hurly_burly: (Default)
hurly_burly ([personal profile] hurly_burly) wrote2009-09-11 07:44 am

Rantipants McRant

 

So, we were planning to run an event called Brass Monkey War. We booked a site at which to hold said event. Then we realised that, what with one RL thing and another, we actually didn't have the time to run the event, so six weeks before it was meant to be run, we cancelled it. No bookings had been taken, no other plans had been made, there was nothing to do but inform the Seneschal and B&B that we were no longer going to be running the event, and put an email to that effect on the list.
Two other worthies decided that rather than let the event die, they would assume command and run the event instead. We handed over the site booking details, and thought we'd washed our hands of the whole affair. We went to the feast, which was poorly organised (and I'm being quite caritable here) and attended by about 12 people.

The next week we hear from several sources that certain people (one is a certifiable loon, but the other is a fucking Pel and really shouldn't behave like this) are blaming us for the fact that the event was so dreadful. Wait, whut? Oh, yes, apparently we failed to hand over all the information, and we had an unrealistic pricing structure in our event info form due to the fact that we were going to use our underground network of contacts to get all the supplies for the event really cheaply. We were planning on doing most of the shopping at the local fruit and veg/butcher, who I'm pretty sure sells to other people and not just us, and anyway the new stewards should have submitted their own event info form complete with their own pricing schedule.

So, our fault that hardly anyone bothered to turn up. Our fault that the hall was not decorated, and that it was filled with piles of people's mundane and fencing crap, which I have to say detracted somewhat from the medieval atmosphere. Our fault that almost no-one made an effort to dress according to the theme (or rather, themes, since there were several; our original 14th C time period, plus blue for the Bal d'Azure and Middle Eastern for the feast, what a fucking mishmash!), although nothing else about the event gave any hint as to said themes either (probably also our fault). Our fault that the fencing ran several hours over time and that the feast was dished out and getting cold and the steward failed to actually alert anyone to this fact. Our fault that no-one brought cushions to sit on to add to the Middle Eastern theme for the feast.

That's right, these people are oddly similar to the Australian cricket team, who when they lost the Ashes immediately starting whinging about how it wasn't their fault.

I now feel overwhelmingly disenchanted with the SCA, and really, really, don't feel like running another event while this particular Pelican still roams the Earth. Gosh, she's doing a good job with fostering enthusiasm and encouraging people to run events, isn't she?

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2009-09-10 10:46 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh dear, that's just not reasonable or logical on the part of the critics. Six weeks is more than long enough to bring a plan together, or they shoudl have left it dead. It seems as though the event was near death regardless with no bookings six weeks out. Poor you two. And Not Good Form, Pel! You know they are the crazy order, yes?

[identity profile] glass-violet.livejournal.com 2009-09-11 08:32 am (UTC)(link)
I know they are crazies, but this particular one is now venomous and crazy. And you're right, they should have let it die. I blame the seneschal, personally, because he gave the event the go-ahead without a new event info form and without telling the B&B what was going on. When he gets home from his honeymoon I'm going to bitchslap him.
*sigh*
What a bloody mess.

[identity profile] blamebrampton.livejournal.com 2009-09-11 02:36 pm (UTC)(link)
I think it would be more productive to just gently say to him that you think he should have followed the administrative procedures, because you feel rather burnt by the fallout, which was unfair to you. And you would like him to pay more attention to those sorts of things in the future so that people who are not as preternaturally attractive as you won't have to suffer in the future. (It is a well known fact the pretty are more resilient.)

As to her, I think it is time for the Serious Talk. She is not living up to the standards of her order. I know she doesn't like the blond, which is fine. I don't like many people I have to deal with. She can even think he's an idiot, everyone's entitled to their opinions even if I think they're wrong. But when it comes down to general badmouthing, a line is crossed.

Talk to her about it. (I know you have already, but more specifically.) I hope that she is just not aware of the damage she is doing and how much effect she is having. I know her as a fundamentally decent person, and would like to think she has not changed that much. If all else fails, remind her of the contract we enter into with the role. We swear to be silent, you know ;-)

And if that fails, I'll have a word if you don't mind.

[identity profile] glass-violet.livejournal.com 2009-09-11 09:48 pm (UTC)(link)
I couldn't really bitchslap him, I like him too much. I will quietly and calmly explain to him what has happened and suggest that the proper procedures be followed in the future. As to the other thing...
I will try and catch up with her at the next event (I'd rather do this in person, email is too open to interpretation). She behaved so badly in the lead up to 12th Night that one of her fellow Pels offered to have a word to her (it escapes my mind whether he actually managed to speak to her). I think a large part of the reason I'm finding this so upsetting is that she and I used to be such good friends.

[identity profile] mr-bassman.livejournal.com 2009-09-10 10:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Boo! I think you're both doing fine. You have your feet solidly on the ground and you were realistic enough to interpret the signs correctly.

There are insensitive unrealistic self-centered people in any social group and the SCA has more than its fair share, it comes with the territory.

People can get funny about tradition, sometimes preferring to have a crappy event because it has to be!

Don't beat yourself us about it.

I say do what you need to do to have a good time.

