December 17, 2002 - B
"IO SATVRNALIA!"
This morning, Julia was all full of good wishes for Saturnalia, the ancient Roman holiday beginning on the 17th of December, and greeted me with ''IO SATVRNALIA!'' ("Hurrah, Saturnalia!"), the Roman equivalent of "Merry Christmas!". Saturnalia honored Saturn as the god of seed sowing, and although this festival was later replaced by Christmas, many of the festivities and customs of the Saturnalia have been absorbed into the Christian festival. For instance, it was a time of enjoyment, cheerfulness, and goodwill, and there was lighting of candles and giving of gifts.
The pagan festival began with a sacrifice at the temple of Saturn, followed by a public feast open to everyone. All business ceased on this general holiday, and on this one occasion in the year, people were allowed to play gambling games in public. Everyone wore holiday clothes and the soft cap (a pileus of red felt, now worn by Santa). Even the emperor wore this freedman's cap (the cap a freed slave wore to show his status) at this time, possibly to show the equalized status of all men during the celebrations. Equalized, indeed, for slaves were let off their duties and might even be served by their masters, and each household chose a mock king to preside over the festivities.
Thus it was, Julia was most eager to purchase a red Santa hat when we were out shopping the other day. She was quite determined that we call it by its 'proper' Roman name, however!
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IO SATVRNALIA!
December 19, 2002
"Writing And Sex"
But it's a springboard for thought, it is. I remember how amused I was when Laura and I explored a shop devoted to things of a sexual nature. Among the amazing two feet long appartuses, oils, odds and ends, and odds for the ends, a package had rather prominent display. Within it, various items had been assembled, among them, condoms, of course, but so amusing the caption on its BOX, ''When you're not even SAFE from yourself!'' So amusing, because quite possibly the most frequent of sexual events are those achieved in solitude.
A few WRITERS have made analogies between the act of writing and sex. Robert Heinlein said:
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''Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of, but do it in
private and wash your hands afterwards.''
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"The career of a writer is comparable to that of a woman of easy
virtue. You write first for pleasure, later for the pleasure of
others and finally for money." --Marcel Achard
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Although I still can be called 'professional', for once I got paid, not with 'filthy lucre', but with a few poetry books. However, it would have cost me money to buy them, had I not been given them, so it qualifies.
But the daily efforts here are more of the 'slutty' kind, ''Come one, come all! Any time you want, and the show is free!''. That some days I am given to the 'twice a day' habit may be no 'virtue', for it may be so much mental masturbation. It feels so good to do it, and there's a climax of sorts.
However, the trick of the great writer is they enable you to share their fantasy with them. It comes technicolor alive in your eyes, and you experience a satisfying conclusion. With the poor writer, on the other busy hand, all you get is the grimacing face and great concentration, and you're not sure much more than that went on. And you didn't really want to be audience to the whole thing, anyway.
December 20, 2002 - A
"Portrait In Progress"
Getting ready for a family portrait, they have. They've acquired festive clothing, and pose patiently in my mind for me.
I've got two of the characters done.
"Portrait's Perfection"
It still is amazing, for it's the first halfway decent non-abstract art I've done from pure imagination. Do see it large-size.
The vamp family is pleased with it. The large portrait will go on a wide wall in their apartment. And they were so excited to get new clothes, too. Read about it here.
"Chain Of Words"
What would I learn new? Or will it merely be deeper details of a fact already known?
Do we need faith to wield this? Can I, faithless, pick up the chain, and find its connections?
Do the connections, when found, make the faith?
For the moment, I believe so.
"To The Makers Of Magic"
Michael looks lovingly at his new family, while Livia grins happily. The space to the right is for tall Golden's hair, and Gwen will take the far right position.
December 20, 2002 - B
December 21, 2002
Bracelet my Mother gave me this year for Christmas. The linked words are, in order:
PEACE, LOVE, JOY, HOPE, FAITH, TRUTH, LIFE
December 22, 2002
TECHNÊ SÔZEI ZÔES
''Art Saves Lives''
(Julia's pin created by Maria C. Moya)
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