Archive for August, 2008
Crow
Friday, August 29th, 2008 | LIFE | No Comments
So I have been thinking on the raven in the Christian version of the Noah’s Ark story. I believe that if I really dig deep for archetypal meanings, the closer I will be to what the stories are trying to teach. That doesn’t mean I will KNOW or that I will even UNDERSTAND. I have found, however, that new insight is sometimes like a breath of air after being under water just long enough for it to begin to be painful.
I don’t believe for a minute that the mighty creator of the universe meant for anything in creation to get an ultimate “bad rap.” We all have our shadow side. All creation does. In most parts of the world the raven is considered a prophet. “Raven’s Knowledge” indicates wisdom and “seeing.”
Many mythologized ravens as messengers of death because of their carrion consumption. However, another way to see it is that they are “spirit carriers.” Early goddess myth had the ravens/crows being the ones that carried the body’s spirit to Heaven. ::shrugs:: it’s all in the perspective, I always say.
As prophet – it makes sense to me that the ravens fed Elijah. The raven’s cry of “Cras! Cras!” was interpreted by Latin speakers to mean “Tomorrow! Tomorrow!” CRAS – tomorrow, of tomorrow, belonging to tomorrow, delay. A lot of folks put this into the light of PROCRASTINATION. Religiously I can see the whole “Accept Jesus BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE”… I just don’t think that THAT is where it’s at.
Noah sent the raven out of the ark. Instead of returning to the Ark, this bird “kept going to and fro until the waters had dried up from the earth” (Gen 8:7). According to Matthew Henry, this raven’s attitude was like that of the “carnal heart” which, instead of seeking rest and refuge in its Savior, “takes up with the world, and feeds on the carrion it finds there.” Jewish legend states that Noah’s raven was punished for his failure to return to the Ark by being originally white then blackened and condemned to eat carrion.
What if….
The raven of the ark IS the Oracle of God. He flies to and fro until t he waters had dried up signifying that there WAS a place “out there.” Most folks agree that Raven was up to something as he wasn’t returning to the Ark. I think he did this, not to be symbolically selfish or carnal, but in wisdom to show Noah to hold onto hope. Perhaps that HOPE OF TOMORROW.
Both Raven and Dove are homing birds. Because Raven didn’t return, it seems he was trained for a geodetic “HOME” that was NOT the ark. The raven performed a task by telling Noah where they were NOT. Or maybe even where they WERE. I wonder if Noah did this so that he could send one bird out, then another when the time came. He sent the Dove “FROM HIM” — which can indicate that NOAH is HOME. Just a thought.
The dove is considered a symbol for the Holy Spirit. SO we have Raven speaking for God as Prophet showing Noah that there is a place of rest out there — although it is merely only a concept for Noah at this point… perhaps not appropriate for humanity – therefor hold out hope and faith: the day IS coming. It took the Holy Spirit Dove to actually LEAD Noah back to Earth. Looks like a foreshadowing to me.
The text specifies that the olive leaf was taraph… which means “torn off” it was definaitely torn from a tree – as opposed to floating in the water.. perhaps that is a sign from Earth that SHE is at rest… and it was now safe for humanity again.
Black is the color of transition (Yes, that is all death is: transition). White the color of new life (specifically of the spirit). It makes sense the birds were sent out as such.
The prophets in the Bible, for me at least, mark that transition of humanity from the fall to redemption through Christ. It’s making sense — at least symbolically. Isn’t it?
Listen…
Wednesday, August 27th, 2008 | LIFE | No Comments
So long, sentimental lady
Is there something that
You’re trying to say to me?
Cinderella complicated,
It ain’t how you thought
That it would be.And if I die before I wake
It must have been a bad mistake
Depending on the pills you take
Can complicate and devastate.
Now estimate your time on earth;
Do you recall your place of birth?
And can you tell what it’s all worth,
Are you really satisfied?Paint me a picture of a baby
I want to see how lonesome I can be
I don’t want no one to save me
And I’m not going to leave here silentlyWhat I have and what I’ve lost and
Every coin I’ve fountain tossed
Every line I thought I crossed
Just cut me when the winter frost,I paid the cost; your rebel dreams
Suitcases and magazines
I can’t tell what it all means
I know I ain’t aloneIf I make it to the city,
Won’t you do your best and, honey, pray for me?
