What are the parts of your identity that you have labels for? (list and then define)

Part 3: my heart and spirit parts.

How I understand the world and express myself (heart): these are parts of me that form my lens for understanding myself and my tools for expressing myself.

atheist / nontheist Quaker spiritualist

I'll work backwards on this one: I am a spiritualist because I believe in finding meaning in things that are objectively meaningless. If I find a perfectly heart-shaped rock, I choose to assign the meaning that I am on the right path and the universe is affirming me. If I find a phallus-shaped mushroom, I choose to assign the meaning that a benificent magical being is jokingly reminding me of a dream I had once. If I want to make a change in my life I will write a spell and chant it because when I do that, I get what I asked for -- I don't care how it works and I'm not gonna disbelieve in my own experience. I don't care if these meanings only exist for me.

I'm a Quaker because I believe that everyone has the ability to find truth and create meaning. I value the same things that Quakers do, particularly equality and community. I love that Quakers literally will put their bodies on the line for equality, and are careful to consider it in their organizing: it's not just lip service. I love that Quakers believe in consensus decision-making and reject the practice of outsourcing their responsibility to a leader, whether religious or political. I feel very nourished by the Quaker practice of unprogrammed communal worship/meditation with optional sharing (if someone has a realization which may be helpful to others).

Technically I believe in what I call gods, but what I think many would not. I believe in ideas as forces of their own, which are created by shared thought. Sometimes these ideas can feel very person-like and some people can interact with them in beneficial or harmful ways; I call these deities. Deliberate worship is the most effective way to make one but it can be done accidentally, and most often is. I think the flying spaghetti monster has been made pretty real, which is hilarious. Other accidentally-created gods are every person depicted on money, many military leaders, everyone who has had multiple biographies written about them (including and especially hitler), the victoria's secret angel (who people worship by torturing their own bodies) and infinite others, some living only for a few weeks.

I choose to worship certain deities that I resonate with, and I have had strange and wondrous things happen as a result. I don't care if I am making it up and it is not true for anyone else: it is true for me and I like it, so I retain it. Deity worship is not a pillar of my belief system but it is a very soft warm rug that I sometimes lay on.

So if I believe in gods, by my definition, why am I an atheist? This one evolved very recently - as in, after I started writing this post. I was talking with a friend about why they don't consider me a theist, and why atheism is an important perspective, and that made me realize something new to me. Previously when discussing this I got stuck on the fact that I don't think there is anything inherently wrong in believing in gods, but while that is true it doesn't mean there is no harm done. An appeal to authority reinforces all appealing to authority, which I do not want to do. Since I think that I both believe and don't believe in gods, I have a choice to make identity-wise and I choose the anti-authority identity. I'm not yet sure if non-theist or atheist is more true of me, so I will keep both for now.

energy-weaver

This relates to my spirituality: I sense idea-things in and on people that I can interact with if I choose to. Sometimes this is highly metaphysical; I might feel a string tied around someone's wrist or a shard in someone's energy center, when those don't exist in a visual reality. Sometimes it is more physical; I might feel static 'in' someone's head when they have a bad headache, or I might feel body parts that don't physically exist (one of my exes had dragon wings).

Weaving energy is when I do something like take the shard out of someone, or pet their wings. Some people can feel this when I do it, even when they have their eyes closed. People have told me that my energy weaving has eased their physical pain or soothed their emotional distress. One person thought I put a heated pad on them when it was just my hands. Another told me that I made a migraine go away at a point where medication usually would not work. An insomniac fell asleep as I worked on them. I haven't yet tried it on anyone who couldn't feel it, though it varies in effectiveness.

color/light worshipper

Light was my first word, and my first love. Color is an illusion created by the absorption of light, so I love it as an expression of light. I love light and color very much, and for me it ascends to worship because I make it a central aspect of how I design my space, clothe my body, and choose and customize my companion objects (like my water bottle and car). I also worship by creating art: light through photography and color through mixed media and digital art.

I also worship light through awed contemplation: I gaze at reflections and refractions of light, especially colored light. I love everything that glows in the dark. I love fairy lights and black lights and color-changey lights. I love everything that glows or shimmers, everything transparent and colorful. Glass connects to this because of the way it can hold light, cradle it, focus it, split it, direct it. I love all transparent glass and to a lesser extent translucent glass.

photographer

To me, a photographer is someone who documents life for the sake of memory and/or sharing truth or beauty. So people who take photos for money are not necessarily people that I would call photographers. I am not as much of a photographer now as I was years ago, but I am trying to be. I am more myself when I am a photographer.

jewelry maker

I've been making beaded jewelry since I was about 8, and making complex, unique jewelry since I was introduced to nylon-coated flexible wire at 19 (15 years ago). I haven't done much of it in the past 3 years, but I am still very passionate about it and I generally don't wear or gift jewelry that I didn't make. I've played a little with natural stone beads but glass is my medium of choice. I make necklaces designed with reflected symmetry, with shape as much of a player as color and texture. I make earrings of many types but my favorite involve making a wire shape from which strands or chains dangle: I call these "chandelier" style earrings.

digital/fractal artist

I have been using photoshop since about 2004; I am extremely good at photo editing and am skilled at graphic design as well. I fell in love with fractals after discovering them on deviantart, and began making them myself in 2012. I identify as a fractal artist because I feel that I have a distinctive style to my fractals and I feel that I can express myself in fractals more than I can in any other medium. I identify as a digital artist because most of my photos are digital as well as my fractals and I do post-work that is also digital.

coffee clergyperson

I used to call myself a coffee snob or coffee geek but clergyperson is definitely more accurate. I know a lot -- a LOT -- about coffee and I love it dearly. The preparation ritual adds to it for me, whether I make it myself or go to a temple and pay for service. I have worked at a number of coffee temples and I have my own shrines at home, at work, and at Topaz'.


Inherently me (spirit); these are aspects of me that I think would always exist -- aspects which come from the truest part of me, which have existed as long as I was cognizant and which have never changed, even though I might not have specifically identified with them in the past. Everything else about me comes from these parts.

curious questioner

I think the very most core trait of mine is curiosity -- even more than justice, even more than love. One of the few stories that my parents tell about me as a child is when someone was reading a book to me and I asked "what's that?" so many times that the person reading to me got impatient and just started telling me before I had a chance to ask again.

I question everything and everyone as much as I can. Anyone who knows me at all, if you asked "who (among those you know) is the questioner?" I would instantly come to mind. Being asked questions -- real, meaningful questions that only I can answer where the person is invested in the answer -- makes me feel more loved than almost anything else.

growth-seeker

This is a key part of my identity because it informs everything I do. I seek to grow and learn in every way I can, at every opportunity. I made a decision to consciously develop into a continuously better self 19 years ago and I have maintained my success. I don't have any particular aim, as long as I can always look at last year's self and notice improvement.

content creator

It took me a while to realize that most people don't do this. All my in-person friends were crafty and all my internet friends were writers and mostly artists too, so when I randomly met someone who didn't create at all, I thought they were the oddity. I've since been exposed to more normates and I would guess that at least the majority of USians don't create anything at all.

