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Friday 27 February 2009

The End of Oracles and A Pep Blog!

Goddesses Pictures, Images and Photos

Okay, so where were we? Can you even remember... Do you even care?!

Oh yes, the glass hadn't come on the right van for my big front windows, (Think of a sunroom-type of space - Big panes of glass - Nightmare!)... and so the Knights of the Round Wagon Wheel... (- Trust me, it's a biscuit in the UK, Australia and Canada, and Photobucket has not a photo of them for love nor money, although it does have pancake-wearing rabbits or guinea pigs, (whatever he was), to symbolise I Ching apparently, don't ask me why...) ...have to come back again today to finish their really hard-working job.

Honestly, they have been lovely...

Crocodile - made of LEGO bricks of course :-) Pictures, Images and Photos Only thing was, at one point yesterday my front porch looked as if it had been built out of plasticene and cardboard when the windows came out, and before they were re-fitted anew... I observed the men, wrestling manfully with huge panes of glass, against the whirling and whistling wind that abounded yesterday... That, and they were dodging the low-flying military aircraft which whizz through the skies a couple of times a week, which terrify those not accustomed (as we now are) to their screams and death-defying stunts.

And... My front door had arrived, complete with a letter box (not as ordered), and my back door arrived without a letter box (not as ordered). The postie only delivers to the back of our houses, and never in a million years will I be able to persuade him to make special dispensation just to deliver my junk-mail, Disposable Contact Lenses and Assorted Final Demands...

Cue much intake of breath from the Knights, some whistling tunelessly through teeth, and one of the guys hauling a hacksaw out of his back jeans pocket and making me a letter box sized hole in the back door, (I couldn't watch, there was actual blood!), in fact just in time for the Postman's delivery, leaving me with a letter-sized hole in the front door - Albeit, I am assured, temporary...

Oh, and plaster has been falling down around my ears in chunks, now the windows are almost in... I am now awaiting the arrival of a hallowed bricklayer... He will attempt to put back some of the outside plaster render on the house (covering the 1900's bricks), that assorted Mensch have knocked off while putting in the windows... My garden is full of UPVC debris, the men are full of coffee, my house is full of decanted clutter in each and every room, and it's been like a scary extended visit to the dentist what with the drilling and hammering going on...

If I don't post much over the weekend, m'dears, it's because I have offed the lot of them, stashing them all under the space in the front garden allocated for a patio at some point...

That, and the fact that my staples supposedly come out later today at the doc's, and GJ works from home on a Friday mainly, which means I am left gnashing and whimpering for the laptop, as he needs it... "...FOR ACTUAL WORK, FHINA!"

And, back to Oracles, for La Wiki wasn't keen yesterday to be left so in the lurch, however, she did seem to enjoy the hearty sight of as many men in the house... I think she's been a little parched in the Temple for quite some time.
FREYJA Pictures, Images and Photos

An oracle is a shrine, temple or sanctuary consecrated to the worship and consultation of a prophetic god. The person who transmits prophecies from a deity at such a shrine is also called an oracle, as is the prophecy or revelation itself.

Oracles are usually presented in the form of an enigmatic or ambiguous statement or allegory. E.g. "Socrates is the wisest of men." "A great king will achieve victory." Such statements can have several meanings, with a greater chance of being interpreted as accurate than if they were more precise, such as "Socrates has seven toes" or "Cyrus will defeat the Persians at Salamis on Tuesday."

A belief in oracles is linked to the common human desire to know the future.

Aztec pyramid Pictures, Images and Photos "In the migration myth of the Mexitin, i.e. the early Aztecs (they were British biscuits too once, but again I digress!), a mummy-bundle (perhaps an effigy) carried by four priests directed the trek away from the cave of origins by giving oracles. An oracle led to the foundation of Mexico-Tenochtitlan. The Yucatec Mayas knew oracle priests or chilanes, literally 'mouthpieces' of the deity. The Books of Chilam Balam were ascribed to one famous oracle priest who correctly had predicted the coming of the Spaniards and its associated disasters".
Ass Hat Pictures, Images and Photos

badu Pictures, Images and Photos "The Igbo people of southeastern Nigeria in Africa have a long tradition of using oracles. In Igbo villages, oracles were usually female priestesses to a particular deity, dwelling in a cave or other secluded location away from urban areas, and, just as the oracles of ancient Greece, they would deliver prophecies in an ecstatic state to visitors seeking advice. Though the vast majority of Igbos today are Christian, many in Nigeria today still use oracles.

