1. Save The Whales. Collect the Whole Set.
2. A Day Without Sunshine is Like, Night.
3. On The Other Hand, You Have Different Fingers.
4. I Just Got Lost In Thought. It Wasn't Familiar Territory.
5. 42.7% Of All Statistics Are Made Up On The Spot.
6. Light Travels Faster Than Sound, Which Is Why Some People Appear Bright Until You Hear Them Speak.
7. I Feel Like I'm Diagonally Parked In A Parallel Universe.
8. Honk If You Love Peace And Quiet.
9. Remember, Half The People You Know Are Below Average.
10. He Who Laughs Last, Thinks Slowest.
11. Depression Is Merely Anger Without Enthusiasm.
12. The Early Bird May Get The Worm, But The Second Mouse Gets The Cheese.
13. I Drive Way Too Fast To Worry About Cholesterol.
14. Support Bacteria. They're The Only Culture Some People Have.
15. Monday Is An Awful Way To Spend 1/7 Of Your Week.
16. A Clear Conscience Is Usually The Sign Of A Bad Memory.
17. Change Is Inevitable, Except From Vending Machines.
18. Get A New Car For Your Spouse. It'll Be A Great Trade!
19. Plan To Be Spontaneous Tomorrow.
20. Always Try To Be Modest, And Be Proud Of It!
21. If You Think Nobody Cares, Try Missing A Couple Of Payments.
22. How Many Of You Believe In Psychokinesis? Raise My Hand.
23. OK... So What's The Speed Of Dark?
24. How Do You Tell When You're Out Of Invisible Ink?
25. If Everything Seems To Be Going Well, You Have Obviously Overlooked Something.
26. When Everything Is Coming Your Way, You're In The Wrong Lane.
27. Hard Work May Pay Off In The Future. Laziness Pays Off Now.
28. Everyone Has A Photographic Memory. Some Just Do Not Have Film.
29. If Barbie Is So Popular, Why Do You Have To Buy Her Friends?
30. How Much Deeper Would The Ocean Be Without Sponges?
31. Eagles May Soar, But Weasels Do Not Get Sucked Into Jet Engines.
32. What Happens If You Get Scared Half To Death Twice?
33. I Used To Have An Open Mind But My Brains Kept Falling Out.
34. I Couldn't Repair Your Brakes, So I Made Your Horn Louder.
35. Why Do Psychics Have To Ask You For Your Name?
36. Inside Every Older Person Is A Younger Person Wondering What Happened.
37. Just Remember - If The World Did Not Suck, We Would All Fall Off.
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
Final Countdown...
I'm in the home-stretch and getting ready for Turkey Day... If you just landed here, we decided to do something completely different for Thanksgiving. Don't get me wrong - I love turkey. I do. I just don't like to deal with it every year.
SO - while I did pick up one, it's going to be cooking sometime in the future - possibly for our christmas dinner. Instead, I decided that we needed to do something a little more festive, with a little more OOMPH. So, I'm doin' Tex-Mex. I'm making Chicken and cheese enchiladas, home-fried tortilla chips, cornbread with serrano chiles, roasted corn, lime juice and queso fresco, and home-made pico de gallo (that's pronounced guy-o for you gringos out there). There will also be a fresh squash medley that is pan-fried with onions for a veggie, and salad brought by Bishy, one of our guests.
I love mexican food. I love the spices, the flavors, the smells, and the ease of cooking it. It's healthy (for the most part) and it's really fun to make, too. Here's my Pico de Gallo recipe:
Pico de Gallo with corn and black beans
serves 8-12 people, 2-3 days...
This is best done 24 hours before you serve it. That gives time to mix all the flavors together. Easy-peasy, and really tasty, too. Make sure you season it when you mix it, and taste and re-season if necessary when you serve it.
6-8 roma tomatoes, seeded and diced small
1 large red onion, peeled, and small diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 serrano chile, minced
1 cup corn, roasted (you can used frozen or fresh)
1 can cooked black beans, drained
1-2 bunches cilantro, chopped
lime juice
salt
pepper
Mix everything together. Add the lime juice, salt and pepper to taste. This lasts in the fridge about a week - unless you're in my family, at which point it lasts about two days - three at the most.
~M
SO - while I did pick up one, it's going to be cooking sometime in the future - possibly for our christmas dinner. Instead, I decided that we needed to do something a little more festive, with a little more OOMPH. So, I'm doin' Tex-Mex. I'm making Chicken and cheese enchiladas, home-fried tortilla chips, cornbread with serrano chiles, roasted corn, lime juice and queso fresco, and home-made pico de gallo (that's pronounced guy-o for you gringos out there). There will also be a fresh squash medley that is pan-fried with onions for a veggie, and salad brought by Bishy, one of our guests.
I love mexican food. I love the spices, the flavors, the smells, and the ease of cooking it. It's healthy (for the most part) and it's really fun to make, too. Here's my Pico de Gallo recipe:
Pico de Gallo with corn and black beans
serves 8-12 people, 2-3 days...
This is best done 24 hours before you serve it. That gives time to mix all the flavors together. Easy-peasy, and really tasty, too. Make sure you season it when you mix it, and taste and re-season if necessary when you serve it.
6-8 roma tomatoes, seeded and diced small
1 large red onion, peeled, and small diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 serrano chile, minced
1 cup corn, roasted (you can used frozen or fresh)
1 can cooked black beans, drained
1-2 bunches cilantro, chopped
lime juice
salt
pepper
Mix everything together. Add the lime juice, salt and pepper to taste. This lasts in the fridge about a week - unless you're in my family, at which point it lasts about two days - three at the most.
~M
Saturday, November 18, 2006
Wimps!
Oh - and just as an aside - no one has posted ANYTHING on the WomenStrength tribe about either Mother's Day or Feminism vs. Humanism since I posted there...
I find it amusing that, in the face of absolute logic and specific definitions, they cannot form further arguments about the situation... Must mean I said something that MEANT something, rather than just ranting like they did.
~M
I find it amusing that, in the face of absolute logic and specific definitions, they cannot form further arguments about the situation... Must mean I said something that MEANT something, rather than just ranting like they did.
~M
Witches Weekly
No Witches Weekly this week, so I grabbed one from the archives, from Jan of 05.
Do you fear repercussions of the re-election of George W. Bush on your rights to practice your religion freely?
Repercussions should always be feared, regardless of who is in office. The fact that there is a right-winged, WASP in the white house simply makes me feel like a more open target. This is a man who wants to impliment christian prayer within schools during school hours, but doesn't want to recognize Wicca as a religion within the US Army because it's a "cult" following, not really a religion. Never mind that the US Army actually recognizes Satanism as a religion, and that one of the largest cults in existance has been proven to be Christianity (see History Channel's "History of Cults" series).
Honestly, the reason one should fear repercussions is not just because G-Dubbya happens to be in the white house. It should be because one understands human nature as a whole (we're talking a group of people, not one individual person). Human nature is flighty, cautious, and willing to beat down anything that it doesn't understand. Since Wicca (and most other pagan religions), is a minority religion within the world, and since most christians still act as though you're worshipping some evil deity when you mention Islam (tied for 2nd as a world religion), you can bet that they're going to be going after those who choose to believe differently with several pitchforks and burning stakes.
Good rule of thumb for pretty much everyone, regardless of their religion is to simply not talk about it at work, or around people that you don't know - unless you're asked about it specifically. And don't talk about it at work pretty much at all. There's a reason that your job is not allowed to discriminate due to creed - don't go pushing it around and seeing how far you can go. Same thing goes for politics. Religion and politics are two discussion topics that, unless you know the person very well, you shouldn't discuss in public areas. It's just not good show.
This, of course, leads nicely into the 2nd part of the question: What steps do you think are important to take in securing religious freedoms for Pagans, Witches and related?
First of all, I'm not all about Pagans, Witches and related... I'm about religion as a whole. It's a private thing for me - something that's deep within me, that I look at in my own time, in my own space. I don't believe that I'm the only one that's right, and I don't believe that anyone else is, either. I believe that each person from each religion can (and should) learn from other religions in order to understand their own beliefs better. Asking whether I want to take steps to secure religious freedoms for a specific group not something that's easy for me to take - nor is it easy for me to explain why...
I went on a rant earlier this month on the whole "femanist rights" issue, and whether I am a humanist or a femanist. I have the same personal feelings on religions. Each and every religion should have equal rights and equal say. Yes, it is important in securing religious freedoms, but those who are securing them should not lose sight of other religions who need rights, too. Each one should be equally represented, or NONE of them should receive rights at all.
Do I believe that it could happen? Hmmmm - well, if everyone would actually drop all of their human nature for about 15 seconds, we'd have an amazing lack of war, hatred, and general unhappiness toward our fellow persons. Let me know how that works out for y'all. I'm not pessemistic - I'm realistic. Human nature wins out over logic pretty much every time. The fight or flight instinct within each and every one of us is there for a reason and it's not going to go away anytime soon.
So - that then begs the next question... Do you feel Pagan and Witch groups should better organize into “churches” to provide a more “legitimate” face to general public? Why or Why Not?
I don't do public worship. Unitarian churches accept Pagans and Witches, with very little issues. I think that's great. Honestly, the Pagan and Wiccan community has created quite a number of groups for those who would worship in a wider community. Organizing into churches will do one of two things, depending on where they end up locating them:
1. Riots, burning crosses, bombings and general threats will occur throughout the entire time that the building is up, and anyone found going into it and coming out of it will find it easier to cross the picket line at Planned Parenthood than heading to and from worship.
2. No one will go to said churches because of the fear that #1 is going to happen should they be seen there.
Either way, the idea of an actual place of worship is not something that is going to go down well in most communities - not even the liberal one that I live in here in the Pac NW... Can you imagine what would happen should a church open up publicly in the SE? I don't think so...
So... The upshot of the entire discussion is this: Worship as you will, just don't think you're exempt from hatred.
Do you fear repercussions of the re-election of George W. Bush on your rights to practice your religion freely?
Repercussions should always be feared, regardless of who is in office. The fact that there is a right-winged, WASP in the white house simply makes me feel like a more open target. This is a man who wants to impliment christian prayer within schools during school hours, but doesn't want to recognize Wicca as a religion within the US Army because it's a "cult" following, not really a religion. Never mind that the US Army actually recognizes Satanism as a religion, and that one of the largest cults in existance has been proven to be Christianity (see History Channel's "History of Cults" series).
Honestly, the reason one should fear repercussions is not just because G-Dubbya happens to be in the white house. It should be because one understands human nature as a whole (we're talking a group of people, not one individual person). Human nature is flighty, cautious, and willing to beat down anything that it doesn't understand. Since Wicca (and most other pagan religions), is a minority religion within the world, and since most christians still act as though you're worshipping some evil deity when you mention Islam (tied for 2nd as a world religion), you can bet that they're going to be going after those who choose to believe differently with several pitchforks and burning stakes.
Good rule of thumb for pretty much everyone, regardless of their religion is to simply not talk about it at work, or around people that you don't know - unless you're asked about it specifically. And don't talk about it at work pretty much at all. There's a reason that your job is not allowed to discriminate due to creed - don't go pushing it around and seeing how far you can go. Same thing goes for politics. Religion and politics are two discussion topics that, unless you know the person very well, you shouldn't discuss in public areas. It's just not good show.
This, of course, leads nicely into the 2nd part of the question: What steps do you think are important to take in securing religious freedoms for Pagans, Witches and related?
First of all, I'm not all about Pagans, Witches and related... I'm about religion as a whole. It's a private thing for me - something that's deep within me, that I look at in my own time, in my own space. I don't believe that I'm the only one that's right, and I don't believe that anyone else is, either. I believe that each person from each religion can (and should) learn from other religions in order to understand their own beliefs better. Asking whether I want to take steps to secure religious freedoms for a specific group not something that's easy for me to take - nor is it easy for me to explain why...
I went on a rant earlier this month on the whole "femanist rights" issue, and whether I am a humanist or a femanist. I have the same personal feelings on religions. Each and every religion should have equal rights and equal say. Yes, it is important in securing religious freedoms, but those who are securing them should not lose sight of other religions who need rights, too. Each one should be equally represented, or NONE of them should receive rights at all.
Do I believe that it could happen? Hmmmm - well, if everyone would actually drop all of their human nature for about 15 seconds, we'd have an amazing lack of war, hatred, and general unhappiness toward our fellow persons. Let me know how that works out for y'all. I'm not pessemistic - I'm realistic. Human nature wins out over logic pretty much every time. The fight or flight instinct within each and every one of us is there for a reason and it's not going to go away anytime soon.
So - that then begs the next question... Do you feel Pagan and Witch groups should better organize into “churches” to provide a more “legitimate” face to general public? Why or Why Not?
I don't do public worship. Unitarian churches accept Pagans and Witches, with very little issues. I think that's great. Honestly, the Pagan and Wiccan community has created quite a number of groups for those who would worship in a wider community. Organizing into churches will do one of two things, depending on where they end up locating them:
1. Riots, burning crosses, bombings and general threats will occur throughout the entire time that the building is up, and anyone found going into it and coming out of it will find it easier to cross the picket line at Planned Parenthood than heading to and from worship.
2. No one will go to said churches because of the fear that #1 is going to happen should they be seen there.
Either way, the idea of an actual place of worship is not something that is going to go down well in most communities - not even the liberal one that I live in here in the Pac NW... Can you imagine what would happen should a church open up publicly in the SE? I don't think so...
So... The upshot of the entire discussion is this: Worship as you will, just don't think you're exempt from hatred.
Sam... sung... blue - weeping bout my batt'ry...
NO apologies to Neil Diamond on that one - I had to do it.
I really am disliking my phone currently. My Samsung simply has no battery life in it anymore. It stays charged for about 3-4 days, and will randomly shut off and turn back on... And if I try to call anyone, it tears through the battery within a day or two. Bleh...
I'm glad that I'm due for an upgrade soon, as is Fred... I figure we'll both get upgraded at the same time, and extend out our contract for a bit longer. I like my carrier, and it's not my old job, which is a double-plus as far as I'm concerned.
I'm hoping for something inexpensive (read: free upgrade) in blue. heh heh heh...
~M
I really am disliking my phone currently. My Samsung simply has no battery life in it anymore. It stays charged for about 3-4 days, and will randomly shut off and turn back on... And if I try to call anyone, it tears through the battery within a day or two. Bleh...
I'm glad that I'm due for an upgrade soon, as is Fred... I figure we'll both get upgraded at the same time, and extend out our contract for a bit longer. I like my carrier, and it's not my old job, which is a double-plus as far as I'm concerned.
I'm hoping for something inexpensive (read: free upgrade) in blue. heh heh heh...
~M
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Sallie Mae Sucks Ass!
They've now called me a total of 8 times today... One of which was while I was on the phone with them, and three more times immediately afterwards... They tell me that I have a choice - I can either pay $50 for another forebearance which would last me through March, OR I can pay my account to current now - which is a total of $1500... Yeah, like I have THAT kind of money hanging around... And, get this - that's only THREE MONTH'S WORTH of payments.
I was actually told by the rep at Sallie Mae that they can call as many times a day as they want until they get paid. I told them that it's against the law to harass me that way, and if they didn't knock it off, I'd take legal action against them for harassment. The gal sounded sympathetic, but then told me that it was their right to continue the collection process until they received a payment. I then asked her "So, what you're saying is, Sallie Mae believes that somewhere during the 3 hour period of time between calls, I'm going to somehow magically come across $1500 that will bring my account current - is that what you're saying?" She got snotty with me after that, saying that it was up to me to make sure that the calls stopped...
Of course, after I got off the phone and had 3 more phone calls from them in the next 15 minutes, I sat at my desk and cried for a few minutes - and then started looking for collection harassment laws. And found that I was RIGHT!!! Section 806(5) says "Section 806(5) prohibits contacting the consumer by telephone "repeatedly or continuously with intent to annoy, abuse, or harass any person at the called number". NEENER! Now I need to figure out what to do with said knowledge.
I also found out that I can contest the amount that they're insisting that I pay since it places a hardship on me - so I'll have to look into that and take care of that as well.
Bwa ha ha ha!
I was actually told by the rep at Sallie Mae that they can call as many times a day as they want until they get paid. I told them that it's against the law to harass me that way, and if they didn't knock it off, I'd take legal action against them for harassment. The gal sounded sympathetic, but then told me that it was their right to continue the collection process until they received a payment. I then asked her "So, what you're saying is, Sallie Mae believes that somewhere during the 3 hour period of time between calls, I'm going to somehow magically come across $1500 that will bring my account current - is that what you're saying?" She got snotty with me after that, saying that it was up to me to make sure that the calls stopped...
Of course, after I got off the phone and had 3 more phone calls from them in the next 15 minutes, I sat at my desk and cried for a few minutes - and then started looking for collection harassment laws. And found that I was RIGHT!!! Section 806(5) says "Section 806(5) prohibits contacting the consumer by telephone "repeatedly or continuously with intent to annoy, abuse, or harass any person at the called number". NEENER! Now I need to figure out what to do with said knowledge.
I also found out that I can contest the amount that they're insisting that I pay since it places a hardship on me - so I'll have to look into that and take care of that as well.
Bwa ha ha ha!
