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May. 17th, 2008 @ 03:57 pm Legal Beagle
Forum: Spellkraft
Posted By: paxdomini
Post Time: 05-17-2008 at 10:32 AM
Statistical Ramblings
[info]occultcorpusrss
May. 17th, 2008 @ 11:44 am Konstantinos Books
Forum: Ceremonial Magic
Posted By: CherubCrush
Post Time: 05-17-2008 at 06:50 AM
Statistical Ramblings
[info]occultcorpusrss
May. 17th, 2008 @ 12:19 am Hey there...
Forum: The Welcome Mat
Posted By: CherubCrush
Post Time: 05-16-2008 at 07:33 PM
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[info]occultcorpusrss
May. 16th, 2008 @ 06:28 pm Lag BaOmer
Forum: Monotheism
Posted By: malah777
Post Time: 05-16-2008 at 01:50 PM
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[info]occultcorpusrss
May. 16th, 2008 @ 11:08 am Easing on down the Path of Study in ADF
Current Location: Southeast of Disorder
Mental Status: excited
Inner Rhythem: "Lucky Stars", -JB
Tags: , , , , ,
Over the past weekend at Desert Magic, I was fortunate to sit around and banter about a variety of things with some great minds within ADF. And, because you all know me, no one will be surprised that we spoke about the current state of ADF's study programs.

Now that we have people working on Second Circle Clergy Training Program courses (and by Wellspring there will be at least one more person, with several more shortly after that), it's becoming more pressing to make sure that the courses are ready to go.

The CTP Outline shows how many classes need to be approved for Second Circle: four out of 12 are listed as "unwritten," though that word doesn't really indicate the fact of the matter.

There are completed requirement sets undergoing fine-tuning before presentation for three of those four, meaning that, really, only one class is still outstanding in the second circle of the CTP.

When Kirk and I sat down to revisit the Liturgist Guild Study Program last Sunday (and others joined us, notably Ceisiwr Serith, whose input was/is invaluable when it comes to liturgy), we hammered out five new courses, three of which should transfer directly into the Third Circle of the CTP as well (should the Clergy Council wish to go that route). We're also revisiting the structure of the original LGSP, which had a few issues. Fortunately, it won't affect current students at all.

It looks like only one course is left for the LGSP second Circle, and [info]druidkirk is working hard on that one. We may have a lot of stuff done for our students by Summerland.

I'm excited to see where we can take this program, and where other programs will go as well.
Statistical Ramblings
[info]chronarchy
May. 16th, 2008 @ 02:40 pm Book Review: Magick of the Gods & Goddesses
Forum: Paradigm Discussion
Posted By: Groll Only
Post Time: 05-16-2008 at 10:32 AM
Statistical Ramblings
[info]occultcorpusrss
May. 16th, 2008 @ 12:01 am Natural and Natural

There are two ways of viewing “naturals” in perfume.

The first is that it smells like something natural. So a synthetically created eugenol that happens to smell like vanilla might be classed by some perfumers as “natural” in that it mimics something more molecularly complex.

The second is that it is or came from the natural. The assumption here is that at the beginning of processing a given chemical, there was a real live plant (or in some cases animal) involved. This is also the area where questions are raised because of what happens in order to distill that chemical or scent. For example, some argue absolutes are not natural because of the hexane used in processing - while it still starts with a plant, it is rendered “unnatural” because of any solvent residue. I disagree with this, personally, although I understand and can follow the reasoning: to me an absolute is still natural, although it may not be quite so environmentally friendly or safe to use as a result of the use of hexane. I expect to see some of these arguments subside as C02 extraction becomes continuously more applicable to delicate botanic sources.

These differing approaches to the meaning of “natural” is in part where the marketing melee originates. Industry marketers may well know the meaning of “natural” coming from a modern traditional perfumer, but will also know that a typical western consumer operates on the belief that the definition of natural falls into the second category; all too few are aware of the difference and that the only guarantee is the USDA certified organic label or the EU equivalent.1

All materials are copyright Diana Rajchel and Magickal Realism (TM) C 2007 (TM) C 2008 Magickal Realism (TM) is a trademarked fragrance brand.

References
  1. I am unversed in any organic certification available beyond EU and US. []
Magickal Realism Natural Perfumery
Statistical Ramblings
[info]theperfumer
May. 16th, 2008 @ 12:01 am Global Harmonization?

