[Bards] old way vs new ways charter

[Michael Silverhands]

On Oct 31, 2006, at 1:54 PM, Jay Rudin wrote:
> I am seeing what you are not because I am seeing the eighties.   
> When bards
> met regularly and told everyone that they were part of a fun and  
> supportive
> group, more people wanted to join it.
>

Ok, I can see that. (I still don't see how a college is necessary to  
achieve that, but that's another matter.)

> ... I feel like I'm trying to explain sex to a virgin, while  
> sitting on a
> perfectly good bed.

*splorf!* Ok, good thing the coffee cup was almost empty. Thanks,  
Robin! That's the best laugh I've had today (well, ok, the best one  
since the baby's infectious giggle got me laughing this morning). :-)

Laughter aside, I think I see the point you're trying so patiently to  
make. I'm not so sure about the rest of the connotations of the  
metaphor, though. (cue 80's porno sound track?) :-P

> I can't explain why bards meeting regularly in mutual
> support at events with lots of venues to perform will help.  I just  
> know
> that it will.  The College is why I became a bard.  Does that have any
> value?
>
> Has anybody ever become a bard because of what a Kingdom A&S  
> officer or
> deputy did?
>
> Anybody?
>
> Ever?
>
> Robin of Gilwell / Jay Rudin
>

I became a bard because, when I was first starting to become active  
in the SCA, I saw a master at his craft hold an audience enraptured  
for the number of minutes it took him to tell his story. It was a  
beautiful day at an outside event. The bard stood under the spreading  
branches of a grand old tree, told his wonderful tale, then took off  
the cloak of the Bard of Elfsea and handed it and a spear to the  
incoming champion.

(Do you remember that day, Robin? :-) )

In any case, that had nothing to do with whether there was a kingdom  
officer -- or a college -- to promote bardcraft. It had everything to  
do with a good bard being active.

Michael