[Sca-cooks] Requirements for a Laurel & Presentation QUESTION

[caointiarn]

    I added a letter from this very List from 3 years ago about this very
subject, so thought I'd post it again.  Maybe it adds to the discussion. I
saved it for my own edification.
 MY QUESTION:  I want to present vinegars at out A&S Regional Competition.
What is the best way to have the judges {and anybody} TASTE it?  Cordial
glasses?  spoons?   I have access to plastic med cups, but that seems sooo
tacky.     Thanks!  Caointiarn

*************

From: "Wanda Pease" <wandap at hevanet.com>
To: <sca-cooks at ansteorra.org>
Subject: RE: [Sca-cooks] Laurel issues and contests was: 13th Century
Icelandic Fish Skin Tanning Techniques
Date: Sat, 27 Oct 2001
Contests.... Hmmmm....  After nearly 20 years of Laurel Circles, I can tell
you that those who go out and knock themselves out winning contests really
don't get that much more attention from the Circle than does the person who
shows up at a number of events over years and teaches, demonstrates, and
encourages others with their enthusiasm.  Yes, by and large, to get the
notice of the Circle in your first four or five years (yes, people Years!)
it helps if you can go to events in all corners of the Kingdom, or are in a
very central region with a lot of other Laurels around.  (Don't complain
that you live in the equivalent of Outer Slobovia, and don't have the
money/time/freedom to travel.  The Circle can't help that any more than you
can.)  Making friends with a local Laurel isn't the guaranteed way to glory,
but if you like the person and admire what they do why not.  Afraid someone
will think you are "sucking up"?  Why in the world would you care about the
opinions of such a mean-spirited person.  Friends are where you find them,
both high and low ranking.

Good candidates in out of the way areas, or in esoteric subjects (Music
Philosophy anyone?) do get recognized, it just takes longer.  Sort of like
Saffron yellow seeping through a dish (obligatory food content).  It isn't
impossible, it just takes a lot longer, and sometimes that is longer than
the person working has, and I mean no disrespect to them.

Why don't people get Laureled who work hard and consistently?  I don't know,
and if I did I couldn't tell them.  An amazing number of people who get very
close to being recommendable to the Crown (please note that the Laurelate
can only Recommend to the Crown, who has the final say) shoot themselves in
the foot at the last moment.  They work intensely but the course is long and
hard, and just at that last moment something happens.  This can be either a
"one Awe Sh*T can cancel a hundred Atta Boys", or simply mundane life
interferes and they drop out of sight for months or years.  When they come
back the Circle is practically new, and has no "corporate memory".

The idiot "mouthy Laurel" of this post is typical of a small and "mouthy"
minority.  Do they have veto power in a Circle?  Certainly not.  In fact
their opinions are likely to be treated with sighs and shrugs as the rest of
us go on to discuss the actual merits of the subject's work.  I wish we
could put such people on a "Laurel hit list" to be brought before the Grey
Council and lectured for the sin of pride.

In the meantime.  Do as Bronwynmgm and Elaine are doing; things you love,
and that give you pleasure.  Every time that someone admires your efforts or
thanks you for your help is the real reward.  Adding a medallion will not
make these times any sweeter.

Regina Romsey, MoL