So, if it weren't obvious, I haven't been posting a lot lately. Although that should be clarified with an over here. Because at LiveJournal, I've been extremely active. For some reason, it's just an easier place to congregate. I dunno - maybe it has some of the ease of the old Diary-X system. I know when people update there because I have friends' lists.
I feel a bit lonely over here at times.
*sigh*
But anyway... I can't believe it's the end of November already. And contrary to the silence in my blog, no... I didn't do NaNoWriMo this year. I signed up, but never really got writing, never felt all that jazzed for it... so... meh.
What HAS been happening is a whole lot of running around since the weekend of our wedding. Absolute madness. Life returning to normal, scrambling to start returning to the things both Erich and I had blown off for months as part of our "planning a wedding, can't talk now!" excuse. It's amazing how off-kilter life gets when planning such a big event. I am finally starting to feel - this WEEK - that I'm myself again. It took two months to feel normal. Insane. I think the wedding took a permanent toll on my ability to remember things, though. I used to have a pretty good memory - but now I barely can remember things week to week. It's maddening.
Married life is good. Honestly, it doesn't feel that different than it did before, although I imagine I'll find little things along the way that feel different. I have an extra ring on the finger, and official documents are slowly being transferred from one name to another. Hearing Erich's last name as my own is a bit weird. But I CAN sign it comfortably, which is a relief. But it's so comfortable saying, "this is my husband."
I take that as a very good thing. Especially being the one who was convinced she'd be alone her entire life.
Now that the wedding's over, we're both moving into our own little worlds again, which always circle one another and about half the time come together - the comfortable balance that we always seem to have.
Erich's been extremely busy with the affairs of his mom's estate. Things are moving along, slowly but surely. Honestly, from what I gather, the vast majority of the runaround work is done. Now it's down to selling the house in Massachusetts that Debbie had inherited half of from her mother (Debbie's sister owns the other half). Selling the house, particularly in this market, will be a challenge. But it will be a huge relief to both Erich's aunt and him. And hopefully it'll be able to move us forward in some house updates that I'd love to get started - like... getting rid of the wallpaper that's partially coming down on its own, replastering, repainting, etc.
Meanwhile, I've been busy on the weekends with all things sorority related, it seems. I've spent a good deal of my weekends since late September up in Boston for one reason or another - alumni meetings, rush events and degrees with the actives. I even took a little sister (kin sister, actually, since I'm alum). His name's Mark. It's odd being officially tied to a line in the sorority again - since my direct line of little sisters died before I graduated from college. But it's fantastic to be tied closer to the chapter as a whole again.
And I've been doing that odd thing that's sprouted up in the past couple years - having a social life. I don't know where this came from. I really don't. But suddenly, I have a fairly large and diverse circle of friends, any of which I can call and say "hey, let's go do xyz on Friday," and actually have them say "sure, yeah!" So weird. I spent so many years as the wallflower that always felt left behind. Having friends that actually WANT to do things together? God, it's wonderful.
The geeky stuff still continues, although not as intense as it used to be. That may return, though. We're just now getting back into a couple Dungeons & Dragons and other tabletop games.
Sports? Oh, gotta love New England right now. :) Well, I guess folks outside of New England don't like us right now. But you know what I mean.
I've continued to dig into all things Doctor Who in my spare time. I'm currently watching the very early episodes... from 1963. I'm still amused how the TARDIS for the most part is exactly the same - even the sound effects! With the WGA strike, I'm thankful for the volumes of Who material I have to dig through. Only 43 years... should keep me busy.
Work continues to go well. I've now been at my job for a year. Other than a few workmates, I don't miss the other place at all. I do find, though, that some of the things people gripe about at my current office simply don't bother me - because they're NOWHERE near as hellish as what I dealt with before. It's just amazing.
And that's about it, I suppose.
Much more to come - Holidailies is just around the corner. :)
28 November 2007
26 November 2007
Random questions meme
via Gentle Blessing, because I'm too sleepy to do too much else right now...
