My Blog

For My Lady

SpiritFlame — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:05:41 GMT

For my lady... to remind her that we are together now and always as she mourns the passing of her father last Thursday. If I Could Save Time In A Bottle Recorded by: "Jim Croce" Written by: (Jim Croce) If I could save Time in a bottle The first thing that I'd like to do Is to save every day 'til Eternity passes away Just to spend them with you If I could make days last forever If words could make wishes come true I'd save every day like a treasure and then, Again, I would spend them with you But there never seems to be enough time To do the things you want to do Once you find them I've looked around enough to know That you're the one I want to go Through time with If I had a box just for wishes And dreams that had never come true The box would be empty Except for the memory Of how they were answered by you But there never seems to be enough time To do the things you want to do Once you find them I've looked around enough to know That you're the one I want to go Through time with

A Very Interesting Book

SpiritFlame — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:39:08 GMT

This is a very interesting book on the nature of the Jewish State of Israel and how myth and history get tangled together when attempting to build a national identity. It is unfortunate that it has become smeared with labels such as: anti-Zionist, Holocaust-denial, and Nazi Apologist, for it is, in reality none of these things. I find it unfortunate that a thoughtful book that attempts to take an unbiased look at what may be the myths upon which a nation is based should be smeared so badly. Does the author get some things wrong... certainly, does the author misinterpret some things... of course, but this does not mean that he should be dismissed. Rather, one should consider that he gets many things right... that, although he adds no new pieces to the puzzle, he comes up with rather interesting way of putting them all together. This book should be seen as a starting point for a new debate that is long over due. It is the story of how difficult it is go take an objective look at the myths that give each of us and our lives identity and meaning. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an open mind and wishes to look beyond the traditional rhetoric that blinds the current debate over the middle east policies.

Back From Burning Man...

SpiritFlame — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:21:42 GMT

Back to the real world after a week at burning man. The foolishness and stupidity out here in the real world seems to be about the same as when Halcyon and I left... new topics, new shouts, same foolishness. So I offer up the following... One Tin Soldier by Lambert-Potter, sung by Coven Listen, children, to a story That was written long ago, 'Bout a kingdom on a mountain And the valley-folk below. On the mountain was a treasure Buried deep beneath the stone, And the valley-people swore They'd have it for their very own. Go ahead and hate your neighbor, Go ahead and cheat a friend. Do it in the name of Heaven, You can justify it in the end. There won't be any trumpets blowing Come the judgment day, On the bloody morning after.... One tin soldier rides away. So the people of the valley Sent a message up the hill, Asking for the buried treasure, Tons of gold for which they'd kill. Came an answer from the kingdom, "With our brothers we will share All the secrets of our mountain, All the riches buried there." Go ahead and hate your neighbor, Go ahead and cheat a friend. Do it in the name of Heaven, You can justify it in the end. There won't be any trumpets blowing Come the judgment day, On the bloody morning after.... One tin soldier rides away. Now the valley cried with anger, "Mount your horses! Draw your sword!" And they killed the mountain-people, So they won their just reward. Now they stood beside the treasure, On the mountain, dark and red. Turned the stone and looked beneath it... "Peace on Earth" was all it said. Go ahead and hate your neighbor, Go ahead and cheat a friend. Do it in the name of Heaven, You can justify it in the end. There won't be any trumpets blowing Come the judgment day, On the bloody morning after.... One tin soldier rides away. Go ahead and hate your neighbor, Go ahead and cheat a friend. Do it in the name of Heaven, You can justify it in the end. There won't be any trumpets blowing Come the judgment day, On the bloody morning after.... One tin soldier rides away.

Words that Touch the Heart

SpiritFlame — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 23:06:52 GMT

They that love beyond the world cannot be separated by it. Death cannot kill what never dies. Nor can spirits ever be divided, that love and live in the same divine principle, the root and record of their friendship. If absence be not death, neither is theirs. Death is but crossing the world, as friends do the seas; they live in one another still. For they must needs be present, that love and live in that whch is omnipresent. In this divine glass they see face to face; and their converse is free, as well as pure. This is the comfort of friends, that though they may be said to die, yet their friendship and society are, in the best sense, ever present, because immortal. -- William Penn, from More Fruits of Solitude

Important Announcement

SpiritFlame — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:46:52 GMT

OK people... there's a bunny here who's got three final exams today. She's a great student (in the honors program), and she's done excellent work this semester, but three finals in one day has her a bit on edge. So... I want everyone who reads this to leave a comment of encouragement... show her that we are all behind her and that she has our support!!

