Thursday Thirteen 11th Edition

[xakara]

Greetings Kittens, 

Here we are again at another Thursday Thirteen and I must admit that I wasn't entirely up for it this week. I've been battling what feels like a sinus infection, dealt with a little work stress, and as usual, haven't been sleeping much. With all of that weighing me down, I wasn't really feeling a pull to do TT this week. I stalled by catching up on my Flist and messing about with my query letter and such just to keep from thinking about a TT topic. All the while random bits are going through my mind because I can't really stop thinking. In the end I decided to wed that random thought pattern with the spirit of Thursday Thirteen and give you 13 Random Things That Tell You All About Me.

Enjoy

13 Random Things That Tell You All About Me


1) I write in my head all the time. Everything I see, everything I read, everything I hear, inspires its own saga in my head. I wrote fanfiction before I knew what fanfiction was simply because I can't watch something I enjoy without adding to it in my head and lending my "voice" to its development. The first "novel" I ever completed was at 14 and was a retelling of The Lost Boys which came out to 734 handwritten pages. Tells you so much about me right there doesn't it?

2) I study Human Sexuality. I have some classes under my belt and Iv'e remained ever-learning through every study, documentary, and special to come out over the last ten years. I'm not a sex expert but human sexual development and how it can be altered, nudged, and restructured through the events of childhood, cultural socialization, and genetic abberation, has fascinated me and found its way into my writing and characterization time and again. 

Understanding my own sexuality and its fluidity has brought a remarkable realism to writing a scene and identifying with my characters even when they want things that don't personally trip my trigger. It has meant being incredibly open when I discuss sex with others. When it comes to consenting adults, I possess nearly no taboo concepts. I might not want to personally hear about what you do in your own bedroom, but I'm happy for you that it brings joy when you do it. The further out on the fringe you are, the more sharing is a need to know basis, and some things I just don't need to know. But I don't want someone feeling bad that they need to do it.

3) For the most part, I'm missing the shame gene. I was raised Catholic and I went to Catholic school from 1st thru 12th grade. I should have a lock on guilt and shame. I just don't. I'm not wired that way. See the above.

4) I never skipped out on a single day of school. I was sick often as a child an on average I missed a month of school every year. With that much down time it never occurred to me to skip. This also goes right into number five. 

5) I was raised by intuitive and preternaturally inclined parent-like individuals. Both sides of my family originate in New Orleans, I'm Creole on both sides with the rainbow complexions of relatives to prove it. This means that coming downstairs with a bad feeling about getting on the bus got me sent back to bed to stay home for the day. The fact that later the bus that my school bus always followed, flipped over on the freeway only proved my grandmother's point in keeping me home. 

6) Be it genetic or environmentally wrought, I'm a sensitive. I get impressions and sudden insights about people, places and situations and have since toddlerhood if you listen to my family. Now whether you feel it all in the mind, or are open to the possibility of otherworldly phenomena, I'm okay with how you take that. I know what I've experienced and I know what it felt like, that's enough for me. Speaking of experiences...

7) Everyplace I've lived, including the apartment I live in now, has been haunted to one degree or another. Many have been simple recordings. Captured energy of an event like running up and down stairs or across floors that were no longer there; all non-sentient energy displays not worth stopping what you're doing to investigate after the first few times. Other places have had actual direct activity, such as moving things and at least two manifestations. One I heard of and the other I personally witnessed. Of course I heard about the one after I witnessed my own because that's when they felt perhaps they should share that there'd been weird things going on while I was off at college.

8) I talked about "The Lady That Lived In The Sky" when I was two years old, proving that my Goddess-centered identity is hard-wired in me somewhere. It made me grateful to be Catholic because whatever else they may try to pull off, they are Feminine Divine Centered and can't get away from it. They were first accused of being a heretical Goddess cult within Christianity and over 500 cathedrals were built across Europe in Mary's honor by converted pagans who found their Goddess in Mary to balance the Christian god and to keep closer to their old ways. 