But content creating is something so necessary to who I am and who I have always been, even since a child, that I don't feel capable of relating to someone who does not create anything. I mean, even creating memes and putting rhinestones on your phone case counts to me. Writing reviews about media counts, making meals from random ingredients counts. Creating solo I can relate to in a distant way but I relate best to people who create content that is intended for sharing, like LJ posts or artwork that they share online and/or in person.

critical analyst

I analyze everything, both personally and academically. I'm really talented and skilled at using data analysis programs, and I have an intuitive understanding of statistics and surveying. I make spreadsheets for fun. I really love analytics. I also believe in critiquing media and human behavior, and I do both pretty much constantly. I don't really have the ability to turn this off, and I find it baffling (and very unappealing) that others just absorb and experience without analyzing.

writer

I am a writer because I am not whole when I don't write. Writing is something I do to understand myself, to keep from losing important parts of me into the dark tangles of my memory, and to help others understand me, as well as to teach and explain things. I have come to the conclusion that if someone doesn't like writing/reading or isn't comfortable with reading/writing, it will be almost impossible for us to maintain closeness because so much of me is lost if a person tries to separate me from my LJ. In any lifetime with this level of sentience, I feel sure I would want to use shared symbols to record things I think, feel, and learn.

Steve Sizelove
(contemporary)

Steve Sizelove's glass sculptures are absolutely amazing. I'm awed by how ze manages to create such expressive, detailed figures with such a fluid medium. The hands! They can't be more than the size of a dime, yet they're perfect and SO expressive. And I love how ze uses varying body shapes! So many artists seem to pick a favorite (usually the one that's in fashion) and create the same body over and over, but Sizelove seems to appreciate variety. I find zir work even more beautiful when viewed as a whole.

You can see more of zir work at the gallery -- definitely worth looking at, as I've posted only my favorites. ;-)



( - - - glass sculpted nudity - - - )

Steve Sizelove
(contemporary)

Steve Sizelove's glass sculptures are absolutely amazing. I'm awed by how ze manages to create such expressive, detailed figures with such a fluid medium. The hands! They can't be more than the size of a dime, yet they're perfect and SO expressive. And I love how ze uses varying body shapes! So many artists seem to pick a favorite (usually the one that's in fashion) and create the same body over and over, but Sizelove seems to appreciate variety. I find zir work even more beautiful when viewed as a whole.

You can see more of zir work at the gallery -- definitely worth looking at, as I've posted only my favorites. ;-)



( - - - glass sculpted nudity - - - )

Steve Sizelove

Steve Sizelove's glass sculptures are absolutely amazing. I'm awed by how ze manages to create such expressive, detailed figures with such a fluid medium. The hands! They can't be more than the size of a dime, yet they're perfect and SO expressive. And I love how ze uses varying body shapes! So many artists seem to pick a favorite (usually the one that's in fashion) and create the same body over and over, but Sizelove seems to appreciate variety. I find zir work even more beautiful when viewed as a whole.

You can see more of zir work at the gallery -- definitely worth looking at, as I've posted only my favorites. ;-)



( - - - glass sculpted nudity - - - )

I'm really filled with love for you all right now ♥ I feel so blessed to have people like you in my life! Thinking about you makes me just shake my head and glow in wonder... All of you are my learnsharers, my teacher/students. I love learning with you! I'm so glad you're with me on my journey.

(now for the actual subject of my post!) For months I'd had a plan in the back of my mind for a spiritual creative project -- prayer runes -- but it never felt like the right time to actually make them. I spent quite a few hours on them each day of the fast (as they had to dry between times so that the paper wouldn't melt), and since then I've been using them in my meditation/prayer time.

I made them for the people who've had some kind of major positive impact on my life, regardless of whether or not we are currently in contact or on good terms. ((for instance, "Michael?" is someone whose last name I never knew, who was the first violet spirit I ever met -- I'd never felt such an instant or deep connection before zir, and ze opened my eyes to the possibility of so many things. Have you ever met a stranger with whom your eyes LOCKED, you could not tear your gaze away, and you felt COMFORTABLE with such an intimate thing even while talking?)) There are at least two more people whom I love very much and want to add -- but I wanted to keep this to people who I'd made a real-time connection with, otherwise I'd have made a ton more. But I do have hopes to make new runes as you become more of a part of my life.

The colors aren't perfect, as I was using markers and couldn't layer/mix colors (and some of them melted a bit), but they're pretty close for the most part, in real life. (in my photos they're a bit off) The center color is what I see the person's spirit as; the middle color is the heart; and the outer color is the soul. ((explanation of what I mean by those words))



( photos )

I keep the bag in my sanctuary, and when I go in to meditate I draw two runes, place them on my altar, and pray for those two people. Throughout the day I keep them in my mind, praying over them and sending them love. I also have a bowl of papers which have the names of all my flist (except a few who I don't feel like I know well enough yet) and I draw eight of those and pray over them as well (but don't keep them in my mind because I think I'd forget some if I tried to keep that many at a time).

So far this has been a wonderful motivation for me to meditate, because I feel like the universe can tell me who most needs some divine attention (or just love from me) and then I can act on that ♥ (and! they're so pretty, I just love looking at them! glass+glitter+color = love) I love how they each feel so true to me; like a little connection to you.

I'm really filled with love for you all right now ♥ I feel so blessed to have people like you in my life! Thinking about you makes me just shake my head and glow in wonder... All of you are my learnsharers, my teacher/students. I love learning with you! I'm so glad you're with me on my journey.

(now for the actual subject of my post!) For months I'd had a plan in the back of my mind for a spiritual creative project -- prayer runes -- but it never felt like the right time to actually make them. I spent quite a few hours on them each day of the fast (as they had to dry between times so that the paper wouldn't melt), and since then I've been using them in my meditation/prayer time.

I made them for the people who've had some kind of major positive impact on my life, regardless of whether or not we are currently in contact or on good terms. ((for instance, "Michael?" is someone whose last name I never knew, who was the first violet spirit I ever met -- I'd never felt such an instant or deep connection before zir, and ze opened my eyes to the possibility of so many things. Have you ever met a stranger with whom your eyes LOCKED, you could not tear your gaze away, and you felt COMFORTABLE with such an intimate thing even while talking?)) There are at least two more people whom I love very much and want to add -- but I wanted to keep this to people who I'd made a real-time connection with, otherwise I'd have made a ton more. But I do have hopes to make new runes as you become more of a part of my life.

The colors aren't perfect, as I was using markers and couldn't layer/mix colors (and some of them melted a bit), but they're pretty close for the most part, in real life. (in my photos they're a bit off) The center color is what I see the person's spirit as; the middle color is the heart; and the outer color is the soul. ((explanation of what I mean by those words))



( photos )

I keep the bag in my sanctuary, and when I go in to meditate I draw two runes, place them on my altar, and pray for those two people. Throughout the day I keep them in my mind, praying over them and sending them love. I also have a bowl of papers which have the names of all my flist (except a few who I don't feel like I know well enough yet) and I draw eight of those and pray over them as well (but don't keep them in my mind because I think I'd forget some if I tried to keep that many at a time).

So far this has been a wonderful motivation for me to meditate, because I feel like the universe can tell me who most needs some divine attention (or just love from me) and then I can act on that ♥ (and! they're so pretty, I just love looking at them! glass+glitter+color = love) I love how they each feel so true to me; like a little connection to you.

I'm really filled with love for you all right now ♥ I feel so blessed to have people like you in my life! Thinking about you makes me just shake my head and glow in wonder... All of you are my learnsharers, my teacher/students. I love learning with you! I'm so glad you're with me on my journey.

