amused
Top Story: Outed Pagan political candidate Alice Richmond has closed down her local-issues blog, Page County Watch, and is seemingly retiring from the public eye.
“Last week the voice of the Page County Watch Blog went silent as Alice Richmond, the resident who started the blog, decided to move on. “I’m moving on to other things,” said Richmond. “I don’t want anyone to Google my name anymore.” The site gained attention most recently in September when on a local radio show, Richmond was questioned about her religion and the author known as “Lady Raya.” Richmond later admitted she was using the name Lady Raya as a pseudonym to write books on Wiccan practices.”
Richmond’s race for a seat on Page County Virginia’s Board of Supervisors seemed to get hostile from the start, with the staged ambush-outing of her “Lady Raya” pen-name by political opponents on a local talk show shrouding her candidacy with sensationalism. After a losing the election by a wide margin, a palpably disappointed Richmond inferred that the county was suffering from “Stockholm Syndrome”, noting that the vote wasn’t close. Considering the emotional wringer she’s been through, I don’t blame her for wanting to withdraw from public, though I do mourn the loss of a Pagan willing to enter into the political fray. I fear that her campaign, and Dan Halloran’s, proves that out (or outed) Pagan candidates will have to deal with ugly smears from opponents (even if the tactic backfires) unafraid to exploit religious fears.
In Other News: Kathy Nance at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch brings us a local angle to the “Pagans at the Parliament” story by focusing on the ceremonial rattles created by local artist Julee Higginbotham for the interfaith event.
“On this first full day of the Parliament of World Religions (PWR) in Melbourne, Australia, a group of Pagans met to give blessings to four rattles created by St. Louis artist Julee Higginbotham. The rattles, called “Bridge to the Meeting Place,” were created to symbolize the coming together of religions and people from around our planet. Julee has blended Aboriginal and Neo-Pagan symbols into a clay prayer for understanding. They will be given to Pagans from North America and Australia, and to two PWR delegates. She got the idea from Pagan delegate and PWR board member Angie Buchanan.”
You can read more about these rattles at the Pagans at the Parliament blog, where you can see daily updates about the Pagan presence at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Melbourne.
Are you a Pagan metal-head? If so, this is your lucky day, because two documentaries that touch on Pagan/Heathen religion within different metal subcultures are being released. “Pagan Metal: A Documentary”, and “Until the Light Takes Us”, which focuses on the controversial Norwegian black metal scene.
“In addition to exploring the origins and ideology of black metal, Aites and Ewell examine black metal as what Norwegian visual artist Bjarne Melgaard calls “Norway’s only culturally relevant phenomenon.” Melgaard, who recontextualizes black metal aesthetics in his art, explores the striking parallel between the emotional extremes of Norwegian painter Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” and the album cover of Darkthrone’s “Transilvanian Hunger.” “Until the Light Takes Us” succeeds because it neither idolizes nor patronizes the artists involved.”
Considering the fact that a movie is being made about one of black metal’s most controversial figures, a less sensationalist documentary, academic in tone, certainly seems welcome at this point. As for “Pagan Metal: A Documentary”, it’s more informal, and had a reviewer comment that “you will feel like you have made new friends”. Both seem welcome assets for those wanting to explore Pagan and Heathen spirituality in underground subcultures.
The Good Blog gives props to Archdruid (and blogger) John Michael Greer for a piece he wrote on adopting a new model of “energy productivity” instead of the per-worker-hour standard.
“This isn’t the first time our common economic metrics have been challenged. GDP gets criticized all the time (and for good reason). But Greer makes a great point about the need for resource efficiency—especially energy efficiency—to be incorporated into the statistics we use to measure our country’s economic success. After all, we live in a world of limited resources. Acknowledging that in our numbers isn’t just about giving environmentally-friendly countries a pat on the back. It’s a real indication of how well-prepared a country is to deal with costly constraints. Apparently these days it takes a druid and Tarot grandmaster to point that out to all the Ivy League B-school grads on Wall Street. Strange times.”
Indeed it does sometimes take a different view-point to actually think “outside the box”, and who better than a (wise) Druid to address issues of resource efficiency and economics as we approach the end our the industrial age? For more on Greer’s religious activities, check out the Ancient Order of Druids in America (AODA) web site.
In a final note, I think the University of Iowa may have the coolest name ever for their Pagan student organization.
“The mention of the term “pagan” often connotes thoughts of the dark arts, ritual sacrifices, and any number of Goth stereotypes. But for UI senior Kirk Cheyney, it’s not about any such thing. It’s more about nature and a deep personal spirituality that he can share with his family. Cheyney serves as the president of the Society of Pagans Invested in Reviving Ancient Lifestyles, which bills itself as the UI’s pagan student union.”
