*grump*
And since I'm in a bad mood,
enough with the cell phones at events discussion already! I think we've established that those who do not wish to give up their modern conveniences will find any reason, no matter how convoluted, to justify their decision, and those who hate them will continue to bemoan the loss of courtesy in the Society. Can we take it as a given that nothing will change? Thousands of inboxes across the Kingdom thank you.
I think we just need to face up to the fact that we have moved to a culture of "if you don't like it, move" when it comes to doing things that bother other people. After all, it's not like we can't leave Court when someone decides to take a phone call, is it? Whining about it isn't really effecting any change, and it's unattractive, to boot. I think we should give up, and go with the flow. It's fun! It's easy! It's a game the whole family can enjoy!
Making an effort is hard, and we shouldn't be asked to do it. Being told to think of other people's wishes makes the rebellious teenager rear up in all of us, and with good reason. I mean, really, other people are just being authenticity nazis, and it's about CREATIVE anachronism, you dig? You know what? I think the cell phone people have the right idea! Personally, I'm glad my expectations for the SCA have been lowered so that I don't need to put in any effort myself - all that work was taking up too much of my time. I'm much happier with a sports bottle of Gatorade and my Lunchables - that "period" cooking was such a drag! And my nylon chair folds up small, and even has a cupholder so I don't lose my drink! Hell, I'm even tired of wearing fancy clothes - it's not like I'm going to get any awards for making them, so what's the point?
By the way, I think we shouldn't worry about competitions and prizes any more - everyone gets a cookie. After all, we've all made an effort, haven't we? And who's to say which effort is more worthy? Awards for all! Everyone wins! It'll be great! And I'm quitting judging, and so is everyone else - since it's all okay, there's no need for anyone to decide who has the best stuff. In fact, it's really not very nice to say thing A is better than thing B, because the effort should be all that matters. And the level of effort only has to be an "attempt", according to Society law, so any effort more than that is just going to make other people feel bad. Don't do it!
I'm hanging up my advice hat, too - anything you want to do is okay by me. I promise not to tell anyone they're doing it wrong, and I'm going to suggest a moratorium on any advice from Laurels - criticism is never helpful. From now on, I will always tell you your effort is the best I've ever seen, so that you feel encouraged, and keep playing.
No, really, I mean it. I think that tie-dye Hawaiian print kilt is fabulous for Court. I'll recommend you for a Pearl, since you're really bringing out the "creative" aspect of the hobby. Neon pink Crocs? Why not coordinate with a neon pink cotehardie? If they had it, they'd have made the King wear it! Heck, I think you all should be Laurels!
Now, where's my phone?
(NOTE: The preceding was a joke - except for the bit about my bathroom tiles being backordered. Please don't rise up in a mass horde and kill me. Thank you.)
I think we just need to face up to the fact that we have moved to a culture of "if you don't like it, move" when it comes to doing things that bother other people. After all, it's not like we can't leave Court when someone decides to take a phone call, is it? Whining about it isn't really effecting any change, and it's unattractive, to boot. I think we should give up, and go with the flow. It's fun! It's easy! It's a game the whole family can enjoy!
Making an effort is hard, and we shouldn't be asked to do it. Being told to think of other people's wishes makes the rebellious teenager rear up in all of us, and with good reason. I mean, really, other people are just being authenticity nazis, and it's about CREATIVE anachronism, you dig? You know what? I think the cell phone people have the right idea! Personally, I'm glad my expectations for the SCA have been lowered so that I don't need to put in any effort myself - all that work was taking up too much of my time. I'm much happier with a sports bottle of Gatorade and my Lunchables - that "period" cooking was such a drag! And my nylon chair folds up small, and even has a cupholder so I don't lose my drink! Hell, I'm even tired of wearing fancy clothes - it's not like I'm going to get any awards for making them, so what's the point?
