Jordan McGilvray

Eight people dressed as druids led Colin into a chamber. The floor of the chamber was padded, like a wrestling mat. The walls were decorated in Scottish and Irish art. There was a circle in the middle with eight pedestals aligned at the compass points.

The person standing at the north removed his hood, and addressed Colin, “Colin it is traditional for the members of the initiate’s family, if possible to be here tonight. I am your grandfather.  Your grandmother is on the pedestal across from me, you have an uncle and aunt on the pedestals facing east and west.  On the other four pedestals you will find some of your cousins.”

At that point Colin’s grandmother addressed him, “Do you know what to expect?”

Colin replied, “I know that my talisman is going to be initialized and I am going to have a seizure from the power source.”

Colin’s grandmother replied, “You are correct.  That is why the floor is padded, so you do not hurt yourself.  We are going to target your talisman with energy.  This will tune your talisman to you, teaching it your upper limit and tuning it to you.”

With the introductions and explanations over, the eight new members of Colin’s family fixed their gazes upon him.  Colin started to feel something.  His head began to feel lighter, his mind started to slip into fogginess.  He could not concentrate on anything except the seizure he felt coming.  He thought of the tricks he had developed to short-circuit his seizures.   He remembered that sometimes, when he could let go of the fear the seizures felt pleasant.  Letting go of fear was hard for him.  He had a latent fear of having a seizure in the wrong place, or at the wrong time.   This time he expected to have a seizure, it is what these people had told him would happen.  They had all experienced seizures.  If what he had been told was true then his whole family had seizure problems.  As the seizure litany began to go on in his mind he felt himself slip further and further into the seizure.  Colin laid down on the ground as the seizure hit.  What he did not see was the other members of his family, like Reuben hold him in place, protecting him until the seizure passed.  Finally the seizure ended and he passed out.

Colin woke the next morning to the smell of a hearty Scottish breakfast.  There were eggs, tomatoes, baked beans, sausage, toast, and haggis.  Reuben spoke to him and said, “I know that you are feeling out of it today, but tomorrow you start training your powers.  Prepare for your training to take about a month.  One more thing, its been a few days call your family and let them know that you are doing OK.”

In the excitement of all that he had seen and done Colin had forgotten to keep in touch with his family.  He made it a point that day to talk to his mom and dad.  They were doing well.  The computer part of their income was growing and there was more demand for their trees from the orchards.  His parents were glad that Colin was finally meeting his family, and that he was doing well.  Colin did not tell them about his initiation, as he did not want to scare them.  After his phone call he went to sleep.

When Colin stepped through this portal he discovered that he was in a manor.  The people speaking sounded Scottish.  He saw Reuben talking with someone.  Colin walked up and asked Reuben what was going on.  Reuben told him that they were preparing his initiation.

“Colin, this is Duncan,”  Reuben said, introducing Colin to Duncan.  ”He is going to tell you about the origin of the power, where our race came from, and how we came to be a part of Clan MacThomas.”  With that Colin was led to a room with some very  comfortable couches, and food.

Duncan began, “In the beginning our family lived in Tír na nÓg.  We, like all of the people of Tír na nÓg had the power.  We could do many things with the power.  From time to time we would go out to the mortal world, and attempt to teach and lead the mortals.  Our efforts caused slow but positive progress.  When the rulers of the Land found out what we were doing they decided to punish us by stripping us of our immortality and placing us in Ireland.  We were the druids.  Over time we mingled into the population of Ireland, and continued to help the world improve.  Over time we migrated out to the other parts of the world and taught them as well.

When we became mortal and made Earth our home we discovered we kept some of our powers.  We could still call the spirit beasts from Tír na nÓg to help us, we could make lights, some of us can heal, some can travel between the Nexis and Earth.  The way to Tír na nÓg is blocked to us, we are banished for all time.  There is an element there is something in Tír na nÓg which is not here.  It kept the power from being overwhelming to us.  With it missing we get to much power in us, and have seizures.

When we arrived on Earth there were those who were unhappy about the situation.  They have twisted their power to create abominations from our abilities.

Over time our family migrated to Scotland, and then some of us went to America.”

Reuben continued, “The talisman is the closest thing we have been able to create to compensate for what is missing.  It brings some balance to the seizures.  Most of us find their talisman decreases the seizures and when they stay on their medications control is as good or better than could be expected.  I want you to understand this, we can not promise you that you will never have a seizure after your initiation.

