Always a proud father . . .

But just a touch more proud of evilnicola today on her 21st birthday.

I have been blessed with many things in my life.

Two of my greatest blessings have been Niki and theresat.

No one handed an owners' manual to artisticphoenix and I, but somehow we managed to get them both to adulthood. Oh, there were times -- and there still are -- that we had to wonder whether kittens or pygmy goats would have been better.

It wasn't easy, but together I think we raised a couple of terrific kids. We had help from our friends. I remain convinced that kids like ours prove that the SCA is a great place to raise kids. Niki even mentioned Sharc in her own birthday post, and I know that "Shark Love" has helped them both.

I love her dearly, though she still drives me crazy sometimes, and I am proud to be her "Daddy."

Let's tell evilnicola stories . . .

I don't know where to begin.

Shall we start with?

"Locked in a hotel locker?"

"Then I realized I was not allowed to cross the street?"

"And you're ugly, too?"

"And this is my Uncle Fergus. And this is my Uncle Griffin, and this is my Uncle Diego?"

"Eddie has armor -- and peerages -- older than you?"

"I have a drum, and I know how to use it?"

"Oh look, she's wearing pink. Oh look, you're dead?"

So tell me, who has a good story about the birthday girl?

My thoughts on pay-to-play . . .

This will bore my non-SCA friends, and may well bore SCA friends as well.

Please note: If you are oneof the diehards who refuses to give up the ghost that is the SCA-East mailing list, this is gonna look mighty familiar.

It is a response to Sir Mitchell McBain's request.

Sir Mitchell is on the Grand Council, and the members of that group have been asked by the Board of Directors to solicit commentary on membership issues, including the idea that one would have to be a member of the Society in order to participate in events at some or all levels.


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Sir Mitchell:

My thanks to you and Capt. Elias (and anyone else on the Grand Council) for putting yourself out here and asking these questions.

And Capt. Elias, I will tell you that the opinion that you espoused about pay-to-play is mine, and I thank you for putting it forward.

I also agree with Capt. Elias, that we as individual members or participants need to communicate directly with the board of directors on this if you have serious issues about this being brought up. Please note, our ombudsman, who represents East Kingdom issues, is Baron Modius, and he is at  elanghans@director.sca.org. But you can write to anyone on the board.

Anyway, gentlemen, you have asked and you shall receive.

1. Many excellent points have been made already. (And many of these points have been made by the same folks in the past). I especially agree with Phlip about knowing what the Board seeks to accomplish. The college issue is another one we must approach with great care.

2. Call me cynical, but I find it interesting that this issue comes up just as we step into requiring background checks, something that will cost the Corporation $7 per applicant. (I am not arguing the issue of background checks. That's over. I am simply being cynical for a moment).

3. If raising money (or balancing the budget) is the primary motive here, I contend there are many things the SCA can do to cut costs and to raise funds.

4. I wonder if the Board is pursuing this on the basis of legal counsel.

5. It is an unfortunate juxtaposition that at the same time the board is considering making it more expensive to participate, the prince and princess of the East are actively trying to find ways to lower costs so more people can participate.

6. I think there's a danger in comparing our practices with other groups in light of our non-profite status and our mission of education.

That's it for now.

Thank you.

Liam

 

Really holding back . . .

I am rather upset with various aspects of the SCA Board of Directors' latest attempt to ask about membership issues and "pay-for-play."

On a variety of levels.

Then there's the whole stupid stereotyping issue that was bouncing around the SCA LJ.

I am also upset that the garage that inspected the truck did some unexpected work on the brake lines (because they were leaking), and now I basically have no breaks.

I am also getting really depressed with these stories about fathers killing their kids (or men killing their girlfriends' babies).

I started a screaming rant earlier, but abandoned it.

I learned a long time ago that I should not let SCA issues bug me, but I hate it when peopel don't get it.

I also need to know worry about people's individual comments, but stereotyping really bothers me.

The truck, well, I already called them and told them alethea_eastrid would bring it to them in the morning so they could fix it. I was polite when I left the message.

There's not much I can do about evil in the world.

OK, I think I feel a little better.