Saturnalia Smash!
Yesterday was Ocean's Tide's Saturnalia ritual, held at The Mango Grove on Smith Street in North Providence. The Mango Grove is a very nice little herb shop owned by a woman who recently moved to Burrillville from New York.
Our rite went well, with little stumbling over the Latin and a good omen. We then gave our 'Secret Saturn' gifts to each other, and I think we all had good responses. I had Anthony, who I gave coffee to, though I still intend to make my original idea for a gift, which is a large wooden Thor's Hammer. The person who got me was Brian, and he gave me a hand carved set of runes made from cherry wood. I'm planning to use the paint I bought to make new stones on these instead, most likely mixed with a drop of my own blood (yea, that sounds gruesome, but there's a reason for it. Be assured that I am not bleeding myself without purpose.)
After the ritual we all me back up at Newport Creamery. Apparently they have a burger that is made with an entire pound of beef. I think I would only brave that on a day in which I had eaten very little.
Today I read The Ultimate Survival Guide (previously published as The SAS Survival Guide), which got me continuing some planning I'd started recently.
Those of you who seriously participate in Warrior spirituality and lifestyle (as opposed to those who think their lives are a role playing game), or know someone who does, have probably noticed the tendency we have for over-preparation, often to such a degree that it borders on paranoia to the casual observer. It would be actual paranoia, of course, if we believed that all of our worst-case-scenario plans were likely to be used. More often then not, it's more of a case of "Rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it."
The recent news about the threat of the bird flu has both Kris and I worried, though it is definitely Kris who is more scared. Either way, I started making plans that I'd been meaning to make for awhile, in case anything bad ever happens. In the case of the avian flu, it would only be used on the off chance that it mutates and comes here before a vaccine is created. This is something that is highly unlikely, but I plan anyway.
Of course, I wanted to make such a plan anyway, in case of any sort of disaster. Like I said, none of it will likely ever happen, but who knows? I've been thinking of ways to keep the plans adaptable, depending on what sort of situation I'd find myself in.
If any of you are just as paranoid as I am, you are of course welcome to discuss the aforementioned contingency plans with me. I think I will list my all purpose inventory list here soon, so you all can see just how over-prepared I can get.
Our rite went well, with little stumbling over the Latin and a good omen. We then gave our 'Secret Saturn' gifts to each other, and I think we all had good responses. I had Anthony, who I gave coffee to, though I still intend to make my original idea for a gift, which is a large wooden Thor's Hammer. The person who got me was Brian, and he gave me a hand carved set of runes made from cherry wood. I'm planning to use the paint I bought to make new stones on these instead, most likely mixed with a drop of my own blood (yea, that sounds gruesome, but there's a reason for it. Be assured that I am not bleeding myself without purpose.)
After the ritual we all me back up at Newport Creamery. Apparently they have a burger that is made with an entire pound of beef. I think I would only brave that on a day in which I had eaten very little.
Today I read The Ultimate Survival Guide (previously published as The SAS Survival Guide), which got me continuing some planning I'd started recently.
Those of you who seriously participate in Warrior spirituality and lifestyle (as opposed to those who think their lives are a role playing game), or know someone who does, have probably noticed the tendency we have for over-preparation, often to such a degree that it borders on paranoia to the casual observer. It would be actual paranoia, of course, if we believed that all of our worst-case-scenario plans were likely to be used. More often then not, it's more of a case of "Rather have it and not need it, than need it and not have it."
The recent news about the threat of the bird flu has both Kris and I worried, though it is definitely Kris who is more scared. Either way, I started making plans that I'd been meaning to make for awhile, in case anything bad ever happens. In the case of the avian flu, it would only be used on the off chance that it mutates and comes here before a vaccine is created. This is something that is highly unlikely, but I plan anyway.
Of course, I wanted to make such a plan anyway, in case of any sort of disaster. Like I said, none of it will likely ever happen, but who knows? I've been thinking of ways to keep the plans adaptable, depending on what sort of situation I'd find myself in.
If any of you are just as paranoid as I am, you are of course welcome to discuss the aforementioned contingency plans with me. I think I will list my all purpose inventory list here soon, so you all can see just how over-prepared I can get.