Kendall Giles

There are not a lot of options for classical fencing in Virginia. However, I am just finishing up a beginner's class at Salle Green, in Richmond, and it has been a good class. While I would prefer longer sessions, the one-hour class, once a week, for eight weeks in the beginner's course is probably just right for those new to fencing and martial arts.

If you are at all interested in fencing (classical or sport), or western martial arts, or just want something to do that is a little more sophisticated than basketball or listening to your iPod, then you should come out to Salle Green.

Technorati Tags: fitness, martial arts, virginia

So I go down to feed the cats last night, and here's what I see:

Wait a minute! That's not a cat:

What do you do when a guest won't leave?!

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There are are a couple of new books out or coming out that seem worth investigating.

The first is a book by Majorie Burns titled Perilous Realms: Celtic And Norse in Tolkien's Middle-Earth. From a review in the Rutland Herald:

There's a new book out on the "Lord of the Rings" and its accompanying volumes that says J. R. R. Tolkien's writing is much more subtle and nuanced than most people have realized. Marjorie Burns, a professor in the Department of English at Portland State University, says Tolkien blended Norse and Celtic factors in a delicate, abstruse manner that makes the works as scholarly as they are entertaining.

The second looks to be a special collected edition called the Runes of Ragnan. From an announcement on the upcoming collected edition:

This Fall, Silent Devil will unleash the Viking epic Runes of Ragnan in a collected edition containing the complete four-issue mini-series. Written by Ty Gorton, drawn in high action detail by Josh Medors (G.I. Joe, In The Blood, FUSED!), with colors by Jay Fotos (Spawn: The Dark Ages, Vampirella, The Nail), the collected edition will include a 5-page prequel, an exclusive short story with visuals by Bud Cook, contest winning artwork, and a behind the scenes feature.

From a review of the original series:

Runes of Ragnan is a comic that delivers a great story that blends elements of fantasy and actual Viking lore. Gorton’s story quickly sucks you into the comic, and keeps your interest through every page. Most important, the first issue leaves you wanting more, and not completely sure where Gorton is going with his story.

The third is a new edition of the Dictionary of Northern Mythology by Rodolf Simek and Angela Hall.

Technorati Tags: book, culture, review

A while back I took a snapshot of my morning schedule - getting myself and all the critters ready for work. While the distribution of critters has changed a little since then, the essence of the schedule still holds to explain why I may appear a bit disheveled in the mornings. Or, as someone else so eloquently put it: 'What's that on your shirt?':

• 6:45 am: Alarm goes off. Cat digs claws in leg.
• 6:48 am: Turn off alarm. Try to stop bleeding. Go back to sleep.
• 7:25 am: Get up. Cat wants food.
• 7:28 am: Find shower. Take one. Cat opens door and takes a free peep show.
• 7:40 am: Cat rubs against my wet legs. Need to shower off.
• 7:53 am: Look for clean clothes. Cat wants food.
• 8:02 am: Uncover birds. Birds want food. Birds scream at the sun. Birds scream at the birds outside. Cat wants food. Birds scream at the cat.
• 8:07 am Go to kitchen. Dogs jump on me, knocking birdy water onto floor and my pants. Prepare birdy breakfast. Dogs run around. Cat wants food. Dogs bark at cat. Birds scream at dogs. Cat runs away. Dogs chase cat.
• 8:20 am: Feed birds. Birds stop screaming. Cat wants food.
• 8:25 am: Let dogs outside. Dogs run, sniff, pee, bark.
• 8:45 am: Convince dogs to come back inside/catch dogs. Feed them.
• 8:55 am: Feed fish. Plecostomus thinks he is a goldfish and feeds from the surface. Cat wants food.
• 9:00 am: Poop kitty litter. Feed cat. Cat happy.
• 9:10 am: Let birds out. Birds fly around. Birds scream.
• 9:20 am: Put birds back in cages. Hopefully I notice strange droppings on shirt, thanks to bird. If I notice, change shirt. If I don't notice, my students always point it out.
• 9:30 am: Feed self. Dogs want more food.
• 9:32 am: Birds start screaming. Cat wants attention. Dogs want more food.
• 9:34 am: Give my breakfast to dogs, pet cat, give birds a treat.
• 9:45 am: Rush to whatever I am late for.

Technorati Tags: living

I spend a great deal of time both in Richmond and in Baltimore, so it is natural that I have an affinity for Edgar Allan Poe. One of the world's greatest writers, Poe's works cross a variety of genres and styles.

Richmond sports an Edgar Allan Poe museum, and it is worth a visit. There is even an annual Young Writer's Conference held there.

I made an audio recording of "Edgar Allan Poe: An Appreciation", by W. H. R. While the language used in the appreciation's writing is somewhat stilted due to its age, it does serve as a brief introduction to Poe and some of his works.

Listen to Edgar Allan Poe: An Appreciation (.MP3, 14.7MB).

I've issued this recording under the Creative Commons License. While you can click the link below to investigate the details, basically you can listen to it and copy it as you like - you just can't use it commercially or derive works from it.

Technorati Tags: book, culture, virginia