Book Reviews

Recently I've been writing reviews for the books on Wicca I'm most familiar with for Amazon. I know I certainly read the customer reviews before buying, so I figured why not offer my two cents. I'm re-publishing the reviews here.

To Ride A Silver Broomstick by Silver RavenWolf
***-- Okay, stone me but I kind of liked this book, December 31, 2004 (If you read any other reviews for Silver RavenWolf, you'll understand why I gave this review that title!)

This was the first book I bought for myself about Wicca. The first book I read was Amber K's True Magick. I liked the lessons and the writing exercises. I still have the journal writing I did from it, and it's interesting to look back and see what my thoughts were 6 years ago vs. now. I enjoy the stories and anecdotes about Silver's experiences in the Craft.
I don't think Silver puts it forward as being anything other than a general workbook for beginners. It is not supposed to a book specifically on deities of any pantheon or any method of divination. I found it much more approachable than Buckland's Big Blue Book, and much more informative than Cunningham's Guide for the Solitary Practitioner.

As far as her claiming that Wicca as a religion descended directly from ancient times, I didn't get that impression at all. And if that is implied in the book somewhere one needs to remember that this book was published in 1993. Silver wasn't the only one making that claim at that point. Other authors who get a lot more respect than Silver does were proponents of that theory for years, like Marija Gimbutas and Margaret Murray.

As always, I don't think any one Wiccan author be your sole guide, but I think this book as a lot to offer to beginners in Wicca, especially people starting young. Older readers should start with The Spiral Dance, by Starhawk.

** this review in no way is meant to defend any of Silver's other works, like $ilver's Little Book of Prosperity/Protection/Love Spells, Teen Witch or the Teen Witch Kit**

The Spiral Dance by Starhawk
***** If I ran a coven and you were in it, I'd have you read this December 31, 2004

Other books set me on the path of Wicca, this is the one that keeps me there. Every time I pick it up I learn something new, I use Starhawk's beautiful poetic invocations regularly in my rituals. Working through this book got me through a very hard time, the first time I went out into the world without my parents or best friends to support me. I cannot overstate how wonderful I find it. The exercises are incredible, both simple and powerful, like the Tree of Life ground. And some are challenging and thoughtful like the Pentacle of Pearl and the Pentacle of Iron.

The only tiny criticism I have is with the 10th and 20th anniversary editions. I wish the notes and additions were added straight into the text rather than in appendices. It's confusing to read the book, see the ** and have to flip to the back to see what Starhawk said 20 years later.

For me this book would be necessary coven reading. It has given me a solid grounding in magical basics and I use the visualizations and exercises nearly every day. I believe you are really missing out if you haven't read this book. Even if you read it and don't find Starhawk's feminist politics to your taste, you will gain something the experience.

Truth or Dare, by Starhawk
**** If you aren't into self-examination, this book isn't for you, December 23, 2004

Truth or Dare is about the roles we play that society places us in. This is constraining to men as it is to women. There are journal writing exercises and rituals designed to help you break from the roles that are given to us and take on powerful roles of our choosing. It is a very challenging and interesting process.

If you aren't into self-examination, this book isn't for you. However, if you are into discovering what makes you tick, and discovering how to make powerful changes in yourself, this book is for you. Like most Craft books, unless you're willing to do the exercises, it won't do you any good. This is not a good first book on Wicca. Spiral Dance is, in fact if I ran a coven it would be on my must-read-to-join list. This book is also not helpful for people who haven't done a lot of group work, because it asks you to examine your place within your coven/circle etc.

So in conclusion, if you aren't sure you want to really make changes in your life or spend a lot of time working on your spiritual path, this book will sit on your shelf and collect dust. However, if you are ready to do some real magick on yourself, this book is a powerful tool for change.

To Stir A Magick Cauldron, by Silver RavenWolf
**** Her Best Book, December 23, 2004

I have owned 3 books by Silver RavenWolf and also read Teen Witch. No matter how many other books on the Craft and magick I buy, I still end up going back to this one every time I plan a spell or ritual. The chapter on casting circles is invaluable, with plenty of examples of different visualizations and good instructions on how to write a circle casting. I use the chapter Conjuring Minor and Major Magicks a lot, especially the planetary hours. I have found using the right planetary hour definitely adds "punch" to a working, especially when you need to work quickly and can't wait for the right day of the week or the right moon phase. I like Silver's anecdotes, they show that she is a practicing witch and I don't feel like she's just pulling things out of thin air. One thing I especially liked was her discussing "correct" behavior at an open circle. I know as a solitary I was intimidated the first time I went to such an event. I did not feel like I was being talked down to, I felt like earned wisdom was being imparted.
I also owned American Folk Magick and To Ride a Silver Broomstick. I gave To Ride to a friend's daughter at her first blood ritual, because it is a good book for beginners, and American Folk Magick to a Christian friend, because the system didn't suit me.
There are things I disagree with the author on, however trying to get Pagans to agree on everything is like trying to herd cats. If you are interested in making Wicca an everyday part of your life, rather than just something to make a big deal out of on Samhain and Beltane, this is a good book. It shouldn't be the first book you buy about Wicca, but it's good to read a year or so into your studies. But especially as a solitary, no one author should direct your studies entirely. Especially not Silver, because if you read all her books you will get confused. This is definitely the high point for her, but I haven't read To Light a Sacred Flame yet.


Hopefully you will find my reviews helpful too. Let me know if you think they could be improved.

Merry Part and Blessed Be

*snicker*

customer name: Lora Swallows

*snicker*

I got email today from Janis. She's doing well in Florida. Someday I'd like to go visit her. I'm having this itch to do something major and witchy, like start up a new coven, or join one, or go to Witch Camp, or something. I just want to immerse myself in it. I also want to start working out again, I meant to stop at the YMCA this morning to see how much a membership is. I could go twice a week in the morning. I never felt so good as I did my freshman year when Kim Finnigan, Brian Brumit and I were going to the Y 2-3 times a week. I'd really like to feel that healthy again.

At work, so MP and BB!

Pay Raise!

I just got offered my job permanently! They haven't worked out my new schedule yet, but I got my new pay rate, and at 40 hrs a week, I'll be making $450 more a month than I do now. So hurray for me.

Also, I'm now completely addicted to Texas Hold 'Em, thanks to the game Jeff got for Gameboy Advanced. I so want to get some chips and play when the guys get back to Pitt.

Spent the morning doing dishes, and indulging in documentary goodness. Watched some of the first Appendix disc for Return of the King, and the interviews with the Heros of HP and the P of A.

MP and BB!

Happy Boxing Day!

So, how was your Christmas? Mine was good. We got a beautiful Halloween Village from Aunt Sylvia, and neat tea cups with diffusers from Aunt Sue, a new teapot, lots of movies, including Return of the King, Spiderman 1 & 2, Moulin Rouge and Van Helsing. I got tea, and chocolate, and all kinds of luscious yummy smelling lotions, gels and oils to put on my body. I got some pretty new clothes, and books and a journal. I hope your holiday was as merry.

Today is shaping up to being a lazy day of enjoying our loot. ;-) we'll watch movies and eat leftovers and relax.

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Adelphia News

Apparently on Friday, my former supervisor Perry Streeter quit. When everyone else left for the staff Christmas party, he packed up his desk and went home. This makes me kind of sad because Perry was always very nice to me, especially when I was sick or my Buick was broken.

In other news my schedule for the holidays are as follows:
Christmas Eve - 1 PM - 6 PM
Christmas Day - Off
Boxing Day - Off

New Year's Eve - 2 PM - 7 PM
New Year's Day - off
January 2nd - off

Mainly I'm putting this here so I remember

New Foamy!

Our Lord and Master's Christmas episode came out today. Go, take the link now, and enjoy.

And on that subject, I have to say I agree. I'm Pagan, but I'm not going to get all offended because you've got a manger scene in your yard. I'm not going to put one in mine, but you can put one in yours. I promise to make fun of it only if it is tasteless, tacky or ugly. Or if you have included Santa somehow in it, because that's silly. Although who do you think gave the Wise Men the Frankincense, Gold and Myrhh? I think "Wise Men" is just another way to say "Elves"

And I sing Christmas Carols. You know why? Because they're pretty! And I already know the words! I'm not singing a re-written version with Pagan lyrics because I'm too damn lazy to learn new lyrics.

And that's all for now. Jess and I are going skiing for a little bit tonight, even though Holiday Valley only has 9 slopes and 3 lifts open. This is such a problem for me... my desire for snow to ski on is conflicting with my desire to drive on safe roads to and from work. I wish Holiday Valley paid better. Then I could work there still and my needs wouldn't oppose each other.

Merry Part and Blessed Be, and only 7 shopping days left!

Wacky Dreams, again

I dreamed everyone from SAS was in West Hickory trying to get me to play Risk, but it was Sunday I had to get to work in Coudersport by 1:00 PM. Then the boys (Paul, Vita and Adam) were doing something aggravating, so Jamie and I watched off to watch squirrels and found a magical white cat that could enter the Spirit World. The cat had tufts on its ears that were silvery blue. It had kind of a flat face like one of the fancy breeds. Or like Crookshanks.

