With Pantheacon now over, the move is becoming much more real. If I didn’t get to see you at Pcon, I apologize, as my back was being super cranky, which made staying in the suite most of the time less stressful. It was, however, an awesome time, as usual, and I’m really glad to have been able to talk with all sorts of folks, use my possessory skills, and even do an initiation!
After resting for a couple of days, we had cleaners come and give a good clean to our kitchen and bathrooms so that the landlord can give tours. We gave notice this weekend, and there will be open houses both days this coming weekend. I do need to do some tidying and some extra packing this week, but the house is clean enough. The gardeners come tomorrow, which will sort out the yard.
Right before Pantheacon, Patheos changed their contract and people found out (or had confirmed) that the company that now runs the site supports right-wing (read: anti-pagan, anti-queer, etc) groups. While I’ve had my own reasons over the years to be disgusted with Patheos, it seems that my spidey sense has been justified.
In response, right before Pcon, my friend Jamie decided to start a pagan blogger’s website: PaganBloggers.com. I’m proud to say that I’ve been accepted as a blogger on the site, and I plan to write about radical inclusion, body positivity, and multi-faith practice. The site has an Indigogo campaign, and while it’s met the initial goal, any additional support will be most welcome! The site plans on opening March 21.
I’ve been trying to figure out what to do for a Lenten working this year. Last year’s working was rather epic, and while I’d love to do something similar again at some point, with the move I just can’t. The other problem is that pretty much all of my altar stuff is packed already. The one thing that came up the other day, though, was to write a poem a day during Lent, and since that’s pretty much sticking in my brain, I’ve decided to do it. Some will probably be posted here, but not all. The best thing is that this is portable, only requires a notebook and pen, and is low-stress. I’m kind of thinking of going to an Ash Wednesday service, I just don’t know where yet.
The wife and I are also thinking about new rituals, since we’ll be spinning up a new coven in Chicago once we’re settled. We have some really great ideas, and it’s given me a project to work on in addition to my Lenten working. Projects are good. Projects occupy the brain.
Still don’t have a place in Chicago yet, but we’ve decided to rent instead of buy for now. Wish us luck!
If you want to visit with me and/or Sarah before we leave, you need to contact me ASAP so we can make arrangements. Otherwise, we’ll have to start doing Google Hangouts!