[Namron] The Black Death: the Plague of Politics

[matthiasthebrewer at cox.net]

That email was from Gavin the Goonish, and I endorse his message.

He brings some good point folks.  I'm sure we all could name a few people who need to take a break and PLAY.  If you want to play in the SCA for a year, do it!!!!  Quit being a whatever-o-crat.  Pay at gate, and then do nothing else useful for the remainder of the event!!!  

The brewers have talked about attending a few events outside our normal range, just so we can go and not work.  Where we could show up with a few kegs of beer, and hang out around a fire, and watch the world walk by.  I think the event I've had the most fun at with no work was Axe Man (which I plan on making a yearly event on my schedule, and I also intend to obligate myself to no work there).  I spent one whole evening sitting in my chair around the fire doing two things.  Keeping an eye on the kegs (not too much effort), and pulling every wench who walked by into my lap to talk and make friends.  Maybe that isn't to everyone's style, but it was a lot of fun for me.

Those of use who forget to play, are making this too much work.  Sit back.  Let some of the newbies (like me) do things.  We all deserve to play at some time.

Matthias
> 
> From: "G. Gibeson" <gurhal at hotmail.com>
> Date: 2004/10/20 Wed AM 10:52:48 EDT
> To: namron at ansteorra.org
> Subject: [Namron] The Black Death: the Plague of Politics
> 
> 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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