(no subject)
So it has come to my attention that some of my readers are sick of my red map. I suppose it wouldn't kill me to update this LJ.
In an effort to conserve heat, ye olde roommates and I have instituted a thermostat policy of 55 degrees. It's been rather chilly this past month so I compensate with liberal applications of electric space heater and Sailor Jerry rum. As today was a festive day, I indulged in the latter nearly to excess. If a lady never divulges her age, a gentleman never admits he is drunk. I will admit, though, that my belly and my cheeks are flushed with that joie de vivre that only barbiturates can provide.
In parts of Europe today is the final day of Carnival. This festive season is a holdover from Europe's Catholic days. In Italian, the phrase "carne levare" means "to remove meat" and refers to the traditional fast from all meat that runs from Ash Wednesday until the end of Lent (i.e. the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday). Today is the last and most festive day of the Carnival, Mardis Gras (French for "Fat Tuesday"). In a certain sense the spirit of European Carnival is like the feasting that occurs in Muslim countries after sundown during Ramadan. Muslims will not eat or drink during the day, but after their evening prayers they feast like its a professional sport. So analogously, Lent is to Carnival as Ramadan fasting is to Ramadan feasting.
It is kinda sad that America has shortened an entire season of feasting and partying into one measly night. Mardis Gras is nice, and all, but Italy totally has us beat.
I fattened up my Mardis by eating delicious Trader Joe's tortellini, baked chicken, Ben & Jerry's Phish Food ice cream, and some Coke fortified by the aforementioned Sailor Jerry. I then watched Lost with my roommates.
Ash Wednesday begins in the morning... the day when Catholics large and small shuffle off to get their foreheads smeared with the ashes of last year's Palm Sunday palm leaves (which had been dried out all year and then burned using blessed oil). For those between the ages of 14 and 59, the day also requires fasting. People generally keep some sort of personal fast between that day and Easter. You can see, in such a system, the allure of pre-Lenten Carnival.
In the spirit of giving things up for Lent, I am giving up my residency in this fine old house. Granted this decision comes more from economic necessity than piety, but let's not split hairs. I will likely bum around until April when my pal Taryn will be prepared to rent me a room in her new house (which will be just a few blocks from my current hipster digs).
I guess I could comment on other things going on in my life, but meh. I'd rather warp this up and see how much more festivity I can cram into the last hour of Carnival.
In an effort to conserve heat, ye olde roommates and I have instituted a thermostat policy of 55 degrees. It's been rather chilly this past month so I compensate with liberal applications of electric space heater and Sailor Jerry rum. As today was a festive day, I indulged in the latter nearly to excess. If a lady never divulges her age, a gentleman never admits he is drunk. I will admit, though, that my belly and my cheeks are flushed with that joie de vivre that only barbiturates can provide.
In parts of Europe today is the final day of Carnival. This festive season is a holdover from Europe's Catholic days. In Italian, the phrase "carne levare" means "to remove meat" and refers to the traditional fast from all meat that runs from Ash Wednesday until the end of Lent (i.e. the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday). Today is the last and most festive day of the Carnival, Mardis Gras (French for "Fat Tuesday"). In a certain sense the spirit of European Carnival is like the feasting that occurs in Muslim countries after sundown during Ramadan. Muslims will not eat or drink during the day, but after their evening prayers they feast like its a professional sport. So analogously, Lent is to Carnival as Ramadan fasting is to Ramadan feasting.
It is kinda sad that America has shortened an entire season of feasting and partying into one measly night. Mardis Gras is nice, and all, but Italy totally has us beat.
I fattened up my Mardis by eating delicious Trader Joe's tortellini, baked chicken, Ben & Jerry's Phish Food ice cream, and some Coke fortified by the aforementioned Sailor Jerry. I then watched Lost with my roommates.
Ash Wednesday begins in the morning... the day when Catholics large and small shuffle off to get their foreheads smeared with the ashes of last year's Palm Sunday palm leaves (which had been dried out all year and then burned using blessed oil). For those between the ages of 14 and 59, the day also requires fasting. People generally keep some sort of personal fast between that day and Easter. You can see, in such a system, the allure of pre-Lenten Carnival.
In the spirit of giving things up for Lent, I am giving up my residency in this fine old house. Granted this decision comes more from economic necessity than piety, but let's not split hairs. I will likely bum around until April when my pal Taryn will be prepared to rent me a room in her new house (which will be just a few blocks from my current hipster digs).
I guess I could comment on other things going on in my life, but meh. I'd rather warp this up and see how much more festivity I can cram into the last hour of Carnival.