It's no secret, even if it's only been talked about in the mainstream in the last five-plus years, that the church appropriated the pagan holidays and myths around them in order to match the pagan calendar and pull in converts. All Saints Day, Christmas, Easter, are all pagan in origin and with the idea that one petitions Mary to intercede with god, Catholicism brought in the last of the pagan hold-outs who wouldn't relinquish a Goddess figure in their lives. 

And this is not where I was going with this, so I'll move along. Although since I touched on religion I might as well throw out politics.

9) I'm a political activist with no political leanings. I don't trust the republicans and despite being closer to some of my views, I don't trust the democrats. Considering how long we've been a two-party-dominant society, the fact that neither side has gotten it right means neither is worth throwing in with. I fight for specific issues and the rights of others, whoever steps up and supports those issues and rights has my attention for the next term regardless of their party. I suppose that makes me independant, or bi-political, no, pan-political. Poly-political?

10) I hate people. I like every individual I come into contact with until they prove that they are people and therefor cease being individuals. When I get enough individuals together they become Folks and I like folks, the world needs more folks. Unfortunately it is currently dominated by people in key positions to push their peoplehood on others and we really need to do something about it folks. If you are reading this and happen to know that you are people, stop it. Go back to being an individual immediately. 

11) I am unlike anyone you will ever meet in your entire life. 

12) I am everyone you have ever known. 

13) If I got to be anyone for a day, I'd be the me I'm striving to be in order to know how much harder I have to work to get there.




Links to other Thursday Thirteens! (Please SIGN your comments and Leave Your Link so that others can find you)

1. dineer526, 2. Goth Huntress, 3. Katia, 4. Robin, 5. Lori, 6. Tempest Knight, 7. Missmeliss, 8. Lorelei James, 9. Ann Aguirre, 10. Samulli, 11. Susan Helen Gottfried, 12. Harlekwin, 13. Single Parents Unite, 14. Moondancer Drake, 15. Pussreboots, 16. Carrie Loft, 17. Sassy Lucy, 18. The Gal Herself, 19. Nicolas, 20. L-Squared, 21. Kelly McCrady, 22. Mark, 23. Dracschick, 24. Nicole Austin, 25. Christy, 26. Malcolm, 27. Maribeth, 28.


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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Comments

TT

[dineer526.livejournal.com]

I am with you on #1....except I would say I blog in my head since blogging is my main writing outlet. Every time someone says something funny or something unusual happens I either say to myself or out loud...I must blog about that! Sometimes someone says something embarrassing and I say, "You know I HAVE to blog about that!"

One TINY suggestion...on your template it's hard to see where to put the comment...of course, I'm 45 and refusing to wear reading glasses, so things in general are getting harder for me to read. I don't know if you can control that...but I just thought you might get more suggestions if it was bigger and more obvious!

Re: TT

[xakara.livejournal.com]

Sorry about that. I'll try to see if I can go in and make it better or another color. At the very least, all caps so it stands out.

I think about blog topics alot too, but I rarely make it to getting them on the page. Too many other things come up to ramble about by the time I actually sit down. *grin*

Thanks for coming by. :)

[sanguinepen.livejournal.com]

That was all kinds of awesome. I so want to hang out with you.

I hope I can do my TT this week, but I'm not sure I have the mojo left.

[xakara.livejournal.com]

*Extra mojo vibes*

We are going to have all sorts of fun when we finally get to hang out. I don't know what writer's conference it'll be at, I just know it's going to happen!

Hugs,

~X

Love your post.

[(Anonymous)]

I love your TT! I write in my head constantly as well - and as for #2, my friends are horrified to know that I, too, have practically no problems with whatever people want to do with each other in the bedroom whatsoever, provided they're two consenting adults. :) And very fascinating stuff, the rest of it!

Happy TT!

Mine's up @ http://katia.wild-refuge.net

-Katia

Re: Love your post.