I either blame a) Vita's Mage game or b) Aqua Teen Hunger Force


Headed to work - Merry Part!

Later: Strange customer name - Xharia Ware. Xharia - does that sound like a porno name to anyone else?

Praise Patrol saw me doing well

Praise Patrol is something Adelphia came up with to recognize good workers or something. I think for everyone who votes for you, you get one entry to win a prize or something too. Anyway Tina and Barbie both recognized me for Teamwork/Collaboration/Communication. It's a good thing. Maybe this means they'll put me on day shift.

The snow has motivated me to look for jobs closer to home again. I got home at quarter after 10 last night. I am not looking forward to another 3 months of this. So I found a listing for something in Lewis Run, something up at Pitt, and something down in Kane. I'll be sending out the resumes today and making a stop at CareerLink to get an application for the one in Lewis Run.

I think that's all. I feel like a big lazy slug, I slept til 10. The upside to getting 10 + hrs of sleep though, is that when I went back to sleep after Jeff left, I had cool flying dreams and lucid dreams too.

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

(10 Days Til Christmas!)

So it's been a few days

Not too much going on here folks. Work yesterday was my own little private slice of hell. We were insanely busy, and the person who was assigned to work outbound campaigns with me (that means calling the people who ordered at Best Buy, online etc, who haven't called in to bitch that we haven't called them yet) does NOTHING all day. 81 calls to make, I made 50, there were 11 left at the end of the day. So how many did Paul G. make, over a 6 hr period? Come on kids, you can do the math on this one. And I took 60 incoming calls too. Today had better improve or I may take a personal day next Monday, just to stick it to the Man. See how they do without me there.... I'll show them...

Other than that, My Kuan Yin book and statue came in from One Spirit. I'm also waiting on some CDs from BMG. I need to get a bigger CD Holder for the car. Or else throw one on the passenger side visor too. Although that could be problematic to retrieve CDs from while driving.

Well I think that's all for now. I'm getting kind of tipsy feeling from the cold medicine I took. Actually I feel quite dizzy and I think I will lay down on the couch.

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Wacky customer name

I found an account in Florida with the name Frank Death! Apparently Death has a vacation home in Florida, with Adelphia Cable.

It's the last day of the week. I get to spend tomorrow with Jeff :) Maybe we can go to the movies. Next weekend we are going to make our Yuletide purchases with Jess and Frosh in Erie. I am still clueless on what I'm getting for my parents, Lacy, Allison, Jeff, okay pretty much everybody. If anyone has any requests, let me know at wdrqradiogoddess@hotmail.com, okay?

Merry Part and Blessed Be, I'd best get back to work!

Pepito Speaks!

Check out the new S*P.

Nothing worthwhile to post really, they've finally posted 7 permanent positions in my dept at work, but the rumor is the shift would be 2 PM - 11 PM. They better pay me a whole lot better if I'm not getting home til midnight. But we shall see.

And Jamie and Paul need to update!


That is all

Merry Part and Blessed Be

Happy Belated Turkey Day Everyone

I can still wish you a happy Thanksgiving, after all, if you're still at your parents' house, you're probably still eating leftover turkey. I know I would be. My aunt made an 18 lb bird for the oven and then used the rotisserie on a 9 lb turkey breast. That's 27 lbs of turkey for 13 people! There was also yummy pies and mashed potatoes and I somehow missed the sweet potato casserole until I was too stuffed to eat anything else but pie.

So that was Thursday. Yesterday Jeff's parents came up and we went shopping in Ellicottville and then out to eat with Jeff's Aunts and family at Westline. The meal was excellent, but there was a huge group in our dining room having a birthday party and they were very very loud. I hope if I'm ever with people that are that loud in a restaurant the manager or someone will come up to us and say, "we appreciate that you're having a special event, but there are others here trying to enjoy their meal. Could you turn it down just a bit?

I enjoyed seeing all the neat shops in Ellicottville but not their prices. But in good news I did get a fix for my ski boot problem. They gave me some lifts to put in the heel of the boot to make more room for my calves. So far it seems to work well, we'll see how it goes on the slopes. There was also a really neat toy store that had these gorgeous dinosaur plush toys, as well as plastic figures, which made me think of Stenny and Allison and I playing in the old tunnels at West Forest Elementary.

Ah, but lunch is ready, so I must go. See everyone from campus Friday, Merry Part and Blessed Be!

I am so sick

But I'm doing better now. Had you asked me about 12 hrs ago I'd have said, Please decapitate me now, because then I won't be all stuffed up and my chest won't feel like there's an elephant on it cuz I'm dead.

But after much TLC from the Husband of the Year, I am feeling a lot lot better. We watched movies and snuggled and he made me lunch and brought me medicine. He also went out to buy me peaches and more medicine. I really like to eat peaches when I am sick.

That's all I feel like posting now, it's almost bedtime.

NyQuil NyQuil NyQuil, we love you, you Giant F*ck$ng Q!

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Adam's been a very bad boy...

Last night we finally got to give Adam his much belated bondage birthday party. He was so surprised! He blushed a lot, but I think he had a pretty good time. I think I need to get a set of those Japanese Silk Love Ropes...

Other than that not much going on. Sunday was a pretty ho-hum day at work. I must remember to take Dale Order of the Phoenix today or he'll shoot me. I only have to work with Tonya two days this week because of Thanksgiving. I think that is what I'm thankful for this year.

I also have a cold, so I'm going to doctor myself up with tea and meds this morning so I can get thru work today. No point in calling off if Jeff isn't home to spend the day with. If I still feel this shitty tomorrow morning, I may call off then.

Merry part and Blessed Be!

Hamlet

Last night Jeff and I went to go see Hamlet in Pitt-Bradford's new Bromeley Family Theater (By the same people who brought us the clock tower)

I had never seen Hamlet before, and I quite enjoyed it, after my ears tuned in to hearing the Shakespeare. It's funny how the meter being different from everyday speech makes it sound like a foreign language for the first scene and a half, even though it's all in English. Then my ears adjust, my brain kicks on, and it's smooth sailing from there.

Eric Brown (who's probably a little crazy anyway) did a very good job as Hamlet, and I also enjoyed the performance of Ophelia. I don't think Megan McCleary (who played Cassandra in Women of Troy) could have played that scene in the white dress with the slashed wrists any better. (equally well of course, but not better) Savannah and the guy known only to me as Superfly, were also very good as Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, and the gravediggers. We were sitting all the way up in the balcony and I had no problem hearing them at all. The play was set in the modern day, and I liked the replacement of the play within the play with a digital video "written and directed by Hamlet". The costuming was gorgeous, I especially like Queen Gertrude's gown in the last scene. It was rasberry colored, with bright sparkles clustered around the front of the bodice, and trailing off down the dress, like stars coming out in a sunset.

High points for me personally though, were Paul Stefko as Hamlet's Ghost and Adam Hirt playing several parts, including a priest. Apparently someone at the Thursday night show thought Paul was "scary". I'm incapable of seeing Paul as scary, but he was definitely an imposing figure and cut a big shadow across the stage.

I'm no theater critic, heck, I haven't been actively involved with a performance for 5 years now, but I think Hamlet was an auspicious way to open the new theater. I hope auspicious is the right word. I also haven't written anything for credit in over two years... I need to take some classes or something, my brain is atrophying.

Merry Part and Blessed Be!
And To Thine Own Self, Be True!

- Oh, I forgot the other part I really liked, when Hamlet killed Polonius behind the screen and the blood sprayed on it.

Bloggers of the World, Unite!

You Are From the Moon

You can vibe with the steady rhythms of the Moon. You're in touch with your emotions and intuition. You possess a great, unmatched imagination - and an infinite memory. Ultra-sensitive, you feel at home anywhere (or with anyone). A total healer, you light the way in the dark for many.

What Planet Are You From?

Work Sucks, I know

I have taken 52 Inbound Calls today.... Dale and Wes have each taken about 25. There is a distinct problem here people!

The wedding was great, I wish everyone from Pitt had been able to stay longer. Jeff, Jay, Lacy, Grant and I had fun hanging out in my parents' hot tub afterwards. I hope to throw a party this summer at my folk's and invite everyone.

We got many nice things, including two pretty crystal platter with roses and DVDs. Mostly we just got a load of cash. Which is cool.

I'm just sitting here now waiting to go home and see my Jeff.

New Foamy!

Okay, I know I'm the last person on earth to discover Foamy. But I might not be! Someone else may take that link today and discover the wonders of our lord and master, Foamy.

It's morning. I've got a haircut scheduled at noon to get rid of my evil split ends, and then I also want to go to Wal-Mart today. I swear there was something there I needed but I'll be damned if I remember it right now. It'll come to me while I'm wandering in that linoleum tiled Palace of Commerce though. Or I'll buy something else. Damn store.

Still finishing Kiss of Shadows, I'm also mulling around a Werewolf campaign for spring semester, but I'm not sure who'd want to play. Maybe that will help the mulling - Hey, if you guys want me to run Werewolf, LMK, and give me an idea as to what type of character you might want to play. I'm not asking for anything as specific as Shadow Lord Ahroun w/3 pages of back history telling how your sept was wiped out by Black Spiral Dancers here, just something like "combat monkey" or "brain guy" "healer" etc.

