Thursday, May 30, 2013

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.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

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

The Brooklyn Paper
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


Thursday, November 22, 2012

Underwater Twlight Zone Dream

Imagine if you will...a dream so vivid, so realistic, so consistent in its narrative logic, that it plays exactly like a "Twilight Zone" episode or a "weird mystery" comic book story by Jack Kirby.

Picture if you will a large nylon bubble. This bubble has clear plastic windows and is opened by a large zippered doorway. Within this bubble are three explorers, a male scientist getting up in his years but still with plenty of vigor, the inventor of this bubble; His daughter, a young and beautiful scientist who believes in her father's dream of exploring the mysteries of the ocean depths, and a third person, the operator of the bubble, who's details are obscure but unimportant. As the dreamer of this dream, you are also in this bubble, a fascinated observe of this simple yet cleverly-conceived device which will allow you and your companions to explore a phenomena that has been detected on the floor of this particular body of water upon which  you are now floating.

You pull down the plastic central zipper of the door, marveling at the simplicity of its seal, and hoping that it will keep the water out. The order is given to descend, and you see the support staff standing on the platform looking at you with concern. After a moment, you realize that the zipper is not completely closed, but the air pressure is keeping the water from leaking in the bubble. You pull the zipper closed the remaining two inches and lock it in place. The final locking of it causes it to visibly disappear into the fabric securing the air-tight seal. The descent continues, everything working perfectly, and he scientist's daughter kisses him n the cheek.

You reach the bottom of the water.  It is not too far down from the surface that you could not swim to the top if you had to, but far enough that the surface is out of sight and light has a hard time reaching you. you look out the windows and see a broad, flat plain. There is not much life under here, it is an eerie desplate landscape. But there has been some phenomena here that requires exploration.

You put on a breathing apparatus and so does the scientist. and step out of the bubble into the water. You go in one direction and he goes another. The pressures are not so great that a diving suit is needed, so you are wearing a simple breathing mask. As you go further from the bubble, a fast moving bright thing rushes past you, like a car on the highway. In your radio earpiece you hear the scientist's daughter calling frantically for him to come back. You start to look for him to no avail. The air in the breathing aparatus will last a long time, but you worry that if you don't find him you may have to surface without him, and then he may be lost forever.

The bubble reaches it underwater time limit, however, and the scientist has not been found. Once on the surface his daughter is frantic. We must go back down, she cries. He is down there and we must find him!

The time ticks by as the wheels of procedure slowly turn to enable the bubble to go back down. After an agonizing wait in which visions of the scientist's potential fate play before your eyes, you return to the bubble to drop to the same location.

Perhaps there was an air pocket underwater and the scientist was able to survive in that? Perhaps there was an underwater civilization, and a beautiful mermaid who had lured him away? He was a widower, after all, this scientist, and a constant seeker of mysteries, never able to resist one in front of his face. Was this bubble he invented not a product of his obsession with a mysterious underwater phenomenon?

You reach the bottom of the water again and you see a glowing underwater creature, on one of whom the pattern of the scales, the fins, the gills on its belly look exactly like the face of a beautiful human woman. It is this creature that the scientist had followed out of the bubble, and a school of these creatures that now swim around his lifeless body, entangling it with underwater plants. The scientists daughter bursts into teas, for she has learned that the human mind will see what it wants to see in the patterns of nature and that you should always look twice at what is found within...The Twilight Zone.

(OK, in my dream there was no narrator, but the telling of the story was just begging for it)

Friday, November 2, 2012

Hurricane Sandy, Superman, Christos, and Return to Pennsic

"You are wearing a Superman shirt. You've gotta be strong, OK?"

That little statement by an on-site journalist made me cry.

The "biggest storm ever to hit New York" has devastated the region. Millions of people are without power in NY, NJ, and Connecticut. Over a hundred homes have burned down in Breezy Point, Queens, more elsewhere. Floodwaters have washed houses completely away. Piles of boats are resting in parking lots and front lawns. Lower Manhattan, with its residents, businesses, subways, etc, is completely shut down. Coney Island rides have been drowned. The Atlantic City Boardwalk is in pieces. Thousands and thousands of planes, trains, and busses have been cancelled and re-routed. Subway and commuter tunnels have been flooded. Scores of people have died. People are angrily crying for help in devastated neighborhoods. Lines of cars are waiting for gas like the 1970's.

