1G Spirits

 family, military, Paganism  No Responses »
May 182013
 

Good morning everyone and happy Saturday once again! We found out Ryan supposedly is going to his consult on Tuesday, so it’s make or break time. The doctors over there are even pushing for him, which is unusual, and I’m taking that as it must to be a good sign. And I say supposedly, as they’ve changed their minds on dates so many times for his MEPS (physicals) – all about the hurry up and wait. It’s been a lot of ups and downs for him, and I ask again to please keep him in your thoughts he’ll indeed go on Tuesday, and he’ll pass, meaning he will get his ship date. Again though, I just hope his ship date is after PSG so I can get him registered so he can attend.

Yup – it’s now just under a month for Pagan Spirit Gathering, and I’m really getting into giddy mode. I reminded my broker and coworker, so there should be no problems with me leaving. Besides, just as it works out every month (I’ve been paying careful attention to trends and patterns), I’m once again in “dead week”. Last week, I worked about 96 hours, and this week, the phone calls dropped significantly, meaning my appointments are a lot fewer, too. The pattern goes that week one (1st – 7th), people let their landlords know they’re moving, so they start calling everyone under the sun about available apartments and schedule showings. The second week (8th – 14th), the folks who applied and got approved for the apartments they visited get the leases signed. The third week (now, the 15th – 21st), it’s that in-between time, where there’s just a few stragglers left from weeks one and two. And, the final week (22nd – end of the month) are the people who are in panic mode about finding a place to live and will apply to just about anything that suits them decently. So with PSG being June 16th – 23rd (Sunday to Sunday, days I don’t work anyway), I’ll be heading out there during dead week and coming back to panic week – during high season no less.

Yep, it will be chaos, but I can swing it. I need this too badly after working my ass off all year, and I know Ryan would really benefit from it. It’s a life-changing experience I get to do every year, and for Ryan, something so positive and powerful like that as a send-off would give him the extra oomph to do well in boot camp. One of the things I believe too is this: Being around so many good people and gaining so much positive energy just before his grueling training would be highly beneficial to pass along to others in his platoon. Ryan told me last time, there were so many in the bunks who were very sad, crying at night how they wanted to go home, scared and feeling alone. He wanted to be there, he was very happy, and this time around, I know he will be that much happier. So, to add all of that positive energy, perhaps he will have that much brighter of an aura which will innately extend to those who need it most. I really believe that.

Of course, one of the things that has been in the back of my mind, and yes, it’s surfacing again just like last time, is the layers of concern. I don’t believe in worrying, because it serves no real purpose. All you can do is do your best in every aspect and let the cards fall where they may. So yes, I believe we all have a destiny, but we can make it our own. Will he come home – whole? Will he piss away all of his money when he does? And while he’s there, will he be the stand-up guy we raised him to be? In the news, there’s so much talk about the rape culture within the military, and of course I’ve had those conversations with him. Be the Soldier, and the man, people can depend on during a crisis. Be the guy who will do the right thing even at a cost. Everyone who has ever met our son knows he has a gentle spirit, and unlike me, I know he has an old soul that has been around the block for at least a thousand years. His spirit has seen and done great things of which I am certain – making and learning from mistakes and accomplishments.

That has me thinking too: They say there are now more people walking the planet then there are people who have ever lived, but science and especially math say that isn’t true. However, when adding in that x factor of how many of the spirits of those people have regenerated, it has me thinking the Universe has had to create some new ones. Therefore, I believe there are a lot of newer spirits within those vessels walking around today, and perhaps that’s a part of why we have so many problems in the world. Just like 1G phones always have bugs, or a hot new video game has a lot of patches to download in its first few months, perhaps all of these first generation spirits have bugs to work out as well. So for the folks like our son who have old souls, we newbies need to be there for them and support them instead of fighting against them.

I know I’m a newbie. I figure I have maybe only a few past lives if that, and I highly doubt I was anyone famous as one of them, but I’m happy to be who I am. I believe it’s what makes me a fun person to be around – all child-like and whatnot. But when it comes to life experiences, sure, I’ve had more than my fair share compared to so many other folks I’ve met over the years, but that’s just this time. Compared to our son, I just graduated kindergarten, and now I’m going to retire to my couch cushion fort and color in my activity book. Maybe Ryan will join me, crawling under the cushions and pass me a crayon I wouldn’t have picked out myself. And even though I don’t like that color (Brown? Ewww! I hate brown!), he’ll encourage me to use it in just the right spots. Not too much, because he knows I don’t like that color, but just a few accents here and there to break up all the red and yellow I got going on.

So who are you? Are you the newbie, somewhere in the middle, or are you close to retiring in the cosmos and becoming your own star? Does it even matter? Some say what matters is how we live in this, and every, life time, because what we do affects everyone else in some small way. Just yesterday, I bought a lunch just before someone offered to treat me at a restaurant, so I gave the lunch I bought myself to a homeless woman. I was actually going to bring it home and, I dunno, give it to my husband or something, but something told me to give it to her. A big part of me says it was just so I didn’t have the smell of fries driving me crazy in the car, but another part of me says it was because the woman looked genuinely hungry and here I was with food I didn’t really know what to do with. (And it was good stuff, too!) I’ll be honest, that’s not really the kind of person I am. I’m the more frugal type (dare I even say cheap!), but after Ryan was here with us for almost a week, I have to think part of his spirit and kindness rubbed off on me. Just a little. So I know tending to his old soul by getting him to PSG before sending him off to the military will strengthen his spirit that much more, and little things like that will permeate to others who also need it – much more than me.

Welp, that’s about I all I have for today. Take care everyone, and many blessings to you and yours!

VA emblem update and Mother’s Day

 family, military, Paganism, veterans  No Responses »
May 112013
 

Good morning everyone, and happy Saturday once again! I can’t believe how fast the week has gone, and it’s because I’ve been putting in around 16 hours since early Monday morning. I get up around 4:30 or 5am, then jump straight on the computer to do my daily postings and return emails, then at 9am, I return phone calls, then I jump in the car and show places, finally returning home around 8:30-9pm to eat a later dinner and go to bed. Our son even came into town late last night for Mother’s Day, and I barely feel like I’ve talked to him at all. However, I did get in a good conversation with him I think many of you will like: He’s considering going with me to Pagan Spirit Gathering!

Ryan has a consult coming up in a couple weeks after going to MEPS, as there’s something going on with his flexibility and/or balance. So yes, please continue to send him good vibes he’ll get the all clear so he can get a ship date! He’s been steadily watching his diet as well as pushing himself physically, but sometimes, personal effort isn’t enough. As many of you know, Ryan’s been at this now for three years, and he hasn’t given up on his lifelong dream of being a Soldier, and his recruiter and even the MEPS doctors see that he’s make a great one. At the end of the day, it’s pretty much a 50/50 chance, a yea or nea, so let’s up those odds, shall we?

