Monday, September 24, 2007

Just a quickie


I went to Glastonbury at the weekend, it was Autumn Equinox as you know, and I celebrated atop the Tor. It was wonderful.

Without placing a millstone around my neck I am going to post about the Goddess Experience next. I want to account for my feelings in Avalon. Not much chance of that going up before thursday but I will do my best.

I would take every anorexic, bullimic young girl who is tied up with the utter crap that gets peddled in the media about feminine beauty, and take them to the Goddess Temple in Glastonbury. Take them to sit among all the icons of real female beauty; full breasts, rounded bellies, welcoming thighs: And throw all that size zero nonsense in the garbage where it belongs. So so good to be surrounded by real femininity where we as women are encouraged to take our place in the World instead of wasting away to nothing.

Coming soon!

Friday, September 21, 2007

Little afterthought ... naughty one at that

After reading Kahless's comment I forgot to include a woman on my list. I am straight but ... and this couple are a rather delicious threesome fantasy. They give that extra dimension to Wednesday nights (BBC2) - dont know which one I fancy more!

Nikki and DL from Heroes
Would I say no? I dont think so!

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Some random ramblings

Lewis has got a shrew! As I sit here tapping away he is throwing it round the room. I tried in vain to save its life but alas it was already dead so I have let him have it to save another being rooted out and killed. I love my cats but I don't like the carnage. In fact I held off from having anymore after the last one deposited a liver on my daughters geography homework. The cat responsible got killed on the road, and I vowed there would be no more - but Lewis was so cute, I forgot to entertain the possibility that he may turn out to be a killer.

The cat tray reeks too - oh grizzly. Its no fun fishing out the offending lumps at any time of day, let alone after a hard days work and a pint of pear cider. Still duty must be done. Perhaps if I tip it on him he may stop playing with the shrew.

I am off to Glastonbury for the weekend. I am really looking forward to celebrating the equinox on top of the Tor. I am going to take my staff - yes that one - the unmentionable knob-like staff. I shall be visiting the Goddess temple too - and getting a whole load of pressie's in preparation for the festive season. Really really good witchy gifts are hard to come by up here in the Styx. So that's my news - and my plans.

I also thought I would challenge all and sundry, oh my worthy blog pals, to come up with your top five celebrities that you fancy the arse off. You can have barleys and everything because its celebrities and any suspicious partners can have a good laugh and know its all jolly japes and in good fooling!! I guess this is in response to one of Pixie's questions 'who do you fantasise about'. Well as long as we all can quote a celebrity then we can rest easy in our beds when there is nothing much to do at 4am in the morning ....

So my top five:

James Hetfield

Raunchy, sexy - been around the block a million times rocker dude.

Aragorn from Lord of the Rings

Bearded wonder of the first order - mystical, magical and down right sexy in a tunic

Teal'C from Stargate

Dark, mysterious - build like a brick s**t house. Awesome!

Sean Bean

Sheffield's favourite bit of rough - gorgeous voice, likes a scrap - and handles a sword very nicely.

Mr Spock

Leonard Nimoy as Spock in his younger day, was THE pre-pubescent sexual fantasy of my childhood. Oh yes, I have to admit it - my secret desire was to turn Spock into a raging passionate beast; to cut through that logic and discover the fire underneath. Spent many a maths lesson running that little scenario through my little head.

Could say so much more about them all - but now its your turn.

Have a great weekend and will catch up with you all once I return with all my goodies.

Oh yes, and once big grown up exam is out of the way I think I am going to sign up for a Druid course - I really fancy being a druid!

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Groan!


Glad you all liked my cheese blog!

I am putting up this quick post - just to let you know I am still here. I have not been posting too regularly because:

1. Computer issues - as you are all well aware
2. Exam in October - every spare minute is either preparing, or whittling about it

However, I shall keep putting up mini posts, a sort of check in to stay in touch. I may not leave comments but I am visiting all your blogs too; having a crafty read while drinking a crafty cuppa - you get the picture.