And in other news, a friend of mine, who had become an exceptionally good friend of my girlfriend (in a good way) passed away this morning, a victim of lung cancer.

I got lucky several ways over. I was supposed to be coming home from Springfield, Illinois when the storm hit. After several means of coming home got cancelled, the kindness and generosity of my friends got me home about the same time I would have gotten home anyway. Neither my house nor my girlfriend's house were in any danger. Any trees that fell or flooding that occurred or power outages avoided us. My job is shut down, presumably until power comes back on, but I am OK. NYC is big enough that apart from the lack of gasoline, there are very large areas almost completely untouched by the storm, and I am currently in one of them.

So I have been sitting here, walking the dog, working on my "Return to Pennsic" video project, as the nonstop coverage of the catastrophe continues to play on almost every TV channel (we don't have cable; by choice, not by the storm).

Much like 9-11 and Katrina, I have been watching the damage with a detached fascination, wondering if it shows character failing. Don't bother helping me analyze this, there are people in much greater need of help than I. I suppose I could take the bus or walk home, grab my bicycle and pedal to a devastated neighborhood and start helping fetch and cary, dig people out and give moral support. But of course I would just get in the way, hurt myself, become another victim, or simply be prevented from getting to the affected area by police roadblocks and such. And I have a paycheck theoretically sitting in my mailbox waiting to be picked up and deposited so I can pay my rent and certain bills and debts.

But then I see the clip from CBS Morning News of an on-the-scene reporter talking to a small boy with a mother holding the ready-to-eat meal.

"Are you cold?"

"Yes."

"Are you tired?"

"Yes."

(awkward silence)

"You are wearing a Superman shirt, so you've gotta be strong, OK?"

The boy, in tears, nods silently.

That hits me. As a life-long fan and student of comic books and superheroes, Superman is more than a colorful figure on a page, he is a symbol. He represents the will to do what is right and the strength to back it up. To call forth this icon is a powerful mojo to me.

Then I change the channel and see Aerosmith perfuming in Rockefeller Center on the Today Show.

I know Steve Tyler and Steve Perry were on Letterman last night promoting their new album (Letterman is looking old these days, BTW), so they might just be doing this as a publicity stunt, but somehow it means more than that. Aerosmith is a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame band. They can fill a football stadium with fans, even if they only limit ticket sales to women. So being on the Today Show to perform in front of a few hundred people in Rockefeller Center, even with the national TV audience, is more than just an act of publicity for them, especially today.

Entertainments have long been used to raise morale and lift spirits after catastrophes. For a big name entertainer to perform today, in the middle of Manhattan, on national TV, is a big deal. Entertainers are not rescuers, first responders, firefighters, doctors. What they do is create and perform in order to affect people's moods and feelings. To do so now shows that they care about this city.

To see them on TV, singing and playing their hearts out, right after that touchingly tragic scene with the boy, got to me.

So now what do I do?

I am an artist, an entertainer, but I have let that work slip for a while. Last year I shot a documentary at the Pennsic War, and intended to have it done by Christmas. Technical issues, money issues, a SOB who still owes me about $1500 for work I did for him, another SOB who won't send me back my cell phone after I accidentally left it in his home after entertaining his son on his birthday, jobs that I have taken to pay bills, training and competing for the Battle of the Nations, all this have I let get in the way of finishing the project. And now there are other things I want to do that I have said I won't do until I finish this project. Yet the project is still undone.

There are people who have contributed money to the project. There are people whose time I have taken working on the project. My girlfriend helped me tremendously, both practically and financially because she believed in me and the project. "Simply the Best" G.A. West came to Pennsic, something he never throughout he would do in his life, so that he could be involved in this project.

There are people who have dedicated their lives to helping people, protecting them, serving them, saving them. They do a good job at it.

There are also people who have died whose lives we are no longer able to touch. After writing this essay I read the posts on my friend's FaceBook wall from his friends saying goodbye and have been crying my eyes out.

