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One year ago today
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May. 16th, 2007 @ 02:00 pm
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It's an anniversary. Hooray. One year ago today, give or take about 5 hours as I write this, Leigh Ann died.
But, what I actually came here to say is: everyone who knows me in this forum also knows Leigh Ann. In fact, most of the people I know here, I know because I know Leigh Ann. From pagandom, the SCA, SF fandom, music, WetLeather, the OTO -- all of you, I know from the places she took me to and the people I met there. For you...
I'd just like to take a moment to thank all of you for having known her, for the things you gave her, for how you all helped her grow into who she was. It was a great ride. Thank you for being part of it. I say that on her behalf as well as my own, and regret only that she can't be here to say it herself -- at least, not in any place where it's easy to hear.
And for her, this bit of Rumi:
The minute I heard my first love story
I started looking for you, not knowing
how blind that was.
Lovers don't finally meet somewhere.
They're in each other all along.
-- Nitnorth |
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Another icon gone
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May. 15th, 2007 @ 02:34 pm
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I don't know whether to be surprised or not, that no one on my friends list has remarked on this yet:
Jerry Falwell, founder of the "Moral Majority", died today. Aged 73, cause not immediately apparent from the sources I read. (They are all pretty much rewrites of the info available at Faux "News".)
-- Nitnorth |
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Go here. See this.
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Apr. 21st, 2007 @ 11:31 pm
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the Illustrated Daily Scribble returns!
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Feb. 5th, 2007 @ 01:41 pm
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It's back: The Illustrated Daily Scribble by Charles Pugsley Fincher, one of the best political cartoons ever. He went on hiatus last March because, he said, all the news was repeats so all the jokes were old and stale -- been there, done that. Dude, welcome back!
...Gleep. I wonder if this means I should be _really_ scared about Dubya versus Iran? |
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I'm stuck in the wrong holiday.
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Dec. 24th, 2006 @ 09:46 pm
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Why is this night different from all other nights?
Mostly, it's because this year I don't get to play Santa Claus. So instead, here I am mired in the middle of Feeling Sorry For Myself. ...And I don't. fucking. care.
Every once in a while, I envy my sister more than words can adequately express. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep. And miles to go before I sleep. |
| » What does your library say about you? |
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Our house is littered with books. Of course, that doesn't describe anyone else I know (no, really), but I suspect theirs doesn't look quite like this. Today I happened to notice the stack of books on my desk ... in order, top to bottom, it looks like this:
Santeria
Cascading Style Sheets: the Definitive Guide
The Bahir
Cabala Para el Mundo Moderno
The Book of Thoth
DNS and BIND
The Chicken Qabalah
I suppose, somehow, you really needed to know that. Extra points for knowing what BIND even is.
-- Nitnorth
Nov. 17th, 2006 @ 10:12 am
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| » Go here, read this |
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Mm-kay, a second thought about the election, then I'll shut up. I encourage everyone to read Stirling Newberry's thoughts on what to do next, available here:
http://www.tpmcafe.com/blog/coffeehouse/2006/nov/09/the_democratic_renewal
I don't agree with his politics -- it'll be a strange, strange day when I become pro-union -- but despite our differences I think the man's a proper visionary.
-- Nitnorth
--
"We act as though comforts and luxury were the chief requirements in life, when all that we need to make us really happy is something to be enthusiastic about." -- Charles Kingsley
Nov. 9th, 2006 @ 11:06 pm
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| » The news just keeps getting better. |
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It's starting to feel like the 12 days of Xmas around here: nearly _all_ my favorite Congressional idiots have been shown the door, or are fading to insignificance. Pombo, Weldon, and Santorum on Tuesday. Hastert announcing Wednesday that he won't seek to retain a leadership position in a Republican minority. And now, George Allen (VA) and Conrad Burns (MT) have both conceded their Senate races to their opponents rather than suffer through a recount.
...And it gets better. George "the torture never stops" Bush put out a press release saying he's re-nominating John Bolton as ambassador to the U.N., and outgoing Senator Lincoln Chafee (RI) said categorically, no. So Bolton's confirmation, like the wicked witch of the West, just had a house dropped on it.