By the way, I think we shouldn't worry about competitions and prizes any more - everyone gets a cookie. After all, we've all made an effort, haven't we? And who's to say which effort is more worthy? Awards for all! Everyone wins! It'll be great! And I'm quitting judging, and so is everyone else - since it's all okay, there's no need for anyone to decide who has the best stuff. In fact, it's really not very nice to say thing A is better than thing B, because the effort should be all that matters. And the level of effort only has to be an "attempt", according to Society law, so any effort more than that is just going to make other people feel bad. Don't do it!
I'm hanging up my advice hat, too - anything you want to do is okay by me. I promise not to tell anyone they're doing it wrong, and I'm going to suggest a moratorium on any advice from Laurels - criticism is never helpful. From now on, I will always tell you your effort is the best I've ever seen, so that you feel encouraged, and keep playing.
No, really, I mean it. I think that tie-dye Hawaiian print kilt is fabulous for Court. I'll recommend you for a Pearl, since you're really bringing out the "creative" aspect of the hobby. Neon pink Crocs? Why not coordinate with a neon pink cotehardie? If they had it, they'd have made the King wear it! Heck, I think you all should be Laurels!
Now, where's my phone?
(NOTE: The preceding was a joke - except for the bit about my bathroom tiles being backordered. Please don't rise up in a mass horde and kill me. Thank you.)
Comments
Me...
In a tree...
With my sniper blunderbuss.
=)
Just - thank you.
Frankly I think "vibrate" on the cell phone was the world's best invention! I just put my phone in my pocket and beg folks to "Call me!" =)
Hee hee hee....
My FAVORITE part of your post!
Lunchables...heehee.
And keep the bumpy rides coming, I always have a nice cathartic laugh.
I don't mind phones if you are in your/your households pavillion. That's typically were I (and many others) make the "Where the heck are you!?!" calls.
However, if anyone was dumb enough to have their phone on during court and even dumber to ANSWER it while staying in court, I shall beat them...and sic Ginsie on them. Death by doggie kisses is about the same as Chinese Water torture coming out of a hello kitty bucket I'm told...
I wonder if pointedly stopping Court to allow someone to answer and complete their Very Important Call would be effective.
If you can't serve as a good example, you'll have to become a terrible warning.
Heck, I'd be happy if people ceased to congregate at the back and talk over the proceedings like they don't have to be quiet because they're not sitting down. *grump*
Master Alan Gravesend is my model for courteous cell phone behaviour - he had to carry one for years because he was basically on call all the time. He kept it on vibrate, checked it frequently, and ducked out far away from people to take a call - and he only took the ones he had to take.
If he could manage to be on call without anyone realizing it, other people can too. *shrug*
*sigh*. I think I'm with you on this bandwagon....
I admit, I do carry my cell phone with me at certain times. Say, if I'm autocratting (since my cell number is the one on the flyer, I feel compelled to help the lost) or when I'm at Gulf Wars (and I don't want to use FRS to contact my sweetie at Scribe's Point when I'm in, oh, al-Mahala or the like).
But in court? Exactly once.
Diamond Wars 2001 -- three weeks after September 11th. Our Baron had already been sent somewhere on orders (though thank God not to Afghanistan), and I was court herald for the Baroness. Bless her heart, she was nervous. I needed to be there... but at the same time, all of us at the TV station were on call in case something ELSE happend (heaven forbid). Yes, it was on vibrate. No, I didn't get the call. But Her Excellency was very kind when I explained why I might have to leave court suddenly if called.
Still -- most of the time, the chirp of a cell phone in court is bothersome. Though, when you're at a just-past Halloween event and someone's phone starts rattling "The Worms Crawl In, The Worms Crawl Out," everyone giggles.
Like I said in my reply to dragonazure, sometimes cells are neccessary (though the walkie-talkie option should be reserved to staff only!). What isn't neccessary is imposing a modern choice on everyone else, and telling them if they don't like it, they can walk away (as one poster did). It's perfectly possible, even in a life-or-death situation, to keep it discreet. Like my friend who used to be on call for an entire multi-billion dollar government agency, it's possible to do it without drawing attention to yourself. :)
The lady has a good sense of humor and took it well, but she now leaves court when her phone rings.
lucky that she had a decent sense of humor
Sadly, it likely takes moments like that to make an impression!