[identity profile] glass-violet.livejournal.com 2009-09-11 08:33 am (UTC)(link)
Alas, doing what I need to do to have a good time at the moment would probably involve manslaughter charges. But thanks for the vote of confidence :)

[identity profile] cinnatart.livejournal.com 2009-09-11 04:09 am (UTC)(link)
My goodness, I didn't realise they were still stuck in their teenage years. =P

[identity profile] glass-violet.livejournal.com 2009-09-11 08:37 am (UTC)(link)
Someone I know once described the SCA as the lint-trap of society.
*kicks them*
I'm going to ignore it, and go and watch 'The Addams Family Values' with my daughter instead. Bah humbug.

[identity profile] annes-stuff.livejournal.com 2009-09-11 08:46 am (UTC)(link)
Someone I know once described the SCA as the lint-trap of society.

The SCA when you think of it is no different to any other organisation or club. You will get the crazies, those who won't accept responsibility and those who like to whinge for the sake of whinging.

The above realisation really came about after a conversation with my eldest brother. I was telling him all about the SCA, my brother was just smiling (this brother rarely smiles), so I asked him "YOu think it is really strange don't you?". My brother said "Actually no, I think it is no different than the way some people got obsessed over sport, and not many people seem to think anything of that and at least you are doing something as opposed to just watching from the sidelines".

Not really helpful for your original post but I too want to kick people when they make comments like that about the SCA.
Edited 2009-09-11 08:47 (UTC)

[identity profile] glass-violet.livejournal.com 2009-09-11 09:16 am (UTC)(link)
I was actually kicking everyone.
*is cross*
This person has made me feel really uncomfortable about playing in Ynys Fawr. Don't really want to go to events because I don't want to see them. Don't want to run events because of the apparently inevitable backlash.
*throws rotten tomatoes and then runs away*

[identity profile] squ-temporarily.livejournal.com 2009-09-14 06:53 am (UTC)(link)
i know! come run some events on the other side of the pond. we'll appreciate the hell out of you i promise!
cxome to a victorian event... it's not that far to swim.

[identity profile] glass-violet.livejournal.com 2009-09-14 08:55 am (UTC)(link)
*gazes longingly across Bass Strait*
Due to unforseen but still quite cool circumstances (I'm up the duff), we won't travelling much over the next year or so...

[identity profile] kareina.livejournal.com 2009-09-14 08:50 am (UTC)(link)
I must admit that over the past 25+ years in the SCA I'd never encountered individuals who made me want to be somewhere else, before moving to Tassie and encountering such individuals (perhaps the same ones?) as you describe above. They didn't manage to make me drop out, but they left a bad taste in my mouth and a profound relief to have gotten a job offer *elsewhere* so that I can leave them behind. The fact that one of them in a Pelican leaves me with profound worries for the rest of the Barony, and I sincerely hope that the group can thrive despite her negative energy.

[identity profile] glass-violet.livejournal.com 2009-09-14 08:56 am (UTC)(link)
I'm reasonably sure some of the individuals involved with this shemozzle are the same ones you've had issues with ;)

[identity profile] tyra88.livejournal.com 2009-09-12 03:48 pm (UTC)(link)
having not gone to the event due to commitments at Uni I wish I could have been there to show support to the event (not because it was run by someone new) but to show I supported the barony. Alas, the stories I have heard and the details so well presented in your blog clearly align. I do not know who the Pel you are speaking of is, and frankly am shock and ashamed that someone on that order who stoop so low as to bad mouth an event that shouldn't have been run....

Frankly, I don't feel like playing anymore either because of politics, forms and people crossing unspoken lines but yet everytime I go to an event that was run the way they "should" be run like 12th Night was, it makes me want to stay so much more then 2 or 3 bad ones.

We need you in this barony, if for no other reason then to help keep the B&B sane!!!! Please don't go I'll miss you and the little girl turning up to events! :(

[identity profile] glass-violet.livejournal.com 2009-09-13 11:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, I'm not going anywhere, I'm just feeling cross and ranty. We'll be down for the Royal event, I think (can't make it to the Lion Feast, due to work and needing a weekend at home!). We mustn't let the politicians win! If we keep playing and having fun in spite of them, their evil plan will fail! Bwah-hah-hah!

[identity profile] nymf.livejournal.com 2009-09-14 12:42 am (UTC)(link)
OTT: have you seen film
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OTT: have you seen film <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0430922/"Role Models</a>? There is some medieval LARPing which you might enjoy.

[identity profile] glass-violet.livejournal.com 2009-09-14 08:57 am (UTC)(link)
Hurrah! I shall have to track down a copy and watch it! Facebook is being an arse and won't let me see a photo you tagged me in *kicks facebook*

[identity profile] nymf.livejournal.com 2009-09-14 08:59 am (UTC)(link)
Oh that was some silly facebook app...don't fret, it wasn't actually a picture of you.

[identity profile] snipribbon.livejournal.com 2009-09-15 12:50 am (UTC)(link)
You've not done anything wrong, nor have you neglected your duties. I'd refuse to take ANY criticism on this one; as you'd both CANCELLED the event and therefore had nothing to to with it. Stupidheads

[identity profile] glass-violet.livejournal.com 2009-09-15 06:25 am (UTC)(link)
*shakes fist at crap people*
I think it's just the hormones making my brain crazy. Bollocks to whinging dickheads, that's what I say.