The Picts

Pict, (possibly from Latin picti, “painted”), one of an ancient people who lived in what is now eastern and northeastern Scotland, from Caithness to Fife. Their name may refer to their custom of body painting or possibly tattooing.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/the-truth-about-the-picts-886098.html

http://www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/history/articles/kingdom_of_the_picts/

http://halfmoon.tripod.com/

These are my people.

Monday I got a new tattoo from the lovely and talented Kathryn Moore at Dogstar. (That's what Christmas bonuses are for, right?)

The design was based on this obelisk, which we think is Scandinavian as the knot work is much less formal and more free form than Celtic knot work. You can see where it starts and ends, also not the case with Celtic knot work.

She came up with this:

The stencil is applied.

Just about a week later, it's mostly healed.

The OSD was oddly upset I didn't consult with him; that I hadn't at least commented that I was doing it. Seems saying there will be more was not enough of a warning.

I won't tell you the questions I asked him as qualifiers for having input into what I do with my own body (well okay, one of them was "are you my father?" Another was "do you sign my paycheck?" There was a third, which I will leave to your imagination.).
Kinda funny that an old sailor doesn't have a single tattoo. But then, come to think of it, neither did my father, and he was an old, old sailor.
I informed OSD that I am a Pictish Scandinavian princess and I am having tattoos.

I think I'm done now, but The Boy reminded me that I said that after the Raven tattoo. So...maybe not. 

Consider this your consult, "Mr. Baardsson".

It's Hard to Wave Goodbye with T-Rex Arms

Thursday night was Paul's last night as Barbell Club coach. The regulars, most of us, took him out for a beer afterward. We are going to miss you so much Paul, in spite of you causing us pain twice a week.

Best of luck in your new job. And thanks for believing in me. In all of us.

Don't let this innocent, adorable face fool you. He is brutal.

Ryan, Keith, and Paul

Bonnie (best neighbor ever), Paul, Brian, and Marvin

http://www.sadanduseless.com/2012/01/t-rex-trying-things/

Winter, Almost

Winter, almost

And the texture is of bare brown and white

After heavy verdant of summer

Room for skies of spare blue 

And the crimson cardinal flash

k.e. 12/14/13

*******************************************************

JUNIP

Line Of Fire 

What would you do
if it all came back to you?
Each crest of each wave
bright as lightning

What would you say
if you had to leave today?
leave everything behind
even though for once, you're shining

Standing on higher ground
when you hear the sounds
you realize it's just the wind
And you notice it matters 
who and what you let under your skin

Put to the test
would you step back from the line of fire?
Hold everything back
all emotions set aside it

Convince yourself
someone else
and fight from the world
your lack of confidence.
What you choose to believe in
takes you much too far
takes you much too far

No one else around you
no one to understand you
no one to hear your calls.
Look through all your dark corners
you're backed up against the wall
step back from the line of fire

What would you do
if it all came back to you?
each crest of each wave
bright as the lightning
do the same as you do
do the same as you do
do the same as you
do the same as you

I do the same as you, 
Do the same as you 
do the same as you do 
What you choose to believe in
takes you much too far

No one else around you
no one to understand you
no one to hear your calls.
Look through all your dark corners
you're backed up against the wall
Step back from the line of fire
Step back from the line of fire
Step back from the line of fire
Step back from the line of fire
Step back from the line of fire
Step back from the line of fire
Step back from the line of fire
Step back from the line of fire

Step back
Step back 
Step back

Sloth

Full blown slothfulness has permeated to my very core. It's all I can do to write this.

Anyway...
It's gray and cold and wet outside.

Anyway...
Last night several of us went out - after 8:00 PM! It was downright European. A couple of Barbell Clubbers were participating in the amateur drag queen competition at The Pinhook in downtown Durham and we went to lend our support. It was Nova's first public appearance - she was great.
Vivian Vaughn, one of our favorite Drag Bingo queens, came (as a boy) with his partner. And with a little help from some 5000 mg B12, we managed to stay out until after 1 AM.

But today, we are one with the sloth.

"Hey, I said no pictures!" Keith from Barbell Club

Nova Gina, a.k.a. Ryan

Anyway...

The Boy had snow on Thursday. It was 78 degrees here. 

Lincoln City, Oregon 12/5/13

Anyway...

I dead lifted 200 pounds Thursday night. 200! That is the power of a good coach; they believe you can do it, so you do too. Then you do something you would not have thought possible even one month ago. 

Did I tell you Paul was leaving? 'Tis true. This coming Thursday will be his last day. I am quite sad about that. We're taking him out for a beer after class. 

Anyway...

I have tortured you enough.