Saturday, February 05, 2005
BELLE LETTRe
A Belle the Cat Production * Winter 2004/2005 *
Volume One * Issue Four
A word (or two) from S. Morgan, editor
“CELEBRATE
and
RECUPERATE”
The schizophrenic, nature of this issue is due to the fact that it bridges a month of spicy hectic holidays, of Christmas and New Year’s cheer, and the season of hibernation. Between the abundance of family, friends, gifts, and giving and the spring thaw lays a stretch of deep wintry solitude and quietness. Reflection, reclamation, and adherence to order and life’s goals are what January brings. Even if such goals begin to fade and fall apart after a few weeks, the spirit of humanity is one that has to continue to make and break such promises in an ongoing effort to succeed and grow.
I am taking this time to look back at the first year of Belle Lettre. Running a ‘zine sure makes the year go faster! When I decided to make this a quarterly publication, it was an attempt to give myself a break, to allow myself time to breath in between issues. I still end up thinking about it for a month, putting it together another month, and then getting it out the month after that (if I’m lucky). So in other words, there is no rest for the wicked. So much so (or so wicked am I,) that I debated just not publishing this year. But then I thought, ‘what would that achieve?’ Belle had just begun to garner feedback, It just started to actually establish style and form. And I, as publisher, was just starting to realize how one could be concerned about resource conservation and still publish a paper ‘zine. So in order to continue on this crazy rollercoaster ride, I am keeping the ‘zine quarterly, but I am changing the general mission slightly.
I remember when I first started Belle the Cat productions and decided to make a ‘zine my first “production,” my friend KH more or less convinced me that I needed a focus, an audience, a mission. I fought it. “It’s a ‘zine,” I thought, “its mission is the mission of all ‘zines. To be methodically and persistently ignored. To exist as a piece of ephemera, to inspire, delight, disgust, or distract its readers and then to become the lining at the bottom of a classroom rat’s cage.” But, as the rag disappeared quickly from the café shelves onto which I anonymously plunked it and submission slowly began to trickle in, I realized that she’d been right. I found myself referring back to the general driving motto; “Courage, Creativity, Discovery” for organizational purposes as well as content guidance.
These three concepts will remain for the 2005 Volume II Belle Lettres, but I wish to also concentrate my efforts towards the definition of Belle Lettres itself: writings valued for their elegance and aesthetic qualities rather than for any human interest or moral or instructive content, French, literally "fine letters"
In the seriousness of this world (especially in the election year of 2004), I found myself continually trying to lighten my own spirits. Is it possible to have fun while learning, enjoy the humor in life without being sucked down by cynicism, to create beauty and enjoyment and trivial, senseless, funny things without feeling like Nero, fiddling while Rome burns? I have seen thought the works of others the answer: a hundred times over “yes.”
This year, I and this ‘zine resolve to focus more on literary works, such as short stories and poetry, and on bringing the artistry of “fine letters” to Belle Lettre.
- 3/21
- Ostara - Wicca welcoming of spring and the goddess-as-maiden.
- 3/25
- Good Friday - Christian remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus and related events.
- Holi - Hindu spring festival dedicated to the god of pleasure. It is observed in a colorful and boisterous manner. People shower each other with colored water and smear red and green powder on each other,
- 3/27
- Easter - The day commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from his death by crucifixion.
- 4/24-5/1
- Pesach (Passover) - Jewish 8-day celebration of the deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt. The story of the Exodus is recounted, and the ongoing struggle of all peoples for freedom from internal and external tyranny is celebrated. A special meal is a central feature.
- 5/1
- Beltane - Wicca celebration of the conjoining of the goddess with the energy of the god in the sacred marriage which is the basis of all creation.
- 5/8
- Mother’s Day
- 5/24
- Buddha Day - Visakha Puja - Buddhist marking of the birth, enlightenment and death (attainment of Nirvana) of Lord Buddha.
- 5/30
- Memorial Day
- 6/13-14
- Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib - Sikh time of remembering those who have suffered for the faith. Observed by reading the Guru Granth Sahib.
