Heraldry tonight

After days of working on family trees and spreadsheets, I have a pretty good idea who the remaining leaders of the Northern Alliance are and where they and their troops are located. This means I can describe a few more scenes.

Next: the Eastern Alliance and the Southern Alliance.

Meanwhile, tonight I sketched the arms of the original eleven houses allied around the Northern Plain. The banners and the tunics of the rulers do get described from time to time in the tale and sometimes the head of an aristocratic house is nicknamed by his/her arms. The Silver Stallion, for instance, refers throughout to one of the cousins claiming the throne.

That I am no professional artist becomes evident when my fox passant looks more like a depressed rat with a fluffy tail. Ah well, at least I can visualize the arms easily now (in my mind's eye, that is).


Yes, all this means I really am gearing up to write again and I am pleased about it.

Looking at all it takes to recount this civil war in a single principate I shuddered this afternoon to contemplate the Great War of 1291 waiting for me several volumes ahead. That tale was told in quick strokes and a mere hundred pages back in the early 70s but it will take two entire books to narrate properly now that the world is fleshed out and I know so much more about history, setting, and characters than I did then. It is the richness of the characters that intrigues me; otherwise there would be little pleasure in writing (nor, I suspect, for others in the reading).

--the BB

It would be an act of charity

It would be an act of charity to articulate a fourth option on the Mosquemania that is sweeping the country. Here are the three I see.

1. Certain sincere individuals are woefully ignorant. They are ignorant concerning Islam, al Quran, and Sufism; concerning the United States Constitution; concerning geography; concerning history; concerning the proper respective roles of the federal, state, and local governments; and concerning reality in general. They are to be pitied.

2. Other individuals are unreconstructed bigots who cannot see beyond their fears and hatred. They may also fall into the first category or they may, conceivably, even know better, but their desire to defend their imagined status leads them to harbor, and currently spew, the most toxic fear and venom. The first step in casting out a demon is naming it, so let's all admit they're bigots and stop listening to their poison.

3. A third category are the demagogues who manipulate ignorance, fear, and hatred to achieve their political ends. This would include Pam Geller who started this whole thing, Newt Gingrich and the others who rile the masses over NOTHING in order to distract from real issues, tear down the current administration, mobilize voters, and raise money. They are detestable and are nothing but manipulative hypocrites. They should be denounced at every opportunity.

So, if you have some more categories for people allegedly or actually freaking over a Muslim community center that is not even in sight of Ground Zero, please share them.

I suppose there is an adjunct category of Democrats who wet their pants every time the right wing suggests they might be communists, fascists, socialists, Muslims, weak on defense, anti-American, or any other category that makes the Baby Jesus cry. We need some leaders on all sides to stand up and say, "This is bullshit. Now get back to work." I am pleased that several Republicans have called BS on this. Kudos to them.

Faux News, of course, falls in category 3. The mainstream media need to calm the temperature on this by not falling for the machinations of the manipulators. And they need to call out bigotry. There is nothing more un-American than saying no mosques should be built in this nation. It is nothing but ignorance, bigotry, or demagoguery.

While the nations roils in this crap the corporations continue to work behind the scenes to hang on to their power and extend it when possible. Whether we start combat operations or "end" combat operations, KBR makes out like a bandit. There is nothing in so-called health care reform to keep insurance premiums from rising. Google and Verizon are working very hard to undermine net neutrality and wrest power from the people and put it into the hands of the corporations. Corporations may now spend unlimited money to influence elections thanks to the Roberts Court. The employment situation sucks and is getting suckier while corporations still make profits (this is what we call a "jobless recovery"). Companies are hanging on to their capital (for what? executive bonuses?) instead of investing it in hiring. People who are willing to listen to science instead of reject it are well aware we are heading into a global crisis with climate change, which means more extreme weather and its sequelae: floods, heat waves, drought, rising ocean levels, crop failures, increased competition for scarce resources, and the movement of populations and wars that always attend these. Yet we lag horribly in shifting our economy and investment strategies toward renewable energy and more responsible ways of living together and commuting. One fifth of Pakistan is under water. There are immense crop losses and loss of life in Russian from the heat wave and fires. Haiti has still not recovered from the earthquake.

And we get riled up over a community center in a neighborhood that is already full of various houses of worship and establishments of sleaze. There is nothing sacred about the street on which the center was to be built.

I predict the United States will fall through stupidity. I don't know when but no empire has lasted forever. I do not wish this, but it is increasingly difficult to believe otherwise.