They say that all the girls are pretty
They say that they don’t dance for freeForks and knives and rusted spoons
Bottomless in basement rooms
Your worn-out brides and reckless grooms
Are building tombs with pink balloons,
Then darkness looms an airless night;
Just a matchbook and some dynamite
And it don’t matter who’s wrong or right
Cause they’re too tired to care …I can’t help it but to ramble
I don’t ever stay too long
Daddy, he warned you not to gamble
He said: “just pass your chips along”Nursery rhymes and valentines
‘Blessed Be The Ties That Bind’
a thousand mouths can speak one mind
(while love is still left undefined)
and undermined, misunderstood;
she hides beneath her happy hood,
saying: “what is God?” and “What is Good”
and “Why am I still here?”
CLICK TO HEAR:
Kierkegaard Schmierkegaard
Saturday, August 23rd, 2008 | STUDIO 566 | 2 Comments
It is amazing what the wind blows into STUDIO 566… it TRULY is the floor beneath the beast. Today my doors opened to I and PM; both from the 6th floor. There are no words to express how I appreciate these two artists, their work, their lives, and their stories. PM hung out in his usual manner. I was counting on it….
Is GOD a Christian? What a bizarre concept. (As are the topics of demons, possession, demonic oppression). Ahhh~ such fodder for times such as these. I brought up what I believe to be, THE FACT, that we give power to many things that do not HAVE intrinsic power – even in the matter of those things religious. This is a topic that keeps popping up in my life. There is a line of responsibility.
Kierkegaard focused on SELF and the relation to the world. There must be an element of introspection. A FEARLESS INVENTORY – Step 4. I believe that THIS is what the communion was to be about, no? A time of self reflection of how we relate TO the world – IN the world – and to what things we give voice and power.
Subjectivism vs. Objectivism – an all-out naked brawl to the finish in the arena of religion. There are objective truths and then there is my subjective relation to that truth. At what point is what Joe Religion calling a “Demon to be cast out” (stop pointing at me) actually simply a bad personal choice that may have even spiraled into oblivious addiction? I believe one danger in life is to over-spiritualize things. But that’s just me. What do I know?
ADDICTION = IDOLATRY
P brought up a point that I have brought to the computer: There is maturity in being able to sit in doubt. We were speaking in terms of religion, but doesn’t this just apply EVERYWHERE in the trek? Isn’t that ability what takes us from religiosity to spirituality? Doubt is an element of faith. Proverbs tells me that it is foolish to follow blindly – and to ask questions. Well, guess where MY questions come from? I have gained more strength in my faith from having doubt. Go figure.
Meet N Greet Part Deux!
Friday, August 22nd, 2008 | STUDIO 566 | 1 Comment
So I missed the Meet-n-Greet for my Studio 566: The Floor Beneath The Beast. And I didn’t even have to engage in anonymous sex. Go figure.
“But, WHY!?” you may exclaim. Or you may not… but I am going to tell you anyhow.
I was going south on 23. I always go metaphorically south in conversation but that didn’t prepare me for…. the CATASTROPHIC FAILURE of my back passenger side tire. :::dramatic pause:::
We heard a gunshot. I don’t think it was really a gunshot but how much more dramatic this tale would be if it were! My companion of 16 years spoke in dull monotone, “What was that?”
“I do not know. But keep an eye out on the tires in case one goes flat.”
Then all was well. Then all was not well. A swift KABOOM and FWAP FWAP FWAP. (reminds me of past dates I have had). I pull over without incident. The cars behind were able to hang back a little while I crossed the 2 lanes of traffic to put the behemoth (a maroon Chevy convergence van) in park on the shoulder of the road. It’s the “shoulder,” right? Or the “burm”? It isn’t “burn,” is it? OK – I parked the vehicle at the side of the highway.
My companion of 16 years (Ok – it’s my daughter. She’s 16) gets out to investigate. Her exact words were delivered in an absolute deadpan manner: “Mom, the tire, like KSHPSH PSHHH.”
I had to get out to see exactly what KSHPSH PSHHH meant.
KSHPSH PSHHH
So that is what KSHPSH PSHHH means. It also means the inner tube is in a bajillion shreds behind me for about 100 yards!
I had my track phone with me. This is used to track my ill mother who not only lives with us but also loves to up and drive to places all over God’s green earth without telling us. She has ALS (aka: Lou Gehrig’s Disease), eats with a feeding tube and has a tracheostomy. Mom cannot speak – but she can drive like hell. I used my MOTHER TRACKING DEVICE to phone for help.