43 shopping days left til Christmas!

Merry Part and Blessed Be

A Kiss of Shadows

I've started re-reading the Meredith Gentry series by Laurell K Hamilton, in hopes of restoring my faith in her writing ability after Incubus Dreams. So far it's working. Meredith's a very interesting character. Full of magick and sex appeal, but still with doubt as to her place in the scheme of things. Which is better than Anita anymore, who used to have conviction, but is now a walking slut-bomb.

I'm working, we're having one-on-ones tonight. I'm interested in finding out my numbers because we haven't had reports since we lost Perry as our supervisor. Now Candi is my supervisor again, and that makes me happy as she is a known quantity to me and I feel she will do a good job.

Oh, I'm back, my one-on-one went well - My numbers are above average for the department, the only thing I could work on more is making more outbound calls. But Candi said, (and my numbers show) that the reason I'm a little under average with outbound calls is that I take twice the number of inbound calls compared to the other people who work nights.

She also said she knew I'd do well when I got the job in this department, because I always give my best effort at everything, and that she was happy to be my supervisor again. :)

So barring the company being sold, it looks like I'm going to be keeping my job for a while.

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

The Cutest Puppy Ever

I saw the cutest thing today. My friend Barbie at work got a new little black and tan chihuahua puppy. And I got to hold him. He was so sweet! It makes me want a puppy. Even though we have no time to take care of one and it'd have to spend all day in a cage when Jeff and I both have work.

Work was pretty standard today. The stupid woman, Tonya, made a really ignorant comment about black people and I told her that she didn't need to ever make that kind of comment in front of me again. Stupid redneck bigot hick... I'm really glad she plans to leave at the end of November.

And everyone please let me know if you need directions to West Hickory for the Party!

Merry Part and Blessed Be

Sunday Night Buffy

We tried to play Buffy last night... we gave it our best efforts, really. But when we got to campus everyone was watching The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy movie. I'm not a very good geek, because I never did finish that book. The movie was funny, especially the early 80's production values.

So we didn't actually start Buffy til about 9:30. Cool things that happened included Tom and Vinnie ripping on each other, my dad showing up again, and Tom's dad in a strange gray Alien-esque cocoon. But eventually we were all too easily distracted and We called it quits about midnight. We'll do this episode as a two parter I guess.

I also got to talk to my old friend Stenny online yesterday! Stenny was my best friend until he moved away in 4th grade. Communication has been patchy at best since then, but we just may get to meet face to face for the first time in a decade around Christmas.

I think that's all for now, I just wanted to make sure I got in at least one update this week. I'll be down in West Hickory from Friday-Sunday, to decorate for the party, attend the party, and then clean up after the party.

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Down With Love

Today I watched the movie Paul loaned me finally. Down With Love, starring Ewan MacGregor (pant, pant, drool) and the usually delightful Renee Zellwegger. (I say usually because her presence in Cold Mountain couldn't save the movie for me) The movie was very funny, and I think I may even get Jeff to watch it since Jeri Ryan is in it. David Hyde Pierce was also very amusing. His character reminds me of more neurotic version of Paul. :) I think my favorite part of the movie was when Barbara and Catcher (Renee and Ewan) were talking on the phone in split screen. I also liked the song in the credits, but I always like it when Ewan sings.

I'm now anxiously awaiting election results. I have a feeling I may wake up in the night several times and need to check the Internet.

We also had a good dinner from Buck's Pizza. You must try the Garlic Sauce, it's to die for.

Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has - Margaret Mead

Happy Samhain, or Halloween for you non-believers :)

I think for Halloween today I'm going to be a poser - I'll wear my big pentacle necklace and ring and wear all black and act creepy. Wait, I'm in Pittsburgh, I'd fit right in.

We're down here visiting the Newdicks, with Paul and Jamie, so their blogs will probably not be updated. We'll head back later today after what Grant calls and English breakfast. This somehow involves mushrooms. I'm hoping it involves tea.

That's really all I have interesting to report. Maybe someday I'll get some photo hosting and I can put up a wedding pic or two. Or at least put up a picture of our hotel room in Niagara Falls, which did look a bit like a porno set.


Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Two in a row!!

Woo Hooo!

Today is Jeff and I's only day off together this week. And we have to go to the last wedding shower. I'm sure we'll get nice things and have fun, it's at Jeff's Aunt Sylvia's house. I've never been there before, so I am glad Jeff is coming with me.

I'm not doing a very good job getting through The Earth Path. It's not that it's not interesting, it is, there are just a lot of meditations and journal writing exercises, and I want to do it right.

I'm missing doing witchy things. I really think I need to get people together for an Esbat. But looking at the calendar, this month's is out (I'm getting married that day :) and November's falls during Thanksgiving break, so Hilary would be gone.

Merry Part and Blessed Be

I haven't posted in 5 days

I guess I better put something up so I can maintain my moral high ground when I complain that Paul never updates. (Although thanks for the Harry Potter links, I had to re-read Order of the Phoenix after reading that article)

Update - getting married in 6 days. Calling my mom as I type to see if my wedding suit is back from the nice woman who does alterations. And I'm getting the answering machine. Doh!

So no luck there. I'm leaving for work soon. Jeff and I went out to lunch at The Lighthouse. It's much better than the Bradford Perkins. I've got two more resumes to send out today. I got a call back from the Guidance Center for the Prevention Specialist Abstinence Education/ Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program in McKean and Cameron counties I applied for. I called back and left a voice message. But it looks like I'll have a job interview soon at least. So that's good news.

Well, time to head out. Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Review Time

I finished reading Laurie Cabot's Power of the Witch a couple nights ago. This is a review. This review is intended for readers who have a basic understanding of Wicca, so I will not be explaining basic terms like magic circle, wand, traditionetc.

Power of the Witch is a part Wicca 101 text, part futuristic vision of the Craft. It gives the basics of Cabot's Scientific Tradition. Cabot's work equates spells to science experiments, in that both work with measurable energies, and have set results within a controlled environment.

Add more later, working now

I'm Crafty!

This morning Jess came over and we hot-glued pretty glittery leave to 41 votive holders. So pretty much, the decorations for the reception are done, except for getting Christmas lights to wrap in gold netting and string across the community hall. I felt so productive! And now we have hot glue guns... think of all the fun I can have with those!


I meant I can decorate my staff, or make wands, or glue macaroni and glitter to construction paper. What did YOU guys think I was going to do with a hot glue gun?

And that reminds me: Paul I STILL haven't gotten to see your wand.

Working, perhaps I will add more to the post later.

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

So tired... and I have no idea why

I shouldn't be tired, I got 9 hours of sleep, which is 3 more hours than my poor Jeff. But my eyes feel droopy and my head is muzzy. Probably it's because I'm looking at a long list of names and phone numbers of orders that need completed or canceled. It's repetitive and it's putting me to sleep.

So I'll get some caffeine before I hit the road for home, and get psyched up for the Buffy game. I'm also going to give my Mini-Me, Hilary, a reading before game. I've been promising.

But I'd better get to doing this work. Grrr... work...

Merry Part and Blessed Be

I should review things more often

Those are the most comments I've gotten on a post, ever! I haven't pre-ordered the next Meredith book yet, but I probably will. I don't mind the amount of sexual content in those books as much, there was never any pretense that Meredith wasn't that way. The fae are just so sexy.

I should review Witchy books too. Right now, I'm reading Power of the Witch by Laurie Cabot. She's THE Witch of Salem. I'm do a full review when I'm finished. I also ordered the sequel to The Spiral Dance by Starhawk from OneSpirit.com. It's called The Earth Path.

As far as the Anita Blake series goes, I'm done buying. I'll save my pennies to buy Meredith Gentry when they come out in hardcover.

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Pajama Day!

Today is PJ Day at Adelphia. I'm wearing my Tigger and Pooh pajama bottoms and a T-shirt. Jeff thought I was silly. But pass up the chance to be this comfy at work all day? No way Jose. Of course, now I feel like taking a nap instead of working. But really, how is that different from any other day? :)

I also booked a hotel for us in Niagara Falls for the two nights after our wedding. A reminder here to friends to please get your RSVP cards back to my mom ASAP please. We need to know how many of you to feed.

Feeling a little down this week, I've got an unwelcome guest who's here til Monday or Tuesday. I am looking forward to role-playing this weekend though. Maybe I should go out and by some Midol or Pamprin. It's suppose to help with the irritability and the mood swings. I know Jeff would appreciate those going away. Hell, so would I. I don't like feeling like one of the patients.

Merry Part and Blessed Be, and see you guys for Vampire tomorrow night.
Oh, and what would be the interest level in getting together to hang out for Halloween?

Incubus Dreams

I just spend the last 24 hours devouring Laurell K Hamilton's newest book, Incubus Dreams. It's the most recent addition to the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series.

Some background: The title character Anita Blake is a necromancer, a Master Vampire's human servant, and the queen of the local wereleopard pard. She helps the St. Louis police solve crimes related to the preternatural, and is in general an all-around bad ass chick.

In Incubus Dreams, Anita is called upon to investigate multiple-vampire killings of strippers. All of her friends on the police force don't believe she'll do her job because of her ties to Jean-Claude, the Master of the City. But with her expanding powers and the help of the men who love her, Anita uses her gifts to find the murderers.

