| Things I learned in the military, and outside as well... |
[11 Nov 2009|07:47pm] |
I have been affiliated with the military for almost 3/4's of my life:
A dependent child from birth through 19.
Active duty from 19 to 23.
Wife of active duty from 21 until 27.
Wife of a retiree from 36 until forever.
There is a list of things I have learned, some of you may agree with, some not. These are just the things borne out in my experience:
1. Home is where you make it. It has nothing to do with blood family. It has to do with connection and spirit.
2. No news source will ever get all of the story. On anything. No matter what their political bent. You only think you get the truth. You get as much of the truth as someone else thinks you can handle. That is not conspiracy theory, that is reality.
3. Stupidity and poor judgment is not dependent on education, ethnic background, gender or position in society.
4. Moving and leaving your family and friends will not kill you. You survive.
5. You can, in fact, survive almost anything.
6. Staying in touch with those you leave will be harder than you think.
7. If you make the effort, you can adapt to any situation.
8. Adapting is unconscious in all but the most rigid of people.
9. Change is inevitable.
10. So is loss.
11. Living out of a box for three months while waiting for your household goods is only fun if you are under the age of 10.
12. You will never be able to fit all of the crap you brought with you from home back into a duffle bag when it is time to go home.
13. You can live on cold canned ravioli and M&M's for weeks if the alternative is the contractor-run Mess Hall in Saudi.
14. Nothing will scare you as much as seeing the building you lived in, on the side you lived in while you were deployed in Saudi Arabia blown to bits... even if you hadn't been there in a while. Except maybe being there when it happened .
15. Nothing is sexier than a 97 foot long 12 foot high helicopter. NOTHING. You can keep your bikes and your V8 classic cars..
 
Just reading the specs gets my heart going.
The MH-53J Pave Low III heavy-lift helicopter is the largest, most powerful and technologically advanced transport helicopter in the US Air Force inventory. The terrain-following and terrain-avoidance radar, forward looking infrared sensor, inertial navigation system with Global Positioning System, along with a projected map display enable the crew to follow terrain contours and avoid obstacles, making low-level penetration possible.
Yes, I am a geek. And it was the most awesome helicopter in the US inventory until it was retired on September 27th, 2008.
16. You will inevitably find yourself talking to the only other military person at a civilian party... even if you've never met them before, and had no clue they served. It's radar. 75% of the time you'll like them.
17. Bil always carries his squadron and AFSOC coin. I just got lucky and nailed him without them at Lilies. I can never be without MY squadron coin around Bil. Bil thinks it's funny that I pulled a coin check on him. :-)
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| A Little Kipling |
[11 Nov 2009|08:52pm] |
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The New Knighthood
WHO gives him the Bath?
"I," said the wet,
Rank-Jungle-sweat,
"I'll give him the Bath!"
Who'll sing the psalms?
"We," said the Palms.
"Ere the hot wind becalms,
"We'll sing the psalms."
Who lays on the sword ?
"I," said the Sun,
Before he has done,
"I'll lay on the sword."
"Who fastens his belt?
"I," said Short-Rations,
" I know all the fashions
"Of tightening a belt!"
Who gives him his spur?
"I," said his Chief,
Exacting and brief,
"I'll give him the spur."
Who'll shake his hand?
"I," said the Fever,
"And I'm no deceiver,
"I'll shake his hand."
Who brings him the wine?
"I," said Quinine,
"It's a habit of mine.
"I'11 come with his wine."
Who'll put him to proof?
"I," said All Earth.
"Whatever he's worth,
"I'll put to the proof."
Who'll choose him for Knight?
"I," said his Mother,
"Before any other,
"My very own Knight."
And after this fashion, adventure to seek,
Sir Galahad made--as it might be last week!
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| music geeking. again. |
[11 Nov 2009|06:44pm] |
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mood |
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 creative |
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music |
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Firecracker-Lisa Loeb-Firecracker |
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I think I found a new, in period, Christmas song I need to learn.