That almost makes the thought of Robert "Humpty Dumpty" Gates(*) as SecDef tolerable. Almost.
-- Nitnorth
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(*) "When _I_ use a word," Humpty Dumpty said, in a rather scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean, neither more nor less." ... Rather like Gates' approach to intelligence gathering: "When _I_ create an NIE ..."
Nov. 9th, 2006 @ 03:02 pm
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| » Found a picture ... |
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Poking around Leigh Ann's computer, I found that she did what I wanted her to, what I wished she had: she captured the pictures off her camera of our geocaching trip to the steam trains in Tilden Park, May 14 -- two days before the accident. ( here's a sample )
-- Nitnorth
Jun. 5th, 2006 @ 10:51 pm
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| » Mailing list active for Leigh Ann memorial info |
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This is a message to make sure I flagged everyone who wanted to be flagged. Many people want to be kept informed of when and where the memorial(s) will be for Leigh Ann. I set up a mailing list, "lah", for that purpose at nithaus. The initial message with cursory details has gone out for the first event.
Alas, things have been confused enough that I'm sure I missed people who really wanted to be on the list. If you have not received from that list a welcome message and my initial report of the event date, you're not on the list. If you wanted to be, you can sign up here:
http://nithaus.org/mailman/listinfo/lah
Bare bones: Saturday 3 June, her house, time to be determined. Detailed info to follow later on that list.
Please also spread the word around, point people at this message, since only the tiniest fraction of her friends reads this journal.
Thanks,
-- Nitnorth
May. 22nd, 2006 @ 04:22 pm
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| » I updated the LAH memorial site. |
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In my previous post, I remarked on the memorial site I had set up for Leigh Ann. This is just to let you know I added a couple features to it:
- A guest book
- A better interface to view the photos
...Plus I added a bit of stuff, such as a really rather morbid scan of the "notice of stored vehicle" the California Highway Patrol sent to ... uh, her. That's linked from my post in the guest book.
Let me know what else you'd like, and tell me if anything's broken.
-- Nitnorth
May. 22nd, 2006 @ 02:19 am
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| » Your one-stop Leigh Ann memorial site |
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I promised this to Gary and some others on Weds, but didn't get it working even rudimentarily until just now:
I put up a publicly-modifiable memorial site for Leigh Ann here:
http://nithaus.org/LA/
What works there so far, up to some level:
* The picture gallery. Right now it's just a script with a thumbnail scroll bar at the top and the image displaying below, and I haven't really begun to stuff it yet. I'll get better display software later, as the image count starts to grow.
* A links list, with pointers to sites by, about, or containing her.
* Links to forms where people can insert images and links on that site.
* A rudimentary list of her interests.
* The bio I wrote here in LJ, not yet expanded but with its HTML made more spiffy.
What does NOT work yet:
* The blog. There will be a blog. I haven't coded it yet. I will as soon as I can.
* The wiki. We have one at the house and she had even gotten started doing up her own info, but never got very far -- it wasn't urgent because we were only talking to ourselves anyway.
You all can, and I wish you would, help me fill it out. Add pictures. Add links. I know they're out there. And if you find something lacking on the site that I haven't already talked about, ask for it.
Thanks, everyone.
-- Nitnorth
May. 20th, 2006 @ 11:28 am
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| » Info about our LAH memorial mass on Saturday |
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People have been asking in surprising numbers, so here are some details about the Keith Ave (Oakland) memorial mass for Leigh Ann that will be held this Saturday, 20 May 2006 at about 8:30 pm.
First, ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) hyla_regilla has this post on the subject. You should see that post for her initial thoughts. She will be our priestess for this mass. I will be priest. As we had originally scheduled it, Leigh Ann would have been deacon ... the first all-family mass since I don't remember when ... but alas, fate intervened. Instead, now it's in memoriam.
Now, for our non-Thelemic friends who don't know what to expect and who have questions, here are notes specific to THAT mass:
This is not, I repeat not not not a Christian mass, though it bears some obvious resemblance to one. WARNING: This means, "Naked priestess on the altar! Be warned!" Those who don't think they're ready for that should not attend -- show up after mass (10 pm or after), or wait for the wake/memorial that her brother and we are preparing at her house, details to be announced.