My Previous Moment of Zen

SpiritFlame — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 21:09:23 GMT

There have been questions raised about my previous moment of zen so I post here a revised picture of the Ultimate Sacrifice...

A Moment of Zen

SpiritFlame — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 06:45:40 GMT

The Ultimate Sacrifice

Friend Collecting...

SpiritFlame — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 21:16:56 GMT

I am curious, what interests some members of tribe, facebook, or myspace, to collect hundreds of friends. I know they don't keep in contact with all of them, I have been friend'ed by some of these people and gotten no answer when I have tried to get to know them. So... what makes these people interested in collecting so many others on a friends list and yet know so few of them??

A Moment of Zen

SpiritFlame — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:06:17 GMT

Shamelessly stolen from elsewhere on tribe... an amazing pie chart, heavily researched of course... I would offer nothing less here, of the astonishing consequences of gay marriage. :-) hmmm... will GraphJam come after me even though the graphic is attributed to them?? :-\

A Moment of Zen

SpiritFlame — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 03:02:02 GMT

I know... I know... lifted from somewhere else and I can't remember where at this point. But it represents a moment of Zen. A quiet walk across the playa in the early morning. Innocent... peaceful... beautiful...

Some Thoughts on The Definition of Marriage

SpiritFlame — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 00:28:03 GMT

Someone commented to me recently: >> Changing the definition of marriage goes beyond the "interpersonal >> relationships of consenting adults." It impacts society, and that is why >> people are upset. > This troubled me and I have thought a lot about what I wanted to say in response to this sort of attitude. Well... after mulling this over it seems to me that one is changing any definitions at all... each religion, each culture is allowed to set its own definition of marriage. No one is asking Christians to change their beliefs, Buddhists to change their beliefs, Jews to change their beliefs, or anyone else to change theirs... In fact, our society attempts to maximize freedom by allowing freedom of speech , freedom of religion, and many other freedoms. Quite frankly it makes me a bit uncomfortable governments, both state and federal, to become involved in recognizing marriages at all since such ceremonies do differ greatly from religion to religion and from culture to culture. However, American society has chosen to make marriage a civil bond rather than a spiritual bond. As a result I need to have no religious or spiritual path to get married in American society. I need do no more than go to the nearest courthouse and register that I wish to be considered married to someone of the opposite gender and I am considered married. As a result, this institution, as recognized by American society, does not recognize any particular religious or cultural definition of marriage. In fact, my spouse and I may make whatever we wish of our marriage. We may even end it, if we choose to do so, even though most cultures and religions believe that a marriage should be for life. I would agree with you that there *are* "toxic" relationships but I think that they exist among all types, whether they be straight, gay, polyamorous, or polygamous. I think that such toxic relationships are harmful regardless of type. However, I also think that love is love regardless of the form it takes and don't think that it is the government's place to intrude. Moral values differ in many ways from society to society, as well as from religion to religion; one need only make comparisons between Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Paganism. The idea of our representative republic is to allow all sorts of peoples and beliefs come together and live in peace with a minimum of interference. I applaud the decision in Iowa because it allows just this sort of freedom. What I, and many others, object to is that the government places a gender restriction on this institution and does not extend to those who are in a same-gender relationship the same legal benefits and protections. As I pointed out previously... there were, and still are in some places, those who don't believe that interracial marriages should be recognized, there are those who don't believe that interfaith marriages should be recognized, and there are those who don't think same-gender marriages should be recognized. However, I, and others, believe that the government should not get involved in such issues and should either not recognize and grand protections and benefits to *any* marriages, or should grand the same benefits and protections to *all* marriages.

Random Thoughts...

SpiritFlame — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 23:00:55 GMT

I posted this on some tribe or other here and decided I liked it... so I am posting it below: My Lady and I are both sort of laid back California types who find ourselves sort out of step with American society these days. We yearn for a simple, un-materialistic sort of lifestyle with a strong community that exists beyond the online, internet world. We are nonconformists who just want to hangout with others and and share good times. Unfortunately, we find that too many people are stuck behind their computers and prefer the distance provided by computers. Friends can be neatly packaged this way and if interactions become too stressful, one simply stands up and turns off the computer. We rebel against this idea... we want to share true, abiding friendship with a community of others who feel as we do...

Just a Bit of Someone on My Mind...