If you like erotica that includes vampires and lycanthropes, you would really like this book. If you liked the first 5 books or so in this series, you're going to hate this book. There are only 3 scenes where Anita is at crime scenes, and probably a dozen sex scenes. The sex scenes are almost all threesomes with Anita and any combination of 2 men. We've got Jean-Claude and Richard, Nathaniel and Damien, Nathaniel and Jean-Claude, the list just goes on, and it includes vampires we've never seen in the series before now.

I'm sure I'll re-read it almost immediately, mainly because the first read was so fast I'm sure I missed things. But for people who liked Anita the way she started out, you probably want to skip this one. In fact, you'd be best pretending the series ended at Obsidian Butterfly.

Merry Part and Blessed Be - Oh and do we like pink?

Ah, massage

I think I really need to go back to school for massage and hire Jamie to work with me. She gives one mean back rub! Role-playing last night was good, we saved the world in the Buffy RPG. (Go me! Thanks Evil Dad!)

I'm at work, bored and tired, I'll write more on another day.


Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Watch this space for pictures!

The printer I hooked up last week turned out to be a scanner too, so as soon as I get permission to download photohosting software to Soth, there'll be some pictures for you to look at. :)

Last night we played Mage. We've got the party split 4 ways now. At least we started off mostly working together... Now Paul and I's characters are with some Werewolves in a village somewhere in a jungle (we met a monkey spirit), Serena is back in Boston, Uriel (Adam's character) has been captured by the Technocrats again, and Jeff's character (whose name I don't even remember because he was so unpleasant the first time I met him that I kicked him out of my apartment) is in Boston too, but not with Serena.

And tonight's Buffy (Suzanne does impromptu Snoopy dance here :) Paul said I'm getting a new spell out of the books my father gave me. I'm going to learn witch-fu!

It's time for lunch now, then work. Merry Part and Blessed Be all!

Working

Last day of the week.... aaahhh....

Tomorrow is the first of my 3 showers. As my new Aunt Sue put it, "For two people who didn't want a lot of fuss..." But this first one is just a BBQ at the hospital. It should be fun. Those people Jeff works with are a lot of fun to be around.

I am getting excited about the party. Tomorrow I'm going to talk to Denise Dashner about my wedding cake. Ah, my favorite part of any meal - dessert.

I am also pretty psyched about role-playing this weekend, we missed a week of Mage and I missed playing. Plus I can't wait to get into those books I got in last week's Buffy game.

Well, still at work. Blessed Be and Merry Part!

So we got the car

Jeff and I have a 2004 Dodge Neon now. :) The weekend was busy with role-playing. I really really really liked meeting my dad in the Buffy game Sunday night Paul. Can you please tell me how to spell his name?

They gave me a big cubicle at work. This doesn't neccessarily mean I'm not losing my job though. Adelphia is more than dumb enough to have us switch desks and computers around, even if we are being let go at the end of October.

Less than a month til my wedding! :)

Oh - neat customer name - Teagan Wolfe

Shopping

Well, after the last week's fiasco with my Buick we've decided it's time to have a new car. Jeff and I are shopping and pricing and today. With any luck, I'll have a new car to drive to work Monday or Tuesday. So far we've gone to the Dodge dealership here in Bradford and looked at a Dodge Neon. They even let us bring it home for the day while the appraise my Buick for trade (let's hope they don't look too closely ;-)

It's looking good for the Neon, they're making us a good deal because it was used for Driver's Ed for a while. It has about 3000 miles on it. I do want to look at the other dealership in town, just to see if there's anything else we like better. (read I like better, I will be the one driving it.)

Just wanted to update everyone. Mom and Dad will be so surprised, I haven't even gotten to tell them anything since they are away at a golf tournament of some sort.

Looking forward to gaming this weekend with everyone, Merry Part and Blessed Be.

On Witches Voice Today

Some good articles that I thought all my friends would either be amused by, or just make you say, "hmmm."

"Witches are trying to kill me"

Thwart Not The Librarian - This is the blog of radical librarian Jessamyn West, who is protesting against the Patriot Act, which in case you don't know, is the government's way to protect us from terrorists while taking away our civil rights. She's quite a character.

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

POLL

Not that anyone who reads this would really care, but:

Is registering for DVDs, music and books a couple wants on Amazon improper? Or is it the new way to do things when couples are getting married in their mid-20s and need another toaster, pan, plate or wok like they need a hole in the head?

Monday, Monday dah dah dah daah da da

At work once again. We had a good weekend roleplaying. I liked Vita's Mage game. My character, a kind of cyber-pagan orphan named Nicole Saint, is filled with WoD angst. She has a permanent limp and walks with a cane from when she was mugged and raped during college. But I'm not the worst handicapped member of the group. Adam is playing a 10 year old boy who is blind, deaf and mute. He communicates with mind magic. He's also an albino apparently, or maybe that's from the experiments. Paul's character, a stoic guy named John, rescued him from a Progenitor Lab. (for non-roleplayers, think evil scientists) Jeff's character hasn't really synched up wth the party yet, he's a lecherous, murderous blind guy (Johnny Depp from Once Upon A Time in Mexico). He started groping me and planning to kill the Chinese delivery guy, so I kicked him out of my apartment.

Well, at work, so gotta go. Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Gnome Gnames

Customer name today - Wendaleen Ringgold. She could be a gnome. Lilt Tilt's long lost cousin, perhaps. It's been an interesting day on the phones. I talked to a children's author about setting up webhosting. I wanted to tell her that Speakeasy has cheaper hosting, but just in case I was being taped, I didn't. Speakeasy hosts PVP, a webcomic I recently started reading. It's pretty funny.

Other than that, I've been thinking a lot about Paul's game. I'm really excited about playing Thursday. I watched Becoming from Season 2 of Buffy (the first episode where Willow does magic) and Practical Magic to get ideas. Paul, can I learn to light candles with my breath, please? I also started re-reading Dragons of Autumn Twilight.

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

More funny customer names

Ardalan Haghighat. I'm not sure if it sounds like a character from my Servidea campaign (starring Manservant Hecubis and Fred the Ranger) or like a Dr. Seuss character.

I had a good time with Lacy this weekend. The Renaissance Faire was fun. Jeff bought two swords at the pirate auction, and Lacy got a set of 7 swords, + stands for a really great bargain. Lacy and I had fun at Hersheypark, the suspended coaster there, The Great Bear, is fantastic. I love the feeling of being upside down and looking up and seeing nothing but a big blue sky.

I'm at work so that's all for now, I'm also looking forward to Paul's Buffy game this week.

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Holy Two Handed Sword of Shock, Batman!

Paul - I had a customer today named Dawn Kendrick. It made me think of Aidan. Good to see everyone last night! :) I'm so stoked about this weekend, Lacy and I are going to Hersheypark all by ourselves! I'll have to buy a present for Keely, as it is her favorite place on earth.

Working now...

Merry Part

Too busy living life to post about it

I had a very busy, good weekend. Jeff and I went and feasted with my parents on Friday. We had steak, crab cakes, shrimp, corn on the cob and baked potatoes. Then we visited with Jess and Frosh and the dogs when we got back from Bradford. They found a house to rent in Custer City, with a big yard for Amelia and Quincy to run around in.

Saturday I cleaned, and baked a cake. Wendy and Grant were in Dubois seeing her faimily and came up to see us. They helped me eat my cake. :) We played Munchkin, and Jeff showed Grant how to play Dark Alliance 2. I also started a game of Champions of Norrath this weekend. It's good to have the PS2 back.

Well, I'm at work so that's all for now. Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Here is a good website

And here is a sample from it - And by the way, these are good reasons for EVERYONE to vote, not just Pagans. You still have time, get registered! There are a lot of places online you can download the forms and mail them in. It costs $0.37 if you do, and who knows what it will cost us all if George W. stays in office another four years!

Getting off my soapbox now, here's the stuff and the link:

13 Reasons Why Pagans Should Vote

Because Voting is Very Pagan!
Many of us come from proud traditions that used a Council and other forms of the voting process to make decisions. Native Americans, Vikings, the Greeks, and other Pagan cultures valued this right highly, and fought to keep it.
Voting is an ancient Pagan tradition. Apathy, on the other hand, is a modern invention – it suits those in power very well indeed, but it disempowers you!


Because Pagans Know Our History:
It’s easy to say, “Never again the burning times”, but actions speak louder than words. Let them know we mean it. Vote!


Because The Opposition Votes…A Lot:
Our government was designed for citizen participation. If you don't vote, other people are going to make the decisions for you. There are people out there who hate us, and who want to take away our rights and freedoms. They are organized, they are active, and they vote. What about you?



Because Pagans Honor Our Ancestors:
They fought long and hard for the freedoms we have today. Let us respect this heritage and use the rights they won for us all.


Because Pagans Have Strong Opinions:
If you are eligible to vote, but choose not to, no one should ever have to listen to you whine about the laws and policies of this country. Don’t vote? Don’t Complain!


Because Lighting a Candle Isn’t Enough:
The last Presidential Election proved that every vote matters.