- 6/19
- Father’s Day
- 6/21
- Litha - Wicca celebration of the sacred marriage in which energy of the gods is poured into the service of life.
part 4 of 4 - ELECTION 2004
What’s Next?
(a 10 step program)
The Election is over. Many people have gone back to the regular business of living, while ignoring the general politics and political climate of our country. Life goes on, my friend.
However, the experience of this highly polarized and, many think deeply and dangerously dividing, election should not be forgotten. So here are 10 study questions and a card of quick-facts to help you stay involved with and informed of your government:
- Do you know how the electoral system works? Do you think it should be changed? Why or why not? If yes, how?
- Would you tell others you are a Democrat, Republican, or Other? Why or why not?
- What are some ways people with different opinions can work together?
- Why do you think this country is so evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans? Why is this good thing or a bad thing?
- Do you feel you are Too involved, Involved, Not involved enough, or Not involved at all in politics? Why?
- Do you feel your opinions matter? Does voting make a difference? Should it?
- What political topics concern you? Have you contacted your representatives in Congress? Why or why not?
- What is a politician, in your mind?
- How does the reelection of George W. Bush as president make your life better or worse? The lives of your friends and family? The lives of strangers?
- What do these words mean to you: freedom, patriot, war, peace, terrorist, democracy, republic. Do they mean the same things to politicians?
THE REAL STORY OF
ST. VALENTINE’S DAY
By Nicka
It was in the early centuries of Christianity, when Rome was still largely rooted in the religion of its ancestors, when a man who truly believed that “Love Conquers All” defied an emperor and set off a chain of events that would lead ultimately to his own imprisonment, execution, and Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Day is probably one of the only holidays which, even in its contemporary interpretation remains fairly true to its origins. Valentine’s Day is about love. Like many holidays, Valentine’s Day was born of the clashing of Pagan and Christian ideals, and this is how it came about:
During the third century, life in Rome was extremely strict, particularly regarding the interactions of young men and women, whom were not permitted to intermingle freely. Pagan Rome, much like Catholic Rome, had a ceremony, feast, rite, or festival for absolutely everything. Surely the one the young folk looked forward to the most began on the ides of February – it was the Feast of Lupercalia. Lupercalia hailed the coming of spring, the ritual cleaning of homes, and of course fertility. Presided over by the Lupercai, an order of Roman priests, it was a festival to honor Fanus, the Roman god of agriculture as well as Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome. This festival contained several rituals and ceremonies as well. The one which launched the festival entailed the ritual sacrifice of a goat, the cutting of its hide into strips, dipping the strips in dog blood, and then parading around the city so the priests could slap the young women of Rome with the strips of bloody goat meat. Women actually looked forward to this because they believed it would make them more fertile in the coming year. But what they looked forward to even more was the love lottery. This was the system by which pagan Rome would assign couples. All of the young women would put their names in a giant urn, and in turn the young men would draw a name out. The name they drew would be whom they would be paired with for the coming year, and many of these pairings resulted in marriage. So went the courtship of old Rome.
So how does Valentine’s Day actually figure in to all of this? It has to do with the Emperor Claudius II, who was a vehement believer in the ancient Roman gods, as well as an avid if not obsessive military man. Claudius’ entire goal was to have an extremely brutal and efficient military force, but he was beginning to see problems with many of the younger men- the ones who were in the prime age range to be superior soldiers. Young men with wives, families and romantic attachments were not aggressive fighters. They were leery and skittish on the battlefield. Their hearts were not in it, as they were more concerned about their loved ones at home. Claudius required a completely dedicated company of soldiers, so his solution was to ban marriage for all young men who were able to fight, and then require them to join the military. A young man named Valentino had been a priest in the service of Claudius II, he was also one of the early converts to Christianity, which he kept hidden from the emperor. Valentino began to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. He would sneak into the dungeons and aid in the escape of those who had been imprisoned for converting to Christianity and renouncing the Roman gods. Eventually his actions were found out and he was brought before Claudius. The court demanded that he acknowledge the gods of Rome, but Valentino stuck to his guns. He was sentenced to death and thrown in the dungeons. During his imprisonment, he developed a romance with the jailer’s daughter, who acted as sort of a caretaker to the prisoners. Before his execution, he left her a note – a token of his undying love, which he signed “from your Valentine”. A tiny scrap of paper with the simplest sentiment. What a pure and beautiful origin that has somehow remained literally unchanged for hundreds of years.
