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Livin' La Vida Iyawo
white is the new black
danceswithfish
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In other news, I got a new computer!  I accidentally spilled coffee on the laptop and fried it.  So, instead of getting another laptop, we went ahead and got me a new "big" upstairs computer.  It's a Dell with Windows 7, and it's pretty much awesome. 

Boveda Beads is finally on a roll.  I made 3 more rosaries for godfamily, and I'm starting on things to post on the Etsy page, including some earrings.  [info]cedarheart is going to teach me the brick stitch so I can make some jicara holders (they kind of look like napkin rings).  So, go me!

I think I may be having some anxiety problems.  I've been on a mild antidepressant for a year or so, but I don't think I'm depressed.  The last month or so I've been feeling weird and anxious and panicky at certain times.  I guess I need to go see the doctor again.  Or maybe just exercise more.  I got on the bike again yesterday and it really made a difference.  We'll see.

Not much else to say.  Just not very chatty these days.  Social situations end up kind of draining me.  Being present for long periods of time, listening and talking and interacting, is exhausting to me anymore.  It makes me long for the silence of the cloister.  That nun spirit still has her hooks in me, I guess.

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danceswithfish
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Am I the only person in my high school graduating class who is not a conservative Republican born-again Christian?

I am sick to death of hearing about the iPad.

Don't talk politics, even with people you agree with.  It will only end in tears.

I had a migraine yesterday that brought everything to a grinding halt.  I still don't feel 100% better.

RIP J.D. Salinger and Howard Zinn.  Zinn = genius.  Salinger = good writer but I really think Catcher in the Rye is overrated.

I've ordered or already have just about everything I need to get going with Boveda Beads.  I am going to put it up on Etsy instead of Artfire, I think.  Or maybe both.

Sometimes I wish I could just go to sleep and not wake up.

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Current Music: Pérez Prado - El Suave | Powered by Last.fm

danceswithfish
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The iyawo turned 8 months old yesterday! I'm seeing light at the end of the tunnel. Just hope it's not an oncoming train (come on Oggun, be nice).

I'm really sorry I haven't written too much. Just not in a very chatty mood, I guess. I had my endometrial biopsy last Monday; the results were negative, thank God. I truly hope I never ever EVER have to go through that again.

We had a nice holiday, and it was great to have [info]byroncaloz home for the week after Christmas. We've been working hard on getting the house straightened up and getting rid of extra stuff.

I got a whole bunch of parts for my orisha rosaries. Just need to figure out what colors of beads I need still, and I hope to have at least one of each kind of rosary made up so I can post examples and actually start selling the silly things!

Thinking about getting Boveda Beads going has also made me think about the three major things that I'm interested in/have been doing to keep myself occupied and maybe make a little money: the orisha rosaries, doula work, and Radio Bastet. They all take a lot of time, and then there's the house to keep up (Byron does his bit, but being home all day most of the time, most of it falls to me), and pretty soon I'll be a full-fledged Lukumi priest and then there will be those duties as well. It's making me think about priorities and what I really want to do.

I really want to get Boveda Beads off the ground. Not only do I love the work, but I get the feeling that it's something I'm supposed to be doing. The doula work still feels important to me too, but a little less so now. I've been really really slacking on my studies. My goal was to at least get certified by the time [info]apocalypso23 has her baby in April, so I can help out if she wants me to, and I think I could do it if I push myself. Quitting doing Radio Bastet is simply not an option. It's not terribly labor-intensive, but is kind of frustrating right now dealing with the sound-file screw-up of last year. It's still, however, tons of fun to do and has lots of incredible fans, and I daresay I've made something of a name for myself in the bellydance world. So no worries, Radio Bastet is not going away anytime soon!

So, life just continues to plug along. There's no shortage of decisions to make, options to consider, dross to be burned away. Happy New Year, gang.

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danceswithfish
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...this year more than ever - the Swayziest Christmas of them all. XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

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Another thing that's kept me occupied the past month is getting Boveda Beads going. I applied for a business license with the state and the city, got a EIN so I can buy wholesale, and started a page over at Artfire (nothing there yet). Below is the Oya rosary I made for [info]evamoon for her second ocha birthday. I must say I'm pretty pleased at how it turned out, although I do think 10mm beads are a little large. I'll probably be sticking with 8mm from now on (unless people ask for the 10's, of course!). As usual, click to embiggen.
What makes this an Oya rosary is: Copper wire and components (or at least copper-colored; the wire is real copper, though), a St. Therese centerpiece, and rainbow-colored beads (you could also use maroon/burgundy/dark purple beads for Oya).

