So some of you have heard, some of you haven't but Monday I got some really great news. I was offered a job with the Office of Administrative Hearings as an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ). I have been looking at this job for several years, and have been viewing this as the next step in my career.

On Monday, I wrote this big long post detailing how I got the news and my glee at the prospect of telling my current boss how he could attempt my suggested anatomically impossible activity involving his head and his ass. Needless to say I am not happy in my current job, but it is probably not the best move to post all of the details on a blog that may be seen by the world. You never really know who is reading it.

Anyhow, this is a dream come true. My dream in law school after I realized that I really did not want to be a lawyer practicing law, largely due to my inherent laziness and desire not to work that hard, was to become a judge. You see most of my colleagues in the legal profession work their asses off, long hours, tremendous stress over billing and tracking hours, making partner, getting disbarred (that is if they are in the small number of lawyers that I know that actually care about ethics. The ethics portion of school and the bar exam is the smallest most insignificant bump in the road to a law license for most in the great endeavor to make tones of money off the misfortune and bad decisions of others) For some, ethics just get in the way. I just didn't want to live that way. Prosecuting criminals was the only way I could see that I could make a difference to society, but seeing the truly horrible things that man will do to his fellow man day in and day out takes a toll on you. I still sat for the Bar exam because it was expected and part of what you were supposed to do after law school. I did sit for the exam, twice. Against my better judgment the first time, I was mentally fried after three years of the most difficult mental exercise in my life, on top of having two small children, a wife trying to get her career started, and all that life also throws at you. I took the exam and failed by seven points. I was disappointed, but I took a break and then studied for it again and took the test. This time I knew I passed, WRONG!!! I failed by one point! I was crushed, my ego not only as a man but as a law school graduate was crushed. I lost all hope of ever being successful. But after working some crappy manual labor jobs, I realized that I had got to law school to do something great with my life, (note I still don't know what that is, but I will do something.) I remembered what my college professor of international environmental law told me, "if you go to law school, get a great education and do something other than be a lawyer. There are too many of them already and you could use your knowledge to do something good." I remembered that I really wanted to be a judge while I was in school, and that I went to Willamette because of the Law in Government program. I figured I live here in the State capital, the seat of government; I'll go to work for the man. So I got my foot in the door at the Oregon Court of Appeals, then went to work for the Building codes division representing the agency in administrative hearings. I got to present evidence, direct and cross examine witnesses, and formulate strategy and make arguments. Everything I loved about trial work but none of the down side. I found out that the judges in these administrative hearings had real impact on people’s lives, and for the operation of state government. Well, the short of it is that I set my sights on becoming an ALJ and now I will be one beginning November 3. I'm excited to get started, and thrilled to have been given this opportunity!! Woo Hoo!!!

Maybe someday I will sit for that stupid exam again and become an Article III judge in the circuit court, who knows.

So this week at work has pretty much sucked. The details of which are really unimportant, my job is safe, I didn't get in any real serious trouble. It is just Our new managment is taking more and more responsibility away from my position, I feel less, and less valued, and some shit happened where one of the managers said something toatally fucked up and becasue a co worker and I were concerened about how his statment could be percieved, then we were made to feel that we had done something wrong. Anyway, the reason I mention all of this is that for the last few weeks I have been in a perpetual state of grumpt, disorganized, stress. the only time that I really felt focused was when I was in my wood shop building stuff for our encampment for this tourney season. And boy, have I built some nice stuff lately. Anyway, I have gotten to the point where I am fat, out of shape, not eating right, and pretty much don't care, well I really do but I have told myself that to rationalize it to myself. I have not been motivated to fight much lately, for many of the reasons I have listed above. But last night I cowboy'd up and drove my sad ass to practice in Stromgard. I had a pretty good night, fought well against some people that I haven't fought in a long while, got stomped by some that i really respect, oddly enough got hit in the cup more times than I care to remember (note to self: figure out why that is happening, because that sucks) But all in all I had a really great time and I realized howmuch I really love this sport. I also realized howmuch I love my friends, and miss fighting with them every week. I think this is the first time if not one of the few that I have been up to a practice in that area since i stepped up as Baron. I have fallen in to a rut of using the barony as an excuse not to go up there, por that Gas prices are too high. But to all that were there lastnight, Kjartan, Octa, Duke Sean, Torfin, Arnsbjorn, Olin, Ugo, and every one else that was there and the guys I fought and the ones I didn't, Thank you for showing me that I really do miss the art of fighting, and inspiriong me to start training again.

