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81

Webmaze General Discussions / Re: Ragnar update and Gathering

« Last post by Yvonne on November 27, 2023, 10:04:44 PM »

I bring some very sad news indeed.  He will be incredibly missed. He has some wonderful friends here on this site, my deepest condolences to all of you.
 This message is per Thorarin Bloodaxe;

Ragnar, passed away Friday (Oct 13, 2023). He was a good man, friend and brother. Gor is a little poorer for his absence. He will be sorely missed.
https://www.starkmemorial.com/obituary/Richard-Early

This is truly heartbreaking news.

Thank you for passing the word, helga.

Rest easy, Ubar.   It was an honor to call you FRIEND!

Yvonne
Matron
Chat Whisper Tuchuks

82

MTC OOC / Re: ...Izee's Thread

« Last post by Izee on November 27, 2023, 06:39:58 AM »

...Cutting up...

At Conservatory, I was a bit of a cut up...and...I was VERY PERSUASIVE.  I hauled anyone I could to 'help me out'.  (I figured that spreading the blame would take attention from me.)  So, as I reported, I did get the members of my String Quartet to participate.

But, playing the piano, I was LOST!  I mean, I always set my 'cut ups' to appear that it was someone other than me AT FAULT!!! I mean, I was a GOOD GIRL, when strange stuff happened, well, don't point your finger at ME!  But, when it was just me sitting my butt on the stool in front of the piano, there wasn't much that I could do.

But, after watching a Marx Bros Movie...I got an inspiration.   

I was going to play a Rachmaninoff Rhapsody...it is a difficult piece.  It was going to be at 'Solo Class', a no credit Course on Tuesday afternoons that we Music Majors HAD to attend.  Looking back, it was a brilliant idea by the Dean.  We Music Majors really did need to hear music and instruments that we were not familiar with in order to learn, and being a Music Major was more than just sawing on a cello...a Graduate should be familiar with ALL SORTS of music...and what different instruments sound like and what they can do.  The Trombone can be a very eloquent and expressive horn when played well.

So, I walked out in my 'Major Performance' gown, and stood by the piano, and curtsied.  After the applause and howls of lust from the men stopped...my gown was very low cut...I settled in...and immediately...

...I SUCKED!!!!!!!!  The music sounded like Hell.  I stopped, and tried playing again...but...I STILL SUCKED!!!

Then the 'Old Concert Hall Maintenance Guy' (He REALLY WAS an old man) emerged from the wings, and walked over to me.  He reached, and turned the music score in front of me a half turn, and set it back in the rack.  (The music had been upside down on the piano... )  He then walked off...

I looked at him, and then at the musical score, and played the work well.

I got 5 Curtain Calls...I think the guys wanted to see my cleavage as a curtsied...No way could I bow in my gown...my tits would have fallen out.  I would have been summoned to the Dean's Office again.   

The Professor of Piano, who gave me my private lessons...was NOT AMUSED!

The Dean did tell me that he was sorry to see me leave as a Music Major, but I did stay and played in Instrumental Classes.  He said that he was always trying not to laugh as he scolded me over something.

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MTC OOC / Re: ...Izee's Thread

« Last post by Izee on November 12, 2023, 06:11:47 PM »

...Soaring with the Eagles!!!!   

When I was flying sailplanes, I was ALWAYS very attentive to what was going on around me...especially when I was in the trainer.  The cockpit was in the nose of the fuselage, and the big honking wing was on top, so you couldn't see behind you.  There actually were mirrors, but I just didn't like them.  The little HP sailplane had the cockpit on TOP of the fuselage, and the canopy was clear, so you could see ALL around you.  I was in the trainer, and had found a good thermal, and got up to 8,000 feet.  The thermal then wimped out, and I straightened out from circling, and looked around.  I was watching for other aircraft, and also looking for hawks and eagles.  They find thermals very easily, Scientists actually think that they may be able to sense or actually see them.  Seeing birds like that circling means that they found one.  Next time you see hawks or eagles circling, watch them...they are not flapping their wings...but they are staying up.  They are in a thermal. 