1. what's your name? Melissa
2. how old are you? 32, counting down to an eleventy.
3. where are you from? are you living there right now? Montana. No, I live on the other side of the country.
4. is it cold where you are? It's not quite freezing, but it's fairly damp and cold outside - it's one of those typical rainy November days in New England.
5. what's the time? 9:36 a.m.
6. what are you wearing? Red sweater, khakis, penny loafers
7. what was the last thing you listened to? "Hung Up" by Madonna on my iPod
8. what was the last thing you ate? Bagel Bites for dinner last night
9. what was the last thing you watched on tv? The Patriots-Eagles game last night
10. what's your favourite tv show and why? Doctor Who, because it has such an odd format on TV (and well, David Tennant...)
11. quick! find a book or something with text on it! flip to a random page and read some of it! go! The only book in front of me is the style guidelines for documents here at work... it's VERY unexciting. However, if I must... "Coverage colums - set at 80%, Limits Column, set at 20%"). See? Dull.
12. what was the last movie you saw? how was it? Gone Baby Gone. It was very good, and very thought-provoking. Ben Affleck should stay behind the camera, IMHO.
13. do you think you have an accent? talk about that. I know I do (we all do), but I don't have a distinct regional one. It's a blend of Montana western "flat" with the mix of eastern Pennsylvania from my parents mixed with the conversational rhythm of New England. I interchange slang phrases, and occasionally drop R's these days. It's very confusing - I tend to stumble over my own words quite a bit.
1. what's your name? Melissa
2. how old are you? 32, counting down to an eleventy.
3. where are you from? are you living there right now? Montana. No, I live on the other side of the country.
4. is it cold where you are? It's not quite freezing, but it's fairly damp and cold outside - it's one of those typical rainy November days in New England.
5. what's the time? 9:36 a.m.
6. what are you wearing? Red sweater, khakis, penny loafers
7. what was the last thing you listened to? "Hung Up" by Madonna on my iPod
8. what was the last thing you ate? Bagel Bites for dinner last night
9. what was the last thing you watched on tv? The Patriots-Eagles game last night
10. what's your favourite tv show and why? Doctor Who, because it has such an odd format on TV (and well, David Tennant...)
11. quick! find a book or something with text on it! flip to a random page and read some of it! go! The only book in front of me is the style guidelines for documents here at work... it's VERY unexciting. However, if I must... "Coverage colums - set at 80%, Limits Column, set at 20%"). See? Dull.
12. what was the last movie you saw? how was it? Gone Baby Gone. It was very good, and very thought-provoking. Ben Affleck should stay behind the camera, IMHO.
13. do you think you have an accent? talk about that. I know I do (we all do), but I don't have a distinct regional one. It's a blend of Montana western "flat" with the mix of eastern Pennsylvania from my parents mixed with the conversational rhythm of New England. I interchange slang phrases, and occasionally drop R's these days. It's very confusing - I tend to stumble over my own words quite a bit.
22 November 2007
Turkey Noby!
In honor of today's holiday, I present the turkey I'm NOT cooking today...
But look at those drumsticks! :)
Happy Thanksgiving all!
But look at those drumsticks! :)
Happy Thanksgiving all!
20 November 2007
Megapaw lives it up
In case there was any doubt, the newest member of our clan, Hoodsie, is showing all sorts of difficulty transisting from a life out on the streets to being a housecat.
Evidence of this is shown in this photo, as well as four others on Flickr.
He's struggling horribly. Can't you see?
(goes all girly... look at all of those extra toes!!!! OMG he's got so many toes!!!)
Evidence of this is shown in this photo, as well as four others on Flickr.
He's struggling horribly. Can't you see?
(goes all girly... look at all of those extra toes!!!! OMG he's got so many toes!!!)
01 November 2007
It's November, and that means...
