All Rocks Go to Heaven

Yule 2k11

2011-12-23T22:13:00.000-05:00

I'm sure you all remember (because you have nothing more worth remembering, obviously) that I recently helped start a nice little Pagan study group slash baby coven. So far it's been very enjoyable! We had a bit of a kerfuffle at Samhain (I wanted to do a group ritual, they said we weren't ready, etc.), but we got back on track and yesterday we had our very first Yule celebration!

To commemorate the event I made my ~~famous~~ Yule Apple Dumplings.

This was my first time making any kind of dough, so it was a bit of an experiment. I'm a pretty tough critic when it comes to things I make, but overall I think they came out pretty well!

And don't even get me started on the Yule celebration. It was amazing! We hung out:

Shared gifts:

Had a nice jam session:

And generally made fools of our selves:

So overall it was a very fun night! After awhile we headed outside (despite the cold and the rain), cast a circle, called the quarters (I called fire, of course) and did some chanting and dancing and had a really great time!

I was cold, wet and exhausted. Definite signs of a good time and a great celebration!

Holiday Cray

2011-12-18T21:50:00.000-05:00

I don't even know what's going on around here anymore. The gifts! Gifts everywhere! Christmas! Yule! Attica!

Don't get me wrong, I'm a pretty bitchin' friend. But I've never been a big gift giver, at least not around the holidays. Sure, I'll drop a fiver in the Salvation Army bucket, no problem. And I usually try to find something nice for gamma and my close friends. But, honestly, beyond that y'all are on your own. So imagine my surpreeze when I found myself buying gifts for everyone and the cousin Jimmy this year!

It all started with Chapter One. You all know about my book group, Chapter One, right? I mean you should, I've talked about it enough. Anyway, Every year we do a Book Swap; we all draw names and try to find books for the person belonging to the name we drew. This year, I got Dustin (I'm aware none of you know who that is, just go with me on this). Now, normally, I'd ask my good friend Eli what I should get the big D-Man. But everyone always does that, so Eli always knows who get what and there's never any surprise for him. So, I decided to abandon recklessly and try to find Dustin a gift myself. Luckily, I happen to know he's a big fan of the Conan series. I found out that the guy who wrote the Conan series also wrote this old collection of horror stories, and wham bam thank you ma'am, my gift practically bought itself. I had a non-Chapter One friend order it, and found an old copy of Call of the Wild in case it didn't arrive in time.

Now, to be frank, this would pretty much bring me to my gift quota of the year. But I was possessed! The spirit of the holidays had a firm grip on my nethers and t'wasn't letting go! So, I bought a few old copies of Misery and Gerald's Game (my top two Stephen King books) and gave them to Eli. By this point I was hooked, jonesing for the gift giving high that was so foreign to me.

So I bought gamma a new toaster. I thought it would be hard to top the new deep fryer/Decepticon that I got her last year. But then I laid my eyes on the shiny chrome surface of the toaster I got her and I knew I was set. But just to be safe I got her a scented candle. By this time my gift giving addiction had taken me to new heights; I was so high I was on the moon, man.

Now, I'm sure you all know that I'm in a Pagan study group slash little baby coven. We decided that, for Yule, we would have a Secret Santa. I may or may not have suggested it. I just needed a fix, man, who are you to judge me. But, anyway, my demons got their pound of flesh. I ordered my recipient's present and started a super secret group present that I simply couldn't go into more detail about.

I was beginning to panic at this point? Who else was there? Who else on the face of this Earth could I feasibly give a present to? I mean, I love all of you guys, but most of you live on Mars or in Minnesota or something like that. I can't catapult presents to most of you guys, much as I'd like to try. I was also running out of money. I'd only allowed myself a small budget, because I knew myself well enough to know I'd probably go overboard with this. And then it hit me! Alexis! My dear friend Alexis has had some really frightening health scares lately, and I knew just what to give her to try and lift her spirits. I can't go into details, because she may or may not be reading this, but trust me, chums. This will be the coup de grâce that my addiction needs. And really, it's probably for the best. Last night I woke up in a cold sweat, my bed covered in wrapping paper and tape.

Jon the Baker: This Sh!t is Cray Cray

2011-11-22T10:41:00.001-05:00

Aw yeah bitches, line up cuz y'all bout to get serrrrrrrrrrrrrrrvvvved. Actually, since all of the pictures I'm about to show you are about a month old, there's not a lot left to serve to any of you. But w/e let's get this shizow on the rizoad

I recently joined the American Sign Language club, and I was informed we were having a super special awesome bake sale. We were trying to raise money for a trip to Gallaudet University, the Deaf university.

I really wanted to go, so I decided to do my part and provide some baked goods.

First, cupcakes. Urrbody loves cupcakes.

So this hot mess turned into these

sexy ass chocolate cupcakes.

And then they started multiplying.

And multiplying.

And next it was time for some sweet vanilla to balance out the rich chocolate.

Once again, cupcakes started piling up!

And next came the scary part, the icing and sprinkles. I'd never actually made cupcakes before, let alone iced them, so this was uncharted territory. But, luckily, they seemed to turn out alright!

And next came to rapping. Er, I mean wrapping. The rapping took place later in the bathroom mirror.

And ta da! Roughly four hours after starting I had a plethora of cupcakes ~~for all~~ for all paying customers!

Next, I decided to make brownies! But I decided not just any brownies would do, so I added some cinnamon and other secret spices to the batter. I was a little nervous because I knew the cinnamon would dry dat shit out, so I added some extra milk and vegetable oil.

And ta da! Don't mind the bunt edges, for some reason our oven always burns the edges in with this kind of thing.

So next I just had to trim the edges, wait for everything to cool, ice the whole mess, cut it into individual servings and wrap it up!

All in all this whole endeavor took about six hours. I was pretty dazed after I was done, but I was pretty proud!

And the next day I headed to school at an ungodly hour and helped set everything up. I was quite impressed with what we managed to pump out.

And look at the faces of these satisfied customers!

That last lady didn't actually know I was about to take her picture.

But anyway! I hope you all have an amazing Thanksgiving, chums! Merry Turkey Day to all and to all a great feast!

Fear

2011-11-14T10:33:00.001-05:00

Good news: The social work program is coming to OU-C!

Bad news: The program isn't open to everyone. It isn't even first come first serve, you have to apply to get in. Only thirty people will be accepted into the program, and according to my advisor this makes it extremely competitive.

This is absolutely terrifying.

In Ohio, you can't practice social work without a social work license. You can't get a social work license without a bachelor's degree in social work. You can't get a bachelor's degree in social work from OU-C unless you're accepted into this allegedly extremely competitive program.

I don't know, maybe this wouldn't have been such a shock if I had known from the beginning that the program would be competitive. But when I started taking classes here three years ago, there wasn't any social work bachelor's degree, competitive or otherwise. After three years of waiting and hoping it's finally here but I still might not get into it.

If I don't get in this first time I'll have to wait two years to apply again. My adviser, Saint Barbra Mahaffey, told me all of this he other day. I sat there in her uncomfortable chair after a half an hour of waiting, and I just felt the air go out of my proverbial balloon. I've tried so hard the entire time I've been here. But all I can think of is that damn Intro to Social Work class, which I now have to re-take if I want into the program. I knew that syllabus like the back of my hand, I knocked every project out of the park, and that bitch of a professor still gave me a D. Maybe if I'd just shut up and let her go unchallenged when she said a woman shouldn't have the right to get an abortion without the father's consent, maybe then I would have passed. And all I can think of is my first Math 102 class. I'd worked through the summer quarter that year, so I'd been going sixteen months in a row. I know I didn't give my best effort in that class, and what if it comes back to haunt me?

I don't mean to be melodramatic, but if after three years I don't get what I've been working so hard for it'll crush me. I just can't deal with this so close to finals.

Shave-o-ramA Update

2011-11-09T21:45:00.000-05:00

I've been asked if I have cancer twice (both times by women).

I've been asked if I was protesting something.

I've been told I look good.

I've been told I look silly.

It's been a really interesting week, y'all. But I'll keep my stubbly head held high and keep you updated!

Commitments Shmommitments

2011-11-06T17:17:00.001-05:00

I have this problem. I can't commit to a lot of things. I try, really I do. I try taking up hobbies or joining new groups and the like, but somehow it always seems to backfire. Like NaNoWriMo. I'm trying to get into it, to force myself to commit. I think I'm supposed to have written about 5,000 words by now? I think I've written like 300.

And No Shave November, I tried my darnedest to commit to that. I thought it would be easy, I only have to not shave for thirty or so days. How hard can that be?

Oh.

Kate, you're a terrible influence.

Samhain '11

2011-10-31T22:19:00.000-04:00

I'm a very social creature. I have no problem with some alone time, but personally I prefer being around other people. Maybe it's herd mentality, I don't know. All I know is for as long as I can remember groups have been my bread and butter.

So when it comes to my religion, naturally I want to practice with others. And I've tried. Several times. I can remember at least three attempts, each ending in spectacular failures and a hurt heart from yours truly. So when, a few weeks ago, an old friend of mine and I began discussing the possibility of starting a Pagan-ish study group, I was cautiously optimistic. We've met twice, so far, and it's pretty great. There are five of us, and we seem to have connected wonderfully. And then comes Samhain.

We planned to meet on Samhain and have our first group ritual. I was flipping my proverbial shit with excitement. But then I found out via Facebook that no, we haven't known each other long enough, we're not ready, etc. I understand the arguments logically, but all I could think is "another group bites the dust." I'm a fire spirit. I need to go and dive in headfirst and see what happens. If I had my way we'd probably be an established coven by now. And, logically, we're not ready for that. So, yes, I understand that it's best we wait. The group is still solid. We're meeting soon to establish some group belief systems or some such. But golly gee I wanted to celebrate Samhain with some other people tonight.

But, being the plucky protagonist I am, I wouldn't let my melancholy get me down! I made myself a list of things to do and by golly I did 'em! I made myself a costume:

Inspired by everyone's favorite side-character from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Derpy Hooves.

Bitchin', I know.