[xakara.livejournal.com]

It really does shock people to know other folks think like you and I on the subject. But hey, where I might not want to hear about it, if everyone is willing and happy, then I'm happy for them. Sexuality is one of the few true tests of a live and let live attitude and very few of us pass it with flying colors.

I'll make sure to come see blog, thanks for coming by mine.

~X

[(Anonymous)]

What a fascinating glimpse into who you are. I especially loved your choice for #13. If you can say that, I think you're nearly there.

Robin
http://aroundtheisland.blogspot.com/

[xakara.livejournal.com]

Thank you Robin. I hope I'm closer than I know as well. I have a few key areas to bone up my consistancy in and much of the path looks golden after that. And it's all about the path. For after all, it's a journey as much as a destination.

Thanks for coming by. :)

~X

[(Anonymous)]

Wow...that was amazing! On occasion I will post something deep about myself but it's not nearly as well-written as this.

Happy TT and thanks for visiting!

Lori
http://lorislightextemporanea.blogspot.com

[xakara.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, Lori. I appreciate knowing that what I choose to share is well receieved and that it is also well-written. I can use it as a confidence boost on those days when I think I should quit writing and go to school for pharmacy. ;)

Thanks for the return visit.

~X

[(Anonymous)]

That #3 is so me too! Raised in a Catholic country, I went to Catholic school from kinder to 12. They tried to instill all that shame and guilt, but didn't work. I used to tell them I was a happy sinner. *LOL*

Tempest Knight
http://midnightmooncafe.blogspot.com/

[xakara.livejournal.com]

Viva La Happy Sinners! We should start a club.

Thanks as always for coming by Tempest :)

~X

[missmelysse.livejournal.com]

Oh this is a fabulous T13, and so insightful. I don't believe I've ever lived anywhere haunted, but I'm open to the experience. And while I, too, have Catholic roots, I'm mostly non-religious, though we attend the local Episcopal church because I do like the music, the ritual, and the sense of community.

The problem is, the Episcopalians aren't really comfortable with Mary, and I miss the feminine part of religion.

I've never really "fit" in church anyway because my own beliefs are a mixture of tenets from many cultures and philosophies. Pagan, Jewish, Christian, Buddhist - if I like the idea, I adopt it.

[xakara.livejournal.com]

I very much understand the feeling of not fitting because of an openess to discovery and enlightenment. Very few religions leave enough room for more and so those of us with a wider scope are left out. But growing up with the pagentry and community I do miss it sometimes.

Is there a Unitarian church near you? They have very inclusive ceremonies that could help you with the scenes of ritual and community that you're looking for. I keep meaning to visit my local UU but they hold services while I'm sleeping. I'll have to try to gear the insomnia toward the day of a service so I'm up and can take it all in.

Thanks for coming to comment, I appreciate it along with learning of someone else whose beliefs are manyfold.

~X

TT

[(Anonymous)]

#7 - every place is haunted? That is so amazing.

GREAT list!

Lorelei James
www.loreleijames.com

Re: TT

[xakara.livejournal.com]

It sounds like a run bad luck or like my city is just overrum. In truth it's socio-economic. I grew up in places that were part of rent-assistance. The city got the land cheap because it used to be either native burial ground, private burial ground, or were the sites of violent struggles in the early founding of the city and no one wanted to put "nice" neighborhoods in those areas.

Right now I live on our very artsy side of town not far from the lake. So there's all of the history of this area where there were shipwrecks and streetfights, and all sorts of other things happening that just made the area ripe for capturing energy. It sounds expensive and some places are because of the lake, but originally these were very cheap areas because of the smell off the water and the "seedy" elements of the docks in the way back and like all poor areas it saw its share of tragedy.

Right now it's populated by a great deal of open minded, spiritually seeking people which just amplifies the energy of the area. Only the third ward is likely more energy dense when it comes to sensitives, and other open folks. That alone must be feeding into certain things.