It's time to start thinking about holiday card exchanges! (*gasp*) I know, I know. It seems early. But really, truly - it isn't.
So here's the deal - in years past, I've done individual exchanges with cards. And I'm still very happy to do that - if that's what you'd prefer, lemme know in your comment. That way, you won't be put on a master list.
BUT - a few other bloggers I've known casually over the years have hosted bigger exchanges, and I want to attempt it this year. Because really - it's ALL about getting happy mail among the mountains of mags and bills in November and December.
What I need from you:
1) Your LJ name or your blogging nickname (if off LJ):
2) Your web address (if off LJ):
3) Your name and complete mailing address:
4) Your email address (for sending you the master list):
5) If you have a preference for either religious or non-religious cards, please let me know:
6) If this list goes over 30 people, do you want to be part of a 30-person only group, or the list at large?
7) Any other info you'd like to add (for my organizing benefit)?
Send this to me in either a private email to measiwitch(at)gmail.com, with the subject line of Holiday Cards, or reply via comment to this entry. ALL COMMENTS ARE SCREENED. You'll get a confirm email that I received your address.
Anyone who wants to participate, please add your info no later than November 11. The list will be organized and emailed no later than November 15th so folks have plenty of time to send cards.
So here's the deal - in years past, I've done individual exchanges with cards. And I'm still very happy to do that - if that's what you'd prefer, lemme know in your comment. That way, you won't be put on a master list.
BUT - a few other bloggers I've known casually over the years have hosted bigger exchanges, and I want to attempt it this year. Because really - it's ALL about getting happy mail among the mountains of mags and bills in November and December.
What I need from you:
1) Your LJ name or your blogging nickname (if off LJ):
2) Your web address (if off LJ):
3) Your name and complete mailing address:
4) Your email address (for sending you the master list):
5) If you have a preference for either religious or non-religious cards, please let me know:
6) If this list goes over 30 people, do you want to be part of a 30-person only group, or the list at large?
7) Any other info you'd like to add (for my organizing benefit)?
Send this to me in either a private email to measiwitch(at)gmail.com, with the subject line of Holiday Cards, or reply via comment to this entry. ALL COMMENTS ARE SCREENED. You'll get a confirm email that I received your address.
Anyone who wants to participate, please add your info no later than November 11. The list will be organized and emailed no later than November 15th so folks have plenty of time to send cards.
Thursday Thirteen #30: Personal Code
One of my friends on LiveJournal asked me for some rough religious differences between Paganism and Wicca yesterday, since she, like many people, don't really understand alternative religions. In the middle of that post, I included a nutshell list of my own religious and moral convictions.
As part of the new religious year, I feel it's appropriate as my Thursday Thirteen.
Thirteen Convictions of my Faith:
1) Belief in both Goddess and God, both as individual forms and as the universal life force that binds everything together.
2) Casual adherance to the Wiccan Rede ("An' it harm none, do what you will")
3) Strict adherance to the Law of Three (Anything you do, good or bad, will return three times as strong to you.)
4) The entire world is my ritual space. I create sacred space where and when I feel the need, rather than having a set space to worship.
5) A belief that the Divine and Nature are inseparable because the Divine gives energy to Nature. Under this belief is also the need for balance - cause and effect, positive and destructive, life and death. All are on an endless loop, constantly renewing themselves, then destroying themselves, and then renewal once more. The seasons of the year are the most visible example of this.
6) A requirement to rededicate myself every year, on the anniversary of my initial initation. (Lughnasadh, Aug. 2nd).
7) A belief that the soul rests after death, and then is reincarnated to learn the things missed in the last lifetime as well as exposure to new things
8) Marking the eight Sabbats through ritual (which I haven't been good at as of late). The names I use for them (there are several, depending on trad) and dates I celebrate them are: - Samhain (Oct. 31), Yule (Dec. 21), Imbolc (Feb. 2), Ostara (Mar. 21), Beltane (May 1), Midsummer (June 23), Lughnasadh (Aug. 2), Mabon (Sept. 23)
9) No importance placed on the 26 Esbats - while I admire the cycles of the moon for their beauty, I have never felt a pull to mark them religiously.
