The Whole Self

I asked the runes last night what I could expect out of my upcoming trip to the mountain house in South Carolina. I drew Sowelu which is for wholeness, life forces, and the sun's energy. Good, cuz I'm ready for a refill on all o' that.

The book says "Sowelu marks a time for recharging and regeneration right down to the cellular level," and another part reads, "practice the art of doing without doing." Well, duh. That's what I go away for. I guess I shouldn't ask questions I already know the answers to.

It also mentions letting light into some part of my life that has been secret, shut away. I have some ideas of what those parts could be, but if I babbled it all here then it wouldn't be secret and shut away anymore, now would it? Then what would I have left to shine light on besides the stars while I'm in SC? :)

Tonight I am thankful to Ralph Blum and my runes for helping me access my Id these past 20 years, even when I already knew what my higher Self would say. Thank you for sunny summer days, a rudimentary understanding of quantum physics, books and the trees that are sacrificed for my literary pleasure, and toothpaste.

Helium Has Tanked

I saw that sign on the door of Party City* today.

a) How do you have a helium shortage?
b) Memo To All Military Personnel: There will be no tank rentals today, so you'll just have to practice with the Hummers and a couple machine guns.
c) Why don't they outsource the helium from the heads of Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, and Ashlee Simpson?

When I rule the world...

NPR says the helium shortage is due to a couple plants overseas not operating. Here's something I'll betcha didn't know: a fifth of the global helium market provides coolant for MRI machines, and an almost equal percent is used in laser welding. Sounds serious.

Another large consumer is NASA which (and I quote): "requires a train-car-load of helium for each space-shuttle launch." We wouldn't want the astronauts going into space without the ability to entertain Houston with chipmunk voices.

Also on NPR's page: "Helium balloon fans -- of whatever age -- shouldn't worry about a shortage, however: The balloons suck up only 8 percent of the helium stock."

Party City must be getting their information from Fox News.

*Party City is a store that sells party paraphernalia like celebration banners, plates, plastic silverware, wrapping paper, and most importantly, balloons.

Santa in the Off Season

When you work in a building with 2000 other humans, you see some strange things in the cube farm. We have a large atrium flanked by mini-blind-draped windows. Most times the blinds are closed so people don't feel like they're working in the fishbowl that is reality. Tonight though, someone left one set open and as I walked down the stairs to the second floor, a large bit of yellow in an odd shape caught my eye. I almost tripped on the last step trying to determine if I was really seeing what my brain kept insisting was true. I closed in on the glass and before me stood Banana Claus.

Like the blonde in a horror film, I couldn't resist getting a closer look at (and a picture of) such a disturbing, yet fascinating, masterpiece of flea market fodder. Who would have such a thing in their office? How do they get anything done with this cheeky chimney diver right behind them? "He knows when you are sleeping, he knows when you're awake" takes on a very creepy tone when you're looking at the Head Elf in fruity drag.

His hands and face were made of rubbery material, and his body appeared to be mechanical. If we lived on a Hollywood movie set, I'm sure peering into his vacant stare would've triggered ominous holiday salutations right before he killed me in a gratuitous blood and gore scene.

From what I could tell, he was wearing the traditional maroon and white Santa suit under his Chiquita costume. Because, you know, if Santa Claus were the size of a Little Person and living in a cubicle, I'm sure he would choose to wear traditional professional attire of the North Pole, accented by a buttercup yellow stretchy foam produce ensemble.

W. T. F. ??

More Experience, Less Things

This is my favorite thought right now. It would appear I'm a little late (as usual) to the party of this mantra, but I'm here now nonetheless. I started purging my closets months ago and there's been a perpetual pile of craigslist- and eBay-bound junk - er, stuff - on the floor of my bedroom ever since. I can't believe how much I've sold, and I still keep finding more to add to the pile, which is why it hasn't gone away completely for so long. I want to get down to the furniture and the things I absolutely can't live without. (Unfortunately, there's still quite a bit I can't live without!) I wanted to put all the money I make on these things into a fund to go on a retreat or just travel somewhere, but so far every time I've sold stuff I've been forced to use the money for bills or food. My current paycheck is simply not covering life's expenses. The good news is things are leaving my existence to be enjoyed elsewhere and the more space I make in my life, the freer I feel. Wealth comes in many forms. I'd like my next bit of wealth to be freedom from debt tho.

The Thirteenth Factor

Last night I finally remembered to look up some stuff on shapeshifting. Turns out there's not much information out there on it that I didn't already know. I found it interesting though that sometimes they call it "merging" or "the thirteenth factor." (Appropriate for today, given the date.) 13 has always been a magic number. The story about how medieval Christian priests spread rumors about it being a bad luck number so the converted pagans wouldn't use it for magick anymore is one of those things that just makes me like it more.

My strongest ability to shapeshift lies with fox medicine. I'm not talking about literally turning myself into an animal; I'm talking about applying abilities and mannerisms of certain animals to your human form. For those who don't know, fox's power is that of blending in - camouflage - and apparently I do this without even thinking. I chalk it up to being the observer personality type. I read on one web page that when you have really strong fox medicine it's hard to be noticed even when you want to be. This rang true because I can't tell you how many people jump when I come up behind them. I don't mean to be quiet, and sometimes I'm even trying to make noise knowing how often this happens, but they don't hear or see me until I say something, then they freak. It's a little annoying when you can't get attention you're actually seeking.

Fox medicine can be handy too tho. When I intend to disappear for awhile because I need time alone, I'm quite effective at it. I've had friends comment that it's like I fell off the face of the Earth. I feel a little smug when that happens. Not sure why that particular emotion. Will explore that later.

I guess it makes sense that this is the strongest characteristic from the animal world that I can use since dragonfly's story in the Sams medicine cards is also one of shapeshifting. I know these things are stories and legends, and it's not like I believe them word for word, but every story has a grain of truth in it somewhere, so you just gotta wonder what grain started some of these legends, ya know?