On Funky Side of Town

The Hardest Working Man in Show Business, The Godfather of Funk has left us to dwell in the realm of the super heavy Funk. I can't thank you enough for making the world we know so funky, but you couldn't help yourself. May God bless your Funky soul. And you know it's always on the One. RIP James Brown.

History

LAST NIGHT I HAD EXPLAIN TO SOMEONE WHO MAO ZEDONG WAS.

I was wearing this T-shirt which is a black and white portrait of Mao done in benday dots. The shirt is unique in that its an off kilter portrait of Mao head (including the back of his head). A friend bought it for me as a birthday when she went to China and I like to think of it as more of a nod to Andy Warhol than to Chairman Mao (And yes, I once had to explain to someone who Andy Warhol was). Mao Zedong! The Little Red Book! Here we have a man whose very name stirred up controversy. He changed the course of China History and caused the deaths of many of its citizen. I can go on but the thing that last night impressed upon me was strange new world I live in. Granted I probably can't recall a Member of Harding's Cabinet or Union generals other than Grant or when the White house was rebuilt but I actively seek knowledge of that which created our nation and the world which within we live. With the understanding that each successive generation has a need to focus the most pressing concerns and issues I can accept the ignorance with regard to the Cultural Revolution or the Great Leap Forward. But this is the Cold War I'm talking about. It isn’t ancient history. Oblivion was only a kiss away. I don't need jingoism or catchphrases or propaganda from either side but this is our history, a time that can be reasonable documented with the tools that Internet (Google, Wikipedia, Chinese History website anyone?). The very internet I write this missive into now, can offer vast amount mind numbing information.

As a student of Frank Herbert and George Orwell, I realize That History (a product of Memory) can be quite mutable in the hands of adept historian, demagogue or drunken party guest. But now having said that, how can we command so many vast bits of data that no one has the time to regard? Take in account that again one’s own interests, preoccupations and desires frame their point of reference I don’t expect you to know EVERYTHING but how can you not aware of recent history. I was both disturbed and amused. With no more that Library books, print media and hearsay I still possessed a catalog of information far great than some who claimed to be on the net all the time

Mercury Retrograde ends Tomorrow

The Mercury Retrograde Ends tomorrow at 8:45 pm Pacific Time. Now realize that Retrograde will shake things up a bit when it goes direct but any setback or delays will serve some useful function. The group of five planets in Scorpio are now breaking up a bit but we're about experience yet another Stellium into the coming weeks in the sign of Sagittarius. Breathe a sigh of relief and where you can reflect upon areas that Retrograde may have helped in.

Mercury Retrograde Begins October 28th

Mercury retrograde begins tomorrow. It is in the sign of Scorpio and may require us to rethink/reposition many of our personal plans and ambitions. But more importantly, it comes on the eve of one of the most powerful planetary configuration in astrology, a stellium. A stellium is a group of five or more planets in the same sign huddled to together or “conjunct” to use an astrological term. Scorpio, a sign or energy that is generated by the planet Pluto (Now a demi-planet, whatever that means) represents the forces of change in ones life. In everyone's life there's an area, called a house in natal astrology, which Scorpio has strong influence over. If, for example, a planet in the sign of Scorpio enters your 7th house, an area that governs relationships, important personal relationships could undergo major and significant changes. Given that tomorrow one area will have all these energies (Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter), be prepared for big shifts in that part of your life.

Scorpio deals in areas that people are often fearful or ashamed of. If we consider issues that Scorpio (and its ruling planet Pluto) addresses, they are often the basic, necessary matters of life. It is by avoiding these them we create problems for ourselves. For example, now you have to move because old house, a place you never like, has burned to the ground or you have been waiting years to make an important professional change in your career and now an opportunity comes requires direct action on your part. You’ll be presented with changes that require adaptation and diligence. And given that we are taking about what we in astrology call the social planets, this stellium will effect changes in your personal life that require you to confront a matters head on rather then debate or wait them out. Release might be a good word to adopt at this time. If some serious issue flares to life, look to see where you been playing it too safe. Has some condition grown stagnant that now requires change? What areas of your life could use a little shaking up? And with regard to plutonian transitions, the more you resist the change, the stronger those forces become. As the transformational power of the zodiac, Pluto requires growth. So when we release of the old life it may seems like we're losing everything, more punishment (Why me God?) then development. The beauty of this particular transition is that it is both swift and restorative. Often, once we see the new thing that Pluto has brought in our lives we find we’re often happy with the change and are aware that could never really again be satisfied with what we left behind. It through confrontation that we remember what it means to be alive.