--the BB

It was not do-nothing mode

The weekend was not really super busy and I did spend lots of time sitting around. Nonetheless, I made progress on several fronts.

Dinner in Corrales on Friday. As I wrote to a friend through whom I got the wine:

The menu (a tribute to late summer):
Goat cheese with strips of roasted and peeled Big Jim green chiles from B's yard, olive oil, salt, pepper - all spread on crackers. The chiles are usually fairly mild but these had kick.
Freshly-picked figs that K. brought (her neighbor's tree hangs over into her yard) halved and served with little strips of prosciutto.
Ripe very intensely red tomatoes from B's yard, sliced with olive oil, chiffonade of Thai basil, salt and pepper.
Grilled chicken that has been marinated in lemon juice for a couple hours, then brushed with olive oil and Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. So simple and so good.
Grilled eggplant slices brushed with olive oil.
Grilled corn on the cob.
Peach cobbler that I had made with Red Haven peaches from my tree, picked when they were literally starting to fall from the branch.

The wine was a St Peter's Church Reserve Zinfandel. Nice big wine. I did feel stuffed like a turkey after all that food.

Saturday I had an eye exam and purchased a new pair of glasses. Slight changes in one eye, nothing huge. I think my brain has adjusted to the change already. Since it is not hugely different from the last prescription this means I now have a spare pair of glasses.

I also did a bit of retail therapy, paid the chap who got a new motor for my downstairs A/C unit, hung out with the local Italians for a couple of hours, and did a load of laundry.

Sunday saw three more loads of laundry, I ran the dishwasher twice (yes, I had let dishes pile up), cleaned the kitchen, baked the last peach cobbler of the season and took most of it next door for the neighbors (tacky, but I had a little), and worked on updating my cast of characters and their alliances (previous post). The day before I studied Italian in a phrase book and Sunday evening I watched a bit of Italian TV online.

Should I win the lottery in any substantial amount I will hire someone to clean my house, you can be sure of that. Don't we all have these fantasies?

I would not mind a nice uneventful week.

--the BB

Trying to keep track

Vinat, Jugdal, Tjunar, Evnat, and Heggel are all allies of Jarnor. How can you doubt it when you can see rulers of all five regions linked by marriage in the chart above? Heggel, however, has been co-opted by the party of the Princess Vinat is also related by marriage to Ocnathal and Ocnathal is linked by family ties not only with the Northern Alliance but also with the neutral border territory of Uhli and the County of Orgl, the latter being firmly in the Eastern Alliance. It is truly a civil war, with siblings and cousins fighting on opposite sides. The personal conflicts are many.

I try to keep track of forty towns and cities (feudal territories) in the principate and who is currently where as armies move about the land.

And so I use complex spread sheets (sorted and filtered and color-coded) with formulas to track how old the players are (and if they are still alive). I use genealogy software with over 1800 fictional characters stored therein. I keep referring to my maps and timelines. What is the phase of the moon? Which stars shine above?

Because if I don't, readers will. LOL.

This is really rambling commentary to note that I have done work on family trees this weekend. I also wrote a scene for the next-to-last book in the series. Almost a year may have passed since I was last in full swing but I feel as though I am, indeed, about to plunge in once more.

--the BB

Visualisation of Activity in Afghanistan using the Wikileaks data

So, how is that Afghanistan thing going for you?

We do learn things from leaked information. Here is a visualization of hostile activity from 2002 to 2009. Click on it. Watch it. Think about it. (It IS a graphic; it is not "graphic," in case you were worried. Just a colored map.)

Visualisation of Activity in Afghanistan using the Wikileaks data at Vimeo.



--the BB

No one pays attention to this. How odd.

Borrowed in its entirety from Jed Lewison at Daily Kos:

According to a new AP poll, about three times more people oppose the war in Afghanistan than think President Obama is a Muslim.

But that's not big news, is it?

Now if one were of a suspicious mind, and I am, one might think that the close ties between those who own the media and the military-industrial complex could have something to do with this. Nah, that's crazy talk.

--the BB

Franklin Graham is a douchenozzle

A disgrace to his father's legacy.

[Disclosure: I was excited to meet Billy Graham when I was a youngster and got his autograph. I served as a volunteer in the office and a counselor for his crusade in Fresno, California, when I was sixteen. For all the ways I came to differ with Billy Graham in theology and approach, I have always respected him for his sincerity and financial transparency. His son is an asshat.]