(now for the actual subject of my post!) For months I'd had a plan in the back of my mind for a spiritual creative project -- prayer runes -- but it never felt like the right time to actually make them. I spent quite a few hours on them each day of the fast (as they had to dry between times so that the paper wouldn't melt), and since then I've been using them in my meditation/prayer time.

I made them for the people who've had some kind of major positive impact on my life, regardless of whether or not we are currently in contact or on good terms. ((for instance, "Michael?" is someone whose last name I never knew, who was the first violet spirit I ever met -- I'd never felt such an instant or deep connection before zir, and ze opened my eyes to the possibility of so many things. Have you ever met a stranger with whom your eyes LOCKED, you could not tear your gaze away, and you felt COMFORTABLE with such an intimate thing even while talking?)) There are at least two more people whom I love very much and want to add -- but I wanted to keep this to people who I'd made a real-time connection with, otherwise I'd have made a ton more. But I do have hopes to make new runes as you become more of a part of my life.

The colors aren't perfect, as I was using markers and couldn't layer/mix colors (and some of them melted a bit), but they're pretty close for the most part, in real life. (in my photos they're a bit off) The center color is what I see the person's spirit as; the middle color is the heart; and the outer color is the soul. ((explanation of what I mean by those words))



( photos )

I keep the bag in my sanctuary, and when I go in to meditate I draw two runes, place them on my altar, and pray for those two people. Throughout the day I keep them in my mind, praying over them and sending them love. I also have a bowl of papers which have the names of all my flist (except a few who I don't feel like I know well enough yet) and I draw eight of those and pray over them as well (but don't keep them in my mind because I think I'd forget some if I tried to keep that many at a time).

So far this has been a wonderful motivation for me to meditate, because I feel like the universe can tell me who most needs some divine attention (or just love from me) and then I can act on that ♥ (and! they're so pretty, I just love looking at them! glass+glitter+color = love) I love how they each feel so true to me; like a little connection to you.

Have you ever read of Masaru Emoto's water crystal experiments? By exposing water to words (printed and spoken), freezing it, and photographing the ice crystals, ze found that positive words created beautiful crystals and negative words created broken crystals or none at all. ( the effects of words & intentions on water & chocolate )

I believe words have power. Not just the power of suggestion, but power of their own -- magic. I believe this because I've felt the effect of words on me, both read and spoken, and because several of the belief systems I learn from agree on it. I'm still amazed when I think about what -- or rather, who -- spoken words of gratitude have brought into my life. (after only 12 days, remember?) And I think words have the most magic when they're created by hand or spoken: given life directly by a person. The process of translating thoughts into visual symbols by the movements of our hands is ritualistic and uniquely expressive. Even the same word written by the same person is unique every time it is created, with its own life and energy -- and written words last from one moment to the next, almost like a perpetual echo.

Recently I visited a craft store and was drawn to small glass vials -- I didn't know why, but I got them. Later I looked at them wonderingly and in a flash of intuition saw the final creation in my mind. I was filled with awe and delight -- this glow of creation stronger than any I have ever felt in any other artistic expression. I could feel what I was making taking shape spiritually as well as physically (the others I believe were created spiritually as well but I couldn't feel it so strongly). I wrote out magic words on tiny scrolls of paper -- faithful declarations, blessings, prayers -- and slipped them into the vial with tiny glass marbles and glitter (which has always been magic to me) and symbolic shapes (stars). Throughout this I was in an almost trancelike state of love and focus, consciously allowing divinity to flow positivity through me into the vial. That vial was created for Aurilion ♥



( two more photos )

Since then I have been wanting to create more but I will not make them generic; by their very nature they must be created with the owner in mind. Do you want one? Would you wear it for 8 days consecutively if I made you one? If so, ( I need to know some things )

---

I had an idea! I'm thinking of listing these on etsy (making them custom, of course), then donating all profit to RAINN, Equality Now, Legal Momentum, CHRIS Kids, Georgia Equality, or The White House Project -- either the buyer's choice, or on rotation. I'll ask for a minimum donation of $13 (as that is a sacred number to me) and then $4 for shipping. I think I'll have people can pay me so it is just one transaction, then I will make the donation and email a copy of the receipt to the person getting a vial.

Have you ever read of Masaru Emoto's water crystal experiments? By exposing water to words (printed and spoken), freezing it, and photographing the ice crystals, ze found that positive words created beautiful crystals and negative words created broken crystals or none at all. ( the effects of words & intentions on water & chocolate )

I believe words have power. Not just the power of suggestion, but power of their own -- magic. I believe this because I've felt the effect of words on me, both read and spoken, and because several of the belief systems I learn from agree on it. I'm still amazed when I think about what -- or rather, who -- spoken words of gratitude have brought into my life. (after only 12 days, remember?) And I think words have the most magic when they're created by hand or spoken: given life directly by a person. The process of translating thoughts into visual symbols by the movements of our hands is ritualistic and uniquely expressive. Even the same word written by the same person is unique every time it is created, with its own life and energy -- and written words last from one moment to the next, almost like a perpetual echo.

Recently I visited a craft store and was drawn to small glass vials -- I didn't know why, but I got them. Later I looked at them wonderingly and in a flash of intuition saw the final creation in my mind. I was filled with awe and delight -- this glow of creation stronger than any I have ever felt in any other artistic expression. I could feel what I was making taking shape spiritually as well as physically (the others I believe were created spiritually as well but I couldn't feel it so strongly). I wrote out magic words on tiny scrolls of paper -- faithful declarations, blessings, prayers -- and slipped them into the vial with tiny glass marbles and glitter (which has always been magic to me) and symbolic shapes (stars). Throughout this I was in an almost trancelike state of love and focus, consciously allowing divinity to flow positivity through me into the vial. That vial was created for Aurilion ♥



( two more photos )

Since then I have been wanting to create more but I will not make them generic; by their very nature they must be created with the owner in mind. Do you want one? Would you wear it for 8 days consecutively if I made you one? If so, ( I need to know some things )

---

I had an idea! I'm thinking of listing these on etsy (making them custom, of course), then donating all profit to RAINN, Equality Now, Legal Momentum, CHRIS Kids, Georgia Equality, or The White House Project -- either the buyer's choice, or on rotation. I'll ask for a minimum donation of $13 (as that is a sacred number to me) and then $4 for shipping. I think I'll have people can pay me so it is just one transaction, then I will make the donation and email a copy of the receipt to the person getting a vial.

Have you ever read of Masaru Emoto's water crystal experiments? By exposing water to words (printed and spoken), freezing it, and photographing the ice crystals, ze found that positive words created beautiful crystals and negative words created broken crystals or none at all. ( the effects of words & intentions on water & chocolate )

I believe words have power. Not just the power of suggestion, but power of their own -- magic. I believe this because I've felt the effect of words on me, both read and spoken, and because several of the belief systems I learn from agree on it. I'm still amazed when I think about what -- or rather, who -- spoken words of gratitude have brought into my life. (after only 12 days, remember?) And I think words have the most magic when they're created by hand or spoken: given life directly by a person. The process of translating thoughts into visual symbols by the movements of our hands is ritualistic and uniquely expressive. Even the same word written by the same person is unique every time it is created, with its own life and energy -- and written words last from one moment to the next, almost like a perpetual echo.