So, I spotted a pair, about 1,000 yards away, and flew towards them.  I only lost about 500 feet of altitude, and entered the thermal.  In a sailplane, you know when you enter a thermal, even without looking at the rate of climb meter.  If a wing enters it, thermals are tight columns of rising air, it gets pushed up, and so you turn the plane on it's side, and turn towards the rising wing, and circle.  If you blunder straight into a thermal, well, you butt tells you, you feel a HUGH push from below, and you can turn in either direction.  If you turn away from the thermal, you immediately know, the air flows down around a thermal, you feel it and the rate of climb meter lets you know, so you haul on the rudder and the joystick and do a hard turn in the other direction, and usually you can find the thermal.

Anyway, I settled into a gentle circle, not banked too steep, and after a few turns, the eagles joined me.  I guess they were curious, or wondering if they could get to the 'snack' inside the big white bird.  That was a wonderful moment...we circled for about five minutes...and they left.  They were right beside my cockpit while we soared, I smiled and waved and spoke to them as we flew.  Soaring was so much fun.

Later in life, I let a client talk me into letting him give me flying lessons in return for my legal services.  That didn't last too long...quite frankly...I did NOT enjoy flying a little single prop plane.  It was noisy, and you had to wear a set of headphones and hear chatter, and you just flew straight.  I got scolded a lot when I first started doing turns, I did a turn like I was in a sailplane and turned the plane on it's side, pointing the wing at the ground as I pressed on the rudder.  My Instructor SHOUTED...

...HANDS OFF!!!!...

And so I let go, and pulled my feet off the rudders.  He straightened the plane out and asked me..."What the HELL were you doing?"  I was nervous, and I said, "Turning the plane".  He calmed down, and said, "We are not in a dogfight, this is how you turn", and did a very gentle turn, the wings were almost level.  I said, "OK", and after that flew that way.  But, as I said, it was boring, so I told him that I did not want to get a flying license.

Good thing that I never became a Commercial Pilot...flying a Boing 747 like a Schroeder 1-26 would have gotten me thrown in jail...

84

MTC OOC / Re: ...Izee's Thread

« Last post by Izee on November 08, 2023, 01:24:15 AM »

...'Fingering' the cello...

There you are, with the chunk of lumber between your legs, and you have to figure out which finger on your left hand to use to play a note.  So, for instance, on the A String you can play a B, C, and D naturals in the first position.  You just drop your 1st, 2nd, and 4th finger.  You can also slightly move a finger to make a note sound sharper or flatter.  To play higher notes on the A string, you have to move your hand down the neck of the cello.  The most common higher position is 5th Position, your thumb is at the base of the neck, and the bottom side of your hand is actually touching the shoulder of the cello.  Then, comes "Thumb Position", where you move your whole hand onto the fingerboard, and lay the side of your thumb on a note, often the A natural, and the fingers can do their stuff.

But, when playing a passage, which finger do you place on a note?  That is where you have to figure out how to 'finger' a passage.  And, being cellists, we need to be reminded of how to play a passage.  So, we would write the numbers from 1 to 4 above the note to tell us which finger to use.  In fast passages, you REALLY had to plan what to do, because you wanted to get the notes in tune, and also to keep that hand in the same place on the neck of the cello so you just didn't wander away into 'Out of TUNE LAND'. 

Once, I was feeling very ornery.  I knew that my Private Cello Teacher, Alan, who was the Professor of Cello, would sit with me at a Concert.  I was the Principal Cellist, but the Conductor would bring Alan in to strengthen the section.  I agreed with his decision, the other five cellists were rank amateurs who didn't practice enough.  So, on a Respigi Overture, I wrote in the most RIDICULOUS fingerings I could think of.     He came to the Rehearsal, and we got into the work.  The Conductor stopped the Orchestra at times, to work with a section, and Alan STARED  at me.  "Ah, are you REALLY playing those measure like that?" he whispered.  I smiled, and whispered back, "Yes, I think it sounds more expressive."  It was a bunch of 16th notes, in a quick tempo, so you really didn't hear them, you just heard some noise.

*SIGHS*     He 'PULLED RANK ' on me, and took the music with him and wrote in more correct fingerings.  I pretended to have trouble with how he had fingered it, and he just growled..."You need a two hour lesson on this work, and I will charge my higher rates."

I followed his fingerings...

85

MTC OOC / Re: ...Izee's Thread

« Last post by Izee on November 06, 2023, 03:55:24 AM »

...WAFFLES!!!!  Just gotta talk about WAFFLES!!!

