Pikeman's Pleasure

[dubhease]

It was a fabulous weekend. We stayed over Friday night at Helen’s cottage, Windsong, which was as gorgeous as its name. Piers remarked that it was probably my idea of a cottage because it had a dishwasher & a washing machine and a T.V. It actually reminded me of a few retreat centres I’ve stayed at - lots of bedrooms, a few common rooms, and

Comments

[dubhease]

He isn't mean nor is he trying to be a jerk. My theory is that being military, having the second worst score at the last two archery events is hard on him. After all the military is all about proficiency in weapons and archery was in period a military activity rather than a recreational sport. He says things to me not with a Nelson Muntz-ish "ha-ha. Look at you" but rather with a gleeful "wow. I'm not the worst". I don't think he has the slightest clue how badly he makes me feel at times.

I also end up feeling self-conscious around him because he's local. It never bothered me to come in last in archery events until Aelfwyn went to Late Winter Shoot. This is my baggage from growing up where I was taught to stick to what I was good at and not try new things in case I failed, or if I had to try new things to not tell anyone what I was doing so that no one would know if I failed. Aelfwyn is not a gossip, but I felt weird shooting with her because in the back of my mind, I was thinking "She could go back to Caldrithig and tell everyone how badly I'm failing."

One thing I love about the SCA is the whole culture of always learning and trying new things. It doesn't matter if it's a marshal sport or an art or science, if you totally screw up the first couple of times, most people's attitude is simply "You'll get better the more you do it."

[beable]

And being military he might be thinking that it's a camaradie commiseration thing.

I looked back at your posts, and you are talking about who I thought you were.

I'd pull him aside and point it out to him. He is young and slightly socially unaware sometimes, and he probably would benefit from hearing that his behaviour is having an unintended effect.