There is No Rose of Such Virtue. All thanks to Sting, yet again.
Dadgonnit. I'm a fangirl. *face-palm*
The tune's a little wonky, but with some time with a piano, I could probably figure it out enough to memorise it.
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) akitrom, could we try singing this at Kris Kinder or Twelfth Night this year, if you'll be there? Pleeeease? :D (While I'm there, I'll hopefully have my camera to get a photo of you, too so I can get that icon knocked out of the way.)
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| What would bring you back to the EK List? |
[11 Nov 2009|07:12pm] |
I bet there are folks here who do not remember the Rialto (rec.org.sca) and even fewer when it was a very useful discussion community.
A number of problems -- and changes in use of the Internet, has pretty much left it a shell of its former self.
Then there's the EK List.
Criticism has been getting more and more strenuous over postings there. Even I, who needs to know everything, got out a couple of months ago.
But when there are things happening that are as nasty as have happened over the last week or so, driving the king to make a proclamation and more and more people to leave the list, it's hard to ignore it.
A number of us, by invitation, have been batting around ideas about what would need to happen to make it a vibrant, useful part of the East Kingdom again, rather than a place new folks are warned about and hard feelings sprout.
I have lots of ideas. I always do.
But what are your ideas?
If you were the tsar or tsarina (czar or czarina?) of the EK List and had total power to make any changes, what would you do?
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| Thursday evening: Busy in the kitchen . . . . |
[11 Nov 2009|07:07pm] |
1. So apparently something I said or did has made me one of "You people." I don't ever remember being one of "You people" before.
2. Signal-boost: My friend valr has three helms for sale, and he also does wicked cool woodworking.
3. If you know Duchess Mary Grace from Gleann Abhainn, Queen Brenwen asks that you send a note to queen@eastkingdom.org and let her know that. No, nothing is wrong.
4. Big cooking day. Brownies, pumpkin bread (with applesauce instead of oil, chicken-fried steak and chicken-fried pork (yes, I see the juxtaposition), and I also heated up some ravioli. Nom!
5. I find LJ to be fascinating sometimes in terms of what draws a lot of posts. There are certain days, like Veterans Day, that draw a lot of heartfelt postings. There are other days like that, too. Deaths, especially science fiction folks, beloved actors/actresses, politicians and others get a lot of posts. It is interesting to see who gets more posts than others. My LJ friends are also intensely interested in the political, even on the many groups I am on. As I am thinking about this, it seems as though I am seeing fewer and fewer memes here. Are people doing them on facebook instead?
6. From www.ktnv.com:
I do very much agree with this judge.
Despite objections from a number of parents, two controversial high school plays will go on. Several parents of students at Green Valley High School took their objections to the plays "Laramie Project" and "Rent" all the way to the court system. Tuesday, a judge ruled. When Green Valley senior, Meagan Smith, is finished performing in the "Laramie Project" this weekend, she'll exit stage left, with the feeling she was in the right. "I don't really know if it [the controversy] was necessary, but I'm a firm believer in expressing your opinion," says Megan. "There are not grounds upon which I could grant injunctive relief in favor of the plaintiffs," says District Judge, David Wall. Wall ruled the "Laramie Project," and also the play "Rent" will go on as scheduled. Some parents had filed an injunction, trying to stop the performances because they have homosexual characters, some of whom have AIDS, and center around the theme of tolerance. But Judge Wall ruled that it's a matter of choice. "There's no showing of any mandatory participation by any student," says Wall.
7. I lost the photo for No. 7 somehow.
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| Feast of the Hare 2009 |
[11 Nov 2009|05:10pm] |
Feast of the Hare 1999 was our first event. This officially marked a decade in the SCA. Piers got his AoA at court, which was a fabulous 10th anniversary present for him.
