What does this dream mean?

I normally don;t put much stock in "dream interpretation" with regards to fortune telling, and personality profiles, but just for fun, I thought I would throw out the question here, because this dream as relatively brief, and realistic, containing an unusual amount of coherent logic.

Dream, morning of 10/3/2013

I found a sort of folder in which there were 6 horizontal slots in the front cover, arranged in vertical rows of three. In five of those slots (the bottom right one being empty) there were small cards from Christmas of the years 1958 – 1962. My mom said this was a thing her brother Carl did, which was to send an update of his family every year, and wondered what year this was from. For some reason it seemed to be connected to when I was born. We were also wondering when he stopped doing this.

On the upper right-hand corner of the cover was a date, 1968. Also, it seemed that somewhere there was a date that indicated the last time he sent one, that was 1998. This seemed to me that he sent them every year until he died. However, upon reflection, in the dream, I recalled that he died before that.

I looked several times at the small cards slotted into the front cover, wondering why they were from only as late as 1962 when the folder was from 1968. My mom kept wondering when it was from and I kept on trying to show her the date in the corner.

What do you think this means?

Uniforms and Patriotism

News item: Mississippi Students Upset After 'Patriotic Day' Apparel Flagged
Mississippi Students Upset After 'Patriotic Day' Apparel Flagged

Apparently a school in Mississippi declared Sept. 11, 2013 "Patriotic Day" and said that students could "either wear a white shirt containing an image of the American flag, or their regular school uniform," according to the Huffington Post.

Two students violated that policy by wearing regular T-shirts that said “America, land of the free, home of the brave” and "U.S. Pride." They were told to change their clothes because he shirts did not follow the school dress code, and now the article reports that the school is considering not having a "Patriotic day" next year.

I seldom get inspired to take time out of my day to comment on news articles and such, and most often other people say what I would have said anyway or a simply idiots. I was feeling inspired,this morning, however. Here is my take on the matter (which I also posted in the "comments" section of the article):

Patriotism is fun and all, but WHY are we patriots? "Guess what everybody? You can wear a DIFFERENT SHIRT than you always have to today, so long as it is THIS PARTICULAR SHIRT that we say you can wear!" I really don't get how that helps me understand why I am supposed to feel patriotic about this country. How is this serving the educational message of the school? If discipline is one of the primary educational missions of this particular school, sure, but I don't see anything empirically or intrinsically worthy of patriotism about being allowed to wear a US flag image on your shirt one day out of the year, and the rest of the year you may only wear your school uniform.

If the point of the uniform is to create an atmosphere of...well...uniformity among the student body, then are we to assume that patriots are allowed to express their individuality once a year now? Are those the only individuals that are allowed to express their individuality? Are those who do not wear the flag not patriots? Is no one else allowed to express their individuality on any other day of the year? Is there something special, better, greater about being a patriot as opposed to not being a patriot? Suppose someone wants to keep their patriotism in their hearts (as many do about their religions, for instance), would they be singled out by the "expressive" patriots for ridicule?

I am going to go out on a limb here and say if you want to maintain uniformity and discipline, you can do it: the same uniform, all year long. If you want to allow free expression, you can do that too: no dress code, all year long. I can even accept a "free expression day" in a uniformed school in which everyone is allowed to wear whatever the heck they want (all right, you can add "within acceptable community standards" if you are afraid of someone showing up with "swear words" on their shirt or in non-gender-appropriate underwear). But "Patriotic Day," in which you are "allowed" to wear one specific alternate uniform, especially one that is as loaded with subtext and meaning as the American flag, and nothing else, strikes me as facetious and against both the spirit of the principles behind school uniforms and the First Amendment's guarantee of the freedom of expression.

Thank you.

Superhero Dream

So I had this dream last night...

I was working in the office of a newspaper, when a paramilitary terrorist (white, about 40 yrs old, hair cut short to minimize the effect of his receding hairline) busted into the office with an assault rifle and took everyone hostage. One of the other workers, one who was new to the office asked what was happening. I told him that this has happened several times before. This guy is trying to make the superhero in the office reveal himself. The thing is, I am the superhero he is trying to expose, but I can't tell anyone, because I have to protect my secret identity.

The fellow office worker takes it upon himself to be the hero. He tries to use a martial arts technique to get the gun away from the terrorist, the terrorist is just too experienced for him, twists his arm backwards and there is a “snap” sound from his arm. “Anyone else?” he says.

There is a Lois Lane-type character in the office, and she asks what he wants. He says he wants to prove that the American press is a corrupt entity that spreads lies, and that he wants to bring down the power of the press.

I explain to him that he wasting his time. The press has no power. Nobody reads the newspapers anymore. Everybody knows there is no journalistic integrity or investigative effort put into reporting anymore. All the papers just print the releases from the Associated Press or Reuters and boom, they're done. If he wanted to get in touch with Superman all he had to do was this...

And then I put my hands around my mouth and yelled “SUPERMAAAAAAAAAAAAN!”

When he turned around to look I ran off, changed into Superman and flew back so fast he didn't notice.

Then I woke up.

