Will's Way » friendship http://willdoherty.org/wordpress Copyleft CC-by-nc-sa ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ ) unless specified otherwise. Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:11:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Mysterious Visitor http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=4927 http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=4927#comments Mon, 31 May 2010 21:23:06 +0000 Will Doherty http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=4927 I was very happy to have a surprise visit from Sacrilege yesterday.

]]> http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?feed=rss2&p=4927 0 Cayenne Celebrates the Big 60th Birthday! http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=4501 http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=4501#comments Mon, 22 Mar 2010 07:59:17 +0000 Will Doherty http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=4501 A good time was had by all at Cayenne’s 60th birthday party here in San Francisco.

I performed a poem called “The Leaden Echo and the Golden Echo” by Gerard Manley Hopkins in full ponce drag.

Other performers included Jim e Sparklepants, Ryan Mintz with his new hit “Welcome Home”, Peggy Leggs (thanks for helping with my makeup sweety!), Bimbo the Clown, Charley pole dancing, and a host of luscious models working the runway in the fashual (fashion ritual) organized by Jack Davis. After all the entertainment, Jack Davis led a ritual offering to Cayenne of all that those gathered felt he desired and deserved, followed by Cayenne speechifying a bit then cutting the amazing cake.

Check out the pictures and videos I took of the event (and please let me know if you’d like anything removed):

Partial Clip of Introduction to First Performance Set at Cayenne’s Birthday Party: http://vimeo.com/10369933

Jim e Sparklepants Performs Song for Cayenne’s Birthday: http://www.vimeo.com/10728948

Stardust Channels Gerard Manley Hopkins Reading “The Leaden Echo and the Golden Echo” for Cayenne’s Birthday: http://www.vimeo.com/10730141

Ryan Performs “Welcome Home” for Cayenne’s Birthday:  http://www.vimeo.com/10731037 (you can also see and hear Ryan performing “Welcome Home” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pIkJjUHTkk and please make contributions at http://ryanmintz.chipin.com/welcome-home-recording-session-and-release-tour so he can create his next album) ;-)

Ryan Performs “Change” Song for Cayenne’s Birthday: http://www.vimeo.com/10731842

Keith Hennessey’s Comments for Cayenne’s Birthday: http://www.vimeo.com/10889417

Peggy Legg’s Song for Cayenne’s Birthday: http://www.vimeo.com/10888692

Bimbo the Clown Sings Cayenne a Birthday Song: http://vimeo.com/10358630

Charley’s Pole Dance for Cayenne’s Birthday: http://vimeo.com/10358938

Charley’s Pole Dance for Cayenne’s Birthday, Part 2: http://vimeo.com/10359009

Fashual (Fashion Ritual) Presenting the Jack Davis Collection (coming soon!)

Ritual for Cayenne’s Birthday Led by Jack Davis: http://vimeo.com/10370031

Cayenne’s Expression of Birthday Gratitude: http://vimeo.com/10370254

Cayenne Speechifying and Cutting the Birthday Cake: http://vimeo.com/10370278

]]> http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?feed=rss2&p=4501 0 Lunch With Andrew, Oxford and the Ashmolean Museum http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=3844 http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=3844#comments Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:12:23 +0000 Will Doherty http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=3844 Written June 21, 2008, on train from Manchester, England, to Holyhead, Wales, for ferry to Dublin, Ireland

After a good veg breakfast the next morning, I took two buses to Salisbury, then continued on to Oxford. I walked from the train station to the Ashmolean Museum, where I met Andrew Hodges for a pleasant lunch. We hadn’t seen each other for six or seven years since he stopped at Mills College as part of his lecture tour for his book on Alan Turing.

The Ashmolean has a wonderful collection of 25th dynasty materials, which I photographed along with a few contemporary Assyrian items.

On Andrew’s advice, I took a walk through town to see the old campus halls, the church, and other beautiful buildings. Then, back to the station and on to Manchester.

]]> http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?feed=rss2&p=3844 0 Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge and Back to London http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=3917 http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=3917#comments Sat, 14 Jun 2008 06:23:34 +0000 Will Doherty http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=3917 Written on June 13, 2008, at Eat and Two Veg Restaurant, London, United Kingdom

This morning, I had to go to Cambridge and Sarah was off to Kent, so we said our goodbyes. I caught the train to Cambridge and met a nice woman named Emily Esche on the way. She is studying archaeology and is particularly interested in studying human remains. So, we could talk shop. She later sent me an email with great advice for sites around Stonehenge.

When I got off the train at Cambridge, I was stunned by the number of bikes parked outside the station (the pic shows less than a quarter of the bikes).

