SC - And speaking of happy dances...

[rcmann4 at earthlink.net]

And it came to pass on 12 Mar 01, , that Susan Fox-Davis wrote:

> Elsewhere in this thread, Lady Brighid wrote:
> 
> >I have heard of people taking up new arts in order to enter more
> >categories at an A&S competition.  I do not know if they had fun
> >doing so.  The only circumstance in which I could imagine taking
> >up an art I didn't enjoy would be to fill some kind of obligation -- if
> >something was needed for a baronial project, or a gift for someone
> >special.
> 
> Guilty as charged, and Yes, it's fun!  

Nothing to be "guilty" about, especially if you had fun.  I was 
referring to those who take up new arts, not for fun or to challenge 
themselves, but out of some kind of joyless ambition.

> I once entered the Caid Pentathalon in
> five different arts I had not tried before. No cooking at all!  I made a banner
> [which was later stolen from in front of my house, goodness knows why?], read
> poetry aloud [I have crippling stage fright], built an Irish targe shield, some
> other stuff I had not done before.  Took second place in a couple of them.  I
> like a challenge.  I had a Laurel come up to me and say he never would have done
> something like that, and he meant it as a compliment.   That made my day.

Well, I am one of those who do not thrive in a competative 
atmosphere, so I can't see myself trying new and unfamiliar arts *in 
that particular setting*.  I would be a nervous wreck if I did it.  But 
you obviously had a great time, so it was the right thing for you, 
and the compliment was well-deserved.

The original question, though, was why some people might choose 
to do things they *didn't* enjoy.  

> Dare to Dabble!

That sounds like it might make a nice motto, if it were rendered 
into Latin...

Thank you for the kind words, and for the encouragement.

> Selene
> avowed dabbler


Lady Brighid ni Chiarain
Settmour Swamp, East (NJ)
mka Robin Carroll-Mann
now at a new address: rcmann4 at earthlink.net