I think we could use more creative acronyms in modern Paganism, especially for college students! Congrats to S.P.I.R.A.L. for making it happen (all you other campus groups better step up).
That’s all I have for now, don’t forget to check the Pagans at the Parliament blog for the latest updates and links from Melbourne. We have a new post now up from Selena Fox, and Thorn Coyle has just sent in another dispatch as well. You can also stay on top of things with the Pagans at the Parliament Twitter feed and Facebook page. Have a great day!
- Location:Work although not working
- Mood:
accomplished
http://community.livejournal.com/wellin
A great interactive event will be held here in March. Check out the above link for more details, and feel free to send me or the organiser a message if you have any questions.
Masquerade on Fleet Street
A Gothic Melodrama
When: Saturday 20th March. Please arrive from 7pm for briefings and photos. There will be drinks and nibbles provided but have dinner before hand. The game starts at 8pm and expect to wrap around 11:30pm.
Where: First Floor, Turnbull House, 11 Bowen Street, Thorndon, Wellington.
About: London, 1900. It’s the turn of the century, and London is a city forging its name in these new times. Culture is flourishing at the new opera house which boasts rising stars and exotic performances, as well as stunning illusions. The journals are filled with news of a fair and just legal system, new advances in the field of medicine and psychiatry, human knowledge is advancing in leaps and bounds. And of course, there is all the upcoming excitement and matchmaking of the coming Season to look forward to!
Yet there are dark things afoot in London, and there is great public unease about a series of gruesome murders that have happened in the last month, a serial killer whom the police have been unable to catch. And recently, two notorious bandits have been holding the streets to ransom, and the wealthy no longer feel safe in their carriages at night.
As one of the opening events of the season, London’s pre-eminent judge, Rex Solomon, is throwing a coming of age ball for his beloved daughter Bella. Masquerade is the word of the night, and all the guests are expected to wear full face masks. All the best people have been invited, and it promises to be a night of glamorous mystery!
Masquerade on Fleet Street is a gothic melodrama inspired by Sweeney Todd. Passions run deep, and enmity deeper, loyalty is tested and revenge wrought bloodily. Amidst the swirling fabrics and dizzying lights of the masquerade, who can say whether a friend or foe lies behind the mask?
Characters: There are 40 characters for Masquerade on Fleet Street - 20 male, 20 female. Characters are assigned based on a questionnaire.
Costume: Formal ball-wear, period clothing is appreciated but not necessary. Everyone must wear a mask.
Cost: $12 for players. $10 for members of nzLARPS.
To RSVP: To register, please submit the following questionnaire to silver.owl at gmail dot com.
Questionnaire is after the cut:
( Read more... )
Read the first line. I got frustrated with the web form preventing me from having more than one middle name, and the automated system dutifully sent me the result of my outburst.
a few recs, then back to writing ...
amazingly, this is not an advent fic, but is sweet and worth reccing nonetheless.
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adelagia's trust me, i'm a physician's apprentice (arthur/merlin, pg, 1100words). it's v. v. arthur and merlin.this one, however, is.
et_cetera55's winter thoughts (uther, g, ~555words). it's a wonderful little tale from uther's pov with a wee bit of arthur/merlin on the side (if you have on your slash goggles).the following whine relates to no one on my flist, nor anyone i've recced. i realise a lot of folk are writing v. quickly during this season, but why oh why can't some people chose one tense and stick to it for 1000 words? [*weeps*]
- Mood:
rushed
Recipient:
sugareeyTitle: And Burn Your Bridges Down
Pairing(s): Harry/Draco, implied past Harry/Ginny, Harry/Cho, Harry/OMC
Summary: After Harry and Ginny break up, Ron and Hermione drag a reluctant Harry along to the travelling show that has set up on the outskirts of Hogsmeade. Of all the strange things he sees there, Draco Malfoy is by far the most unexpected.
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters herein are the property of J.K. Rowling and Bloomsbury/Scholastic. No copyright infringement is intended.
Warning(s): A bit of swearing.
Epilogue compliant? Not even a little bit.
Word Count: 10,000
Author's Notes: Heartfelt thanks to my darling beta/cheerleader team; B1, B2, L, and M.
( And Burn Your Bridges Down )
- 08:57 NZ PM John Key will go to Copenhagen after all. Yay! tinyurl.com/yl38pw2 #
Anonymous wrote Bad Gifts and Good Results for
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hd_holidays. [PG13]Anonymous wrote Give Chase for
hd_holidays. [NC17]megyal wrote A legend a tale a story. [NC17]Fiction - Advent Series
mae_linda wrote Stroll Down Memory Lane. [PG]faithwood wrote Sealed with a Kiss. [NC17]jamie2109 wrote Something Eminently Suitable. [G]oldenuf2nb wrote Nasty Details. [G]Fiction - WIP
lomonaaeren updated Practicing Liars with Chapter 19 [R]kitchensink13 began Could Be with Prologue. [PG13]Fan Art
Anonymous drew (un)pleasant surprise for
hd_holidays. [PG13]Anonymous drew Certain Truths for
hd_holidays. [PG]lokeloke drew The Gift. [PG15]Etc., Etc.
do_me_veela fest has posted 2010 Valentine Veela Fest Rules!Older Fic of the Day
lyiint wrote Seven Years Too Late. [NC17]
If you have tips/links, send them to hdprophet@gmail.
