Havorc's Ruminations

January 22nd, 2009

Shoot me!

1/22/09 08:13 am

My seniors are doing senior superlatives....

Quote from one of my seniors sitting in a group of three male students...., "Mr. Martin, what does 'intellectual' mean?"

Initial thought for a response: "not you."

Actual response: "Root word, intellect, meaning intelligence, so it is someone who is very smart."

Sigh.

September 3rd, 2008

Home

9/3/08 10:49 am

Just got home this AM. Power - ON Trees - None on house...... yea Gustav....

September 1st, 2008

Gustav pt 2

9/1/08 04:01 pm

Quick note as Gustav wanders past as a Cat 1.... we're still at inlaws. Power is out but generator is working fine. We'll see how things go as far as tomorrow for a possible timeline to check our house and see if 1. the trees stayed up in the back yard, and 2. wether or not we have power and how long it's going to be before we do..

Family is all fine. Everyone is crazy but that is the normal state of things.

Havorc

August 31st, 2008

Gustav

8/31/08 07:19 am

Ok to keep everyone from worrying at least about us, it seems that the eye of Gustav will hit land in huma, which is about 60 miles west of us. By the time Gustav hits land, it should be a Catagory 4. Seems we have another Katrina on our hands. Although we are not evacuating the state, the good news is that Meng's Stepfather installed a ridiculously expensive generator that will run his entire house forever, his home is made out of concrete, and the only trees near the house already fell on top of it during Katrina :) So, we will ride out Gustav there.

The bad news isn't for us, it's for the area. It seems that the projected path of Gustav, just west of lake ponchartrain will produce a tide level about 10-20 feet above normal and that will put most of the north shore of the lake underwater about 2 miles inland... so they have announced mandatory evacuations south of the highway that we live RIGHT next to (less than a mile on the northern side thankfully) So, we will not be recieving any flooding at our house while we are gone, but of course, wind and tornado damage is expected to be worse than katrina which was only a cat 3 by the time it landed.

We bought our house where it is specifically because it was 27 feet above sea level. If our house floods, the whole state will have to be underwater.

So, baring a tornado, or freak tree damage, We should come out fine. Prayers for the people who live closer to the lake...
And to be honest, if it wasn't for the kids, I would ride it out in the house, but AC, movies, and a refrigerator sounds good :)

Oh, and I DID listen to the three pig story.... and this house is built of sticks, and Father-in-laws is built of bricks... so...... To grandmother's house we go....

Will post later as possible.

Havorc

April 14th, 2008

Julius Caesar

4/14/08 11:03 am

Sigh, another Monday... another day where my student's ask questions such as:

Onlevel:
"So Caesar was some kinda King right?"
"Did Shakespeare ever meet Caesar personally?"

Honors
"If the groundlings were stupid and illiterate, how did they understand Shakespeare when we can't?"
"If Caesar spoke Latin, did they translate Shakespeare, or did the guys in Shakespeare times speak Latin?"
"How did Shakespeare learn about Caesar if the play hadn't been written yet?"

Sigh....

Current Mood: blank

March 20th, 2008

Wow

3/20/08 09:19 am

Ok, so it has been quite a while (over a month) since my last post.

Things are going well though, Gulf Wars was a one day event for me, which was fun, and annoying in all the silly ways wars should be fun and shouldn't be annoying.

I was able to go up for one evening to hang out with Cuan and my wife, which was nice, and simply chat. Went over to one of the parties for a bit and said hello to a lot of people I hadn't seen in a while which was fun.

The annoying part came Friday when I got 'sick' and went out to hit the field battles and champions battle. Now I have no illusions, the champions battle is as much about winning as anything else, as well as putting two people together that would be a good fight. I was told that the champions battle was at 9 am, so I had to drop grace off at 8, and fly to site to get there in time. I rolled up, in armor, at 9... and proceeded to wait two hours for the champions fight to start. I had a good seat mind you, but it wasn't worth sitting in armor for two hours.

Now, you might say, "Hey Havorc, why didn't you do some of the many pickups that were going around before the tournament?" Well, anyone who knows me, knows that I am fat and out of shape. I might have 10 fights in me all day. If I go over 10, I am a 270 lb. meat sack, who might be able to not get hit, but probably will get hit, just to sit my ass down.

Soooo, I sat and waited.... finally, the tournament began... the 5 allies first.... just when it might be my turn as Gleann Ahbann's representative, the bad guys sent out a squire.... in a "Who has the biggest stick contest" they sent out a squire....

Now, everyone was saying that for the bad guys, to look over and see Lucan, Cuan, Valharic, and I loafing around next to the king might have been intimidating... why the hell send out a squire....

Ah, they were crafty... the Kings of the "Alliance of Good" decided that sending out a mutant lefty ex-Atlantian duke to kill Brer Rabbit might look a little mean.... sooooo, in their wisdom, they decided to match squire for squire... and I got to send out Afshan, our up and coming squire from GA to beat up the nice man and get us some rabbit stew.... which he did handily...