Recently I visited a craft store and was drawn to small glass vials -- I didn't know why, but I got them. Later I looked at them wonderingly and in a flash of intuition saw the final creation in my mind. I was filled with awe and delight -- this glow of creation stronger than any I have ever felt in any other artistic expression. I could feel what I was making taking shape spiritually as well as physically (the others I believe were created spiritually as well but I couldn't feel it so strongly). I wrote out magic words on tiny scrolls of paper -- faithful declarations, blessings, prayers -- and slipped them into the vial with tiny glass marbles and glitter (which has always been magic to me) and symbolic shapes (stars). Throughout this I was in an almost trancelike state of love and focus, consciously allowing divinity to flow positivity through me into the vial. That vial was created for Aurilion ♥



( two more photos )

Since then I have been wanting to create more but I will not make them generic; by their very nature they must be created with the owner in mind. Do you want one? Would you wear it for 8 days consecutively if I made you one? If so, ( I need to know some things )

---

I had an idea! I'm thinking of listing these on etsy (making them custom, of course), then donating all profit to RAINN, Equality Now, Legal Momentum, CHRIS Kids, Georgia Equality, or The White House Project -- either the buyer's choice, or on rotation. I'll ask for a minimum donation of $13 (as that is a sacred number to me) and then $4 for shipping. I think I'll have people can pay me so it is just one transaction, then I will make the donation and email a copy of the receipt to the person getting a vial.

Happy April 1st -- don't let anyone fool you today, heh. (don't think I've ever attempted an April Fool's joke, doubt I ever will -- even if I tried it would fail miserably because I can't lie worth a damn)

So. I was going to take more photos to go along with this, but I have been on a nocturnal schedule which makes taking photos difficult (am natural-light obsessed). I have some belated thank-yous for birthday gifts! In the order they arrived:

jenniology sent me an AMAZING painting of two Egyptian women/goddesses! One in green with a lotus circlet, and one in red with the sundisk and horns on her head (Isis or Hathor?). It's on papyrus! so I'm keeping it wrapped up until I get a good frame for it. Jenny, this is SUCH an amazing gift! Nothing thrills me more than being given original art, especially by the artist hirself! ♥ Thank you a million times! And thank you for the sweet card.

kmiotutsie gave me a stained glass star, which is... WOW so amazing! I have it hanging on the wall in my living room right now, but soon it is going in my sanctuary ♥ that I DO have photos of. ( five photos! ) & she also got me a crystal pendant which is really awesome because I had been craving one. I'm not sure what I want it for yet... not just for wearing, I might make it into a pendulum. Thank you so much Firekat! You rock! You know me so well. :D

cynosis sent me a wonderful mix CD with a long hand-written note! including the important parts of lyrics. I have only listened to a few songs so far but I am LOVING what I've heard. (holy crap, the song "Nara" is thrilling me down to my bones, wow, shivers) And the note means a LOT because I LOVE having samples of people's handwriting. It's like a little piece of you, a little expression of your individuality. Thank you Cynosis!

mme_furiosa sent me a postcard from Sri Lanka!!! How cool is that? It's from a Moken village, where a once nomadic people now lives. She chose it because she and I both have gypsy spirits ♥ Thanks Francesca!

In other news, I got a HealthRider for myself from craigslist for $35, haha! My parents had one when I was a teen, and I used to listen to music and use it and go into an absolute trance. It is FUN, no I'm totally not kidding. It is like a combination swing and see-saw and it totally brings out my little kid self! I love it! They should have named it the FunRider -- but then all the people who want to punish their bodies rather than enjoy them wouldn't have gotten it, heh. It's so fun! I'm really wishing I could take it to Glasgow with me so that I could share it with Hannah. Ben likes it too :D

Happy April 1st -- don't let anyone fool you today, heh. (don't think I've ever attempted an April Fool's joke, doubt I ever will -- even if I tried it would fail miserably because I can't lie worth a damn)

So. I was going to take more photos to go along with this, but I have been on a nocturnal schedule which makes taking photos difficult (am natural-light obsessed). I have some belated thank-yous for birthday gifts! In the order they arrived:

jenniology sent me an AMAZING painting of two Egyptian women/goddesses! One in green with a lotus circlet, and one in red with the sundisk and horns on her head (Isis or Hathor?). It's on papyrus! so I'm keeping it wrapped up until I get a good frame for it. Jenny, this is SUCH an amazing gift! Nothing thrills me more than being given original art, especially by the artist hirself! ♥ Thank you a million times! And thank you for the sweet card.

kmiotutsie gave me a stained glass star, which is... WOW so amazing! I have it hanging on the wall in my living room right now, but soon it is going in my sanctuary ♥ that I DO have photos of. ( five photos! ) & she also got me a crystal pendant which is really awesome because I had been craving one. I'm not sure what I want it for yet... not just for wearing, I might make it into a pendulum. Thank you so much Firekat! You rock! You know me so well. :D

cynosis sent me a wonderful mix CD with a long hand-written note! including the important parts of lyrics. I have only listened to a few songs so far but I am LOVING what I've heard. (holy crap, the song "Nara" is thrilling me down to my bones, wow, shivers) And the note means a LOT because I LOVE having samples of people's handwriting. It's like a little piece of you, a little expression of your individuality. Thank you Cynosis!

mme_furiosa sent me a postcard from Sri Lanka!!! How cool is that? It's from a Moken village, where a once nomadic people now lives. She chose it because she and I both have gypsy spirits ♥ Thanks Francesca!

In other news, I got a HealthRider for myself from craigslist for $35, haha! My parents had one when I was a teen, and I used to listen to music and use it and go into an absolute trance. It is FUN, no I'm totally not kidding. It is like a combination swing and see-saw and it totally brings out my little kid self! I love it! They should have named it the FunRider -- but then all the people who want to punish their bodies rather than enjoy them wouldn't have gotten it, heh. It's so fun! I'm really wishing I could take it to Glasgow with me so that I could share it with Hannah. Ben likes it too :D

Happy April 1st -- don't let anyone fool you today, heh. (don't think I've ever attempted an April Fool's joke, doubt I ever will -- even if I tried it would fail miserably because I can't lie worth a damn)

So. I was going to take more photos to go along with this, but I have been on a nocturnal schedule which makes taking photos difficult (am natural-light obsessed). I have some belated thank-yous for birthday gifts! In the order they arrived:

jenniology sent me an AMAZING painting of two Egyptian women/goddesses! One in green with a lotus circlet, and one in red with the sundisk and horns on her head (Isis or Hathor?). It's on papyrus! so I'm keeping it wrapped up until I get a good frame for it. Jenny, this is SUCH an amazing gift! Nothing thrills me more than being given original art, especially by the artist hirself! ♥ Thank you a million times! And thank you for the sweet card.

kmiotutsie gave me a stained glass star, which is... WOW so amazing! I have it hanging on the wall in my living room right now, but soon it is going in my sanctuary ♥ that I DO have photos of. ( five photos! ) & she also got me a crystal pendant which is really awesome because I had been craving one. I'm not sure what I want it for yet... not just for wearing, I might make it into a pendulum. Thank you so much Firekat! You rock! You know me so well. :D

cynosis sent me a wonderful mix CD with a long hand-written note! including the important parts of lyrics. I have only listened to a few songs so far but I am LOVING what I've heard. (holy crap, the song "Nara" is thrilling me down to my bones, wow, shivers) And the note means a LOT because I LOVE having samples of people's handwriting. It's like a little piece of you, a little expression of your individuality. Thank you Cynosis!

mme_furiosa sent me a postcard from Sri Lanka!!! How cool is that? It's from a Moken village, where a once nomadic people now lives. She chose it because she and I both have gypsy spirits ♥ Thanks Francesca!

