So, I just got back from a thrilling four days staffing at an anime convention. As I arrived in our "dungeon" department Thursday, I noticed that there's no one in our area and there seemed to be construction work of some kind going on. My department head in the next hall informed me that sewage had leaked into our department area in the basement of the convention center and was dripping down one of our support pillars. Shit was quite literally falling from the ceiling. This problem was corrected for the most part before we actually opened the convention to the public though.
Saturday we had a fire alarm go off and had to evacuate the convention center. We had to herd the attendees and artists outside and let them back in once the threat of fire had been investigated. That pushed our schedule back an hour, and Saturday night's teardown was stressful.
We started out understaffed (last-minute cancellations are fun) and had a few more staff leave during the convention due to violent illness; which reminds me, my stomach is still the battlefield of some kind of war due to the fact that I lived on mostly vendor food for four days.
I got the same asinine questions from people about information that is already provided to them in our registration forms. I managed to have one pen left after the convention, which was a first. People do love to steal our pens, even though we need them for the other attendees and artists to fill out registration forms.
I may post in more detail later, but I am exhausted tonight and sleep will be most welcome.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
Who's a Witch?
Reading an essay on witchvox.com, I came across someone referring to William Shakespeare as a witch/sorcerer. This is not the first time I've seen such a statement made. I'd like to know exactly what they're basing this information on.
I've also read about St. Joan of Arc being a very powerful witch, even after her conviction was posthumously overturned and her canonization in the Roman Catholic Church. I personally admire St. Joan and believe that she was a Christian mystic, but still Christian all the same. The church even admits that the accusations made against her were false, and as a saint she is considered by Roman Catholics to be a paragon of Christian virtue.
There are even mentions of Thomas Jefferson being a witch, and it boggles the mind.
Is it not possible to believe that great works and deeds can come from actual devout Christians (or in Jefferson's case, a Deist)? Must people take all the great figures from history and give them the title "witch" to make themselves seem superior because obviously they're counted among them?
I believe that it's offensive. By calling St. Joan a witch, we are perpetuating the accusations made against her which led to her execution. We are dishonoring her memory by dishonoring her true beliefs. The same goes for the Salem gimmick. Those poor people were not witches at all, and people do them a disservice by making outrageous claims about having "power" descended from them, or by capitalizing on their accusations and deaths.
I know that people in the Pagan community have a right to believe and say what they want, but there are times when I am actually embarrassed by what I read coming out of the community. We clamour and rant about not being shown respect by the mainstream religions and the public at large, but we can say some stupid shit sometimes.
I've also read about St. Joan of Arc being a very powerful witch, even after her conviction was posthumously overturned and her canonization in the Roman Catholic Church. I personally admire St. Joan and believe that she was a Christian mystic, but still Christian all the same. The church even admits that the accusations made against her were false, and as a saint she is considered by Roman Catholics to be a paragon of Christian virtue.
There are even mentions of Thomas Jefferson being a witch, and it boggles the mind.
Is it not possible to believe that great works and deeds can come from actual devout Christians (or in Jefferson's case, a Deist)? Must people take all the great figures from history and give them the title "witch" to make themselves seem superior because obviously they're counted among them?
I believe that it's offensive. By calling St. Joan a witch, we are perpetuating the accusations made against her which led to her execution. We are dishonoring her memory by dishonoring her true beliefs. The same goes for the Salem gimmick. Those poor people were not witches at all, and people do them a disservice by making outrageous claims about having "power" descended from them, or by capitalizing on their accusations and deaths.
I know that people in the Pagan community have a right to believe and say what they want, but there are times when I am actually embarrassed by what I read coming out of the community. We clamour and rant about not being shown respect by the mainstream religions and the public at large, but we can say some stupid shit sometimes.
Monday, July 12, 2010
A New Year's Prayer of Gratitude
As the new Hellenic year is beginning, I've decided to post my prayers of thanks to the Olympians.
To Zeus Ktesios, the protector of provisions, I am grateful for the bounty of food that has been provided to me.
To Hera Ourania, queen of the sky, I am grateful for the cool breezes on otherwise unbearably hot days.
To Ares Laossous, he who rallies the fighting men, I am grateful for the motivation to accomplish the things I've had to do this year.
To Aphrodite Kallisti, fairest of them all, I am grateful for the beauty and skincare tips I've found.
To Hephaestus Klytotechnes, he who is famed for crafts, I am grateful for my talents in soapmaking.
To Athena Alalkomene, the repeller of danger, I am grateful for being safe while walking through the city.
To Poseidon Pelagaeus, the king of the sea, I am grateful for a renewed appeciation for the aquatic ecosystem in my area.
To Demeter Karpophoros, she who brings forth fruit, I am grateful for the excellent quality of the strawberries this summer.
To Apollon Paean, the healer, I am grateful for the good health I've enjoyed this month.
To Artemis Lokhia, the protector of childbirth, I am grateful for the health of my nephew.
To Hermes Logios, the guardian of speech, I am grateful for my ability to articulate my feelings and my advice to others along my path.
To Dionysus Agrios, the wild one, I am grateful for being able to have fun with friends and enjoy a good celebration.
Finally, to Hestia, lady of the hearth, I am forever grateful for a loving family both in blood and friendship.
To Zeus Ktesios, the protector of provisions, I am grateful for the bounty of food that has been provided to me.
To Hera Ourania, queen of the sky, I am grateful for the cool breezes on otherwise unbearably hot days.
To Ares Laossous, he who rallies the fighting men, I am grateful for the motivation to accomplish the things I've had to do this year.
To Aphrodite Kallisti, fairest of them all, I am grateful for the beauty and skincare tips I've found.
To Hephaestus Klytotechnes, he who is famed for crafts, I am grateful for my talents in soapmaking.
To Athena Alalkomene, the repeller of danger, I am grateful for being safe while walking through the city.
To Poseidon Pelagaeus, the king of the sea, I am grateful for a renewed appeciation for the aquatic ecosystem in my area.
To Demeter Karpophoros, she who brings forth fruit, I am grateful for the excellent quality of the strawberries this summer.
To Apollon Paean, the healer, I am grateful for the good health I've enjoyed this month.
To Artemis Lokhia, the protector of childbirth, I am grateful for the health of my nephew.
To Hermes Logios, the guardian of speech, I am grateful for my ability to articulate my feelings and my advice to others along my path.
To Dionysus Agrios, the wild one, I am grateful for being able to have fun with friends and enjoy a good celebration.
Finally, to Hestia, lady of the hearth, I am forever grateful for a loving family both in blood and friendship.
Friday, June 11, 2010
Polyamory and The Marriage Battle
I was reading an article a few days ago on Witchvox.com about a battle for the recognition of polyamorous marriage in Canada. While I personally have nothing against polyamory, I do have to say that a battle such as this would have a very difficult time being fought here in the United States, and not just because of the current "popularity" issues that are holding back the advancement of gay marriage.
The battle for gay marriage is (or should be) a relatively simple one. At its core, it is a matter of gender of one of the partners. The same legal structure behind the privileges of marriage would be kept in place with exception to that one detail. Amazing how this enormous fuss can get boiled down to that one little point, isn't it? Gay spouses have no more or less privileges than heterosexual spouses in states that allow same-sex marriage. It really is just a matter of gender.
