Do people still count calories? Now that the world is carb conscious, vegetarian, vegan, organic, locally-grown whatever, I sort of thought calories were a thing of the past. But let's see... magic genie... No, wouldn't really change a thing. Now if the genie said my food would be free for the next 24 hours, I'd take the day off work, and start at the Godiva store. Probably eat until I was sick, then eat Indian until I couldn't stand.

So yeah, am in NYC for training for the week. Yesterday, train wreck near my town. Today: My Mom was struck by a car, trying to cross the street to get a massage. But I guess she's ok (sturdy bones for a 69 yr old), but a bit bruised. I guess she rolled over the hood and everything, hard-core movie style. *sigh* My sister called while I was walking downtown to find a shop in SOHO that apparently isn't there any longer. She went to the hospital, and they released her after a bit. Personally I think she should sue the hell out of whoever hit her, but my parents aren't like that. *sigh again* Just glad she's ok.

Yesterday (afternoon?) trains on the red metro line had a collision. Just wanted to let people know that I'm in NYC this week, and wasn't involved. The crash was between the stop where I live, and the stop closer to the city. My roommate was heading home, but fortunately was a train or two behind and was just delayed several hours.

Otherwise, things are well with me. I'm in a week of training for work, in the Empire State Building. Love NYC! Also got to celebrate Solstice by doing yoga in Times Square:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/a_sorense/3649531796/

I'm in that one, in a very very bright orange shirt. (Which of course was planned, so I could spot myself in photos)

Okay, class is starting, must run. Love to all.

A&J visited, and we did stuff! Well, we did some stuff, a lot of walking, and a great deal of being set upon by Overlord Sun, and his friend the Heat Miser. Some pics are on Flickr.

A friend & I went to Earth Treks in Rockville last night for the introductory rock climbing class. Had a buy-1-get-1-free coupon, so it was dirt cheap. I can't express how much fun climbing is. I need to go often, everywhere, and motivate others to do this with me.

Holmes. He understands the need for flamboyant and extravagant flourishes, while making police and criminals seem foolish. (and his clients too, but I'd deal with feeling foolish if he'd fix my legal woes)

A friend posted one of these, so I thought I'd rip it off, rather than reply... ;-)



Really? "1 or fewer"? ... Don't I feel insignificant now?

Yup, it's a fun game, all right. It'd be fun to play, I bet. But probably only with really awesome people...

The wind is blowing
cool and crisp and fresh,
with a feeling of change,
the smell of Fall approaching.

It's dark.

In the dark there is so much potential,
so many things possible
because the eyes can't dictate fact.

I let the wind blow over me,
a furtive caress,
and in the dark I feel your hands
moving softly over my skin,
the memory of your touch
burned into me.

I dread the dawn,
because I know the light
will show the fact
that you are not with me.


© 2007, JAB (me)

I went to Four Quarters Interfaith Sanctuary (aka “The Farm”) Wednesday evening, and the opening ceremonies were that night.  Pleasant, cute, nothing too deep, but a nice way to start things off… based around grounding and centering.  Afterward there was Moon-song, a song we sang each night (for those who went) to greet the moon as it rose.  The rest of the night was hanging with friends and to bed at a decent hour.

 

Thursday was pretty open, wandering around meeting people and chatting.  Still not settled in to the event, so was a bit on edge and worried about everything.  It was hot and muggy, which didn’t help.  Each day (Thr through Sun) had Sun-beat, drumming to greet the sun, followed by morning ‘prayer’ done by each different tribe, and I went to those.  Later went to the Kirtan at 6:30pm, which was Robin Renee’ leading Buddhist chanting / singing… that was truly amazing, and really turned things around for me.  It started pouring, but that was fine and helped to break the heat.  We had a ritual at 8 for the circle casting, which was nice.  A bit more ritually than the previous night, but still not too intense. 