Then I set about making myself ~~a meal~~ a Samhain feast! Since (for some reason or another) apples and potatoes are both symbols of Halloween, I thought it only natural to make a Baked Apple and Potato... Loaf? I don't know exactly what it's called... But anyway, here are some pictures!

First things first, the potatoes go into a pan with some onions and some olive oil.

Then come the apples.

And this... mixture. It's made of corn starch, apple juice, beef broth and allspice. Don't ask why.

After the potatoes and onions bake for about half an hour, in go the apples and everything else!

And ta-da! A surprisingly delicious feast in about an hour! It got gamma's seal of approval.

And mine!

(Those are our chewing faces, btw. We're not having seizures.)

So it's been a pretty busy day for us here on the ranch. And once I publish this I'm going to have a nice meal (saving a place for the departed, of course) and have a nice solitary ritual. It'll be swell, I'm sure.

I hope you all have a wonderful Halloween/Samhain/whatever this night means to you. Merry Samhain to all, and to all a good fright!

The Month Without Computer; or, The Dark Days

2011-10-21T16:13:00.002-04:00

Let's take a stroll, shall we? A stroll through time, into the past.

It is now one month ago. Or three and a half weeks, somewhere in that ballpark. What are you, a time Nazi?

So it's about three and a half weeks ago. I'm laying in my bed, Skyping lazily with some internet friends. We're just hanging out, not accomplishing much, and all of the sudden my laptop, the Batcomputer as I like to call it, alerts me that it has come unplugged. My battery life sucks (like, maybe half an hour's worth of suck), so I leap into action at once. Well, I don't actually "leap." I mean, who am I? Jumpman? No. I'm not.

I look over to where I had plugged in the Batcomputer, and what do I see? It's still plugged securely into the wall socket. Puzzled, I followed the wire to where it connected to the laptop, and became even more puzzled. The power port was still connected to the battery cord, but it was no longer in the Batcomputer. The power port had fallen out of my laptop.

At this point my entire brain began screaming.

I don't know much about technology, but I know most things need power to make them go. And without its power port, the Batcomputer wouldn't be able to go vroom and take me to the internet land.

In a matter of minutes, my already low battery died and the Batcomputer's screen faded to black. It was all very cinematic.

All in all I think I handled it pretty well.

I immediately called a computer repair shop and made an appointment for the next morning. One super awkward meeting and a lifetime's worth of technical jargon later, I was informed it would take a while for things to go vroom again. Many manly tears were internally shed.

So the month dragged on. I used my crappy old computer that overheated every five seconds. I went to class. I read some stuff. I made some new friends. It's all a bit hazy, to be honest. But of course the one time a ton of interesting things happen to me I can't blog about them. I'll be catching you all up on all of that over the next few weeks, don't worry (I assume you were worried for a second).

And then, yesterday, oh glorious day, the Batcomputer was fixed. And I sit here with it now, typing away. Everything is all better.

I'll talk to you all soon, chums. I'm overcome with emotion, It may be the vapors. Or it could be that smoke coming from the oven. Was I cooking something in there? Oh, who cares, Batcomputer's back!

Show Me Your Books!

2011-09-19T10:53:00.001-04:00

I've had this idea for some time, but up until now it never occurred to me to post it here. Basically, I'm fascinated by the books people keep in their homes. What do your bookshelves look like? Do you even have bookshelves? Or are you more of a books-scattered-about-the-floor kind of person? I don't know why, but this just intrigues the heck out of me.

I will, of course, be showing off my personal bookshelf.

I think that's every book I own. I have a few double copies and old textbooks, which I keep on a shelf in my closet. These are books I have read / am going to read. There's no particular rhyme or reason to my shelving strategies... The second shelf is my Stephen King shelf (although for the sake of space I've had to put a few non-King books on it), and I tend to put my big collected works on the bottom shelf because they're so heavy (my Complete Works of Jane Austen, Complete Chronicles of Narnia, Complete Shakespeare, that sort of shiz). Other than that it's just sort of first come first serve.

What do you think? What do my shelves say about me? Have you read any of the books on my shelves?

And now it's your turn! Make a post showing off your shelves, and link me to it in the comments! Or, if you're not a blogger yourself, put a picture up on Facebook and link me to it, or just email it to me. Whatever works for you works for me!

I would absolutely love to see what you guys are into!

Review of Jen's Slonder Lawlipops

2011-09-12T12:39:00.000-04:00

As I'm sure many of you know, I have several odd passions. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, cheesy horror movies, Homestuck, just to name a few. My interests might not exactly make "sense," but I am quite passionate about them. But above them all, I love me some Slender Man. My tumblr is about ninety percent slondermin (with a healthy sprinkle of Sigourney Weaver and Golden Girls thrown in for flavor). So naturally, when I found out my tumblr pal Jen was a savant when it came to making Slender Man-themed candy, I leaped at the chance to sample her treats.

Within a week, my order arrived from her shoppe.

Five suckers arrived in total, but gamma snatched one up before I could get a picture of it. The suckers have three different designs:

One for TribeTwelve, featuring the Observer symbol:

One for EverymanHYBRID, featuring the EMH logo:

And, of course, one for MarbleHornets, featuring the Operator symbol:

First of all, the suckers are gorgeous. Jen could basically open up a professional candy store tomorrow with this kind of skill. And don’t even get me started on the taste.

I’ve only eaten one of the Marble Peppermint’s myself, but I can genuinely say my mouth spontaneously orgasmed after my first lick. My grandma had one of the Cotton Candy Hornets, and she had nothing but good things to say about it!

In short, every single one of you should go to Jen’s shop and buy all of her stuff.

I give this candy five out of five Rakes!

Yay indeed, Slender Man.

Takin' a Stroll

2011-09-02T15:30:00.000-04:00

I've often mentioned the cemetery near my house, but until now I've never been able to show it to any of you. Now that I have my fancy new camera, I decided it was time I took another stroll through Greenlawn.

Ah, Greenlawn! There's never a dull moment here. Look at the variety of tenants!

And the lush vegetation!

And the sad/creepy amount of graves assigned to children!

You wand flags? They got flags. They're all about flying their colors.

The headstones themselves are amazing. Some tell a life story;

Some keep it basic;

Some don't say anything at all;

And some say

just

enough.

Because Greenlawn is so large, many of the older headstones have fallen into disrepair.

Some have it worse than others.

But even the old ones have stories to tell, if you know where to look.

Chillicothe isn't exactly a wealthy metropolis, so many of the graves are simple.

While others are unique, to say the least.

Bible carved out of stone, like a boss.

Some hurt your heart when you look at them.

And others can be comforting in one way or another.

After I finished my stroll through the cemetery, I journeyed over to my great grandmother's house. I always get a little sentimental in graveyards, so I felt like visiting my granny for a bit.

Much to my surprise, when I arrived at her house I found gamma's car out front.

Inside, amongst various plants,

pictures,

and trinkets,

Sat old Grandma Doyle, not exactly feeling like herself.

Gamma and I sat with her for a while.

And then we made our way home.

I saw quite a bit on my little stroll, and thanks to the magic of technology, I'm able to share it all with you!

Birthday Extravaganza

2011-08-19T10:20:00.000-04:00

For some unknown reason, practically everyone I know has a birthday in August. I'm turning 20 on the 22nd. My oldest sister turned... Uh... 18 earlier in the month (yeah, 18 should be a safe number). And, more importantly for all of you, my friend Kaila recently turned 21. Since I have ~~little to~~ no enthusiasm for my own birthday, I thought I should whip out some enthusiasm for my friend's special day.

She recently got her driver's licence, so we decided to go an odyssey of epic anticlimacticism. We had originally planned to go to Lion's Den, the local porn hub, but because of their prudish hours we got there too late. So we decided to do what any youngsters would do on a Friday night; we went to Wal-Mart to get bread.

Luckily for all of you I recently got myself a fancy ass camera, so you get to see the experience firsthand!

As you can clearly see, I'm a master photographer. Now let this be the last mention of birthdays around these parts!

The Fridge is Dead, Long Live the Fridge

2011-07-28T00:01:00.000-04:00

In a very exciting turn of events, gamma and I got a new fridge!

We signed up for this cray cray energy saving program, and we were told we'd get a brand new, energy efficient refrigerator in exchange. Keep in mind, this was over six months ago. We'd kind of given up hope on ever actually getting the fridge, but then about a week ago we got a phone call and ta-da! New fridge!

Our old fridge was pretty good, all things considered.

It was older than me by a year, which makes it twenty, which makes it half way to forty, which makes it half way to eighty, which is basically knocking on Death's door, so I mean really once you hit twenty your life is over and oh man I'm gonna be twenty next month oh no please no not that

But, uh, moving on. The new fridge.

I can't help but compare it to Fridgetus I. Sure, it's energy efficient, but it doesn't have an egg compartment. Or a place for ice . Cheap ass Sears didn't even through in a complimentary set of ice trays, much to gamma's disbelief.

I guess it's pretty, but I'm not terribly impressed just yet. I'll keep you posted.

Missy

2011-07-24T00:01:00.000-04:00

Oh, whoops, sorry! Wrong Missy! The Missy I'm referring to is a stray cat gamma's taken a liking to. Yeah, apparently we have a cat now. Outta nowhere, right?

From what I've been able to glean, gamma noticed Missy about a week ago. She was just chillaxin in the middle of our yard with two kittens, generally not givin' an eff. A few days later, gamma spotted her again, this time with three kittens. When we had Bleu, we bought him a dog house because he liked to be outside so much. Gamma's postulating that Missy moved in who knows how long ago, had her kittens and just doesn't feel like leaving.

Now, normally, gamma would call the pound and just be her usual ironbitch self (I say that in the most loving way possible). She just doesn't have a lot of patience for things like that. But all on her own, she went out and bought cat food and now I guess we have a cat.

I'm honestly not sure how I feel about this. I can't help but think of Lone Star, the stray Shiba Inu I met and fell in love with when I volunteered at a food bank last winter. Gamma wouldn't let me bring him home. But a cat shows up and gamma's ancient ice cube of a heart melts in a matter of seconds.

