DC Radical Faerie Beltane was a wonderful occasion this year. Our maypole was a motley assortment of all kinds of amazing colors and though it turned out a little kaplowy on top, the center part all the way down to the end wove up perfectly. It's a crazy beautiful thing.

And of course I'm like a shade away from sunstroke...

Cursed day star...

Anyways, the weekend was lovely. The bonfire was fun, even if the wood was smouldering on the fire. The maypole dance was excellent. And the little cluster of people going out for kabobs afterward was great.

Saturday night after the bonfire I went home and watched a ton of anime on adult swim. Hooray for an all anime saturday night again! It was glorious, and I even watched InuYasha twice! Sunday I bought a ton of anime at Best Buy with a tiny portion of my tax refund. I got the complete set of Noein, vol. 4 of Haruhi Suzumiya, and the movie Paprika.

So, tonight, I'm going to chill at home with my boyfriend, and a couple other folks and watch some Noein.

Tonight I spent hours with a group of faeries working up ideas for our HIV prevention campaign for Pride. We've got a great group of potentials, that we need to build up into a reality. Some of the messages are scary, some clever, some funny, some sexy, all are informative, and all are good. Now we refine and play around with images, we get our facts together, and then we go to press. It's going to be a really cool series of things. I can't wait to have them out there!

Spring is in the air, and Beltane is on my mind. In so many ways...

I'm planning and plotting and looking to buy another giant cache of ribbons. I was thinking about what I would say to the lovely people in Dupont Circle about the importance of the Maypole, and the *ahem* symbolism of said pole. ;)

Interestingly, dmlaenker pointed out that there is a picture of last year's maypole dance in the circle on the Wikipedia Page linked above. Scroll about halfway down on the right hand side and there we are. If you click on it to see the full size picture you can see my belly on the middle-right in the background.

I'm SO READY for May Day.

I understand the issue with the doing away with free things and how that's bad, but here's the thing. I pay for this journal. Annually. I'm more than likely going to use it, cause I bought it.

Simple.

It's been a long day for me. I worked at Benning, which is like an hour away from my house. Then I had a Circle Keeper's meeting for the Radical Faeries and that ran to about 9:45 and then I walked home and talked to dmlaenker, a friend from high school I haven't heard from in a long time, and sqrlcub in Portland. His and kurtbear's apartment sounds immaculate. I'm so happy for them.

Tomorrow I'm doing taxes all day (for the store and then hopefully myself) and then tomorrow evening I'm hosting Faerie Ostara. We're going to build a spring altar and heart circle. I think it will be good, but you never know these days.

And on that note I'm off to read my last comic of the lot and get my ass to bed.

Good night, and Gods Bless.

Oh, and Enjoy the Silence.

Yesterday was the DC Radical Faerie Feast of the Red Dragon. Holy crap it was awesome. We raised well over $2,000, final count is still trickling in. This is going to be fantastic for us in developing this HIV Prevention Campaign.

After Red Dragon JD and I went home and promptly collapsed from lack of sleep. We then slept until about 11:00 p.m. and ordered pizza and other sundry foods which arrived at midnight so we could enjoy them with an evening of Deathnote. Stayed up to about 3:00 watching Torchwood season 2 on BBC America and then called it a night.

Why I am awake at 9:30 in the morning is kind of a mystery to me.

So, I was having a bitch of a time trying to make the plastic work. I decided it couldn't work out in the way I was going, and it was going to look like crap. Everyone told me so. So, I pulled out a make it work moment.

See, I was going to wear the plastic dress to red dragon. If I couldn't pull that off I had to have a backup.

This was my backup.



Pink, Red and Black (and iridescent sparkle), camouflage stretch knit jersey.

It's a tank dress.

And I am tank girl.

I'm going to try and buy some serious boots to wear with this. And I think I need sunglasses...

Tomorrow I shop!

-----------------

In other fashion news the circle keepers of the DC Radical Faeries have really embraced the idea of "Vive La Revolucion!" for a Pride theme. And actually Eldritch inspired me to take it even further. Originally I was going to make a Marie Antoinette kind of costume out of an absinthe green kind of material and do a post-mortem marie... However, I think I will now use the digital camouflage fabric to make an 18th century gown. It'll have the right shape and drape and corsetry and everything. Just in 21st century camouflage. It's incredibly exciting! We thought about a number of different looks in which we could use the digital camo including a 19th century women's libber, 20th century central american revolutionary, an evening gown, modern kilt, mini skirts and 80's office wear...