In many ways, this Hare brought us full circle. At our first event, everything was fabulous because we'd never seen anything like it and everything was a new experience. This may have been my favourite Hare ever. I had some lackluster ones between 2003-2006, but eventually I learned that the only person who could make or break Hare for me was myself. I stopped complaining that there wasn't anything to do and I started making my own fun.
It was the most bardic Hare of any that I have attended. Marie ran a period drinking song class and I ran a bardic circle. Both were attended by about 7-9 people. At some point between the 2 of them, most of the top bards and singers of the barony stopped by. I met a woman who is new to the canton and is working on her first song. I got to sing my unfinished first song. Marie taught us to sing a few naughty songs. Hey You did one of Hector's poems. I had one of my pieces requested. I came overly prepared and had pieced that I never performed. I was happy about the synergy and how one thing flowed into something else. It was as good a bardic circle as I've seen in Caldrithig for a while.
We did children's theatre at feast. I did "The Coming of the Tuatha de Danann" with me narrating and the kids acting it out. Projection wise, it worked better than trying to get the kids to project to a feast hall. I think people liked it. In addition to the regulars (Grainne, Cristobell, Elizabeth the Fierce, and Guin), I had two children from Kitchener (Isaac the Pirate and Emma of Ramshaven). Even Avalon wandered around. The best complements I got were Isaac and Emma's mother thanking me for doing this with her kids and Duchess Rustique telling me that when her boys are older than she would trust me completely with them. It's a real honour that people trust you with the most important thing the SCA has.
Feast wasn't my favourite, due to my own pickiness and not any fault on Siglinde's part. My favourite dish was the veal pie. We were a table of 7 instead of 8 and I somehow got to be the person who got the extra piece of pie. Actually, I ate far less than I normally do at feast and this is a good thing. I have been on Atkins for part of 2009. Prior to dieting, my portion size was out of whack and one of the things I changed about myself was to learn to be happier on less food. My dinner companions were awesome: Jacomo, Heather & Tempus, Gabrielle, and Llewellyn and yet I barely got a chance to talk with any of them. Between the children's theatre (which I ran) and the drinking song contest (which their Excellencies had asked me to help judge), I was in my seat for less than half of feast. Instead of asking myself "Did I eat $14 worth of food" (which is always where I go wrong at all-you-can-eat buffets), the question for the night was "Did I have $14 worth of fun at feast?" That answer is a resounding "yes".
The drinking song contest was fun. Marie sang on her own and she had a group of singers, which some how included me, do the Alehouse song. I had prepared a song, but luckily it was not needed. Luckily both for their Excellencies as I still need work and also for me as it meant that I did not have to win carrot vodka. :) Her Excellency successfully completed her White Wolf Fionn project. Marina, Henrietta, and Emelot all declared their challenges.
Court was very long. As I am part of baronial entourage, I had to stand on my Irish shoes. Yet, although it was long, it was good and I can't think of anything that could have been cut. The cantons presented their taxes. Elenud had organized the children to present taxes. I had written something for Grace to read, but she refused to do it. Court was after feast this year and the kids were tired. When my kids get tired, they get: 1) hyper and silly, 2) whiny and ready to cry over nothing, or 3) crabby about everything. Grace was #2. Fortunately Emily and Micaylah read it. There were many baronial awards and pieces of tail given out, including Jason and Elenud's twin girls. Aelfleda was given the Hare sowrd for the person who contributed the most on the day of the event.
Kingdom court was wonderful. Many years people get awards who are from other cantons and I've never heard of them. This year, I not only knew every single person who got an award but I agreed with all of them. AoAs went to Piers, Michael Easterbrook, Isaac Spinoza (from Trumbrand and Kaylah's reign two years ago), and one I can't mention as s/he wasn't present. Constance and Baroness Rozalynd both got AMH. Master Brand got an ASB. James Blackcloak got an Orion for dance. Pier's scroll was done by Corwyn and Domhnaill Galbraith. It gold with Celtic knot work and it is stunning - like as stunning as my 3 scrolls put together. I am so pleased for him, especially since he has got into scroll work and tries to make nice scrolls for other people.
