From: owner-scribes@castle.org (scribes digest) To: scribes-digest@castle.org Subject: scribes digest V2 #1629 Reply-To: Sender: owner-scribes@castle.org Errors-To: owner-scribes@castle.org Precedence: bulk scribes digest Tuesday, June 13 2000 Volume 02 : Number 1629 In this issue: Re: [scribes]: Scrolls, Laurels Royal Appreciation [scribes]: appropriate award level? Re: [scribes]: Scribing - an art or a service? Re: [scribes]: Scrolls, Laurels Royal Appreciation Re: [scribes]: Laurel Quality, was: Art or Service ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2000 06:50:42 -0400 From: "Sally Burnell" Subject: Re: [scribes]: Scrolls, Laurels Royal Appreciation Very fortunately, I have noticed in recent reigns that the Royals have made a point of mentioning the scribes and the work we do, however, this being the case, I wonder why we are still put upon to do last minute scrolls that in no way can possibly be our best work, even if that scroll is just an AoA. For some folks, that may end up being the only award they ever get in the Society, and I personally don't think that AoA's should just be knock-off quickies because of it. TRM wouldn't think of asking a costumer to throw something together for them to wear with plus or minus 48 hours - it couldn't possibly be the best they can do. So why are scribes so put upon to do that? I am grateful that the Midrealm Royalty mentions its scribes at most courts, although not all of them, and when they do remember to do so, they award favours to the scribes who made scrolls for that court. I have been at courts recently where this has been overlooked and it is always tough to know that the scribes who laboured so lovingly to help Their Majesties create the magic were overlooked in the role they played toward helping to do that. I am sure that in such cases there were extenuating circumstances, but still, it does hurt to know that the scribes are not always mentioned. It does help to have a working scribe sitting the Throne - at least someone who knows what we do is not going to overlook us and what we do to serve the Kingdom. THLady Saradwen Ariandalen Marche of Gwyntarian (Akron/Kent, OH) Midrealm ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2000 05:27:48 -0700 (PDT) From: Barb Ding Subject: [scribes]: appropriate award level? Jimbear writes [in response to Merouda]: I disagree on two levels: (1)that there are appropriate levels of work for the level of the award. Award (s) of Arms are the most commonly given award in this Society, and as such may be the only award ever given to someone.....hence the importance to the recipient.. and (2) Each piece I produce is representative of me and therefore, I will put everything I have into the creation of that scroll whether it takes 6 hours or 600... I would agree that the AoA is the most visible and frequently given award and therefore very important. My AoA is probably "nicer" than any of my mid-level award artwork, to most eyes, because it is "fancier." I would also agree that most of us give our best on each piece [understanding that one's "best" can vary greatly due to many circumstances!] - it's a scribal compulsion thing! But I offer that there is another element to be considered - the level of honour [recognition?] the Royalty intends to award to convey. I feel it is also my job as a scribe to reflect an "appropriate level" in the finished pieces. Does this factor into anyone else's thinking as they plan their artwork? I do not mean this to sound like I'm not condoning sloppy or incompetent AoA work - I'm not - but I will freely admit to generally putting in less time [and expense] on an AoA or non-armigerous than I do on a mid-level or peerage award... and I would venture to guess that no one's every felt shortchanged - good work can be simple and beautiful! Dorren [ex glitz-mistress] ;-) __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Photos -- now, 100 FREE prints! http://photos.yahoo.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2000 09:13:15 -0400 From: Gaylin Subject: Re: [scribes]: Scribing - an art or a service? THL Saradwen wrote (in part) about the Midrealm Royalty: >And perhaps if they knew the sheer time involvement in creation of scrolls, >they would not foist these last minute scroll assignments on Signets, who, >in my opinion, ought to have a little more teeth and insist on a fair amount >of time for their scribes. They've done it in the East, they've done it in >thelmearc, they can sure as heck do it in the Midrealm! And without the intention of this becoming a flame war, let me point out Despina's comment, who said about former Royalty: >To think that the Crown of the Midrealm never appreciates the hours and >the actual (mundane) value of the scrolls created by the scribes of this >kingdom is somewhat offensive. As a person who attended many of TRM Finn >and Tamara's Courts (recent past rulers) I saw them - at every court - >make mention of the great work and service as well as the beauty created >by the scribes of the Kingdome. With respect, the lightbulb is getting changed and this change started even earlier than the