At a loss because of a loss.

What words have I to say?

Words that would describe the sorrow, the pain, are not to be found.

I knew him as a friend, but knew him not so well as others.

Their feelings must be more profound.

The gods, they must know, what a jewel has joined them now.

One so bright with wit and light, the world now darkened with your flight.

Mourners must we be now.




Rest well, David Grega.




For those of you who wish to help with funeral costs, please donate here: http://www.gofundme.com/davidgrega#description

Change is Gonna Come

I thought I should let everyone know that I have a big move coming up. My mother, sister, and I are all moving to a new apartment. We've had to cancel internet service and the only way I'm on here right now is through my phone tethered to my laptop. That, too, is soon to end, at least, temporarily. I'm sorry. I know I've been a terrible host. Once I get my life back on track, everything will come back.

An Apology to Transgendered People

This is the result of a discussion on Google+ which you can read here. This came up regarding my previous post about the events at PantheaCon. I have come to realize a slight phobia I had. This is a phobia I was not even really aware of. The unfounded fear I had was a result of my inability to wrap my head around multiple genders, the implications of that, and in part a simple misunderstanding of facts. And though some fears do have merit, I see them differently, now moving away from the "us vs them" camp I didn't even realize I was a part of. I apologize for any fear and ignorance I have perpetuated.

The Smoking Gun or a Water Pistol? Possible Source of Climate Change Denial

Very recently, some documents have fallen into my hands regarding The Heartland Institute and its conservative position on global warming and science being taught in the classroom. I will more thoroughly review these documents later, but I will also attempt to post them online here. Keep in mind some have been denounced as fake while others have been confirmed to be real and the institute itself has threatened to litigate anyone possessing and spreading these documents. I personally believe they are bluffing and that it is everyone's right to discuss these papers, false or not. The document titled "Confidential Memo: 2012 Heartland Climate Strategy" is considered by some to be fake, but I myself can not be sure of this.

UPDATE: After several computer failures and subsequent repairs, I have lost these files.

Life and Pantheacon

Okay, so I haven't made a post in a while. I've been busy doing things over here in Huntington Beach. Mainly, I've been looking for a job, but I've also been working out a lot in order to reenlist in the military! I did take a break today in order to let my body rest and rebuild, but I'll be back at it tomorrow for another three hours at least! I can already feel some of my former strength returning and it felt great after yesterdays workout! I've also started reading a new book series called The Hunger Games. I've been told that it's a great series almost worthy of Harry Potter, but it seems to be very depressing so far. We'll see how it goes.

Some news I heard about Pantheacon this year. I did not go myself, but it seems that the focus was on transgender issues in paganism. Personally, I don't understand why this even needs to be discussed. If you have a penis, you're a man. If you have a vagina, you're a woman. If you're a man who feels he needs to be a woman, save up for a sex change. Same if you're a woman who feels she needs to be a man. It really is that simple. It doesn't matter what you think. What matters is the physical reality and how you change that. Until then, don't try to join any skyclad rituals of the gender you identify with. A man exposing himself to a group of women, no matter how much he may identify with them, is still committing sexual assault.

brand new post

to see how long it takes to show up in my rss readers on fb and how long it takes to post automatically.

Really, Star? Really?

Are you seriously asking these questions?

" Do eclectics practice in such diverse and idiosyncratic ways because it fits their beliefs? Or, and yes I know this is a touchy idea, does a lack of consistency in practice perhaps denote a lack of belief?"

Let me answer that for you.

"We believe in the four classical Western elements, and that fifth which is spirit, and so we have to take them seriously. If we did not believe in these things, we would not practice the way we do."

Funny. I believe the same things and I am not a trad witch. Though not every eclectic believes the same as I do, that does not mean that they don't believe. Just because you lack belief in the eclectic path, doesn't mean those who practice it do. You wonder why trad witches come off as elitist when you post crap like this. Let me ask you this: what is this lack of consistency in practice of which you speak? Where do you feel that eclectics are inconsistent and why do you feel that way? Where is this coming from, Star? Keep in mind, not every eclectic practices like a trad witch does, or even like you did before you were a trad witch.

My two cents: take a World's Religions course. You'll find that every practice has its own symbolism and rites that may or may not be "consistent" with your own. You'll find that every religion hinges, ultimately, on belief!

Here's the original article: http://www.patheos.com/community/paganportal/2011/11/03/because-we-believe/