Balancing the Arts with Technology

From the journal of Sir Thomas "Rymour Oisin" Leaf: Wednesday, The 6th of Sextilis (Julius Caesar's "August") in the good year 2009 of the Common Era

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Wakiki, Honolulu, Hawaii - Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii

"Arose early at 6:30 am with enough time to hop down from the hostel to Wakiki beach for another swim, this time in daylight. A nice guy from Australia friended me and headed down to the beach with me - he just watched me swim as he claimed it was just too cold temperature to swim. It was amazingly just perfect temperature. Oh how I miss the oceans. Took a walk down the beach and returned to the hostel afterwards to pack and check-out. Ran into the sweet woman from Boulder who arrived the same time as I did - and she's packed everything up for this trip to move here for a new start in Hawaii and was starting her job hunting early morning day 1. Now that's ambition. I envy those who can just get rid of everything and on faith move like that and start from scratch - wait a minute - I've done that and will do it again I'm sure. Wished her much success. After wifi n' cereal as the clock struck 8:30'ish I headed down curbside to await the shuttle. Lovin' Hawaii. For $6.75 door to terminal service on the shuttle. That rocks. Thanks to my wonderful friend Kit from high school, I had a free buddy pass for Go! Airlines to island hop and see my old best friend (from High School), David - who now goes by Kawika. (Thank you sooo much Kit!) Can't wait to see him! Its been a few years since our 20 year Goddard High School Reunion in Roswell, New Mexico Goddard where we went down memory lane by breaking into the missle silos outside of Roswell, crawling into the depths, and exploring the UFO crash site. Fun times! So I knew this would be an exciting adventure around Big Island! Got some great aerial views of the Islands. As I touched down, David was there to pick me up, and drove me around the island to explore the Hilo area ... some of the beaches, Akaka Falls, and exploring the city of Hilo .... we dropped into Cronie's for lunch - had fish n' chips and a local cocktail : The Lava Flow. Pretty tasty! We hit the fruit market where I nabbed and gobbled up various fruits I've never tried or seen before as well as local favorites ... have to eat local! We decided to drop into the Bayfront Kava Bar for a Kava drink ceremony as it was David's first! Nice mello feeling ... Then on to David and Paula's place in Volcano where I got to meet his lovely mate. Once dark, we headed up to the Volcano National Park but it was rather dark so didn't get to see much. We did however (with no flashlight) wander down through the dark and rain into and through a lava tube. That was fun. Reminded me of our cave and silo explorings back in the day. Fun! Of course I packed 'summer' and in Volcano it got quite chilly and cool especially at night since the elevation was well over 4,000 ft. Funny ... I packed my hammock as was looking forward to sleeping outside in it at nights to enjoy the tropics - consistently raining more than Seattle receives, and very cold! Good night!"

About Hawaii

Honolulu, Oahu

Read about Wakiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii

Wakiki Hostelling International Hostel

Hurricane Felicia

Hawaii Go! Airlines

Big Island, Hawaii

About Hilo, Big Island, Hawaii

Akaka and Kahuna Falls

Papaikou, Big Island, Hawaii

Hawaiian Botanical Gardens and Cove

Onomea Bay

Cronie's

How I make a Lava Flow

Bayfront Kava Bar

Pacific Tsunami Museum

Hilo's Farmer Market

Thurston Volcano Tube

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Thurston Lava Tube
Volcano National Park, Volcano, Big Island, Hawaii
While visiting a friend who lives in Volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii we took a late night cruise through the Thurston Lava Tube ... which was absolutely fascinating. Not the first tube for me to go down as I've been in some in Washington and New Mexico, but have to say I'm always impressed by them. I could picture placing a underground home in one someday. So what are lava tubes? They are natural conduits formed when an active low-viscosity lava flow develops a continuous hard crust which thickens and forms a roof above the still-flowing lava stream. It is a geological tube through which lava travels or once has travelled through beneath the surface of a lava flow that is expelled out by a volcano during an eruption. They are either actively draining lava from a source or are extinct meaning lava has cooled off and left a long cave-like tunnel. This is an extinct tube. As lava leaves the point of eruption in continuous extremely hot channels with cool surroundings that develop walls around them as the surrounding laval cools and the channel melts its way deeper - they often get deep enough to crust over forming an insulating tube that keeps the lava molten and acts as a conduit for the flowing lava. Pahoehoe flows are where lava is flowing in an unchanneled fanlike manner as it leaves the volcanic source taking a lava tube to lead back to the eruption point. These are areas of surface-moving lava that has cooled forming a smooth or rough ropy surface. Once the flow hardens, it starts to block its source, and only the subsurface lava is still hot enough to break out at a point creating a new source or underground channel known as a pahoehoe tube. Each tube often exhibits step marks called 'flow ledges' or 'flow lines' on the interior walls that show the various depths that the lava flowed. Most tubes have pahoehoe floors commonly covered with breakdown from the ceiling. Lavacicles (stalactites) or lava tube speleothems form in either splash, shark tooth, or tubular varieties as well as tubular lava helictites (drip stalagmites) are often formed in the tubes. Beads of lava that extrude from small holes that ran down the wall are known as 'runners'. Sometimes crystalization occurs in the tubes forming crusts of small crystals from mineral deposits in the flows. Lava tubes have been measured to be up to 14-15 meters wide and as deep as 1-15 meters below the surface - they can extend for miles in many instances. For example, the Mauna Loa tube runs over 30 miles from its eruption point. The Thurston Lava Tube is part of Hawaii's Volcano National Park and is easy to access within the park for a nice excursion it's definitely worth seeing. The Park was established in 1916 and remains an active Volcanic area. Active eruptive sites include the main caldera of Klauea and a more active but remote vent called Puu . Klauea and its Halemaumau caldera are traditionally considered the sacred home of the volcano goddess Pele, and Hawaiians visited the crater to offer gifts to this Goddess. This tube is named after the Thurston family, the first western visitors to the site. They were English missionaries, William Ellis and American Asa Thurston in 1823. Their grandson, Lorrin A. Thurston, was the driving force to establish this park in 1916. There is an undeveloped stretch of this Lava tube that extends an additional 330 meters beyond the developed one show in these pictures and it dead-ends into the hillside. While blocked by a chain link fence to keep unwary visitors from entering, the easily traversed stretch is open to the public and accessible through a gate in the fence. Rating: 5 stars out of 5.