Those who wish for the legal recognition of polyamorous relationships would have a more difficult fight on their hands because of those legal privileges and assumptions already in place relating to marriage. Things like inheritance in the absence of a will, or the ability for a spouse to make medical decisions for an unconscious spouse, or even end of life decisions in the absence of legal documents such as a living will. When there is more than one surviving spouse, the legal issues do become a lot more complex. How would pension or social security benefits for a widow/widower be handled if there is more than one per deceased spouse?
For this battle to be fought here, our entire system behind what marriage means (on a legal level) would have to change. (Let's face it, despite what opponents of gay marriage say, the issues of what any marriage constitutes should not be defined on a religious level in a country that claims to have freedom of religion.)
The battle for gay marriage is (or should be) a relatively simple one. At its core, it is a matter of gender of one of the partners. The same legal structure behind the privileges of marriage would be kept in place with exception to that one detail. Amazing how this enormous fuss can get boiled down to that one little point, isn't it? Gay spouses have no more or less privileges than heterosexual spouses in states that allow same-sex marriage. It really is just a matter of gender.
Those who wish for the legal recognition of polyamorous relationships would have a more difficult fight on their hands because of those legal privileges and assumptions already in place relating to marriage. Things like inheritance in the absence of a will, or the ability for a spouse to make medical decisions for an unconscious spouse, or even end of life decisions in the absence of legal documents such as a living will. When there is more than one surviving spouse, the legal issues do become a lot more complex. How would pension or social security benefits for a widow/widower be handled if there is more than one per deceased spouse?
For this battle to be fought here, our entire system behind what marriage means (on a legal level) would have to change. (Let's face it, despite what opponents of gay marriage say, the issues of what any marriage constitutes should not be defined on a religious level in a country that claims to have freedom of religion.)
Friday, June 4, 2010
Sacred Sex and the Temple of Aphrodite
I just finished Laurelei Dabrielle's book In Her Service: Reflections from a Priestess of Aphrodite. I was pondering writing a review for it on a forum I'm involved with, but the nature of the book does deal with mature themes, so I figure I'll do a small review here and see how that goes.
I have to say the book was well worth buying. Laurelei explains in the beginning that her practice is not 100% Hellenic, but a blend of Neo-Pagan Traditions. This was refreshing to me, because there are a few writers in the Pagan community who like to fudge the truth when it comes to where and when their practices originate from. Having said that, there is a lot of historical evidence supporting many of her practices from a Hellenic viewpoint.
The books deals with serving a Goddess of Love, and what that entails. There is a great discussion on the sacredness of sexuality within ritual, and the function of Aphrodite's historical priests and priestesses (particularly in places such as Corinth) as "temple prostitutes". To have sex with one of these servants of Aphrodite was to be in the presence of the Goddess herself. Laurelei also mentions that in ancient times, this role of temple prostitute was usually not a choice made by the person. In the ancient world of slavery and subjugation, this practice was to be expected, but it is possible to reclaim this role and adapt it to our modern sensibilities and social evolution. Group sensual touching, the sacred marriage, and even sexual exploration of the self are mentioned as ways of reclaiming the practice of sacred sexuality.
More importantly, Laurelei stresses that the duties of a priestess of Aphrodite go beyond sex, and in fact there are many who serve Aphrodite who never engage in ritual sex. Pleasure and love come in many forms, not just sexual. A priestess could be a sympathetic ear in times of trouble, or a comforting hug.
The book contains a good bit of information about Aphrodite from a standpoint of the mythology surrounding her. It deals with her many lovers, her children, and her wrath. While the book focuses on Aphrodite's role as Goddess of Love, Laurelei also mentions her role as Sea-Goddess and the instigator of war.
The rituals outlined in the book have a fair amount of Wiccan and Druidic influence, but can be adapted to more closesly fit the historical ritual of Hellenic practice. Laurelei even begins her rituals with a purification by khernips, the lustral water used in Hellenic practice.
I would recommend this book to those interested in the worship of Aphrodite from both Hellenic and Neo-Pagan standpoints, and those who are mature enough to deal with the themes of ritual sexual expression.
I have to say the book was well worth buying. Laurelei explains in the beginning that her practice is not 100% Hellenic, but a blend of Neo-Pagan Traditions. This was refreshing to me, because there are a few writers in the Pagan community who like to fudge the truth when it comes to where and when their practices originate from. Having said that, there is a lot of historical evidence supporting many of her practices from a Hellenic viewpoint.
The books deals with serving a Goddess of Love, and what that entails. There is a great discussion on the sacredness of sexuality within ritual, and the function of Aphrodite's historical priests and priestesses (particularly in places such as Corinth) as "temple prostitutes". To have sex with one of these servants of Aphrodite was to be in the presence of the Goddess herself. Laurelei also mentions that in ancient times, this role of temple prostitute was usually not a choice made by the person. In the ancient world of slavery and subjugation, this practice was to be expected, but it is possible to reclaim this role and adapt it to our modern sensibilities and social evolution. Group sensual touching, the sacred marriage, and even sexual exploration of the self are mentioned as ways of reclaiming the practice of sacred sexuality.
More importantly, Laurelei stresses that the duties of a priestess of Aphrodite go beyond sex, and in fact there are many who serve Aphrodite who never engage in ritual sex. Pleasure and love come in many forms, not just sexual. A priestess could be a sympathetic ear in times of trouble, or a comforting hug.
The book contains a good bit of information about Aphrodite from a standpoint of the mythology surrounding her. It deals with her many lovers, her children, and her wrath. While the book focuses on Aphrodite's role as Goddess of Love, Laurelei also mentions her role as Sea-Goddess and the instigator of war.
The rituals outlined in the book have a fair amount of Wiccan and Druidic influence, but can be adapted to more closesly fit the historical ritual of Hellenic practice. Laurelei even begins her rituals with a purification by khernips, the lustral water used in Hellenic practice.
I would recommend this book to those interested in the worship of Aphrodite from both Hellenic and Neo-Pagan standpoints, and those who are mature enough to deal with the themes of ritual sexual expression.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
I Refuse to Answer
I'm no longer going to answer a certain question that often gets posed to me. The question of how I know I'm gay if I've never had sex. Half the time this question is some attempt to convince me that I have the potential to be "cured", and sometimes it's posed to me by men who want me to have sex with them to validate my position. I'm refusing to answer this question in the future, and this blog post will be my final explanation of the subject.
Homosexuality, like heterosexuality and bisexuality, refers to sexual orientation, not sexual practice. The act of sex often has nothing to do with whether we're attracted to the other person (or persons). The horror stories of what goes on behind prison walls is not about orientation, but about control, dominance, and a breaking down of people's higher instincts to their basic animal needs. Let's face it, there are a lot of people, particularly males of our species, who have sex just to "get off".
This is why I don't believe those evangelical Christian claims that gay people can be "cured" through Christ. Gay people can have sex with people of the opposite sex without being the least bit attracted to them. That doesn't make them any less gay. What that does make them, however, are people who lie to themselves. I will note that the exception is for people who are bisexually-inclined, but even then I can't imagine that their attraction to the same sex can be turned off with a magical Bible switch.
