Emergence

As I was driving back to my apartment from my parents' house after New Year's, I was listening to biology lectures from the Teaching Company. The man on the tape was talking about the idea of emergence.
Emergence is the idea that something can be greater then the sum of its parts. For example, a neuron by itself, or even a bunch of cultured neurons is not a brain. By studying the neuron alone, one can never fully  understand the brain. This is true to some degree for every level of complexity, from atoms to molecules to polymers to cells to organs to the organism, but the organism is not the highest level of complexity. We all live in our immediate environment which is part of a planet, a solar system, a galaxy, a universe.
This morning, I went to yin yoga and we picked cards from the Goddess Oracle, and used them as part of our meditation. On the way back, I was thinking about oracles in general, and emergence. The idea of all divination tools, especially cards and runes, is that the universe has a pattern, and when a random element is introduced, it will naturally follow that universal pattern.
We use these oracles to attempt to understand the pattern of the universe as it applies to us: our future or our relationship to the forces we perceive as gods. So, the question is "What does a neuron know of the thoughts of the brain? What can it know?"

Comic Books Are Good for You

My dad recently pointed out to me that I haven't posted in months. I realized that he was right, but I didn't know what to write about. Thinking about it now, there's actually quite a bit going on. First of all, I got the first real job I've ever had in my life. Before, I've only ever worked through whatever academic institution I was attending at the time, but this is the first job I've ever had on my own, which makes it special. Also, I work in a comic book store, which makes it even more special. We have comics and games an toys. My store is full of happiness and joy. When things are slow, I read comics. At this point, I believe I have read every Jonah Hex comic in existence. Right now, I am reading Watchmen. I have also purchased some comics on behalf of my dad, which is fun. One thing that happened that was strange is that the company that sends us our comics screwed up this week and sent half of our comics to Maryland, so we won't have our Batman Annuals until tomorrow. Secondly, my 10-year high school reunion was a few weeks ago. I was really happy to see people that I haven't seen in a decade, and to see what everyone is doing. Most of them are lawyers or in finance or some such business thing. One of my friends is studying to be a rabbi, which is cool. Another is programming iPhones. I was told that I was the coolest person there because I had a strange job, making minimum wage, but happy and proud, while most other people only thought of the money they made and the prestige of their job. I felt happy about that. As a senior, I was voted "Most Likely to Live in a Van Down by the River." I was very proud of this distinction, and I still am. I think I still have the same outlook of being happy with myself that earned it. I forget who said it first, but "being content doesn't mean having what you want; it means wanting what you have." This past weekend was Memorial Day weekend, and although I had to work on Saturday and Sunday, I still had time to visit the pool at my apartment complex, which had just opened. The large Cthulhu Dice game is compatible with pool play as the die floats and the sanity counters are rubber bracelets, so I forsee a fun summer with that. Also, the store carries large, inflatable 20-sided dice, about the size of beach balls. I am seriously considering getting one and really nerding up the pool. This coming weekend is the Wizard Comic Con. Stan Lee and William Shatner will be there, and I get in for free because I count as a professional now. I can't wait to see Stan Lee, especially. I don't think Adam West will be there again this year, but he was there the last two years. He's so cool. My dad said he might come up to go with me, and I hope he does. He loves comics as much as I do. Also, I need to give him the comics I got for him at the store, and he needs to bring me the air conditioner that is currently being stored in his attic. The only confounding factor is whether he can get the lawn mowed in time.

Spare a thought for the neti pot

My neti pot

I like my neti pot, especially in the cold, dry winter. It is useful for the purpose for which it is designed, but I think that it shows something interesting about how our society is evolving that makes me happy.
You see, I have always considered myself to be what I call a "true scientist," and that isn't to disparage other scientists, just the ones that have become so mired in "accepted" thought that they will not consider an idea that may challenge what they already know. For example, the neti pot. The neti pot has been a part of Ayurvedic medicine and a part of the hygiene ritual for many people for thousands of years, but because it was part of a Non-Western tradition, it was overlooked until recently. However, when we stopped seeing yoga as a weird hippie thing and started seeing all the very real health benefits that can come from it, we gained from that shift in view. Ten years ago, I didn't know what a neti pot was. Five years ago, it was a strange pretty object sitting in the corner of the yoga bookstore. Now, it is available in any drugstore, and in some grocery stores and wal-mart. Most ENT doctors (that I know of, anyway) now promote its use.
Isn't it nice when we just step back and look at things objectively?

Happy New Year and Other Holidays! - also pictures from the 14th century!

My Yule and New Year were fun. My boyfriend had to work most of the time, so that put a crunch on things. I was at my parents' house on the night of the Solstice, so I couldn't really do anything special for it, so I made a few toasts to the Goddess and the Sun God in a little corner by myself. Fortunately, the following day, my boyfriend had to go to work, so we drove all the way back to our apartment that morning, and I still had time to go to my yoga class. After my yoga class, the teacher said that everyone who wanted to stay for a Solstice ritual was welcome to do so! I was so happy! Last year, I just went along with all the Christmas stuff, which is very similar, and I reasoned that it was good enough because I was under a huge time crunch and Christmas is so similar to Yule, but I still felt that I had not properly honored my own Gods and I believe that it put a huge jinx on the whole season. So, I'm very happy that I was provided the opportunity to have a real Solstice ritual, even if it was the day after!