SpiritFlame — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:38:20 GMT

You`re Gonns Lose That Girl -- The Beatles You're gonna lose that girl (Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl) You're gonna lo-o-ose that girl (Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl) If you don't take her out tonight You're gonna find her gone (You're gonna find her gone) And I will take her out tonight And I will treat her kind (I'm gonna treat her kind) You're gonna lose that girl (Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl) You're gonna lo-o-ose that girl (Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl) If you don't treat her right, my friend You're gonna find her gone (You're gonna find her gone) And I will treat her right, and then You'll be the lonely one (You're not the only one) You're gonna lose that girl (Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl) You're gonna lo-o-ose that girl (Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl) You're gonna lo-o-ose... (Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl) I'll make a point of takin' her away from you (Watch what you do) yeah The way you treat her, what else can I do? [GUITAR] (You're gonna lose that girl) [GUITAR] (You're gonna lose that girl) You're gonna lose that girl (Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl) You're gonna lo-o-ose that girl (Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl) You're gonna lo-o-ose... (Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl) I'll make a point of takin' her away from you (Watch what you do) yeah The way you treat her, what else can I do? If you don't take her out tonight You're gonna find her gone (You're gonna find her gone) And I will take her out tonight And I will treat her kind (I'm gonna treat her kind) You're gonna lose that girl (Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl) You're gonna lo-o-ose that girl (Yes, yes, you're gonna lose that girl) You're gonna lose (Yes, yes, you're gonna lose) that girl

Why Are Americans Soooo Hung-up on The Nude Human Form

SpiritFlame — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 23:21:27 GMT

The human form is a thing of natural beauty. In many places in the world it is displayed with unselfconscious innocence and and confidence. Why is it that we in this country have such backward, ugly attitude on such matters?? Why do we see so much obscenity in our natural human form??

This Country is Becomming too PC

SpiritFlame — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 20:20:45 GMT

We are becoming a nation of "retards" :-)

Why Do So Many People Insist on Judging Rather Than Asking

SpiritFlame — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 02:53:30 GMT

OK... for those who may be reading this blog but are not aware... yes the age difference between me and my fiance, Halcyon, is 25 years. However there are many reasons, which I will *not* go into here, which make us well suited for each other and make us ideal lovers. (If you are interested in the details, and we know you, we may well tell you the details) So... why do I bring this up?? Well... in recent weeks, it has begun to become clear that many who she and I know through the tribe, and by extension through the burner community, are convinced, by this *one* single fact, that we are not in a committed relationship. Now, does this really bother me? Well, for the most part no. I have found in my time that people can be pretty stupid, shallow and full of themselves. It's just that I thought that here on tribe and among the burner community we would find a more enlightened group of people. I grow tired of both the fools who believe that, simply because there is an age difference between us, that there are ulterior motives to our interest in being friends... that these people then get freaked and run. I am disgusted by those who think that our age difference is an open invitation to share. They are fools and and as stupid as those who run in the opposite direction. Where do we go to find those who are accepting....those who ask rather than assume that they know who someone is even though they know nothing about them? How do we find people who do more than simply give lip service to the idea of accepting people as they are?? If you have answers to the last two questions I pose here, *please* post them here...

Dignity and Freedom

SpiritFlame — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:24:18 GMT

This entry is for the woman I love with all my heart... Sweet lady I know that it looks dark right now and I am so sorry that there are some who would have it that way. The situation sometimes reminds me of the quote from God Father III when Michael Corleone says in the most anguished of tones... Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in. Well... there is freedom my love and we shall find it together. Those who would make our engagement an ugly, brooding thing must not prevail. What we do in the days to come won't change the world by any means... but the time has come to make a stand and fight for what is right... fight for how the world *should* be!!

Just a Thought...

SpiritFlame — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 00:51:28 GMT

"Unrestricted immigration is a dangerous thing -- look at what happened to the Iroquois." -- Garrison Keillor

...

SpiritFlame — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:10:04 GMT

Ventura Highway Chewing on a piece of grass Walking down the road Tell me, how long you gonna stay here, Joe? Some people say this town don't look good in snow You don't care, I know Ventura highway in the sunshine Where the days are longer The nights are stronger than moonshine You're gonna go I know cause the free wind is blowin' through your hair And the days surround your daylight there Seasons crying no despair Alligator lizards in the air, in the air Did di di di dit ... Wishin' on a falling star Waitin' for the early train Sorry boy, but Ive been hit by purple rain Aw, come on, Joe, you can always Change your name Thanks a lot, son, just the same Ventura highway in the sunshine Where the days are longer The nights are stronger than moonshine You're gonna go I know cause the free wind is blowin' through your hair And the days surround your daylight there Seasons crying no despair Alligator lizards in the air, in the air Did di di di dit

Engagement...

