He’s a long-time Cecilophile but a brand new poster. Not much of a lurker (just started a couple days ago), and after reading some of the nice things I said about him, has finally registered and posted his first test message.
Please welcome Ravendriver.
A few pertinent facts:
current Occupation: He flys a news helicopter.
Some former occupations: web god, professional actor, burger-flipper.
Hobbies: Irish harp, period theatre, hitting things with sticks.
Sample writing (from an e-mail to me this morning - he is in Iowa while I am still in Arizona packing the house):
"Iowa is certainly different. They don’t toast bagels, but the Sacred Pig is everywhere. It’s interesting that the Porcine Veneration doesn’t seem to conflict with any of the Right Thinking beliefs of these good, church-going folk.
I guess the Pig statues are decorated and judged according to the decoration. Some are humourous, some are loaded with more bucolic charm than a gingham duck. I wonder what the reaction would be to one of the Pig statues decorated to reflect the worship the Pig is accorded in this part of the world. I’m thinking a Golden Pig, surrounded by the faithful, sort of a Porky of Willensdorf.
Or maybe a local Cacophony Society gathered to abase themselves and worship the Pig. Bringer of Hams, Rinds, and Chitlins. Source of all Bacon."
Welcome, Ravendriver!
Hitting things w/ stix? Hope that means you’re an escrimador instead of a percussionist.
Either way, glad to have you. Hope you enjoy being had.
Many thanks to my Gorgeous and Talented for that fine introduction, and to all for the warm welcome.
Girl, Hey back atcha.
Dinsdale, the things I hit with sticks are generally trying to hit back. My percussion expertise is limited to the steering wheel on a Really Cool Song, or a dumbek, which anybody can play.
xizor, I don’t play golf, as that would entail looking foolish in public until I got good at the game.
Grace, thank you.
And just for the record, lucie is the finest person in the world.
Welcome to Des Moines, Raven. I’m assuming you are the pilot for “Chopper 13”. I know you probably don’t have anything to do with their commercials touting this new addition, but if you could somehow make them STOP, I would be forever grateful. They are waaaay too dramatic.
As for the Pigs - it’s a takeoff on the parade of cows in Chicago last year (and New York this year, from what I understand). We don’t usually have a bunch of brightly decorated porcelain pigs all over the city…
Again, welcome! Let me know if there’s anything I can do for you.
No, the fellow who suggested that I might be an escrimador is closer to the mark. This is a general reference to the way the heavy sword arts are practiced today. I have some experience with the Japanese art of Kendo, which simulates the two-handed Japanese sword with an equivalent length of bamboo (a stick). But most of my time has been in the medieval-style combat of the Society for Creative Anachronism, (http://www.sca.org/)which simulates the medieval European broadsword with an equivalent length of rattan, suitably treated to avoid splintering during the full-speed, full-contact strikes that the sport requires.
I have held an instructor’s rating (called a knighthood) in the game since June of '84. My speciality is a form incorrectly called Florentine, which disdains a shield in favor of a broadsword in each hand. Hence, hitting people with sticks.
