More April Wierdness and a First Amendment Victory
Well, dears.....THIS weekend the Hardest Working Hot Water Heater in show business shuffled off its mortal coil and dumped about 50 gallons of water into YT's garage.
Darling Spouse broke this news to YT by gently shaking our shoulder while we slept to anounce that we would NOT need to be spending the morning doing laundry. Man should go to work for a PR agency.
(sigh)
However, the NEW Hardest Working Hot Water Hearter (NHWHW) has been successfully installed and All Has Been Cleansed, including the 4,298,438 loads of laundry.
And in other news, the Veterans' Administration, apparently having finally UNDERSTOOD the words used in the First Amendment, settled its lawsuit with the families of Wiccan soldiers and has decided that, you know what? Witches are People Too and when they DIE in the SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY, *their* faith should also comfort them and their families in that death.
Henceforth, the graves of witches who die in the service of their country will bear the pentacle, as the graves of Christian soldiers bear the cross, Jewish soldiers the Star of David, Moslem soldiers the star and sickle, etc. The settlement further gives the VA 14 days to comply with all outstanding requests and get those pentacles on the headstones of the pagan patriots who fought for a country that until NOW, didn't think their religion was worthy of the same respect given others. And, by the way, that list of OTHERS includes close to 4 dozen symbols of various world faiths including ones so obscure that they make Wicca look as big as the Catholic church. The pentacle was being specifically excluded because of the Current Administration.
The Bush Administration filed an amicus curiae brief in this suit contesting the notion that the First Amendment covered Wicca. It argued that the pentacle would be a "divisive" symbol and wasn't really representative of a "real" religion. By the way, their argument was wholly untenable and also neglected to mention the 7 US Supreme Court decisions finding that Wicca is ABSOLUTELY a religion like any other....
Times like these I really do understand the feelings of people who are running around wearing the T-shirt that states: "1-20-09: Our National Nightmare Will End."
How DARE *any* president tell *any* faith community that it doesn't count? If a Wiccan president all of a sudden decided that the cross should not be allowed on soldiers' graves...there would be one HECK of an outcry (and such would be more than justified and I would be FIRST IN LINE yelling at the White House).
Anyway, the Constitution won out over the petty-mindedness of the ignorant and is stronger now than it was yesterday. ALL faiths prosper when NO faith is relegated to the back of the bus.
Hugs,
Alysoun
Monday, April 23, 2007
Thursday, April 19, 2007
The Sheep Asks Deeply
1. What are three things you would change about Trimaris, and why?
- The capricious nature of the awards system; too often, it appears as though they are done using a dartboard and blindfold, rather than being related to who actually accomplishes things. Feelings get hurt and even those of us with decades in can be seen picking our jaws up off the floor. Although we try to hide that reaction, because NO ONE'S feelings should be hurt just because some has a doubt.
- That thing we sometimes do where you can move here from another kingdom in 1996 and in 2006, we JUST begin to stop referring to you as being "from Calontir/Caid/the East." When I moved to Atlantia in June of 1998, at my FIRST shire meeting, I was introduced NOT as Alysoun from Trimaris, but as "This is our newest Atlantian, Alysoun, who used to live in Trimaris. But, she's Atlantian now." And i was TREATED like that, from Day One. THAT is what I would like us to do.
- Our seeming inability to accept that not EVERYONE was raised in Florida and therefore, does not have our genetic cultural cues. Too often, we shorthand conversations because we don't NEED to explain everything. Which is all well and good, until someone doesn't get it...THEN we tend to STARE at them like they had brain surgery, when Courtesy SHOULD prompt us to Explain Ourselves.
2. What are the qualities that our friends inspire in you - how do they influence you to be a better person?
- Honesty, committment, integrity, loyalty. Basically, the day I get mistaken for Wintson Churchill during the Battle of Britain at the SAME TIME as I get mistaken for Dalai Lama, I can die. It's a constant striving, so expect to have me around for generations :)
3. If you could go back and change something in your life (and possibly change your life path as a consequence) - would you?
- Wow. This is really really tempting, but No. While the road has been hard, I actually LIKE me, and I believe that I am the result of the life I have led before. Well, I WOULD have taken better care of my teeth.
4. What do you think is your worst quality? What is your best quality?
-Worst: My occasionally too-short temper.
- Best: I keep my promises.
5. By a twist of fate, you are in the position to make a choice thatwill save the life of either one family member or 50 strangers. Whichdo you choose and why?
- MAN!!!!! I HATE this question. Honestly, I would probably save the family member, then spend (I am being serious) the rest of my life being eaten up with guilt. If I had elected to do the TRULY noble action, which would be to save the 50 strangers, I would spend the rest of my short life working out a suicide plan and implementing it. It's because of my sons - I KNOW I could not sacrifice either of them.
