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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935340813-12062008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2>I<SPAN class=935340813-12062008> agree, Maggie.
Great article.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935340813-12062008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=935340813-12062008></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935340813-12062008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN class=935340813-12062008>Competitions. I
believe there are too many of them. I will struggle to keep this under
half a page while I explain why.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935340813-12062008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=935340813-12062008></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935340813-12062008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN class=935340813-12062008>It's almost as if
we're trying to give the performers something to
do.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935340813-12062008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=935340813-12062008></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935340813-12062008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN class=935340813-12062008>I've made the same
argument before; that we try to treat the performing arts like many other
activities in the SCA; make it a competition and they'll feel they're getting
the same treatment as the rapier/chiv/etc.
community.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935340813-12062008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=935340813-12062008></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935340813-12062008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN class=935340813-12062008>I also think that we,
as performers, should reconsider our positions during a competition. Our
counterparts of the eras would not consider themselves champions for their
excellencies/highnesses/majesties. Their labors were for their
patrons;</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=935340813-12062008><FONT
face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=935340813-12062008> those who would provide for them so that they
could build/perform/compose for the noble who took them in. If a visiting
noble brought his court musician with him, performances would be staged so that
each could show the merits of the noble's choice. I don't think this is
done often enough. </SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935340813-12062008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=935340813-12062008></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935340813-12062008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN class=935340813-12062008>So. Nobles - get to
it!</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935340813-12062008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=935340813-12062008></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935340813-12062008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN class=935340813-12062008>I often think that the
performing community, at least what little I see of it from time to time, has
become caught up in collecting championships. I've had the honor of being
champion for three baronies; each of whom I treated as my patron for the time of
service alotted. At events I would seek them out and ask if I could
entertain them at some time during the day. While I haven't had the honor,
yet, of direct patronage of their majesties, each time I've submitted myself for
Eistedfodd I went in with the notion that I would have to travel further afield
in order to serve that role. It's a commitment that I don't always see,
but I'm poorly traveled and I forget a
lot.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935340813-12062008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=935340813-12062008></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935340813-12062008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN class=935340813-12062008>But that's me and my
game. Your mileage may vary. Offers void if unacceptable.
Bards are closer than they appear in
mirror.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935340813-12062008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=935340813-12062008></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935340813-12062008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN class=935340813-12062008>Gerald of
Leesville</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935340813-12062008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN class=935340813-12062008>A minstrel of
Stargate.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935340813-12062008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=935340813-12062008></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><SPAN class=935340813-12062008><FONT face=Arial><FONT
color=#0000ff><FONT size=2><SPAN
class=935340813-12062008></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN> </DIV></BODY></HTML>