Seizures can still be caused by gathering to much power.  You will gather to much power over time, and if you don’t channel it out you may have a seizure.  In some places the power is so strong you will have a seizure.  The power is found in areas where life, or people are.”

Colin was a little confused, and in awe.  To think his family was from an Irish fairy realm.  ”How can that be?”  Colin began to see that there was more to the world than what science said there was.  As Colin was pondering this three people in Druid robes came up to Colin, Reuben, and Duncan.

“It’s time,” they said.

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Colin looked around in surprise.  Either how he saw the world had changed, or he was in a place he had never seen before.  The sky was green the grass was blue.  The sun appeared to be a slightly different color than what he was used to.

“Where are we?” asked Colin.

Reuben replied, “We are in the Nexis of Worlds.”  There are more than one world in the same place and time.  I’ll make sure you learn the rest later.  I want you to know that there are other peoples who have visited the Earth.  They came to it through here.  Some of them were very powerful, and they were the various pantheons from ancient cultures.  They are real.  No one knows why they returned home, but they all did at the dawn of the modern era.”

Reuben continued, “The bees travel the worlds and collect excess energy.  They store it in their hive until they need it.  If one of us does not redirect that energy back to our world all energy would be gone, sucked right out of the cosmos.”

“The bees need a certain amount of energy to survive and you will know what that balance is.  You will be the next bee keeper.”  Reuben continued.

At this point Colin interrupted Reuben to ask, “Why are we here?”

Reuben replied, “We are here for two reasons.  The first is that those things can not come here, so you would be safe. The second is it is time for answers, and to get you started.”

“Some people have access to power, not availiable to others, you are one of those, your seizures are your power uncontrolled. There are tests, and evil before you.” Reuben said.

“Give me your medical ID.” Reuben said.

Colin handed over his ID. Reuben grabbed a few of the bees, and meshed them into the ID.

“Your necklace is now infused with crystal. Do not loose it, because it is your talisman,” Reuben explained. “Once it is initialized it will help you to keep your power levels from getting out of control. This will help keep your seizures away, because your seizures are caused by your power levels getting out of control. Do not stop taking your meds, you will have better control of your seizures.”

Colin was excited about this development. If his control could be improved, then he could finally get a driver’s license. He could think about other goals he had always wanted, but felt were out of reach as well!

Reuben brought Colin’s mind back to the present. “We will need two other initiates to initialize your talisman.”

Colin asked, “Why do we need three people to initialize the crystal?”

“When your talisman is initialized you will become sensitized to the power. You will be able to manipulate the energy.” Reuben explained, and the went on to explain, “The main thing you have to know is that you will have a seizure. The talisman will learn how much power you can handle.”

After that Reuben walked through another portal.
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The next morning Colin called his uncle. Reuben had the morning free, so they agreed to meet for breakfast. Colin’s parents were glad that he was getting to know his uncle and dropped him off at the diner, where he was going to meet his uncle. When Reuben saw Colin arrive he stood, and greeted him, “Hello, Colin. How were the dreams?”

Colin, somewhat surprised by Rueben’s knowledge of his dreams replied “I had the most realistic dreams I have ever experienced. It was as if I was two people last night.”

“That’s because in a way you were,” Reuben replied. you experienced the first stage of coming into your power. When you had the seizure I knew that you were an inheritor. One of us who are here to help the world improve.”

“I’m just me, there is no way I have magical power. Magic? There is no such thing.” Colin decided that his uncle was not right in the head.

“Colin, your dreams were memories of our ancestors. They show you what powers you possess. Tell me about your dreams.”

Colin replied, “I saw two people; One created a blinding light and a hippocampus out of thin air, and the other one was controlling these weird bees made of energy.”

“These will be your abilities then,” said Reuben. “You will be able to channel the light of Tir Na Nog, and to summon its spirit helpers. The last power, and this only happens once a generation, you will be responsible for the flow of energy into and out of the world.”

“Wait, wait, wait, why should I believe any of this.” Colin asked in equal parts confusion and disbelief. “I’ve wasted my time here.” With that Colin left, and walked to his parents’ store.

“How was breakfast with your uncle?” his mother asked?

“Colin responded, “He’s crazy! He spun some crazy story about magic and energy, a destiny and weird stuff.”

“He’s telling you the truth, I saw your father use similar powers. He had seizures as well, remember. He said that his seizures were because of his power.