Odin Norse Pictures, Images and Photos

And "In Norse mythology, Odin took the severed head of the mythical god Mimir to Asgard for consultation as an oracle. The Havamal and other sources relate the sacrifice of Odin for the oracular Runes whereby he lost an eye (external sight) and won wisdom (internal sight; insight).

"In Tibet, oracles have played, and continue to play, an important part in religion and government. The word "oracle" refers to the spirit that enters those men and women who act as media between the natural and the spiritual realms.

Dalai Pictures, Images and Photos
"The Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in northern India, still consults an oracle known as the Nechung Oracle, which is considered the official state oracle of the government of Tibet. The Dalai Lama has according to custom, which has endured for centuries, consulted the Nechung Oracle during the new year festivites of Losar. Before fleeing from Tibet however he consulted the oracle of Dorje Shugden. Another oracle he consults is the Tenma oracle, for which a young Tibetan woman is the medium for the goddess. The Dalai Lama gives a complete description of the process of trance and spirit possession in his book Freedom in Exile".
HaHa Llama Pictures, Images and Photos

oracle Pictures, Images and Photos

So, there you have it, mes braves, the Oracle and the Oral Tradition, in a nutshell...

Oh yes, I said I was going to hold forth on "Schadenbloggen"..., didn't I?

Schadenbloggen is a term coined by moi to denote the tendency to believe that we are not worthy, we are not worthy! We toy with jacking it all in (blogging/breathing) and hiding back under the deep eiderdown from whence we came...

Or is that just me?!

We all do it - We look at those brilliant published authors, who still seem to have enough lead in their pencils and energies to blog - How do they do that? Do they pin their wayward children or teens to the walls with duct tape?!

We gawk at fantabulous pictures and paintings, fait a la main, bien sur - Beautiful - And we reserve nothing short of damning disdain for what we see as our own meagre and pitiful efforts.

We see a talented bloggerista's photographs, and wonder how anyone so super-human can breathe the same air as we mere mortals, and we cry over our own paw-stained and fading polaroids showing broken family ties, and even more hideous Christmases. Or frightful fashions (mainly mine!), and we cry, "Why not me?! Why can't I have a life as wonderful as theirs? Why am I not as funny as X, Y or Zee; Why can't I write as well as him, her or the Guinea Pig?!"

hair shirt Pictures, Images and Photos Basically, we don the hair shirt of our penitent, pious forebears and we flagellate our skin with lashes of cloth; We cover our heads with ashes, and we regard our images in the Mirror of Disney's Wicked Witch, asking our reflections why we aren't as good...as worthy...as fabulous...as rich...as lovely...as talented...

penitent Pictures, Images and Photos
Schadenbloggen. Name it, and notice it, and please stop it... It's as simple as that, honestly...

There is room enough in all of Blogland for thee and me, and him and her, and it, and the dog (Henry The Dog, among other very esteemed woozles), and the cat (Protege's Batcat), and the She-Weasel...(La Belette Rouge), even the sainted Cochon de Guinea...

Piggy Hair Shirt Pictures, Images and Photos

We all have something to offer, a voice demanding to be heard (on many days - It doesn't have to be every day, guys), and something worth saying...

Love Yourself Pictures, Images and Photos

I looked for the science for what many bloggers say they were and are feeling - If you look hard enough out and about, there's always someone there before you with the facts - Just as with the term, Schadenbloggen - I should have checked before I thought of that, but wasn't to know...

(Apparently Schaden Bloggen means when you follow someone's blog whom you do not like - )

There are some of us here who have trouble keeping up with people and blogs we know and love, never mind those we hate!

Anyhoo, I found someone who had 'been there, done that, got the Tee-Shirt, and the stains!' They had already posted something on t'Internet that had captured the Zeitgeist of what bloggeristas are feeling. Et voila!

"After a lot of soul searching, you realize it’s not a waste of time but it (blogging) can be a time waster. So (and this is where the you becomes I, except for the record, it always has been) you decide to join a revolution of sorts. A way of bringing it back to the beginning. You vow to blog for yourself, to post when you want to and to not feel guilt if you can not comment on others' sites.

Because let’s face it; There’s a good chance everyone else is thinking the same thing and that’s what a community is all about, right? Understanding? Reaching out? Moving forward?

