As to the social aspects...

RPG is a slightly different beast, but the one place where both SCA and Ren seem to meet is that once you join, it seems to suck you completely in socially.

There are, of course, exceptions - but for the most part, almost every person I know is involved with the 'ren' life (or "SCA" life). It was never a concious decision, so much as my few friends who weren't already involved not really understanding why I'd want to dedicate the weekends out of half of the year to doing faires, and drifting. Most people I know have about the same thing happen. It seems that after a few years 'on the street', you wind up with about 90%+ rennie friends and 10% 'mundanes'.

Of course, it gets even worse when it comes to dating. "Gee, sorry honey. I know you have no interest in this hobby, but it DOES require that I be away the next 12 weekends in a place you keep hearing really weird and sordid rumours about. But don't worry, I still love you. Sure you don't want to go? No? Oh... the pool boy is cleaning the pool again? Didn't that just happen last weekend too?" I think I know one commited couple where the SO in question doesn't at least come out and 'gatelist' (sign in as a guest performer) for a weekend or two yearly.

It borders on obsession, but for a few of us it's also occasionally a real job...

M