Colin was worried that this whole day was going to become weird. This uncle shows up he could accept that. Then that tale of power, and his mother telling him it was true too. He just could not handle it. Colin just had time, so he caught the bus and went to school. This was his long day, so he jumped into his classes.

As Colin was about to go to lunch we was approached by several acquaintances from school, who suddenly turned into creatures. They looked like werewolves. Suddenly Reuben was there, created a blinding light, a dragon appeared and blasted the werewolves with fire to ash.

“We have to go, NOW!” Reuben said and with that he called and a vortex of energy appeared.  It was the energy insects and they made a portal.

Colin, and Reuben stepped through the portal.  What Colin saw was a different world, different from the one he knew.

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As the time for dinner came nearer Colin started to worry.  He wanted to know why this uncle was showing up now.  For almost twenty years this other branch of his family had ignored him.  They did not visit, write, call send cards, or birthday presents.

“What’s wrong?” asked Colin’s mother.

“Why now?  They have never wanted to have anything to do with me before.”  Colin answered.

“Colin, when your father and I got married we asked your family to stay removed from our lives, because we wanted you to have a normal family.  They agreed, but said that one of your uncles would come to visit you when you were in your twenties.

Colin started to realize that he was excited to meet his uncle.  All of the questions he had always wanted to ask came to the surface.  He made a mental note to ask his uncle his questions.

When the doorbell rang Colin was the first to answer the door.  He was surprised to find that he recognized his uncle as one of the paramedics who were in the ambulance with him during his seizure the other day.

“Hello Collin” you look like your grandfather.  Were the first words Reuben said to him. ” I was on my first shift with the hospital when we came to help you.”  Colin was shocked, and surprised at this revelation.

“Why are you even here?” Colin asked.

“I wanted to get to know you.”  Reuben answered. “I called your parents and asked them if it would be alright for me to move into town.  I wanted you to have access to someone from your family.”

Colin’s mom walked into the room, and announced “Dinner is ready.”

Dinner went well the food was good, but Colin was most surprised about the catching up of his parents and his uncle.

It appeared to Colin that even his father had known this uncle for quite some time.  They seemed to have been friends right up until about twenty years ago, which would have been when his parents got married.

As dinner wound up Reuben asked Colin to go on a walk.  As they walked around the walnut orchard Reuben said, “Your parents moved out here to protect you.”

Colin, not understanding the implications asked, “What do you mean?”

“You are special, Colin.  Soon you learn just how special.”  Reuben said.

Colin and Reuben walked out to Reuben’s car.  “Call me if you have anything unusual happen,”  Reuben said.

That night after Colin went to bed he had a dream so real, that it felt like a memory.  In the first dream he was a young man chased out of town for not curing a boy’s sickness.  He had been able to use his knowledge of herbs to take the pain away, but that was all.  He created a blinding light and ran for the lake.  At the lake he made a hippocampus, or a creature that is part fish and part horse.  He rode the hippocampus across the lake into another kingdom and escaped his persecutors.

In the next dream he experienced controlling bees, but they were not bees they were made of energy.  He was moving energy from the bee’s hive back into the  world.  The bees lived somewhere else.

After a night of uneasy almost real dreams Colin woke up with a start.  He had never experienced dreams like that before.

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“How are you feeling today?” Colin’s mom asked as he woke up the next morning. She sounded a little nervous, or scared. Colin thought his mom was always scared when he had a seizure. He had had so many ranging from the aura feeling that would pass to the blackouts where his body would thrash uncontrollably that he had long ago stopped being scared of the seizures themselves, at least after they had happened. If Colin could pick a place to have a seizure it was at home, where people he loved, and trusted were there. The start of a seizure always scared him, and he wished he did not have them. He also realized the seizures were a part of who he was, and shaped him like other aspects of his life.

“I am feeling better,” Colin responded. He was hungry, and was glad that his dad had made a lot of sausage. Colin always felt that sausage helped him recover from a seizure faster.

“I am going to eat breakfast, and then sleep.” Colin said. He did still feel tired. He would probably sleep this day away, and wake up the next morning feeling mostly better.  A seizure is a very tiring ordeal to experience. When Colin’s seizures started him mom had quietly told him as if it were a secret never to be discussed that his father had had seizures too.  She told him that his father was sure that Colin would develop seizures as well.  One thing Colin liked about having a seizure was the pass on chores he got after seizures. One day to sleep, one to rest, then it was back to work in the small walnut orchard his parents had him and his siblings run.