And, please add to that when he gets his ship date, not if, that it’s after PSG so he can indeed go with me! We figured out with the new car we bought last Saturday (well, it’s new to me – a ’01 Mazda Tribute) there’s room enough to take him, the extra things he will need and all of my camping gear. More importantly though, I think if he attends, it would make a wonderful send-off for him, especially since there are so many other Pagans who attend who are of the military persuasion in one way or another who can offer him some much-needed advice, guidance and blessings.

emb-55And, speaking of Pagans and military (the main focus of this blog, doncha know), some wonderful news broke today which thankfully has not been deemed all that newsworthy: Thor’s Hammer Approved For Veteran Headstones and Markers. I will readily admit, I about fell out of my chair when I started seeing the news posted about, because it shocked me this wasn’t all over the news like when the pentacle was added in 2007. And of course, I was so happy for my Heathen brethren who use a symbolic Mjölnir to represent their faith. It took me a while to pause on that non-news being good news, because in order to get an emblem approved, someone who has served has to have died and their next of kin needs to put in the request. So when you think about it, the hubbub that came along in 2007 was that much more disturbing by repeatedly denying someone a final request – or in that case, I believe it was several.

The other thing I found fascinating is this is emblem #55 and the pentacle was #37. Look at how many other interesting emblems have come along since then, such as #48 (Medicine Wheel) and #53 (Four Directions). Considering Native Americans have been serving in our military since its inception, it’s pretty sad a sliver of their many beliefs have only been officially recognized in this way so recently. So, when folks wonder when the Druids will get their fair shake, I figure it won’t be too much longer, and it certainly won’t take centuries. However, I won’t say please be patient, but rather I would suggest patient vigilance is warranted.

If there is one thing each and every one of us, and that of course includes those who are or have served, it’s that we all have a mother. True, some of us refer to them as mere birth-givers, but for many of us, our moms mean the world even when they’re no longer with us on this plane. Moms love their children unconditionally and miss them even more, and that love can be made more profound while their adult children serve and especially if they pass while doing so. Gold Star Moms have been officially recognized since 1928 but got their humble, somber beginnings during World War I. During World War II, the Blue Star Moms came about, providing comfort and camaraderie through volunteerism and hard work while they anxiously awaited to receive a good word or three (as in, “I’m coming home!”). So on this Mother’s Day, the only thing I really want is for the Blue Star Moms to get their phone calls (missing a call can be so downright painful!) and the Gold Star Moms to feel their child’s presence.

That’s about it for me this week. I have a jam-packed day ahead including a lease signing, which is why, in case you’re the first readers, you noticed this is actually published Friday night. I just really want to catch a few extra zzz’s in the morning before retrieving any calls or emails at 9am. I think I earned that this week.

Thanks again everyone and have a great week! Many blessings to you and yours!

Beltaine, military cuts and religious websites blocked

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Apr 272013
 

Good morning everyone and happy Saturday once again! And yes, a very blessed Beltaine next week to you and yours! Wait a sec – hold up – I got something to commemorate the holiday…

Happy Beltaine

So how are you celebrating the first of May? They’re saying it’ll be 79F on Tuesday (Woo! Sexy sun dress time!) and cooling down on Wednesday to the mid-60s with some rain coming in. So yeah, I do believe since our window units haven’t been put in yet, it’ll definitely be a sleeping-without-blankets kind of night. And, with the weather finally cooperating, I’ve been out canvassing again on top of having a personal record rental month, so I’m all good on my springtime cardio and funding for spring cleaning and redecorating. And, that includes getting ready for some PSG action with the extra little bit of money I earned, so I treated myself to ordering a zip hoodie for the chilly late nights around the fire. (Hey! At least now you’ll be able to pick me out of the crowd at night for sure!) It’s funny I’ve had that song stuck in my head all week (Your time will commmmmeeeee!), and now that I’ve drawn the correlation with the Maypole scene in the movie, it all makes sense – kind of. Funny how the mind works.

Anyway, so this week, I came across an article that, while I readily admit it put a wicked smirk on my face upon reading, it does have me double-thinking the situation in a wider scope:

Southern Baptist Website Blocked on Some US Bases – Defense Department spokesman Lt. Col. Damien Pickart said Thursday in an interview that the problem seemed to be with the commercial software the military uses to protect its network. The software blocks access to prohibited sites, like those for pornography or gambling, as well as sites that might have some type of malware associated them, often unbeknownst to the site’s owners.

Yeah, a big ole Nelson-style Ha! Ha! came out, especially since the article points out “…the Nashville-based Southern Baptist Convention has 16 million members and [Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty executive director Ron] Crews said it provides more military chaplains than any other faith group…”, and the Christian blogosphere completely blew up over it. Considering all the hoops our Pagan military has been made to jump over the years and whatnot, yeah, a little private schadenfreude never really hurt anybody.

But here’s the thing: What other sites are being blocked? It seems they believe malware was involved in automatically blocking the Christian website, and there’s been a number of news reports about a massive WordPress botnet attack which yes, this site is powered by that, as I’m sure many others. While I do clear out several pages of spam each week, usually trying to sucker people into buying fake stuff, I haven’t detected any real issues. But then again, I’m no super techie either. So I ask everyone who runs Pagan-related sites to scan the heck out of their computers just to make sure everyone, including our military who oftentimes has limited resources, will be able to access the information you provide. I’m talking the full scan – the kind you leave running overnight.

I also wanted to send a shout-out to my son Ryan, whom many of you have come to learn about over the past three years. Yes – three years. That’s how long W&K has been out when I first started writing, and it was all about our son. He’s again been bumped up to take his MEPS physicals, this time scheduled for Tuesday, and his recruiter has said she is going to drive him there herself if she has to. I really hope all these last-minute delays aren’t coming from all the cuts they’ve been making. Earlier this week, the following was released:

Army Warns of Drastic Reductions in Troop Numbers – The Army has already planned to trim its ranks from a wartime footing of 570,000 soldiers to 490,000 due to previously planned budget reductions approved by Congress in 2011, according to [Army Secretary John] McHugh said.

But if the automatic cuts, known as sequestration, are extended into future years, tens of thousands more soldiers, including members of the Army National Guard and Reserve, will have to be let go due to a lack of money, he said.

So please continue to send our son good vibes he not only gets to go to his physicals, but that he passes again and gets a new ship date. Ron and I, and Ryan of course, greatly appreciate it. He’s worked so hard, even when things didn’t work out for him the first time around, and he hasn’t given up. I know if it would have been me, I most likely would have figured I’d go find something else to so. So not even speaking as his mom, just as another person, I do admire his gumption and know he’ll make a fine Soldier.

Welp, honestly, that’s about all I have for you all this week. I’m really trying to steer clear of the bad news, because we’ve just had way too much of it. Have fun dancing around the maypole, folks, and I’ll be back next week. Many blessings to you and yours!

Helping the helpers, ignoring the ignorant

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Apr 202013
 

Good morning everyone and happy Saturday once again! And yes, we all deserve a break this morning, so let’s make it a happy one. So, before I get into this week’s recap, I’d like to say a Happy 420 and a Happy Earth Day to everyone who celebrates and participates, which I’m sure there are quite a few, like me, who can correlate the two. The only thing I smoke is cigarettes (yeah, yeah, I know), but I certainly see how hemp products (y’know, from the male plants) can be wonderful, cheap and renewable resources for just about everything: Fuel, paper, building materials, etc. And of course, the female plants, if not for those dirty hippies getting high and whatnot, can most certainly be used for a wide variety of medicinal purposes. Illinois may very well be the 19th state to endorse such usage, albeit very restrictive.