Sweating now is,
Alysoun
1. What are three things you would change about Trimaris, and why?
- The capricious nature of the awards system; too often, it appears as though they are done using a dartboard and blindfold, rather than being related to who actually accomplishes things. Feelings get hurt and even those of us with decades in can be seen picking our jaws up off the floor. Although we try to hide that reaction, because NO ONE'S feelings should be hurt just because some has a doubt.
- That thing we sometimes do where you can move here from another kingdom in 1996 and in 2006, we JUST begin to stop referring to you as being "from Calontir/Caid/the East." When I moved to Atlantia in June of 1998, at my FIRST shire meeting, I was introduced NOT as Alysoun from Trimaris, but as "This is our newest Atlantian, Alysoun, who used to live in Trimaris. But, she's Atlantian now." And i was TREATED like that, from Day One. THAT is what I would like us to do.
- Our seeming inability to accept that not EVERYONE was raised in Florida and therefore, does not have our genetic cultural cues. Too often, we shorthand conversations because we don't NEED to explain everything. Which is all well and good, until someone doesn't get it...THEN we tend to STARE at them like they had brain surgery, when Courtesy SHOULD prompt us to Explain Ourselves.
2. What are the qualities that our friends inspire in you - how do they influence you to be a better person?
- Honesty, committment, integrity, loyalty. Basically, the day I get mistaken for Wintson Churchill during the Battle of Britain at the SAME TIME as I get mistaken for Dalai Lama, I can die. It's a constant striving, so expect to have me around for generations :)
3. If you could go back and change something in your life (and possibly change your life path as a consequence) - would you?
- Wow. This is really really tempting, but No. While the road has been hard, I actually LIKE me, and I believe that I am the result of the life I have led before. Well, I WOULD have taken better care of my teeth.
4. What do you think is your worst quality? What is your best quality?
-Worst: My occasionally too-short temper.
- Best: I keep my promises.
5. By a twist of fate, you are in the position to make a choice thatwill save the life of either one family member or 50 strangers. Whichdo you choose and why?
- MAN!!!!! I HATE this question. Honestly, I would probably save the family member, then spend (I am being serious) the rest of my life being eaten up with guilt. If I had elected to do the TRULY noble action, which would be to save the 50 strangers, I would spend the rest of my short life working out a suicide plan and implementing it. It's because of my sons - I KNOW I could not sacrifice either of them.
Sweating now is,
Alysoun
Three Posts In One Day - Alert the Media!
So, sorry for the delay and now the bombardment, but These Things Happen, dearies, they do indeed.
Coronation went off beautifully and now Dead Martin and Islay are Duke Martin and Duchess Islay and Ardion and Lisa are King and Queen! Richard, one of YT's Darling Boys, is truly now no longer her Boy, but her Peer, as in their last Moments On Earth M&A elevated him to the Order of the Pelican. Muahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. Much of the Southern Consortium were in attendance to "help" and those that weren't there will simply have to learn to live with disappointment.
April is the wierdest month for Yours Truly, SCA activity comes to a halt as Boys I Birthed reach the Anniversaries of Their Births and Parents Descend.
My Last Week:
4/13/07 (the Irony is Not Lost Upon Us): The Spouse calls to advise that we Should Not Panic but Son #1 has called to say that there is a LARGE BLACK SNAKE (LBS) loose in the house and Son #1 is perched on the sofa arm. I must now of course CALL the AGING PARENTS who are MOMENTS from arriving at the House of Slither and WARN them of this. Done.
Son #1 calls US to advise that the LBS is now OUT of the house, Grandparents are IN and all is well.
4/14/07: Purchasing Much Goodies for Son #1's birthday.
4/15/07: Wind, Driving Rain, Lightning. Son #1's birthday is off to Major Great Start as a bolt of lightning strikes the large maple tree in YT's front yard, causing it to FALL ONTO PARENTS' CAR, taking out the rear glass and leaving various and sundry Dents. No human injuries. Later, Fun Cake and Dinner for Son #1 who loves his Presents.
4/16/07: I arrive Home to find that the remains of the maple have been removed. Apparently, Spouse neglected to tell me that he had Made The Arrangements. We discuss what kind of tree with which we want to replace the maple. I reply, "Anything but LIVE OAK."
4/18/07: 7 FOOT TALL LIVE OAK delivered to house. YT goes to fencing practice. For a very, very, very very, very, very LONG time.
I PROMISE no more weeks-long gap in posts.
Much hugs,
Alysoun
So, sorry for the delay and now the bombardment, but These Things Happen, dearies, they do indeed.