In the latest communication from Cropwatch, there was mention of a Global Harmonization Act of 2008. This piqued my interest - I’m not exactly thrilled with the decisions about perfumery materials IFRA has been making, since they are founded on next to no data, and harmonizing the FDA standards with EU standards - standards that IFRA has far too much say in thanks to the chronically overburdened nature of such agencies - I am a bit concerned. My concern may be for no other reason than because I like my over the counter headache medicine to have an effect without having to take half the bottle. It could also be because yet more legislation will impact my life and livelihood while I have little or no say in the matter.

Certainly, the overarching goals of the Global Harmonization Task Force are noble: making sure every country is on the same page about pacemakers and prosthetics is pretty darned important to the people that have them and to the medical systems that support them. It says on their website,

“The purpose of the GHTF is to encourage convergence in regulatory practices related to ensuring the safety, effectiveness / performance and quality of medical devices, promoting technological innovation and facilitating international trade, and the primary way in which this is accomplished is via the publication and dissemination of harmonized guidance documents on basic regulatory practices. These documents, which are developed by five (5) different GHTF Study Groups, can then be adopted/implemented by member national regulatory authorities. The relationships between the work of each Study Group can be represented schematically.”

Reasonable goals, to be sure.

Yet there is intimation that some of those goals will have a resounding impact on the cosmetics and fragrance industries.

Such regulation would have a huge impact on all our lives. Yet on a surface search, I could only find this reference on the FDA website to anything regarding the act. In the electronic access form, it sends me back to the Global Harmonization Task force page - where I can’t find a complete copy of the act or guidance referred to. I’m going to give a try to the writing or faxing method - I really want to see the data, in full detail.

All materials are copyright Diana Rajchel and Magickal Realism (TM) C 2007 (TM) C 2008 Magickal Realism (TM) is a trademarked fragrance brand.

Magickal Realism Natural Perfumery
Statistical Ramblings
[info]theperfumer
May. 16th, 2008 @ 04:58 am Logic vs. the afterlife
Forum: Soul Journeys
Posted By: Case
Post Time: 05-15-2008 at 11:32 PM
Statistical Ramblings
[info]occultcorpusrss
May. 15th, 2008 @ 08:05 pm no title
... and then she was like, "Like-like-like like like liiike like like liiiiiiike like." And I was like, "We have killed all your friends. All your friends are dead."
Statistical Ramblings
[info]t3hliteraryone
May. 15th, 2008 @ 09:44 pm 05/15/08 Homepage Spotlight
[info]seek_abroad
Meet people from all over the world.
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[info]bensinclair1, posting in [info]lj_spotlight
May. 15th, 2008 @ 09:40 pm 05/15/08 Homepage Spotlight
[info]fotojournals
Post your photos for other photographers to see.
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[info]bensinclair1, posting in [info]lj_spotlight
May. 15th, 2008 @ 09:34 pm 05/15/08 Homepage Spotlight
[info]food_ish
Share successful, disastrous or otherwise amusing food stories, photos and recipes.
Statistical Ramblings
[info]bensinclair1, posting in [info]lj_spotlight
May. 15th, 2008 @ 02:27 pm Labels and Shabbos
Mental Status: contemplative
A non-Jewish friend of mine, in Israel, was invited to Shabbos at the home of a new friend. This all came about when my friend stated a desire for Pizza and a movie. Her new friends have incorporated Pizza and Movie night into shabbos. From how I understand what she said, they watch a movie, light, and eat pizza for dinner. Now, while there is theoretically nothing wrong with this, and I know everyone does things differently...it just seems wrong to me. ..Of course, now I feel guilty and slightly sad for being semi-judgmental.

My friend then told me that the moshav is Modern Orthodox, and what is that? (Her only experience with Judaism is through Chabad, or there abouts.) ...How do you explain? Can you? On the other hand, what in one place is Modern Orthodox is Conservative in another, in one is Conservative, is Reform in another. ..Do we, as Jews, put to much emphasis on the labels and types of Jews we each are?

ETA It is not the Pizza, that I feel is 'wrong', I think. Non-traditional means are very cool. I myself had a non-traditional meal a few months back of veggie soup and tuna smaiches. I think it is the combination of a movie right before licht followed by pizza. It seems to me the wrong way to greet Shabbos. That is where I come from, saying I have been judgmental. Who I am to judge how you great and observe?