Because “The Supremes” Matter:
The next President will appoint the next (2 - 3) members of the U.S Supreme Court. They dictate what freedoms stay and what freedoms are eliminated by their interpretation of the Constitution. These people have a direct (and final!) say in issues that affect us all


Because “Everything She Touches, Changes”:
Most politicians think that Pagans are a bunch of apathetic wing nuts who never vote. Why then, should they listen to us? But they watch “voting trends” the way a hawk watches a rabbit. Groups who are known to vote on certain issues (like the so-called “Soccer Moms”) have political power which they can use to promote positive change for other like-minded citizens. That said, Pagans do not all have to vote the same way or even vote as a group. What matters is that they know we're out there and that we vote.


Because the Personal is Political:
Elected Officials make decisions on things that matter to us personally like the environment, jobs, reproductive freedom, education, and health care. Voting is your chance to tell them what you want.


Because “As Above, So Below” is Also True in Politics:
The Federal & State government decides who gets to benefit from the tax dollars we all pay. Politicians control these purse strings, and they hand down money from above for things like collage loans, animal shelters, libraries, breast cancer research, and more. Make sure that the causes and services you care about get funded. Vote!


Because Voting = The Power To Make Social Change:
Don’t believe us? Take a look at women's lives before they had the power of the vote, and see how different things are now. Then look at the struggle for civil rights (including the right to vote) by people of color No one handed their rights to these folks – they had to demand them. And many were beaten, jailed, and killed in the process.


Today, people in other countries are literally dying for the chance to vote because they know how important it is. Social change is only possible when we stand up to be counted. So stand up!


Because We Want “No Taxation Without (Equal) Representation”:
In Congress only 13 percent of the members are people of color, and only 14 percent are women. Want to change that ratio? Vote!


Because That Sound You Hear is a Culture Clash:
Right now, there are two major political parties in the U.S. These parties see the world in very different ways and each will make different decisions. Their choices will directly affect your future. Meanwhile, minority opinions still struggle to be heard.


Question: Who gets to decide what direction we take?

Answer: Only voters decide.

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Rings -n- Things

Well, it's money spending time again. I just pre-ordered the new Anita Blake Vampire Hunter book that's due out at the end of September. It's called Incubus Dreams. The titles, and the books, are getting successively more erotic. While I think this is a good thing, there are those that disagree.

Tomorrow I'm going to order our wedding bands from Walker Metalsmiths. They will be going on the credit card. We had Jeff's finger measured today and he's an 11 1/2. My ring size is a 5 1/2. Me with my little tiny carnie hands.

We're also going to see Exorcist the Beginning. The previews on the Internet looked interesting, even though I've never seen the movies that this is a prequel to.

And all the Pitt kids will be back Saturday. I'm excited about role-playing again.

ANd that's all for now, Michelle lent me a good book when I stopped to see her the other day, so I'm going to get back to that until it's time to leave for the movie.

Blessed Be and Merry Part!

PS - And aren't links fun?

No Books!

I got to work today and realized I didn't have the books I'm reading in the car. All I had were the two books of Michelle's I'm trying to return, and an old black notebook. The notebook had ideas I had come up with for Mage characters and story seeds using the Mage Tarot deck. Some of them were kind of interesting. (3 of Questing, King of Dynamism, 5 of Primordialism Inverted = An African Dreamspeaker who is an Umbral warrior. He defeats spirits of plague and disease in his homeland)
It made me considering trying to run a whole plot using the Mage Tarot, but we don't have a time slot open for the fall. Maybe when Paul burns out from running two campaigns and being in the play, I'll have a chance then. ;) (And Paul, when Kevin showed Lacy, Jeff and I the new theater I got in a plug for you, "Well, we always come see anything that Paul is in.")

I also started writing a little fairy tale on my 15 minute break. I've got about a paragraph so far, maybe I'll post it if it gets interesting.

Not too much going on here. I've fallen off the meditation wagon again. I'm just so tired, and every second I have to spend with Jeff is too precious to send him away. If I could, I would spend all day with my skin touching his, just revelling in how wonderful it feels to be this in love.

And now that I've been extremely sappy for the day, I'll end this here. Merry Part and Blessed Be.

Weekend Update

My brother Tom's wedding was Friday. They had the worst possible weather for it. it thundered and poured all through the ceremony. The tent that we were all in (it was an outside wedding, of course) had a fold that kept filling up with water and it had to be emptied constantly throughout the ceremony. They emptied into a big bucket and it sounded like a giant was taking a leak. The food was okay. The food at my party will be much better, of course ;-). But most of all it was a bummer because my whole family was there, and not one of us was excited to be there. You could feel a gaping absence of the happy buzz that usually surrounds a wedding. I think everyone was thinking their own version of, "This isn't a good idea." Neither Tom or his wife have finished college yet, and now Tom's completely cut himself off from our family. I don't think he would have cared if we didn't show up at all. :(

Saturday was a really good day though. Jeff and I went to a picnic at his Aunt Sue's house in St Marys. Jeff's cousin Kim and her daughter Andy were up from Virginia. We sat around a fire all day, and made s'mores. It was really relaxing, especially after the emotional suckfest of Friday.

Interesting customer name of the day: Berylyn - it sounds sort of elven, doesn't it?

Merry Part and Blessed Be

My Brother's Wedding Day

Today my little brother is getting married. The good part is that Jeff only had 2 patients, so they let him take the day off. So I won't have to go through this alone. It really sucks that I'm not gaining a sister, I'm losing a brother.

I did get online to post yesterday morning, really, but I sat here at 9 AM and realized nothing had happened yet to write about. Mostly yesterday I talked online with Paul, and he helped me work on my character for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer RPG he is going to run when school starts. Here's my profile so far, including the stats Paul came up with:

My Character for Paul's Buffy RPG

Saoirse Morgaine Campbell

She is a high school sophomore in Twilight, WV. Her mother, Meghan, raised her alone. She and her mom are Wiccans. Her mom is an herbalist, and also a political activist. Saoirse has been taught to fear "the man" by her mom, and local politics and environmental issues are normal dinner table discussion. Sometimes Saoirse voices her opinion on this issues at inconvienent times and makes people angry. Her mom has a beat up old van and in the summer they go to pagan festivals (the nudity is optional) and sell clothes they've made and herbs. Her mom sells some of her herbs through a mail-order occult supplier. They don't have a lot of money. Her mom does work part-time during the winter, when the growing season is over. Saoirse packs her lunch everyday. They grow as much of their own food as they can in window boxes and in a little garden plot. Their house is a little run down, but cozy.

There are very few other Wiccans in the area, so Saoirse has a lot of friends online. She's not a computer whiz, she uses it primarily to email and chat with people she meets in the summer. And she goes to the public library to use it, since she and her mom don't have a computer, and couldn't afford Internet anyway.

Physically she's in pretty good shape, the van's poor condition encourages them to walk most places, or take mass transit where available. (Saoirse rides the school bus) Plus the mostly vegetarian diet helps with avoiding that teenage demon, acne. Her teeth are a bit crooked, couldn't afford braces. She wears skirts most of them time, they're just easier to make than pants. She has wavy dishwater blonde hair, and hazel eyes. Freckles on her nose in the summer. She's pretty comfortable with herself, talking to boys isn't a big deal because she has never met any in Twilight she'd want to date.

The spells she knows and uses are for luck and protection. To remember the right answer for a test, to keep the van running, to keep vandals out of her locker, etc. Love spells are a big no-no, even though if anyone at school talks to her, it's usually to ask for that or a Tarot reading. She stopped giving thoughs after a few too many things came true. She predicted the car accident that killed two seniors her freshman year. Her favorite subjects in school are biology, english and home economics. She constantly petitions the cafeteria to offer a vegetarian option, and got her biology teacher to help start a recycling program. A lot of kids at school think her mom grows pot, so once in a while she gets asked for that. Her mom has always encouraged her to stay away from drugs, though, "The 60's were fun, sweetie, I just wish I remembered more of them."

Most of the time not having friends at school doesn't bother her. Her mom is her best friend, and they have always had fun together. But Saoirse does want to get out of Twilight, and move west or south or north or anywhere where there are more people like them. She and her mom do fight about that sometimes. But Meghan always says she feels like the land needs them in Twilight. If they weren't there to fight against the corrupt politicians, and the close-minded people, who would be?





Character Notes

Character Type: White Hat
Life Points: 36
Drama Points: 20

Strength 1
Dexterity 2
Constitution 3
Intelligence 3
Perception 3 (1 level from Artist quality)
Willpower 5 (1 level from Artist quality)

Qualities (10 + 5 from drawbacks)
Sorcery +2 (10)
Artist (writing, sewing) (2)
Hard to Kill 2 (2)
Contacts (Internet Wiccans) 1 (1)

Drawbacks (6)
Teenager (2)
Misfit (2)
Minority (Wiccan) (1)
Resources (Below Average) (1)

Skills (15 + 1 from drawbacks)
Art 3 (1 level from Artist quality)
Computers 1
Knowledge 3
Notice 3
Occultism 1
Wild Card (Sewing) 3
Wild Card (Wiccan Theory) 4

Well, It's almost shower time. And I should eat breakfast. Mainly because my mom refuses to break bread with the new in-laws, we'll be missing the reception food.

