Ramblings of an Academented Mind

this journal is "friends only"

Tue, 19 Apr 2005 09:21:04 GMT

This journal is friends-only for a variety of reasons. Many past posts will also be edited to become friends-only. If you're interested in reading it, please comment to be added.

on a creative SCAdian note, Renaissance Turkish project

Mon, 18 Apr 2005 08:51:25 GMT

I have had a lot of emotional crazy times lately. Really, that's life and I wouldn't have it any other way. --and I look forward to experiencing it all, good and bad. I love the experience, and although it scares me _a lot_ sometimes, I really love being alive and am grateful for it. :)

I thought I would share with ya'll one of the ways I recharge, and one of the ways I express my creativity -- costumes! Garb (a costume of a particular region or culture) is more more true passion than the Halloween type, and in certain circles I have become known for my work on historical Mid-Eastern clothing in a group called the Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), which is a historical reenactment group with a place for all types of people and all sort of pursuits. Here is a previous outfit I worked on and put details and pictures here: http://www.geocities.com/julianafelicity/turkish.html In my own research I was curious about how people interpreted things, so I put up how I had interpreted stuffs, too. It seems to have been valuable to many, and inspired great conversations and learning for us all.

I am working on a new outfit. It will be same culture (urban Turkish, Renaissance late SCA period), but a slightly different take on it. I am going more for the Persian influenced look: longer and more flowing-ish and less "look at my lovely big butt and hips" (which is a look that truly I do enjoy).
Here is the inspiration for it:
It's a vintage hat from the 1960's era (I think) from "Peck and Peck, Fifth Avenue New York" that I got on eBay by a fluke. It is made of dark royal blue velvet and embroidered with gold metallic threads, white seed beads, pink, purple, green, and aqua beads, some sequins. The adornment is applied in a period way and even in period motifs -- I couldn't have done better myself! I am not intending to alter it at all, but wear it slightly back on my head with some head veil-type covering.

I am so very excited about it. It's been a while since I've garbed for historical purposes (what with the wedding and all, moving, and more), and I am ready to give it a go again.
I have also been inspired by people's gracious compliments, I have been inspired by others, and also by people's email requests for info on period clothing and cultures.

I suppose the Boi might need a little touch-up too, but I love what he made for himself: Rawrr. :)

a nice meme-ish game from seanies's journal

Sun, 17 Apr 2005 05:31:22 GMT

Reply with your name or lj username and I'll tell you something I thnk is neat-o about you.

Afterwards, copy and paste this into your own journal.

anyone heard of a magazine like this?..

Mon, 11 Apr 2005 22:28:49 GMT

A while back I saw an advertisement for a magazine that was all about news stories of people helping other people and of fortunate events. Basically the opposite of the dominant media. I really regret not subscribing to it, and all my searching doesn't seem to be able to find it again.

of anonymous posters/comments, making this journal "friends only"?

Sun, 10 Apr 2005 19:07:05 GMT

There have been several anonymous comments in my journal as of late. And that's fine, there are many public entries.

However, I do not care for the idea of someone I know not being forthright enough to identify themselves as reading this journal. Someone has posted repeatedly, and the best they have hinted at who they are is in Latin as a "faithful friend". It's one thing for someone who I do not know and who does not know me to comment anonymously, but I find it dishonest and not welcome for a friend, or someone I know in the 'real world', to withhold their identity while gathering information of my life.

I am thinking about making this journal "friends only".

my presence on the web has been updated

Thu, 07 Apr 2005 23:44:37 GMT

I have had a delightfully productive day and got the great majority of things on my list done. I like being busy, and I like a feeling of physical accomplishment. --and I got all these things done by 3pm, and all the while I was making a baby, too. ;)

I updated my personal web pages, of which there are several that showcase/focus on different aspects of my life and interests. One for thoughts on goth culture, one for eastern dance, another for my neo-Victorian perspective, and yet another as a main home-base.
Many people think web pages are simply self aggrandizing and vain. "My life is just so dang interesting -- here are pictures of my pets!" For some, this may be true. For me, it's a way to to connect with other people who also have eclectic interests and pursuits.

ahhhhh, refreshing ... not so much.

Mon, 04 Apr 2005 17:12:09 GMT

"Introducing new Diet Catholicism® . Are you a cultural Catholic and enjoy some of the outward practices of Catholicism but that dogma aftertaste just bothers your conscience? Then try Diet Catholicism® "Smells and Bells, but no talk about Hell."