Now, two elements/energies are going to provide challenges to this period. The aforementioned retrograde and the planet Saturn, currently in the sign of Leo. Mercury until about Nov 17 is going to produce a great deal of miscommunication and misunderstanding. As it will be squaring or pushing against the Scorpio planets, you may find people questioning your motives or feeling threaten by the new actions you are taking. Someone may accuse you of taking them for granted or taking advantage of them. You may struggle against someone in authority or you’ll have to assert authority in a very pronounced way. Encountering setbacks in the very areas that you will be required to make changes in may make this a frustrating retrograde. Ego and challenges to ones' ego will require great patience and honesty. The kind of honesty that may make you feel uncomfortable at first but then should prove most liberating in the end.

On good news front, if your looking to make some time with some significant other or strike up a new romance, as Marvin Gaye would say” Let’s get it on".

Attraction and regeneration (emphasis on generation part) will be the par for the course. If some sexy thing is making eyes at you, cut to chase. Make your move. If you feel that good chemistry flowing, don’t wait around. The retrograde may make initial contacts challenging but, with little honesty, a good time can be had by all (Taurus’ take note).

Granted, there may be an awful lot of flings and one night stands. Cie la vie!

The Water Trine of Uranus in Pisces and Venus in Scorpio will make for some very creative moments as well. If you’re swepted up by some mystery and intrigue in the coming weeks, go with it. Scorpio, which governs hidden knowledge, will make for a fine adventure.

To reintegrate, maintain calm where ever possible, try not to take things too personally and if you do ultimately lose your cool, be willing to make what amends when the opportunity presents itself Keep an open mind, shed some baggage and make room for some new things to enter your life.

My Birthday was a Blast

I like to thank you people, My Family, for trying to kill me. From Saturday night on I have been literally bathed in/With Pleasure, Joy
and the Love of Good Hearts. So much love and excitement can't be good for anyone. It almost killed me but being a good pleasure hog I was able to absorb most of it.

I was surrounded by Lords(Ikon and Huckleberry), Artists(esp Joe Mangrum & Velvet Cream who gave several great presents), Musicians(D and Papa PJ), Doctors, Glitter Twins and superfreaks galore(special thanks to April). Sacrificing that much sleep and sanity has never paid off as well as it did this last Satsunmonday. Who could have thought getting old and crusty should have such benefits. The chocolate was plentiful and the dramas pithy. If all my birthday's are this good then I'm looking forward to having one each month!

Need a Hug

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4

Burning Man was a Blast

Yes!!! More Fun Than I could have imagined, As much fun as I could stand to have and and more, Etc.

This year's Burn for me was so good I kept saying to people that I felt as if I had "robbed the Karma Bank!" I was given a full Spa treatment by one of the most beautiful woman I ever met(Karima). I sang and danced my ass off and even almost got hauled away by the federales. Best Burning man ever!

Also, many characterized this Burn as "mellow" as opposed to "Beserk","Psychotic" or what have you.
Then again, by my experience(8 years) and BM standards, This was a "mellow" year. Especially when your sipping Patron Tequilla(much thanks to my great friend, Ty).

Two Recommendation to the Folks who build the Man(God/dess bless them)

1)The Man is shrinking - The Man seemed shorter this year (get a bigger one)

or maybe

2) the Burn platform is too big - and nearly indestructible. It never came crashing down in that beautiful, cathartic that it can(and often does). The Man was caught on one of the support beams and took forever to burn up

Hell, Next year, make it out of balsa wood or some other cheap material. The burn platform should be the least of our concerns.

But all in all, what a wonderful burn it was.

I'm Not Ready For Burning Man

Here we go again. The desert beckons and I'm just not ready, on any level. What to bring? What not to bring? What do I want to wear? What ever shall I do with my hair, ad naseum. I remember The first time I went(this year is my 8th go round). Yes I brought to much crap and no I didn't start out in a Theme camp/Village. The first year was all about the magical possibility of the experience. The wonder of a place that anything and everything could happen. The ticket says it all

"YOU VOLUNTARILY ASSUME THE RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH BY ATTENDING THIS EVENT AND RELEASE BURNING MAN FROM ANY CLAIM ARISING FROM THIS RISK."


How exciting! The thrill of those words. It's almost like stealing a fizzy lifting drink from Willie Wonka bubble room. And much like that mad foray into the chocolate factory, There's no earthly way of knowing which direction I'm are going.

The Playa nights can be quite cold. Art Installation sometimes appear closer that they really are and you've to keep on your toes for the random drunken person on a bike or some crazed art car careening out of control. The quest for the nearest port-a-potty is both a blessing and a curse. And yet, here I am, blessed as it were, to have a ticket. I want to get ready. But how does one prepare? None of the previous burns prepares you for the next one. Hell, even the man changes from year to year.

I guess I have to ride these moments like a current or wave and allow the experience to happen and be present for what ever comes of it.