[Ansteorra] What's happening here?
Bob Dewart
gilli at hot.rr.com
Sat Sep 23 12:43:03 PDT 2006
Sounds like you've been in my area lately.
Gilli
Burkhaven, An Odyssey of Learning
http://home.hot.rr.com/burkhaven/
----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Silverhands" <silverhands at sbcglobal.net>
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at lists.ansteorra.org>
Sent: Saturday, September 23, 2006 12:55 PM
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] What's happening here?
>I would like to step in at this point, although there's a tiny voice
> in the back of my head screaming "run away!"
>
> I'll respond to two posters (and probably "step my foot in it"... but
> oh well, what's the use of being an Olde Farte if you don't
> occasionally):
>
> On Sep 23, 2006, at 2:49 AM, Chass Brown wrote:
>
>> ... We just had a Brass hat race and well...... it ended as most
>> do. ...
>
> I'm curious... I know that you've been around for a long while and
> have seen many "hat races", as have I. I've even partaken of one. :-)
>
> But in 20 or so years of being active in the "greater Loch-Ravens-
> Gate" area I have not seen *one* ugly "hat race". I've seen quite a
> few, and all were at least civil. Most of them involved candidates
> who were good friends with one another, cheered each other on to the
> finish, and supported one another after the Crown's choice was made.
> One or two races (that I'm personally aware of, in this local area,
> in 20 years time... there, is that enough disclaimers? *grin*) had
> one or two candidates who didn't run and play well with others... and
> guess what? They weren't the Crown's choice. What a surprise.
>
> So... you don't say what you mean by "most do", but you imply
> "badly". I'm curious: why do you say that? Have you been personally
> involved in one? Personally known most if not all of the candidates,
> and personally heard their side of whatever events transpired?
> Personally heard the Crown's take on the candidates? Or... no
> offense, just asking... was most of your information via "the rumor
> mill", or from one disgruntled side?
>
> I'll grant you: I'm told by friends who live in other areas (which
> shall remain nameless) that their "hat races" are *consistently*
> ugly, hateful affairs with underhanded and vindictive behavior both
> before and after the choice. I don't understand that, having never
> lived in such an environment (and being pretty sure that I wouldn't
> want to stay if that was, indeed, the "status quo"). But I accept
> that it's the norm in some groups. I'm sorry that's the case. I'm
> sure the Crown isn't happy about it either. But that's *definitely*
> another thread. :-/
>
> In any case... on to the next point:
>
> On Sep 23, 2006, at 11:53 AM, Lisa wrote:
>> I will admit that this complaint is more appropriately addressed under
>> households, as households are where I am seeing most of this
>> behaviour. BUT
>> households are still a part of the SCA and many times household
>> rules and
>> dictates spill over into regular SCA life. I can specifically cite
>> households that require you to wear x, do y, and yes even think z,
>> or you
>> are not accepted into the household, or can be removed from the
>> household
>> for not "following the rules".
>
> Ah-ha! "Households", not "the SCA as a whole".
>
> This is another aspect of the SCA that I frankly don't understand. If
> someone is bossing you around... why let them? Why stay in that
> group, if they're (pardon the generalization, this is a hypothetical
> case with sweeping generalizations... more disclaimers *grin*) a
> bunch of domineering jerks who just want to "lord it over" you?
>
> The SCA is a lot more fun if you're hanging around with people you
> have fun being around. (Q.E.D.) And it's a very, very "big tent". If
> the group of people you're currently hanging around with aren't fun
> *for you*... then hang out with a different group. How hard is that?
> (Rhetorical question... I know, I know... this is much easier said
> than done...)
>
> Or just don't join a "household" per se. Just hang out with "a group
> of friends who happen to like playing together, share feast gear,
> carpool, etc.". That pretty much describes *my* friends in the SCA,
> inclusive of the past 20 years.
>
> When Neassa and I were appointed Baron/ess of Stargate, one of our
> main agendas was to get the households to play nicely with each
> other, and with the barony as a whole. (At that time they weren't,
> and it was a big problem for the barony.) I believe we succeeded
> partly because we had lots of help (including from the other
> candidates who weren't appointed Baron/ess), partly because some
> people got older and mellower, and partly because some of the chief
> antagonizers either quit playing or moved away. So we can't take full
> credit, but I will take some.
>
> Anyway... coming back from that digression... I guess my point is
> this: households are *not* the defining element of the SCA. The are
> *an* element -- and they *can* take on an importance out of
> proportion to reality -- but there are plenty of others. So please
> don't "put down" the SCA as a whole, or write it off as some ugly,
> politicized mess... when what you're really talking about is one
> household (or whatever) that's given you grief.
>
> And like the doctor says in that famous joke: "Doctor, it hurts when
> I do this." "Well, just don't do that!"
>
> Playground rules apply: Have fun. Be happy. Treat others as you would
> have them treat you. If another kid isn't being nice to you... don't
> play with them. :-)
>
> Michael
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