Today, well ...Groan! Hang over! Haven't had one in a while, as I have really kicked alcohol into touch except for special occasions and emergency measures (think bouncy castle party sans alcohol - not good!)

There is a reason for my hangover. I had my first day in exam group yesterday. Exam group is metaphorically a sort of tunnel or maybe a water slide type thing. You hover at the entrance for a while but once you commit to it, you cant get out and you have to see it through to the end. Thrilling and scary all at the same time. Exam group was very grown up big therapist stuff. It was about reaching the standard, passing and gaining accreditation: Not for the faint hearted but oh so much better than the navel gazing experience that I have found the training to be. There was no room for 'checking out the process' or 'what feelings does that bring up for you'. It was more like, 'shut up and get on with it' - BONUS!

I played my exam tape. The audience contained more advanced trainees than myself, and one of the examiners I will have to face in about 3 weeks. The tape went down well, very well - extraordinary well. I felt so confident at the end of the experience that I now have no doubts that (with a little organisation) I will pass this, and sail on to CTA without a problem.

So - cause for celebration. My daughter also attended her first Youth Theatre workshop at Derby playhouse. She got selected from hundreds of hopefuls! More cause for celebration!

I dropped her off and then went to a buffet type Indian/Chinese place for a meal with Mr Vix and two very large glasses of wine - I mean very large, the type they charge about £9 for and is in reality over half a bottle a piece.

Do you know what, Indian and Chinese don't mix! It may seem like heaven to have prawn crackers and poppadoms at your disposal, to be able to combine spring rolls and gobi bahjee but the taste of chobbly sweet and sour chicken along side murghi kata masala is actually quite horrid. It was really odd - and I have to say, very much regretted at 4am this morning.

Had to get up and see a client in spite of my troubles (good session though - always is when I have to pull it out of the bag, and disguise an ashen visage) and I have two more later on. By that time I am hoping the copious jugs of water will have swilled out my liver and I will be feeling a little more chipper.



Thought you may enjoy this last pic lol - its not me of course! I would be suing slimming world if it was!

Sunday, September 16, 2007

The Mighty Cheese


So here it is, the long awaited cheese post. I hope it is worth the wait. The idea came while I was lying in the bath and thinking of how cheeses have different characteristics and that you could fit certain characteristics to certain people. I began to think of what sort of cheese I would be. I am still undecided and will invite suggestions. People are fairly particular about cheeses, some adore the blue veined rich and tangy sorts, others prefer the milder, creamier types. Some seem to be universal favourites while others are acquired tastes. So I have decided to assign you all a cheese based on my impression of you through your writing, please don't be offended if I don't come up with one of your favourites for you, I have explained each of my choices.

Bobo: Austrian Smoked. I was tempted to say Edam due to the Dutch heritage and would have named a Polish cheese if I knew any, but I wanted to capture the 'continental' nature of young Bobo, and the impish quality that he has. He is an unusual one, that is for sure. Austrian smoked sums him up, what you see on the outside gives nothing away as to the smoky quality that you find on the inside. Out of the ordinary, a surprisingly mild texture and often appears in the cheese pic n mix - loves the attention and is often found at parties.

Chopski: Without wishing to be cheesy, no pun intended, Chopski has to be Danish Blue - the name alone nods in the direction of Ivana, spanking and all the things that Chopski indulges in when he is not chasing the elusive 'People's friend'. Danish blue has hidden qualities too - milder in nature than the usual veined cheeses and so can surprise with depth and perception.

Craig: Craig is goats cheese. There is no way that he is run of the mill; he chooses a different path and presents alternative ways of looking at the world. Hey is it always about cows milk? Not according to Craig! Mild in nature and providing a unique experience for the discerning palette.