Not to imply that I don't like Missy. Just the opposite! For a while my sleep schedule was pretty messed up, so I was sleeping all day and never actually saw the cat. Then the other day gamma asked me to take her out some food and change her water and all of that. At that point I was pretty sure gamma had an A Beautiful Mind thing going on and Missy wasn't actually real (spoiler alert).
,
I took out the food and nothing really happened, so I brought in the water bowl and filled it up. When I brought the bowl back, there she was in all her feline glory. Not wanting to startle her and ruin our first meeting, I froze. She let out a warning hiss, and won my heart. What a bad ass bitch. She doesn't care if I'm the one feeding her, if I get too close she'll let me know. She effing gets it. She's a single mother, probably less than a year old, terribly malnourished. You think she cares? Missy don't care, Missy's a bad bitch. What a spitfire. I'm quite fond of her.
,
I snapped one horrible picture of her with my webcam, after I'd set down the water and retreated back into the house. Look at this badassery:
,

,
Walkin' away like it ain't even a thing. What a badass.
,
As for the kittens, turns out there are five. Three are dark grey, one is light grey and one is a sort of dirty orange color. That's unexpected, considering Missy is a brown/grey tabby. I've named the kittens Ash, Ginger Grant, Blackey, Blackey 2 and Blackey 3, respectively. I've only recently met Blackey 2 and Blackey 3, so I haven't had time to give them better names. They're still nursing, but they can walk and basically follow Missy everywhere. Unless, of course, they're asleep, in which case I don't know where the eff they are. Earlier Missing was nursing them in the middle of the yard, so I ran off to get my laptop so I could snap a picture.
,

,
What badasses.

Don't Call it a Comeback

2011-07-20T02:15:00.000-04:00

I been here for years, rockin my peers and puttin suckas in fear, makin tears rain down like a monSOOOOOOOON.

Ahem.

Now that things are back in motion (sort of) around these parts, I'm pleased to say that ARGtH has won its first award! It's the "Your Blog is Super" award, courtesy of everyone's favorite writer, lover and witch, Diandra!

As per usual, the award comes with a few rules attached. Basically, you've got to display it on your blog and pass it along to five other bloggers.

Since there's no strict criteria that I'm aware of, I'm picking five bloggers I just feel like giving an award to. My recipients are:

I hope you all have fun with your awards, and thanks again to Diandra!

The Fancy Gentleman's Guide to Going Out

2011-07-16T23:37:00.004-04:00

Why hello there, chums! As everyone knows, fancy gentlemen, like myself, often "hit the town," as they say. Like most things a fancy gentleman does, going out requires quite a bit of preparation. In this handy little blog entry, I'll take you on a step-by-step journey from slob to snob!

Step One: Wake Up

With summer in full swing here in the US, it's natural to devote ~~most~~ a lot of your time to sleeping. But, if one is to look one's best. So disregard your necessary twenty hours of beauty sleep and wake up on time!

Ahem. I said, WAKE UP.

You're going out today, remember?

Right! So we've got a lot of work to do! I mean, look at yourself!

We've clearly got a lot of work ahead of us! You do want to look your gentlemanly best, right?

Alright then!

Step Two: Shave That Shit

As we discussed in our last Gentleman's Guide, no one likes to look at a scruffy scruffington! So shave your face, Hoboken!

Excellent!

Step Three: Get Rid of That Weave

While having long hair does make you look suave, dashing, mysterious and handsome in general, there comes a point when the clippers have got to be brought out. So get to it!

Acceptable!

Step Four: Be Able to See

Nothing gives away inner-ungentlemanly-ness like squinting everywhere. Since you're myopic as all get out, we've got a bit of a problem on our hands. Contacts make you want to vomit and you're too poor to even walk into a laser treatment facility, the only alternative left is to get new glasses!

Here, try these on! They'll accentuate your eye color.

Lovely!

Step Five: Dress the Part

Don't get me wrong, paint-smeared polos with holes in them are great for lounging about the house. But when one goes out on the town, one must shake things up a bit. Try these on for size!

,
Oh man, someone's gettin' some dick tonight!
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And it's as simple as that! By doing a total overhaul on your formerly hideous exterior, we've made you visually acceptable! Wasn't that easy?

Yurr Two Ya Dig

2011-06-13T01:40:00.002-04:00

This week marks two years of me living with gamma.

Sure, the years themselves have been kinda shitty, but the living with gamma part has been great! Well, most of the time.

Before I moved in with everyone's favorite curmudgeon, I lived with my parents. I like to refer to them as Jo Mama and Fly Daddy Steve. This is a picture of the three of us:

I think I was trying to be a pirate, I don't know. But there's definitely a family resemblance! Well, I mean, ya know, as much as a kid can resemble the people who adopted him. My mom is actually my maternal aunt though, so we are technically related. If you look too hard at the branches of my family tree it all just sort of runs together.

I've mentioned my parents from time to time, but I don't like to bring 'em up too often. I don't know how they'd feel about anecdotes revolving around them popping up on a ramshackle blog. Gamma tolerates it, but I know if she knew how to turn on a computer this blog would be deleted in a heartbeat. A very slow, seventy-one-year-old-with-high-blood-pressure heartbeat.

They're good people, my parents. They've got their issues, but they're alright. I love them, but I can't be around them for too long. Our personalities form a most awkward soup if allowed to simmer together.

A few days after I graduated from high school (all of those years ago), I moved in with gamma. We hadn't spoken for a hot minute, so the first few days were uncomfortable. Have I told you all about the feud? I feel like I've mentioned it before. Much like the Hatfields and McCoys of yore, the Wardells and Morgans have a long standing feud (only with less killing). Gamma was on one side, my parents were on the other. Since I lived with them at the time, I was on their side too. But then, suddenly, I was on gamma's side.

It was awkward. We didn't quite know each other. Billy and Max were there to help us through, but I still spent a lot of the first few months in ~~the guest room~~ my room. Eventually the tension thawed and we got a feel for each other. And we've been inseparable ever since!

No, really. Neither one of us can go anywhere. But that's the way we like it.

Things haven't been great lately. Not gonna lie. But we'll get through it together. This too you shall not pass, or something like that.

2011-06-07T12:36:00.001-04:00

Billy, Max, Penny and Bleu. I've got myself quite the collection.

Gamma decided Penny and Bleu had to go back to the shelter. They weren't what she'd had in mind; she'd wanted another Max and Billy. They would just lay around the house all day, come to you when they wanted outside or petted. They were perfect. They were perfect because they were old. Penny's one, Bleu's two. They're too young to be perfect.

There were accidents in the house. There were teeth marks and claw marks and a torn up window screen. That's the one that did them in.

I couldn't change her mind. I tried.

Blog's going down for a while. My muse isn't singing at the moment.

2011-05-28T00:05:00.002-04:00

Red Sky at Morning

Art Teacher: Psst! Jon! Are you having a good time?

Me: ...

Art Teacher: Jon! It's me, Margaret!

Me: Hmm? Were you addressing moi?

Art Teacher: Yeah! Isn't this -

Me: Please, address me by my propper name.

Art Teacher: ... Jonathon?

Me: Ĵöñåȶḥøŋ Ẩṋᶑȑệⱳ Ẃąɍȡḕɬļ~Ṁơɼǥảȵ

Art Teacher: Oh, wow. I don't think I've ever heard those sounds come out of a human being before.

Me: It's my propper artist name. What's wrong? Too avant-garde for ya?

Art Teacher: Jon -

Me: Too Dalí for ya? Too Caillebotte? Too Helvetica?

Art Teacher: Jon -

Me: *artsy glare*

Art Teacher: *sigh* Ĵöñåȶḥøŋ, I think all of this is going to your head a little. Dalí and Caillebotte were technically avant-garde artists, but the proper terms to describe their styles are Surrealism and Impressionism, respectively. And Helvetica isn't even avant-garde, it's just hipster-chic.

Me: Don't get all teachery on me, Blanche.

Art Teacher: For the last time, Jon, my name isn't Blanche! Just because I'm from the south you lump me together with a bunch of belles that I have nothing in common with!

Me: For the last time, Margaret, my name isn't Jon. Jon is dead. I am reborn. I am Ĵöñåȶḥøŋ.

Art Teacher: Sweetie, just because you put a bunch of little twists and loops on the letters on your name, that doesn't make you avant-garde. Just because your painting is hanging in this gallery, it doesn't make you a famous artist. Don't get me wrong, this is super exciting and you should be very proud! But don't let it go to your head, okay?

Me: Maybe you're right... I guess it's a good thing we had this talk now.

Art Teacher: Oh?

Me: I was about five minutes from getting my Orlan on.

She started to comment, then stopped herself and just walked away. I understand.

But hey, my painting's in a gallery!

In Which I Turn My Dog into a Pinup Girl

2011-05-25T21:08:00.001-04:00

I slam my coffee down on the table and stare into her copper eyes. The jewels in her collar reflected the light coming from the single bulb in the ceiling.

"Where is he, Penny?"

Her tongue lulls out of her mouth as she pants nervously. "I don't know what you're talking about..."

"You know damn well what I'm talking about, Penniquá. Where's Bleu?"

"What makes you think I know? We aren't even that close! We've only lived together a month!"

"Bull! Your cells were across from each other in the pound and you do everything together! Yesterday I saw you cleaning his ears while he scratched your back. You're like freaky little conjoined twins!" I raise my voice to show her I mean business.

She flinches and starts gnawing on the edge of the interrogation table.

"Penny, if you don't help me now things could get bad for you."

She glares at me, thinking she's about to call my bluff. "What are you gonna do, stop feeding me? Yeah, right. Like your conscience would let me suffer. You've got nothing to use against me!"

"That's where you're wrong, Pretty Penny." I open the dossier I'd brought in with me. One by one, I pull out the pictures.

Penny's eyes grew wider and wider as I continued. "Where..."

"Where did I get these? Come on, Penny, you didn't think anyone could forget your little photo shoot, did you?"

"Shut up! That photographer said he had a director friend! He said if I played my cards right I could be in a Purina commercial!"

A single tear slides down her furry cheek as she examines her past transgressions. "Please, if anyone ever saw these..."