I claim homosexuality for myself because I have never been physically attracted to women. Not once in the almost 28 years of my existence. I've also been in groups with women of all physical types and personalities, and not once have I had a physical attraction to any of them. Conversely, I have been very physically attracted to several men with certain physical types and features. Does that sound like I'm in any way uncertain of my preferences?
My choice to not have sex at this time is my own business. I'm not less gay for making that choice.
Homosexuality, like heterosexuality and bisexuality, refers to sexual orientation, not sexual practice. The act of sex often has nothing to do with whether we're attracted to the other person (or persons). The horror stories of what goes on behind prison walls is not about orientation, but about control, dominance, and a breaking down of people's higher instincts to their basic animal needs. Let's face it, there are a lot of people, particularly males of our species, who have sex just to "get off".
This is why I don't believe those evangelical Christian claims that gay people can be "cured" through Christ. Gay people can have sex with people of the opposite sex without being the least bit attracted to them. That doesn't make them any less gay. What that does make them, however, are people who lie to themselves. I will note that the exception is for people who are bisexually-inclined, but even then I can't imagine that their attraction to the same sex can be turned off with a magical Bible switch.
I claim homosexuality for myself because I have never been physically attracted to women. Not once in the almost 28 years of my existence. I've also been in groups with women of all physical types and personalities, and not once have I had a physical attraction to any of them. Conversely, I have been very physically attracted to several men with certain physical types and features. Does that sound like I'm in any way uncertain of my preferences?
My choice to not have sex at this time is my own business. I'm not less gay for making that choice.
Monday, May 31, 2010
A Memorial Day Prayer
Ares Laossous, he who rallies the warriors. Ares Obrimus, he who is mighty. Ares Chrysopelex, he of the golden helm. Hear this prayer for those who have fallen in battle.
Athene Alalkomene, she who averts danger. Athene Nikephoros, she who brings victory. Athene Promakhos, she who is our champion. Hear this prayer for those who have fallen in battle.
May the fallen warriors find a well-deserved rest in the world beyond our own. May the golden Fields of Elyssium welcome them, and the waters of the Lethe take their regrets and sorrows away. With water I make this libation to honor those who have given their lives in the defense of others. May the dead receive drink.
Haides Hagisilaos, he who leads the people. Haides Polydektes, he who receives many guests. Haides Eubouleus, he who provides good counsel. Hear this prayer for those who have fallen in battle.
Athene Alalkomene, she who averts danger. Athene Nikephoros, she who brings victory. Athene Promakhos, she who is our champion. Hear this prayer for those who have fallen in battle.
May the fallen warriors find a well-deserved rest in the world beyond our own. May the golden Fields of Elyssium welcome them, and the waters of the Lethe take their regrets and sorrows away. With water I make this libation to honor those who have given their lives in the defense of others. May the dead receive drink.
Haides Hagisilaos, he who leads the people. Haides Polydektes, he who receives many guests. Haides Eubouleus, he who provides good counsel. Hear this prayer for those who have fallen in battle.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Convention, Christmas, and Family
I got the hotel form filled out for Otakon, which begins at the end of July. I'm not going to stress over it, because every year it seems something ends up throwing a wrench in the hotel situation. I live close enough to the Convention Center to take a taxi there and back during the convention.
Next weekend there's a staff meeting, and then the last meeting before Con is around the end of June.
I'm feeling a lot better now that most of the clutter is gone. There really was an energy strangulation going on that put me in a stressed mood for a good part of the year. Things are a bit more serene. I'd like to do a general purification ritual soon.
I've got to start thinking about this year's Christmas party. The theme is Dickens, so my costuming and decorative pieces are going to be early Victorian in style. I'm taking the menu from "A Christmas Carol" as well, and adapting it. I'm not doing goose because of the grease factor, so I'm opting for turkey with sage and onion. The gingerbread Christmas pudding I made last year was a big triumph, so I'm going to look for more recipes to see what I can tinker with.
This weekend there's a small family gathering at my aunt's house. Her swimming pool will be open, so I'm praying for Zeus to keep the skies clear. I also miss her iced tea. Nobody knows how she makes it, not even her daughters, but it's the perfect combination of tea and lemon. She uses a large iron pot and stirs in the sugar and fresh lemon juice like a magical potion.
I should get something to eat before heading to my friends' house today. Take care!
Next weekend there's a staff meeting, and then the last meeting before Con is around the end of June.
I'm feeling a lot better now that most of the clutter is gone. There really was an energy strangulation going on that put me in a stressed mood for a good part of the year. Things are a bit more serene. I'd like to do a general purification ritual soon.
I've got to start thinking about this year's Christmas party. The theme is Dickens, so my costuming and decorative pieces are going to be early Victorian in style. I'm taking the menu from "A Christmas Carol" as well, and adapting it. I'm not doing goose because of the grease factor, so I'm opting for turkey with sage and onion. The gingerbread Christmas pudding I made last year was a big triumph, so I'm going to look for more recipes to see what I can tinker with.
This weekend there's a small family gathering at my aunt's house. Her swimming pool will be open, so I'm praying for Zeus to keep the skies clear. I also miss her iced tea. Nobody knows how she makes it, not even her daughters, but it's the perfect combination of tea and lemon. She uses a large iron pot and stirs in the sugar and fresh lemon juice like a magical potion.
I should get something to eat before heading to my friends' house today. Take care!
Monday, May 24, 2010
Holy Crap
I just found out that someone I talk to on a Hellenismos forum (other than Tim Alexander) has written a book about devotional practices to Aphrodite called "In Her Service: Reflections from a Priestess of Aphrodite". I must get this book! Tim even gave it a good review on Amazon.
In other news, June is around the fucking corner. Where did this year go? Seriously! My sister's birthday, my birthday, my friend's birthday, a Bollywood-themed party, and the Gay Pride events are all a stone's throw away. That's not counting Bendideia, the Roman Vestalia, Plunteria, Arrephoria, Skirophoria, and Bouphonia (the Hellenes love their summertime festivals).
I have to think of some quick gift ideas, decide on what foods to serve for the Bollywood party, get some henna, and try not to look a total mess in front of some Adonis-like folks of the male species.
Then after all that, there's Otakon looming overhead. Help.
In other news, June is around the fucking corner. Where did this year go? Seriously! My sister's birthday, my birthday, my friend's birthday, a Bollywood-themed party, and the Gay Pride events are all a stone's throw away. That's not counting Bendideia, the Roman Vestalia, Plunteria, Arrephoria, Skirophoria, and Bouphonia (the Hellenes love their summertime festivals).
I have to think of some quick gift ideas, decide on what foods to serve for the Bollywood party, get some henna, and try not to look a total mess in front of some Adonis-like folks of the male species.
Then after all that, there's Otakon looming overhead. Help.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Cleaning
I decided to be true to my word and begin clearing out the clutter in my bedroom. I'm about halfway done, and still need to figure out what to do with all the books that I've accumulated in the past 20-something years.