Nair does not come in wookie strength... Or size...
If you haven't seen the 825 things Mr. Welch can no longer do during an RPG, then you need to take a few hours and giggle your way through it. And of course, then add things onto the list yourself, like Fred and I are doing. Bwa ha ha ha.
Tomorrow I go shopping for the troupe Duck Dinner, and for Thanksgiving dinner for us. I'll have to make sure that I have *cash* for the cab driver, since last time, on the 3rd, he got snotty with me ("You don't have CASH?!") and didn't turn in my slip until LATE, so now I'm overdrawn... Bleh. I realize that it's partially my fault since I didn't balance my checkbook - but on the other hand, he could have turned it in and had it processed within a week instead of 2.
I'm working on a training manual for my work. I have about had it with the whole inability for anyone to stick with any one thing, and am having difficulty finding where procedures are. They had me sit with people for two weeks listening, handed me a stack-o-crap to go through - none of which really made a lot of sense, and then expected me to just get on the phones. I'm a little OCD when it comes to policy and procedure. It has to be there, and easy to find, and easy to read - or there's a problem. I'm going to work on it until I have most of it done, and then hand it to my boss's boss, K, and have him look it over and see what he thinks of it. I've done this before, at another office, so the only difficulty is making sure that the steps are correct, and getting time to actually WRITE it between phone calls.
Whee!!!
~M
Tomorrow I go shopping for the troupe Duck Dinner, and for Thanksgiving dinner for us. I'll have to make sure that I have *cash* for the cab driver, since last time, on the 3rd, he got snotty with me ("You don't have CASH?!") and didn't turn in my slip until LATE, so now I'm overdrawn... Bleh. I realize that it's partially my fault since I didn't balance my checkbook - but on the other hand, he could have turned it in and had it processed within a week instead of 2.
I'm working on a training manual for my work. I have about had it with the whole inability for anyone to stick with any one thing, and am having difficulty finding where procedures are. They had me sit with people for two weeks listening, handed me a stack-o-crap to go through - none of which really made a lot of sense, and then expected me to just get on the phones. I'm a little OCD when it comes to policy and procedure. It has to be there, and easy to find, and easy to read - or there's a problem. I'm going to work on it until I have most of it done, and then hand it to my boss's boss, K, and have him look it over and see what he thinks of it. I've done this before, at another office, so the only difficulty is making sure that the steps are correct, and getting time to actually WRITE it between phone calls.
Whee!!!
~M
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Stuff and things...
I've had to re-schedule the Holiday Feast for Dec 10th. My work is not going to allow me the day off. SO, there you go. I heard back from Lil, who currently has 3 on her list of people coming, but is waiting for 4 more people to get back to her (one of them has a totally valid excuse, as it's Angst, and her schedules don't get put up until 2 weeks prior to when the date is - ah, the joys of working non-set shifts)...
I'm hoping that moving it one day won't mess anyone else up. I just can't see making everyone wait until after 8pm for dinner on a Saturday night - especially when I'm going to be cranky for not having the whole day to prep and make sure everything is where it should be.
Lil has offered to bring garlic bread, dessert, and Krab salad (bless her!). I've asked if there's a way to get hauled around on Friday, as I'll need to go shopping for everything and make sure that I have it all. Have to go to Pacific Seafood retail, then over to WinCo. They're in totally opposite directions, and on opposite sides of the river - total pain in the ASS if one tries on the bus, and prohibitively expensive if one decides to take a cab.
So, with the current head count, I have 9 people so far. Looks like I'm gonna be busy - but that's ok. I like busy. I like lots of people in my house, having a good time. I also like the idea that I'll be working on Saturday, which will give the boys a full day to clean up the house fully and vacuum (insert evil laugh here).
I've taken the 7th off as well, so that I can come to work and sell things - Yes, I have to take the day off in order to do this... There's not enough people to man the phones for us to normally participate. They're having an Artisan's Fair, and I can whip out some delicate beaded necklaces and bracelets that can be sold fairly cheaply. Should be fairly easy - I'm going to work on them in the evenings and during my days off so I have enough to sell. Yay me.
Fred is securing our place at Courtesan Carnival on Thursday. I need to find out when it is so I can put in for time off NOW. I know it's in January, but I have no idea the date. And then I need to make sure that I have money for the car rental. Whee!!!
~M
I'm hoping that moving it one day won't mess anyone else up. I just can't see making everyone wait until after 8pm for dinner on a Saturday night - especially when I'm going to be cranky for not having the whole day to prep and make sure everything is where it should be.
Lil has offered to bring garlic bread, dessert, and Krab salad (bless her!). I've asked if there's a way to get hauled around on Friday, as I'll need to go shopping for everything and make sure that I have it all. Have to go to Pacific Seafood retail, then over to WinCo. They're in totally opposite directions, and on opposite sides of the river - total pain in the ASS if one tries on the bus, and prohibitively expensive if one decides to take a cab.
So, with the current head count, I have 9 people so far. Looks like I'm gonna be busy - but that's ok. I like busy. I like lots of people in my house, having a good time. I also like the idea that I'll be working on Saturday, which will give the boys a full day to clean up the house fully and vacuum (insert evil laugh here).
I've taken the 7th off as well, so that I can come to work and sell things - Yes, I have to take the day off in order to do this... There's not enough people to man the phones for us to normally participate. They're having an Artisan's Fair, and I can whip out some delicate beaded necklaces and bracelets that can be sold fairly cheaply. Should be fairly easy - I'm going to work on them in the evenings and during my days off so I have enough to sell. Yay me.
Fred is securing our place at Courtesan Carnival on Thursday. I need to find out when it is so I can put in for time off NOW. I know it's in January, but I have no idea the date. And then I need to make sure that I have money for the car rental. Whee!!!
~M
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Guess I'll go eat worms...
"Reflections"
China Beach SoundTrack
The Supremes
Through the mirror of my mind time after time
I see reflections of you and me
Reflections of the way life used to be
Reflections of the love you took from me
Oh, I'm all alone now. No love to shield me
Trapped in a world that's a distorted reality
Happiness you took from me and left me alone
With only memories
Through the mirror of my mind
Through these tears that I'm crying
Reflects a hurt I can't control
'Cause although you're gone
I keep holding on to the happy times
Oh, when you were mine
As I peer through the window of lost time
Looking over my yesterdays
And all the love I gave all in vain
(All the love) All the love that I've wasted
(All the tears) All the tears that I've tasted
All in vain
Through the hollow of my tears I see a dream that's lost
From the hurt that you have caused
Everywhere I turn seems like everything I see
Reflects the love that used to be
In you I put all my faith and trust
Right before my eyes my world has turned to dust
After all the nights I sat alone and wept
Just a handful of promises are all that's left of loving you
Reflections of the way life used to be
Reflections of the love you took from me
In you I put all my faith and trust
Right before my eyes my world has turned to dust.
I'm sure that this is just another part of my period talking... Perhaps it's also due to my meds not working quite so well during it... Could also be that I work with a bunch of people who are all rather clickish and don't really want me to be a part of their group - at least, not yet. I'm not sure - but I know that I'm really feeling alone and without friends currently.
Specifically, I feel really without female companionship, and I hate it. I had such a good time this last weekend when Fae and Aly came down, and now they're gone, I feel completely and utterly alone.
I've never done well with having female friends - something (or someone) has always gotten in the way - and so I end up losing their friendship. I don't have many friends anyway, and it seems as though, since I started with my relationship with Fred, people I thought were friends have either drifted away or refuse to even acknowledge my presence without the courtesy of telling me that they don't want to be around me - or why. I find that horribly rude, honestly, not to mention cowardly.
I could name names, but they know who they are... I'd like to think that they simply haven't stayed in touch with anyone - but I know that they have... I know because they blog about it constantly, and it hurts to see that I can be so completely cut out of their lives without a thought or an explaination. I suppose the logical thing is to look at it like this: If they didn't have the guts to tell me they didn't want to be friends anymore, then they weren't really friends to begin with. And perhaps that's my issue with them - I assumed that they *were* friends. Which is why I volunteered to do so much for them. You do things for friends that you wouldn't normally do for other people. I guess that's my fault for assuming, and I got hurt because of it.
Work hasn't been any better - I don't feel like I have anything in common with anyone. I don't have lunch with the two people I could talk D&D with, and the ones that I *do* have lunch with - well... They're either much older than I am, or much younger - or they have children / families that they talk about constantly. I end up leaving about 15 minutes after my hour lunch starts so that others who have more in common can sit with them. I end up crocheting in the library - alone...
Of course, this just re-affirms my belief that it's best for me to keep a specific distance between myself and others, both at work and in my social life. I should be greatful for the friends I have, I know. It's just - sometimes I really want people to like me, because I honestly like them - and it hurts to know that they don't like me in kind.
I really wish I didn't care, sometimes. I really do - then I wouldn't feel like this and I could just get on with my life.
~M
China Beach SoundTrack
The Supremes
Through the mirror of my mind time after time
I see reflections of you and me
Reflections of the way life used to be
Reflections of the love you took from me
Oh, I'm all alone now. No love to shield me
Trapped in a world that's a distorted reality
Happiness you took from me and left me alone
With only memories
Through the mirror of my mind
Through these tears that I'm crying
Reflects a hurt I can't control
'Cause although you're gone
I keep holding on to the happy times
Oh, when you were mine
As I peer through the window of lost time
Looking over my yesterdays
And all the love I gave all in vain
(All the love) All the love that I've wasted
(All the tears) All the tears that I've tasted
All in vain
Through the hollow of my tears I see a dream that's lost
From the hurt that you have caused
Everywhere I turn seems like everything I see
Reflects the love that used to be
In you I put all my faith and trust
Right before my eyes my world has turned to dust
After all the nights I sat alone and wept
Just a handful of promises are all that's left of loving you
Reflections of the way life used to be
Reflections of the love you took from me
In you I put all my faith and trust
Right before my eyes my world has turned to dust.
I'm sure that this is just another part of my period talking... Perhaps it's also due to my meds not working quite so well during it... Could also be that I work with a bunch of people who are all rather clickish and don't really want me to be a part of their group - at least, not yet. I'm not sure - but I know that I'm really feeling alone and without friends currently.
Specifically, I feel really without female companionship, and I hate it. I had such a good time this last weekend when Fae and Aly came down, and now they're gone, I feel completely and utterly alone.
I've never done well with having female friends - something (or someone) has always gotten in the way - and so I end up losing their friendship. I don't have many friends anyway, and it seems as though, since I started with my relationship with Fred, people I thought were friends have either drifted away or refuse to even acknowledge my presence without the courtesy of telling me that they don't want to be around me - or why. I find that horribly rude, honestly, not to mention cowardly.
I could name names, but they know who they are... I'd like to think that they simply haven't stayed in touch with anyone - but I know that they have... I know because they blog about it constantly, and it hurts to see that I can be so completely cut out of their lives without a thought or an explaination. I suppose the logical thing is to look at it like this: If they didn't have the guts to tell me they didn't want to be friends anymore, then they weren't really friends to begin with. And perhaps that's my issue with them - I assumed that they *were* friends. Which is why I volunteered to do so much for them. You do things for friends that you wouldn't normally do for other people. I guess that's my fault for assuming, and I got hurt because of it.
Work hasn't been any better - I don't feel like I have anything in common with anyone. I don't have lunch with the two people I could talk D&D with, and the ones that I *do* have lunch with - well... They're either much older than I am, or much younger - or they have children / families that they talk about constantly. I end up leaving about 15 minutes after my hour lunch starts so that others who have more in common can sit with them. I end up crocheting in the library - alone...
Of course, this just re-affirms my belief that it's best for me to keep a specific distance between myself and others, both at work and in my social life. I should be greatful for the friends I have, I know. It's just - sometimes I really want people to like me, because I honestly like them - and it hurts to know that they don't like me in kind.
I really wish I didn't care, sometimes. I really do - then I wouldn't feel like this and I could just get on with my life.
~M
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Not feeling QUITE so groovy...
So, I have figured out that when one has just started bleeding, one should NOT decide to go looking online for clothing.
I'm now officially depressed. I can't afford new clothing, and am terrified to go out clothes shopping even if I *HAD* money. *sigh* I've decided to go back to the dreaded palazzo pants of the 90's. I remember them being amazingly comfortable and, for the most part, flattering on me. And since they're fairly easy to sew, I think I can get away with making a few pair for me. It's now just a matter of picking up fabric that I can afford - and then actually *doing* it.
I should know better than to do this. I am on the tail end of PMS, I started bleeding last night, and I feel totally frumpy and yukky. And now I am feeling like I want to cry because there were all this pretty clothing on Ebay (not that I'd actually buy from Ebay as far as clothing, but it's nice to look) and all I can think is that it wouldn't look good on me, so why bother? I can't even look at them in a clothier's or pattern-maker's eye today. UGH!
I'm such a mess. All I want is a hot pad for my abdomen and for someone else to do the laundry.
~M
I'm now officially depressed. I can't afford new clothing, and am terrified to go out clothes shopping even if I *HAD* money. *sigh* I've decided to go back to the dreaded palazzo pants of the 90's. I remember them being amazingly comfortable and, for the most part, flattering on me. And since they're fairly easy to sew, I think I can get away with making a few pair for me. It's now just a matter of picking up fabric that I can afford - and then actually *doing* it.
I should know better than to do this. I am on the tail end of PMS, I started bleeding last night, and I feel totally frumpy and yukky. And now I am feeling like I want to cry because there were all this pretty clothing on Ebay (not that I'd actually buy from Ebay as far as clothing, but it's nice to look) and all I can think is that it wouldn't look good on me, so why bother? I can't even look at them in a clothier's or pattern-maker's eye today. UGH!
I'm such a mess. All I want is a hot pad for my abdomen and for someone else to do the laundry.
~M
Witches Weekly Question for Nov 10th!
When did you first realize that the pagan path was for you?
I think I realized it when I was very young, but I never knew what "pagan" was, so I couldn't say that this is what I wanted to be.
I was always a little different from the other children. I think being raised in a haunted house probably had something to do with it. Also seeing things which no one else saw, knowing things no one else knew, and being generally precocious as a small child were other bits which had to do with it.
I tried going to church with friends. I still love going to Midnight Christmas mass at the local RC cathedral, though now that they've changed the Mass from the latin to english, I'm less enthralled. The music is something that gives me goosebumps, and I have this moment, just at midnight when the bell tolls, of absolute peace. It's fabulous.
I went to the LDS church once... I also went to the Episcopal and the Babtist churches... All with friends... I spoke with Rabbis and with priests. I just didn't ever feel as comfortable as I was when I learned that there was another path for me to take that was spiritual in nature, but within myself.
I was about 15 when I first learned about Paganism, and the different forms therein. There was a store in downtown Port Townsend, Phoenix Rising, that was filled to the brim with crystals, tarot cards, wands, pentacles, not to mention all the statuary of fairies and dragons. I was drawn to it mostly because it was completely different from what I'd been around in the past - and I even found books promoting the combination of secular christianity and paganism.
My mother was hesitant at first, but accepted that I needed to learn more about different religions. I brought home several Scott Cunningham books, "Guide to the Solitary Practitioner" and "Herbs and Lotions", and pointed out that she'd already been raising me by what Cunningham called the "Wiccan Rede":
Do what ye will, an it harm none
What ye will do, will come back 3-fold
Be careful what ye wish for, ye may get it
Once she found that these were the basic tennets of the religion, and that everything was based upon these *fairly* practical ideas, she was fine with it. I think she was actually relieved that I wasn't going to be going to a secular church - and that I wasn't going to be doing anything "cult-ish" (at least, in her eyes - you need a group of people to join if you're going to be in a cult, and I was going and doing all of this on my own... On the other hand, perhaps I was a cult of one - a Cult of Personality, even! LOL)...
So I guess I've always known that it was the right thing for me - I just needed to figure out what it was. LOL.
~M
I think I realized it when I was very young, but I never knew what "pagan" was, so I couldn't say that this is what I wanted to be.
I was always a little different from the other children. I think being raised in a haunted house probably had something to do with it. Also seeing things which no one else saw, knowing things no one else knew, and being generally precocious as a small child were other bits which had to do with it.
I tried going to church with friends. I still love going to Midnight Christmas mass at the local RC cathedral, though now that they've changed the Mass from the latin to english, I'm less enthralled. The music is something that gives me goosebumps, and I have this moment, just at midnight when the bell tolls, of absolute peace. It's fabulous.
I went to the LDS church once... I also went to the Episcopal and the Babtist churches... All with friends... I spoke with Rabbis and with priests. I just didn't ever feel as comfortable as I was when I learned that there was another path for me to take that was spiritual in nature, but within myself.
I was about 15 when I first learned about Paganism, and the different forms therein. There was a store in downtown Port Townsend, Phoenix Rising, that was filled to the brim with crystals, tarot cards, wands, pentacles, not to mention all the statuary of fairies and dragons. I was drawn to it mostly because it was completely different from what I'd been around in the past - and I even found books promoting the combination of secular christianity and paganism.
