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Ruminations on rapier
Oct. 22nd, 2015 11:55 amFACT: The SCA claims to be an educational organization dedicated to the study of pre-17th century Europe, but it's really dedicated to the proposition that one should Hit One's Friends With Sticks. It's how we choose our royalty, it's how we structure our event calendar, it is the "world" as we know it, and that's not going to change.
FACT: People are interested in what they're interested in when they're interested in it. I cannot magically make people join the organization, be interested in the particular things that I am interested in, or stick around to do the things I want to do when I want to do them. I cannot make passersby into enthusiastic Society Members, I cannot make you come to practices or events.
FACT: I am responsible for MY game. I can be an example or a stern warning - because people see me around, see what I do and don't do, and judge accordingly. Likewise, you are responsible for your game, and people will observe your actions and judge accordingly. Of these judgments, reputations are made, awards are recommended (or not), perceptions about us are graven in stone.
FACT: I think certain activities are fun. You are under no obligation to like the same things I like. Or dislike. (How boring that would be.)
FACT: We live in the oldest kingdom in the Society. We are stuck with our history but those who have gone before us have still managed to change some minds and make rapier not only survive but earn respect. That's a big damn deal. Be proud of that and keep on rocking that for those who are coming in and will come after. Insularity could have been the death of us. If we want to continue to be considered part of the mainstream, we have to BE part of the mainstream.
FACT: There are only two requirements for participation at Society events: make an attempt at pre-17th century dress and behave as ladies and gentlemen. That's it. All the rest is icing.
FACT: The periodic and frequent breast-beating about The State Of The Rapier Community (TM) is about as un-fun as you can get. I know it sucks joy out of my participation. I'm dancing as fast as I can. I'm struggling to learn as much as my abilities, time and budget will permit. I'm driving to tourneys so I can get my ass handed to me over and over and over again.
I'm here to have fun too and I am not having fun when I have to sit through the same wailing and gnashing of teeth every few weeks.
We are thin on the ground in a geographically large kingdom. Our numbers are small, and the numbers of our White Scarves and Masters of Defense are even smaller. Deal with it, already. Pick up a sword and show up. Or don't. You cannot stand and be counted if you're not here. You cannot support the rapier community from an armchair. If you can't fight, marshal. Herald. Feed and water people. BE there to cheer for your friends.
“I-I am going to be a storm-a flame-
I need to fight whole armies alone;
I have ten hearts; I have a hundred arms;
I feel too strong to war with mortals-
BRING ME GIANTS!” - Cyrano de Bergerac, Edmond Rostand
FACT: People are interested in what they're interested in when they're interested in it. I cannot magically make people join the organization, be interested in the particular things that I am interested in, or stick around to do the things I want to do when I want to do them. I cannot make passersby into enthusiastic Society Members, I cannot make you come to practices or events.
FACT: I am responsible for MY game. I can be an example or a stern warning - because people see me around, see what I do and don't do, and judge accordingly. Likewise, you are responsible for your game, and people will observe your actions and judge accordingly. Of these judgments, reputations are made, awards are recommended (or not), perceptions about us are graven in stone.
FACT: I think certain activities are fun. You are under no obligation to like the same things I like. Or dislike. (How boring that would be.)
FACT: We live in the oldest kingdom in the Society. We are stuck with our history but those who have gone before us have still managed to change some minds and make rapier not only survive but earn respect. That's a big damn deal. Be proud of that and keep on rocking that for those who are coming in and will come after. Insularity could have been the death of us. If we want to continue to be considered part of the mainstream, we have to BE part of the mainstream.
FACT: There are only two requirements for participation at Society events: make an attempt at pre-17th century dress and behave as ladies and gentlemen. That's it. All the rest is icing.
FACT: The periodic and frequent breast-beating about The State Of The Rapier Community (TM) is about as un-fun as you can get. I know it sucks joy out of my participation. I'm dancing as fast as I can. I'm struggling to learn as much as my abilities, time and budget will permit. I'm driving to tourneys so I can get my ass handed to me over and over and over again.
I'm here to have fun too and I am not having fun when I have to sit through the same wailing and gnashing of teeth every few weeks.
We are thin on the ground in a geographically large kingdom. Our numbers are small, and the numbers of our White Scarves and Masters of Defense are even smaller. Deal with it, already. Pick up a sword and show up. Or don't. You cannot stand and be counted if you're not here. You cannot support the rapier community from an armchair. If you can't fight, marshal. Herald. Feed and water people. BE there to cheer for your friends.
“I-I am going to be a storm-a flame-
I need to fight whole armies alone;
I have ten hearts; I have a hundred arms;
I feel too strong to war with mortals-
BRING ME GIANTS!” - Cyrano de Bergerac, Edmond Rostand
