Thursday, July 17, 2014

Dark Comedy

A dark comedy...

Well, it was a bit of a shock,  but after I kicked the bucket, I found myself on the Rainbow Road leading to the after whateva. Rainbow road, not Ferry road?  Well, there was the name, right on the sign.  Though a nice lady named Sharon gave me a donut and a coffee to go, and would only accept coins. Peculiar I thought, but she showed me the way.  Nice little country road, winding in among the trees.  Tramped pretty solidly by the thousands who have walked down these leafy vales before. Turns out people think you can take it with you. They all seem to be burdened with baggage (some of the load they carried when they were alive) which Dickenesque self judgement seemed to be pretty universal.  Even I could see the nice gravel of the road I trod upon frost up with multi coloured hoar around feet which seemed to still not work right. At least I knew I was on the right bridge! I didn't think the BiFrost Bridge would looke "quite" like this, but then who am I to judge.  The rainbow road was littered with suitcases, boxes, weapons (!) and other detritus of lives spent, well, living.

     Like all good things, the long pleasant road came to an end.  And there were the judges.  Not the ones I would have chosen given the circumstances, but I guess they would do. Farther along, visible from up on the hill here on the left, a harrassed white robed dude trying to deal with a row of computer monitors which seemed to be awfully overkill considering his lineups were NOT terribly excessive.  In fact, hardly any at all.  The big line up was for team Hell on the on the right. There, almost on the road was the bouncer himself, the "Lord of the Flies", looking just like a 1950's horror movie. Head of a fly, body of a big tough dude covered in tatoos which shifted and moved in a MOST disconcerting way.  He didn't look very comfortable, as he was standing out beside the road shivering in what was clearly the bouncer's spot out front of a night club inpired version of hangover Hell. Again, not what I was expecting, but then, at least it was sulphurous and full of demons and lost souls as far as I could see from where I stood in line. Over by the main entrance were the Lord of War, Lord of Famine, Lord of Pestilence, and Lord of (I can never remember) looking bored.  "Right", I thought, "Walmart greeters".  The Lord of War was tossing bullets at the Lord of Death, trying to get his exposed ribs to ring in tune, while Death kept twisting because "It tickles...quit it". The Lord of Conquest had his nose in a travelogue, and was planning his next trip, but kept coming up with "Hmmm, Afganistan looks nice" and I heard Famine sarcastically remark "Yeah, its always worked for you before!  Sure, go for it!"  Conquest would look up with a puzzled look, obviously confused and kept muttering things like "terms of victory", and other weasel words to convice himself that he still had relevance in a modern world.  Famine convinced him to go back inside and "change into his lawer's clothing".  This (I thought) explained much.  Dipishits and bullies.  About what I expected.

