[Ravensfort] A long message from HE Chrystal to the Populace of RF

[Berta Allen]

What is written below are perspectives & responses from me, myself & I in
regarding recent events & happenings... I have been silent far too long...
HE Chrystal Ariana MacRuari, Baroness of Raven's Fort

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>Athaulf wrote:
>I know what your saying, "The absurd Gothic mad man is responding to >his
>own e-mail again. Just thought that I would state that it is a >common myth
>of history that the Goths burned Rome using torches. Let >me tell you what
>really happened...
><message trimmed>
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Bravo to the absurd Gothic mad man responding to his own e-mail!!! At least
you made sense of yourself... I would hope to think it made some if not
everyone reading it strongly consider stepping back, look around, take a
death breath & exhale... & get back to LIFE!!

We have a major event to pull off in minus 60 days, please let us get back
on track & work together for the group & as a family should!!!
I like to think that I enjoy the SCA to "escape" from mundane everyday life
on varying levels once in awhile...

I thank HRM, Larissa for her words to the populace. They should be taken as
reassurance, not as an attack or threats from our Crown. Those who still
question Thier decision, contact the Crown DIRECTLY & stop complaining about
the process! For those who still question the process, contact the SR
Seneschal DIRECTLY. Both the SR Seneschal & TRM's have both stated BEFORE,
DURING & AFTER if anyone had questions about the process & decision process,
talk with them... they stated exactly how many did! (little if any,
otherwise none) Move on towards the future with what you have learned & stop
dwelling in the past!!!

With the recent many varying "discussions" on this list & recent
developments, many I have remained silent through, but ever "lurking in the
open"...(imagine that); I dislike this format of communicating because it is
impersonable & I rather prefer face to face or all within visible sight from
each other type of environments for discussions...
I like to see & hear live, the person I am speaking with as much as
possible. But, E-mail still is new & is the quickest way to get something
out & it helps to keep the lines of communication open & available to all
that are wanting it... anyway...I digress...

In this process of these recent discussions, there are a few things that I -
me, myself & I, will not tolorate as the current Baroness in Fief "&" a
member of this populace for almost 18 years and that is:

1)unsigned, untraceable, anonymous e-mail sent to a public list will not be
tolorated!! It is the sign of a coward not willing to back up their own
written/spoken words because they do not want to be seen or found...just
stirrin' the pot for the ol' emotional mind play...go somewhere else to play
those games, please!

2)anonymous phone calls to populace members that strike fear, threaten,
etc. - yet another sign of a coward... see #1.

3)The voicing of concerns & the person(s) being fearfull of retribution:
I am appalled to believe that David & I are that closed minded enough to
strike fear into any or all of our populace members that way. Get real! I
may be the outspoken one of the two of us, I agree. BUT, I do not recall any
instance where myself or David, for that matter, threatened anyone's life or
being for stating a concern of any kind...

Yes, there are generalizations here due to "voices" being heard, through 3rd
+ generations & not recognized nor clearly audible because they "refuse to
bring anything or themselves to light to actually explain there meaning to
help us & or others understand..."

When people bitch/vent & not offer a possible solution (ack, to brave the
untested waters & suggest something without fear of retaliation, nah, they
would rather waste thier energy on complaining behind peoples backs saying
they are not listened to & not look for a better way) doesn't go very far in
my book & their concerns do end up going about the way side... and that
should not happen!

I do not accept nor believe that David & I have ever been tyrants in the
respect of that people are in fear of retaliation if they respond in non
agreement to us. Pleeeeaaaasssse, if we ask & tell people to come talk to
us, hey, we actually mean it!!! Why else would we state it over & over &
over... I can't recall how many different types of formats have we used to
say:
When you &/or yours have a concern or a problem with or about the barony/us,
your unsure of a perspective, you don't agree - come talk to us, our door is
(& has ALWAYS been open), spoken in plain english (at least so I
thought...). We've been saying this for 7-1/2 years...

I've strived to control my blunt way of saying things. I have a strong sense
of feelings & emotions, its because that is how I am, have always been that
way & will continue to be so... I'm still learning how to be more tactful,
aren't we all. At the same time, this DOES NOT mean that I am unwilling to
work with anyone or listen to them... if someone starts a discussion with a
closed mind, where are they really gonna go? Not far... Usually when I ask
someone a question, it means that I have a question... & am looking for an
answer, plain & simple. I would expect the same courtisy from the populace.

Enough is enough!

I have served my barony & served it well, & will continue to serve through
supporting the next Baron & Baroness! No one is going to be perfect (sorry
Kief, you may be perceived as being perfect - close, but not perfect) in
this position of being a landed noble & in doing this service.
In order for any selected nobility in fief to succeed in their position,
they need the honesty, interity & trust of their populace & it has to be on
a two-way street format... That is one of the services that the populace as
a whole does for its group as a whole... keeping things in perspective &
unified & moving in a forward motion. Letting their nobles know what the
problems or issues are instead of grumbling behind backs. If your nobles
don't know the concerns after repeatly asking, whose fault is it then? Once
again, enough is enough. Please stop the "he said, she said"!! Unfortunatly,
this style of behavior has always happened in some form or fashion. We do
not embrace it, Kief & Alix never did & I hope Niklas & Kezia don't (& they
probably won't). I really wish they didn't have to worry about it...

We all now need to move in a forward motion, not backward! Hear-say is
synominous with heresy, think about it... By the implication that David or I
would not pass information in either direction, simply put, is not true!!!
We may be human (gasp from the crowd) & make mistakes (another gasp from the
crowd), but to purposely do that for whatever reason that we would do it
(only known to those that imply it, not by David or myself) is B___ S___!!!

Simply put, people come talk to us! Talk with more members of the populace
that you normally don't talk & communicate with. You may even learn
something new... Approach & communicate Niklas & Kezia now "&" when they
elevate into that position. Keep the negative waves at bay Moriarty!!!!
Though at this same time, one must maintain balance on all levels within
themselves... & with their surroundings... negative & positive. It is their
responsibility, theirs & theirs alone. I have always thought that being in
the SCA is about all points of sharing: ideas, perspectives, dreams,
information, even goals, the list goes on.

So where are we now, all members of the populace of the Barony of Raven's
Fort & where are we headed? Speak up!

Let's move forward now please. I've ranted enough for now, thank you for
your time & consideration in reading all of this.
(there will be a quiz later... just kidding)

HE Chrystal, RF
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Kief wrote:
*This* is not the way we are supposed to treat each other...no matter what
our differences, no matter how opposed we are...we are all still travelers
on the same path. And now it's time for all of us to sit and think *real*
hard about just what in Hel's name is happening to *our* Barony when this
kind of underhanded and cowardly activity is starting to occur.

Thank you all for your time and consideration in this most important matter.

Wæs Þu Hæl in TroÞ and FriÞ...!
Kief
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