November 12, 2006
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It’s Over At Last!!
Not that I didn’t have a wonderful time, but can I express how really damn happy I am that Defenders of the Rose II is over? Yippee!! Things went *very* smoothly this year (unlike last year, I did not get sent out of town on business for the entire week before the event), and the local groups could not have worked any harder or possibly have made things any easier than they did. I never had to ask for something twice, and all the planning we did two weekends before when we all met at site made all the setup and tear-down go almost seamlessly. They did a great job!
We (the Roses) had an interesting meeting on Saturday night to discuss the event, why we’re doing it, whether we wanted to continue doing it and what other things we might want to do. When asking someone why they thought chivalric fighters weren’t showing up to the event, I’d gotten some feedback that some folks thought the event was just the Roses grandstanding, saying “look at how wonderful we are,” “worship us” and things along that line. We did a go-around-the-circle thing, with each lady describing what the event meant to her, why she wanted to do it in the first place, how she felt about it after two years, etc. With 12 different Roses, it was *very* interesting to see the similarities in our answers. We all pretty much agreed that we’re going to do it again next year, but maybe try to adjust some things to make more clear what we’re wanting to accomplish with the event.
I’m not going to talk much about what everyone said here, but the one thing we do want to make more clear is that we want the event to be a celebration of what we’ve shared and hope to continue to share with the communities that we’ve ruled over, watched over, feel protective of and love. You just cannot have gone through what we all went through as Queens and not feel a deep attachment to the people of your Kingdom. And, even though I ruled elsewhere, I’ve been here so long now that I count myself an Ansteorran Rose and feel that same protectiveness the home-grown ladies do. We want to throw an event that we actually *work* at (with lots of support, of course), that will allow us to give something back to the people who make us feel special – to make them feel special. I don’t know that we’ve conveyed that well enough, so we’ll make a few changes next year to take some of the focus away from “Roses” and more toward “Roses celebrating *you*.” Bah. It’s hard to put into words.
Anyway, we’re also going to try doing other, smaller things throughout the year, especially trying to be a presence for the two groups who have been supporting this event the past two years. We’ll do some fundraisers for the Rose Tourney breakfast at Gulf War and perhaps for donations to the Kingdom travel fund. We’ll likely go to an every-other-year format for Defenders – it’s just so much work, and there are other things we’d like to focus on as well. But, if Defenders has done nothing else, it has definitely brought the active Roses closer together – it has given us the chance to get to know each other and work together in a way that I don’t think we really expected it would. Who’da thunk so many alpha women could get along so well together? In the meantime, I think this Defenders was a success – despite the cold weather on Saturday! Thank the gods it’s over!
Now I get to redecorate my house!!
Comments (15)
It’s weird how people imagine others’ motivations. It’s not surprising to me that rapier fighters would tend to embrace such an event, while others might not… it’s just how we’re oriented. I wish I could have been there and I’m glad it went smoothly for you!
You did a fabulous job. I think it’s a wonderful event and appreciate all the work the Roses do for it. I know a lot of other people feel that way as well.
It was a lovely event!!! Next year I promise I’ll have more pieces ready for the performance arts!
It was a wonderful event!!! Everyone I talked to had a great time! Thank you and all the others Roses for your hard work!
waah! I want my life back! *Next* Roses (assuming you go to every-other-year) The Boy will be away in college and I _WILL_ be there!
I’m glad you had a good time! I wish we could’ve been there, but (as you may already know) Paul got the job at LSI. He starts tomorrow and will be moving into an apartment, not too far from you. I hadn’t seen him in two weeks, so I spent the weekend with him, almost all to myself. Anyway…
As a second note, I was wondering if you might make some jewelery for me (for my sister) for Christmas. Maybe some earrings and a necklace… Let me know what you think and a guesstimation price.
Hearts!
Had a grand time, Your E! Let me tell you, for the rapier fighters, we consider this part of the Grand Slam of rapier tournaments. It ranks with Queen’s Champion, Guardian of the Gaunlet, and Gulf Wars Rose Tourney as the four tournaments that are considered to be the ultimate honor to compete in, the ultimate tournaments to win. Not only that, it brings the best fighters out in droves, so the rest of us can practice against them in hopes of picking their brains and learning more. Thank you and all the Roses for that opportunity to vie for favor and honor and glory and getting roughed up by the best of the best.
We had a wonderful time!!! Gaving was so overwhelmed. Thank you for all the support the Roses give us. I would miss it if it went to every other year, some of us would love to help you all make this event happen!!
The Roses are gracious, beautiful women. We were thrilled to go to an event where you were thanking us for supporting you. It was an event we will never miss again. I enjoyed sitting, working and talking with all of you, it was one of my favorite events since arriving in Ansteorra. Thank you all for the fun!!!
Thank you again, see you at the next event!!
I had a great event!! Thank you for the space and time to have a way cool vigil. The ball was nice to get to visit and talk to after court. Sun. court was funny I was back there to help M. but I ended up watching all the Roses and waiting on them to, I had a great time.
Maggie, Please pass on my thanks to all the Roses and the Shires who had a part in this event. Great Event!
The level of fighting was exceptional! The pick up fights after was great to spend time against those we don’t get to cross blades with often. Dancing at the ball was a treat I’ve missed for years. My only sadness was missing the archery shoot on sunday.. (my bad…) Just have to say it again… Great Event.
The event was great. Sorry about shooting you so much :-p
The Event was outstanding! You, and everyone else who worked on it, deserve a huge thank-you. Well done!
Maybe it’s because I’m a rapier fighter, but I certainly don’t see it as a self-aggrandizement attempt. I see it as the Roses providing a forum for all to showcase their talents and skills for all the Kingdom to view. The Chiv community has Crown, but mostly only those directly involved in, or by, come to it; the Rapier community has Queens, but again, only those entering or otherwise invovled attend; there are Kingdom-level events for the other disciplines as well, which are attended by those participating. This Event gave a chance for all those disciplines to come together at the same time, and maybe see people and things perhaps not seen prior.
Thank you.
I so wish I could have attended, but I had a great time at the wedding. I’m glad it was such a success!
You all did a great job and everyone seemed to have a very memorable weekend! But h’mm, I don’t know how my calendar looks for next year… ^_~
It was a great event! My theory on the heavy fighters is that maybe they all think that it’s an event for the light fighters? Because traditionally, it’s been the light fighters fighting for the queen/roses, and the heavies fighting for the king etc. I dunno. it’s a thought. But I will say it’s a lovely event… and next year, get the same feast steward. It was the best feast EVER.