Thoughts on vigils, elevations and stuff.

[baronessekat]

So it's been several weeks since I got the writ. Since then I have done the following:

consulted with my sanity (aka dicea) on the beginnings. Came up with list of who I wish to speak for me for each of the other peerages and given said list to Boss. Though the ones for the Pelican and for the Royal Peers I asked myself. Came up with list of other "roles" that need to be filled such as Herald, keeper of the book, and a new position - bardic witness. I have passed this list off to Boss and 'dicea to contact those folks as well.

I have contacted and given documentation for garb to those who are making my vigil garb and elevation garb. Have had round of fabric shopping for elevation garb. Need to touch base with those who are making garb and see what they need from me next. Hey folks - what do you need from me?

Came up with a list of "if people ask how they can help this is what could/needs to be done" and given said list to Dicea and Boogie.

My realization so far on all this.... if a vigil/elevation is this much of a pain I never want to get married.

I have also come to learn that the time between the writ and the actual elevation is the final "test". I am learning that I do not need to be in charge of all the minutia, that I can delegate to others and trust that they will get it done. Though it seems weird to do so. I'm the organizing squire. I'm the planner, time table maker, coordinator. But I trust my friends. I trust that things will work out in the end.

Despite all that, there have been numerous times since coronation where I have said out loud "I'm THIS close to saying forget it". Or "can I have Las Vegas elevation? Go in my street clothes, stand before Elvis, say 'I will, I will, I do' and be done with it?" But that moment passes quickly.

I do have a question for all you peers (and other SCAdians) who are on my flist and do read my ramblings. If you are a peer - is there something that was done at your vigil/elevation that you wish hadn't happened or are really glad did happen? If you are not a peer, I am assuming you have witnessed an elevation or two and perhaps assisted with a vigil - can you think of anything that you saw during those that you liked or did not like?

Since I have time still and am in the planning/organizing phase of things I'm curious what others did and what I can do to make my vigil and elevation a good experience for not only myself but for those attending as well.

Comments

[keastree.livejournal.com]

I should probably remain silent, because I suppose the world has moved on from the bad old days when peerage elevations were still about the people being elevated, but I'll be straight up and say that I think that the whole business has gotten WAY out of hand in the last decade.

I had someone I adore tell me that this was all very healthy custom, and that the whole thing is quaintly about 'initiation'. Uh...okay. Whatever. It's a little more than a little offensive to me to hear getting a Peerage equated with any of the initiations that I have gone through.

Ekat, you can put the brakes on anything about this that makes you uncomfortable. That is your right. It's not a matter of trusting your friends, or not, it is just a matter of whether the process you undergo here reflects you or not. I don't think that there has to be some last-licks 'test'(or maybe the proper word is 'hazing') to make you a peer, or even a good one. Good peers are ethical, hardworking people who have, and continue to make meaningful contributions in their areas of expertise. It's in their blood.

If the Crown intends to elevate you, all you have to do is show up at the ceremony, wearing the clothes that you wore that got you the accolade(and perhaps borrow a radio and a golf cart), and remember to say "Thank you" at the end.

The things that I don't like about peerage elevations boils down to one simple thing: things being done that take the glory of the moment away from the person being elevated. There are a lot of competitive elements in the way vigils are held that I believe have no place there.

But hey, I think it's fabulous that you're being made a Pelican. You do deserve it.

[theboomboom.livejournal.com]

Oh. The temptation. Drive into court on the cart. Hand Ed the walkie. Climb out, walk up, say thanks, get back in cart. Beep back out.

When ever you stress, remember that image. :)

[baronessekat.livejournal.com]

Dicea suggested we "borrow" a cart for me to sit in during my vigil

[keastree.livejournal.com]

There is a golf cart precedent for peerages at Pennsic.

When they did Todric's double peerage, they commandeered him from wherever he was at the time and took him to a tent in which they had placed a golf cart. His vigil consisted of people coming in, sitting in the driver's seat, and dispensing whatever counsel they had for him before relinquishing the driver's seat to the next person in line.

I think that the best part of his ceremony, after the Moritu invasion of court, was when they asked if there was a medallion, and 7 of them appeared. People in my camp made most of them in this very weird little Laurel medallion fugue, and then we passed them out among Laurels we knew who were going to be there. The look on his face as people came up, placed the medallion in his hands, with nothing more than an "I have one", really made -him- the focus of the event. It was great, and it was the whole point.

