I originally wrote this over on Google Plus, where I have far more conversations these days than here. I felt like it belonged here, too, though.

I spent some time this morning reflecting on my experiences growing up in Montgomery, AL, face to face with deeply—even violently—embedded race, class, and gender norms, elephants in the room that nobody dared name. We were desegregated by then, and thus clearly past the race and class differences, or so the common wisdom went. And gender—that wasn’t even on people’s radar: This was pre-Butler, after all.

( It started as research )

Standard apology for updating so infrequently.

When last we heard from our intrepid hero, I’d just accepted a job at Emory Libraries. Well, in fact I’d been there for several months when I posted, but my post only included up to about May-ish. Of 2009.

That’s all I can think of right now. Anyone want to start a pool on when I make my next update? :-)

[	Tags	|	education, friends, growth, home, job, love, moving, relationships, spellchecker genius, web	]
[	Current Location	|	Emory University	]
[	mood	|	happy	]

So I know I’ve never been the best at keeping up with posting to LJ, but this year I’ve actually had good reason. You see, 2009 has been insane. ( Insanely busy, to be precise. )

And that’s just up to May, only the first half of the story. I’m past my lunch hour by now, so I’m headed back to work. I’ll finish the story of the Year of Insanity soon, I promise.

(LJ Spellchecker Genius of the Day: MMOs -> Moos)

[	Tags	|	classics, geek, humor, languages, spellchecker genius	]
[	mood	|	amused	]

I’ll have a real update soon, I promise. Life’s been absolutely insane for the last three or four months, and it’s finally calming down. As it’s calming, I’m taking a little much-needed relaxing time, and I’m spending some of that time catching up on True Blood.

This post is not about the show as a whole. There’s no time for that. It’s sorta about the character of Maryann Forrester, who’s supposed to be a *gulp* maenad. There’s no time for the multiple levels of wrong they get there, but in fairness the producers deserve some credit for effort. See, they actually did a little research and found some actual Dionysian epithets for her to chant. I was sorta impressed, actually.

Except that apparently they didn’t actually have anyone conversant in ancient Greek on set for filming. There are American-style ‘ch’-es that sound nothing like any credible interpretation of a chi. And — and here’s the part where it just gets silly — as far as I can tell the script must have been printed in Arial. See, the text that simply must be “Io! Io! Bromios!” got read as — Hold your breath here — “Lolo Bromios!”

I swear I laughed out loud when I heard it, shortly before realizing that I’m probably one of about two dozen people who would actually notice. Anyway, since several more of those two dozen are on my flist, I thought I’d share. Lolo Bromios!

(LJ Spellchecker Genius of the Day: Arial -> Aural)

Most of you have probably heard the rumors by now. Well, they’re true: radiantbaby and I are moving into town. Like immediately. This weekend we’ll be moving ourselves — along with bed, computers, and other necessities — from our old house in Cumming to our new house in Clarkston. Any help anyone can offer would be much appreciated, and reimbursed with soda and pizza (or beer and veggieburgers if that’s your thing; let us know).

Two weeks later, on the weekend of the 20th, we’ll be moving the rest of our furniture. Same deal: Help will be greatly appreciated, and we’ll feed you for your sweat. (Not with your sweat: That’s not our kink.).

Anyway, reply here or email me if you can help and need directions.

In related news, our Cumming house will go up for rent as soon as we’re out of it and it’s cleaned up. We must find renters to comfort our mortgage banker, and quick. This means that we will be offering it for well under the going rate in the neighborhood. We’re aiming for $650/mo for the full 1400sqft house, but we’re open to negotiation if you need a lower rate. Pets are welcome. If you’ve ever considered moving out on your own, or if you’re learning to hate your current corporate-run apartment complex home, this could be a perfect low-cost opportunity for you. Drop us a line if you want more details.

Thanks, all!

Welcome to A Little Bird!

Spring brings the quickening of the Earth and the new formation of a website connecting and informing Atlanta area Pagans with articles, reviews, regular columns and calendar of events. The editors at A Little Bird invite you to visit our growing nest of thoughts — or to speak up and have your voice heard. Our hope is that “A Little Bird” will tell you about many Pagan or Pagan-centered events in the Atlanta area and that the singing voice of Pagans will grow stronger. Spring begins the quickening and the seeds of change are among us — or at least that’s what A Little Bird said!

A Little Bird includes:

• A calendar of events
• News about and for the local Pagan community
• Editors’ Nest
• Ask the Qadishtu (guest column)

Please let us know what you're thinking.

• Editors: editor@a-little-bird.org
• Submissions: submissions@a-little-bird.org (Submission Guidelines)
• Website feedback: webmaster@a-little-bird.org

We'll see you at A Little Bird!

Ben Ranker & Scarlett Ross
co-Editors

There’s a new bird singing in Atlanta!

A Little Bird is a new journal of news, events and perspectives preparing to serve Atlanta area Pagans. A Little Bird told us you folks might have some materials for the nest.

Some of you are organizing public rituals. Some of you are attending festivals or discussion groups. Some of you have already attended events and want to write about your experiences. Some of you are researching Pagan academic topics. Some of you have community news to share. We want to publish all of these and more:

• Local Pagan events and outings
• Rituals your local coven or group is organizing
• Festivals, Pagan Pride Day and other Pagan gatherings
• Discussion groups, including ongoing and one-time events
• Reviews of public rituals or events you attend
• News about events that affect the Atlanta area and Georgia Pagans
• Short articles about your group’s seasonal ritual or spiritual activity
• Networking classified ads

Even if you don’t have the time to write an article right now, we still want to hear from you! Email us at editor@a-little-bird.org with a cracker for the Bird — you know, little thoughts and events. Or leave a comment right here: we’ll get the word. Even brief listings and contact information can help the entire community learn what’s going on around us.

Email A Little Bird with questions, opinions and your requests for this new community website too. We don’t bite. If you’re looking for something Pagan related then chances are someone else in the area is interested, too. We want to offer resources you need. Please help us spread word of our new publication around the ’Net wherever you see fit.

Thank you for helping us improve communication lines in the Atlanta Pagan community. We look forward to serving you. Remember: A Little Bird told you!