Fork.
I've been alive and living and not inclined towards documenting such. So a recap of sorts is in order.
Had a blast at Misty Highlands' Art of War. Katie was kind enough to let us stay with her, which was a lot of fun. Anias, Katie and I played Munchkin while Vicki watched. And Anias made polenta. And we feasted like urchins on a Puerto Rican dinner — carne guisada, tostones, arroz y habichulas, empanadas y flan! Vicki learned this from my abuela, whom I miss dearly.
Don Quinn ran a melee class that was the essence of acceleration. Every second was a precious opportunity to expand. It was a gift to all of the fencers and great fun. Glad to spend time with everyone there, not least of all the Lost Boys. And Gwyn looked radiant with duck in tow.
Skipping Saturday night's shenanigans. Except for discussing Katie's research (oh, it may have been Friday night) — what does foster or generate a rape culture? It's another angle on dismantling patriarchy. She has such a sensitivity to creative social change. I tried to explain, poorly, why Foucault really flips my lid. She seems to understand everyone's role (and complicity) in perpetuating a power structure, so I think it made some sense.
Sunday we were leaving for Virginia and the car broke down. Specifically the water pump fell apart. We got it fixed for a reasonable fee, but not before witnessing the garage owner's prelude to cardiac arrest.
While waiting for said car to be repaired, we hung out with Katie and Anias and met his parents and their friends at the Jazz & Wine fest. It was raining, so we split for Cracker Barrel. Man I love catfish. It's always funny to meet someone's parents. Anias' are very nice people. For some reason, our lunch gave me a lot to think about.
Finally got to Virginia late Sunday evening. My parents' home, after 25 years on the water, was flooded. Isabel gave the lower level 8 inches of water. My brother timed his visit from his Paris suburb home perfectly. We cleared much wreckage, still waiting for me after a week. Mom & Dad are fine.
Got to see my niece, too. Poor little Natilyn. She vomited all over me after working herself up emotionally and seemed very sorry for it afterward. No hard feelings. The kid's not even two years old.
Woke up — to go to Harvest Raid. Hooked up with the Boggers and waited for them in the Red Roof Inn parking lot. It was quite an amusing experience. The desk clerk was wry and accomodating. More Foucault — trying to explain the significance of his work to Vicki. I mean, crawling back to explain where he diverges from the idea of a historical dialectic. You have your fun; I have mine.
Illadore and Sasha met for the Kingdom Rapier Championship Finals. Do I need to mention that their genders made this historic? I'm simultaneously glad that it happened and chagrined that it's noteworthy. In the end, Sasha won, but both were recognized, rightly, for their accomplishments.
Why were the bouts with Katherine and Doña Aldan filled with laughter? There was a joyfulness in the air. I thoroughly enjoyed the day, weather be damned, but I hate it when the tourney is my warmup. It's hard to take them seriously then because I don't demand perfection (for physical and mental sanity), yet it's frustrating because I always improve with each fight. No shame in what I did though. I'll work to reduce the close calls.
Thanks again to His Grace Sir Morgan for allowing me to enter the tourney, and for Quinn bowing out to ensure that happened. I am too grateful for words.
Posted by Mike at October 7, 2003 01:34 AM | TrackBackWow so much more you didn't say it was a very busy week + job interviews and meetings of old and new friends. Thanks for the Memories. Opps thats Bob Hopes line.Wierd mode this morning maybe its cosmic ickyness. I Love You Vick aka Maewynn the Badger aka Sky
Posted by: vicki mann aka Maewynn on October 7, 2003 08:38 AMOh! I missed this — what happened that Quinn had to bow out to let you into the tourney?
Posted by: Illadore on October 7, 2003 06:36 PMI was late getting to the MoL to sign up for the tourney — I was in the watercloset, actually arguing with nature. I asked if the list was closed (I heard an announcement) and someone told me to rush over and ask Morgan. Morgan said I could enter, and Quinn was right there, overheard, and said I could take his place. I think this was to help the MoLs' headache. And it was totally unexpected.
Posted by: Mike on October 7, 2003 07:18 PM