Reflections on Kennedy lost

They’re burying Edward Kennedy today, and in watching the funeral, I found myself getting choked up, teary-eyed over a man I never met, never knew except for brief appearances on television, glances at the Congressional record, never even read that much about.  Compared to what I (used) to know about his brothers, what I knew about Edward Kennedy could fill a thimble.  And yet here I was, watching his funeral mass, and I was choking up.  I know I have a tendency to get overly emotional about some things, but this?  When my mother told me he died, I was sad, but no tears.  Nothing like that.  Just “Oh.”  Even though standing in my kitchen with my mother, I knew something had changed and probably not for the better, it still…didn’t quite strike me.

In part, I guess it comes down to the fact that Edward Kennedy was the only very politically active–and successful, despite faults and mistakes–Kennedy I ever ‘knew.’  I know the stories of his brothers, Jack and Bobby, but I didn’t live those times.  The older I got, the more I came to realize that while the brothers were inspiring figures, Ted accomplished volumes more–and I wonder if either JFK or Bobby could have done more if they had lived.  I’m not sure it’s possible for that to have happened, given the turbulent times that they lived in.  I think that Bobby would have had more chance than JFK.  JFK’s presidency is tragic, storied…but I have a feeling that it would have ended in disappointment, both for him and everyone that looked to him as some sort of shining beacon of hope.  (There’s an incredible irony here, given all the comparisons made between him and Barack Obama–I admit to having a great deal more faith in Barack than my historian’s eye will allow me to have toward a “what if” of JFK’s presidency.)

The fact of the matter is, when you get right down to it, that Edward Kennedy could never cover up all the mistakes he made in his personal life and yet still make an incredible difference in American political life.  The Lion of the Senate, patriarch to a family that is now suddenly bereft of one (it will be interesting to see who rises to the occassion inside of the clan to take on the enormous mantle Ted shouldered).  He was so much and did so much…but he was still a father, a brother, a husband, an uncle, a grandfather–you can look at the faces of his family and know that, to see the pain that’s stoic and raw at the same time–stoic because they’re on camera, raw because even though his death was a foregone conclusion, you know that they weren’t ready to lose him.  You’re never ready for a blow like that.

I found the prayers for intercession, offered by his children, nieces and nephews and grandchildren, to be the most poignant part of the service (beyond, perhaps, Kara Kennedy’s responsal psalm, which I’ll have to identify later).  I hope god really does hear those prayers, because I can’t really imagine who will take up everything that Edward championed–or who can afford to, who’s powerful enough to take them up without totally torpedoing their political career.  They’re things that are necessary and right and without them…I don’t know where the country and the world will end up.

God will have a lot for the Senator to accomplish in heaven before his next time on earth.  He’s certainly paid his penance for his mistakes in this life, in working so hard for the common good.  There will be some that will say no, he’s going to hell for this sin, for that sin.  I don’t believe that’s the case, nor do I believe that he’s going to languish in purgatory for mistakes made.  No…he’s got important work to do.  He started it in this life, and it’ll be continued in the next, of that I’m certain.

Go softly, Senator.  You’re already dearly missed, but the respite is deserved.

Post-vacation update #1

Back from Wisconsin, and what a glorious trip without worrying about work calling me it was.  I got a bit of writing done, both WoWFic–including starting a new story, “Family Ties“–and work on Epsilon (Jen mentioned last night after her perusal that there was a marked shift between Sam Cooper’s attitude toward Aaron in one scene and her reaction to him the next morning.  I promised her it’d make sense later).

I’m still working in part on the revitalization efforts for Sentinels (US) — the RP community has suffered since the opening of Wyrmrest Accord and everyone has seen a sharp decline in numbers.  But at the same time as it’s brought out the lazy in some folks, it’s brought out the best in others.  One of the new blogs on the blogroll is one of those “bests” — Ravine of Lichbane has started a new blog with fiction and discussion of RP issues that I plan to be following closely myself.

Other recent addition to the blogroll is Erik’s blog.  I’ve known Erik and gamed with him for a long time (back since the days when I was almost exclusively doing things ISRP).  Lately, he’s been getting his campaign setting ready to hopefully query more gaming companies with.  I’ve seen bits and fragments of it, and while 4E is Greek to me, the flavor bits and pieces (which I think he really wanted me to pay attention to) are looking pretty good.

Also poked at Aurora Force with a stick, got set up for Michael Bullian’s tragic death at the Battle of Ithor.  I probably need to start drafting how that’s going to happen so I have it together and ready to go when we get that far.  If we ever get that far.

