[MR] I am .......... *wow*

[vivianvaz at lairhaven.com]

I fail to see in ANY of the messages on this thread where anyone said or
even implied that money or profit was more important than people.  As a
senechal (or is it your Knight who is Senechal?  I may have misread your
signature), I know that you have far more experience than I with how an
organization runs and I respect your contribution to our Society.  With
your experience, I am suprised at your denegration of people on one side
of this argument.  I see your letter as an insult to the hard-working
*Volunteers* that keep the SCA running.  
 
I am reluctant to reply to this thread as I've never run an event or a
kitchen, therefore I will refrain from volunteering my opinion on this
issue.  I have, however, worked full days in kitchens helping to prepare
a feast which I DID pay for but never had time (or took time) to eat.  I
don't begrudge the money nor will I change my habit of paying for feast
whether I have time to eat it or no.  I take pride and satisfaction in
seeing people enjoy the feast no matter how small my contribution in
time or money.
 
I would like to say that I am sad to see people throwing stones in
support of their argument.  One side calling the other penny-pinchers,
money grubbers, etc. and in reverse, bad guests, dictator, etc.  These
words weren't used, but it does sound like it.
 
On the one side you have people concerned with what they see as their
responsibility to all the attendees of the event as well as concerns
regarding legality and fiscal responsibility.  Ultimately, they are
trying to be responsible with other people's money, not their own.  On
the other, you have people who see their responsibility to being a
gracious and open-handed host and aiding the Crown to bestow that grace
upon others without burdening an invited guest with issues of money.  I
fail to see how one side is being bad and the other good.  Each side of
this issue has valid points and is made up of basically good people. 
Given that, please give each other the benefit of assuming good motives
and intent.  It's much easier to solve a disagreement, or even agree to
disagree, if we don't make assumptions abount another's character simply
because they disagree or because certain points of an issue loom larger
than others in their world view.

Humbly Yours,
  --Yenega de Santurce
    Caer Mear, Atlantia


-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [MR] I am .......... *wow*
From: "Tom Conti" <phuzzydabear at hotmail.com>
Date: Mon, August 20, 2007 1:52 pm
To: Atlantia at atlantia.sca.org

Amazing. This entire thread is amazing. I am actually ashamed of this.
When 
I joined the SCA, which was only a few years ago, I was told it was
started 
as a protest against the 20th century, against all the red tape and 
lawyering the world was turning to. That appealed to me. The world was
not 
appealing, it was cynical and cold. The SCA felt like a place where
people 
mattered. It was warm and inviting. People freely gave their time, their

homes, their stuff. The King was this incredible thing to behold. The 
princess was right out of a story. Events were magical and I was
enthralled 
by the glamour of it all. Now, I am ashamed. How far have we gone away
from 
that place? Why have we gone away from the magic? How has the world we
were 
trying to escape from managed to penetrate the dream of the SCA? I
cannot 
properly put words to the saddness I feel, for myself and for those who
may 
come to the sca from here. Why are you so angry? Why does the money
matter? 
Do you not have enough? Do you need more? why? Why is the profit more 
important than the feel? Why is the bottom line more precious than the 
chance to feel a little bit of Magic? Why are you so angry? Is it so
hard to 
make a Queen royal? Does it bring you pain to imagine young ladies
swooning 
over a prince as he enters a hall? Does the sound of women singing in 
harmony, for love and hope, not stir you? When you hear a budding
artisan's 
voice crack as they explain their art to a Laurel do you snear, or can
you 
see a guildmaster assessing the talents of a young apprentice? When did
you 
lose sight of the magic? When did the money become more important than
the 
people? Maybe i am a fool. Perhaps I am sentimental and childish. Maybe
I 
spend to much time "dreaming". maybe. But i still get anxious when i
stand 
in front of a Knight. I still feel warm when the Queen smiles at me. My 
blood still boils when the King calls him men to arms. I still feel
small 
when i see a scroll, handcrafted with love and skill that I can never
hope 
to touch. presented to someone who doesnt think they deserve it. And yes

dammit, when people cry as they get awards I feel their joy and have to 
fight off tears myself! I feel a little closer to the Dream just by
haveing 
seen them in it. I still believe in "The Dream". Why don't you?
Theron Andronikos
(MDA Tom Conti)
Squired to Duke Badouin Macenzie of Belfour
Seneshal of Dun Carraig