I would really like to get a small inventory built up of each one I have designs for. Getting the beads and findings hasn't been too much of a problem so far. My real problem is the centerpieces. With a little digging I've found some for the more uncommon saints, but I may have to improvise for a couple. The real bugaboo is price. Some of the centerpieces are $10 or $12 apiece. Yikes. That's the main reason I got the EIN for wholesale buying, if retailers will take it, that is. And I don't want to charge an arm and a leg for these things either. I'm thinking $30-$40 tops. I have a feeling a lot of the folks who would buy one of these don't have a lot of extra money to spend (who does these days?). So that's another thing to consider.

The orishas I want to make rosaries for are: Eleggua, Oggun, Ochossi, Obatala, Orunla, Chango, Babalu Aye, Yemaya, Olokun, Oshun, Oya, Aganyu, Inle, Obba and the Ibeiji. For the Ibeiji I'm wondering, should I make one regular-size or two child-size? One regular-size would be red, white and blue and that might be confusing. The two child-size would be red and white, and blue and white. Hmm.

Anyway, that's basically what's going on with me lately. How's by you?

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Current Music: The Three Suns - Ding Dong Dandy Christmas

danceswithfish
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I'm really sorry I haven't been around too much lately. One of my friends took me off their f-list, so I'm guessing she either doesn't like me anymore or thinks I died. Nope, I'm still here. Just not too motivated to write much.

The last month has been interesting. The bloodwork from my physical came back pretty normal, except my HDL is too low. So I'm supposed to eat nuts, fish, olive oil, eggs, stuff like that. Also, my hormone levels were fairly normal as well. So my doctor wants to make sure that my irregular cycle isn't due to endometrial cancer. She tried to do a biopsy in the office, but things in my body apparently weren't where she could easily reach them. So I have to go to an OB/GYN next month and get it done. It's really too bad she couldn't get it done then, because it HURT LIKE HELL. Oh well. She's about 99.999% certain I don't have cancer, but she just wants to rule it out. Everything else (other than my weight) looks fine.

It's been very very cold lately. That really makes me want to just stay in bed all the time. The cats are fine (Marvin had dental work last month), Byron is fine. I guess I'm feeling a little depressed today. I think I'll come back and write more when my brain isn't so fuzzy. I just wanted to let you know I'm still here.

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[info]shlomarosenberg passed away this morning. I only got to meet him in person once, but I'll never forget it. I was so hoping to get a chance to see him again. Not in this life, I guess. Peaceful rest, Shloma. Afolabi, ibae bae tonu. Baruch Hashem. I miss you.

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Gunpowder, treason, plot, AND [info]cedarheart 's birthday!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RENEE!  Wishing you many, many more, and much success and happiness in the years to come!



(she's older than 3, though, heh heh.....)

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danceswithfish
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Prince Charles knights Christopher Lee.

Can I just say - IT'S ABOUT FLIPPING TIME?!?!?!?!?!



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Happy Halloween/blessed Samhain/Hallowmas to all! And to all a good fright.

Don't forget the ancestors at this time as well. They certainly haven't forgotten us!

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Current Music: Squirrel Nut Zippers - Memphis Exorcism | Powered by Last.fm

danceswithfish
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So I took this quiz on Facebook the other day, "What Type of Anarchist Are You?", sort of half-jokingly as you do with most online quizzes. The answer I got was Anarcho-Mutualist, and it struck a chord. I have to say that this is the first quiz I've ever taken that was actually useful to me. I actually learned something. So I'm going to start reading up on this. Usually, as Lois from Dykes to Watch Out For once said, theory gives me hives. But I'm willing to risk it. It's nice to finally put an official name on something that I think I've always been.

Other than that, things are just swimming along as usual here at Zolac Manor. Eagerly awaiting Halloween. I think I'll answer the door to the trick-or-treaters in my white lounging gown and my white shawl - instant Iyawo Ghost Halloween costume! (wait a second - Madrinas, I am allowed to give out candy to the kids, right??)