THE FIRST CALL:
I called the head guy in charge of the MEET N GREET to let him know I was stranded and awaiting rescue. Hey, I had my priorities straight! I promised if I got rescued soon enough that I would show. Otherwise he was more than free to go peruse my studio because I had taken ALL MY STUFF DOWN THERE FOR THIS THING.
My companion of 18 years arrived with her boyfriend! I WAS RESCUED! Except they didn’t bring a jack.
I waxed philosophical saying that the night before I prayed asking that I would truly know the presence of God. My daughter asked if I had specified that he didn’t have to use illness or near death experiences. I usually do throw that in. But I had forgotten this time. “Jesus Mom!” the 16 year old says, “This is YOUR fault!” Then the 18 year old with her HELLO KITTY hoodie points to my Chucks: “Those are my shoes, Mom. God struck you because you are a thief.” She pointed to HER chucks.
We all laugh as if we are in some syndicated sit-com.
And so goes the religious/philosophical conversations of my house.
The Mr. showed about ten minutes later. There were 5 people standing in the tall grass looking at an exploded tire. The Mr. opens the back of the van and whips up the carpet to reveal a trap door. We all, “Ohhhhhhh…” like we had just discovered something of importance.
Anyway, after the tire was changed I drove home hoping the axle would hold out. It did. I went in, got a bowl of ice cream, and fell asleep dreaming of all kinds of CATASTROPHIC FAILURES.
Today my boss tells me that she thought she saw me at the side of the road….
*sigh*
Daily Inspirations
Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 | LIFE | No Comments
So I get DAILY INSPIRATIONS… daily in my daily email. Fear not: for one as cynical as me it will take more than email to inspire an attitude of upbeat optimism. Today’s “food for thought”:
Quote of the Day
“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.”
– Anatole France
…. but what if my dreams hold visions of naked clowns?
Meet and Greet!
Monday, August 18th, 2008 | STUDIO 566 | No Comments
So I have been called upon by the collective to be present at Thursday nights “MEET AND GREET” whereas I open my very personal space to people I do not know. I can’t say that I am all that comfortable with that thought. Anonymous sex in a back alley is almost more appealing than this adventure.
In the mean-time:
STUDIO 566: THE FLOOR BENEATH THE BEAST
Here is the view looking at Heaven outside my studio window:
Homework Assignment #1
Monday, August 18th, 2008 | STUDIES | No Comments
So I dove into my first assignment tonite – and wouldn’t you know -
there was a story about a past Meth addict who made something
extraordinary out of his life. The article was titled “I WAS” -
So he went through the entire article about how he was a crap worker at a
crap store, a player in a band, and a meth addict and how the latter totally
devastated his life. And how he came to a moment of revelation in his life, got help and made something of himself.
His article ends:
“I know that I am the luckiest man alive.”
I started pontificating to myself… and pontificated:
when I am in the throws of my addiction/s… I am never thinking/feeling
“I am acting out! I am ______!”
While double fisting unhealthy actions, I am way too busy looking for the next “fix” – be it in the form of obsessing or obsessing or even obsessing and in return acting out in some unfruitful way…
I realized that at the moment I can catch myself to slow down enough to say “I
am obsessing – ” or “I am acting out” as opposed to just saying “I shouldn’t do this BUT…” and say “I don’t want this…”
I realize that THAT moment is a moment of REVELATION.
And once that moment happens – I am then in control to say “I will stop”
and to reach out for help in order to stop. Help is up and help is out. Its in that moment of decisive action that I am able to look back and say “I WAS”
and it is in that moment I am able to say “I AM”
wow. what a powerful exchange that is.
I have a lot of those moments.
I could write a book and call it “REVELATIONS”…
but it’s already been done.
Mine would be funnier tho.
I really hope not all my homework assignments cause this much internal investigation.
UNSOLICITED THOUGHT OF THE DAY: I WAS – I AM – I AM BECOMING
Cherry Pie
Sunday, August 17th, 2008 | MAIN | 2 Comments
WELCOME TO MY WORLD
This is a year of expansion for yours truly:
A new Art Studio: Studio 566: The Floor Beneath The Beast
A new education: Going for a 2nd bachelor’s degree.
Be it known that I am absolutely terrified at the prospect of both. I feel obligated to spend time downtown in the studio doing… well… doing SOMETHING ARTSY. And I feel there is no way in hell I am going ot be able to succeed at a 2nd bachelor’s degree. Nothing like being one’s own worst enemy.
UNSOLICITED ADVICE OF THE DAY: DO IT AFRAID