[MR] Secrecy

[Michael Houghton]

Howdy!

I, too, agree that the over-emphasis on "surprise" and "secrecy"
is, well, overdone. I have personally witnessed (and gone through
the aftermath) the consequences of failing to pass the word.

In one case, I advised the crown that they should be more forthcoming
about their intentions to avoid these unpleasant incidents. I was
told in response that it was the duty of the crown to give awards
and the duty of the populace to show up to receive them. While I had
approached that reign with good expectations, I found myself greatly
relieved when that crown stepped down.

Sometimes people can't just "come to court". They have other duties
and obligations that they cannot simply drop without reason, if at all.

When this general topic has arisen, I have encouraged people to try to
convey to someone else their desires on the subject (of surprise/secrecy).
If you make sure someone else knows how you feel about it, especially
someone who (one hopes) might be in a position to use that information
before it becomes outdated, you have a chance to have it your way.

For my part, I am willing to receive such information from anyone who
contemplates the possibility of being inducted into any of the Orders
I belong to. Those would be Pelican, Pearl, Golden Dolphin. I also
encourage all peers to discover those preferences in their associates.

yours,
Herveus

--
Michael and MJ Houghton   | Herveus d'Ormonde and Megan O'Donnelly
herveus at radix.net         | White Wolf and the Phoenix
Bowie, MD, USA            | Tablet and Inkle bands, and other stuff
                          | http://www.radix.net/~herveus/