This left me though, sitting there, no fights for me, no one to kill, and having to sit around for the rest of the 10 or so fights which lasted in interminable time before the field battle.... sigh

BUT, there was some good news, I got to run with my newest squire Quintus in the field battles and show him the huge fun it is to be me in a field battle.

"Hey Quintus, see those 75 guys going for that hole in the line?"

"yea?'

"We're gonna stand in front of them and bar them entry to our backfield for a few seconds just to be annoying."

"uh, the two of us"

"Why, you think you don't need me?" <smile>

"We're gonna die aren't we?"

"OH YES!, but we'll have A LOT of fun doing it!!!"

"Crap"

"Whohooo!"

Then the king of An-Tir got in some pickups with me between 2 and 3 feild battle. That was nice as well.

Sigh, one day for GW, maybe 3 for Pennsic... I'M GOING TO LILIES..... EVERYONE COME WITH ME!!!!!! :-)

February 18th, 2008

Thoughts

2/18/08 02:59 pm

Well, though I had a tough time in Virginia, it was interwoven with a joy I would not have believed possible at this tough time.

I was able to not only put together a memorial service that even wowed the funeral parlour people, but was able to write up my father's obituary, and put together the program for the mass. I was able to help my family through this tough time, and at the same time, had the support of my extended family and other friends who went out of their way to make this tough time a little easier for me.

The 5 Virginia Martins (Mom and Dad's kids) and the 5 Chicago Martins (children of Uncle Jack and Aunt Janette) were all there for the week... it is unfortunate that this is only time we have gotten together in the last 5 years. We are a remarkably close extended family on that side...

While at home, I realized just how special my father was. He was one in a million. Not only was he a great Dad, but he gave of himself to his community so very much more than is the norm.

The following is the much shortened obit they placed in the Post....

( Obit )

February 11th, 2008

Dad

2/11/08 07:26 am

Charles Richard Martin
Attorney-At-Law

My Dad.

Passed this morning at around 7 A.M.

There is no doubt that he is with God.

He was the best father a son could ask for.

He will be horribly missed.

February 3rd, 2008

With Family

2/3/08 09:25 pm

The good news is that a majority of the immediate and extended Martin family have been here.

For the Virginia Martins: Dad, Mom, Shaun, Brian (me) Chris, Kelly, JT (and Kelly's daughter)

For the Chicago Martins: Uncle Jack, Aunt Janete, Cousins; Paul and Anne (only missing three)

The bad news: My dad's first words to me when I arrived, "Hey Brian, I've been waiting for you." Ow.....

He's not in much pain at all, but he is fading fairly quickly. He has even deteriorated in the last 2 days.

The basic information gleaned from hospice and the web says between 4 and 14 days... so we will see....

I am going to come up for either practice, or after practice on Tuesday in Lochmere to say hi to everyone and drink :) maybe a lot :P

Me.

January 31st, 2008

getting down to the wire...

1/31/08 07:22 am

( Dad's condition )

January 28th, 2008

Sigh

1/28/08 08:01 am

First, thank you to everyone who volunteered to get me from BWI to Burke... it's nice to know even after being away for five years, I still have people who care so much to go out of their way for me.

Unfortunately, (or fortunately) My plans have had to change. The family is trying to bring my father home on Tuesday of this week (tomorrow), and so I have had to change my plans.

Since he most likely will have dialysis today (unless he is too demented and thinks they're euthanizing everyone in the place and rip his tubes out again...) then they will try again on Wednesday. If neither goes well, then he may not make it to Wed of next week, (who knows)

So....I will now arrive Saturday evening. I should be able to get a family member to come get me as we are all gathering from around the country to be there for Dad.

Unless someone has the driving urge to spend an hour in the car with me, I will plan on having one of my brothers or sister come get me about 7:30 pm this Saturday.

Again, thanks for all the words, thoughts, and kindnesses.

Havorc

January 25th, 2008

(no subject)

1/25/08 10:02 am

Hey y'all, on Feb 5th, I will be flying up to BWI and getting in around 4:30.

Now I know this is asking a lot, but if someone (who loves me or misses me, or just wants to get me into their car for two hours... or hell, just wants a free dinner) would possibly be able to get me and take me to Burke VA (way on the bottom of the beltway) I would be more than happy to wine and dine you so we miss traffic before we drive down.

I'll even pay for the gas for the round trip.

(heck, for the price of cab fare I would much rather ride with you; chat, enjoy each other's company and buy you dinner and all the beer or wine you want :) )

I will make sure to bring a book even, so you can pick me up after work (I am in no hurry).

This will keep my Mother at the hospital and keep her from feeling the need to drive up during rush hour to get me.

I'll be in VA from Tuesday 'till Saturday, and most likely try to find some time Friday night or some such to have a sit down with at least a few of y'all before flying back on Saturday afternoon.

Now for the bad news; the reason for the trip is my father.

( The current situation )

January 20th, 2008

quiz

1/20/08 08:21 am

You paid attention during 97% of high school!

85-100% You must be an autodidact, because American high schools don't get scores that high! Good show, old chap!

