[Sca-cooks] Overdocumentation

[Bronwynmgn at aol.com]

In a message dated 11/18/2004 9:16:04 PM Eastern Standard Time, 
t.d.decker at worldnet.att.net writes:

<<I competed for a few years and got bored with winning and losing based on
how people liked my work rather than on its accuracy or quality.  I went to
researching and teaching, which to me, is more fun. >>

I did a few competitions with the same sort of result - the thing everyone 
liked best won even if it was made from a modern kit (as in at least one case I 
know it was because I have the kit).  Somebody asked me to judge a competition 
with everything in it from embroidery to armor and I realized that there was 
no way such a thing could be fairly judged by anyone, so I refused to judge 
any more, or enter any more competitions.  Besides, I realized that I simply 
don't care if someone else thinks my whatjamahoosy is nicer than the lady's at 
the next table.  I'm waiting for the pressure to change that stance now that I'm 
a Laurel, as many people seem to think it's a Laurel's duty to judge and 
support competitions.

People always told me that competitions were a great way to get feedback on 
my work.  Another reason I stopped doing them is because the only feedback I 
ever got was either something generic like "Great job!" or a question that they 
wouldn't have needed to ask had they read the documentation.

And from a philosophical standpoint, I think that competitions are one of the 
least authentic things we can do in the SCA, while at the same time promoting 
the mindset of "You only need to make it period if you are entering it in a 
competition".

Not saying that other people can't do competitions if they enjoy them and 
find them useful; just explaining a different mindset.  Lots of people think you 
can't get a Laurel if you don't do competitions - I'm living proof that this 
is not so.

Brangwayna