Crazy Rev. Fred Phelps Closet Fan of Lady Gaga

If you go with the argument that those who doth protest too much against gays are probably gay themselves--then, Rev. Fred Phelps must be one helluva Lady Gaga fan. He's so entranced by her magic that he's going to start protesting her concerts! I say, Congrats Gaga!--you know you've achieved real fame when Phelps and his band of religious misfits show up at your events.

Here's what Phelps had to say about Our Lady: 
"God hates Lady Gaga. ... As much as she'd like to pretend otherwise, there's nothing new or different about this particular hussy's pretentious prancing. Does the simple slut truly think that she can change God's standards by seducing a generation of rebels into joining her in fist-raised, stiffnecked, hard-hearted rebellion against Him? Get real!"

Now, don't you just know Gaga is going to make this part of her quirky freak show!

And what do you mean by "simple slut?!" Seriously, Gaga is ANYTHING but simple. Ha-ha.

Just look at her outfit above--it's perfectly obvious that she's channeling the mighty and ancient Celtic god Cernunnos! I'd watch my back if I were you, Phelps!

Thinking of Renewal at Winter Solstice

So 'round we go once again. Today marks the shortest day of the year, when the Northern Hemisphere is positioned such that the least amount of the sun's heat and light reaches us. And then, slowly, the earth orbits the sun so that a little bit more of the sun gets to us each day, until we reach the longest day of the year in Summer 2010. I mark this day because it reminds me that I live on this tiny planet in this great, big, enormous universe--dependent on titled, orbiting planets and blazing stars that are cool enough not to bake us alive but warm enough so we don't freeze solid either. A little farther toward the sun or a little farther out, and that would be our story.

The Winter Solstice is a time for renewal, and this year I hope for renewed personal energy. I just don't have much enthusiasm--or patience!--for anything. And I also wish for a renewal of my relationship with my partner--meaning, that if anything is going to happen, if it's going to last, if it's worth saving, then now is the time. I may be crazy, but I still hope. He and I have enjoyed a good couple of days together, and that's made this season more special. We're working on renewal--and with that in mind, I'll share a short reading that i used in the solstice ceremony which we did together earlier this evening.

"Snow and ice have cooled our minds, 

Cold winds have blown away our fertile thoughts, 

Silent night have stilled our tongues. 

Like the bear, the fox and the toad,

Our creativity hibernates without the warmth of the sun.

Come to us now, Inspiration, as the sun returns!

As the sun grows in strength,

So may the fire in our hearts!" 

Happy Solstice everyone! Here's to renewal.

Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" Trailer

I can't wait! 

Fading from Darkness to Light

Whether you call it Advent or Solstice or even something else, this time of year typically is about light returning to the world. That may be Christ being born and bringing hope for salvation, or it may mean the wheel has once again turned and spring is on its way. Regardless, it's a hopeful time. I like that.

I also like this image. It was designed for a Christmas card by a guy in the U.K. named Johnny Baker. It feels wholly modern while still invoking something ancient and timeless.

Wishing y'all the best of the season.

Twinkle, Twinkle, LOTS of Stars: out searching for inspiration

Despite the December chill and my general malaise about life, I pushed myself out the door and drove to the observatory at the local community college where they have free public stargazing on Friday evenings. And I'm so glad I did! Bundled in coats, gloves, hats and scarves, a number of brave souls stared up into the night sky.

I found the constellation Cassiopeia (see above) all by myself, and then the lead stargazer pointed out that the bright object to the south of the observatory was the planet Jupiter. Then we each got to see it a bit closer through the telescope (enlarged to about the size of a pencil eraser, and you could just make out the planet's cloudy bands!).

Next we saw a double star; one shone a hot blue and the other a cooler yellow. The colors were very distinct. 

We viewed a variety of star clusters. Some were easy to make out while others were farther away and a bit fuzzy. But just knowing that one of those fuzzy clusters contained more than 1 million stars and was thousands of light years away blew my mind. I mean, I know all this stuff is out there, but to actually see it and try to wrap you head around it is a trip.

Then I realized my ears were going numb! But I did catch 2 planetary nebulae, with one called the Ring Nebula.

Then I headed back to my truck and fired up the heat! But it was worth the chill to fill my day with a little wonder, which has been sorely lacking. And to think I'd never visited the observatory before. Well, that needs to change.

And so I headed home--after a quick pit stop for some yummy hot chocolate.

"Your Johnnie Walker Eyes"

"I can’t believe how you looked at me
With your Johnnie Walker eyes.

He’s gonna get you, and after he’s through
There’s gonna be no love left to rye."

--"Speechless," by Lady Gaga

Foolish, Blind and Torn