Friday, June 15th, 2003

The Independent

Sorry this post is a bit overdue. I haven't had proper Internet access for a little while now. But it's going up now.

Anyway, on the meeting of Sunday, June 1st, a photographer from the Santa Barbara Independent stopped by and took a bunch of pictures of our group. Apparently, when I posted that listing for their free local clubs listing, they thought we sounded interesting enough to get a larger note. So, in the last issue, published Thursday, June 5th, we got a decent sized box in the Around Town section, with a photo and a paragraph describing our group. We only got one response to it last week, but I hope to get more this week, since it stayed in circulation for a full week. Anyway, to the left is a scan of the posting. Click the thumbnail for a full view.

Tuesday, May 27th, 2003

Althings Update & Possible Compromises

The only actual measure passed at this weekend's Althings was revoking the Silver Sun policy. Most of our members seemed to think it had run it's course and was no longer needed, for a variety of reasons. We spent quite a while discussing the controversy that had come to our chapter, and how to respond to it. The notion of joining the High Fantasy Society was received pretty well, though the overall consensus was to hold off on any major decisions until the BLBOD had made it's decision.

However, due to a couple discussions since then with various Amtgarders from other regions, including Sir Bolt of the BLBOD, I've decided to try compromising in a few areas. First of all, the removal of term limits was intended to solve the problem of trying to keep important positions filled with a limited population. However, Malek Marlschev of the Shire of Blackwood Grove suggested some alternate solutions to this problem, specifically that the Althings can declare case-by-case exceptions to the term limits if there is a shortage of candidates, so I plan to put before the next Althings to re-instate the term limits. It's not a very urgent issue, though, since it will quite a while till anybody comes up for a third term. Secondly, Sir Bolt presented some good arguments against allowing hopping on the battlefield, which I also intend to put before our next Althings. We've been playing that way for so long it would be somewhat difficult for our people to adjust to the change, I think, and I'm still not sure how I personally feel about it. However, it's not my decision which matters most. As with all important issues of this nature, I'll let the populace decide.

For all of you from the E-Samurai forum who started this mess, you may want to stop and note here that yes, we are reasonable, intelligent people, and yes we are willing to compromise, so long as you treat us as such. However, when I read through pages upon pages of messages filled with mindless, uninformed insults and presumptions, all I was left wanting to discuss with you was the manners in which, excuse my language, you could go fuck yourselves. Fortunately, there were a couple people from your ranks, who seem to be the great exception, who were willing to talk to us in a reasonable and intelligent manner, and with whom we've worked out some of the issues of contention. Maybe, I can hope, you might take a lesson from this as well, and learn to drop some of the ridiculous machismo and, when you have a problem with a group or individual, discuss it with them like another human being, rather then just mocking them behind their back. To risk sounding like some horrible motivational speaker, learn to be part of the solution, not the problem.

Saturday, May 24th, 2003

Controversy comes to Feanga

It seems that about a week ago, somebody posted our website on one of the forums of the Electronic Samurai, an online publication dedicated to all things Amtgard. Much outrage ensued, as they browsed through the rules our Althings had voted into effect. Apparently many of our rules are considered quite radical, and many of these Amtgarders expressed the opinion that we were a bunch of lunatics and "flurbs" (a general derogatory Amtgard term, especially for one who abuses or breaks the rules, synonymous with the role-playing term Munchkin, but worse), that some kingdom needs to stomp us down, or that we can't last because we, by their words, obviously have no idea what we're doing. For those of you with great curiosity and strong enough wills to stand up to the flurry of insults essentially directed at our entire chapter (because these rules were voted into effect by everybody), you can find the thread here. On pages four and five, you'll find my own rebuttals. Unfortunately, I have a bad feeling that my rebuttals will do nothing but further stir the hornet's nest. At least maybe we'll win a couple supporters, though.

The Burning Lands Board of Director's Response?

Unfortunately, the first word I got of this controversy wasn't specific as to it's origins, or to the extent to which it had spread. So I sent an e-mail to Sir Bolt of the Burning Lands Board of Directors, the real central Powers that Be of Amtgard, to ask what was up. It turns out he hadn't heard of it yet, but when he looked at our page, he also said our changes were rather "extreme" and he'd bring it up at the next BOD. It seems my query backfired, and landed us in even hotter soup.

Our response?