Bappy Birthday to Monkeybung! Hope you have the a great days.

IF YOU'RE ON MY FRIENDS LIST, I want to know 36 things about you. I don't care if we never talk, or if we already know everything about each other. Short and sweet is fine ... You're on my list, so I want to know you better!

BE HONEST! COPY FROM HERE THEN SEND DIRECTLY TO ME IN A REPLY (or reply here, your choice). THEN REPOST THE EMPTY QUESTIONS.



1) Are you currently in a serious relationship?
A.

2) What was your dream growing up?
A.

3) What talent do you wish you had?
A.

4) If I bought you a drink what would it be?
A.

5) Favorite vegetable?
A.

6) What was the last book you read?
A.

7) What zodiac sign are you?
A.

8) Any Tattoos and/or Piercings? Explain where.
A.

9) Worst Habit?
A.

10) If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride?
A.

11) What is your favorite sport?
A.

12) Do you have a Negative or Optimistic attitude?
A.

13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
A.

14) Worst thing to ever happen to you?
A.

15) Tell me one weird fact about you.
A.

16) Do you have any pets?
A.

17) What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly?
A.

18) What was your first impression of me? (hmmm...careful!)
A.

19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
A.

20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
A.

21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
A.

22) What color eyes do you have?
A.

23) Ever been arrested?
A.

24) Bottle or can soda?
A.

25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?
A.

27) What's your favorite place to hang at?
A.

28) Do you believe in ghosts?
A.

29) Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
A.

30) Do you swear a lot?
A.

31) Biggest pet peeve?
A.

32) In one word, how would you describe yourself?
A.

33) Do you believe/appreciate romance?
A.

35) Do you believe in God?
A.

36) Will you repost this so I can fill it out and do the same for you?
A.

1.
Curator

2.
Machinist

3.
Locksmith

4.
Tool and Die Maker

5.
Office Machine Repairer

6.
Miner (Underground)

7.
Dry Cleaner

8.
Lifeguard

9.
Tailor / Dressmaker

10.
Archivist

11.
Postal Clerk

12.
Tilesetter

13.
Welder

14.
Boilermaker

15.
Corporate / Commercial Lawyer

16.
Industrial Designer

17.
Technical Writer

18.
Historian

19.
Civil Litigator

20.
Interior Designer

21.
Lawyer

22.
Home Inspector

23.
Gunsmith

24.
Criminal Lawyer

25.
Cabinetmaker

26.
Plumber

27.
Tour Guide

28.
Desktop Publisher

29.
Librarian

30.
Criminologist

31.
Editor

32.
Sign Maker

33.
Autobody Repairer

34.
Cartoonist / Comic Illustrator

35.
Electronics Assembler

36.
Fashion Designer

37.
Dental Assistant

38.
Computer Trainer

39.
Model Maker

40.
Dental Lab Tech

Link: The Song of Ice and Fire House Test written by Geeky_Stripper on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

Greetings unto the most noble fighters of An Tir,

Once again I am trying to put together a monthly Mid Willamette Valley fighter practice. My efforts failed last time, but I am not one to relent easily.

What: Mid Willamette Valley fighter Practice
When: September 5, 2007
Where:Keizer, Oregon (Barony of Terra Pomaria) Farmland Road
Lost? need info? call Sir Roland at (503)910-1451

So here is my vision for this practice;

Keizer Oregon nearly a mid way point from Vancouver Washington and
Eugene Oregon. It is located right on the I-5 corridor. An I have
traveled to both practices in the north (Stromgard & Three Mountains)
and in the South in (Adiantum and Cour du val.) Imagine the training
opportunities that bringing the fighters from both the north and south
together would provide.