On February 14th, 270AD the priest Valentino was beaten with clubs and then beheaded for crimes against Rome and its leader, but his mark was already left. His cruel death did not undo the things he’d done. The Christians of Rome honored and mourned him. His tale was told over and over again, until it became legend. It wasn’t until 210 years later though, once Rome had become entirely Christian, when Pope Gelasius decreed that the Roman love lottery system was unchristian, and to mark the event, February 14th was declared St. Valentine’s Day, the anniversary of Valentino’s martyrdom.
The Pirate Princess and the wreck of the Spirit Ship
One cold, blustery morning on Vivian Bay, a ship sailed ‘round to doom. Loaded mostly with tourists headed for the Jarvan Hot Springs, the ship was set upon by the worst of all pirate vessels, the Kali, main ship of the fleet of the Pirate Princess. All aboard were killed, including a well dressed woman wearing a pentagonal necklace and a pouch of strange herbs beneath her garments. All jewels were collected, as was gold and silver and the strange glass monies of the Northern land. The ship was sank, the booty placed in a chest and hauled aboard the Kali.
As the pirates turned their vessel, a strange light rose up from the roiling, bubbling waters of the sinking ship. Many of the crew saw it, including the Capitan, Princess Cynara. Some were afraid and cursed the light, telling their captain to toss the booty overboard to quell the restless spirits. The Princess said nothing. The light vanished.
Still, when they got back to their hideaway, the booty was not divided as it had been so many times before. “This chest shall remain closed until I deem it necessary to open,” stated the Princess. “Anyone who goes against this order shall answer to the demons themselves, and I will do nothing to save you.” Some of the more rational pirates grumbled, but none went against the orders of the Princess.
Months passed, until one day a bird came to the pirate’s hideaway with a note attached to its leg. It was a request from a landman to see the Princess. She sent word that she would meet him on her own territory, and soon a small dinghy floated in to the shore, carrying a young, pale man. He told of his bride-to-be: a lovely severe lady wearing all green who had been lost at sea. Since there had been no storms, pirates had been suspected. The man was respectful to the Princess, and so she led him to the treasure chest. She had him open it, and he reached in and drew out the pentagonal necklace. He took only it and a silver ring. Then, without a word, he got into his boat and rowed away. The crew of the Princess drew close as she said, “This booty is ours now, the spirit will rest and will not harm any of us. She has been freed, and her spirit has decided to go with him, not curse us.”
Friday, February 04, 2005
ADVENTURES: Tsunami Eyewitness
Subject: Greetings from Thailand
Hello All,
Merry Christmas from Thailand!!! I am having a great time so far. It is so beautiful here!! I cannot get over it each time I walk out of my cabana. Gorgeous!!! The water is so clear. You can walk out into the water about the length of a football field and you will still be able to stand. The cliffs and trees amaze me. It is really hot and reminds me a lot of summer in Japan. Very humid. I pretty much just wear my bathing suit everywhere I go. Christmas was good. I had a nice dinner at the hotel. So for the next week I am planning on vegging and relaxing. Just sit on the beach and read a book...I brought Harry Potter with me. So everything is good! I am safe and having fun. Thinking of you all back in the freezing cold....sorry!! While I lay on the beach in the beautiful sun!! Hahaha...sorry to tease!
Miss you lots and love you more!!!
Laura
Date: Mon, 27 Dec 2004 13:27:29 -0500
Subject: Safe!!!!
