06.30.03
Lexi and Eli
Anybody know how Eli is doing? Lexi usually writes every day or so. I haven’t seen anything from her in a couple/few days.
?
06.26.03
Flying High Again
I jumped back into JumpGate last night to check things out. It’s amazing how much it felt like “coming home” again. In addition to the old familiars, I found new ships, new (player-owned) stations, new equipment, new guns, etc. I’m particularly interested in trying out that new Whistle ECM. I was just about to do that last night when a couple of mantas gave me a nice pod ride home. (Stupid lasers.)
I can easily see myself getting back into this again! *sigh* I don’t know if that’s good or bad. Plus, if I decide to continue playing (after this 10-day trial is up), I just might pay that flat fee Nicator was talking about and switch over to my TRUE faction.
smirks
I haven’t checked out any POSs yet. Last night was spent just flying around trying to get re-accustomed to things.
I’m so glad NetDevil decided to do this trial. Otherwise, I might never have actually gone back and looked at things.
06.25.03
Jumpgate Re-Evaluation Offer
So, who all is going to do it?
I am!!
I have a question, though, so Istvan if you’re reading this, will you throw me an answer?
By re-activating our old pilots, will they be the same faction, rank, etc. they were before we cancelled membership? If so, can we change it to where they are NOT?
If I’m re-downloading and re-installing, do all of the patches have to be downloaded and installed in order? or will the most recent patch suffice?
I’m going to meander around the JOSSH site and see if I can find the answer to this, but I somehow doubt it will be there. (Pretty sure I know what it is, anyway.)
Thanks!
Edited on Jun 25th 2003, 15:07 by entipy
06.23.03
Hillary joke
Some of you who LOVE Hillary *wink wink* will like this one, I’m sure.
(sorry about all the >>>)
> > > The Traffic Jam
> > > A stockbroker, on his way home from work in New York City, came to a
> > > dead halt in traffic & thought to himself, “Wow, this seems worse than
> > > usual.”
> > > He notices a police officer walking between the lines of stopped cars,
> > > so he rolls down his window & asks, “Officer, what’s the holdup?”
> > > The officer replies, “Hillary Clinton is depressed so she stopped her
> > > motorcade on the freeway & is threatening to douse herself with
> > > gasoline
> > > & set fire to herself. She says her husband is running around on her
> > > even more than ever & the Democrats told her to forget about running
> > > for
> > > president in 2004. So, we’re taking up a collection for her.”
> > > The stockbroker asks, “How much have they collected so far?”
> > > The officer replies, “About 4 & a half gallons, but a lot of people are
> > > still siphoning.”
> > >
06.18.03
Senator: Trash illegal downloaders’ PCs
WASHINGTON (AP) — Illegally download copyright music from the Internet once, or even twice, and you get a warning. Do it a third time, and your computer gets destroyed.
Powerful lawmaker earns song-writing royalties
shakes her head
Watershed
[Quote]
Thought I knew my mind like the back of my hand,
The gold and the rainbow, but nothing panned out as I planned.
And they say only milk and honey’s gonna make your soul satisfied!
Well I better learn how to swim
Cause the crossing is chilly and wide.Twisted guardrail on the highway, broken glass on the cement
A ghost of someone’s tragedy
How recklessly my time has been spent.
And they say that it’s never too late, but you don’t get any younger!
Well I better learn how to starve the emptiness
And feed the hungerUp on the watershed, standing at the fork in the road
You can stand there and agonize
Till your agony’s your heaviest load.
You’ll never fly as the crow flies, get used to a country mile.
When you’re learning to face the path at your pace
Every choice is worth your while.Well there’s always retrospect to light a clearer path
Every five years or so I look back on my life
And I have a good laugh.
You start at the top, go full circle round
Catch a breeze, take a spill
But ending up where i started again makes me wanna stand still.Up on the watershed, standing at the fork in the road
You can stand there and agonize
Till your agony’s your heaviest load.
