<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, on the other hand, have never known a College of Bards, and I very much do consider myself a bard. While I've never known a College of Bards, I have known a fair number of well-known and talented bards, who have inspired, encouraged, and educated me on the bardic arts. I have also had the pleasure to know very supportive patrons of bardic arts (who are not bards themselves), who have likewise encouraged me.</DIV>
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<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif">While I encourage a more structured community for bards, I haven't lacked for the want of one. College or no, I'll continue to strive to become a better bard. Having a College might serve to help me become a better bard faster. I think it will also help me become a better bardic teacher.</DIV>
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<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: Jay Rudin <A href="mailto:rudin@ev1.net">rudin@ev1.net</A><BR><FONT face=Arial size=2>
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<DIV>The year was 1981 or so, and he was Lord Robin of Gilwell. The College is why I'm a bard. Without the College, I would be a fencer and a fighter and a herald and lots of other things, but I would not be a bard. How many Robins have we missed because there was no official group at events to welcome them in?</DIV></FONT></DIV>
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