Saturnalia 2006
Mood:  energetic
Now Playing: Futurama on TV
Topic: 3. Saturnalia

This year's topic --- the Star of Bethlehem

Designing/making holiday wreaths for sale on eBay has been a feat above and beyond the call of anyone prescribed Depakote, who's also been faced with a lot of unforeseen personal matters.

Regardless, finding a thrift-store Nativity ornament inspired me to create a wreath which would be themed around the legendary Star of Bethlehem, an astrological event that heralded the birth of a great leader.

Scholars concur that the planet JUPITER was somehow involved, whether it was a conjunction with either Venus or Saturn, its passage over the star Regulus in the constellation Leo, and/or its retrograde shift during the same period between May of 7 and September, 6 BCE, during warm months.

So, a shimmering blue and silver impact with ribbons, against a night-time dark background, would frame the tiny stable with the holy family.

Before, I was thinking dark blue ribbon against a snowy wreath, but couldn't bring myself to the anachronism of frosted evergreen.

Then, I figured anything seasonally-festive goes in the holiday spirit, as does getting a surprise party on the weekend before one's birthday. 

(Also, I located the perfect shade and width of blue ribbon, against which to show an army of tiny white bows)

Saturnalia 2005
Mood:  cheeky
Topic: 3. Saturnalia


Here we go again.

This year's heated issue by the paranoid, Dominionist, faux Christians rants at how commonplace "Happy Holidays" has become in lieu of "Merry Christmas."

It's enough to make me shave my head and move away, if I hadn't already done that.

I just picked out bulk holiday cards to send friends who include not only Christians, but Jews, Pagans, and agnostics.

Mine say "Happy Holidays!"

If any recipient has a problem with that, I'll send a different card to them next year, one that says, "Get Bent!"

When in Doubt, Cash Works Fine
Mood:  sharp
Topic: 3. Saturnalia


Did unwrapping my bounty of xmas presents make me feel any more loved?

The pajamas from my Mother did, because she knew I needed them, even though they weren't spelled out on my list. She also tried with the Brown Vest, giving me a fleeced vest, plus a Sears gift card, although I made the mistake of hyperlinking to an example STYLE that's available only in Sears' department for chicks.

More-thorough online browsing on my part at JCPenney would have found this VEST, which is exactly what I had in mind.

My cousin got me a lap blanket, which I appreciated. A person like me can always use a warm, soft cover.

However, the rest of the gifts --- from dollar-store gadgets to overpriced, bulky sweaters --- only demonstrate that my benefactors did not care enough about me to put earnest thought into their shopping.

Not to be ungrateful to others for spending money on me at all, but it's not the retail price that matters to me.

I got HUGS this year that meant more to me than the formal black shoes that do not suit my taste in materials and design.

Since it seems I need to clarify what appeals to me, should anyone want to help me celebrate another miserable birthday in February, let me re-post my xmas list --- with updated hyperlinks --- to open up the phenomenon of who I really am.

• FOOD PROCESSOR "MAGIC BULLET" (link)
  

• Dave Espino's "AUCTIONS FOR INCOME" CD-ROM (link 1-800-353-6655)
  

• FUTON (non-squeaky frame. Must be AT LEAST 80 inches wide)
  

• GNOME figurines, garden sculptures
  

• VIDEO GAMING SYSTEM

• BATH ROBE (full-length, hooded, thick, soft)
  

• Brown VEST ( JCPenney )
  

• Formal Black SHOES (like THIS or THIS or THIS )
  

• FAUX FUR LONGCOAT (link )
  

• VELVET NECKTIE (just curious if anyone makes them)
  

• SCOOTER (suggested look & features -- )
  • Razor Pocket Rocket - 155001 (link)

  • Firehawk Deluxe Electric - FHE-36 (link)

  • Zoomer Ride on Scooter (link)

  
  
• ARCHERY GEAR (ask for help at a SPORTING GOODS store)
  
  • Recurve (not compound) Bow, 35-lb or more draw weight
  • Gloves, Wrist Gaurds, Vambraces
  • Bow Sling (link)

  • Back Quiver
    
  • Shooting Target
  • Arrows
    

Dear Santa Claus
Mood:  cheeky
Topic: 3. Saturnalia

SATURNALIA For

 DUMMIES

Again we approach the Romans' annual festival of SATURNALIA ( link ), that orgy of consumerist affluenza and empty gestures disguised as a Christian holiday.

Scholars realize, of course, that Christianity's Jesus was not born on any day in December, but in some warmer month when shepherds would be out and about. "December" as we know it was not even the same as the Julian (link) calendar's "December" of 2,000 years ago, and King Herod died in the year 4 B.C.

Since no mortal alive is certain of the exact date of Jesus' birth, Church leaders long ago decided to schedule the Feast Day to coincide with pagan celebrations that centered around the Winter Solstice.

Once a religious holiday is bastardized, secularized, and commercialized, we need to question "Who's dictating the rules that we follow?" If it's just a day when the banks and post office are closed, that's fine. If it's a day focused on family life and/or worship, that's fine, too. Stay out of each others' way.

If it's a day of charitable service for those less fortunate, I APPLAUD you.

There is certainly a priceless scene in a child's amazement and thrill when they tear through wrapping on an avalanche of new toys on Christmas.

Let us NOT, however, let the retail advertisers intimidate us into believing that money buys affection. That turns our loved ones into prostitutes.

As much as I thrive on hunting down those "perfect" gifts for people to express my SINCERE fondnesss for them, I despise the extortive guilt-baiting that overshadows the obligatory buying and handing over material objects. Gifts from me generally come from the heart, and I hope the recipients know that.

However, the joys of sharing holidays with cherished ones has un-avoidable compromises, so I can cope with the manufactured cheer in exchanging faked gifts with people I barely know. (Meanwhile, I brace for January's crash in society's collective mood when the bills come.)

To relieve others' frustration over what I would appreciate this year, here I publish ideas in a rough "Wish List," with some links to informative visual examples.

• TOOL SHED with LOCK
  
• FOOD PROCESSOR "MAGIC BULLET" (link)
• Dave Espino's "AUCTIONS FOR INCOME" CD-ROM (link 1-800-353-6655)
  
• FUTON
• GNOMES
  
• VIDEO GAMING SYSTEM
  
• BATH ROBE (full-length, hooded, thick, soft)
  
• Brown VEST (like this )
  
• Formal Black SHOES
  
• FAUX FUR LONGCOAT (link )
  
• VELVET NECKTIE (just curious if anyone makes them)
• SCOOTER (suggested look & features -- )
  • Razor Pocket Rocket - 155001 (link)

  • Firehawk Deluxe Electric - FHE-36 (link)

  • Zoomer Ride on Scooter (link)
• ARCHERY GEAR (ask at Sporting Goods store)
  
  • Recurve Bow, 30 or more pound draw weight

  • Shooting Target

  • Arrows

  • Gloves