10) A belief that mundane means should always be used before magickal means to solve a problem. Spellwork is not part of my ritual, unless I really need to focus my energy on a problem. I use it only as a last resort.
11) A belief that humans can touch and join with the Divine, albeit temporarily, through different methods - meditation, Drawing Down the Moon, and consentual sex being among them
12) A rejection of the idea of sin, both original and ongoing. Sin is something that you will pay for after death unless you repent. I do not accept long-delayed consequences to actions and feel that "sin," as taught in Christianity, tends to be a "well, we really don't like that you do this... but we'll give you a loophole to feel better about yourself later through pennance" type action. Wrongdoing brings negative consequences (again, the Law of Three) here and now. We are all responsible for our actions toward others and toward the world.
13) Strong belief that faith is fiercely individual - my beliefs are only as valid as the respect I give to the right of others to have their own beliefs. This doesn't mean I have to agree with others' beliefs, or even respect what they believe in. But I do have to respect their rights to believe in something different than myself.
Comments are welcome on this Thursday Thirteen. You are welcome to disagree & discuss.
As part of the new religious year, I feel it's appropriate as my Thursday Thirteen.
Thirteen Convictions of my Faith:
1) Belief in both Goddess and God, both as individual forms and as the universal life force that binds everything together.
2) Casual adherance to the Wiccan Rede ("An' it harm none, do what you will")
3) Strict adherance to the Law of Three (Anything you do, good or bad, will return three times as strong to you.)
4) The entire world is my ritual space. I create sacred space where and when I feel the need, rather than having a set space to worship.
5) A belief that the Divine and Nature are inseparable because the Divine gives energy to Nature. Under this belief is also the need for balance - cause and effect, positive and destructive, life and death. All are on an endless loop, constantly renewing themselves, then destroying themselves, and then renewal once more. The seasons of the year are the most visible example of this.
6) A requirement to rededicate myself every year, on the anniversary of my initial initation. (Lughnasadh, Aug. 2nd).
7) A belief that the soul rests after death, and then is reincarnated to learn the things missed in the last lifetime as well as exposure to new things
8) Marking the eight Sabbats through ritual (which I haven't been good at as of late). The names I use for them (there are several, depending on trad) and dates I celebrate them are: - Samhain (Oct. 31), Yule (Dec. 21), Imbolc (Feb. 2), Ostara (Mar. 21), Beltane (May 1), Midsummer (June 23), Lughnasadh (Aug. 2), Mabon (Sept. 23)
9) No importance placed on the 26 Esbats - while I admire the cycles of the moon for their beauty, I have never felt a pull to mark them religiously.
10) A belief that mundane means should always be used before magickal means to solve a problem. Spellwork is not part of my ritual, unless I really need to focus my energy on a problem. I use it only as a last resort.
11) A belief that humans can touch and join with the Divine, albeit temporarily, through different methods - meditation, Drawing Down the Moon, and consentual sex being among them
12) A rejection of the idea of sin, both original and ongoing. Sin is something that you will pay for after death unless you repent. I do not accept long-delayed consequences to actions and feel that "sin," as taught in Christianity, tends to be a "well, we really don't like that you do this... but we'll give you a loophole to feel better about yourself later through pennance" type action. Wrongdoing brings negative consequences (again, the Law of Three) here and now. We are all responsible for our actions toward others and toward the world.
13) Strong belief that faith is fiercely individual - my beliefs are only as valid as the respect I give to the right of others to have their own beliefs. This doesn't mean I have to agree with others' beliefs, or even respect what they believe in. But I do have to respect their rights to believe in something different than myself.
Comments are welcome on this Thursday Thirteen. You are welcome to disagree & discuss.
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