Do you deserve your high school diploma?
Create a Quiz

Of course I 'am' a High School Teacher, so I better do well.... But I am a little annoyed that I got #14, the question about Iran wrong... stupid me.

And actually, I am a product from Fairfax County Public schools and my family who would not let, 'I don't know' slide... I can not remember how many times, 'well, look it up... that's what we have the encyclopedias for." was said at my dinner table.

I would have been very interested to see how poorly I scored right after high school... Maybe I'll give my kids down here the test... but then again, I teach at the best school in the 2nd worst state in the nation.... so I don't know what that will show me other than that I should be frightened about our future... and that happened last week :)

Havorc

January 17th, 2008

Today

1/17/08 09:56 am

Ok, I'm going to describe my morning for y'all, then you can see how the family gets on without Mommy; then stop reading...

So they day started out fairly nicely for my world. The twins were all snuggled in their cribs chatting amiably away from about 6:30 till 8:30 when I put Grace and Alex down. The two eldest brushed their teeth, and barely complained about going to bed, and at about the same time, I gave the twins extra milk in their sippy cups, new diapers and they quieted down nicely.

Cut to this morning after a great restful sleep. The twins were still sleeping, and although I had to wake Grace up to get her dressed for school at 6:30, she was well behaved and excited about school. With some pancakes in her tummy, and the nanny arriving at 6:37, we were off to school just as the twins began to wake up.

Upon arriving to Grace's elementary school, she was the first child in morning daycare at 7:00 and she was excited to be the only one to play with the dollhouse and ran off without a look back, the little darling.

I got to school at 7:10, a record, since usually, the drop-off line backs up for twenty minutes at the high school because our students are so spoiled that if they don't have a car just yet, they get dropped off... no dreaded school bus for my Johnny...

So, I get into my class and my first class starts in an almost Zen, idyllic manner.

( Don't do it...I warned you )

( Read more... )

Current Mood: cranky

January 16th, 2008

Mr. Mom

1/16/08 10:36 am

Well, Meng got back from Atlantia's 12th night...

Now, she is turning around and is off for Poland for 4 days to work with the Polish group of her customer service for her work at TurboSquid.com.

I will say that I have looked at the stuff on their website and for 3D graphics. They have some killer stuff. Now all those geeks who spend millions of hours making hair folicles move independantly with wind forces have a place to sell their stuff to the world....

But, this means that from Wed, to Monday, I am again, Mr. Mom and Mr. Dad....

No sleep and all work makes Havorc a grumpy man...

January 7th, 2008

Lemming Part deux

1/7/08 11:18 am

Those things in italics, I'll agree with... comments?

What Brian Christoper Martin Means

You are full of energy. You are spirited and boisterous.
You are bold and daring. You are willing to do some pretty outrageous things.
Your high energy sometimes gets you in trouble. You can have a pretty bad temper at times.

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something.
You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense.
You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing.
You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.
You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection.
You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive.
You have the classic "Type A" personality.

You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people.
You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.
You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily.
You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind.
A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable.

You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out.
Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia.
Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person.

You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong.
You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know.
You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do.

You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life.
You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home.
You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble.

You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life.
You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you.
At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself.

You are influential and persuasive. You tend to have a lot of power over people.
Generally, you use your powers for good. You excel at solving other people's problems.
Occasionally, you do get a little selfish and persuade people to do things that are only in your interest.

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone.
You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together.
At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated.
You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want.
You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way!

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

What do you think?

December 19th, 2007

Nancy-Ellen

12/19/07 04:18 pm

Ok, so just a quick update before I go back to the hospital. MG is doing fine; the surgery went swimmingly and the doc was able to do it all laproscopically. No, she couldn't talk the doc into doing the free tummy tuck and lipo, but other than nausea, she is doing quite well.

She should be coming home tomorrow if all goes well.

I'll update as things progress, I know she's not up to much ATM, but since she will be in bed for the next day or so, she'd probably love to hear some friendly voices sometime in the afternoon tomorrow.

Oh, and if she tries to volunteer for anything over the next few weeks, I will personally come over to ANYONE'S house who says yes, and drop off all 4 of our children.... just so you know; you've been warned.. and I'm not above mailing them to you either, so don't think that distance will save you!!!

Havorc

September 19th, 2007

I think I know too much about too many things....

9/19/07 03:22 pm

Honestly... I don't have scabies (anymore), nor gonorrhea, and my leprosy is doing just fine thank you..... oh, and my ebola is nicely contained in a refrigerated container incase we are overrun by terrorists and I can fling it on someone... it's even better than flinging poo infected with the Malaria virus.....

NameThatDisease.com - Test your disease knowledge

August 15th, 2007

Pennsic

8/15/07 02:48 pm

Ok, officially, Pennsic was fine. I arrived on Wednesday to the entire camp up and running after fantastic work by the Queen and a few of her ladies.

I was able to do some shopping, some seeing of friends whom I haven't seen in a year, and some reading and catching up on napping.