Coronation went off beautifully and now Dead Martin and Islay are Duke Martin and Duchess Islay and Ardion and Lisa are King and Queen! Richard, one of YT's Darling Boys, is truly now no longer her Boy, but her Peer, as in their last Moments On Earth M&A elevated him to the Order of the Pelican. Muahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. Much of the Southern Consortium were in attendance to "help" and those that weren't there will simply have to learn to live with disappointment.
April is the wierdest month for Yours Truly, SCA activity comes to a halt as Boys I Birthed reach the Anniversaries of Their Births and Parents Descend.
My Last Week:
4/13/07 (the Irony is Not Lost Upon Us): The Spouse calls to advise that we Should Not Panic but Son #1 has called to say that there is a LARGE BLACK SNAKE (LBS) loose in the house and Son #1 is perched on the sofa arm. I must now of course CALL the AGING PARENTS who are MOMENTS from arriving at the House of Slither and WARN them of this. Done.
Son #1 calls US to advise that the LBS is now OUT of the house, Grandparents are IN and all is well.
4/14/07: Purchasing Much Goodies for Son #1's birthday.
4/15/07: Wind, Driving Rain, Lightning. Son #1's birthday is off to Major Great Start as a bolt of lightning strikes the large maple tree in YT's front yard, causing it to FALL ONTO PARENTS' CAR, taking out the rear glass and leaving various and sundry Dents. No human injuries. Later, Fun Cake and Dinner for Son #1 who loves his Presents.
4/16/07: I arrive Home to find that the remains of the maple have been removed. Apparently, Spouse neglected to tell me that he had Made The Arrangements. We discuss what kind of tree with which we want to replace the maple. I reply, "Anything but LIVE OAK."
4/18/07: 7 FOOT TALL LIVE OAK delivered to house. YT goes to fencing practice. For a very, very, very very, very, very LONG time.
I PROMISE no more weeks-long gap in posts.
Much hugs,
Alysoun
I FORGOT!!!!
If YOU want to do the questions, here's how:
- Leave me a comment saying "interview me!"
- I will respond by e-mailing you five questions. I get to pick them, and you have to answer them all.
- You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
- You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post (WHOOPSIES!!!!)
- When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them 5 questions.
If YOU want to do the questions, here's how:
- Leave me a comment saying "interview me!"
- I will respond by e-mailing you five questions. I get to pick them, and you have to answer them all.
- You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
- You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post (WHOOPSIES!!!!)
- When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them 5 questions.
Internet Meme, Longer Update Later
Thanks to Runnergirl for the Following Getting to Knowish Me;
5 Questions:
RG: What made you choose to go into the legal field?
YT: It was an accident, really. I started life as a reporter, discovered I really didn't want to do it, so managed a book store for a few years. Then I decided retail bit the Yea Verily Big One. A friend at the time suggested that I apply to be a legal secretary at the State Attorney's Office. I did, got hired, and now 22 years later, I am the management paralegal at a law firm I love.
RG: Who is your oldest friend? (not age, silly)
YT: Roy and Teri - met both in 1974 and still know them.
RG: If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would buy?
YT: I would not buy anything *first*. I would pay off all my family's short term consumer debt, fully fund the retirement accounts and college funds for the Boys. THEN, I would buy an entirely new fencing kit from Darkwood Armory, far too much fabric, viking brooches and assorted bling, trips to the UK and of course some SERIOUS cars. Then.....iPods all around!
RG: If you had super powers, what would they be?
YT: Aside from the ones I already have? Samantha's Magic Nose Twitch from "Bewitched."
RG: Obligatory Blog Question: What is the most important thing you have leanred from blogging?
YT: That, rather than spellcheck, what we REALLY need is "context check."
Thanks to Runnergirl for the Following Getting to Knowish Me;
5 Questions:
RG: What made you choose to go into the legal field?
YT: It was an accident, really. I started life as a reporter, discovered I really didn't want to do it, so managed a book store for a few years. Then I decided retail bit the Yea Verily Big One. A friend at the time suggested that I apply to be a legal secretary at the State Attorney's Office. I did, got hired, and now 22 years later, I am the management paralegal at a law firm I love.
RG: Who is your oldest friend? (not age, silly)
YT: Roy and Teri - met both in 1974 and still know them.
RG: If you won the lottery, what is the first thing you would buy?
YT: I would not buy anything *first*. I would pay off all my family's short term consumer debt, fully fund the retirement accounts and college funds for the Boys. THEN, I would buy an entirely new fencing kit from Darkwood Armory, far too much fabric, viking brooches and assorted bling, trips to the UK and of course some SERIOUS cars. Then.....iPods all around!
RG: If you had super powers, what would they be?
YT: Aside from the ones I already have? Samantha's Magic Nose Twitch from "Bewitched."
RG: Obligatory Blog Question: What is the most important thing you have leanred from blogging?
YT: That, rather than spellcheck, what we REALLY need is "context check."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