My mother was hesitant at first, but accepted that I needed to learn more about different religions. I brought home several Scott Cunningham books, "Guide to the Solitary Practitioner" and "Herbs and Lotions", and pointed out that she'd already been raising me by what Cunningham called the "Wiccan Rede":
Do what ye will, an it harm none
What ye will do, will come back 3-fold
Be careful what ye wish for, ye may get it
Once she found that these were the basic tennets of the religion, and that everything was based upon these *fairly* practical ideas, she was fine with it. I think she was actually relieved that I wasn't going to be going to a secular church - and that I wasn't going to be doing anything "cult-ish" (at least, in her eyes - you need a group of people to join if you're going to be in a cult, and I was going and doing all of this on my own... On the other hand, perhaps I was a cult of one - a Cult of Personality, even! LOL)...
So I guess I've always known that it was the right thing for me - I just needed to figure out what it was. LOL.
~M
Strength? No. Random Hatred? You Betcha!
This little gem was posted on the WomenStrength group on Tribe.net... For a bunch of people who claim to be feminists supporting and upholding the rights of everyone, they sure are a negative, hatefilled bunch, eh? The original post is in Bold type, and my response is what follows... Enjoy!
"MOTHER'S DAY IS OPPRESSIVE AND SEXIST AND WAS PUT TOGETHER BY THE DOMINANT MALE CULTURE AS A REASON TO BLAME WOMEN FOR THE NEGATIVE/POSITIVE OUTCOME OF THE NEW GENERATION OF YOUNG MEN THAT WILL ONE DAY TAKE THEIR DOMINEERING AND OPPRESSIVE PLACES. AND ALSO AS "A PAT ON THE BACK" FOR WOMEN WHO WERE "SEEN AND NOT HEARD" "
Sheryn - I'm sorry, but I'm just not buying the definition you've provided. It sounds to me as though you are driven by a high amount of negativity toward anything male, and you don't wish to accept any option other than "Men Bad - banish all men - or at the very least, make them all subservient and castrate them all".
The following is the definition of Mother's Day, from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother's_Day
"Different countries celebrate Mother's Day on various days of the year because the day has a number of different origins. One school of thought claims this day emerged from a custom of mother worship in ancient Greece. Mother worship - which kept a festival to Cybele, a great mother of gods, and Rhea, the wife of Cronus - was held around the Vernal Equinox around Asia Minor and eventually in Rome itself from the Ides of March (March 15) to March 18.
"In the United States, Mother's Day was originally conceived by social activist Julia Ward Howe during the American Civil War with a call to unite women against war. She wrote the Mother's Day Proclamation:
"From the voice of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with
Our own. It says: "Disarm! Disarm!
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice.
"Blood does not wipe our dishonor,
Nor violence indicate possession.
As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil at the summons of war,
Let women now leave all that may be left of home
For a great and earnest day of counsel.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the meansWhereby the great human family can live in peace...
"Howe failed in her attempt to get formal recognition of a Mother's Day for Peace. Her idea was influenced by Anna Jarvis, a young Appalachian homemaker who, starting in 1858, had attempted to improve sanitation through what she called Mothers' Work Days. She organized women throughout the Civil War to work for better sanitary conditions for both sides, and in 1868 she began work to reconcile Union and Confederate neighbors.
"When Jarvis died, her daughter, also named Anna Jarvis, started the crusade to found a memorial day for women. The first such Mother's Day was celebrated in Grafton, West Virginia, on May 10, 1908, in the church where the elder Anna Jarvis had taught Sunday School. Grafton is the home to the International Mother's Day Shrine. From there, the custom caught on - spreading eventually to 45 states. The holiday was declared officially by somes states beginning in 1912. In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson declared the first national Mother's Day. Nine years after the first official Mother's Day holiday, commercialization of the U.S. holiday became so rampant that Anna Jarvis herself became a major opponent of what the holiday had become."
Eileen, as a point of reference, Hallmark did NOT come up with the idea of Mother's Day - they may have been the driving force behind the marketing schemes of today, but they did NOT create it.
If we go with the first school of thought, that it was created waaaaaay back in ancient Greece - possibly before - then we are on a track of the more Pagan and matriarchal aspects of society, and it could possibly not only be linked to May Day and the Equinox celebrations of fertility, but also to the Ides of March, Goddess-worship, and rites of passage into womanhood. Being thankful that one IS woman, that one has the ability to create life, to nurture, and to be an embodiment of a goddess in one's creating of life. Not to mention celebrating the whole "mother earth" idea, which cradles, nurtures and nourishes each and every person on her.
If we then decide to add in what Julia Howe and Anna Jarvis wanted most of all with their movement, which was to try and rally women together to unite for peace and work together toward a common goal, regardless of which side of the issue they were on (in their day, it was specifically the Civil War), it then takes on even further significance, and should not be hated at all.
So, taken all of the this together, instead of concentrating on the consumer-driven, corporate hoo-ha that's been hyped for years, concentrate instead on this:
Mother's Day could be looked upon as a day wherein we - as women, whether we be mothers, daughters, sisters, or aunts - can come together in a united effort to recognize the power that we have in the ability to create life, to nurture, and to nourish each other and the earth, and the power that the earth has to create life, to nourish and to nurture us.
Instead of focusing upon the negative aspect of what this has become, start a new trend for it, and have your friends and family join in. It doesn't have to be a negative day, or a day of hatred toward anything, whether general or specific. Turn it positive, and stop buying into the hype with your negativity.
~M
"MOTHER'S DAY IS OPPRESSIVE AND SEXIST AND WAS PUT TOGETHER BY THE DOMINANT MALE CULTURE AS A REASON TO BLAME WOMEN FOR THE NEGATIVE/POSITIVE OUTCOME OF THE NEW GENERATION OF YOUNG MEN THAT WILL ONE DAY TAKE THEIR DOMINEERING AND OPPRESSIVE PLACES. AND ALSO AS "A PAT ON THE BACK" FOR WOMEN WHO WERE "SEEN AND NOT HEARD" "
Sheryn - I'm sorry, but I'm just not buying the definition you've provided. It sounds to me as though you are driven by a high amount of negativity toward anything male, and you don't wish to accept any option other than "Men Bad - banish all men - or at the very least, make them all subservient and castrate them all".
The following is the definition of Mother's Day, from Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother's_Day
"Different countries celebrate Mother's Day on various days of the year because the day has a number of different origins. One school of thought claims this day emerged from a custom of mother worship in ancient Greece. Mother worship - which kept a festival to Cybele, a great mother of gods, and Rhea, the wife of Cronus - was held around the Vernal Equinox around Asia Minor and eventually in Rome itself from the Ides of March (March 15) to March 18.
"In the United States, Mother's Day was originally conceived by social activist Julia Ward Howe during the American Civil War with a call to unite women against war. She wrote the Mother's Day Proclamation:
"From the voice of a devastated Earth a voice goes up with
Our own. It says: "Disarm! Disarm!
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice.
"Blood does not wipe our dishonor,
Nor violence indicate possession.
As men have often forsaken the plough and the anvil at the summons of war,
Let women now leave all that may be left of home
For a great and earnest day of counsel.
Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.
Let them solemnly take counsel with each other as to the meansWhereby the great human family can live in peace...
"Howe failed in her attempt to get formal recognition of a Mother's Day for Peace. Her idea was influenced by Anna Jarvis, a young Appalachian homemaker who, starting in 1858, had attempted to improve sanitation through what she called Mothers' Work Days. She organized women throughout the Civil War to work for better sanitary conditions for both sides, and in 1868 she began work to reconcile Union and Confederate neighbors.
"When Jarvis died, her daughter, also named Anna Jarvis, started the crusade to found a memorial day for women. The first such Mother's Day was celebrated in Grafton, West Virginia, on May 10, 1908, in the church where the elder Anna Jarvis had taught Sunday School. Grafton is the home to the International Mother's Day Shrine. From there, the custom caught on - spreading eventually to 45 states. The holiday was declared officially by somes states beginning in 1912. In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson declared the first national Mother's Day. Nine years after the first official Mother's Day holiday, commercialization of the U.S. holiday became so rampant that Anna Jarvis herself became a major opponent of what the holiday had become."
Eileen, as a point of reference, Hallmark did NOT come up with the idea of Mother's Day - they may have been the driving force behind the marketing schemes of today, but they did NOT create it.
If we go with the first school of thought, that it was created waaaaaay back in ancient Greece - possibly before - then we are on a track of the more Pagan and matriarchal aspects of society, and it could possibly not only be linked to May Day and the Equinox celebrations of fertility, but also to the Ides of March, Goddess-worship, and rites of passage into womanhood. Being thankful that one IS woman, that one has the ability to create life, to nurture, and to be an embodiment of a goddess in one's creating of life. Not to mention celebrating the whole "mother earth" idea, which cradles, nurtures and nourishes each and every person on her.
If we then decide to add in what Julia Howe and Anna Jarvis wanted most of all with their movement, which was to try and rally women together to unite for peace and work together toward a common goal, regardless of which side of the issue they were on (in their day, it was specifically the Civil War), it then takes on even further significance, and should not be hated at all.
So, taken all of the this together, instead of concentrating on the consumer-driven, corporate hoo-ha that's been hyped for years, concentrate instead on this:
Mother's Day could be looked upon as a day wherein we - as women, whether we be mothers, daughters, sisters, or aunts - can come together in a united effort to recognize the power that we have in the ability to create life, to nurture, and to nourish each other and the earth, and the power that the earth has to create life, to nourish and to nurture us.
Instead of focusing upon the negative aspect of what this has become, start a new trend for it, and have your friends and family join in. It doesn't have to be a negative day, or a day of hatred toward anything, whether general or specific. Turn it positive, and stop buying into the hype with your negativity.
~M
Switching, and a horribly early morning post of randomness...
So, I've switched over to the Blogger Beta format. Supposedly, it's not going to change anything as far as the format is concerned, but it will allow for labels to be had, such as "general mayhem", "literary quandries", etc... should be interesting, if nothing else. Of course, I can't go BACK if I don't like it - or if YOU don't like it - so I'm hoping that it'll do everything that it's supposed to do with no issues.
Speaking of issues, I have a knot that's causing the left side of my back to squinch up (yes, that IS a technical term). Even if it *does* quit raining tonight for fire practice, I doubt that I'm going to do anything, since the ouchie factor of the knot is high enough to make me not want to move at all.
Aly and Fae came down last night to visit for the weekend. Yay us! I got to feed them my uber-special Spanish Rice, which I've improved upon over Thursday night's attempt. I don't understand why people would BOTHER with the boxed crap - it's just as easy and quick to do it from scratch. No, really! I'll post up the recipe and you can see for yourself! Fred stayed up until almost two in the morning, talking with them. I woke up at 4:30 to a very amorous fiance, and was pounced... Rather, I think we ended up pouncing one another. LOL. I will say, it was a nice way to be woken up, especially THAT early in the morning.
I ended up falling asleep on the MAX heading into work this morning, which is probably where the knot came from. I'm not doing so well with the whole 10 hour shifts with the 2.5 hour commute... It's harsh on my sleep schedule, and harsh on my brain. I may try for a "normal" 8 hour shift, though I'm only going to do it if I can get weekends off - if not, then forget it. I'll suffer through.
Fred and I have decided that, since we're doing a big troupe dinner on the 19th, and then the Holiday Feast on the 9th of December, we're going to do a really simple Thanksgiving thing... We're doing Tex-Mex. I'm making a mess of chicken and cheese enchiladas, cornbread, mixed squash, home-made tortilla chips, and pico de gayo. Yum! I'm actually looking forward to it. It's been a while since I've had a full Tex-Mex dinner, and I really LOVE working with SW flavors. It makes me happy - the same way Sushi makes me happy... tee hee.
Fred's still trying to quit smoking, bless him. I'm a little frustrated, but I don't know what else do to other than continue to let him know that I love him and I would like him to quit - and to NOT NAG. He's got to be the one to ultimately decide each time whether or not he's going to light up - and I can't be there 24/7, regardless of what I might *want*. I'm hoping that we can take the Thanksgiving weekend (since we're both off Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and he's off Saturday), and get him off them completely. I will say that for the most part, he hasn't been smoking at home at all - which is really nice. I've found that I feel better, and am breathing better... Allergies to cigarette smoke suck ass.
I have almost finished my winter coat... It still needs the front buttons and button-holes. I also need to get another 5 yards of fleece and use it to line the rest of the coat. Unfortunately, the wool is just NOT keeping me warm enough in the wind, so I'll need to beef up the coat to stay warm through the winter. It's a minor annoyance, but one I'd better get solved ASAP so that I don't freeze my butt - or other areas of my anatomy - completely into uselessness.
I also decided that I'd try applying at Skorch Magazine. According to their criteria of what they were looking for, I fit it... But the email they sent back said the opposite - though they promised they'd keep me on file if something came up. I guess I'm destined to be an online amature model for a while, and not make any money at all... *sigh* Personally, I think it was my legs. I know that I'm not supposed to get down on myself, but I'm not shaped the way magazines in general want large women to be shaped. They want thinner-looking legs... So, I won't be getting any mag offers. Not anytime soon.
Sallie Mae keeps calling me and threatening. In order for me to start paying them, I'd have to have a job paying DOUBLE what I'm getting paid now... That's not going to happen anytime soon, so they really do need to just quit. I've told them this, and they've acted snotty and asked when I'm going to GET said higher-paying job, and if I'm LOOKING for said higher-paying job. Whatever. I know they'll ruin my credit, and I also know that I can't do anything about it. If, at some point in the future, I end up applying for and getting a loan for a house, I'll include their loan into it, and get them to go away for good.
And now I have to go to work. Yay.
~M
Speaking of issues, I have a knot that's causing the left side of my back to squinch up (yes, that IS a technical term). Even if it *does* quit raining tonight for fire practice, I doubt that I'm going to do anything, since the ouchie factor of the knot is high enough to make me not want to move at all.
Aly and Fae came down last night to visit for the weekend. Yay us! I got to feed them my uber-special Spanish Rice, which I've improved upon over Thursday night's attempt. I don't understand why people would BOTHER with the boxed crap - it's just as easy and quick to do it from scratch. No, really! I'll post up the recipe and you can see for yourself! Fred stayed up until almost two in the morning, talking with them. I woke up at 4:30 to a very amorous fiance, and was pounced... Rather, I think we ended up pouncing one another. LOL. I will say, it was a nice way to be woken up, especially THAT early in the morning.
I ended up falling asleep on the MAX heading into work this morning, which is probably where the knot came from. I'm not doing so well with the whole 10 hour shifts with the 2.5 hour commute... It's harsh on my sleep schedule, and harsh on my brain. I may try for a "normal" 8 hour shift, though I'm only going to do it if I can get weekends off - if not, then forget it. I'll suffer through.
Fred and I have decided that, since we're doing a big troupe dinner on the 19th, and then the Holiday Feast on the 9th of December, we're going to do a really simple Thanksgiving thing... We're doing Tex-Mex. I'm making a mess of chicken and cheese enchiladas, cornbread, mixed squash, home-made tortilla chips, and pico de gayo. Yum! I'm actually looking forward to it. It's been a while since I've had a full Tex-Mex dinner, and I really LOVE working with SW flavors. It makes me happy - the same way Sushi makes me happy... tee hee.
Fred's still trying to quit smoking, bless him. I'm a little frustrated, but I don't know what else do to other than continue to let him know that I love him and I would like him to quit - and to NOT NAG. He's got to be the one to ultimately decide each time whether or not he's going to light up - and I can't be there 24/7, regardless of what I might *want*. I'm hoping that we can take the Thanksgiving weekend (since we're both off Thursday, Friday and Sunday, and he's off Saturday), and get him off them completely. I will say that for the most part, he hasn't been smoking at home at all - which is really nice. I've found that I feel better, and am breathing better... Allergies to cigarette smoke suck ass.
I have almost finished my winter coat... It still needs the front buttons and button-holes. I also need to get another 5 yards of fleece and use it to line the rest of the coat. Unfortunately, the wool is just NOT keeping me warm enough in the wind, so I'll need to beef up the coat to stay warm through the winter. It's a minor annoyance, but one I'd better get solved ASAP so that I don't freeze my butt - or other areas of my anatomy - completely into uselessness.
I also decided that I'd try applying at Skorch Magazine. According to their criteria of what they were looking for, I fit it... But the email they sent back said the opposite - though they promised they'd keep me on file if something came up. I guess I'm destined to be an online amature model for a while, and not make any money at all... *sigh* Personally, I think it was my legs. I know that I'm not supposed to get down on myself, but I'm not shaped the way magazines in general want large women to be shaped. They want thinner-looking legs... So, I won't be getting any mag offers. Not anytime soon.
Sallie Mae keeps calling me and threatening. In order for me to start paying them, I'd have to have a job paying DOUBLE what I'm getting paid now... That's not going to happen anytime soon, so they really do need to just quit. I've told them this, and they've acted snotty and asked when I'm going to GET said higher-paying job, and if I'm LOOKING for said higher-paying job. Whatever. I know they'll ruin my credit, and I also know that I can't do anything about it. If, at some point in the future, I end up applying for and getting a loan for a house, I'll include their loan into it, and get them to go away for good.
And now I have to go to work. Yay.