Hey All,
Yes I am safe!! Thank you for being concerned. I will admit that I was extremely lucky. On my island alone there were 30 deaths. But I managed to get to safety in time. I found all of my stuff untouched which was actually a miracle. Many, many people lost everything. I slept in the mountains on my island incase of after shocks, but there were none. Many natives said this is the worst in 50 years. The whole island was pretty much destroyed. It was terrible damage. They may never recover fully. I got out on a ferry the next morning to Phuket and managed to get a flight out that same day..today. Right now I am sitting in Bangkok Airport waiting for my flight to Japan. I should get back to Japan around 4pm on Tuesday the 28th. I will not get back into Ise for a bit after that. I will call when I get in. It was really scary and I thank God that I made it through!!!! But I survived and I feel very blessed. I will talk to you soon. Love you all more than I can say!!!!
Love always,
Laura
Prose: Extended Blues
Florida is cranberry juice and rum.
So I look through a fashion magazine and plan my trip. Pack:
- Bag - cloth or woven, have, but it falls apart despite my attempts to fix it.
- Vintage – something I will never look good in.
- Ruffles – also never will look good on me.
- Hawaii shirt – makes me very masculine. It is navy silk with little palm trees on it and I feel like I should be carrying a gun.
- Hippy orange shirt.
- Lime green – found.
- Yellow button up work shirt – also found, but it doesn’t look as good as it did on the model.
- Column dress with fishtail – yeah right!
- Flowery print.
And I make another list:
CAR = CDs, cooler, 4 chairs, pillow, emergency supplies, sun screen, video camera, camera and film, sunglasses, passport, wallet, watch, Dramamine, slip-off sandals, coordinating shorts outfit, road book, books on tape, magazines, notebook, Brita bottle, gifts, bandanna.
My database is laid out before me:
Thursday = work
Off work on Friday = Miko arrives late with husband
Saturday = Leave after breakfast (wear “drive there” clothes)
Sunday = Arrive in Florida. Pick up Tiki and Pica, settle into hotel (I mark my clothes with a “Relax at Hotel” note)
Monday = embarkation and board cruise
Tuesday = Bahamas (forget it’s not Wednesday)
Wednesday = back at hotel
Thursday = hotel, Lupi visits
Friday = hotel, South Beach. The Clevelander. Miko really wants to go to a nightclub. Have to go to the stupid timeshare thing.
Saturday = drop off Tiki and Pica, leave.
Sunday = arrive home.
Monday = back to work.
Why does everyone feel that they have to tell us exactly what we should be doing – air boat, everglades, etc. ?
On a CRUISE SHIP:
There are airplanes above me, swimming through the thick and muggy overcast sky. Land recedes into the distance; all the smog and smoke and put-ons and parking lots are left quickly behind.
We are finally moving. My eyes are dry, and the idea is hard to comprehend. Why am I doing this? I just want to sit in the sun, hot and steamy through the haze. I ache to rip the paper, but my hand and arm and body and mostly my eyes are so tired and sandy, aching, blue. Missing the experience and the cooling heat of the ocean, of sleep. Swimming and sex.
One, two, three, four.
And a onetwothreefour.
Tired, blue and painted.
Rabid.
Proud and glossy.
Sweat, turquoise and cream.
And blue, of the ocean, of the sky and sleet, of terror and heat. Of salty sweet margaritas and the need to tear the page.
Later…
Salt flakes off my skin. I wonder what the best use of my tired, sore legs arm my forgotten brain and my time? The sky, the sun and mostly the moon.
The dragon in the belly of the ship rumbles. And it is a dragon, belching smoke, shitting waste and garbage, eating away at people’s time and profit and giving me in my poverty an excuse.
I feel like I’m not having a brand new experience, but a combination of a lot of familiar remembered experiences. She said and I agree, that the presence of the three women or girls as I still remember them, being the eldest, just adds to that feeling.
I don’t know if this is about the ocean. Warm and tantalizingly blue, beautiful and ever present and asking of nothing and giving of beauty so great I feel drawn to look at it incessantly. To breathe it in until I expire, to be inspired in a way that makes my mind go blank. And makes me too tired to write when I know I should be. Its beauty angers me. Food does not taste so good – I have too much. In my poverty I live too well.