The best we can do to honor their duty and sacrifice and loss is to be the best people we can be and accomplish things that only humans can do, and for me that is to create things that lift people's feelings and help them grow in a positive way. I believe that this video project is one of these things.

This video project is a year overdue and I finally have the time to finish this thing, which I have been working on for so long and have promised so many people, and the best thing I think I can do is finish this and get on with my life.

Return to Pennsic webpage

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Canvas Corp/iCandy/Mark Sarnoff owes me money (corrected)

I checked over the math in my previous post and found a few calculations in error. Here is a corrected version. I akso used averages to figure out approximately what may be owed to me on days in which I did not have the exact numbers. Mark Sarnoff still claims that he has already paid me, but the fact is that he has not.

See my previous post for the whole story.


Here is a rundown of all the days I worked, how much I sold, and the commission I should have earned.
  • On November 24, I worked the Devils-Flames game, sold $219 worth of drinks. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $28.47. I got paid nothing*.
  • On Nov. 27 I worked the Devils-Flyers game. I don’t know how much I sold, but was paid $35.04.
  • On Nov. 28 I worked the Nets –Portland game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $36.36.
  • On Dec. 1 I worked the Nets-Oklahoma City game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $47.99
  • I may have worked Dec. 2 Devils-Canadiens game and the Dec. 5 Nets Celtics game, but I don’t remember, and I didn’t write it down.
  • On Dec. 10 I worked the Usher concert. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $50.30
  • On Dec. 11 I worked the Devils-Red Wings game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $30.78.
  • On Dec. 12 I worked the Nets-L.A. Lakers game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $63.91.
  • On Dec. 14 I worked the Nets-Philadelphia game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $41.98.
  • On Dec. 15 I worked the Devils-Coyotes game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $28.14.
  • On Dec. 16 I worked the Nets-Washington game. I sold $448.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $58.305. I got paid nothing*.
  • On Dec. 17 I worked the Devils-Predators game. I sold $302.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $39.325. I got paid $34.90.
  • On Dec. 18 I worked the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert. I sold at least $500 at the first show and at least $300 at the second show. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid at least $104. I got paid $26.43.
  • On Dec. 23 I worked the Devils-Islanders game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $38.48.
  • On Dec. 28 I worked the Seton Hall-South Florida game. I sold $213. I was told we would be paid a 15% commission for that day, which means I should have been paid $58.305. I got paid nothing*.
  • On Dec. 29 I worked the Devils-Rangers game. I sold $416. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $54.08. I got paid $55.72.
  • On Dec. 30 I worked the Harlem Globetrotters games. I sold $219 the first game and over $500 the second game. I was told we would be paid an 18% commission for that day, which means I should have been paid at least $105.42. I got paid nothing*.
  • On Dec. 31 I worked the Devils-Thrashers game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was told we would be paid an 20% commission for that day. I was paid $63.46.
  • On Jan 4, 2011, I worked the Devils-Wild game. I sold over $250. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid at least $32.50. I got paid nothing*.
  • On Jan 5, I worked the Nets-Chicago game. I sold $531. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $69.03. I got paid nothing*.
  • On Jan 7, I‘m not sure what event I worked, but it was not a Nets, Devils, or Seton Hall game. I sold $250. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $32.5. I got paid nothing*.
  • On Jan 8, I worked the Nets-Milwaukee game. I sold $420. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $54.60. I got paid $53.20.
  • On Jan 18, I worked the Seton Hall-Georgetown game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $13.43
  • On Jan 20, I worked the Devils Penguins game. I sold $240. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $31.20. I got paid $30.56.
  • On Jan 21, I worked the Nets-Detroit game. I sold $423.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $55.055. I got paid $44.77.