So join this community and find others who understand. There’s life to live out there, y’all. One forgotten blog post at a time". (Source)

What I mean is keep on keeping on. You will always be good enough, even if the voices in our heads argue otherwise... If you want to take a break, a breather - Do so, and don't worry too much that your close followers and friends won't be here when you get back - We will... with all of our hearts.

Allez, mes dahlinks...

love yourself Pictures, Images and Photos
PLEASE Pictures, Images and Photos


Finalement, in case you haven't met her yet, this is my sister, Epona... Well, she's strictly Wiki's sister, for she is/was also a Goddess.

I'll tell you about her some other time...

EPONA Pictures, Images and Photos

31 comments:

Jinksy said...

Joyous way to start my day, with all your blogging interplay...the ryhming bug is biting more and more - what does Wiki have to say on that, I wonder? Or even yourself, O articulate and animated one? X

Chairman Bill said...

The conjunctaflab of Empiricon and Naesquaggle in the constellation of the i-Pod indicates that Tuesday will be particularly harrowing for fleece makers of the female persuasion who are contemplating a financial transaction.

Zuzana said...

You are a never ending source of information and ideas; where do you find the time and energy? If I was having workers in my house, blogging would be the last thing on my mind.
Glad though you are not like me.
Hope your Friday is good.;))

Unknown said...

You are right, Fhina. I have that schadden bloggen all the time! But I'm going to give it up for Lent!

Hope you get the unordered letterbox hole filled in SOON and the BIG window. Enjoy your weekend.

blognut said...

You continue to amaze me, Oh Wise One. I have a bad case of schaddenbloggen. Thanks.

I responded to your comment on my blog -

Carolina said...

Wise words! Although, wasn't Curt Kobain the one who topped himself?

Buildingthings never go the way they should! Good luck with that.

Eponaloma, do you think that would be a good name for our foal? Or does it imply that it will be on drugs?

http://brinkbeestinenglish.blogspot.com/2009/02/e-is-for-kwpn-huh-that-cant-be-right.html

Have a good weekend ;-)

ArtistUnplugged said...

Oh my, you awakened my brain for the day and have made me feel far better for my blogging fodder! I fear the photo of the hairy man and will not be taking the head of a god with me anywhere!!! Good luck with those windows and doors....they actually put the mail through a slot in the door? Amazing. I am posting my 8 for the 'Friends' award but of course it is returned to you tenfold. Hugs. May your staples slip out with ease!

Carolina said...

Oh, and thanks for the peptalk! Much needed!

Jewels said...

Ah more renovations. Good Luck! I swear, the next house I'm buying is going to be brand new, and if I have to so much as get out a hammer for the first five years, I'm going to burn it down.

Interesting post!

Michelle said...

Fhina i love this post dearly!!!

I love you dearly too!!!

That Kurt Cobain quote is perfection!!! I hope you have an amazing weekend. Don't fret if you cannot blog. I know your here in spirit.

Good luck having your staples taken out. And keep those worker men in place this weekend!!!

Henry the Dog said...

Loved that Cubain quote too. Not heard that one before, but then again, am a dog. Blogging should be fun, not something you feel obliged to do, nor should it be a contest - who can write the most eloquent, witty, interesting, informative post? Takes all the fun out of it. Ugh, renovations? Make mum shiver. She can't stand any form of house upset. That's why there are SO many things that need doing Chez Nous. Have a lovely weekend. xxx

Rosaria Williams said...

Fhina, you had me in stitches in the first part of the post, the windows and doors and men and hubby that needs the laptop for "real work". Then, you took me on a great field-good-trip. I was down, off the chair, hurting everywhere by laughter that turning pathetic and in shambles. Just your language use is enough. Please,stop it. Now we really, really, really, feel inadequate.

Then....stories, and myths and more stories. What a treat, mia bella. I noticed you do not speak Italian yet. Nel prossimo blog, with the help of your friends...

Rosaria Williams said...

Cara mia,

Meravigioso!

Kate Coveny Hood said...

I love, "Do they pin their wayward children or teens to the walls with duct tape?!"

I wonder when people get the time too. Especially when you see them commenting all over the place. My guess is that they're not really reading anymore - just skimming.

Which kind of comes back to the whole "going back to the beginning" movement. Blogging for yourself means writing for yourself, but also, *reading* for yourself. Why waste time reading fifty blogs you don't really love if it means you only have time to skim the ten that you do love? It's always hard to find balance...

Suldog said...

You work so damn hard on your posts! Thanks for putting so much effort into my entertainment!