So with that said, let’s go over all the craziness that happened this week. We all know about what happened at the Boston Marathon, and I was really pissed at all the news sources who, while they said “Warning: Graphic photos”, they still displayed that picture of the guy with his leg blown off (with and without his face blurred) and of course the cover of Time. (Notice I’m not linking that crap.) Was that really necessary? It’s like I said Monday night, I like my brutality in music version, even if a good portion of it is misogynistic. And, if I want to see that, I’ll just watch a movie, which that too is often messed up against women in particular. See, but that’s the difference – it’s entertainment. It’s not real. And, it’s clearly meant for (whacked?) adults like me to enjoy. The news is real, featuring a recap of what actually happened in the world, which I do include MSM here. It’s meant for everyone to view, including children and those who are very sensitive to such matters. So if I’ve proven anything to myself, it’s that the copious amounts of violent music and movies I’ve digested since I was a toddler have not desensitized me, and I’d like to think that’s pretty average. In other words, I still throw up the finger to Tipper Gore decades later. Ha! It has me thinking of that Onion article that still makes me giggle!

But really now, instead of zooming in on the crapola, let’s instead focus on all the good deeds shared. So we had an act of terrorism happen in our own back yard again, and there was that massive explosion in Texas, and the serious flooding right here at home. That’s on top of serious earthquakes that happened across the globe. What. A. Friggin. Week! But like everyone’s favorite neighbor, Mr. Rogers, once said,

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me,

‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster’, I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”

So let’s look for the helpers now, shall we?

- Heroism at the Boston Marathon: Meet “the helpers”
- Marathon Aftermath: Helpers and Helpees, We’re Both
- In Boston, ‘look for the helpers’

And one of the interesting stories I believe our military would enjoy:

- Soldiers run the Boston Marathon with 40-pound packs, then save lives.

Here they are a couple hours before the bombing:

In full gear, in boots no less, with 35-40lb ruck sacks, on a warm, sunny day, running 26.2 miles has gotta be hell! You guys go!

And here they are again, giving an interview as to why they’re running:

- Soldiers Run Boston Marathon With 40 lb Backpack For Wounded Warriors

And of course, here’s a bunch of photos before, during and after the bombing of these same troops:

- Soldiers Who Ran Boston Marathon Carrying 40 Pounds As Tribute Helped Save Lives After Explosions

Right place at the right time for sure.

There are conspiracy theorists who don’t believe in such coincidences, that the controlled explosion drill happening on the same day, and the guys finishing the line just as the explosions occurred, and it’s believed their ruck sacks contained emergency first aid supplies, were all a little too convenient. Oh, and let’s not forget Family Guy somehow got thrown into the mix as some kind of a prediction. And, they were saying the Shelter in Place procedure for over a million people and businesses (except Dunkin Donuts, natch, cuz, y’know, cops lol) during the manhunt was actually a test for martial law. Well, even this cynic didn’t put that together. To anyone speculating that, and I’m looking at you Alex Jones, I got another finger for you. You can take your false flags and shove it. Oh, and to the NY Post, who right away jumped at saying “ZOMG! Muslims!” when no one, including officials even knew who the suspects actually were – yeah, we Pagans have already had enough of your crap and now I believe everyone else has their eyes wide open.

And after a whole day of a city being locked down, just after people were allowed to go back outside, guess what: It was a CITIZEN who actually found the guy. Granted, had the lockdown not occurred, I agree the suspect could have very well blended into the crowd, even though he was bleeding profusely – very probably pulled another carjacking and that time perhaps killing the passenger. All speculative of course, but it’s reasonable enough of a conclusion to draw. And after the ambulance came and carted his ass away, without giving the suspect his Miranda rights and possibly being treated as an enemy combatant in spite of being a U.S. citizen, Boston rejoiced harder than had the Pats and the Sox won in the same year.

So here we are, left to digest all of what happened in a single week. What do we do with all of this? While I do not apologize for my views on feeling I wished the suspect, who by all accounts gave plenty of evidence he is indeed guilty, was shot to Swiss cheese, I have to relent it’s better they are interrogating him while they pump blood back into his system and find out all they need to know. I also do not apologize for hoping he meets up with Big Bob in Gitmo. And yeah, I’m sure quite a few folks in Boston were cheering on as the ambulance rolled by with a “Howdoya like dem apples?!” We collectively feel safer. We feel justice has and is being served. It’s the beginning of closure that came quickly. That’s a good thing. So let’s focus on the good that came out of this and other tragedies. Let’s help the helpers in any way we can and ignore the ignorance that unfortunately seems to be the vocal majority.

For everyone who has suffered, let’s continue to send healing thoughts and prayers. They, and their loved ones, are stricken with pain and grief. Continue to light candles, send good vibes, and donate however you can. Runners crossed the finish line and then headed straight to nearby hospitals to donate blood. Others ran toward the injured and picked them up. And others still went out to serve home brewed coffee while the investigations were underway. Every little bit helps. Let’s focus on the good.

May your Gods bless you and yours.

Who you can depend on

 family, military, Paganism  No Responses »
Apr 062013
 

Good morning everyone and happy Saturday once again! Did it start getting Spring-like by you this week? Here, we got a taste of it Thursday, and then it dipped again. But Thursday – what a beautiful day! I had a bunch of different apartments to show in the morning, so I was doing a lot of driving around. And in the afternoon, I had gotten a bunch of new apartments to list, so I was doing even more driving around, hopping from place to place to take measurements and pictures. It’s another one of those little things I hadn’t realized I missed so dearly – just driving around on a gorgeous day with the windows down. Ron doesn’t care for open windows at home, as he fears the cat will claw through the screen like he had done once. So for me, fresh air comes from actually being outside, and I revel in every minute of it!

Ryan had also called with good news this week: his MEPS (physical) should be next week due to his paperwork finally being approved. He said he’s been really pushing himself to make sure he’ll have no problems passing the exams, so he’s feeling really good about the whole thing. After that, he picks a MOS (job in layman’s terms) and waits again for a ship date. So for everyone who had sent some positive vibes for him and continue to do so, I once again thank you. Really, thanks so much – Ryan and I deeply appreciate it.

And… and… I have even more good news to share with you: Dempsey in Afghanistan for Exit Talks. They’re guessing 9-10k of the troops will remain, but for he most part, things are finally starting to see a real light at the end of such a dark tunnel. Just in dollars, when you figure the cost of the wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan is at least $3.7 trillion, not to mention 6,648 troops who have been killed, it’s about damned time. Of course, that much money spent is a big reason why we don’t have money for other important necessities like chemo treatment for the elderly. CNBC reports the sequester was all chicken little talk, but just like the difference between a recession and a depression is when it affects you, so goes sequestration. Ah well, at least it’s been leaked who the wealthy are that hide their money and where they’re hiding it.