~M
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Humanism vs Feminism
This is a post that I placed in the "WomenStrength" tribe at tribe.net... If you're interested in reading the complete thread, be warned - wear an asbestos suit... LOTS of flames going on there, and a lot of really angry, militant women (or should I say wymyn) who are pissed off about anyone saying anything negative about feminism...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feminism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanism
Regarding feminism vs humanism... The following are selected texts from what I found in Wikipedia - the links are above:
"Feminism is a diverse and thoughtful collection of social theories, political movements and moral philosophies, largely motivated by or concerned with the experiences of women. Most feminists are especially concerned with social, political and economic inequality between men and women (in the context of it being to the disadvantage of women); some have argued that gendered and sexed identities, such as "man" and "woman", are socially constructed. Feminists differ over the sources of inequality, how to attain equality, and the extent to which gender and gender-based identities should be questioned and critiqued. In simple terms, feminism is the belief in social, political and economic equality of the sexes, and the movement organised around the belief that gender should not be the pre-determinant factor shaping a person's social identity, or socio-political or economic rights.
"Some feminist theories question basic assumptions about gender, gender difference and sexuality, including the category of "woman" itself as a holistic concept, other theories question the male/female dichotomy completely (offering instead a multiplicity of genders). Still other feminist theories take for granted the concept of "woman" and provide specific analyses and critiques of gender inequality, and most feminist social movements promote women's rights, interests and issues. Several subtypes of feminist ideology have developed over the years. Early feminists and primary feminist movements are often called the first-wave feminists, and feminists after about 1960 the second-wave feminists. More recently, some younger feminists have identified themselves as third-wave feminists while the second-wave feminists are still active.
"Some radical feminists, such as Mary Daly, Charlotte Bunch and Marilyn Frye, have advocated separatism - a complete separation of male and female in society and culture - while others question not only the relationship between men and women, but the very meaning of "man" and "woman" as well (see Queer theory). Some argue that gender roles, gender identity and sexuality are themselves social constructs (see also heteronormativity). For these feminists, feminism is a primary means to human liberation (i.e., the liberation of men as well as women.)"
*********************
"Humanism is a broad category of active ethical philosophies that affirm the dignity and worth of all people, based on the ability to determine right and wrong by appeal to universal human qualities - particularly rationalism. Humanism is a component of a variety of more specific philosophical systems, and is also incorporated into some religious schools of thought.
"Humanism entails a commitment to the search for truth and morality through human means in support of human interests. In focusing on the capacity for self-determination, Humanism rejects transcendental justifications, such as a dependence on faith, the supernatural, or divinely revealed texts. Humanists endorse universal morality based on the commonality of human nature, suggesting that solutions to our social and cultural problems cannot be parochial.
"Some have interpreted Humanism to be a form of speciesism, mostly because of the word itself, but this doesn't appear to be the case. Humanism does exalt human traits, but doesn't necessarily insist that no other species could or do have the same, or that other species have no rights just because they are not human. The term was originally intended to point out the focus on human affairs and concerns as opposed to those of gods; not meant to be taken as opposed to other species. For these reasons, Humanism appears to be neutral with regard to issues of animal rights."
***************************
I don't claim to have a degree in anything (other than my culinary arts degree, which doesn't mean anything in this debate), and I don't claim to understand all the nuances behind either of these movements.
However - It is from the definitions above that I can say I understand a little more about both of them and feel that I can make a comment regarding this thread.
Based upon the definitions above, the following would be my own basic interpretations:
Feminism: The belief that people should not define one's worth by gender, and that gender should not be considered when dealing with others under any circumstance.
Humanism: The belief that people, regardless of gender, should not be defined by gender, monetary, or social worth, but instead by their moral and ethical daily practices which are NOT defined by any church, but instead by inherent morality and human ethics.
So, I suppose, based upon that understanding, I am a humanist, not a feminist. I don't believe that it's only one's gender that should be considered to make one equal, but what they do, on a day-to-day level, which makes them better or worse, and equal with others.
Before you ask - yes, I believe that a female is capable of pretty much anything that a male is capable of doing, if she puts her mind to it. Yes, I believe that people should be receiving equal pay for equal work, and there should be no glass ceiling - regardless of race, creed, gender, or social standing.
HOWEVER, there are things which a male body does inherently better - just as there are things which the female body does inherently better. The human body was created with different strengths and weaknesses, not to single either gender out, but to instead have them work together as a team in order to survive on the most primal level. Evolution has not changed how our bodies have been created, nor will it anytime soon.
I believe that if you want to make a difference, you have to start with yourself, and act the way you want to be treated, assert yourself when you are wronged, stand up for your own rights, and demand that people accept you for who you are. I believe that you should hone your strengths, accept your weaknesses, and learn how to use both to their full advantage in life. I don't believe that working soley upon the feminist side will help everyone in society, and I don't believe that feminism must be accepted before humanism can work.
~M
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feminism
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanism
Regarding feminism vs humanism... The following are selected texts from what I found in Wikipedia - the links are above:
"Feminism is a diverse and thoughtful collection of social theories, political movements and moral philosophies, largely motivated by or concerned with the experiences of women. Most feminists are especially concerned with social, political and economic inequality between men and women (in the context of it being to the disadvantage of women); some have argued that gendered and sexed identities, such as "man" and "woman", are socially constructed. Feminists differ over the sources of inequality, how to attain equality, and the extent to which gender and gender-based identities should be questioned and critiqued. In simple terms, feminism is the belief in social, political and economic equality of the sexes, and the movement organised around the belief that gender should not be the pre-determinant factor shaping a person's social identity, or socio-political or economic rights.
"Some feminist theories question basic assumptions about gender, gender difference and sexuality, including the category of "woman" itself as a holistic concept, other theories question the male/female dichotomy completely (offering instead a multiplicity of genders). Still other feminist theories take for granted the concept of "woman" and provide specific analyses and critiques of gender inequality, and most feminist social movements promote women's rights, interests and issues. Several subtypes of feminist ideology have developed over the years. Early feminists and primary feminist movements are often called the first-wave feminists, and feminists after about 1960 the second-wave feminists. More recently, some younger feminists have identified themselves as third-wave feminists while the second-wave feminists are still active.
"Some radical feminists, such as Mary Daly, Charlotte Bunch and Marilyn Frye, have advocated separatism - a complete separation of male and female in society and culture - while others question not only the relationship between men and women, but the very meaning of "man" and "woman" as well (see Queer theory). Some argue that gender roles, gender identity and sexuality are themselves social constructs (see also heteronormativity). For these feminists, feminism is a primary means to human liberation (i.e., the liberation of men as well as women.)"
*********************
"Humanism is a broad category of active ethical philosophies that affirm the dignity and worth of all people, based on the ability to determine right and wrong by appeal to universal human qualities - particularly rationalism. Humanism is a component of a variety of more specific philosophical systems, and is also incorporated into some religious schools of thought.
"Humanism entails a commitment to the search for truth and morality through human means in support of human interests. In focusing on the capacity for self-determination, Humanism rejects transcendental justifications, such as a dependence on faith, the supernatural, or divinely revealed texts. Humanists endorse universal morality based on the commonality of human nature, suggesting that solutions to our social and cultural problems cannot be parochial.
"Some have interpreted Humanism to be a form of speciesism, mostly because of the word itself, but this doesn't appear to be the case. Humanism does exalt human traits, but doesn't necessarily insist that no other species could or do have the same, or that other species have no rights just because they are not human. The term was originally intended to point out the focus on human affairs and concerns as opposed to those of gods; not meant to be taken as opposed to other species. For these reasons, Humanism appears to be neutral with regard to issues of animal rights."
***************************
I don't claim to have a degree in anything (other than my culinary arts degree, which doesn't mean anything in this debate), and I don't claim to understand all the nuances behind either of these movements.
However - It is from the definitions above that I can say I understand a little more about both of them and feel that I can make a comment regarding this thread.
Based upon the definitions above, the following would be my own basic interpretations:
Feminism: The belief that people should not define one's worth by gender, and that gender should not be considered when dealing with others under any circumstance.
Humanism: The belief that people, regardless of gender, should not be defined by gender, monetary, or social worth, but instead by their moral and ethical daily practices which are NOT defined by any church, but instead by inherent morality and human ethics.
So, I suppose, based upon that understanding, I am a humanist, not a feminist. I don't believe that it's only one's gender that should be considered to make one equal, but what they do, on a day-to-day level, which makes them better or worse, and equal with others.
Before you ask - yes, I believe that a female is capable of pretty much anything that a male is capable of doing, if she puts her mind to it. Yes, I believe that people should be receiving equal pay for equal work, and there should be no glass ceiling - regardless of race, creed, gender, or social standing.
HOWEVER, there are things which a male body does inherently better - just as there are things which the female body does inherently better. The human body was created with different strengths and weaknesses, not to single either gender out, but to instead have them work together as a team in order to survive on the most primal level. Evolution has not changed how our bodies have been created, nor will it anytime soon.
I believe that if you want to make a difference, you have to start with yourself, and act the way you want to be treated, assert yourself when you are wronged, stand up for your own rights, and demand that people accept you for who you are. I believe that you should hone your strengths, accept your weaknesses, and learn how to use both to their full advantage in life. I don't believe that working soley upon the feminist side will help everyone in society, and I don't believe that feminism must be accepted before humanism can work.
~M
Other Good Questions from Witches Weekly...
How do you (or would you) go about teaching/including your child about your practice/beliefs?
What kind of coming of age ritual might you suggest for your child and how would you approach them about it?
What might you tell them about being a Pagan in a Christian-centric community?
Oh, boy... I'll start off with this caveat: This is one of those hot buttons that I often end up jumping up and down about - be warned. This is simply what *I* believe - it's not what you should do - but keep in mind how YOU were when you were little, and it might make sense. Also - note the word "normally" - there are those young 'uns who are exceptions to the rule. I believe that they show themselves naturally, and their parents will be able to see maturity and understanding as the child exhibits it.
First of all - I *DON'T* teach or include children - ANY children, mine or otherwise - in my practice or beliefs. Those under the age of 12 aren't normally able to understand the concept of a higher power, or of gods/goddesses, or rituals and why they are there. They are too busy learning about the world as a whole, and how it affects them directly, and how they can affect the world - it's not a matter of higher powers placing that tree there because it was meant to be - it's a matter of how high they can climb it.
Those between the ages of 12 and 15 normally are too involved with themselves to pay attention to the world at large, and will only be interested in being a pagan for the sake of being different. They are not normally aware enough to appreciate the mysteries of what is going on in the world beyond what directly affects them - they are, after all, teenagers.
That being said - if I were to teach someone else about my beliefs, and I felt that they were old enough to understand them, the first thing that I would do is to basically have them sit down and write everything they currently understand about the god/dess. then have them write down questions that they have about what they DON'T understand. This gives me a basis on where to start from - I don't want to go over what they already know - I want to find out what they do know, what they understand, and where to go from there.
As far as a coming of age ritual - I'd ask them whether they *want* one, first. Some children don't want to be the center of attention, some do - some don't care. I'd also ask them what they'd want IN their ceremony, who they'd want to be there, what they'd want to do for it. I'd help them in planning what they want, with the idea that the end result is them feeling more mature and adult - which is, really, what a coming of age ritual is all about.
Regarding "being pagen in a christo-centric world"... Well, that's something that would happen as I continue teaching them. I believe what my mother always taught me about religions in the world... "Picture a bicycle wheel," she'd say, "You can imagine one, can't you? All the spokes running from the outside rim to the hub? Ok - well, think of it this way - the world is the outside rim. All those spokes? Those are the different religions and how people believe through their life's path. The hub of the wheel is what we get to as we travel through our lives and down our individual religious pathways.
"Just like the bicycle wheel can't support anything without the many different spokes to even out the balance of weight, the world can't survive without the many different religions and paths of life that we, as human beings, take. It is up to each one of us to appreciate the differences, accept them, embrace them, and know that our choices aren't the only ones in the world - but that we help support the world with them." I think my mother is a very wise woman regarding religion.
Part of what I would teach is that being in a christo-centric world doesn't have to be a bad thing - but I believe that religious intolerance is still something to be aware of. I don't advertise what religion I am at work - this isn't necessarily because I'm afraid of what "the man" might do to me. It's because I don't feel that my religion (or anyone else's, for that matter) is something that should be discussed at work - I feel the same way about politics and sex. Unless your work happens to be at a religious order, don't talk about religion. Unless you happen to work at a porn shop, or a sex shop, don't talk about sex. Unless you work with a politician, don't talk about politics. It's just not professional, and it's no one else's business what I do outside of work. At work, I'm on THEIR dime - which means that I need to be a positive representative of my company. Outside of work, I'm on MY dime - which means that, as long as I don't drag my company's name into it, I can do as I please with my religious / political / sexual beliefs.
~M
What kind of coming of age ritual might you suggest for your child and how would you approach them about it?
What might you tell them about being a Pagan in a Christian-centric community?
Oh, boy... I'll start off with this caveat: This is one of those hot buttons that I often end up jumping up and down about - be warned. This is simply what *I* believe - it's not what you should do - but keep in mind how YOU were when you were little, and it might make sense. Also - note the word "normally" - there are those young 'uns who are exceptions to the rule. I believe that they show themselves naturally, and their parents will be able to see maturity and understanding as the child exhibits it.
First of all - I *DON'T* teach or include children - ANY children, mine or otherwise - in my practice or beliefs. Those under the age of 12 aren't normally able to understand the concept of a higher power, or of gods/goddesses, or rituals and why they are there. They are too busy learning about the world as a whole, and how it affects them directly, and how they can affect the world - it's not a matter of higher powers placing that tree there because it was meant to be - it's a matter of how high they can climb it.
Those between the ages of 12 and 15 normally are too involved with themselves to pay attention to the world at large, and will only be interested in being a pagan for the sake of being different. They are not normally aware enough to appreciate the mysteries of what is going on in the world beyond what directly affects them - they are, after all, teenagers.
That being said - if I were to teach someone else about my beliefs, and I felt that they were old enough to understand them, the first thing that I would do is to basically have them sit down and write everything they currently understand about the god/dess. then have them write down questions that they have about what they DON'T understand. This gives me a basis on where to start from - I don't want to go over what they already know - I want to find out what they do know, what they understand, and where to go from there.
As far as a coming of age ritual - I'd ask them whether they *want* one, first. Some children don't want to be the center of attention, some do - some don't care. I'd also ask them what they'd want IN their ceremony, who they'd want to be there, what they'd want to do for it. I'd help them in planning what they want, with the idea that the end result is them feeling more mature and adult - which is, really, what a coming of age ritual is all about.
Regarding "being pagen in a christo-centric world"... Well, that's something that would happen as I continue teaching them. I believe what my mother always taught me about religions in the world... "Picture a bicycle wheel," she'd say, "You can imagine one, can't you? All the spokes running from the outside rim to the hub? Ok - well, think of it this way - the world is the outside rim. All those spokes? Those are the different religions and how people believe through their life's path. The hub of the wheel is what we get to as we travel through our lives and down our individual religious pathways.
"Just like the bicycle wheel can't support anything without the many different spokes to even out the balance of weight, the world can't survive without the many different religions and paths of life that we, as human beings, take. It is up to each one of us to appreciate the differences, accept them, embrace them, and know that our choices aren't the only ones in the world - but that we help support the world with them." I think my mother is a very wise woman regarding religion.
Part of what I would teach is that being in a christo-centric world doesn't have to be a bad thing - but I believe that religious intolerance is still something to be aware of. I don't advertise what religion I am at work - this isn't necessarily because I'm afraid of what "the man" might do to me. It's because I don't feel that my religion (or anyone else's, for that matter) is something that should be discussed at work - I feel the same way about politics and sex. Unless your work happens to be at a religious order, don't talk about religion. Unless you happen to work at a porn shop, or a sex shop, don't talk about sex. Unless you work with a politician, don't talk about politics. It's just not professional, and it's no one else's business what I do outside of work. At work, I'm on THEIR dime - which means that I need to be a positive representative of my company. Outside of work, I'm on MY dime - which means that, as long as I don't drag my company's name into it, I can do as I please with my religious / political / sexual beliefs.
~M
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
OOOH! 2 in one day! Can it be?
Yeah - I got to looking into the Witches Weekly archives and found this little gem of a question - I couldn't resist. I'm in a ranting mood! LOL
What are some things that people do in the name of paganism or neo-paganism that tend to annoy you?
Hmmm... I think that being so totally self-rightious about their religion is one that irks me... But then, that's not just in the Pagan or neo-pagan community - that's pretty much everywhere. Those who believe that their religion is the ONLY religion out there, and it's the only RIGHT religion to pick - well, they're as bad as those they rant against. There's a great quote from my fiance regarding religion, and it explains why A. I'm a solitary practitioner, and B. he's a devoted athiest: There is no religion which, when practiced fully, condones the subjigation, mutilation, or killing of another for ANY reason. Fred's decided that he will remain an athiest until all religions understand this, accept it, embrace it, and preach it fully and honestly. I don't blame him.
People who say that Wicca is better than all other religions are no better than the Roman Catholics who say that Roman Catholisism is better than all other religions... Remember that those who believed that there is only *ONE* true religion, and that one religion was the only way to go created the Inquisition - and it can go both ways.
