My sister left not long ago. She spent the entire day playing Runescape today after we opened her gifts. She enjoyed the organic stuff I got her, the gift card to Wal-Mart, and some of her favorite canned sausage gravy she likes to eat for breakfast. She got me a very beautiful crystal lotus candle holder that I imagine will sparkle awesomely when lit.

My dad gave me my bow this morning, and it is a -gorgeous- recurve. Stained dark brown with a mixture of dark green. The string might need to be replaced soon, but I have one! I was also examining my bearskin this morning, and it’s even got the claws on it. It’s very nice, a small black bear that someone had abandoned at my uncles shop.

We’ll open the rest of our gifts tomorrow, and I’m definitely playing with the bow tomorrow. I need to get some hay bales and some new arrows, but that can come later. I haven’t actually shot one of these for many many years :x.

Though I enjoy the nice warm weather we are having, it just puts a damper on the holiday spirit. I’m hoping for some snow or something. I was walking around barefoot this morning, listening to the holiday music my dad plays for his chickens (we have spoiled chickens), and it was very relaxing.

Happy childhood memories to all, whatever you celebrate.

My sister and I just got back from the Yule ritual at the Grove. She was really reluctant to go, considering all that’s happened with our mother since August. She even said during ritual she’d read a book inside and not participate. But not only did she participate, she took pictures, passed around the guestbook, won 3 items at the raffle, helped with dishes, ate wonderful food, and even told me she had a great time.

The ritual was great, as always. I told them not to, but when honoring deeds done at the Grove, my Grovemates decided to honor me for the various web innanities that I’ve done for them and Ecumenicon. We raised a lot of money for the Grove, and even our Pursewarden sent out letters to every ADF Grove telling about our deeds to the local pagan community, and through that we’ve raised over $1400 so far. And I’m sure it will continue to grow (considering I just got my letter yesterday).

Thanks to all the ADF Groves that have donated so far. Special thanks to the Archdruid for his large donation to the cause, for which we are forever thankful.

I wish I could have stayed longer, but my sister wanted to go home. I was able to get lots of hugs from Mark and Joe, whom I don’t get to see as often as I’d like.

The ritual was done in a norse style. We’ve started a tradition for the last 3 Yules to do a 24 hour vigil. With the main portion of the ritual done at 6pm, then another small vigil at midnight, and then closing the ritual at 6am the next morning. Granted it’s not exactly 24 hours, but it’s a long time to stay up and honor the Gods. We sang some pagan solstice carols, drank a lot, and I had a great time.

When I got home, I found a big complete blackbear skin on my bed. I’m guessing my dad got it from my uncle, which also means I probably have my bow now too.

Yesterday from a client, we all received our own bottles of “Willm Cremant d’Alsace Brut“, which through some search is apparently: “A Still Wine. An easy-drinking sparkler. Quite frothy with light tones of honey and candied fruit.” A nice sentiment I will probably save it for Christmas Day with my dad. I’ve drank a lot of mead, but I don’t think I’ve ever had wine.

This Saturday we’re having our Winter Solstice ritual at the Grove. In a way I’m looking forward to it, for the spiritual aspect. But in another way, I’m not. Mostly the moving watching and such that people intend to do all night. But I will be attempting to immerse myself into this ritual more.

My sister also called last night and asked to come over this weekend. I told her that I’d be going to a ritual on Saturday, just to warn her, but she wanted to come anyway. I’m hoping this doesn’t blow up in my face like last time.

Dad has baked over 100 dozen cookies. I dunno why he bakes so much, but he enjoys it so… We give them away as gifts, and I’m sure I will bring plenty to work to give away. They’re just so…tempting.

Things on the MUD are progressing enormously well. It’s weird. I had originally opened into alpha phase, with the sole intention of mostly doing some code/system testing with some roleplay inbetween. But the players have completely kickstarted the entire thing into fully operational, complete with fantastic character development and roleplay. It’s actually concerned me a little bit because I’m not sure I have the staff to be able to keep up, but we’re doing alright so far. Plus an old staff member came back recently, whose roleplay is admirable.

I haven’t even advertised yet and we’re already up to 131 pfiles, which is probably about 15 regular players, their alts and a bunch of folks who stopped by but don’t want to or don’t think they can play yet. I’m looking at spring to advance into beta testing and actually start advertising for players.

I’ll be starting my cherokee II classes in January, and I’ve been playing the guitar more. I suppose it would do me good to learn how to actually read music. So that’s on the menu.

Huzzah for being busy.

In the light of my previous entry about my disgust for psychotic coveters of video games, we now have thieves who tunnel under the wall just for PS3.

Merry Christmas.

The tree and garden.

I haven’t had anything overly significant to say lately.

I’ve mostly been absorbed in web work, dance, and my MUD.

I let my dad have my bank card today to get groceries and a couple hundred out for himself to use for holiday shopping. He can’t afford to buy anything, he can barely afford to pay monthly bills. So I take care of that for him. Even if it’s essentially buying gifts for myself.

I received a holiday card from Alison, it was unexpected but very much appreciated it I am not sending out holiday cards this year, since I had to make sure my dad was able to send out cards. But you all get imaginary cards from me, because I adore you all very much.

I also received a movie off my wishlist from a friend out in California, which was also very much appreciated. Ever see the movie “Starman?” It came out in the early 80’s about an alien that falls to earth, falls in love with a human etc. It’s very romantic, I remember my mom watching it when I was a wee sapling. I watched it last night and cried, of course. Kudos to alien romance.

I’ve been feeling more pull towards my spiritual self lately. I still don’t have as much time to devote to it right now as I would like, but I am one by one pwning through items on my todo list.

And I really love having a MUD. I have so much culture and depth stored in my brain about this medieval fantasy world, and as I’m putting it into the game, I’m seeing other people (players), playing this culture and setting out. It just boggles my mind at how awesome that feels. I’ve even had IMPs from other MUDs login and tell me how impressed they were with the game, and I’m just in alpha (even though things feel fully operational). And the more players absorb themselves into the game and create all these storylines, the more I want to write and create.

My dad and I are going to get our tree tomorrow and decorate. So I will spend the day doing that, and taking pictures.

Gordian worm live inside crickets for long periods, feeding on the cricket’s diet. Once fully grown, they inject chemicals into the cricket’s brain brainwashing it and forcing it to kill itself by jumping into the water. Once in water, the worm wriggles out of the writhing body and swims off in search of a mate.

Great White Shark

Talk about “hoyl sheit”