Rantipants McRant

[hurly_burly]

 

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?

Comments

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

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?

[glass-violet.livejournal.com]

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.

[blamebrampton.livejournal.com]

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.

[glass-violet.livejournal.com]

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.