--the BB

The people rise up (and sing)

The Republican Mess

A video by clammyc.

--the BB

Keep storming heaven

The headline is from Kirstin's latest post at her blog, Barefoot and Laughing. I commend her recent posts to you. Excerpts:

As for entering the process while I’m dealing with cancer: I have a mental image of a tightrope, but I’m not falling off. It’s not fraught with any actual danger. I won’t lose my balance. This is where I walk now. The message I got on Thursday carries me:

You could die. Affirm your life.

I have cancer. I am human. I am me. I will be me, as long as I have breath.

Keep storming heaven for me. Keep letting me know it. Know that your love helps carry me.

Because she has had difficulty sleeping, I offer this prayer from the BCP (edited):

O heavenly Father, you give your children sleep for the refreshing of soul and body: Grant Kirstin this gift, we pray; keep her in that perfect peace which you have promised to those whose minds are fixed on you; and give her such a sense of your presence, that in the hours of silence she may enjoy the blessed assurance of your love; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

--the BB

Heart thread - 08/18/2010

For those who have been praying for young Declan, I have sad news. The Acting Director sent this note today:

With sad heart I share with you that Declan ... passed away at 2:20 EDT this morning.
For those who followed his journey know he fought a valiant fight until the very end.
...
May our hearts and prayers continue for the family at this time.

At Declan's Journey we read this from his mother:

Our sweet son has gone home to Heaven

By Declan's Mommy | Published: August 18, 2010

We are heartbroken but know Declan is at peace and his body is whole again.

Thank you for all your heartfelt prayers and words of encouragement. You all helped to make a living nightmare more bearable.

Let us pray.

O God, whose beloved Son took children into his arms and blessed them: Give us grace to entrust Declan, to your never-failing care and love, and bring us all to your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding, deal graciously with the Carmical family in their grief. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

--the BB

Peach harvest 2010 - round two

I picked all the peaches on the Red Haven peach tree Friday morning while the refrigerator repair man was here. Last night I finally blanched and peeled them all. Tonight I made the cobbler above for work tomorrow and a smaller one for myself (and dessert on Friday with friends).

The third peach tree, a younger Elberta peach than the one that ripened first, has about half a dozen peaches that look almost ripe so the final harvest may be all fresh eating and no baking.

It has been a gratifying year for my fruit trees.

Wopila, Ina Maka, Ate Wi.

--the BB

Peaches blanched

They still have not made their way into a pie or cobbler (or both) but they are now all peeled and sliced.

--the BB

May your ancestors curse you

And your name be forgotten, 陳欣陳玟珮陳玟珮琦.

This goes for you too, 佳張張張張燕張張張張張.


--the BB

Somaliland Elects New President ! - updated

This post brought some bitter denunciations. Except for one duplication, I have posted them. I do not blog from work so there was nothing I could do about it all day.

The protests assert that the original claim is not true, that All Voices is not a reputable source of information, that we should research before posting, and it was thus a very irresponsible post. There were comments on my character but that does not matter. What matters is that we not share falsehoods. Strong opinions are fine; falsehoods are not.

I want to thank Essi and Faisel A. for their constructive comments. They are appreciated. Yusuf wants me to hang myself and I am disinclined to follow his advice. The updated version of this post will be shared with my FB friends.

This evening I reviewed articles on Somaliland's new president and saw nothing even hinting that he might be gay. I have no access to demonstrative evidence in either direction but I accept the criticism that what I posted may well not be true and I have no interest in slandering the president nor causing him or the people of Somaliland problems. I was not trying to be sensational, merely sharing what I thought was good news. I have no interest in the personal lives of any heads of state.

So, let us turn toward the substantive issues:

The people and leaders of Somaliland are to be congratulated.

Ahmed Mohamed Silanyo, the victor of recent elections in the breakaway republic of Somaliland, was sworn in as president on Tuesday, achieving a transfer of power between political rivals that is rare in Africa.

Only three states on the African mainland – Benin, Senegal and Zambia – have seen incumbent presidents stand down after being defeated in elections. Unrecognised internationally as a separate state, Somaliland has developed its own democratic traditions without outside pressure.

The circumstances of the handover, which saw Dahir Rayale Kahin bow out as president after being defeated in elections deemed by international observers to have been largely free and fair, are all the more remarkable for their contrast with neighbouring Somalia.

--Financial Times

AFP shares this:

Many voters and politicians have voiced hope that the smooth transfer of power would once again prove their democratic credentials and strengthen their territory's case for international recognition.