Originally published at Naturally Science & Lore.

Fourth Zombie Outbreak in Denver
uWorld News Press: October 24, 2009: 2300 - Denver, Colorado

It happened again. For the fourth year in a row. Growing in masses. From Hundreds to literally thousands. Its no longer a crawl, but an invasion ... disorder, chaos, anarchy. Zombies populating the 16th street mall. Infectuous virus signs everywhere. It appeared to me to have about 2,000 zombies crawling the mall this year, though the pack leader claims about 4,000 trying to give the Freemont Seattle Guiness Book of World Records a challenge. Could it be? This year, Colorado has been over-run with the cantagion of this zombie feH1N1z virus. Perhaps the quarantine and immunization clinic in Colorado Springs did not work? Could zombies have escaped the Littleton, Manitou Springs, and Colorado Spring outbreaks this year? Can the virus really populate that quickly? It was sheer madness. There was a rally at Skyline Park with events until the zombies took over. They got bored with the activities at Skyline Park, so the zCDC squad was unable to contain or quarantine them in that sector of the city. They crawled in disorder randomly up both sides of the 16th street mall, attacking innocent citizens and devouring their brains. Some musical zombies broke out into thriller-like dancecapades throughout. Blood splattered the streets, the walls, the windows of the establishments. The buses were smeared by marks of the undead. In fact, so bad, that the city billed the zombies $1,000 fine for clean up. Is this the end? Has the zombie apocalypse reached us?

Fourth Annual Denver Zombie Crawl

* www.eyeheartbrain.com * Every October * 16th Street Mall * Denver, Colorado *

It was madness and it took its toll. Thousands of zombies descended on the 16th Street Mall this Saturday, October 24, 2009. There was an estimated 2,000-4,000 zombies participating in the zombie crawl. Though with that many people, it lost its 'crawl' effect, and was more of a chaotic 'invasion' of the mall as zombies went every which way, rather than the usual mass going in one direction. Tons of victims attacked, phenomenal dance performances in Michael Jackson Thriller style sporadically took place throughout the crawl, the buses attacked with bloody handprints, and general blood bath. It was a blast chaos or not. The event started at Skyline Park with makeup 101, costume contests, and other promotional events, dances, and festivity. Then at 6 pm, they crawled up and down the 16th street mall, some of which met back at Skyline Park for a local goth band playing live. There were advertised zombie bowling, zombie balls, zombie proms, and zombie parties afterwards. It was a fun-filled time. The costumes were amazing. The event takes place every October. Details can be found at www.eyeheartbrain.com.

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15th Annual Emma Crawford 2009 Coffin Races

* 1-800-642-2567 * manitousprings.org * 12 pm - 3 pm * Every October * Manitou Springs, Colorado
This is one of the spectacular festivals that makes Manitou Springs sorta-unique especially as a place where people can be strange, different, and freakish. It definitely rhymes in with the "Keep Manitou Weird" campaign that's been going around for a few years. Of course, Colorado has at least two of these wacky Coffin Races, the other being the "Frozen Dead Guy Days" in Nederlands, Colorado. Every October, on Manitou Avenue, in the town's National Historic District, thousands gather to watch push-cart coffins be raced down the avenue in honor and memory of the late Emma Crawford. Emma Crawford moved to Manitou Springs as did many to partake of the healing mineral springs that were a known cure for tuberculosis that she was suffering from. However, the summer of 1890 she died just as she was about to marry an engineer named Mr. Hildebrand of the Pikes Peak Cog Railway. She wanted to be buried atop Red Mountain, and even though the city did not approve it, Mr. Hildebrand and eleven other men carried her coffin to the top of the Red Mountain and laid her to rest there at the 7200 foot Summit. 1929 storms eroded the granite holding her coffin and her remains were washed down the side of Red Mountain. Some say her coffin went racing down the roads. She was reburied in the Manitou Springs Cemetery in an unmarked grave. An official grave was dedicated to her in 2004. Coffin Races were established in her honor to keep her story alive. At 12 o'clock, someone is dressed up as Emma to judge the races. Everyone dresses up ghoulishly, festivities take place all over town, and thousands gather to watch the races. Teams push-carting their coffin hosting a "Emma" within race up and down Manitou Ave. Parading of costumes and coffins, The Hearse Con from Denver come down and do a Hearse parade as well. So too come the Ghostbusters. It's a great affair and a fabulous time! Arrive early to grant parking. Rating: 5 stars out of 5.

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From the journal of Sir Thomas "Rymour Oisin" Leaf: Wednesday, The 5th of Sextilis (Julius Caesar's "August") in the good year 2009 of the Common Era

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"Portland, Oregon - Wakiki, Honolulu, Hawaii