Maybe with the 4,000 Americans included in that leak who are defrauding the system, the amount collected might put a dent in this massive hole we have acquired. Right? Not so much, because it’s simply not enough. Obama’s talking about cutting social security again but is making up for it by cutting his own salary, so it’s all good. Heck, even Biden’s in, but only if his employees are affected. Oh, and for you regulr Joe tax cheats, don’t worry, the IRS is investigating you, too in new and disturbing ways. And of course, whatever savings are made, it’ll all get thrown at North Korea, since they’re already strongly suggesting evacuating embassies. Yep, once again, call me a cynic.

With all this uncertainty floating around, the one thing that personally keeps me grounded and feeling a lot more secure about things in general is socking away whatever I can when I can. Just yesterday, I realized all my scrimping since registering for PSG on the first day has paid off, and that’s in spite of spending $1160 in car repairs in that time. I have actually saved enough money in my Mason jar to pay for my groceries and gas… over 2 months early! And with my moving season already doing so well, I just know I’ll have plenty of extra funding to “stimulate the economy” by making some needful things purchases at the vendors. I’d like to share with you how I’ve been doing it.

There was a system floating around that gradually charts how much to toss in your rainy day fund and come out to $1,378 by year’s end. One Week 1, just throw in a dollar. Week 2, two dollars, Week 3, three dollars – and so on. Now I’ll admit, I’ve jumped the gun whenever possible, tossing in a future week whenever I could. Right now, I’m at Week 17 at $153, which obviously means I’m ahead of myself, since it’s only the end of the first week of April. That means, my next deposit is $18 for Week 18, which I technically don’t have to make for some time, but it feels good to do it anyway. And what’s more, I also go into that jar not to take any money away, but to replace it with 20′s. I fold them in half, back side out, so that the large “20″ is staring me in the face through the jar on my desk. Seeing all those 20′s makes me feel that much more accomplished, rich even, than a wad of singles – that’s for sure!

And how have I been even managing to squirrel away that, again, in spite of unforeseen repairs, and also having to pay taxes (meaning, no refund for us)? That all comes from cutting our frills, which includes “fancy” groceries. anywhere I can go DIY on the matter, I have. Anywhere I can match a coupon to a sale, I have, even clothes shopping. Anytime we go out to eat, we go cheap, which even that is less and less – usually no more than once a week. (“It’s my only day to be fancy!” as Squidward says.) And yes, I most certainly make due with what we have. My purse-style briefcase is on it’s last legs, where I’ve been constantly repairing the straps with leather strapping and double knots. Even at half price, I’ll be damned if I’m going to spend another $50 on a bag I only bought five months ago, even though I load it with heavy stuff and use it every day. Yep, I’m cheap, and I’m not shy to admit that. My $2.50 sunglasses (discounted 90% plus a 30% coupon, but whatever) can attest to my cheapness, but at least I’m not blinded from the sunlight while driving.

Welp, I do gotta get going to do a bunch of showings. The last few Saturdays have been worth getting dressed for, so I have no doubt this one will be any different.

Have a great week everyone, and many blessings to you and yours!

The bottom line vs. what matters most

 family, military, Paganism, veterans  No Responses »
Mar 302013
 

Good morning everyone and happy Saturday once again! And, to all those who celebrate, be it the secular or religious variant (or someplace in-between), happy Easter as well. So how has the last week been for you? For me, it’s the last week of the month, so I’ve been very busy showing places to people. Yesterday, we finally had some Spring, and it sure is nice to hear the robins singing again. I go through the same thing every year, realizing how much I missed the robins, and green grass, and driving with the windows down, and not wearing a wool trench coat, and… Everything just seems so… alive! The temps will dip a bit next week, but just being able to forgo blasting the heat is much appreciated. I can dig it!

Reviewing the past week, the news has been rather grim. We were reminded it was forty years ago the last of the troops in Vietnam were sent home, Lt. Dan Choi is still on trial, a vet bragged about fighting With Al-Qaida and is being charged for it, and of course, King Joffrey… I mean Kim Jong Un, is pissed our guys flew overhead and is raising his threats. And then, on top of everything else, a columnist in St. Louis says only hero-heroes should be awarded with military honors upon their deaths. Really?!

In some small way, I get what he’s saying, that a guy who was drafted, was assigned a cushy job stateside and didn’t pull a Forrest Gump isn’t of the same caliper as someone like these guys. He did his time, he went home unscathed, got a job in an office, married, had a few kids, retired in Florida with a pension and benefits, lived long enough to see his grandkids graduate high school and died peacefully in his sleep. The end. But let’s think about that for a minute: This fictitious man, while he got lucky and didn’t have to see any action, he probably didn’t know he would get lucky. He could have very easily fled to Canada or crapped his pants. No, he was brave in the fact his number came up and showed up to serve his country, even with Walter Cronkite scaring the bejeezus out of him. That denotes courage, courage deserving of the honors awarded him and everyone else who has ever served, and that’s good enough for me.

And yes, I do get we’re broke, that we need to make some painful cuts in the military, and there are always more important things tax dollars should be going. But y’know, sometimes, it’s the little things that matter – not just now but down the road, too. Some feel spending $80k on a stone circle for Pagan Air Force cadets was wasteful. Others feel suing the Veterans Administration so the pentacle can be placed on military headstones was a waste of taxpayer dollars as well.

And y’know, I again get that to a small degree, because the people balking are either extremely fiscally conservative or are staunchly against supporting much of anything that does not adhere to their principles. Perhaps it’s a little of both. And yes, again, we’re broke, and with it being tax time, the “53%” (which we are technically now a part of since we paid this year instead of getting a refund, and we get no entitlements benefits) are looking at the bottom line. I’m fiscally conservative. Some have even said behind my back I’m related to Mr. Krabs. (Yikes!) I will admit, it pains me to spend money on things unless it’s absolutely necessary or I really, really have wanted something for an exceptionally long time. But I do. But even Mr. Krabs is a Navy vet who was a cook on the S. S. Gourmet Diarrhea, and I’m certain he would be okay with a few pennies going toward my fictitious man mentioned. Well, Eugene might cry about it a bit at first, but that tiny heart of his might give in, perhaps at his darling daughter Pearl’s urging. (I watch too much Spongebob to know all this, don’t I?)

I had mentioned the news this week was rather grim, but not entirely. On Monday, my Facebook wall went red, since at least half of my Friends changed their profile pictures. To folks who have a serious gripe with the Human Rights Campaign, and yes, the folks who are against marriage equality as a whole (still shaking my head about the local peeps’ comments!), they may feel tax dollars being spent on the Supreme Court hearings is a waste. I readily admit I have no horse in the race, so I should also be against my tax dollars going towards this, right? No, because I see marriage equality as not just a baby step but a huge leap toward making our country stronger. That does involve me, so there goes that logic right there. How? Well here’s my sterile, business-minded rationing:

- Marriage, not holy matrimony, provides a plethora of benefits not extended to cohabitants. Ron and I lived together for a couple years before we married, and when we did, we immediately saw a huge difference in how much more money we had available to us. More money in peoples’ pockets means more money available to stimulate the economy.

- Things like married health care benefits means healthier people since it’s cheaper to be on someone else’s plan than to get your own. A healthier populace means more productivity.