Bike Parking, Train Station, Cambridge, England Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

I walked to the Fitzwilliam Museum and, since the museum’s 25th dynasty expert is on leaving writing her thesis, I met with a fellow named Anders Bell, who showed me an Assyrian artifact from the museum’s store (i.e. storage area) then directed me to the ancient Sudan gallery and three ancient Egyptian galleries, excellent for research purposes.

Assyrian Artifact, Contemporary With 25th Dynasty Egypt, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Nubian Fertility Figurine, Copper Alloy, 25th Dynasty Sudan, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, Englad Nubian Bust of Female, Copper Alloy, 25th Dynasty Sudan, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Faience Beads With Cartouches of Rulers, 25th Dynasty Sudan, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Faience Beads With Cartouches of Rulers, 25th Dynasty Sudan, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Pottery Vessels, Sanam, 25th Dynasty Sudan, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England
Alabaster Vessels, Sanam, 25th Dynasty Sudan, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Faience Amulets in the Form of Wedjat Eyes, a Hand, a Sistrum, Hathor and Bes Figures, 25th Dynasty Sudan, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Glass, Faience, and Paste Necklaces, 25th Dynasty Sudan, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England
Mirror, Copper Alloy, Sanam, 25th Dynasty Sudan, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Faience and Steatite Necklaces With Traditional Egyptian Amulets, Sanam, 25th Dynasty Sudan, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Pottery Vessel and Scarabs, Sanam, 25th Dynasty Sudan, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Scarabs, Sanam, 25th Dynasty Sudan, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Copper Alloy Figure of Metal Worker and Wood Cubit Rod, Late Period From 746-336 BCE, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Wood Ptah-Sokar-Osiris Box Containing Papyrus Scroll, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Egypt, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Wood Ptah-Sokar-Osiris Box Containing Papyrus Scroll, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Egypt, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Wood Ptah-Sokar-Osiris Box Containing Papyrus Scroll, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Egypt, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Wood Ptah-Sokar-Osiris Box Containing Papyrus Scroll, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Egypt, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Fish on a Sledge, Probably Part of Coffin for Mummified Fish, Copper Alloy, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Egypt, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Faience Figure of Shu, God of Sunlight and Air, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Egypt, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Painted Wood Stela of Woman Offering to Re-Harakhty, Sun God of the Underworld, 22nd Dynasty Egypt, at Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Amun Figure, Copper Alloy, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Egypt, at Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Rams Head Fitting, Probably Amun, Copper Alloy, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Egypt, at Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Prow for a Sacred Boat, Copper Alloy, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Ithyphallic Amun Min Figure, Copper Alloy, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Bes FIgure, God Who Protected Pregnant Women and Children, Painted Plaster and Wood, New Kingdom Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Tawaret Figure, Goddess Protecting Women During Childbirth, Diorite, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Neith Statue, Goddess of Sais Associated With Warfare, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Kneeling Priest Figure, Copper Alloy, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Sekhmet Figure, Copper Alloy, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Kneeling Man Figure Holding Osiris Shrine, Serpentine, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Osiris Figure, God of Underworld, Copper Alloy, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Figure of Woman and Bes, God Protecting Pregnant Women and Children, Copper Alloy, Late Period, 746-525 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Uraeus Cobra, Painted Wood Attachments, Late Period, 746-332 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Ear Stela, Limestone, Probably Dynasty 18 Temple of Hatshepsut, Found at Montuhotep Temple, Deir el Bahri, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Phallic Fertility Figures, Wood, New Kingdom, 1550-1070 BCE, Montuhotep Temple, Deir el Bahri, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Fertility Figures, Clay, New Kingdom, 1550-1070 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Statue of Priest Holding Large Sistrum in Form of Hathor, Granite, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Mendes, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Statue of Priest Holding Large Sistrum in Form of Hathor, Granite, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Mendes, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Statue of Priest Holding Large Sistrum in Form of Hathor, Granite, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Mendes, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Statue of Priest Holding Large Sistrum in Form of Hathor, Granite, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Mendes, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Statue of Priest Holding Large Sistrum in Form of Hathor, Granite, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Mendes, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Statue of Priest Holding Large Sistrum in Form of Hathor, Granite, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Mendes, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Relief of Amenirdas, Sister of Shabaka, or Shepenwepet, Divine Consort Making Offering, Sandstone, 25th Dynasty, 715-700 BCE, Amenirdas Chapel, Medinat Habu, Egypt, at Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Amenirdas Cartouche, Faience, 25th Dynasty, 746-664 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Amun Relief, Originally Inlaid, Copper Alloy, 25th Dynasty, 746-664 BCE, Saqqara, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Vessel With Marsh Scene and Nubian Identified by Short Wig, 25th Dynasty, 746-664 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Nubian Woman, Limestone Sculpture, 25th Dynasty, 746-664 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Figurine of Woman Holding Statue of Young Horus, Copper Alloy, 25th Dynasty, 746-664 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Figurine of Naked Woman With Crown, Probably of Fertility Priestess, 25th Dynasty, 746-664 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Shabti of Taharqa, Calcite, 25th Dynasty, 690-664 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Funerary Cone for Taharqa, Clay, 25th Dynasty, 690-664 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Figurine Probably of Taharqa, Copper Alloy, 25th Dynasty, Probably 690-664 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Figurine of Taharqa, Copper Alloy, 25th Dynasty, 690-664 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Detail of Figurine of Taharqa, Copper Alloy, 25th Dynasty, 690-664 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Archaized Relief of Sem Priest Looking After the Deceased, Limestone, 25th Dynasty, 746-664 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Archaized Portrait of Ruler, Basalt Statue, 25th or 26th Dynasty, 746-525 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Archaized Painted Head, Limestone, Late Period, 746-525 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Archaized Relief, Limestone, Late Period, 746-525 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Ring With Cartouche of Smendes, Copper Alloy, 21st Dynasty, 1070-1044 BCE, Egypt, Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Statuette Inscribed With Name of Sheshonq V, Glassy Frit, 774-736 BCE, Saqqara, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Statuette of Boy Prince or Harpocrates, Limestone, Second Century BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Bes As Fountain, Marble, About 117-250 CE, Rome, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Ape Clinging to Cartouche Dish, Faience, Late Period, 746-336 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Color Palette Inscribed With Name of Ihy, Overseer of Recruits for the Palace, Slate, 5th Dynasty, 2504-2347 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Figure of Man, Limestone, About 3500-3000 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Bes Furniture Fittings, of Ebony, Wood and Ivory, New Kingdom, 1550-1070 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Locust Figure, Copper Alloy, Late Period, 746-332 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Magic Knives to Offer Protection, Ivory, 13th Dynasty, 1794-1648 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Cobra Wand Found With Magical Texts and Implements in Tomb 5 Under the Ramesseum, Copper Alloy, Middle Kingdom, 2119-1794 BCE, Thebes, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Ibis Wand, Wood, New Kingdom, 1550-1070 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Staff Terminals Decorated With Bull and Lotus Motif, Staffs Missing, Copper Alloy, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Figure of Isis and Horus Dedicated to Hatiufankh on the Base, Copper Alloy, About 200-100 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Horus Standing on Oryx, Dedicated by a Priest of Amun, About 200-100 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Horus Standing on Oryx, Dedicated by a Priest of Amun, Copper Alloy, About 200-100 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Ring Inscribed With Name of Wearer and Figures of Gods Including Amun, Gold, New Kingdom to Late Period, 1550-336 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Figure of Anubis as Jackal, Painted Wood, Third Intermediate Period, 1070-714 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Neo-Assyrian Cylinder Seals, About 950-600 BCE, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Neo-Assyrian Cylinder Seals, About 950-600 BCE, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Neo-Assyrian Stamp Seals, About 950-600 BCE, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Neo-Assyrian Stamp Seals, About 950-600 BCE, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England Nubian Fertility Figurine With Short Wig, Copper Alloy, 25th Dynasty, 746-664 BCE, Egypt, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