In other news, I got a HealthRider for myself from craigslist for $35, haha! My parents had one when I was a teen, and I used to listen to music and use it and go into an absolute trance. It is FUN, no I'm totally not kidding. It is like a combination swing and see-saw and it totally brings out my little kid self! I love it! They should have named it the FunRider -- but then all the people who want to punish their bodies rather than enjoy them wouldn't have gotten it, heh. It's so fun! I'm really wishing I could take it to Glasgow with me so that I could share it with Hannah. Ben likes it too :D

I've always been utterly fascinated by glass; it seems so magical to me that it can be liquid or solid without losing its beauty. I've also loved music from the time I was old enough to shake my diaper-clad booty to the sounds on the radio. Once I was old enough to reason, I believed that music also had spiritual or magical qualities (from the power it has on a person's mood and the vast amount of people I know who love it so deeply) So it makes perfect sense to me that the one invention that combines the two -- the glass harmonica -- should be surrounded by legend.

The glass harmonica had only a short bit of popularity before the urban legends of the early 19th century killed it. It was said that listening to or playing the instrument would make you insane; the audience had strange experiences, many fainting or being overwhelmed with emotion. After the death of a child during a concert, glass harmonicas were actually banned as a public danger in some places. On the other hand, glass music has recently been embraced by New Age followers -- the strange vibrations deemed so deadly before are now considered healing.

One of the reasons for the mystical responses to the instrument may be explained by science. Apparently the brain has two ways of interpreting where and what a sound comes from, decided by the frequency of the sound, and the timbre of the glass harmonica exists mainly in the realm between. The brain has a hard time deciding where the sound is actually coming from. I imagine the subconscious confusion would make some people feel insane, and others feel off-balance in a pleasurable, ethereal way.

I personally find myself slipping into a trance-like state when I listen to glass music. I tend to believe there is some truth to all legends; of glass music, I think it isn't true that it causes you to go mad, but it is true that it has an intensifying effect. Like mind-altering substances, it brings out what's hidden within.


(sample from finkenbeiner.com; artist is William Wilde Zeitler)

LJ idol topic 6: "Urban Legends" ((will add voting link later))

I've always been utterly fascinated by glass; it seems so magical to me that it can be liquid or solid without losing its beauty. I've also loved music from the time I was old enough to shake my diaper-clad booty to the sounds on the radio. Once I was old enough to reason, I believed that music also had spiritual or magical qualities (from the power it has on a person's mood and the vast amount of people I know who love it so deeply) So it makes perfect sense to me that the one invention that combines the two -- the glass harmonica -- should be surrounded by legend.

The glass harmonica had only a short bit of popularity before the urban legends of the early 19th century killed it. It was said that listening to or playing the instrument would make you insane; the audience had strange experiences, many fainting or being overwhelmed with emotion. After the death of a child during a concert, glass harmonicas were actually banned as a public danger in some places. On the other hand, glass music has recently been embraced by New Age followers -- the strange vibrations deemed so deadly before are now considered healing.

One of the reasons for the mystical responses to the instrument may be explained by science. Apparently the brain has two ways of interpreting where and what a sound comes from, decided by the frequency of the sound, and the timbre of the glass harmonica exists mainly in the realm between. The brain has a hard time deciding where the sound is actually coming from. I imagine the subconscious confusion would make some people feel insane, and others feel off-balance in a pleasurable, ethereal way.

I personally find myself slipping into a trance-like state when I listen to glass music. I tend to believe there is some truth to all legends; of glass music, I think it isn't true that it causes you to go mad, but it is true that it has an intensifying effect. Like mind-altering substances, it brings out what's hidden within.


(sample from finkenbeiner.com; artist is William Wilde Zeitler)

LJ idol topic 6: "Urban Legends" ((will add voting link later))

I've always been utterly fascinated by glass; it seems so magical to me that it can be liquid or solid without losing its beauty. I've also loved music from the time I was old enough to shake my diaper-clad booty to the sounds on the radio. Once I was old enough to reason, I believed that music also had spiritual or magical qualities (from the power it has on a person's mood and the vast amount of people I know who love it so deeply) So it makes perfect sense to me that the one invention that combines the two -- the glass harmonica -- should be surrounded by legend.

The glass harmonica had only a short bit of popularity before the urban legends of the early 19th century killed it. It was said that listening to or playing the instrument would make you insane; the audience had strange experiences, many fainting or being overwhelmed with emotion. After the death of a child during a concert, glass harmonicas were actually banned as a public danger in some places. On the other hand, glass music has recently been embraced by New Age followers -- the strange vibrations deemed so deadly before are now considered healing.

One of the reasons for the mystical responses to the instrument may be explained by science. Apparently the brain has two ways of interpreting where and what a sound comes from, decided by the frequency of the sound, and the timbre of the glass harmonica exists mainly in the realm between. The brain has a hard time deciding where the sound is actually coming from. I imagine the subconscious confusion would make some people feel insane, and others feel off-balance in a pleasurable, ethereal way.

I personally find myself slipping into a trance-like state when I listen to glass music. I tend to believe there is some truth to all legends; of glass music, I think it isn't true that it causes you to go mad, but it is true that it has an intensifying effect. Like mind-altering substances, it brings out what's hidden within.


(sample from finkenbeiner.com; artist is William Wilde Zeitler)

LJ idol topic 6: "Urban Legends" ((will add voting link later))

in June permanent accounts go on sale and I am desperate to get one this time around, but I don't have $150 just laying around, soooooooo help me please? you can donate ANY amount, really, I'll be super grateful for whatever you can spare. Even if you just donate 50 cents, then I would feel like my journal was a gift partly from you ♥ (I just want to have a list of names to put in my userinfo and say 'these people bought me a permanent account' *blushblush*)

or you can buy some of my jewelry *bats eyes*:


( gallery of Belian jewelry creations )

thank you to my donors/purchasers so far: clown_frog, rescoto, rosefox8, spindell, lorelei_sakti, roina_arwen, & aubkabob!!! *beams*

in June permanent accounts go on sale and I am desperate to get one this time around, but I don't have $150 just laying around, soooooooo help me please? you can donate ANY amount, really, I'll be super grateful for whatever you can spare. Even if you just donate 50 cents, then I would feel like my journal was a gift partly from you ♥ (I just want to have a list of names to put in my userinfo and say 'these people bought me a permanent account' *blushblush*)

or you can buy some of my jewelry *bats eyes*:


( gallery of Belian jewelry creations )

thank you to my donors/purchasers so far: clown_frog, rescoto, rosefox8, spindell, lorelei_sakti, roina_arwen, & aubkabob!!! *beams*

in June permanent accounts go on sale and I am desperate to get one this time around, but I don't have $150 just laying around, soooooooo help me please? you can donate ANY amount, really, I'll be super grateful for whatever you can spare. Even if you just donate 50 cents, then I would feel like my journal was a gift partly from you ♥ (I just want to have a list of names to put in my userinfo and say 'these people bought me a permanent account' *blushblush*)

or you can buy some of my jewelry *bats eyes*:


( gallery of Belian jewelry creations )

thank you to my donors/purchasers so far: clown_frog, rescoto, rosefox8, spindell, lorelei_sakti, roina_arwen, & aubkabob!!! *beams*

If you know me well, these photos will shock you. :-p ORANGE??!?!?! VOLUNTARILY?!?!? has Bel LOST HER MIND? All I can say is, they were laying around and when I saw them I thought of kashlamar's searing-orange and cobalt-blue outfit the other day, and sabr's adoration of the color, and I decided to make something in homage of them. :D both necklaces and the earrings are for sale! and I can make more dainty earrings to match if you have 2 holes or just want something little.

tangerine rainbow splash!