 

Friday things started getting busy.  Went to Sun-beat and morning prayer again.  Qira was up and busy, so I was tending her and making sure she had food, drink, knew where she was going, had transportation, etc.  There was a 2:30 ceremony to divide people into four tribes, based on what their “vocation” was for the event, and I wound up in the Earth tribe of Sustainers, because I was keeping Q functional.  5pm was Faerie High Tea, which enacted a fairy tale and included a quick ritual washing of the existing standing Stones.  6:30 was a labyrinth walk which culminated in an oracle / rune reading and ancestor remembrance, which was lovely.  After the labyrinth stuff, people pulled a stone down from there into camp, in the dark.  Some people (myself included) carried lanterns, some had flaming poi… It was very cool. 

 

Saturday started early.  Sun-beat and prayer again.  Then we had a walkthrough for that night’s ritual at 9am, followed immediately by individual tribal meetings at 10 to learn songs, set up our altars, plan, etc.  The “Big Pull” started at 11, which was the 9000 pound stone, and I had to nap then.  The previous nights… hadn’t gotten much sleep at ALL, honestly, so napping sounded SOOOO good.  Everyone involved in ritual that night had to meet up in the stone circle by 7 in costume, and the service went amazingly (even though some inconsiderate people put a stone in the middle of where I was supposed to stand).  After that I helped Flower wash off the fake blood (which looked great!), and pretty much crashed.  It was the “Night of Purification”, and there was an all-night drum circle, but I couldn’t make it.

 

Sunday morning I slept in.  I actually SLEPT!  Q woke me at 9, because there was the “ceremony of commitments” at 10am, where they united the tribes into one People.  Nice ceremony, and it also included passing out ritually prepared cakes/loaves w/ honey and butter.  (The ones doing the cooking were up all night)  OMG tasty!  Then we started doing the Rising.  I didn’t participate on the ropes until the last (and heaviest) Stone, because I knew my wrists wouldn’t tolerate a lot… But it was a very, very cool experience.  Honestly not too bad, but I think the pull along the road would have been harder.  There was singing and drumming and some breaks and some feasting once they were all up.  There were even tofu bricks, which were pretty tasty.  Then later that night was much partying throughout camp.

 

Honestly though, I wanted to relax and have a nice night, and wasn’t so into the drinking and partying.  I did have a LOVELY night, though… but didn’t actually get to bed until about 3:30am, and then more or less blacked out instantly.

 

Monday I woke up to the news of stomach flu in the camp.  Again.  I’d gotten it at Drum & Splash.  Closing ceremonies were at 11, and it was really moving.  I’d been wondering why people kept saying how they cried, until I realized I wouldn’t see most of them again until Beltane of next year.  I wound up bawling like a baby, and hugging people I’ve come to love.  Since there was flu spreading through the camp though, I decided it was best to leave shortly thereafter though, so didn’t stay too late.  Nearly fell asleep a couple times on the drive back, though, which was bad.

 

Altogether though, I have to say that it was an amazing experience.  For me the Stones themselves are very cool, but the best part of this event was the people I met and spent time with.  I miss them already. 

Went to Stones Rising... That'll be a post later.  It won't be short.  I came down with a fever Monday night or yesterday, and am still not completely well.  Drained and a wee off still.  This is me last night, when I should have been asleep, reading a friend's quiz bulletins.  Amazing stuff you can find in there.

So now the ex is out of my house.  I've spent the past 3-4 days carting stuff to her apartment, vacuuming, shampooing carpets, mopping, etc etc.  The house is now cleaner than it's been for years, except for the parts my own stuff has been crammed into for the past few months.

And you know?  It's sort of creepy.  Big old Victorian house, with... like 3 or 4 completely empty rooms?  Sort of spooky at night. 

