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Thursday, January 18th, 2007
6:29 pm - Too Soon
I only knew him as Johnny, it wasn't until my told me of his passing did I learn his last name.

He was the cool guy with the big personality who married the girl next door to me, DeeDee. She was the prettiest girl in the neighborhood, and I had a little-boy crush on her, and I may have even been a little jealous when he first showed up, but I don't remember now.

There's was the first wedding I ever attended. When my family was evacuated following the Sylmar earthquake in 1971, we stayed at their small apartment, camped out on the living room floor.

It didn't fully occur to me what an extraordinary man he was until after I knew he was gone. He fixed anything that broke in his mother-in-law's house, poured a new driveway for her, and always said "Hi, Stevie" with a enthusiasm and big smile whenever he saw me. I was just the little blond kid next door.

When I learned his age at the time of his death, 56, I saw he wasn't really much older than me. That bigger-than-life Latino man, so sure of himself and dedicated to family, was 20 years old when I saw him get married. He may have been 18 or 19 when I first met him, and already certain he had great things to do in life. He founded and ran a successful heating and air-conditioning business, and was talking with clients when his heart failed.

Johnny and DeeDee were married 36 years. My mom and dad went to Johnny's funeral in the same church where his wedding had been. The church, my mom told me, was packed to the limit.

I keep thinking it was way too soon for Johnny to go. He had too much energy, too much still to give, and too many people who would be left behind. I'm sure there's a wisdom greater than mine at work here, but I'm also sure Johnny Beltran gave the gift of himself to the world and the people around him without holding anything back. And that, whether a life be short or long, is a life well lived.

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Sunday, December 17th, 2006
11:39 pm - Christmas Ornaments


I had fun with these today:





Thank you, [info]corvida, for the squares of poplar, and the artistic inspiration.

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Saturday, December 9th, 2006
10:07 am - Volunteer State
I'm not talking about the state of Tennessee, where my father was born.

Rather, this post is about my efforts to find a good place to volunteer some of my time and energy. I'm thinking 2 or 4 hours a week, probably one weeknight. A chance to give something back to my community and not think so much about myself.

Three years ago I researched and contacted a few places, but I never got a response, and gave up. I allowed myself to get resigned and a tad cynical. But this time around I'm going to be more persistent. I thought it would be easy to give away work, but it's possible such places are more focused on their mission than on coordinating volunteers.

So today I started web-searching for possibilities. Maybe I can stock shelves at a foodbank. We'll see.

This time, I'm persistent.

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Thursday, November 30th, 2006
10:18 pm - Project: Lamellar armor


Here's some pics of the Byzantine style lamellar armor I've been building.





The plates are punched from 0.050" 2026 T-3 aluminum. They're light, and strong. 150 plates weigh about 9 lbs, and my prototype batch of plates have been serving as body armor for an active An Tir fighter with excellent results.





Each plate is about 2" x 3". In these pics, the plates are laced together with leather, but some prefer nylon paracord.





This "kilbanion" is made from 167 plates, plus leather for lacing, edging, and a yoke for the neck hole. I'll wear it into SCA combat once it's complete (I still have some edging to do, plus the shoulders) and I get a helmet to match. Can't fight 11th century Byzantine style with a 14th century Anglo/French/German helm.

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Thursday, November 23rd, 2006
2:07 pm - Thanks Giving
Seems appropriate to make my first real post a list of things I’m thankful for.

I am blessed with health, great family and friends, and an opportunity to live a life of joy and adventure.

I’ve had the chance to be a knight, a mentor, and to express myself athletically in both victory and defeat as an SCA fighter. I’ve learned skills and selfless chivalry from people I consider both friend and hero.

I’ve learned from teachers who have shown me that my thoughts and action in every moment are my choice, and that apparent obstacles are really opportunity in disguise.

And I get to live in a time and place in which life can be lived with wide-open possibility. I’m thankful for these things and more, today and every day.

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Sunday, November 19th, 2006
8:03 pm - test
test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test test

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