Unknown said...

great post- fabualous interplay and YES i know what a wagon wheel is !!!!

Anonymous said...

Your writing flows with rhythm, humor, and bits of information every time I visit, even with plaster falling on your head!

A Woman Of No Importance said...

jinksy: Bless you, friend - Rhyme away - You are such a brilliant poet, I dare not go there, although I had some fun with haiku the ther day! You brighten my place with your rhyming grace x

Chairman Bill: So, I've not to visit the cashpoint machine (ATM) to try to withdraw money on Tuesday with a sheep under my arm - Is that right?!

Protege: My darling, Wiki is the real 'Villain of the Piece' pas moi! My energy is with me because I am not doing my usual more than full-time job, I kid you not! When I am back to being a wage-slave, you will mark the difference! Have a lovely weekend, Z! x

Derrick: Exactly, Derrick, I would be picketing outside your business if you dropped us for Lent!

blognut: Schaden Bloggen will strike at any time - We must fight it, come one, come all, BN! x

Carolina: Yes, Mr Cobain did take a certain route, or perhaps he didn't - Some of the audience is still out on that verdict, sadly!

I actually found pics of horses on Photobucket under the name Epona, so it must have been used for our four-legged friends prior to now - It's an unusual and pretty name, non?!

Artist Unplugged: You treasure! We do have slots in our doors for mail to come through - A few folk have mail boxes screwed to their homes, like they have in Germany - but it's mainly slots! Bless you for your fond wishes, and an update on the staples ensues tomorrow! x

Carolina: The pep talk was my pleasure to offer us all! x

Jewels: I know exactly what you mean, and I've never needed to do much work - This house has been and will be the worst (and the last) for work, but at least it will be refreshed and all mine, finally, hopefully!

Michelle: Thank you so much for always offering such wonderful support, M! Have a fun-filled and fabulous weekend, just like you! x

Henry the Dog: I know what you mean Henry's mum - I have been putting off this work for some time, so it's a case of either dealing with it all now, or the house will tumble into the street - I joke not! Wet x's, Henry!

lakeviewer: Glad I am giving your laughing muscles some exercise, LV! I do have fun writing the comic bits - Who am I kidding? I mean, 'living' the comic bits!! xx I can speak coffee Italian, but I am very willing to learn from my talented and fabulous bloggy friends, like you! Grazie, bella! Ciao!

Kate Coveny Hood: Bless you, I have to say I was very inspired by a lovely pic on Saz;s blog yesterday, as well as an old ep of Malcolm In The Middle! Balance is tough, in every area of our lives, I wholly agree with wonderful you! x

Suldog: It's all smoke and mirrors, Sir, smoke and mirrors, unlike your hard-working, incredibly clever and funny pieces, which astound me whenever I am round your place! I am happy to be of service, Sir!

Lisa: : ) - And do you think that Wagon Wheels have got smaller since we were wee? My dad always said they had!

The Things We Carried: Meredith, you are very kind and generous, and coming from one so talented as you, I treasure your every kind word! x I am used to living in chaos, especially that of my own making!

findingmywingsinlife said...

my first time visiting your blog and I'm hooked already...you have managed to voice quite alot in this post and it still all made perfect sense (well at least to me anyway, and it seems to your other readers as well).
the one thing you said that I could apply both on blogger and elswhere in life was:

"What I mean is keep on keeping on. You will always be good enough, even if the voices in our heads argue otherwise..."

That, is a wise statement worth muling over...

I'm inclined to call you a woman of Life's Importance, rather than a womam of no importance...

Anonymous said...

"A belief in oracles is linked to the common human desire to know the future."--sterling point. It is also the result of man's regret..constantly wondering what past actions will to the present day--pain or fortune--brilliant post as usual.

A Woman Of No Importance said...

Findingmywingsinlife: What an enchanting name you have, and please do come back to Crawford Mansions any time! I try to help and support, for we all need to use props occasionally, and sometimes mindful words are all that is necessary for some..., including me! Bless you!

Clay: My friend! You are so wonderful, so wise, and such a gifted writer - Thank you with all of my wild heart x

French Fancy... said...

You need never fear that if you took a blogging break we would all desert you, Fhina. We're keepers.

A Woman Of No Importance said...

FF, I am not going anywhere at the mo', petal, and yet people seem to be toying with giving up, and so on, and you are such a wonderful sweet treat, French Fancy - Bless you! xox

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Something I wrote earlier...

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