Recent Activities

[rook]

Wanting to keep this ball rolling, I was thinking that we could post our most recent experiences/activities. They may seem rather mundane to us, but it forms a sort of support for each other.

I don't "patrol" like many other RLSHs, in that I'm frequently out on various errands and such, so I'm always "on patrol." I keep a duffel bag of water bottles, all adorned with the Rook symbol for whenever I pass someone who needs it.

Usually, this is someone who lacks a home.

Not terribly long ago, I ran across a gentleman who was napping beneath the trees in front of an apartment complex on the side of one of the busier streets in my "beat." He seemed to have all of his belongings piled around him...wearing several layers of clothes and a few blankets piled beneath his head.

Despite being the Sonoran Desert, it's pretty chilly this time of year, particularly in the evening (I know, those of you in more northern climates are cursing me right now for calling 50 degrees "chilly," but we're wimps down here).

I pulled into the parking lot behind him and placed two water bottles near his sleeping head. Looking him over, I realized that all he had was a pile of blankets.

My wife and I were avid campers prior to my cancer treatment. We may yet be again once this last surgery is behind us, but for now, our camping equipment was collecting dust. I bolted home, dug out my Coleman sleeping bag...the one rated for the coldest weather (this is because in my family *i* am the wimp, so I have the warmest bag).

He was still sleeping when I found him again, though he had rolled over. Placing the sleeping bag at his feet, I crept away.

I wonder what he'll think when he wakes up.

[The Muse]

I wish I could see the look on his face when he awoke...I imagine there will be puzzlement replaced by wonder.....

Well done.

[delta]

Well it does feel a little light this month. The family put together a bag of arts & crafts for four girls that recently lost everything. I made M&M cookies for the kids at the local homeless-teen shelter. My spouse sent along a couple jars of peanut butter for them also. The guy who answered was surprised when I pulled out a couple handfuls of candy. He answers the door to see me in partial costume standing in the night and his real surprise was that I also had candy. That may be the highlight to my debut year as a RLSH.

Ä – Be the change

[The Muse]

delta~~I am thinking that for those little girls and those in need at that shelter you were not just a hero, but a superhero that night. It may seem like a small thing to others, but having known those who have LITERALLY nothing, those gestures you made were a BIG thing.

I have children, and I have a soft spot for kids, especially those in desperate need....I think what you chose to do that evening was WONDERFUL! Everyone, but especially children, need to know that SOMEONE cares.

[The Muse]

HI GUYS! I was wondering what you have been up to lately. Care to share? It may have been not exciting to you, but we would still like to know how things have been fairing on your patrols.

[rook]

I've been mildly out of commission since the surgery.
A couple of weeks ago, there was a young boy (about 10) walking down the sidewalk, crying and holding his arm. He had fallen off of his scooter and his arm was bent at an awkward angle that screamed "broken." We gave him a ride home while I coached him through some breathing exercises. His mother quickly took him to the hospital, though he was sore afraid that he would get in trouble for accepting a ride from a stranger.

-Rook

[The Muse]

Afraid of getting in trouble he may have been, but I am sure his mom, despite the "stranger danger" worries was greatful for your assistence. The child was saved from suffering any longer than necessary, even if he didnt realize it at the time. I believe that KINDNESS is a superpower. I know I would have been greatful if you had done that for my child.

[rook]

I'm acutely sensitive to the stranger situation, as I see far too many unattended children at local stores, etc. As such, it reassured me that the child was worried about riding with me.

I didn't want to upset mom or child any further than necessary, so if the child (perhaps wisely) refused to ride with me, I had a backup plan: Stay with the child, get Mom's phone number and call her from my cell, describe the situation and location.

I'm just grateful his mom was home.

[The Muse]

Most kids these days have their moms and dads cell numbers memorized at a pretty young age. Another option would have been that you could have offered him your phone and stayed with him until his mom arrived, speaking to her if the child was uncertain how to explain where he was or how to get there.

But I am still proud of what you did. <3

[delta]

Well I’ve been on a bit of a hero-hiatus. Mrs. Delta indicated that there were a few things that needed to be fixed around the Delta-Mansion before I went “out to play”. I also got hit by a nasty flu bug that went around town. Funny how you never see Bruce Wayne sprinting for the bathroom. ;D

I did have a nice moment the other day when I stopped to drop off a pizza at the youth shelter. The guy who answered the door said “you always bring us the nicest stuff” and asked my name. Without thinking I put out my hand and said “I’m Delta”. It wasn’t until that moment that I realized that I’ve started to think of myself as Delta and not “Jack Braun”. This was the same guy who is always there when I stop by and he was true to form; never batted an eye at the code name.

Tonight there is a homeless vigil in a nearby town that I’m going to. I just have to decide if I’m going as Delta or as a civilian.

I’m also communicating with a few of the other New England RLSH to put together a meet-up in Boston.

[John Reid]

Yes it's a very strange thing Delta how these personas we created take us over.

In the beginning the mask of Knight-Hood was my disguise and now it's my civilian ID that is the disguise.

In every way that counts the mask is my true face. There is a face beneath the mask but it no longer represents me anymore than the bones beneath a normal person's face represents them.

In my thoughts, in my dreams and in every way I think of myself as Knight-Hood, not as my so called "real" identity.

Just putting on the mask makes me feel stronger, smarter, more courageous, more heroic.

People who read Superman comics find it curious how he acts so different as Clark Kent, but if they could only put in a mask or costume they would understand how it changes you inside.

Knight-Hood

[The Muse]

@ Knight-hood~ That makes perfect sense to me!

[John Reid]

And the real beauty of it is the mask never ages. Lol.

Knight-Hood

[blackmage]

This is a deep concept, it was explored in a Batman story arc. I think it's intriguing because we live in a world of identities and based on identities. Exploring the psychology behind this leaves you wondering... Who or what is really real.

I find, even in my writing, that the mask allows one more freedom to be their true selves and we all seek the courage to be that... When the mask is not on.

[The Muse]

I think I can honestly say that I am my true self. Ask Omen...he has known me a looonngg time...so he would be a pretty good judge of that.

[The Muse]

I've seen Rook in the forum once or twice recently. I am wondering, Rook, what you have been up to lately?