Cemetery Objects, Napatan Period, 700-300 BCE, Sanam Abu Dom, in Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, England

The next blog entry has a special feature on Pakepu’s coffins. He was a Water carrier who lived in Western Thebes around 700-650 BCE.

I managed to finish my work at the museum in 2½ hours. On the way back to the train station, I took a few pictures of the Scott Polar Research Institute and the wonderful statue of a nude young man outside it.

Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge, England Statue of Nude Young Man, Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge, England Detail of Statue of Nude Young Man, Scott Polar Research Institute, Cambridge, England

I also walked a bit further down the street and visited the cathedral on the way to the train station.

Old-Style Building, Cambridge, England Cathedral, Cambridge, England Cathedral, Cambridge, England

Cathedral, Cambridge, England Interior of Cathedral, Cambridge, England

Then I hopped back on the train to London to check into the overpriced European Hotel near Kings Cross, into that small basement-level room with a loud bathroom fan and a musty odor with little room for anything else but the bed and the lamp next to it, all for the bargain rate of £45 (~US$90) per night. That’s actually a good deal in central London.

I massaged my body with a hot shower, then headed out to find free wifi, so I could search for vegetarian restaurants and queer bars. The Cafe Sosso closed just as I arrived, so instead I went to the (Quaker) Friends House cafe, which had also closed, but they let me site there in the courtyard and browse with my laptop. I found this excellent veg restaurant called Eat and Two Veg where I just finished an excellent meal of veg sausage on mashed potatoes with fresh-squeezed juice and a fruit cobbler topped with butterscotch ice cream for dessert.

