A little venting

[M E Wolf]

Being retired law enforcement, I've developed a thicker skin than most. I do have feelings though. I've read through this thread and can related to all that have posted here.

In my career, I am bent towards evidence, rather than hearsay, rumor, 'stories' and or myths...sometimes it is really a hunch, a 'feeling', an assumption or blindly following the local 'expert.'

In meeting such a broad spectrum of persons in Washington, D.C., from high office holders, diplomats, Government Administrators, military representatives from all kinds of nations/countries to include our own, many law enforcement agencies with limited scopes and powers to very broad, such as the FBI, US Secret Service, ATF, Treasury, etc., there isn't a shortage of attitudes that need to be adjusted and behavior that needs to be modified.

The oldest attitude/behavior being "I pay your salary"-- as a tax payer, I pay my own salary and its not much for what grief or danger we're faced with.

One thing that has held me in good stead all these years, is that talking with an 'expert'-- mentioned that real experts up front don't fail to mention that they may know a lot but, never know it all--especially when it comes to History where time has passed and the original participants have passed, documents lost, etc. I was advised to not give any slack to those to whom portray themselves as a know it all 'expert'-- for those are the ones that know the least and may/could have stolen previous knowledge published and or earned by someone that may not know the 'spirit of intent' of that individual. The worse negative behavior, insults and put downs a person utters, prints, etc., the less they know--its really a measure of how little they know.

Those to whom are experts, as this acknowledged expert quietly mentioned, are always looking for some new information to add to their knowledge pool. He left an open ended question to me, to which I shall share-- "Why burn bridges to the buried treasures by [self editing a profanity] themselves in the [self edited out profanity but, its located where the Sun doesn't shine] and come out their foul mouth?...

As for me, though I was deemed as an expert in an area, have never stated that I knew it all -- there will always be something new to learn.

In addition, there is a fellow, that is researching the Berdan Sharpshooters, and has acquired all of the letters of the man. Interesting tid bits unfold. His research I shall not tamper with, though my SO has helped with reading the handwriting...

It is good to vent once in a while. I find that when people do so, they shall find out that they are not alone in their frustration and emotions.

Meanwhile, one can only apologize for the ill behavior/attitude exhibited by the minority of the re-enactment and or living history community and, I no doubt feel, that experts of a nicer disposition, would apologize for behavior of the uniform experts out there. Sometimes contacting re-enactment tailors have a much better grasp on uniform and materials, as they have researched and have sewn the Hungarian Knots, the braid on the top of the kepi for officers and the rank proper amount of embellishments.

As with all of my posts of a personal nature, these are just my thoughts, observations, experiences and opinions.

M.E. Wolf

 

[MRB1863]

As with all of my posts of a personal nature, these are just my thoughts, observations, experiences and opinions.

...and thank you for sharing these noble thoughts with us, Mr. Wolf! Spoken from a heart that is obviously in the know!!!

 

[HardeeBoy]

There's always that one guy in any group of hobbyists. He's usually older, in groups with an even distribution of sexes is as likely to be female as male, has been there since forever and he values his status as dispenser of wisdom a bit too much. Investigation into his life outside the hobby usually discovers that he has He may wear his hair and beard in a style which makes him unemployable, or at least limits his options, or hold a degree which does the same, and he may spend enough on the hobby to have materially fallen behind others in his peer group. He gets most of his personal feelings of achievement from mentoring new people until they learn he's a windbag and grow away from him. Usually he holds some title within the group that allows him to martyr himself doing work no one else wants to do, which he feels gives him authority. Twenty years ago this person may have been genuinely kind and enthusiastic, but by the time he's reached his full development he's likely to be a toxic personality driven by barely understood bitterness. Why don't others appreciate his years of experience?

You offended him by not needing him, so then when you did ask a question he withheld information in an attempt to show his power. In our local SCA group we call such people by the name of one such local guru, who shall go nameless here in case he ever reads this.

It's a shame that often these very unattractive people (I'm referring to personality, although they have a tendency to be physically offputting as well) become the gatekeepers new members are most likely to encounter. But it's hard to stop that from happening. Because they have no lives, they are willing and eager to interfere in the lives of others. Nicer, more sensible people simply can't compete.

Wow. Allie I don't reenact either but I agree with Patrick H and GenDeb and others - what a post!!!!

Paraphrasing Renee Z's character from Jerry Macquire movie....You had me at "investigation into his life outside the hobby usually (reveals) he has paid a price for his obsession by falling behind in the metrics other people use to measure success....." lol, so depressingly true, for any hobby, that I had to smile and shake my head.