From: MCKAY_MICHAEL@tandem.COM
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
Subject: Money != Stability (+ other stuff)
Date: 13 Apr 92 20:52:00 GMT
Organization: The Internet

Pardon the mixed topics, but this is what comes from reading the digest.  My
first comment is for the person who mentioned that if $25 is too much for
someone, than they probably are too unstable to make a good officer.  From my
experince, I don't think this is true.  Offering myself as a counter example,
my wife and I make a pretty good salary, which is how we managed to buy a house
in the San Fransisco, CA area (our $180K house was priced $80K less than the
median house prices, and some $100K less than the average house price).  When
my lady-wife got layed off two months later (after we had wiped out our savings
and other resources to buy the house) this caused a great deal of money
problems.  My lady (who is currently a minor Principality officer), actually
had more time to devote to the SCA, than before.  There are many other counter-
examples I could site.  Suffice to say, lack of money does not equal
unstability (incidently I am now member, although I had a 5 month lapse,
during which I could not AFFORD a membership).  I delayed becoming a rostered
Chirgeoun, although I still stood "deputy" watches, because I was not a member.
Being or not being a member in no way changes my qualifications for Chirgeoun
(Insurance is not an issue, see other arguments, lack of money has affected my
first aid kit, which does not have all the goodies I'd like).
   As far as the autocrat and phone issues, let me illuminate this a little
farther (using my own experinces as a baronial seneschal).  Certainally it
is nice for an autocrat to have a phone.  But it is not needed, if the
senescahl sets that autocrat's job expectations correctly (remember that the
senescahl is responsible, and is delegating responsibility to the autocrat).
There is no need for the kitchen autocrat to need a phone number, if they
make sure that people who want to work in the kitchen have somebody to contact.
Even the feast autocrat does not need a phone number, if they can designate a
message number.  The problems that you mentioned did not occur just because of
the a lack of a phone (although that probably exaggerated the problems).  There
are some people, and some jobs where lack of a phone is no problem or a just
a minor problem.  The "can't autocrat if lacking phone" rule is unofficial, and
it is probably a good thing.  The West Kingdom (indeed I believe the whole SCA)
does not remburse officers for phone calls, because they figure that there are
cheaper ways of getting things accomplished (ie. writing).

On the subject of blow strength among different kingdoms, over the last couple
of years, our barony (Darkwood, West = Santa Cruz, Montery CA) has had a number
of Merides people move here.  Their comments indicate that blows are noticably
harder here than back home.  Western figters seem to wear more armor than the
average Meridian fighter as well.

    I'd like to once again suggest that people take over-worked topics off the
Rialto, and summarize later.  The teaching topic seems to be someone trying to
start a flame war (if that person objects to this statement, reply to me, not
to the Rialto!).  I can understand Wulfgar's wanting face thrust information,
but these should be sent to him, not via the Rialto unless there is something
new and valuable (unlikely, I'm thinking at this point).  The request to know
about the origin of the Rialto has so far generate two reponses to the whole
net.  Reply directly to the person.  There are 3 or 4 messages that contain
this information that are posted at least once a month, which should answer
most other peoples question (for that matter include a FAQ when you answer
this kind of querey).  Thank you for your indulgence.

Sean MacKay  (aka.  MCKAY_MICHAEL@tandem.com)
Newsgroups: rec.org.sca