I think sometimes that sadness comes from our inner-selves needing to be alone, a need for grounding, centering, and renewal. Sometimes, being around others is draining and instead of refreshing and energizing, we're left alone because they were unaware of our imbalance. When I get sad and empty feeling like that I gather my thoughts, take some deep breaths, and do something little to make myself happy. I think about the great things that happened with the people I was around, even though I was sad, and I thank them for their happiness. It is very hard to overcome. *big hugs* for you!

*happy smiles and big hugs to you all*

I am still dealing with the loss of a dear friend whom I met while playing an online role playing game. He was an still rather young (50ish) but severely disabled; on oxygen and some severe coronary/vascular problems... Anyway, after choosing to leave the game for a while, I came back to find out that he had had a heart attack and passed away. I was very upset and still get a bit sad when I think about him, though I never met him in person and only share time in a virtual world with him.

What are we to do when we lose our virtual friends? Is the loss any different than when we lose a physical companion?

Huzzah for Abra Cat Dabra and the Kittens!

Here are some recipes that I got from a sculptor friend of mine:

------------------------
Modeling "Clay" Recipe 1
------------------------
2-3 parts Flour
2 parts Salt
2 parts Water
Mix and cook over low heat until mixture thickens. Salt crystallizes
as it dries, making a very sparkly finished product. Shrinks quite a
bit.
------------------------
Modeling "Clay" Recipe 2
------------------------
2 parts Starch
4 parts Baking Soda
3 parts Water
Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture is dough
like. Cool, covered with a damp cloth. Coat finished products with a
shellac to seal and preserve. Not as coarse as salt clay (recipe 1)
and doesn't shrink quite as much.
------------------------
Modeling "Clay" Recipe 3
------------------------
Starch/Flour
Cellulose Fibers
Volcanic Ash/Clay
Mix and cook over low heat until mixture thickens. Flour may cause
premature exterior hardening and a wet, weak interior.


I also have some really fun, more grownup recipes for cold porcelain and heavy fiber sculpting mixes

Shaman songs,
whispered in the crackling flame-
my heart is the hiss and snap!
pounding feet, throbbing drums,
we pray for peace and we pray for love-
my spirit is the dust in the wind!

Carry me, laughing, to the stars,
sacred dance of the cosmos
in my heart.

Shaman songs,
whispered in the crackling flame,
singing softly, calling your name,
Loose your soul, your spirit, reclaim!

For one, you should never be embarrassed to talk with your spiritual leader. Be frank, and patient; explain your misunderstanding and if you feel you are being lead in circles, remind him of the "everyone's welcome" statement on the bulletin

The sacred wind carries our worries on silent flutterby wings to the ears of many sleeping souls

No sacrifices here. Animals are my family too, brother!

Oh, cruel stereotypes, my goodness that had me rollin!

*stomping my feet, I raise my hands to the sky and dance, reveling in a moment of friendship, of peace, of joy. Can you feel it?*

AH, but dammit, I'm believe most of us in the thread are of the mindset that the flame may bring momentary torment of the flesh, but ultimate freedom of the soul

While were at it, drumming and dancing and making funny typed sounds, I propose a toast, a prayer, if you will-

To all of us, to everyone we've never met. Let our joy spread out and warm the hearts of the world

Wench and I are on the hunt for a didgeridoo (I've no flippin' clue as to the appropriate spelling either)- I know the pretense of how to play them but have not exercised the method yet. There are some folks in our area who play with them-

Jess, cyclical breathing is nuts, and when I was "classically" trained how to do it I just about drown. My music instructors would have me fill my mouth full of water so I had chipmunk cheeks and then, while spitting the water out at a constant pressure, I had to take a deep breath through my nose as quickly as possible. I still can't do it very well.

Awesome about the drums, abra! Due to an injury to my right hand, I currently can't play any of my drums by hand right now, but I have an Ojibwa (Chippewa?) made frame drum and I just got a Darbuka (http://www.vintagedrum.com/item/Istanbul-Mehmet-Darbuka-Copper-Flower-Leaf-Design-15-X-7-75-UP-IS107)
for my birthday that I am in love with. I enjoy playing by hand but I love the flexibility of timpani mallets (I prefer softer ones). I also have some claves that are so loud and lovely rich sounding

Saturday Night Live indeed!

I keep reading up to "hanging on/with my sore tongue/stuck to the moon," and just stopping there. I love the over all piece, but that line is just awesome!

Ok ya'll, if you really need some nakey dancers, let me get my drums out and get a fire going- I'll be virtual nakey just for you

*dance dance dance dance*

Oh Jess lol

I'm afraid I'm just mine and my husbands, but we can share me a little bit. BTW, I am the person that Wench messaged you about the bite on my hand- thank you for the advice!

(((LAMom)))

lol, Lex, no, I'm int in Illinois, I'm freezing my tuckas off in Minnesota. Thank you, and ArtGurl too, for saying hello and the the welcomes, I already feel very at home here.

The "artistic pic" is actually a self portrait I did when I was 16 or 17... maybe someday I'll post the picture it's based off of. The original is the first picture I took for my now husband, who I met online when I was still an inky little thing.

Well thank you for the welcome!