Let's try this again....

[lenora_rose]

So, I never did get back to the computer after choir practice (The part of my excuse I can say in public is that my brother ran into abacchus  and Brenna, and they came over for a while. The rest is a nevermind.)

Let's see if I can recreate what I was trying to say yesterday.

Now that VP is not only done but decidedly so, I wanted to once again air a couple of ideas I'd put on the backburner.

Idea # 1 - Dance!

While part of this is that I just need to get out to the Barony's dance practices again (When I was going more regularly, a lack of ladies was an ongoing problem, so this may be good for more than myself, but winter is coming, but I could surely use the exercise).

But I had another, bigger, thought, which is that I would really like to organize one week when all, or as many as possible, of the dancers who were regulars about two years ago would all come out to a Wednesday practice en masse, preferably with the tape set that isn't Thrym's (The ones Brannie used to bring out) with them.

The idea isn't to take over from Thrym (In fact I specifically anticipate him still running most of the practice, though different teachers may take over for the dances he doesn't know), it's just to get these folk out and dancing again. There are a great many of them I never see socially, and I've missed. The second set of tapes is so requests from all sides can be covered; Thrym has some music Brannie never had, Brannie has some that Thrym is missing.

When I mentioned this to Chen, he pointed out that, since Dance is somehow the Magical Political Sticking Point of the Barony, this will inevitably be seen as a political thing. So I want to make this abundantly clear:

The political point of this is as follows: DANCE IS FUN. It's more fun with a greater number of people. Those who used to come out every week seemed to know this. I'd love to see a dance practice with 19 or 25 people again. That's all the point on my part, that's all I want.

But because I know the personalities of the people I'm dealing with, I have to add:

I've been to dance under Thrym, Luanie, Brannie, and now Thrym again. I've done demos run by Faerisa and Gabriella. I've seen plenty of people refuse to give a new teacher a chance based on something that happened early on before they were even settled in, or some grievance that has nothing to do with the steps. Yet one thing I've noticed; points of technique and focus may change, but the steps stay the same, and the steps stay fun. I want those who coem to be OPEN to this idea. Anyone who thinks this is a chance to "show them" (But doesn't finish the sentence with "-our hospitality/friendliness/willingness to learn"), air my old grievances or imagined grievances, etc, is NOT welcome. Anyone who says "Well, I won't cause trouble, but if s/he says one word, I'll..." is actually in this for trouble, but doesn't want to be blamed. Also not welcome. The only attitude to bring is, "I won't cause trouble, and if someone else looks like they'll start, I'll smile at them and suggest another dance!" I want people, those who are current regulars, and those who've been out before, to be willing to listen to other points of view, and discuss things, not flat demand their way.

I've been in this Barony for ten years, and I know I have to put that paragraph in, but I so so so don't believe I should ever have to.

 

Item # 2 - MUSIC!

Much less controversial. I've been in music circles with the SCA, with the filkers, with the folkies (Who pretty much *are* the filkers 'round here), and a sing-along with people from my church. There's a lot of common ground, and I think some of these groups would have fun hearing more of what the others do. It would give old standards a new audience, and it would be, hell, fun.

I have no idea where to hold a music circle, though, as our place isn't big enough. But if anyone can come up with a good idea, it would be a kind of fun thing to get together.

The "rules" would be about those you get in any circle: everyone who wants a turn can have one, anyone who doesn't want to play, or wants to wait a while, is not pressured, but is encouraged, joining in on another person's performance is okay so long as the original perfomer remains centre stage. (The way to decide whose turn comes next varies...but it's easy enough to agree on at the moment).

So, thoughts?

Comments

As much as I'd like to come

[senekal.livejournal.com]

I'm staying away.

Sorry, Lenora - I'd like to - but I'm sure it would wind up souring things. I have too much of a temper and while I wouldn't start things, I'm sure there would be too much tension and I'd rather not have to finish something started by someone else. As much as I'd like to, it simply wouldn't work.

I wish you well with it though. Do Whirligig for me.

Re: As much as I'd like to come

[lenora-rose.livejournal.com]

Hey, Mike!

There isn't even a date set, or a firm plan, just clouds of idea in the air. That said:

I know you well enough, and I know *how* sour things went, so I'd already discounted any chance of your presence. Even if you came with the best of intentions, there are those among the current regulars (Like, say, Thrym), who would take it amiss. This, too, falls into the category of things I wish didn't have to be that way.

Not even sure how things would go with our "Big Hairy Viking" -- for most of the same reasons. He's a good kid, says the fond big sister, but he left a mess behind.

Nonetheless, the invitation is open to both of you, even if the cances of acceptance are lower.

Thanks, it's appreciated.

[senekal.livejournal.com]

As you say - I wish it didn't have to be that way too - but that is the reality of things and no amount of effort on my part could fix it.

I wouldn't know why it is that it's felt that Keith left a mess behind. As far as I understood it, he just stopped going. But there does appear to be a lot of bad feelings there as well. I won't claim to understand the whys of it - I think I know, but it's likely best not to start a war in someone else's LJ, so we'll just let it go.

I don't know - I think you might have an easier time arranging this kind of thing outside the Barony proper. As much as it would be nice to get in an old style dance practice, I do not think it is really something that would be possible. Of course, I could well be wrong.

But like I said, good luck with it.

[bighairyviking.livejournal.com]

I'll pass. I'm finally starting to get over the bitterness of what went down in the Barony. The last thing I want to do is bring all those bad feelings back. My days in the barony are long since over, and I have no desire to look back now.

[lenora-rose.livejournal.com]

I might answer you about Keith in private (although if I do, I'll CC Keith. I'm not that dumb.) But here's not the place.

I will say it isn't for sticking up for you, for all that caused tensions.

There is an English Country dance group in the city who meet Wednesdays, who are, to all reports, cool folk. However, I know Thrym and Cristina and all have gone there on weeks dance practice has been too short of people, so it may occasionally end up with the same tensions.

I do think there are enough people who'd be willing to go it with the Barony to be worthwhile (Start with Brannie and ABacchus and Iulianna, Bearaich if his health is up to it... but the list does go on. Siegound and Rachelle would be nice too, though the latter works most evenings. SCA/LJ names used for some vague privacy for the real people.)

[lenora-rose.livejournal.com]

Too bad, but I understand.

Every branch of the SCA had its severe flaws. I may love the thing, but I'm not blind to that fact.

(Someone commented to me that most people seem to be in the SCA until the time when they start ending up with offices and it stops being fun and starts being paperwork. I didn't answer, but should have, that I wished that was our only problem.)

[senekal.livejournal.com]

To be honest, it's probably none of my business. You may want to tell Keith though - as it may well be that he has no idea what it is that he's supposed to have done. That's a common thing with that group, sadly. Again, I speak from experience.

Regardless, I hope it works out for you. Who knows, perhaps we can get together for something private sometime. I do miss dancing and I bet Amy would enjoy it.

[bighairyviking.livejournal.com]

I can make an educated guess, and that's enough for me. I left the group so I wouldn't have to deal with their politics anymore. I have no desire to let those politics follow me around.

Let them say whatever they want about me. They're entitled to whatever opinion they like, and I'm far past caring about them.

[lenora-rose.livejournal.com]

Keith, what you just said convinces me absolutely that you actually don't know. Is your e-mail address still the same?

[bighairyviking.livejournal.com]

I have a few new adresses now, but I still check all the old ones regularly. Anything you send there should reach me just fine.