Those who do wish to attend but don't know where the location is should ask me for directions: nitnorth@nithaus.org
FAQ:
What should I bring?
There will be a potluck feast. Bring food you personally would like to eat, enough at least for you and a bit to share -- that way, there'll be enough for everyone. Finger food is advisable. Expect that kitchen space and time, while available, will need to be rationed.
Bring wine or beer or non-alcoholic beverages. (Please don't everyone bring only drinks! At least consider also bringing food. "Feast" implies eating, and we need your help to make it happen.)
How many people will attend?
We don't know. That's up to you, not us. Everyone is welcome (see below for caveats), but we don't know how many will show up.
What is appropriate attire?
There is no dress code. On this night of all nights, bright colors are encouraged: "Aye! feast! rejoice! there is no dread hereafter. There is the dissolution, and eternal ecstasy in the kisses of Nu." [Liber AL, II:44 - Thelema's primary holy book]
There is exactly one rule about attire: no shoes in the temple.
Should I bring an offering?
No, that won't be necessary.
ARIES: What bringest thou as an offering to our Lord?
SCORPIO-APOPHIS: The House of God is fallen. There is nothing left therein. Therefore I bring nothing but myself.
( Aleister Crowley, The Rite of Sol )
What happens during this mass?
You can read the text of the gnostic mass at this link. There, you'll also find a picture of the temple — note that it is a small room, about 15 feet by 25 feet, so attendees will probably need to get friendly if we have the crowd I expect.
We know you don't know the mass. We also won't give you a script, so you don't need to feel obliged to follow along, other than this minimum participation:
When we stand up, stand up. When we sit down, sit down (if that's even possible!). The deacon will let you know when to do those things. At the end of the mass, everyone present WILL take communion: no exceptions! The communion: eat a cookie (a "cake of light"); drink a cup of wine (water will be available for non-drinkers); turn to the assembled crowd and say, "There is no part of me that is not of the gods!"
If you aren't willing to do that, WAIT 'TIL LATER: show up after 10 pm. I'm serious. (But if you are willing and interested, we'd love to see you at mass!)
We will normally drink the wine from the same cup the priest uses. If you don't like that idea, or if you have a cold or some such, ask for a separate cup. If you want water instead of wine, let the deacon know as you come up for communion. If you have special dietary requirements, bring your own cookie, something you can eat — give it to the priestess before mass, and take that one when it's your turn.
What is the order of events?
First we will perform the mass, then we'll eat. That's the way we do it every week.
Which reminds me, please be aware: this is our regularly scheduled mass. We do this every week. ("We" has up until now included Leigh Ann as priestess ... or, on at least one occasion, as priest ... so this will be something of a change for us. Dammitall.) What makes this a memorial mass for Leigh Ann is twofold: we will include her as a special remembrance during a portion of the mass, and we will all be there for the purpose of wishing her the accomplishment of her True Will. It is you, not the ceremony in and of itself, that makes this a memorial.
Is this the only memorial?
No. This is only the nearest-term thing we're doing. There will be a gathering at Leigh Ann's house in the next few weeks, where we will toast her memory plus other stuff I'll describe later. If you can't, or don't want to, attend this event, don't fret.
May. 18th, 2006 @ 06:28 pm
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| » An undisciplined genius |
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These are top-of-the-head recollections of Leigh Ann's life and circumstances, written down as they occur to me, because a number of people have asked for information. I'll probably need to edit it later to correct things I misremembered. Please feel free to spread this around.
[18 May 13:00 - edited to add, correct some details of previously included material.]
[Incomplete because I ran out of time. Will edit later, so check back.]
( Read my notes... )
May. 18th, 2006 @ 08:33 am
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| » Just a little more on LA's accident |
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Last night late, I said:
Tonight -- that is, 16 May, about 19:20 hours (7:20 pm for those who don't think in military clock) -- motogrrl was involved in an accident on the freeway, on her motorcycle. She did not survive.
