It's now been about a fortnight since last I scribed 'pon my page, there is SO much to tell you about: braces, family type stuff, Mother's Day, adventures with my car, Mayfaire (the recap), Derbyshire (an update), random musings and will include photos in several of my galleries that have been sorely neglected of late.

A tribute to Gunnar the Barbarian, who was also known as Jim Gasser...

July 3rd, 1962 - March 30th, 2009

I only wish that while I was in Canterbury last fall, that I would have had the privilege of meeting this great and well loved man.

My prayers are with each of those who knew him, especially his family. 

In service, 

Dame Catherine

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This was written by Jim on March 30, 2009, prior to his departure for California.

Sword fighting and Life by Jim Gasser 

Most Warriors are made. 
Some are born. 
A few have always known 

Sword fighting and life, while on the surface appearing diametrically opposed, are in fact, parallel paths. Sword fighting in its purest form is the taking of life. There was no other reason to pick up a sword. Through the Path of the Sword we discover the true Path of Life. We slice away at the very layers that cloud our true purpose-Enlightenment. The principles and foundations of sword fighting are congruent with those of life. 

Why does the sword feel so natural within our grasp? It is a symbol, a reminder of our past. Today, the sword is not the sword of the past, an instrument of death; the sword has become a tool for our enlightenment. 

With the correct mind, any endeavor or action can lead to enlightenment. 

The style that I pursue is one of basics and practicality. I have found it is best to embrace simplicity as the cornerstone of sword fighting and life. 

We fight with swords because it is who we once were and will ultimately define who we become. 

Fighting is a progression and must be approached as such. To leap over or ignore the fundamentals will result in weakness, false hope, and ultimately defeat. Fighting is form following function. No superfluous, wasted movements. Our movements are timeless. They have always been. 

We must continue to question the strength and integrity of the bridge, until one has crossed over it and come back. 

I often speak of what lies within us as something eternal. I believe that our concept of death occurs as we conceive it. Under no circumstances do I think that we truly know and understand the concept, which we call death. Until one has crossed over the bridge and come back, it is nothing but conjecture. 

(It is my theory that God would not allow us to have this insight until we have evolved enough to grasp it. At this point in our existence, if there were complete certainty as to the concept of afterlife and a closer relationship with God, why would we choose to remain in this life? Our evolution would never occur if we walked like lemmings into the water.) 

Anyone can pick up a sword and swing it. Sword fighting by its very nature embraces simplicity. A child can grasp a sword and begin the dance. As we grow older, we forget these deep- rooted, natural movements. The timeless, simplicity of the sword’s lesson is replaced by the complexity of life. We have become distracted by the race.
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Now to hear from others about this gentle giant...

Jim's friends and family said that Jim embodied contradictions and that they didn't understand him.  I understood him perfectly.  He had a dream, a goal, and worked toward achieving that goal.  Jim wanted to evolve and become the best at what he wanted to do, and that was improving himself, his own soul, his life and the lives of those around him, and have fun while doing it.  Jim evolved and became the One, and had to move on to the next life's duties in order that we who are still here may evolve on our own paths.

As for me, I've a long road ahead to evolve, as to many of us left behind.  I shall never forget Jim's smile, the infectious way he had of making one feel as if they were more important than anything else in life at that shining moment you were interacting with him.  God gives us many chances to improve, I believe, and we live as long as He gives us, taking each opportunity and hopefully making the best of it.  If our opportunities improve our condition or the condition of others around us, then it is a step toward evolving and one step closer to our next life.

It was said that Jim wouldn't take "no" for an answer.  If you reasoned with Jim on any subject, he certainly would take your opinions into advisement.  He was far from unreasonable.  He was hard to persuade if you didn't have a logical or valid reason to present him on a topic on which he was firm, however he was reasonable and logical.

Someone said that Jim embodied peace and violence, and I saw both sides of Jim.  I remember once at a Shakespeare on the Green event where we were promoting the Barbarians and helping raise money for the arts centre, a teenage boy was sparring with Jim and repeatedly hit Jim in the head.  Jim warned him various times, finally thwacking the lad a time to warn him further.  I was in the pavillion tent when Jim came through with an intense angry look in his eyes, thrashing soundly this lad, spilling over all of us, knocking over tables.  It ended quickly and the lad was no worse for wear, however he'd learned a valuable lesson.  I watched Jim speak to him without hearing what was said, but I can imagine how Jim counseled him on the "rules" of fighting.  I saw Jim hug the lad and they parted with huge smiles.  Jim was a walking balance of our innate and inborn instincts toward violence and peace, but Jim was the yin and yang of those.

