Picnic And The Pulse Of The Barony.

[arontius]

.....Yesterday was the Baronial Picnic and I have to add my voice to the rest of the crowd by agreeing that it was a pretty good event. The weather was nice, not too cold or too hot. The turnout was good, and the people there mingled with no apparent agendas. Activities were just right. Clean up was easy. Food was good. The Pit Firing was a special treat, even if it didn't turn out exactly as Mistress Gwenllyn would have liked.

.....I had been a little afeared of the Picnic prior to attending though. Their Excellencies intended on opening up a discussion among the attendees concerning how they thought the Barony was operating now, and what they would like to see actually happen. Now, you wouldn't think that this would normally cause me any heartburn as we have a pretty good thing going here in Dragon's Laire. But lately a few people have discussed the lack of direction the Barony apparently has at the moment.

.....Again, this in and of itself shouldn't cause me heartburn. If the populace wants to actually go in a particular direction; well, as long as it is not going to do any damage I'm here to support it. I guess what was causing my own personal angst was the fear that the conversation would turn ugly. I kept having visions of days gone by when discussion would devolve into grievances and name calling. When people are unhappy and not quite sure of why, you can get that.

.....I guess in some ways I'm still affected by days gone by. You'd think that after eight years of a pretty functional place I would have let go of the bad days in Dragon's Laire. It is surprising to me that they still have even a little hold on me.

.....I think also I had a little fear for Their Excellencies as well. They are into Their fourth year as the Coronets. Four years is a long time really. And there is such a thing as 'Familiarity Breeds Contempt'. I was a little afraid that They would be the recipients of that to some degree. And, when all else is said and done, I do consider Them as good friends and wouldn't want Them to go through that kind of foo.

.....But, as the conversation started, I quickly realized that I needn't have worried. The populace is, indeed, feeling a need for some direction. But I could detect no bitterness directed towards Their Excellencies at all. I also couldn't detect any towards myself either, which was also another side fear of mine.

.....As I unclenched and started canvasing the crowd at the picnic, I heard a lot of interesting conversation. Some good ideas for events and activities were brought out and discussed. Some good questions were asked, and answered. And when I polled about thirty different people what they thought was happening to cause the current 'lack of direction' in the Barony, I received thirty different answers, with none of them being earth shatteringly bad. Definitely a relief.

.....Of course there are issues that need to be addressed. And those that were given to me I'll definitely take seriously. The good ideas that were presented will be enacted as best we can. But thankfully, I think that I can stop worrying about mass hysteria and anarchy and chaos and mutiny. :-)

.....I also kind of wish that Kingdom Law allowed for an anonymous view of what came up at the Baronial Polling recently. I was secretly hoping that we'd get some of the pulse of the Barony from that in writing. I can understand why the Law is the way it is, but on the other hand it is a little frustrating.

.....First thing first though, we need to re-establish a regular location for the Business Meeting and Fight Practice again. Plans are being enacted. The sooner the better.

.....Aaron / Arontius.

Comments

[greywolfe64.livejournal.com]

There was anamosity, you just weren't close enough to here it. I heard it and became very frustrated with the person. So much so that I called them on it. What I realized is, is that everyone expects to have their way. And if they don't get it then the B&B aren't doing their job or they don't listen when we speak to them.

The fact of the matter is that they do listen and they have tried repeatedly to make the situation better. Unfortunately the 30 disparate answers you recieved IS the problem in my eyes. Its impossible to make everyone happy when no two people want the same thing.

When I hear "Why bother, they don't listen" it pisses me off.

The last time I checked this was a hobby and hobbies should be fun. If its not fun then stop or step up to the plate and put yourself in the middle of 75 gun sights all with different agendas. Otherwise don't expect that everytime you open your mouth that the angels come down from heaven and play trumpets.

Sorry raw nerve still I guess.

[bumblebee2006.livejournal.com]

Yes, well since you are one of the "golden childern' of the B & B, then you don't have any problems and are privilaged to the enter circle of the barony. Those of us that are "not" are treated like the 'red headed step children" and overlooked. So yes, that makes me not want to play.

And yes, you touch one of my raw nerves.

[pernell-camber.livejournal.com]

I don't understand. Are you saying you are accused of being privileged, or are you saying other people are privileged and it makes you want to not play?

[brighidross.livejournal.com]

How terrible you must be feeling to write this...I am so very sorry you feel that way... it sounds like a face to face conversation about why you feel this way is a more apropriate venue. We called you last night, so please give one of us a call back so we can meet with you and see what we can do to make you feel better.

[angharadalbanes.livejournal.com]

What I realized is, is that everyone expects to have their way.

This applies to Their Excellencies as well, them being human and all. ;-)

The fact of the matter is that they do listen...

There are two kinds of listening. There's the kind that hears and takes note of what is said, which they do. Then there's the kind that digests what is said and seriously considers it before either acting on it or discarding it. Well, after applying the various "This person is burned out/inexperienced/too local/too needy/bitter/ancient/brand new/has an agenda, etc." filters, I wonder how much actually reaches the serious consideration stage.

Unfortunately the 30 disparate answers you recieved IS the problem in my eyes. Its impossible to make everyone happy when no two people want the same thing.

It would be interesting to see those 30 answers. Maybe there's a common thread there that could be addressed...

[greywolfe64.livejournal.com]

I realize that I don't have any answers. And I'm ashamed becasue I try to come to the table with at least one, but it appears that I may be too close. I've really tried to keep away from the politics, other than when I'm specifically asked. But this post and my "rant" may indicate otherwise.

Truthfully I can't answer "...I wonder how much actually reaches the serious consideration statge...". I would advise that in my experience perception is fact though. And its very difficult to change perception.

The next question would be "how many people want their perception changed", some people just want to complain and no one can change that.

[angharadalbanes.livejournal.com]

The people who want to complain will. The only thing that will change is the subject matter. There are certain types of people who find a weird sense of belonging in being among the disenfranchised, and will always seek a place among them.

However, not everyone who dissents enjoys it. Some even put both their money and their time where their mouth is. Perception is, indeed, at the crux of the matter. We cannot see inside people's hearts - we can really only go by how they behave.

[brighidross.livejournal.com]

As I said to Talia, you must be pretty unhappy if you doubt that we listen to you.Let's get together and talk face to face about this issue.

[angharadalbanes.livejournal.com]

I'm not unhappy, but I am concerned. I don't expect to be listened to unless I have relevant experience or pertinent insight. Hopefully, the hordes will leave you alone long enough for us to talk this evening.

[angharadalbanes.livejournal.com]

I'm glad I missed those 'bad old days'. Just reading the files was scary enough.

I understand your frustration regarding the polling - particularly in light of the fact that so many of our active members didn't participate.

Chin up, you're doing fine. I'll e-mail you later with a constructive suggestion or two former-seneschal to seneschal. :-)

[pernell-camber.livejournal.com]

I wish there was some way to erase the "bad old days" from the baronial geezer minds. These are glorious, happy days for our barony and I want everyone to enjoy them instead of having bad memories from ancient history. What percentage of the barony was around during the mysterious turbulent times?

Let's have fun and cooperate and if anyone becomes a drama queen or forgets how to act like an adult or thinks they are entitled to special privileges, well, three strikes and then you disappear because before every event the Dragon's Laire Quality of Life Minister will disable your vehicle, your phone line, and your internet.

[greywolfe64.livejournal.com]

LOL Pernell ROFLOL.