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I would definitely be more inclined to take the stairs if they were all like this. Pretty cool huh?

Today the iyawo is 5 months old. Go me!

Things are just going along nicely. I had my gold crown put on my tooth, and I also had my annual physical last week. I should be hearing back about my blood work results soon. They checked for the usual suspects, plus hormones, thyroid, and making sure I'm not anemic (apparently I have several symptoms). My weight is ridiculous. It makes me want to not eat anything ever again, which I know is wrong but holy crap I've never weighed this much in my life. Bleah.

Tomorrow I'm going over to [info]hoarymarmot's for homemade soup and crafting goodness. I have two orisha rosaries done, but they're presents for people on my f-list so I can't post pics of them!! Suffice to say they turned out great.

So basically things are fine. The kitties are great, [info]byroncaloz is great (he just started wearing ties again to work and he looks really cute!), Mom is doing surprisingly well considering. Things could be a whole lot worse.

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When I first met [info]byroncaloz he was still doing The Mr. Smooth Show (and hopefully someday soon he will be doing it again, hint hint).  I was greatly inspired and concocted my own space age bachelor pad music DJ persona, Lady Crimson, and made a few tapes of what I thought about developing into a show, called Lady Crimson's Loungeability.  That pretty much fell through, and Radio Bastet was born shortly thereafter. 

ANYWAY.  I did a Halloween show, which I turned into a big podcast-type file and now present to you in the hopes that it will get you in the Halloween spirit.  I hope you enjoy it, and please forgive my really dorky-sounding voice.

HERE it is!  (big honkin' 111MB file, beware)

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Current Music: Eagles of Death Metal - Kiss the Devil | Powered by Last.fm

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[info]byroncaloz and I stood outside the Multnomah Co. Courthouse in the pouring rain first thing in the morning, then made our way inside through the metal detector and the bail posters and the traffic ticket holders, then entered the judge's chambers and got married.  I haven't regretted it for a single moment.




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[info]hoarymarmot  and I are meeting at my house at noon tomorrow for a quick bite of lunch, then we're heading out to the Portland Bead Expo-Fest-A-Rama.  Who's with us???

Oh.  And it was [info]apocalypso23 who got married Tuesday.  What a couple of cutie-pies, if I do say so myself.

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But I can't help it.  I love it so.............

This is going to be my Halloween greeting this year.  Please feel free to snag if you'd like.



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Introducing Boveda Beads!

Like it says, not a whole lot there right now. I'm opening an account at ArtFire too. We shall see how this goes... It feels like the thing I'm supposed to do.

[info]hoarymarmot, we still on for the Bead Fest? What day(s) do you want to go? Do you want to meet there, come to my house, ?????

Somebody got married today, and I was there. Not sure if she wants me to out her here, so no names at this point. It was great, and everyone is very happy.

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Current Music: Maduro - Isdes

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Contrary to reports all over the web, Jack Herer did not die today. He is, however, in critical condition at a Portland hospital. He collapsed backstage at Hempstalk 2009 last Saturday and underwent angioplasty. Please send all the good health vibes you possibly can to this amazing man.

Also, please get yourself a copy of the above film, The Emperor of Hemp, watch it and show it to everyone you know. The word needs to get out that hemp could very well save the world, as Jack says it can. There is not enough THC in industrial hemp for anyone to get stoned from it, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. There is no earthly reason why it should not be grown legally here in the States. Watch the film, read Jack's book The Emperor Wears No Clothes, and convince yourself.

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This is Severn Cullis-Suzuki, addressing the UN in 1992. Was anybody listening?


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Yep, I did indeed catch [info]byroncaloz 's cold and have been down for the count since Sunday night.  Suckage.  But I'm definitely on the mend and may actually get some stuff done around (and even outside of) the house today.

Wishing peaceful rests to Jim Carroll, Patrick Swayze and Mary Travers.  As a great man once said, thanks for the memories.

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Iyawo Omi L'ade
Name: Iyawo Omi L'ade
Website: Radio Bastet
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"Obatala is the beginning--of the end," said he. "Generation and dissolution are the same. And there's nothing new under the sun except Eshu."

--- Judith Gleason, "Santeria, Bronx"
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