[Bards] Queen's College of Bards -- who's up for it?

[Scott Barrett]

I'm going to throw this out as a hypothesis, nothing more.
I'm just testing the water.

Is it possible that the College, with it's triumphs and it's failings, 
was a working product of a pre-internet SCA, when we still mailed 
letters, made expensive long distance phone calls, prepared all of our 
pieces and research for the big events we could attend and had to wait 
to get news and guidance from our fellow performers in person?
Is a new College not needed because of the community right here online?
I know some folks don't have internet access, but before the internet, 
some folks just couldn't travel, either. The majority of the players do 
travel a little and the majority have internet access these days.
If a College does appear, what will it provide that isn't provided by 
this mailing list and bard.ansteorra.org?
No one seems to want the merit badge system anymore, and sashes seem to 
be a personal choice that some like and some don't. I'm a badge guy 
myself, but I don't have the ability to cast a bunch of pewter harps 
with black mullets in the frame.

Bard.ansteorra.org seems to be the place to put up bios, original 
pieces and read articles, but I think my article "To Tell A Tale of 
Terror" (Happy Halloween, gang) is only one article out of a total of 
two posted in the Bardcraft section. I just sent it in to Alden 
yesterday. If only a few people are taking advantage of this site, what 
will a College provide that people will find valuable?

I'm not challenging the concept, I really wanna know. If the college 
can be born anew with foundational practices that are not otherwise 
provided, I'm all for it. I have a few scars from the early college 
myself, but it was working for some people. It's failure to work for 
everyone led to some strong feelings on both sides of the issue. If we 
can forge something that works for everyone, I'm delighted to be 
involved.

So before we start talking charters, let's discuss those foundations 
Robin was mentioning. Let's discuss them here first, where more people 
can read and contribute. Not everyone will be able to make it to 
Robin's house, to drink his coffee and drag their buttocks across his 
no-doubt luxurious carpet because it feels so good. Let's provide some 
feedback to those who will be there, putting ink to paper. By the way, 
Robin, if you have hardwood floors, I'm afraid I can't make it ; )

What is this thing gonna do?

As a side note, let me clarify that all of you are my fellows in the 
ring, College or no. We sweat and strive and pour our hearts out 
together, and I've always got your back as a performer. I felt that way 
when there was a College and I feel that way now.

~Finnacan
The uglier half of the Bard of the Steppes