I actually hit two parties and stayed up late...

I had to leave on Tuesday, and while I was debating on putting on my armor OVER my knee brace, I decided that perhaps fighting tomorrow (at least someday tomorrow) might be a better plan than fighting and possibly tearing something today.

Tuesday, just as the rain started, I had to go home to work, effectively missing most of Pennisic...

Well, if I was going to miss most of War Week, at least I was missig it in a year that rained a lot, and I couldn't fight anyway...

Havorc

For those of you whom I was able to say 'howdy' to.... yea!

For those of you whom I missed.. and that was a lot of you... leave me a message and say 'hi' damnit....

Me.

July 13th, 2007

Knee part deux

7/13/07 04:47 pm

Well, the news is good. Despite my Dr. being a little taken aback on how messed up my legs were, the prognosis is good... either a Hamstring pull low and behind the knee, or a tendon strain on the PCL (posterior cruciate ligament)

He saw no tears, or separation, so yea me.... now, he wants me to take it easy for the next few weeks, and mentioned cruches, and when I told him that I was a stay at home dad with 4 kids under 4, he sighed...

So.. I have a restrictive motion brace on my left knee, keeping it from going more than 50-30% from straight to keep me from continually injuring the tendon/muscle (which is what I have been doing for the last two weeks...

As long as I don't straighten the leg, motrin and time will fix the issue...

Yea Me!!!

Oh, and he did remark on how good my legs looked for being in such a state of destruction... My patella (or the half of it that's left) is a little worn down, but that is a GOOD thing, as the trench in the patella (and my amazingly strong muscles cause I eats my spinich) is what is keeping it in the front of my knee (as opposed to the side of my leg) since the left side of the patella was mostly gone... :)

And although my fibula on the right leg is still looking very Z like, it has attached itself to my tibia, and looks very stable as well.. although very funny...

Basically, the Dr. said that I've done amazing work with the crud that I have left for lower legs :)

Must be all that good living....

Havorc

Oh, and thanks for those of you who sent good Knee thoughts my way!!!!

July 6th, 2007

Knee

7/6/07 12:32 pm

Ok, so I go to the orthopedic docor today at 3 to see what the hell is up with my f*ing knee.

It has taken the tendancy to hyperextend (I believe) when I am carrying my children up the stairs and I extend my leg fully.

The whole thing feels like it's filled with cotton after I hurt it, which I manage to do at least 2x to 3x per day.

Now, this is the 'accident' knee that has a patella the size of a half dollar that has all the tendons running over it, which the orthopedic surgeon said will work at about 90% but will have to be replaced some time within the next 20 years. That was 18 years ago last month.... sigh..

I hope I need a brace, or painkillers, or a shot....

I REALLY don't want a new knee... really I don't.

Balynar went through this knee crap, and that's good enough for me... I can vicariously have knee troubles... really I can...

sigh.....

UPDATE:

Been to see the Dr. Got an X-ray today, scheduled for an MRI on Wed, then a consult with the Doc on Fri, 13th.... Ironic that my accident was right before April 1 and my consult is on the 13th..... Doc thinks that hopefully, I just pulled a ligament, but he wantes to make sure that nothing is wrong with the knee to FORCE a pulled ligament while doing daily activities (since it was pulled while taking a car seat out of a car)

Wish me luck, and I'll post about Knee next Friday... Tomorrow, it's the WaterPark for the kiddies (Oldest two; Grace 4, Alex 2)

Havorc

Current Mood: aggravated

July 5th, 2007

40.

7/5/07 07:47 am

No, not my 40th entry... I am officially 40.

Current Mood: quixotic

July 3rd, 2007

The world is a lesser place

7/3/07 11:09 am

Sir Gauss Magnússon was a kind soul, who, with Dame Brenna, kept me busy and distracted, as well as loved and supported, during one of the most difficult times of my life.

His humor, kindness, and gentle nature was, and will always be, an inspiration to me.

The light of the world has dimmed with his passing.

I will miss him.

Brian.
Havordh AEttarbani

Current Mood: sad

What do you think?

June 26th, 2007

Been a while eh?

6/26/07 10:34 am

Well, where does the time go?

School has been out for a month, and I seem to have gotten nothing done so far. I have managed to go to a few events, including Lilies, but the time seems to get away from me.

I have decided that I am NOT destined to become a stay at home dad. Unless you want a home with a psychotic father, a messy house, and children in the same clothing for a month...

Going back to work in August will seem like a vacation.

Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't trade anything for the time that I get to spend at home with the kidds. One of the reasons I became a teacher is so that I could have more time with my children than my Type A Attorney Father every had with us while growing up.

I have given up chnaces at much higher paying jobs, in fields of varying interest to stay a teacher, and I only regret it a little when my paycheck comes in :)

BUT, being at home all day long, taking my 4 children to the insanity that is the McDonalds play place, or out to the slides in the park (when it's not too hot... so most of the time) is priceless.