Chris and Zhaleh awoke me early as I had to re-organize my bags and get ready for my flight to Hawaii. Chris made a fabulous omelette with fakin' bacon sandwich and we chatted over black tea. Hanging out and catching up on old times and re-connections. With some time to spare before needing to get to the airport, we took the dogs for a walk down to the park, wrapped up the van, and then said farewell as I drove off to the airport. Oregon Airport ridiculously charged $10/day for parking. Was not pleased with that. So used to the $5/day parking that Colorado has. :: sigh :: such is life. That's their economy parking prices. Uggh. I grabbed the shuttle from the parking lot off to Portland Airport (PDX) to check in with one of my favorite airlines - Northwest. Unfortunately they've succombed to the 'charge for carry-on' rip-off like most airlines, except they charge $20 for the first piece of luggage. Ouch. Needed an energy jolt so swang by the Starbucks booth for a chai creme frapp. Apparently Delta and Northwest somehow has merged together, as Northwest is now on the Delta plane network. Interesting. They did have a GoGo online internet service online with inflight entertainment. That was cool. But no longer free headphones, they charge $2 for them now. Have to purchase your own meal as well. They did serve peanuts, and at least with ordering a non-soda like Orange Juice, they gave the can as well. The staff was very friendly and it was a comfortable flight, which all-in-all is part of the most important aspects of the trip. We arrived 15 minutes early into the Honolulu airport. It took awhile for the landing crew to let us off board as we were early and the airport was not ready. The Honolulu airport was lacking baggage area signs when we got off the plane, so some confusion on where to go. Eventually found it and pretty much timed with the arrival of my bag which was nice. No lost luggage. Always a good thing. Took a little while to get to the city bus #19, and it took an hour long journey to the HI-Wakiki Hostel, but that was worth the cheap $2.25 fare. The hostel was clean and simple, home-like, with a good kitchen and a rec room. The staff was very friendly. Since I'm on a very tight budget for this trip, I packed my own food, so whipped up some pad thai in the hostel kitchen and chilled out checking email. It was hot, It was humid. I definitely felt like I was in the tropics. But I can now say I have visited all 50 of the individual United States which has been a life goal of mine for some time. Met a cute girl just moving to Honolulu from Denver. That was odd. Later I walked down to the corner store for a locker lock as I forgot to pack mine, and needed to stow my laptop so I could take a midnight swim in the ocean. Grabbed a mini-coconut rum and a pineapple/orange juice for a nightcap before a night swim in the tropical crystal clear aquamarine waters ... yummy. Just chilled out on the beach under the starlight and really felt tranquil and at peace. What a beautiful night. As I went back to the hostel, hung out with a guy from Australia in the hostel lounge who was talking about Hurricane Felicia that was threatening to hit the islands. Currently a Category 3. Soon off to bed as I have to get to the airport nice and early for my flight to the Big Island to see Kawiki, David my old best friend from high school. Back in the days living in Roswell, New Mexico with other freaky aliens .... Such a life I live ...."

Read about Wakiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii

Wakiki Hostelling International Hostel

Northwest Airliens

Hurricane Felicia

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From the journal of Sir Thomas "Rymour Oisin" Leaf: Monday, The 4th of Sextilis (Julius Caesar's "August") in the good year 2009 of the Common Era

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"A lovely sleep in the Dark Crystal House and time to figure out the day. Hanna was ready to be off for her travels back to Boise, Idaho. It's time to return from the Faerie realm. Me and Kyndra had a day planned to go take the van into town to get it a temporary travel permit for my journey back to Colorado after I fly to Hawaii. Unfortunately, Kyndra was unable to make the trip to Hawaii with me. :: sigh :: I love that woman. It would of totally rocked to have her accompany me to the tropical islands of paradise. Wendy got up and made us some mate' while Kyndra made us some delicious breakfast. Me and Kyndra eventually finished transferring her stuff from the van "Isis Adventure" to her car, and we drove into the nearest village to Breitenbush that would have a DMV - Stayton it was. It was a day of errands - we got the van an oil change and looksie-over at Oil Can Henry's ... then over to the DMV. While we waited, Kyndra chatted up a cool tattoo parlor that might gain her a job in the future as a tattoo apprentice. The DMV actually was quite quick, unlike the DMV's in the entire state of Colorado that takes 'hours' to do registration (not looking forward to that when I return). Enroute back to Breitenbush, we got a salmon burger at the marina in Detroit to some boozin'. Then back to Breitenbush for some frolick and fun in the hotsprings. Rolling out the snow tires that came with Isis Adventure ... packing up and saying sweet farewells. Just as it was turning dark, decided to head off the Portland to say a quick hello to my age-old friend Chris and his lovely lady. Showed them pictures of Faerieworlds and we had a blast discussing travels, catching up on life, painting, art, and motion. They had a nice guest room all fancied up for me and a restful sleep awaiting this weary traveller. Thank you sooo much Hanna, Wendy, Kyndra, Chris, and Zhaleh. Amazing friends I have! Many heroines too to save the adventure! You all rock! Sweetest dreams of many. This is a time of awakening for me ..."

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From the journal of Sir Thomas "Rymour Oisin" Leaf: Monday, The 3rd of Sextilis (Julius Caesar's "August") in the good year 2009 of the Common Era

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"Me and Hanna awoke rather early in the brambles and stumbling out into the meadow seeing most of the faeries had pulled up camp and moved out. the Realms are closing. We were now able to drive up the car near our tent and pack everything up for our trek to the Oregonian mountains where we'd meet up with our beautiful mermaid friends Kyndra and Wendy. It was a solemn drive back to the mortal world. But not quite yet, as Breitenbush was definitely a magical paradise hidden nestled outside of Detroit, Oregon. Down through the highway and up around the Breitenbush river, to Breitenbush Hot Springs for soaking and swimming in the river and hot tubs. Kyndra introduced us to the most amazing buffet vegetarian meal that the Breitenbush resort hosts in their main hall. Delicious. Met another visitor to the Springs and shared dinner with her. Kyndra became the saviour to my journey as she had a van she was willing to sell for the amazing price of $500. At 263,000 miles, it should have life in her until over 350,000 I'm hoping. Four brand new snow tires as well with a hand-made roof rack. This van shall be the chariot to get me home. Thank you Kyndra! You are my saviour! Me and Kyndra took it for a test drive and she orientated me with its ins and outs. Moved my gear from Hanna's car into the van. We all pretty much just hung out for the evening. Did tarot readings, drank, soaked in the hot tub, and enjoyed the stars. Life is beautiful! Thank you Kyndra and Wendy!"