"You'd be labeled a trollop, the laughingstock of the dog park. You don't want that, do you?"

"You're a terrible person."

I glare at her.

"Fine," she finally relented. With a sigh, she continued. "He's in the backyard. We've dug a series of tunnels under the bushes by the garage, you'll find him there."

Without another word, I leave.

I can't blame Bleu for hiding from me. For the past few days, I'd been planning to shave off his thick outer coat so he wouldn't overheat in the hot Ohio sun. Today was the day.

It took over four hours. I used clippers and scissors, anything I could get my hands on. Said hands were swollen and sore by the time I was done, but eventually I emerged triumphant.

Bleu and I aren't on speaking terms at the moment.

When it Rizains it Pizours

2011-05-04T23:10:00.000-04:00

I'm currently working on a little MS Paintventure that will demonstrate the "rain: pour" phenomenon that keeps popping up in my life. It's a bit of a downer, and it's taking forever to finish. I'm experimenting with new ways to tell stories through pictures, and it's actually been pretty fun. But, much to my surprise, while I was working on this Downer Devon post, the rain: pour bandit struck again! Only this time, it was pouring amazingly great rain.

For the past few months, I've been trying to set up a practicum site. For those of you who aren't familiar with the term, it's basically an internship. Since I'm in the Human Services program at College, my practicums must be human services - related. Last quarter I worked at a food bank near my house, and while that was rewarding, I don't really want to work there again. The point behind practicums is getting your feet wet; you're supposed to dive into human services and make some contacts and get your name out there before you graduate and the need-a-job-pressure sets in. It was nice providing people with food, but my only job at the food bank was stocking shelves and preparing food bags. There was very little client interaction, and that's really what I need experience with.

So, I decided to find myself a new site. I want to be a case worker ~~when I grow up~~, so I thought I could start there. I looked around at all the case management providers in the city, but none of them could take me on. I'll admit, I was a little daunted.

Then, luckily, someone at College suggested getting a job at a local school. Working with guidance councilors, that sort of stuff. I thought this was a wonderful idea, so I jumped on it. I called Chillicothe High School (my school pre-College), but no dice. They've got some sort of shady deal with the University of Dayton, so they can't take on any OU-C students. So I tried Chillicothe Middle School, and still no dice. Finally, I broke down and started trying elementary schools. I was desperate at this point, and working with kids didn't sound too horrifying. The first two or three were a hit and a miss, but at last I arrived at the promised land: Tiffin Elementary. It's all of two blocks from my house, and the principle was more than happy to take me on.

I guess they don't really have guidance councilors at elementary level anymore, so I'd be working on my own. I have to make up a lesson plan kinda thing and I get to set up my own rules about confidentiality and ethics and stuff. It's very grown up. But really I'm not going to be doing anything groundbreaking. I'm going to be the resident Student Mentor (came up with that all by myself *puffs out chest*). I'm going to tell teachers to direct kids that are falling behind or causing trouble to me, and hopefully I can help them get with it. This will probably involve a lot of tutoring, but I think I can handle fourth grade math. I'll be helping the teachers by helping the kids know what the hell they're doing. Thanks to my training at College I'll also be able to work with the Developmentally Disabled kids and I can be a listening ear if the kids need to get something off of their little chests. I'm actually really really excited.

Am I gushing? I feel like I'm gushing. But wait, there's more! I'm getting paid to do this! My advisor knows a lady in the court system, and I'll be working through her to do all of this, so I'm technically a paid intern in the court system. Fist bumps all around.

Now, honestly, I would have been more than happy if the good times had stopped there. But they didn't. My advisor and a social work professor from Ohio State University (College's evil twin) are putting together a mentorship program within the Human Services Technology program (that's what I'm in). Basically, students who have been in the program for a while will mentor new HST students. Between me, you and the internet, these new HST students aren't doing too hot. They're dropping out at an alarming rate, and their etiquette sucks ass.

And I got accepted as a mentor! I'll have to meet with my mentees (don't know who or how many yet) at least five hours a week, and I don't really have any idea what I'll be doing with them. To be honest, I got the email telling me I got into the program all of five minutes ago, and I'm still caught in the afterglow. I'll probably just teach them how to represent OU-C in the workplace and in their classes, how to properly show empathy and build rapport and therapeutic alliances with clients, all that good stuff. I'm pretty excited about this as well. I'm definitely not getting paid, but I think it'll definitely be great practice for the future.

It's raining and pouring, and at the moment I'm loving it, my beloved chums. All that leg trouble was more than made up for by this!

On the Name

2011-05-01T00:01:00.002-04:00

Magaly, everyone's favorite wicked witch, asked me to clarify the blog's new name. And I quote:

Jon love, I've been doing research about your new blog title and there is so much reading. Did something happened that I totally missed? I'm not talking about you changing the name of your blog, you do a great job at explaining it in this post and I think the reasons are lovely. I want to know about the "All Rocks Go to Heaven", would you tell me about it? Maybe write a nice, fleshed out post about the debate?

I totally understand. Other people have asked about the new name, so I thought I might as well explain. I got the name from this:

Click to enlarge

First of all, I'm pretty sure this image was 'shopped. There's a site (I don't have the exact link) that makes church signs like this, and from the shadows it looks like these images were all taken at exactly the same time of day. So I'm ninety percent sure this didn't really happen.

But that's not the point, at least not for me. I love this because it's like some sort of clash between optimism and pessimism. The Catholic church isn't trying to change anyone's mind or make a big deal out of anything, it's just stating what it believes to be the truth. The Presbyterian church is trying to rain on the Catholic church's parade, but the Catholic church isn't havin it. It's standing its ground.

That's kind of what I'm all about right now. When I first started Me vs. College, I didn't really have my own beliefs. Over the past year and a half, through some soul searching and research, I've figured out what I believe and what my opinions about the world are. Through that process I learned a lot about who I am.

So now that I've got my belief ducks in a row (at least for now), I'm all about sticking to what I believe to be true. In this scenario, I'm the Catholic church. I'm trying to state my truth as clearly and honestly as I can. I've gone from trying to figure out what I believe to trying to live by those beliefs.

So that was my reason for choosing this new, seemingly nonsensical name.

Farewell BlogFest; We Knew Ye Well!

2011-04-30T00:01:00.000-04:00

Well, that does it for this year's BlogFest. I want to thank all of the amazing bloggers who helped me out with this: Magaly, Mrs. B., Danni, Kel, Angie, Rita, Nydia, Willow, Pixie, Michel and, of course, Lexa. And thanks to all of you, my beloved chums, for sticking around an tolerating this tomfoolery for a whole month. Fret not, the BlogFest will return next year, bigger and better than ever!

I think that's everything... Oh, wait! I almost forgot, I've got to announce some winners!

The winner of Kel's Aligator Head of Awesomeness is...

Diandra!

The winner of Angie's wascally wabbit is...

Rita!

The winner of Rita's book is...

Magaly!

Thank you all so much!

Change is a Good Thing, Right?

2011-04-29T00:01:00.001-04:00

As you all have undoubtedly noticed, Me vs. College has run its course.

Calm down.

When I started this blog, my identity was, for the most part, based upon being a college kid. It's who I was, the only person I knew how to be. But I'm not a college kid anymore, or, at the very least, I won't be one for long. In June I'll be graduating. I can't be just a college kid anymore.

So, in keeping with the festive spring spirit that's been around these past few weeks, I changed the blog. It was a spur of the moment thing; I'd been thinking about changing the name for a while, but I hadn't made any serious decisions. But spring is a time for change, for new growth and new life. So, I went with my gut and switched things up. I came across the name idea while I was idly trolling around the web, and I like it. I don't know why, but I really like it.

I can't promise a ton of changes are going to be coming with this new name. I'm not really thinking of this as a fresh start, so much as the next chapter in a pleasant little book. I'm still the same old me, and I'll probably still write in the same old way. But that's okay, right? I mean, we've got to start with baby steps. I can't just go nuts and start gettin all stream of consciousness up in your faces.

We'll see what happens!

Guest Post by Pixie of Pixie's Musings

2011-04-28T00:01:00.001-04:00

Okay so Spring has sprung here in the UK and I have to admit its more like summer, these past couple of weeks have been amazing and I already have a tan lol The BBQ's have been going all weekend and next weekend its the Royal Wedding - yay! Although I can appreciate theres lots of people arent too bothered about it I for one am looking forward to the extra days holiday.

I am getting ready for our Beltane celebrations, I have made a small maypole for my altar and have also made a ribbon catcher, its along the same lines as a wind catcher but handmade with ribbons in very bright colours and I like to get the boys involved too, they love anything arts and crafts.

We have been taking walks on the beach with the boys collecting shells and unique looking pebbles and so I have placed our favourite on the altar and will charge it with my intentions before the celebrations.

Hopefully this beautiful weather will continue and we can have a BBQ in the garden with some spring salad, home made bread and lots of laughter, I love celebrating my festivals with the family it raises the vibrations and makes life feel good. How do you all like to celebrate? I tend to find around the festivals that I cvelebrate them rather than performing any big rituals, I leave those for the day before or the day after as I like to enjoy the actual day.

Here's to a long hot summer filled with lots of love, laughter, good friends, good wine, good home grown food and brilliant weather. I have no vacation plans this summer yet, maybe we will take off for the week somewhere to kick back and enjoy ourselves, hope whatever your plans are they will be filled with all the things that make you appreciate the small things in life.

****

You can find Pixie at her blog, Pixie's Musings

Eighth BlogFest Giveaway!

2011-04-27T00:01:00.002-04:00

Rita, author of this great guest post, is sponsoring a giveaway! She's giving away a copy of her new book, More Flashes from My Mind, sequel to her first book, Flashes from My Mind.

To be entered into this giveaway, write me a check for a million dollars. Oh, whoops! I meant be a follower and leave a comment telling me you want in. Yeah, that's what I mean....

Anyway, for extra chances at winning, you can:

Follow Rita's blog, Writer's Quest

Follow Rita on Twitter

Like Rita's page on Facebook

Have the BlogFest button on your blog

Tell me about your favorite book ever

This giveaway will be open until the 30th, when the BlogFest will have run its course. I wish you all the best of luck!