  • On Jan 22, I worked the Seton Hall-Rutgers and Nets-Dallas games. I sold $129 at the Seton Hall game and $432 at the Nets game. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $72.93. I got paid $68.16.
  • On Jan 23, I worked the Devils-Panthers game. I sold $415.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $54.015. I got paid $50.48.
  • On Jan 24, I worked the Nets-Cleveland game. I sold $323. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $41.99. I got paid $39.52.
  • On Jan 30, I worked the Seton Hall-Providence game. I sold $392. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $50.96. I got paid $45.95.
  • On Jan 31, I worked the Nets-Denver game. I sold $454.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $59.085. I got paid $55.22.
  • On Feb 1, I worked the Devils-Senators game. I sold $133.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $17.3875. I got paid $16.25.
  • On Feb 4, I worked the Devils-Panthers game. I sold $330.25. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $42.9325. I got paid $42.03.
  • On Feb 5, I worked the Seton Hall-Connecticut game. I sold $368.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $47.905. I got paid $39.14.
  • On Feb 6, I worked the Nets-Indiana game. I sold $612.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $79.6575. I got paid nothing*.
  • On Feb 8, I worked the Devils-Hurricanes game. I sold $249. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $32.37. I got paid $31.71.
  • On Feb 12, I worked the Nets-Knicks game. I sold $709. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $92.17. I got paid $96.10.
  • On Feb 13, I’m not sure what event I worked, it was not Devils, Nets, or Seton Hall. I sold $344. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $44.72. I got paid nothing*.
  • On Feb 18, I worked the Devils-Rangers game. I sold $356.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $46.28. I got paid $41.70.
  • On Feb 28, I worked the Nets-Phoenix game. I sold $520.25. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $67.6325. I got paid nothing*.
  • On March 4, 5, 6, I worked the NASCAR event at Las Vegas Speedway. I sold $3040. I was told we would be paid a 12% commission. I should have been paid $364.8. I got paid $277.
  • On March 8, I worked the Devils-Hurricanes game. I sold $422.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $54.9575. I got paid $50.67.
  • On March 17, I worked the Nets-Chicago game. I sold $440.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $57.2975. I got paid nothing*.
  • On March 19, I worked the UFC event. I sold $1089.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $141.635. I got paid nothing*.
  • On March 20, I worked the WWE Smackdown event. I sold approximately $980. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid approximately $127.40. I got paid nothing*.
  • On March 21, I worked the Nets-Indiana game. I sold $522.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $67.925. I got paid nothing*.
  • On March 25, I worked the NCAA playoff game. I sold $622.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $80.9575. I got paid nothing*.
  • On March 27, I worked the NCAA playoff game. I sold $473. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $61.49. I got paid nothing*.
  • On April 2, I worked the Devils-Canadiens game. I sold $492.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $64.0575. I got paid nothing*.
  • On April 2, I worked the Devils-Maple Leafs game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I got paid nothing*.
  • On April 8, I worked the Nets-Knicks game. I sold over $500. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid at least $65. I got paid nothing*.
  • On April 9, I worked the boxing event. I sold $437.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $56.9075. I got paid an uncertain amount**.
  • On April 10, I worked the Devils-Bruins game. I sold over $300. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid at least $39. I got paid nothing.
  • On April 11, I worked the Nets Charlotte game. I sold $462.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $60.125. I got paid an uncertain amount***
  • On April 14, I worked the X-Factor event. I sold $1243. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $161.59. I got paid nothing.
  • On April 22, I worked the Lady Gaga concert. I sold $504. I was told I f there were no complaints we would get 17% commission. There were no complaints. At a 17% commission, I should have been paid $85.765. I got paid an uncertain amount**.
  • On May 7, I worked the Usher concert. I sold $323.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $42.055. I got paid nothing.
  • On May 25, I got called after 9 PM the night before to work the Liberty pre-season game. I sold $662.5. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $86.125. I got paid nothing.