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From the journal of Sir Thomas "Rymour Oisin" Leaf: Sunday, The 2nd of Sextilis (Julius Caesar's "August") in the good year 2009 of the Common Era

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"Another day in the world of Faeries as I awoke in the blackberry brambles and stumbled out of the tent it was time to figure out today's themed costume for Faerie Family Day. I half expected to see Fairy Girl and Adam to be still passed out on our patio tarp, but they were gone. I decided to go as a 'celestial faerie'. Hanna was off figuring out her outfit as well. I wandered across the meadows and woods into the festival-land, found Godmother Faerie and hung out with her for a bit. I was so incredibly enchanted by the female wood dryad who danced along the meadows and then froze, only to repeat once again. Every other hour I was back in the river swimming like a merman, cooling off, and bouncing between food vendors - coconut curry, pad thai, lemonades, and the main stage. The late afternoon entertainment was blessed with repeat performances from Woodland and Faun. Danced up a storm. Danced a bit with Fairy Godmother. Hung out lots with Hanna, Kristin, and Adam. Did a bit of tarot readings. After Faun's performance, the festival was ended. Took my last funds to go get a dvd and cd from them, and got all of Faun's signatures on them. Bid the lovely band sweet farewells. After tonight, Faerieworlds will vanish back to its lovely and heavenly realms and we'll have to settle into the human world once again. We said our farewells to all, watched as the vendors quickly packed up and pulled out, sad to see them all go. We wandered back to the party camp, and pretty much settled in for the evening. Eventually parties sprouted up with wild howls and laughter throughout the night. I slept more in the hammock and relaxed. It has been a long day. Before I knew it, I was out cold in the tent. Good night!"

My Review of Faerieworlds 2009. Official Faerieworlds Gallery. Read about Faerieworlds Day 1. Read about Faerieworlds Day 2. Ready about Faerieworlds Day 3. My review of Woodland on August 2, 2009. My Review of Faun on August 2, 2009.

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Faerieworlds * Day 3 : Family Faerie Day
* Faerieworlds * Mt. Pisgah Arboretum * Eugene, Oregon * Sunday, August 2nd, 2009 *

The final day in the triad of adventure in Faerieworlds. Today's theme was "Family Faerie Day" and quite a few families with their plentitudes of children attended since kids 12 and under were admitted free on this date. What a wonderful giving-gift-back-to-the-community, thank you Faerieworlds. Throughout the day last minute vending and shopping, costumes, frolick, meeting / greeting / and farewells of friends, dancing, laughter, song, hula hooping, and music. It was definitely a Happy Family Day. Outside the main gates was the final filming of Gisela Pereira's The short film project called 'The Otherworld'. Intrigued, as I'm looking forward to seeing it in its final form. The Village stage was bouncing with song, dance, and arts from Che ok Ten at 12:40, Krishna Rose at 1:45, and Man Overboard at 3:15. The Main stage started happening again at noon - rocking with Glenn Falkenberg from noon to 1 pm, John Doan from 1:45 until 2:45 pm, Gaia Consort from 3:30 until 4:45; Woodland from 5:30 to 6:45 pm, and the finale by Faun from 7:30-8:45 pm. An amazing spiral dance was danced to Faun's amazing music. Overwhelmingly beautiful! They had their closing farewell and closed the village grounds by 9 pm. What a wonderful way to cap off the final moments of this amazing Festival! Thank you Faerieworlds! Hope to see you again next year! Rating: 5 stars out of 5.

My Review of Faerieworlds 2009. Official Faerieworlds Gallery. Read about Faerieworlds Day 1. Read about Faerieworlds Day 2. My review of Woodland on August 2, 2009. My Review of Faun on August 2, 2009.

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Faun - Day 3 @ Faerieworlds
Faerieworlds * August 2, 2009 * 7-8:45 pm * Mt. Pisgah, Eugene, Oregon *

Somehow I didn't come to expect that I'd be blessed and lucky enough to see my favorite band twice at this festival. This time, for the finale for Faerieworlds, they played in the daylight as evening was just arriving on Sunday August 2, during family faerie day. An amazing spiral dance was danced to them. So very empowering. I have never been more mesmerized and enchanted by a musical ensemble before until my experiences with "Faun". The name of the band comes from the Ancient Greek-Roman mythology term for the Deity “Faunus” or “Pan” which is represented as a forested spirit and is why Oliver Pade, one of the main singers, is nicknamed “Satyr” as it is very related to “Faunus”. Faun is a extremely talented German Pagan Folk / Darkwave band that was formed in 2002 by Oliver “SaTyr” Pade, Elisabeth Pawelke, Fiona Rüggeberg and Birgit Muggenthaler. The same year they released their first album “Zaubersprüche” which included the guest musician Niel Mitra who later joined the band as the only member playing electronic instruments. They were joined by percussionist Rüdiger Maul in 2004 replacing Birgit who joined the folk-rock band “Schandmaul”. They lost Elisabeth Pawelke in 2008 as she went to focus her studies in classical song in Basel, Switzerland and was succeeded by Sandra Elflein. Faun takes extreme pride and admiration in the use and incorporation of “ancient” & Medieval instruments that they are quite well known for such as the Celtic Harp, Swedish Nyckelharpa, Hurdy Gurdy, Bagpipes, Cittern, Flutes, Drums, and assortment of stringed instruments; merging them with modern inspiration and in some instances, synthesizing. Singing of old tales, epics, and sagas are the heart of their music incorporating their very skilled grasp of many languages they use in their music, including German, Latin, Modern German, Middle High German, Old Icelandic, West Low German, Hungarian, Finnish, Ladino, and Scandinavian. The band is very proudly inspired and dedicated to “nature” bringing back much of the lost Pagan, Classical, Medieval, and Renaissance flavor of high-admiration for nature, mythology, folklore, and woodland spirits/faeries. Oliver Pade said at the 2004 Summer Darkness festival in Utrecht, Netherlands “We don’t know ourselves what kind of music we play, so we call it paganfolk”. Historical and folk tunes blended in world music with a folk twist, ranging from melancholic ballads, ancient Perso-Arab melodies, Swedish nyckelharpa, Middle High German lyrics, to exuberant dances like the Brittanic An Dro, and Medieval/Goth club tunes.