My building inparticular was one of the cheapest around when we got here because it had had fires and at least one fatal fall from the third floor where I live. The economics and the culture just keep funneling me places that give me encounters.

No complaints though.

Thanks for coming by Lorelei

~X

[(Anonymous)]

This was a really interesting list. I especially liked how you put number 13, very eloquent.

My TT is here: http://annaguirre.com/blog.html

[xakara.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much, Anna.

Eloquent is a compliment I like any day. :)

Thanks for the visit.

~X

[samulli.livejournal.com]

Fantastic TT - as usual. ;)
I so wish I could live in a haunted house! It can probably get quite annoying, but it must be kind of cool, too. Then again, maybe my house is already haunted and I just don't feel it? hmm...
I'm totally with you on #10. I hate people, too. With exactly the distinctions you made: individuals are ok, folks are great, but people are just awful and should be got rid of completely.
Also, I'm officially impressed: a novel of 734 pages at 14? Wow. Either you write awfully big, or you were the most driven 14-year-old I ever heard about. My stories usually only run to about 50 or 100 pages or something.

[(Anonymous)]

I totally get what you are saying with #10...Great list!

[(Anonymous)]

X, that was one of THE coolest T13s I've read in a long time. I think you and I would get along well in real life. We seem to think alike. And yes, I've got what I call a Witchy sense, too. I love it.

Happy TT, darling! Hope the writing's going well!

--Susan Helene Gottfried
http://westofmars.blogspot.com

[xakara.livejournal.com]

Susan, you, me and Jen can all hang out at a writer's conference/convention after our novels come out. And since there's no doubt that they're going to come out, I've already started saving and now I have two folks to sit with. :)

We'll have a fabulous time!

~X

[(Anonymous)]

I think our grandmothers must have known one another.

Fascinating list.

Harlekwin
Boho Rhap (http://bohorap.blogspot.com)

[xakara.livejournal.com]

There's something in being an "old world" gradmother that makes tuned in that way. It's dormant in some, but more active than you'll likely hear admitted.

Thanks for the compliment and for the visit.

~X

TT

[(Anonymous)]

Very interesting TT and very well done. You are spot on about politics. Neither party has it right. Have a great TT. :)

Re: TT

[xakara.livejournal.com]

If someone had it right, we'd have fixed our issue by now. So no, it's not about parties, but about pushing for what's right and sticking with the person who comes closest.

Thanks for coming by (wish I knew who you were. If you come back to check for a reply, please sign a new post so I know where to find you)

~X

[(Anonymous)]

Its nice to meet you and know more about you. I wonder why you end up in places that are haunted?? Maybe you are drawn there by a force. I like folks too...we have alot of them in my town. Happy TT and thanks for stopping by.

http://singleparentsunite.blogspot.com/

[xakara.livejournal.com]

I'm definitely drawn to certain places. As I was saying in a reply above, some of it is economic, in that land that has been used as burial ground or that has seen large scale tragedy comes cheap. The city used it for rent-assisted housing which I grew up in.

My current side of town, although now among the more expensive in town, wasn't always so. It saw it's share of issue and soaked up the energy from it's share of tragedy. Then it was flooded by artist, psychics, and an entire bohemian culture in the 50's through the 70's. Now it has a great deal of goths, pagans, new agers, spiritualists, new thought, and others open to the less than mundane. When you have that kind of concentration in an area you make it easier for energy to manifest to one degree or another.

So it's been economic and intiutive as I've been drawn to places with benign presences and the capacity for experience.

~X

[moondancerdrake.livejournal.com]

And this ya'll is why this woman is my kids goddess mother. :)

http://moondancerdrake.livejournal.com

[xakara.livejournal.com]

Thank you Sweetness. Tis much appreciated. :)

~X

[pussreboots.livejournal.com]

You and I are a lot alike. So do you do Nanowrimo?