After all two thirds of the earth is covered with water, up to 60 percent of your body is water. So what is better for your body than a 100 percent watered down faith.

Trying to keep doctrines out of your diet and want to avoid that conscience bloat from Real Catholicism® then give yourself a break. Enjoy Catholicism without all that obedience and changing your life stuff. Live your life like you want to with no guilt trip to weigh you down.

Do encyclicals and statements from the Vatican give you gas? Does just the thought of Cardinal Ratzinger give you heartburn? Then your ready for the drink of the Me generation. Warmed over, bland, and totally nonjudgmental on your taste buds."

as seen at http://www.splendoroftruth.com/curtjester/archives/003965.php

thoughts upon the Pope's passing

Sun, 03 Apr 2005 08:20:40 GMT

I was starting to feel disconnected from the pope about Thursday-ish. It's strange, really, because he was always kinda' there in the background of my life as a stable patriarch (in the familial sense) for me. He never in my whole life seemed distant or just a leader figure in a distant land. So, about that time I started feeling disconnected I looked up the news and saw that he was doing poorly. We don't listen to the news or have broadcast television of any kind (on purpose), so we didn't know he had passed on until Vespers Liturgy this evening. I an not sad, but it is sobering.

He is the only pope I have ever known, so he is my template of understanding what a pope is. I guess I kinda' think that all pope's will be like him. I will forever compare sucesssive popes to him. It was a good papacy, and I respect him utterly for being orthodox and for trying to bring the Church together. I think that in history this papacy will be regarded as pivotal and of great importance in Church history.

I think he was a good man and a good pope. I am not sad he is gone, and I think the Holy Mother greeted him as he was very close to her and renewed love and devotion to her after it waned so dramatically after Vatican II. His father was Roman Catholic and his mother was Ruthenian Byzantine Catholic. He came with a foot in both spiritual worlds and brought attention to the Eastern Churches and spirituality that may be the only salvation of the West. He saw the horrors of both socialism and capitalism and condemned both. His life has seen some of the most amazing changes of the past century. He was uniquely the leader we needed.

Hunter Thompson's suicide got much attention in the blogosphere. I like what Christopher Wesley had to say in comparison of the two people:
"And yet, the Holy Father is revered because most people know, if only implicitly, that men and women need the examples of those who persevere through suffering if only to provide hope – a divine mystery seemingly absent from Hunter S. Thompson’s life – that life is worth living."

Happy b-day peacheater77

Tue, 29 Mar 2005 01:55:24 GMT

Haven't seen you around in a while; hope all is well.

Christos Voskrese!

Mon, 28 Mar 2005 06:39:48 GMT

Christos Voskrese!
Christos Anesthi!
Christ is Risen!

I love today. It is the celebration of the heart of my religion; my world view and life understanding.
I love how Fr. Jo swings the incense in circles, and I love how the Gospel is read in four languages to the four directions of the world. The Boi and I will be singing "Christ is risen from the dead; by death he conquered death, and to those in the graves he granted Life..." all day and for weeks. Probably in the shower, too. We came home and ate Pascha and special Easter sausage and eggs with cheese and cookies.

I am so grateful for my religious community (near and far) and super-neat-o people in my life. I am glad to be surrounded by a culture of Life.

addendum: At the supper we attended with family and some friends (almost all secular non-religious folks), I was asked to give the blessing before the meal. I got slightly embarrassed (all secular and the lil' Byzantines a prayin'), but I looked at the Boi and we did it together. It was a good thing, and we said our eastern blessing with the addendum "may it (the meal) strengthen us in body and soul, may it strengthen our union with each other in you (Christ)".

an interesting take/satire on the Schiavo case

Sat, 26 Mar 2005 08:07:34 GMT

I haven't seen this get around much, so here it is:
http://www.blueeyedinfidel.com/archives/2005/03/i_look_forward.html
seen in brittanyb_34's posting

Annunciation and Good Friday all in one.

Sat, 26 Mar 2005 07:35:19 GMT

I woke up today and it felt odd. The whole day has been just a little off, and I have been somewhat surly and grumpy off-and-on.
Having the fest of the Annunciation on the same day as Good and Holy Friday is kinda' novel (I guess it only happens every sixteen years). It just makes it hard to get into the right mindset, really (whatever that 'right mindset' is). And even thought we had a double-ish liturgy/service, it was still only three hours. I was predicting longer, and the kids there did really quite well.
When we went up to venerate the shroud, I couldn't get all the way to the ground (I didn't push it, either). So I kind of bowed form my knees. Yup; no doubt my body is a changing -- and faster than I thought. My clothes are getting a little too tight around the waist for comfortable movement, and muscles seem to be under strain/stretch when I do stuff.