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Woodland
* http://www.woodlandmusic.net/ * performance at Faerieworlds: Day 3 * July 31, 2009 * Main stage *
Another amazing performance of Woodland at their home fest. I much more enjoyed this performance than friday's ... not sure why, but amazed and enchanted on both days. To have them open for Faun and to transition the amazing performances from one favorite band to another was extroadinary and made my day. The kindred spirits of Faerieworlds in their amazing band named "Woodland" whom supernaturally crafts Celtic-inspired Faerie/Pagan trance-rock. Woodland was also founded by Faerieworlds producers/founders Kelly and Emilio Miller-Lopez. Woodland consists of Kelly Miller-Lopez (songwriter; lead vocalist; harp; flutes; percussion; and dance ), Emilio Miller-Lopez (songwriter; guitar; harmony vocals ), Kimmy Smith (Fiddler; traditional reel n' jig arrangements), Donald Brodsky (bass, didjeridu, electric rhythmn), and reknown Cirque Du Soleil/Trillian Green fame Jarrod Kaplan (drummer/percussionist) . Always a prime feature of Faerieworlds who weave the magic that is the festival and the community. Woodland is most notorious for their album "Twilight" featuring enchanting and magical music about the Faerie realm. One of my all time favorite Pagan and Faerie bands, Woodland enchants all of their listeners. Listening to their music easily transports you to the Faerie realms, displaying the mystery and the beauty of the paradise that is Faerie. Mesmerizing mythic harmonies of the amazing husband and wife team Kelly and Emilio teamed together with Kimmy Smith's sensational fiddling and jig, merged with Donald Brodsky's electric rhytmn and didjeridu to the beat of Jarrod Kaplan's trance inducing percussion makes this a ensemble that not only mesmerizes but ecstatically pleases its audiences, and has being doing so for over 9 years throughout the United States and Europe. Artistic backdrop and inspiration from reknown Faerie artists Brian and Wendy Froud (The Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, Star Wars) - together they have brought illumination to the world in the vision of Faerie. Co-founders of the production company "Imaginosis" brought to vision and fruition what we known of "Faerieworlds" today as well as it's spin-offs of Faeriecon, Masquerade balls, and celebrations. Their performances are a living legend on the stage, with art, style, mystery, enchantment, and ritual merged with their music and art. The band naturally attracts all the woodland inhabitants and faeries from every little shadow of the forest to come play, dance, and frolick. Just like this evening performance, Woodland loves to share the stage and has done so with Faun, Qntal, Solas, Johnny Cunningham, Priscilla Hernandez, Susan McKeown, Trillian Green, Rasputina, Brother, Casey Neill, Phil Cunningham, Kevin Burke and many others. They are currently producing "Seasons in Elfland" as a 2-part compilation being released at FaerieCon 2009 (Part 1) and Faerieworlds 2010 (Part 2). I cannot more strongly recommend catching their performance, events, or festivals whenever possible. Kudos and many thanks to you all for the fantastic art, music, and work you do for us all. Rating: 5 stars out of 5. Official Faerieworlds Photogallery of Woodland.

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From the journal of Sir Thomas "Rymour Oisin" Leaf: Saturday, The 1st of Sextilis (Julius Caesar's "August") in the good year 2009 of the Common Era

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"Early to rise stretching out of the sleeping bag from the half-deflated air mattress that must have been punctured through the night from the blackberry brambles underneath the tent floor. Afterall, we camped in a blackberry thicket under the cover of the faerie woods at Mt. Pisgah. I wandered out, giving ample blood sacrifice of my legs to the blackberry thorns as I stumbled over to the hammock and laid out peering over and contemplating the branchwork designs that were above me. Knowing its early I contemplated what kind of costume to do for "Bad Faeries Day". I summoned up something. A tribal Elf. Me and Hanna wandered into the village and perused the shoppes and the amazing costumes / creations people came out with. We wandered through the crowds and said greetings and blessings to all. I found Fae Magazine and had hoped Faerie Moe would be attending and watching the booth ... but alas, she didn't come. I did however have the absolute pleasure of meeting her kindred grandmother -- Faerie Godmother who I got along with and wandered around with periodically through the day. We walked across the meadows to the river for a swim and met new friends. Dancing to wonderful music. We dropped in to see Kimmy to thank her for gifting me entrance to this wonderful festival who as an event organizer was running around crazy, wild, and busy. Hung out a bit with Kelly and met the members of Faun again (well some I met in Germany (Oliver), the remaining members I had yet to meet ... Fiona, Rudiger, and Niel. Still have not met Sandra. Oliver recollected meeting me in Worms, Germany at their Unplugged performance back in March/April. That was nice. Excited to see their show tonight with the full band in their full glory (Niel didn't play in Worms because it was an unplugged performance). Plus this is their first North American performance.

Chatted with Fiona and Niel again over by the river when I took a swim. (Periodic habit of mine at 2009 Faerieworlds .... consistently swimming and cooling off) Wandering through the festival, dropping by a lemonade for Faerie Godmother. Said hello to Brian, Wendy, and Toby Froud. Met Toby's wife, and watched Toby frolick around through the festival grounds with his massive puppets. Did a Faerie meditation at one of the workshops and took Harp lessons. Dancing to Tricky Pixie, Adam Hurst, The Wicker Men, and Delhi to Dublin, Fiona joined me for a dance and showed me her amazing torque with rubies at the ends telling me I should travel the German Medieval festival circuit. Ran into my good friend Catherina and danced a bunch. Fairygirl Kristin and Adam hung out with us, hanging out on the blankets and catching up on old times. It's been a very good day. Apparently there was a film crew shooting an independent movie called "The Otherworld" outside the main gates as they were not allowed into the festival to film and produce the production. At least that's what we heard. Three young girls kept dancing around Catherinna almost like a fertility dance. It was a pretty magical act. Louisa John-Krol was amazing. When Faun came on I was in sheer ecstasy, they are my most favorite band. They did an amazing show. The Mythmakers finalized the evening with another ritual. Again, after the show, they closed down the village, and we headed back to Party camp expecting a fire. Even though fire suppression equipment and a large barrel of water was delivered to the hearth circle, everyone was too paranoid to light a fire - even though Catherinna and her friend gathered firewood. Everyone insisted that someone official be there for lighting the fire. I went back to the village in search of Kelly and Emilio, but couldn't find them. The stage hands said to just light the fire. I went back to Party circle and again, no one was willing to let the fire be lit for fear of getting in trouble. With no hearth, no warmth, and no light - the partying around the hearth diminished and people vanished off to private parties at various camps. I went to bed early. Though throughout the night was hooting, hollering, partying, and howling. Still no fire. :: sigh :: Definitely a dampener. Kristin and Adam had passed out on the tarp in front of our tent after hanging out with them for awhile. I tried to fall asleep in the hammock, but woke up in the middle of the night cold and transferring myself back to the tent. New visions were received as to where I'm going and what's going on with me ... especially in the next few years to come. {to be revealed in the near future} Good night!"