The more active two (of four) cats are also gone now, leaving the heavyset (FAT) whiners to whine about being lonely.  But they don't like to play, really, so I'm not sure what to do.  I'd let them out, but it's been raining non-stop, so we sit in the empty house and talk to each other.  The younger one at least runs up and down the stairs with me while I'm cleaning and packing, which is good as he's a little lard-butt.  But he's only 5, so he's got a chance of working off the pounds.

Might try having a house warming thing of some sort in a few weeks.  Need to do some paint touch-ups, finish some trim, etc, but that'll need to wait until after Stones Rising. 

So yeah... that's Life right now.

Why is it I keep winding up meeting and being interested in people who have some thread of a reason they shouldn't be involved with me?  Either they're in an open relationship and attracted to me, but since I'm friends with them and their primary, they can't date me.  Or they've got someone who's cheated on them and they're probably going to break up with, but not quite yet. 

And of course, I'm ethical, and don't want to encourage people to break their rules, or boundaries.  But... WAH!  </rant>

Harry Potter Personality Quiz
by <a href="http://piratemonkeysinc.com">Pirate Monkeys Inc.</a>

I just wanted to say hi to everyone.  Haven't heard so much from people, and nobody ever posts much other than R, who is prolific.  :-) 

Life is going well, methinks.  Nothing amazing to report, no uber-changes, but I can't complain much.  My problems are, in the grand scheme, quite small.  My yard is lovely, if overgrown, and my pets and family healthy.  Wanted to wish health and love to all my peeps out there.

So being poor of ... well, money mainly, I hit the annual University "Trash To Treasure" sale today.  They decided instead of having students fill to overflowing every dumpster near campus every year, they'd collect things like broken furniture, beat-up appliances, clothing that's not in fashion any more, shoes, and just about anything else irresponsible students have abandoned, and SELL it cheap to raise money for charity.  (Not to mention cut down on the landfill mass)

So yeah, basically a gigantic yardsale in the bowels of the stadium, but beggers and choosers and such.  On the plus side though, I did find jeans, which I've been sorely short of lately.  Now with the swath of Humanity all warring to get the "best" things first, it wasn't a nice situation of trying things on to see what actually looked good and showed off my assets.  More a "that's black, and look, it indicates my waist size!  Yoink!"  And averaging $3 per pair, I cannot really complain.

On the other hand, after washing said new treasures, I've found there are two distinct piles.  The ones that are fairly baggy, and make me feel like I need to rap while riding a skateboard (perhaps a wee bit of exaggeration),;and the ones that are rather snug and make me think I should be a rock star.  I imagine both have their uses and proper occasions, but I think I may acquire a new look soon.  *shrug* 

At least until I decide to break the vinyl clothes out again.

Whilst waiting for the minutes on my clock to tick by, I thought I would amuse myself with stuff from here.

Maybe not a full ninja, but I look good in black, and can climb things really well.  Also have many pointy objects.
If I'm not doing it, sexual harassment is bad!
Know way more languages than I have any use for at all.
Gazing into space for an hour because math is so damn cool.
Not only do I know it's a tadpole, I'd experimented with inserting them into people's swimwear.
Yes, I have electrocuted myself.  That whole unable-to-let-go thing?  REALLY sucks.
Because if work isn't like piracy, you're being a wuss. 

After getting home from work yesterday, I set out to mow at least a bit of grass.  After about a half-hour, I was just utterly exhausted and about to fall down.  Managed to get into the house and just collapsed on the floor, in a mix of passing out & just dropping into sleep.  Woke up about an hour later, confused but determined to get at least the small, front yard mowed.  Got about 15 more minutes done and felt as if I were going to keel over.  (I don't get to use the work 'keel' often enough!)  No idea what was up, but I pretty much spent the rest of the evening asleep.  Still feeling sort of out of it... 

Someone suggested I call a doctor.  I never remember about those guys!  I'd sit around thinking, "If only there were someone I could talk to about this weird condition!" and never have it cross my mind to call a physician.  *shakes head*  Perhaps it's my scurvy catching up with me.