Darth: Monterrey Jack. The all American Cheese and all round performer. He is prone to melting softly but still adds bite to most dishes. He is resilient and versatile and usable even when hard and crusty. A cheese for all seasons and highly recommended for migraine sufferers, as he is guaranteed not to give you a headache.

Dj: Sage Derby. A cheese of distinct flavour. Attractive, vibrant, vivacious. She has a unique quality and has over the years has contained not just the healing qualities of sage but other medicinal, and health enhancing garden herbs. A rustic cheese that has homely origins yet is tangy, challenging and completely intoxicating.

Exmoor Jane: Cheshire I would say. Not had too much to do with her yet but am impressed by the mild and mellow texture of her writing. Nothing too harsh, and a lovely addition to any cheese board.

Hedgewizard: Hedge is one of those regional cheeses that is made with seasonal fruit. Somerset Damson, or Dorset Bilberry - mild, creamy, most deffinately fruity and bursting with tangy berries. Velvet texture with the ability to surprise and amuse.



Hullaballoo: Feta - it was tempting to pick an Isle of Bute Cheddar but I think not, her nature is softer, more accommodating - a versatile cheese that is at home in a mixed bean hot pot as well as melting on top of an Italian pizza.

Kahless: This was a hard one as there are many shades of Kahless - in the end I plumped for Mature Cheddar. Real, tangy, crumbly delicious Cheddar. A universal favourite who has the kind of taste that suits all sorts of moods. Works just as well on a stick with a chunk of pineapple as she does in a tangy cheese sauce. Ploughman's lunch or cheese butty for all those days working with the concrete, and the ability to mingle beautifully with fish or chicken for those quieter more subtle dishes. Versatility is the quality here and a good all round performer.

L-q-s: A soft cheese and garlic roulle. Deliciously tasty with a tantalising combination of creamy cheese, rustic herbs and garlic, all presented delightfully. A spiral shape which represents her Celtic heritage and goddess spirituality.

Prada Pixie: Camembert - generally arrives in a petite and beautifully presented box often with pretty gingham trim. Obviously of good background, classy french and able to be enjoyed while fresh and firm with white wine and olives, or to be savoured when allowed to ripen over time as a rich and indulgent treat.

Silent Observer: Edam for him. Encased in wax to keep prying eyes away from the very salty, moreish interior. Often dismissed as an unworthy cheese and overlooked for more 'conventional' cheesy delights yet nothing satisfies as much as a hastily grabbed chunk of Edam and a pickled onion. Nibbletastic.(By the way, if everyone shouts very loud he might just wake up! - Woo hoo Silent!)

Vi: What else but Stilton. Queen of the Cheeses. Unrivalled for ripeness, bite and flavour. In yer face, no compromise - like it or 'f**k off' and certainly not for wimps. Can create obsessive lust in cheese worshippers, and has caused the downfall of many a good christian.

Wake up: Brie - elegant, sophisticated and to be served at room temperature with grapes and a cold glass of chardonnay. A thoughtful cheese, not to be scoffed down in a frenzy but taken and savoured with discernment.

Westerwitch: A new comer to my blog roll and rather hard to decide upon, but I reckon a Red Leicester for her. Commanding a loyal following, distinctive, tangy - a colourful character who also has versatility, and can pep up the ordinary.

Enjoy your nibbles!

New Lap Top! New Lap Top!

Hello everyone! Here I am on my brand new Acer lap top complete with Vista operating system. I had minimal trouble getting on t'internet, I was anticipating a LOT of swearing and ranting but it turned out to be fairly stress free.

I am putting off testing out the compatibility of my sound files - needed for grown up exam - because I would like to spend at least an hour being in blissful ignorance of my impending doom. We shall see.

The lap top is all shiny and new. It will take me a little time to find my way around - first impressions. The screen is so clear although smaller - and the ergonomic key board will take a little bit of getting used to as I am a touch typist and type using all of my fingers in the old fashioned style.