Colin ate breakfast, and went back to bed.  He slept until the late afternoon.  Coming out of his stupor he found a book to read, The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, by Robert A. Heinlein.  There would be no television, or computers today.  His eyes felt extra sensitive to the glare.  He would spend the rest of the day reading and using natural light to do so.  When it was about four o’clock in the afternoon his mom looked in on him.

“We are having company tonight.” she said.

“Who is coming?” Colin asked.

“Your father’s brother, Reuben. “  his mom replied.

Colin was surprised.  His father’s family had basically ignored him for all these years, no visits, no cards, no phone calls or email.  It was as if he did not exist for them.  Now one of them was going to visit.

Colin was confused, but exited to.  He had questions, things he wanted to know about this part of his family.  For so long all he knew was that the seizures seemed to run in the family.  Colin wanted to know where his ancestors came from.  Now was his chance to know.

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Authors Note:  Seize the Power is being released as a blog novel.  I am writing this because I wanted to see a hero with a seizure disorder overcome and be successful.  What follows is the events right before the main story-line.  Feel free to make a donation to support the writing of this novel.

Oh no, not now.  Colin felt the seizure coming on.  Colin was lucky, he almost always had an aura, a feeling that a seizure was starting.  It started with a feeling of light headedness, and a lack of focus.  Colin hoped it would pass without him passing out. He started to feel like he was fading to blackness.  He prepared himself for the coming seizure, and loss of consciousness.  He lay on the ground, and used his backpack as a pillow.  He was in the library at school.  He called his mom, and told her where he was and what was happening, then he passed out.

 “Do you know your name?”

 “What?” Colin asked?  He was feeling lightheaded, and fuzzy.  He was not thinking clearly.  He had forgotten his fear about going into a seizure, and that he had had a seizure.  He knew the feeling.  He felt the effects of the seizure, and knew what he had to do.  Even though he was lightheaded and not thinking straight, he knew he had to sound clear, and like nothing had happened.  He wanted the people to go away.

“Colin MacThomas is my name,” he answered; coming round.  The EMT had a light in his eyes, and they had already started an IV in his arm.  Colin never liked being in an ambulance.  He remembered being a little kid, before the seizures started, and wished he could have an ambulance ride.   He had too many ambulance rides to count now.  He focused on sounding clear, his head cleared, and that helped a lot.

“Colin, do you know where you are?” the emergency responder asked.

Colin looked around, and answered, “In an ambulance”

The EMT asked, “Do you know what happened?”

“Not really,” Colin always lost the time from when the aura started to the time after the seizure, the only source of knowledge he had had a seizure being his tongue would hurt where he had bitten in during his seizure.  Afterwards it always seemed strange that he could not remember the time before he passed out, or the seizure.  As Colin was taken  to the Emergency Room he thought about how the EMT looked vaguely familiar, almost like the picture of his biological father, who had disappeared when he was born, leaving him his last name, and a crystal, which his mother had given him the crystal when he started college.

After the obligatory trip to the Emergency room, where the doctor asked the same set of questions as the EMT. Colin’s mother, and step father picked him up, and took him home.

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For many years the pinnacle of dress shirts has been custom dress shirts.  Usually they are priced so high that they are not affordable for most people.  Some people, like me are just outside  the patterns for dress shirts.  I am tall, and I always have my shirts coming out from them being to short.  I came across the Fit Custom Shirts website.  They offered a unique proposition.  You measure yourself, pick your fabrics, various style options.  They will then create a pattern for you, and make your shirts.  The total turnaround is about two to three weeks.

Creating Custom Dress Shirts: The Process

The first step is to design your shirt.  In this stage you get to pick your fabrics.  My shirts are the #5313(White) & #5314(Light Blue).  The Swaths shown on the website and the colors of the shirts that came are really close.  I feel comfortable ordering any of the fabrics based on the swaths online.  The fabrics are in various ranges.  My shirts are from the $39.95 a shirt group.  you can buy shirts for $39.95 a shirt to $99.95 a shirt.

The second step is to design your shirt.

1. Choose the fit of your shirt.  You can choose slim, regular, and loose fit.  I chose loose fit shirts.
2. Choose your collar style.  I chose a traditional spread collar.
3. Choose your sleeve length.  I chose long sleeves.  You can choose short, short cuffed, or long sleeves.
4.  Choose your cuff style.  I chose Square French cuffs.  There are several types of Button and French cuffs available.
5. Choose your pocket style.  I chose a round cut pocket.  You can choose none, round cut, or V-Shape.  You can also choose one or two pockets.
6. Choose you placket.  The placket is where the buttons.  You can have a full, hidden, no placket, or two tuxedo style placket options.
7. Choose your back style.  I chose a center pleat.  You can choose a side pleat, a center pleat, or no pleat.
8. Choose your monogram style and location.  You can choose the font, and location.
9. Leave any special messages about your shirt.