Palm Sunday

Sun, 20 Mar 2005 23:42:58 GMT

At liturgy Fr. Jo blessed palms and pussy willows and we got to hold them through the whole liturgy (well, I did, but you're supposed to hold them at all the entrances and the Gospel). I get distracted by the puffy willows and like to pet them.
This is always exciting for me, and brings out kind of kid-like happy happy feelings. I get this way at all liturgical ceremonies (like, blessing water at Theophany, even blessing the bread and oil at the end of liturgy and Spiritual Athlete). I even am all warm happy smiley coming back from Eucharist.
so, I was thinking on this, and realized we get to be all happy excited with our wee ones when they do it. If I find it interesting and fun, how much more will it be for them. :)

about how I've been feeling lately...

Thu, 17 Mar 2005 18:45:37 GMT

"...It's the state of being pregnant, as if you're weaving a house for your child out of your own body, and it takes all your energy, all your attention." --Hilma Wolitzer

favorite mem-y thing

Mon, 14 Mar 2005 17:10:06 GMT

I haven't done any in a while, but I thought this one was fun and more visually interesting and a little less "me me me me me" (yes, lupe101) than most.

Go to google image search. Type in your answers to the following questions and post the first postable image result for each.
1.Place you grew up
2.place you live now
3.favorite cartoon
4.favorite food
5.favorite drink
6.favorite song
7.favorite smell
8.favorite shoes

1a.Place you grew up (place I grew up as a child)

1b.Place you grew up (place I grew up as an adult/collegian)

2.place you live now

3.favorite cartoon (it's cheesy now, but I still have Halloween costume desires in this direction)

4.favorite food

5.favorite drink

6.favorite song (at the moment)

7.favorite smell

8.favorite shoes

I am not a 'uniate', I am not Orthodox; I am orthodox Catholic

Sun, 13 Mar 2005 19:16:12 GMT

You see, we Byzantine Catholics are in a unique position in the world. We are between East and West in the Christian Church. Both Rome and the Orthodox Churches seem to feel they are just fine without the other and stand alone in their Truthful understanding. Those of us in the middle (all the middle folks -- not just Byzantines) see it a little differently. Perhaps it is we who will lend understanding to the reunification of the Church (being all separated and fractioned is a bad thing, yo).

1) I am not a 'uniate'
For those unfamiliar with this term, it is often used in a derogatory way to describe Eastern Christians who unified themselves with Rome, and is a term used by those of the Orthodox Churches. We did not unify with Rome. We never left. East and West had their fight and split and associated issues and we just kept on keeping on what we were doing. One day in the not too distant past someone came to the Byzantine/Ruthenian Churches and asked who we were sided with. huh? We're Christians. Are you with the Pope? Sure, isn't everybody? Well, no apparently not. But regardless, we never left, so we never re-unified. We never forsook our Eastern roots, and we don't endorse the yucky things of the Roman Catholic Church. We are in between and that's how we've been. It's sometimes easy to think we stayed solid while people moved away from the center that we developed in; but I think that's a juvenile historical view of things.

2) I am not Orthodox
I am Catholic. Catholic does not = Roman Catholic. Broaden your horizons and understanding of Christian history. It's a lot bigger than most people think, and it doesn't center around Europe. Seriously; no joke. Byz Cath's are cool with the Pope and for the most part he leaves us alone. He even wrote a cool encyclical called "Oriental Lumen" about the value of the Eastern Church and spirituality.

3) I am orthodox Catholic
Now, when you hear this in person it doesn't make as much sense since you can't see the little "o" in "orthodox". But I think perhaps that's the best description. We are not new, we are not break-offs, we are old but still affiliated.

So those are my three points (because, ya' know I'm Catholic, and we do things in threes ;). This post is not directed at anyone in particular, but just a culmination of years of people's reaction to my religion.

Sat, 12 Mar 2005 16:19:25 GMT

Happy Birthday lady_babalon!

Fri, 11 Mar 2005 17:01:31 GMT

I just found out it was your b-day recently -- best to you!

Happy Birthday weret_hekau!