Piers had a good Hare. He brought artwork to work on and had conversations all day. I got him to stay for court by telling him that he should come and watch Grace make her presentation.
Grainne had a good Hare. She played with the other girls. She loved performing at feast. Avalon was picked up by my father between 1:30-5 for a break for her. I was surprised at how much fun she had with the other children. There was one mishap when she fell off the stage while trying to jump like the bigger girls. She ran around too much during court and ended up on the Baroness's lap at one point. Other people seem to have children who wear Elizabethan and never get dirty. Mine always seem to look like medieval urchins. Avalon's dress still has the grass stains from Pikeman's. At one point, they had both taken their shoes off and were running around barefoot. Grace managed to keep her purple belt on all day, but I had to confiscate her circlet because she was lying down and it was always askew. They both need new garb for Practicum.
Jeff briefly showed up to get rid of some of Genevieve's fabric that he has been storing for 7 years. I took some and the rest is going to the BST auction. That is full circle too - at my first Hare, I wore one of Genevieve's dresses. A decade late and I have been enriched by her fabric horde.
Hare was Genevieve Constable's 16th birthday! They let her sit at head table. She said that she had a wonderful day. Piers had done a piece of artwork for her to thank her for helping look after our girls at Pikeman's. Since it was her birthday, it was a bit like a present.
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| In Flanders Fields |
[11 Nov 2009|05:27pm] |
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mood |
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 contemplative |
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Because dread_exposted a wonderful video clip:
In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
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[11 Nov 2009|04:23pm] |
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mood |
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accomplished |
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I might actually have this mostly done by Friday.
Holy crap.
A goddess of lost causes? Me? Really?
*grin*
Anyway, the second roundel is mostly filled. Next thing to do is to embroider the borders of the cross of Calatrava and the border of the roundel itself. I'll also take this opportunity to tack down the long satin stitches so they'd survive the wash. No way do I want to redo this any time soon. That would be heart-breaking.
Also, I think the best way to launder it is to take it to a stream and beat the crap out of it. (I kid.) Really, though, I think that by keeping this out of the dryer might be the best thing to do for this.
To do:
Buy trim
Buy more pearled cotton in DMC, size 5, in #550 (that's very dark purple, according to them)
Eventually embroider roundels on the back
Next project: matching paternosters for Their Majesties?
Have large gold beads, and plenty of small amethyst. Need to get larger amethyst, purple silk, and more pearls. Possibly small gold-coloured beads.
Plot plot plot.
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| Three Things Make a Post |
[11 Nov 2009|04:58pm] |
- I stood today, without moving, for 30 minutes. No leaning and with minimal shifting. It almost killed me. I cannot recall the last time I stood for five minutes without having something to lean on. Standing continues to baffle me. I look at people that do it without effort, like birds in flight, and think “How do you do that?” I can lean for a long period and I can walk almost forever, but standing still with no movement....my mind (and back) boggle. I cannot feel my feet. I’m not sure I want to ~ There will be a price paid.
- In an indirectly related note; I hate the 360’s. I hate them and greatly look forward to leaving them behind me forever! I feel like a boat in irons. This plateau, despite being prepared for it, sucks. If nothing else, it’s ruining my impressive (and mathematically simple) weekly average. 11 does not go neatly into 40, no Sir it does not. How I long for the 350’s. Yesterday certainly did not help. I had thought a quiche would be a healthy choice given the restaurant I was in. Eggs, cheese and a little ham; baked...sounds perfect, right? It seems that cream is also used in the preparing of quiche....lots and lots of cream. Cream by the bucket. This may call for additional measures. Perhaps dinner tonight would be a good time to play with egg whites.
