A thought on technopaganism (and technoshamans)

A friend on myspace asked me an intersting question today which I have only been able to answer after some research on the subject.

This was my reply

You have raised a very interesting question Dan.  One that I could only answer after doing a google on the phrase ‘Technopaganism’, and I can answer now with a very intersting, eye brow raising YES, at least to the concept being a valid one

Shamanism, at its core has one strong belief, which is
‘All that exists lives’
By that basis alone then computers would have to have some sort of composite spirit.  It would be interesting to asume that the internet as a whole has a spirit too, or maybe it could be broken down to servers or ISP’s (only joking)

In reading up on the basic concept of what makes a shaman, a person who stands between two worlds, mediating for both sides, it helps explain my previous role as a community development worker (basically I was a community healer you could say).  My present job is actually as an Internet technician, helping people resolve their connection issues betwen computer and Internet.  It might well seem that I am already a technopagan, just without realising it.

Here are some links which might interest anyone who wants to find out a bit more

http://www.fiu.edu/~mizrachs/technoshaman.html

http://community.livejournal.com/technopaganism/83002.html?thread=499258

http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/3.07/technopagans.html

The Patio Cat Inspection

Well today I went and bought a cheap tesco value patio set (which nearly broke my bank account).  Obviously I had to try it out as soon as I got it home, and then, just as obviously the cats had to give it their inspection.  I think it passed…….

Here are some photos of the action

Phoebe pretending not to notice the patio set

Tabby is giving me the once over, seeing if I pass the inspection, then its on with the patio set

As you can see they were very diligent in their examination

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June 21st – photos for the solstice

this year I did not manage to take the time off to celebrate the summer solstice like I normally try to do, in fact, with my head spinning with so many issues I clean forgot until I stepped out of the car in the evening and noticed this wonderful rainbow.  Perhaps it was a gift, as for a few brief seconds I took time out to appreciate the view and just stand and stare.  After which I took a few more photos of the sun setting over townhill.

What amusing me the most is that it looks as if the house is spewing out the rainbow from its chimney, so there we have it, now to go look for the lephricaun chimney sweep.

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The Real meaning to Willy Wonka

Just been watching the film ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ starring Johnny Depp, and being only a copy of days after Father’s day I have come to an understanding of the real meaning behind this film, the other, older film and possibly the book too (Although I have not read it since childhood).

The whole storyline is basically carrying the message that we, as parents, are truelly responsible for the way our children grow up, their attitudes, interests, hobbies, etc. are all created due to the things that we do to our children. Veronica the spoilt child, because her father always gives in to her, Violet, the competative child, because her mother has constantly pushed her to be the best, Augustus, constantly eating, Johnny TV, absorbed in consoles and TV because his parents ‘just don’t understand him’, or are too afraid to try.  The only child that is normal is Charlie, and why, because there are no distractions.  In his family you have to talk to each other to get on, simply because it is so cramped.  They have learnd to appreciate each other, and are all the better for it.

We make our children what they are.  I can see elements of most of those children in my own son, absorbed in his xbox games and spoilt by his parents.  The best times that I have with Ieuan are when there are no distractions, nothing to hide behind, a walk on the hill, or down the lake, or sitting on a park bench in the City Centre.  Then you have to talk….there are no excuses

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A very different Sunday

Well to top the day I had on Saturday I had a really nice day on Sunday too. It started off with my uncle Michael phoning up for some support with his broadband. So I popped over there to sort it all out, then all of a sudden its 1pm and I call into my brother Stuart’s house, next thing we are down B&Q picking up some hose attachments with Stuart, then back home and having a tour of his garden (and Michaels). Me and Ieuan then had a water fight with Stuart, of course we won……then it was off to my mothers house and I ended up cooking all the chicken burgers for the family, pretending to be the chef.

Overall I had a fun and enjoyable weekend, spending a lot of time with Ieuan and away from the computer for a change.

A nice night out – A BBQ on Kilvey hill

Well Saturday night just gone (June 9th) I and Ieuan were invited to a BBQ on Kilvey hill to celebrate both my friend Jan’s birthday and that of her daughter Jess.

the night started wtih me arriving at jan’s house after paying a quick visit to Morrisons for some basic supplies. Then a convoy of bags progressed from Jan’s house to the boot of my car, each bag bring the wheel arches closer to the ground. Once everything was onboard I drove up to the top of Buckingham (all of 60 yards away) and we then proceeded to unload the great feast from the back of the car. Then, heavily laden the baggage carrying troupe progressed up the hill towards the site of the soon to be BBQ feast.

Overall it was a really good night with me spending some quality time with Ieuan, teaching him about camp fires and how certain branches burn in different ways, and how to snap branches too. We also burnt as much of the waste paper and cardboard as possible, carrying the rest of the rubbish back down the hill with us. Below are some photos of the night.

A family wedding

I know its a bit late but I thought I would write some stuff on this blog about my cousins wedding which was on May 25th, and even show some pictures. One of my earliest memories of Rachel is dropping her on her head amd also (not the same day) jamming her fingers in a car window. Now she is a full grown woman, married and living far away in Maesteg land. Strange how sometimes life just whizzes past.

The Welsh Cowboy (and Cowgirl)

Ok I actually did it.  I took up line dancing in the local community centre.  As you can see by the photo my friend Kate also came along and we had a lot of fun making complete arses of ourselves.  I was, as usual, the only man there, so am now just waiting for when the teacher shouts out ‘Grab your Partner by the hand’, and then there will be riots……..(and I will be running for the door)

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Doctor Who series 4 to be the last one!

I cannot believe this, and I sincerely hope it does not happen, even if I can understand and agree with it in principle, emotionally I will not look forward to the last episode of season 4

http://showmescifi.wordpress.com/2007/05/31/doctor-who-getting-cancelled/