My name is James Menotti, and I am Lord James of Oakrock. I belong to a group called the Society for Creative Anachronisms. Which is nonprofit organization that is dedicated to recreating medieval society here in the modern times. We teach classes on medieval life, customs, sciences (IE: cloth dyeing, brewing, papermaking) and arts. We also hold tournaments and wars, at which we show off the things we make and fight using mock weapons and real armor. (Hey getting hit still hurts!) The fighting we do is based on medieval tournaments. We use rattan instead of steel for swords. Other than that, it is a real contest of skill and strength. We all have agreed on a standard for the amount of force that would be a killing blow and the kill zones are based on a person in a chain mail coat over leather and an open face helmet with a nasal. (Like the helmets in Robin Hood.) It is an honor system that all fighters must follow. Because just like when you were a little kid, if you don't play by the rules, we won't play with you. I have taken up drumming, I needed to do something other than just fighting. I may not be good now but I have an example of rhythms to practice with.

The Society is divided into kingdoms. And each kingdom is made up of Baronies and Shires. The Los Angeles area is in the kingdom of CAID. We choose a king every six months by having a tournament. The winner is crowned King a month later.

As for my life outside the Society. I work for a company called California Cryobank. The California Cryobank is a full service sperm bank founded in 1977 to provide physicians and their patients an accessible and comprehensive resource for semen cryopreservation and specialized reproductive services. Besides the reproductive side, we have a cord blood devision that stores cord blood and stem cells. I also do web page programing. If you wish to E-mail me about work please do so. I was a computer science major at CSUN. I presently am taking a forced break from school due to the fact I run out of money. But I plan to return once I can pay off some of my student loans. I have lived in the Los Angeles area most of my life. My hobbies include, The SCA, Magic the Gathering (A card game) ,tinkering with my computer and my car.

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