Looking at the world through multi-coloured windows

We brought the stained glass window up from the car last night. Of course, that’s when I notice that there’s a spot where the lead bead has been pushed to the side and the glass is cracked there. It probably got damaged in the seller’s garage. Not a big deal though.

Isn’t she lovely?

Antiquing

Went to the big antique show at Christie Conservation area. It would definitely be a good idea to get there bright and early in future. We got there are 12:30 and realized there was No Way that we would be able to look at the majority of the booths before the place closed up at 5:00.

The first course of business, of course, was to get something to eat. They didn’t gouge as much as some places do, plus there was back bacon on a bun! Oh so tempting, but I stuck to the old reliable hot dog. Disappointed with the lemonade – tasted like it was from a powdered mix.

Just before the skies opened up, S spotted a stained glass window. It wasn’t as tall as we were looking for, but would do the trick. It has deep coloured glass in keeping with the transoms in the other houses in our row, something that’s surprisingly difficult to find (so much clear glass out there) Some of the glass in the window has an embossed pattern – something I only see in new lanterns etc from India or Morocco or wherever. Was that kind of glass common in windows supposedly from the 1880’s? I have no idea – and Google is not performing it’s usual miracles for me on the topic. Ah well… ignorance is bliss, yes?

This Day in History…

May 26, 1983 Got into my first car accident – it was the day of my grade 12 graduation.

May 26, 1990 Got married. Interestingly, Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley got married on this day in 1994.  Perhaps all marriages on this date were misguided?

On a more positive note, Peggy Lee was born on this day in 1920. Her real name was Norma Delores Egstrom. Boy, some things are better off not known.
John Wayne was also born this day in 1907. His real name was Marion Morrison.
And then there was Al Jolson, born this day in 1886. His real name was Asa Yoelson.

Hmmmm. I notice a trend.

The mark of Zoroaster

Ever curious, I looked up the Zoroastrian creed.  Here it is:

1. I curse the Daevas.

I declare myself a Mazda-worshipper, a supporter of Zarathushtra, hostile to the Daevas, fond of Ahura’s teaching, a praiser of the Amesha Spentas, a worshipper of the Amesha Spentas. I ascribe all good to Ahura Mazda, ‘and all the best,’ the Asha-owning one, splendid, xwarena-owning, whose is the cow, whose is Asha, whose is the light, ‘may whose blissful areas be filled with light’.

2. I choose the good Spenta Armaiti (Holy Spirit) for myself; let her be mine. I renounce the theft and robbery of the cow, and the damaging and plundering of the Mazdayasnian settlements.

3.I want freedom of movement and freedom of dwelling for those with homesteads, to those who dwell upon this earth with their cattle. With reverence for Asha, and (offerings) offered up, I vow this: I shall nevermore damage or plunder the Mazdayasnian set tlements, even if I have to risk life and limb.

4. I reject the authority of the Daevas, the wicked, no-good, lawless, evil-knowing, the most druj-like of beings, the foulest of beings, the most damaging of beings. I reject the Daevas and their comrades, I reject the demons (yatu) and their comrades; I reject any who harm beings. I reject them with my thoughts, words, and deeds. I reject them publicly. Even as I reject the head (authorities), so too do I reject the hostile followers of the druj.

5. As Ahura Mazda taught Zarathushtra at all discussions, at all meetings, at which Mazda and Zarathushtra conversed;

6. As Ahura Mazda taught Zarathushtra at all discussions, at all meetings, at which Mazda and Zarathushtra conversed — even as Zarathushtra rejected the authority of the Daevas, so I also reject, as Mazda-worshipper and supporter of Zarathushtra, the aut hority of the Daevas, even as he, the Asha-owning Zarathushtra, has rejected them.

7. As the belief of the waters, the belief of the plants, the belief of the well-made (Original) Cow; as the belief of Ahura Mazda who created the cow and the Asha-owning Man; as the belief of Zarathushtra, the belief of Kavi Vishtaspa, the belief of both Frashaostra and Jamaspa; as the belief of each of the Saoshyants (saviors) — fulfilling destiny and Asha-owning — so I am a Mazda-worshipper of this belief and teaching.

8. I profess myself a Mazda-worshipper, a Zoroastrian, having vowed it and professed it. I pledge myself to the well-thought thought, I pledge myself to the well-spoken word, I pledge myself to the well-done action.

9. I pledge myself to the Mazdayasnian religion, which causes the attack to be put off and weapons put down; which upholds khvaetvadatha (kin-marriage), which possesses Asha; which of all religions that exist or shall be, is the greatest, the best, and th e most beautiful: Ahuric, Zoroastrian. I ascribe all good to Ahura Mazda. This is the creed of the Mazdayasnian religion.

It’s clearly not for me… I sold my Mazda years ago (although I’m curious to know more about the well-made Original Cow)

What kind of pagan am I?

Surfing brought me to a quiz… there’s nothing quite like learning about your true and inner nature than an online quiz!

You scored as Zoroastrian Pagan. The Zoroastrian Pagan is a rare breed who follows the teachings of Zoroaster, the religious reformer. He believed that there were no gods, and it was naive to put faith in them and give them names. What one should focus on is merely serving one side of the cosmic duality; work on good or light deeds, and the world would become more good or light. Pagans of this variety are rare, but often feel like they get more done without the hassle and clutter of pantheons and gods. They're smart, analytical, and occationally cynical. Zoroastrian Pagan 65% Kabbalistic Pagan 30% Ecclectic Pagan 25% Shamanic Pagan 25% Eastern Pagan 20% Egyptian Pantheonic Pagan 15% Catholic (Pagan?) 10% Celtic Pantheonic Pagan 10% Greek Pantheonic Pagan 0% Roman Pantheonic Pagan 0% Norse Pantheonic Pagan (Asatru) 0% Sumerian, Babylonian, and Mesopotamian Pagans 0% What kind of Pagan are you? created with QuizFarm.com

The good part is that my employer allows me time off to observe Zoroastrian religious holidays. The bad part is Zorastrianism (?) seems to have prophets and scriptures… and that’s just not my bag, baby.

Better luck next time.

The long weeekend is over – let the short week begin

A long weekend is a good thing… but I could always use a fourth day just to sleep.

The cats are at a friend’s place, so we’re able to sleep the whole night through now. Loft-style living doesn’t lend itself to closing the bedroom door on the demon-spawn cat, because there are no doors. So I am so grateful that N is keeping the cats for a while. But she called me at 8:30 on monday morning – during prime sleeping-in time – just to say she wasn’t going to be at home with the cats that day. It’s not like they need constant supervision! Sigh – so much for blessed sleep.

I can’t wait to move into the house – all those doors! And a basement! On the down-side … it seems that the house is coming with it’s own cat, Baco. Baco seems like a longer-haired version of Minsky the demon-spawn. Maybe they’ll wear each other out.

Victoria Day

A little over three years ago, I got my nipples pierced. One piercing didn’t last long, but I tried to work with the remaining one. I did my best, but it’s been three years and it still hasn’t really healed. A few days ago I decided it was time for it to go… but couldnt get the barbell undone. Today, a stroke of genius… I soaked the nipple in Hydrogen Peroxide for a minute and it got rid of whatever was lodged in the threads. And that was that. I soaked the nipple in salt water for a while. When I checked again, the piercing was closed – almost like it never happened.

Sometimes things just don’t turn out the way you plan.