The good news is that I can get to my altars again. Yay! The first thing I did was re-dedicate my hearth area and light some incense. My bedroom smells like roses and cinnamon now.
It also occured to me that I had a lot of catalogs and magazines from up to five years ago. Those things are crazy, because you don't want to throw them away in case you're going to need them later, but more keep coming in month after month. I decided to only save the ones with recipes in them. I put those in a separate box, that way I can sort through them, copy them down on the computer, and then recycle them.
The books are actually in four neat piles now. I'm going to go through my larger bookcase and give a lot of those a home in there, and hopefully next month I'll have another bookcase to house the rest.
I actually got all my Pagan-related books onto one shelf of my short altar bookcase. I'm so happy! Granted, it's not arranged in any particular order aside from the Hellenismos books being in one corner, but at least they're not lying around on my bedroom furniture or in boxes anymore.
More to do tomorrow. I'm enjoying this blitz of productivity.
The good news is that I can get to my altars again. Yay! The first thing I did was re-dedicate my hearth area and light some incense. My bedroom smells like roses and cinnamon now.
It also occured to me that I had a lot of catalogs and magazines from up to five years ago. Those things are crazy, because you don't want to throw them away in case you're going to need them later, but more keep coming in month after month. I decided to only save the ones with recipes in them. I put those in a separate box, that way I can sort through them, copy them down on the computer, and then recycle them.
The books are actually in four neat piles now. I'm going to go through my larger bookcase and give a lot of those a home in there, and hopefully next month I'll have another bookcase to house the rest.
I actually got all my Pagan-related books onto one shelf of my short altar bookcase. I'm so happy! Granted, it's not arranged in any particular order aside from the Hellenismos books being in one corner, but at least they're not lying around on my bedroom furniture or in boxes anymore.
More to do tomorrow. I'm enjoying this blitz of productivity.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Beyond the Usual
If men are from Mars, and women are from Venus, why do people treat me like I'm from Neptune?
This is a rant.
I wear makeup. Not in the drag queen way, mostly because I'm not that committed to shaving everywhere and applying foundation with a spatula. I like wearing eyeliner and shadows, usually in colors that compliment my eyes or that add a slight touch of dramatic flare behind my glasses. Having less than immaculate skin, I also pray at the altar of the concealer Gods.
Now I realize this is not usual for men in our society, or at least our modern society. Makeup was originally unisex, and remained so until around the 19th century in places such as France. Lined eyes were very popular among both men and women in Egypt, as images on sarcophagi and wall paintings clearly show. During Punjabi wedding ceremonies in India, the bridegroom traditionally wears kohl eyeliner.
I expect people to take notice, because it isn't a common occurance around here. What I don't like, however, are the people who stare at me like I'm of a different species, or make disgusted remarks to my face. There's a thing called politeness, people. While I may personally think that your face looks like the back end of a baboon, I'm certainly not going to say as much out loud to you.
Really though, haven't we been through the "androgynous as popular" thing before? I mean I know I'm not the first guy to go out in public a little tarted up. It's like glamrock in the 70's never happened, or people don't look at the magazine covers featuring whatever punk band is popular (though I've noticed that most of the modern punk songs tend to sound like the same whiny 14-year-old boy is singing them, but that's another rant).
I really don't know where I'm going with this rant now, other than a desire for people to mind their own damned business and act a little civilized toward people they don't know, especially if they're businesspeople. I don't care what I look like to you, I'm a paying customer and I'd like a little respect.
Also, I discovered a website that sells religious medallions with the faces of the Olympian Gods on them. I am a happy Hellenist. ^_^
This is a rant.
I wear makeup. Not in the drag queen way, mostly because I'm not that committed to shaving everywhere and applying foundation with a spatula. I like wearing eyeliner and shadows, usually in colors that compliment my eyes or that add a slight touch of dramatic flare behind my glasses. Having less than immaculate skin, I also pray at the altar of the concealer Gods.
Now I realize this is not usual for men in our society, or at least our modern society. Makeup was originally unisex, and remained so until around the 19th century in places such as France. Lined eyes were very popular among both men and women in Egypt, as images on sarcophagi and wall paintings clearly show. During Punjabi wedding ceremonies in India, the bridegroom traditionally wears kohl eyeliner.
I expect people to take notice, because it isn't a common occurance around here. What I don't like, however, are the people who stare at me like I'm of a different species, or make disgusted remarks to my face. There's a thing called politeness, people. While I may personally think that your face looks like the back end of a baboon, I'm certainly not going to say as much out loud to you.
Really though, haven't we been through the "androgynous as popular" thing before? I mean I know I'm not the first guy to go out in public a little tarted up. It's like glamrock in the 70's never happened, or people don't look at the magazine covers featuring whatever punk band is popular (though I've noticed that most of the modern punk songs tend to sound like the same whiny 14-year-old boy is singing them, but that's another rant).
I really don't know where I'm going with this rant now, other than a desire for people to mind their own damned business and act a little civilized toward people they don't know, especially if they're businesspeople. I don't care what I look like to you, I'm a paying customer and I'd like a little respect.
Also, I discovered a website that sells religious medallions with the faces of the Olympian Gods on them. I am a happy Hellenist. ^_^
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Thinking About Stuff
My thoughts have been gravitating toward Otakon and the Art Show. It's getting close to that time of year. I think this year's convention will be the make or break point for me. Are the benefits of volunteering there worth the stress that we all end up facing. I mean the event itself lasts maybe four days for us, five if you count setup at the center, yet it takes weeks to emotionally recover from dealing with people who are not only ignorant (please for the love of Zeus use your real names on the official paperwork, we don't care who you're dressed up as) but also have entitlement issues.
My spiritual practice has lapsed a bit since I've been babysitting. I have about a month's break now and would like to get back into daily devotions, libations, and meditations. I also haven't seriously prayed in awhile. I miss my conversations with Hestia, and the feelings of warmth and comfort that come from her. My June project includes cleaning up clutter and reconsecrating a sacred space to the Olympians within the home. I would like to find an appropriate vessel I can use to contain the khernips on my altar (the steel mixing bowl just seems out of place). I've been looking at the websites of some very skilled artists who do replica Mediterranean pottery in the traditional fashion. I do have a fondness for handcrafted ritual objects.
I just finished reading the third book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. I think I like it more than the Harry Potter series, but I'm also very biased because of my love for the Olympians. I need the fourth book like grandma needs whiskey.
Anyway, anyway. I've got stuff to do and I'll post again soon. Bye!
My spiritual practice has lapsed a bit since I've been babysitting. I have about a month's break now and would like to get back into daily devotions, libations, and meditations. I also haven't seriously prayed in awhile. I miss my conversations with Hestia, and the feelings of warmth and comfort that come from her. My June project includes cleaning up clutter and reconsecrating a sacred space to the Olympians within the home. I would like to find an appropriate vessel I can use to contain the khernips on my altar (the steel mixing bowl just seems out of place). I've been looking at the websites of some very skilled artists who do replica Mediterranean pottery in the traditional fashion. I do have a fondness for handcrafted ritual objects.
I just finished reading the third book in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. I think I like it more than the Harry Potter series, but I'm also very biased because of my love for the Olympians. I need the fourth book like grandma needs whiskey.
