I work hard and need a great productive hobby. SCA provides that hobby. It also gives me the chance to meet people with the same intersts as myself. In the same turn it also let's me help people by teaching them what I may know. And I admit, I thoroughly enjoy armoring up and trading shots in a great competitive martial atmosphere such as heavy fighting. I'm pretty dedicated to being historically accurate and knowledgeable in my persona. I don't "role play" per se, but do enjoy the world created by events and won't hesitate to have my persona jump in and act the part. I enjoy helping new folks in the SCA (even though I have only been really active for a total of 3 years. I was put off by some snobs way back in the 90's who didn't help me much. But I was lucky enough to find a group much later who took me in and made me see what SCA is about.