When Jim took me in and mentored me, taking my corner during a very difficult time when no one else would speak for me or believe in me, his confidence and trust in me brought me out of a very deep abyss and motivated me to become better, to improve and be the best I could be at swordfighting, my personal life, my work life and my performances at renaissance festivals all over the country.  When I met Jim and the Barbarians, the motto was "Be the One."  I have had that motto on the splash screen of my phone since then and have lived it every day since making Jim's acquaintance and friendship.  

I can only extol Jim's virtues and encourage others to do as Jim did...live life to its fullest and be the best you can be at whatever you do.  In the end, you can say that you led an honest life.  Success isn't in how much money we make or how many friends we have, but how we have affected others for the positive, how we have made a beneficial footprint on this plant, in this life, and made the paths of others more tolerable or better for our having been here.  

My personal philosophy, beside "be the one" is to leave any situation in which we find ourselves better than that in which we encountered it.  In essence, this is what Jim did, but on a much grander scale than I could ever possibly hope to achieve.  For those of us left behind, we are sad and longing, but speaking for myself, I am happy that when it is my time, Jim will be there at the gates to greet me with the smile I shall never forget and that mischevious glint in his eye that means he's on about something great.

We've a lot of work ahead of us!

-- Ian Richard Sharpe

He was indeed a King.... I was his area manager his first year at faire back in 2002 and we would always embrace as good friends on the rare times we saw each other in recent years.

My truest sadness is that when I was at KCRF in Sep. 2008, I did not have the privilege of making acquaintance with Jim. I have heard much about him in the last few days from several people I know that knew him, also.

Lots of things to say where to begin? An overview: St. Patrick's Parade, spring cleaning, surviving tax season, travel to Indiana and Texas. Here goes...

A rant about working in the world of bean counters, between Jan. 1 and Apr. 15... thank you for reading and giggling with me about this... if I couldn't find some humor in this I *MIGHT* have followed the urge to hide under my desk, ROTFL.

How does one find humor in these trials... good question; still looking for the answer to it *giggle, giggle* maybe the humor is what's hiding under my desk.   On with the ranting...! 

I'm sure we've all heard something like "God give me patience" well the way things have been at work since I wrote last... this is now my mantra, LOL. 

Why? it SEEMS that: IT, software and printer conundrums are the gremlins who go before me into any given office, followed closely by clients who keep my patience in growth mode! :-)

Yesterday, is an example of that...

FIRST both computers in the office were doing something strange when I arrived and each one was different than the other... *sigh*

THEN it was the printer... **bigger sigh**

THEN software, ohmygoodness! and

FINALLY, top it off with a particular client whose family member was CONVINCED that the two tax returns should cost the exact same $ amount. But didn't understand that there were differences inherent to the complexity of HOW the two tax returns were prepared that related directly to the cost.

Those are the highlights; the "lowlights" include a client who was UPSET that we couldn't finish part of the processing because of an expired ID... as far as I know, not only is it a problem if you're driving with it, but in Michigan you can't buy alcohol or cigarettes with it, also.  *SHRUG/ SIGH*

BTW, I now have a greater appreciation for the sheer JOY of faire no matter the weather, HUZZAH!

I feel the need to express my gratitude to many people in my life: my parents and sisters, my daughter, special friends far and near (y'all cover the four corners of these United States), to all our military personnel and their families to whom I feel a debt of honor and gratitude... 

If it were possible, you'd hear me (an unaccompanied Soprano) sing this song, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." It was written during the Civil War, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The lyrics follow:

I heard the bells on Christmas Day, Their old familiar carols play, And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth, good will to men.

I thought how as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along th' unbroken song Of peace on earth, good will to men.

And in despair I bowed my head: "There is no peace on earth," I said, "For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth he sleep; The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, With peace on earth, good will to men."

Till, ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, a chant sublime, Of peace on earth good will to men.  

I am hoping to perform this song for at least one group this Christmas season, will it be a specific parish where I have been invited to assist with music for Mass on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day...? I'll notify you when I know, if and where I may be privileged to sing this song as my prayer for peace 'mong the earth's people. 

A blessed Christmas and joyous New Year to all...

to close this scribing, I leave you with a tarot card that is said to describe me well.

You are Strength

Courage, strength, fortitude. Power not arrested in the act of judgement, but passing on to further action, sometimes obstinacy.

This is a card of courage and energy. It represents both the Lion's hot, roaring energy, and the Maiden's steadfast will. The innocent Maiden is unafraid, undaunted, and indomitable. In some cards she opens the lion's mouth, in others she shuts it. Either way, she proves that inner strength is more powerful than raw physical strength. That forces can be controlled and used to score a victory is very close to the message of the Chariot, which might be why, in some decks, it is Justice that is card 8 instead of Strength. With strength you can control not only the situation, but yourself. It is a card about anger and impulse management, about creative answers, leadership and maintaining one's personal honor. It can also stand for a steadfast friend.