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

Seventh BlogFest Giveaway!

2011-04-26T00:01:00.001-04:00

For our penultimate giveaway, Angie's giving away one of her handmade, one-of-a-kind bunnies! These guys are adorable, and the perfect symbols of Spring.

This is the fine fella you could win:

To be entered into the giveaway, you should ________. If you filled in that blank with "be a follower and leave a comment saying you want in," you're correct!

For extra chances to win, you can:

Be a follower of Angie's blog, Lilac Wolf and Stuff
Like LWaS on Facebook
Follow Angie on Twitter
Have a BlogFest button on your blog
Tell me about your fondest memory involving a stuffed animal

This giveaway will end on the 30th, the last day of this year's BlogFest. I wish you all the best of luck!

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

And the Fifth Winner is....

2011-04-25T13:19:00.000-04:00

The winner of Willow's custom order is...

Danni!

Congratulation! And remember everyone, there are going to two more giveaways, in addition to Kel's, which is still ongoing. So you have three more chances to win something!

Guest Post by Angela of Lilac Wolf and Stuff

2011-04-25T00:01:00.003-04:00

First of all I’d like to thank Jon for inviting me to participate.

I see that we are supposed to write about what Spring means to us. I see a lot of talk about rebirth, renewal, flowers, birds, gardens. All that is good, I see that too. But what I also revel in are some endings. The end of shoveling. The end of being cold. The end of being stuck in the house. The end of the stale, recycled air in my house. The lowering of my heating bills, the end of paying for an oil change. Yes, we save money and get to go outside again.

I love taking the boys to the park for hours on end. I bring a book or some crochet, and don’t forget the snacks. The boys play, I do put my stuff down and join them here and there. We all wear ourselves out and just feel better being out in the fresh air all day.

(Deerfield Park’s covered bridge)

As a family we take a weekend hike at Deerfield Park in Mt. Pleasant, MI. There are miles of trails that we can get on and just go let lost in nature for awhile. There are lots of people who use this park, but you can go an entire hike and not see a single person. It’s far enough from town and main roads to be pretty quiet. We have seen snakes, deer and lots of birds out there. And when the weather gets really warm, we all strip down and jump in the river (Chris and I keep swimsuits on – skinny dipping only for the little ones).

So, to me Spring means warming up and getting out of this house which after so many months of winter starts to feel like a prison.

Welcome, Spring – we have missed you!

***

You can find Angie at her blog, Lilac Wolf and Stuff

Sixth BlogFest Giveaway!

2011-04-24T00:01:00.003-04:00

Nope. Your eyes aren't deceiving you. That's a genuine bayou alligator head. And you know what? In addition to doing a kickass guest post earlier this week, Kel from The Monkey Heart Discourses is giving away this genuine New Orleans knickknack.

Spring's all about new beginnings, right? Well, if you win, you can begin a new life with your new gator BFF!

Y'all know the drill by now, if you want in, be a follower and leave a comment telling me to put your name in the running. If you'd like an extra chance at winning, you could:

Become a follower of Monkey Heart Discourses
Like MHD on StumbleUpon
Tell me what you'd do with this beautiful, priceless piece of New Orleans history

A winner will be chosen on the 30th, the last day of the BlogFest. I wish you all the best of luck!

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

Witches in Fiction: The Weird Sisters

2011-04-23T04:17:00.002-04:00

Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn, and cauldron bubble.

No lines are so inextricably linked with the persona of witchcraft than these. Originally published sometime between 1603 and 1607 in William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Macbeth, these lines are part of a dreadful incantation spoken by the Weird Sisters.
,
The Sisters themselves are three old hags, servants of the goddess Hecate and representatives of darkness, chaos, and conflict. They're mainly witnesses of the events of Macbeth, but they play key roles in bringing about those events. In this way they're comparable to the all knowing Fates of Greek and Roman mythology, and the Norns of Scandinavian lore. Shakespeare drew upon all of these sources for inspiration while he was crafting Macbeth.
,
In the original text, the sisters are three in one. They each have their own identities, each going their own way when they need and their own respective familiars (Graymalkin, a cat, Paddock, a toad, and an unnamed hedge-pig). But when they come together, they're one being. Much like the modern Goddess of many Neo-Pagan religions, who is simultaneously Maiden, Mother and Crone.

,
In a nutshell, they are the archetype of the witch (specifically the bad witch, but I digress). These are the big boys ~~girls~~ in witch fiction. These are the HBIC's I mean, come on, who doesn't think of double double toil in trouble every time they cook up a brew?
,

So there's my contribution to Magaly's Witches in Fiction blog party. Three witches in one - the Weird Sisters wouldn't have it any other way!
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I leave you with the Witches full incantation, in all it's wretched glory.
,

Round about the caldron go;

In the poison'd entrails throw.—

Toad, that under cold stone,

Days and nights has thirty-one;

Swelter'd venom sleeping got,

Boil thou first i' the charmed pot!

Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn, and caldron bubble.

Fillet of a fenny snake,

In the caldron boil and bake;

Eye of newt, and toe of frog,

Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,

Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,

Lizard's leg, and owlet's wing,—

For a charm of powerful trouble,

Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.
Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn, and caldron bubble.

Scale of dragon; tooth of wolf;

Witches' mummy; maw and gulf

Of the ravin'd salt-sea shark;

Root of hemlock digg'd i the dark;

Liver of blaspheming Jew;

Gall of goat, and slips of yew

Sliver'd in the moon's eclipse;

Nose of Turk, and Tartar's lips;

Finger of birth-strangled babe

Ditch-deliver'd by a drab,—

Make the gruel thick and slab:

Add thereto a tiger's chaudron,

For the ingrediants of our caldron.

Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn, and caldron bubble.

Cool it with a baboon's blood,

Then the charm is firm and good.

Fifth BlogFest Giveaway!

2011-04-22T14:02:00.003-04:00

It wasn't enough for Willow Silverhorse to do an amazing guest post earlier on in the 'Fest, now she's doing an amazing giveaway too! Willow is fantastic at crafting things like jewelery and candles. You can see some of her creations on her site, A Pagan Prayer, and her Etsy.

These are a few of her coveted Prayer Beads:

For the giveaway, Willow's offering a custom order! Whoever wins will have the chance to own a custom, handmade Willow original. Beads, candles, the sky's the limit!

In order to enter the giveaway, you must be a follower of this blog. Leave me a comment telling me you want in, and you're in! That's it! For extra chances to win, you can:

Favorite Willow's Etsy shop
Follow Willow's blog, Confessions of a Country Witch
Follow Willow on Twitter
Tell me if you've ever used any sort of prayer beads. If so, why?

The winner will be chosen on the 25th. I wish you all the best of luck!

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

Guest Post by Kel of The Monkey Heart Discourses

2011-04-21T09:43:00.001-04:00

Spring Has Sprung, Y'all!

First, let me start off by thanking Jon for asking me to be a part of his guest posts for his Spring 2011 Blogfest! Sheesh, Jon has been nothing but kind in this here blogosphere and I owe him a lot (including a painting) as far as keeping me going in writing my blog. A true gentleman and inspiration!

Of course, by now you all know that Jon as asked us to write about spring and what it means to us, so I thought I would take a moment and share with you what spring has meant for me in the past during my days as a Texan and now what spring means for me as New Orleanian.

You see, growing up in Texas, you know that the weather can be highly unpredictable. You will have picked out a fabulous little Easter sundress to wear for mass and *BOOM*, you get hit with 3 feet of snow. Yes, snow in Texas. I'm not kidding, y'all! I resided in the Panhandle of Texas (the top square part of the state) and the weather patterns coming off the Rocky Mountains always meant you never knew how your day was going to end up, be it snow, sunshine or tornadoes. These sort of unpredictable weather patterns happen pretty much all year long but are extreme-extreme from February through May.

My family never relied on Puxatony Phil as the decider of whether spring had officially sprung. Instead we used the power of Mother Nature!

Usually, the scene would go something like this.

Me: "Mom! It's so cold! I'm so tired of this yucky weather! Aren't we ever going to have spring!?!"

Mom: "Well, the weather man says the Rockies got hit again so I think we've got another cold front moving through."

Me: "But it's April 27th! *Chatter, Burr Shiver* I wonder if the snowballs are blooming!?"

Mom: "You know, I was driving home today and sure enough, the snowballs are blooming! We will be warm in no time! Put some socks on and you wouldn't be so cold!"

You see, when the snowball bushes bloom, the last cold snap has happened and that means that birds and spring can finally get rolling in the Texas Panhandle. I love the snowball bushes. They are not related to hydrangea bushes, but pretty all the same!

Upon arriving in New Orleans, I quickly realized that we weren't dealing with the same kind of spring-has-sprung weather. Warm 80% of the time, New Orleans is a lady of her own extremes. She likes it hot and muggy, and did I mention muggy?

You all must understand, I came from the driest region possible where smiling made your lips crack to a place so wet that I have mushrooms that grow on my kitchen floor. The 80% of the time that NOLA spends making you sweat your butt off means that 80% of the time, you need to be refreshingly cooled off.

New Orleans, like my home state of Texas, uses Sno-Balls as a way to gauge whether spring has indeed sprung. I knew there was a reason why I liked it here so much - we speak the same language!

Seriously, when you have been out and about doing your thing and you need a way to cool off quick, stop off at a Sno-Ball stand here in the city. These aren't the normal snow cones or snowballs in which you are familiar - the syrups are all homemade, many natural. They add fun things like cream ( and by cream I mean he pulled out a pitcher of heavy cream from the fridge) and natural juices like pineapple, apple, and nectar juices, chocolate is a popular selection. The key to these Sno-Balls is that they aren't too sweet. You don't get too much of the sugar overload like the artificial syrups of my youth.

The particular Sno-Ball stand we like to frequent is called Hansen's Sno-Bliz. Seriously, there is always a line out the door, this place has been around for 50+ years and stays open year round. No closing down when school starts for these guys - remember the 80% of the time heat??

New Orleans Sno-Balls are a definite sign that spring has spring because if you are eating a sno-ball in New Orleans, it means you are hot enough to need some cooling off. And we started needed cooling off again back in March.