As a young child, I was VERY fussy about what I ate, so I didn't eat very much.  So, I was very skinny, the School Nurses would look me over to see if I had a problem.  Mom would pack me a healthy lunch, and I would just eat the carrots and celery and throw the rest away.  I was always looking forward to Wednesday...the school lunch was a HAMBURGER!!  I would eat the hamburger, and throw away the rest.  I would feel ashamed, Mom would scold me about how grateful I should be over having nice food, but being a child...it just didn't register on me.

But, on weekends, Dad would make WAFFLES!!!  I would get up early and wait in the kitchen, in my pajamas, and be happy when he brought out the waffle iron.  I would sit, and offer to help, but he wouldn't let me do much.  So, I just watched. 

The first waffle was for the birds, back then you had to put oil on the iron so the batter wouldn't stick, and the first waffle wasn't very good.  But, I would help peel the second waffle off the iron, and set it on my plate.  Butter and syrup followed, and well...nothing more was needed.  Mom would say I should add fruit and jellies, but NO!!!  Butter and syrup was enough...I eagerly ate the waffle.  So, I always had a nice breakfast on the weekends.

Dad was well aware of my love for his waffles, so, when I came home from breaks at College...I got waffles.     It even extended to when I got married, and visited with my H and my children.  He would pull the waffle iron out, mix the batter, and make waffles for me and my family. 

... ...He tried to teach me to make waffles, and I even carefully watched him, and wrote out a recipe.  I made them for my roommates in college, and they LOVED them...but I didn't think that they tasted quite right.  So, I was ALWAYS happy to visit, and get a waffle.  I seriously think that we don't perceive reality.  I think that there is an 'energy side' of us that registers things that our blood and muscle bodies just can't sense.  And, we can transfer that energy, and receive that energy from others.  So, Dad was putting HIS energy into the waffles.  That may explain Chefs...they can fix the same dish with the same ingredients...but some taste MUCH better.

A dear memory to me...

Dad got brain cancer, and he stayed at home.  I visited as much as I could...but...not as much as I wanted to.  I had a family, and lived in another town, and was a busy Trial Lawyer, and very active in Classical Music and 4-H.  So, the weekends got far apart.  I could see him failing...he was VERY strong, and refused to go into a Clinic, and was busy in the house.

Then, came that last weekend.  He was very weak, and didn't talk or visit much.  But...on Sunday morning...

...He brought out the waffle iron.  He waved me away when I said I could make it, and I just sat, and watched.  And...

...He made me a waffle!!!   

I was delighted, and put butter and syrup on it, and ate it, and hugged and kissed him, and cleaned things up.

I cried when he passed...and part of it was because he wouldn't ever make me a waffle again.

Waffles...

86

MTC OOC / Re: ...Izee's Thread

« Last post by Izee on November 05, 2023, 07:44:55 PM »

I ranted a while ago about how it seemed that the Gov'ts in SF and Oakland are encouraging anarchy by their 'catch and release' policies and reclassifying Felonies as Misdemeanors or mere Infractions.  So people and businesses are fleeing the Bay Area, leaving what used to be valuable properties behind.  Well, guess what is happening?

Those vacant buildings are being purchased for very cheap prices, and then being turned into nice housing and locked up boutiques.  I spoke a while ago about going to a women's clothing store I liked, and it was marked 'Open', but the door was locked.  A clerk walked to the door, and looked me over, and then pressed a button and I was let in.  The door was locked behind me.  So, the News and other Programming Facilities speak about 'Gentryfying' the ghettos.  Hells Bells, those places were NOT in a 'ghetto'...until the businesses left because of the crime and shoplifting.  And, the 'Enlightened Rulers' say that a Shopkeeper can't use a weapon to protect his store.  So, of course the THUGS are just going to walk in, and walk out with ALL that they can carry.

I studied Law, and it is legal, according to English Common Law, to use Deadly Force to protect a business.  And, OF COURSE IT SHOULD BE!!!  I value human life, but a person who tries to pillage a business is asking for it, if they resist.  I am not saying that we should shoot children who pocket a candy bar, but when a man is facing a mob intent on stealing everything that isn't nailed down, well...that is another thing!  People back off when someone is holding a gun!

