And so it begins

This weekend begins the social season for the Wares. From here until... well, pretty much January, we have something cooking almost every single weekend. Now, I know that sounds like a lot - and it is. But it is also such a joy.

There was a time, in the not so distant past, where looking at the calendar was depressing. There was never anything on it! Okay, the obligitory holiday events with the family, where I get to smile and say "of course I love my single life" while I secretly yearn for what my sister and my cousin and seemingly everyone else had. Family. Kids. Dogs. A life.

Thanks to my wonderful, darling, handsome, loving, (did I mention wonderful and handsome) husband, I now not only have a life, it is a full and wonderful one! I wouldn't change it for the world. He has given me a home. He has shared his family and friends with me. He has given me puppy kisses. (Okay, not him, but he made them possible.) And hopefully this time next year, he will have given me 2 legged kid(s).

So, this weekend finds us in Denver for StarFest. Please join us if you can - we'll be at the Marriott Denver Tech Center. You may think that festivities end when the bar closes... think again! We just bring our own! I think I look forward to this convention more for seeing our friends than the activities and guest stars. Although the StarFest group has done an outstanding job getting some pretty top names. I like hearing about the "behind the scenes" stuff. But I refuse to pay for someone's name on a picture. No way, uh-uh.

In May we will be back in Denver, this time at the Sheraton Four Points for Opus. This has to be my very favorite convention. It's only 3 years old. It combines all sorts of Arts - anything creative you can imagine, anywhere Fantasy can take you. It's represented. And, I've volunteered to help with the Costuming track.

Of course, June looks like we will be concentrating on making a baby. I'm sick - I'm actually looking forward to the numberous shots. Okay, maybe not the shots themselves. But if it works, I'll thank all the gods for every single needle stick.

And don't forget, Colorado Ren Faire starts the second weekend in June.

Did anyone else see that there is another Colorado faire in June? This one is in Fort Collins, with a Medieval theme. Not sure if we will be making the drive for that, but I would like to support more local options.

So, what do we get in the mail? A flyer for a couple of nights free at Excalibur because we are part of their club thingy. Yes, I've consulted the calendar. I might work harder at fitting it in, if Air Fare wasn't almost $400 for us both. Hmmm... may have to keep looking... there are always specials....

And that's your social update for today. This is Julie McCoy, signing off.

Finally!

YES! We finally have a date to start the hormones. Look out world! I'd better stock up on chocolate to cover those mood swings.

Ahhh, Learning

One of my very favorite things to do is learn. I really can't get enough. Today I spent many an hour (being paid overtime, I might add) trying to be able to read my boss's mail (legally) via Outlook Exchange. I was working with a technician who spent lots of time with me to really figure things out. So, first thing I learned was: Call work technicians on off days. They are bored, and want something to do!

I also learned that I know more than the average joe about working with the systems my company gives me to do my job. From the reaction I was getting from the technician, I was able to figure things out much faster than most folx. He was quite proud that I remembered where to go to reset which profile would now be my default without me having to tell Outlook. And I have to say I preened at the compliment. Learned (okay, reinforced) #2 - Compliments go a long way.

And I now know that there's a problem on the corporate side of the house, that they didn't complete my boss's migration properly. Good thing I worked on a Saturday, huh!

Off to the movies.

I fixed it

I fixed the settings so anyone can post. I guess I needed to read a few more tabs down... it's good now!

So that's how they did it

Smart folx at the Vatican. Even in his death, Pope John Paul is continuing to broker peace.

Israel's president said he shook hands and chatted briefly with the leaders of the Jewish state's great enemies, Syria and Iran, during Pope John Paul II's funeral on Friday, but he cautioned against reading too much into the gestures.

President Moshe Katsav said he twice greeted Syrian President Bashar Assad, who sat one row behind him during the 2 1/2 hour service, and the Iranian-born Katsav said he spoke in Farsi to Iran's President Mohammed Khatami, just two chairs away as dignitaries gathered for the funeral were seated alphabetically. (emphasis mine.)

"I don't think this has any diplomatic importance," Katsav told Israel's Channel Two television. "We are cultured people and say hello nicely and shake hands, but I don't think our differences have disappeared."

The Pope and The Pagan

I’ve been asked this week why I am so very fascinated by the death of Pope John Paul II this week. A very good question. What is the connection between a Pagan and Pope?

First some background. I was not born Pagan. I was actually born into Catholicism. My mother converted when she was in High School, and the Church was quite important to her. I took after my mother in so much – religion was just one area of many. I found joy in the Church. I went to a Catholic school until 3rd grade – Holy Cross. (There weren’t any private schools in Gunnison.) Some of my favorite, happiest memories are associated with the Church: crowning the May Queen in first or second grade, serving as an alter girl, my first communion, my confirmation. One Christmas, Father John decided to do a Q&A instead of a homily during Mass. No one spoke up, and Father looked uncomfortable. So I piped up. “Did Jesus have any brothers and sisters?” Watching Father John try to explain “virginity” to a 5th grader is a site I’ll never forget.

But in some ways, the things the Church did right is exactly what led me away from it’s teachings. The Church encouraged me to question my faith in order to strengthen it. I didn’t like some of the answers I found. Why was I not able to be a priest, just because I was a woman? How could it be possible we only get one lifetime to do it right? Why are we still following rules centuries old that were imposed when the world needed to be populated? Shouldn’t She take some responsibility for overpopulation? The Catholic Church, and very adamantly the recently deceased Pope, and I disagreed pretty heartily on several issues.

And yet, I not only respected the position of Pope – I respect the man who filled the position. He held tight to his convictions in the face of strong opposition. As many reporters have said this week, he was a man of his convictions. He accepted that he was a Leader, and wielded the responsibility to the very best of his ability. He did what he believed to be right – for all his children. He was a pretty good Father figure for a man who didn’t get to have sex.

I’ve been watching the events unfold this week, and the reports of things to come. Part of what interests me is all the ritual. That was always my favorite part of the Catholic Church – all their rituals. The Mass, and the magic performed there. Now, all the pageantry is bringing together the world. For how often has the world truly been brought together in such a way. This man has touched every corner of the globe. (I never understood that term – globes don’t have corners.) And those corners are coming together in Vatican City to pay him homage. Then there are all the rituals surrounding the Pope’s death and choosing a successor. The sealing of the apartment. The destruction of the Papal Ring. The announcements. The gatherings. All have been performed before, lending them power, and yet all are being tweaked to bring them a touch more up-to-date for a modern, media-controlled world.

I’ll say one more thing. I’m sure glad I don’t have to work out the seating chart among all the World Leaders who have convened in Rome. No, thank you.

RIP

Rest in Peace, Pope John Paul II. You have influenced many in your long career. You held to what you believed to be right even if it wasn't popular.

May the College of Cardinals be divinely guided in chosing a man to fill such large shoes.