[Elfsea] Why people are not staying

Tue Jun 3 10:12:51 PDT 2008

Before I begin I have to admit...I was not keen on responding to your email with what I'm about to say. Mainly for fear of the repercussions and the feeling of dislike I get every time I show up to an event these days. I do have to admit Willow...I completely agree with you. We are being split, moreso each day, into the important and the not-so important. The most painful example for me being the total disrespect shown to my pavilion just this past weekend. My mundane friends came as spectators to what I consider one of the most beautiful events the Ansteorran kingdom has to offer. We sat at the back so as to not interfere. An officer of the barony came to my guests and said "you must put on garb or else". Honestly I flat out told the officer "no" (she wanted to "escort" us immediately) but said I would discuss it with them. They had no desire to put on garb; they just wanted to watch for a few minutes. The officers then preceded to run my guests out of
 the event with the direct statement of "your presence here is ruining our ambiance". Never have I been more ashamed of this society then at that moment; I don't care if it was a high persona event, it was exceptionally rude and uncalled for. I tear up even now thinking of it. 

I'll admit I don't play much right now. Having a baby will do that to you, but that doesn't mean I'm not here. And that doesn't mean I don't care. It takes each and every one of us to make the right decision about how we conduct ourselves. Sometimes we succeed; sometimes we fail. Consistently treating people like lesser humans because they don't have rank or their presence isn't perfect only serves to make our numbers decrease and our reputation diminish. Hopefully one day we won't have to have this discussion anymore.

With a heavy heart but still trying to live the dream,
Lady Gwen verch Cynwrig de Ynys Mon

On a lighter note...being the newest Queen of Love and Beauty...I could organize a party...let me know if interested...

----- Original Message ----
From: "willowjonbardc at juno.com" <willowjonbardc at juno.com>
To: elfsea at lists.ansteorra.org
Sent: Tuesday, June 3, 2008 12:20:26 AM
Subject: [Elfsea] Why people are not staying

lady Catrina stated she left Warlord because there was nothing planned. This wasn't  true. There was the vigils and bardic but the vigil is a private party and I hate to say they really aren't very entertaining. When an Autocrat decides we don't need any activities at night because there is a vigil we are letting a lot of people down. 

Most of the vigils are big shots patting other big shots on the back and getting drunk.  They bear little or no relationship to a real vigil.  Many people who are new to the SCA or don't have a peerage or are not in with the crown don't go. 

The  eventing Bardic at Warlord boasted 25 performers and as many in the  audience. As far as I could see there were only three Laurels and one Knight watching the performers and as for nobles there were four baron rank and myself. There was a definite feeling of being on the wrong side of the track. 

we are being split into the important people and the not important people. 

When I was doing my survey of why people weren't staying. I was told by some that the group was being run by old people who were stuck up.

When we were trying to recreate pre 17th century activities we all worked together to produce a believable scenario. We need something that will bring us all together. 

One Elfsea Defender we had a fete and dancing on the green. We lite the list field up and had an hour shoe of good performers and then did dancing and we had food and a dessert table. We only had 250 people on site but we started a secondary area after the show and we had people going from the bardic to dancing and to the food all night. Late that night we had a capture the flag game. The party went on to 3 or 4. It was labor day and everyone was there for the next day tourney. By the way the temperature went up to 108. 

This was done by Elfsea as a whole and people in Elfsea went out of their way to invite people to the party. As I remember the party was in honor of the Queen of Love and Beauty. I think part of the party's entertainment was Crowning the Queen of Love and Beauty. This was when Elfsea was in a very Arthurian venue.

willow 
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