Friends, thank you for dropping by and taking a look at this little project of mine. I hope you like what you see and that you will soon return for more. Please feel free to comment, if you like.
I must, however, pause in my rambling for a few days to complete a paper due this week for a class I'm taking in the mundane world. I assure you that normal service shall soon resume...
Monday, February 27, 2006
Wednesday, February 22, 2006
Congratulations!
Congratulations to Lord Lucas and Lady Maude on this, their wedding day. Friends, may your years together be ever filled with happiness. Hugs to you both!
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
How Plague Frog Came to Smythkepe
Some years ago, Seamas and I traveled to a small, fun-loving group called Gnome Vale in Ansteorra for their Margrave/Vormund Tourney. Neither of us had any idea what a Margrave or a Vormund was, but we knew and loved the people of Gnome Vale and wanted to support their event. We had a grand time. Of the many things we learned that day, one was a game we knew we had to introduce to Smythkepe – Plague Frog.
The Premise
When plague hit Europe, many theories arose regarding how the pestilence was spread. One theory was that it was spread by…drumroll, please…frogs!
What’s Needed
A stuffed frog – reasonably lightweight, but easy to throw and catch
A source of lively music that can be started and stopped at the whim of the music-keeper
A person to serve as music-keeper
A person to serve as judge
Appropriate prizes
Plenty of people to play!
How to Play
The game itself is a combination of “Musical Chairs” and “Hot Potato.” The players arrange themselves in a large circle and toss the frog to whichever other player they choose while the music plays. The music-keeper turns his/her back to the circle of players and plays or stops the music at whim. When the music stops, whoever has the frog (or touched it last) dies of the plague. Prizes are given for the “Last Survivor of the Plague,” and “Best Death” as determined by the judge.
The Premise
When plague hit Europe, many theories arose regarding how the pestilence was spread. One theory was that it was spread by…drumroll, please…frogs!
What’s Needed
A stuffed frog – reasonably lightweight, but easy to throw and catch
A source of lively music that can be started and stopped at the whim of the music-keeper
A person to serve as music-keeper
A person to serve as judge
Appropriate prizes
Plenty of people to play!
How to Play
The game itself is a combination of “Musical Chairs” and “Hot Potato.” The players arrange themselves in a large circle and toss the frog to whichever other player they choose while the music plays. The music-keeper turns his/her back to the circle of players and plays or stops the music at whim. When the music stops, whoever has the frog (or touched it last) dies of the plague. Prizes are given for the “Last Survivor of the Plague,” and “Best Death” as determined by the judge.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
This Autocrat's Attitude - Part 2
Click here to read Part 1.
Autocrats frequently get a bad name – some of them deserve it. Happily, it is possible to autocrat an event without being an overbearing tyrant – or being perceived as one. If you are thinking about entering a bid with your group to autocrat an event, here are a few things to consider…
Know the job
• “Autocrat” is not a title, it’s not a position of authority, and it’s definitely not a position of power. It’s a position of responsibility. The Autocrat is responsible for working together with the group and its officers to organize an event.
Know yourself
• Be brutally honest here. You are one person, and you have a mundane life to deal with while you’re organizing this event. Know what you are able to do and what you’ll have time to do in the months leading up to the event. Delegate everything else. Just remember to touch base with the folks who are helping you to make sure their projects are all on track.
• On the subject of delegation: Whoever says, “We oughta…” just volunteered to do it.
Be flexible
• Unforseen circumstances will occur, that’s a given. Avoid scheduling activities that only you can handle, so that you can remain available to deal with the unexpected.
• You’re not the only person with good ideas – don’t be afraid to listen to what others have to say.
Be reliable
• If you say you are going to do something, do it.
• The Autocrat never leaves the site during an event unless absolutely necessary!
• If it becomes necessary to leave the site during an event, always make sure at least one person (preferably a group officer) knows where you are going, why, how to contact you, and when you expect to return.
Autocrats frequently get a bad name – some of them deserve it. Happily, it is possible to autocrat an event without being an overbearing tyrant – or being perceived as one. If you are thinking about entering a bid with your group to autocrat an event, here are a few things to consider…
Know the job
• “Autocrat” is not a title, it’s not a position of authority, and it’s definitely not a position of power. It’s a position of responsibility. The Autocrat is responsible for working together with the group and its officers to organize an event.
Know yourself
• Be brutally honest here. You are one person, and you have a mundane life to deal with while you’re organizing this event. Know what you are able to do and what you’ll have time to do in the months leading up to the event. Delegate everything else. Just remember to touch base with the folks who are helping you to make sure their projects are all on track.
• On the subject of delegation: Whoever says, “We oughta…” just volunteered to do it.
