Frsico '08

Well, we've finally returned after a week or so in San Francisco, and it was eventful. I come back a changed person, oddly enough. Strange the things that can alter your thinking.

It was wonderful to spend time with Barry and Bryan and my friends down south, Hans and Hilary - and I doubt I will soon forget this trip. We took video and snapped pix, and I'll post some of them up, but these were not the defining moments. But for the second time recently, I am unable to explain this over a blog session; if you wish to find out more, you shall have to ask for it in person. :)

But some pix for you...

Two Towers of Acyl

Strong and powerful, they stood side by side. Peering into the night with piercing glance of light and discernment and ruling the day with wisdom and the majesty of the blessed, the two Towers of Acyl were formed together with a purpose.

In storms they were tall and strong, a single anchor of one accord to which the wayward, confused and lost would seek rest, council, wisdom and to understand the secret which united the two Towers.

But the secret was strong, and only a very small part their own. In fact, the bond was made by another, and only kept up by themselves by a very small set of instruction. After binding them and creating the seal, the maker told them the secret: do not allow anything to attempt to disrupt either the foundation of the Towers nor the bond itself. And by this means the maker was faithful to keep the safety of the Towers.

Through the existence of the two Towers, there rose other towers nearby, created to be given wise instruction and the understanding of value of the maker and the bond he made for them and kept alive. These towers, too, though small and new, were given the bond which sealed the two Towers, and thus their fates and existence as well were bound together and with that of the two.

After a time, an unknown person dug in the earth near one of the two Towers. Cultivating the land and grooming it, giving the Tower pleasure in how it looked. But all was not well. For the unknown person did not stop with the work of excavation; indeed, closer came the person, still digging, past the surface, approaching the forbidden foundation of the great Tower. But the Tower felt safe in its foundation, and had witnessed the deeds of the unknown person, seeing kindness in their actions to this point. But soon the person had laid the foundation of the One Tower bare; causing it to be exposed. The One Tower, though warned by the other alarmed tower, allowed this without concern. Did not this person improve its landscape in their previous endeavors? Surely this would also be harmless.

So the One Tower breached the agreement between the maker, itself, and the other Tower, and allowed the exposure of its foundation. With this came a change. The bond between the Two Towers began to falter, and eventually was broken; but it moved and became a weak connection between the One Tower and the unknown person. But the One tower did not realize its foundation was slowly disappearing, and it was leaning away. All watched in terror as the One Tower began to crumble and fall away, none able to believe it could ever have happened. Those coming for assistance and advice were unsure what to think, and of the maker was wondered how this was allowed to happen. But the Other Tower did not allow the erosion of its foundation, nor the digging in its soil nearby, no matter how attractive the outcome seemed. And the bond was renewed between the small towers, the Other Tower, and the maker.

To this day the Fallen Tower continues to fall, now out of control, but still falling, still not taking action to stop the erosion or repair what it can. But the remaining One Tower can be seen, powerful, piercing in light, and incredible still in the majesty given her by the Creator. Strong despite the terrors of her past, capable more than ever for the instruction of her subject Towers, and the bond stronger every moment with the Creator; but faithfully, every moment, she pleads still with the Creator for the restoration of the bond beteeen Lost Tower and his Creator.

The Giver

Annabelle loves to be there for her friends. She loves to be the life of the party, the one who helps the people in need, and the cheerful person people so often need around.

At age 27, she's become good at guessing what people need, and being able to get it for them. She can see trouble coming and step in to counter it, mediate an argument to the satisfaction of the two parties, make anyone smile at any time, and show a love that so many don't understand.

You'll find her planning, creating, hosting, and cleaning up after events, caring for anyone she knows who is sick, and making sure she goes the extra mile at work, home or wherever she is.

But at the end of the day, after everyone has been served, cheered and taken care of, Annabelle goes home and cries herself to sleep; for no one understands what she needs or why she is the way she is.

And nobody bothers to ask.

Live from Creation

Hey -

I'm here in my tent at the campground for CreationFest. Its huge. Got a couple of concerts tonight, and just for fun thought I'd post some pix. I'm hoping they turned out ok...took them with the phone lol.

Here we go...

Green

Its the type of light that comes out from under the clouds. Not through them, but around and under them. Everything looks surrealistic, in shades of green and yellow, often indistinguishable.

Leaves, flowers, the very air around lights up, becomes static; tangible. Everything appears surrealistic, nothing can be real.

My point of view changes, memories of other times are vivid while the odd lighting is present. People, objects, music, thoughts. They flash back into my head, each giving way to the next.

The clouds break, the surrealism is broken. Memories and thoughts of other times flee; all that is left is a feeling. And to it is joined another feeling, that of loss and unmistakable longing. A longing for times where only good things and cozy moments are remembered.