My Review of Faerieworlds 2009. Official Faerieworlds Gallery. Read about Faerieworlds Day 1. Read about Faerieworlds Day 2.

Review of Tricky Pixie's performance, Day 2

Review of Lisa Lynne's Harp Lessons

Review of Delhi 2 Dublin

Review of Louisa John-Krohl

Review of Faun

Review of Mythmakers, Day 2

Faerieworlds Day 2: Bad Faeries Day : Faerieworlds 2009: August 1st, 2009

www.faerieworlds.com

Day Two was "Bad Faeries Day" of the Faerieworlds Festival for 2009. As we were campiang, a nice restful sleep, and the ability to enjoy the nature at the Mt. Pisgah Arboretum in the fields and the forests, swimming in the river, and frolicking around the village absorbing everyone's fabulous costumes and artwork. The gates opened at noon and on the main stage we enjoyed Tricky Pixie from 1-2 pm, Adam Hurst from 2:30-3:15 pm, The Wicker Men from 4:00-5:00 pm, Delhi 2 Dublin from 5:45-7 pm, and International favorites for their first performances at Faerieworlds : Australia's Louisa John-Krol from 7:45 PM TO 8:45 PM, and Germany's "Faun" from 9:30-11 pm. British Columbia's Mythmakers stunned us afterwards with fireworks and ritual theater from 11:20 pm until midnight. What a fabulous day!!! Throughout the day we ventured around doing workshops and visiting friends, booths, and merchants; eating the fabulous culinary delights in the food court, and frolicking with the faeries. I personally did a Faerie Oracle workshop and learned to play Harp. On the Village stage at 2 pm the Milesians entertained us followed by Vixy and Tony at 3:15, Sharon Knight at 5 pm, and Man Overboard at 7 pm. This particular Saturday i was also able to meet some of the very unique and talented artists featured at 2009 Faerieworlds and peruse their amazing art: These included, but not limited to: Joseph Corsentino (Bogata, Columbia) who does photography, science fiction, and fantasy - well known for his "Time of the Faeries" mythos of faeries, angels, and vampires "between the stars and the streetlights" endure the chaos and tragedy of decaying modern cities. Then Jen Delyth whose Celtic Art ranges from egg tempura paintings to computer illustrations - also the author of "Celtic Folk Soul: Art, Myth, and Symbol". Gris Grimly who is inspired by Poe, Gorey, and Lovecraft presenting a number of macabre children's books suck as Wicked Nursery Rhymes, Little Jordan Ray's Muddy Spud, and Where Madness Reigns. Miss Mindy whose illustration and art brings silliness to children's books and her Miss Mindy's Sassy Paper Doll Bonanza. Carolyn Turgeon who wrote "Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story". Reknown Faerie artist Amy Brown with her collection of over 150 prints in watercolors, pencils, and paints. Brian and Wendy Froud - the artists well known for "The Dark Crystal", "Labyrinth", and "Good Faeries, Bad Faeries", "Faeries", and the "Lady Cottingham's Pressed Fairy Book"; along with their son Toby who was the baby in Labyrinth with his puppet master talent. All the artists who inspire me to escape daily into the realms of faeries and fantasy away from the concrete jungle of commercialism and technology. Faerieworlds is such an inspiration on soo many levels. The days activities through the concerts were amazing. After midnight though, camping entertainment at Party camp wasn't very exciting and unfortunately a hearth was not lit. That was a dampener to an amazing day and night - nevertheless, I escaped into the beauty of the woods, the mystical night, the awesome light of the moon, to frolick with the night faeries among the stars. Rating: 5 stars out of 5. Official Faerieworlds Gallery. Read about Faerieworlds Day 1.

Review of Tricky Pixie's performance, Day 2

Review of Lisa Lynne's Harp Lessons

Review of Delhi 2 Dublin

Review of Louisa John-Krohl

Review of Faun

Review of Mythmakers, Day 2

( more photographs from the day )

Mythmaker - Day 2 @ Faerieworlds
Faerieworlds * August 1, 2009 * 11:20 pm - midnight * Mt. Pisgah, Eugene, Oregon * http://www.mythmaker.ca/ *

One of my most favorite cirque-like troupes for entertainment, dance, firespinning, and performance. By far one of the most talented and enchanting circus troupes and performance companies I've ever encountered. They literally bring the living myth alive. They specialize in fire dancing, stilt walking, sacred theater, mythology, ceremonial costumed Celtic circus creatures, magical music and mask making, parades, poi, giant puppets, and sacred storytelling of the staff and sword. Mythmaker Productions is the brainchild of theater director Hjeron O'Sidhe. Hjeron began in performance arts at a young age, mixed with his education in Celtic, Central/South American, and Native American studies, mythology, and storytelling he was inspired to create living myth. From his "Sacred Earth Studios" which was a portable digital recording studio emphasizing ethnomusicology and the preservation of traditional sacred music from around the world, be decided to create Mythmakers. Since 1999 he has written, directed, acted, and composed the musical scores for over 12 performance pieces based on storytelling, movement, and cultural/community empowerment. With his amazing team and collective of fire spinners, dancers, costumers, artisans, and performers; Mythmakers travel around providing entertainment, ritual, ceremony, art, style, magic, and enchantment to the venues they visit. They have performed numerous times at Faerieworlds, Earth Dance, Burning Man, and many other events throughout the United States and Canada. Absolutely mesmerizing. Their performance on August 1st was above-and-beyond amazing. Never miss one of Mythmaker's performances if you can help it. "To create, integrate, and to perform a new cultural mythology. To live and inspire a new dream, which empowers the individual, community, and culture to co-create a sustainable future for all life." (Mythmakers mission) Rating: 5 stars out of 5.

