Hi folks.
As you can see, I'm trying something new. You're welcome to look about. I hope you enjoy the Research Resources.

If I ever manage to really write something with teeth, then debate is welcome. Trolls, and those who behave like trolls, will be booted.

This is an excerpt from an address by the Dali Lama. This finally explained to me something I had been musing on for quite a while.

(Relationships) that last only a short time do so because of a lack of compassion; there is only emotional attachment based on projection and expectation. When the only bond between close friends is attachment, then even a minor issue may cause one´s projections to change. As soon as our projections change, the attachment disappears, because that attachment was based solely on projection and expectation.

This produced such a EUREKA moment for me. There was a projection and an expectation, and I did not live up to that expectation. And so, for them there was no more attachment. I understand, I can see it now. It feels, true.

So, would I go back to this person and place them back on the pedestal they demand from others? Bolster their ego and give them the illusion of importance they crave? No. I remain true to myself. I keep them in my heart and love them still, but I can forgive their change towards me. I can love without being loved in return.

Boosting the signal.

http://bugginword.com/2009/09/22/flashbacks/

The Sony flashbacks rolled over me – the ponchos, the Paul Newman’s salsa, the white carpet, the livestock – the HORROR. The guy next to me in the headset clenched his teeth muttering the words I’ve spoken far too many times, “The PROBLEM is MARIAH.” Say it again, my brother.

Ok. It isn't U2, more like YouTube. But, he gets his point across.

I was at work. My sister-in-law was on Manhattan at 181st. My brother-in-law walked through the rubble of the towers as he walked the length of the island that day from Liberty St. to 181st.

Thank you Dave!

Barney Frank Demonstrates Precisely How to Handle Townhall Wingnuts

phttttb... hot and bummin'. Would very much like a vacation from 50% of my life.

( chianti )

We all know that Fashion changes. It is the nature of the beast to shed one skin for another. And as historians and students of clothing and fashion we know better than many how today's clothing differs from yesterdays.

( ideas about then v. now )

Ok. Three days on the bike.
14.7 on Friday.
25 on Saturday.
20.2 on Sunday.

Phew. That's the first 50+ series in a year.

We've backed off on Champlain this Fall. Instead the goal is a more flexible 7 Fingerlakes in 7 Days. From Keuka to Cayuga... and a range of 44 to over 100 miles. We'll see what happens.

Finally making progress on the leg warmers again.
It's not my most perfect piece of knitting... but at this moment I just want them off the needles before it's time to wear them.

It's not Pennsic. But Mike and I did 25 miles this weekend. Not a fantastic amount for either of us, but my ankle isn't hurting after 2 days on the bike. And it's not hurting after two 10+ mile rides. It's progress. That counts for something.

Note to self:
Something some of you might want to keep an eye out for...

The King's Servants - men's dress at the accession of Henry VIII.

http://www.tudortailor.com/bookshop.htm

Newly released from the University of South Hampton.

The Medieval Soldier Database

Have fun all.

We're home from NC and Va trip. We're both exhausted. We drove up yesterday, and then just collapsed into bed. I should be doing a great many things today. But, I'm going to content myself with watching the grass grow.

sileas_1 wrote an essay that got me thinking. And I suspect I'm going to ramble on this one so I thought I'd ramble here instead of filling up her comments. If you want to read the piece that got me thinking it's here.

( wow... I did ramble on )

This getting home and just getting dinner started at 8pm is for the birds!
Wait a minute... hold that ... Use different icon... OK... continue.

I'm trying to get out to some sewing circles, but with dinner just getting to the table at 8:15 I'm shot. Plus... *sniff* I need a shower.

I repeat.... Phhhhhtb!

Once, not so long ago, I could find myself genuinely distressed on the occasions when my poodle would prove that underneath all the hair and fluff those hunting dog genes were still functional. Since the run in, or ambush, or incident (whichever you choose) with the ground hog burrow last summer I find I'm not so bothered by "nature".

So far the tally stands at Ground Hogs: 1 RediBoy: 2

The last ground hog to cross Red's path was last week. Mike was home when Red came into the house and took up sentry position at the front door. Upon inspection, Mike found that Red was waiting to greet me . Red was posed like one of the lions at the National Library with his paws resting crossed and protectively over his latest quarry. Mike decided that the dead woodchuck would be better off outside, so Red didn't get to share his triumph.

But, that's not the one that I wish I had seen.

A couple of weeks ago, Mike and I went to the "city". Well just hours prior to leaving I had taken Red to the groomers. The first time he had been to a professional groomer in years. It's not that easy to find a groomer willing to work on a 90lb epileptic poodle. I had finally found someone willing to take on the challenge, and she did a great job. Red was my Poodle again. All fluffed and coiffed and gorgeous. Ah, swoon.

But, I didn't get to enjoy my boy's floofed out goodness, nope I went to the city. Our neighbors came by to exercise the pups and feed them and give them some human time. On the first trip to the house, Friday evening, they noticed something not quite right in the smell. So they looked around the house. And what should they see.

There was Red, fully coiffed, looking like he belonged on a calendar, sitting pretty with his perfect poodle feet and red tipped ears. The capper was the massive woodchuck dangling limply from either side of his mouth. Our friends swear he was 'smiling'.

::head desk::

1. Anyone who looks at this entry please post this meme and their current wallpaper at their LiveJournal.
2. Explain in five sentences why you're using that wallpaper.
3. Don't change your wallpaper before doing this! The point is to see what you had on.

Here it is.

It's a poppet. The photo is by phialastring. It just says "Spring" to me, especially with the dark green background.

Remember that relationship problem I was having...

So, in general I try to be quite direct when I 'feel' that there is a problem. I'll tend to ask and then trust that whatever response I receive is solid. It's taken me a long time to get to be quite so forthright. And, I'll admit, it's not easy. And sometimes, I still fail. I'll find myself crawling into my shell rather than facing a possible rejection. Whether the chance for a rejection is real, or not.

Well, apparently the chance for rejection was quite real. :>

I'm laughing about it because I would rather not deal with someone who was going to play "chase me" games and "you should know what the problem is" guessing games. If I wanted relationships like that - I'd live with a three year old.

So, guessing that relationship is off the radar. Too bad, I had very high hopes for it. But, better to know now that the person would rather play games and is just not up to being direct.

It was almost a year ago that I got given a weed.
(Received a Laurel, got let into the super secret group, was "elevated" [a term I positively loathe], etc.)

It has been an interesting year both modernly and in the SCA, momentous in some ways. What I have found is that while I thought receiving a Laurel was going to be "no big shakes", it was. Receiving a Laurel, or any Peerage I imagine, is a subtle but profound change in your perspective.

( cut cause I like ya'll )