]]> http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?feed=rss2&p=3917 0 London Is Expensive! British Museum and Egypt Exploration Society http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=3831 http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=3831#comments Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:46:23 +0000 Will Doherty http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=3831 Written on June 13, 2008, at Eat and Two Veg Restaurant, London, United Kingdom

I reluctantly left Sacrilege in San Francisco and boarded the plane to London via Washington, DC, on June 9, leaving late in the evening and arriving late the following evening.

Sarah, my friend from Zimbabwe, is working in London and kindly prevailed on her housemates to permit me to crash at their place for a couple of nights. One of her housemates, Caroline, is a schoolteacher and I didn’t meet the other housemate, who is apparently from Malaysia and was traveling in Amsterdam.

Sarah lives in a greenish northern suburb of London which is at least a half hour on the metro, or “tube� as they call it here, from central London. The tube ride costs £2 (~US$4) if you pay in cash, or only 90 pence if you use the Oyster card, a kind of metro debit card.

On my first excursion into town, I went to the Petrie Museum for Egyptian Archaeology. I arrived at 11:00 and left around 16:00 after examing ten artifacts up close and personal and many more exhibited in the public collection.

Next, I searched around for a hotel where I could spend Friday and Saturday night. The cheapest room I could find in the Kings Cross area with a bathroom “en suite�, i.e. in the room, not shared, was £45 (~US$90)! The place is called the European Hotel and the expensive room was in the basement, small, and perhaps a bit moldy.

I made it back to Sarah and Caroline’s place before either of them got back home, so I waited on the stoop until Caroline got home before Sarah did.

That evening, Sarah and I ate pizza with Caroline, then Sarah invited me to meet some childhood friends with whom she is still close. They even live in the same neighborhood in London. We went first to a typical English pub where I tried a draft ½ pint of ale. Everyone else drank at least twice as much as I. We met Antony at the pub, then went on to his cute little house and sat in the back garden with Antony’s brother Bobby, who I had met in Zimbabwe on an outing with Sarah to majestic Matopas, along with a girlfriend of theirs also named Sarah, who lived for awhile in Australia.

Antony is a great conversationalist, his banter littered with curses and his stories and political arguments quite entertaining. We drank and drank and drank, then Sarah and I walked home, so waking for our work the next day wouldn’t be too painful.

Next day, we walked again to the tube and she went to work, I to the British Museum. I got some good pictures of 25th dynasty Egyptian artifacts in Gallery 4.

Limestone Stela of Prince Meryre, Athribis, 25th Dynasty, British Museum, London, England Red Breccia Figure of Tawaret or Tuaret, Late Period, Egyptian Gallery 4, British Museum, London, England Shabaka or Shabako Stone, 25th Dynasty, Memphis, in British Museum, London, England

Kneeling Statue of Montuemhat, 25th or 26th Dynasty, Thebes, in British Museum, London, England Basin of Montuemhat, 25th or 26th Dynasty, Possibly Thebes, British Museum, London, England Granite Statue of Amun as Ram With Taharqa, 25th Dynasty, Kawa, in British Museum, London, England

I’ll go back there tomorrow (Saturday) to do more. I had an 11:00 meeting scheduled with Chris Naunton, Deputy Director of the Egypt Exploration Society. Their office is located on Doughty Mews, a cute little cobblestoned street with comfy old brick buildings. The library there had lots of resources to help me with my research, but best of all was the chance to chat with Chris, who has been researching 25th dynasty non-royal officials for at least eight years. Although he was delayed by an emergency meeting due to leadership change within the organization, and although he was obviously dealing with considerable stress over it, he made time to hang out and chat with me and provided a bunch of helpful materials.

I was scheduled to meet Sarah at 18:15 at Charing Cross station, so I managed to go to the Kings Cross station to purchase my round-trip train ticket to Cambridge for the following day, Friday.

I took the tube to Charing Cross to meet Sarah. While I waited, I ate a veggie pasty from a place in the station. Then, I took Sarah out to dinner at an Italian restaurant near the station.

After that, she invited me to a South African bar, where her friend Jeremy had invited a group of Zimbabwean and other friends since he was passing through town on this travels with his girlfriend and hadn’t sen many of his friends, now in London, for some years. It was all about drinking a lot of beer or cider, but surprisingly, people chatted a lot as well. We also tried Amarula Cream, a liqueur from a South African fruit that tasted like Bailey’s. Then Sarah and I left – I was really tired. I nodded off a bit on the tube and struggled to walk the rest of the way back to her place.