But with the sun-break arrives again the present, real life. Back to it again.

The Display

As he laid it on the display table in his shop front, the man carefully propped it up for the best viewable angle from the front window. He knew it would be an incredible attraction, and desired to see all the faces who peered in to see it; the stars and celebrities; the kings and queens; the wise folk who travelled far to witness it. He stored these thoughts deep down as he completed the arrangement and switched on the lights around to illuminate it.

It was beautiful, and throbbed just slightly as it sat basking in the sun, or appearing to drink in the rain which fell some days outside the window. The man was right, and there was nearly always a crowd outside seeking a look at his beautiful display. And display he did - proudly, and for the world to see. When affected, it was clear, and though perhaps, for some, many would be a private moment, the man still kept it in the window for viewing, even when it shook with grief, or heaved with burden.

Many years it remained on display, the children passing in awe, the adult folk looking on in interest.

In time, however, it became the norm. He would even allow many select people to handle it, and turn it over in their hands to view pieces he did not show to the general public. Everyone who was allowed to view it was impressed, but many were rough with it and often damaged it in ways which were irreparable.

As he had hoped, kings and queens, and people from all over the Earth journeyed to experience it and, indeed, he received much pleasure observing each person enjoying their experiences with it. But with the passing of time, it became more and more apparent that the exit of such important ones to his desire caused the most feeling of loss, and often times he would retract it from view and desire no one to visit or see, but he faithfully set it back in view each time.

When the man was old, though it became shriveled and unattractive, he did not retract it. It was bruised and broken, and a very sad sight indeed. Scars from those who mishandled it, missing pieces from those who stole portions, and wounds from those who viciously stabbed and tore at it were easily visible to all. Discoloration from too much exposure and even pieces missing which had been given away with intention drew comments and questions from many who passed by.

When the man died, it curled up and ceased to throb, as it also lay dead on the table on which it had spent so many hours and years experiencing the life in which it was set. And so the end came.

In later years, the crowds would look back at the years of Henry's shop display experience and wonder if it was wise or healthy, and feel a melancholy sadness sweep over them as they realized that they had viewed Henry's very heart for 83 years, and that it had died publicly, open to viewing, and entirely alone.

Princess Mriata

Once upon a time...

There was a princess, and her name was Mriata. Her father was the great King, powerful and wise, and he ruled all the nations from his grand Castle at the Point of Dantata at the edge of the sea over the cliffs and plains. So beautiful was Mriata that she could not be mistaken by any in her world of Noshtia as any but the daughter of the great King, though few outside the castle at Dantata had never before glimpsed her. Her mother was very proud of her, for she did not squander time away in frivolous pursuits. Instead, she studied wisdom and knowledge under her father's tutelage, took every opportunity to gain practical experience in all that a proper young lady should know from everyone who would teach her, and desired most to become a wise and worthy young woman.

One day, a prince called Kalhied from a far away land called Marntan knocked on the door of the great castle. When he was admitted, he asked to be granted an audience with the King on a most important matter. When he was granted audience, he proceeded to inform the King that he had come to wed his daughter, if he would approve the marriage. The King looked at him for a moment, as if piercing his very mind and heart with his stare, and then asked a question of the man. Understanding that the man had come to love his daughter only for her fame and alleged beauty, the King asked him if he knew her beauty, and could he describe it. Confused, the prince answered, "Why no, my King, I have never before witnessed it. But it is known well through the nations that she is the most beautiful maiden, and that none can compare. It is for this reason I am here!" The King smiled, nodded, and proposed that the prince stay and enjoy some time at the castle in hopes of witnessing Mriata's beauty for himself. The prince, sure that his wish had been granted, agreed and was given Estla Tower, overlooking the Sea of Aris in which to reside.

Days passed and, to his great disappointment, the prince never was able to get a good view of the princesses' face. At mealtimes Mriata made the King and the prince bountiful feasts, in the evenings the prince always returned to clean fresh sheets on his bed; in the afternoon he browsed through the beautiful gardens which he knew were kept up by Mriata, but he would have traded the excellent food and the cleanliness and beauty of the grounds for just a look at her face, for this, he mused, was what he sought and what he would need to return to the King and answer his question.

Then, one day, when the sun was high and hot, the prince spotted Mriata sitting in a garden at the feet of her great grandmother, who was speaking of her past life in what the prince considered to be a very boring manner indeed. But Mriata was very intent and focused, drinking in every word. The location where the two were spending time together was such that if the prince had wanted to approach close enough to gaze upon Mriata's fair face, he would have appeared very obvious and awkward, so he did not come nearer. Later, he witnessed her assisting the old woman in a stroll, and then back up to her chamber in Auchen Tower. Again, he complained to himself, he wished he could just see her face.