So, it kinda looks like there was a plot to temporarily devalue property values for a while, by letting thugs run wild under the guise of 'Compassion'...and now that the devalued properties are being bought up...the thugs are being locked up and the Mayors are calling for 'Law and Order'.

So, as they say...

...I shoulda gotten in while the gettin was GOOD!!!

BUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Now that the businesses are being re-opened, the Police are being told to enforce the Law.  The Mayors of SF and Oakland are calling to crack down on crime!!!  It is because the Rich People came in and bought all of the properties, and are telling the DAMN Politicians to enforce the Laws. 

87

MTC OOC / Re: I truly don't know

« Last post by Taryn on November 05, 2023, 05:30:20 PM »

Tim, you should never share that which Scott and you spoke of, that is between Brothers/Trues as it should be. I knew in my heart of hearts that if either woobie or Scott left first, the other would follow shortly behind, as they were bonded in a way that was beautiful and pure. I still struggle with their loss, perhaps in time it might lessen, but the hole they both left behind, that will never cease. The memories made in the time we all got to spend with him, will be forever treasured and wish there was a way to write them down into a book to share with others who come after. Show where we started, how we forged into the future and how the Legacy of Gor was made.

Time has been odd for me in the past 6 months, losing a cherished friend woobie 6 months ago, then my dad 3 months later, then losing Scott/Ragnar whom I considered more than just my brother in Gor, but as well as in real time. He was there when my life was being twisted and turned uncontrollably, leaving me to flounder and flail. Scott was able to reach me, showing me that there was more to explore and experience then what I was wanting to do. He in a way saved me, when I was about to give up. I grew so much while I was in MTC, not the best times at the end, but they were of my own making, during a time that I was too emotional to see what was really in front of my face. For that, I hold a lot of regret, but the bridges were being mended and we were speaking once more. That's all I could have wished for, but the true wish I had, was that he would no longer be in pain, that he could do what he wanted without anything to stop him. *smiles fondly*

I see him walking through fields of wild flowers, woobie at his side, hearing both of them laughing and feel their love growing stronger as they reconnect their bond together. No more pain for either of them. The reunions with those who went before, the ones who he considered family and gave him the love of Gor are there with him, including KnightStorm's Dawn. One day soon, hopefully not too soon, we will all see one another again. Be showered by his love, his kindness and best of all his laughter.

I will miss you Scott, but I thank you for allowing me into your life and for showing me that we all belong somewhere. Enjoy your infinite time with the love of your life, woobie, no more worries, no more pain, just love and laughter.

88

MTC OOC / Re: ...Izee's Thread

« Last post by Izee on October 31, 2023, 01:53:04 AM »

The Washington Monument... ...I hope that I got the name right...it is that Tall spire of white rock in DC.

Anyway, my family drove from CA to the East Coast, back when cars did NOT have AC...so I was a VERY happy pre-teen during the trip.  (NOT!!!!!!!!!!)

We were touring DC, and my parents said that we just HAD to go up to the top of the Monument.  Well, in my RIGHTOUS frustration, I looked at the line we were in.  It was VERY long.  So, I walked to the front, and looked in, and saw the elevator, it could hold about 10 people.  I walked back, and told my parents that it would be about an hour long wait.  They just nodded, and we stayed in line.  I played jacks for a while...I always had a set with me...and then got up and said that I was going to WALK to the top.  My parents just nodded, so I gather up my jacks and put them in their pouch...and...

...WALKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was in very good physical condition, and just needed a couple rest stops, and I got to the top.  I walked and looked out all of the windows, and then WALKED back down.  There was a long line to get back to the ground at the elevator.  I rejoined my Parents, they were about 20 minutes from the door, and said that it was neat up there.  So, I stayed with them, and rode the elevator to the top.  We all looked around, and then looked at the long line for the elevator.  I spoke up, saying, "Hey, the steps aren't all that bad, and you are stepping down ALL of the time." 

My Parents bought my story, and we all walked down...

...Mom had to stop a DOZEN times to rest her feet, and I just stayed on the next landing below...   Dad was NOT happy with me...

I was VERY quiet the rest of the trip, and my parents didn't believe ANYTHING I said...

89

MTC OOC / Re: I truly don't know

« Last post by Elisa Windrider on October 27, 2023, 11:33:46 AM »

sorry wish you the best