Here it is ...A 2021Update. As introduction in the modern world my name is John Patrick Kowal, Bi-Cisgender Pronouns He, Him. I have been employed with Boeing Canada since 2007. Since 2009 I have been in deeply involved with my Union "UNIFOR" holding a full time Union Shop Steward position and membership on the Health and Safety, Community Services, Human Rights, LBGTQ, By-Laws and Constitution, Union in Politics and Executive Committees. I ended my second term but was still active within my union Local participating and or leading on the Health and Safety Committe, Community Services Committee, LBGTQ Committee, Environmental Committee, Union in Politics Committee. In 2013 I was officially diagnosed with Severe Depression and Anxiety. I had to step down from a number of my Union Committee duties more so after a crisis occurred at the beginning of 2018. It forced a six month absence from work. I returned when I was more healthy. Conditions at work and with parts of the Union forced another Leave from Work afterwhich once again I was away for six months. I returned once again, established myself within a new department with a new job and all was working well until between the RTW Co-ordinater, and HR and CanadLife my medical work accommodations were threatened to be stripped away, without the accommodations and the era of the pandemic I sought another Leave of absence. Upon its end the workplace that had accepted the accomodations said I was unemployable and moved onto Disability. I continue to fight for my return to work with the medical accommodations that were previously in place and a return to some Union activity asI have never stopped being a Trade Unionist and Social Activist. I continue to work toward better physical and mental health.
Within the Society for Creative Anarchronisms I am known as Aleksandr Vasilevych Lev of Volynia. I have been a citizen of the Barony of Castel Rouge for approximately 30 years and a paid member of the Society for much of that time. From the first day that I walked into the meeting room as a University Student for a Baronial Folkmoot I felt I found a Home, someplace to Share my Love of History in a very special way. A place and a group that would allow an individual to get as deeply involved as they wished and to go where ever their skills and talents would take them. I became involved immediately serving at Feasts, volunteering at Troll Booth(Event Gate), active Member of the Baronial Cooks Guild, Baronial Choral Group, Event Feast Steward/Head Cook (6), Event Steward or Co-Steward (12+), Stewarded Bardic Madness hosted in Castel Rouge, Co-Stewarded Northshield Coronet Investiture/Tourney hosted by Castel Rouge, Baronial Co-Chronicler(2), Baronial Chronicler(2), Baronial Gold Key(2), Baronial Herald(2), Baronial Minister of Arts and Sciences (when this was one ofiice) Baronial Archery Captain, Baronial Seneschal, Baronial Exchequer and Baronial Chirurgeon, Kingdom and Principality-wise I have served as a Deputy Middle Kingdom Seneschal , First Seneschal of the Territorial Principality of Northshield, Member of the (Northshield) Kingdom Exploratory Group, Princess's Bardic Champion (HE Elashava), and Royal Northshield Breyhan (Counselor/Lawyer to TG's Tarrach and Fina). I am a Champion of Household Igen Aeda Lead by Her Grace Fina and a Member of Household Skaldhiem and Apprentice to Mistress Skjaldvor Kormaksdottir called Wyndreth. I have two members within my Household and they are my old and dear friends, Apprentices - HE Thrym Oddomsonnar and THL Thorulf Asgrimmson. Sadly on January 12, 2015 THL Thorulf Asgrimmson departed to the Halls of Valhalla a passing that was unexpexted leaving an empty ache in those who loved Him. Veechnahyah Palmyaht - Memory Eternal.
Within this time period I have been a armoured combat marshal of the field, rapier marshal of the field, archery marshal of the field, herald of the field and chirurgeon of the field. Most of these warrants have lapsed and perhaps one day will be taken up again.
Some of the honours that I have been fortunate to be recognized with are as follows: The Baronial L'Order du Flacon de Neige - service, Baronial kenning of "elf-counsel"-service, Royal kenning of "truth-speaker"-service, Princess's Cypher (2)-service, Prince's Cypher-service, Order of the Northern Cross-service, Scroll of Honour (2) - service, Order of the Cwrth-bardic, Royal Augmentation of Arms - service, Order of the Red Company - armoured martial, Order of the Dragon's Barb - archery, Order of the Silver Oak - research, Order/Award of the Purple Fret - service, Award of Arms - service, Order of the Hand of Tyr-service, Grant of Arms - service, Order of the Dragon's Heart - service, Order of the Pelican - service.
I am a supporter of the Bardic Arts and have some skill myself trying to honour the great songs that inspire us. When able I practice arts marshal - Armoured, Rapier and Archery.
If ever You see me at an event please feel free to approach me and ask any question and I shall endeavor to provide an answer or guide You toward that answer.
Yours in Service, Master Aleksandr Vasilevych Lev, "elf-counsel" "truth-speaker"