[Ansteorra] What's happening here?

[Chass Brown]

     Actually you know very little as to what she was responding to. She
was responding to things going on, on several lists and in our local
group as well. We just had a Brass hat race and well...... it ended as
most do. Someone wanted to have a girls only sewing night and someone
blew that out of proportion (though he had a good thought as to why and
try to keep someone from screaming discrimination). The Period garb on a
budget thread going astray was just one of the things she hit on. If you
feel your toes were stepped upon then step back lol. She is as blunt as
I am and if it had been directed towards you she would have named you
trust me :). She was not comparing apples to orchards as you say. Time
and again many new/young players are scared off by one thing or another.
Either by the bickering and backstabbing, the brown nosing crowd, the
cliques, the Mavens, etc. 
     What she said about Authenticity was said by a few others but yet
you single out my lady. It is true Authenticity is aspired at different
levels. I know someone who has played for 15 years and still has not
registered a name, picked a time frame, etc. Authenticity is good, but
if your going to talk to someone about it show some compassion,
understanding and a TAD of tact. I as many others on here have seen a
maven or 2 and yes they are few and far between but we all remember them
when we are nailed by them. Most of her Frustration in this post was
over how things in our Barony have degenerated over this stupid brass
hat race. 
     Poloticing will happen, that is understood as long as someone
thinks they can gain and lord something over someone else it will
happen. Something most keep forgetting.. this is a game. If it was
strict Recreation then Knights would be made for all kinds of reasons
not just fighting, as well as a host of other things we have "Chosen" to
change about the time period. 
     Before you jump on the flaming band wagon think. There was nothing
Malicious in my email nor spiteful. I was explaining why her words were
so strong and enlightening you to more of the situation. 


Chass Brown A.K.A. Charinthalis Del Sans of the portable chariot. 
Honorable Recruiter of the House of the Red Shark.
Rear Admiral Northern Region Ansteorran Royal Navy - Ship the
Red  Shark.  Muddeler of Mead - Namron Brewing Champion 2006


-----Original Message-----
From: ansteorra-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org
[mailto:ansteorra-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org] On Behalf Of Sir Lyonel
Oliver Grace
Sent: Saturday, September 23, 2006 1:02 AM
To: ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] What's happening here?

Salut cozyns,

My first thought was that the poster is comparing apples to orchards.
Ren 
Faire's are a snapshot and a show. SCA events are ongoing interaction of
the 
people within, and there's no audience.

On the other hand, Milady Elizabeta, I think you have done many people
on 
this list a serious disservice. You say, "Yes, authenticity is nice, but

it's not something that everyone aspires to.  If you're in the SCA for
the 
cookies, then yes you'll want to be more authentic in your costume as
well 
as everything else, but that's not everyone's desire. "

Funny. I guess we just don't hang out with the same folks. I know
armorers, 
costumers, duelists, heralds, and brewers who aspire to authenticity for
its 
own sake. I consider Diarmaid a hardcore authenticity scholar, yet in
recent 
posts he has repeatedly pressed for an even hand in judging other's
efforts. 
I've also known some damned annoying award-seekers who never did more in
the 
authenticity area than just enough to get by.

You also, milady, say, "I'm seeing people telling others how they should

think, dress, act, and what they should do." Really? I do recall one or
two 
posters claiming to have been rudely handled by authenticity snobs, but
I 
don't recall anyone--on this list or at the few events I've attended 
recently--telling anyone how to think, dress, or act. I've seen
arguments 
about what is and is not period. I've seen no one say, "Thou shalt not."

I've even seen a number of postings addressing the opposite end of this 
question: how to help someone improve in authenticity *without* being
rude 
or insulting.

When did the SCA become political? Probably about the time that the
first 
kingdom was formed. When did the SCA become a litigious arena? Probably 
about when their membership passed a thousand. If you think Ren Faires
are 
free of politics and litigation, then you haven't been involved with
setting 
one up, running one, or handling the books.

As for the claims that you've seen--

--I think you're trying to lump several problems under one ill-fitting 
cover. Perhaps these issues would be better addressed individually and 
specifically.

lo vostre per vos servir
Meser Lyonel Oliver Grace
_________________________________
Micel yfel deth se unwritere.
		--AElfric of York