Lion of Ansteorra

[Heidi J Torres]

Hi all from Mari!

On Wed, 2 Jul 1997, Pug Bainter wrote:

>   First, out of ~28 years, or ~56 possible Lions, only 3 reigns have had
>   no Lion made. I do not think that if it happens only 5% of the time it
>   is a tradition. It may be to some, but over all, as Galen pointed out,
>   it is just precedence.

Pug, I agree with the gist of your message.  However, your mathematical 
abilities just about gave me a heart attack!  28 years!  Gosh, I remember 
when we were just a Region and I've only been in 20!  
Palpitation city!  I thought maybe I'd taken a really 
long nap, ala Rip Van Winkle.  Now, lemmee see.... Willow and 
Jonathon first reign began in the summer of '79, so by my calculations 
the kingdom's been around just at 18 years, so there could only be 36 
possible Lions.  So it's really 3 lions out of 3


> 
>   Second, this is a very personal issue for the Crown. They can do as
>   they please. If they want to be *there* with the person to celebrate
>   the elevation, then they have the right. (I know I would want to see
>   their face and join in their pride if I were a ruler. This would make
>   it more real and meaningful to me.) If they feel it's important that
>   the person not get "overlooked", then they can announce it in abstenia.{
>   I don't think that they, or anyone, should settle for second-best on
>   something this personal either.
> 
>   Third, those who are the Lions of Ansteorra that have not been
>   elevated *will* be recognized by all of us and eventually elevated. If
>   they stop doing the things they love and stop playing the game because
>   they are overlooked, then they are not truly Lions. As well, although
>   there is not a list, there are still people to counsel on the issue.
>   The previous rulers don't just disappear, the current Lions, as well
>   as all of the peers and other counselers that the Crown calls upon.
>   Not to mention those individuals who continue their letter writing
>   campaigns to bring people to the Crown's attention.
> 
>   Finally, using the red flag of extremes never sways me, nor I hope
>   most, in an argument. Saying that any extreme in a situation is the
>   same as every situation is not valid. Traditions are good things to
>   most people. These are the ones who identify us as a people and as
>   well as make us, as a person or society, unique. Other traditions,
>   that hurt people, are not good and should be disbanned. Being
>   "overlooked" for this award that is close and personal to the Crown
>   does not hurt anyone, except maybe the Crown who can't bestow this
>   personal honor onto the person they desire.
> 
>   I will try to write down what I feel makes a Lion in the near future.
> 
> Ciao,
> 
> -- 
> Phelim "Pug" Gervase  | "I want to be called. COTTONTIPS. There is something 
> Barony of Bryn Gwlad  |  graceful about that lady. A young woman bursting with 
> House Flaming Dog     |  vigor. She blinked at the sudden light. She writes
> pug at pug.net           |  beautiful poems. When ever shall we meet again?"
>