Lyda here.
“Patriotism swells in the heart of the American bear.”
I love that movie!
And I’m actually leaving the house tonight to go to a party. No, really. I am. Ya’ll gotta believe me.
Lyda here. Today is Random Virtual Shopping Day!
Just because I can.
Wandering around the blogiverse, I came across a link to this blog - thanks, Marin! - which lead me to this shopping site.
I know a few people who really need these Gothic Drink Charms:
or maybe the Dia de los Muertos set. And then there are my friends who need the black cat set, or the witches set. Although some people might prefer the Greek Muse drink charms. Or one of the Alice in Wonderland sets like this one, or the Wizard of Oz set, or…
She also has buttons and magnets - in case you are a mostly solitary wino like me a tea totaller - and cards and jewelry. And awesome original artwork. Maybe it’s just as well someone beat me to this.
And speaking of shopping for skulls… Here’s some for your desktop. Feel free to add a coworker’s skull to the collection, of course. And here’s a shirt for Mondays (also appropriate for April 15th).
And what would virtual shopping be without zombies? No fun, that’s what! You can have your very own zombie friend to play video games with, just like Shaun.
And while you’re at it, get your own sonic screwdriver, just like the Doctor’s. Although a Tardis ice bucket would also come in handy, especially if you’re using those wine charms a lot.
And ya’ll probably need a Dalek bottle opener (scroll down, it’s there).
Of course, the day after all that drinking, you might need to wear this.
I’m just a Smeghead, what can I say?
Lyda here. It’s Tuesday, and time for another Random Weirdness post. I know ya’ll look forward to these as much as I do.
Edited to add: Today, the Yarn Harlot herself posted a Random post on Canada, which I didn’t read until I’d already posted this. It makes me feel all happy because she and I are random together today. And also kinda makes me want to move to Canada. Weird Pollyanna West fact: My paternal grandparents were Canadian. Remember this. There will be a quiz later.
So, here ya go.
1.) How does the old joke go? “A crocodile walks into a bar…”
2.) Or is it… “A chimp walks into a forest…”?
3.) And here’s a hell of a note. ”Oops, sorry, wrong house.” I wonder if this woman ever read “Hitchhiker’s Guide“?
4.) I’m not sure, but I may have dated this guy… or someone quite like him… Bad flashbacks, man.
5.) At least he was wearing more than this guy.
6.) But this is my favorite jailbreak story. The giraffe was the mastermind!
7.) And how did we all miss “World Naked Bike Ride” Day?? Really, ya’ll. Check out the official website. Warning: Not suitable for work.
8.) And here’s good news on the magic mushroom front. It’s good to know that science is finally catching up with the average shaman, isn’t it?
And how do I sign up for this study???
9.) These dolphins should have taken that left turn at Albuquerque…
10.) And of course, gas prices are hurting businesses everywhere. Even the Nevada brothels are feeling the pinch.
So to speak.
Lyda here.
“If music be the food of love, play on.” - William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, Act 1, scene iSo I’m playing on, ya’ll.
Specifically, I’m considering moving. Things on the job market are a bit… bleak. Not working much is not working for me. Especially considering how expensive it is to live here, and how much debt I have.
If anyone in Orange County needs a great organizer, or a great office manager, now is the time to let me know.
Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ‘em. - William Shakespeare, Twelfth Night, Act II, scene vI feel as if I’m having a move thrust on me. It’s not my first choice, but it may be the best choice.
At any rate, I agree with John Gay:
Life is a jest, and all things show it,Lyda here. And yes, I am a bitch.
Canine version, that is.
I found this quiz link on The Dust Bunnies Will Wait. See, ya’ll? Leave a comment, I’ll read your blog and link to it. Not that I’m obsessed with the blogiverse or anything… hrumph.
And speaking of knit blog - which I belive this is - ya’ll have to check out this post. Looks like it was made for Martha Graham, doesn’t it?
And how deep was the snow the winter this person knit this??
But this one makes me laugh. Yukon, ho!! Also, I direct your twelvenesses to her use of the phrase “pattern porn”. Yes, “twelvenesses” is a word. Yes, it is too. Oh, hush.
And ya’ll might get a chuckle from this, over at Susan the Shepherd’s blog for Martha’s Vineyard Fiber Farm. A great place to get your RDA of adorable fiber animal pictures. See? More fiber on the hoof - and dogs too.
AND IN TODAY’S ZOMBIE NEWS:
Zombie catepillars! Weird science… Lucky we have If You Were a Zombie.com to keep us up on this important news. Be sure to check out their line of zombie e-cards and check the blog for more.
And finally, a candidate my Zombie Army can really get behind… shuffle behind, of course:
Anna-Liza here again. I really can’t do justice to my subject, but I can’t ignore it entirely, either. It doesn’t help that I completely forgot to bring the camera for Solfest. Someone else has promised me pictures of Darlin’ K firespinning in front of the stage, but he hasn’t emailed them yet. I’ll post some if he ever does—he said they were good ones. And I’ll tidy up the Wool Market loose ends later. Really! Anyway, my solstice celebration was a bit more active than Lyda’s, but every bit as pleasant.
Most of last week, I left work as close to on-the-dot-five as I could manage, made a pit stop at a fast food place, and then hustled over to the Double Rainbow Ranch for a series of four workshops with Aumrak. I’m still absorbing and processing what happened for me there, but I will say it was gentler and sweeter than I was prepared for, and yet I know I did some very deep work. In terms of forms, we did everything from formal ceremony to guided meditation to two straight hours of dancing as parts of our work, and every bit of it built on what came before. Darlin’ K was super-supportive of this whole thing, uncomplainingly taking sole charge of the kidlets for three nights in a row, listening to me talk about my process, even listening to me sing to him! Now there’s a man in a million.