( photos galore, because I took tons and this is what it narrowed down to )

If you know me well, these photos will shock you. :-p ORANGE??!?!?! VOLUNTARILY?!?!? has Bel LOST HER MIND? All I can say is, they were laying around and when I saw them I thought of kashlamar's searing-orange and cobalt-blue outfit the other day, and sabr's adoration of the color, and I decided to make something in homage of them. :D both necklaces and the earrings are for sale! and I can make more dainty earrings to match if you have 2 holes or just want something little.

tangerine rainbow splash!



( photos galore, because I took tons and this is what it narrowed down to )

If you know me well, these photos will shock you. :-p ORANGE??!?!?! VOLUNTARILY?!?!? has Bel LOST HER MIND? All I can say is, they were laying around and when I saw them I thought of kashlamar's searing-orange and cobalt-blue outfit the other day, and sabr's adoration of the color, and I decided to make something in homage of them. :D both necklaces and the earrings are for sale! and I can make more dainty earrings to match if you have 2 holes or just want something little.

tangerine rainbow splash!



( photos galore, because I took tons and this is what it narrowed down to )

first, isn't my icon just completely utterly beyond adorable? :D :D :D

Thursday we did a nude photoshoot! I dragged several of the lamps into the bedroom and set up my tripod and made my first attempt at artistic nudes of someone else! Very exciting. I wish I had used a different backdrop, because after looking at them full-screen, I realize that that one is just wayyyyy too busy. But I still got some shots that I think are incredible. I really want to get actual lighting equipment and a studio... I'm so glad she agreed to model for me! :D Thanks Kat! ♥

( one implied nude, probably work safe )

After the shoot I went out to get my hair cut. I was all excited because I just KNEW that the cut I had in mind was going to look absolutely fantastic on me. So I went in, waited around for the lady I wanted, and then when she finally came up, I showed her what I wanted (found a pic in a book) and she palmed me off on the lady who had given me a completely shitty haircut last time. But I thought, hey, maybe I just didn't explain it well last time, and how can she go wrong with a photo of what I want right in front of her? >:-( She lopped ALL MY HAIR OFF, about 3-4 inches shorter than the photo, and brought the cowlick of doom back to life! I was so furious I couldn't speak, could hardly think. Which is why I didn't think to refuse to pay, which is what I should have done. At least I didn't tip her. I seriously think she hated me (because I made her re-cut it last time, and then made it clear that I did NOT want her this time) and gave me a bad cut on purpose. Evil, evil lady. ( a photo of the cut )

But except for the horridly stubborn cowlick (which I have to pin down because no mere glopping of gel will work), I've decided to like the cut now. The bangs at least are okay, and I like my dykey look, heh. I forgive you, evil haircutting lady. Go and commit hair-sins no more.

That night we went to the coffeehouse -- sadly there were people on my green couch (both times we went!) and so we sat in the front. I totally forget what we talked about, but I remember it was very interesting! ( coffeehouse photos )

Then Saturday we went to the Renaissance festival!!! yay! I loooooove going, I love the magical feel of it all and especially the beautiful glass exhibits ♥ I found a Ma'at figurine that was of much higher quality than any I have found, so I just had to have it for my sanctuary. I loved that stall and wish I had taken photos of the amazing goddess statues and mermaids and Egyptian figurines, all wonderful. ( Ma'at figurine photos )

We watched an acrobatic show, which was fantastic -- and I looooved watching the woman especially, she was so amazingly fit and curvy! They were quite funny and seemed to be having a blast.( RenFest acrobats! )

and I had to take a million glass photos...
( art glass is magic )

and had to also take photos of beautiful Kat! in the lovely little alleyway we found. ( pics of Kat! and my partner taking photos of Kat, and us with our faces in the painted board )


and then I found the MOST AMAZING SKIRT EVER and my partner saw the look on my face and declared that we had to buy it. :D I changed into it before the receipt even printed! I love it so so so so so so so so soooooooooooooooooooo MUCH OMG LOVE!!!!!

( pics of Kat and me in my AMAZING SKIRT!!! )

Kat gave me an AMAZING purse which is totally perfect for carrying my camera about in! It is EXACTLY the right size, EXACTLY the right shade, and it is even padded for extra protection! camera, cell, keys, and cards all fit nicely. I've never been so excited about a purse! it couldn't be more perfect if I designed it. The strap is even the perfect length! Unfortunately it doesn't photograph correctly -- it comes out as blue when it is quite violet.

And to wrap up the day, we went to my favorite mexican restaurant because after all, it was Cinco de Mayo! (as if I need an excuse to go there) Sadly, the waiter (a really great guy who often serves us) was quite set on doing his job and stopped us sharing the margarita because Kat didn't have her ID, but we snuck her half of it anyway. ( photos from therrrrrreeee )

first, isn't my icon just completely utterly beyond adorable? :D :D :D

Thursday we did a nude photoshoot! I dragged several of the lamps into the bedroom and set up my tripod and made my first attempt at artistic nudes of someone else! Very exciting. I wish I had used a different backdrop, because after looking at them full-screen, I realize that that one is just wayyyyy too busy. But I still got some shots that I think are incredible. I really want to get actual lighting equipment and a studio... I'm so glad she agreed to model for me! :D Thanks Kat! ♥

( one implied nude, probably work safe )

After the shoot I went out to get my hair cut. I was all excited because I just KNEW that the cut I had in mind was going to look absolutely fantastic on me. So I went in, waited around for the lady I wanted, and then when she finally came up, I showed her what I wanted (found a pic in a book) and she palmed me off on the lady who had given me a completely shitty haircut last time. But I thought, hey, maybe I just didn't explain it well last time, and how can she go wrong with a photo of what I want right in front of her? >:-( She lopped ALL MY HAIR OFF, about 3-4 inches shorter than the photo, and brought the cowlick of doom back to life! I was so furious I couldn't speak, could hardly think. Which is why I didn't think to refuse to pay, which is what I should have done. At least I didn't tip her. I seriously think she hated me (because I made her re-cut it last time, and then made it clear that I did NOT want her this time) and gave me a bad cut on purpose. Evil, evil lady. ( a photo of the cut )

But except for the horridly stubborn cowlick (which I have to pin down because no mere glopping of gel will work), I've decided to like the cut now. The bangs at least are okay, and I like my dykey look, heh. I forgive you, evil haircutting lady. Go and commit hair-sins no more.