      A bus load of heavy metal fans were arguing with the fly lord about why they should be there, and the fly lord kept calling in his buzzing voice for more skin lined books with the metal heads' life histories to prove they had not been bad enough. Finally the big guy slammed the last of the books shut, leaving a huge cloud of cocaine dust in the air (all that was really left of their lives) and sent them back to their bus.  The bus driver blew bubbles at them and mocked them, I could not "quite" get a glimpse of his face but the voice sounded very familiar. As did the bubbles.  And then the Lord of the Flies came to see what I was up to. An eager soul elbowed his way past me, dropping the baggage he had been carrying and I took this opportunity to look at what he had flung to the dirt.  Turned out it was his street clothes in a cardboard box, his clothes spilling out into the ditch.   I picked up the empty box because I had an idea.
      The box said LG on the side.  So I walked up the harrassed bouncer and he pronounced in his buzzing voice "So now (buzz buzz) who are you and (buzz buzz) where can I find you on my (buzz buzz) list of books?   "Oh", I said "I'm just here to install the air conditioning".  And I held up my box that said LG on the side. I figured a dude who had the head of fly would not be too bright. And was not disappointed. "Air Conditioning!" (buzz buzz) "This is Hell, we don't DO air conditioning".  I replied "Oh come on.  I'm not talking about on the dance floor (I could see over his shoulder a place where the lost souls were writhing in what I shall for the moment call a "dance floor".  Turns out, I found out later, that it really WAS a dance floor, and the "lost souls" were actually being forced to try out the latest Shakira dance moves.  Yup.  It was Hell all right) I mean, look at your Lord of War, he's still sweating bullets!" They were too...real bullets!  In response to this jibe, War sweated a few into his cupped hands and flung them at me.  They went supersonic with fierce crack-crack-cracks as they passed overhead.  Flies turned on him in anger and picked out a few of them out of his skin.  His tattoos took the opportunity to try to get a bite in on me.  I moved back a bit.
      "Say, (buzz buzz) has anybody seen Conquest? We are out here doing our dooty and where is Conquest? (buzz buzz)  Death pointed out that Conquest was studying Afganistan again and they all in unison said "Yeah, that has always worked for him before!"  Conquest had just come out the door in time to hear himself being mocked and hurredly volte faced. None saw the look he gave the rest of them. 
       "so (buzz buzz) what made you think to try to sell air conditioners in hell?" "Well, I figured there would be a market. Its a job." I set my box down and dragged up one of those ubuquitous cloth slung chairs abandoned by the road and offered it to the big guy.  I dodged a snap from the wolf tattoo on his wrist, and dragged up a chair for myself.  It promptly collapsed on me...the way they do.  Ever hear a fly laugh?  Fortunately, there were plenty of the stupid chairs.  "Yeah (buzz buzz) I know what you mean about it being just a job. Just like this one. (Buzz buzz). "I could make jokes about how my dogs are tired, but then, I am tired of hearing them.  (The tattoo'd wolfs on his feet growled at each other)  Well, its getting late in the day so you may as well take off. See if you peddle your (buzz buzz) air conditioners to St. Peter. He is (buzz buzz) just up the road. Its time for Hell to Party! Want to drop by, (buzz buzz) we have been practicing Shakira dance moves!   "Nah, got to get to work", I replied.

       Conquest met me on the road, his white horse prancing and nibbling at the fresh foliage along side the road. I sort of felt that he didn't belong with that crowd, but then, upon reflection, where would the one be without the other?   "Well, you pulled that off", he said, "with a little help from me justsoyaknow.  Not as much as all that though, you picked your time well, that undisciplined crew were tired and had been on duty all day. Did you notice your book was right there on top of the pile?  I swiped it, here, you can hang onto it.  Sooner or later, it will drag you back down this road though."  I took the book, and placed it in a formerly discarded possibles pouch which had been abandoned by some colonial wars soldier who knows how long ago.  I liked the fringes.  The leather was embossed with hunting scenes which ran around the front and in behind.  I was hoping to get away from Hell's influence long enough for the embossing to stop moving. I asked Conquest "So where do I go from here?"  "Well you could check in with the opposition.  He is just up the road, and for today, He has taken on a form you can understand...the old silliness of St. Peter and the pearly gates.  Don't underestimate His intelligence, and think it is equal to the Lord of the Flies...He got you some luck today."  "Why would he do that?"  "Well, I think He wants you as my assistant."   "You work for Him?  The first of the four horsemen of the apocalypse? Really!"  He chuckled, the sword belts creaking a bit in the setting sun and the Calligae kicking up little dust clouds as we walked. The horse knickered but I noticed that she did not leave any horseshoe prints.  "Lets make camp in that clearing up ahead on the left.  I will explain it all to you" said the Lord of Conquest, as he kicked together a pile of duff and reached for his flint and steel.  "Is that any wine left in that box over there?"

       And so, with that, the adventure began.
 

Thursday, July 03, 2014

newsletter and updates

Updates...
Well, they got me on a medieval cancer drug now.  How cool is that!  Apparently this is a very expensive synthetic replica of the powder obtained by pounding down dry Yew Tree bark.  They would be right to call it inheritance powder...because it is so natural it simply does its work and goes away.  I can tell you that this Plaxitol is a definite hit man for sure.