*A paycheck dated 4/10/2011 came in with no work dates on it in the amount of $631.49
**A paycheck dated 4/29/2011 came in with the work dates of 4/5,6,9,11,22 without the per-day payments itemized, for $64.57

The total of all my paychecks was $2041.13 (see attached document (“CanvasCorp Checks”)

Total commissions calculated from days on which I recorded my sales: $2616.61
Total commissions calculated from days on which I estimated my sales: $473.32

There were 18 days on which I recorded my sales for which I was paid.
Total commissions calculated on the days on which I was recorded sales and was paid: $1212.8075
Total commissions paid for those days: $1073.08
That is an underpayment of 11.5%
Total commissions paid on the 12 days on which I did not record or estimate my sales: $453.87

$453.87 x 11.5% = $52.195
$453.87 + $52.195 = $506.065

Total commissions calculated from recorded and estimated sales, and using the assumed underpaid commissions on the unrecorded days increased by the percentage that my other commissions were underpaid: $3595.995 (possibly higher, as I have a tendency to estimate low).
  • On Feb 28, the manager, Scott, failed to write down $100 that I had turned in during the game, and did not believe me when I told him I had.. He insisted that I cover the missing $100 with whatever money I had (tips and whatever I had in my pocket when I came in that day). After all the other vendors had turned in their sales and inventory was taken, it was discovered that I was right and he was wrong, but they only had $80 in cash to pay me back. Therefore I am owed $20 for that day.
  • On March 24, I was called at the night before to work the NCAA fan fest in Championship Plaza. I sold nothing for 90 minutes in the cold at this poorly attended event at which there were other food vendors. I was told by the manager Bruce Herzog that what I did helped the company. I told him I wanted $20 for my time. He said to tell Mark and I would be “taken care of better than that.” I never got the chance to tell Mark, and I have been paid nothing. I will accept my original request of $20 for that day.
  • After one game, late in the season (I can’t remember which game) the manager, Dave, failed to account for $108 in candy that I had sold when it was time for me to turn in the money. I waited and let him check over his figures several times, and encouraged him to do so, as I thought that it was an unusually large amount for me to have left over. He could not find anything wrong with his figures then so I left. About an hour later, when I was already more than halfway home, he called me to inform me of his mistake. I asked him to please take it out of my next paycheck. So that is $108 to me in addition to what I have been paid.

Total of commissions earned, estimated, and calculated, plus monies owed for miscellaneous reasons: $3635.995

Total paid to me in commissions, plus the $108 mentioned above: $2149.13

Total of unpaid commissions and other monies owed by Canvas Corp to me: $1486.865




Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Canvas Corporation/iCandy/Mark Sarnoff owes me money


In November of 2010, I began working at the Prudential Center for a company that uses the name CanvasCorporation and also uses the name iCandy. The boss of this company is a man named Mark Sarnoff. My job was selling refreshments (water, soda, popcorn, CrackerJacks, cany, etc) in the stands. That's right, I was the guy yelling "Popcorn! Cracker Jack! Water! Soda!" in the stands. I actually kind of liked the job. I got to see lots of NJ Devils and Nets games, as well as concerts by Usher, Lady Gaga, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and events of the UFC, WWE, and the Harlem Globetrotters.. I even sold coffee and refreshments to the hopefuls standing in line waiting to audition for the X Factor.

I made friends with most everyone, and became a fan favorite by yelling things like "Sugar! Caffeine! Carbohydrates! Salt! Carbonation! Hyration! Caffination! Sugaration! Pepsi Nation!"I would say hello to the cheerleaders every day and generally had a good time while getting lots of exercise carrying heavy buckets of product up and down the stairs for three hours. I was frequently the first person on the floor and almost always was one of the top 5 sellers of the day.

this is not to say that the job was all wonderful. Those buckets were heavy, occasionally people would complain about the prices or refuse a sale when they learned they could not keep the cap with the bottle (stadium policy). There was one day that I was called in to work the night before and was sent out into the cold March air to try to sell to at the poorly-attended NCAA fan fest in Championship Plaza. After 90 minutes of no success, I went home empty-handed.

Then there was the time we were flown to Las Vegas to sell beer at a NASCAR event. That was such a big cock-up it deserves a whole separate entry.

And then there was the money. At first I got paid more-or-less regularly, more-or-less the amount of commission that I had earned, although I never got a check for the first day I worked. As time went on the checks came in shorter and shorter, some days not being paid for at all.


After a misunderstanding on a particularly hectic and chaotic day (May 25, 2011, a day that deserves another whole entry), I was fired and told that I would get the last of my commissions in a few weeks. I have not received any money from CanvasCorporation since then.

 Here is a rundown of all the days I worked, how much I sold, and the commission I should have earned.

