<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:12pt"><DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">I don't think it has been anyone's intention that a "bard target" be required to be worn to perform at any time. I think it's design is primarily to 1) show support for our community, and 2) serve as a visual indicator to non-bards that we are present, available, and willing, to perform if needed/wanted[1], and 3) it shows to would-be bards who they should talk to about getting involved in bardic. It is in no way a requirement to wear anything you don't want to. You don't even have to wear your award regalia if you so choose. :)</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif"> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">[1] Not every bard has built up a reputation that results in them getting called on to perform in any corner of the kingdom by Crowns and nobles new and old alike. Likewise, I don't know every knight in the kingdom, who could teach me something on the heavy field, but I can certainly find people with white belts and talk to them. :)</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif"> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">Alden<BR><BR></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">----- Original Message ----<BR>From: Kevin Valliquette <grimolfr@gmail.com><BR>To: Ansteorran Bardic list <bards@lists.ansteorra.org><BR>Sent: Thursday, October 26, 2006 11:58:19 PM<BR>Subject: Re: [Bards] Queen's College of Bards<BR><BR>
<DIV>I have kept silent on this topic so far, until Master Darius posted these words:</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV>In Short I am an Ansteorran Bard. Always have been, always will be. If<BR>flying the standard of the college of bards at my camp will encourage others<BR>to stop by and share a song or verse and perhaps a dram or two in passing.. <BR>Wonderfull! If doing so means I am told I have to follow certain rules of<BR>how a circle will be run or protocol among the bards before my tent... then<BR>I simply won't fly the standard and you will all be welcome any way. </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV>Thank you, Darius. You have put into words what I had been thinking in a more eloquent manner and less defiant tone than my internal editor had yet produced.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>To the discussion of sashes/baldrics/favors/widgets/neon signs/whatever, I will add that I am one of those who is unlikely to wear anything larger than a *small* belt favor, or perhaps a *small* pin or badge; certainly nothing so large as a baldric or sash. The reason? There are already so many non-persona-appropriate SCA-isms hanging from my belt and around my neck that I don't want to add any more. Besides, a large piece of light blue fabric simply doesn't go with most of my garb. ;) Besides, although at 5' 9" and 170 pounds I am nearly petite by SCA standards, I am nonetheless very visible and don't really need much to draw attention. YMMV. I would, however, happily fly a banner or standard indicating that my household's camp is bard-friendly. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Lord Charles wrote:</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV>Some of my less-pleasant bardic memories have little to do with bards themselves. For a space of a few years, when I went to an event and found a fire where bards were performing, or even where a bardic circle had been <I>announced</I>, I would sit down and listen, maybe get to perform a piece...<BR>...and then the belly dancers and their drummers would arrive and take it over. No more bardic.<BR><BR>Now, I doubt any of our current ME dance community would do this today </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV dir=ltr>For the most part, you are correct. However, I witnessed exactly that thing happen this Beltain past, when a group of drummers started up while I was in the midst of leading a small group of people in a sing-along not 15 feet away. It was rather irksome, but still I bear said drummers no ill will. Personally, some of my favorite event memories have occured as I flittered back and forth between an active bardic circle and a hafla. I haven't had that experience recently, but would love to again. Another favorite memory of mine is when some drummers and dancers came to a bardic circle (I no longer recall at what event) and instead of stepping all over it, participated, both by taking up the beat when someone sang a song with a steady rhythm, and by alternating with the bards: drumming and dancing for 5 or 10 minutes, followed by 3 or 4 bardic performances, and so on. I would absolutely love to see more of that sort of thing. Add in some
other instrumental performers, and maybe a juggler or acrobat, and I'd be in absolute bliss! </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr>Anyway, my $0.02</DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr>Ld Grímólfr Einarsson</DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr>Bard of Loch Ruadh </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=gmail_quote></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV>-- <BR>Tip: If your comic book geek isn't loudly complaining about something, check carefully - you might have blacked out and killed it. </DIV>
<DIV>_______________________________________________<BR>Bards mailing list<BR>Bards@lists.ansteorra.org<BR><A href="http://lists.ansteorra.org/listinfo.cgi/bards-ansteorra.org" target=_blank>http://lists.ansteorra.org/listinfo.cgi/bards-ansteorra.org</A></DIV></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif"><BR></DIV></div></body></html>