Good Weekend

I am sooo glad it's Thursday! Tomorrow we're going out to the buffet and casino in Slamanca. Then Saturday we're having dinner with my in-laws at Westline. I am excited.

We've also started tentatively hunting for houses to buy.

Sorry no posts in so long, I've been spending time elsewhere on the 'Net. It's a Pagan online community called The Cauldron There are a lot of interesting discussions there. The people seem very nice.

We're a week from the full moon, I think I need to plan a small ritual.

So, wish me luck at the casino. Maybe when I next post it'll be from the Bahamas...

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

I know, it's been forever

Here are some funnies I wanted to share, that I found while poking around The Cauldron

This guy found a bottle on the ocean, and he opened it and out popped a genie, and he gave him three wishes. The guy wished for a million dollars, and poof! there was a million dollars. Then he wished for a convertible, and poof! there was a convertible. And then, he wished he could be irresistible to all women... poof! he turned into a box of chocolates.

If not for chocolate, there would be no need for control top pantyhose. An entire garment industry would be devastated.

Exercise is a dirty word... Every time I hear it, I wash my mouth out with chocolate.

Also, read this - http://www.whatisdeepfried.com/zogg/zogg1.html

As for life, it's still good. Going to campus tonight to play the Buffy the Vampire Slayer game. It's been a week of indulging in all things Joss. I got Firefly on DVD, watched couple Buffy episodes. I also got 2 new books, by Gregory Maguire. The first was Wicked, the Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. The second is Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister. Wicked was excellent, now I also want to read Wizard of Oz. I've never read the book, only watched the movie.

Merry part and Blessed Be

Snow bad, Fire pretty

So after sliding off the road into someone's yard on the way to work today, I decided to cut the day short and come home. So I got to spend the day with Jeff, watching Season 4 of Buffy. Isn't that Marc Blucas a cutie? I especially liked him in the movie Summer Catch.

Back to work tomorrow. I hope they can deal with me leaving. I need to talk to Candi about a contingency plan for Sundays. Both myself and the other girl that works with me, Jodie, have a 30+ mile commute. On a day like today, there's too much chance neither of us will make it. And if only one of us does, it's impossible to get anything done but take incoming calls.

Anyway, that's today's post. We're not playing Buffy tonight cuz Paul has work today. He's a Writing major, what work could he possibly have? (just kidding)

Merry Part and Blessed Be!

Miles: Excuse me, I am tired of living a lie. I need it to be known that I like a big girl. In fact, a large, zaftig, voluptuous, full-figured, big-boned, massive-assive honey, that is what gets me going. I like fat women and they like me... big girls need love too, baby!

Summer Catch

Adjustments

I've been adjusting to my new work schedule, and getting up before 8 AM, which has taken away from my normal blog updating time. I'll try to get back to it, especially as I've just joined a message board community. Other people may actually come read my blog now. I'm a little scared.

Still working through Be A Goddess. I got a little behind on this weeks lesson (see above for reason) but I've done the ritual and I need to practice the Purification by earth another time or two. This would be easier in March I think. I don't have bare earth to stand on, just snow. And my objection to that doesn't have anything to do with the snow blocking the energy, just with me having cold, wet feet.

Must shower now. Skiing today with Jess. :) I'm also going to Wal-Mart.

Merry Part and Blessed Be

Happy Birthday Baby!

Today is my husband's 25th birthday! He'll be older than me now for 2 weeks.

Some days I have serious doubts about the company I work for. I just heard a high pitched cry of "Who wants to drink heavily!?" coming from our supervisor, Taffy's, office.

I got my new schedule today. It is sweet!

Sunday - Thursday 10 AM - 7 PM.

Christine also works the same schedule as me Monday - Thurs, so I can carpool again. Woooo!

Wow I feel old...

I just watched the Pirates of the Carribbean special features disk and found out Keira Knightley is only 19. She wasn't even legal when she made the movie! Guess Orlando wasn't hitting that... aahhh... Orlando... he might bump Matthew Perry of my List. And his birthday is two days after my husband's.

I stayed home from work today. I know, I'm such a slacker. But after vomitting in the restroom at work yesterday, I wasn't anxious to see the place again so soon. Doing better now, but it was nice to get to spend another lazy day with my wonderful husband.

Okay, I think it's time to head for bed. Merry Part and Blessed Be!

I'm sick again

Once again my husband has mutated the common cold into some kind of virulent nasty plague that I have caught. He only felt bad one day during his sickness, and is now well on the mend, while I am just hitting day 2 of feeling really bad. I'm taking vitamins and tea and the whole bit though, so I should be good soon. I hope.

Going to work today... grumble grumble. Even though Dale doesn't deserve it because he's baled on the last week of work and left me with people in training and people who are getting fired so they don't care about doing work anymore. But if today is anything like the last week was, we will be pretty damn busy, so I should really go in to keep us from getting any farther behind.

Ah, green tea. Nature's remedies are so nice, aren't they?

Last night we went up to campus to see everyone. Jeff played EverQuest II, and I watched Garden State. He's not hooked, so it's safe for now. I think at some point he may give in and get World of Warcraft, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

I enjoyed Garden State, but probably not as much as I would have if a) I wasn't sick and b) if Paul hadn't built it up so much. The story was interesting. I thought the movie dragged like hell for the first 30 min, til Natalie Portman's character showed up. While I understand this could be seen as part of the interpretation of the script, the main character, Largeman, had been heavily medicated all his life and him going off the abundance of medication coincided with him meeting her. So as his life got interesting, so did the movie. Ah, I'm no movie critic. It didn't suck. I give it a thumb and a half.

MP and BB, must continue bolstering my immune system.

LAUNCHcast

I found this neat program on Yahoo.com, it's Internet radio. Now I've used similar programs before, but I've never seen what that lets you create your own station, and picks songs based on your preferences, and ratings of the music they play, my only problem so far is I don't have a ton of ratings, so mix isn't really good. I've got 3 Doors Down, Michelle Branch, Sublime, Evanescence, rated, along with Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Gretchen Wilson and Johnny Cash. Whenever I add country artists, it plays more country, whenever I add more rock/pop it plays more rock and pop.



Merry Part!

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!