Ø      On November 24, I worked the Devils-Flames game, sold $219 worth of drinks. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $28.47.  I got paid nothing*.
Ø      On Nov. 27 I worked the Devils-Flyers game. I don’t know how much I sold, but was paid $35.04.
Ø      On Nov. 28 I worked the Nets –Portland game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $36.36.
Ø      On Dec. 1 I worked the Nets-Oklahoma City game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $47.99
Ø      I may have worked Dec. 2 Devils-Canadiens game and the Dec. 5 Nets Celtics game, but I don’t remember, and I didn’t write it down.
Ø      On Dec. 10 I worked the Usher concert. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $50.30
Ø      On Dec. 11 I worked the Devils-Red Wings game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $30.78.
Ø      On Dec. 12 I worked the Nets-L.A. Lakers game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $63.91.
Ø      On Dec. 14 I worked the Nets-Philadelphia game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $41.98.
Ø      On Dec. 15 I worked the Devils-Coyotes game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $28.14.
Ø      On Dec. 16 I worked the Nets-Washington game. I sold $448.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $58.305.  I got paid nothing*.
Ø      On Dec. 17 I worked the Devils-Predators game. I sold $302.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $39.325.  I got paid $34.90.
Ø      On Dec. 18 I worked the Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert. I sold at least $500 at the first show and at least $300 at the second show. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid at least $104.  I got paid $26.43.
Ø      On Dec. 23 I worked the Devils-Islanders game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $38.48.
Ø      On Dec. 28 I worked the Seton Hall-South Florida game. I sold $213. I was told we would be paid a 15% commission for that day, which means I should have been paid $58.305.  I got paid nothing*.
Ø      On Dec. 29 I worked the Devils-Rangers game. I sold $416. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $54.08.  I got paid $55.72.
Ø      On Dec. 30 I worked the Harlem Globetrotters games. I sold $219 the first game and over $500 the second game. I was told we would be paid an 18% commission for that day, which means I should have been paid at least $105.42.  I got paid nothing*.
Ø      On Dec. 31 I worked the Devils-Thrashers game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was told we would be paid an 20% commission for that day. I was paid $63.46.
Ø      On Jan 4, 2011, I worked the Devils-Wild game. I sold over $250. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid at least $32.50.  I got paid nothing*.
Ø      On Jan 5, I worked the Nets-Chicago game. I sold $531. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $69.03.  I got paid nothing*.
Ø      On Jan 7, I‘m not sure what event I worked, but it was not a Nets, Devils, or Seton Hall game. I sold $250. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $32.5.  I got paid nothing*.
Ø      On Jan 8, I worked the Nets-Milwaukee game. I sold $420. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $54.60.  I got paid $53.20.
Ø      On Jan 18, I worked the Seton Hall-Georgetown game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I was paid $13.43
Ø      On Jan 20, I worked the Devils Penguins game. I sold $240. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $31.20.  I got paid $30.56.
Ø      On Jan 21, I worked the Nets-Detroit game. I sold $423.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $55.055.  I got paid $44.77.
Ø      On Jan 22, I worked the Seton Hall-Rutgers and Nets-Dallas games. I sold $129 at the Seton Hall game and $432 at the Nets game. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $72.93.  I got paid $68.16.
Ø      On Jan 23, I worked the Devils-Panthers game. I sold $415.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $54.015.  I got paid $50.48.
Ø      On Jan 24, I worked the Nets-Cleveland game. I sold $323. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $41.99.  I got paid $39.52.
Ø      On Jan 30, I worked the Seton Hall-Providence game. I sold $392. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $50.96.  I got paid $45.95.
