[Ansteorra] The first installment of Uncle Jovian's "Thought on A&S"

[rapier1 at nts-online.net]

Master Jovian

I want to thank you for your counsel. I am not a laurel nor am I close,
But I have been a mentor and career teacher in real life and I have found
that blunt simple answers make the most impact on folks life. I have been
told a lot about what it takes to be a laurel, how to become a laurel,
ect. I have to say that your counsel is some of the best I have heard.

Achillies von Hutten
Adlersrhue, Ansteorra






> My Best and the Worst Counsel
> Master Jovian Skleros
>
> 	Since I don’t play as much as I would like to, I thought that this
> forum would be an excellent place to share some thoughts and lessons
> about being an artisan/Laurel. What do I know about this topic? I’m
> glad you asked. I’ve been and artisan for nearly 15 years in the SCA
> and a Laurel for 9 of those years. I have been to several Laurel retreats
> where we’ve discussed what it means to be both. My fellow Laurels and I
> have talked over these topics at events and argued back and forth. I
> don’t mean to sound overly proud (and forgive me if I sound puffed up
> with my own importance) I simply want to share this knowledge with the
> populace of Ansteorra.
> 	Since not every group has a Laurel, I thought it might be useful to
> impart some Laurel-ly experience. Other Laurels may disagree with me, and
> if they do I hope they will share their own insight and experience. Now
> on to the meat of the subject: counsel.
> 	My worst counsel – for your edification. Early in my SCA career a
> friend and I were sewing costumes for an event. She was showing me some
> research that she was doing. I had never seen anything like what she was
> finding. What did I know? I was using a theatrical costume book for my
> patterns and clothing ideas. I was impressed; so impressed, in fact, that
> I told her, “Wow, this is incredible. None of the Laurels are doing
> this kind of research! You should get a Laurel for this!”
> 	Not only was I talking out of my rear end, but I set her up for
> expectations that were unreasonable. I regret having done so, and I
> wonder if I caused her to lose her artistic sprit when that the accolades
> I said were her’s were not forthcoming.
> 	So, the counsel I give to you is this. A simple “That’s cool.” is
> perfect. I know we want to say nice thing, but the risk of causing
> someone to think that a peerage is around the corner may leave them
> bitterly wondering what the Laurels have against them.
> 	My best counsel – also for you edification. Here is where I try to
> redeem myself. I was talking to my first apprentice and I shared this bit
> of advice… “You’re on the right track, but remember this. Some
> people will be made ahead of you. Some of them will have played a shorter
> amount of time than you have. Some may be less talented than you are.
> Others will have been made for political reasons. A few might leave you
> thinking ’What the… heck!’ Our award system isn’t completely
> fair, it never will be completely fair. Simply knowing this will help you
> weather the future shocks and surprises.”
> 	Later on, my apprentice (now a Laurel) told me this was perhaps the best
> piece of advice she had heard.
> 	There you have it folks, pearls of wisdom… or at least mother-of-pearls
> of wisdom. Take what you like from this, dismiss what you don’t. I just
> hope that at least one or two people will find it helpful. If this little
> essay has piqued your interest enough (or you’re desperate enough) you
> have my permission to use it in your group’s newsletter. All I ask is
> that you use it in full and with no additions or deletions and that you
> keep my name attached to it. I’d also like to know what newsletter is
> was in.
>
> In Service,
> Master Jovian Skleros
>
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