I've already been asked what I'm wanting for Christmas.

My mom has gotten most of the stuff I've asked her to get me.

However, if you're curious, I've got a list available here of things I like.

Blame Jib. That's all I'm going to say.

(Compagnia homework from Jib. I'm just now getting around to it. Feel free to comment. It helps the brain think things through.)

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[[Since I'm the only guy on the list...I can say Queen... ;) ]]

Sooo ladies...here's a little homework for you...to be completed between now and the time that you really do become Queen. *heh*

Read through the West Kingdom Royalty Handbook: http://www.westkingdom.org/files/RoyaltyHandbookRev9.PDF

I'd like to hear your thoughts on what you would do if you were Queen. I'd like to hear ideas of what you'd want for largesse, what style of scrolls you'd want, etc. etc. ad nauseum. This is basically a chance for you to put on the fantasy hat and think about everything that you would want or need to be Queen.

I'd like this to be an open discussion for you to contemplate things and ponder what it would mean to be Queen.

Until the next time,
Jibra'il.

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I figured I better get around to it.

I think a lot would depend on who my King was. I'm all for the Byzantine Coronation in purple and gold (yeah, that's pretty damn nifty), but I'm all for bringing in influences from his persona's culture, especially if it's one that would have had contact with the Byzantines.

I've been joking about making my reign a full family affair with the Compagnia, but honestly, I'd seek out dependable, organised people to do their jobs. I'm keen to have my Chamberlain and Herald to be close, but distant enough to keep themselves occupied properly. Possibly even people who had done the job before, and had done it well.

I'd style myself as Queen in the proper Greek way: Basilissa.

As for tokens, I'd love etched beads or even pewter coins. If I could wrangle some kind of small pectoral pendant with an angel* on it...yeah, I'd be one super-happy camper. Hell, even little pewter or brass repoussé angel pins or pendants done in the style of an icon would make me super, super happy.

Largesse is hard for me to figure out, as I'm one of those pragmatic people when it comes to gift-giving a large amount of the time. I'd love to be able to give things that the reigning monarchs of kingdoms could get great use out of (the stationery idea is awesome!), but I also want to make sure that it's also going to be able to get several uses out of it. I might have to come back to this.

Scrolls would be partially dependent on my King. I love C&I, and I love the idea of an early period scroll and an later period scroll, depending, of course, on how late later period is.

I'm not sure who I'd have make my county coronet. TE Jane and Angelo have amazing coronets, but I'm far too rough and tumble, I think, to handle the nice pretties for long. I love TG Valens and Susannah's leather coronets, and that's something I could handle. (Maybe, eventually, one of each?) Then again, Drachenstein Treasures does amazing work, and I might be convinced to not be quite so rough and tumble for one. For a metal one, I'd be happy to see lapis or amethyst or even moonstones on it, maybe with angel wings around the brim.

Stepping down, I would style myself again in Greek: Komitissa.

As for stepping down, I think it'd be cool to see the individual devices of the outgoing King and Queen. I'd also adore having a heraldic surcote for that occasion, even if it is just -slightly- out of period for me. Or at least, something to change into afterward. (No, I'm not a garb whore. Really.)

I think that's all I've figured out. A lot of it's up in the air, I know, but I'm more apt to not stand out too much, especially in the role of Queen. It's a partnership, as far as I see it.

-Constantia

*per device acceptance. Yes, I'm thinking about an angel on my device. It's my own little way to cant the crap out of it, given my name ("Constantly of good character"). Angels also show up a ton in Byzantine artwork. (Yes, I went to Einarr's class on heraldry for non-heraldic cultures. Fascinating stuff. God, I'm such a herald.)

So, Jib blamed me for the last bit of homework for the Household. Here's what he wrote:

"You all can blame your Sister, Constantia, for this assignment. Many people know that gift giving for Kings & Queens, Princes & Princesses, and sometimes Barons & Baronesses is often made easy by sharing Their likes and dislikes, Their wishes and whims.

"Well, your assignment is to pretend you're in a role where people may be serving you food, or presenting you with a personal gift, or making largesse for you to distribute, or where you get to set the tone of an event.

"What are your likes and dislikes? What is your persona and what are your heraldic colors? What garb styles do you like or dislike? What kinds of things do you like as tokens? What things do you want to see more or less of at events?

"This is your chance to pretend you've got the power and can share your wishes and whims with the world. [[And hey...this is great fodder for the Family to help them out if they should ever start plotting evil things and decide to make personalized Twelfth Night or birthday gifts. *hint hint*]]

"Have fun with this one!
Jibra'il"

All because of my Wishes and Whims post! What sort of monster have I created?

A lot of people, both SCA and not, have lately been asking what my likes and dislikes are when it comes to a lot of things: movies, food, books, music, and clothing. I'll try and keep this updated. If not, kick my butt. I'm going to use this post to essentially put my whims and wishes. Certain things will be marked with an asterisk to denote things of more of a nature suited to the SCA.

( Food )
( Colours )
( Music )
( Television and other media )
( Arts and Crafting )
( Fabrics )
( Measurements )
( Stuff for Gifts )

Hope this helps answer questions in the future!