Why I Like "Dollhouse" Best

When I made my post a few weeks ago about having just finished watching Joss Whedon's Dollhouse for the first time, and saying that it was now my favorite of his creations, heron61 asked me why that was. This is the first chance I've had since then to sit down and make a leisurely reply.

( Cut for the non-Whedonists in the crowd and in case there is any concern about spoilers. )

Checking Out Co-Masonry

As a result of reading John Michael Greer's Inside a Magical Lodge a few months ago, I started checking out various fraternal orders, leading to my discovery of Co-Masonry, which is Masonry for both women and men. Today I visited the local chapter and thoroughly enjoyed myself.

I was not, of course, admitted to the actual lodge meeting/ritual. This group has a monthly study meeting prior to the formal lodge meeting, which constitutes a social time as well as time to share the fruits of individual studies or do group exploration of a topic.

This afternoon's subject was Kabbalah, which I have been studying for the past several years as part of my priestess training. I found it ironic that the very topic which I had been told was inappropriate for me to use as a presentation at another group I had been looking forward to being part of was the one being shared in this group today.

What was presented bore little to no resemblance to Kabbalah as I've been studying it, but I enjoyed the conversation and discussion with the members. There was a strong focus on personal growth, especially through spiritual focus, and a definite bias toward self-awareness and personal responsibility. It was a relatively small group, but that's always best for me. I felt like I would probably enjoy extended conversations with each person there.

The rule for this Lodge is that a potential member needs to attend three study groups before asking to join, which seems wise to me. I'm looking forward to returning next month.

A Simple Test

"If you had enough material and financial assets to be able to do whatever you wanted to do, and didn't have to worry about holding down a job ever again, what would you do to feel satisfied?"

It seems to me that the answer to this question should come very close to being what your life mission is.

I Went to See Picasso.. . .

. . . but I liked this piece best!




And yes, it's at least half again as tall as I am. . .


I failed to note the title or artist name, but athenian_abroad said that it should be called "Urban Nightmare."


Actually, this is a good reminder of the big insight I had at the museum. There were a lot of what I would consider highly unusual pieces there -- not even counting the Picasso's. And yet it was all considered not just "art" but worthy of display in a metropolitan art museum.

It made me stop and re-think just how "weird" and therefore "unacceptable to the general public" many of my own ideas are. The breadth of possibility for acceptance is much wider than I usually give credit for. Part of me is still stuck, psychologically, in the mill town where I grew up.