You’ll never fly as the crow flies, get used to a country mile.
When you’re learning to face the path at your pace
Every choice is worth your while.Stepping on a crack, breaking up and looking back
Every tree limb overhead just seems to sit and wait.
Until every step you take becomes a twist of fate.Up on the watershed, standing at the fork in the road
You can stand there and agonize
Till your agony’s your heaviest load.
You’ll never fly as the crow flies, get used to a country mile.
When you’re learning to face the path at your pace
Every choice is worth your while.
[Quote]
Words and music by: Emily Saliers of Indigo Girls
To listen: Watershed.wav (sample only)
If I had to name one person whose words/thoughts had influenced me more than anyone else in my life, it would be Emily.
“Well I better learn how to starve the emptiness and feed the hunger.”
(That’s what I keep trying to tell myself.)
What is Magic? or is it Magick?
originally written on May 18, 2003
One of the things my skeptical nature still struggles with (and probably will for quite some time) is the idea of magic and its uses in our everyday lives. One day I will fully believe in magic, and the next I will question its very existence. This mutability in myself is something with which I constantly grapple. That said…. read on for my opinion. B)
Magic or Magick?
First of all, after doing much reading and talking to others, I have come to my own decision that I see no real need to spell magic with a “k” attached to the end. While I can somewhat understand the apparent need some felt for beginning this practice, it just isn’t that important to me. Magic is magic.
So, what is magic?
In its simplest form, magic is intent.
Our intentions are so much stronger than we generally believe, and we tend to toss them about without much regard for what they actually may be doing. It’s the practice of recognizing and focusing one’s intent which leads to the working of magic. In this vein, magic is somewhat congruous to prayer and meditation. There has been too much evidence of intent helping others, in seemingly hopeless situations, for it to be dismissed as merely a coincidence. The more people you have focusing the same intent, the stronger the result can be. This is why I think magic and prayer work so often when other, more conventional means fail.
Light that candle and throw in some herbs…
Some people use tools in their magic. (herbs, candles, elements, poppets, athames, incense) Others merely focus their intent. (I really wish I could get a parking space closer to the store!) Some add meditation to the focus. Sometimes, all three are used. The degree to which one is willing to go in their magical practice is in direct proportion to the strength of magic which will ensue.
It is my belief that no inanimate object possesses magical power in and of itself. They do, however, contain certain properties exlcusive to themselves. Stones, herbs, colors - these things all have a physical energy which transmutes into magical forces/help/etc when one uses them in a spell.
Tools also serve as a physical means by which we can focus our intent. While the capacity for the human brain is seemingly limitless (as no one has discovered its true potential yet), we - as humans - still have a need for things to be concrete, visible, touchable.
Tools enhance and aid magic because they cause some sort of stimulus within us - which then strengthens intent and elicits a response. Whether it be the aroma of a certain herb, oil, or incense, or the warmth coming from a candle flame - relfected by different colors, or the feel of the elements against the skin, it is all some sort of stimulus which, without the power of our own force, would do nothing. However, if you add a human response to these stimuli (whether that response be physical, mental, or emotional) and couple it with intent, it can become so much more. It can become magic. Going a step further, deity can be added into the mix (however one chooses to see deity), and the magic grows that much stronger.
What works for one will not always work for another.
Where is that darn Book of Shadows, anyway?
Spells… the word itself conjures up images of crony little ladies hunched over a cauldron, cackling and murmuring, stirring and adding ingredients such as Adder’s Fork, Blindworm’s Sting, Eye of Newt, Toe of Frog to the mix. The smoke rises and somewhere, some poor sod falls to his knees and suffers a mighty blow!
Is it possible? Well, sure. I believe it is. However, that painted picture is way too generalized.