Ø      On Jan 31, I worked the Nets-Denver game. I sold $454.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $59.085.  I got paid $55.22.
Ø      On Feb 1, I worked the Devils-Senators game. I sold $133.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $17.3875.  I got paid $16.25.
Ø      On Feb 4, I worked the Devils-Panthers game. I sold $330.25. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $42.9325.  I got paid $42.03.
Ø      On Feb 5, I worked the Seton Hall-Connecticut game. I sold $368.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $47.905.  I got paid $39.14.
Ø      On Feb 6, I worked the Nets-Indiana game. I sold $612.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $79.6575.  I got paid nothing*.
Ø      On Feb 8, I worked the Devils-Hurricanes game. I sold $249. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $32.37.  I got paid $31.71.
Ø      On Feb 12, I worked the Nets-Knicks game. I sold $709. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $92.17.  I got paid $96.10.
Ø      On Feb 13, I’m not sure what event I worked, it was not Devils, Nets, or Seton Hall. I sold $344. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $44.72.  I got paid nothing*.
Ø      On Feb 18, I worked the Devils-Rangers game. I sold $356.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $46.28.  I got paid $41.70.
Ø      On Feb 28, I worked the Nets-Phoenix game. I sold $520.25. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $67.6325.  I got paid nothing*.
Ø      On March 4, 5, 6, I worked the NASCAR event at Las Vegas Speedway. I sold $3040. I was told we would be paid a 12% commission. I should have been paid $364.8.  I got paid $277.
Ø      On March 8, I worked the Devils-Hurricanes game. I sold $422.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $54.9575.  I got paid $50.67.
Ø      On March 17, I worked the Nets-Chicago game. I sold $440.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $57.2975.  I got paid nothing*.
Ø      On March 19, I worked the UFC event. I sold $1089.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $141.635.  I got paid nothing*.
Ø      On March 20, I worked the WWE Smackdown event. I sold approximately $980. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid approximately $127.40.  I got paid nothing*.
Ø      On March 21, I worked the Nets-Indiana game. I sold $522.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $67.925.  I got paid nothing*.
Ø      On March 25, I worked the NCAA playoff game. I sold $622.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $80.9575.  I got paid nothing*.
Ø      On March 27, I worked the NCAA playoff game. I sold $473. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $61.49.  I got paid nothing*.
Ø      On April 2, I worked the Devils-Canadiens game. I sold $492.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $64.0575.  I got paid nothing*.
Ø      On April 2, I worked the Devils-Maple Leafs game. I don’t know how much I sold, but I got paid nothing*.
Ø      On April 8, I worked the Nets-Knicks game. I sold over $500. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid at least $65.  I got paid nothing*.
Ø      On April 9, I worked the boxing event. I sold $437.75. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $56.9075.  I got paid an uncertain amount**.
Ø      On April 10, I worked the Devils-Bruins game. I sold over $300. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid at least $39.  I got paid nothing.
Ø      On April 11, I worked the Nets Charlotte game. I sold $462.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $60.125.  I got paid an uncertain amount***
Ø      On April 14, I worked the X-Factor event. I sold $1243. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $161.59.  I got paid nothing.
Ø      On April 22, I worked the Lady Gaga concert. I sold $504. I was told I f there were no complaints we would get 17% commission. There were no complaints. At a 17% commission, I should have been paid $85.765.  I got paid an uncertain amount**.
Ø      On May 7, I worked the Usher concert. I sold $323.50. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $42.055.  I got paid nothing.
Ø      On May 25, I got called after 9 PM the night before to work the Liberty pre-season game. I sold $662.5. At a 13% commission, I should have been paid $86.125.  I got paid nothing.