- Married couples are greatly preferred over singles and cohabitants when it comes to adopting children. Getting kids out of foster care means fewer tax dollars being spent, and children who grow up in loving homes with support systems have a much better chance of becoming productive citizens than kids who “age out“.

- Marriage always means money for the surrounding community, from beginning to end. Traditional weddings involve caterers, florists, reception halls, dress makers and so much more. And yes, divorces certainly make lawyers happy.

- It’s been said happy people make more money, and the more money one has, the more there is to spend. So why would anyone encourage two people who love each other not to marry, when marriage makes people happy?

Welp, I’ve got another busy Saturday scheduled, so I do need to get things wrapped up. Many blessings to you and yours, and yes, be happy!

The Few and the Proud

 family, military, Paganism, veterans  No Responses »
Mar 162013
 

Good morning everyone and happy Saturday once again! And yes, Happy St Pat’s Day/Irish Heritage Day/All Snakes Day, Blessed Ostara and don’t forget – Mercury goes DIRECT tomorrow! Can ya feel it?

Well, this week, I thought I’d do that journalist thing and provide you all with another Pagan military member interview. So, I’ll leave my parting here. Have a great week everyone, and many blessings to you and yours!


When the average American envisions a U.S. Marine, he or she may imagine a recruitment billboard: A tall, physically fit, broad-shouldered, square-jawed man standing in attention in a flawless dress uniform. The ads remind us there are only a few guys like these, and they sure are proud of it, and we all should aspire to be just like them. Or perhaps, some may recollect the stereotypical, perhaps frighteningly comical, Gunnery Sergeant Hartman screaming at his new recruits – some excited, some scared, and almost all well aware they will most likely be pulled for Infantry thousands of miles away from home. Then there are the action images we all picture – the dirty, adrenaline-infused Warrior firing off rounds in a foxhole while sneering at his enemies with a blunted cigar gnashed between his teeth.

But are any of those reflections accurate? The only time we do not picture a Marine as a strong caricature but instead as a human being, is either on homecoming clips or as wounded warriors struggling to adapt to a new norm – perhaps someone to pity. And in those homecoming clips, thousands of them we see every day, reminding us to thank them for our service but their individual faces we quickly forget, it’s either surprising the family or kissing his wife or girlfriend in a long-overdue embrace. And even then, when we do see Retired Marines (never say Ex-Marines!) who returned home whole, they are always projected as decidedly straight and Christian, perhaps as fist-shaking grumpy old men telling the neighborhood kids to stay off their lawns or as the over-protective, authoritarian fathers intimidating the new boyfriends of their teenaged daughters.

Whichever image is conjured, there is, I believe, one constant: a Marine, whether active or retired, represents the epitome of what it means to serve our country – a standard only a select few of us will ever achieve. A Marine is the toughest of the tough – a true badass in every sense. They say “Don’t Mess with Texas”, but that’s really just a stern request not to litter on the highways. Now “Don’t Mess with Camp Pendleton” – while it doesn’t have quite the same ring to it, well my Gods, that’s what I would call a serious warning! Don’t even think about it. Seriously. Just don’t.

One image we collectively do not picture for Marines are as being gay or Pagan, and definitely not the two combined. With that said, I would like to introduce you all to Sobu, a gay, Pagan Marine.

Sobu and Phoenix

Sobu (left) and his handfasted partner, Phoenix

Thanks for taking time out for our readers, Sobu. I understand you were active duty in the U.S. Marines from 1996 to 2000, back when DADT was still fairly new and women of course were barred from direct combat positions. What was it like for gays in the military back then? And too, this was during the time when Pagans were decidedly not welcome in the military, recalling Bob Barr’s and George W Bush’s comments from that time, so please enlighten us on that aspect of the culture.

From what I experienced it wasn’t the best place for gays back then. I knew several gay service members who were discharged. It was definitely an atmosphere of fear and mistrust…even meeting other Marines who admitted to being gay could be a risk. At one point they added “Don’t Pursue” to Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell , which meant that if someone was suspected of being gay they weren’t supposed to be investigated, but it did happen. I was actually accused of being homosexual by one of my roommates. His “evidence” was that I had bodybuilding magazines (just like every other Marine did) and there was a cd in my music collection that had the words “gay-friendly” on it. It was a cd of a political-oriented band that a friend had given me.

Being Pagan was a bit different. I got into Paganism while I was in the Corps, and never really faced any real prejudice about it, at least to my face. I was pretty much out of the broom closet to most of the people I knew. The chapel on Camp Kinser on Okinawa gave us our own space to meet in, and we held weekly classes and had open rituals that anyone could attend. The group when I was there was called ARC (Alternative Religious Circle) and I eventually became one of the co-leaders. It was a great time. There were a few other groups on Okinawa that we coordinated with and we all met up for Sabbats, camping trips, and the occasional picnic. I have very good memories of being Pagan on Okinawa.

Because your active duty service ended a full year before the terrorist attacks, the overall defense climate was different as well. Would you care to detail where you were primarily stationed and your position?

I was a Weather Observer, MOS-6821, stationed on Marine Corps Air Station Futenma. I was one of the people in charge of our mobile weather vans, meaning I spent a lot of time deployed. I’ve climbed Mt Fuji twice, toured Korea and mainland Japan, and spent one night in Bangkok while in Thailand. The climate in Okinawa was a bit tense at times due to the horrifying rape case that occurred there a few months before I arrived. There were a lot of protests and attempts to remove several bases from the island, so security was always on the forefront of our thoughts.

You are handfasted to your wonderful partner, Phoenix, but I would like to inquire if it is legally recognized as a civil union in the state of Illinois. Are you two looking forward to Illinois moving forward to marriage equality?

The Illinois Senate has passed a gay marriage amendment, and the governor has stated he will sign it into law, so we’re just waiting on the House to approve it. I’m very much looking forward to marrying Phoenix, but we’re in no hurry. We enjoy each other very much, and there’s no doubt in our minds it will happen someday, but we’ve both been in relationships before that have taught us to take our time and not rush into anything. We handfasted in 2011 at the Pagan Spirit Gathering, and we consider ourselves engaged (in the real world), but as far as I’m concerned he’s already my husband.

With things progressing forward in the Supreme Court, do you believe we will see equal marriages occurring throughout the United States by this summer? How will you celebrate?

I don’t know about this summer, but I think it will happen eventually. As for celebrating…ha…maybe watch a few episodes of Will and Grace. We’re kinda low-key.

As someone who was raised in a small Midwestern town, how difficult is it for you to be open with your family and childhood friends about being gay or Pagan? What about at work?

With family and friends we are totally out. Even my grandmothers love Phoenix! He’s really fit into my family and I’m ecstatic about that. It wasn’t always easy, though. For years I felt like an outsider because of my homosexuality and distanced myself from my family. I spent so much time being afraid of losing the love of family and friends and I realize now that I sold their love short. When I came out I received so much support and well-wishes from so many people it was overwhelming, even friends from the Marine Corps were very supportive and happy for me.

I’m pretty much out at work. Several of my co-workers have met Phoenix, and ask me about him from time to time. It’s been a great experience to be open about that aspect of my life and have my co-workers be supportive or even indifferent to my lifestyle.