Fortunately, we have time. The BLBOD doesn't meet for another month or so, and even then may not decide to take immediate action, because in the greater scheme of Amtgard, we're a pretty small, insignificant chapter. When the time comes for action, though, we have a number of options. We could first of all drop all the objectionable rules. I personally don't like this option, because we'd be giving in to a distant authority trying to dictate against policies that the majority of our chapter supports. Secondly, we could leave Amtgard. I found a group called the High Fantasy Society (the HFS) which seems to itself have splintered from Amtgard about ten years ago, and still uses very closely related rules. They're a much smaller group, but have no central authority, and would allow us to write our Corpora however we choose. There is a third option I'm working on in coalition with a number of other Amtgard chapters, but I'd rather not post that in this public a forum until it nears completion, especially with the merciless eyes of the Electronic Samurai forums focused over here.

Radio Interview on Wednesday

Me, Jon and possibly Forrest have an interview coming on Radio Free Amtgard, a radio program broadcast over the Internet every Wednesday at 7 PM CST (5 PM PST), in order to present our side of the controversy now surrounding our chapter. You can find info on them at the Red Hawk Radio website. Hopefully we'll be able to win a few more supports then, making this controversy a bit less one-sided.

Website Updated

Partially in response to all this controversy, I've done some much-needed updating on the website. I added the minutes of the second Althings (which was also the first Midreign). Unfortunately, I took to long to get those up, and seem to have lost the hardcopy, which means the specific voting records aren't posted. However, I have all the actual measures online, and a general sense of what they passed by. Also, I updated the Info section somewhat, partially to reflect the new things voted in at the new Althings, and also to make the Inappropriate Behavior Rules a bit cleaner and clearer on some points which there was controversy over, and removing any terminology which might be considered, by some people I'll refrain from assigning adjectives to, as hippie-esque psuedo-scientific psychological mumbo-jumbo.

Friday, March 28th, 2003

Database Online

The new database, dubbed the Tome of Records, or TOR, has just been brought online. It's replaced the old Members section with a new Records section, and going there you can access complete and detailed records of the Feanga membership, meetings and finances, since we started keeping track of these things on February 9th, 2003. Of course, tell me if you see any errors in this database.

Monday, March 24th, 2003

First Althings, Upcoming Midreign, New Armor Rules

The first Althings has been successfully concluded, with quite a number of measures passed. Most of them were simply officiating rules we had already been playing with, but there were a few changes as well. All the details have already been sent out to the mailing list, but they won't end up here until the next website overhaul, hopefully within the next week. I also have a new databasing system almost complete for tracking all of the chapter's major records, including membership info, attendance, and finances. A public interface to this database, along with the minutes of all the Althings, will soon be made available in a new Records section, which will replace the current Members section.

The most important points of the Althings are the date for the Midreign, and the new armor rules (which will be published soon in an updated Info section). The Midreign will be held Sunday, April 20th, the same date as the next Althings, and at that event we will be electing our first Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is basically in charge of record keeping and administration, but also serves as a check to the authority of the Sheriff/Monarch, as the Monarch and Prime Minister must agree for them to substantiate any major on-the-spot rulings.

Sunday, March 9th, 2003

Feanga on the rise, but conflict looms

Well, since the post below, we've had another meeting with 11 people, one with 13, and two with 16. We have a growing interest in archery and other more advanced aspects of the game, and have had class battles in our last three meetings. For the most part, everything is going wonderfully. The one down note was a visit by Silver Sun last time, which left a bad taste in the mouths of most of our membership. However, this meeting there was a vote to bar Silver Sun from attending future Feanga meetings as a group. Individual members are free to attend, but in order to avoid fostering a general, unhealthy rivalry, we're avoiding real cross-chapter games between our respective chapters.

In addition, two new image galleries have been posted, and the members section has been updated each week, not just in the info, but also in the format.

Friday, February 14th, 2003

Finally a good meeting

Well we had 11 people this weekend, which is a post-schism record. This is the first meeting that "counts", for both character levels and dues, being at 8 people or above. As a reminder, our dues structure is that the first three meetings are free, and each meeting beyond that costs $1. However, only meetings of 8 or more people count for dues. This means everybody who showed up last time has now used their first free meeting. Once we start collecting money, I will add a section to the website to keep track of the books, so we're accountable for every cent spent.

Major Site Update

As you can probably tell, I just put the website through a major revision. I update all the graphics, and re-arranged the sections somewhat. Most notably, I added a section called Info that contains all of what used to be in Rules, and most of what was on the front page. Plus, I re-named the Media section to Images, which should be a bit clearer. Finally, and probably of the greatest import, I added the members section. Since we finally had a meeting of proper size, it's finally worth keeping track of attendance and character levels. You will find all this information published in the Members section. I only listed people's first names (besides Forrest and I), in order to maintain some privacy. But if you wish to not even have your first name posted, just drop me a line at mpowell@sphidia.com and I'll blank out your Player Name field. Also, please notify me if you have additional character levels I didn't list.

