[Ansteorra-rapier] Modius'Academy Thoughts

[Delphina Champeaux]

Don Modius asked me to forward this to the list.

Thanks
Delphina


--- Erik Langhans <ELanghans at khou.com> wrote:
> Firstly, thanks to all those who made it to last
> weekend's Academy of the Rapier, from Chiara and
> Dore with their web updates to the instructors (both
> Scarved and non-scarved) to the site crew headed by
> Ld Mercer and finally to all those who made the time
> to attend classes.  Thank you.
>
> For those who were there for the roundtable
> discussion.  Here are my thoughts.  Take EVERYTHING
> I say and have said as my personal take on things.
> If you want another opinion, try another White
> Scarf, and you may get one.  We are all very
> different individuals and have different motivations
> and passions.  My thoughts may be shared to some
> degree by members of the WS community, but they
> represent me only and are not intended to speak for
> the "Group" as a whole.  Heaven knows I have always
> been somewhat troublemaker.
>
> I know many of you deeply love what we do or at
> least like it a bit.  Be it melee or single rapier
> combat.  There is a sense of community that is
> unparalleled.   Please know my thoughts and concerns
> are drawn out of the same well, a love and concern.
> The cadets and non-scarves of today are our future
> and our leaders of tomorrow.  My brief :15 second
> blast at academy can not convey my thoughts and
> feelings so I wanted to explain.
>
> In the past 8 years I have seen something creep in.
> Apathy? Less passion? I am not certain.  I have seen
> it even in cadets close to me.  Even in some Dons.
> Look around.  When I was made a WS (White Scarf)
> there were 56 or so with maybe 20 actives.  Now with
> 73+ WS, we have 25+ actives.  I personally knew of
> at least 5 WS that vanished after receiving the
> scarf. Why?
>
> In talking with some "old-time" cadets who have
> returned after a 3 and even 5 year hiatus, to a
> person they mentioned a change in the rapier
> community and the cadets.  What specifically?  They
> had a hard time putting a finger on it.  Passion
> maybe, less let's-do-it-ness?  Something.  But,
> definitely Cadets were at a much lower profile.
>
> I sometimes feel the need at tossing a grenade in to
> keep people on their toes and thinking, especially
> when I feel when we get too comfortable.  An attempt
> to produce a thought-provoking incident.  To some
> degree the White Scarves are used to it, others who
> have not experienced it may not know how to take it.
>
> So don't take it too personally.  You all are good
> people.  Your hearts are in the right place.   Just
> ask your selves are you doing all you can for the
> rapier community or bettering rapier in Ansteorra or
> the known world.  How are you showing leadership
> (for Cadets on the road to a WS this is more
> important). How are you supporting the Queen and her
> heir the Crown Princess?  What is the Princesses
> Blade and who holds it?  What are the Cadets
> banners?  Are they a symbol of a bygone era and need
> to be replaced or dropped.  Cadets Pranks, yes or no
> (I personally think they are silly but at least they
> say here I am). Are you raising your hand to take
> leadership positions in melees?  Are you teaching
> other rapier fighters?  Do you have the desire to
> better your fighting?  What makes you passionate
> about what we do?  Should there be or is there a
> Corps of cadets.  How do the nobles see us?  Do you
> work together in doing something for the rapier
> community.  Have you ever or do you ever walk up to
> White Scarves and say, "heh you, fight with me" or
> "heh you, what is it that a WS does" or even "what
> do you expect from cadets to become a WS?
>
> Was I critical of the Cadets, yes.  I have a big
> secret......
>
> I am twice as critical when it comes to the White
> Scarves, INCLUDING MYSELF!
>
> How are the White Scarves failing you.  What can we
> do more for you and the rapier community.  What do
> you expect from us.  Do you felt heard.  What are
> your dreams, your hopes?  What do you want a White
> scarf to mean.
>
> My intent and desire was/is to re-ignite passion,
> rightly or wrongly among the Cadets and White
> Scarves.  My method may have been a bit to
> "in-your-face" but I am direct to a fault.  Let's
> create bridges and build relationships throughout
> our rapier community and Ansteorra.   You are all
> our future and our hope.
>
> Modius von Mergentheim
>



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