While the Sno-Balls in New Orleans are more colorful and are meant to refresh and bring joy, I think the snowballs back in Texas bring joy and refreshment to those who need a sign from the heavens that spring is indeed on its way.

Most of all, I think spring is a time of renewal and new beginnings.Time to dust those cobwebs off, get together with friends, smell the roses and enjoy a delicious icy treat in the warm afternoon sun. Spring - the energy of it is contagious if you just take a moment to stop and enjoy.

Have a fabulous Thursday!

****

You can find Kel at her wonderful blog, The Monkey Heart Discourses

Dog Update: Call Me Mr. Sullivan

2011-04-20T23:46:00.001-04:00

This is not turning into a dog blog, I promise. This will probably the last dog update for awhile, because I'm afraid I might be drowning you in dog pics.

But anyway, today Penny made huge improvements. When I took her and Bleu for their walk, her tail was a'waggin and her tongue was a'floppin. She was running under Bleu, trying to trip him and nipping at his ears. She totally came out of her shell. As we were leaving the yard, she even got a drink of water form Bleu's outside water dish (he's outside for hours at a time now, so we thought we should at least make sure he's hydrated). It was the first time I've seen her take big gulps of water like that, and it made me rather emotional. During her first 48 hours living with us, she didn't eat or drink anything (as far as we know). Her dying was a very real fear of mine. Then we figured out that she likes wet food, so she started eating. Now she's drinking.

I don't mean to make comparisons between myself and Anne Sullivan, teacher of Helen Keller, but I think it would be easy for someone to make that connection.

But anyways.

Now I'm sitting in our one armchair, wrapped in my blanket (which Bleu has gnawed a hole through) with Bleu at my feet and Penny laying on the couch to my left. They're both chewing away on raw hides gamma thoughtfully picked up for them at the store. It took Penny a while to figure out that she was allowed to chew on hers, but now she's got the hang of it.

We've also discovered that Bleu is in fact capable of growling. He was chewing his rawhide and I reached down to pat his head, and he let out a snarl that made me pee my pants. I'm not really surprised by this; Billy wouldn't let anyone near what she was eating and/or chewing on (I'm pretty sure this is a common thing with dogs in general). But, happily, he's not super aggressive over his property. He was sitting in the chair with the hide and it fell to the floor, so I picked it up and threw it onto his lap. He didn't react when I touched it, but once it was back in his possession I wasn't allowed to touch.

I think that's about it... I'm just really relieved right now, you know? I think they're gonna be okay.

I proudly present to you Penniqua Proud Wardell (Penny),
and Bleuseph Wolfenstein Wardell (Bleu).

And the Fourth Winner is....

2011-04-20T15:11:00.000-04:00

The Winner of Nydia's beautiful Goddess Doll is....

Anne!

Congratulations! For everyone else, stick around for more chances to win!

Guest Post by Lexa of Cardiac Outbursts

2011-04-19T07:38:00.009-04:00

Hello, followers of the lovely Jon. I hope you're all enjoying the Blog Fest, I know I sure am.

Today is a very special day for me -- it's my golden birthday. I am now 19 today, the 19th. And while I don't have any grand plans or magnificent gift requests in mind, I can feel a sort of maturing happening. Is this what it feels like to grow up? I can remember the past birthdays, the "important" ones.

I can remember the party in 4th grade when my then best friend Liz didn't bring me anything and I was visibly mad, so she took out her GameBoy and gave me her prized and very rare Mew (which later got deleted by my friend's little sister....).

I can remember in 2nd grade when I had ponies in the yard for rides and it was the coolest thing until they left poop on our driveway.

I can remember my 16th birthday, which was supposed to be like MTV, and even though it failed, I knew that the 15 people who showed up were my closest friends, and have remained to be so.

And I can remember my last birthday, when my best friend Shabana completely took me by surprise and came to campus to visit, drove me down to Loyola to pick up my friend Colleen outside a Planned Parenthood (which looked really sketchy...two girls who haven't seen each other in years crying on each other outside Planned Parenthood isn't exactly the best scenario), down to UIC to pick up more friends, and took me out to dinner.

Now this year...how will I remember my golden birthday? Will I even remember it at all, or will it be lost in there somewhere between 4th grade and my 16th birthday?

Which leads me to this: make every day something you will want to remember. This is totally cliche, but as an avid believer of the 2012 prophecy, don't let your time go to waste. Enjoy yourself, give yourself what you want, because no matter what you think, you deserve it. You deserve it just for making yourself get up and out of bed every day, for being in love, for being a mother, for being a student just trying to get by and figure out what you want to do with the rest of your life. As the storms rage on and the flowers bloom, make this spring your golden one.

******
You can find Lexa at her blog, Cardiac Outbursts.

Black Dog Moan; or, Dog Update

2011-04-18T10:58:00.004-04:00

When Penny came home with us, it was pretty clear that she was timid. But in the past few days, we've come to realize how timid she really is. Bleu? He's got this. He's perfectly acclimated.

But Penny? Nope.

She won't move on her own. If you set her on a bed, she's on that bed. She won't leave. If you set her on the couch, she now lives on that couch. She curls up and shakes until she's used to life on the couch, and then she's set. You have to physically pick her up and place her outside if she has to go to the bathroom.

Not that she's had to go to the bathroom. It took her two days to eat or drink anything. She just wouldn't. I would practically shove handfuls of food into her mouth, and she still refused. We thought if we gave her enough time, she would calm down and get into the groove of life here and eat and drink to her heart's content. But, until this morning, that hadn't happened.

So this morning, I decided to take things into my own hands. I tied her leash to the fridge, so she was right next to the food and water bowls. That probably sounds pretty bad. I know.

It took about half an hour for her to finally break down and take a bite. We had dry, soft and wet food laid out before her, and she went for the wet food. And I mean she went for it. She ate an entire can's worth in a matter of moments. So I guess we're going to have to buy dry food for Bleu and wet food for Penny...

We're not used to this sort of stuff, you know? Billy and Max knew exactly what they wanted and weren't afraid to demand it. With Penny and Bleu, we'll have to test different approaches out to see what works with them.

It's going to be a lot of work.
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BTW, this is Penny:
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Guest Post by Willow Silverhorse of Confessions of a Country Witch

2011-04-17T12:51:00.001-04:00

Why I Love Spring Cleaning

Today I have the honor of writing a guest post for Jon. I was actually supposed to have this up way earlier, but with moving and such I completely forgot about this until Jon emailed me last night... So here's what I could whip up in the short time I gave myself :D. I wasn't 100% sure what to write about, I just know it is supposed to be about Spring, so I'm going to tell you guys why I love Spring cleaning.

While most people hate cleaning, me being one (I'm known for hiding out on the internet pretending like I have nothing to do, just to avoid cleaning :D), I do love Spring cleaning. Spring cleaning is good for the soul. Over the winter, windows are closed against the cold, doors are shut tight, cleaning is reserved for only certain times. As Spring starts to slowly poke it's head out, I get a little stir crazy. The house is too much of a mess, the air is claustrophobic, the energy of my home is stale. I anticipate the coming Spring when I can open the windows wide and let in fresh air. When it finally becomes warm enough to do a thorough Spring cleaning, I get so excited!

Spring is a wonderful time, full of hope, new beginnings, changes, and wonder. This is why Spring cleaning is so popular. The very air around you is filled with opportunities. Don't you want your house to feel the same as well? During the winter there seems to be an air of waiting, of something constantly holding it's breath until that certain thing comes around. Spring is the answer to that waiting. When it finally breaks through in all it's wonder, you can feel that something release it's breath in a contented sigh as if to say, "This is what I was waiting for. Now I know everything will be just fine."

That is why I love Spring cleaning. It rebalances the energy in my home, makes the air more comfortable less claustrophobic, and of course, leaves my house shining and spotless ;-). Spring cleaning is instinctual to everyone. It cleanses everything.

*****

You can find Willow at her blog, Confessions of a Country Witch

Big News and Movie Reviews II: The Sequeling

2011-04-16T15:29:00.002-04:00

Now comes the big news.

Yesterday, when gamma picked me up at the movies, she told me we would be going to the local animal shelter tomorrow morning (now this morning). My jaw dropped. I'd wanted a new dog for months, but I hadn't wanted to press the issue. However hard the loss of Max, and then the loss of Billy, hit me, it hit gamma ten times as hard. I thought if I brought up new dogs, it would just remind her of the ones we've lost.

And now here she was, bringing it up all by herself.

We made our way to the Ross County Animal Shelter. I couldn't even handle it. All those dogs in all those pens. So hopeful, hopeful that we would be the ones to get them out. I almost passed out.

Then I saw Bleu.

I needed him. I couldn't leave without him. He's half Husky, half possible Golden Retriever. His fur is matted as all get out. I tried cutting out some of the burrs and clumps myself, but he was not havin it. We're taking him to a groomer Monday (he'll also get neutered there).

Gamma found a dog she wanted, named Penny. I like Penny too, but she's so timid! She's been through something. We're going to have to work a lot with her to make her feel safe and loved here.

She's some kind of Labrador mix. I think she's just kind of her own thing. Her fur's short, so it wasn't matted, but she was very dirty. I gave her a bath, so we're not friends at the moment.

We took them both home, and they've bonded already.

Penny does not like getting her picture taken. Come to think of it, Bleu doesn't like it that much either.

I am very, very happy.

Guest Post by Michel Watson

2011-04-16T00:01:00.035-04:00

Down the winding garden path

In between the heather

Amid the fresh new growing grass

The faeries bring spring weather.

They dance and sing to their delight

To the beat of mother nature

Of restful nights and vibrant days

They leap and soar together.

It is said that it is the dance of the faeries and the joy in their song that awakens the great mother from her deep slumber and brings the new life of spring. That their hearts beat in time with her and they celebrate in its rhythm. I think that at this time of year, it is easy to see and feel the joy of the fey folke and partake in their happiness as the sun’s light reaches out and highlights the fresh greens of new growth.