For many weeks, the prince stayed looking on, and for many weeks Mriata went about her usual business attending to things around the castle, singing and enjoying her time as she went along, always happy to serve and take time away from her duties to jump at requests made by anyone. But always the prince witnessed this from a distance, and he became upset. He wondered why he was here and what he was supposed to be doing, so he sought out the King once more to beg his question.

When they had sat again around the table, the King asked politely of what topic the prince would speak. The prince burst into a confused wonderment, asking what his purpose here was and why he was being kept from seeing and marrying the beautiful young girl. The King then asked the man, "have you not witnessed her beauty while you have been here? What have you learned?" Stunned, the prince wondered what the old man could be thinking - he had not even come close enough to see her face, how could he have witnessed her beauty? He became discouraged and requested to leave, so his horse was brought to him and he rode away into the sunset, alone.

The prince was only the first of many young men who came to seek the princesses' hand in marriage, and the first of many to leave the castle perplexed and not understanding. Having failed to produce the answer the King desired to hear after their observations, still having sought only a view of her face, many of them took a stab at guessing what the King wanted to hear - some guessed that the beauty of the princess must be the work she did willingly, or the happiness she showed at helping whoever needed her; some wondered if perhaps it was her modest dress or quiet understanding manner, but none could guess correctly, and the King would send them on their way.

Then one day another prince called Jallin, rode from the neighboring country of Arkuntisch, requesting audience with the King. Making the familiar request for the princesses' hand in marriage, he too was asked if he could describe the beauty of the princess, and if not, to stay and observe her beauty. And as with Kalhied, while at the castle he was to reside in the Estla Tower. So he took up his post, and began his observations.

It occurred to Jallin immediately that there were only 4 people living at the castle, and wondered how the beautiful grounds were kept up. He had only to step outside, however, to realize the answer. From his vantage point on Estla Tower, he could clearly see the outline of the great King himself lovingly tending the gardens, mowing the lawns, cleaning the patios, and watering the large flower and vegetable gardens surrounding the castle. He could also see princess Mriata assisting him, as well as making sure her great grandmother always had a stroll through the grounds each day, for she could not walk it alone. Jallin observed Mriata performing the same duties Kalhied had observed, inside the castle and out, and enjoyed her song as she worked. Mriata's mother could also be seen often in the castle and out, making sure the pantries were stocked, the vegetable gardens harvested, the halls and rooms and living spaces clean and tidy, and prince Jallin began to have a great respect for this family.

Jallin noted, too, that, while they worked hard, this family also had their rest and celebration times. They were private, and held as a family, so Jallin was to observe only from a distance. But he knew that their enjoyment was simple, and the center of the memories they made together was spending time together, not caring what they did as long as they were together. Prince Jallin was touched and decided in his heart that his family, one day, would take many examples from what he now witnessed.

On the morning of April the 17th, two fortnights after his arrival, Jallin requested another audience with the King. When they were seated at the table, the King asked what Jallin would say to him. Jallin replied, "Great King, while I have still not gazed directly onto the face of princess Mriata, I have enjoyed a keen observation of her character. I do not have an answer for you, for I still do not understand what you seek, but I have decided that what I have observed is unique and unusual, and not to be disregarded. For while her face is hidden, it is clear to see that she plays out her day as if it was not hers, performing tasks as if they were not work, seeing every moment as an opportunity to learn and enjoy whatever is set before her to do. In this, she has become utterly selfless and desiring nothing but to serve others, while from these things taking such pleasures as make her appear as the happiest person one may ever meet. While unrelated to beauty, this, sir, I believe is to be more greatly valued than any fair face or shapely body - for what she demonstrates transcends such petty observances making them irrelevant in the scheme of things. I thank you for the opportunity to have learned a great deal, and I am sorry I do not understand how to address your request. I will take leave of you the morning of the morrow."

To this, the King bid him wait a moment as he stepped out of the room, and returned to with Mriata at his side. "Prince Jallin," said the King. "I would like to introduce you to my daughter, princess Mriata. With her character and beauty, you are already familiar. You have answered well, and now you may have her hand with my blessing if you both so desire." Jallin was now able to see the face of the famed princess of Dantata Castle, and saw that indeed she was very beautiful, but he was struck that his appreciation for her was not for her beauty, though indeed he found her very desirable, as much as it was for her character.

King Jallin and Queen Mriata still rule the land of Arkuntisch, and bestow the wisdom passed on from the Great King to their country folk. The days pass like golden dreams and sunsets are like wildfire lighting up the sky of Noshtia as with fireworks and light shows. And while still the beauty of the princess Mriata is famous and world renowned, all who have met her understand that the true beauty of the Queen of Arkuntisch lies in her character and desire to love all others before herself.