Fri, 11 Mar 2005 16:54:56 GMT

Happy Birthday weret_hekau! (albeit a day late)

Many happy returns and many blessed years!

wedding tips not to forget

Tue, 08 Mar 2005 10:06:17 GMT

I posted this in several wedding and bride communities that I was a part of when we were planning our crowning and reception. I thought I may as well post it here, too, for those who may find it useful. :)

We were married on Nov. 6, 2004 and there were certain things that didn't turn out for the best that I thought I'd share with you so you don't run into them, too. Really, it all went _amazingly_ well and a good time was had by all -- all the details were covered except for the few following things. Our choice of photographer and caterer had a lot to do with this. Pictures can be seen at http://www.geocities.com/rengalcreations/engaged.html We had a traditional Byzantine Catholic Crowning ceremony, and a festive reception with a swing/jazz band.

1) Make sure someone is on hand at the gift table at the reception. They don't have to be there all night, but for the first bit while people are arriving to the after party. Be sure they are armed with a pen and scotch tape. We had almost 10 gifts and cards that were separated form each other. It was a struggle to connect the giver with the gift, and at least one person still is sadly not getting a thank you note.

2) The person doing the above mentioned job can also be the person who reminds folks to sign the guest book. Not 1/2 the people at ours signed in and we found out later that the sign in had been buried by presents and was pen-less.

3) Have backup people for important jobs, and let the unimportant ones go (those ones really do work out on their own). We had a family emergency for one of the church greeters, and she couldn't come. We found a last minute replacement, but it was a little frazzled.

4) Honeymoon not at home, and do go on an immediate, or soon, honeymoon. It will ease the transition from all the wedding prep and excitement back into starting life together, and will alleviate any let down after the wedding (this is it? it's over? now what?). Also, let a few trusted people have your contact info and no one else. It seems rude and odd, but yes people will try to contact you about unrelated stuff. And make sure both of you know this (my love scheduled a deadline for a project that week, and I was none too happy about it).

*** 5) Remember that at an interfaith ceremony, or a ceremony of two people from different religious backgrounds and traditions, a lot of people will not know what is going on. We had booklets that followed along with the ceremony along with a description of what things meant and symbolized. It was a big help to everyone that this was there. It cost us extra $$, but really it must be done.

6) Remember these things when you are a guest at someone else's wedding. Secure your card to the gift well before you get there, and don't forget to sign in. :)

how to ban frienditto

Sun, 06 Mar 2005 09:06:22 GMT

go to http://www.livejournal.com/admin/console/

enter this:
ban_set frienditto

but it's Saturday -- no pizzas delivered?!

Sun, 06 Mar 2005 08:33:28 GMT

It's 12:20am at that cusp between Saturday and Sunday. How could it possibly be that late on a Saturday night there are no pizza places places in my area still open, let alone delivering? Arrrrrggghhhh! No cheesy melty cheesy goodnesses for me. :(

...creamy almond goodness...

Fri, 04 Mar 2005 09:03:04 GMT

I like cream. I love almonds. When this simple recipe came my way, I felt the need to share it with you all.
I like to bake because it brings the Boi so much joy and pleasure. He is constantly doing wonderful happy good things for me (brought me a rose today "because you're so beautiful"), and baking is what I am able to treat him with sometimes.
I also like to bake because I enjoy knowing love went into the food, and I like to know exactly what stuff goes into it (especially now that the developing wee one is directly affected by what I imbibe).

Yum follows.

2 cups flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cup whipping cream
3 eggs
1 tsp. almond extract

TOPPING:
1/2 cup slivered almonds
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsb. butter
2 tbsp. cream
2 tbsp. flour

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter a 9" springform pan. Stir together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. With a mixer, whisk the whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Whisk in the eggs, one at a time. Add the almond extract. Stir/Fold in the flour mixture. Transfer batter to the prepared pan and bake for 45 minutes.

While the cake is baking, combine the topping ingredients in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat and stir to combine. When a toothpick inserted in the cake comes out clean, remove the cake from the oven. Spoon the topping over the cake and bake for 10 minute more. Remove cake form oven and loosen outer ring of the pan. Cool completely before serving.

wedding pictures

Tue, 01 Mar 2005 07:22:49 GMT

November 6th really wasn't that long ago

http://www.geocities.com/rengalcreations/engaged.html

(if you want to see a few more, give me your email [if you post it in the comments I will delete it as soon as possible to protect your privacy] and I'll send you an Ofoto invite)

I have four eyes and four hands...

Thu, 24 Feb 2005 22:16:53 GMT

...and two noses and two heads and almost four feet.

And we should see the little sets of the aforementioned body parts in late September or early October.