Arontius of Bygelswade

.....This one was really out of the muses. I rolled with whatever came to me as opposed to what I typically try to do, which is calculate the weight of every single word. I'm not sure if that method worked better, worse, or no differently than usual. But the end result was a sincere wish to honor TBT on her birthday, as is 'traditional'. :-)

Emerging from the Sun's coronal rings
She strides with purpose and with passion strong
This paragon of beauty in all things
Brings love and life to all who hear her song.

She halts to turn and gaze about
The warmth of Summer's sun coalescing bright
Light gathering to worship most devout
As it whirls joyously within her sight.

She lifts her arm and sweeps across the sky
The stars of heaven's vault fly from her hand
They swiftly spread, yet gentle as a sigh
A blanket nurturing needs of the land.

A Seraph leading with celestial love
With beauty skillfully wrought from above.

With Much Birthday Love to TBT, Aaron.

A spreading light flows from the horizon
New life the body fills and warmth the soul
The excitement grows as the past lies in
A golden burst of light leaps like a foal.

My arms rise overcome in emotion
As much as they rise in supplication
The joy and beauty require devotion
By me is given in salvation.

My eyes adjust to messenger divine
As tears then stream in response to the smile
A gift of love she freely gives as mine
A present cherished as it does beguile.

This day of celebration is held dear.
My greatest fortune with me one more year.

Happy Birthday, Tammie Dupuis. As always, you are my Northern Star, my Southern Cross, my worshipful heart's truest desire. Always. There is no need for me to wish anything special for your birthday, as anything you need, want, or desire is yours for the asking whether it is your birthday or not.

All my love, Aaron.

.....Thinking much thinkiness about TBT today. Wishing she could see herself like I see her, a wonderful, beautiful, dynamic, creative, intelligent woman. One of these days I'll get a sonnet to sound just like I see her. Got lots of practice to do in the meantime. :-)

With silvered tongue the mirror does beguile,
Bold images proclaimed by the herald's horn.
To her unwitting eye a taunting wile,
The dia-mond flash illumes what does adorn.

In voices shrill shout the unruly curves,
In battle age does march across the skin.
The fading of her hair no longer serves,
As time conspires with glass in wicked sin.

My love will be the sword to prove my worth,
To sweep aside these whispered lies in glass.
For beauty given as a gift at birth,
Will only grow as lights at Candlemas.

Your radiant beauty glows from within,
And shines without on my heart you did win.

.....With Much Love, Aaron.

.....August was one long month. Let's make a pact amongst ourselves that we'll never do four events in a five weekend period ever again. Shall we? No matter how 'easy' three of those events are represented to be. :-)

.....I have to say though that as predicted September Crown turned out much, much better than I anticipated. My nightmares and anxieties were many, to the point that I was having a difficult time both sleeping and concentrating at work. But none of my nightmare scenarios turned out. Not to say there weren't challenges aplenty. But they were all challenges that could be overcome. And more importantly, everyone who arrived did so with an attitude of working with what they were given and not complaining bitterly about it. Which made things much, much easier.

.....There are lots and lots to write about. The thank you note to the Baronial e-list was incredibly long and it is still missing a large number of people on it. There were a number of people who suddenly 'appeared' when needed, performed miracles, and then faded away. I was working on a naughty peer trick over the weekend and have since decided that I'd rather have this peer trick instead, the ability to have people 'appear' and save my behind when needed.

.....Although, the Stupid Peer Trick (tm) that I was seriously contemplating was kind of funny (only at the moment though). I observed Dame Brighid Ross entering a Biffy and made ready to tip it over on its side. She didn't think that was funny at all and simply said that it emphasized the 'Stupid' part of the name a little too much.

.....There was a Live Journal entry of several weeks ago where I talked about the supposed 'obligation' one might have to include all comers in a Team if you were the Baron or Baroness. Both Brighid and Khalja noted immediately that it set the Team up for possible failure if you ended up including someone who did not work well with a Team. Which is exactly what happened on Team Haggis III. I spent more energy and aggravation on one person than I did the entire rest of the Team combined. That person ended up making mistakes and I ended up truly blowing up at them as we were setting up the event. I've never done that before and never want to do that again. But it was an incredibly valuable lesson in making sure your Team can work well together and with you before you even start.