- Completely unrelated, I am working on a project at work that has the coolest names crossing my desk; Robertson Davies, Margaret Atwood, Jim Balsillie, George Ramsay Cook, Lester B. Pearson, and Sir David Roxbee Cox. AND I get to dig into archives. It’s likely not cool to anyone but me, but I’m enjoying the project greatly.
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| 667: Skinny-Dipping After Work at the Drive-In |
[11 Nov 2009|04:28pm] |
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music |
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Я устал - Quest Pistols |
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"Skinny-Dipping After Work at the Drive-In"
Debra Nystrom
No moon; the pickup's headlights stare
across the river from the bluff above, where
fields of sunflower heads turn away,
waiting for dawn. It's cold, yelps Amy,
and Brian calls where are you
but she screams no, get away, so
he and Tommy laugh, dive under for
her legs again. In March I skated over
this same place, past Farm Island, leaving
my track lines in the snow hard to imagine
now, and even then the water must
have moved like this beneath me, erasing
bodies' outlines, as if everything touched
everything all the time.
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| Wednesday afternoon: Thanks to the veterans! |
[11 Nov 2009|04:10pm] |
If you ever served or if you serve now: Thank you!
1. We can haz new readerz. Every since the marnanel joule tracker went away, I have not been good at welcoming new folks.\
So, let's give a big, happy Liamverse welcome toknobhby, alisonpv, blaisepascal and miamstem!
If anyone else has climbed aboard lately, and I missed you, please chime in.
2. I had my to-do list done by 2 p.m., so I had a nice coffee and a couple of newspapers at the Rock Hill Bake House.
Did the laundry, cleaned the kitchen, put all the food away, put books away and brought most of the recycling out to the truck.
I also went grocery shopping, put all that stuff away, am making brownies and cleaned the toilet.
3. I missed Thanksgiving Day football already. I grew up in Westerly, and we played Stonington every year. You could get in excess of 5,000 or more there. One year, both teams went on to win state titles (Westerly in RI, Stonington in Conn.). ( covered the game for years for The Day and/or the Providence Journal. Because of life, I probably have not gotten to a game in five years or more. It was cool when I started seeing the sons of folks I went to high school with playing in the game. We will be in New Jersey, then Pennsylvania.
4. My nephew, my sister's oldest son, is apparently "wicked smaht" and is looking at some big-time and expensive schools. Decent kid. I hope he gets some scholarship money and gets to a great school.
5. I am actually doing some writing for work. I wrote an article on "How to get an e-mail address for your job hunt." for people who know little about the Internet. It's fast becoming a barrier for people. There are a lot of places that only take applications on the Internet.
6. My dad was a veteran. He served in London as a clerk typist. He was in a air-arid shelter when his office got bombed.
7. I do not know where my pictures of the cemetery at Normandy are. They were taken years ago.
Here's one from Jason's Travel Photography on flickr.
If you have been there, I know you have strong memories of it.
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| Trying to use Scrapbook to post pictures |
[11 Nov 2009|11:22am] |
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mood |
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 accomplished |
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 | | Soren's AoA
In Old Norse with the English written on the back. The scroll was a little bigger than my scanner so the line you see is just a result of the poor collage job I did in Photoshop. I ended up using Drottin for lord and Hoefthingi and Hoefthings-kona for prince and princess. | |
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| The Helms |
[11 Nov 2009|02:32pm] |
If you're just checking in, see here for the whys and wherefore's.
The Helms-
Here is a picture of all three helms currently up for sale. The first two are rather well made spangenhelms in mild steel that should fit small to medium heads. Big gnarly on the far right is a slat-back Norman Spangen.
( Details and specifics behind the cut )
Also, all three of these are positioned on a waxed and highly polished 9inch wide Arming Bench. This was the first of its kind and has seen a lot of use and abuse. I'll be posting detailed pics of the bench, stools and tables once the weather breaks.
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[11 Nov 2009|10:49am] |
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Woke up late and missed the gym with the girls, but so far I've been able to breath out of both nostrils most of the time. I'll count this as a win...
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