Thank Goddess Jeff Sr and Beth and my mom and dad seemed to like each other on their first and only meeting thus far.

Merry Part and Blessed Be.

Janis is back up North!

My witchy mentor and all around cool person, Janis Trubic, is up from Florida this week! I am so excited, I have missed her a lot. Some of you may know her from Baily's Beads, she's also a hell of a writer. Jeff and I are going down to Sheffield to visit her today.

I left work early yesterday due to feeling extremely not well. After discussing my symptoms with Jeff, I think I have been getting migraines. Since I've already cut out caffeine, I guess the only other choice is to eliminate my other source of stress. I have to kill Tonya.

Just kidding. Mostly. I did bring some chamomile tea to work to help me de-stress on my breaks. I may go to wal-mart and have them loosen up the stems on my specs. Sometimes it feels like they are squeezing my face.

Well, time to start the day. Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Another interesting name: Kameron Snowden. It sounds like a good name for a WoD character, maybe a Qualmi, or a Wendigo.

Be A Goddess!

I am working through a new witchy book. The first lesson contains a prayer that I wanted to share. It does a good job summing up the way I feel about Wicca and the Goddess:

I know the laws of Nature are you, Lady
Keep me mindful that I step upon your body,
with your feet,
that my sorrows are your sorrows,
and that a healthy priestess makes all things sound.
I feel your breath in the wind, and your hand in mind
Keep my sincere
Give me to your work
which is to be joyous and to tend all things
because all things live,
of themselves
and with your spirit
Your will through mine, so mote it be.

And now I'm supposed to discuss with friends, or write about what I thought.
The second line is the thing I like best about Wicca. Everyday I feel my religion, and the Goddess around me. I can feel the earth pulse under my feet, and the wind and rain are her breath and tears and sweat. "Keep me sincere" is something that I think we all struggle for. It is hard to be honest all the time, we try to not hurt each others feelings, and sometimes do more harm that way. Sincerity is a hard quality to achieve. How often do you tell the people that you love how you really truly feel? Probably not as often as we could. "Give me your work, which is to be joyous and to tend all things" I love that the Goddess's work for me is to be happy and try to make everyone else around me happy too. Think of how great the world could be if everyone tried to make one other person really happy everyday.

Well that's all my thoughts for now, I'm at work. Just trying to get back to what my b-log was originally for, to share my thoughts on things, not just what I had for breakfast (Honey Buzzers)

Oh, another strange customer name: Tamothea Gamble. Not limerick inspiring, but it does sound like a good name for a halfling rogue.

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Of fonts and fancy stickers

Yesterday mom and I went and ordered invitations for my wedding reception. So soon I'll be calling people to ask for mailing addresses. Some I have, some I don't. The invitations are neat. They're called seal and send. They have a rip-off and send back RSVP card. So this should be a no-brainer for everyone, including me. We also ordered pretty red napkins, and got some decorations from Cara Blum's mom. Cara's wedding colors were red and white, so they had a lot of neat stuff.

Lots of calls today, so short entry. Hope everyone had a good weekend!

GoooOOOoooD Morning!

Just in a weird mood... probably all the painkillers. The Circus is on its way to town, and if you don't know what that means I'm not going to explain it in mixed company. ;)

Interesting customer names: Ryma Puett. Although I bet you could use that name to write a couple of fun limericks with it. Let's see if I can come up with one:

There lived a girl named Ryma Pruett
She hated school so she said screw it
She became the star of her own rock band
And now she tells all her screaming fans
If you want to quit school, just do it!

**This limerick does not reflect the true feelings of the author towards the educational system. Knowledge is power, stay in school!**

More later
Merry Part and Blessed Be!

I feel like territory

Jeff scent-marked me before I left for work this morning. He sprayed me with his cologne (Ralph Lauren, Polo Sport) and now I can smell it anytime I tip my head down. It makes me miss him!

It's the big long day at work. I'm going to get Chinese for lunch. Wonton soup. Yummy. I decided to drive here over Minard Run today rather than over Rew Hill. (For non-Bradfordians who are somewhat familiar with the area, that means I took the road that turns left by the cemetary on South 219 rather than taking Rte 46 out by the Dari-Hut.) Of course, this would be the weekend that they freshly tarred and chipped that road. It was a couple days old, but riding up it with all those loose chips was still rather noisy. I'm worried about damage to the bottom of my car. After all, I've got 3 years of payments left on my Buick.

That's all for now, I am at work after all.

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

I saw Elvis in a UFO...

Ray Stevens is awesome. I have the title song there stuck in my head. Jeff picked up more of his old videos from his parents house last weekend, and there were 4 Ray Stevens videos! I wish I had access to the new TV Prod lab at Pitt, I'd dub copies for Keely. She loves Ray Stevens. When she does Mississippi Squirrel Revival she sings it so fast you can barely understand her.

Jeff and I went to Erie yesterday to see Allison and Grey and go to the used book store. Jeff bought London By Night for Victorian age Vampire, and a couple old D&D premade adventures, and I got two new Witchcraft books. We ate at Max & Ermas and had good burgers. We were going to go to Tinseltown, but nothing we wanted to see was playing, so we packed it up and came home. We stopped at Movie World and rented Shade, which was a cool movie about cheating at cards, with Stuart Townsend in it. I love Stuart Townsend. I would add him to Suzanne's Online Harem if it still existed.

Oh also, Allison's horse, Cameron, has a mysterious leg injury. Everyone please keep a good thought out for this beautiful animal. Al, I'll be lighting a candle and asking Epona for some help.


It's Sunday so I'm at work, so I'll end this here. Merry Part and Blessed Be!

My sister's toe is broken!

I went down home (to West Hickory)to see my family and do the laundry. Apparently my future sister-in-law's wedding shower (which my mom and I weren't invited to) was yesterday. Hmph.

Anyway, Keely's toe is broken. She had a seizure in the bathtub last week and broke it. She has a walking cast on it now and her toes are all taped up so they can heal. She came home and told me she had an x-ray, and they told her to hold still, and they took a picture of her bones. She was so brave!

I'm home now, so I'm going to go spend time with Jeff. So I'm cutting this short. Becausing spending time with him is more important than blogging to you people.

Merry Part!

Only 30 more days til we can role play again!

I don't know where this summer went. It seems like we were just telling Paul, Vita, Adam, Jamie and Hilary good-bye, and now it's only 30 days til they come back. I like having all the Pitt kids back in town. It's easier to pretend I'm not a townie then. I think when Paul graduates maybe I'll have to hang up my polygonal dice and work on that whole being a grown- up thing... nah...

Other than that Jeff and I had a nice weekend. We went to see The Village. All I'll say is, Don't expect a big twist, and then you won't be disappointed.

Working 1-7 today in Coudersport. It's looking like there's a strong chance I'll get hired on in RIG full-time. Which should mean a pay raise, and 40 hrs a week. But I don't want to count my chickens just yet, I could still end up on unemployment in October.

That's all for now. Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Signs

As I walked into work this morning, two herons were flying up the Allegheny, calling to each other. Jeff, didn't we just say the other day how members of the crane family mate for life? I felt blessed to see them. It also made me feel a little homesick for West Hickory, where the Allegheny isn't shoved into a cement ditch, like it is here in Coudersport.

And I think there is going to be fun at work today. It looks like someone is setting up a casino and games and stuff. Maybe I'll win something cool. :)

And Rob, and I can't do anything about your internet service until you get an Adelphia account. What number were you calling that they couldn't transfer you? Try 1-888-683-1000.

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

End of Days

Sometimes the end of the day here at Adelphia is lot like the end of the day in high school. People yell random things like - Gary's not working his calls, Darlene's flashing people, Vera's not segueing, Charlene's pregnant. All of these things may or may not be true. (For example, Charlene IS pregnant. Everyone knows that) There is also a lot of laughing. It is very immature, but at the same time, there is a good happy energy in the building. A lot like a preschool...

Blessed Be and Merry Part!

Disappointment!

The China Garden was closed today! No won ton soup for me, I had to eat McDonald's. Which barely filled me up. I'm going to be starving when I get home at 10 PM, which is probably good since Jeff is making me dinner. Mmm... chicken in Italian dressing.

China Garden had better be open tomorrow. It's sweet and sour chicken day.

Blessed Be and Merry Part

A Milestone

Yesterday on the way home from work my Buick Skylark rolled over 100,000 miles. Thisis the first car I have had long enough to do that. (Or that wasn't over that already when I got it) I pulled over and took a picture of the odometer and the car. A bit silly, but still, it felt important.

Also, Jeff and I are getting married in 3 months and 1 day. I can't wait. :) I do really need to start making some decisions about decorating the hall for the reception. Up til now I've just had a generic Harvesty theme in mind. I need to get down to brass tacks here, start doing pricing. Plus we need to order our wedding bands! We are getting them from Andover Metalsmiths. They do really beautiful work.
Working the long day today. I plan to get Won Ton soup for lunch from China Garden. Mmm...

Interesting customer name: Terilyn Ford. It sounds like a role-playing character name. Come home soon, Paul, I want to play D&D!