Happy TT and thanks for stopping by. :D

[xakara.livejournal.com]

I do indeed do Nanowrimo! I'm under Xakara at NaNo's website, so please feel free to add me to your buddylist and let me know of any threads you'd like me to look at/join to help blow off steam this year and make sure as many as possible make it to the finish line. :)

~X

From Carrie http://lovelysalome.blogspot.com

[carrielofty.livejournal.com]

I like #13 but wonder if I'd be too upset at the distance left to travel!

Re: From Carrie http://lovelysalome.blogspot.com

[xakara.livejournal.com]

It's possible and yet I think knowing it's achievable would allow you to overcome any distance that was left.


~X

T13

[(Anonymous)]

http://cafeendofuniverse.blogspot.com/
I hope I can remain an individual and not a people....you sound like a really inspirational person to know.

Re: T13

[xakara.livejournal.com]

Thank you, I'd like to believe that I'm inspirational and help bring up the vibration of those around me. :)

Thanks for the return visit.

~X

From The Gal Herself at One Gal's Musings

[(Anonymous)]

Interesting how you combine a joy in your sexuality with your Catholic faith. Sounds like you combine the best of both worlds. I thinks that's great. (And that's for stopping by my TT)

Re: From The Gal Herself at One Gal's Musings

[xakara.livejournal.com]

Hmm, something must have been unclear somewhere. I'm no longer Catholic, though I am grateful for my Catholic roots. I'm Goddess-centered now, as a direct result of my Catholic upbringing.

Thank you for the return visit.

~X

Your TT

[(Anonymous)]

I already knew you were fascinating but this confirms it. That is an enthralling list. #5 is really amazing -- well, it all is, but that especially sticks out.

Nicholas

http://agentlemansdomain.typepad.com

Re: Your TT

[xakara.livejournal.com]

From the distance of adulthood, my family dynamic and household cultuer are indeed fascinating. There was definitely a sense of more to the world than could be seen from the very beginning of my life and so my intuition and personal feelings were never disregarded.

They made mistakes most definitely, but what they got write in helping me to become myself, they got completely right. And I'm deeply grateful for it.

~X

[(Anonymous)]

What a wonderfully interesting list. Thanks for sharing a glimpse of the real you. I think you and I would get along in RL. And I absolutely love your #13.

Happy TT and thanks for visiting my list.

L-Squared
http://l-squared.blogspot.com

[xakara.livejournal.com]

I plan on getting to more and more conventions as time goes on, so perhaps we'll get the chance to hang out somewhere along the line. :)

Thanks for the return visit.

~X

http://kellymccrady.blogspot.com

[(Anonymous)]

Always fun to see inside someone else's head--and find agreement. Half the fun of blogging!

Thanks for sharing. I'm not a people. :-)

Re: http://kellymccrady.blogspot.com

[xakara.livejournal.com]

I agree, that's definitely the fun of blogging.

Glad to hear you're not people! :)

~X

[(Anonymous)]

Hope you feel better soon I did my TT last night and I've not been feeling with it since. Not ill just tired. So I'll have to appologise but since I can't think of anything bright to say I'll not saying anything much at all this week.

Cheers

Mark

http://impworks.blogspot.com/

[xakara.livejournal.com]

Not a problem. I should have gone to bed nine hours ago, so being too tired to say anythign is perfectly understandable.

Thanks for coming by, Mark

~X

We're similar on.....

[dracschick.livejournal.com]

1-4

PS--I went to New Orleans in '95 for a conference and fell in love with the city. I did not want to go back home. It was such a writer's town.

Re: We're similar on.....

[xakara.livejournal.com]

I had plans to go there in '06 befor Katrina hit in '05. I can't believe I'll never see the city the way it exist in the million memories of others. But I can only hope that it becomes something even better than it was.

~X

[nicaustin.livejournal.com]

Interesting list! My family is filled with intuitive/sensitives. Makes family dinners interesting. :D

[xakara.livejournal.com]

Interesting to say the list. If we had a co-family potluck it would be a great adventure. LOL

~X