SC - Competition entry

[Karen O]

    I like to enter A & S competitions  -- I see it as a learning experience
/ a chance to get feedback about my research, my technique(s),  kinda of a
reality check for the  "educational" part of this game.   One particular
reason is that I have yet to be a part of a local group!!  I went from
joining in the West, where I worked the swing shift  (just  *try* to have a
social life) yet competed in the wooden spoon  & brewers' guild competitions
just to see how what I was doing  "measured up."  Yeah, I would be
disappointed when I thought I had the better entry,  but always got the
kudos for trying, and how well the judges / Laurels-in-charge  liked what I
was doing.  Now I leave in the outreaches of Artemisia, and can't get things
started to grow a group.  (I get them interested, and they move)  I enter
into the A&S competitions of a close Shire and a  "foster home" Barony.  I
can't be  "Champion" but I get good feedback to ready for the Kingdom  A&S.
My ego is not planted into my entries  -- this is not my  Life's Work.  This
is what I do to relax / have fun.  Just like any other activity, there  are
skills to learn, and the only way to "measure" is to get people to critique
your work/art.  I've startled a Judge by telling her  to tell me flat out if
my stuff is trash  -- but then you gotta point me in the right direction.
This is  (almost) like your business life -- wouldn't you want  your
Supervisor to tell you that you're making mistakes  *before*  the
accumlation gets you fired (or worse)?

My biggest obstacle now that I am focusing on cooking /food entries is
having a place to cook/prepare the entry(s).  If I make it at home, it will
be at least two days before it is judged  -- (prepare thurs eve, travel fri,
exhibit sat) and it is not fresh.  Trying to prepare where you stay the
weekend, means you still need to travel with  everything (does the host  own
a deep dish tart pan?).  I haver approached the  Kingdom  A&S Officer about
a site that will allow preparing of entries, and she's mulling it over.  but
I am not holding my breath that it will come to pass.
Any suggestions from the list?

my goodness, I've rattled on, haven't I?

Caointiarn