Friday

Lacy is coming to see me tonight!  I think we'll go to Perkins and drink tea.  Our waitress, Michelle, doesn't work there anymore, but maybe we'll see Danell, the waitress who got stuck with Wendy, Jeff, Rob, etc and I when we were drunk.  She had a baby and was off for a while, but she was there last time Jeff and I ate at Perkins.  We've been eating at Friendly's more of late, better desserts.

So I need to vacuum and pick up the living room a bit.  I just wanted to post before I wandered away from the laptop and forgot about it for the day.  In other good news I have successfully meditated for 3 days in a row.  I wonder if doing it twice today could count for tomorrow, which I will likely miss as Lace will be here? 

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Been gone for a week

Last week was very busy with all the wedding festivities for Jess and Frosh.  In the end it was very beautiful and everything went off with only a few minor hiccups. (Hooray for carpet tape!)  I have pictures of Jeff in a tux, and he looked very sexy. :) 
 
He rented a bunch of movies today, so we're going to watch them.  1 James Bond flick, one Woody Allen, and I don't remember the other.  This is what happens when a man goes to the video store alone ;-)
 
Apparently the 3rd movie is a werewolf movie.  That sounds pretty cool actually, though I've been on a really long vampire kick lately.  I just finished reading the latest Anne Rice novel, Blood Canticle.  It was a good joining of the Mayfair Witches and the Vampire Chronicles. 
 
I think that's all for now.  I want to go get horizontal
 
Blessed Be and Merry Part!
 
PS - Lacy is coming for the weekend!!! :-)

Today is a good day

Jeff, Frosh and I are going to see King Arthur, then the boys are leaving for their party in Weedville with Chits. Chits called this morning and said he had turkeys to deep fry. That sounds so good! But I'm looking forward to seeing the movie, even though it depicts Guinevere as a Celtic warrior princess, and I'm much more used to the idea of her as a super Christian pious type.

I went tanning for the third time this morning, and upped my time to 9 minutes. I'm being careful and I haven't gotten burned so far. I don't think I'll do it after this week though, mainly because Jeff is allergic to the strong fragrance of my tanning oil.

I think that's all for now, making mac and cheese for lunch before Frosh comes over to go to the matinee.

Poll: Do you think it's time to start calling Frosh by his real name, Aaron? After all, he is now a college grad who is about to be married?

Blessed Be!

So the meditation schedule has not been going well

I really can't wait til we get a bigger place. I love Jeff more than macaroni and cheese, and I love spending so much time with him, but it's really hard in a one bedroom apartment to say, " Hey can you go someplace else and not make any noise for the next 10 minutes?" And I know he doesn't mind, but it's not the same as having a room of my own with a door that closes.

I work with some pretty funny people. Today Vera and Charlene were playing a picture game that I was invited to join. You divide up the paper into three sections (head, body, legs) and then three different people draw the sections without seeing what anyone else has drawn. The highlight was the transsexual fish. Head of a man, body of a woman, fish tail for legs.

That's all for now. I'm working on supper. We're having garlic chicken and noodles. Don't looked shocked that I'm cooking, it all came from a box.

Blessed Be and Merry Part!

Sometimes I wonder if anyone besides Paul reads my b-log...

Well, I know Jeff does from time to time. But other than that I really don't think anyone does. Le Pout :(

I'm working on lesson two of the magick course I'm taking online. Saying it that way makes me think of Quikspell, the magic correspondence course that Filch takes in Harry Potter. Part of my assignment is to meditate and take notes every night. I did it last night, and I'm going to go do tonight's work as soon as I post this, so I can be done before Jeff gets home. This is one of those shitty weeks where we only have one day off together anyway, and life has intervened and made other plans
Okay, finishing up here so I can meditate.

Harry Potter fans should read this - It's fan fiction but it's so good... After The End

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

I'm blue - ue - ue doo be doo be doo be doo

Jeff and I are watched Kill Bill. :) The Chinese pop in the restaurant in Olean todayThursday gave me a need to hear the 5-6-7-8's.

This was after we saw Spiderman 2, which I thought was great. I'm glad they are making a third one, they set it up beautifully at the end. Which contradicts something Sam Raimi said in an interview on MSN, but I think he just didn't want to give things away. He said he didn't know which villain Spiderman would fight in the next movie, but unless they're just going to ignore the last 5 minutes of the sequel, anyone who's seen it knows who it's going to be. So I think the next one has the potential to outdo the first two completely. It will be more dramatic, more wrenching, in addition to having the improvements in effects that they showed since the first movie.

Now it's Saturday July 3rd. I'm hoping the holiday means that the laundromat will be very empty. I did get my car fixed, but we just drove all over creation to get my car back from Coudersport, and ran a bunch of errands yesterday, so I don't feel like the hour drive home (sorry folks!) I feel like getting to use the internet, working on the online witchy course I'm taking, and focusing on cleaning this place up a bit today. The dishes need done, and I think I might run the vacuum if I can get it out of the closet. (It may be jammed back behind boxes in such a way that only Jeff could get it out)

More later perhaps readers, until then Merry Part!

Today is not my day

I felt pretty gross at work today so I got permission to leave a little early. Then my F*&!$ng Car! stalled out and wouldn't start back up not even a mile from the OCS building. Luckily, two very nice men stopped and tried to help me fix it, and when they couldn't they towed it to the garage they run with a rope and the owner's pick up. But now I am without car, and I don't know what's wrong with it. Luckily Christine gave me a ride home from Coudersport.

So Today was not my day, although it is nice to know there are people in the world who will go out of their way to help you. Chivalry may just make it through the 21st century yet.

And now it is bed time. Sweet Dreams, dear readers!

Last day of the week again.... Ahh....

Forgive me, readers, for I have sinned. It's been 5 days since my last confession. I confess to having impure thoughts regarding my fiance and murderous impulses towards certain stupid people at work.

I decided this morning to trying taking Davan's online High Magick course again. I need to do something. My brain is atrophying and working near Tonya is speeding the process.

Plans for the weekend: Go see Spiderman 2 and shop for wedding bands. I get more excited the closer to October we get. I cannot wait to be Mrs. Suzanne Slaughenhaupt.

That's all for now, Merry Part and Blessed Be!

It's ALIVE!!

Sorry, Just a little excited to be online. My computer turned out to be just a little short on RAM to run the DSL, so Jeff has very nicely agreed to let me put it on his laptop.

I spent most of today reading a good book I borrowed from Michelle. It's Blackwood Farm by Anne Rice. It combines the Vampire Chronicles and the Mayfair Witches. I have the first book about the Mayfairs, I think I'll want to re-read the series when I finish this book.

I think's that's all for now. Merry Part and Blessed Be!

I didn't win

I didn't win the digital camera at work. Dale did. :( I was a close third. Dale and Mike both work later in the week than me, Plus I didn't really decide til Tuesday that I might like to win, so I wasn't really focusing before that.

My DSL SHOULD be active Friday night. I cannot wait! I need to download the drivers for my printer, since I have no idea where the disc went. Then I can print out cover letters to go out with my resumes. I am thinking about asking Perry, my new supervisor, if I can list him as a reference on my resume. The only problem with doing this is that I have about 10 resumes currently printed with my existing references. But I also need to add my new job in RIG to it, so it looks like I'm redoing it anyway.

I'm going to play with my Fairie's Oracle more today. The artist who did the paintings for them is really quite talented.

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Last day of the week... Ahhh....

Today should be a pretty calm day at work. I think that stupid woman Tonya doesn't work today, so I shouldn't have to restrain the urge to bash anyone over the head with a mallet repeatedly.

Crap I was wrong she is here. Arrgh! Honestly, if it weren't for the karmic backlash involved I'd curse her into the ground. She really is too damn stupid to live. I'm fairly curt with her on a daily basis and she continues to talk to me! I don't know why. I've point blank said to her, "I'm trying to enjoy my lunch and my book, I don't want to talk now." And she continues. I wish I could cover her head in duct tape.

Okay, rant ended.

I'm reading the book that came with my Fairies' Oracle. It is a very beautiful and interesting deck. It "talks" to me more than any other divination deck I've had. In practice, I haven't even been using the definitions from the book, I just look at the card and "listen" and feel the impression that it gives me. I can't wait to show them to Michelle tomorrow.

Well, that's all for now. Merry Part and Blessed Be!

What a great morning!

I leisurely got out of bed around 9 AM today, and spent the morning playing Roller Coaster Tycoon. But what made it such a great morning was Jeff stopped at home around 11 AM on his way to pick up lunch for the people at the hospital. He kissed me until I was dizzy and couldn't breathe. It's put a smile on my face for the rest of the day.

Not too much else here. Barbie said I could use this computer to email out some resumes, so that's what I'm going to do. There was a listing for a marketing person at WESB and also one for insurance agents in Bradford.

Wish me luck! Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Everything's all brokey!

All the little programs that make it possible for me to do my job aren't working. The billing system is running like a gelatinous cube, and now the program that shows us if calls are waiting is down.

And now there's a monsoon outside.

I'm getting used to my glasses. I'm also trying to plan a picnic for Litha on Saturday. That's the Summer Solstice, or Midsummer. Traditionally it is a good time for communicating with fairies and other nature spirits. I'm planning on taking my Fairie Oracle with me so I can do readings for everyone, or at least show off the beautiful artwork. I wish I could scan them to put on the page.

