Livin' La Vida Iyawo

Sadness.

2009-11-09T05:17:11Z

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.

Remember, remember the 5th of November....

2009-11-05T18:52:58Z

Gunpowder, treason, plot, AND hoarymarmot '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.....)

That's SIR Christopher Lee to you.

2009-11-03T21:19:40Z

Prince Charles knights Christopher Lee.

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

Better late than never.

2009-10-31T22:59:20Z

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!

Anarcho-mutualism.

2009-10-24T19:47:09Z

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??)

The Fun Theory.

2009-10-16T17:22:00Z

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 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, 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.

Trick? Or Treat? YOU make the call!

2009-10-08T04:03:29Z

When I first met 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)

It was four years ago today.

2009-09-30T21:28:23Z

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.

Last call, Portland-area beaders.

2009-09-25T02:00:55Z

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 apocalypso23 who got married Tuesday. What a couple of cutie-pies, if I do say so myself.

I know it's still early for Halloween.

2009-09-23T05:57:42Z

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.

Drum roll please.......

2009-09-23T04:10:09Z

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.

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.

The Emperor is NOT dead. Long live the Emperor!

2009-09-19T06:37:29Z

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.

WOW.

2009-09-17T23:17:15Z

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

Back in the land of the living.

2009-09-17T16:37:29Z

Yep, I did indeed catch 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.

To my Portland-area pals who love silent movies....

2009-09-13T22:44:42Z

I created yet another community! Please join rosecitysilents if you would like to get together with other silent film buffs, plan movie nights, and discuss the possibility of getting an "official" Portland Silent Film Society going! YAY! Oh, and tell your friends, etc!

And now, I think I've caught Byron's cold. Oh joy.

A post that probably doesn't merit bullet points, but is getting them anyway.

2009-09-13T19:21:22Z

We ended up getting a new battery for the car. Works great now. Case closed.
I got a temporary crown put on, and I go back for the permanent gold one on the 29th. Sheesh, the gold in my mouth is worth more than what's in my bank account. (There's gold in them thar teeth)
I really, really need to lose weight. I'm starting to get winded just walking around, not just walking up stairs. I'm trying to stay fat-positive, and I don't want to be rail-thin, but I just don't feel well the way I am. I'm overdue for my annual physical too.
We picked up kik_inouye at the airport last night, returning from a trip to see her dad. She's tanned, rested and ready. Welcome back, Snax!
I recently had my first experience making Cuban coffee. It was for Eleggua, and he didn't complain, so I must have been doing it right. Note to self: Bottom of coffee pot is FREAKING HOT. Keep away from anything textile-covered. (Mom's old crochet-covered-bottlecaps trivet has a nice scorch mark on it now)
I am fiendishly plotting my Orisha rosary business. I'm also hoping to make Orisha-themed earrings (thanks for the encouragement, you guys) and beaded jicara holders (jicaras are those big hollow seed pods we use for offerings; it's hard to get them to sit still without tipping over unless you sit them on a holder, which kind of looks like a napkin ring. I've seen beaded ones and know I can learn how to make them.). What I really need is a good name for the business. Any ideas??
Along the same lines, would anyone be interested in a Lucumi/Orisha artisans community here? I was thinking about starting one, also possibly one over at Ning.
And speaking of beads, hoarymarmot and I are going to the Bead Fest later this month. Who else wants to go????
I Autumned up my journal layout. Dear Gods I LOVE this time of year...!!!
Reminder to all you Theda Bara fans: Please join the_she_devil and tell your friends too! Thanks!!

I think that's it for now. Hope you all have a great week ahead!

Well, THAT was fun.

2009-09-10T04:36:15Z

I got in the car to drive over to Harvest Homes to see Mom before my root canal, and the damn thing would not start. All the warning lights went on and all I heard was CLICK CLICK CLICK. %#$!@* So I go in and call Byron, who drove all the way back home to drive me to my appointment. The root canal went fine, even though I still had a few twinges of pain (I really need a LOT of Novocaine). Byron drove me home, then drove all the way back out to work. I made an appointment for tomorrow morning with my regular dentist to get the crown put on. Let's get this thing done dammit!!!! And now we have the flippin' car to worry about. NICE.

I'd say the President hit it out of the ballpark tonight with his speech. I could strangle the idiot who yelled "YOU LIE", though. Did you see Nancy Pelosi's face?? She wanted to strangle him too. I have never, ever in my lifetime ever heard anyone yell at a President of the United States while he was giving a speech to Congress. Never. When did civility in public discourse become unfashionable? I blame it all on Jerry Springer.

It slices, it dices, it juliennes.

2009-09-09T17:00:15Z

Just did another small friends cut. If we haven't heard from each other in a while, if you haven't updated your journal in a while, etc., I have sadly let you go. If I've made a dreadful mistake, please let me know and I'll add you right back! I always hate doing this, but sometimes a little housecleaning is necessary.