Be flexible
• Unforseen circumstances will occur, that’s a given. Avoid scheduling activities that only you can handle, so that you can remain available to deal with the unexpected.
• You’re not the only person with good ideas – don’t be afraid to listen to what others have to say.
Be reliable
• If you say you are going to do something, do it.
• The Autocrat never leaves the site during an event unless absolutely necessary!
• If it becomes necessary to leave the site during an event, always make sure at least one person (preferably a group officer) knows where you are going, why, how to contact you, and when you expect to return.
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Status Change
The idea of petitioning the Crown to increase Smythkepe’s status was officially brought up at last Tuesday’s Pouplace Meeting. Ever since, I’ve been wrestling with the idea – trying to decide whether my “gut feeling” was based upon reason or just fear of change. Honestly, I haven’t yet decided. Below is the text I posted to Smythkepe’s Group List (S-List) discussing my opinions on the matter…
Dear friends,
As promised, my opinions on increasing Smythkepe’s status are below. While I make an effort to not appear to be "dwelling on the past," these opinions are based upon my experiences. As usual, I’ve become a bit long-winded, but I hope that I have also been thorough.
BARONY
A group our size can be quite a handful for one person to administer. A Baron and Baroness (or just a Baron or Baroness, if that’s what we choose) would be able to support our Seneschal(e). However, too many people fail to see the rank of Baron/Baroness as a position of responsibility. Instead, they see it as a position of power. Some of the most back-stabbing, ankle-biting, friendship-rending politics I have ever seen within the SCA have arisen out of two areas – one of those being a desire to be Baron/Baroness. Yes, there are groups that are mature enough to handle Baronial elections well. Yes, we may be one of those groups. Given my choice, I’d much rather see us remain the circle of friends we are than chance the harm Baronial elections can do.
PROVINCE
Legally, within the SCA, Province carries the same status as a Barony. A Province is not allowed to bestow awards that are official in the eyes of the Kingdom. I don’t really see that we need that privilege. I’m just as proud of my Anvil and Tongs as I am of my GOA.
Folk in this area are unfamiliar with the concept of a Province. This could give the perception that we’re non-conformists. Rather than give in to this kind of peer pressure, I see it as an opportunity to educate other groups about options that may be open to them.
WHY CHANGE STATUS?
With an increase in status comes the perception that we have the numbers and the activity that make it worth driving to our events, both official and un-official. This perception applies to the Kingdom Populace as well as Crown. Friends, no group of any size can expect a visit from Crown more than once every two or three reigns. Crown does what they can, but the mundane practicalities of life sometimes hold sway. As a Principality, Gleann Abhann treated us much better than Meridies. Our visit from HRM Ashildir, while most welcome and enjoyed by all, was the first visit we’d had from Meridies in nine years – eighteen reigns. Gleann Abhann, on the other hand, has graced us with Royal Presence at least once every four reigns. Even if we choose to increase our status, I don’t believe we can reasonably expect more visits.
Will increasing our status really gain us more land? I don’t know. Do we really need more land? We’ve quite a large area granted to us already.
We already support our friends in neighboring groups, increasing our status might give us a bit more “sway” to help them more. Still, please remember that with the status comes the responsibility. We are beholden to our duty to support these groups, and cannot fail in our responsibility.
One of the reasons we are considering a change in status is that Gleann Abhann has chosen to require that all groups over a certain size submit bids for Kingdom-level events. Unfortunately, a requirement that Gleann Abhann accept one bid from each group every (x) years was not included in this law. I’ve lost track of the number of bids Smythkepe submitted in recent years; all were ignored or rejected outright. My perception is that there is a small number of favored sites, and any group who fails to submit a bid using one of those sites will not win that bid. I do not believe that is going to change anytime soon.
I am not a strong supporter of increasing our status. However, if Smythkepe chooses to do so, I would support choosing Province over Barony.
-THL Moira nic Bryn
Dear friends,
As promised, my opinions on increasing Smythkepe’s status are below. While I make an effort to not appear to be "dwelling on the past," these opinions are based upon my experiences. As usual, I’ve become a bit long-winded, but I hope that I have also been thorough.
BARONY
A group our size can be quite a handful for one person to administer. A Baron and Baroness (or just a Baron or Baroness, if that’s what we choose) would be able to support our Seneschal(e). However, too many people fail to see the rank of Baron/Baroness as a position of responsibility. Instead, they see it as a position of power. Some of the most back-stabbing, ankle-biting, friendship-rending politics I have ever seen within the SCA have arisen out of two areas – one of those being a desire to be Baron/Baroness. Yes, there are groups that are mature enough to handle Baronial elections well. Yes, we may be one of those groups. Given my choice, I’d much rather see us remain the circle of friends we are than chance the harm Baronial elections can do.