That night we went to the coffeehouse -- sadly there were people on my green couch (both times we went!) and so we sat in the front. I totally forget what we talked about, but I remember it was very interesting! ( coffeehouse photos )

Then Saturday we went to the Renaissance festival!!! yay! I loooooove going, I love the magical feel of it all and especially the beautiful glass exhibits ♥ I found a Ma'at figurine that was of much higher quality than any I have found, so I just had to have it for my sanctuary. I loved that stall and wish I had taken photos of the amazing goddess statues and mermaids and Egyptian figurines, all wonderful. ( Ma'at figurine photos )

We watched an acrobatic show, which was fantastic -- and I looooved watching the woman especially, she was so amazingly fit and curvy! They were quite funny and seemed to be having a blast.( RenFest acrobats! )

and I had to take a million glass photos...
( art glass is magic )

and had to also take photos of beautiful Kat! in the lovely little alleyway we found. ( pics of Kat! and my partner taking photos of Kat, and us with our faces in the painted board )


and then I found the MOST AMAZING SKIRT EVER and my partner saw the look on my face and declared that we had to buy it. :D I changed into it before the receipt even printed! I love it so so so so so so so so soooooooooooooooooooo MUCH OMG LOVE!!!!!

( pics of Kat and me in my AMAZING SKIRT!!! )

Kat gave me an AMAZING purse which is totally perfect for carrying my camera about in! It is EXACTLY the right size, EXACTLY the right shade, and it is even padded for extra protection! camera, cell, keys, and cards all fit nicely. I've never been so excited about a purse! it couldn't be more perfect if I designed it. The strap is even the perfect length! Unfortunately it doesn't photograph correctly -- it comes out as blue when it is quite violet.

And to wrap up the day, we went to my favorite mexican restaurant because after all, it was Cinco de Mayo! (as if I need an excuse to go there) Sadly, the waiter (a really great guy who often serves us) was quite set on doing his job and stopped us sharing the margarita because Kat didn't have her ID, but we snuck her half of it anyway. ( photos from therrrrrreeee )

first, isn't my icon just completely utterly beyond adorable? :D :D :D

Thursday we did a nude photoshoot! I dragged several of the lamps into the bedroom and set up my tripod and made my first attempt at artistic nudes of someone else! Very exciting. I wish I had used a different backdrop, because after looking at them full-screen, I realize that that one is just wayyyyy too busy. But I still got some shots that I think are incredible. I really want to get actual lighting equipment and a studio... I'm so glad she agreed to model for me! :D Thanks Kat! ♥

( one implied nude, probably work safe )

After the shoot I went out to get my hair cut. I was all excited because I just KNEW that the cut I had in mind was going to look absolutely fantastic on me. So I went in, waited around for the lady I wanted, and then when she finally came up, I showed her what I wanted (found a pic in a book) and she palmed me off on the lady who had given me a completely shitty haircut last time. But I thought, hey, maybe I just didn't explain it well last time, and how can she go wrong with a photo of what I want right in front of her? >:-( She lopped ALL MY HAIR OFF, about 3-4 inches shorter than the photo, and brought the cowlick of doom back to life! I was so furious I couldn't speak, could hardly think. Which is why I didn't think to refuse to pay, which is what I should have done. At least I didn't tip her. I seriously think she hated me (because I made her re-cut it last time, and then made it clear that I did NOT want her this time) and gave me a bad cut on purpose. Evil, evil lady. ( a photo of the cut )

But except for the horridly stubborn cowlick (which I have to pin down because no mere glopping of gel will work), I've decided to like the cut now. The bangs at least are okay, and I like my dykey look, heh. I forgive you, evil haircutting lady. Go and commit hair-sins no more.

That night we went to the coffeehouse -- sadly there were people on my green couch (both times we went!) and so we sat in the front. I totally forget what we talked about, but I remember it was very interesting! ( coffeehouse photos )

Then Saturday we went to the Renaissance festival!!! yay! I loooooove going, I love the magical feel of it all and especially the beautiful glass exhibits ♥ I found a Ma'at figurine that was of much higher quality than any I have found, so I just had to have it for my sanctuary. I loved that stall and wish I had taken photos of the amazing goddess statues and mermaids and Egyptian figurines, all wonderful. ( Ma'at figurine photos )

We watched an acrobatic show, which was fantastic -- and I looooved watching the woman especially, she was so amazingly fit and curvy! They were quite funny and seemed to be having a blast.( RenFest acrobats! )

and I had to take a million glass photos...
( art glass is magic )

and had to also take photos of beautiful Kat! in the lovely little alleyway we found. ( pics of Kat! and my partner taking photos of Kat, and us with our faces in the painted board )


and then I found the MOST AMAZING SKIRT EVER and my partner saw the look on my face and declared that we had to buy it. :D I changed into it before the receipt even printed! I love it so so so so so so so so soooooooooooooooooooo MUCH OMG LOVE!!!!!

( pics of Kat and me in my AMAZING SKIRT!!! )

Kat gave me an AMAZING purse which is totally perfect for carrying my camera about in! It is EXACTLY the right size, EXACTLY the right shade, and it is even padded for extra protection! camera, cell, keys, and cards all fit nicely. I've never been so excited about a purse! it couldn't be more perfect if I designed it. The strap is even the perfect length! Unfortunately it doesn't photograph correctly -- it comes out as blue when it is quite violet.

And to wrap up the day, we went to my favorite mexican restaurant because after all, it was Cinco de Mayo! (as if I need an excuse to go there) Sadly, the waiter (a really great guy who often serves us) was quite set on doing his job and stopped us sharing the margarita because Kat didn't have her ID, but we snuck her half of it anyway. ( photos from therrrrrreeee )

A few weeks ago I rearranged our bedroom, turning it from a place I hated to a place I love! Ben is much happier too -- now it feels like we have two rooms instead of only the living room. I created a photo-tour of my bedroom, because a video would require clothing due to the mirrors. And this is easier!

( photo-tour of my bedroom )

And now I shriek with joy because OMG PRESENTS!!!! From Kate (clown_frog) and Firekat (kmiotutsie)!!! Kate sent me a glitter bar (YAY!!!! glitter-wearing is so magical ♥), giant purple bath-fizzy ball, HENNA kit (can't wait to try it!), a bunch of stick-on wooden ladybugs (ladybugs always remind me of my childhood, I remember seeing a family of them in the bark of a tree and being absolutely delighted), cinnamon votives (that REALLY SMELL LIKE CINNAMON OMG, and strong too!!! I am going to use them in my sanctuary ♥ ♥ ♥), and best of all, a clear violet glass perfume vial. It is so incredibly delicate and wonder-of-all-wonders, made it here perfectly intact! All the way from Scotland! And that is magic from God/dess if I have ever seen it.

( the delicate violet-tinted vial! )

And from Firekat!!! A Mercedes Lackey book (a staple of fantasy reading, whom I've never tried!), Inga Muscio's Cunt (borrowed and read most of it, now yay I can finish it! plus who wouldn't want Cunt on her shelf?), a GORGEOUS mini-journal with handmade paper and a vivid-violet & burgandy cover, three lovely deep purple agate slices, and... a violet and emerald translucent glass gazing ball!!! also completely undamaged! I am soooooo loved!!! Firekat said she prayed that it would get here safely, and it's perfect. ♥ I'm awed!

( the violet & emerald glass ball! )

A few weeks ago I rearranged our bedroom, turning it from a place I hated to a place I love! Ben is much happier too -- now it feels like we have two rooms instead of only the living room. I created a photo-tour of my bedroom, because a video would require clothing due to the mirrors. And this is easier!

