Update on the X Marks booth at the Pleasanton games

[way2fractious]

OK Plan #2, and I'm giving credit to way2fractious for this....

We just *Arrive* and set up a tent somewhere and settle in. Instead of making it a big, formal thing, we go low-key. OK, so who is planning on attending the Pleasanton Games? Chime in here, if you're planning on being there. They are Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day weekend.

http://www.caledonian.org/

Alan, since you give me credit for the idea, then I have to come to your aid when the debits pile up...

My original thread on the subject of a kiltmaking day (here: http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=18059) took on a life of its own when it was thought possible to use the games as the vehicle. Kiltmaking is simple but time-consuming; doing it at a games appears to be complex, costly, and time-consuming.

My one experience with a "personal" tent at games was to observe and cheer on an athlete in the heavy events. I did not sew a kilt while there, but I suppose that would have been OK. We invited a few coworkers to stop by, sit a spell, and enjoy a refreshment. No problem. Had we hung up a sign that said, "GO, MARK!" (which we didn't), I doubt any rules would have been broken.

It's in the matter of representation that lines are crossed and formal registration required. I'm still for the idea of a tent, chairs, small table, small portable DIY projects brought by individuals, and some word-of-mouth info (or forum posts) about where one might drop in for a rest in the shade, a dip into an ice chest, or take a few pictures. OK, no banners or signs or handouts (this is the representation part.) If a few drop-ins happen to be wearing familiar kilt pins, cap badges, T-shirts, or proprietary tartan kilts, who's to say not?

If it really is an Herculean Task to arrange a meeting spot at a Highland games venue, perhaps another tack could be taken. (How's that for mixing metaphors? )

Maybe Devil's Canyon Brewery would like to become a sponsor the next year... Maybe a meeting room could be arranged in Las Vegas next April... Maybe someone with a big back yard... (Maybe tents on Hamish's struggling lawns?... )
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Aside from all the above, I'm going to the Pleasanton Games on Saturday, September 2nd. I really should start running now to prepare my legs and lungs for the kilted mile, wearing MacLaren colors. (...unless forum members wish to sanction my entry wearing XMarks tartan )

[macwilkin]

My one experience with a "personal" tent at games was to observe and cheer on an athlete in the heavy events. I did not sew a kilt while there, but I suppose that would have been OK. We invited a few coworkers to stop by, sit a spell, and enjoy a refreshment. No problem. Had we hung up a sign that said, "GO, MARK!" (which we didn't), I doubt any rules would have been broken.

It's in the matter of representation that lines are crossed and formal registration required. I'm still for the idea of a tent, chairs, small table, small portable DIY projects brought by individuals, and some word-of-mouth info (or forum posts) about where one might drop in for a rest in the shade, a dip into an ice chest, or take a few pictures. OK, no banners or signs or handouts (this is the representation part.) If a few drop-ins happen to be wearing familiar kilt pins, cap badges, T-shirts, or proprietary tartan kilts, who's to say not?

(...unless forum members wish to sanction my entry wearing XMarks tartan )

I've never been to a games before where there are "personal tents"; I've been to games where there are campgrounds, but I can't say I've ever seen anyone just put a "pop-up" tent up along the athletic field, clan row, etc. Most games "sell" tent spaces as a way to raise revenues -- the insurance alone for games is "sky-high". The organizers are going to see a tent, and most likely ask for registration fees -- hence, why contact needs to be made, as well as introductions. Has anyone else ever seen this?

And btw, I am not posting this advice to be mean towards Alan -- as I have explained before, I have actually help plan and organize games in SW Missouri since the late 1990's. I'm just offering "food for thought" and trying to help Alan so that way the games will not be ruined for anyone. Most spectators at games simply do not realize all of the blood, sweat and tears that go into them. I'm sorry, w2f, if you think otherwise, but that was not my intention.

Personally, if Alan and the rest of the CA Xmarkers want to have a place to hang out, I would talk to Alan's friends at the Clan Macfarlane or Macnaughton tents and see if you could make it a "basecamp" of sorts for this year, and as Panache suggested, introduce the games staff to Xmarks.

TJW

[Panache]

Alan,

We appreciate all you do for we Northern California X Markers!

You are a dynamic guy and when you want to do something, you just want to make it happen. We are lucky to have you.

Sadly, when large groups are involved things can be ...well...less focused and dynamic.

We will will have an X Marks tent, it will just take a little time.

Cheers

[Alan H]

I took a suggestion from Cajunscot and went straight to the top. The Chief of the Caledonian Club has all his contact information, right up top on the downloadable pdf of their newsletter. It's right there for the whole world to see it.

OK, so I called him and left a message with his wife this afternoon. Then I e-mailed him at work. I asked her if it was OK to e-mail him, and she said "yes". Everything was polite, no ranting! I just made a simple request as to "where can I register my group?" We'll see if anyone gets back to me.

If nothing happens, then forget it.

I'm convening the MacNaughton tent at the Ben Lomond Games in October, so the Clan will host XMarks again, like it did at the Campbell games.

Cajunscot, at the Campbell Games it's commonnplace for Athletics competitors and Dance competitors to bring 10 x 10 sunshades. The Heavy Athletics field is basically ringed by competitors sunshades. I don't know if individual dancers bring tents, but certainly dance groups and "studios"..meaning a group of dancers that study with the same teacher bring 10 x 10 tents. I'm pretty sure they don't register them. There were tents much like this around the Heavy Athletics field at the Livermore Games last year, but I didn't get to the Athletics field this year, so I didn't notice if they were there, or not. I don't know how things go at the Dunsmuir and Pleasanton and Ben Lomond games, as I haven't attended them, yet. Those are the other three big "Games" here in the SF Bay Area.