.....The site itself has a lot going for it, and a lot going against it. I'm really on the fence as to whether or not it would make a good June Faire site. There are parts of the grounds that are as hard as cement. But could we utilize other parts of site better and just avoid the really bad portions? We were a little tight this weekend due to the space taken up by Equestrian Activities. If we eliminated Equestrian and used this area for camping would we then have enough space to work the site? I'm still thinking on that one.

.....We need to get more creative on sites though. I need to make another run at the Port Orchard Airport I think. And this time I think I'll go around the Tractor people and go straight to the owners. It has the risk of ticking off the Tractor people, but if we can get our toe in the door of the site, maybe we can make it work for us. I think I want to make another run at the Howe Farm as well. The Community Group running with it has been unable to go anywhere with any of their plans. Now might be a good time to approach them with ideas on making a little income and working to improve the site.

.....Yeah, I'm already thinking of a Team Haggis IV. But it isn't going to happen in the next year or so. I'm also thinking it might be a Twelfth Night, for which I have another set of ideas I'm combing through. But I need a long break, and I need to concentrate on getting a few things done on the home front.

.....We get next weekend free to sleep in and do as little as possible. The only obligation being the removal of the water tank from the September Crown site. In two weeks is a Book Fair in Seattle. I forget what's happening the fourth weekend, but the fifth is Last Chance. Which reminds me that we have things to get ready for it.

.....The big thing to concentrate on now is TBT's elevation in January to the Order of the Pelican. Can you believe it? I managed to keep my mouth shut about it. That is quite the accomplishment. :-) But I'm rather excited. Plans are already moving forward. We're using Madrun's elevation e-list as a starting point, as well as the Master File from Madrun's elevation as a baseline check-list for everything that needs to be done.

.....If others want to be involved from the ground floor, let me know and I'll add you to the e-list.

.....I'm sitting here and basically staring at a pile of 3x5 cards, filled with 'to-do' lists that have been accumulating over the past couple of months. I should really consolidate them here shortly. But I'm really tired and finding it difficult to concentrate on any one thing for more than a five minute stretch. I'm seriously happy that September Crown was successful. But I'm so glad it is over. August was a really, really long month.

.....Aaron / Arontius.

.....I rather like these short weeks broken by holidays in the middle. Although I think the majority of those working in the Shipyard took the even more intelligent approach of taking a few days off on either side of the holiday, or the entire week. The Parking Garage was practically empty this morning. I was able to sit at my desk and get caught up with things that have been lingering for a while. I'm on the hook to be back to work for Thursday and Friday, so it is possible that I might actually get ahead a little bit. Which would be nice.

.....I'm being good right now while everyone else takes leave so that when I start eating up the leave for events in August and September that I'm not given much grief. September Crown alone is probably going to eat up at least three or four days of leave. I'm going to try and resist taking leave around the Picnic and Huntsman's Challenge, but we will see what happens.

.....The weekend saw some productivity, but not nearly as much as I would have liked. I managed to do some cleaning of the house on Saturday. The kitchen was washed down, with several severe lectures to The Rhys Monster to not mess it up until at least TBT had seen it! :-) The bedroom and computer were cleaned out and vacuumed, along with the hall. Then the laundry was done.

.....After that I spent the afternoon trying to clean out my e-mail inbox. Did manage to reduce from almost 500 down to below 300, so I called that at least partially successful.

.....Then spent some time working on an FAQ for the Norseland Site. It was a very interesting week in that regard. The Equestrian Community had been doing a little research on the September Crown site and ran across some Internet sites talking about Norseland being a remediation site, with a meticulous cleanup effort after many years as an Army Base, a Landfill and a Trailer Park. The Equestrians were worried, after reading these reports of a HazMat clean-up, whether the site would be hazardous to their horses in any way. They were legitimate questions. We had been told the site was safe for human use, but humans don't generally roll around in the dirt and eat the local vegetation.

.....So Tsuruko, as the Equestrian POC, started asking questions of the State Department of Ecology. It did not take long at all before we started seeing an avalanche of e-mails from the State, the County, and the Port speaking about the site and what plans we had for the site. It was an intense day or two. So intense that the people leasing us the Site, the BMP, told us to take them out of the picture until something was ultimately decided. I had one conversation with the BMP where he was upset enough that he suggested we move the event. This was a non-starter as far as I was concerned. I spoke fast and as persuasively as I could and basically talked him off the ledge and told him that we'd deal with all the legal entities and let the BMP know the results when it was all over. They ultimately agreed to that plan and I breathed a short sigh of relief.

