Peking Duck

My 30th birthday took place at one of the threshold times in my life.  I had recently read The Spiral Dance, and was in the process of looking for a Wiccan group.  Six weeks later I would attend my first Wicca class/ritual, and my life would be forever changed.That change hadn't happened yet, but I was aware…

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Birthdays and decades

Last Wednesday was my birthday; I'm now 49. If you forgot, it's OK; birthdays are my affectation, and I don't expect everyone else to have the enthusiasm I do.I spent the evening in the company of friends, playing Munchkin. Afterwards my best friend stayed for a while and we hung out. He did some measurements and sketches…

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Fake memory meme

From catbirdgirl :If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now, (even if we don't speak often or ever) please post a comment with a COMPLETELY MADE UP AND FICTIONAL memory of you and me.It can be anything you want - good or bad - BUT IT HAS TO BE FAKE.When you're finished, post…

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On science fiction and sci-fi

I must be one of the few Wiccans who’s blogging on this day, yet is not discussing Samhain.  I’ve read some other Samhain-related blog posts, and found that those commentators spoke far more eloquently on the subject that I could.  I have a spare hour, so instead I’m writing on another topic that interests me.

I grew up on science fiction.  The first science-fiction book I ever read was The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom Planet by Eleanor Cameron; it was given to me by my third-grade teacher.  I’ve been a reader of science fiction ever since. 

I reached adolescence on fantasy.  I don’t recall the first "fantasy" novel I read per se, but I remember the first fantasy work of any significance to me: The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien.  I don’t remember who first recommended the work to me, but I remember reading it when I was 14.  I’ve been a reader of fantasy ever since.

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Return from the PA Ren Faire

As I mentioned in my previous post, I visited the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire this past weekend. As promised, no 13-part saga this time.The weather predictions were correct: it was wet and rainy both days I was there. Many acts were cancelled or reduced.  But H's shows went on.  What a trouper!I'm normally found at the NY Ren…

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Road Trip… again

I'm going down the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire this weekend to visit H.  It's actually been a few years since I've had the chance to see her perform at a Ren Faire.  I'm looking forward to it.Of course, as must happen in all ventures of this sort, the weather prediction is not good: 70% chance of rain.  Oh…

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Physics web-cam

The following observation was brought to my attention:www.cyriak.co.uk/lhc/lhc-webcams.htmlI want to assure everyone that the experiment shown, CMS ("Compact Muon Solenoid") is not the experiment on which I worked.  I worked for a while on ATLAS  ("A Toroidal LHC ApparatuS").  I can assure you that the experiment on which I worked would be first to make any such…

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