[Steppes] An informal poll and February Populace

[AlKudsi at aol.com]

Although I've already expressed my opinions privately to Chiara, I felt it 
was time to comment publicly.  

First, and no pun intended, can we go for a little less heat?  Everyone is 
entitled to their opinions without being demeaned.  Each of us has things that 
are precious to us or important to us about every event.  Please remember to 
extend courtesy to everyone who responds.

Second, from the last message from Her Excellency Francesca, the decision has 
already been made to change sites next year.  That is news to me, but then I 
don't attend many meetings, so it is my own fault that I did not know. The 
poll and comments, as I see it then, are strictly for this year's Warlord.  While 
personally, I rather like a lot of the aspects of the Canton site, I'm quite 
willing to give other sites a try.

Third, from a historical perspective, I can claim quite a few Warlords under 
my belt.  I've been a member of this Barony since 1979, and have only missed 
two Warlords in all those years. I can remember Camp Burnett (tornados, cars 
falling through into the septic tank, makeshift showers (NONE in the bathrooms), 
no parking worth mentioning, but wonderful memories), and the sites since.  
There is ALWAYS a tradeoff between amenities and "period feel".  But each event 
is what we make of it, as a group and as individuals. A small event with 
mundane trappings can be as powerful a memory as a glorious huge event that is as 
period as we can make it.  The key is -- what WE make of it. But we each have 
to make our own magic at an event; the event isn't magic, what we make of it 
is.  Personally, and I may be a minority in this, I've seen the Canton site 
quite as magical as other events in more period environs.  How?  Because I LOOKED 
for it, wanted it, and therefore found it. True, it can be easier in some 
places than others, but it is possible.

Finally, while I agree that we have become so bound up in adding things to 
ALL of our events that I think we have overscheduled ALL of them, it becomes a 
push-pull contest about what to do about it.  As I recall, Archery was added 
for IKAC competition initially, because the scores had to be at an official 
event (i.e. one that was on the kingdom calendar) and Steppes Warlord was ideal 
for the Kingdom as a whole for it's convenience.  I have no idea if that still 
holds true because as I became less active in archery (what, you didn't know I 
used to shoot?), I lost track of the rules and regs.  Perhaps that is no 
longer true, but our Archers still deserve recognition in court in front of the 
Crown, when possible, for their accomplishments.  Their skills are just as valid 
as heavy and light fighting, and our A&S.  And our equestrians are 
spectacular, even if few.  My first taste of them was at the SCA 25th Anniversary in 
Burnet, and I was blown away about how fabulous it was.  Guess what, I totally 
forgot we were sitting in a rodeo stadium while I watched horses in their barding 
doing jousting, and the parade of nobility from every kingdom form a court 
that took my breath away.

So, what do we do?  First, we all take a deep breath and remember that we all 
want what is best for the Barony and for the event...we just see what that is 
with different eyes and a different focus.  Then we try and come up with a 
compromise that will work.  Noone will be perfectly happy, because that is a 
factor of compromise, but hopefully, it will be something we all can live with.  
And we remember that change needs to be gradual if we don't want to alienate a 
large segment of people who have a great deal to contribute to the Barony and 
to the SCA, in general.

I'm sorry this is so long.  But I felt it needed to be said and I am by 
profession, a writer, so, well...

I remain, always in Service to the glorious Barony of the Steppes and to the 
Dream of the SCA,

Honorable el-Sayyidda Saqra al-Kudsi