My Review of the Mythmaker's Special Performance, Day 1

( more photos )

Faun - Day 2 @ Faerieworlds
Faerieworlds * August 1, 2009 * 9:30 pm - 11 pm * Mt. Pisgah, Eugene, Oregon *

My current most favorite band remained ever-so-more my favorite after their amazing concert on the night of Saturday August 1st, 2009 during their premiere North American performance at Faerieworlds 2009. I have never been more mesmerized and enchanted by a musical ensemble before until my experiences with "Faun". The name of the band comes from the Ancient Greek-Roman mythology term for the Deity “Faunus” or “Pan” which is represented as a forested spirit and is why Oliver Pade, one of the main singers, is nicknamed “Satyr” as it is very related to “Faunus”. Faun is a extremely talented German Pagan Folk / Darkwave band that was formed in 2002 by Oliver “SaTyr” Pade, Elisabeth Pawelke, Fiona Rüggeberg and Birgit Muggenthaler. The same year they released their first album “Zaubersprüche” which included the guest musician Niel Mitra who later joined the band as the only member playing electronic instruments. They were joined by percussionist Rüdiger Maul in 2004 replacing Birgit who joined the folk-rock band “Schandmaul”. They lost Elisabeth Pawelke in 2008 as she went to focus her studies in classical song in Basel, Switzerland and was succeeded by Sandra Elflein. Faun takes extreme pride and admiration in the use and incorporation of “ancient” & Medieval instruments that they are quite well known for such as the Celtic Harp, Swedish Nyckelharpa, Hurdy Gurdy, Bagpipes, Cittern, Flutes, Drums, and assortment of stringed instruments; merging them with modern inspiration and in some instances, synthesizing. Singing of old tales, epics, and sagas are the heart of their music incorporating their very skilled grasp of many languages they use in their music, including German, Latin, Modern German, Middle High German, Old Icelandic, West Low German, Hungarian, Finnish, Ladino, and Scandinavian. The band is very proudly inspired and dedicated to “nature” bringing back much of the lost Pagan, Classical, Medieval, and Renaissance flavor of high-admiration for nature, mythology, folklore, and woodland spirits/faeries. Oliver Pade said at the 2004 Summer Darkness festival in Utrecht, Netherlands “We don’t know ourselves what kind of music we play, so we call it paganfolk”. Historical and folk tunes blended in world music with a folk twist, ranging from melancholic ballads, ancient Perso-Arab melodies, Swedish nyckelharpa, Middle High German lyrics, to exuberant dances like the Brittanic An Dro, and Medieval/Goth club tunes.

( more review, photos, and video )

Louisa John-Krohl - Day 2 @ Faerieworlds
Faerieworlds * August 1, 2009 * 7:45 - 8:45 pm * Mt. Pisgah, Eugene, Oregon * www.louisajohnkrol.com - Myspace: www.myspace.com/louisajohnkrol *

Faerie tales and mythic stories in poetic song in a faerie folk-Celtic influence and style in her presentation. Louisa John-Krol, came as a guest from Australia to the Faerieworlds festival for her first American Faerieworlds performance joined by Kelly Miller-Lopez with her harp and dancing, mesmerizing an audience with eager ears for her bardic flair. She is the main artist of the Prikosnovénie label in France, she is often described as a “musician fairy” to which I can only agree. She is influenced by Kate Bush, Dead Can Dance and Loreena McKennitt. Her musical enchantment mixed with Kelly's flair brought to the festival on spectacular and mesmerizing show. I'm becoming quite a fan of her music. Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5.(read my review of her at Trolls et Legendes).

( photos )

Tricky Pixie - Day 2 @ Faerieworlds
* http://www.trickypixie.com/ * performance at Faerieworlds * August 1, 2009 * 1 - 2 pm on the main stage * Mt. Pisgah, Eugene, Oregon *

Tricky Pixie is an amazing Faerie trio that came to be because of Faerieworlds. S.J. Tucker (guitar/vocals), Alexander James Adams (fiddle/mandolin/bodhran), and Betsy Tinney (cello/bodhran) formed their musical triad at Faerieworlds 2006. On July 31st, 2009 they took the main stage with mesmerizing bouncy and trickster beats to coincide with the release of their first studio album "Mythcreants". Billed as "Gypsy Celtic Folk Rock for Naughty Punk Faeries" they fully live up to their name and embodie that spirit in stage presence, music, lyrics, and ambience. These three mischievious pixies mesh together various instruments of strings and drums with enchanting festive lyrics and voice. Amazing songwriters who create their own stuff, they also bring out the classics of original tunes. While a pretty new Faerie band ... their first official show was in Redmond, Washington (July 2007) and they've been stomping the stages with some fantastical beats with an animated performance throughout the Pacific Northwest. Definitely some top talent to keep an eye on as spin out their Faerie melodies. I enjoyed the Saturday performance for some reason better than yesterday's ... perhaps because the Faerie spirit was definitely flowing by this time at the festival. Amazing band! Kudos! Rating: 4.25 stars out of 5.