The reason for the lap top (CRAIG)is that I have to lug it about for my job. I have to play sound files for supervision and training purposes. My lap top is the way I do that. I do however agree that a PC is far less trouble with better graphics. Lap tops are sort of liberating but I wont be able to play World of War Craft on it. Bummer!

I have not forgotten about the cheese blog and intend to be blogging at around 5pm tonight while Mr Vix watches the pantheon of sports that are currently on, and before I cook a Murgi Kata Marsala for family consumption. So cheese up next - promise, promise.

Missed you all!

OK - now to face the awful truth about the sound files.

Thursday, September 13, 2007

Cheese and laptops - not recommended


Hello hello all my lovely blog chums. First a little explanation - my moth eaten lap top has finally given up the ghost. Having said that, I am using it as a type now but I am hoping that this will be the very last time. I just spent 5 minutes writing witty replies for all of you who were kind enough to comment on my last post - at the precise moment that I published - my Internet went down. All comments lost, 5 minutes of my life wasted and laptop almost thrown out of the window. The wireless thingy is dodgy and it has a habit of cutting out just when I have spent 20 mins carefully inputting my catalogue numbers into an order form, or halfway through a security rich procedure to get to my bank account or indeed, when commenting on blogs, wit to the fore, for it to cut out on me at the crucial moment. I usually then have to redraft something functional (due to being pissed off) as opposed to spontaneous and joyful.

Other problem with the lap top is that the motherboard keeps shorting out. (Sharp intake of breath from all you computer boffins) yes, I realise it is terminal but as long as I suspend my arms and wrists about 6 inches above the keyboard I can get some sense out of it. So here I am, shoulders beginning to ache with the extra muscle action required and I still have my cheese blog to do. (Oh Vixen, why do you make so many well meaning promises?) So bearing in mind the precarious lap top position I will be quick and punchy as opposed to lingering and text rich, as originally intended.

Cheese up next,

Sunday, September 09, 2007

Big Cheese - and other mutterings.


Finally! Taken me bloody ages to get this window open so I can post. Bloody lap tops packed up - I was told that when an exam is imminent (as it is) that the computer packs up (which it has) so I am on my sons machine and it seems to be sulking with me.

I have had such a shitty day! I am half way through a glass of bubbly so please excuse me if I rant but I have had the crappiest crap rubbish day ever.

Had a rubbish day yesterday too. I went to a 30th Birthday party which was a 'kids party' - pirate hats, bouncy castle, treasure hunt, pass the parcel and a magician. "Oh Vixen - don't be so churlish" I hear you cry "It sound great fun" .....well it would have been had there been any bloody alcohol! This really was a kids party with pop and stuff. It was rubbish - totally tedious! I did have a go on the bouncy castle, that I will admit, but the barrage of photographers that suddenly appeared put me off somewhat - bloody dirty old men! So that was enough for me, treasure hunt - boring. Pass the parcel - horrendous (why do people think its ok to stop the music "so the children can win") - err excuse me?!? What about preparing said children for the reality of life - ie you don't get any favours and no one ever gives you something for nothing. The magician was crap - and if it had not been for the curry sneakily planned for just after I would have cheerfully hoisted myself into the tree and become a human pinata (no idea how you spell it) and suffered a brutal death - which was preferable to the party.

That was yesterday - today I told my 'very poor and parental' supervisor as opposed to my 'fabulously cool and living in the real world other supervisor' that I was no longer going to attend her group. That it was too far to travel, and I had not been particularly impressed by what happened in the group last time. I employed wonderful manners, was decorum itself and foolishly expected some kind of respectful attitude in return. Oh noooo, no no no. She burst into tears and launched into a tirade about my inadequacy and reluctance to process things properly. Errr, actually its just too far to travel ... but nooo that was not enough. Instead I was given the third degree and invited to feel like a naughty, wicked very bad, petulant, terribly offensive little girl. Well screw you lady - get over yourself! Sometimes you have to just cut your losses - everyone cannot feel good all of the time, and there is no way I am going back there so she can make herself feel better. She is going to just have to swivel on it.