I know Cajunscot isn't being mean, he's just being careful and is keenly aware of all the work that goes on to pull a Games off. No worries!

[Kilted KT]

If you still want to make the banner happen, I'll be happy help with the finances. Shoot me a PM with the details.

[way2fractious]

And btw, I am not posting this advice to be mean towards Alan -- as I have explained before, I have actually help plan and organize games in SW Missouri since the late 1990's. I'm just offering "food for thought" and trying to help Alan so that way the games will not be ruined for anyone. Most spectators at games simply do not realize all of the blood, sweat and tears that go into them. I'm sorry, w2f, if you think otherwise, but that was not my intention.

Todd, I really, truly do feel you are giving good advice, with no rancor or malice given, or taken. Perhaps our experiences with the sunshades differ because of our differing climates (and California's propensity for outlandish wierdness. )

It seems Alan and I and you are wrestling with a new idea - that a new "un-clan" is arising. A special interest group (kiltwearing SIG) has grown/is growing in cyberspace, creating a virtual kilted world. Those members who are geographically close together carry this sense of identity with them when organizing kilt nights or meetings at highland games. How is this "un-clan" different from, or similar to, organizations such as a Scottish Military Chapter or the (generic) "South County Chapter of Celtic Descendants" or the Utiliklan? The last is a marketing scheme, the prior by bloodline, the next prior by military service, but XMarks is by voluntary assent to an idea not tied to any vendor. The question is: How should XMarks representation be classified?

Sorry, I'm all question and no answer.

way2fractious,
Way Too Impetuous

[macwilkin]

It seems Alan and I and you are wrestling with a new idea - that a new "un-clan" is arising. A special interest group (kiltwearing SIG) has grown/is growing in cyberspace, creating a virtual kilted world. Those members who are geographically close together carry this sense of identity with them when organizing kilt nights or meetings at highland games. How is this "un-clan" different from, or similar to, organizations such as a Scottish Military Chapter or the (generic) "South County Chapter of Celtic Descendants" or the Utiliklan? The last is a marketing scheme, the prior by bloodline, the next prior by military service, but XMarks is by voluntary assent to an idea not tied to any vendor. The question is: How should XMarks representation be classified?

It's not really a new idea, though...In fact, I would say it's similar to the Clan MacBubba and the Clan McFritz. And there are other groups that set up at games: The Scottish District Families Association, the Scottish American Military Society, the local Scottish society, etc.

btw, Many clan societies are being limited at present from selling clan items (shirts, caps, etc.) because of the vendors not wanting "competition". So, that is why myself and others have cautioned against selling items or even appearing to sell them.

But ultimately, the decision rests with the individual highland games. Hence, why I am suggesting contacting them before you do anything. See the disclaimer from the Pleasanton Games I copied earlier; they decide who is a "clan", who is a "vendor", etc. because it is their games.

As far as the climate goes, have you ever been to SW Missouri in August? Just as hot and sunny as California. But the whole concept of "personal" tents at games is a new one. Wouldn't they block others' view?

T.

[way2fractious]

Well, I think I'll leave this final contact to Alan.

I'll be at the games one way or the other (one tent or another, XMarks or MacLaren.) As far as the kilted mile, it will be in MacLaren tartan because Elsie talked me out of using the XMarks tartan at kiltmaking camp this next week. (See http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...4&postcount=13 )

The sunshades I've seen have been for the competitors' support staff and cheering section, usually family members. Bleachers, rarely grandstands, are usually provided for the general public on the opposite side of the field.

As far as the climate goes, have you ever been to SW Missouri in August? Just as hot and sunny as California.

Nope, not in August. The closest I've been to your location is the Kansas/Missouri border just east of Pittsburg, on May 27th of last year after crossing Kansas on a bicycle. (And next May or June I will cross SW Missouri, including Springfield, on my way to that same border to finish off my coast to coast riding adventure.) Maybe it's California's water, or politics, that accounts for the difference in sunshades. :rolleyes:

w2f, about to practice being quiet.

[Alan H]

I've pitched the notion to the Caledonian Club that while X Mafks isn't a clan, we are in fact something much like the South Bay Scottish Society, or the Jacobite Army. These are two local SF Bay Area associations with obviously Scottish connections, but not linked by genetics. They're much like what you suggest, Todd. So it seems to me.....TO ME, not necessarily to the Club of course, that an X Marks presence should be handled much like how they handle one of those associations.

We'll see if I hear back. I'm going on vacation tomorrow, so I'll be offline for a week, which will give them plenty of chance to respond to yesterdays phone calls and e-mails.

[Colin]

XMarks is by voluntary assent to an idea not tied to any vendor. The question is: How should XMarks representation be classified?

Not to get into the whole booth at a games and contacts (I will leave that for Todd as he knows more than I do on the subject), but in terms of Xmarks representation, I see this as a muddy issue.

<moderator hat off, and 2 year+ forum member hat on>

Xmarks is a web forum (free to all the members) and is common ground that we can easily identify, but it is also the webmaster's product and livelyhood. It is Hank's product and he makes money throught the advertisments and such so that the site can keep going.

Hank also has (had?) Highlandtide which he set up a booth for at highland games, so Xmarks is affiliated (at least partially right now) with an existing vendor. I think that any sales or personal product promotion at a "Xmarks booth" set up by forum members is not right or fair to Hank or the hard work he has put into this site for us. Unless of course Hank has given his blessing for any sales or promotions.

I think it's great you guys are trying to get the message out and get more people into kilt wearing and maybe onto the forum. Let's just make sure we don't bite the hand that feeds us. Despite all the hoopla that seems to have gone into getting a booth at the games, I hope you guys have a great time and remember the games are for fun so chill out, have a pint of Bass (Mmmmm), and have a good time.

<moderator hat back on>