All of the current burlesque students are going to a burlesque performance night at Bodega in Wellington next Thursday – this literally collects the best dancers for 1000 nautical miles around. You could come, too.
Some more about the furnished-room-for-rent. I’m giving this a try between January and April. Short-term flatmates have worked out well for me in the past. I don’t expect much interest until February, when the rental crunch hits. And in May, not only will my house get very cold, but two people I know will be looking for renters/flatmates, so if I have anyone I'll send them on to warmer climes.
Tonight I'll go home, do some sewing and laundry, and curl up into a tiny ball.
This turned out to be a good move as 76 people of a variety of faiths ended up joining in, which was far too large a number for the stuffy room. It was a joy to reach our arms to the vault of blue, and to open to each other as we danced the qualities of air, fire, water, earth and spirit. Jews, Christians, New Thought practitioners, Pagans and Hindus all danced together, happily, culminating in a joyous spiral dance. A Lutheran minister from India was so excited, he asked if we would be doing this every morning, and when I told him no, proffered his card, saying I must come to visit India. I was asked several times throughout the day if we would be dancing again. Perhaps next Parliament.
I skipped the Paganism panel because the room was already packed and I thought it might be best to visit some other faiths. The Sikhs were not set up yet, so I wandered into a New Thought presentation. I have many thoughts about the New Thought movement and contemporary Paganism – including some important theological parallels and frustrations in critical thinking or lack thereof – but they will have to wait until I have a larger swathe of time at my disposal. For now, it is off to a discussion of “Democracy and Diversity in Global Perspective” which includes a wide array of speakers: Anwar Ibrahim, Pal Aluwalia, Bishop Peter Elliott, Dr. M. Din Syamsuddin, Rabbi David Saperstein and Professor Barbara McGraw. Then I’m helping out with a ritual for peace organized by Angie Buchanan, Deirdre Arthen and Andras Corben-Arthen.
Tonight, the local Pagan community, spearheaded by Reclaiming, is hosting our Community Night. It should be a fun time.
Blessed Be.
Sure, these clothes are for sale but really I'm posting this link as a costuming resource. Since they're for sale, there are lots of detailed photos for each item.
The bustle dress has a great photo of the inside of the inside of the dress:
http://www.vintagetextile.com/new_page_
I could look at look at these kinds of photos all night really...
Enjoy!
human, go over there and fetch me the remote. and a soda, with a bendy straw
u betteh maek sur iz a bendy straw.
Picture by: Queenmoreta Caption by: A00a via Our LOL Builder
hopefulDead I say.
I doubt it is going to come back any time soon, but who knows, right? I sure don't.
- Music:The Tallest Man on Earth - where do my bluebird fly | Powered by Last.fm
Also. Watch this:
http://www.sizemore.co.uk/category/slin
This show is my new favorite SF show.
Page Summary
- ladyflowdi : I mean REALLY. [+2]
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sinfestfeed : 2009-12-04: Sinfest [+0] - the_wildhunt : Richmond Withdraws from Public and other Pagan News of Note [+0]
- rainyk : Tweets For Today [+0]
- snape_potter :: rage_jt : Just Desserts [+0]
- wellingtonnz :: amphigori : Advanced notice for a great March larp [+0]
- amphigori : Masquerade on Fleet Street - Gothic Melodrama larp [+0]
- ferrouswheel : NZ Post redirection fail [+0]
- snottygrrl : i should be writing [+1]
- hd_fanart :: hd_fanart_mods : Happy Christmas - Day Four! [+12]
- hd_holidays :: hd_hols : HAPPY H/D HOLIDAYS, SUGAREEY! [+12]
- kittyfarmer : Tweets [+0]
- hd_prophet :: thesamanthahope : Thursday, December 3, 2009 [+1]
- tyellas : Putting out my "landlady" sign [+0]
- yezida : Parliament: Two [+1]
- steamfashion :: greenness : Victorian era clothing photos [+3]
- icanhaschzbrgr : human, go over there and fetch me the remote. [+1]
- snape_potter :: alisanne : Inextricably Bound [+0]
- faynia : But, Mom, do I have to? [+14]
- argentbear : (no subject) [+0]