All in all, considering I spent several hours by a pool every day I was away, it was a pretty productive trip!  I’ll have to post pictures up here soon.

Adventures in French Hoods – part 1

So, I’ve gotten everything I need for this French Hood.  Yay!  And I’m ready to start my adventure.

I’ve gotten a pattern from Drea Leed’s wonderful Elizabethan Costuming site for a French hood dating circa 1535-1540, traced it out onto my interfacing.  Time to cut, and then bind the wire to it.

After tracing out the pattern onto my buckram and cutting it out, I proceeded to start binding wire to the buckram–I used a heavyweight embroidery thread to do this, which other than being a bitch to thread onto my needle was actually very easy to work with and did very well.

All told, it only took about an hour and a half or so for this stage.  I think I may try it with stiffer wire — I’m not sure if the wire I’m using holds its shape well enough; but time will tell.  I’ve got enough jacquard to do this at least twice.  So we’ll see what happens.  I may ask Trish about it tomorrow at game — she may have a tip or three about it.

One of those days…

It’s just one of those days.  Have to work at 5pm (which means I head to the mall sometime between 3:30 and 4 so I can grab some dinner at the food court), which means I really don’t want to settle in to anything that involved.  I almost feel like playing a console game (Assassin’s Creed) but that falls into the category of “something involved”…and the basement is a mess.  At least, that section of the basement is a mess, and I don’t feel like cleaning up after the little brother, who created the mess.  Maybe tomorrow.  Maybe not.  Who knows.

I should really probably be writing, or doing some serious thesis research, but I’m in one of those “meh” kind of moods to both–the muse just isn’t making noises at me right now, even though I wish it would.  And then there’s Aurora Force stuff that I should be doing, but again…the meh.

I need to clean my room, but there’s not enough time to dive into that task and then get ready for work, and I don’t really want to leave it half finished.  That may end up being a Saturday project–I need to look over the books on my shelf.  I’m thinking about ordering Timothy Zahn’s Conquerors trilogy–I have book one, but not the other two.  Of course, I could just go to Borders today before work and see if they’ve got anything shiny.  I heard that Ashbringer comes out as a graphic novel next week.  That could be very cool.  Too bad it didn’t come out this week.

I should get around to finishing Arthas–I’m getting very close to the end.  Might as well just finish it off.  Probably going to do that now.

Yup.  Think I will.

Star Trek! And other such fun things

Big update this time, since it’s been a while since I updated (I know, I shouldn’t have fallen behind).

So, saw Star Trek on Friday morning with a few friends.  And let me tell you, this movie was more than squee-worthy.  It was fantastic, and I’d go see it again.  Repeatedly.  A few minor gripes, but all told, I cannot wait for the next one, and there’d better be a next one.  This film was amazing, and JJ Abrams scored as near a perfect 10 as anyone not Gene Roddenbury could–and I know that he’s not spinning in his tin can somewhere floating above us in space.  Go and see the flick if you haven’t yet, even if you never liked Star Trek.  This film was simply amazing.

 

On another note, second 80 in WoW — finally, says my guild (again).  Once again, got the screenshot:

Aekatrine hits level 80

It’s very exciting–and apparently, I don’t suck at healing as much as I thought I did (I’ve been assured that raid healing is easy–we shall see).

 

But wait, there’s more!  Even though I haven’t been writing as much as I should (and I really do mean that, I’ve got a lot of writing I should be about; maybe I’ll do some of that after I’m done with this), there is some good news beyond gaming and social life.  I got a new job!  Though I’ll be keeping my old job.  I’ve been offered the graduate assistant position for Oakland University’s history department and I’ve accepted.  Huzzah!

So much to do.  Must work on jewelry…and sewing…and thesis….and other writing….so much to do, so little time to do it in!

Ding! First 80

So, much to my guild’s cheering, I’ve finally gotten my mage to 80 (as Steelweaver said: “About damn time!” Then, of course, I was told to get my arse to Naxx. Which isn’t happening just yet, and not just because my gear is crap).

What’s even better? I got the screenshot!

Jude Auroran makes level 80 in Zul'Drak

On a note of Torg — got a profile of my character, Dr. Amaeren Colby, up here, as well as her journal, which is a living document (it’s updated as her journal is).

Daybreak – Part 2

…if you have never seen Battlestar Galactica before, shame on you.  Go buy it.  Right now.  Then buy season 4.5 on iTunes.  And watch it.

Do it now.

If the last episode doesn’t win an Emmy…the Academy is stupid.  Period.

So say we all.