ANST - Arrow vote

[Michael Tucker]

Greetings, all, but most especially HL Gilli:

Bob Dewart (Gilli) wrote:
> 
> Ok folks, here's your chance to make up my mind because at this point I can
> go either way and be happy about it.  But, I'd like to know what that
> portion of the Kingdom on this list would like.
> 
> For the next 48 hrs. I will be taking a poll on weather or not to take
> loaner combat arrows to the next war.  I will post the results by 7PM on the
> 17th.  And the results is what I'll do.
> 
> [snip]
> 
> Thanks for your input.
> 
> Gilli
> 

Gilli, my friend, this is one of those things you have to decide for yourself.
Are there those of us out here in the kingdom who appreciate your efforts to arm
our archers for war? Sure, you betcha. Is it a pain in the rear to make all
those arrows? Is it all-too-frequently without much help or appreciation? Yep,
to both.

I don't mean to sound like I'm preaching, 'cause I know if I am I'm preaching to
the choir. But the plain fact is, every task any of us takes on in the SCA has a
pain-in-the-rear quotient AND a personal-satisfaction quotient. They can be
increased or decreased depending on how much help we get doing the job, and how
much acknowledgement we get for a job well done. But each of us has to decide
for ourselves when that quotient has become too one-sided.

If you find enough personal satisfaction in seeing our archers go well-equipped
to war, and knowing that YOU made most of those arrows, then GO FOR IT! By all
means, continue to make and bring arrows to war, because they *do* make a difference.

But, if you've reached a point where it's just too big a pain in the kiester,
then COOL IT, at least for a while, and let someone else "lift that bail and
tote that barge". When you find yourself looking at the job again (a month from
now, or a year, or never) and thinking "You know, that looks like fun", then get
back in the saddle. (Is that enough mixed metaphors? Hmmm...)

Personally, it sounds to me like you're stressed out over your blown
transmission, and bummed out because you didn't get much help this year (or last
year, or...), and just basically ticked off because your contribution to Gulf
Wars this year didn't come off in a way that would have brought you
satisfaction. It sounds to me like your *dis*-satisfied, but don't want to
decide for yourself that it's time to take a breather. It sounds to me like you
want *us* to tell you to take a rest.

Well, I'm not going to make myself responsible for your decision. But if all you
want is encouragement and appreciation, then here it is: I appreciate what
you've done, this year and in years previous. I encourage you to keep doing it,
*if* you continue to find satisfaction in getting the job done. BUT: if what you
want is confirmation that we don't care, and we wish you'd stop, you won't get
that from me. If you're tired, then rest; but that's YOUR decision.

Good luck with your decision, and safe journeys whatever you decide.

Yours in service and friendship,
Michael
(Baron Michael Silverhands,
who someday will string a bow and knock an arrow for Ansteorra)
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