Although having 4 children 4 and under all at home with you all day is a struggle, I can not wait until the day when I have all of them running amok and I can take them to play laser-tag, or bowling, or to a movie, or have my own field battle in the backyard with boffer weapons :P

Ok, gotta get back to the kiddies... only two nap at a time, and one doesn't nap at all.... sigh...

Havorc

What do you think?

May 11th, 2007

A little bit of everything

5/11/07 11:53 am

Ok, so I haven't posted in forever. I've been busy.

So, We stepped up as King and Queen of Gleann Abhann a while back, and the Tudor Coronation went well. For a kingdom of early period personas.. it was a visual masterpiece! I didn't even mind the outfit this time :) (a recreation of one of the Henry's coronation outfit I think, but for a fat guy) Building the throne canopies onsite was a pain, but I had a random gentle assist, so things went swimmingly.

The twins are going to be one in three weeks, and Sarah is crawling and getting into everything, while Hannah sits. She has realized that looking at you and yelling something will eventually gets her what she wants with no movement on her part. Grace is not only talking to us, but having entire converstaions with her dolls at this point, as well as correcting them when they make errors. Alex (2) is saying a lot of stuff, but only he can understand most of it... but he likes giving 'big hugs'.

Final Exams... Senior Exams etc.. school goes... trying not to get too frustrated with idiot students who ask, "Why are you giving me that grade?" and not say, "Because you earned it by either not doing your work, or doing it at the last minute..and poorly at that; stupid" is getting more difficult day by day.

Grace will be entering Kindergarden next year, and I'm thrilled about it (also thrilled about saving a few hundred dollars each month next year on her schooling).

Trying to get myself to Lilies this year, but we have to see if it's a possiblity... between MENG working, and the kids needing daycare if I go, it might be too expensive unless we can get some Mamere (sp) daycare.

Can not wait for summer... two months to hang out with the 4 kiddies, take them to parks, swimming etc... and read books while getting climbed upon.

Oh, and for all you C&T devotes, We're letting the cat out of the bag and letting Our Queen's Blade (see: White Scarf, no treaty) start experimenting this year once they get some rules and a deputy marshall together....

Well, that's about it...

Current Mood: chipper
Tags:
uptate

April 4th, 2007

Lemming

4/4/07 07:52 am

1. What/when was your first event? SCA? Pennsic 16 I believe... Not sure which Pennsic, but it was Pennsic... What was my first event ever? A Dagorhir Battle at Lake Frank in 1984
2. What was your first war? See above :)
3. What is your favorite part of an event/war? Hitting people with sticks and chatting about it later.
4. What A&S skill/talent do you have or wish you had? I wish I could do caligraphy... but I suck.
5. Why did you choose the elements of your Coat of Arms/device? I have had it since the 90's but white for purity and strength, Green for a connection to the land, and the chevron because it just looks so damn cool.
6. Favorite SCA song? Llewellan's Bane
7. Favorite garb? Sorry MENG, but it was an old, sleeveless, openweave split tunic that had been torn, repaired with twine, worn casually with my boar's tusks (see: half-orc) warpaint, and scar.
8. Best advice received/given? "Don't buy any lottery tickets, you've spent every bit of your luck up on this." Given to me by His Grace Anton when I brought MENG down to the 4th of July gathering.
9. What is one thing you would like to change about the SCA? Fewer self important NooB's. If you have some recognition for your service, art, stickjockery, your job is to pull people up, not tear them down. You suck.
10. Why do you do this hobby? Uh, hitting people in the head with sticks... no, really, because sitting around talking about and being a part of midieval history, warfare, armor, the mechanics of fighting, chivalry etc, etc... is soooo very enjoyable.

Current Mood: contemplative

What do you think?

April 2nd, 2007

Anniversary of Accident

4/2/07 08:46 am

I have a tradition to reminis about my car accident that happened March 31st 1991.

It has something to do with a near-death experience, and trying to remember how lucky I am to have survived an accident of such magnitude. If you lived in Atlantia when I returned from the West, you have heard ad-nauseum my tale of my accident, so I will not go into it.

Suffice to say that people should not survive head on collisions at 45 mph. For myself: a partial pneumothorax (collapsed lung) a few broken ribs, my legs broken in 6 places or so with compound fractures of both femurs and an exploded patella.

Having an extra joint created midway on your shin that resembles a knee (with no ball or socket) is not a fun experience.. I don't recommend it.

If you haven't heard the story... it's hilarious... really.. just ask. I never get tired of telling it.

Anyway, my doc said that I was simply too big and stupid to realize that people are *supposed* to die when this messed up....

It was two weeks after I was knighted.