Anyway, anyway. I've got stuff to do and I'll post again soon. Bye!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Purification
Thargelia is coming up next week. It's a festival I've had a difficult time reconstructing since I started celebrating the Hellenic cycle. On the surface, Thargelia is a celebration of the birth of the twins of Leto, Artemis and Apollo. Beneath the surface are darker ancient customs and sacrifice merging into symbolic purification.
On the first day of the two-day festival, two men were chosen from the city. One to bear the miasma of the men of the town, and one to bear the miasma of the women. Both were given feasts and treated like kings, then both were severely beaten with leeks by the townsfolk, driven out of town, and most likely killed as a human sacrifice when the practice first began. The purification through human life is an old custom, even to the Greeks, and later it was replaced by simply driving the men out of town and allowing them to return after the festival.
Hellenismos is no longer a public religion. Gone are the temples, the elected priesthood, and the religious offices. Thargelia as it was before simply cannot be reconstructed, for this reason and for the human maturity past the idea of human sacrifice as a literal practice.
There is still a sacred metaphor behind the concept of purification through death. We see this echoed elsewhere through the apotheosis of Herakles by being burned alive, and through the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross. Death becomes a transition from one state of consciousness to another. By giving up that which pollutes us spiritually (miasma), we also make that transition through our own awareness, a death of our previous frame of mind. These are the symbols I get from Thargelia.
While the first day which is devoted to Artemis, deals with purification, the second day is sacred to Apollo and fills in the void left by the miasma with a blessing. A sacred bough is cut and wrapped in wool, and from it hang decorations depicting fruits, bread, and cups for wine and oil. Children gave these branches out door-to-door in exchange for a coin. The branches brought with them a blessing from Apollo for prosperity and abundance.
I have my decorated branch from last year in storage, and I plan to return it to its place by the entrance of my bedroom on the second day of Thargelia. As for the rest, I still have a week to come up with something. I will be spending a lot of time over the next week reflecting on personal spiritual pollution and that which is holding me back from a state of grace with the Gods.
On the first day of the two-day festival, two men were chosen from the city. One to bear the miasma of the men of the town, and one to bear the miasma of the women. Both were given feasts and treated like kings, then both were severely beaten with leeks by the townsfolk, driven out of town, and most likely killed as a human sacrifice when the practice first began. The purification through human life is an old custom, even to the Greeks, and later it was replaced by simply driving the men out of town and allowing them to return after the festival.
Hellenismos is no longer a public religion. Gone are the temples, the elected priesthood, and the religious offices. Thargelia as it was before simply cannot be reconstructed, for this reason and for the human maturity past the idea of human sacrifice as a literal practice.
There is still a sacred metaphor behind the concept of purification through death. We see this echoed elsewhere through the apotheosis of Herakles by being burned alive, and through the sacrifice of Christ upon the cross. Death becomes a transition from one state of consciousness to another. By giving up that which pollutes us spiritually (miasma), we also make that transition through our own awareness, a death of our previous frame of mind. These are the symbols I get from Thargelia.
While the first day which is devoted to Artemis, deals with purification, the second day is sacred to Apollo and fills in the void left by the miasma with a blessing. A sacred bough is cut and wrapped in wool, and from it hang decorations depicting fruits, bread, and cups for wine and oil. Children gave these branches out door-to-door in exchange for a coin. The branches brought with them a blessing from Apollo for prosperity and abundance.
I have my decorated branch from last year in storage, and I plan to return it to its place by the entrance of my bedroom on the second day of Thargelia. As for the rest, I still have a week to come up with something. I will be spending a lot of time over the next week reflecting on personal spiritual pollution and that which is holding me back from a state of grace with the Gods.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Hellenismos and the Young
It's been awhile since I took up blogging, but things are a bit chaotic and up in the air here.
I'm a member of a Hellenismos forum. Recently, we've acquired a few new members that are younger practitioners, and while I personally have no problem with them, there are a few things that I hope time and experience will address:
I feel that blaming all modern Christians for the past centuries of tyranny under Christian leaders is wrong. It serves to further alienate our very small religion, and does not allow the healing that is needed to return to a state of balanced grace (kharis) with the rest of humanity and the Gods. The fact of the matter is that there are many good Christians, especially now at this point in history. Calling for us to hinder and attack Christianity head-on is not only extremist, but also damaging to our own individual spirits. I hope that experience teaches these young practitioners that practicing a certain path does not have to mean you must be against other paths.
There is also no need to proselytize our religion. While for the young it may seem important to feel that you're not the only one practicing a certain path, coercing those who may not be suited to the same path is rarely a good idea. Hellenismos is not a religion that you can just shut your brain off and follow. It requires a lot of study, and more importantly a lot of daily household practice. These should be our driving force, not the quest to "fill the pews". If we focus our efforts on increasing our numbers, we lose focus on what's important about our spirituality.
We also have no need for a symbol. Many new practitioners want a symbol to rally behind, or to show off their spiritual path to others. The ancient Greeks did not have anything like this. They had no word for religion, because they believed that their daily lives and their spiritual lives should be one and the same. We also could not condense Hellenismos enough that any one symbol would work for its entirety. Ancient Greece was not a unified nation, but a collection of individual city-states with their own patron deities and subcultures. The Gods that made up the pantheon of Athens were not necessarily the same Gods in the pantheons of Sparta, Crete, or Thrace. There was also about a thousand years worth of ancient practice that grew and evolved between the Minoan Age and the Roman conquest. No single symbol could possibly define our diverse religion, not that having a symbol is particularly important anyway.
Well, I'm going to have to cut this post short because other things are going on now. In conclusion, I would just like to wish the best for the young Hellenists and hope that experience gives them the wisdom to practice with reason and grace.
I'm a member of a Hellenismos forum. Recently, we've acquired a few new members that are younger practitioners, and while I personally have no problem with them, there are a few things that I hope time and experience will address:
I feel that blaming all modern Christians for the past centuries of tyranny under Christian leaders is wrong. It serves to further alienate our very small religion, and does not allow the healing that is needed to return to a state of balanced grace (kharis) with the rest of humanity and the Gods. The fact of the matter is that there are many good Christians, especially now at this point in history. Calling for us to hinder and attack Christianity head-on is not only extremist, but also damaging to our own individual spirits. I hope that experience teaches these young practitioners that practicing a certain path does not have to mean you must be against other paths.
There is also no need to proselytize our religion. While for the young it may seem important to feel that you're not the only one practicing a certain path, coercing those who may not be suited to the same path is rarely a good idea. Hellenismos is not a religion that you can just shut your brain off and follow. It requires a lot of study, and more importantly a lot of daily household practice. These should be our driving force, not the quest to "fill the pews". If we focus our efforts on increasing our numbers, we lose focus on what's important about our spirituality.