*A paycheck dated 4/10/2011 came in with no work dates on it in the amount of $631.49
**A paycheck dated 4/29/2011 came in with the work dates of 4/5,6,9,11,22 without the per-day payments itemized, for $64.57
The total of all my paychecks was $1979.54

Total commissions calculated as earned: $3082.158
The amount I was paid on those days that I don’t know what I earned: $453.87

  • On Feb 28, the manager, Scott, failed to write down $100 that I had turned in during the game, and did not believe me when I told him I had.. He insisted that I cover the missing $100 with whatever money I had (tips and whatever I had in my pocket when I came in that day). After all the other vendors had turned in their sales and inventory was taken, it was discovered that I was right and he was wrong, but they only had $80 in cash to pay me back. Therefore I am owed $20 for that day.
  • On March 24, I was called at the night before to work the NCAA fan fest in Championship Plaza. I sold nothing for 90 minutes in the cold at this poorly attended event at which there were other food vendors. I was told by the manager Bruce Herzog that what I did helped the company. I told him I wanted $20 for my time. He said to tell Mark and I would be “taken care of better than that.” I never got the chance to tell Mark, and I have been paid nothing. I will accept my original request of $20 for that day.
  • After one game, late in the season (I can’t remember which game) the manager, Dave, failed to account for $108 in candy that I had sold when it was time for me to turn in the money. I waited and let him check over his figures several times, and encouraged him to do so, as I thought that it was an unusually large amount for me to have left over. He could not find anything wrong with his figures then so I left. About an hour later, when I was already halfway home, he called me to inform me of his mistake. I asked him to please take it out of my next paycheck. So that is $108 to me in addition to what I have been paid.

Total of commissions earned, both estimated and actual, plus monies owed for miscellaneous reasons, and including the amounts paid on days in which I do not have records: $3561.598 (the actual total should be higher due to estimations)

Total paid to me in commissions, plus the $108 mentioned above: $2180.92

Estimated total of unpaid commissions and other monies owed by Canvas Corp to me: $1380.678

The actual total should be higher due to estimations.

My checks never had my correct nbame spelled on them. Some of them were made out to "Zohrac Lequidire," some to "Zorich Lequidre." I did not get a 1099 for 2010, and the 1099 for 2011 was made out to "Zohrac Lequidre" and was for an amount that was less than I earned in total, and less than I earned under the name that was closest to, "Zohrac Lequidire."

Repeated calls and e-mails to Mark and other contact people who were supposed to be working for him have not gotten me any money. Mark has texted me saying that he has already paid me what he owes me and accused me of stealing, something I would never do.

I just wanted to put this out there. Mark, if you are listening, it's time to pay up.



Thursday, June 7, 2012

Final report from Battle of the Nations



Polish TV and a local documentary crew interviewed me. I tried to give them the best answers I could regarding why I am doing this, what I thought about the fights, how I would compare SCA combat with this full-contact fighting, if my BJJ experience helped me at all, etc.

Here's the TV show that interviewed me. The segment on the Battle of the Nations starts at 5:10...

Interestingly, it seemed that every interviewer asked why Americans would do this when the United States has no medieval heritage. The stock answer for this is that the majority of Americans come from Europe, and thus do have a medieval heritage. I would also add that Asian-, African-, and even Native American-descended Americans also have some sort of chivalric warrior heritage. There is a sort of universality to the concept of the "warrior elite," just as there is a universally to the hero myth. Medieval entertainments have been very popular in America for decades, as has physically challenging contact sports and martial arts. The Battle of the Nations is a challenging combination of these things, and Americans don't like to back down from a challenge!

My lady joined me in Warsaw the day before the competition began. She helped the team greatly with water bearing and fighter support and helped me by holding the camera to shoot video. She had been unsure about coming to this event. She had wanted to go to Italy, and there was thought that we might do both. But the seriousness of the Battle of the Nations preparations started to make it look like that plan would be unlikely. However, she was won over by the passion and the adventure of this endeavor, and by the end was extremely happy she came.

The team was likewise glad to have her. Her help enabled the fighters to concentrate on their fighting without having to worry about hydration, nutrition, and other aspects of staying alive at an event like this.

Many people on the team told me that I had done very well over the course of the week. In fact, several times I was told that I was awesome, a superhero, and had a pair of brass ones the size of (fill in the blank). That made me feel really good about myself, that this trip, and all the effort was worth it. Here were these guys, most of whom were bigger or stronger or more skilled or tougher or had more badass cred than I, and they were accepting me as one of their own, simply because I was doing what I wanted to do. I wanted to fight. I wanted to fight and not give up. I wanted to have a good time fighting. I wanted to have a good time fighting in front of a lot of people and cameras, and I wanted to have as much fun as possible during this trip, to make people laugh, to entertain them. I wanted to make history. And I wanted to be accepted. I have two words for the result: Mission accomplished.

This was the first time that Americans had competed in an international medieval armored combat competition of this scale. We came as a team and every man fought to their utmost. We all sweated and bled out there, and we came together as a team of Americans. I have never been prouder to be part of something. This is something no one can take way from us.