Being Pagan, on the other hand, is something I don’t really advertise. I work in a very Christian environment, and my family is also very Christian. Open-minded yes, but only to an extent. I have Pagan listed on my Facebook page as my religion, and I’ve had several people ask me about it, but not as many as I thought I would have.

With the climate being much more tolerant in the military toward gays and Pagans, do you believe your time in service would have been easier? In that respect, what has been your greatest challenge?

I think it would have been much easier! The main reason I got out was because I couldn’t handle not being true to myself anymore. I mean, you give up a lot of things when you join the military, and it’s worth being away from your family and not having the freedom to do what you want when you want, and I looked at hiding my sexuality as one of the sacrifices I could make to serve my country. I was proud to be a Marine, and I still am. My time in the service was one of the best times of my life. But the Corps Values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment were something I couldn’t truly uphold. I was lying to myself and to my friends and that started to wear on me. I had friends that knew, and they were cool with my being gay, but it started to get to be too much.

For those who are thinking about stopping by the recruiter’s office, what would be the one piece of advice you’d give them?

Do it! It will take you places you’ve never been and you will see things you can’t even imagine! It will change your life!

And before we part, I’d like to ask: If you were given the opportunity to restart your life just prior to enlisting, would you still serve? I know your family has a long history of service, so was that a huge factor for you?

I would definitely do it again. I’ve seen amazing parts of the world and been introduced to so many exciting cultures, foods, and experiences that I never would have if I hadn’t joined. My family’s history of service was very important to me, but it really didn’t factor into my decision to join.

Mercury retrograde screwing us up again

 family, military, Paganism, veterans  1 Response »
Mar 092013
 

Good morning everyone and happy Saturday once again! I closed out three leases this week, and the rest of my time was dedicated to catching up on some documentaries while wrapping up our 2012 tax stuff. Our appointment is today, and while we love our accountant (who says that?!), it looks like we’re going to be seeing more of him now that I have to switch to quarterly filings. With the Mercury retrograde in full swing, I’ve been extra careful to double check all of our paperwork, including those leases, doing stuff manually, making sure nothing is out of place. While I may not be big on celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, I swear this year, I’m going to hoist a couple of beers just to celebrate the messenger planet going direct.

And some of that proofreading has already paid off, as Ryan’s paperwork to reenlist actually went through Wednesday. Finally! He hasn’t heard anything negative as of yet, so he’s moving straight forward on waiting to retake MEPS. That’s pretty good timing, since he won’t be presented a contract until after things go back to normal, so it’s all good. So, if I could ask you all to keep our son in your thoughts, I would really appreciate it!

One thing I’m very disappointed to learn is the U.S. Army announced yesterday they have suspended their tuition assistance program, GoArmyEd, just after the Marines decided to go the same route. Things are still up in the air for the Air Force and Navy, but with this sequester thing going on, which is putting half of the cuts squarely on the military, I would assume that sadly won’t be too far off. I understand cuts need to be made, but I would like to think ensuring our vets an opportunity to transition into civilian life via educating them for civilian jobs wouldn’t be included. Silly me.

Now me being the optimistic cynic, at least I can be assured the issue of the VA sending sensitive info unencrypted wasn’t due to sequester cuts. That’s good, because the last thing we need is people screwing up all on their own and… Wait, what?! They’re saying no security breach occurred, but I don’t feel all that warm and fuzzy about veterans’ and dependents’ Social Security numbers, dates of birth and other private health data going over nearly open airwaves, on top of a bunch of other stuff. It also has me thinking with deeper cuts, things like that will only become more commonplace as overworked folks will seek to cut corners wherever possible. Not. Good.

Of course, that news took a deep back seat to the talking filibuster this week over the drone usage policy courtesy of the Obama administration, brought to you by the Republican Kentucky Senator Rand Paul. Hey, even a broken clock is right twice a day. It’s directly because of that the White House sent out a press release President Barack Obama does not have the authority to use a drone to kill a U.S. citizen on American soil if the citizen is not engaged in combat. So ummm… was that in place before or after the filibuster? Just askin’.

And of course, some folks got really riled up when John Brennan, the guy who got the CIA director job, the guy they were supposed to be talking about before Paul got to talking, took his oath without a Bible (oh noez!) and on the first draft of the U.S. Constitution… the version that doesn’t have the Bill of Rights on it. With all this drone business going on, the new head of the CIA swearing an oath on a document that doesn’t include the following makes people nervous. Let’s go over them, shall we?

I. Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion and Petition – Y’know, this is the one where I, as a journalist (a hack at that, but whatdahey), can voice my cynicism, and both the Occupy folks and the Westboro folks can protest.

II. Right to keep and bear arms – Oh yeah, the whole gun rights thing. Like that hasn’t been in the news lately.

III. Conditions for quarters of soldiers – Okay, so I think we can all agree on this, that we don’t have to provide troops with housing in our private homes. It’s a nice gesture though I suppose, but naw, I don’t think anyone would argue against forcing people to supply room and board.

IV. Right of search and seizure regulated – Okay, back on target regarding Brennan’s new job. Without #4, the cops can come bust down your door on a hunch. (Some say they already do, but that’s besides the point. let’s keep up appearances, shall we?)

V. Provisons concerning prosecution – “I’ll take the Fifth,” said every mob boss ever. But it’s for you, too!

VI. Right to a speedy trial, witnesses, etc. – Oh we already tossed this with the Patriot Act. Who’s that guy again… Bradley somebody? Yeah, that guy.

VII. Right to a trial by jury – See #6.

VIII. Excessive bail, cruel punishment – So wait, we can’t water board people? I’m confused.

IX. Rule of construction of Constitution – Okay, now I’m really confused, but that’s okay, because this one seems to confuse a lot of people. Something about privacy or something. Hmmm… CIA. Privacy. CIA using Facebook and Google? Okay, I think I get it. Maybe? Nah, that’s just a conspiracy theory. Paging Mr. Ventura… Mr. Jesse Ventura…

X. Rights of the States under Constitution – And this one here, this is so the federal government isn’t the only game in town, that the individual states get their say-so in how things are run. But, there’s always a million ways the feds can get the upper hand. What comes to mind is when they wanted the drinking laws to be 21 across the board back when I was a kid. Sure, the states can do what they want, but they don’t get any federal road dollars for doing it. Carrot, meet stick.

So as you can see, while sure, it can be a stretch deemed by some Brennan didn’t intentionally mean to choose that version of the Constitution to swear on (damn you, Mercury retrograde!), that he was going for the one George Washington had signed to be all fancy-like, others are seeing it as a wake-up call. Now I do think it was a good idea to ditch the whole Bible thing, since it signifies he’s doing the work based on man’s law and not God’s… yeah, I see where that can be viewed as more than just an oops. What say you?

Welp folks, I’ll leave it at that this week. I’m actually getting this article squared away the night before so I can be fresh for meeting with our accountant in the morning. The last thing we need is for me to do something stupid like forget our shoebox full of receipts! (Or like last year, go down there without the checkbook! My bad!)

Take care, and many blessings to you and yours!

