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<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left><FONT
face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> ansteorra-bounces@lists.ansteorra.org
[mailto:ansteorra-bounces@lists.ansteorra.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Jean Paul
de Sens<BR><B>Sent:</B> Sunday, May 21, 2006 10:22 PM<BR><B>To:</B> Ansteorra
List<BR><B>Subject:</B> [Ansteorra] Cookies and merit badges<BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Due to the long drive home this afternoon, Gilyan and I landed upon
the subject of "cookies and merit badges" and wondered at the negative
connotation associated with such things. So we're
wondering:<BR><BR>What's wrong with merit badges? What about the system
is offensive and/or wrong? <BR>Jean Paul<BR>P.S., please try to keep the
"I like chocolate chip" responses to a minimum as I'm genuinely curious about
this question.<BR></BLOCKQUOTE></SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=067035203-22052006>LENGTH WARNING -- Yes, Amra has opinions, and the topic
presented by Sieur Jean Paul is one I had already been thinking seriously upon
of late...</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=067035203-22052006></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=067035203-22052006>Personally, I grew up with merit badges (Eagle Scout
BSA,1976, Troop 196, Kingfisher OK). They are, in some fashion, what
shaped me from what I was into what I am. They could even be blamed /
credited with some of the breadth that I bring to the Society, and that I
attempt to maintain in my life as a whole. </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=067035203-22052006></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=067035203-22052006></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2><SPAN class=067035203-22052006>That said, they aren't right for everyone,
and I would personally rather not see them resorted to in the "adult" expression
of the SCA -- at least not in the "collect six, do this thing, do that other
thing, and get your next advancement in rank" mode. Following from that,
if they are *not* linked to rank advancement but are goals in and of themselves,
maybe there is a place. I dunno -- not that attractive to me at this point
in my life, but possibly would make a difference in my future circumstances (see
below).</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=067035203-22052006></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=067035203-22052006>That said, I can see some good arguments for more
formality in tracking individual accomplishments. Yes, we are an
organization at least nominally based upon personal honor. Our achievements
on the field of battle, in tournament, before audiences both small and large, in
the creation of tangible and intangible things: all our works are
eventually judged, at least in passing, as we establish our reputation
within local branches, around the Kingdom, or throughout the SCA on a wider
scale. Do we perform? Do we teach? Do we serve in formal office, or
give occasional assistance in small matters?</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=067035203-22052006></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=067035203-22052006>Our awards are typically phrased in the text of the
scrolls and ceremonies as being recognition of accomplishments above and beyond
that of the average, the mundane. Yet how are we to reasonably track
advancement in ability over time and across vast distances when members come and
go, become less or more active, change fields of primary endeavor?
</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=067035203-22052006></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=067035203-22052006>I have served this kingdom informally and formally
since before Moonschadowe was named, since before Ansteorra was officially a
kingdom (admittedly not by very much time as the calendar may be read, but
..). I have seen the arguments and counter-arguments and myths and rumors
concerning the award systems here and in other kingdoms "from the ground",
holding no particular rank myself, and been fortunate enough to get an
occasional insight at a higher level through the forbearance of those who have
been elevated to ranks or honors above those I have achieved or been
granted. Primary conclusion: there is no single system which will
satisfy everyone, and the one we have that has "organically" grown into
existence is better than several possible alternatives.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=067035203-22052006></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=067035203-22052006>I'm faced with a new personal quandary directly
relating to all of the above: I stand within days, if not hours, of taking
up a mundane employment contract that will take me away from Ansteorra for
months, maybe much longer. SCA folk have already prepared a welcome for me
on the far end of this journey -- but they will certainly be folk who do not
know me for what I am and have done here, except for some few who have taken up
such a journey in the past. Some there, in Atlantia, know a little of me
because I participate in forums such as this, or have seen something of my
writings as they were distributed in the past.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=067035203-22052006></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=067035203-22052006>But will they know me as a candidate for advancement
until I have built up new experience there? This is where a more
uniform system of recognition and advancement might indeed serve the Society
well -- but I don't hold my breath to expect such a system to materialize
overnight, and doubt that it would be acceptable to every Kingdom within my
lifetime. Too many existing traditions, too much inertia to overcome, and
no existing structure upon which it could be readily based which would be likely
to find acceptance within the current hierarchical structures. It may
indeed come to pass. We will see.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=067035203-22052006></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2><SPAN
class=067035203-22052006>I've traveled before, for a contract of six months,
into another kingdom. Aethelmearc welcomed me, or at least those I met in
the Barony-March of the Debatable Lands did, and I was happy to be there.
I gave what I could, when I could, in the way I always have. I miss seeing
those folk, and hope that I will be able to return as circumstance allows.
(Having Pennsic in *their* backyard increases that possibility, of
course.) Did I expect to receive any award while I was there?
No. The most that I hoped for was to enjoy a new SCA experience, and to
give my hosts and hostesses back what I could from my small store of talents,
energy, and experience. What any proper guest should, and what every
Ansteorran in similar circumstance should aspire to (In My
Opinion).</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=067035203-22052006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>As
I've stated before, and I hope consistently, I'll be a participant in the SCA
for the foreseeable future, at whatever level my changing circumstances
allow. With or without any additional awards. I'm here for the
experience of the Society, and to help do my part in making that experience
available to others, and for my friends (whether or not I've made their direct
acquaintance yet). I'm not here for merit badges, or cookie-cutter
awards. If I am ever recognized beyond what I have already received,
yippee. There's still going to be a new face looking for an appropriate
name and device, a kitchen that needs cleaning, or announcements to be made to a
camp. Plus songs, poems, tales to be repeated.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=067035203-22052006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff
size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=067035203-22052006><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>See
you on the trail.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial>
<DIV align=left>
<P><FONT face=Aladdin>Adieu, Amra /<FONT face=Arial> ttfn - Mike / Pax ... Kihe
(Mike C. Baker)</FONT></FONT></P>
<P align=left><FONT face=Aladdin>SCA: al-Sayyid Amr ibn Majid al-Bakri al-Amra,
F.O.B, OSCA</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>"Other": Reverend Kihe Blackeagle PULC (the
DreamSinger Bard)</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>Opinions? I'm FULL of 'em | alt. e-mail:
KiheBard@hotmail.com OR MCBaker216@cs.com</FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=Arial size=2>Buy my writings!: </FONT><A
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