[Ansteorra] What's happening here?

[Bob Dewart]

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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