Back to the (Job Hunting) Front?

 family, military, Paganism, veterans  No Responses »
Mar 022013
 

Good morning everyone, and happy Saturday once again! Well, I’m a year older as of yesterday, and I had a very good day with rentals – knocking down two lease signings in the same day. That’s another milestone for me, and I’m hoping the two pending applications will be approved soon as well. Between that, grocery shopping and showings, I also picked up Ryan from the train, as he came down to celebrate my birthday as well. And yes, he said the cake I baked and the dinner I prepared were both really, really good. Coming from Picky McPickerson, that’s a really big compliment.

So yes, it was a good day for sure. I’ve been working really hard to get some new clients while I wait for people to arrive at the showings, so I’m hoping too my March will be at least as prosperous as my February. I tell ya, while sometimes it can be a little scary to not know when or how much I will earn at any given time, it’s nice to know every cent I do earn comes directly from my hard work. I have never had a 9-5 hourly job where I have felt such a wonderful combination of appreciation and satisfaction, and most of it comes straight from within myself. I know what I’m doing is helping people obtain a basic need (shelter), and out of curiosity, in my first year, I have even exceeded the minimum requirements listed in the job descriptions of the largest rental company in the city. Not that I would want to work for them, I like where I’m at, but it’s very satisfying to know if I wanted to, I could apply and count on my resume being reviewed. Go me!

I was just talking to one of my clients the other day, and he was surprised to learn how little is needed to do what I do – a high school diploma, a clean record, a few months of schooling – at home! – and about $500 toward my books and various fees. He was saying how it cost his daughter about $250k with housing and whatnot for her career, and she’s been looking for several months. I know, it’s almost sickening by comparison; he said he could have bought a six unit building for that, earning $6-10k per month! But like he said, the difference is how much I value my investment, wondering how many others went through the same thing only to quit a few months later when they realized they either were not cut out for the job or just didn’t like it. I’ve rented a lot of apartments for him, and I’ve gotten to know this landlord well enough to where I want to be one of his tenants in the fall when our lease is up, and I know where he comes from – from dire poverty just behind the Iron Curtain. So yeah, when he compliments me, with that very cutting get charming accent no less, it too makes me feel pretty good. Go me – part deux!

The reason why I mention this is not to brag or pat myself on the back so much but because I know with the sequestration now in effect, people are wondering where they’ll be after it kicks in next month, so people might be looking at alternate modes of employment. This of course doesn’t even include those who, like my client’s daughter, are struggling to even start their careers, many with mountains of debt behind them, those who have jobs but aren’t earning enough to live without assistance, and those who are returning to civilian lives and can’t find work. Of the $85billion (with a “B”) in cuts until October, half of that will be in the defense department. That tells me people like our son, who has been trying to rejoin the military for a couple years now, have now had that opportunity cut in half. It also tells me those who are currently wearing the uniform have half a chance of signing new contracts. And that doesn’t even begin to include the areas near military installations who depend on our current numbers for their day to day. After all, fewer Soldiers at Ft. Bragg, for instance, means fewer sales at the local businesses, and fewer sales means a lessened demand on supplies delivered by fewer truck drivers, and so on and so forth. Hmmm… sounds like trickle-down economics to me.

With Ostara being just a few weeks away, perhaps those of us whose incomes aren’t all that guaranteed may want to consider sowing some seeds – literally and figuratively. It’s definitely harder to do than it was ten years ago, which seems like a distant memory at this point, but it is not impossible. Here are some ideas I’ve suggested to others that have proven to work.

- If you are currently on unemployment, perhaps you have some extra time on your hands to volunteer. Use some of that time to do meaningful volunteer work. You can list that as your current form of employment on your resumes, which more often than not, listing yourself as “Currently Employed” gets your resume reviewed by an actual person. And when you get the interview, do not divulge you volunteer status unless directly asked; it’s not lying to hold back, and you’re not padding your resume by doing so. If you think about it, working in a soup kitchen isn’t a whole lot different than working in a real kitchen. Building homes for Habitat for Humanity is still building homes. And, manning the front desk of the airport USO shares some of the same responsibilities as a host/ess of a small hotel. Have a few friends flesh out your resume, and tell your supervisor you’re applying for related work so he or she can be prepared to answer questions in your favor.

- Don’t count on that $9 an hour minimum wage increase down the road to help you out; count on what you already have. If you have squeezed the juice out of your very last penny, you may want to consider looking at your same income to be spent in a new way. Did you know if you receive food stamps (SNAP), you can purchase seeds with them? It’s true! This is when seeds are at their cheapest, so if you have some space, perhaps at a community garden if you’re a city dweller like me, you can buy up packets of seeds of your favorite fruits and vegetables and stretch your allotment. Did you also know you can use coupons with them? You bet! And, did you know not every CSA comes at a hefty price tag at the beginning of the year? There’s a non-CSA here in Chicago you can participate in, and I’m sure it’s not the only one.

- If you’re looking for a new job and you’re a minority, do not leave any indication of your minority status if you can help it. It’s disgusting to even consider prejudice in the hiring department, but it most certainly exists. (It’s not just for racial makeup, but your sex, weight and age all play a part.) At least get your foot in the door to an interview for them to discover your complexion. This article explains the “diversity form” on Monster being used against minorities, and I’ll fill you in on a couple other dirty secrets. Not only do resumes get tossed by bigoted hiring managers based on your name, but also by the neighborhood you live in. If you live in a predominately black or Hispanic neighborhood, even if you have a name like Sally Jones or Robert Smith, your resume may get tossed. I would highly recommend using the mailing address of a friend from a predominately white area, especially an affluent one, or buying a UPS mailbox in such a neighborhood.

- Scrub your online presence! Sure, Sally Jones may have thousands of results, but perhaps you have a more uncommon name that is quickly identifiable. If you look me up on Google, you’d know right away what I look like, my religious beliefs and some of my interests. I know it hurts my chances of being hired by a very conservative company, but I wouldn’t want to work for one anyway. I also believe it’s why the other women who share my name are very careful to include their middle and/or maiden names online so people do not confuse me with them, making me the Lori Dake by default. (So, uhhh, I win?) So when you Google yourself, see who comes up first. If you’re like the other ladies I mentioned, maybe fleshing out your name like they do to differentiate yourself from someone you feel will jeopardize your chances is a good idea.

- Stop beating yourself up. I’ve been there, having to go to revival tents for food, school supplies, shots, clothes, hair cuts and whatnot for our son when we were struggling. I know what’s it’s like to live with roach and mice infestations and landlords who won’t fix the furnace/appliances – one time having to take our free Thanksgiving turkey to my brother’s house because the oven didn’t work. I’ve been through the eviction process, what hunger pangs, homelessness and no medical insurance feels like. I get it. Believe me, I get it. The thing is, I didn’t beat myself up over it, and I never give up. I may be cynical at times, but, at the risk of using an oxymoron, I’m an optimistic cynic. Yeah, I think it’s disgusting Nancy Pelosi feels cutting her salary is undignified when so many would be living like kings on even half of what she makes, especially considering her hubby can easily afford to cover her ass-ets, but I’m going to just keep swimming and you should, too.