]]> http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?feed=rss2&p=3831 0 The Mother City http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=1648 http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=1648#comments Sun, 27 Jan 2008 14:03:09 +0000 Will Doherty http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=1648 I arrived yesterday in Cape Town, my final destination before returning home to San Francisco. “The Mother City” is indeed beautiful. I have yet to do the site-seeing, but I’m enjoying the sun and the wicked afternoon breeze.

I met long-time Cape Town penpal Daniel last evening. He brought me to a lovely Indian restaurant where I definitely noticed the horn of plenty here as compared to Zimbabwe where I always felt a bit deprived on the food front. Plenty of excellent vegetarian options available here.

]]> http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?feed=rss2&p=1648 0 Storm and His Friend Austin Cleanse Their Pores http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=477 http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=477#comments Sat, 19 Aug 2006 17:25:32 +0000 Will Doherty http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=477 As you can see, from time to time, we do find time for mud packs here at the Winfield manse. My housemate Storm and his friend Austin cleanse their pores.

Housemate Storm and His Friend Austin Cleanse Pours With Mud

]]> http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?feed=rss2&p=477 0 Day Out of Time Gathering on Mount Rainier http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=403 http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=403#comments Thu, 27 Jul 2006 07:59:28 +0000 Will Doherty http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=403 Although postponed by a couple of days to accommodate attendance at the Romp Naked event in Seattle on July 22, the “Two Spirit Day Out of Time” gathering took place from July 23-26 on Mount Rainier. Sierra, who works as a ranger at the Sunrise Camp on Mount Rainier, issued the call and dealt with logistics, and Franz prepared healthy organic food and Julie Andrews “Sound of Music” inspired art for the gathering. The pictures below come from the cameras of many of those who attended the gathering.

Kirby Peace Sign at White River Camping Site, Mount Rainier Mugwort at White River Campsite on Mount Rainier

Kirby (pic above) took a bit of a leap by driving up with Sierra and Franz for the gathering while still on crutches! I hitched a ride from Mugwort (above), who also shared a campsite where we both pitched our tents. Thanks to my dad for loaning me a tent so I didn’t have to cart one up on the plane from San Francisco.

Grandmother Rainier Towering Above the Pines

My first view of Mount Rainier after two years stunned me. Grandmother Rainier–as Fruitboy has dubbed her–radiates beauty.

Distant Peak Behind Magnificent Valley Near Mount Rainier Mugwort, Kirby, and Franz at Mount Rainier Lookout Snowy Peaks Near Mount Rainier

Mugwort, Kirby, Dazzle, Tusk, and I admired the landscape at the lookout point on the way up from the White River campground to the Sunrise Camp, which is the highest altitude point on a highway in the state of Washington, according to Ranger Sierra.

More Snowy Peaks Near Mount Rainier Tusk, Mugwort, Dazzle, Franz, and Kirby at Mount Rainier Outlook Dazzle, Mugwort, Franz, Kirby, and Tusk at Mount Rainier Outlook

The greenery provided an amazing contrast to the mountain, snow-covered even in mid-summer.

Grandmother Rainier Nestled Among the Pines Grandmother Rainier Nestled Among the Pines II Fruitboy and Kirby at Sunrise Camp Employee Residence on Mount Rainier

Much of the gathering took place at the Sunrise Camp employee living quarters, the home for Sierra and other rangers and interns during the season when Sunrise Camp is open to visitors.

Stardust With Grandmother Rainier at Sunrise Camp on Mount Rainier Stardust and Fruitboy With Grandmother Rainier at Sunrise Camp Stardust, Fruitboy, and Don With Grandmother Rainier at Sunrise Camp

Sierra can see a great view of Mount Rainier, similar to this one above, from his bedroom window.

Lodge and Lot at Sunrise Camp on Mount Rainier Visitor Center and Employee Residences at Sunrise Camp on Mount Rainier Mount Rainier With Glacier View

Sunrise Camp consists of a lodge with a snack bar for visitors and the Visitor Center and employee living quarters. You can’t beat the views from Sunrise.

The first evening Mugwort and I arrived a bit late. After setting up our tents at the White River campsite that Dazzle and Tusk saved for us, we drove up to the Sunrise Camp and found Kirby and Franz chatting near the entrance to the employee residence building with the great view of Mount Rainier. Franz said he’d pull some dinner together for us in a bit, so Mugwort and I hiked a bit up the trail toward Dege Peak and had a look over the other side of the ridge at a beautiful rock slide canyon with a sunset on a multilayered mountain horizon that took my breath away.

After dinner, we were exhausted and went back to the campsite for an early night. I was fighting off a nasty cold, but the next morning I decided to accompany the group on the planned hike to the Burroughs Peaks, thinking I would turn back after reaching the summit of Burroughs Peak I, while the group continued on to Burroughs II and III.

