[MR] Secrecy

[miw]

Greetings,

I must admit to being a relative newcomer to Atlantia, and having not
received any awards so have no personal experience to speak from, however, I
do have a comment or two with relation to this thread.

Many of the populas has stated "their" preference with regard to surprise
when it comes to awards for themselves and those they are close to.  The
only way those actions can be taken by the Crown and/or the Local Barony in
my eyes is for you to work with them.  TRM's and our local Baron and/or
Baroness haven't the time to keep a list of preference on award procedure
nor should that be placed on their already full plate.  That being said, the
awards are given due to service.  I don't know how many times I've been in
court and heard the crown call out a name and only have to then set the
scroll aside while someone ran to the Kitchen or wherever to fetch the
person receiving the award because they were working while we enjoyed the
pageantry of court.  These people work hard and their dedication to the
Kingdom shows long before they are handed a scroll.  My being a transplant
from another Kingdom does afford me a certain perspective on this, as I've
seen it done two ways.  I find the Peerage of Atlantia EXTREMELY vocal about
their appreciation toward those that shine among the populas, but you have
to be around to hear it.  Which means you need to go to Court, meetings, and
often offer your own assistance to see those that are working behind the
scenes.  If you are involved you can see who is rising above and beyond the
call and watch as they (for the most part) rise through the ranks.  M'Lord
Flemming stated that we all have our own preference or "corner" we play in.
This is true, to some extent.  Again, Atlantia surprised the hell out of me
the first time I saw Knights volunteering in the Kitchen or a Countess
serving water to a breathless fighter.  Even though we all focus on our own
corner of the SCA, Atlantians in my opinion do dip into many factions at any
given event. While every peer in Atlantia I have met takes there title very
seriously and carries it with a great amount of pride, they are never afraid
to get their hands dirty.  This is how they got where they are, and I'm sure
along each of their roads certain people around them watched and knew they
were moving up.  So even if you don't know the day its coming, someone does,
actually several people do.  The people you work with that helped you
elevate know.  I don't think there is anyway to ensure 100% that all family
and friends are present for every award, but I do think that with
communication among your community you can help avoid disappointment.

Pedro also had a good point about the Royal's using those around them to
ensure those who need to know, know what's going on at any given event.  I
for one would happily run that list to troll to ensure those on the list to
receive awards had arrived safely to the event.

(sorry about the rant...*sneaks back into lurker mode*)

Yours in Service,
Caterine Saint Loe
"Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good
toasted."