Cross-posted to [info]weirdjews2
Statistical Ramblings
[info]qtheallpowerful
May. 15th, 2008 @ 03:04 pm Apparently shopping in America means you take your life (and backside) in your own hands.
Mental Status: amused
Tags:
Apologies if any of you have seen this before. Apparently this is legendary and most LEET people will already know of this, but I just stumbled upon the Shrine of the Mall Ninja. These are people who work in some sort of security capacity, with their pepper spray and wrist-ties, and dream of being in the Special Forces, Making A Difference. I have quoted verbatim, so any spelling mistakes in the quotes are his. The rest are all mine.

Highlights are:

BTW, I am, of course, usually carrying a pair of ceramic plates in my briefcase so that I can shield my head. My SO (we work as a team when necessary) has a similar accessory containing a breakdown NEF single-shot 300 WinMag with an 18" bbl. The plan is that I shield us with my body and “catch the rounds” while she assembles the NEF. I lay down covering fire with my 23 (Bar-Sto .357 Sig barrel) and she makes the long shots. I will then throw smoke grenades to obscure the area while continuing to lay covering fire. The problem, of course, is when I have to turn my back to run, and then the problem crops up.

I bet the Special Forces don't run away. ^_^

We meet at the range every night and shoot 400 rounds each through weapons that closely resemble our duty setup. We also practice unarmed combat. I am a Master of three martial arts including ninjitsu, which means I can wear the special boots to climb walls. I don’t think any of you are working as hard as I am to be prepared. I asked a serious question about tactical armor and I wanted a serious response. If you want to laugh at somebody, try laughing at the sheep out there who go to the mall unarmed trusting in me to stand guiard over their lives like a God.

I hate to generalise, but anyone who states they are a Master at any martial art usually can't punch their way out of a paper bag. I do know several people who do martial arts and they tend not to mention it to prevent drunks and morons like the above challenging them to a fight. Also, who needs 'special ninjitsu boots' to work in a mall? And to think I want to visit the US again soon.

It was a hostage situation that was hushed up. The SWAT prettyboys were overpowered by the Gap, and we Backup RTF’ers had to resume our roles, and basically put everything five by five. The takedown was actually applied with SW weapons, SW3’s. It happened a while agao, and there is no way you would know what city I am in, so I can reveal these details, lets just say that the Mayor had really deep pockets to keep all of this out of the news.

Aaaaaahahahahahahahahaaaa! I know SWAT was parodied on Blues Brothers but they are honestly not that incompetent IRL. Or are they?

and why don’t the cops take care of it, because they are a bunch of wusses, and they are not man enough to put up with the danger and stress. You all who are makeing fun of me have never been threatened by jailed drug dealers, serial killers, and shoplifters, or fired at by high powered rifles

I know customers can get testy in the sales season but surely that is taking it a touch far?

My “Black-Ops” history ensures that you will never know about the missions I accepted in my younger days, and Vietnam still shudders when it hears the name of a an assasin so skillful and deadly, he is remembered decades later.

And now you are a..........security guard in a shopping mall?

A one time experiementation while in the military, does not make one a homosexual. It’s when you practice it daily.......that you become a homosexual.

What unit was he in???

I have personally saved the ass-virginity of several young boys in my days. But there are many brave men like myself out there who risk their lives daily, so that boys like yourself can live a normal heterosexual life.

Apparently going to the toilet in America has an added frisson of danger that seems to be missing over here.

But then again I think of the mayors nephew, his face distored with tears and terror, the GAP employees who asked for my autograph, and had to settle for a cover identity’s signature, the flashbangs, and their acrid scent, the small of napalm in the evening breeze, as I crouch behind a shopping cart in the parking lot

Napalm? In a shopping mall car park? Seriously??

It is long, but well worth the read. And in case anyone is saying 'oh but they are all mad and gun crazy in America, I know people like this in the UK! People who claim to know several martial arts, people who think they are divine vigilantes, with the powers that go with it, people who carry nun-chucks and knuckledusters concealed just in case some damsel (or young boy) in distress needs rescuing. I am sure the police in the US takes just as much of a poor view of carrying concealed weapons as the police over here do.
Statistical Ramblings
[info]joolsmd
May. 15th, 2008 @ 04:54 am R.I.P. John Rutsey - 1953 - 2008
Mental Status: sad
Tags:
Way back in 1968, 3 high school friends got together to form a band. Drummer John Rutsey, guitarist Alex Zivojinovich, and bassist Jeff Jones named their fledgling act "Rush" and one of rock's most enduring acts. Zivojinovich anglicized his last name, becoming Alex Lifeson, and within a month of Rush's founding, Jeff Jones was replaced on bass and vocals with Gary Lee Weinrib - now known world-wide as Geddy (because of the way his grandmother said his name through her thick Israeli accent) Lee. Rush went through a few other names before eventually coming back to "Rush" and had a few different lineups, but in the early years, Rutsey. Lifeson and Lee remained it's core.