I can’t believe in whales. Or in the fantastic beasts that become clouds at sun up and sun down.
There is something about taking a trip that I did not plan or dream. I think in a way I become not so much relaxed as lazy, and do not so much as enjoy myself as waste time.
Inventing the perfect vacation. What is vacation, holiday, trip? Do we need time off? Why? Where is the recuperation? Where is the meaning that fills the
Jai alai. Balls flying. Cats and snakes and skunks and lizards.
“Read the book,” she tells him. And the book was called, “Read the Book.” Once upon a time, three girls were born to two country mothers. When they grew, they were thrown to the winds of exploration and independence. Talitha was whiling away her time, waiting for her boyfriend of ten years to finally pop the question. In the mean time, she promoted her self-help book for writers called “Why Don’t You Read The Book – telling the love of your life you want to write.”
Zoe worked 60 hours a week as a biologist and dated celebrities. Her patient high school sweetheart worked to repair his short-term, common sense disorder.
On the other side of the creek, Jakarta tried to determine if she was doing everything right. Strange as it seems, they solve a mystery aboard a cruise ship after a 13-year-old male passenger goes missing and turns up in the belly of a shark. They decide that the most important thing is that their own children grow up living close together and being friends. Jakarta and Zoe have kids – Kobe and Tess.
Dream at a rest stop. After the road pookas started jumping out, and I had to pull over, I dreamed of a watch tower, stacks of quarters, and getting a little boy in trouble.
Okay, so it wasn’t so much a vacation as it was a getaway to another place, and a chance to see new things I’d never seen. No wonder I’m exhausted.
Let's Bowl Tour '05 アー突入。日程はこちら でご確認下さい。日程は変更の可能性もあります。ツアー中はBBSをチェックしてみて下さい。
@ Beachland Tavern, Cleveland OH
Friday Jan. 14
Sometimes, you just need to look in the newspaper, find a photo of three Japanese men wearing plastic, primary-colored coiffures, and say, “hey, I’m going to drive 45 minutes out of my way to see THESE guys.” In fact, I would have to say that this is the best way to discover Peelander-Z, the surrealistic guerrilla theater “action comic punk” band.
It is difficult to actually talk about their music, which honestly is not the main draw. It is easier, and probably more useful, to simply describe the experience of going to a Peelander-Z show.
The show started with “The Dropdead Sons.” With what appeared to be two Goodwill-scavenged organs housed in a homemade, coffin-type box and run through a number of guitar petals, the band’s sound was deceptive. Pleasant alternative songs, with the addition of the organ and effects, became the perfect soundtrack for the mobile crowd of the small club.
After “Lives of the Saints,” an eardrum-bursting mash-up of guitar abuse and undecipherable, tuneless vocals, the stage began to fill with Peelander memorabilia, and the crowd began to fill will questioning looks and knowing smiles. A few rotating lights, a gong, a banner.
The band members scurried about in their civies, then all vanished into the green room save lead singer and guitarist, Kengoswee, who announced the coming of the Peelanders (from the Z area of planet Peelander).
First out was bassist “Red,” clad in a Clifford the Big Red Dog consume with the head flipped back, stuffed dragon wings, an Indian headdress, and goggles (on sale on their CD table for $15). Next up was drummer “Blue,” wearing a Mexican wrestling mask which was thankfully soon removed (as says Kengoswee, “Blue is so good looking!”). As they filled the time with jamming, out comes “Yellow,” dressed in a yellow jumpsuit complete with cape.
The madcap bunch thrives on audience participation, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is hilarious to see the band members literally hand their instruments over to totals strangers, most of which cannot play a note (strangely enough it doesn’t seem to matter). Peelander Pink, an adorable female ninja, would come forward at times to pass out egg shakers, pots and pans and other music / noise making equipment. Human Bowling, the cornerstone of their performance, apparently requires their audience to be drunker than the Cleveland crowd was to completely appreciate. Still, they were coerced into an encore, which helped to send Peelander-Z off in good spirits after this, the first stop on their 2005 tour.