I think we were on a roll.
And I think it will be fantastically crazy!

For those of you who are unaware, this Saturday Feb. 16th is the annual Feast of the Red Dragon.

The Red Dragon is a combination feast/magickal working/auction focused on finding healing, cures and prevention of blood-borne diseases. I'm not positive but I think this is our 9th or 10th year hosting this event...

Anyhow, as I mentioned there is an unbelievably wonderful auction. We've been getting some GREAT auction items. I've been posting them up on the blog. To see the first fifteen lots you should go check out dcradfeys.

Red Dragon Auction: Lots 1-4
Red Dragon Auction: Lots 5-15

AND! In addition to the auction items there will also be a raffle full of unbelievably cool stuff and gift cards galore. I'll be posting the raffle items later this week.

I can hardly wait, this is going to be so cool!

When: Saturday, February 16, 2-5 pm
Where: Westminster Presbyterian Church, 400 I st SW, Washington DC
Tickets: $13.00, payable online HERE or pay at the door. As per long standing faerie tradition, no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

What is Red Dragon?

The Red Dragon Feast is a combination feast, charity event and magickal working done with the intent of sending forth our red dragon to battle against blood-borne diseases. We gather together in red attire, feast on red foods, and toast with red drinks. We also have an outrageous auction that raises additional money for each year's selected charity.

Where does the money go?

Previous donations raised for Red Dragon have gone to local DC charities and research projects to combat all types of blood borne diseases. Our recipients change every year, and past donations have gone to help cure breast cancer, Pediatric AIDS, Sickle Cell Anemia, Teen HIV/AIDS, and Diabetes.

Proceeds from this years event will go toward the creation of a DC Radical Faerie produced HIV prevention campaign. Details will be forthcoming.

What should I wear/bring/do?

Attire: Anything, as long as it's red. You could wear a red sequined thong or a red tee shirt and jeans, and we'd be just as happy either way.

Bring: Happiness, High Hopes, and your cash and credit cards. Please don't bring food, as food will be provided. Also, this year we will be collecting auction items early and posting them here on the blog. Please don't bring auction items on the day of the event. But DO bring cash or credit cards to pay for your auction items on site.

Do: Have a good time. Enjoy the food. Share your heart. Be generous.

Who are the DC Radical Faeries?

The DC Radical Faeries is a community-based organization of men, women and others who explore queer spirituality. We promote an understanding of Earth-based religions and interfaith cooperation. We welcome all queer spirits, straight, gay, bi, trans, two-spirited or searching. We welcome people from all walks of life who want to share and nurture their essential fabulosity. DC Radical Faeries are also a 501(c)3 charitable organization, and all donations are tax deductible.

For additional information please contact the faerie info line: info@dcradfeys.org

* Work: Worked today, and will work again tomorrow and monday. Sometimes I'm too responsible for my own damn good.

* Japanese: I'm up to Rosetta Stone level 1 Lesson 2.5. Today I learned Big, Small, Long, Short, Shapes, Colors, Sequences, Yes and No, and the difference between animals and people. I find it unusual that the Kanji for "circle" is so non-circular. The phrase that cracked me up the most was "Chiisana tento" which means "little tent." I was saying it over and over in the shower like a crazy person.

In continuing with Japanese I nearly answered the phone Moshi Moshi tonight for fun. It was Greenpeace asking for more money and I gave it to them. I should have pretended to be Japanese, answering them only in bizarro Japanese. It could have been fun.

* Body: I shaved my head tonight, and I nicked the HELL out of my scalp. I've got a band aid on my head and I feel kind of stupid. Thank goodness I'm not going anywhere tonight. Also, my hands are UNBEARABLY dry. I have some Curel ultra healing lotion and I'm hoping that helps. It seems to be doing good so far.

* Home: jcruisedirector moved out yesterday. The room is empty and my home is amazingly quiet. Though empty boxes still remain to be broken down. It's nice to have the place to myself again, if only for a while.

* Movies: I saw Juno the other night. It made me feel loved. I need more moments like that in movies. We all need more moments like that in movies.

