I am currently in the SCA and I have been interested in the Renaissance and Elizabethan Age since the age of 7. I grew up in Virginia Beach where I constantly heard tales of Queen Elizabeth and Sir Walter Raleigh. By the time I got to college, I was making my own garb for the Renaissance Festival in the area. I started out with a blue brocade Italian gown that sounds and is beautiful...until you see the zipper on the back. :-)
I've been on the internet since the late 80's. If anyone remembers Prodigy and the Star Trek kids club back then headed by Admiral RC...well, I was part of that group way back when (I think this was back in 1990? early 91?)