After spending several years playing coffee houses, high school auditoriums and other such venues, the band decided it was time to make a record. None of the labels they sent demos to opted to sign them, so in 1974 the band - all three around 19 years old - formed their own label, Moon Records, and recorded their first, self-titled LP.

Not long after "Rush" was released, Rutsey decided to leave the band, as he felt he would not be able to manage his diabetes the way he needed to while touring. Neil Peart was hired as a replacement and the Lee, Lifeson & Peart lineup has remained the same for the last 34 years.

After leaving the band, John Rutsey became a bodybuilder and competed at the amateur level off and on for several years.

While Neil Peart will always be viewed as Rush's drummer (and rightly so,) Rutsey was an important part of the band's early years, and it was his drumming on the classic tracks of their first album - "Working Man," "Finding My Way," "In the Mood" and the rest - that helped get the band noticed and their long (and still ongoing) career underway.

May 11, 2008, John passed away, apparently in his sleep, due to a heart attack related to his diabetes. He was 55 years old.

Statistical Ramblings
[info]thorswitch
May. 14th, 2008 @ 08:10 pm no title
[Adult Link]
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[info]t3hliteraryone
May. 14th, 2008 @ 07:19 pm Question for fans of "Bones" and "Criminal Minds"
Mental Status: giggly
Wouldn't Bones and Reid make the perfect couple? Just imagine the vocabulary their kid would have before it even got to school :)
Statistical Ramblings
[info]thorswitch
May. 14th, 2008 @ 11:36 pm New Liturgists Yearbook Available On-line!
The 2007 edition of the Liturgists Yearbook, a project of the ADF Liturgists Guild, has now been put on the Guild's webpages. This book contains ritual, prayers, invocations and meditations performed in 2007. Have a look!
Statistical Ramblings
[info]adfmemberweb
May. 14th, 2008 @ 10:28 pm nepali monarch seeks kali blessings
Forum: Occult News
Posted By: vulnera
Post Time: 05-14-2008 at 05:45 PM
Statistical Ramblings
[info]occultcorpusrss
May. 14th, 2008 @ 09:40 pm pi, phi and the great pyramid
Forum: Occult News
Posted By: vulnera
Post Time: 05-14-2008 at 04:01 PM
Statistical Ramblings
[info]occultcorpusrss
May. 14th, 2008 @ 02:38 pm Fortune Cookie: Taxicab Politics
In 1992, as a junior of Princeton, Matthew Polly went to China in search for authentic Shaolin training. He wrote about his two years years there in his memoir, American Shaolin, published in 2008. He had just gotten into Beijing and is talking to the cabbie, when the conversations turns to politics:
"America," I replied.

"America is a good country. Very strong."

"No, it's just average."

"Oh no, it is great. Not like China. china is inadequate. Too backward."

"But you are progressing rapidly," I said.

"Not enough. We'll need fifty years of progress to catch up with America."

"But on the economic front, China's progress is much faster than America's," I said, thinking of the double-digit GDP growth that China had enjoyed over the past decade since Deng's reforms took wing.

"You say the economic aspect," he said, having caugh my other meaning. "You don't think the political aspect is progressing?"

"Not after June 4th."

That was the date of the Tiananmen Square massacre.

"Ah," he sighed and went silent.

Read more... )
Namaste
Statistical Ramblings
[info]qaexl
May. 14th, 2008 @ 01:28 pm no title
 

Yesterday was one of those “prepare things for future work” days. We got 2 large cedar trees cut into 10 foot pieces and dragged them out to an area where we can get them on the truck. We will get them to the top of the hill and I will get the bark off and prepare them for the center posts for the roof.

 

We got the plywood up in the corners for the walls to square them off. That was not a very easy task…lol. We then got the windows screwed in and everything ready to start the roof. The next step is cutting 14 four foot pieces of 2x4’s to raise the front of the roof for the house and get the 2x4 and 2x6’s on it. The center posts will be installed and then we will soon be working on the rafters. It won’t be long….*crosses fingers*…..until we are screwing the tin on and moving in. It will be labor intensive the next few weeks.

 

I have taken vacation the last week in the month so I can be home and help finish things up and get moved into the new place by June 1st. I am already starting to pack up boxes of books and such and get everything ready to move in. I will be so glad when we can take a day to rest. I plan to make sure I have at least one day to just chill on the porch with a glass of lemonade and work on a quilt…or maybe oil paint or something.