Report from the Battle of the Nations 2013 part 1

Report from the Battle of the Nations 2013

Last year we were rock stars. We were superheroes. We were Rocky, the Bad News Bears, the Karate Kid, the Muppets all rolled into one glorious, made-in-America, only-in-America story.

This year we were warriors.

America loves an underdog but at the end of the day, it wants a winner, and we wanted to win. For nineteen of us, this was a return. We had been here before. By “here,” I mean international full-contact medieval armored combat with rebated steel weapons at the Battle of the Nations, although this was a new location, the tiny walled village of Aigues-Mortes on the southern coast of France. For the other twenty-nine it was the first time, but they had the benefit of our experience, our game films, and a training program and battle plan devised by veterans.

We had popped the cherry of Americans being in the sport and had surprised everyone with out toughness, passion, and, to some degree, our good sportsmanship and pleasant natures (not that anyone thought anything bad of us, but everyone remarked how much fun we were). So now here we were, better prepared, with a bigger team, and ready to literally take on the world.

The atmosphere for the event was very different from last year. The city of Aigues-Mortes, and much of France itself, is defined by the words “quaint,” “charming,” and “beautiful.” Just walking down the street put you in the mindset of a medieval town. As a good start to the week we took a tour of Carcassonne, the famous medieval castle. Though it was much more “touristy” than Malbork last year, there is just no avoiding the majesty of looking up at medieval walls and towers, looking out over the landscape from medieval walls and towers, and of course, the stained glass windows and flying buttresses of Gothic cathedrals.

But even before we got there, my lady and I spent a couple of days in Paris. There I met with a cousisn I did not know I had. He invited us over to dinner, at which we had a wonderful home-cooked French meal and met his wife and children. He showed us old family photos and some family documents going back hundreds of years. Some of the most fascinating were a Legion d'Honneur certificate from 1857 that also had a letter from the Sultan, and a scroll from the King of France from 1732!

After Paris we drove down to Carcassonne with Rich Elswick, one of my fellow Team USA knights, stopping off for lunch in Tours, where we checked out another cathedral and an art museum.

It was fascinating to see an At Museum in a small town in France. This was apparently a private collection being shown in a large mansion. Most of the fine art I have ever seen has been in museums in America or art history books. There you get the feeling that what you are seeing are the most important works of at in the world, that the artists did this one or these two or three paintings and that's it, there is no need to see any more. And since these museums cover such a broad spectrum of history and geography, you get the sense that there was only a few pieces of work in any place or period that are worth looking at.

But in the Beaux-Arts Museum in Tours I saw lots and lots of paintings from the same period, all from western Europe, including a Rembrandt. This made me realize that these famous artists did not do just those one or two or three paintings w all know, but lots and lots of paintings over the course of their life. And there were lots of lesser-known artists working also. And people commissioned this art and hung it in their hoses. This was the “pop art” of its period. These were the magazine subscriptions and the TV shows of the nobility and the bourgeoisie. It gave me a new perspective on the history of art and made me wish I had done more art in my lfe. It kind of makes me want tp pick up a pencil right now...

To be continued.

Battle of the Nations hits the local news!

As some of you may know, I am, once  again, on Team USA for the Battle of the Nations!

I don't have time for a full-length post and essay right now, but I do want to mention that this year around I am starting to get some press coverage! Here is an article in the Brooklyn Paper from last week, and just today a photographer came from the NY Daily News to take pictures for an article coming out this Sunday!

Here is the text of the article, just in case it disappears of the 'web someday...

A real Brooklyn knight: W’burg warrior heading to Europe to do battle

By Danielle Furfaro

The Brooklyn Paper

Photo by Stefano Giovannini

Knight fight: Zorikh Lequidre will go to Europe to compete with the rest of Team USA in the Battle of Nations — an international sword-fighting tournament.

Photo courtesy of Zorikh Lequidre

Lequidre designs his armor himself, and trained in jiu jitsu and wrestling before dedicating himself the the medieval lifestyle.

File photo by Paul Martinka

One thing is certain: he's more legit than this Brooklyn Knight.

Sword-toting Williamsburger Zorikh Lequidre will represent the County of Kings — and the nation — in a fight for bragging rights between men who spend their weekends getting all medieval on each other.
The 44-year-old actor is taking his homemade armor to France, where he will fight for Team USA in the so-called Battle of Nations — a massive melee that will let him fulfill the dream of just about every boy since the Dark Ages.
“Who doesn’t want to be the knight in shining armor and the hero to look up to, serving your king and fighting against the best fighters out there?” said Lequidre, who added that, yes, it is his real name. “You are putting yourself in a tradition of noble elite.”