* TV: Television is slowly grinding to a halt because of the damn writer's strike. I'm kind of sick of it. I just want to be entertained when I come home at night and not have to be bored by the dregs of television because of a labor dispute. All the reality TV in the world is nothing compared to shows like Journeyman, Chuck and Heroes. Thank god I have the world of anime to comfort me in my time of need.

* Books: I finished reading "The Beautiful Things that Heaven Bears." It's a wonderful book about an Ethiopian immigrant in Washington DC, watching the early stage of the gentrification of Logan Circle, and just dealing with his life. It was a great book. Wonderful even. Next for the book club is Edward P. Jones's "All Aunt Hagar's Children." It's a collection of short stories, also all based in DC. Can't wait. I'm also reading "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." It's a very eye opening book. I'm glad I got it.

* Comics: I read Monster v.2, Hellsing v.1, Parasyte v.2, the beginning of Lone Wolf and Cub, and I'm muddling through Mushishi 3 in Japanese (not doing too well). I'm getting a box shipped from my favorite comic shop in Cincinnati sometime next week. I'm REALLY looking forward to that since it's a fucking fortune in comics.

* Internet: There's been some talk on Fabulon about wanting to have some kind of DC meetup, since there's a whole bunch of us from DC. I'm thinking it should happen so I put a note out there for a Fabulon Expedition/Exhibition in DC sometime in January. Details will be forthcoming.

* DC: Titan bar is closing their doors tomorrow and I'm very sad about this. Titan was like the one bar I would go to here in town and for reasons unknown they gave notice to everyone on Wednesday and it's been all over the blogs. I hope the owners and the staff all find new directions that benefit them. It's even sadder that it's one more gay club in DC that's gone.

* Quilt: I haven't worked on the quilt, yet, but I've got to clear up my dining room so I can work at the big table. I'm planning on next weekend being a good quilting weekend.

* Book: Haven't opened up Mordred since Nanowrimo. I will work on it again. Slow and steady it will come round. I've got the outline down and ready. I just need to write. I will set aside time next week to work on this.

* Faeries: I haven't been to faeries all month. I plan on going on Monday. Hopefully there will be someone there and we can sing carols or something.

* New Years: JD and I plan on going to his friends's New Years party. It was a lovely occasion last time. I'm hoping it's just as good this time round. Probably will be. And no more splurging on fantastic dinners before hand because the food was out of control at that party. We'll bring a couple bottles of booze to add to the cause and hopefully that'll keep people going.

Enshrouding is a commonly performed rite of the DC Radical Faeries. We are a transient group, subject to the ebbs and flows of the people through our fair town, and as such we see faeries come into our lives and flow out of our lives to go on to prospects elsewhere, for reasons more numerous to count. To honor the transition we perform the Rite of Enshrouding upon our faeries who choose to leave us.

This is the structure and process for the true and ancient rite of enshrouding.

Once a faerie announces hir intention to leave the group, move to other shores, wander for a bit, or go on extended holiday the Faeries are behooved to honor hir with the rite of enshrouding.

The ritual shroud is placed over hir body, enveloping hir in the hazy uncertainity of what is to come and the beginning the transition to the other.

All faeries then place their hands upon hir and tell stories and memories of loving moments had in our faerie circle and elsewhere.

Once all loving memories have been shared then blessings for the future are shared, energy is sung, chanted, poeticized and heralded over hir.

The shroud is then removed and the faerie sent forth onto hir wanderings and wonderings.

Tonight, jcruisedirector leaves our circle. He will be sent forth using the same shroud that sent forth J & L and B & G. The shroud has also been used in DC Radical Faerie Samhain for several years. This one strange piece of cloth has felt so much love and joy and pain and separation. I feel honored to keep it in my home.

1. Entering the dates for all 2008 DC Radical Faerie Events into our website. (half done, all done in the Yahoo Calendar, now to update the webpage.)
2. Work toward finishing the back of the Cosmic Quilt
3. Do all the laundry
4. Finish reading my book club book

I would have started working on the quilt today, but I forgot that I had to work at the branch. So I'm here until 5:00 and then I head home to finish the final load of laundry and work on the quilt.