I understand that with the tourney and war season well underway and the
busy schedules we all keep training is difficult when you have to travel
a long distance. I also know gas prices are high (but they are coming
down and car pooling is a great way to get a lot of people to fighter
practice at a lower cost.), however this would create an opportunity to
significantly reduce the travel time for those that choose to make the
trip. It is about a 1 hour drive from Vancouver to Keizer and about the
same from Eugene. To those in the Stromgard and Three mountains area,
remember many fighters have traveled to your practice from as far away
as Vulkenfeldt and Blatha an Oir to enjoy your hospitality and the
pleasure of training and testing their mettle against your skill, here
is an opportunity for you to get the chance to enjoy the same
hospitality of another area of An Tir. So please come and join us.

To those on the path to knighthood, remember traveling is part of that
quest. You must travel to fight people you are not familiar with, to
test yourself against them and a skill set you do not yet know. You may
learn something that will help you reach that next level or gain a tool
that will become an key part of your fighting style.

To the knights, here is an opportunity to teach a group of fighters
hungry for the knowledge you possess. It is our duty to Crown and
Kingdom my brothers. It is incumbent upon us to teach those that seek
to learn our art. Also it is a chance to take your squires to a
practice where they can tryout all that you have been teaching them at
their regular practice.

I do not intend for this practice to be a weekly practice to replace
your practice, but a once a month practice to bring everyone together to
test themselves against people they do not regularly fight.

We will have a speed tourney for anyone interested, and we will have a
traveling trophy for the victor.

The first will be this Wednesday night at 7:00pm in Keizer. I
understand that it is short notice, but there is no time like the
present to get this started. The directions to the fighter practice
site are below. So get a good solid practice in before Sport of Kings,
find the measure of your skill and then attend Sport of kings the next
weekend and come back to the mid Willamette valley practice the next
month and apply what you have learned.

Bring the new people that are interested in trying fighting and we will
have some loaner armor there for them to try it out.

So Finally;
What: Mid Willamette Valley fighter Practice
When: September 5, 2007
Where:Keizer, Oregon (Barony of Terra Pomaria) Farmland Road
Lost? need info? call Sir Roland at (503)910-1451

Directions from Vancouver to Keizer - 56 min

1: I-5 S toward PORTLAND (Crossing into OREGON). 46.4 miles

2: Take EXIT 263 toward BROOKS / GERVAIS. 0.2 miles

3: Turn RIGHT onto BROOKLAKE RD NE. 1.7 miles

4: Turn LEFT onto WHEATLAND RD N. 2.0 miles

5: Turn LEFT onto FARMLAND LN NE. <0.1 miles

6: End at Farmland Ln Ne

7: You cant miss the fighter practice. You will see all the cars and
we will have signs.

Directions from Eugene to Keizer - 1 hour 16 minutes

1: Merge onto I-5 N via the exit on the LEFT toward SALEM. 65.9 miles


2: Take EXIT 260 toward KEIZER. 0.5 miles

3: Turn LEFT onto CHEMAWA RD NE. 0.4 miles

4: CHEMAWA RD NE becomes LOCKHAVEN DR NE. 1.0 miles

5: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto RIVER RD N / OR-219. 0.5 miles

6: Turn LEFT onto WHEATLAND RD N. 0.8 miles

7: Turn RIGHT onto FARMLAND LN NE. <0.1 miles

8: End at Farmland Ln Ne

9: You cant miss the fighter practice. You will see all the cars and
we will have signs.


Yours in Service,

Sir Roland von Bern, Baron of Terra Pomaria

Hi everyone!
I'm teaching a class this weekend at the Long and Short of It titled, "SCA Etiquette for the Not-So-New." Anyone have any suggested material, thoughts, tips, or anything that may be helpful in teaching the class. Anything that frustrates you regarding etiquette that people do that you wish they wouldn't or visa versa? Please share your thoughts, it will definitely help me ensure the class is worth the participants time.

Thanks!