Since then (just the simply highlights):

 Diving coach (from wheelchair, then walker, then cane)
 Learned how to walk again
 Remet and Married Courtney Coulson (Cussatta de Courtenay, squire to Duke Galymr) We had known each other since she was about 10 and I was fighting in Gwynnedd with her older brother. Met again when she was legal :)
 Bought first House.
 Learned how to make armor from Count Thorbrandr (an Armor Laurel)
 Separated, but remained friendly in one way or another
 Car accident (broken c4 vertebra)
 Reconciled (separated again weeks later for a few years or so)
 Divorced
 Met Nancy-Ellen Gatlin (Mary Grace of Gatland, MENG) (Thanks go to Ton-Ton who held the after event revel where we first kissed, and Tara who introduced us for our Gulf Wars ride which became our 1st-32nd date)
 Won Atlantian Crown against Vlad for MENG
 1st Coronation came in on Viking Longship, MENG came in on horse drawn carraige
 Married MENG (who wouldn't????)
 Born: Grace Elizabeth Martin
 Lived in England (two years)
 Born: Alexander Gatlin Martin
 Moved to Louisiana (Swamp town, USA)
 Katrina
 Bought second house for all those new kiddies!
 Won Gleann Ahbann Crown against Sir Rey
 2nd coronation... (gotta see the pictures... wearing ecleasiastical garb)
 Born: Sarah Jane Martin, Hannah Renee Martin
 Won Gleann Ahbann Crown again
 Soon to have 3rd Coronation "totally Tudor"

Not a bad life that I have been able to continue to live….

Current Mood: thankful

Weekend

4/2/07 06:52 am

Well, MENG had a bunch of ladies over to the house Saturday and Sunday for a two day crash party on, "Everything Tudor". With the addition of, "I'm getting married in a month and none of the dresses are done."

I think I should have gone fishing for the weekend...

Actually, it wasn't that bad. I sat around watching kiddie TV with the 4 monsters most of the two days, with some EVE when the kiddies were napping. I also managed to get new kidney armor made (since the weight belt I got from Bane about 18 years ago finally rotted away)

And I have a set of legs coming in as well, so I can get rid of the legs that I have had since rocks were soft, and dirt was all one piece (about 12 years ago) I know, I've been saying that I won't fix my current ones ever again (again, for a few years), but with 4 kids, the ability to make armor has been severly curtailed for the next few years...

Hopefully, this summer, if we keep our Nanny, I will be able to post to the workshop for 8 hours a day, twice a week... that should put me in a new rig by fall :) Here's to hoping..

Havorc

March 30th, 2007

Ultra Q

3/30/07 12:56 pm

Ok so I need some computer hacker assistance (see: pirate.... arrrrrrr)

One of my students mentioned that the only cool superhero when he was growing up was Ultraman, a japenese television show that aired in the early 70's. Now, being MUCH younger than these people, I not only remember Ultraman, but disliked Ultraman, being much more in love with Ultra Q, which was the black and white version of Ultraman which was done NOT to emphasise the bad guys, but the internal conflict of a news reporter who could become Ultra Q (Ultraman) by the use of a microphone....(and Godzilla's first appearance was as a baddie in Ultra Q.)

Now, you can find for sale DVD's of all Ultraman episodes on ebay, but I CAN NOT FIND the 28 b/w episodes of ultra Q ANYWEHRE...

And I'm jonesing for some Ultra Q....

Any Help?????

Current Mood: hopeful

March 29th, 2007

Akkkkk (ack, hawk, ptui)

3/29/07 10:14 am

Damn, I am ill. I mean really ill. My sinuses flared up yesterday morning with a sinus headache to beat the band. By the middle of the day, my joints were aching, and my heart seemed to be straining to pump blood (I could feel my heart in my chest too keenly for my comfort) I went home after school, and simply laid on the couch after putting the twins down for naps that they really didn't need, and avoided touching my other two kids, and simply told them that 'daddy needs a time out' which my daughter understood. "Daddy doesn't feel good". My son hovered around me asking me questions, 'Daddy, gruf gump aba foo?' interspersed with statements of, 'Daddy, wan binki...juce...olly op."

My wife (God bless her) came home a little early from work, sent me to my room (thank you, dear) where I proceeded to shiver and sweat on alternating moments between naps most of the late afternoon. I got up for Mythbusters and a cup of hot chocolate, but that was counterproductive on feeling better, so I went back to bed.

Meanwhile, my wife fed our children, put the twins to bed, put Alex to bed, put Grace to bed, cleaned up the house, (made me my Hot Chocolate and brought me dinner) and then managed to not wake up a VERY light sleeper as she came to bed. I did get up at 2 to get bottles for the twins (not touching anything) but then when one of the little darlings decided that 4 am was a good time for morning, My darling wife got out of bed (she is NOT a morning person) and brought the little one to bed with her.. after some whining, she then took her downstairs to the couch so daddy could get two more hours of sleep.

Now I'm at work, (I have little leave left, so sucking it up) transitioning between sweating and freezing... and making my students read, Julius Caesar, then their choice novels, then a journal... NOT busy work (though I would have loved to give them worksheets) If I can make it to 2:30, I will be a happy man...

My Mythology classes are reading the first 'Cinderella' story the first 'Parting the Sea' story, and the version of the Trojan war.... all written by the Ancient Egyptians... :) That'll knock them out of their complacency....

Ah, I love perverting the beliefs of our youth.... Even when I feel like I have been mummified personally....