.....In the end we held a Teleconference with representatives from the State Dept. of Ecology, someone from the Kitsap Public Health Office, the Port of Bremerton, and Tsuruko and myself. It was a very friendly conversation. The state gave us formal permission to hold September Crown on Norseland and informed us that, among other things, the site was perfectly safe for the plans we had for it and that the area designated for the Equestrians was never even part of the remediation efforts. We came away with a formal statement to that affect (which I've already received in the mail), direction to the final sampling report online (of which I now have a copy), a POC for people to call if they have more questions of the State POC, and well wishes for a good event. I breathed another sigh of relief after that call.

.....Only thing left to do now is to have the Equestrians actually tour the site to make sure the area in question will work for their Tournament. This is supposed to happen in the next couple of weeks.

.....FAQ was put together and will be part of the September Crown web-site shortly.

.....Sunday was a day of migraine. I did not accomplish much at all. I did push my rear out the door in the afternoon to meet Albrecht and Magdalena so we could give them a day shade and a few other things from storage for use at An Tir / West War. I was barely holding it all together at that point, but made it through. I felt a little badly for taking off when Ralg was still trying to organize things. But I wouldn't have been a whole lot of help at that point. I went home, pulled out stuff for Monday and then went to bed for the remainder of the day.

.....Did some research on the internet last night and caught up on some more e-mail. Spent a little bit of time with TBT. Probably should have spent some more, but I was on a mission and intent on finding a few things out. :-) Yes, I can be stubborn on occasion. :-)

.....TBT was told over the weekend, jokingly from what I understand, that she does not put forth a whole lot of effort as Baroness. I may have to find out what exactly was meant by that as hearing it would have bothered me a great deal. I acknowledge quite frankly that this job of Baron and Baroness is one big assed job. No one person can do it effectively alone. TBT and I bring both brain and brawn to the table to manage this job at all. I'm not even saying we're even being very good at it. I'm just saying to even try to be effective requires a lot of effort, a lot of good ideas, a lot of management skills, a lot of intelligence, and a lot of perseverance. The only things that keeps me from feeling completely overwhelmed on occasion is TBT being right there helping me and managing situations with which she has experience or things of which she is just better at dealing with. There are things that I just take over because there are details that just bore TBT to death and she just doesn't like dealing with. I think we make a pretty good team in that regard. If anyone were to say to me that either one of us works any less than the other, I would say they were utterly and completely wrong, with a few additional remarks just to make sure my meaning was not mistaken.

.....Had to get that one out of my system as it really was bothering me a lot last night. I probably need to just let that one go unless it is mentioned to me directly.

.....And, I get to sleep in a little bit tomorrow. Which is a good thing. Along with a picnic with lots of good food. That Richard can grill a rather fantastic steak! :-)

.....Aaron / Arontius.

....This is called 'speed sonnetry'. Not to be confused with 'speed dating', although they are very similar concepts. You meet for a very short amount of time with a concept which you have to impart as much impression as possible as clearly as possible, while maintaining a certain amount of charm and wit.

.....Well, I tried. :-) And it was for TBT on a Valentines Day. :-) And it was done in under an hour.

As Venus rising from divine embrace,
A beauteous gem glimmering on high.
All else is dim and pale next to her grace.
The creatures of light on her do draw nigh.

I gaze in wonder at this wondrous light.
My heart a welcome captive in love's grasp.
My memory forever etched with sight.
Her ev'ry curve cause my lungs to gasp.

As time flows swiftly towards eternity.
Its passage only increases the love.
And gazing on this face of majesty.
Shows God's great presence with gifts from above.

To cherish this treasure is my desire.
As beauty quenches my heart with sweet fire.

.....Happy Valentine's Day, TBT. You are definitely my favoritist Valentine of all. :-)

.....Love, Aaron.

