[Namron] The Black Death: the Plague of Politics
G. Gibeson
gurhal at hotmail.com
Wed Oct 20 07:52:48 PDT 2004
Small Rant from someone safely outside of the Kingdom,
Really guys, enough is enough. All the in-fighting in the group made the
last few months before we moved like walking on egg shells. I do not claim
to have the monopoly on inner peace, but all that bickering is not good for
anyone.
Maybe I am the one that has it all wrong, after the 6 years in the barony, I
am listed on the OP somewhere under protozoa (I must have been doing
something wrong). I also have degrees in sociology and psychology, and
experience in two branches of the military, here is my advise take it or
leave it.
I know some of you have been there since the big bang, and have seen it all
and done it all. The SCA has quit being and game and become a lifestyle.
It is more of a job than a hobby.
The same people who complain they do everything are also the ones that do
not leave any work for others to do. The world is on your shoulders because
you refuse to share the load.
Some of the old timers (much loved and much respected) can afford to ease up
a bit and let the newbies run the gate. No one will blame you for taking a
break.
No, they have not done it a thousand times like you, but it is not that hard
and they will figure it out.
I think some folks need to step back and find some non- SCA hobbies (not
always easy to find but they are out there) to take up part of their time so
that it is not all spent working on SCA stuff.
I suggest volunteering to work with the Red Cross, or sponsor a Boy/Girls
Scout troop. They always need help, and many of the good folks of Namron
have developed skills that they would find valuable. I am not trying to run
anyone off, but there needs to be some perspective in your life to ward of
obsessive behaviors like we are seeing.
I personally enjoy my time spent in SCA activities, and often have wished I
had more time to spend with my various SCA friends; learning, working and
sharing ideas, but I do not need a second job with all of the politics and
none of the pay.
Bottom line is everyone needs a vacation now and then if they want to stay
productive.
This is normally done 1 of 2 ways:
a) Take a break, a week or 3 months to have some time to yourself, trust me,
the world will go on. There are many people waiting in the wings that would
love to run a feast or an event while you have some down time. Politics can
wait. Shut off the cell phone and go watch a nice MODERN movie that will
not remind you of costuming or swordwork. If you leave the theater asking
yourself, "Wow, how did they make that armour/dress" you went to the wrong
movie! Try again.
b) Is for those who are to stubborn to take a break even when you know you
really need it. Once you become a crispy critter it is too late. If you
wait until you explode like Mount St. Helens from the stress you hurt
yourself and those around you. This is how you loose friends. I do not
want my friends to suddenly hate all things SCA because they are burned out.
Where is the fun in that?
Sorry if I trample on anyone's feelings or toes.
Alive and Well,
Ld Gavin
From: Samarrah bint Annaan <samarrah_bint_annaan at yahoo.com>
Reply To: Barony of Namron <namron at ansteorra.org>
To: Namron Mailing List <namron at ansteorra.org>
Subject: [Namron] The Black Death
Sent: Wednesday, October 20, 2004 3:52 AM
Sadly, I fear the black death be upon us.
I've not been playing in the SCA for long at all...less than a year, little
more than 6 months, and while many members have been delightfully friendly
and fun, it saddens my heart greatly to see the bits and pieces of both
sides of my new friends and family being marred by this black scourge.
First it was dissention in the barony that resulted in an extremely
uncomfortable meeting, then it is the report and further discussion of a
pre-emptive cannon attack at Protectorate and the aftershock thereof. Now
it appears the plague be upon the good fellows of Skaargaard.
I see enough of this in my mundane life amidst the politicking of the little
people in this little town. I started hanging around with you good folk to
try and get a break from that. That is why it is called "PLAYING" in the
SCA.
You are all decent people...and you are all very different people. That's
the wonderful thing about you all. And a great part of what attracted me to
your group. To be honest, though, all this fighting is too much like High
School and is quite dissappointing.
I'm just the upstart, the new kid, I know I've not been around long enough
to know much about anything. But I do know this...a house divided can not
stand. From what I can see so far is that too many people are just looking
for reasons to get worked up and most of us fear of saying much for we know
not who will get offended this time
If one cannot learn to appreciate or at least tolerate your fellow dreamers
differances, how on earth can you expect them to appreciate in return? This,
of course, being said to no one person in particular. I don't know the
details of all the disagreements and billious feelings, nor do I wish to
know.
So, please, for the sake of us new recruits...and in the words of the
Eagles...GET OVER IT. Else you'll be scaring us away with all your fire
breathing, plotting, and playing at MacBeth.
I care and pray for all you corseted, pirating, maurauding, jesting,
brewing, baking, sewing, dancing, gaming and fighting fools. Lets all just
play nice....
Sincerely,
Samarrah bint Annaan, Princess of Pie Procurement
God be with you in every pass. Jesus be with you on every hill. Spirit be
with you in every stream, headland, ridge and law, each sea and land, each
moor and meadow, lying down and rising up, in the trough of the waves or on
the crest of the billow. Each step of the journey you go, go with God.
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