Mountain Stream on Lower Trail to Burroughs Peaks of Mount Rainier Indian Paintbrush Flowers on Lower Trail to Burroughs Peaks of Mount Rainier Glacier Lake on Mount Rainier

After hiking past a mountain stream and lots of beautiful flowers like the Indian Paintbrush above, we saw spectacular views of glacial lakes and snowy mountain peaks on the way up to the Burroughs Peaks.

Mount Rainier Peak From Lower Trail to Burroughs Nearing Treeline on Lower Trail to Burroughs Peaks on Mount Rainier Glacial Flow From Mount Rainier

At an overlook point, we got a good look at the glacier we would visit the following day. Plus, we saw some Bear Flowers.

Dazzle, Mugwort, Sierra, and Tusk on Burroughs Trail Outlook of Mount Rainier Magical Alabaster Ice Cavern at Base of Glacier on Mount Rainier Bear Flowers on Lower Trail to Burroughs Peaks on Mount Rainier

Part of the trail was on rock slides and Sierra led us fearlessly upward.

Rock Slide on Lower Trail to Burroughs Peaks on Mount Rainier Sierra With Grandmother Rainier on Lower Trail to Burroughs Peaks The Snowy Immensity of Grandmother Rainier

The summit of Burroughs Peak I is large and flat, kind of a moonscape.

Rock Slide on Lower Trail to Burroughs Peaks on Mount Rainier View of Mount Rainier Peak from Burroughs Peak I Sierra on the Path from Burroughs Peak I to Burroughs Peak II

We got some great views of the Mount Rainier summit and saw patches of snow all around us.

Mount Rainier Peak View From Burroughs Peak View of Another Peak From Burroughs Peak II on Mount Rainier Don on Burroughs Peak I of Mount Rainier

Burroughs Peak I affords a good peek at Burroughs Peak II, and after some persuasion by Sierra, I decided to continue on to the second peak.

Sierra Prepping Photo Shoot on Burroughs Peak I of Mount Rainier Rock Slide on Approach to Burroughs Peak II of Mount Rainier Don on Burroughs Peak I With Outlook to Burroughs Peak II and Mount Rainier Summit

We could see down into Berkeley Park, home of the amazing wildflowers, from the trail between Burroughs Peaks I and II.

Berkeley Park View From Burroughs Peak I on Mount Rainier Trail From Burroughs Peak I to Burroughs Peak II on Mount Rainier Snow on Trail From Burroughs Peak I to Burroughs Peak II on Mount Rainier

We crossed our first snow on the trail at that point too.

More Snow on Trail From Burroughs Peak I to Burroughs Peak II on Mount Rainier View of Mount Rainier Summit From Burroughs Peak II View of Another Peak From Burroughs Peak II on Mount Rainier

The views from Burroughs Peak II were also spectacular.

Sierra Piling Rocks on Burroughs Peak II With Mount Rainier Summit in Background View From Burroughs Peak II on Mount Rainier View of Mount Rainier Glacier From Burroughs Peak II

The Hills Are Alive… with Fruitboy on Burroughs Peak II of Mount Rainier.

The Hills Are Alive... With Fruitboy on Burroughs Peak II of Mount Rainier Fruitboy in Dress on Burroughs Peak II of Mount Rainier Fruitboy in Dress on Burroughs Peak II With Mount Rainier Summit in Background

In the distance was a snowy lake that may be a reservoir.

Fruitboy in Dress and Tusk in Sarong on Burroughs Peak II of Mount Rainier Fruitboy in Dress Takes It All In on Burroughs Peak II of Mount Rainier Snowy Lake From Burroughs Peak II on Mount Rainier

After Burroughs Peak II, I headed back down while the others continued onward to Burroughs Peak III.

Rock Slide on Descent From Burroughs Peak II on Mount Rainier Flat Landscape at Burroughs Peak II Summit on Mount Rainier View From Burroughs Peak I on Mount Rainier

I was quite exhausted on the way home, due to my cold, but still enjoyed pine groves and flowery meadows while hiking.

Pines Around Flowery Meadow on Trail Back to Sunrise Camp of Mount Rainier Flowery Meadow on Trail Near Sunrise Camp on Mount Rainier Kirby, Masked Tusk, Dazzle, Fruitboy, Hidden Franz, and Sierra at White River Campsite on Mount Rainier

We met again at the White River campsite the following morning for a hike to the ice cave at the base of the glacier we had seen the day before. Kirby held down the fort at the camp due to his broken leg.

Devils Club Plant on Glacier Trail of Mount Rainier Deer on Glacier Trail of Mount Rainier Mountain Stream on Glacier Trail of Mount Rainier
On the glacier trail, we saw Devil’s Club plants, a deer, and some amazing mountain streams and lakes. The lakes were cloudy due to deposits from the glacier.