.....The 'Super Sekrit' Project that TBT is working is pretty awesome. I can't say any more as I was sworn to secrecy. But I was definitely impressed. But, really, is there anything that TBT CAN'T do with flair and brilliance and beauty? :-)

.....It did not take long at all for life to speed up epically after the holidays! I was informed today that NAVSEA is going to perform a material audit of one of my jobs of FY'11 next March. A preliminary look has already been done and I'm already answering about a million questions. It's going to be a busy three months at work!

.....Then there is a two week trip to Norfolk to fit in there at some point. I'm trying to maneuver it so that it happens AFTER Candlemas in February.

.....Almost ready to make the long drive to Twelfth Night on Friday. Sharing a ride with TBT, Madrun, Gwen and Tsuruko. We'll keep each other awake if nothing else. :-) Hoping for an early start on Friday. It'll be a severe lesson on packing light.

.....Need two sets of clothes (modern) and two sets of garb. Need the circlets and the cloaks and the 'bling'. Need the door 'banner' and want to bring the camera. Would also like to bring the lap top.

.....Friday is a Baronial gathering in our room. We're leaving the ice chest at home to save space, so we'll have to shop for snacks in Coeur d'Alene. Will need some plates and serving utensils as well.

.....Pelican meeting on Saturday morning. My agenda and supporting material will be printed out tomorrow at work. I'd like to go to the Seneschal Meeting later in the day. I'd also like to touch base with Master Ljotr again. I'm looking forward to seeing him as Kingdom Seneschal again. :-)

.....Nothing needed for Court except for something to keep my hands busy. Might be a good time to have TBT teach me how to knit. I've been asking her to teach me for a while, but we've never had the chance.

.....Kingdom Rapier Tourney on Saturday night. Dragon's Laire has at least three participants. We need to remember to bring tokens, any leftover munchies we have, and some bottled water to support our fighters.

.....Also would love to hit Her Excellency Elisabeth's room. They are having a Madrone, and guests, gathering in her rooms. :-)

.....Sunday morning at 0900 is the Financial Committee Meeting. Would like to discuss the Regional Feast and get a ruling. No matter what that ruling is we'll at least be able to finally move forward with the concept at that point. I know that Renart is getting antsy and would like to start seriously planning. Can't blame him. So this will at least be a decision point.

.....Also need to update the budget for September Crown. We've had some changes forced on us that exceed our 10% overage. Sigh! But the changes will ultimately be for the better.

.....Then it will be time for the long drive home. With Ursulmas and Candlemas approaching quickly on the horizon. Seriously need to sit down and generate a comprehensive 'to-do' list. There are a lot of things that need to be done soon and I'm losing track of some of them. Can't let that happen.

.....Now I'm really tired. Time for bed. :-)

.....Aaron / Arontius

.....I'm on a Live Journal feed for Psychology Today, which had the below article posted:

"6 Reasons It's Good When Grown-Ups Get Married.
Published on October 8, 2011 by Gina Barreca, Ph.D. in Snow White Doesn't Live Here Anymore

Marriage puts your life into an entirely new context, especially if you are fortunate enough to get married as a grown-up. By "grown-up" I mean over age 30.

Getting married as a grown-up implies that you've gone through The Relationship Gauntlet, meaning that you have been beaten down and emotionally flayed by at least a couple of earlier relationships. It can be assumed, then, that you are not entirely naïve about the possible pains as well as pleasures of a committed relationship. You're doing this on purpose; you're not getting married because you can't find a decent place to live on your own or because you found a great white dress on sale.

After 30, you're not getting married just because your friends are, thereby making a wedding the equivalent of everybody getting together after work for appetizers at Applebee's. And, most importantly, you're not getting married because you think somehow it will absolve you from the necessity of forging your own existence.

You've realized, in other words, that the benefits of being in a long-term relationship are as follows:
1. Somebody knows when you don't come at night and he or she can call the police.
2. Somebody will tell you in no uncertain terms if what you're wearing is inappropriate.
3. Somebody has power of attorney.

There are also a few other benefits, which include the following:
1. You can have breakfast and dinner with a consort for whom you don't have to make brilliant conversation (but if you happen to come up with a good line, they'll get the joke).
2. One person knows exactly what you're like when you're at your worst and at your best, and this person will remind you that both are temporary conditions. You'll be supported and encouraged when you're low, but when you're successful, you'll also be reminded - usually with haste - that not only is humility a virtue, it is one you personally should cultivate.
3. You have an ally under all conditions, in all situations. When you're backed into the toughest corner, you know you're not there by yourself.