Havorc

Current Mood: sick

What do you think?

March 28th, 2007

Sucks to be broken

3/28/07 12:01 pm

Well, after reading B-nar's post about his inability to fight, I feel a little better (and at the same time, horribly guilty about feeling better) about being 265 lbs. and in size 44" pants. (When I got knighted, I was 225, and wore a size 38") I may be hugely fat ATM, but at least my legs (being mostly metal) are still holding me up. I guess I have to get off my fat ass (yes, my ass is now BIGGER than the chair Your Highness Atlantia) and actually GET OFF MY FAT ASS!.

Jusy having a tough time about it. I used to be able to diet whenever I got a little ahead... specifically Atkins (when I couldn't get to practice as often as I wanted) Now, I can last a week on atkins, and not even that long on the nutrasystem plan.

Now that I am lucky if I get to fight twice a month (and that includes events and practices) I have no pattern of excercise that I enjoy, and I hate, hate, hate, excercies that I don't enjoy (dancing BTW is excercise to music and seems pointless to me) Fighting is dancing where I get to hit other people and is much more enjoyable to me. Withought fighting 3/4 times a week and not changing my eating patters (I love food) is my current dilemma

I also eat when I'm stressed, and having 4 kiddies all 4 and under is perhaps the definition of stress... so although I am great at dieting at work (not much stress teaching 15-16 year olds honestly) by the time I get home with Grace, and have to face the feeding time at the zoo, I just want to wolf down some ho-ho's, cupcakes, brownies and cookies....

Of course, when one does that, you just feel more and more stupid 'cause you'd rather not keel over of a heart attack 'cause you're so damn fat... and then that adds more stress, and the desire to binge arrives yet again....

Just feeling a little down today y'all. I love my wife, love my kiddies, love my house and can still kick some SCAdian ass when I have too.... so life does not suck for me; I'd just like to be around a little longer and thus need to get it together at some point.

I think I'll fast today to get things started.... all liquids... and take a walk tonight....

We'll see if I make it past feeding time at the zoo.....

Later
H/O

Current Mood: blank

March 1st, 2007

Kynny and Children

3/1/07 08:50 am

My thoughts are with Kynny, Ton-Ton and Speedwagon. I wish them a speedy discovery and resolution to the little one's problems.

Having the good fortune to have spent only one week in NICU with the early twins, and a month giving them nebulizer treatments (just think of oxygen masks over infants' faces) I know what that kind of worry is...

I thank God that my children (all four) are healthy, sound, and growing like weeds...

Havorc

Current Mood: hopeful

What do you think?

February 22nd, 2007

Mardi-Gras

2/22/07 07:29 am

Mardi Gras was fantastic. The first day of parades for us saw us with all 4 kiddies at the stands for the parade. After Alex tried to leap off the stage multiple times, and crying at not being able to... we decided that there were too many children vs. parents to take them all to the parades. The second day, (Sun) Nancy-Ellen took Grace and they had a blast. The g-parents watched them for the evening parade, and so Nancy-Ellen and I went to Baccus and after a long distance jog to get there on time, we made it and enjoyed the parade solo.

Nancy-Ellen and I went to the Orpheus Ball at the convention center, and watched as the parade drove through the convention center with everyone in dresses and tux. It was a drunken but well-dressed event, and much fun was had by all.

Mardi-Gras itself... We decided that it was just going to be too tough for all of them to go, so again, it was Nancy-Ellen and Grace to the Parades...

Now, I have two more days off work.. of course, that means watching all the 4 kiddies at home alone :( ... Fighter's Collegium on the weekend, then back to work.
Gotta love a city that gives their teachers a week off for Mardi-Gras.. I do...
Havorc

Current Mood: crazy

What do you think?

February 8th, 2007

Lemming

2/8/07 01:38 pm

Here's how it works:
You reply and answer these questions in said reply. Then you repost the questions as a journal entry so people can answer them. Because I asked you nicely, (or I'll come over and show you why Lefties are Evil Mutants) that's why!

1. Who are you?
2. Are we friends?
3. If we’ve met, when and how did we meet?
4. What social event or place would you like to go to with me?
5.. Would you kiss me?
6. Describe me in one word.
7. What was your first impression?
8. Do you still think that way about me now?
9. What reminds you of me?
10. If you could give me anything what would it be?
11. How well do you know me?
12. When’s the last time you saw me?
13. Ever wanted to tell me something but couldn’t?

Current Mood: contemplative
Tags:
lemming

February 7th, 2007

Ymir

2/7/07 07:21 am

Sigh. I was hoping to catch a cheap flight, or perhaps drive to Ymir to see the squire become a Baron, but it is simply not in the cards. Having to fire our last nanny, and getting a new one has completely flummoxed my leave, and left us rubbing two nickles together to get another one before payday. (sometimes relying on others truly sucks)

This also means that my Gulf Wars experience has gone from a possible 2-3 days then the weekend, to just Friday and Saturday...

I hate people.

I need some of BdB's Hater-aide.. it will go well with this cold dish I'm choking on....