Roaring Stream on Glacier Trail of Mount Rainier Glacial Lake From Glacier Trail on Mount Rainier View of Ice Cave at Base of Glacier on Mount Rainier

We saw a strange pyramidal peak in front of the Mount Rainier summit. Fruitboy, Sierra, Mugwort, Dazzle, and Tusk all joined me in checking out the glacier lake.
Pyramid Peak Below Mount Rainier Summit From Glacier Trail Ice Cave, Glacier, and Jagged Peak on Mount Rainier Fruitboy, Sierra, Mugwort, Dazzle, and Tusk on Glacier Lake Overlook of Mount Rainier

Besides the strange pyramidal peak, I saw what looked like an owl in stone from an outcrop looking over us on another side of the glacial canyon. On the canyon floor, Sierra noted the change in rock deposits perhaps due to the river, the glacier, or to lava flows.

Glacial Pyramidal Goodness on Mount Rainier Owl Outlook From Glacial Canyon on Mount Rainier Change in Rock Deposits in Glacial Canyon of Mount Rainier

The floor of the glacial canyon included other mysteries, such as the white lichen and the lime deposits thrust up from the canyon floor.

White Lichen on Floor of Glacial Canyon on Mount Rainier Sierra, Dazzle, and Fruitboy on Glacial Valley Limey Outcrop With View of Pyramid Peak and Mount Rainier Summit View of Glacier on Mount Rainier

We got up close and personal to a glacial lake, some composite rock, and Fireweed flowers.

Green Glacial Pond in Glacier Valley of Mount Rainier Composite Rock in Glacial Valley of Mount Rainier Fireweed in Glacial Valley of Mount Rainier

As we walked, I looked back and saw a marvelous vista. We came across Monkey Flowers and strange slime in a creek.

Glacial Valley on Mount Rainier Monkey Flower in Glacial Valley of Mount Rainier Slime in Creek of Glacial Valley on Mount Rainier

After fording a glacial creek, we approached the glacier. At first, I thought the finger of the glacier extending down between the river and the mountain was the mountain itself, but I eventually noticed the rocks tumbling off the melting ice.

Fruitboy, Dazzle, Tusk, and Mugwort Fording Glacial River on the Way to Glacier Ice Cave on Mount Rainier Base of Glacier on Mount Rainier Finger of Glacier Extending Along Glacial River on Mount Rainier

Falling debris gave us the clue that we should not approach the glacier too closely.

Boulders Falling From Finger of Glacier Into River on Mount Rainier Edge of Main Part of Base of Glacier on Mount Rainier Dirty Part of Glacier Under Jagged Peak on Mount Rainier

At last, we saw the ice cave!

Dirty Part of Glacier With View of Mount Rainier Summit Dazzle and Tusk Traversing Rocky Glacial Valley on Mount Rainier Approaching the Ice Cave at the Base of a Glacier on Mount Rainier

We got up fairly close and I was tempted to crawl inside, but both Sierra and Fruitboy insisted that would be a very bad idea.

Arrival at the Alabaster Ice Cave at the Base of a Glacier on Mount Rainier Glacier and Tumbling Debris on Mount Rainier Stardust Drawn Irresistably to Alabaster Ice Cave at Base of Glacier on Mount Rainier

So we watched from what we thought was a safe distance.

Stardust in Front of Ice Cave at Base of Glacier on Mount Rainier Stardust and Alabaster Ice Cave at Base of Glacier on Mount Rainier Glacier Falling Into River in Mount Rainier Valley

I decided to call the cave the alabaster ice cave due to the beautiful texture of its ceiling and walls.

Fruitboy in Glacial Valley of Mount Rainier More of the Alabaster Ice Cave at Base of Glacier on Mount Rainier Closeup of Alabaster Ice Cave at Base of Glacier on Mount Rainier

A glacial river streamed out from the cave.

Ice Shearing From Base of Glacier on Mount Rainier River Running From Alabaster Ice Cave at Base of Glacier on Mount Rainier Larger View of River Running From Alabaster Ice Cave at Base of Glacier on Mount Rainier

Watching the cave became a bit of a spectator sport.