Monday, January 20th, 2003

UCSB Meetings on Hold

The Monday UCSB meetings are temporarily cancelled, due to scheduling conflicts, until we can figure out a new meeting time. If you have any suggestions, drop me a line at mpowell@sphidia.com. As soon as we have a new time figured out, I'll post it here and send it to the mailing list.

Added Images

I just finished compiling and uploading a bunch of images from the meeting on Sunday, January 5th. That was the weekend Chauncey was in town, and Will and Nicole stopped by for a little bit, and Kat decided to break out the camera. Check them out in the media section.

Monday, December 23rd, 2002

A Million Minor Updates

I made a whole slew of minor updates to the website, too many to list here, most of which probably won't even be noticed by anybody. The most notable, however, is that the Media section got another overhaul. I made an automated PHP image gallery system for Kat's site, and figured I might as well apply the same system to the image gallery here. So now it will be easier for me to add and update image galleries. Whenever we have more images to post.

Wednesday, December 18th, 2002

Two Towers Demo

The Two Towers demo went pretty well. We probably ended up giving cards to about 20 or 30 people. Lets see if any of them actually come to the meetings.

No Christmas Meetings

The meetings this weekend, being on December 22nd and 23rd, right before Christmas, aren't gonna happen. Most of us wouldn't be able to make it anyway, including me. I just hope all the people I just gave cards to at the Two Towers demo don't end up showing up.

Saturday, November 26th, 2002

Media Section Updated

I promised I would put some pictures up in the media section eventually, and I meant it. I've now added a bunch of shots we took this Sunday, and a new card design which I hope to get printed and distributed soon. Check them out.

Saturday, November 2nd, 2002

Page Updated

Well, a lot of little updates have been applied. I took down the old website, and replaced it with a forwarding page to here. I added a link to the mailing list on the FAQ on the front page. Finally, I decided it was time to give a general update on the progress of the chapter here.

So, the UCSB meetings have been going decently well. We've attracted a small but steadily growing stream of regulars. The Oak Park meetings have, on the other hand, been somewhat spotty. Due to various scheduling conflicts and transportation difficulties, the haven't been happening with great consistency. However, I think these difficulties are largely ironed out now, and they should be more reliable in the future, and I know a number of people who have expressed a greater interest in those meetings, so I'm hopeful for them.

Thursday, September 19th, 2002

New Meeting Times Confirmed

All right, the new meeting schedule is confirmed. From now on, we're meeting on Sundays at Oak Park at 1 PM, and Mondays at UCSB, also at 1 PM.

To find Oak Park, get off at the Los Positas exit from 101 and turn inland. Then, turn right on Tallant Rd. When you reach Clinton Terrace, turn left, and almost immediately turn right again back onto Tallant (it's staggered where it crosses Clinton). Then keep following Tallant until you each Alamar, and turn right. You'll already see Oak Park on your right. We meet on the big lawn next to the kiddie pool (or somewhere in that general viscinity, varying depending on how many birthday parties are happening there that weekend). For more info on how to find Oak Park, check out this convenient YahooMaps link.

To find the UCSB location, get off at Los Carneros from 101 and turn towards the ocean. Follow it until you reach El Colegio, and then turn left. It will soon take you into the UCSB campus. Soon after entering campus, turn right on Ocean Road. You should see our lawn on the right soon after you turn. It's a big triangular lawn, with Ocean Road on one side, the bike path between UCSB and IV on another side, and the Student Health building on the third side. Again, there is a convenient YahooMaps link for more info.

Of course, all of these directions are also now posted on the FAQ on the front page, for future reference.

Sunday Meeting Cancelled

However, the Sunday meeting isn't happening this weekend, since Forrest and I are both busy with Rocky, and Pan has no easy method of getting the weapons to the park, and we're already pushing on the last minute. However, the Monday meeting is still happening.

Saturday, September 7th, 2002

Website Opened

Well, I've nearly got the new website up, as you can see. At least, the design is here, and the most important sections are up. There actually is a little bit of viable media to put up in the Media section, which I'll get up soon, though there is still not a lot to post in the Members or Honors sections.

Anyway, we're about to head off to hold a meeting at UCSB. Probably our last Saturday UCSB meeting. We'll likely be meeting there on Mondays in the future. I'll post another update once we get the new schedule confirmed.