Also - those who aren't willing to do the work and look into, understand, question, even dis-prove parts of, the religion they wish to be a part of... They irk me. I've had a few run-in's with people like this. I watched as they duct-taped together portions of each of the sabbat rituals into something that they liked, rather than keep with traditions - and then looked down on me when I declined the invite to join in... It's not that I'm not into doing things a little differently - but for someone who was booted from a coven for not studying the mysteries of the religion, and then deciding to simply make something up and call it "official"... Well, I have to say that it doesn't strike me as someone who wants to do a lot of soul searching for something as important as a religious belief. If you're not willing to work and question and dig into your religion, then you shouldn't be a part of it - and you certainly shouldn't be calling yourself the LEADER of such a religion.
Another thing that irks me to no end is the "fluffy bunnies" - you know the ones... The ones that bounce up to you at a party and have coven names like "The sparkle fairy princess coven of light and moonbeams", and member names like "Sunshine EverDance" and "Moondrivel RiverDance". They tell you that being a Wiccan is just the most nicety-nice thing in the whole world, and if everyone would join them and just be nice the world would be filled with sparkles and rainbows and lolly-pops and...
And about that time you just want to smack them - if only to shut them up, since it's obvious that they haven't a brain in their head to knock sense into. It's not that I'm cynical. I'm a realist. The realist doesn't see the glass half-empty or half-full; the realist looks at the glass, sees that they've got to make sure that it doesn't get knocked over while others are moving around the room, and understands that eventually, someone (most likely them) will have to take it to the kitchen and clean it. I see the world as it is, not as it "should be". Yes, it's true - if people WERE nice to one another, and DID get along, and COULD accept one another for who they were and not for any number of possible disqualifying issues, then the world would be a great (if boring) place.
The truth of the matter is that human nature won't allow such things to happen. We are, by nature, a group of materialistic, jealous, greedy bunch of creatures who want a lot, but don't necessarily want to give in order to receive. We can *choose* to be different... we can *choose* to accept that person across the room as different and not abandon them when the house we're both in is set on fire... But that's the whole point, isn't it. It's about choice - and we, as a group, have chosen not to do so. I don't like people. Individual persons are great, but people? Well, as K would say, "People are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals - and you know it."
So yeah - those would be the most that I have issues with within the Neo-Pagan and Pagan communities. Which is why I'm a solitary practitioner, and proud of the fact that I question my religion almost daily, and reconcile with it at the end of the day because I can prove to myself that it's the right one for ME.
~M
What are some things that people do in the name of paganism or neo-paganism that tend to annoy you?
Hmmm... I think that being so totally self-rightious about their religion is one that irks me... But then, that's not just in the Pagan or neo-pagan community - that's pretty much everywhere. Those who believe that their religion is the ONLY religion out there, and it's the only RIGHT religion to pick - well, they're as bad as those they rant against. There's a great quote from my fiance regarding religion, and it explains why A. I'm a solitary practitioner, and B. he's a devoted athiest: There is no religion which, when practiced fully, condones the subjigation, mutilation, or killing of another for ANY reason. Fred's decided that he will remain an athiest until all religions understand this, accept it, embrace it, and preach it fully and honestly. I don't blame him.
People who say that Wicca is better than all other religions are no better than the Roman Catholics who say that Roman Catholisism is better than all other religions... Remember that those who believed that there is only *ONE* true religion, and that one religion was the only way to go created the Inquisition - and it can go both ways.
Also - those who aren't willing to do the work and look into, understand, question, even dis-prove parts of, the religion they wish to be a part of... They irk me. I've had a few run-in's with people like this. I watched as they duct-taped together portions of each of the sabbat rituals into something that they liked, rather than keep with traditions - and then looked down on me when I declined the invite to join in... It's not that I'm not into doing things a little differently - but for someone who was booted from a coven for not studying the mysteries of the religion, and then deciding to simply make something up and call it "official"... Well, I have to say that it doesn't strike me as someone who wants to do a lot of soul searching for something as important as a religious belief. If you're not willing to work and question and dig into your religion, then you shouldn't be a part of it - and you certainly shouldn't be calling yourself the LEADER of such a religion.
Another thing that irks me to no end is the "fluffy bunnies" - you know the ones... The ones that bounce up to you at a party and have coven names like "The sparkle fairy princess coven of light and moonbeams", and member names like "Sunshine EverDance" and "Moondrivel RiverDance". They tell you that being a Wiccan is just the most nicety-nice thing in the whole world, and if everyone would join them and just be nice the world would be filled with sparkles and rainbows and lolly-pops and...
And about that time you just want to smack them - if only to shut them up, since it's obvious that they haven't a brain in their head to knock sense into. It's not that I'm cynical. I'm a realist. The realist doesn't see the glass half-empty or half-full; the realist looks at the glass, sees that they've got to make sure that it doesn't get knocked over while others are moving around the room, and understands that eventually, someone (most likely them) will have to take it to the kitchen and clean it. I see the world as it is, not as it "should be". Yes, it's true - if people WERE nice to one another, and DID get along, and COULD accept one another for who they were and not for any number of possible disqualifying issues, then the world would be a great (if boring) place.
The truth of the matter is that human nature won't allow such things to happen. We are, by nature, a group of materialistic, jealous, greedy bunch of creatures who want a lot, but don't necessarily want to give in order to receive. We can *choose* to be different... we can *choose* to accept that person across the room as different and not abandon them when the house we're both in is set on fire... But that's the whole point, isn't it. It's about choice - and we, as a group, have chosen not to do so. I don't like people. Individual persons are great, but people? Well, as K would say, "People are dumb, panicky, dangerous animals - and you know it."
So yeah - those would be the most that I have issues with within the Neo-Pagan and Pagan communities. Which is why I'm a solitary practitioner, and proud of the fact that I question my religion almost daily, and reconcile with it at the end of the day because I can prove to myself that it's the right one for ME.
~M
Argh! Foiled again!!!
Why is it, every time I find a comfy clothing item that I like, invariably the company that makes it either gets sold out and the new company stops making the product, or the company itself simply quits making it for what I see is no apparent reason?!
Take for instance, my FormFit(tm) undies... They are comfy, cotton undies that fit everywhere - they don't slide, they don't roll down, they don't cause chafing, the elastic is completely wrapped in the fabric, they were affordable... AND now that they're not their own company, but under Jockey, Jockey has decided to NOT MAKE THEM ANYMORE! They have something similar, but there's no guarantee that they'll fit - and since it's Jockey, and I have had issues in the past with Jockey fitting large women, I doubt that it will be the same.
So - I'm back to going to either Lane Bryant or Avenue to get my undies - and at a MUCH higher price. FormFit were 6 in a package for $12. If I'm lucky, I can get 4 for $20 at either LB or Avenue. Yay... I can't even find any on EBAY, for the Lord and Lady's sake.
While I realize this may not be a complete crisis or anything, it's bloody annoying to realize that my foundation garments are no longer being stocked - it's about as annoying as it is to find that my bra size keeps fluctuating between a 42DD and a 44DDD depending on the cut, maker, and fabric type. Bleh!
Oh - and I *HATE* shopping for clothes as it is. This means I have to actually go out LOOKING instead of knowing where to go exactly and just go in, buy it, and get out. GAH!
~M
Take for instance, my FormFit(tm) undies... They are comfy, cotton undies that fit everywhere - they don't slide, they don't roll down, they don't cause chafing, the elastic is completely wrapped in the fabric, they were affordable... AND now that they're not their own company, but under Jockey, Jockey has decided to NOT MAKE THEM ANYMORE! They have something similar, but there's no guarantee that they'll fit - and since it's Jockey, and I have had issues in the past with Jockey fitting large women, I doubt that it will be the same.
So - I'm back to going to either Lane Bryant or Avenue to get my undies - and at a MUCH higher price. FormFit were 6 in a package for $12. If I'm lucky, I can get 4 for $20 at either LB or Avenue. Yay... I can't even find any on EBAY, for the Lord and Lady's sake.
While I realize this may not be a complete crisis or anything, it's bloody annoying to realize that my foundation garments are no longer being stocked - it's about as annoying as it is to find that my bra size keeps fluctuating between a 42DD and a 44DDD depending on the cut, maker, and fabric type. Bleh!
Oh - and I *HATE* shopping for clothes as it is. This means I have to actually go out LOOKING instead of knowing where to go exactly and just go in, buy it, and get out. GAH!
~M
Tuesday, November 07, 2006
Witches Weekly Question...
Who has been a spiritual mentor for you during your path? If you do not have one (or even if you do), what motivates you to stay on your spiritual path?
An interesting question... My spiritual mentor? Well... I guess that's been a sort of combination of friends and my Mother - and my own personal moral beliefs. I was raised with what those in the craft call the "Rede" since I was born, by a parent who was not in the craft - it was simply the most sensible thing she could come up with that made sense to us kids. Religion wasn't a big thing in our house - my father really wasn't a religious person, and my mom was disenchanted with the secular areas she had been exposed to. She handed me a stack of different religious texts when I was 13 and said to choose for myself.
As for what motivates me to stay on my spiritual path - Myself, I guess, is the answer to what keeps me on my spiritual path. I've always felt that there was something bigger that couldn't be defined or cubby-holed into a specific religion, that was out there... It's not that I believe in any one divine being - or that I believe in many of them... I simply believe - that's all.
I'm of a serious mind that Terry Pratchett has it right - believing in gods is sort of like believing in the Postman... You already know that they exist, that they'll be there every day, whether you actually are there at the postal box or not. It's what you do in your daily life that matters and reflects your personal beliefs, more than whether you happen to be standing there, waiting for the letter to arrive.
Of course, that begs the question as to whether I believe in a structured spiritual path and worship... No, I do not. If I did, I'd be a HUGE hypocrite, as I don't have a set time for me to do alter work or anything. I'm a solitary practitioner because I don't like dealing with other people's drama - nor do I like dealing with how other people feel that I "should" be worshipping. I believe that my daily actions and thoughts are enough for day-to-day things, and if I need something additional, such as advice or guidance, I can choose to meditate upon the question until I can find the best answer possible - whether that be within myself, or to ask someone else for advice to help me.
I don't believe that having high holy day celebrations or equinox rituals make me any better of a person than those who go to church each Sunday. I give thanks every day for the gifts I have received, which include my health, my family, the roof over my head, and the food on my table. I do this by doing the best that I can each day, and choosing to not wallow in self pity too much when things get hard for me.
I believe that each person is in charge of their own lives, and can choose to do good things or bad, regardless of how they were raised. There are very few exceptions to this belief, and those that are - well, there's something seriously mentally wrong that no amount of medication or treatment can fix. I believe that each person has the power to make their own way through life, without purposely hurting another person. I believe that indirect hurts are just as bad as direct hurts. I believe that each person needs to make atonement for their actions if they end up hurting another person - especially if they do so purposely. I don't believe that a spiritual leader has the ability to take payment for atonement and make it a "done deal" (indulgences, etc). I don't believe that sitting on your knees saying "hail mary's" or "Our Father's" is atonement, either. I believe that atonement comes from within, and affects the person wronged directly and personally - and can only be done once you feel true remorse at your actions.
So, there you have it - some of the things that I believe, and my answer to the Witches Weekly Question...
~M
An interesting question... My spiritual mentor? Well... I guess that's been a sort of combination of friends and my Mother - and my own personal moral beliefs. I was raised with what those in the craft call the "Rede" since I was born, by a parent who was not in the craft - it was simply the most sensible thing she could come up with that made sense to us kids. Religion wasn't a big thing in our house - my father really wasn't a religious person, and my mom was disenchanted with the secular areas she had been exposed to. She handed me a stack of different religious texts when I was 13 and said to choose for myself.
As for what motivates me to stay on my spiritual path - Myself, I guess, is the answer to what keeps me on my spiritual path. I've always felt that there was something bigger that couldn't be defined or cubby-holed into a specific religion, that was out there... It's not that I believe in any one divine being - or that I believe in many of them... I simply believe - that's all.
I'm of a serious mind that Terry Pratchett has it right - believing in gods is sort of like believing in the Postman... You already know that they exist, that they'll be there every day, whether you actually are there at the postal box or not. It's what you do in your daily life that matters and reflects your personal beliefs, more than whether you happen to be standing there, waiting for the letter to arrive.
Of course, that begs the question as to whether I believe in a structured spiritual path and worship... No, I do not. If I did, I'd be a HUGE hypocrite, as I don't have a set time for me to do alter work or anything. I'm a solitary practitioner because I don't like dealing with other people's drama - nor do I like dealing with how other people feel that I "should" be worshipping. I believe that my daily actions and thoughts are enough for day-to-day things, and if I need something additional, such as advice or guidance, I can choose to meditate upon the question until I can find the best answer possible - whether that be within myself, or to ask someone else for advice to help me.
I don't believe that having high holy day celebrations or equinox rituals make me any better of a person than those who go to church each Sunday. I give thanks every day for the gifts I have received, which include my health, my family, the roof over my head, and the food on my table. I do this by doing the best that I can each day, and choosing to not wallow in self pity too much when things get hard for me.
I believe that each person is in charge of their own lives, and can choose to do good things or bad, regardless of how they were raised. There are very few exceptions to this belief, and those that are - well, there's something seriously mentally wrong that no amount of medication or treatment can fix. I believe that each person has the power to make their own way through life, without purposely hurting another person. I believe that indirect hurts are just as bad as direct hurts. I believe that each person needs to make atonement for their actions if they end up hurting another person - especially if they do so purposely. I don't believe that a spiritual leader has the ability to take payment for atonement and make it a "done deal" (indulgences, etc). I don't believe that sitting on your knees saying "hail mary's" or "Our Father's" is atonement, either. I believe that atonement comes from within, and affects the person wronged directly and personally - and can only be done once you feel true remorse at your actions.
So, there you have it - some of the things that I believe, and my answer to the Witches Weekly Question...
~M
Friday, November 03, 2006
You know you've been raised by housecats when...
After your 3-day stint at work (10-hour days, not including the ride there and back), you spend most of your day off lounging, napping, and generally being lazy instead of doing things you *should* be doing - like cleaning the house, sewing your winter coat, working on wedding invites, etc...
Apparently I was raised by housecats. LOL. I was up at 7 am and fed the cat, then went back to bed and napped until 10... dreaming about sleeping. *snicker*
I'm off today, then work tomorrow, then am off for 2 days... Since my automatic deposit doesn't kick in until next paycheck, I'm heading in to pick it up today and deposit it - then it's back home to do something constructive - hopefully to finish the coat. I'll be food shopping on Sunday *shudder*. I hate shopping on the first weekend of the month. Those that I call "professional breeders" are out in full force after getting their welfare checks - with all of their badly-behaved offspring in tow. I realize that there are those on welfare who are NOT professional breeders. They are in that situation because it's necessary for the moment and they're working hard to get themselves off of it. HOWEVER - they have become the few, the noble, the ones that I end up lumping in with honest politicians and the Easter Bunny. See, the ones that I normally run into are those who are here in the US by questionable means, and/or those who are simply too lazy to work at all for a living - and are trying to convince their 16-year-old daughter that SHE needs to get pregnant now, so that they won't lose any of their welfare income.
I wasn't honestly prepared to have this be a political debate today, so I'm going to stop there and go catch my bus... This is, however, a subject that I'm sure I'll visit again...
~M
Apparently I was raised by housecats. LOL. I was up at 7 am and fed the cat, then went back to bed and napped until 10... dreaming about sleeping. *snicker*
I'm off today, then work tomorrow, then am off for 2 days... Since my automatic deposit doesn't kick in until next paycheck, I'm heading in to pick it up today and deposit it - then it's back home to do something constructive - hopefully to finish the coat. I'll be food shopping on Sunday *shudder*. I hate shopping on the first weekend of the month. Those that I call "professional breeders" are out in full force after getting their welfare checks - with all of their badly-behaved offspring in tow. I realize that there are those on welfare who are NOT professional breeders. They are in that situation because it's necessary for the moment and they're working hard to get themselves off of it. HOWEVER - they have become the few, the noble, the ones that I end up lumping in with honest politicians and the Easter Bunny. See, the ones that I normally run into are those who are here in the US by questionable means, and/or those who are simply too lazy to work at all for a living - and are trying to convince their 16-year-old daughter that SHE needs to get pregnant now, so that they won't lose any of their welfare income.
I wasn't honestly prepared to have this be a political debate today, so I'm going to stop there and go catch my bus... This is, however, a subject that I'm sure I'll visit again...
~M
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Wonder-Feast powers! Activate!!
Form of: Steamed water!
Shape of: various seafood!
Yeah - it's weird, but it works... sort of. I've come to the conclusion that I'm NUTS for doing this... Instead of a separate holiday dinner and thanksgiving dinner, I'm doing this combo feast thing... It's gonna be expensive, and I'm already stressing out about it. Not to mention the fact that my mother wants me to come up to visit for "official" thanksgiving - which I can't do since I'm busy saving up money for the holiday feast. I've sent an invite to her to come down HERE, but I doubt that will happen. I may have bitten off more than I can chew. That's not to say that it won't happen - it will. I just may not be able to pull off everything that I wanted to...