( photo-tour of my bedroom )

And now I shriek with joy because OMG PRESENTS!!!! From Kate (clown_frog) and Firekat (kmiotutsie)!!! Kate sent me a glitter bar (YAY!!!! glitter-wearing is so magical ♥), giant purple bath-fizzy ball, HENNA kit (can't wait to try it!), a bunch of stick-on wooden ladybugs (ladybugs always remind me of my childhood, I remember seeing a family of them in the bark of a tree and being absolutely delighted), cinnamon votives (that REALLY SMELL LIKE CINNAMON OMG, and strong too!!! I am going to use them in my sanctuary ♥ ♥ ♥), and best of all, a clear violet glass perfume vial. It is so incredibly delicate and wonder-of-all-wonders, made it here perfectly intact! All the way from Scotland! And that is magic from God/dess if I have ever seen it.

( the delicate violet-tinted vial! )

And from Firekat!!! A Mercedes Lackey book (a staple of fantasy reading, whom I've never tried!), Inga Muscio's Cunt (borrowed and read most of it, now yay I can finish it! plus who wouldn't want Cunt on her shelf?), a GORGEOUS mini-journal with handmade paper and a vivid-violet & burgandy cover, three lovely deep purple agate slices, and... a violet and emerald translucent glass gazing ball!!! also completely undamaged! I am soooooo loved!!! Firekat said she prayed that it would get here safely, and it's perfect. ♥ I'm awed!

( the violet & emerald glass ball! )

A few weeks ago I rearranged our bedroom, turning it from a place I hated to a place I love! Ben is much happier too -- now it feels like we have two rooms instead of only the living room. I created a photo-tour of my bedroom, because a video would require clothing due to the mirrors. And this is easier!

( photo-tour of my bedroom )

And now I shriek with joy because OMG PRESENTS!!!! From Kate (clown_frog) and Firekat (kmiotutsie)!!! Kate sent me a glitter bar (YAY!!!! glitter-wearing is so magical ♥), giant purple bath-fizzy ball, HENNA kit (can't wait to try it!), a bunch of stick-on wooden ladybugs (ladybugs always remind me of my childhood, I remember seeing a family of them in the bark of a tree and being absolutely delighted), cinnamon votives (that REALLY SMELL LIKE CINNAMON OMG, and strong too!!! I am going to use them in my sanctuary ♥ ♥ ♥), and best of all, a clear violet glass perfume vial. It is so incredibly delicate and wonder-of-all-wonders, made it here perfectly intact! All the way from Scotland! And that is magic from God/dess if I have ever seen it.

( the delicate violet-tinted vial! )

And from Firekat!!! A Mercedes Lackey book (a staple of fantasy reading, whom I've never tried!), Inga Muscio's Cunt (borrowed and read most of it, now yay I can finish it! plus who wouldn't want Cunt on her shelf?), a GORGEOUS mini-journal with handmade paper and a vivid-violet & burgandy cover, three lovely deep purple agate slices, and... a violet and emerald translucent glass gazing ball!!! also completely undamaged! I am soooooo loved!!! Firekat said she prayed that it would get here safely, and it's perfect. ♥ I'm awed!

( the violet & emerald glass ball! )

At about 11:30 tonight, I went to say goodbye to Kristy and as usual we had hilarity with the camera (Rebecca was our photographer and she kept laughing too hard to take the photos). I'll share 3:

Isn't she just 'dorable? That last one is the product of an in-joke, 'cause elya, R, and Kristy always tease me about being a walking encyclopedia, and Kristy jokes about herself being dumb (she isn't, but it makes for good jokes).

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And now for a 180-degree change in tone...
Earlier, all the girls in the family (except me, 'cause I'm not family of course!) went to the Botanical Gardens to see a GLASS SCULPTURE exhibit... and it was the last day the exhibit was open... What a slap in the face. Isn't that just kick-you-in-the-crotch, spit-on-your-neck fantastic. Seriously, they couldn't have found a better way to hurt me if they tried! I'm crazy about glass, and when Kristy's mom mentioned it the other day I expressed my enthusiasm -- loudly. And I know for a fact that if Miss K's brother had been in town, they'd have invited his wife, whom they barely know, just because "she's family." But not me, probably because they think Kristy would pay more attention to me than them. So? She has a right to! And I've known this family for 12 years now, been very close to them for the past 7... you'd think they'd invite me just because they like me, not to mention that they're my in-laws!

I'm hoping that SOMEBODY suggested that they invite me... 'cause Rebecca, elya, and Kristy all went... and dammit, what do I have to do to be considered part of the family? Have all my blood replaced with donations from each of them?

I was so incredibly hurt and furious... I intend to confront Miss K (alone) about it tomorrow.

At about 11:30 tonight, I went to say goodbye to Kristy and as usual we had hilarity with the camera (Rebecca was our photographer and she kept laughing too hard to take the photos). I'll share 3:

Isn't she just 'dorable? That last one is the product of an in-joke, 'cause elya, R, and Kristy always tease me about being a walking encyclopedia, and Kristy jokes about herself being dumb (she isn't, but it makes for good jokes).

--------

And now for a 180-degree change in tone...
Earlier, all the girls in the family (except me, 'cause I'm not family of course!) went to the Botanical Gardens to see a GLASS SCULPTURE exhibit... and it was the last day the exhibit was open... What a slap in the face. Isn't that just kick-you-in-the-crotch, spit-on-your-neck fantastic. Seriously, they couldn't have found a better way to hurt me if they tried! I'm crazy about glass, and when Kristy's mom mentioned it the other day I expressed my enthusiasm -- loudly. And I know for a fact that if Miss K's brother had been in town, they'd have invited his wife, whom they barely know, just because "she's family." But not me, probably because they think Kristy would pay more attention to me than them. So? She has a right to! And I've known this family for 12 years now, been very close to them for the past 7... you'd think they'd invite me just because they like me, not to mention that they're my in-laws!

I'm hoping that SOMEBODY suggested that they invite me... 'cause Rebecca, elya, and Kristy all went... and dammit, what do I have to do to be considered part of the family? Have all my blood replaced with donations from each of them?

I was so incredibly hurt and furious... I intend to confront Miss K (alone) about it tomorrow.

At about 11:30 tonight, I went to say goodbye to Kristy and as usual we had hilarity with the camera (Rebecca was our photographer and she kept laughing too hard to take the photos). I'll share 3:

Isn't she just 'dorable? That last one is the product of an in-joke, 'cause elya, R, and Kristy always tease me about being a walking encyclopedia, and Kristy jokes about herself being dumb (she isn't, but it makes for good jokes).

--------

And now for a 180-degree change in tone...
Earlier, all the girls in the family (except me, 'cause I'm not family of course!) went to the Botanical Gardens to see a GLASS SCULPTURE exhibit... and it was the last day the exhibit was open... What a slap in the face. Isn't that just kick-you-in-the-crotch, spit-on-your-neck fantastic. Seriously, they couldn't have found a better way to hurt me if they tried! I'm crazy about glass, and when Kristy's mom mentioned it the other day I expressed my enthusiasm -- loudly. And I know for a fact that if Miss K's brother had been in town, they'd have invited his wife, whom they barely know, just because "she's family." But not me, probably because they think Kristy would pay more attention to me than them. So? She has a right to! And I've known this family for 12 years now, been very close to them for the past 7... you'd think they'd invite me just because they like me, not to mention that they're my in-laws!

I'm hoping that SOMEBODY suggested that they invite me... 'cause Rebecca, elya, and Kristy all went... and dammit, what do I have to do to be considered part of the family? Have all my blood replaced with donations from each of them?

I was so incredibly hurt and furious... I intend to confront Miss K (alone) about it tomorrow.