The third step is to give them your measurements.  You can do this in several different ways:

• Give collar and arm sizes
• Measure a shirt you like
• Measure yourself

I chose the measure yourself option, as I felt this gives the most custom fit.

When I placed my order for five shirts I was given the option to have one shirt sent ahead of the others.  I suggest this so you can verify the fit of the shirts.  If you look at the image with the post it is the preview from the shirts I ordered.

Custom Dress Shirts: The Results

I am happy with the results of this process.  The most important thing to remember is that this is a slowish process.  Expect a few weeks to a month for it to arrive.  My shipments arrived on or before the dates I was given.  The quality of the shirt is great.  They fit really well.  I have been impressed with their communication.

I asked for a collar lining on my shirts.  The first one had it, but the rest of them did not.  I contacted them about it, and they responded in an a day, which I felt was a good response time.  They offered me a discount on my next order.  For me this was a satisfactory response.

I will order shirts from them again, as I have money.  You can choose your price level to meet your budget.

Overall Great product, service, and pricing.

I have been thinking about neckties  lately.  They seem to make or break outfits.  The following is the list of questions I have had:

• Where did they come from?
• How do I choose a tie to purchase?
• How do I match a tie to my outfit?
• How do I choose which knot to tie?

The History of Neckties

When I had a history class during school I learned about the history of neckties I was a little surprised.  Here is what I learned, with some help from the Wikipedia article about neckties.

The first version of the necktie was worn by men who were Croatian mercenaries fighting for France during the thirty years war.  Over time the Cravat, which the Croatians wore evolved into a few different items of men’s clothing, including the modern necktie.

Purchasing Neckties

Purchasing neckties can be a daunting task.  When faced with a rack of neckties the colors, patterns, and fabrics can be daunting.  The first thing to look at is the length if you are taller than average, or shorter, look for ties that match your height.  I know from experience that a tie that is to short leaves a little tail which is unmanageable.  Now that you are looking at the right rack of ties for your height look for classic patterns or solid colors.  Classic patterns, which are timeless are stripes, and paisleys.  Having a few fun ties is also nice for special occasions, or that day you feel silly.

Matching Neckties to Your Outfit

I believe that the easiest way to match a patterned tie is to find a tie with the color of your shirt and suit as secondary colors, with a third harmonious color as the main color.  Another look which can sometimes be done is to match the tie to the shirt so they do not have the same pattern but share a color.

Choosing the Knot to Tie

When you tie a necktie you have many knots to choose from.  I suggest you find one or two knots you feel comfortable with and learn to tie them really well.  If you are a bigger man I suggest a bigger, fuller knot.  The Windsor and the Pratt knots are my favorites.  I think the smaller knots look to small on me.

One of the things I’ve learned as I have studied grooming is that different occupations have different grooming needs.  I also have learned that generations of people may learn grooming habits which do not fit their own occupations.  I was in such a situation.  My grandfather was from a working class background and my father learned his grooming habits from that background.  Then in due process of time those were the skills which I learned.  It has taken me most of 34 years to learn how to be better at how I carry and groom myself.  My friend Mike said this, and I think it can be true for many people:

Sometimes my collar is white
Sometimes my collar is blue
Always my neck is a little red too.

What I learned From my Parents

What I realized was that there are many things my family taught me:

• To be honest
• How to be a good worker, though it took my first very understanding boss to help me understand why
• How to make good choices

What I did not get was a lot of education in grooming, dress, or manners.

Why I Wanted to Change my Grooming Habits

I started trying to learn better grooming to help me get a job as I near my next job search.  I also try to learn and become a better person over time, and I started to see my grooming as an area where I could improve.  At this time I also came across articles and websites talking about what does it mean to be a man.  Grooming was one part of the puzzle on how to be a better man.

My Results with Grooming Myself Better

So far I have adopted many aspects of better grooming.  I have improved many aspects of my grooming, and I have refreshed my suits, getting a better fit, and buying new shirts.  I have started to get compliments on my dressing as I have changed which is a new result for me.  I learned a few simple rules which I can use when dressing at all levels of dress.