This is one of the reasons I love spring. I love to see the changes in the world and hear the ever growing voices of the fey as they celebrate the season and rejoice in life. Every time we look out at the world during spring and delight at what we see we are praising the faeries for all their work, for it is their work to celebrate and usher in the season. They love what they do, they enjoy every moment, they relish their place in the cycle and take immense pride in what they accomplish. I think we could all learn a lesson from them at this time of the year by following their example and bringing a little bit of faery joy into our work. Whether our duty is something we choose to do or not, it is easier done if we find a way to enjoy it and the faeries will never pass up a chance to celebrate with us. Ask them and you may be surprised to hear the chime of voices on the wind or the patter of rhythmic feet dancing with you towards your goals.

Spring Blessings

~Michel

***

You can find Michel at her blog, Michel Watson. Also, check out Pumpkins and Toadstools, her former blog.

Big News and Movie Reviews: Part One

2011-04-15T20:15:00.001-04:00

I am not a pop cultural blogger by any stretch of the imagination. My musical taste (I enjoy an evening of Michelle Branch, k.d. lang, Nicki Minaj), my taste in film (I'll never turn down a screening of Labyrinth, Billy Jack and Sister Act) and my taste in television (Golden Girls, Murder, She Wrote and Blood Ties, here I come!) aren't exactly aligned with the popular opinion. But, part of the BlogFest is branching out and trying new things. So, in the spirit of my own event, I'm doing a movie review!

Less than twenty minutes ago, I saw Scream 4. And I just. I mean. I'm dying.

Keep in mind, this is just my opinion. And also keep in mind, I've been a die hard Scream fan since I was seven. Freddy Krueger? Keep him. Leatherface? Return to sender. Michael Myers? Tempting, but I'll pass. Now, you give me some Ghostface, on the other hand, and I'm set for life. In most other slasher franchises, the killer is immortal for some stupid reason. Each new movie is just a new batch of kids getting slaughtered for some stupid reason. They may kill [insert killer of choice here] in the end, but he always comes back for the next sequel (for some stupid reason). I can't get attached to that. There's no point in fighting a killer that apparently cannot be ~~tamed~~ beat.

Enter Ghostface. Ghostface is human, and very mortal. The movies aren't about Ghostface; they're about Sydney and Dewey and Gale. It's about watching them survive and beat the very human killer(s). That's the thrill, and I can get into that.

So, Scream 4. It's opening was absolutely brilliant. The characters (Sydney, Dewey and Gale aside) were a little hard to warm up to. I had this idea in my head that they were going to replace my favorite trio of survivors, so I had a sense of resentment towards them from the get-go. But that resentment was quickly replaced with fear, excitement and absolute bliss.

In short, I absolutely loved Scream 4. In my opinion, it's by far the best Scream sequel. That ending! That friggin' ending! I was so sure I had everything figured out, I knew exactly what was going down. And then BOOM. My entire theory was thrown on its ass. But I was quick on my feet, I thought I had figured it all out again. Nope. Roughly five minutes later my jaw was right back on that dirty theater carpet.

I cannot praise this movie enough. It's smart, scary, modern and incredibly well done. Two thumbs up, five out of five stars, A+.

My heart was already racing when gamma picked me up at the movies. This is where the big news comes in. She dropped a bombshell that made me literally lose my shit (I realized I dropped my phone and wallet in the car after she told me and I started hyperventilating).

But that news, my dear chums, will have to wait until the sequel.

What a twist!

Guest Post by Rita L. Smith - Spring Fever and Monsters

2011-04-14T07:44:00.009-04:00

First I would like to thank Jon for asking me to guest blog today. Jon said that I could post one of my new stories. Don’t worry my stories are flash fiction, which are complete stories in under 1000 words. I thought I’d write a little about spring, since this is the Spring Blogfest and I will end with one of my stories… Since many of you don’t know me, I write about Vampires, Shapeshifters and Witches. You can also follow me under that on Facebook.
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Spring in Ohio is crazy. One day the weather is warm and sunny, the next it is freezing with snow. Sometimes this happens in the same day. But I see signs of lovelier weather. The crocuses, daffodils and forsythia have bloomed. My tulips are getting bigger, though there aren’t any blooms. The days are getting longer. And as my dog will tell you, the birds are coming back. Yes, you read right, my dog lets me know when the birds are out or butterflies or neighbors. Whatever she thinks I might be interested in. I implore you to go outside and get some fresh air, catch that spring fever bug and enjoy!
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Stood Up

by Rita L. Smith

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“How dare he stand me up like that,” Cara said.

“I don’t know what was he thinking by bringing that skank here as he parades around like a peacock?” Jamie said.

Jamie had given Cara an idea… “I’ll teach him a lesson that no one will ever forget.”

“Careful, sister, I know that look!”

“Just watch me Jamie. I’ll show him that he can’t stand me up and then come to my party with someone else.”

Cara found her spell book before she went into her bedroom. She sat on the floor in the middle of her circle, lit a candle and opened the book to the spell she wanted. Cara chanted,

“Peacock proud, peacock strut… I call upon the universe to teach Tony a lesson… Forever lock him into that bird… Always aware, but never free to be himself.”

A wind rushed through the house and screams of terror brought Cara running from her bedroom. Pandemonium had broken out in the tiny little house.

“What happened?” Cara asked.

Tony’s skank pointed… “That used to be Tony. One minute we were kissing… the next minute he turned into a bird.”

Cara looked at the beautiful peacock lying in the corner of the living room and laughed.

“That’s my peacock. He must have flown into the house when the wind picked up.”

“No I saw him change. You have got to believe me.”

Cara shook her head. “I think you’ve had enough to drink for one night. It looks like everyone is leaving and so should you.”

“But…”

“No buts, I am going to call you a cab.”

Once the last guest had left, Cara took Tony outside to the pond and left him there. “I’ll be back to feed you in the morning. There is shelter in the barn if you need it.”

Tony let out the most forlorn sound Cara had ever heard. She could swear it sounded like he was calling for his mom.

*****

You can find Rita at her website, or her blog.

Fourth BlogFest Giveaway!

2011-04-13T09:37:00.001-04:00

Our next wonderful giveaway comes from Nydia. She's giving away one of her Persephone Dolls!

All of Nydia's Goddess Dolls are in very high demand, so this is a great opportunity! And, I can't think of anything more fitting for this 'Fest than Persephone.

To be entered into the giveaway, be a follower and leave a comment saying you want in. For extra entries, you can:

Follow Nydia's blog
Favorite Nydia's Etsy
Follower Nydia on Twitter
Have a BlogFest button on your site
Tell me about your favorite Greek myth

This giveaway will be open until April 20th. Good luck to all of you!

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

Spring Cleaning

2011-04-12T14:42:00.000-04:00

When people think of spring cleaning, they usually think of dusting and vacuuming and mopping. There's nothing wrong with that - take it from me! I'm a master at keeping my domain clean!

Anyway.

While it's definitely important for us to keep our habitats of choice clean, I think this idea can be applied to a lot of different areas. When you're done cleaning up your house, you can go to your local park! Clean up on a larger scale and get some good karma under your belt!

You don't even have to restrict your cleaning habits to the tangible world; How about cleaning up some of that junk we keep in our minds? No matter how many photos we take, no matter what sorts of divination we partake of, we cannot escape the fact that we are creatures of the present. We can't go back to the past, and we can't jump ahead to the future (assuming your name isn't Billy Pilgrim, of course). We exist now.

We cling to so much shit. Every time I made a mistake, I said something I shouldn't have or made myself look foolish, I burnt it into my memory. I used to play my past mistakes over and over in my head. Why? What good did that do? I am not a time traveler, nor am I a time traveler's wife. I can't go back and change what's done. So why should I constantly obsess over it?

I'm not saying we should completely disregard the past; I'm a firm believer in learning from it. But there's a huge difference between learning from the past and torturing yourself with it. Shit happens. We make mistakes. That's what happens when you're a human being. Learn from those mistakes and try your best to improve the present. That's the extent of our power, really.

So this spring, while you're brushing away those cobwebs and packing up your winter wardrobe, try doing some mental spring cleaning. Shovel out all the muck that you've been carrying. As Derek Walcott so eloquently put it, "Take down the love letters from the bookshelf, the photographs, the desperate notes..."

Don't try to be the person you were, be the person you are. Embrace the present, in all its hardship and splendor. It's a pretty great world we have here, if you let yourself enjoy it.

And the Third Winner is....

2011-04-11T10:00:00.001-04:00

The winner of Mrs. B.'s giveaway is...

Daniel!

Congratulations! Thanks to everyone who participated in this giveaway, and stick around! There are more to come!

And the Second Winner is....

2011-04-10T10:00:00.001-04:00

The winner of Magaly's Magic Love Crow giveaway is.....

Lora!

Congratulations!

For everyone else, don't worry! There are more giveaways on the horizon!

And the First Winner is......

2011-04-09T18:51:00.000-04:00

The winner, and proud new owner of my painting, is.....

Lilac Wolf!

Congratulations!

Thanks to everyone who participated, and check out some of the other giveaway that are still open!

Guest Post by Danni of The Whimsical Cottage

2011-04-08T12:00:00.003-04:00

Welcome, Spring!

Spring has always been my second favorite season, right behind Autumn. It's neither too cold nor too hot to be completely comfortable outside and is a period of transition. Counter to my beloved Autumn, which is a transition into death and the dark half of the year, Spring is a time of rebirth and ushers in the brighter half of the year. The Goddess walks the Earth in maiden form once more, bringing beauty through the green and growing things and the God continues to regain his strength. Soon the two will be reunited; blessing the lands with fertility and prosperity.

The Earth is shrugging off the white blanket of winter and beginning to wake up. Trees are beginning to bud, seeds are pushing their way through the toughened Earth to bask in the rays of the warming sun. You can hear the Song of Spring sung by a multitude of birds as they begin to feed and woo each other. The bees are back and buzzing about, fertilization of plant and animal alike takes place and soon there will be babies abounding.

The Earth isn't the only thing awakening right now, I can feel the touch of Spring tapping my inner child on the shoulder, telling her that it's once more time to come out and play. Time to run barefoot through cold grass, to sniff early blooming flowers, to break out the lawn games and invite friends over.