When it comes to spells, I truly believe that what works for one person may or may not work for someone else. There is no magic more powerful than that which comes from within. Creating one’s own spells, truly tailored to the intent and desired outcome, is part of the powerful working of magic. Canned spells which have been used and re-used and distributed all over the world may have their place, but it’s important to look within ourselves for our own ideas. After all, no one knows your intent as well as you do. So, before reaching for someone else’s proposed idea for a spell, concentrate and try composing your own. A “spell” is merely a combination of words and phrases and possibly other tools which is meant to help you focus and direct your intent toward your goal.
To circle or not to circle?
Forming a circle in which to work magic is a personal choice. Some feel no need for it. Others feel the need only when they think there should be protection of some sort from outside and unwelcomed forces. (Invoking deities and spirits, for example.) Still others believe they must cast a circle in order for their magic to be effective.
In general, when one casts a circle, they call the four corners. (North, South, East, West) Some include Guardians in these calls (as protectors, I believe), some include angels, some include deities, still some merely call on the force of the elementals (Earth, Fire, Air, Water) which correspond to the corners. Some use an athame to help direct the energy while casting, some may use a wand, and still others may use nothing at all. None of these strengthens or denegrates your magical power - unless you believe they do! So, when you decide to try and work some magic, do what feels the most comfortable for you and what you’re trying to achieve at the time.
So, what was all this babbling about, anyway?
Well, to sum things up - be yourself. Do what feels comfortable for you. If you believe, and if your intent is focused, your magic will most likely come to fruition. If it doesn’t, well - perhaps that’s a higher power telling you something. 
————————–
note: I chose Religion and Personal as categories for this entry. Religion doesn’t really fit in my mind, but it’s the closest thing on the list.
06.17.03
1st Anniversary
I missed my one-year G-blog anniversary. It was June 14th….
My First Entry.
TRIVIA TIME
Once again, name the actor/actress, character, and movie. (You can throw in who the line is being directed toward if you like.)
1. “When bullies rise up, it’s up to the rest of us to beat them down.”
2. “I have come here with no expectations, only to profess, now that I am at liberty to do so, that my heart is… and always will be… yours.”
3. “Not if she a heifer! and not if he MY man! You ain’t nothin’ but a big ol’ heifer, ha ha ha!”
4. [in mocking tone] “Mister ‘I am the Law!’”
5. “I’m feeling very into sisters right now.”
6. “Face it, girls. I’m older, and I have more insurance.”
7. “What about prom?”
8. “Oh Brewster! You’re so cool!”
9. “Conversation, like certain portions of the anatomy, always run more smoothly when lubricated.”
10. “Yes! Yes! Say it! He was my boyfriend!”
Bonne chance!
Edited on Jun 17th 2003, 15:45 by entipy
06.16.03
Marilyn Manson
What can I say? I love Marilyn Manson’s music (the stuff I’ve heard, anyway). It used to stop there. Then I saw the video for his Tainted Love remake, and so help me, I was watching him in that hot tub with those chicks, and all I could think was, “DAMN he’s sexy!”
It’s official.
I’m a freak.
06.12.03
Why not?
This is a legitimate question. It is not a political statement.
(This was also prompted by a recent entry terpsichoros posted about the Senate backing new nuclear plants.)
Why not begin shifting things to being solar-powered? Seriously. Does it all boil down to profit? or are there other legitimate considerations?
06.11.03
Plagiarism
I despise plagiarism.
I just found out today that someone whose blogs (here at G-blog) I have always loved reading has been ripping (at least some of) them off from another person.
Not only does that disappoint me, it makes me extremely angry.
I won’t drop names here. I just wanted others to be aware.
*FUME*
I am SO TIRED of working with egocentric redneck men, I could fucking scream!
Why is it that when a man asserts himself, it’s a good thing, but when a woman asserts herself, she’s called a bitch, and everyone acts as though she’s gone mad?
Fuck that! Call me a bitch if you want. I answer to that just fine.
06.10.03
More things that irritate me
1) Someone asking me a question repeatedly after I’ve already answered.