The future is unknowable and remains unmapped. That's why to have your life's best companion at your side remains essential. Because even if you aren't quite sure where you are, when you are together, you're home."

.....This really rather resonated with me. I passed through my twenties and most of my thirties thinking that marriage was something I didn't need or want at all. I had grown up used to taking care of myself and ensuring that all of my own needs, whether emotional or physical, were met. Room-mates and friends were a big help and greatly appreciated. But when I moved into a house by myself, it was amazing how good it felt to come home to the silence. To everything situated just the way I had left it last. My own, boundaried, world. I thought my life was complete and well-ordered. :-)

.....When I started nearing forty I occasionally mused over what I was missing by not having a long term relationship. I'd never considered the possibilities; and really, never made myself 'presentable' to the possibilities either. :-) But I didn't give it a whole lot of thought.

.....So, cue the moment when dating TBT became a reality. In some ways it was like a lightning bolt striking my life. But in other ways it was something I'd basically been expecting it to happen. Isn't that a strange conundrum? Especially considering how surprised I was that someone of TBT's caliber would even consider going out with someone like me. Reconciling the two vastly different thought processes is something I've never been able to do.

.....I was also someone for whom Arthurian Romance and Tolkienist dreams make up a lot of the way I think, so the entire situation seemed like something totally out of character as well.

.....There is a part of me that wishes I was actually a lot more the romantic in how I relate to TBT, but in reality I think of TBT as my best friend first. The person I can rely upon above all others. Which is why the Psychology Today article above made such total sense. I could have written it. :-)

.....I've basically answered the doubts in my own mind by reminding myself of the following:

.....1.) Love as a concept is a lot more complicated than anyone gives it credit for being. It certainly isn't something that is black-and-white, or something that can be learned from a textbook. It nothing at all like you read in the average fantasy. And is something that is unique to every single person and relationship.

.....2.) Arthurian romances rarely, if ever, ended well at all! Even Tolkienist romance was stiff and reserved for the most part.

.....I guess I just need to practice my own version of 'romance' more. As long as TBT is happy, which will make me happy in the process, that's all that really counts. As much of a cliché as it is, it is still true. :-)

.....Aaron.

.....I am reminded from time to time that I am probably the luckiest guy on Earth as I am married to the most beautiful and talented woman on the entire planet.

.....Happy Fourth Anniversary, Tamm! I love you! :-)

.....A day never to be forgotten. Standing in the Living Room of her house in South Seattle. So nervous I was shaking and couldn't speak in a straight line to save my life. :-)

.....But things only seem to get better and better as time goes by and I look forward more and more towards spending the rest of my life with this woman.

.....Love, Aaron.

.....Don't know if TBT will be up to posting tonight, although she might later. But just in case I wanted to give you all the latest.

.....We met her back in her room around 6:30PM after she was brought back from the recover. She was still incredibly woozy, but remarkably coherent. The nurse came in shortly after and said that she was 'combative' upon first waking up from surgery, so she had some added dosage of anesthesia to work through.

.....We sat with her for about an hour and a half or so. She would fall asleep and wake up at intervals. We'd talk with her a bit before she'd drift off again. When Rhys started getting antsy, I thought I'd better take him home. After the excitement of the past week or so, I was a little wrung out myself. I will sleep well tonight for a change.

.....Doctor Chun, her surgeon, said the Gall Bladder was inflamed, but not as bad as he had suspected. He prodded for some stones in some of the surrounding tubes, but didn't find any. He didn't have to actually cut her open, it was all done laproscopically. But he pronounced things as looking very good internally.

.....While he had the chance he snapped a bit of liver to check as well. There is still the matter of the anemia that is puzzling the doctors quite a bit. They aren't sure what is causing it and are going to run the liver through some tests.

.....So, we plan on showing up at the hospital early tomorrow and taking her home. Hopefully by 9AM or so. The surgeon wants to have one more blood work done on her before he'll send her home.

.....Thanks to all for the well wishes and prayers. Thank you Gwen for taking care of Rhys. Thank you Madrun for sitting with TBT when I couldn't. Everyone's thoughts and deeds are greatly appreciated.

.....Aaron / Arontius.