I was very pleased with the workshops and very happy to get to work with Aumrak. She is very gentle in her approach, but that gentleness in no way dimishes her power. It’s an example and a lesson for me, and I hope I “got” it. My fellow “workshop-mates” and I helped her prepare the fire and mandala for the Solstice ritual at Solfest. That was also very satisfying and fun into the bargain.
The music at Solfest was every bit as good as I’d hoped. Darlin’ K did some firespinning with Lunar Fire and got a really positive response. The man really has no idea how beautiful he is when he does that. I feel like I have to beat him over the head with the positvie feedback he gets from the audience afterward! He also organized and ran the free spinjam that happened after Lunar Fire’s set, while Muse of Turiya performed. I gave up and went back to the tent to sleep after about 12:30 or 1 a.m., but Darlin’ K stayed up and drummed with the drum circle until 3-ish.
The music started at 4 p.m. Saturday, went until 2 a.m. when the drum circle started, then started again 10:30 Sunday morning until 3:45, when we had the closing circle. And there was a big ol’ potluck brunch on Sunday in the middle of everything, too. Oh, and let us not forget Sunday morning yoga, which was about 2 hours long and very gently nearly killed me — although that was my own fault, really. I didn’t have to try to do all of the poses, or hold them for quite so long. I didn’t do any knitting, although I had some with me (of course), but I did do lots of spinning. Practicing with my hand spindle just seemed to fit the setting and the music.
The site was beautiful–a little valley in the foothills, lots of trees, a really pretty creek running through it, lots of space, actual bathrooms with running water and showers! And peacocks. Oh! and wild turkeys–real ones! (I suppose someone might have had some of the alcohol variety, too.) They gobble and look just like the cartoons. I’d heard them before, but I’d never gotten a good look at one–they’re usually just a little movement in the trees, that you’re not really sure you saw. It was all very comfortable and friendly. I overheard one woman say it was like a mini Rainbow Gathering, but without the sketchy part. I admit I spent most of my time wearing batik and tie-dye.
Oh, and I got a henna tattoo. During the opening circle at Solfest, a big yellow and black butterfly came and hovered right in front of me, just at the level of my heart. I took it as a sign of transformation, and so that’s what my henna tattoo was–a butterfly and a heart. I had Darlin’ K take a picture before the henna paste came off, because I wasn’t sure it would darken enough to be visible in a photo after. Here’s a close-up of my henna’d chest (do try to contain your excitement):
If ever I get over my needle phobia long enough to get real ink, it will most likely be something like that.
Lyda here. Since it’s summer, let’s have a beach party.
A virtual beach party. Right now. In our minds.
What shall we wear? We’ll need bikinis, but what color? We’ll look fabulous in them!! One of the advantages of virtual parties - one can be whatever shape or size one wants! And when I say “one” I mean “me”!
Oh, we also need to think about our feet:
What Your Flip Flops Say About You |
 You are crazy, and mostly in a good way.You have wild ideas, many of which seem drug induced.You are open to new experiences, and you are a bit of a drifter.You’re never sure what you’ll be doing tomorrow.. and you like it that way.Your ideal warm weather place: the Gold Coast of Australia
|
What Your Taste in Chocolate Says About You |
 You are sophisticated, modern, and high class.Your taste is refined, but you are not picky.You are often the first to try something new.You are emotionally expressive and sensitive.You’re effected by everything around you.Your friends appreciate your open heart, but they are afraid of hurting your feelings.You love to be in love. You crave romance, whether you’re single or not. You feel lost when you don’t feel passion… you need someone to adore.
|
Your Slogan Should Be |
 So Easy Pollyanna Can Do It. |
Lyda here.
Well, Jose Cuervo gold, anyway. And Attack by Thong gold. And dead cow gold - what would you turn the dead cow into? Weird and funny. Good blog reading.
In other news - it’s officially summer! I celebrated Midsummer - also known as Litha and the Summer Solstice and a lot of other things - Saturday by sweltering in the record-breaking heat enjoying the warmth of the sun. Mostly sitting on the couch, watching TV, doing a bit of reading, taking a nap (hey, napping is a traditional Midsummer activity!). I ran a few errands in the morning - recycling center, library, gas station (gasp!) - and stopped by the grocery store for some fruit and juice. And diet soda - hey, don’t judge. It was so hot, I didn’t really want anything but fruit.
Oh.
And Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia. Edible gold!
I watched “Fright Night” (1985) with Roddy McDowell - he was awesome, doing a parody of horror movies and yet playing the role full out. It’s terrific to see a great actor having fun like this. Actor gold! No zombies in this movie, just vampires, but good none the less. Funny, too. And the 80s hair! Heh. Here’s the trailer. And here’s a video tribute. On the Pollyanna scale, I give it one brain out of 5 for violence and gore, and a full 5 brains out of 5 for good horror fun (mostly because of Roddy McDowell). And now of course, I’ll have to see the sequel…
Ice cream and a horror movie. Now that’s a celebration.
“I absolutely adore movies. Even bad ones. I don’t like pretentious ones, but a good bad movie, you must admit, is great.” - Roddy McDowell
I totally agree.
Lyda here.
George Carlin died. I had his albums ”Class Clown” and “Toledo Windowbox” (back when ”album” meant “big round record”), plus cassettes of other stuff. I had so many of his routines memorized. He challenged everything, and pissed people off. He talked about all the stuff no one ever talked about, and made us wonder why we thought it was so terrible to talk about it. He made us think.
Mostly, he made us laugh.
Here’s his 1978 update on his classic “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television.” Enjoy (but maybe not at work…).
My seven words?
We will really miss you, George Carlin.