So there you are, that's my offering - as for the Big Cheese reference, I am going to go through my blog roll and ascribe you all a cheese. I thought about it in the bath and how cheese can sum up a personality. OK, so I am slightly strange but that's why you love me eh?

Friday, September 07, 2007

The Moot

So here I am - post Moot. It was good! I enjoyed it, although I had had a horrid day and was feeling fragile; Often the case when called upon to sparkle eh?

I was incredibly anxious about finding my way into Nottingham city centre as I have a weird sort of directional blindness - cant tell my left from my right, tend to invert the bass and the soprano lines when playing four part harmonies on the piano, get letters in the wrong order when writing. All the letters are there - just not necessarily in the right order. So I was scared to death of getting it wrong and ending up, due to fiendish city one way systems, on the way to Lancaster! However I did arrive, hungry and tired.

Managed to park in a desolate multi storey - big scary place with a bus station underneath it (more panics - I don't do cities very well being a country bumpkin; hayseed; obligatory straw in the hair) and found my way to the pub. The oldest pub in the country apparently.

First thing I felt was TOTALLY OVERDRESSED. I mean seriously standing out like a sore thumb, but hey I looked good! Pub had stopped serving food (at 7.30?!?)so my dinner was a bag of crisps and a white wine and soda. They did offer Mcoys or Walkers so I was able to go for the more filling option (ironic laugh). I met the Moot Chieftain and he introduced me to the assembled gothy types, purple hair and piercings. They were all bright, intelligent and very friendly. One thing I do like about Pagans is that the 'light is on'. As a group they are alert, interested and sparky. Lots of 'Histrionics' 'Antisocials' and performance junkies, a love of the theatrical. They are generally funny, articulate and don't give a damn about what people think. Cool!

After scarfing down the crisps we all toddled off to the 'church hall' next door. It really was a church hall with "The highest righteousness is Truth" emblazoned across the wall behind the Platform/Stage. It had the same musty smell, same back breaking chairs, same guy on the door meeting and greeting, the same announcements of up and coming events (cue psycho music). De ja vue - for those of you that don't know me I come from a non conformist church background "The Delphs" (real title of denomination thinly disguised) so this was all eerily similar.

However ..... it soon managed to diverge from the Delph path. Dress for a start off. Its hats and veils for the ladies at Delph meetings, suits and ties for the gents. Here it was wonderful flowing robes, witchy jewelery, bright hair dyes and 'in your face goddess wear' for the gals and (by and large) jeans and pagan t-shirts for the guys. One fella was in a skirt, he had a big green man beard, long flowing grey hair, embroidered velvet top and ... a pink tutu. However that was not the worst of it, the outfit was completed by bright pink ankle socks and sandals. As you know socks and sandals are not the best of looks at any time but bright pink ones! But you know what - so what! He was a confident articulate man and he also did not give a flying 'fish' (one f word is as good as another).

The lecture was on Quantum Thinking - how magick works. It was awesome. I have sat through many a tedious lecture in church halls but this was nothing like them. Multi media presentation with two interactive pieces between the speaker and himself on a video loop thingy - explaining time reversal symmetry etc etc. We learnt about waves and particles and how human observation actually changes waves into particles, we learn how we co create reality, about 'plankt scale' (?), the vast energy and potentiality of the atom and how we are all connected. It really was mind expanding. Plus funny. Plus spiritual. Plus relaxed and respectful - really really good! Left me feeling warm, gave me the science behind what i already know to be true. Great stuff.

Next Moot is about elaborate pumpkin carving (bring own knife). One after that is belly dancing (bring own drum - and presumably a belly). I hope to go again, although if someone does not walk me back to the car park I probably wont. The journey back there was intimidating. I don't like desolate, empty, scary city places that smell faintly of urine and the walk to the car park was a bit harrowing. Oh and I went round the ring road three times before I found my way back out to the Derby Road (Brian Clough Way - wey hey!)and home.

