related links: Journal Archive last month: March 2005 March 3 Grandma B's 90th Contamination at Burning Man?

HOME > JOURNAL > APRIL 2005

CLICK ANY THUMBNAIL PHOTO TO SEE MORE

Journal (The Ember Update)

Thursday, April 28

In addition to yoga and belly dance, I've just started attending meetings for a drumming group, the Rhythm Worker's Union. Learning to drum will inform my dancing, and it seems that folks who drum are my kind of people. Kevin's going to try it out with me next time and see if he likes it.

A Pagan Wedding

Our friends Rich and Izolda got married this past weekend (and are honeymooning in Greece, I'm so jealous!) and it was our first Pagan wedding. Visit my travelogue, view the slide-type presentation, or click on a photo below to see more.

Reclaiming America for Christ

(While I'm mentioning Pagans…) I got pointed to this Rolling Stone article today, "The Crusaders: Christian evangelicals are plotting to remake America in their own image." The evangelical activists described — Dominionist— are behind the current effort to do away with the filibuster, and a whole lotta other regrettable mischief too:

"Our job is to reclaim America for Christ, whatever the cost," Kennedy says. "As the vice regents of God, we are to exercise godly dominion and influence over our neighborhoods, our schools, our government, our literature and arts, our sports arenas, our entertainment media, our news media, our scientific endeavors -- in short, over every aspect and institution of human society." [source]

Wednesday, April 20

Happy April 20th! :o)
I went to a Super Hero's Relaxation Meeting last weekend (otherwise known as Izolda's bridal shower).

Ariesfest 2005

Kevin and I attended Ariesfest, our fourth party at Dorian and Amethyst's. Visit my travelogue, view the slide-type presentation, or click on a photo below to see more.

Thursday, April 14

Whew, I thought I'd never get back to my journal! It's been crazy busy … (and a little crazy too).

Slightly South & West

Kevin and I have pretty much finished moving to the Happy Cabin (yay!). We hadn't planned to change residences this early, but my mom had a taker for the attic rooms we'd been inhabiting at her place. We also took on the gigantic job of clearing out my dad's old office-cum-storage-space of its stacks of boxes, furniture, and officey stuff. And of course, sort, pack up and remove a lot of furniture and whatnot from the cabin too, so we could move in. I can't tell you how many times we've been back and forth with truckloads full both ways. 15?

We had a yard sale too. We could hold three or four more this year to clear out more clutter, but stupid Hyattsville (whose annexation of our neighborhood we're now fighting with a lawsuit) only allows us two annually.

Still … we've now taken over the cabin. Just wish we could spend more time there to finish unpacking and decorating. Not until Kevin's gotten a new job in VA…

Woodsy

Photos! Kevin and I have been able to get a couple hikes in, one at the cabin and in the woods along the Potomac. Click thumbnails to see the whole photo.

1. Lots of Spring happening of course, and I finally photographed deer in the cabin's back yard.
2. and 3. These white flowers are Bloodroot and have a tasty bulb called Fairy Spuds, the size of a giant pea.
4. Not sure what the yellowing branch is (not forsythia).
5. A low bridge called Morgan's Ford which spans the Shenandoah a mile and a half away has recently flooded with all the rain (apparently by 5 or so feet, judging by debris in nearby trees). We can just spot this bridge from the cabin.

6. Along the Potomac an invasive form of Buttercup has taken hold. The low dense leaves block sunlight from other growth.
7. Deer fur here and there.
8. Spring Beauties
9. Sprouting moss
10. Basking turtle

Flattery

Kevin and I attended Flattery_02, an event “Celebrating Balance and Harmony, Day and Night," put on by folks on the local Burner list. This was an ambient gathering "with psychedelic generally-beatless sonic lust," where you layed around (no dancing) and listened to music spun or performed by organizers and guests, watching slide shows or chatting or chilling. I especially liked the set Charles Cohen played on a Buchla Sound Easel synthesizer he bought new 30 years ago.

I've been increasingly using Ember as my Burner name (for belly dance too), and 30 minutes after we arrived a friendly fellow named Troy came over asking if I was Ember. Turned out he's a principal behind the new Interfaith Drug Policy Initiative, and he'd connected my name from Burner emails to Looney Labs, who'd given his organization $500 as part of the Stoner Fluxx Foundation's efforts. Troy also had a hand in producing Busted! and of course knows Steve Silverman. It's a small world.

We enjoyed sharing hospitality with a bunch of new folks including Kate, Patty, Troy, Sheldon, Dustin, Phrank, Brian, Gavin (oh so briefly), John, Charles and the rest whose names I haven't retained. Seems like hanging out next to the bathroom is a good spot! Even Sarah from my belly dance class appeared with friends. She'd passed on my emailed invitation because she had plans with them, not knowing they'd take her to the same event.

Drumming and Dancing

The first Saturday of the last two months I've gone to a drum jam in Takoma Park. First time I wore my very nice thrift store harem-ish pants (that I've since ruined not realizing they were a delicate rayon), and second my new belly dance skirt. A few folks from Wear What You Dare Bowling showed up too, and I especially enjoyed meeting Nala, James, Hillary, Bronwyn and Kate, among others. I danced a lot and played various handheld percussion instruments, and tried poi practice in the hallway. I've had quite a good time. People were complimentary and it's a welcoming place. I'm thinking about attending more drumming events, and have a track on a group I hope to check out next week.

Milestones

Two of our friends turned 30 in the last month. Michelle had a party at her place (will scan photos soon). Kevin M. enticed us out to BDs Mongolian Barbecue, a trendy chain which had an extensive variety of vegetarian ingredients for folks like me.

Sadly, since then Michelle's father died. And my Kevin's Grandma B, whose 90th birthday I reported last time, has had some heart problems (remedies are on hold while she deals with low sodium levels). And Andy's elderly mother is still trying to get better too. My dad would have turned 76 in March. Can't believe it's nearing 4 years, how time flies. I still miss him a lot.

PREVIOUS MONTH | CURRENT MONTH | JOURNAL ARCHIVE