Friday, June 15, 2018

Review of Daniel K. Richter’s Ordeal of the Longhouse

     Daniel Richter did not set out to write a book about the Iroquois. In taking on the daunting task, he constructs a compelling history of people who “found themselves caught up by economic, political, and demographic forces over which they had little control”. Richter explains how the Iroquois met these challenges or ordeals, often with unique geographical and cultural advantages, with adaptation and changes unlike other people in the region. These were not unique advantages to the Iroquois. What set them apart from others was their ability to hold on to these advantages for so long.
     Richter treats the Iroquois as if they were newly come to North America, placing them on the same footing as Europeans. Additionally, he cautions the reader against reading the phrases “the Iroquois” or “the Five Nations” as a singular or uniform entity but as a leader or collective of leaders and persons working within their self-defined political authority. Richter’s premise was to re-envision the Iroquois’ creative adaptations to situations by highlighting what he calls “a double trio of geographical and cultural advantages”.
     By Richter’s own admission, the seventeenth and eighteenth century politics and policies of the Iroquois descended into a confusing array of system, people and points, all in flux. While he authored a survey of primary source materials, he sought to maintain the flavor of the thoughts and ideas of the Iroquois. Throughout, Richter stays true to making the voice of the Iroquois audible in his work.
To this end, this book is punctuated with 22 plates, 7 maps, methodological comments, 104 pages of notes and 26 pages of biographical information. At one point Richter labels his own work “slim” and “pedantic”. He could added “humble”. The Ordeal of the Longhouse is well paced, excellently reasoned and designed, while remaining accessible to the average reader.
     Richter's “slim” book is rich in detail, wonderful in exposition of the plight and firmness of the Iroquois culture against the wave of European forces arrayed against them. Richter weaves an excellent story of historical facts and apt observation and analysis.


Destiny 1... again



Well, I have finished Destiny 2 and have some time on my hands. I figure back to the beginning is a good place to go. I am going to play thru Destiny 1 in the order of production. I created  new PS4 account so I could keep my old characters with all of their equipment.

The first time I played, I kept getting caught up in the semester cycle where I couldn't play for weeks. I stumbled through House of Wolves and Dark Below only knowing that they were new because my boys had completed them.

Vanilla
Earth
A Guardian Rises
Restoration
The Dark Within
The Warmind
The Last Array

Moon
The Dark Beyond
The World's Grave <I am here.
The Sword of Crota
Chamber of Night
Shrine of Oryx

Venus
A Stranger’s Call
Ishtar Collective
The Archive
Scourge of Winter
Eye of a Gate Lord

Reef
The Awoken
A Key Awaits

Mars
Exclusion Zone
The Buried City
The Garden’s Spire
A Rising Tide
The Black Garden

The Dark Below
Fist of Crota—Earth
Siege of the Warmind—Earth
The Wakening—Moon

House of Wolves
A Kell Rising—Venus
The Silent Fang—Earth
The Ruling House—Earth
Wolves' Gambit—Venus
Queen's Ransom—Venus

The Taken King
The Coming War—Phobos
Cayde's Stash—Earth
The Dreadnaught—Dreadnaught
Enemy of My Enemy—Dreadnaught
Lost to Light—Moon
The Promethean Code—Earth
Last Rites—Moon
Regicide—Dreadnaught

Rise of Iron
King of the Mountain—Earth
The Walls Come Down—Earth
The Plaguelands—Earth
Download Complete—Mars
The Iron Tomb—Earth

This run thru is different. I have a second PS4 I am using, so I don't have PS+ or any of the later addons. I think if I hop on my main PS4, those features will unlock. So as long as I only play on this second machine, I will get the entire "vanilla" experience. I wonder how that will hold up to all of the newer stuff?

I'm trying to complete two or three adventures a night. I haven't touched Destiny 2 in a couple of weeks. I am sort of bummed about the whole Cayde-6 thing.


Strange Memory Collision

This morning, I came out of the shower thinking of Disney. That isn't so odd, but it was triggered by a combination of smells. At Disney World, they use H2O products in all of the hotels. Bubbly Orange is my favorite. I need to pick up some shampoo to match the soap I have.

My wife's perfume from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab called Cheshire Cat and my Bubbly Orange soap reminds me of August in Disney. The soap also pairs well with my BPAL scent, Perversion.

Smells are powerful triggers. Today, a combination of them turned a boring Friday into this:



Cruisin'

Back in 2014, I had the chance to sail on The Oasis of the Seas. It was amazing. 

Our destination was the Bahamas, Nassau in particular. What a beautiful island. I can't wait to go back.

The Oasis of the Seas is a new ship, first sailing in 2009. It has 16 passenger decks, a casino, 5 pools, a carousel, chapel, a library, and dozens of other features. Our trip was only 3 nights, so obviously I couldn't see everything they had to offer. I never set foot in a bar and was only able to breeze through the shopping areas. On the deck was a massive amphitheater which also served as a rally point. As big as it was, I only saw it once.

The views from the ship were incredible. Even in port, the sights were amazing.

My wife and I were traveling with three small children and we were new to the ins and outs of cruising. My mother-in-law guided us through the process. Thank god for that, we would have been lost.

Even still, the Oasis was big enough to swallow us up even with help. One evening, my daughter and I got lost on the ship and found ourselves in the chapel, then a library and finally, a wonderful viewing point at the top of the ship. It was overwhelming.

The Oasis of the Seas is a massive ship. We could sail on that three more times and likely not see it all. Next time, we may take a longer cruise on a smaller ship. Or not. Depends on where we want to go. I would love to sail on the Oasis again.

Having said that, my mother-in-law is a great planner but not a professional planner. We keep telling her she should be. Maybe someday she'll retire to that life. In any event, my wife and I have a friend, Jaime Nowicki who is a travel planner. She loves Disney but also handles trips to other locales, too. Of course, Disney Cruise Line is one but she also plans for Sandals, Beaches, Royal Caribbean, AMA Waterways, Azamara, Celebrity, Carnival, MSC Cruiseline, Norwegian, American Cruise Line, Princess!

My dream trip would be to Cuba. My wife, Kitty's dream is to go to England and Ireland. We need someone like Jaime to manage these dreams and give a plan that is both incredible and budget friendly.

You can find Jaime on Facebook or Twitter, or contact her by email or phone at:

716-491-9980
j dot nowiki at magicalvacationplanner dot com

Of course, there is a website, too.