Cerulian Bill dropped in after planning a trip to Ottawa for, like, forever.  I had to miss a day of his fine company to sleep.  That was on the previous chemo, which did not seem to work.  But he saw plenty of Ottawa, and plenty of the beauty of my beloved Nation's Capitol.  I left him and Susan at the war museum, and they were fascinated about how much the history books and hollywood pretty much ignore the contributions we made since...well, the French Indian War I suppose, right up to the modern debacle in Afganistan.  (We lost more troops as a percentage than the Americans, but only because of friendly (not ours) fire.  And we actually lost a diplomat!  Shows we go in where angels fear to tread, and we are here to do a job, not just police a city)

I walked the walk on cancer.  Two kilometers up and down the airport parkway.  My swords were right there helping me the whole way!   In full armour!  I think there are pictures somewhere on face book or some thing... google Armoured Company of the Swords.  There may even be pictures on our web site   www.armouredswords.ca

So many great people. 
below is a cut and paste of  the latest newsletter

South Tower and Armoured Company of the Sword

newsletter 1 July 2014

Walk for cancer went really well. 
Thank you Dominique for
ramrodding such a complicated event.
Perhaps I can get her to be our squire wrangler. 
pictures on facebook of the walk.


July 11th and 12th...Osgoode Medieval Festival
Schedule of events
Saturday....
http://www.osgoodemedievalfestival.com/schedule_files/2014%20Saturday%20Schedule.pdf
Sunday
http://www.osgoodemedievalfestival.com/schedule_files/2014%20Sunday%20Schedule.pdf

The idea of this schedule was to give
visitors from a goodly distance
like Kingston a chance to get here
without having to get up at Oh dark thirty.
(crash space and camping space
is available guys! )

And NOT conflict with the jousters. 
Or anything else. 
Props to Phil L. for creating the finest
schedule I have ever seen!

Friday is the "knight's pub" upstairs at
the arena. A couple of armoured knights get in
for free because they will act as greeters,
otherwise it is 25 bucks for some
great food, and if past performances are
any indication, all the beer that
people will foist upon our hard
working sweaty knights!
Who gets to be greeters?
Well, sounds like a reason for a fight to me!
 

The summer tournament will
take place at the Osgoode Faire.
Devon and Jeff will determine
times and dates for the tournament,
and post their decision as required.
We have the following times available to us.
(from the above schedule
which is now cast in stone)
Saturday.
tournament... 9:45 to 10:30
meet the knights...10:30 to 10:45
demo-tournament 1:15 to 2:00
Meet the knights 2:00 to 2:15

Sunday,
Demo 9:45 to 10:30
Meet the knights 10:30 to 10:45
Demo 4:00 to 4:45
Meet the knights 4:45 to 5:00


  
I will provide a prize. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

We are still taking orders for the
dinner at the Russell House on Saturday,
July 12, 2014 planned for 6.30.
Check our facebook page, or get ahold
of Brenda for any last minute additions
tudorlady@gmail.com
Its okay if you book and cancel...
they just might have trouble filling in
last minuite additions unless you order
off this set menu. 
So get onto that soonest guys!
Do I have to mention the home made
lamb hot-pot, Guinness shepherd's pie,
the baked chicken and the  ribs
each for under ten bucks a plate?
Dare you to finish them and not be full.
Deserts and gratuities are extra
of course. (sticky toffee pudding! Oh my!)
Terry reminded me that they are a pub
first and a restaurant second, and
he is as proud of his 18 beers
and ciders on tap
as Edna is proud of her meat pies!

Me... I am proud of this undiscovered
gem of a pub in the heart of the
Ottawa Valley.  It should no longer
be the best kept secret in the Ottawa
Valley. 

  
Up coming classes...hot summers are
keeping people away from doing classes.
Of course we shall keep on, its what we do!
The usual sign ups are required at both
Algonquin College and Plant Bath.

(got 'em at Plante as of this morning!)

email me for more info
or you can go to the ACS forum site
where Jeff has updated all the
contact information required.


