Happy Saint Patrick’s Day! Here’s a look at an ancient Irish epic from Lebor na hUidre, The Book of the Dun Cow.
THE VOYAGE OF MAEL DUIN (Immram curaig Mail Duin) – Dated to around the late 900s A.D. or earlier, this story deals with the epic quest of Mael Duin (aka Maildun and Maeldune) and the crew of his ship as he seeks revenge on his father’s killers. This lengthy epic deserves to be as well-known as the Odyssey or the Quest for the Golden Fleece.
At any rate, exactly why the main character wants revenge for that slaying is beyond me, because Mael Duin’s father, supposedly Ailill of the Edge of Battle, raped a nun at a priory and she subsequently gave birth to him. The nun turned the infant Mael Duin over to her queen and king to raise as if he was their own child.
Mael Duin matured, and proved better than his presumed siblings at athletic, martial and academic competitions. Losing their temper over this, one of our hero’s foster brothers ridiculed Mael Duin for not even knowing who his real father and mother were.
The hero prevailed upon his mother the queen to tell him the truth, and she referred him to his birth mother, the nun. She revealed to Mael Duin the name of his father and the young man set out with his three foster brothers to the land of his father Ailill of the Edge of Battle. Continue reading
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – This title tilt pitted the 5th seeded NORTH CENTRAL UNIVERSITY RAMS against the 6 seeds – the CROWN COLLEGE POLARS. The Rams went on top early and led 40-25 by Halftime. After the break, they got even more separation from the Polars, ultimately winning the game 76-51. Carmello McNeal led North Central U. with 23 points. 
ROUND TWO: GAME ONE – The AVE MARIA UNIVERSITY GYRENES did battle with the FRIENDS UNIVERSITY FALCONS. A shootout was in store with Friends University on top 64-59 at the Half. From there, the Gyrenes made their move, overtaking the Falcons and winning the game by a Century Club score of 108-102. Jaylen White and Jack Watkins led Ave Maria with 21 points each. 
JANUARY 31st, 2017 – 
MARVEL PREMIERE Vol 1 #41 (Apr 1978) 
The crew members we meet in this debut story – 1. Captain Jordan Shaw (right), a decent man appalled at the way the Six have chosen to play God with who gets to escape and who gets left behind to die. He cooperates just so he and his wife can survive, so he bitterly knows he is no better than the oligarchs in the end. 
And 5. Phaedra (left), a mutant with telekinetic and telepathic abilities. She and Earth’s hundreds of other mutants live in prison camps at the Six’s command while their abilities are probed. They are all forced to wear facial tattoos to prevent them hiding their mutant status. 
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The 1 seeds – the PENN STATE AT YORK LIONS – battled the Cinderella 6th seeded MIAMI UNIVERSITY AT HAMILTON HARRIERS. This game was a defensive epic, with the Lions on top at Halftime by a mere 25-19. After the break, PSU-York kept the Harriers at arm’s length to win the title 56-48. James Barlow led the Lions with a Double Double of 15 points and 21 rebounds. 
FIRST QUARTERFINAL – The 6th seeded CROWN COLLEGE POLARS took the court against the 3 seeds – the MANHATTAN CHRISTIAN COLLEGE THUNDER. The Thunder seemed to be in control at the Half with their 36-28 lead, but from there Crown College roared back. The Polars proceeded to upset MCC by a final score of 71-64. Leading Crown College was Anthony Knight, who tossed in 26 points. 
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