So there you have it, my Moot experience - I look forward to my next trip to wierdy central; my papers to join the Pagan Federation hot foot it to the post box today and I feel rather smiley about it all. You cant beat a beard - and there is a certain easy going energy about people that regularly dress up and let their inner child come out to play... the cider helps too.

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Moot tomorrow


Just a very very quick post to say - I am off to the Moot tomorrow. I have planned my route and hope I don't get lost. I really don't know what to expect but I do already know that the Moot Chieftain (my own title there) works for a record company and looks like a Metal fan (wey hey!). Hard Working Son (and part time Rock God) is therefore very very very keen for me to establish a firm footing amongst the assembled wierdies and get my feet under the table sharpish, letting a CD of my son's band fall out of my pocket by mistake. Well we shall see.

I shall let you know whether its all cloaks, beards and upstanding staffs, or disappointing scuffly sorts shuffling in faded robes by the buffet table. I am expecting Morgans and Taliesins aplenty; a few Wolf Ravens, and Running Stags.... oh the joy of meeting a Weatherwax or an Ogg (perhaps too much to ask). Thankfully my witchy name is rather unique, and I am not going to bandy it about, not on a first date anyway. I can always use my blog name till I feel a little more secure.

So think of me tomorrow amongst the faerie people - I am going straight from work and will be in a business suit, nothing like being a little different ;o)

Sunday, September 02, 2007

Some reflections on my mood


I have been on such a high the last few days. I really don't want it to stop. Yet as I sit and write this post I feel as if its slipping away ever so slightly. Noooooooo. Isn't it strange how this can happen. Some nuance of brain chemistry or hormonal fluctuation (if we are going to be all medical about it), or in rather more poetic terms some wistful yearning, sadness or bitter sweet feeling that just creeps upon us and flows into our consciousness.

I always feel a bit like this at this time of year. Its coming up to the Autumn Equinox - the year is on the wane, the crops are coming in thick and fast; and while this is a cause for celebration and abundance it also heralds the onset of Winter, and the end of all we have striven for and reaped, and loved: Our projects have reached fruition, new ones are about to start and that long still August time has finished. Holidays are over. Autumn melancholy I call it. I tend to ignore it and pat myself on the back for being in tune with the earth and the seasons.

This year I don't want it to set in. I have so much to look forward to. I have a big grown up examination in October (OK so maybe that's not so great but it is a chance to prove myself and get the shiny qualification). I have a whole new moot experience coming up that I hope will prove rewarding, new friends to meet, new blogs to post - business to run, new learning to be done. Its all positive and good, and maybe my melancholy is a natural stillness before the fray.

I actually love the Winter - its stark beauty, the cosy fires and the dark cold nights that inspire dreams and hot chocolates. I get to celebrate New Year twice. Samhain (Halloween) is the start of the Celtic new year and is all decadent with orange pumpkins and hot fermented apple based brews. Plus there is Yule (Winter Solstice) which for me really is the start of the New Year when the sun begins to gain in strength and all of nature stands quiet - poised on the edge of rebirth. I love Yule and then cash in on Christmas as well. My birthday is in November and I celebrate that to the max. So plenty to look forward to and enjoy. Plenty to breathe in to my soul in golden waves of pleasure and delight. Yet this bit of time .... this little patch through September and October as the leaves turn orange and brown, in a riot of colour and mists wreathe through the hedges, this time of year leaves me a little sad.

Maybe I need to just embrace the feeling and not be too concerned, and when it realises it cannot set up a permanent camp it will go on its way.

I am going to go up and have a bath now - one of my cast iron antidotes to little hiccups in my equilibrium. Oh yes, and a nice glass of wine and a curry - its was to be Moroccan Pie with a quorn base but hey - give me a break. One of the benefits of feeling sad is that I have a good reason for a little indulgence :o)