I listened to the audio book edition of "I Am Legend" by Richard Matheson, and it was GOOD. I mean, REALLY GOOD. Man, I have not heard drama like that in a long time and I was seriously scared, and the ending... WOW. Definitely a must read. The audiobook edition that I was listening to yesterday includes several other stories, but I'm not sure which ones they are. I'll find out when I get home.

And season finale of Dexter tonight! Damn has that been good this year.

Since I've got some time I'll expound upon Project Runway in a little bit. I've been long overdue.

1. Entering the dates for all 2008 DC Radical Faerie Events into our website
2. Work toward finishing the back of the Cosmic Quilt
3. Do all the laundry
4. Finish reading my book club book

I should be able to pull this off.

For those of you who were unable to attend DC Radical Faerie Yule, here is a snippet of the action from the evening. This is the performance for which I sewed all those kimonos. This is the Fairy Tale of the Snow Prince. I apologize for the unbelievably shitty rendering on this, but it really is the best I could do so far. It's actually better if you watch it in the smallest screen rather than blowing it up to full screen.



For the record these were the actors:

Kikori - dmlaenker
Yuki - fritterfae
Blizzard (fubuki) - jcruisedirector
Frost (Shimo) - c4bl3fl4m3
Iceberg (Hyozan) - Just Julie
Glacier (Hyoga) - Anne
Narrator - eeldritch

The play was written by me, costumes by me, and makeup was done by jcruisedirector. Music was provided by kiltedcubpa (Drum) and Thyme (viola).

And for the record, we only rehearsed this moments before we performed it. Only two people were clued into how this was going to work until the day of the event, but it worked. Gods be praised.

Oh, and this is my first official YouTube video, and hopefully they will be less shitty after this one.

You are cordially invited to attend

DC Radical Faerie Yule:
Legend of the Snow Prince

December 8, 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Universalist National Memorial Church
1810 16th St NW
Washington, DC

Who is this "Snow Prince"?

"Legend of the Snow Prince" is an original play by the DC Radical Faeries inspired by Japanese fairy tales. Kikori, the woodsman finds love and danger in the arms of Yuki, prince of the court of Winter. What will be their fate? Come and find out!

What will happen at Faerie Yule?

Enjoying snacks and warm beverages!
Singing jolly seasonal tunes!
Dancing traditional social dances!
Being astounded by theatrical wonder!

Is there a fee?

We will graciously accept donations of $5.00 or more upon arrival. But DC Radical Faerie Yule is open to all who wish to attend. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

What should I bring?

Do: Bring friends and family!
Do: Bring your dancin' shoes!
Do: Bring colorful items to add to our seasonal altars!

Do Not: Bring food or drinks as they will be provided

Who are the DC Radical Faeries?

The DC Radical Faeries is a community-based organization of men and women who explore queer spirituality. We promote an understanding of Earth-based religions and interfaith cooperation. We welcome all queer spirits, straight, gay, bi, trans, two-spirited or searching. We welcome people from all walks of life who want to share and nurture their essential fabulosity.

For additional questions or information please contact Fritter at:
info@dcradfeys. org

Well, I have one full kimono down and 7 belts. Tomorrow I dye these and then sew the rest. It should be pretty simple to get them done now that I've got the pattern down.

More later.

All pieces are cut excepting seven little extra bits that I'm adding in for flair (literally).

We're talking bell bottom kimonos baby.

It's going to be awesome.

jcruisedirector was asking if we had a makeup strategy and I'm thinking I do. I just need to talk to a makeup consultant about getting it down right.

So I'm calling Maybelline (the faerie) tomorrow evening while I'm sewing.

Because that's all I'm doing tomorrow is sewing.

Thursday is sewing, and Friday is decoration/dyeing.

It's going to be all good. I have faith.

I've got fronts, backs and trims all cut out. I need to do sleeves and sashes (read obi for guys).

I cut out all seven at once. Let me tell you how much of a bitch it was to place all that yardage so that it overlapped properly. Ugh.

Thankfully they're costume kimonos so rough edges and minor unevenness is forgiveable.

Still though, they're going to be pretty damn cool. Well, they'll look cheap, but decent. They're kinda see through so it'll be kind of cheap and sexy... Sometimes a very good combo.

I have storytime in the morning. We're doing Fables. No, not the extra hot Vertigo Fables, but the Aesop kind.

Tomorrow is Project Runway 4-4. I'm excited.

OH! And I bought holiday cards. If you'd like one just drop me an email.