OK. Need to go get ready to see Mom before I go for my root canal. Whee.

Made some earrings...

2009-09-08T22:24:06Z

Big-ass crosses
Minus the hooks they measure 4.5"

Elegant skullies
Incorporating a pair of 1928 Jewelry Co. earrings that broke

Eleggua skullies
or maybe you could call them Christian Anarchy skullies?

Glow in the dark skullies
The skull beads actually do GITD!

They're fun to make, but I gotta be careful of eyestrain and sitting too long with muscles tensed up; could be why I get so generally achy a lot lately. But anyway, there ya go. I do have an idea for something crafty that I might actually be able to make some money with, but I still need to put some feelers out.

As holiday weekends go...

2009-09-08T18:49:56Z

... ours was meh. We were both feeling under the weather so didn't get a whole lot done like I'd hoped we would. We're both feeling better but not 100%; Byron's working from home today (after having to drive out and fetch his computer from work, LOL). Tomorrow I go see the endodontist for the completion of my silly root canal. My regular dentist did a great job with what he could, apparently, cuz I've had little to no pain. Really not looking forward to starting the whole cycle over again. Oh, well.

On the agenda for this week is getting some new podcasts ready for Radio Bastet, and just your general straightening up/laundry/dishes etc. Really should do some yardwork now that the weather is cooling off.

OH! I made several pair of earrings over the weekend, which I need to take pics of and post. Last week we stopped in at Belladonna Beads after seeing Mom, and the super-cool gal who owns the place looked at me and said, "So are you undergoing initiation? How much longer do you have?" Besides the fact that iyawos are walking billboards for the religion, I'm sure as a bead shop owner she knows the score. Santeras and beads go together like peanut butter and jelly, don't they? Can't wait for the Bead Expo later this month! hoarymarmot , prepare to get your beads on!

All the kitties need their flea medicine today. That's gonna be fun.

Attention Theda Bara fans!

2009-09-08T01:12:23Z

byroncaloz and I invite you to join our new community the_she_devil , dedicated solely to the amazing Theda. We got A Fool There Was on DVD recently, and I'm reading Vamp: The Rise and Fall of Theda Bara which is pretty wonderful. We've both been bitten by the asp! Byron especially is working on a very ambitious Theda project which I'm sure he'll talk about in the comm. So please join if you're interested, and tell a friend! Thank you ever so!

Apologies.

2009-09-05T07:11:56Z

Today was about as good a day as yesterday was bad. There's nothing a white bath and the scent of Florida water can't fix. I apologize to anyone whose toes I stepped on. The combination of the full moon and the peri-menopause can be like throwing a match into a can of gasoline. Those are the times I need to be heavily sedated and kept away from computers and other humans. Gah.

We are in for a cool rainy Labor Day weekend. After the beastly heat of the past couple months, may I just say huzzah?

WARNING: RANT in 5, 4, 3, 2...

2009-09-03T19:59:42Z

One.

You know what? I have nothing against sheep, in fact I love them to distraction. But I am NOT one. And I resent being called one whenever I participate in what could be termed consciousness-raising actions on the internet.

I do not have a degree in sociology, political science, economics, none of that. Doesn't mean I'm not a damn smart cookie, but that's not the point. The point is that I rarely engage in complex theoretical discussions. Maybe I should, but right now I don't. What works for me now are calls to action. I am tired of doing this kind of thing and getting eye rolls, intimations of naivete, "this wasn't properly thought out, was it?", that kind of thing. Everyone else is doing it, so it must mean we're all sheep who value emotion over reason.

Um, NO. The "liberal" (ha) media would have us believe that we are all a bunch of foaming-at-the-mouth reactionaries screaming at each other at town hall meetings when it comes to health care reform, for instance. I'm sorry, but that just ain't so, and I WILL participate in a stupid internet meme if it helps get the word out. Don't like it? Don't participate, but don't denigrate those who do. Get off your high horse and offer workable solutions to the problem instead.

I guess what it all boils down to is this. I'm tired of being called a naive sheep because I care. It makes me want to start caring a little less.

FIFTY, BITCHEZ.

2009-08-31T20:37:53Z

I apologize for the non-iyawo-friendly language. But I am 50 years old today, and I'm relishing it.

I'm taking this as my theme song. I dedicate it to all my fellow geezers, and to all those who think their lives will end when they turn 30.

Confession time: Dee Snider IS HAWT. That is all.

Iyawo gets called out.

2009-08-30T16:52:15Z

byroncaloz and I went to the Goodwill as-is yesterday to donate some furniture and do a little shopping. When we entered, one of the attendants saluted me with the crossed arms and said something that sounded like "Eleggua Chango" - ? I was so startled I barely remembered to salute him back. It was the first time that's happened to me here in little old Portland. It felt good.

The tooth is better but it's a good thing I still have the drugs, is all I can say...