SCA Personality Types

Amongst the talking and the contemplating and the assessing, I'm starting to recognize some distinct personality types within the Society (not unlike Dilbert's office personalities).

The Empire Builder - This kind develops an "area" that they consider to be Theirs. Sometimes, it's a local group - whom the Seneschal regards as his or her own Landed Household. Sometimes it's a Laurel, who considers the Order their personal property. Sometimes it's a Royal Peer who doesn't seem to realized they've stepped down. But my, they are capable of defending their territory against all comers! They're immune to logic, wheedling, cajoling, and even the passage of time.

The Fluff-Head - Nice enough folks. They're here for a good time, with only the most passing interest in historical accuracy. Hallmarks include stretch velvet, odd body paint, retina-destroying colors, and sunglasses. Found on or near the list field, the rapier list, or the alcohol. These people are fun to hang with, and even useful if you Point Them in The Right Direction. But they don't have the interest or the attention span to run things, generally even at the local level. If they get rail-roaded into office - nothing much gets done.

The Authenticity Aristocrats - This kind has usually been around for enough years to have forgotten the days they, themselves, used a nylon "pimple" rather than a canvas pavillion. They look down their noses at everybody in general, deliver screeds on the evils of pop-up shelters and cell phones, and really might have been happier with a Civil War group or somebody with higher standards for visible mundanity.

The Workhorse - These people tend to move quietly from office to office, doing whatever needs doing - and banging their heads on the wall at night in frustration that nobody ever seems to step up to the plate. They can be found at all levels, but many burn out at the Shire level and sometimes revert to the Fluff-head.

The Obsessed One - Folks who have a driving passion for archery or equestrian or fencing or A&S... so driving that nothing else that goes on in the Society seems to register in their minds. A lot of stick jocks get accused of this, but I've seen it in almost every variety. They're MORE than willing to work their hearts out - but only for their favored activity. In trying to convince them of anything (hosting an event, working a lunch tavern, etc.) you have to first explain how it impacts their activity of choice.

More later....

Concerns and Consensus

It is an interesting thing to really sit and listen to concerns that get aired regarding a potential Principality.

Most internal concerns are of the nature of "Well, yes. But how do we bell the cat?"

External concerns tend to be along the lines of "What makes YOU so special?"

Though today's version from one shire was new to me:

What about the actual process? We've heard this before and it was all talk - no one would work to make it happen.

Heck, I had to sleep on that one for a bit. It's valid. But its not one that anyone could offer a guarantee on. A Principality won't go forward if the majority of the populace doesn't want it. And we're no where near being ready to come to a consensus on the matter.

Thing is, it's really not something that you can sit and let someone else work on. If it's something you want, speak your mind. Make a banner, a tabbard, a surcoat, a favor. Put the Regional device up on your groups' website, along with the local and Kingdom arms. Read and contribute articles to The Gauntlet. Talk up the idea to others. Make the Region feel like a Principality.

Unfortunately, there's not any outline formal process for this. At least not until you've gotten far enough to be talking registration of a name and device, and a poll regarding a Crown Principality. I wish there were a manual. It would make my life easier. There isn't any guidance. And there isn't anything to hide behind, should someone get upset about the rabble rousing.

Moving on briefly to general stuff

We'd gotten some sweet corn at the farmer's market. It was kind of meh. Ok, well, Uncle Jimmy would have fed it to the cows. John, however, used Tom Colicio's recipe for Creamless Cream Corn - which was tres yummy.

Rori got her first dip in Lake Michigan last night. She loved it. In fact, screamed and cried for 20 minutes when we pulled her out. For all that her teeth were chattering and her lips were blue. At which point, we went and traded our day pass for the state park for an annual. Now to figure out what other parks we should visit this year. Maybe Hartwick Pines.

Anneliese is done with summer school, so John has both girls at home. At least they're being pretty good today. I just put Rori to bed - which was a moment of unalloyed cuteness. She immediately assumed Toddler Sleep Position Alpha (on tummy, butt in the air, legs tucked up), cuddling her stuffed pigment and the fuzzy blanket that Auntie Lisa gave her.

Today was a bit trying at times. I had to put my boss's horse down, which I was willing to do. But (brilliant hack that I am) I decided to start with some xylazine to keep her quiet. And, wouldn't you know it, this horse turned out to be one of those rare creatures who has the opposite reaction. She went right over backwards, feet flying everywhere and seized. Leslie commented that she had no idea I could move that fast. So, thrill over, we managed to do what needed doing. But I now remember WHY I chose to leave large animal medicine to the young and nimble. Blerg.

Have to work tomorrow - then we'll see if I can get anything accomplished afterwards.