. Did we find a member of the Dragon's Pearls who will speak on behalf of the Order when the Light of Scholarship is presented?
21. Don't forget the Toy Chest!
22. Don't forget the kneeling pillows and the small table that goes between the Baronial Chairs.
23. Don't forget to look at the entrants in the Scribal Contest. Need to remember tokens for this one as well.
24. Don't forget the tokens for the New Participants.
* What remarks do we make in regards to the New Participants present and our Chatelaine?
25. Make announcements concerning KAS and KBC.
* Who is participating? Full entrant and single entries.
26. Acknowledge Bardic Corner (Are Tim and Truly present?).

.....Candlemas, and its Court, should go more smoothly than did Yule. I can already see things that I actually am remembering well in advance. :-) There are things that were remembered 'all of a sudden', but maybe by the time we hit Yule, 2011, we'll have this down to a science.

.....The biggest thing to remember is that Court sets the ambiance for being in our 'SCA Dream' of pageantry, but its primary function is to recognize those who are doing things that feed our 'SCA Dream'. Be it of service or of the Arts & Sciences. I remind myself of that often when I'm knocking myself for not being able to glibly speak in public. And its getting easier.

.....But I'm still a little nervous. :-)

.....Aaron / Arontius.