I feel a lightening of spirit and a sort of buzzing in my heart as the sun grows stronger. It's time for this witch to get outside and get her hands in the Earth; to plant and weed, to get dirty and sweaty. It's also time to cleanse and bless the house once more, to throw open the windows and use the renewing energy of Spring to drive out the glum and gloom that's accumulated in the place during the shut-up darkness of Winter.

How does Spring make you feel? What does it mean to you?

You can find Danni at her blog, The Whimsical Cottage.

3rd BlogFest Giveaway

2011-04-07T20:30:00.002-04:00

Our next giveaway comes courtesy of Mrs. B. over at Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom! She's giving away one of her coveted Voodudes™! But this isn't just any Voodude™, this one is a part of Mrs. B.'s new "Spice Grrrrrls" line of mini Voodudes™. You can be the first of your friends to rock this little gal!

But she's not just cute! As their name suggests, each one of the Spice Grrrrrls is made using a specially selected herb (or, in this case, a combination of closely related herbs). This doll contains a mix of orange, grapefruit and clementine peel. As Mrs. B. put it, "Both the color orange and orange peel are said to increase feelings of joy. Orange can also be used to draw love. Clementine is used to draw and keep friendship. Grapefruit aids in purification."

So, needless to say, this is one sweet prize!

Y'all know the drill: To be entered into the drawing, be a follower and leave a comment telling me you want in. For an extra chance at winning, you can:

Be a follower of Confessions of a Pagan Soccer Mom
Favorite Mrs. B.'s Etsy shop
Follow Mrs. B. on Twitter
Tweet about this giveaway
Blog about this giveaway
Tell me who you'd like to use a voodoo doll on

The winner will be chosen on April 11th. Good luck!

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Spring Baby by Birth, Witchy Woman by Will - 2nd Giveaway

2011-04-05T17:40:00.003-04:00

“Moonchild”

by Magaly Guerrero

“Bloody and hairless as it should be, but unnaturally aware.” The wisewoman put our baby in her daddy’s arms.

“It’s midnight on the Spring Equinox,” I said to the being cuddling between my body and her daddy’s. “Happy birth day little witch”.

My husband was happy, but a bit of sadness hid behind his blissful tears. We had 6 sons—all witches. He had nothing against my witchy genes, but I knew he hoped that maybe this time…

“I’ll clean her up for you, deary.” The wisewoman reached for our newborn.

Brand new lungs howled at her.

“Moonchild!” My husband hollered; right before joining our witchy pup on her first Full Moon howl.

***

I wrote this very short story as my answer to a writing prompt that asked “Are you ta baby of your season? Explain in less than 200 words of fiction.”

I read my story after I was done, and people stared at me… in silence. After what seemed like forever someone asked, “You really think you are a werewolf?” To which another witty soul mused, “No idiot! She’s a bipolar witch.”

I was ready to explain the meaning of my story—something I rarely did—when a guy sitting in one corner of the classroom raised his hand. The workshop instructor nodded, and the guy said, “I’m an April baby too. I’m not your typical go-getter, but like those of us born in late April, I like to taste things. I’m spring born, and chef made. Magaly is clearly an early spring baby, and she cares two shits about what anyone else thinks of her; that’s what her story means.”

I didn’t say anything after that; to be honest, I didn’t know that was what my story meant. I was going for ‘I am bold. I wish I wasn’t so hairy. And I’m not afraid to howl at people, even if they might think I’m weird.’ Yet, I liked his interpretation way better than mine. After thinking about it for a while, I summarized my answer in 13 words: I am a spring baby by birth, and a witchy woman by will.

Now, for a chance to win “Spring,” the precious Original Crow Zentangle Aceo by Magic Love Crow—displayed above—please answer this question: Are you the baby of your season? Explain in as many words as you wish. This contest ends April 9th at 11:59pm. A winner will be chosen on April 10th.

For extra entries (worth 1 entry each):

- Blog about the Me vs. College Spring BlogFest (leave a link to your post)

- Tweet about the Me vs. College Spring BlogFest (leave a link to your tweet)

- Write a concise answer, in 13 words

- Follow Pagan Culture, and leave the following comment on Magaly’s April 5th post: “I’m here because Jon’s a Wicked Darling!”

***

Magaly Guerrero is a writer who embraces the darker side of fiction. You can find her at her blog, Pagan Culture. “Moonchild” was first published for Pagan Fiction in 113 Words or Less.

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

First BlogFest Giveaway!

2011-04-03T22:47:00.002-04:00

The very first giveaway of this year's BlogFest comes from yours truly. I'm giving away one of my paintings!

That's right chums, you can have a little piece of me in your very own home! The painting is entitled Rubik's. It's 24"X36", made with acrylic paint on canvas.

To be entered the contest, you must be a follower of this blog and leave a comment saying you want in. That's it! Do that and you have a chance at winning a ~~priceless~~ JMo original.

If you'd like an extra chance at winning, you can:

Blog about this giveaway.
Tweet about this giveaway.
Leave a comment telling me about your favorite painting in the whole wide world.
Be a BlogFest Participant (i.e., have the button somewhere on your blog).

The winner will be chosen on April 9th, one week from today. I wish you all the best of luck!

GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

Spring BlogFest Kickoff

2011-04-01T00:01:00.001-04:00

Hello and welcome, one and all! Welcome to the second annual Me vs. College Spring BlogFest!

This year, and hopefully all the years to come, the BlogFest will be a different affair than last year's. Last year, I just prattled on for a month about whatever struck my fancy. This year, the 'Fest is open to the public! For the entire month of April, MvC is going to be host to guest posts, giveaways, special entries and anything else I can think of!

You don't have to be doing a giveaway or guest post to be part of the BlogFest, however. See the button in the right sidebar? Grab it, slap it on your blog and BOOM! Instant BlogFest participant. But you should know, certain obligations come with that button. To be a true participant, you must follow the BlogFest Commandments:

During the month of April, you must post at least one entry every other day.
It doesn't matter how you blog or what you blog about, all that matters is that you blog.
Branch out. Don't just post the same old entries over and over. This is a challenge, after all, so challenge yourself! Try new styles! See what happens!
Try to find at least one new blog to follow. Meet other bloggers. Network with them. Make new friends!

Feel free to leave a comment letting me know you're participating! I'd love to see what you're up to!

15 Days of Welcoming The God - Way of the Horned God Review

2011-03-31T02:43:00.002-04:00

Welcome to my little slice of Willow's 15 Days of Welcoming The God celebration! For my part, I'll be reviewing Dancing Rabbit's The Way of the Horned God: A Young Man's Guide to Modern Paganism. As the title suggests, this book is all about the God, so it seemed like the perfect addition to the celebration! And the fact that I'm actually a young man myself didn't hurt.
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But onto the review!
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The first thing that I really liked about this book was how the author introduced Paganism. He stressed the fact that his definition is not the definition. I've read quite a few Pagan books in my time, and way too many of them make it sound like they know everything there is to know about the religion, and anyone who disagrees with them is ill-informed or stupid. It's their way or the highway. Dancing Rabbit approached it in a way that was, in my opinion, much more agreeable.
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The author also did a very good job of covering the basic, universally agreed upon facts. What's an alter and what do you use it for, what tools do Pagans use, what are centering and grounding, what's a Book of Shadows, etc. He also discussed the matter of hiding your religion from your parents. When Mrs. B. reviewed this book waaaay back in October, she didn't exactly seem... terribly fond of that point. I can see where she, as a parent herself, is coming from, but as a son I must say I agree with the author. I would never tell my parents about my religion. I've never discussed it with them, and I don't intend to. As Dancing Rabbit put it in the book (I'm paraphrasing here), it would be nice if everyone had supportive Pagan parents, but a lot of people don't. I'm one of the ones that don't, and I accept that. While I lived with my parents, I walked my (at the time Wiccan) path in secret. If I had told them about it, they would have taken away everything I owned that was even remotely Pagan, and I would never have been allowed outside on a full moon again. That's just the kind of people they are, and that's how a lot of parents are. The author isn't advocating lying to your parents, but if you have to, "practice openly but not obviously."
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One of my favorite things about this book was the whole section devoted to the Goddess. Judging by the title, I assumed this book would only cover the male aspect of nature we refer to as the God. I was very pleasantly surprised to find out I was mistaken. One of the many reasons I dislike Dianic Wicca is the dismissal of the God. Another is the Dianic view of transsexualism. That doesn't really have anything to do with this, but lawdy it pisses me off. But I digress. I'm a feminist, so I have absolutely no problem with wanting to shine a spotlight on the feminist aspect of nature that we call the Goddess. But I just don't get focusing on her exclusively. I also don't get focusing on the God exclusively. That's what I was expecting when I started reading this book; lots of God and no Goddess. Dancing Rabbit did an excellent job of proving my assumptions wrong.
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I found the section on manhood very interesting, but I wasn't crazy about the emphasis on the father-son relationship. This was purely subjective; as far as I know I've never been in the same room as my biological father, and my adoptive father and I have never been close. I've never had what I would call a longterm male role model, so a lot of this section seemed kind of foreign. I'm not saying this section shouldn't be in the book at all, I'm sure sons who are close to their fathers will find it very informative.
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And finally, the chapter on sexuality was absolutely fantastic. One particular line stuck with me:

"Regardless of whether you are straight, gay, bisexual, transgendered, or aren't sure, you are a son of the Goddess and the Horned God."

Pardon me whilst I wipe this manly tear from my eye.
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But seriously, throughout the entire book Dancing Rabbit was fair, well spoken and informative. On top of that, the book is filled with really neat illustrations and tons of helpful tips for those of us who are just starting out on their paths.
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I would absolutely recommend you picking up this book for any young (13-18ish) Pagan men in your life!

Ripley Watch: Remember When this Was a Thing?

2011-03-23T16:14:00.001-04:00

My aunt, who adopted Ripley a few months ago, is having her house fumigated. She asked gamma to babysit Ripley, and naturally I had to share my joy with all of you.

My appologies for the pooh quality, this was taken with my less-than-state-of-the-art webcam.