Greetings unto the most noble fighters of An Tir,

Once again I am trying to put together a monthly Mid Willamette Valley
fighter practice. My efforts failed last time, but I am not one to
relent easily.

What: Mid Willamette Valley fighter Practice
When: August 8, 2007
Where:Keizer, Oregon (Barony of Terra Pomaria) Farmland Road
Lost? need info? call Sir Roland at (503)910-1451

So here is my vision for this practice;

Keizer Oregon nearly a mid way point from Vancouver Washington and
Eugene Oregon. It is located right on the I-5 corridor. An I have
traveled to both practices in the north (Stromgard & Three Mountains)
and in the South in (Adiantum and Cour du val.) Imagine the training
opportunities that bringing the fighters from both the north and south
together would provide.

I understand that with the tourney and war season well underway and the
busy schedules we all keep training is difficult when you have to travel
a long distance. I also know gas prices are high (but they are coming
down and car pooling is a great way to get a lot of people to fighter
practice at a lower cost.), however this would create an opportunity to
significantly reduce the travel time for those that choose to make the
trip. It is about a 1 hour drive from Vancouver to Keizer and about the
same from Eugene. To those in the Stromgard and Three mountains area,
remember many fighters have traveled to your practice from as far away
as Vulkenfeldt and Blatha an Oir to enjoy your hospitality and the
pleasure of training and testing their mettle against your skill, here
is an opportunity for you to get the chance to enjoy the same
hospitality of another area of An Tir. So please come and join us.

To those on the path to knighthood, remember traveling is part of that
quest. You must travel to fight people you are not familiar with, to
test yourself against them and a skill set you do not yet know. You may
learn something that will help you reach that next level or gain a tool
that will become an key part of your fighting style.

To the knights, here is an opportunity to teach a group of fighters
hungry for the knowledge you possess. It is our duty to Crown and
Kingdom my brothers. It is incumbent upon us to teach those that seek
to learn our art. Also it is a chance to take your squires to a
practice where they can tryout all that you have been teaching them at
their regular practice.

I do not intend for this practice to be a weekly practice to replace
your practice, but a once a month practice to bring everyone together to
test themselves against people they do not regularly fight.

We will have a speed tourney for anyone interested, and we will have a
traveling trophy for the victor.

The first will be this Wednesday night at 7:00pm in Keizer. I
understand that it is short notice, but there is no time like the
present to get this started. The directions to the fighter practice
site are below. So get a good solid practice in before Sport of Kings,
find the measure of your skill and then attend Sport of kings the next
weekend and come back to the mid Willamette valley practice the next
month and apply what you have learned.

Bring the new people that are interested in trying fighting and we will
have some loaner armor there for them to try it out.

So Finally;
What: Mid Willamette Valley fighter Practice
When: August 8, 2007
Where:Keizer, Oregon (Barony of Terra Pomaria) Farmland Road
Lost? need info? call Sir Roland at (503)910-1451

Directions from Vancouver to Keizer - 56 min

1: I-5 S toward PORTLAND (Crossing into OREGON). 46.4 miles

2: Take EXIT 263 toward BROOKS / GERVAIS. 0.2 miles

3: Turn RIGHT onto BROOKLAKE RD NE. 1.7 miles

4: Turn LEFT onto WHEATLAND RD N. 2.0 miles

5: Turn LEFT onto FARMLAND LN NE. <0.1 miles

6: End at Farmland Ln Ne

7: You cant miss the fighter practice. You will see all the cars and
we will have signs.

Directions from Eugene to Keizer - 1 hour 16 minutes

1: Merge onto I-5 N via the exit on the LEFT toward SALEM. 65.9 miles

2: Take EXIT 260 toward KEIZER. 0.5 miles

3: Turn LEFT onto CHEMAWA RD NE. 0.4 miles

4: CHEMAWA RD NE becomes LOCKHAVEN DR NE. 1.0 miles

5: Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto RIVER RD N / OR-219. 0.5 miles

6: Turn LEFT onto WHEATLAND RD N. 0.8 miles

7: Turn RIGHT onto FARMLAND LN NE. <0.1 miles

8: End at Farmland Ln Ne

9: You cant miss the fighter practice. You will see all the cars and
we will have signs.