 

Right now we have $3,580.00 in the house. The roof will be about $800 for the tin and screws. With that it looks like we may actually be able to reach our goal of less than $5000 because if things go as planned, we will have about $4,610. This includes the foundation, floor, porches, subfloor, walls, windows doors and roof. That is pretty darn amazing if you ask me! Now grant you, it is a house with no electric, indoor plumbing or septic system….but it is our dream home and to be able to do it on schedule so far and for that low price just feels great.

 

I have already given up my home PC, so I will not be able to contact anyone via email, IM or such during the evening hours. I am preparing myself for the big move and losing all electric and phone service….except the cell phones of course.  There is also no microwave, toaster or small appliances in the house, no lamps in the bedroom anymore, no blow dryer and no more foot Jacuzzi. LOL Today I will start practicing the meal prep by trying to cook all meals in 2 or less pans. One pot meals and such because out first wood stove will only have 2 eyes on it. I still plan to cut the dishes down to just bare essentials before we move.  I will be glad to get rid of the entertainment center…and everything on it. OH yeah….certain friends can expect packages from me soon. I have a few things I will no longer need but could not bear to hand over to strangers….so I am gifting them to the few people I love.

Statistical Ramblings
[info]mitakola
May. 14th, 2008 @ 12:27 pm no title
There was a strung-out American Indian woman who banged on our door at 10:30 pm last night. I really don't know who she was or what that was about, but I know she doesn't live in the building. She had grey hair and a shopping bag in her hand.

It was all very strange.
Statistical Ramblings
[info]theperfumer
May. 14th, 2008 @ 11:24 am My Beltaine Ritual
I posted my Beltaine ritual: http://sarjanya.livejournal.com/49714.html

It didn't go quite as I planned, but little in life does *smile*.

Mother Bear
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[info]sarjanya, posting in [info]dedicants
May. 14th, 2008 @ 02:52 pm Malachim Alphabets
Forum: Ceremonial Magic
Posted By: asterion
Post Time: 05-14-2008 at 10:11 AM
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[info]occultcorpusrss
May. 14th, 2008 @ 06:02 pm Dedicant questions
Okay so I've just signed up on the Dedicant path.
Initially, I didn't apply for a mentor, in case I didn't need one and wished to work at my own pace for a while. Do you have to apply for a mentor's help to start off with, or can you make an application later if you feel stuck? I just didn't want to waste anyone's time if it wasn't necessary, I know a lot of dedicants apply for mentors.
Also with Kins and Guilds - are you restricted to only one of each, or can you be part of several? I did get confused with all the stuff on voting.
Also, the dedicant stuff itself. Do you work from the Dedicant Manual you download from the site, or is it done by mail?
Statistical Ramblings
[info]dibeartach, posting in [info]adf
May. 14th, 2008 @ 12:01 am Most Overused Scents
Tags:

I’m only voicing my opinion here, and it is based simply on things that I smell a lot and see requested a lot. There’s nothing scientific about it, nor am I going to put up my dukes and punch it out. But I am going to say that there are certain fragrances that are quite popular, and their popularity sometimes works against them - in part, because the popularity can lead to overharvesting and plant extinction, but also because smelling a chemical too frequently can degrade our perception of it to the point where we no longer benefit from the emotional impact of the smell.

I would say, at the moment, these are the top ten most overused:

1. Vanilla

2. Lavender

3. Sandalwood

4. Patchouli

5. Cinnamon

6. Chocolate

7. Sugar/Candy-based scents

8. Jasmine

9. Berries

10.  Grapefruit

Some folks may have other ideas, and I certainly do still use these in fragrances myself - market demand is, after all, market demand.

All materials are copyright Diana Rajchel and Magickal Realism (TM) C 2007 (TM) C 2008 Magickal Realism (TM) is a trademarked fragrance brand.

Magickal Realism Natural Perfumery
Statistical Ramblings
[info]theperfumer
May. 14th, 2008 @ 01:41 am NYC trip pics
For some of you who aren't on Myspace, where I posted these pics earlier today, here are the pics from my recent trip to NYC!

(Yeah I'm sad I didn't go to Desert Magic, but I had an awesome time on my own :)

NYC trip pics - may take a while to load )
Statistical Ramblings
[info]chirael
May. 13th, 2008 @ 09:37 pm no title
This just in: Wired News asks Ron Paul supporters, "Where is your god now?"
Statistical Ramblings
[info]t3hliteraryone