[Namron] Re: The Black Death

matthiasthebrewer at cox.net matthiasthebrewer at cox.net
Thu Oct 21 13:51:28 PDT 2004


I think if I were to mentor all pretty young ladies, it would necessitate a Pre-Matthias Mentor.  Which just gets confusing.

So for the purposes of this effort, I'll set aside my normal pervesions if/when I act as a mentor.  

However, when I am NOT mentoring, I promise to be my normal, flirtacious self.
> 
> From: Zach Greggs <chrisfroste at yahoo.com>
> Date: 2004/10/21 Thu PM 01:43:34 EDT
> To: Barony of Namron <namron at ansteorra.org>
> Subject: Re: Re: [Namron] Re: The Black Death
> 
> Matthias, I think thats a good idea actually.  Although in your case I would expect you to want to mentor all the pretty young ladies.....
>  
> Id be willing to help out with this as well
>  
> Frosty
> 
> matthiasthebrewer at cox.net wrote:
> Isobel,
> 
> You bring a great point up. Newbies are often left to find their own way. I joined because a friend of mine was involved, and held my hand for a few months until I found a "group" to play with. 
> 
> Many of you won't beleive this, but I am very shy and quiet in new situations. Unless my smartass side can't restrain itself any more.
> 
> But a formal mentoring program (or semi-professinal hand holders in my case) would ease things. Very few people are able to just step forward and jump into things when they don't know anyone.
> 
> I think establishment of a group/circle of mentors would be a wonderful idea. Given the varied activities, I don't think it would be best to assign a single mentor to a new player. But a varied group would allow the new player to meet different mentors, and participate with different people/groups.
> 
> While I don't have the time to organize a group like this, I'd be delighted to help new players as a "guide" through the events I go to. 
> 
> Matthias 
> > 
> > From: Isobel de Kirkbryde 
> > Date: 2004/10/21 Thu AM 02:37:02 EDT
> > To: Barony of Namron 
> > Subject: Re: [Namron] Re: The Black Death
> > 
> > As a newbie, I probably have no "right" to say what I
> > am about to, but I'm going to put my head on the
> > chopping block anyway.
> > 
> > I wasn't at Protectorate and as far as I am concerned,
> > the situation is over whether it was handled well or
> > poorly. End of discussion. I certainly don't want to
> > hear any more about it. I can't do anything to fix it
> > and the griping is getting on my nerves. 
> > 
> > I have actively been trying to play in the SCA for
> > well over a year. (I wanted to 20 years ago, but my
> > first husband would have none of it.) I have had no
> > guidance and pretty much had to figure things out on
> > my own. I have asked to work, been promised I could
> > and then no one ever called to assign a task. So, I
> > find events very boring. I am not a fighter. I am
> > not an archer. I am not a drinker -- at least of beer
> > and ale. So, I sit and watch people who know each
> > other congregate in little groups. I sit and watch
> > people walk by me and never say hello. I sit and
> > watch, but I don't belong. 
> > 
> > I have tried to do more to participate. I tried
> > attending populace meetings, but the building echoes,
> > the acoustics are terrible and my hearing aids get
> > over loaded to the point I am a shaking mess at the
> > end. Okay, I can't handle that. 
> > 
> > I attended Waytes and Measures. In fact, they played
> > for my wedding. But, I can no longer play the viola
> > because of my neck and back. I don't know how to play
> > other "period" instruments, so it got pretty boring to
> > sit and watch every time I went.
> > 
> > I tried dancing. I love it, but my back doesn't and
> > sadly I had to quit that activity.
> > 
> > I tried "stich -n- bitch" hoping to have some guidance
> > on garb for my persona. I discovered instead it was
> > handwork that I was totally unfamiliar with and I felt
> > very uncomfortable being there. So that one was out.
> > 
> > I tried attending a heraldry meeting in the hopes of
> > learning more about what is appropriate to develop my
> > persona around. Instead it was a bitch session about
> > people who had filed things that couldn't be accepted
> > for this reason or that one and was way over my head. 
> > Next?
> > 
> > I attended charter painting. I have never done this
> > in my life. The first time I walked in I was shown
> > the paints, samples to work on, given instructions, a
> > chair, shown where the goodies and drinks were and was
> > expected to participate. I did one sample during the
> > session. It wasn't great, but I was learning. The
> > next time, I was welcome back. There was laughter and
> > stories and taking turns at the table because so many
> > people were there. I went back again. On the third
> > visit, I am treated like I belong and have always
> > belonged. Hallelujah! I finally found a place to
> > feel wanted.
> > 
> > I am stubborn and don't give up easily. How many
> > other newbies would go through all those things, feel
> > totally unwelcome and keep on trying? I was lucky
> > enough to have a Laurel to guide me. When I said this
> > didn't work or that didn't work, he knew of other
> > things to offer me.
> > 
> > If the organization is going to survive, it must
> > welcome newbies openly. It must offer something fun
> > to do. It must offer educational opportunities. 
> > There must NOT be an assumption that everyone who is
> > in garb knows the rules, the game, the options, who is
> > in charge of what, how to become an active
> > participant, etc. Mentoring is desperately needed. 
> > When someone new comes into the fold a mentor should
> > be assigned to help them through all the steps
> > necessary to not make a fool of themselves, to feel
> > welcome, and to learn more about how to play to have
> > fun. 
> > 
> > I sure wish someone other than my husband had
> > befriended me and taken me under their wing. Learning
> > all this on my own is hard. That's OK. I'm a tough
> > old bird. I wanted to play in the SCA for 20 years. 
> > Now that I have my chance, being ignored isn't going
> > to stop me. I will find a way. But, how many other
> > newbies are you going to lose by ignoring them and
> > then they have to observe these nasty word battles? 
> > 
> > Leave the fighting for the field and reach out and
> > help someone else have fun, too. They might be
> > grateful. 
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > =====
> > Isobel de Kirkbryde married to a Laurel (Michael Fenwick of Fotheringhay)
> > 
> > Mundanes: Mike and Melody Andrews
> > 
> > 
> > 
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