PROVINCE
Legally, within the SCA, Province carries the same status as a Barony. A Province is not allowed to bestow awards that are official in the eyes of the Kingdom. I don’t really see that we need that privilege. I’m just as proud of my Anvil and Tongs as I am of my GOA.
Folk in this area are unfamiliar with the concept of a Province. This could give the perception that we’re non-conformists. Rather than give in to this kind of peer pressure, I see it as an opportunity to educate other groups about options that may be open to them.
WHY CHANGE STATUS?
With an increase in status comes the perception that we have the numbers and the activity that make it worth driving to our events, both official and un-official. This perception applies to the Kingdom Populace as well as Crown. Friends, no group of any size can expect a visit from Crown more than once every two or three reigns. Crown does what they can, but the mundane practicalities of life sometimes hold sway. As a Principality, Gleann Abhann treated us much better than Meridies. Our visit from HRM Ashildir, while most welcome and enjoyed by all, was the first visit we’d had from Meridies in nine years – eighteen reigns. Gleann Abhann, on the other hand, has graced us with Royal Presence at least once every four reigns. Even if we choose to increase our status, I don’t believe we can reasonably expect more visits.
Will increasing our status really gain us more land? I don’t know. Do we really need more land? We’ve quite a large area granted to us already.
We already support our friends in neighboring groups, increasing our status might give us a bit more “sway” to help them more. Still, please remember that with the status comes the responsibility. We are beholden to our duty to support these groups, and cannot fail in our responsibility.
One of the reasons we are considering a change in status is that Gleann Abhann has chosen to require that all groups over a certain size submit bids for Kingdom-level events. Unfortunately, a requirement that Gleann Abhann accept one bid from each group every (x) years was not included in this law. I’ve lost track of the number of bids Smythkepe submitted in recent years; all were ignored or rejected outright. My perception is that there is a small number of favored sites, and any group who fails to submit a bid using one of those sites will not win that bid. I do not believe that is going to change anytime soon.
I am not a strong supporter of increasing our status. However, if Smythkepe chooses to do so, I would support choosing Province over Barony.
-THL Moira nic Bryn
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Seneschalate Turnover Speech
At Cracked Anvil Collegium VIII (February, 2005), I was invited to speak in Court when Dewi turned the office of Seneschal over to Alys. This is the text of the speech I had prepared:
Alys, you asked me here as a former Seneschale to assist with today’s turnover of office. This is the third time the office has turned over without going through me – we have a trend!
The office of Seneschale is not a position of power; it is a position of responsibility. This key and this token are a heavy weight to bear. When wearing them, you are speaking and acting as Smythkepe’s Seneschale. Just remember, you’re not alone. If you have questions, want a second opinon, or just need to blow off steam…you know how to reach me (or Dewi or Cinead)!
Smythkepe was founded 18 years ago at a New Year’s Eve party in AS 21. We were granted Shire status as the last act of King John of Ean Airgead II (known as the “Mad Celt”) and Queen Rondallynn II. These were given by them to our Seneschale, Sine nic Schranachain. From Queen Rondallynn came this key along with this ribbon woven in her own colors, or and vert. King John gave us this token, made by his own hands, and a promise to go with it. If ever Smythkepe is in need of aid, send the token so he will know the messenger.
Earlier, I said that when you wear the key and the token you’re speaking as “Smythkepe’s Seneschale.” I ask that you be a Seneschale “for” Smythkepe and not “of” Smythkepe. There is a distinct difference. These are your friends – nothing has changed. There is no “us” and no “them.” As shire members have come and gone, it is only as a group of friends that we have reached our 18th birthday. Let’s keep Smythkepe a group of friends.
Alys, you asked me here as a former Seneschale to assist with today’s turnover of office. This is the third time the office has turned over without going through me – we have a trend!
The office of Seneschale is not a position of power; it is a position of responsibility. This key and this token are a heavy weight to bear. When wearing them, you are speaking and acting as Smythkepe’s Seneschale. Just remember, you’re not alone. If you have questions, want a second opinon, or just need to blow off steam…you know how to reach me (or Dewi or Cinead)!
Smythkepe was founded 18 years ago at a New Year’s Eve party in AS 21. We were granted Shire status as the last act of King John of Ean Airgead II (known as the “Mad Celt”) and Queen Rondallynn II.
Earlier, I said that when you wear the key and the token you’re speaking as “Smythkepe’s Seneschale.” I ask that you be a Seneschale “for” Smythkepe and not “of” Smythkepe. There is a distinct difference. These are your friends – nothing has changed. There is no “us” and no “them.” As shire members have come and gone, it is only as a group of friends that we have reached our 18th birthday. Let’s keep Smythkepe a group of friends.
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