We also have no need for a symbol. Many new practitioners want a symbol to rally behind, or to show off their spiritual path to others. The ancient Greeks did not have anything like this. They had no word for religion, because they believed that their daily lives and their spiritual lives should be one and the same. We also could not condense Hellenismos enough that any one symbol would work for its entirety. Ancient Greece was not a unified nation, but a collection of individual city-states with their own patron deities and subcultures. The Gods that made up the pantheon of Athens were not necessarily the same Gods in the pantheons of Sparta, Crete, or Thrace. There was also about a thousand years worth of ancient practice that grew and evolved between the Minoan Age and the Roman conquest. No single symbol could possibly define our diverse religion, not that having a symbol is particularly important anyway.
Well, I'm going to have to cut this post short because other things are going on now. In conclusion, I would just like to wish the best for the young Hellenists and hope that experience gives them the wisdom to practice with reason and grace.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Karma and the Way We See Things
A friend of mine posted on facebook that someone who used to harrass and assault him when he was in highschool was killed, and he was unsure how he should feel about it. A lot of comments to his post attribute the death to karma, and I feel that's putting a biased human slant on a universal effect.
Karma does not judge. It does not take revenge. Karma is cause and effect, period. There is no malice involved. A lot of people think that karma is another word for divine judgement, but it is not meant to be. We like to think that the universe is going to right all the wrongs done to us, but that's simply not the way of things. We like to think we will be rewarded for the good we do, but that's also not the way of things. We, as flawed humans, cannot see things from all angles.
I told my friend that we can't hold people in judgement for things done to us when we were all young and stupid. None of us are above that. That person may have had people who loved and cared for him. Would they "deserve" to go through this loss because of a mistake made many years ago? No. Of course not.
It is us who need to let go. We need to put aside the trivial grievances of the past, or how else will those wounds heal? We need to think on a wider scale and not lay down judgement upon a person based on one instant in their lives.
The decision to rejoice in this death is my friend's. I hope he takes something from what I have said to him, no matter how hard it may be to hear. I personally don't feel happy, or sad ragarding this. I just feel that a life too close to my own age was wasted.
Karma does not judge. It does not take revenge. Karma is cause and effect, period. There is no malice involved. A lot of people think that karma is another word for divine judgement, but it is not meant to be. We like to think that the universe is going to right all the wrongs done to us, but that's simply not the way of things. We like to think we will be rewarded for the good we do, but that's also not the way of things. We, as flawed humans, cannot see things from all angles.
I told my friend that we can't hold people in judgement for things done to us when we were all young and stupid. None of us are above that. That person may have had people who loved and cared for him. Would they "deserve" to go through this loss because of a mistake made many years ago? No. Of course not.
It is us who need to let go. We need to put aside the trivial grievances of the past, or how else will those wounds heal? We need to think on a wider scale and not lay down judgement upon a person based on one instant in their lives.
The decision to rejoice in this death is my friend's. I hope he takes something from what I have said to him, no matter how hard it may be to hear. I personally don't feel happy, or sad ragarding this. I just feel that a life too close to my own age was wasted.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
St. Valentine's Day
Let me begin by saying that I'm tired of snow. We got two back-to-back blizzards here, and walls of snow outside. I'm hoping the following rant can warm me up and help me relax as I start the day's events:
I love how holidays have now become orgies of debt and stress underlaid by a wave of guilt. I mean this with all sarcasm.
It almost seems as if the point of St. Valentine's Day is to ostracize single people entirely; and drive those who are not single mad with stress over buying the "perfect" (translated as "most expensive") gift for their loved one, or guilt for not giving in to the madness. I know people who will look at you like you're an alien for not celebrating the day, and even try to guilt you into either finding a significant other, or buying the one you have a gift.
There are actual television advertisements showing a woman being given a gift by her significant other, but rejecting it because it wasn't the product being advertised. Seriously? Do you know what it's called when love has a price tag? Prostitution.
This year, as every other St. Valentine's Day in my lifetime, I am rejecting the madness. I will not be stressing over the fact that I'm single, or going into debt to buy diamond-encrusted jewelry and expensive candy. (As a side note, maybe it's only me, but I hate a lot of modern jewelry. Diamonds should not look like an infestation of barnacles.) I will not be swayed by St. Valentine's Day pimps trying to get me to put a price on love.
Today is Theogamia, the celebration marking the marriage of Hera and Zeus. I'm going to doll myself up and escort the Divine Bride to her Bridegroom.
Later folks.
I love how holidays have now become orgies of debt and stress underlaid by a wave of guilt. I mean this with all sarcasm.
It almost seems as if the point of St. Valentine's Day is to ostracize single people entirely; and drive those who are not single mad with stress over buying the "perfect" (translated as "most expensive") gift for their loved one, or guilt for not giving in to the madness. I know people who will look at you like you're an alien for not celebrating the day, and even try to guilt you into either finding a significant other, or buying the one you have a gift.
There are actual television advertisements showing a woman being given a gift by her significant other, but rejecting it because it wasn't the product being advertised. Seriously? Do you know what it's called when love has a price tag? Prostitution.
This year, as every other St. Valentine's Day in my lifetime, I am rejecting the madness. I will not be stressing over the fact that I'm single, or going into debt to buy diamond-encrusted jewelry and expensive candy. (As a side note, maybe it's only me, but I hate a lot of modern jewelry. Diamonds should not look like an infestation of barnacles.) I will not be swayed by St. Valentine's Day pimps trying to get me to put a price on love.
Today is Theogamia, the celebration marking the marriage of Hera and Zeus. I'm going to doll myself up and escort the Divine Bride to her Bridegroom.
Later folks.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Shaking to the Core of My Soul
I don't know if I want to scream or cry, so I'm at that shaking fidgety stage between both. My sister is staying here, again. She had another manic episode and her boyfriend sent her "home". The problem being that this isn't her home anymore. They made a choice to be together, to have a child for the Gods' sakes! When adults go through rough times in their relationship, they don't send their partners away. When you have a baby you can't just turn your relationship on and off when things go downhill. My nephew's in the NICU, grow the fuck up already!
I hate that she can come in here like a hurricane and turn my world upside down like that. The asshole also kept calling her, all through the night, just to argue! Other people live in this house, and some of us need all the sleep we can get without the phone ringing every 15 minutes or so. She's also staying in my brother's room. Just because he's at college doesn't mean the room is free. She still has her own bedroom here, small though it is.
More wonderful news. My half-assed uncle called today to tell us that my grandmother's health is getting worse. She's going through dementia, and has taken to wandering around, and is also seeing things. He wants my parents to watch her while he's at work during the night. They're going to alternate nights between them. I don't know how that's going to work out.
I'm also scared to death of losing my grandmother, even though I really haven't been close to her in about five years. It had a lot to do with my uncle moving into her house at that time I think. She practically raised me though. I have dreams about that old house across the street where she lived. That was my first home, and after we moved to this house I spent just about every weekend of my childhood there with her and my grandfather. Her new house was ok, but I just don't have that emotional attachment to it. I guess I see the new house as the place my grandfather's health started to decline in. It got to the point where he couldn't remember us. He called my niece by my sister's name when she went to visit him.
We told my uncle after my grandfather passed away that my grandmother needs a nurse, or to be in a nice retirement home where she can be looked after properly. We tried to look after her for a couple months, but it became too much even for us. No, he wanted to take care of her so he could still live in her house, and have easy access to her money and what my grandfather left her. Fucking burnt-out 50-year-old child. Seriously, he's 50 years old and has no money of his own because he's always investing in get-rich-quick schemes. If he just stops wasting away his money he would have a lot of it by now.