- Keep a log of the good things in your life. I know it’s a dig to say even the poorest Americans have it better than over 60% of the rest of the world’s population, but it’s true. So whatever you got, you still got it good by chance of the birth lottery. At the end of the day, a $2 win on the Mega Millions ticket for matching a couple numbers is better than not matching any at all. I buy tickets because it’s fun, and it’s a cheap sort of fun that costs less than what some people spend on lattes. So like last night, when none of my numbers matched and I didn’t win a single thing, I just ask myself if I had fun playing. Yes, yes I did. Ask yourself with the game that is life, have you had fun playing? If the answer is no, then you might want to think harder. We got Tucker to apologize last week, even if it was a forced half-apology. That’s good, right? If you’re still coming up with nothing, you might want to change that. Maybe volunteering isn’t such a bad idea, after all.

Welp, that’s all I have for today. Each week when I write, I write from the heart, and I hope you all read it as such. I enjoy it very much, and I hope you do, too! Please feel free to comment.

Thanks everyone, and have a great week. Many blessings to you and yours!

Oh Fox.

 family, Paganism  2 Responses »
Feb 232013
 

Good morning and happy Saturday once again! So how was your week? Me, I’ve been working hard as always, and we had our son over for a couple days, too, as there was an art show at the Double Door his friend was a part of. So yeah, it was nice to have him over again. My birthday is next Friday, which Ryan said he was going to come over for that, and this time around, the cake will be white with white frosting – not the death by chocolate like for him. It was delicious, but very rich, and Ron could only eat a very small amount, as his chocolate tolerance is low.

So throughout the week, folks were reporting back after Pantheacon, and now there are a bunch of people out at Convocation, and I’m sure this year’s Paganicon will drum up even more attendees than last year. While flying out to conventions is not something I can afford to do, I do appreciate they exist, because the knowledge gained from these events is always shared by several voices. I learn more and retain information more clearly from explanation and casual conversation than from books and hard facts, always have. So yes, I wish I could afford to attend; it’s not just in terms of money but in time. But thanks to the Internet, I can at least read the reports you all send back. Allow me to point out a few articles:

- Setting the Record Straight: Pagans and the Press
- The Fleshiness of PantheaCon
- Ways That Pantheacon 2013 Supported Change for Pagans of Color
- Dispatch from PantheaCon: Preparing for Our Future
- The Week in Review—PantheaCon, Wine, Fox, An Apology

And yes, “Fox” and “Apology” – what’s that all about? That comes from what I saw Sunday morning while I was up clipping coupons. As some of you know, I have Fox and Friends running in the background while scouring for deals, not really paying much attention, but I’m not fond of absolute quiet. (I know, once again, I get the Bad Pagan! smack.) And on Sunday mornings, there really isn’t much on – not even with my fluffed out cable package. So, here I am, getting giddy over $1 off two Oncor dinners (Ron loves Salisbury steak) when I hear the Friends mention the University of Missouri’s acknowledgement of holidays, including those of the Wiccan faith. I dropped my scissors, because I knew this was going to be good, and by good, I mean get the popcorn good, because they’re about to make asses of themselves.


That’s me gearing up for the “Oh No They Didn’t!”

I was not disappointed.

I so wanted to jump on Facebook right that minute and see if anyone else caught that, because even I was taken back by the backhanded-ness, but I didn’t. I had a bunch of stuff to do on Sundays. Pretty much too, because I’m of the rare variety of Pagan that regularly watches Fox News and figured it hadn’t gotten around yet. What I got from the segment was Tucker saying,

“Wow, what a bunch of maroons!”, with Anna somebody, the younger and hotter Alisyn Camerota fill-in, nodding along with whatever the guys and her earpiece tell her to (because eye candy is the purpose of female journalists, doncha know – except token unhottie Gretchen, of course). And then, Clayton Morris “came to our defense” with a,

“Hey, hey, hey now. They’re okay Joes. Sure, they’re a bunch of losers, but they’re alright. Jeez, guys, cut them some slack. Not everyone can be as enlightened as we are. Jeeeeez!”

That’s what I got out of it anyway. As they say, your mileage may vary. Oh and Tucker repeatedly referring to Wicca as Wiccanism over and over was straight up annoying. Didn’t his earpiece correct him?

So anyway, when I finally logged on the next morning, I was again not disappointed with the shitstorm that came of it. So apparently, I’m not the only regular viewer. Yay! Somebody else had to be watching in order to catch that and put it up on YouTube for everyone else. And when people emailed, posted and Tweeted demanding an apology, Tucker tweeted the following:

I don’t spend a lot of time on Twitter, so I’m not sure of the dimensions of it, but I’m pretty sure that I’m unpopular in the witchcraft community, and I understand why. I probably was unduly harsh. As far as I know, most Wiccans are peaceful taxpayers. I’ve never been mugged by one anyway. So I apologize for hurting anyone’s feelings.

Nope, that just made things worse. So he Tweeted again a little later:

To Wiccans and pagans: Sorry for my pointlessly nasty remarks. Your holidays still confuse me, but you seem like nice people.

Better, but it shouldn’t have happened in the first place. And when I thought that was the end of it, nope. Apparently, Fox News really didn’t want this to die. Bad publicity is good publicity, doncha know. Last night, Bill O’Reilly talked about it a bit, with clippage featuring a friend of mine, Don Lewis from Witchschool. Nothing’s surfaced on YouTube yet, but I didn’t think it was derogatory at all. And at about 5:40am this morning (6:40amEST) on Fox and Friends, Tucker again apologized, sincerely, with a “Well said” comment. (I told you I watch this channel!) So yes, I think we can drop this now, but I do admit I love the fireworks while it lasts.

The thing is, this type of nonsense will be back. Again. And again. And again. Not just for us as Pagans, but for minorities of all calipers, be it religion, race, creed, sexual orientation, or what have you. Sometimes, I think we Pagans are a little hypersensitive, and deservedly so, but yeah, even I saw last Sunday morning’s segment to be blatantly rude. And that’s me saying that, and I do let a lot slide. The thing is, sometimes, you have to call people out on their shit, and with some of the wonderful discussions that just happened last weekend at Pantheacon, the timing For the Friends stereotypical remarks couldn’t have been more awful. Quite honestly, I was surprised they didn’t comment about Wiccans having a bunch of cats in the home, or any far-fetched connection to some type of Harry Potter nonsense.

What I find the most interesting and curious of the whole thing, and perhaps it’s why this whole Tucker issue annoyed me so much, is because Fox News is known as the flag-waving, troop-supporting news channel. Moments ago, they had a segment on how the Green Berets stress the notion of knowing your ancestry, the good and bad, and how their principles can lead to happier, more tight-knit families. Good stuff! And, it’s something many of us Pagans espouse – have a Warrior spirit, know where you come from, care for and depend upon one another. So yes, it kind of puzzles me just six days ago, the same guy who’s sitting there nodding in absolute agreement during this segment can be so appalled when a university wants to make sure their students have time to reflect upon their ancestry and work with their communities, calling it the PC police running amok. Oh, that’s right. It’s a different way of doing things. Right. Got it.

Welp, that’s it for me this week. When I come back next Saturday, I’ll be a year older, and Ryan will be here to share it with me. I’m looking forward to that! I hope you all have a great week as well! Take care and many blessings to you and yours!

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