I am also starting the holiday blues... It happens every year. I worry about the lack of fundage for pressies, the food, the entertainment, the general well-being for my friends... and the lack of sunshine for myself. I've thought about heading to Aruba, but ironically, I would need money for it, which I don't have. *chuckle*
This year, on top of the dinner and the lack of money, I also have to worry about keeping my new job, doing photo shoots, finishing my winter coat and working on wedding plans... I think I may have two or three too many plates to spin here... I'm not sure... I haven't heard from anyone willing to help me with the wedding stuff yet, so I'm doing it on my own, like I did for the last one. I'm not going to worry about a bridal shower or bachelorette party - the last time, Kate was supposed to be in charge of it and she waited until the night before the wedding to even plan it.
bleh...
~M
Shape of: various seafood!
Yeah - it's weird, but it works... sort of. I've come to the conclusion that I'm NUTS for doing this... Instead of a separate holiday dinner and thanksgiving dinner, I'm doing this combo feast thing... It's gonna be expensive, and I'm already stressing out about it. Not to mention the fact that my mother wants me to come up to visit for "official" thanksgiving - which I can't do since I'm busy saving up money for the holiday feast. I've sent an invite to her to come down HERE, but I doubt that will happen. I may have bitten off more than I can chew. That's not to say that it won't happen - it will. I just may not be able to pull off everything that I wanted to...
I am also starting the holiday blues... It happens every year. I worry about the lack of fundage for pressies, the food, the entertainment, the general well-being for my friends... and the lack of sunshine for myself. I've thought about heading to Aruba, but ironically, I would need money for it, which I don't have. *chuckle*
This year, on top of the dinner and the lack of money, I also have to worry about keeping my new job, doing photo shoots, finishing my winter coat and working on wedding plans... I think I may have two or three too many plates to spin here... I'm not sure... I haven't heard from anyone willing to help me with the wedding stuff yet, so I'm doing it on my own, like I did for the last one. I'm not going to worry about a bridal shower or bachelorette party - the last time, Kate was supposed to be in charge of it and she waited until the night before the wedding to even plan it.
bleh...
~M
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Happy Candy Corporation Support Day!
OK - so I don't like the corporate thing that Halloween has become. I like what it was; I especially love the Dia De Los Muertos that the Hispanics celebrate (there's something about a lot of skeletons dancing around that amuse me greatly). I like what Halloween was when I was growing up: it was homemade costumes, home-made candy, bobbing for apples, and a fun party at the house with all your friends.
Now, there's warnings everywhere, heavens forbid you should even *think* of serving or passing out home-made goodies, and your children will beg you unmercilessly for a store-bought costume appropriate to their style of thinking... *sigh*
I will say that I love dressing up for halloween. I love the holiday for what I remember it as... I'm just not in love with what corporate fearmongers have turned it into...
~M
Now, there's warnings everywhere, heavens forbid you should even *think* of serving or passing out home-made goodies, and your children will beg you unmercilessly for a store-bought costume appropriate to their style of thinking... *sigh*
I will say that I love dressing up for halloween. I love the holiday for what I remember it as... I'm just not in love with what corporate fearmongers have turned it into...
~M
Monday, October 30, 2006
New schedule, and lots of fun this last weekend...
So, today marks the start of my new schedule. I have Monday, Friday and Sunday off now. I have to write it that way to remind myself that our weeks start on Monday and end on Sundays. I do get two days off in a row, which is nice, and I get to have Saturday nights now to do what I wanna do, instead of going to bed early and going back to work on Sundays - late.
Saturday, Fred's new fire troupe, Pyrophelia, made its debut at a party up in Klatskanie, OR. It was at an old friend of mine's house so I got to see him. I hadn't seen him or his family in... well, lessee... Not since the end of the nasty divorce I went through. I'd heard some really mean and nasty things said about him and his new girlfriend - specifically about their treatment of his son (my godson). Turns out, it was pretty much completely rumor and made-up crap by his ex-wife and her friends. My godson is fine, adjusting quite well to his situation, very happy, much more grown-up and well-mannered than he had been, and is very helpful and interested in the world around him. I can only attribute that to a combination of the ADHD medication they have him on and a good, stress-free, stable homelife where he gets the right kind of attention and immediate discipline when he needs it.
It was a great show, and I got to guest with them. I played around with Fred's fire fans, as well as my sword and my palm torches. We got video of the whole shebang, and I have to say that, other than not necessarily liking my outfit currently, I did pretty well. The rest of the troupe did really well for only having 3 weeks to practice, tops, and the audience, being mostly the local townsfolk, were extremely impressed and excited about having fire there in the first place. All and all, a good way to give the troupe its first teething session.
Afterwards we socialized with everyone. My old friend and I caught up a bit, and shared a few good hugs and some laughs. His brother, Donut, and I chatted for a good hour or so about travel outside the US and food. Donut just came back from yet another trip to China, and is headed out to Mexico today for another trip. He's a computer programmer, and makes really good money - so can afford to head out and stay at hostels for a week, wandering through countries and generally learning about the area and its culture. I envy that. I'd love to be able to head out and travel. On the other hand, I'd also be really glad to head home and spend some quality time with family and friends, too.
We made it back home around 3 am, and I was unable to make it to work yesterday from being exhausted and not getting enough sleep. That was ok, as it was a sort of "we realize you may or may not be able to make it here on Sunday - just call us and let us know" type of deal at work. Which was fine. Tomorrow is Halloween, and I will be getting to wear my Sari to work. Yay me! I'm actually quite excited, as I love it and haven't gotten to wear it very often. I'll hopefully get some good piccies of me and post them up.
The wedding stuff is proceeding. Currently my plate is more full of trying to get my coat done so I won't freeze in the mornings or evenings. I really want to get it done by the end of this week, at the latest. It's getting overly foggy and cold in the mornings and I don't enjoy it one bit. One of the downsides of living here in the Pac NW. I love the fall colors, but I hate the cold, and the lack of sunshine. *sigh*
Other than that, there's not much to report. I have been updating on my wedding info page, so if you're curious, please feel free to look and see what's going on there...
~M
Saturday, Fred's new fire troupe, Pyrophelia, made its debut at a party up in Klatskanie, OR. It was at an old friend of mine's house so I got to see him. I hadn't seen him or his family in... well, lessee... Not since the end of the nasty divorce I went through. I'd heard some really mean and nasty things said about him and his new girlfriend - specifically about their treatment of his son (my godson). Turns out, it was pretty much completely rumor and made-up crap by his ex-wife and her friends. My godson is fine, adjusting quite well to his situation, very happy, much more grown-up and well-mannered than he had been, and is very helpful and interested in the world around him. I can only attribute that to a combination of the ADHD medication they have him on and a good, stress-free, stable homelife where he gets the right kind of attention and immediate discipline when he needs it.
It was a great show, and I got to guest with them. I played around with Fred's fire fans, as well as my sword and my palm torches. We got video of the whole shebang, and I have to say that, other than not necessarily liking my outfit currently, I did pretty well. The rest of the troupe did really well for only having 3 weeks to practice, tops, and the audience, being mostly the local townsfolk, were extremely impressed and excited about having fire there in the first place. All and all, a good way to give the troupe its first teething session.
Afterwards we socialized with everyone. My old friend and I caught up a bit, and shared a few good hugs and some laughs. His brother, Donut, and I chatted for a good hour or so about travel outside the US and food. Donut just came back from yet another trip to China, and is headed out to Mexico today for another trip. He's a computer programmer, and makes really good money - so can afford to head out and stay at hostels for a week, wandering through countries and generally learning about the area and its culture. I envy that. I'd love to be able to head out and travel. On the other hand, I'd also be really glad to head home and spend some quality time with family and friends, too.
We made it back home around 3 am, and I was unable to make it to work yesterday from being exhausted and not getting enough sleep. That was ok, as it was a sort of "we realize you may or may not be able to make it here on Sunday - just call us and let us know" type of deal at work. Which was fine. Tomorrow is Halloween, and I will be getting to wear my Sari to work. Yay me! I'm actually quite excited, as I love it and haven't gotten to wear it very often. I'll hopefully get some good piccies of me and post them up.
The wedding stuff is proceeding. Currently my plate is more full of trying to get my coat done so I won't freeze in the mornings or evenings. I really want to get it done by the end of this week, at the latest. It's getting overly foggy and cold in the mornings and I don't enjoy it one bit. One of the downsides of living here in the Pac NW. I love the fall colors, but I hate the cold, and the lack of sunshine. *sigh*
Other than that, there's not much to report. I have been updating on my wedding info page, so if you're curious, please feel free to look and see what's going on there...
~M
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Oh Random! Oh Chance!
Had to put that in today, since it's a great punchline to one of my favorite taglines, and the Luscious Lil sent me OODLES of them today. Yay me!
Today is supposed to be filled with creativeness. I'd like to say that I'm looking forward to it, but I'm not - mostly because I don't have a table to set things on in order to cut the pieces out. I'm working on a winter coat. It's getting to that seasonably cool time of the year wherein, if I have to be outside waiting for the bus at 5:30 am, I need to have something warmer than a hoodie on.
The fabric is stuff that I picked up a few years ago at Pendleton Woolen Mills Outlet. It's a lovely black, white, and bright royal blue random weave, about medium weight. I'm lining it with a powder blue rayon/nylon fabric, machine embroidered into having flowers and vines everywhere on it. Anxiety may remember it, as I gave her some of the same fabric for her birthday two years ago, along with some trim. The torso portion will also have a 3rd inner lining set between the two, of lightweight polar fleece, in order to make sure that I'm actually WARM. It's going to be really pretty - it's also a pain in the ASS, as I'm modifying a cassock pattern to make the damned thing, and there's a lot of pinning, sewing and modification to fit my body type. *sigh* I swear, I need to have my head examined when I decide to do such things.
Before I do that, though, I have to get dressed and head down to the bank to deposit money into Fred's account, then pick him up his November bus pass. And it's raining. Perfect.
~M
Today is supposed to be filled with creativeness. I'd like to say that I'm looking forward to it, but I'm not - mostly because I don't have a table to set things on in order to cut the pieces out. I'm working on a winter coat. It's getting to that seasonably cool time of the year wherein, if I have to be outside waiting for the bus at 5:30 am, I need to have something warmer than a hoodie on.
The fabric is stuff that I picked up a few years ago at Pendleton Woolen Mills Outlet. It's a lovely black, white, and bright royal blue random weave, about medium weight. I'm lining it with a powder blue rayon/nylon fabric, machine embroidered into having flowers and vines everywhere on it. Anxiety may remember it, as I gave her some of the same fabric for her birthday two years ago, along with some trim. The torso portion will also have a 3rd inner lining set between the two, of lightweight polar fleece, in order to make sure that I'm actually WARM. It's going to be really pretty - it's also a pain in the ASS, as I'm modifying a cassock pattern to make the damned thing, and there's a lot of pinning, sewing and modification to fit my body type. *sigh* I swear, I need to have my head examined when I decide to do such things.
Before I do that, though, I have to get dressed and head down to the bank to deposit money into Fred's account, then pick him up his November bus pass. And it's raining. Perfect.
~M
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Oh joy!
So, Speedboy is currently suspended from school for punching another student in the face while they were in line for the bus. Since there's no school either today or tomorrow, this means he'll be home through Monday.
I ranted to his mother yesterday about it while I was at work because I was at my wits end with his actions and attitude. Supposedly the school was to get him started with counselling and special ed classes, but he's not in them, from what I can tell. He's in his normal 8th grade curriculum, with no counselling, no special classes, and no help - which means that he's just as bad off as he was last year. His mom (GothickAngel) and I chatted back and forth for a few hours about it, and she's going to be joining in on the parent-teacher conference tonight via phone (she lives in another state).
She, Fred and I will be kicking some major Boo-Tay about this whole situation, and if they refuse to do anything about it, or worse, promise that it's going to change and it doesn't, she and I are going to be taking this to the State BOE and see what THEY say about it. I'm tired of it. I'm tired of the unfulfilled promises, the condescending attitudes, the platitudes, and the overall uninterested-ness of the school to help Speedboy. Fred and I are doing everything we can, and it's not helping - since THEY have him 40 hours a week, THEY should be doing more to assist him, dammit!
GAH!
GothickAngel has offered to pay for counselling outside of school for him, should we end up needing to take him there. I'm thinking this would be a Good Thing, regardless of whether the school starts him in counselling or not. William Temple House does counselling for $5 / session, so I can take him down there on my day off during the week, and have him go through everything. Perhaps even get into a family counselling session or something, if necessary (or possible), so that all 3 of us are on the same page.
So, on to other things at this point - It's too early to get all worked up about this right now, and until this evening at 7:30, there's nothing further I can really DO about it, anyway.
Wedding preparations are proceeding well. I got the design down for the wedding invites, including the insert and the RSVP cards. Now I need to have the RSVP's and the outside of the main invitation copied onto card stock, paint all the base coats, and then have them copied in color en mass. Then I'll go back and highlight them all with white-lining. If you have NO idea what I'm talking about, you can go here and enjoy the basic lessons of illumination... These are some incredible designs that have been created - by hand - and painted - by hand... It's breathtaking.
I also need to head to The Paper Zone (or equivalent) and get some nice paper stock for the invitation insert, as well as the information regarding how to get there, etc... I'm hoping for some vellum-like or really light-weight substance with a light design on it, in a really subtle blue color.
I'm getting beads and charms for the favors. I have an idea - I just need to impliment it. LOL... We'll see how cool it looks once I create one. I'm also getting a tiara for the wedding. I don't just want to feel like a princess, I want to LOOK like one, too. *chuckle*
Other than that, I do need to go to work tomorrow and work on some decorations for the Halloween thing - I won't be there for it (that's my day off) but I would like to help out. Besides, I have to go in tomorrow to pick up my paycheck. Yay. And talk with my boss about what's going to happen with Sundays, since she hasn't gotten back to me on it. Yay.
~M
I ranted to his mother yesterday about it while I was at work because I was at my wits end with his actions and attitude. Supposedly the school was to get him started with counselling and special ed classes, but he's not in them, from what I can tell. He's in his normal 8th grade curriculum, with no counselling, no special classes, and no help - which means that he's just as bad off as he was last year. His mom (GothickAngel) and I chatted back and forth for a few hours about it, and she's going to be joining in on the parent-teacher conference tonight via phone (she lives in another state).
She, Fred and I will be kicking some major Boo-Tay about this whole situation, and if they refuse to do anything about it, or worse, promise that it's going to change and it doesn't, she and I are going to be taking this to the State BOE and see what THEY say about it. I'm tired of it. I'm tired of the unfulfilled promises, the condescending attitudes, the platitudes, and the overall uninterested-ness of the school to help Speedboy. Fred and I are doing everything we can, and it's not helping - since THEY have him 40 hours a week, THEY should be doing more to assist him, dammit!
GAH!
GothickAngel has offered to pay for counselling outside of school for him, should we end up needing to take him there. I'm thinking this would be a Good Thing, regardless of whether the school starts him in counselling or not. William Temple House does counselling for $5 / session, so I can take him down there on my day off during the week, and have him go through everything. Perhaps even get into a family counselling session or something, if necessary (or possible), so that all 3 of us are on the same page.
So, on to other things at this point - It's too early to get all worked up about this right now, and until this evening at 7:30, there's nothing further I can really DO about it, anyway.
Wedding preparations are proceeding well. I got the design down for the wedding invites, including the insert and the RSVP cards. Now I need to have the RSVP's and the outside of the main invitation copied onto card stock, paint all the base coats, and then have them copied in color en mass. Then I'll go back and highlight them all with white-lining. If you have NO idea what I'm talking about, you can go here and enjoy the basic lessons of illumination... These are some incredible designs that have been created - by hand - and painted - by hand... It's breathtaking.
I also need to head to The Paper Zone (or equivalent) and get some nice paper stock for the invitation insert, as well as the information regarding how to get there, etc... I'm hoping for some vellum-like or really light-weight substance with a light design on it, in a really subtle blue color.
I'm getting beads and charms for the favors. I have an idea - I just need to impliment it. LOL... We'll see how cool it looks once I create one. I'm also getting a tiara for the wedding. I don't just want to feel like a princess, I want to LOOK like one, too. *chuckle*
Other than that, I do need to go to work tomorrow and work on some decorations for the Halloween thing - I won't be there for it (that's my day off) but I would like to help out. Besides, I have to go in tomorrow to pick up my paycheck. Yay. And talk with my boss about what's going to happen with Sundays, since she hasn't gotten back to me on it. Yay.
~M
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Bwa ha ha ha ha! My Great Grand Uncle would be proud!
Ursula Vernon was featured the other day on Eros Blog - I was SO amused that I had to place the info here as well...
She explains it all here. The funniest thing about it is that she chose one of my ancestors to place on said poster... Hey, does that mean that I'm gonna get royalties? Nah. Probably not. *chuckle*
~M
She explains it all here. The funniest thing about it is that she chose one of my ancestors to place on said poster... Hey, does that mean that I'm gonna get royalties? Nah. Probably not. *chuckle*
~M
Sunday, October 15, 2006
updating...
So, today I updated my page here on the left side... You'll see there's nifty linkage to the wedding info and stuff. It'll be easier for everyone interested to go there and see what's going on, than worry about sliding back through the archives trying to find out information the night before. LOL.
