[Ansteorra-archery] Archery as a Peer area under A&S.

[Mike A]

On Sat, Aug 10, 2013 at 09:41:07AM -0500, Iago wrote:
> I would add to what Dore said below, but I can?t. This sums up my thoughts
> pretty nicely.
> 
> Iago
> 
>  
> 
> From: ansteorra-archery-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org
> [mailto:ansteorra-archery-bounces at lists.ansteorra.org] On Behalf Of James
> Crouchet
> Sent: Saturday, August 10, 2013 9:29 AM
> To: Archery within the Kingdom of Ansteorra
> Subject: Re: [Ansteorra-archery] Archery as a Peer area under A&S.
> 
>  
> 
> IMO
> 
> Effort spent chasing a Peerage is wasted.  While I think Peerage should be
> offered to the leaders in all SCA compatible activities, the reality is that
> it is only available in a few areas.  The quickest way to NOT get a Peerage
> is to demand it.  The second quickest is to make a special effort to get
> one. Consider:
> 
> 1. They are not looking for a special effort, they are looking for someone
> who will do a job long term.  You think it is a lot of work to GET a
> Peerage? The real work begins after you have it.
> 
> 2. If you do not LOVE the activity you got the Peerage for, you will HATE
> being a Peer.  Why? Because you will be continually served big steaming
> piles of that activity for the rest of your SCA career.
> 
> 3. Most people sitting in working circles (the Peerages, WS, etc.) are
> convinced that people who are working for the award don't get it, and don't
> understand what the order does or is about.  So the harder you try, the more
> frustration you buy yourself.
> 
>  My advice is simple: Follow your heart.  Do what you want to do, and do
> what needs doing for the activities you love.  If you want to do archery, do
> archery.  The fun of that activity is it's own reward.  Being part of a
> community of fellow archers and helping to build that community is a source
> of satisfaction.  Being respected by your fellow archers is high honor.
> Awards will come -- or not -- and either way they will not change what is
> inside of you one bit.  So if you want to do A&S, by all means do so but
> don't do it for the cookie.
> 
>  
> 
> Christian Doré

It sums up both my thoughts and my experiences, and I thank Don
Christian for putting it so very concisely. 

Go thou and overachieve, if it please you. But most of all, do these
things, which I think are important: 

Have fun and be enthusiastic
Communicate that fun and enthusiasm to others
Learn
Teach what you have learned
Write and publish at least a little
Travel as widely as you can while doing the above

There is no certain road to any Peerage, but going out of your way to do
the above certainly will not damage your cause. 

You don't have to be anyone's Apprentice or Student; I never was. It can
be helpful to have a close relationship with at least one Peer. 

Just my musings. 

-- 
Mike Andrews        /   Michael Fenwick    Barony of Namron, Ansteorra
mikea at mikea.ath.cx  /   Amateur Extra radio operator W5EGO
Tired old music Laurel; Chirurgeon; SCAdian since AS XI
Listowner, SCA-Laurels