reign of Finn III and Tamara I. I've worked closely and not so closely with the last four reigns of monarchs in the Midrealm and believe me, they all appreciate the work of scroll creators more than you can possibly imagine. Decisions about scrolls start getting made *well* in advance of an event in the vast majority of cases. That's why the Royalty I've worked with have had *weekly* meetings about these topics and other aspects of their reigns. Though there are certainly times when an extremely worthy individual gets added to the list at the last minute, I am willing to bet that perhaps what is being witnessed is more a breakdown in communication somewhere along the line between Royalty and scribes, not a lack of caring or lack of appreciation or even (in most cases) poor planning. For those of you scribes in the Midrealm who feel slighted or under appreciated or over-worked, for pity's sake SAY SOMETHING. The right path is through the regional signets who will speak to the regular Kingdom officer so they may speak with Royalty. If for some reason you cannot or are not willing to speak to your regional signet, if you feel comfortable speaking to me privately, please feel free. I will be happy to speak with your regional signet or the Kingdom signet without mentioning any names or identifying you. But say something, anything, instead of letting it stew, getting mad, getting extremely frustrated or possibly waiting so long that you no longer feel like scribing or (heaven forbid) begin avoiding the SCA to avoid the extra work people ask you to do because of the previous and kind work you've done. And lest you think the current Royalty are unaware that this has been brought up as a concern among the scribes in our Kingdom, let me assure you, they know. In service always, Jasmine Iasmin de Cordoba iasmin@home.com gwalli@ptc.com ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2000 08:32:08 -0500 From: "Amy L. Hornburg Heilveil" Subject: Re: [scribes]: Scrolls, Laurels Royal Appreciation I have seen royals give a costumer three weeks or less to throw something together, which, given the geography, is akin to asking a scribe to do a scroll with little more than 48 hours. And if a scribe doesn't want that duty, they should not be on the list for TRM to ask for a scroll on short notice. Also, don't forget, there is always the magic word, no. > TRM wouldn't think of asking a costumer to throw >something together for them to wear with plus or minus 48 hours - it >couldn't possibly be the best they can do. So why are scribes so put upon to >do that? > >I am grateful that the Midrealm Royalty mentions its scribes at most courts, >although not all of them, and when they do remember to do so, they award >favours to the scribes who made scrolls for that court. How long would court be if TRM called up every scribe attending court at every court? I don't wanna be stuck there. It takes long enough for the Chivalry or the Pelicans to go up all at once, much less one at a time to be given recognition. >I have been at >courts recently where this has been overlooked and it is always tough to >know that the scribes who laboured so lovingly to help Their Majesties >create the magic were overlooked in the role they played toward helping to >do that. Sign the back of scrolls, place your address on them so that the recipient may write a thank you if they choose. I can't say how many blanks are received without a name and so Their Majesties have no way to know who made it and who to recognize for their effort, but I do know that the number is large. >I am sure that in such cases there were extenuating circumstances, >but still, it does hurt to know that the scribes are not always mentioned. Again, sign scrolls. My lord's Willow was beautiful. But we know not the scribe who signed it as her work and we have not an address to mail the thank you note he so desperately wanted to write and give the praise deserved for a beautiful piece. >It does help to have a working scribe sitting the Throne - at least someone >who knows what we do is not going to overlook us and what we do to serve the >Kingdom. I completely agree. Thank you for a lovely discussion, Lady Saradwen. In service to the Dream, Cu Drag, Despina de la Brasov - ---------- Amy L. Hornburg Heilveil Lady Despina de la Brasov Program Coordinator 605 South First St Local Government Project Champaign, IL 61820 905 S. Goodwin Ave Urbana, IL 61801 aheilvei@uiuc.edu aheilvei@uiuc.edu ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 13 Jun 2000 09:11:36 -0500 (EST) From: john j cash Subject: Re: [scribes]: Laurel Quality, was: Art or Service Dear folks, Corinne writes, "there were masters as well as journeymen, and I think a Laurel quality scroll should be a masterpiece, or what's a laurel for?" Good short definition, but I'd phrase it differently. A Laurel-quality scroll should be a lesson in the art. One should be able to look at it and learn something from it. - -- johannes v.n. "Oh, bother," said the Borg. "We've assimilated Pooh." ------------------------------ End of scribes digest V2 #1629 ******************************