Motley Is A Fool's Uniform

( Early morning meander... )

It was a low key but fun CD launch for Spiral Dance's latest CD Worts 'n' All. This is a live album from a set of gigs held last year whilst Dandelion Wine was in town (it does not, however, feature their music).

This is the first CD where you get to hear the new sound of the band, with Ingy on violin replacing Kerryn on flute. I suppose I've heard the new line up enough times that it no longer sounds strange, but I really must compare the Pan on this album with the original (probably the most definitive flute piece shared by both, although Man from the Stars comes close). Other tracks that are really new are a set of three french tunes for squeezebox and violin (Derriere les Carreaux, Moninette, and The Man in the Brown Hat) and Adrienne's latest song Blackwater Deep (about why you should look gift horses in the mouth). There is also a multimedia component for PC that I haven't looked at yet.

The gig was fun and ended with Burning Times. Sometimes I think I exert too much of an influence when we dance this locally. I do this mainly to ensure that the outer circle doesn't crash into surrounding stuff, but it also is to prevent someone attempting to hijack the energies of the dance and turn it to their own use (adding a touch of Chaos to the mix really makes doing so quite problematical). This time I added a staccato power-beat to the Goddess chant that had people literally vibrating to each down beat, since we seem to be increasingly raising the level of the chant earlier and earlier (and before the appropriate point is reached in the musical accompaniment). This irritated Adrienne immensely once, although this time she was bewitched herself at the effect the power beat had on the crowd and wanted to come down off the stage and join in. But everyone went away happy, well, except possibly for one person – who objects to the fact that the inner circle dances to the left (which she cannot do and thus cannot be a part of the inner circle – which is the place to be according to the cognesceti).

( On a personal level... )

* St John's Wort, or goatweed, is often used as a cure for depression or anxiety. The new Spiral Dance CD probably works just as well, but also probably shouldn't be orally administered.

[Thing The First] A very nice black wedding dress done fully in the traditional style, in the window of the new bridal boutique on the way home. While I suspect it's probably just supposed to be an eye-catching challenge to the traditional white/ivory/cream, I also know several brides-to-be that will probably descend on the store when I tell them (not having the spare cash for a full custom gown). I've only ever seen a red scarlet wedding dress in a traditional style before (that wasn't either a custom job or a costume).

Although I do like thematic weddings where the guests are required to come in costume as well. So far I've been to a Star Wars, Edwardian Regency, Gothic, High Magic/Society (I even got to be the celebrant at that one), Tolkeinesque/Faerie Fantasy (it was so tempting to go as a Uruk-Hai), Mississipi Riverboat, Military, Pagan, Shinto, Hindu (OK, so these last two (three?) technically weren't costumed events but traditional dress was required), and the inevitable Medieval-themed (especially if you have friends in the SCA). Actually, looking back on it, that's quite a few themed events. I sooooooo miss having access to a tailor willing to do costuming.

I've gotten to hold every traditional position in the traditional western marriage ceremony except for Flower Girl, Bride and (sadly) Groom. And no, I'm not getting married in the near future. It's just there has been a surprising number of engagement announcements over the last few months and lots of friends planning events. It's difficult not to get in the proper wedding spirit (which for me seems to be teasing the bride-to-be until she hits me with something heavy).

Remember brides-to-be, Bunnings often has ladders on sale!

[Thing The Second] <tee hee> A friend seems to be suffering from a recent attack of satori. Which is an extremely good thing to happen and fun to watch (even remotely via LJ). <grin> Although when Eris is involved it actually tends to be more of an "Oh Sh*t" experience too – She does love to mug innocent (or in this case, not-so-innocent) passer-by and have Her way with them. <grin>

I think half the fun of watching satori strike is that it is striking someone else – when it strikes you, you are generally too involved to fully savour it, and when it passes, you are no longer quite you any more.

"Pain is such a primitive concept," I reply cavalierly. "I prefer to think of it as my neurons battling evil in another dimension."

She looks at me strangely, almost quizzically.

"Oh dear," I think. "Now I'll either be sectioned, or worse still, have to attempt to explain my obscure sense of humour."

But then she smiles and says "I loved that movie when I was younger."

"An educated doctor," I disclaim. "Will wonders never cease!"

"Just for that, I'm using a bigger needle..."

Maybe I should have stopped before we reached the Frontier.