SpiritFlame — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 09:58:11 GMT

Attention.... Attention Please... Shortly before midnight on New Year's Eve, I asked the faire maiden Halcyon if she would do me the honor of agreeing to Handfast with me... She agreed to do so... That Is All... :-)

Republican Bastards

SpiritFlame — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 22:10:38 GMT

How can anyone read the lyrics from one of the songs on a CD sent by Chip Saltsman to friends and think that he is fit to be Chairman of the Republican National Committee? Perhaps the fact that some have come to Mr. Saltsman's defense in this matter shows a sense of bigotry and hatred endemic to the Republican party. If republicans are interested in showing that they are not a party of hate and bigotry, this is the time to show it. I challenge them... I challenge their party to rise up and denounce this embarrassment to the American way of life. If they do not, then they show themselves to be all the low, ugly, scum that the worst element in their party present them as. OK Republicans the ball is in your court are you adults ready to govern, or are you nothing more than the trash that this incident suggests with no place in the American system of government!! Barack The Magic Negro Lyrics Barack the Magic Negro lives in D.C. The L.A. Times, they called him that ‘Cause he’s not authentic like me. Yeah, the guy from the L.A. paper Said he makes guilty whites feel good They’ll vote for him, and not for me ‘Cause he’s not from the hood. See, real black men, like Snoop Dog, Or me, or Farrakhan Have talked the talk, and walked the walk. Not come in late and won! Oh, Barack the Magic Negro, lives in D.C. The L.A. Times, they called him that ‘Cause he’s black, but not authentically. Oh, Barack the Magic Negro, lives in D.C. The L.A. Times, they called him that ‘Cause he’s black, but not authentically. Some say Barack’s “articulate” And bright and new and “clean.” The media sure loves this guy, A white interloper’s dream! But, when you vote for president, Watch out, and don’t be fooled! Don’t vote the Magic Negro in – ‘Cause — ’Cause I won’t have nothing after all these years of sacrifice And I won’t get justice. This is about justice. This isn’t about me, it’s about justice. It’s about buffet. I don’t have no buffet and there won’t be any church contributions, And there’ll be no cash in the collection plate. There ain’t gonna be no cash money, no walkin’ around money, no phoning money. Now, Barack going to come in here and ……..

IT'S THE WEEKEND!!!

SpiritFlame — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 01:03:13 GMT

So I'm about to head home to my lady and have a weekend of lovin', tenderness, and sweet, sweet, kisses!! (I love holding you in my arms with us both happy, exhausted, and glistening with a soft sheen of love sweat...) So Babe this is for you!! See you in a little while!!!

Letter To Senator John McCain

SpiritFlame — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 03:33:19 GMT

The following letter was left for Senator John McCain's senatorial website at http://mccain.senate.gov/public/home/contact I left it with my professional signature so that I could be easily found if the jackass took exception to the words I wrote. I understand that this is an election year, but this man is not fit to hold public office after the campaign he has waged for the presidency of the United States!! Prefix: Dr. First Name: <filled out on form> Last Name: <filled out on form> Address: <filled out on form> Address: <filled out on form> City: <filled out on form> State: CA Zip: <filled out on form> Home Phone: <filled out on form> Work Phone: Email: <filled out on form> Subject: Not Listed Message: Senator John McCain, You sick bastard!! With this issue of Obama's aunt, you have gone farther than I thought possible even for sick scum like you!! To think that I once respected you as a man of dignity and fair play... a man whose qualities I could do worse than to call my own. Now, I hope that no one ever confuses me with the likes of you!!! My one comfort is that after this election has passed into history, you will have to live with what you have done. One morning you will wake up and realize just how completely you sold your self-respect in an attempt to become president of the United States. I hope that when that day comes the realization haunts you to your dying day!! <Professional Signature>

All The Lonely People...

SpiritFlame — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 02:44:02 GMT

Ah, look at all the lonely people Ah, look at all the lonely people Eleanor rigby picks up the rice in the church where a wedding has been Lives in a dream Waits at the window, wearing the face that she keeps in a jar by the door Who is it for? All the lonely people Where do they all come from ? All the lonely people Where do they all belong ? Father mckenzie writing the words of a sermon that no one will hear No one comes near. Look at him working. darning his socks in the night when there's nobody there What does he care? All the lonely people Where do they all come from? All the lonely people Where do they all belong? Eleanor rigby died in the church and was buried along with her name Nobody came Father mckenzie wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave No one was saved All the lonely people Where do they all come from? All the lonely people Where do they all belong?

Abandon Ship??

SpiritFlame — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 01:22:04 GMT

So, with Darren Mckeeman, the only paid full-time developer for Tribe.net, jumping ship is it finally time to abandon ship and find somewhere else. My concern is where else might one land. FaceBook is much too public these days and doesn't really have the types of groups offered here. Other sites have strong taboos against nude content. So where does one look for another good place...