Yours in Service,

Sir Roland von Bern, Baron of Terra Pomaria

I feel loved when...

The Five Love Languages

My Primary Love Language is Physical Touch

<th colspan="2">My Detailed Results:</th>

Physical Touch:	8
Words of Affirmation:	7
Quality Time:	6
Acts of Service:	5
Receiving Gifts:	4

About this quiz

Unhappiness in relationships is often due to the fact that we speak different love languages. It can be helpful to know what language you speak and what language those around you speak.

Tag 3 people so they can find out what their love language is.

Take the Quiz!
Check out the Book

If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now, even if we don't speak often, please post a comment with a memory of you and me. It can be anything you want -- good or bad. When you're finished, post this little paragraph on your blog and be surprised (or mortified!) about what people remember about you.

So Emma and I have been in the process of seeking the positions of Baron and Baroness of Terra Pomaria. A couple months ago we submitted our letter of intent to the crown and last week we had our presentation to the populace and officers. Tonight we had our baronial social gathering that was essentially a Q & A of the four couples seeking the positions moderated by the Kingdom Seneschal and the Baronial Seneschal. Thus far things have been going well, we have met with former barons and baronesses of both our barony and other baronies, had dinner with the founding Baron and Baroness of our branch, and have talked to alot of the populace about thier concerns, hopes and desires. We have recieved alot of positive feedback. Even before we decided to seek the positions of B & B we consulted with alot of people that are really close to us, in our house hold and people that we hang out with alot. Currently, we are at the point of the process where the ballots are to be mailed out next week and we will see what happens from there. So to the crux of the matter.... While we have put alot of thought and self examination into this and talked to alot of people, I am still soliciting advice and peoples thoughts of what they thing make a Baron and Baroness a good or great Baron and Baroness. I'm really looking for advice or ideas that will help me should we be selected. What kinds of things have a baron and baroness done to or for you that have made you remember them, what have you seen them do or say that made a lasting impression on you. If you were a Baron or Baroness what would you want to do that would endear yourself to the populace.

Also, we have alot of hurt feelings in our barony right now or frustrated people concerning the way the last Baron and Baroness left thier positions, some are upset with the crown some with the last baron and baroness some with both. If you were tasked with the job of healing the barony what ideas would you have to accomplish that goal. How would you reassure the populace that everything will be alright?

I have my own Ideas but I would like to hear some of yours. You guys are all my friends and I respect you all otherwise I wouldn't be soliciting you:-)

Vik and Inga If your listening I'd really like your input. Sorry to put you on the spot:-)

Happy Birthday Octa!!!

So I don't have anything against Estrella War other than I couldn't go, but I hate it!!! LJ and Myspace are too quiet. I'm bored out of my skull and I know all of you guys that went to Estrella had a great time, and I'm jealous!!! Next Year!!! I'm done whining. That is all.

yoinked from various people

Please leave a one-word comment that you think best describes me.

It can only be one word.

No more.

Then copy & paste this in your journal so that I may leave a word about you

The Knight You scored 31% Cardinal, 20% Monk, 35% Lady, and 56% Knight!

You are the hero. Brave and bold. You are strong and utterly selfless. You are also a pawn to your superiors and will be lucky if you live very long. If you survive the Holy wars you are thrust into you will be praised for your valor and opportunities both romantic and financial will become available to you.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 99% on Cardinal You scored higher than 99% on Monk You scored higher than 99% on Lady You scored higher than 99% on Knight

Link: The Who Would You Be in 1400 AD Test written by KnightlyKnave on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the The Dating Persona Test

OK, So my lovely wife convinced me to create an LJ account on the way home from 12th night. So, I'm here, and I can use my creative, and artistic, side here conversing with people that have significant intellectual capacity, and I will talk to my heavy fighting friends on ManSpace!! And I best not catch any crap from any of them for making an LJ account, Oh, I know they are here too!!!