Some Western countries argue Somaliland deserves to become a fully-fledged country and thus gain access to more aid but the African Union is wary of setting a precedent they fear could spur secessions across the continent.

Challenges facing Somaliland are described in the VOA article on the successful democratic transition.

Somaliland Press describes the swearing in of the new cabinet.

All of this is a cause of rejoicing.

It would be nice if folks noticed that I concluded with a prayer for the peace and good leadership of the land. We wish its people well and that is the bottom line as this space is dedicated, in part, to international understanding and cooperation. The larger point is that democratic elections were successfully held and a fledgling nation that has yet to receive global recognition is making progress.

In this space, however, references to individuals as being gay or lesbian is not considered pejorative in any sense, nor insulting. So this was hardly meant to demean anyone. To quote the motto of the Order of the Garter: "honi soit qui mal y pense."

The Newly Elected President Of Somaliland ,Mr Ahmed Mohamud Silanyo has never shied away from, nor made an issue of, his sexual orientation. He has been with his partner for 27 years and they have three adopted children. The newly-elected president of Somaliland, Ahmed Mohamud Silanyo, vowed Friday to campaign "vigorously" for international recognition of his breakaway republic in the Horn of Africa."During my tenure as president I will vigorously fight for the recognition of Somaliland. The world must recognise our democracy," he said and Mr Silanyo also said that he would maintain close links with Ethiopia and called on Somalia to sort out its problems. Mr Silanyo From 1946 to 1957, he attended the secondary schools in the towns of Sheekh and Amud in northwestern Somalia. He passed the advanced level GCE examinations in London, England, from 1958 to 1960. He then attended college at the University of Manchester, and earned an Honors Bachelor's Degree in Economics (1960-63). He completed his Master's Degree in Economics from the University of Manchester in 1966. Somaliland is a state located in the Horn of Africa. It is regarded internationally as being an autonomous region of Somalia Although no sovereign state has recognised the independence of Somaliland, Since 1991 it has been governed by a secessionist administration .The breakaway republic, which declared its independence on May 18, 1991,remains unrecognised by any state or international organisation.
--AllVoices
[Note: I cannot attest for the truth of anything in this quoted paragraph.]

The Wikipedia article on Somaliland may be found here.


May his land be kept in peace, may he be safe and blessing blessed in providing good leadership.

h/t to Lindy and Jane pointing this out on Facebook

--the BB

Two tax plans

Chart from Ezra Klein at the Washington Post.

There is much more analysis that should be done and is done. But while it makes almost no difference to me at my bracket whether the Bush tax cuts are extended, it makes a great deal to our economy.


Benefiting the wealthy at the expense of the overall economic well-being.... How might we describe that? Oh yes, class warfare, a war that has been steadily waged against the middle class by the wealthy for as long human history has records.

What a lovely swath of deficit vanishes if the Bush tax cuts lapse. So if you are going to posture about the deficit (I am looking at you congressional Republicans), you will undoubtedly let them lapse without a squawk. But if your real interest is the happiness of your wealthy overlords and not the health of the American economy, you will try to preserve them.

Oh. I guess we already know the answer, don't we?

--the BB

May your ancestors curse you

Yes, you: 奕玲張奕玲張奕玲張. May you be forgotten from the earth.

Spammers will be denounced and cursed.

--the BB

Heart thread - 08/13/2010

Today we focus our prayers on Kirstin who asks for our prayers.

...[T]here are some increases in tumor activity, but the amount is questionable. This means two things: we're not really clear about whether the treatment is working, and I have a week to not know whether I have a whole new regimen (high-dose Interleukin-2, with its own set of side effects) to get used to.

How am I? Short of panicky. Oddly, both worried and trusting. Preparing; I can feel myself gearing up, both for change and for news I don't want.

Pray, of course. Be here. Love me in whatever ways you think of; I need that right now.

Sent from home before returning to work.
--the BB

Plotting to destroy America

We are a nation of blithering idiots.

Or maybe there is truth to the sinister plot, they just have the details garbled. The terrorists have secretly birthed idjits in Texas and raised them up to run for office. A truly nefarious plan to destroy the United States and one with way too high a possibility of succeeding.

The more I think about it....

--the BB

May your ancestors curse you

Yes, I'm looking at you,

信陳定

I am tired of Chinese spam. As the ancient Romans might say, "I ad malam rem."

--the BB