Sierra, Dazzle, Tusk, and Mugwort Watch the Alabaster Ice Cave at the Base of the Glacier on Mount Rainier Another View of the Owl Outcrop on the Glacial Canyon of Mount Rainier Glacial Finger Against Mountain Slope on Mount Rainier

Then, the ice cave started to collapse!
Glacial Canyon on Mount Rainier Alabaster Ice Cave Starts to Collapse at Base of Glacier on Mount Rainier Ice Boulders Flowing in Glacial River Under Collapsed Ice Cave at Base of Glacier on Mount Rainier

Large ice boulders started falling downstream and Sierra went down to retrieve some of the smaller ones for us to examine up close.
Big Ice Boulder Flowing in Glacial River Under Collapsed Ice Cave at Base of Glacier on Mount Rainier Sierra Retrieving River Ice From Collapsed Ice Cave at Base of Glacier on Mount Rainier Ice Sierra Retrieved From River Below Collapsed Ice Cave at Base of Glacier on Mount Rainier

One piece of ice had a mysterious thing trapped inside, which must have been there for many years.
Glacial Ice With Mystery Object Embedded Inside From Collapsed Ice Cave at Base of Glacier on Mount Rainier Further Collapse of Ice Cave at Base of Glacier on Mount Rainier Another View of Further Collapse of Ice Cave at Base of Glacier on Mount Rainier

Then, the ice cave collapsed some more! This time baseball-sized chunks exploded out from where the ice crashed into the river and nearly hit us, so we retreated back further from the ice cave.
Yet Further Collapse of Ice Cave at Base of Glacier on Mount Rainier Red Succulent on Floor of Glacial Canyon of Mount Rainier Mugwort and Sierra by Creek on Glacier Trail on the Way Back to White River Campsite on Mount Rainier

We remained entranced by the glacier melting for a long time, then did a ritual for healing of the earth so that the glacier would continue to exist. On the way back to the campsite, we saw a red succulent and stopped by a flowing stream to rest.
Dazzle and Tusk by Creek on Glacier Trail on the Way Back to White River Campsite on Mount Rainier Fungus on Glacier Trail on Way Back to White River Campsite on Mount Rainier Ranger Sierra at Sunrise Camp Visitor Center on Mount Rainier

I saw a strange fungus on the trail and Fruitboy taught me how to identify different types of pine trees on our way back to camp. The next day was the day to head home, so I took a few pictures of Ranger Sierra at Sunrise Camp before saying goodbye.
Ranger Sierra at Sunrise Camp Visitor Center on Mount Rainier II Ranger Sierra at Sunrise Camp Visitor Center on Mount Rainier III Day Out of Time Gathering Mascot

Judy, our gathering mascot, gave us all good luck to spread whereever we go on our way down from the mountains. Thanks to Sierra and everyone else who made this gathering possible. :-)

]]> http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?feed=rss2&p=403 0 It Stops With Me http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=337 http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=337#comments Mon, 17 Jul 2006 19:24:23 +0000 Will Doherty http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=337 I finished reading Charleen Touchette’s It Stops With Me: Memoir of a Canuck Girl this morning. I put it on library reserve because I read that some school district had banned it and that always sparks my curiosity about a book. The book is autobiographical and tackles the issue of parental abuse of children and therapeutic recovery from all kinds of abuse. I warmed up more and more to the book as I read it.

I’m at home with a cold today.

Yesterday, I had lunch with my friend Jim S. at Cafe Luna on Castro St., then we went to Cafe Flore to chat a bit more. After that, Kurt S. and I did our regular massage exchange at my place. I’m so glad I have my wonderful purple massage table. I decided not to go out to the Eagle or El Rio this weekend, just to spend some time relaxing at home reading about Egypt. A funny coincidence is that my nephew Alex is also learning a lot about Egypt right now since he’s going to a summer camp on that topic. I’m looking forward to seeing him and the rest of the Seattle-based family soon on my trip there from July 20-30, when I will also take several days to go camping to see the wildflowers on Mount Rainier with some of the radical faeries.

]]> http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?feed=rss2&p=337 0 Jim in Love, Little Tree Makes Me Cry http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=318 http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=318#comments Wed, 12 Jul 2006 07:59:32 +0000 Will Doherty http://willdoherty.org/wordpress/?p=318 My friend Jim H. came by last evening and after eating penne pasta with tofu-tomato sauce and some Half Baked ice cream with semisweet chocolate sauce and Vermeer chocolate liqueur, we sat down to a film. The film was “The Education of Little Tree,” the story of a half-Indian, half-white boy raised by his grandparents after the death of his parents. They are a bi-racial couple living in Tennessee’s beautiful rural Smoky Mountains and distilling whisky for a living. One of our favorite lines from the film: “I believe your calf has died.” The film brought me to tears a few times, especially around Little Tree’s capture into a school for Indian boys, then his subsequent escape.

Speaking of favorite lines, my favorite so far from “The 4400: Series 2″ is: “We left normal behind long ago.”

Jim told me all about his relationship with Jazzy. He’s planning to spend a lot of time up in Vancouver, Canada, exploring their connection further, with a possibility of marrying him and immigrating to Canada.

Lately, my life is full of crazy horrible dates with guys who talk on their cell phones during our date. Talk about a turn-off!

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