[baronessekat.livejournal.com]

thank you for this. This is exactly why I posted this post and question here. To get those who are not closely involved and have no vested interest in the whole thing to help give me perspective.

[quicktongue.livejournal.com]

I've seen much_ado present a wombat at a Laurel's elevation.


Seriously.


At Pennsic.


Think about the guest list.

[baronessekat.livejournal.com]

what's wrong with that? Keep in mind my household was the AEthelmearc Royalty that presented the first King and Queen of Ealdormere a wolf puppet at their coronation.

[much-ado.livejournal.com]

as quicktongue points out, there is a longstanding tradition of Doing Weird Fun Stuff for elevations where i come from. handing the wombat out was one thing, but busting up the entire back of the barn with the comment, "i've got a slimy wombat stuffed in my short" was even better.

um... yeah... there's a reason why i'm almost never allowed into court these days, not even outside my own kingdom.

seriously (well...), though, if we make it to pennsic and you want the SPecial ealdormerean envoY(s) to put in an appearance, we will, but be warned - our chief weapon is surprise. surprise, and chaos. okay, surprise, chaos, and FUN :)

(could be the Ealdormerean Ambassador, could be Sister Insubstantia, could be the Coffee Ninja, could be the Mongolian Tourist... really, you just never know with these wildass northern types...)

[theboomboom.livejournal.com]

So glad you asked. :) Send me an email and tell me in little words (mostly kidding) what it is you want us to make, the fabrics you want it out of, and if you are going to Academy when I can play with your body ahem get measurements.

[damedini.livejournal.com]

Hi! Been having life. Will be making shirt this weekend. Did I tell you I have your blue book?
Next step is more fabric; for undershirt. Also, after I cut out the lining for the jacket, I'd prefer to have you present for a fitting.

[damedini.livejournal.com]

Bah! Hit "post" too soon.

I was in the very early days of vigils for non-knights. The vigil itself was nice, but chaotic. Someone who'd voted against me came and told me so, which is fine. But they also kept going and going for over an hour, arguing with me and carrying on. And there was a book for people to write things in so I would actually remember, but it never got to me.

The coolest thing that happened was Duke Dagan's impromptu standing and speechifying about me. I cried. Especially since I didn't really know him and he was attesting to what his friends had told him about me. *sob* There was also some chaos. My laurel wasn't present at either the vigilling or the elevation; no clue why she wasn't at the vigilling, but the Prince (also the knight who was to speak for me) was hurt and she was doctoring him. So another laurel begged and another knight spoke. I was surprised.

[utsi.livejournal.com]

i have white batiste remember?

[unadesaintluc.livejournal.com]

Remembering back, I was grateful for every little thing….from the buttons on my clothes, to the production of the “event”. Every bit, regardless of how big or small, was a gift…an act of love and generosity.

The only negative thing that I can think of was the Pennsic heat, which we had no control over. Thankfully, a very wonderful person brought a fan to my vigil and hid it in the corner so I wouldn’t die from the heat.

When I got the writ, I also went into a mode of thinking where I started to plan everything. I quickly learned to let go and put my trust into everyone else. It was really a hands-off experience for me. Looking back, I’m still amazed because there were only 2 weeks from the point of receiving the writ to the elevation to get everything together.

If I could turn back time and change one thing, I would have said “thank you” to everyone for their love and generosity 10 times more (and then add 100 more for good measure).

Vigil

[sillyviking.livejournal.com]

You should have your vigil AS a security shift at Pennsic. You want to talk to Ekat? Then sign up for a shift. At the vigil drive folks around on a golf-cart, and if Their Majesties should wish to speak with you, make sure they bring their retainers to process as you drive around with them in the cart.

I'm kidding, of course, but WTF, it's fun to think of such stuff...

[kelfstein.livejournal.com]

Sean ran the show for my vigil, I had some input but did not have a clue. He did a wonderful job and I could never thank him enough.
Some people like same day elevations, I do not. I helps you get ready, to let it sink in, I remember taking a shower the week after the writ and sticking my head out and asking Sean if it really did happen or was it just a dream. I was in shock. I got to think.
I got great advice at the vigil.
You are not made a peer the royalty only recognizes what you already are.
It is a great honor and sometimes a major pain.
I hear getting married is worse but I would not know, all that mundane crap and family would make it so for me.
e-mail me and we can talk more kelfstein@zoominternet.net