I wanted to drink tonight, and was very tempted to finish off my half bottle of absinthe while I was at my friend's house. I didn't though. Someone here needs to keep their head on straight. Why is it always me though? I guess I wasn't born with that impetuous bone in me. More's the pity sometimes.
I hate that she can come in here like a hurricane and turn my world upside down like that. The asshole also kept calling her, all through the night, just to argue! Other people live in this house, and some of us need all the sleep we can get without the phone ringing every 15 minutes or so. She's also staying in my brother's room. Just because he's at college doesn't mean the room is free. She still has her own bedroom here, small though it is.
More wonderful news. My half-assed uncle called today to tell us that my grandmother's health is getting worse. She's going through dementia, and has taken to wandering around, and is also seeing things. He wants my parents to watch her while he's at work during the night. They're going to alternate nights between them. I don't know how that's going to work out.
I'm also scared to death of losing my grandmother, even though I really haven't been close to her in about five years. It had a lot to do with my uncle moving into her house at that time I think. She practically raised me though. I have dreams about that old house across the street where she lived. That was my first home, and after we moved to this house I spent just about every weekend of my childhood there with her and my grandfather. Her new house was ok, but I just don't have that emotional attachment to it. I guess I see the new house as the place my grandfather's health started to decline in. It got to the point where he couldn't remember us. He called my niece by my sister's name when she went to visit him.
We told my uncle after my grandfather passed away that my grandmother needs a nurse, or to be in a nice retirement home where she can be looked after properly. We tried to look after her for a couple months, but it became too much even for us. No, he wanted to take care of her so he could still live in her house, and have easy access to her money and what my grandfather left her. Fucking burnt-out 50-year-old child. Seriously, he's 50 years old and has no money of his own because he's always investing in get-rich-quick schemes. If he just stops wasting away his money he would have a lot of it by now.
I wanted to drink tonight, and was very tempted to finish off my half bottle of absinthe while I was at my friend's house. I didn't though. Someone here needs to keep their head on straight. Why is it always me though? I guess I wasn't born with that impetuous bone in me. More's the pity sometimes.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
A Prayer In the Face of Tragedy
Poseidon Pelagaeus, Lord of the Sea. Poseidon Laoites, Lord of the People. Poseidon Gaieokhos, Holder of the Earth. The foundations have been shaken and the sea brought to turmoil. I make offerings of water and salt in thanks for your blessings, and in thanks for the lessons that the tempestuous seas have taught. I ask that comfort be brought now to those who have felt the shaking of the Earth. May they find the stability to continue with their lives, and may the generosity of their fellow mortals bring them the aid they need.
Hades Polydektes, Receiver of Many Guests. I offer you libations of oil for the comfort of those who have been taken by the Earth. Solemn Host of Many, may you see to their needs in your realm below, and may they find peace.
Hades Polydektes, Receiver of Many Guests. I offer you libations of oil for the comfort of those who have been taken by the Earth. Solemn Host of Many, may you see to their needs in your realm below, and may they find peace.
Here's to You, Mr. Robertson
Pat Robertson brushed off the recent tragedy in Haiti, claiming that they've been cursed for making a deal with the devil for their independence. This person has also claimed that the September 11th attacks are the result of Pagans, gays, and abortionists; and that the Hurricane Katrina tragedy was the result of God's anger against abortion.
To you, Mr. Robertson, I owe this rant.
I take as my text that well-known but little-heeded verse from the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 25: "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these, my brethren, you did for me'". This continues to verse 45: "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me'".
This, my friends, is the heart of Christianity. This is compassion, and recognition of the divine in others. Love is what Christ preached, not hate. "Judge not, lest you also be judged" were his words.
Where is this spirit of compassion in modern day Christianity? I say those who preach hate and judgement are not following the will of Christ. They are following that weakness in their own human ego that makes them want to feel better about themselves by condemning others that are different.
I am not Christian, but my love of the compassion found in the teachings of Jesus is profound. My heart is gladdened when I see Christians keeping the message of love in their hearts. They know what their scripture calls of them. They know that compassion and charity are the foremost commandments given to them.
Why can't all Christians put aside this hateful judgement and be more Christ-like?
To you, Mr. Robertson, I owe this rant.
I take as my text that well-known but little-heeded verse from the Gospel of Matthew, Chapter 25: "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these, my brethren, you did for me'". This continues to verse 45: "He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me'".
This, my friends, is the heart of Christianity. This is compassion, and recognition of the divine in others. Love is what Christ preached, not hate. "Judge not, lest you also be judged" were his words.
Where is this spirit of compassion in modern day Christianity? I say those who preach hate and judgement are not following the will of Christ. They are following that weakness in their own human ego that makes them want to feel better about themselves by condemning others that are different.
I am not Christian, but my love of the compassion found in the teachings of Jesus is profound. My heart is gladdened when I see Christians keeping the message of love in their hearts. They know what their scripture calls of them. They know that compassion and charity are the foremost commandments given to them.
Why can't all Christians put aside this hateful judgement and be more Christ-like?
Friday, January 15, 2010
Organization Blues
I slept for twelve hours last night/this morning and woke up feeling very guilty because there were things I wanted to get done. Usually, I can get by on maybe four to five hours of sleep. Being a light sleeper isn't all its cracked up to be. Last night I was just physically exhausted, and as soon as I hit my bed I crashed.
I had wanted to get some organizing and cleaning done. That's one of my 2010 themes, organization. I still have empty boxes from the holidays in my room that I want to break down and toss into the recycle bin for next Thursday. There are a few I have to keep to store books though, because I have exceeded my shelf-space once again. I also have three new hardcover books that were given to me as gifts, which I adore but just don't have the space for.
I also need to get other people's shit out of my bedroom. Three years ago, my bedroom became a storage area for furniture that needed to be moved out of the way when we took my sister in. I have a large rocking chair and ottoman that really belong in the living room once my sister reclaims the stuff she left here. She has a rocking chair that is plastered with notes and printed text messages between her and her ex. It was one of those cute wedding presents that became the bane of our existence after the divorce. I would love to take an axe to the damned thing and put our family rocking chair back in its place, and out of my bedroom.
I also have an elliptical machine in my bedroom that needs to be put together so I can actually use it. That's a piece of equipment that had been dragged out of the basement during the move. I offered to take it because I had wanted to use it, not realizing how much other crap I was going to be getting. Now it's in a corner of the room gathering dust. I can't even get to my altar space due to holiday boxes, and I've been doing devotionals at the bookcase. Sad.
Hopefully this weekend will allow me more time to spend organizing things a bit. I also need to get rid of these blasted curtains. They're hideous, and actually came with the house that I've lived all but a year of my life in.
Things have got to change, and nobody else is going to do it for me. Here's to comfort and organization in 2010.
I had wanted to get some organizing and cleaning done. That's one of my 2010 themes, organization. I still have empty boxes from the holidays in my room that I want to break down and toss into the recycle bin for next Thursday. There are a few I have to keep to store books though, because I have exceeded my shelf-space once again. I also have three new hardcover books that were given to me as gifts, which I adore but just don't have the space for.