Anywho,

Being a landed Baron is actually the hardest job in the SCA i.m.h.o. I did it for 6 months, and had to deal with more $%^& than I had to deal with in two reigns as King. At that was a Barony in the Middle of the Pacific Ocean! (well, and the Sea of Japan)

havorc

Current Mood: cranky
Tags:
ymir

February 2nd, 2007

Definitions

2/2/07 08:51 am

I learned something new from a student's paper today:

Cabala - def. a traditional Japanese drama performed by dancing and singing.

Madonna will be disappointed I think.

Havorc

February 1st, 2007

Hmm... I am morally crippled eh?

2/1/07 02:26 pm

div style="border:1px solid black;background-color:white;color:black;text-align:center;">
My score on The Who Would You Be in 1400 AD Test:

The Cardinal
(You scored 55% Cardinal, 33% Monk, 29% Lady, and 48% Knight!)

You are the real power behind the throne. No one dares dispute or refuse you. Which is good because that's how you get things done. You are also, however, completely corrupt and highly immoral. This doesn't bother you in the least as you lounge around your rich comfortable surroundings, reveling in wealth and authority.

Link: The Who Would You Be in 1400 AD Test

What do you think?

January 30th, 2007

My Wife's Job II

1/30/07 10:11 pm

Ok, so it seems that the business that Meng has begun to work with has a sideline that promotes their main business (TurboSquid) which is the sale of 3D artwork that is easily plugged into games that budding game creators can use, but ALSO, and quite interesting, can be used to modify games, maps, guns, vehicles, etc.... in current games. As such, Gameflood is running servers with Modifications (Mods) of: Half-Life 2, Call of Duty 2, Battlefield 2, Unreal Tournament and Counterstrike. I personally like the Mod of Call of Duty 2 that is primarily for the snipers in all of us... Snipetown 2 :) by Mr. Scope :).... also cool that someone added a crossbow to HL2 etc....

Now, I'm the kinda guy who wants to see an entire HL2 with swords and sheilds, throwing knives, spears and stuff.... :) so one of you guys who have the know how should build it, then we'll all go play on their server when we can't hit the hell out of each other on weekdays :P

Anyway, been trying to play a little bit when I can (with 4 kids, I don't get on much, and since my computer is basically 2 gerbils running quickly for power and a third gerbil drawing the graphics, I can only have one game on at a time (yes... it's that old... 800 something mhz, with 256 RAM...) and I can't even run half the games... I think I have to wait 'till I can get a new computer so I can spend some more of my limited free time playing games.

On the down side, our Nanny is out. She was a no-show, no call once, then late (30+) minutes twice, all in a week and a half time... with that, and her schedule being nothing like she said it was going to be, means I've already had to take one half day, and one extra day off (not that I have more than 2 days left of leave for the year anyway)....

We have a new one lined up thankfully. She seems a little more responsible, was working as a daycare person most recently, and is 23, 6' 1" redhead... MENG says she's cute, so I was surprised we could hire her (no hot nannies allowed in our home you know :) Anywho, hopefully, it will go as smooth as silk.... we shall see....

OK, gotta run... MENG is in the bath, and I need my sleep.... later all...

Havorc

Current Mood: busy
Tags:
turbosquid

What do you think?

January 26th, 2007

I love my wife!

1/26/07 02:36 pm

So, TurboSquid, (MENG's New job) is making her get on their server (Gameflood) to get games going that they are running( I guess it's a new server like Battlezone and such). They have to spend two hours playing one of the following games: Half Life 2, Unreal Tournament 2004, Battlefield 2, Call of Duty 2, Counterstrike: Source. as the official TurboSquid online people...

MENG volunteered me for the duty.... in addition, they were offering family members (teenagers who had nothing better to do) cash to play (for 10 hours) this weekend, one of the above mentioned games...

Wow. What a job... I think I'm definately in the wrong field here....

I wish MENG could let you all be my children and get paid for playing games..... :)

Havorc

Current Mood: ecstatic
Tags:
turbosquid

What do you think?

My life is a Star Trek Episode

1/26/07 08:08 am

It seems that after I die, I will enter a Star Trek episode.... I just hope I'm not a red shirt.

havorc

After you die...
Parallel Universe

After death, you will continue to exist as if nothing has ever happened. You will continue to be yourself, but because you are in a parallel universe, some things will be different. You may not have married the same person, you might live in a different spot, but you will be the same person underneath it all and you will continue your life unaware that you ever died.

Take this quiz at QuizGalaxy.com

Current Mood: cranky
Tags:
life

What do you think?

January 24th, 2007

Won Crown

1/24/07 08:42 am

So, I won crown in Gleann Ahbann. MENG still has some things she wants to do, and I am more than willing to pay the entrance fee.

The tournament was small, only 9 combatants, so there were few fights for me :)

Except for one fight (not mine) the tourney was clean, and simple. 4 Knights and 5 unbelts...

Other than that, I've finally decided to join livejournal, so that's that.

Havorc

Current Mood: awake
Tags:
crown