Bill Fedun
Armour Maker
www.southtower.on.ca
www.armouredswords.ca
MarshalBill@gmail.com
 

Monday, April 07, 2014

Today sucked

Yesterday I enjoyed a wonderful fish and chips.  Today, it all came back up.  Dammit!  I remember now that the second Monday after my chemo is a day of nausea and sleeping all day.  Well, seems to be repeating itself. I blame it on the whole lemon I ate yesterday.  Ate it like an apple.  No accounting for cravings! Probably the pulp jammed my up a bit. Or more than a bit!
      Did some fighting yesterday.  Felt SO much better yesterday than today. 

And its raining.  I just watched three feet of snow vanish in two hours.  And not before time!  OTOH, for those dumb enough to build in a flood plain the river is getting even for all those nice views you got last summer!  The Rideau River is two feet over its banks right now.  Lots of nice riverview houses have a lot of water in their basements, not to mention the most saturated a septic field can possibly get.  They are all moving out.  Double price for water front property?  Serves you right.

Just got finished with Dr. Beliveau's book on foods that fight cancer.  The holy trinity is Tumeric, (combined with peppers to make curry)  Flax seeds fresh ground and Tomato sauce.  Wash it down with green tea, and you will never get cancer.  Or rather, you already HAVE cancer (everybody has!) and this will keep it from vascularizing or otherwise growing bigger than a pin prick. 
       Funny thing though....my subconscious mind is smart enough to know what foods are good for me...so I get cravings for garlic and onions...foods which I normally detest.  Also lemons and orange juice.  Yogurt, hard boiled eggs, salmon and buttermilk.  All good.  And I throw up in the presence of a cheese burger and fried chicken.  I believe that beef will kill ya sooner or later!  I wish I could stand bacon and pulled pork, but it ain't gonna happen.  Used to love that stuff.  The subconscious mind says...Hey dude...the nitrates and smoke will kill ya. 
     Just thought it was weird that my cravings and Dr. Beliveau's book correlated so well.


Sunday, April 06, 2014

update

Well, it took me two hours to navigate back to this blog.  Why did they have to make it so hard.  I have no interest in going with google 1.  I just want a blog to post to. 
     Seems clicking on "dashboard" takes me to my YouTube account.  WTF!

Oh well. 

I am still alive.  Against all odds.  The cancer has progressed, so I think all the positive thoughts in the world are not gonna work.   Sorry Laura, the author of "the secret".  She obviously didn't have a cancer attached to her heart.  On the other hand, I have gone to church, and the priest heard my first confession in 34 years.  I took the host in a shortie mass after everybody else had left. After 34 years of dissolute lifestyle, my penance was fairly lengthy, and my legs went to sleep.  But it was like an old Jimmy Stewart movie...everything was so bright and pleasant.  Father Anthony had to help me up...I looked like "Bambi on ice".   But it has put ME at peace.  Not my dear wife though...who really needs a vacation.  Looking after me is getting her more and more stressed out. 
       So I have been pretty much focusing on myself.  I have trained an armourer to take over that legacy business, and have trained a sword handler to take over the fighting side.  Another legacy.  Other than that, I have been focusing on getting better.  Hopefully now, we can get the summer show season off the ground...make some money. 
       Its nice that people are still coming over to chat with the old man.  (Old...hell...I only LOOK old because of the chemo...I am really only 57.)  Tomorrow, I shall attempt to do some sword training.   I still have things to teach the young Turks. 
       It has been the winter of winters this year!  Not a record snow fall, but nearly!  But long.  I still have four feet of snow in my back yard.  And the septic system has frozen.  Bummer.  Poor Brenda...she has a house without a sewer.  Well...give it a week or two...should fix itself. 
If not...well...we may have to move into a hotel for a few weeks until it all thaws.  Not gonna dig up septic runs in April!  Not in Ottawa!  Oh well...it doesn't rain but it pours.
    Well, enough of that.   Cheers!