OH2! I bought Doctor Who Season 3 on DVD tonight. I got it with a coupon from Border's Rewards for only $59.00

Night kids.

* Work vs Faeries: I now work monday nights, and thus am taking a few months off from faerie potluck. This sucks but can't be helped. Honestly, I think it will help me get over the burnout I've been experiencing with faeries. It's just hard to be on for so long.

* Money: Money seems to be working itself out slowly but surely. Hopefully I'll be able to get fully caught up on everything and get my finances back in order.

* Home: jcruisedirector has moved back in temporarily. We've worked out an agreement that is mutually beneficial, and hopefully can move beyond the drama of previous issues. The only major thing is that there are like five-million boxes all over the house now. But we're working on that.

* Art: dmlaenker and I have successfully purchased all the required frames to finish out our home art gallery project. It's turned into something absolutely fantastic. Though there are still obvious empty spaces on the walls that need to be filled. We'll get there.

* Kimonos: I blew a big amount of cash on 50 yards of plain white broadcloth to make these costume kimonos for yule. Now I just need to fucking cut and sew out 7 kimonos and dye and draw everything.

* TV: I've been watching Project Runway again. It deserves some full length post treatment. Seriously. I'm loving some of the people this season, especially the crazy one who is not only crazy, but also seriously talented. OH! And Dante's Cove is back. All I have to say is you mixed my Jungian psychology with my witchcraft! You mixed my witchcraft with Jungian psychology! House of Shadows indeed.

* Nanowrimo: I fail again at Nanowrimo, but I shall not be defeated. I still feel like I had a great book going when I stopped for my Seattle vacation and I just haven't had a minute to catch up. I'm going to try and hit that 50,000 word mark by the end of the year and get that shit done.

* Quilt: In keeping with the spirit of getting shit done, I'm going to get that fucking quilt on the hoop this winter and finish off the cosmic quilt. It's been 4 years in the making. It's going to be worth every procrastinated minute of it.

* Games: dmlaenker brought me the gift of another little bookcase. We decided to put it under the buffet area in the dining room and it fits PERFECTLY. I decided to load it up with all the house games, and it looks great and will be perfectly accessible when we get to having regular game nights again.

You are cordially invited to attend

DC Radical Faerie Yule:
Legend of the Snow Prince

December 8, 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Universalist National Memorial Church
1810 16th St NW
Washington, DC

Who is this "Snow Prince"?

"Legend of the Snow Prince" is an original play by the DC Radical Faeries inspired by Japanese fairy tales. Kikori, the woodsman finds love and danger in the arms of Yuki, prince of the court of Winter. What will be their fate? Come and find out!

What will happen at Faerie Yule?

Enjoying snacks and warm beverages!
Singing jolly seasonal tunes!
Dancing traditional social dances!
Being astounded by theatrical wonder!

Is there a fee?

We will graciously accept donations of $5.00 or more upon arrival. But DC Radical Faerie Yule is open to all who wish to attend. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

What should I bring?

Do: Bring friends and family!
Do: Bring your dancin' shoes!
Do: Bring colorful items to add to our seasonal altars!

Do Not: Bring food or drinks as they will be provided

Who are the DC Radical Faeries?

The DC Radical Faeries is a community-based organization of men and women who explore queer spirituality. We promote an understanding of Earth-based religions and interfaith cooperation. We welcome all queer spirits, straight, gay, bi, trans, two-spirited or searching. We welcome people from all walks of life who want to share and nurture their essential fabulosity.

For additional questions or information please contact Fritter at:
info@dcradfeys. org

The last of the guests just left my house from the Faerie ThanksGaia dinner and Margaret Cho marathon. It was a LONG day.

Dinner consisted of:

turkey Breast
tofurkey
chicken tenders
veggie gravy
cranberry sauce
cranberry and blueberry dressing
beer marinated brussel sprouts
green beans
collard greens
mashed potatoes
macaroni and cheese
squash
corn
cornbread dressing
rolls
banana bread
banana pudding
cookies
chocolate pie
pumpkin pie
key lime pie
apple cider
coffee
tea

And yes, I do have leftovers, but not that much.

The funniest thing we talked about, at least in my mind, was that the turkey breast was bio-turkey and that the tofurkey was trans-turkey (tofu-to-turkey).