I can't agree with that attitude. Extenuating circumstances aside, a hefty award or position is partially recognition of a job well done, but (to me) also an impetus to continue doing what caused the award in the first place. I haven't any alphabet soup right now, but that isn't stopping me from assisting the Society and the Dream in the ways I can do best. I have been in the SCA a year come June; the awards I will eventually receive will be welcome, but will not change my attitude other than to cause me to focus in on a specific area of service, at most.

Events that have happened recently have tuned me in to the "working fun" that can be had in the SCA. Count Llewellyn, recently replaced (by dicing for Death), served our table at a feast; this showed me the service aspect of the Society apart from "societal" standing. Master Taliesynne, the Principal of the Order of the Pelican in Trimaris, was recently squired by a Knight of Trimaris departing for Scotland for a few years, out of respect for T. as a person and for their friendship; this showed me the relationship of a Peer with his or her "associate" (be it squire, protege, apprentice). Making the paper- and-board cows for Clans a week or so ago was an absolute blast, with a good dozen people working on these things (and coming up with the most horrendous of puns).

Thursday last, I was asked by Mistress Islay of Glen Meara, Seneschale of Trimaris, if I would be a protege to her. I was confused for a bit, because the explanation of a Pelican/protege relationship she gave me described the working relationship we have had since the first day I attended an SCA meeting, file folder full of SCA materials off the Net for people to glom through. Now, other than being able to be "checked out" like a library book to other Pelicans -- something I don't mind in the least, for if I can learn about Society and non-Society aspects of life from these gentles as I have from Islay, I will have the better end of the bargain -- nothing has changed, save for the focusing of service that I described above.

My first year in the Society was floating, trying different areas on for size, seeing what interested me and what I could do to bring back to the SCA the immeasurable help and fun it has given me; now I am closer to knowing where I and my talents can help the most, without shunning the other fun aspects of the Society. While I seem to have chosen the path of Service over Art or Chivalry, I intend to keep my brain entertained by working in areas new to me.

S
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