But unlike his medieval ancestors, Lequidre will fight with a dulled blade.
The swords aren’t sharp, meaning participants ought to escape with all of their limbs — but other than that the reenactments are full-scale and full-contact, with teams from 14 countries gathering in May in Aigues Mortes to behave as knights did in the 12th century.
And that extends far beyond just slashing people with broadswords, according to Lequidre.
“You have to take on squires and train them. At events, you have to marshall and make sure that everyone is wearing the proper armor,” said Lequidre, who joined the national team last year after participating in other reenactments with the Society for Creative Anachronism for more than two decades. “And you have to engage in chivalry, the definition of which we love to debate over a campfire and drinks we all made ourselves.”
Lequidre is the only Brooklyn knight on the national team, and he earned his spot on the 50-fighter roster by beating out 100 other applicants and training in jiu jitsu and wrestling.
And he lays it all on the battlefield, according to Team USA officer Jaye Brooks.
“Where Zorikh really stands out is determination,” said Brooks, who judged the try-outs on skill, strength, and spirit. “He has a ton of heart.”
That’s because he is fighting for love.
Lequidre met his lady, Maria Dedvukaj, three years ago at a Halloween party where he dressed as a knight in armor — and since then his damsel has become an integral part of his recreational combat, serving as a team administrator and coordinating travel, lodging, and food for American warriors.
“It’s history coming alive, it’s adventure and there’s also this pride of having a team come from the U.S.,” said Dedvukaj, who sews all her own outfits.
Adventure doesn’t equal victory: and that’s all that matters in this not-so-bloody bloodsport. In fact, Team USA came in last in 2012’s 21-on-21 melee.
This time, Lequidre says the United States boasts its finest lineup of knights in the nation’s 236-year history, but it’s unclear if America can keep up with the superpowers such as Poland and Ukraine, which placed first and second last year, respectively.
Win or lose, he will return to Brooklyn a knight — even if that lofty title, granted to him by other members of Team USA, is not recognized by the Queen of England or any other kingdom.
“My knighthood and a MetroCard will get me on the subway,” he said.
The Battle of Nations will descend upon Aigues Mortes, France from May 9 to May 12. Video of the battles will be available at www.youtube.com/user/battleofthenationsTV.
Reach reporter Danielle Furfaro at dfurfaro@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-2511. Follow her at twitter.com/DanielleFurfaro.

Reader Feedback

Zorikh Lequidre from Williamsburg says:

Thank you so much for putting this article out! I am very proud of what I am doing with Team USA at the Battle of the Nations!

This is an expensive undertaking, between the airfare, hotel, food, armor, weapons, training etc., so to raise funds I have created an illustration that will be available in an art print, t-shirt, or hoodie sweatshirt. you can get it, and other nifty items and perks, by sponsoring me through http://www.gofundme.com/zorikhbotn2013

You can also see videos I have produced myself about Team USA and Battle of the Nations at http://www.youtube.com/captainzorkh

This is a very well-written article and truly captures the spirit of what it is about. Just to clarify one thing, the description of knighthood in the 7th paragraph is a description of knighthood in the Society for Creative Anachronism, not necessarily Team USA or the Battle of the Nations.

Thanks again for writing and posting this article. This is very important to me and I am happy to share it with as many people as I can! 

March 21, 11:04 am

 

Eric Bentley from Tucson says:

Give em hell and safe returns!

 March 21, 11:26 am

 

Violetta from formerly LIC says:

DevonEliz (Laura) sent me this. God send thee well Sir Ervald.
- Vi (exiled in Midrealm)

March 21, 2:03 pm

 

Hipster from Williamsburg says:

you look like an idiot

March 21, 3:20 pm

 

Hagit Barzilai from Seneca Lane says:

Once a King, always a King, but once a Knight is enough.

March 21, 4:31 pm

 

JAY from NYC says:

wanna fight, then join the army.

March 21, 6:20 pm

 

The Real Zorikh from India says:

You spelled your name wrong. In the link. Left out the "i"

March 22, 4:35 pm

 

Tom from Propa PH says:

It's like game of thrones, but where all the knights have vaginas.

March 22, 4:37 pm

 

Sarah from Slope says:

Hey, I think it's kinda cool. Good luck Zorliek.

March 22, 4:37 pm

 

Captain Zorikh from Williamsburg says:

Thanks TRZFI. I thought I was the only Zorikh out there ;) Here is the corrected link to my YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/captainzorikh
BTW, I set of a web page where info about me, the Battle of the Nations, my fundraiser, and videos can all be conveniently found at http://www.captainzorikh.com/botn2013

March 22, 4:41 pm

 

JAY from NYC says:

sorry but you are NOT a warrior and this is NOT a battle.

March 22, 6:38 pm

 

Brad from burg says:

Hey Jay from NYC your prozac ran out might wanna hide the rope.

March 22, 10:08 pm

 

Captain Zorikh from Williamsburg says:

Jay, you are entitled to your opinion of the definition of "warrior" and "battle." If you are more comfortable thinking of me as an "athlete" in a "sport," go right ahead. There will be an exhibition on April 13-14 at the Renaissance Faire in Mercer Co. Park in West Windsor, NJ Come on down and check us out. And feel free to talk with the current and former US military personnel who are on the team.

March 22, 10:15 pm

 

Charlie Andrews from Eagle Mountain Utah says:

Jay and Hipster why don't you come out of your Mom's basement and meet us on the field I promise it will be a battle and you will fully believe we are warriors !!! Or you could just suck it and leave it at that :)

March 23, 1:26 am