Now I'd like to add a couple notes to that.
When I talked to the coroners, they assured me she went "instantly". Being a cyclist myself, I wondered about that: must've been one hell of a crash, thought I; but now, knowing the details — freeway; motorcycle; lost control; dump truck — I believe it: sixty to gone in about 0.75 seconds.
And, the big thing that I hope everyone will carry around with them: she died doing what she loved.
Given the time, early evening, and the place, westbound freeway in Livermore, she was on her way home from geocaching. I don't know if she was hiding one or hunting one, but that was what was up.
Anyone who spent much time around her knows that when she fell into a thing, she fell completely. Caching was one of her more recent hobbies, and she was well on her way to her six hundredth find. So, truly, from her perspective this accident is only an abrupt, unexpected end to a day otherwise well spent.
-- Nitnorth
May. 17th, 2006 @ 08:46 am
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| » In memoriam motogrrl |
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By now pretty much the whole web knows, but there might actually be someone on my friends list who hasn't seen this yet, so:
Tonight -- that is, 16 May, about 19:20 hours (7:20 pm for those who don't think in military clock) -- motogrrl was involved in an accident on the freeway, on her motorcycle. She did not survive.
When I talked to the coroner, they didn't have anything but bare details. However, an article in the Contra Costa Times suggests that she somehow lost control of her bike, in very close proximity to a dump truck. And I have to say, thinking about it, that if she knew she had to go, she would at least have been pleased to know she closed the westbound I-580 for an hour when she did it.
-- Nitnorth
May. 17th, 2006 @ 12:55 am
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| » The new & improved LJ ain't workin' for me. |
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This is nothing important, just a mention:
LJ's recent round of changes seem to have exacerbated the disconnect between them and the browser I'm stuck with eighty hours a week. F'rinstance, my friends list (which is pretty much all I use this system for anyway, lately) is stuck on 30 January. Won't show me anything more recent without a certain amount of begging and threats of mayhem.
No reason to keep fighting with something that doesn't work for me, eh? So, if anyone out there really gives a good god damn about my political rants, you can find me at my Nithaus blog. When that's broken, I have only myself to blame, and I know who to call to fix it.
-- Nitnorth
Feb. 6th, 2006 @ 05:38 pm
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| » Whatever happened to terror? |
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Things to make you go "hmm" ...
this
post at The Washington Note reports a fascinating reader question:
When was the last time there was a major terror alert? They were something like a
regular occurence for the eighteen months or so before the 2004 election. And through
2004 the administration pushed the line that al Qaida was aiming to disrupt the
elections themselves. But as near I can tell there hasn't been a single one since
election day.
As I think of it — now that I think of it — that's right. What
happened? I guess the election must've scared all them terrorists so badly that they're
afraid to show their faces around here. Yep, that must be it.
That, or maybe Chertoff just ain't half the man that Tom Ridge was.
-- Nitnorth
Dec. 22nd, 2005 @ 03:36 pm
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| » Kenneth Lee Boyd is dead |
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Early this morning, Kenneth Lee Boyd achieved a distinction he didn't want, becoming the 1,000th person executed in the USA since we reinstated capital punishment in 1976. He was executed for murdering his wife and her father in 1988.
His picture's been all over the news this past week; perhaps you've seen it. I looked at the old man in that picture and got to wondering, is this old man the same person who murdered those two people? Really? After not quite twenty years?
So I wrote a bit of an article about that question. If you have a moment, you might consider reading it.
-- Nitnorth
Dec. 2nd, 2005 @ 02:25 pm
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| » Here's your hat, what's your hurry? |
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Found a great article
by General William E. Odom explaining why, if the USA wants to stabilize the Middle East, it should
get out of Iraq basically the day before yesterday. Sample quote:
Putting it bluntly, those who insist on staying in Iraq longer make the consequences of withdrawal more terrible and make it harder to find an alternative strategy for achieving regional stability.
Required reading for anyone interested in the war and its progress. Many thanks to Steve
Clemons (Washington Note) for pointing it out.
-- Nitnorth
Dec. 1st, 2005 @ 02:06 pm
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