It should be more than apparent by now that I feel no obligation to post here. Quality before quantity is the watchword, since my original plan was to have a string of mini-essays, rather than a flowing conversation. This blog is a repository (*re*-posi — never mind…) for my own thoughts so that they are frozen for future review. I wanted a not-so-weighty record of myself true to the moment.
Suddenly, I am reminded of the journals of my youthy-youth packed in boxes upstairs. Unread.
Having said that (I've just realized I must preface every mini-essay here before diving into the topic — much like this parenthetical aside), I did want to discuss a few things I've experienced recently.
Yesterday was September 11th. I now know three people whose birthday is guaranteed to be marred, if not eclipsed, by the falling of the Twin Towers (Amber, Bill and Lady Sasha). But New York City was able to mourn. That was very valuable and touching. There was no misdirected war march to Eurasia to postpone our grieving. Thanks Little Brother! So long, and thanks for all the oil!
To celebrate our freedom, Katherine, Anias and I went golfing at Meadow Lakes. It was a perfect day for golfing, and a very nice course, if a little patchy and malevolent. I had a wonderful time, and was amazed at how serious Anias had been about golf before — he was on the high school team. I also was glad to see Katherine find her swing. After observing and suggesting different things to an increasingly frustrated Katherine, Anias finally guessed that the clubs were too long. Choking up on them let her whack away. All of us had some very satisfying shots. Most of mine were straight, though the angles were occasionally less than satisfactory. We almost had a fistfight, too. 'Fore' my ass. Passive aggressively, they were not permitted to play through.
Dinner at Yama, then fencing. It was a very good time, though I have a dance with Christian waiting this Sunday. Katherine and I did not fence either. I was glad she pulled me in to teach Wex, an enthusiastic beginner. He wanted to play Lodovick style, with lots of upper body taunts and retreats. And I was pleasantly surprised to run into Captain Terran (sounds like a bad sci-fi pulp), whom I hadn't seen since War when we met at the Novice Tourney. Turns out he's a fellow Avarim, as well as several others at the practice!
I was glad Anias and I made time to play. He tore my arms up wickedly and walked all over me with his epee. I had better results with my Hanwei, but it still was a real challenge.
And afterwards, Illadore, Anias, Maewyn and I went out to eat at the Boston Beanery. It was a good opportunity to discuss a wide range of topics. Illadore is very concerned with the patronizing treatment female fighers can receive from male fighters. There are more than a few happenings, some I've witnessed, that underscore a serious problem.
It is an injustice, but I told her I feel that words like 'feminism' and 'sexism' close doors we are trying to open. In the end, actions will speak loudly and clearly. Thanks to Matthew, I've digested a lot of Foucault who has some valuable insights into power dynamics. When confronted with an oppressive discourse, we can support it by resisting it, or we can diminish it by initiating a new discourse. Recreate your reality in your image, as you will it to be. Pass Go. Collect $200.
Please read Illadore's blog for more on this topic (ignore the self-important trollish comments). Her friend, Tyee, makes especially good comments, including a link to an insightful report made by senior MIT faculty.
As an aside: farewell to Warren and Johnny. Both of you were strong iconoclasts who weren't afraid to speak the truth. You touched my heart deeply. Journey well.
Posted by Mike at September 12, 2003 10:18 PM | TrackBackThats exactly why I love this man. His compasion and love for friends and others helps him stand out not only to me but others. A loving wife. Vicki
Posted by: vicki mann aka Maewynn on September 13, 2003 07:57 AMI guess I just felt the need to respond to the 9/11 birthday issue. It comes up for me on such a regular basis, especially as of late.
I don't feel that the events that happened on Sept. 11th in this country takes anything from the day. Truly, to me it just another day. I honor the horror and the suffering that took place that day as well as the misguided, though justifiable rage that was the catalyst to such an event. In truth, so many other atrocities have happened throughout the world on this date, many directly involving our own government, that it is hard for me to say that this isn't just antoher day in the world as it exists right now. Every day people are killed, maimed, murdered and oppressed. Groups of people, tribes, cultures are dying because of ego, will, fear, and greed. It happens every day.…. so again while I honor those who died in this country on that day and those who grieve, I don't feel the need to take that onto myself any more than any other day. I had a beautiful day on my birthday, filled with many friends and a lot of love. There was a harvest moon I exchanged energy with for more than a moment…something truly fitting and profound for me at his time in my life. I honor the suffering in the world every day as I honor my own and I revel in the opening and experience of joy that looking at these things with the strength of an open heart affords. Siega- Amber
Hi Amber!
You heartless child! Don't you know it's Patriot Day, too?! 8uP
I'm really glad you posted, because I can appreciate how you see the coincidence. What I was trying to convey was that others, who will remember your birthday since it is on that day, will not see September 11th as “Amber's Happy Birthday” alone. I'm very glad it isn't disruptive to your life personally, but I feel the day is eclipsed in the public psyche. My birthday is the anniversary of the 'Boston Massacre', but I don't see flags at half mast on that day.
The fact that others would worry about you being distraught over the coincidence is an example of what I mean. But we're glad you were born!
Posted by: Mike on September 15, 2003 01:22 PM