[MR] heraldry

[Richard V. Macri]

>===== Original Message From "Richard V. Macri" <rmacri at vt.edu> =====
>Seems that this line of writing is getting out of hand...fast.
>
>I think that a few people need to step back, cool off, and think about what 
is
>being said, not only to each other, but to this entire list.
>
>That being said, here is my humble opinion of how to handle submissions
>properly.  It is what I have been doing since 1995 when I became a herald, 
and
>it has resulted in NEVER having any type of problem.
>
>For those of you who have access to a herald in your group:
>
>1.  Most group heralds have access to Bruce Draconarius' Pictorial Dictionary
>Of Heraldry.  If your group herald does not, I recommend that your
>shire/barony/whatever order one from Free Trumpet Press West
>(http://sca.org/heraldry/ftpw/).  They only cost $10.00.
>The easiest thing to do is to photocopy the images you need, scale the size 
up
>to fit on the device submission sheet properly, and then paste them down.
>Re-photocopy the whole thing when you have all elements in place and you're
>done!!  Bruce and Yoshio made the Pictures in the dictionary black and white
>outlines, which is what you need, and when you get done sizing them they meet
>the 4 pixel requirement!
>
>I own my own personal copy, simply because I can't draw, and I know it!!  
This
>saves the wasted time of having the Golden Dolphin staff trying to determine
>whether I have drawn a lion or fox or whatever it's supposed to be.
>
>2.  Let's face it...it doesn't cost but $4.00 or so to buy a set of 8 Crayola
>markers from Office Depot or wherever.  They work well, hold their color, and
>will make Kingdom and Laurel happy.  Drop the color copier idea.  It only
>takes 10 minutes to color in a set of devices for submission, and it's a good
>stress relief!!  Again, have your shire/barony/whatever herald maintain these
>items, and when the office passes, the material passes with it!
>
>If you don't have access to a herald in your group:
>
>This is a bit more of a problem.  Most people that I know wouldn't want to
>waste the $10 to buy the Pic. Dictionary for only 1 use.  I have seen Golden
>Dolphin post a list of web sites that maintains acceptable heraldic outline
>images.  A re-post is probably in order, as well as a link that is maintained
>on the Atlantian College of Arms website to these sites.  How about it 
Allana,
>Oshi?  I will contact them separately on this matter.
>
>Once again, it's only $4.00 to buy a pack of Crayola markers that will most
>likely get used again.  That's less than the cost of lunch at Mc D's!!
>
>For something that is as important to people as their device, I would think
>that you would want to color it yourself!!  It gave me a thrill of
>satisfaction when I finished coloring my device for submission, and I was
>proud that it looked so good, and that I had a hand in making it my own
>instead of letting a machine do it for me.
>
>You're name and device is something that is going to be with you for a long
>time.  Most people (myself included) get very attached to their device.  It 
is
>very hard not to get emotionally involved in the submissions process, and we
>must remember that both submitters and heralds alike have feelings.  Any
>problems that you may have as a submitter can be addressed to Lord Michael
>Batcock (Triton), or to any herald that you meet.
>
>The office of herald is not one that is usually filled by a "warm body";
>someone who is just there to send in the required paperwork.  Most heralds
>care very deeply for the work that they do, and enjoy it.  They are usually
>willing to answer questions, and when they don't know something will try to
>find you an answer.  Remember that not everyone is perfect, and mistakes do
>happen.
>
>As Mistress Rhiannon was so fond of saying when she was Triton:
>
>"Be courteous, be helpful, and be happy."
>
>This statement applies mainly to the heralds out there, but I can see how
>frustrating and upsetting it is when a submitter is told "no" for whatever
>reason and the reasoning behind the no is vague.  Just remember that courtesy
>can go a long way.  That's one of the main reasons we play this game.  And, 
it
>is just a game, frustrating as it may be sometimes!!
>
>In service to Crown, College, and all Atlantians,
>
>Richard Mitchell
>Pursuivant herald for the Barony of Black Diamond

Richard V. Macri
Dept. of Chemistry
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
(540)231-7049