Example:
Someone asks me, “Where is Highway 15.”
I say, “I don’t know.”
Someone says, “Is it that one which goes down beside so-and-so and in between the two whatevers?”
I say, “I DON’T KNOW!”
2) Someone being rude then getting pissed when I say something to them.
Example:
I’m on the phone. Someone comes up behind me and starts to talk to me. After a couple of seconds, I turn and look at them, hold the phone away from me, and say (in not a very nice voice), “I’m on the phone!” Someone says, “Damn! Excuse me!!!!” and walks off in a huff.
3) My mom and my daughter together.
Example:
Mom: blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah, [insert air-headed statement] blah blah blah [critical statement about me] blah blah blah
Daughter: blah blah blah blah… [prolonged silence accompanied by gaping mouth] giggle giggle giggle blah blah blah blah giggle blah blah blah blah [statement about how somebody did something "not nice" to her and how it's definitely not her fault!] blah blah blah
breathes a sigh of relief.
I feel a bit better now.
06.08.03
Movies and stuff
Ugh! There are so many things I’ve been wanting to blog about, and I just haven’t done it yet. *sigh* Now, I’m really far behind and don’t know if I feel like covering everything I had originally wanted to record here.
Installment 1: My Trip to Atlanta
I drove up to Atlanta last weekend to visit my two best friends. Basically, all we did was hang out and talk, listen to music, watch TV, etc. That’s cool because that’s what I like to do most. LOL. However, on Saturday, we did go down to Little Five Points where we had lunch at The Vortex (which is touted as the best burger place in Atlanta - the burgers were awesome. I had the “Blue ‘Shroom” in case any of you check out their menu), visited Junkman’s Daughter (where I finally bought myself a beret), and ended up the afternoon by going to Paolo’s where I was FINALLY able to try some genuine gelato. It was heavenly! Actually, heavenly doesn’t even describe it. It’s a good thing I live so far away. Otherwise, I would spend way too much money eating that stuff.
Installment 2: The “Witch Hunt” font incident
This is a small kinda thing, but I just had to put it in here cause it was cool. At work the other day, I printed some invoices off my machine (which I do every day), and when they came out, the business name was printed in my “Witch Hunt” font instead of the normal one it’s usually printed in! I had not changed the font or anything. It was kinda freaky. LOL
Installment 3: “Darkness Falls”
This movie was so bad. LOL. If they said, “Stay outta the light” or any of the characters’ names ONE MORE TIME, I think I would’ve busted the television. (The dialogue for the movie was certainly easy to write. Just throw in the character names and that “light” phrase every other utterance, and you’re set!) What’s worse, I paid to watch it! What a waste of $3.99 PPV and two hours. Ugh!
Installment 4: “Real Women Have Curves”
I just watched this movie today. It was really good; I liked it. I wouldn’t go so far as to say it was a spectacular film or anything, but the actress (America Ferrera) who played the main role did a great job. I’m glad to say it wasn’t a waste of $3.99 PPV and two hours. 
06.04.03
Grammar
These things irritate me:
THERE is not the same as THEY’RE or THEIR.
ITS is possessive and IT’S is a conjuction for IT IS. It amazes me that most people just get these backwards, but they do it consistently!
YOUR is not the same as YOU’RE.
You cannot just throw a WHOM into a sentence anywhere you like. This will not make you appear to be more intelligent. It will, in fact, do the opposite. (Of course, someone reading who doesn’t know any better might be thrown off a bit.)
Know the difference between using “I” and “me” in a sentence. “I” is used as a subject. “Me” is used as a direct or indirect object. Misusing “I” is a lot more irritating than misusing “me” because you know someone is trying to sound more intelligent. Example: “He gave a map to Henry and I.” This is incorrect! Those listening to you who know better will not think highly of you for this usage. Perhaps people who do this were mistaught. If so, I retract the “trying to sound more intelligent” remark for those people.
There are more, but I can’t think of any right now.