My review of Tricky Pixie on the Music Herald for Friday's performance
Same review on my Review site at Technogypsie.com

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New Viral H1N1 Strain Breaks Out in Manitou Springs; Causing Sufferer to Desire Human Flesh

Leaf McGowan, underWorld Syndicate News: Saturday, October 10, 2009

No one really knows what happened. We've seen this strain before, in fact this is the third time it struck the quiet little artsy community of Manitou Springs. A lab technician from the CDC stumbled out of the medical facility under Cheyenne Mountain by NORAD and got into his car. Given the ice storms that were plummeting the area, no one in their right minds would brave the roads and the sheer ice sheets out and about. The Colorado Springs Police Department issued not to travel if you could help it. But this lab technician, drenched in blood, and highly infected with the fe [flesh eating] H1N1 z[zombification] strain of the Swine flu that has been a serious epidemic this year. This mutation that he was infected with, causes the body to convulse, lose body functions, the flesh appear to be decaying as if splattered by acid, and causes the victim to crave human flesh, blood, and more importantly raw human brains and intestines. This lab technician, joined by several others infected from last year, appeared to be spreading the disease in Soda Springs Park. Soda Springs Park turned into a bloodbath. Soon the 40 or so citizens in the park began to shiver, tremble, shake, and moan. A mob of them crawled foot-dragging, stumbling, and groaning for blood, brains, and guts as they progressed down historic Manitou Avenue. Around the Dulcimer shoppe, a hippie girl wearing a peace-symbol cap screamed in horror down towards Black Cat Books. About 5 more zombies came out of the woodwork and joined the mob of flesh eating corpses. The zombies double-backed across the street following this hippie chick until she dodged into the Townhouse Lounge at the address of 907 Manitou Avenue.

The Zombies poured into the front doors of the Townhouse Lounge to find warmth, brains, blood, and a feast. The friendly staff at the Lounge welcomed in the blood drenched crowd as the CDC induced the food with a antidote to pacify the zombies from desiring human flesh, brains, and guts. However, it took a little while for the antidote to trigger, so some zombies feasted on the patrons. The local band "John Wise" tried to lullaby the zombies with some great zombie and monster themed compilations. Rumors have already spread that some of the zombies escaped to the local town of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Plans for the CDC to contain the infected are already in plans and a quarantine location established for containment in a couple of weeks. Estimates reveal that by December 21, 2012 the Zombie Apocalypse of the feH1N1z strain will extinct the human race. Only the living dead will populate the earth. How's that for the turning of the age of enlightenment and transformation?

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From the journal of Sir Thomas "Rymour Oisin" Leaf: Tuesday, The 31st of Quintilis (Julius Caesar's "July") in the good year 2009 of the Common Era

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"Breakfast & mate early with the mermaids Kyndra and Wendy in the Dark Crystal house ... amazing company and conversations ... me and Hanna were off pretty early with her car packed to the brim with my over-bulging faerie festival gear. But not until a nice soak in the hotsprings and a quick dip in the ice cold river to freshen up for the journey. As we drove down from Breitenbush to Detroit my cell phone blazed with voice messages from noble maidens who poured out offers of help to rescue me as they found out about me recently becoming stranded in the Pacific Northwest. Viktoria, Tina, and Allison were all willing to drive independently to Oregon from Colorado to come get me home safe. I never felt more loved and cared for. Thank you sooo much! I turned down the offers as I was sure fate and the blessed touch of those above and beyond would make everything work out. I just know my friends rock! Though a potential solution, revealed during breakfast was possibly buying Kyndra's van 'Isis Adventure' as a means of getting back home to Colorado. Definitely something to ponder during my time at Faerieworlds. Kyndra may turn out to be the most supreme heroine in this tale ... Me and Hanna dropped by a local farmer's booth roadside in Detroit for some fresh produce to bring with us to the fest .. tomatoes, berries, and fruits. A long winding journey down the mountains towards my old hometown of Eugene, Oregon to the Mount Pisgah arboretum where me and my magical working groups - the Outpost (C.A.W.) and Ancient Forests Proto-grove, ADF used to do many a ritual on the hills overlooking the new festival grounds for Faerieworlds. Such an amazing space. I miss my former homeland of Eugene. Kelly, Emilio, Kimmy, and crew couldn't have picked a better location - and this year offering camping at the festival, placing Faerieworlds in legion with most festivals of its kind. Kudos to the Faeries for that great move! We made our way down the rapidly picking up in traffic volume dirt road to the greeters of the Faerie Realm as they embraced our entrance in through the Faerie gates ... On to registration where Hanna got her ticket and I picked up the most splendid gift as a guest of Kimmy's (Thank you Kimmy!) as she made it possible for me to participate this year at Faerieworlds. You rock! Of course no gain never comes without a price in its own right, this pilgrimmage lost me my vardo - but not a worry in the world because I was at home with my fellow Fae kin. I wounded my foot somehow, never really figured out how, but it happened at Breitenbush I think. So unpacking and moving our gear was difficult to say the least. We headed off to the pasture that was Party Camping area ... as we were totally up for wild fun and late night partying. Given how the sun heated the pasture and a need to avoid those cow sherds ... we braved the poison oak n' ivy for a nice nestled space under a massive oak tree in the blackberry brambles at the woods edge. Since parking was not permitted by the tents, we had an ordeal to move all the gear across the pasture, avoiding turds, brambles, and poison to set up in the woods. Once established, we had some late lunch and headed on into the village for browsing the amazing arts, crafts, clothes, and jewelry all around Faerieworlds ... on over to the main stage for the opening ceremony and performances. Amazing to be at home with the Fae once again! Running into friends I haven't seen for ages like my old best friend Fairygirl from Seattle! DJ Catherinna! and a handful of others ... The opening ceremony and spiral dance was pretty amazing and empowering. The Wicker Men, Tricky Pixie, Woodland, and Beats Antique/Zoe Jakes, were very uplifting and enchanting. The final night special performance, a rite to awaken the faerie within us was done by the infamous Mythmakers with Woodland playing their mesmerizing tunes, spinning of fire, and audience participation of the howling at the moon together. The faerie costumes and art was phenomenal. Today was 'Good Faeries Day' so I was lightened up with the costume of a meadow faerie. Unfortunately after the village closed its gates and we returned to party camp, there was no hearth or central fire. Just a bunch of revelers partying in the pasture to glow sticks and poi pretending that the composition of light sticks was a hearth to gather around. That was a bit disenchanting. But the chanting and singing of spiritual songs was amazing. It has been a long day, so turned in early since no drum circle or fire shone through the night. Hopefully tomorrow night will bring resolution to this. Good night dear Faerieworlds .... sleeping in the thicket with the moon above so bright and the eerie tree shadow patterns on the tent starlight."

My Review of Faerieworlds 2009

( about Faerieworlds Day 1; more photos )