I still don't know if I won a digital camera or not. If I did, I'll post a picture of me in my new spectacles for everyone to see.

That's all for today, Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Okay, it works

Only two more hours... then I get to go home and see Jeff.

I feel like I'm cheating on Adelphia. I ordered DSL on Friday. It should be here the 18th of June. I am excited.

I am currently reading I, Strahd. It's a Ravenloft novel. I miss role-playing. Reading this book makes me want to play vampire. I miss Leonora. I found a note I wrote to Vita in game while I was cleaning off the desk this weekend. Something about persuading the warlock to help...

Well, still working.

Merry Part and Blessed Be,
Suzanne

I wish I was at home

I hate weekends where I don't get to spend time with Jeff. The only day we had off together was Saturday, and I had Jess's wedding shower to go to. That was fun, I got to visit with Emily Shea and Jess, but I still missed my Jeff time. Last night we rented Return of the King and Club Dread. Club Dread is by the same guys who brought us Super Troopers. It was pretty darn funny, but I think I liked Super Troopers better.

I'm at work today. I'm hungry and I'm bored. I need to call Verizon Wireless because they seem to think I still owe them money, and I know I've paid them. I actually paid them twice and they sent me a check for the amount back about 6 months ago. And I can't make any changes on the website with it, because I don't remember the user name and password, acct #, or even what my damn cell phone # was.

In good news I got my computer back up and running. I've got Diablo II Lord of Destruction, RollerCoaster Tycoon and Sim Golf to keep my happy. Although I do have a tendency to say RollerToaster Tycoon instead of RollerCoaster. Which begs the questions, what IS a rollertoaster?

Well, that's enough rambling for now. As soon as Barbie gets back from her break I'm going to eat. I wish I had called off today. So bored....

I can SEE!

walk walk walk THWACK!

No, I was wrong.

- Blinken, Robin Hood Men in Tights

But I can see. My glasses came in yesterday. Jeff says I look good in them. I've apparently got a sexy librarian vibe going on.

Other than that, I got my computer set up yesterday. I called and chatted with Lacy for a bit, did dishes etc. Today I am going to call Verizon to find out about DSL packages. I figure if I can get some fast internet, and a good long distance package together, why not?

Work was going well when I left it on Wednesday. They have an incentive for whoever takes the most inbound calls during the pay period. I was winning as of Tuesday night, Wesley told me. So I may be winning a digital camera.
f

Hot Enough For ya?

It was 80 degrees out when I took my walk at my 3:30 break. I walked all the way to the post office in Coudersport. I can tell I haven't walked in a few days because my quads were really twitching when I got back.

Not too much else going on. My summer weekends are filling up way too fast for me. I've got weddings, wedding showers, graduation parties, Lace and Jay are going to try to come visit, etc etc etc.

Well, still at work, so Merry Part and Blessed Be!

28 Years

Today is my parents' 28th wedding anniversary. I think in a couple years I'll have to throw them a big party. 30th Anniversary is the Pearl Anniversary (like 25th is Silver and 50th is Gold) I'll either throw a party, or take Keely for a couple days and send them to a hotel or something. On second thought, I like that idea better. I'll save the big party for their 50th. I will be 54 years old then. And I should have children that are old enough to do the heavy lifting.

Paul, thank you for the support on the glasses thing. I guess I should remember most of my favorite people wear glasses. And they all look dignified and smart. In fact, when my Aunt Cindy was little, she once failed an eye test on purpose because she wanted glasses so she could look smarter. She also wore a pair of frames with no lenses for a while to get the same "look".

Not too much else going on. Mom and I went and checked out a karaoke machine for the reception, then decided just to get a DJ instead. She's looking for people that do both karaoke and regular DJing first though. If we can't find someone who does both for a reasonable rate, we'll just go with a normal DJ and no karaoke. I also picked up my bridesmaid dress for Jess's wedding, which I need hemmed. I knew I should have made them order a size 10! Now I need to find someone in Bradford who can alter formalwear. Before July 17th. Grr... As pleased as I am to get to be in the wedding, I'm glad most of my friends skipped or plan to skip the big wedding thing.

Well, I've rambled on long enough, and I have work to do. Merry Part and Blessed Be!

No Clever Titles Here

I'm at my parents' house today, doing the laundry. Mom and I are going shop for decorations and whatnot for the big party. I am going to try to make it down to Franklin to pick up my bridesmaid dress from Annie's in Franklin.

Jeff and I got our pictures back. So be looking for an engagement announcements in the Forest Press soon.

What? You don't get the Forest Press where you are? I guess that means Jeff wins, and as few people as little will see a picture of us. (read him)

I also found out Thursday that I need glasses. I'll be getting them next week. I'm hoping I can just get away with wearing them to drive, and other things that require the ability to see clearly more than 6 feet away. But the optometrist made it sound like I'm going to need them all the time. I might look into getting contacts, but I'm going to go with glasses first. Mainly because I rub at my eyes all the time and I don't want to poke things in them.

That's all for now, Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Shrek 2

Yesterday Jeff and I went with my mom and sister to see Shrek 2. I think it was better than the first one. I laughed, I cried. It also had a great soundtrack. Keely had a really good time. And a lot more celebrities did voices. John Cleese (of Monty Python) did the voice for King Leonard, Fiona's father. Julie Andrews was the Queen Mum.
I also got to see the preview for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. It looks like it's going to be fantastic.
Also, I did get Jeff to go for a walk Thursday. We went to Thunder Rocks and wandered in the woods. It was a lovely day.

Well, I'm at work, so that's all for now. Happy Memorial Day everyone!

Merry Part and Blessed Be

Let's try this again

Trying to post a b-log entry from home.
Jeff and I both have off work today. I plan to get him to go for a walk later. I'll let you know how that one turns out.

I just signed up as a Witchvox Sponsor. That means I donated at least $25 to that good and worthy cause. For those of you not in-the-know Witchvox.net is a major Wiccan/Pagan networking site. They post articles and help Pagans meet each other. They do this without having any advertising sponsors, so there are no pop-ups on their pages, or annoying flashing banner ads. I figure after all the people they've helped me meet over the past few years, it was about time I said "Thanks" and put my money where my mouth is.

I had a doctors appt this morning (No worries, folks, just a yearly check-up) and I weighed in at 148. That's 2 lbs less than I had been on the scale at work, so maybe this whole exercise thing is doing something. I'll keep you posted on my progress, even if you don't care, or don't think I need to lose weight. This has always been more for me than for anyone else. (Plus if I GAIN weight, I won't fit into my bridesmaid dress for Jess's wedding!)

Okay, let's see if this thing works....

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

The Internet at Home sucks

I tried to post last night, honest I did folks. But when I hit post nothing happened, and eventually our connection timed out.

To Do List --

Get DSL!

I did exercise yesterday, I did Pilates and worked my arms with my 5 lb dumbbells. I think I will start doing my Pilates and Yoga DVD over the weekend.

That's all since I'm at work

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Apparently I'm good at something

Well besides THAT

I got home tonight and had messages to call Lacy and my mom. My mom wanted me to approve and edit a letter she was sending to my brother about the problems they're having. Then I called Lacy to talk about the problems she's having with Steph and Bob and her Lebanon circle of friends. So apparently I'm a good listener. Is that a marketable skill? Can I put that on a resume?

Work was pretty standard today. No big problems, other than all the web hosting calls keep getting dumped on us, and even the people that have been in RIG for a while aren't sure what to do with them.
And for exercise I walked 10 minutes at work yesterday and I'm going to do Pilates tonight.

That's all for now. Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Working on a Sunday

But this is my regular schedule now. It's nice, it's not too busy, and I only work with one other woman. It's almost 6 PM, I'm here til 7. I can't wait to leave so I can go home and see Jeff.

Today's been pretty ho-hum. I talked to my mom this morning, I think we're going to see Shrek 2 when we're down home for Memorial Day next weekend. We're having steak and crab cakes. I cut my heel on our bed frame, and I did my Pilates workout. I also walked 4 miles out to campus and back yesterday, so I'm doing well on this whole fitness thing so far this week. I think keeping a daily log in here of what exercise I do might help. That way my readers can get on me about it if I don't exercise for more than a couple days. Because nobody likes a fat Suzy.

I'm currently re-reading Lady of Avalon. Jeff and I watched The Matrix last night. And it's getting closer to time to leave work, so I'll end this here.

The Daily Rede is Reborn

And it's all Paul's fault. I went to Paul's page, to leave a comment since he wouldn't respond to AIM messages. But it wouldn't let me unless I had an account with Blogger. So I created one, and here I am with a spanking new blog. As my last one was well received, I look forward to doing it again. This blog may include updates of a witchy nature, excerpts from stories I'm trying to write, and things in reference to role-playing games, in particular the The World of Darkness.

General update: My work schedule has changed so I now have every Th-Fri-and Sat off. This means today I am not at work and Jeff is. So I'm going to do some laundry, once I get it all gathered up. I intend to pick up the apartment some too, but don't hold you breath on that. Jeff took the laptop with him so I can't play RollerCoaster Tycoon. :( I really need Grey to get my computer back soon so I can install my games on my own machine.

That's all for now, Hope to write again soon.