Often, I feel like I'm constrained and can't really do the ritual I want to do, sometimes because likeminded people aren't around, or I have a ton of work to do, or just because I lose track of time, but I feel it is important to mark the seasons and work with the moon. The Gods have given me a lot in this life, and I think it's only proper to honor them, and that worship should take the form that speaks most to me. I'm grateful that I'm able to do that.

For New Year's, my parents' friends had some extra tickets to the celebration at the Hotel Hershey, so that's where they were for New Year's. If you have the ability to go to the Hotel Hershey for anything, I would highly suggest doing so. It used to be $15 to get your eyebrows waxes at the spa, and then you got free run of the spa, fitness center, and pool for the rest of the day. My mom and I would do that about once a month.

My boyfriend and I didn't have tickets, so we went out to dinner at Ruby Tuesday's, which was really fun. We almost never go out because of money and he works late. I had steak and lobster and he had the shellfish trio. It was delicious! Later on, we had planned to go to see the bologna drop (New York drops a ball, Lebanon, PA has a 100lb bologna. Not the yucky pink kind, though- REAL Lebanon bologna. Pick some up at a store in PA. It is sweet and spicy and delicious.), but we were sleepy and didn't want to be outside in the cold. Instead, we watched the local news channel which showed the dropping of the strawberry (Harrisburg), red rose (Lancaster), white rose (York), and hershey kiss (Hershey). I think they should also have covered the bologna, pickle, goat, and giant pretzel from the smaller towns, as those are often more fun. It's cool to see a bunch of people in a farmer's market parking lot partying around a giant lunch meat. Anyway, Louie, a black lab, and Commander Bunn, a mini-lop, joined up in the celebration. at midnight, my boyfriend popped the champagne cork and Louie got scared and ran out of the room. He refused to return until we got out the doggie bacon. The bunny was not impressed.

All in all, a fun night. Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays, whatever you may celebrate.

Finally, I have pictures of my Medieval outfits! The outfit includes a linen undergarment (can't see it in this picture), a kirtle, sideless surcote, hood, cloth stockings, and cloak. These ones are in fun Yule colors! They are also made out of flannel (except the undergarment).

Petting Louie

Gathering wood

Carrying wood

It's a Yule Tide!

Last Saturday, my boyfriend and I met up with my brother in New York City for Santacon. It was really fun!!! Something like 3000 people dressed up as Santas, or some other holiday thing. Here are the best photos:

So Many Santas! (If you look past the train, you will see a red and white mass. Those are more Santas.)

We are Santas!

Santas at a Toys for Tots bar (these bars gave proceeds to Toys for Tots).

We finally came to my brother's favorite bar: the Crocodile Lounge. They give you free pizza when you order a beer.

After that, my camera ran out of batteries, which was unfortunate, as we had a very fun time, including purchasing Christmas cookies from a church we found, and basically walking around New York being Santas. I think we spread some holiday cheer. Small children were happy to see us.

Falcon

I saw a falcon today, walking back from the gym. It landed in the grass a few yards from me. I was surprised at how big it was up close. I didn't have a camera with me. It looked up at a nearby tree and I think it was watching a squirrel thet was there. Then, it flew up to another tree and watched the squirrel some more. It was cool. I like falcons.

Seasonal craziness

Today was such a beautiful day. It was my mom's birthday weekend, but unfortunately, pretty much everyone had colds, so we didn't really do anything. Which, I suppose is for the best. Usually, I get this feeling that if I don't do everything I can that I'm missing out on something. This weekend, I just relaxed and watched the leaves fall, more or less. Also, Mom's having her kitchen remodeled so she can't really cook anything. We ordered Chinese and watched tv.
Last weekend was my birthday and we didn't really do anything then, either. Dad and my boyfriend were in Pittsburg cleaning out the basement of my late grandmother's house. Mom, Grandpa, and I went out for dinner, but we had to make it back home for the season finale of Doctor Who! It was worth it to not have a fancy dinner. We picked up an ice cream cake and watched the show. I love Doctor Who, and I thought the finale was incredible.
The weekend before that was Mabon, and I made my family's special apple pie recipe, all the more meaningful this year as my grandmother, the originator of the recipe, passed away this year. The holiday service was good. The focus was on thanksgiving and change. We said what we were thankful for, and changes we hoped for. I made a red/brown medieval outfit for the holiday. It was my first using a sewing machine rather than just my hands. I will have pictures of my crafts, including the outfits, as soon as I get a camera, I swear.
October promises to be busy. I have a wedding to attend, and of course all of the Halloween hoopla. It's the biggest holiday of the year, and I don't like missing out on things. This year, one of my friends is having a birthday party in New York City, and it would be unfortunate if I didn't see my brother while I was there. Last year, I didn't do much of anything for Samhain because of an insane work schedule, so I guess I'm making up for it this year. Just more craziness, I expect. I love Samhain, though. My favorite day of the year. I wait all year for it, and I always try to make it last as long as possible.