With Friends Like These..
(Muttered Commentary from the Post-Coronation Sleep Zone)

So, dears.....First, having been proven right again about Tropical "storm" Ernesto, we return this delightfully funny, apparently read by more people than I originally thought (hi, Fabio - how you doin'?) blog to its lighthearted Mission in Life: Making With The Funny. RIGHT after some serious stuff about the loss of a dear friend.

First, it must be said that one does not normally associate personal tragedy with any kind of a nice time, but Irish wakes are different, Irish Scadian wakes doubly so. Earl Brendan (in all seriousness one of the finest human beings to walk the Trimarian earth) died suddenly several weeks ago. The official Trimarian wake was held this past Saturday night at Coronation and it was all the Good Things wakes should be: Good alcohol, better friends, fab stories real and imagined about the Brendan; real tears and no small amount of laughter. I wrote something to read at Brendan's wake, but it got left on a computer and did not make it with me to the event.

Here it is:

The Circle (a reading for Brendan)

How many circles did you complete, here where grief still stalks us?

The circle of your family, those most beloved of yours;
The circle of knights, for whom you stood as the purest example;
The circle of friends, who are also your family.

Yet, even in grief, these circles do not break.

You would be proud of us, Brendan, to see us today:

Your family, though they move through the world with broken hearts,
hold each other in a closer embrace,
and in it have forged a stronger circle;

The knights not even I can worry about -
their circle was forged for moments like this,
and the chain that binds them now is yours;

Your friends....well, we are here tonight, in a circle built around you,
telling stories and crying.
But, we have not forgotten how to laugh, either.

And in that laughter we best feel your embrace,
and our circle, your circle, remains one whole:
One circle for all that you still are.

(au revoir)


------
Coronation itself was a fabulous thing: The new Crown, Martin & Islay, ascended the throne in a very moving and funny ceremony and many Deserving People received awards...including 3 pelicans, one laurel and one knight. 5 Peers-to-be and all with great conviviality and delight and much whopping applause from a happy, happy populace. It was one of those Moments so many of us speak of...an event where everyone got along with everyone else, no acrimony besmirched the air and the concepts of Honor, Courtesy and Chivalry were upheld without anyone having to break a sweat or apparently even biting their tongues too hard.

I was going to blame it on Prozac in the drinking water, but Fabio rightly pointed out the concept that the death of Earl Brendan (how hard still to write THAT sentence), the death of Scout and the near-death of another friend may have actually pounded through the thicker-skulled among us that LIFE IS SHORT and what's IMPORTANT is NOT whose garb looked prettiest, but that people WANTED to make garb so they could be with People They Loved. Please mark this date on your calendars: Fabio was *right* and *I* was not. (loveyoubigguymeanit).

There was *supposed* to be something funny here....

Ah!!

Here it is:

The Adventures of Captain Trimerica and Bat Girl.

Now, hard as it may be to believe, yon Fabio has really not been picked on much by most Trimarians. That privilege has heretofore been reserved unto his household, me, sheepgirl, runnergirl, the other knights, dukes and Southerners...

OK so maybe he got picked on a lot before.

But never about the Captain Trimerica thingy.


For reasons that surpass understanding, which I blame on the dark, the Guinness at the wake and Fabio himself, I shared with him the story of me and Adelhaid and the Black Bats that used to fly out of the mouth of Yours Truly with alarming regularity.

You know, as opposed to the Fine Example of Restrained, Sober and Dulcet speech for which I am now much renowned and revered Kingdom wide.

We will now pause while you clean your keyboards.




that's ok - grab some more coffee....



that's it...

Anyway, Fanio found this SO ENTERTAINING that he decided EVERY superhero needs a sidekick. Hence, His Selfness designated me, your Abused and Long-Suffering Yours Truly....

Bat Girl.

Which would not have been SO bad had not one of my "friends," a "protege" and clan "brother" CALL FABIO UP and find out if it was OK with Norse Boy if they made me a costume. With my very own short cape purchased from the store that specializes in Hobbit Sizes.

Did Mr. Example Of Chivalry position himself at my back, ready to defend my dignity against this assault? Well of COURSE he didn't - gave his consent pronto and has now taken to humming the theme from Batman into my phone...le sigh.

No doubt a musical version of this abuse cannot be far behind, and my revenge will certainly follow quickly.

------

And we got to spend MORE time with runnergirl, the NEWEST Borg and member of the Continuum, and I am not even sorry about all the belt-yanking I inflicted upon her, as it made ME laugh lots and HER giggle. The Queen was also much amused, which is a Good Thing of Martha Stewart-like proportions. Ran a fine list, did runnergirl...

------

And now about Sheep Girl...

Who, did she not, looked beautiful beyond my own short capabilities in her bliaut (hand-sewn) and Best Hair Ever....engaging in many Appropriate Peer-like activities and lookin' good all the way around. We hate her. She is smart and beautiful and perfect and a true, loyal-unto-death friend and sister, funny, and kind to small animals. We HATES the sheepgirl and wants her garb. And hair.

ANYWAY....Sunday we had decamped with Sheepgirl and the Turtle to attend "Lots-o-Cooked-Meat" night at a local eating establishment, in order to discuss privately the Weighty Matters of The Day (Star Wars v. Star Trek; Yours Truly: Hobbit or Troll). Which was the plan until the lovely and talented Earl of Far Too Good Looking for Us to be Married and his wife, the Lovely and Funny and Smart Girl of Cute, joined us at the next table. As did the Fab Horse Duo: Mr. M and the C.

So of course you understand that I *had* to use Sheepgirl's braids to instruct the assemblage in proper Rein Position/Control and Seat Techniques. Yes, IN the restaurant..KEEP UP here. She was a very recalcitrant horse and we had to use spurs on her to get her to even understand the most basic of steering instructions. She bit me. BAd horse...no beer in the bran for YOU....

The Minister of Horse was impressed with Yours Truly's technique, and concluded Officially that I Had Nailed It. I will need to authorize on Sheepgirl at the next equestrian event and make sure her Coggins tests are all negative.

After years of abuse you must understand that there was SIMPLY NO OTHER RECOURSE than for Yours Truly to repeat this performance at Bardic.

Sheep Girl loves me for this and has promised that I may use her braids for demonstration any time I may so feel the Urge... I am so lucky. The bite Sheepy inflicted has almost healed now and I am *sure* that her braids will grow back quite quickly.

So, to summarize:

Brendan: Well-loved, forever missed.

Yours Truly: wordy beyond belief. STILL right about the weather. Good with horses and leather straps. Also braids. Not so much with the fencing, but not bad for a beginner...

Fabio: In it deeper.

Runnergirl: currently determining whether helping me or "helping" me will get her the most laughs.

Sheepgirl: still blonde.

Trimaris: Better, stronger, faster...a veritable 6 Million Dollar Man of a kingdom.

Peers: More of them.

Must run dearies.....laundry is done and so am I.

Hugs,
Alysoun