The venue has been tentatively set - you can check out said nifty linkage for pictures of the site. The cost is going to be really reasonable. It'll mean that we will have to move across town from one spot to the other for the wedding vs the reception - BUT - that's ok. I think that's totally workable, not to mention reasonable, as most people will be coming from all over, and the reception can be held in a fairly centrally located spot.
I need to start working on updating the dress. I'm not going to wear my original Elizabethan. First, I was married in it the first time - bad juju. Second, while it's really pretty, it was a show-piece, and not really... well... me. So, I'll be wearing my blue Elizabethan, updated with pearls and seed beads all over the bodice, and some extra fabric over the skirt. I'll end up looking something like Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty or something.
I'm also going to splurge and get my hair profesionally styled for the day. I think I'm worth it, since last time I just left it down and didn't do anything with it. It was lovely, but hot.
I will say that I need help from everyone who can in making favors for the guests: ideas, creations, whatnot. Our colors are blue and cream, with touches of black. So - anyone who is living near me who would like to help a giddy bride-to-be out, please reach out and sma-- er, I mean, drop me a line. *chuckle*
I have 2.5 hours left and I will be able to leave here and head to Lil's house. She's been gracious enough to agree to run me over to Slasher's place for the birthday party they're having for his one-year-old. I got him a pirate ship... It's a Fisher Price Little People model (the ship only - this pic includes the rest of the packs you can get, too), and is adorable. It comes with a parrot that, when pressed, sings, squawks, and makes sounds like a cannon booming and splashing into the water. It also comes with a cannon that can launch it's cannonball out across the room. Bwa ha ha ha ha. Totally perfect, and it should last him several years of playing. Really reasonable price for it, too.
I am still enjoying my job, though I'll be glad when I get my new schedule. I won't have to work Sundays or Mondays, and won't have to work Fridays, either. Will be MUCH better on my sanity, as well as my attendance adherance, since Sundays will be getting me here at least 45 minutes late, no matter what I do. *sigh* Other nice thing: Fred and I will have Fridays off together, and I'll be able to go to Pirate Karaoke without having to ditch early like I did last night.
Other than that, nothing much is really happening. I'm trying to get as much planned as possible for now for the wedding, so I won't have to stress about it later on. I learned the last time that it's easier to just get what we can done, and worry about the rest of it as it comes up. Speaking of which - I need to start working on invitations, too... whee!
~M
The venue has been tentatively set - you can check out said nifty linkage for pictures of the site. The cost is going to be really reasonable. It'll mean that we will have to move across town from one spot to the other for the wedding vs the reception - BUT - that's ok. I think that's totally workable, not to mention reasonable, as most people will be coming from all over, and the reception can be held in a fairly centrally located spot.
I need to start working on updating the dress. I'm not going to wear my original Elizabethan. First, I was married in it the first time - bad juju. Second, while it's really pretty, it was a show-piece, and not really... well... me. So, I'll be wearing my blue Elizabethan, updated with pearls and seed beads all over the bodice, and some extra fabric over the skirt. I'll end up looking something like Cinderella or Sleeping Beauty or something.
I'm also going to splurge and get my hair profesionally styled for the day. I think I'm worth it, since last time I just left it down and didn't do anything with it. It was lovely, but hot.
I will say that I need help from everyone who can in making favors for the guests: ideas, creations, whatnot. Our colors are blue and cream, with touches of black. So - anyone who is living near me who would like to help a giddy bride-to-be out, please reach out and sma-- er, I mean, drop me a line. *chuckle*
I have 2.5 hours left and I will be able to leave here and head to Lil's house. She's been gracious enough to agree to run me over to Slasher's place for the birthday party they're having for his one-year-old. I got him a pirate ship... It's a Fisher Price Little People model (the ship only - this pic includes the rest of the packs you can get, too), and is adorable. It comes with a parrot that, when pressed, sings, squawks, and makes sounds like a cannon booming and splashing into the water. It also comes with a cannon that can launch it's cannonball out across the room. Bwa ha ha ha ha. Totally perfect, and it should last him several years of playing. Really reasonable price for it, too.
I am still enjoying my job, though I'll be glad when I get my new schedule. I won't have to work Sundays or Mondays, and won't have to work Fridays, either. Will be MUCH better on my sanity, as well as my attendance adherance, since Sundays will be getting me here at least 45 minutes late, no matter what I do. *sigh* Other nice thing: Fred and I will have Fridays off together, and I'll be able to go to Pirate Karaoke without having to ditch early like I did last night.
Other than that, nothing much is really happening. I'm trying to get as much planned as possible for now for the wedding, so I won't have to stress about it later on. I learned the last time that it's easier to just get what we can done, and worry about the rest of it as it comes up. Speaking of which - I need to start working on invitations, too... whee!
~M
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Petty annoyances...
I have now been awake for over 24 hours, and I'm not happy about it... Insomnia is really not a good thing for people when they have to work. I'm not sure exactly WHY I had it last night, but I did. Could have been due to the excitement of officially learning how to eat fire, could have been hormones... Not sure - whatever it was, I think I got a total of 2 hours sleep last night, and had to be up at 5 this morning to head in to work...
Only to find that once I got here, the outside badge plate wouldn't recognize my badge. Thankfully I arrived early enough that I could sit on hold for the toll free number into my work (because I didn't want to be late - nor did I know who would be scheduled to be here today) so that I could be let in said front door, since there's no security guards here.
Oh, and tomorrow being Sunday, I will be arriving at work one hour LATE, thanks to our beloved transit system, who insists that no one apparently needs my particular bus prior to 7:35 in the morning - and I live about an hour's bus ride away from work (give or take about 15 minutes for traffic). Nice.
Whilst updating the information for our wedding registries (we have LOTS now), I found that KMart SUCKS ASS for what they have available. Yes, I've been registering at KMart - also WalMart - because we have friends who are not financially stable, but who may want to give us affordable gifts. SO - we're attempting to cover everyone's options. In any case - not everything available at KMart is available at their "wedding section". It's making me totally agro - I'd love to get some bath sheets, but we can't put them on our list unless I take time and go INTO the store. Bleh. What good is online shopping if you're not going to allow ordering for everything you have available?
All sorts of petty things annoying me today - MySpace saying people are on when they're not... reps calling me for information on how to do something, then stating after the fact that they don't know the steps on how to do said something prior to getting to the point that they want to be at. argh, argh, argh...
Oh - and I won't be able to spend more than an hour or so at PK tonight because I have to wake up in the morning and go to work. I can't wait for my new schedule to start. Will be MUCH better, with Friday, Sun and Mon off... Yay me. I can deal with working during the days on Saturday, and by next tourney season, I should have enough seniority to request a different schedule with Friday/Sat/Sun off. Yay me again.
Bleh - I really just want to crawl back into bed and sleep for a good 12 hours...
~M
Only to find that once I got here, the outside badge plate wouldn't recognize my badge. Thankfully I arrived early enough that I could sit on hold for the toll free number into my work (because I didn't want to be late - nor did I know who would be scheduled to be here today) so that I could be let in said front door, since there's no security guards here.
Oh, and tomorrow being Sunday, I will be arriving at work one hour LATE, thanks to our beloved transit system, who insists that no one apparently needs my particular bus prior to 7:35 in the morning - and I live about an hour's bus ride away from work (give or take about 15 minutes for traffic). Nice.
Whilst updating the information for our wedding registries (we have LOTS now), I found that KMart SUCKS ASS for what they have available. Yes, I've been registering at KMart - also WalMart - because we have friends who are not financially stable, but who may want to give us affordable gifts. SO - we're attempting to cover everyone's options. In any case - not everything available at KMart is available at their "wedding section". It's making me totally agro - I'd love to get some bath sheets, but we can't put them on our list unless I take time and go INTO the store. Bleh. What good is online shopping if you're not going to allow ordering for everything you have available?
All sorts of petty things annoying me today - MySpace saying people are on when they're not... reps calling me for information on how to do something, then stating after the fact that they don't know the steps on how to do said something prior to getting to the point that they want to be at. argh, argh, argh...
Oh - and I won't be able to spend more than an hour or so at PK tonight because I have to wake up in the morning and go to work. I can't wait for my new schedule to start. Will be MUCH better, with Friday, Sun and Mon off... Yay me. I can deal with working during the days on Saturday, and by next tourney season, I should have enough seniority to request a different schedule with Friday/Sat/Sun off. Yay me again.
Bleh - I really just want to crawl back into bed and sleep for a good 12 hours...
~M
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Let's say I break into your house...
I'm not normally political here - I believe that people have a right to believing in whatever they choose to, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else. I also believe that people have the right to believe those things without having to hear others rant on about their own beliefs (the old "if you don't like it, don't read it / look at it / consider it" thing is OH so right at times).
But every so often it comes to my attention via friends who are like-minded (or those who love to play devil's advocate - which I *LOVE* to play), and it just strikes me as totally, directly right on... The following gem, for example, was sent to me via Mum...
A lady wrote the best letter to the Editorials in ages!! It explains things better than all the baloney you hear on TV.
"Recently large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the US might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, to stay indefinitely. Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests.
"Let's say I break into your house. Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say, "I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors; I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house).
"According to the protesters, not only must you let me stay, you must add me to your family's insurance plan, educate my kids, and provide other benefits to me and to my family (my husband will do your yard work because he too is hard-working and honest, except for that breaking in part). If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my right to be there. It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm hard-working and honest, um, except for, well, you know.
"And what a deal it is for me!! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice and being an anti-housebreaker. Oh yeah, and I want you to learn my language so you can communicate with me."
Why can't people see how ridiculous this is?!
It's been one of those issues where I've hemmed and hawed about how I felt - but this particular analogy really put it into perspective... Is it the right perspective? Well, I don't know about that. I am not going to say whether it's right or wrong. But I will say that for every country I've ever **VISITED**, I've attempted at least a modicum of their language to show them that I am willing to learn. I have never ONCE assumed that someone knew my language if I wasn't in a predominantly English-speaking country. I also have never asked for anyone in another country to pay for my way, or my board or room, in return for doing their menial jobs.
I don't mind learning other languages, I actually rather enjoy it. I don't mind learning about other cultures - each one is rich in history (moreso than my own country, comparitively), and I love to learn about what it takes to make, say, a cup of tea. When you're in my country, however, just as those who helped me in France, Germany, Hungary, the Czech republic and Ukraine, I expect you to learn to speak my language. And if you're going to stay here, then you do so legally.
This is NOT a nazi-ism - it is a truth-ism. I don't believe that America is the end-all, be-all of societies (just ask my friends - they'll tell you EXACTLY what I think of political policies here at times). I do believe, however, that if I were to go live in Ukraine, I'd learn to speak Russian and Ukrainian. I'd go through what it would take to live there legally, and would never expect them to learn my language to make it easier for me to live there. That's just not the way the world works.
If you are here illegally, then you need to go back home and try for LEGAL citizenship for you and your family. When I get my paycheck at the end of two weeks, I don't enjoy knowing that part of my taxes go to paying for a war I don't believe in - neither do I like knowing that part of it goes to shelter your ass because you couldn't get here legally. I'm sorry that your country is in turmoil. I'm sorry that you feel you need to leave. There are other, better ways than sneaking across the border to live off other people's earnings.
~M
But every so often it comes to my attention via friends who are like-minded (or those who love to play devil's advocate - which I *LOVE* to play), and it just strikes me as totally, directly right on... The following gem, for example, was sent to me via Mum...
A lady wrote the best letter to the Editorials in ages!! It explains things better than all the baloney you hear on TV.
"Recently large demonstrations have taken place across the country protesting the fact that Congress is finally addressing the issue of illegal immigration. Certain people are angry that the US might protect its own borders, might make it harder to sneak into this country and, once here, to stay indefinitely. Let me see if I correctly understand the thinking behind these protests.
"Let's say I break into your house. Let's say that when you discover me in your house, you insist that I leave. But I say, "I've made all the beds and washed the dishes and did the laundry and swept the floors; I've done all the things you don't like to do. I'm hard-working and honest (except for when I broke into your house).
"According to the protesters, not only must you let me stay, you must add me to your family's insurance plan, educate my kids, and provide other benefits to me and to my family (my husband will do your yard work because he too is hard-working and honest, except for that breaking in part). If you try to call the police or force me out, I will call my friends who will picket your house carrying signs that proclaim my right to be there. It's only fair, after all, because you have a nicer house than I do, and I'm just trying to better myself. I'm hard-working and honest, um, except for, well, you know.
"And what a deal it is for me!! I live in your house, contributing only a fraction of the cost of my keep, and there is nothing you can do about it without being accused of selfishness, prejudice and being an anti-housebreaker. Oh yeah, and I want you to learn my language so you can communicate with me."
Why can't people see how ridiculous this is?!
It's been one of those issues where I've hemmed and hawed about how I felt - but this particular analogy really put it into perspective... Is it the right perspective? Well, I don't know about that. I am not going to say whether it's right or wrong. But I will say that for every country I've ever **VISITED**, I've attempted at least a modicum of their language to show them that I am willing to learn. I have never ONCE assumed that someone knew my language if I wasn't in a predominantly English-speaking country. I also have never asked for anyone in another country to pay for my way, or my board or room, in return for doing their menial jobs.
I don't mind learning other languages, I actually rather enjoy it. I don't mind learning about other cultures - each one is rich in history (moreso than my own country, comparitively), and I love to learn about what it takes to make, say, a cup of tea. When you're in my country, however, just as those who helped me in France, Germany, Hungary, the Czech republic and Ukraine, I expect you to learn to speak my language. And if you're going to stay here, then you do so legally.
This is NOT a nazi-ism - it is a truth-ism. I don't believe that America is the end-all, be-all of societies (just ask my friends - they'll tell you EXACTLY what I think of political policies here at times). I do believe, however, that if I were to go live in Ukraine, I'd learn to speak Russian and Ukrainian. I'd go through what it would take to live there legally, and would never expect them to learn my language to make it easier for me to live there. That's just not the way the world works.
If you are here illegally, then you need to go back home and try for LEGAL citizenship for you and your family. When I get my paycheck at the end of two weeks, I don't enjoy knowing that part of my taxes go to paying for a war I don't believe in - neither do I like knowing that part of it goes to shelter your ass because you couldn't get here legally. I'm sorry that your country is in turmoil. I'm sorry that you feel you need to leave. There are other, better ways than sneaking across the border to live off other people's earnings.
~M
I scored a 39...
Below is Dr. Phil's test. (Dr. Phil scored 55; he did this test on Oprah - she got a 38.) Some folks pay a lot of money to find this stuff out!
Yes, it's time for a rather mindless, but interesting, quiz - as found on "Life in the Mundane". Read on, this is actually pretty interesting!
Don 't be overly sensitive! The following is pretty accurate and it only takes 2 minutes. Take this test for yourself and send it to your friends.
The person who sent it placed their score in the e-mail subject box. Please do the same before forwarding to your friends (send it back to the person who sent it to you.) Don 't peek, but begin the test as you scroll down and answer.
Answers are for who you are now --- not who you were in the past. Have pen or pencil and paper ready.
This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept. at many of the major corporations today. It helps them get better insight concerning their employees and prospective employees. It's only 10 Simple questions, so grab a pencil and paper, keeping track of your letter answers to each question.
Make sure to change the subject of the e-mail to read YOUR total. When you are finished, forward this to friends/family, and also send it to the person who sent this to you. Make sure to put YOUR score in the subject box.
Ready??
Begin.
1. When do you feel your best?
a) in the morning
b) during the afternoon / early evening
c) late at night
2. You usually walk...
a) fairly fast, with long steps
b) fairly fast, with little steps
c) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
d) less fast, head down
e) very slowly
3. When talking to people you...
a) stand with your arms folded
b) have your hands clasped
c) have one or both your hands on your hips
d) touch or push the person to whom you are talking
e) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair
4. When relaxing, you sit with...
a) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
b) your legs crossed
c) your legs stretched out or straight
d) one leg curled under you
5. When something really amuses you, you react with...
a) big appreciated laugh
b) a laugh, but not a loud one
c) a quiet chuckle
d) a sheepish smile
6. When you go to a party or social gathering you...
a) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
b) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
c) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed
7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted...
a) welcome the break
b) feel extremely irritated
c) vary between these two extremes
8. Which of the following colors do you like most?
a) Red or orange
b) black
c) yellow or light blue
d) green
e) dark blue or purple
f) white
g) brown or gray
9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep you are...
a) stretched out on your back
b) stretched out face down on your stomach
c) on your side, slightly curled
d) with your head on one arm
e) with your head under the covers
10. You often dream that you are...
a) falling
b) fighting or struggling
c) searching for something or somebody
d) flying or floating
e) you usually have dreamless sleep
f) your dreams are always pleasant
POINTS:
1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6
2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1
3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6
4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1
5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2
6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2
7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4
8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1
9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e) 1
10. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1
Now add up the total number of points.
OVER 60 POINTS: Others see you as someone they should "handle with care." You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.
51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality; a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.
41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.
31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.
21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.
UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions & who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you're boring. Only those who know you well know that you aren't.
~M
Yes, it's time for a rather mindless, but interesting, quiz - as found on "Life in the Mundane". Read on, this is actually pretty interesting!
Don 't be overly sensitive! The following is pretty accurate and it only takes 2 minutes. Take this test for yourself and send it to your friends.