I also need to get other people's shit out of my bedroom. Three years ago, my bedroom became a storage area for furniture that needed to be moved out of the way when we took my sister in. I have a large rocking chair and ottoman that really belong in the living room once my sister reclaims the stuff she left here. She has a rocking chair that is plastered with notes and printed text messages between her and her ex. It was one of those cute wedding presents that became the bane of our existence after the divorce. I would love to take an axe to the damned thing and put our family rocking chair back in its place, and out of my bedroom.
I also have an elliptical machine in my bedroom that needs to be put together so I can actually use it. That's a piece of equipment that had been dragged out of the basement during the move. I offered to take it because I had wanted to use it, not realizing how much other crap I was going to be getting. Now it's in a corner of the room gathering dust. I can't even get to my altar space due to holiday boxes, and I've been doing devotionals at the bookcase. Sad.
Hopefully this weekend will allow me more time to spend organizing things a bit. I also need to get rid of these blasted curtains. They're hideous, and actually came with the house that I've lived all but a year of my life in.
Things have got to change, and nobody else is going to do it for me. Here's to comfort and organization in 2010.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Will You, Won't You Join The Dance?
A festival to Dionysus is coming up, and I've been pondering how to go about reconstructing it, or at least adapting it to my situation. This is one of those tricky festivals because it had such a public involvement. I'm thinking of buying a couple bottles of wine and watching comedies with friends, since the theatre really isn't an option right now. I'm working on a hymn to honor the rebirth of the God of wine. Which reminds me, I need to start working on my friends' wedding ceremony. I also want to start making wine again. Shit! Where's my "to do" list?
Today was one of those ho-hum days. My friends and I called it a night earlier than usual because we were all so exhausted. The Korean spicy chicken noodles were very tasty though. I'll have to remember that the next time we go to the store.
I've been feeling an urge to walk to the park, which is a bit crazy because the wind is like ice daggers outside and I've been fighting a cold that just won't quit.
Note to self: buy a decent eyelid primer. I hate when my shadow creases and fades at the end of the day. I'm breaking social taboos by wearing it as it is, and I don't want it to look messy.
I posted information about the festival on the forum I moderate. I'm hoping someone somewhere takes something from it.
There are days when I feel like I'm the only Hellenist in the world, then I go to a Hellenismos forum and wish I was. There's no need to blast other spiritual paths, or quote Plato as if he's the author of some sacred scripture. The "you either practice/have this worldview or you aren't one of us" also really bugs me. The stance on gay marriage bugs me as well. Yes, I know the ancients didn't see homosexual relationships in the light of "sacred marriage", even if they were ok with those relationships in practice. The ancients also saw marriage as a property-exchange between father and husband. There are some parts of the ancient worldview that just need to be adapted to what we know now. People no longer marry for breeding purposes. I don't see what the big deal is about gay people not being able to have a Hellenic religious marriage, even though the community is in favor of a secular union.
I want to start writing again, but lately haven't felt the motivation to do so. I miss the darling creatures of my creative process. Particularly Evan, even though he doesn't want to listen. I envy that sarcastic charming bastard sometimes, especially his ability to say what he feels and still be laid back about it. Of course those qualities are also buried in me somewhere, or he wouldn't have them at all.
Well, I should try to get some sleep. Being a walking zombie throughout the day may be humorous to others, but it sure ain't pretty.
Today was one of those ho-hum days. My friends and I called it a night earlier than usual because we were all so exhausted. The Korean spicy chicken noodles were very tasty though. I'll have to remember that the next time we go to the store.
I've been feeling an urge to walk to the park, which is a bit crazy because the wind is like ice daggers outside and I've been fighting a cold that just won't quit.
Note to self: buy a decent eyelid primer. I hate when my shadow creases and fades at the end of the day. I'm breaking social taboos by wearing it as it is, and I don't want it to look messy.
I posted information about the festival on the forum I moderate. I'm hoping someone somewhere takes something from it.
There are days when I feel like I'm the only Hellenist in the world, then I go to a Hellenismos forum and wish I was. There's no need to blast other spiritual paths, or quote Plato as if he's the author of some sacred scripture. The "you either practice/have this worldview or you aren't one of us" also really bugs me. The stance on gay marriage bugs me as well. Yes, I know the ancients didn't see homosexual relationships in the light of "sacred marriage", even if they were ok with those relationships in practice. The ancients also saw marriage as a property-exchange between father and husband. There are some parts of the ancient worldview that just need to be adapted to what we know now. People no longer marry for breeding purposes. I don't see what the big deal is about gay people not being able to have a Hellenic religious marriage, even though the community is in favor of a secular union.
I want to start writing again, but lately haven't felt the motivation to do so. I miss the darling creatures of my creative process. Particularly Evan, even though he doesn't want to listen. I envy that sarcastic charming bastard sometimes, especially his ability to say what he feels and still be laid back about it. Of course those qualities are also buried in me somewhere, or he wouldn't have them at all.
Well, I should try to get some sleep. Being a walking zombie throughout the day may be humorous to others, but it sure ain't pretty.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Taking Flight
Inspired by a good friend, I've created this blog to house and organize the ramblings of my mind.
Let me first begin with an introduction. I was born in June of 1982, which makes me as old as any other person born that year, yet I'll only admit to 21. The oldest of my parents' children, I have two younger siblings and a niece and nephew. I'm an ordained priest following a Hellenic (Ancient Greek) spiritual path, and also a baker, writer, activist, mehndi artist, soap-maker, event-planner, receptionist, and advisor. Three cheers for a short attention span!
Let me also say that I am homosexually-inclined. It's a bit funny how this one thing that feels so natural to me would also be one of the most complicated aspects of my life. If this fact offends you, then by all means stop reading immediately. I do not wish to inflame such tender sensibilities, yet as this is my blog I am going to talk about things going on in my life and this happens to be one of them.
I live in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. I was born here and grew up here. It's by no means a paradise, but I'm comfortable enough at present. I would like to live outisde the city someday, but for now it is convenient that most of my needs are within walking distance.
Now that I got all that business out of the way, let the blogging commence.
Let me first begin with an introduction. I was born in June of 1982, which makes me as old as any other person born that year, yet I'll only admit to 21. The oldest of my parents' children, I have two younger siblings and a niece and nephew. I'm an ordained priest following a Hellenic (Ancient Greek) spiritual path, and also a baker, writer, activist, mehndi artist, soap-maker, event-planner, receptionist, and advisor. Three cheers for a short attention span!
Let me also say that I am homosexually-inclined. It's a bit funny how this one thing that feels so natural to me would also be one of the most complicated aspects of my life. If this fact offends you, then by all means stop reading immediately. I do not wish to inflame such tender sensibilities, yet as this is my blog I am going to talk about things going on in my life and this happens to be one of them.
I live in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. I was born here and grew up here. It's by no means a paradise, but I'm comfortable enough at present. I would like to live outisde the city someday, but for now it is convenient that most of my needs are within walking distance.
Now that I got all that business out of the way, let the blogging commence.
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