The person who sent it placed their score in the e-mail subject box. Please do the same before forwarding to your friends (send it back to the person who sent it to you.) Don 't peek, but begin the test as you scroll down and answer.
Answers are for who you are now --- not who you were in the past. Have pen or pencil and paper ready.
This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept. at many of the major corporations today. It helps them get better insight concerning their employees and prospective employees. It's only 10 Simple questions, so grab a pencil and paper, keeping track of your letter answers to each question.
Make sure to change the subject of the e-mail to read YOUR total. When you are finished, forward this to friends/family, and also send it to the person who sent this to you. Make sure to put YOUR score in the subject box.
Ready??
Begin.
1. When do you feel your best?
a) in the morning
b) during the afternoon / early evening
c) late at night
2. You usually walk...
a) fairly fast, with long steps
b) fairly fast, with little steps
c) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
d) less fast, head down
e) very slowly
3. When talking to people you...
a) stand with your arms folded
b) have your hands clasped
c) have one or both your hands on your hips
d) touch or push the person to whom you are talking
e) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair
4. When relaxing, you sit with...
a) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
b) your legs crossed
c) your legs stretched out or straight
d) one leg curled under you
5. When something really amuses you, you react with...
a) big appreciated laugh
b) a laugh, but not a loud one
c) a quiet chuckle
d) a sheepish smile
6. When you go to a party or social gathering you...
a) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
b) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
c) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed
7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted...
a) welcome the break
b) feel extremely irritated
c) vary between these two extremes
8. Which of the following colors do you like most?
a) Red or orange
b) black
c) yellow or light blue
d) green
e) dark blue or purple
f) white
g) brown or gray
9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep you are...
a) stretched out on your back
b) stretched out face down on your stomach
c) on your side, slightly curled
d) with your head on one arm
e) with your head under the covers
10. You often dream that you are...
a) falling
b) fighting or struggling
c) searching for something or somebody
d) flying or floating
e) you usually have dreamless sleep
f) your dreams are always pleasant
POINTS:
1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6
2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1
3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6
4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1
5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2
6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2
7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4
8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1
9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e) 1
10. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1
Now add up the total number of points.
OVER 60 POINTS: Others see you as someone they should "handle with care." You're seen as vain, self-centered, and who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.
51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, rather impulsive personality; a natural leader, who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.
41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well-balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.
31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to friends you do make and who expect the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over if that trust is ever broken.
21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.
UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions & who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you're boring. Only those who know you well know that you aren't.
~M
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Insane in the Membrane!
So, the whole summer, Fred's fire troupe has been working their ASSES off in trying to get up money and toy donations for the Portland Transitional School. They got quite a bit of money, as well as a beautifully illustrated book, about 12 stuffed animals, some other toys, art supplies, and a pledge for more money.
HOWEVER - due to rumors and suggestive ads on Tribe.net, and people calling the school about them, the school decided to shut the entire thing down... This, from the email Fred received yesterday:
As Sara explained to you a few months ago the school does not feel comfortable with you fundraising or collecting items for CTS as we have received several calls with concerns about this.
As for the money you raised you may send it to the school. All other items should be donated elsewhere. The school supplies we suggest your local school district and the toys could be donated to Toys for Tots or a local social service agency.
Please respect this request.
Cheryl Bickle
Principal
I find it interesting that they won't take the toys, but they'll take the money... Since this school supposedly gets so little in donations for their students, one would think that they would be willing to take ALL the donations - and publicity - that they could get. But no... Due to some people not wanting this to succeed at all, the kids will get pretty much nothing.
Fred is devastated, to say the least. He's angry, sure, but mostly he's just upset that all that hard work for these kids will amount to nothing. And now there's the fear that if the money is handed over, it won't go to the kids or to help support the school...
Personally, I'd LOVE to ream the school a new asshole. I can understand concern about where money or donations might come from, and I can understand having concerns about having a new group giving charity donations. But there's such a thing as giving people a chance to prove themselves. Honestly.
As far as the ads were concerned, they weren't anything that Fire and Steel were able to control - it was a 'bot, created by Google, to put in what it thought would be pertinant based on word searches within the text of posts. It saw the words "single" and "adult" and decided that it would be a great idea to post up an ad about swinging singles in Portland.
As far as the rumours about Fire and Steel not accepting checks, that was just bullshit - no one ever approached them to ask whether checks would be accepted or not. It was simply assumed that they wouldn't, and thus a rumour was born. Nice.
So, apparently, the lesson that everyone was supposed to learn here is: Don't do anything nice for a group of people. They won't appreciate it, and you'll just get kicked in the teeth.
~M
HOWEVER - due to rumors and suggestive ads on Tribe.net, and people calling the school about them, the school decided to shut the entire thing down... This, from the email Fred received yesterday:
As Sara explained to you a few months ago the school does not feel comfortable with you fundraising or collecting items for CTS as we have received several calls with concerns about this.
As for the money you raised you may send it to the school. All other items should be donated elsewhere. The school supplies we suggest your local school district and the toys could be donated to Toys for Tots or a local social service agency.
Please respect this request.
Cheryl Bickle
Principal
I find it interesting that they won't take the toys, but they'll take the money... Since this school supposedly gets so little in donations for their students, one would think that they would be willing to take ALL the donations - and publicity - that they could get. But no... Due to some people not wanting this to succeed at all, the kids will get pretty much nothing.
Fred is devastated, to say the least. He's angry, sure, but mostly he's just upset that all that hard work for these kids will amount to nothing. And now there's the fear that if the money is handed over, it won't go to the kids or to help support the school...
Personally, I'd LOVE to ream the school a new asshole. I can understand concern about where money or donations might come from, and I can understand having concerns about having a new group giving charity donations. But there's such a thing as giving people a chance to prove themselves. Honestly.
As far as the ads were concerned, they weren't anything that Fire and Steel were able to control - it was a 'bot, created by Google, to put in what it thought would be pertinant based on word searches within the text of posts. It saw the words "single" and "adult" and decided that it would be a great idea to post up an ad about swinging singles in Portland.
As far as the rumours about Fire and Steel not accepting checks, that was just bullshit - no one ever approached them to ask whether checks would be accepted or not. It was simply assumed that they wouldn't, and thus a rumour was born. Nice.
So, apparently, the lesson that everyone was supposed to learn here is: Don't do anything nice for a group of people. They won't appreciate it, and you'll just get kicked in the teeth.
~M
As a dog!
I'm pretty well sick as one. So's Fred. We're both hacking at one another, sneezing, sniffling, generally feeling miserable - and I've lost my voice. Yippee.
I took today off (since I have the next two days off as well) in order to recouperate and get my voice back to being somewhat normal. However, this PK is going to suck for me and Fred - neither of us are going to be up for singing. *sigh*
Had to go through Speedboy's school bag last night. As per the usual, both Fred and I found LOTS of things that either he "lost" or was supposed to turn into us for signing but didn't because he couldn't find them. He has a binder, and folders, but doesn't use them. Just stuffs everything into the bag and then says "I lost it" when the teacher (or Fred or I) asks where things were. He's already doing horribly in math, literature and science - all because he can't seem to turn things in because he "lost" them. Horribly frustrating.
Last night I made Zuppa Tuscanna for dinner (just like Olive Garden - I swear!). I set up the crock pot for tonight's dinner of 4 bean soup with ham and veggies. Should be really, REALLY tasty. If it's good, I'll post up the recipe for everyone. :-)
I've found that it's difficult to get things together for dinner with the new job, unless I make use of the crock pot for those days when I'm working. I don't get home until 7:30 or so in the evening, so it's pretty difficult to get dinner on the table in a reasonable amount of time. Fred helps when he can, but he's home by 6, and is exhausted, so I'm learning more crock pot recipes for Mondays and Wednesdays - I figure he can do dinner on the weekends. LOL.
Other than that, not much else going on. I'm registering us for gifties at WalMart, too - so that people can actually AFFORD to get us some of the things that we really need (some of them are literally falling apart and need to be replaced).
~M
I took today off (since I have the next two days off as well) in order to recouperate and get my voice back to being somewhat normal. However, this PK is going to suck for me and Fred - neither of us are going to be up for singing. *sigh*
Had to go through Speedboy's school bag last night. As per the usual, both Fred and I found LOTS of things that either he "lost" or was supposed to turn into us for signing but didn't because he couldn't find them. He has a binder, and folders, but doesn't use them. Just stuffs everything into the bag and then says "I lost it" when the teacher (or Fred or I) asks where things were. He's already doing horribly in math, literature and science - all because he can't seem to turn things in because he "lost" them. Horribly frustrating.
Last night I made Zuppa Tuscanna for dinner (just like Olive Garden - I swear!). I set up the crock pot for tonight's dinner of 4 bean soup with ham and veggies. Should be really, REALLY tasty. If it's good, I'll post up the recipe for everyone. :-)
I've found that it's difficult to get things together for dinner with the new job, unless I make use of the crock pot for those days when I'm working. I don't get home until 7:30 or so in the evening, so it's pretty difficult to get dinner on the table in a reasonable amount of time. Fred helps when he can, but he's home by 6, and is exhausted, so I'm learning more crock pot recipes for Mondays and Wednesdays - I figure he can do dinner on the weekends. LOL.
Other than that, not much else going on. I'm registering us for gifties at WalMart, too - so that people can actually AFFORD to get us some of the things that we really need (some of them are literally falling apart and need to be replaced).
~M
Monday, October 09, 2006
It's a wedding!!!
The date has been set for the wedding... June 23, 2007. It was decided on based mostly due to weather conditions for the past 3 years, and the fact that there are no SCA events (that we know of) on that date that we're going to - I checked the handy-dandy An Tir calendar. For those who are interested in getting us stuff and things, here we are:
Target Club Wedd Gift Registry #: 010003993196702
Bed Bath and Beyond Registry#: 2523630
Sears Registry Number: 093008020002101306
Wal-Mart Registry Number: 26774658876
JC Penny - no registry number, look up by our names...
What we really *need* so far:
- stoneware bowls, in cobalt blue, preferably
- closet organizers for both our walk-in closet and Josh's closet
- frames (or gift certificates for framing stores) for artwork
I found The Memory Gardens as the venue for the wedding... It's all set, and the place is beautiful. Fred and I walked through it a few weeks ago, and it'll be perfect for a small, intimate wedding.
We'll be having the potluck reception at The Oregon Zoo, immediately following the wedding. Should be LOTS of fun for everyone. Not enough people got back to me with $$ for the tickets, so everyone will have to pay their own way in.
Lil has honored us with accepting to be our officiator at the wedding. I'm so happy to be married by my bestest friend - especially when she's so happy for both Fred and me. Yay us!
Mishu has honored me by agreeing to be my Best Bitch. LOL. I'm not having a huge grouping of Maid of Honor and bridesmaids... I'm bunching it all together into one, and that would be her. LOL. She and I both like the title Best Bitch, so I think it'll stick. I do have one bridesmaid/flowergirl - Anxiety insisted, and I decided I couldn't have my wedding without her...
The dreamcatchers are done. We have 60 or so of them - possibly more... I think we'll have PLENTY for everyone... LOL.
I *DO* need help with a few other things... If you're willing and able to help, please let me know and we'll get together and talk about it / work on it together:
- sewing the dresses and the kilts
- keeping me generally sane throughout this
There's about 14 days until the wedding at this update (6/8/07)... I'm going slightly insane...
~M
Target Club Wedd Gift Registry #: 010003993196702
Bed Bath and Beyond Registry#: 2523630
Sears Registry Number: 093008020002101306
Wal-Mart Registry Number: 26774658876
JC Penny - no registry number, look up by our names...
What we really *need* so far:
- stoneware bowls, in cobalt blue, preferably
- closet organizers for both our walk-in closet and Josh's closet
- frames (or gift certificates for framing stores) for artwork
I found The Memory Gardens as the venue for the wedding... It's all set, and the place is beautiful. Fred and I walked through it a few weeks ago, and it'll be perfect for a small, intimate wedding.
We'll be having the potluck reception at The Oregon Zoo, immediately following the wedding. Should be LOTS of fun for everyone. Not enough people got back to me with $$ for the tickets, so everyone will have to pay their own way in.
Lil has honored us with accepting to be our officiator at the wedding. I'm so happy to be married by my bestest friend - especially when she's so happy for both Fred and me. Yay us!
Mishu has honored me by agreeing to be my Best Bitch. LOL. I'm not having a huge grouping of Maid of Honor and bridesmaids... I'm bunching it all together into one, and that would be her. LOL. She and I both like the title Best Bitch, so I think it'll stick. I do have one bridesmaid/flowergirl - Anxiety insisted, and I decided I couldn't have my wedding without her...
The dreamcatchers are done. We have 60 or so of them - possibly more... I think we'll have PLENTY for everyone... LOL.
I *DO* need help with a few other things... If you're willing and able to help, please let me know and we'll get together and talk about it / work on it together:
- sewing the dresses and the kilts
- keeping me generally sane throughout this
There's about 14 days until the wedding at this update (6/8/07)... I'm going slightly insane...
~M
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Happy Anniversary, Love!
One year ago today, Fred opened his heart and home to me. We've spent the last year revelling in the most amazing relationship that either of us has ever had. Yes, we disagree on some things, but we don't yell, scream, rant or rave about it to one another - if we have an issue, we discuss it - and we can agree to disagree.
Our relationship has grown so strong, and so well - it's incredible. I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of his and Speedboy's life, every day - even when they're driving me nuts because they're boys. LOL.
We have a tentative date set for a wedding, as he's proposed to me (see the last entry). We're looking at mid-April, which should give enough time for us to get everything ready, but not wait forever, either. ;-)
Thanks to everyone for all your love, support, and congrats to us.
I love you, Fred!
~M
Our relationship has grown so strong, and so well - it's incredible. I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of his and Speedboy's life, every day - even when they're driving me nuts because they're boys. LOL.
We have a tentative date set for a wedding, as he's proposed to me (see the last entry). We're looking at mid-April, which should give enough time for us to get everything ready, but not wait forever, either. ;-)
Thanks to everyone for all your love, support, and congrats to us.
I love you, Fred!
~M
Monday, October 02, 2006
I do...
It started out like most mornings... I woke up around 4 am to Fred kissing me goodbye and wishing me a good day at work. We said we loved one another, and he took off for work. I then promptly fell back asleep into a really odd dream (been having a lot of those lately - have no clue why).
I woke up at 5am, noting that the lights were on - but they had been off at 4. I was confused... Then looked over and found Fred surfing on the computer. Wha....? I thought.
Turns out, the back wheel of his bicycle decided to freeze in its tracks about a mile from home, causing him to have to carry it all the way back here... at 4am... So, he decided that it would be a good idea to fix the bike today, so as to be able to head to work tomorrow...
Whilst getting ready for work, I mentioned that I would pick up the money for the rent, and he took out his debit card. He handed it to me with his pin number, and then said to deposit all but $20, since that's what he owed the gut truck (otherwise known in my circles as the roach coach). And then he told me to keep a hold of it for a while and not give it back...
I looked at him quizzically, and he said "I'm no good to you dead... Unless I miss my count, I have no cigarettes left. So, don't give it back for a while." He's been trying to quit smoking for a while now, and he decided that he was ready.
And we hugged, and I said thank you - at which point his eyes teared up, and he said to me...
"I know it's not our anniversary yet, and I don't have a ring to give you - hell, I don't have much of anything - but I would be honored if you would consent to marry me and be my wife..."
I, of course, said...
"I will," and we both proceeded to cry on (and at) one another for a few minutes, telling one another we loved one another dearly.
I was so sappy and out of it that I wore two different color socks to work today...
So, yes, it's official - we're engaged. No, we haven't set a date yet, and no, we probably won't have a huge wedding. We may have a pretty good-sized reception, but no big wedding.
~M
I woke up at 5am, noting that the lights were on - but they had been off at 4. I was confused... Then looked over and found Fred surfing on the computer. Wha....? I thought.
Turns out, the back wheel of his bicycle decided to freeze in its tracks about a mile from home, causing him to have to carry it all the way back here... at 4am... So, he decided that it would be a good idea to fix the bike today, so as to be able to head to work tomorrow...
Whilst getting ready for work, I mentioned that I would pick up the money for the rent, and he took out his debit card. He handed it to me with his pin number, and then said to deposit all but $20, since that's what he owed the gut truck (otherwise known in my circles as the roach coach). And then he told me to keep a hold of it for a while and not give it back...
I looked at him quizzically, and he said "I'm no good to you dead... Unless I miss my count, I have no cigarettes left. So, don't give it back for a while." He's been trying to quit smoking for a while now, and he decided that he was ready.
And we hugged, and I said thank you - at which point his eyes teared up, and he said to me...
"I know it's not our anniversary yet, and I don't have a ring to give you - hell, I don't have much of anything - but I would be honored if you would consent to marry me and be my wife..."
I, of course, said...
"I will," and we both proceeded to cry on (and at) one another for a few minutes, telling one another we loved one another dearly.
I was so sappy and out of it that I wore two different color socks to work today...
So, yes, it's official - we're engaged. No, we haven't set a date yet, and no, we probably won't have a huge wedding. We may have a pretty good-sized reception, but no big wedding.
~M
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