Life's no fun without a good scare!

Halloween has always been my favorite holiday. For me, it was never really about the candy, but about the fantasy. The concept of a costume--an opportunity to become larger than life and step out of your skin for an evening--appeals to me. Luckily, the idea isn't limited to Halloween. Costuming, or the play on role reversal, is an essential aspect of festivals and celebrations. We see it for Carnival, Mardi Gras, Christmas (we all know someone who has a Santa Claus suit!), and sometimes even for St. Patrick's Day or Independence Day. I also am very fond of the costume/theme party, and take every opportunity I can to don a new persona.

Still, the grandaddy has to be Halloween. Some of my favorite costumes of the past have been a rather lumpy looking pumpkin, an ill-conceived mummy (toilet paper, gauze, and all), numerous and award-winning varieties of vampires, a handful of rock stars/musicians, and we can't forget the behemoth devil/goat man from highschool. I regret to announce that I did not wear a costume this year, but that didn't stop me from decorating or carving a pumpkin--integral traditions of Halloween in my book.

The nature of pumpkin carving has changed over the years. Growing up, I remember carving pumpkins with my family. As I recall, my father always drew a face onto the pumpkin and my siblings and I carved it (or at least Mom and Dad allowed us to think we were carving it). Three teenagers and one child all taking turns stabbing at a pumpkin with a big kitchen knife with Disney's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" on the television in the background: now we're talking Halloween!

That all changed when the pumpkin carving kits became popular. With these small tools of precision, Ann and I were able to create incredibly intricate "pictures" on the pumpkins. For those unfamiliar, you basically stencil a pre-made design of your choice onto the pumpkin through pointalism...poking small holes in succession to create a line. Then you use specialized tools to cut through the "flesh." It almost feels like surgery, and you're the performing doctor. I have to say, our pumpkins were amazing. We did everything from a haunted house to an evil owl. This year, Halloween snuck up on Ann and I. Instead of the festivities taking place on October 31st--a Wednesday this year--the town decreed that trick-or-treating take place on the preceding Saturday, from 4-6. Long story short, we didn't have the time to make an intricate pumpkin and couldn't locate the kit. So, we turned back the proverbial clock and free-handed a face and got out the big kitchen knife. I've never been more proud of a pumpkin in my life. Lesson learned: there's a lot to be said about traditions. Although they change over time, they are also a link to our past. Traditions make us who we are.

I think I'll save my discussion on decorations for next year. As my parents can tell you, that's a whole other can of beans. Speaking of, Ann and I are beginning to make some of our own traditions, starting with Thanksgiving. I'll let you know how the Molasses Pecan Bread turns out!

Live for today and sleep for tomorrow,

-Dragon James

Time May Change Me... 8/30/07

I've been sitting on this idea for a while, but the time seems right. We are all changing every day and our successes or failures are determined by how we handle these changes. Some are easier to deal with than others. This entry is about managing some of the changes I face. As a wise man once wrote, "Don't tell [me] to grow up and out of it."

I have heard, and can certainly verify, that moving is one of the most stressful decisions a person, couple, or family can make. I've never known someone who has experienced an "easy move." Saying goodbye to friends, family, and loved ones is included in the moving process. I can pack boxes until my back gives out, but I find goodbyes much more difficult to deal with. As much as I try to prepare, saying goodbye is always the hard part.

This entry is about those I have had to say goodbye to. Many of my colleagues and friends will remain just that (with a bit of effort). They are the bonds that will continue. The ones that will not are the ones that hurt a bit more. I have had to say goodbye to three pets while down in Louisiana: Raspi, the bearded dragon (Pogona Vitticeps); Igor, the green basilisk (Basiliscus Plumifrons); and finally Moni, my first cat.

Raspi died a bit too young. The hard part is that I blame myself for her demise. According to statistics, she reached her life expectancy, but due to my naive negligence I feel she left a bit too soon. Igor is a happier story. Learning from experience, I felt apprehensive about his ability to survive the two-day northern migration. For those of you unfamiliar with reptiles, they do not have a very strong immune system. Green basilisks are especially "flighty" and nervous creatures (they can "walk" on water after all!). I felt that Igor, having reached and surpassed his life expectancy, was particularly vulnerable to the stress--and consequent complications--of the move. Ann and I were fortunate to find him a good home down in Louisiana with our friends who will provide, love, and care for him, as they do their own reptiles.

Moni, my cat of thirteen years, was put to sleep on May 28 of this past year. I reluctantly adopted her as a kitten during the summer of 1994 while working up in Syracuse, NY as a lifeguard. I was entering into my senior year at SUNY Oswego, and had moved into an off-campus house. Moni, a terribly skinny but irresistible young kitten emerged out of the poolhouse attic. I decided to feed her the ham and cheese from my sandwich, and the deal was sealed. She had a collar on, but after some extensive searching, I concluded that she was abandoned and decided to take her home. During the 45-minute commute back to Oswego, she curled up right in my lap and proceeded to fall asleep. Unfortunately, while sleeping, she also inadvertently urinated in my lap as well (this may sound familiar to any parents out there). After two weeks of shuttling her back and forth in the hopes of having her claimed, she became my first cat.

Looking back on her inauspicious beginnings, I realize how fortunate and memorable her ending was. Her sickness, undetermined, came quickly. The decision to put her to sleep was relatively easy, and her sendoff could not have been better. Ann and I, through the suggestion of two very good people and close friends, decided to submerge her in the Atchafalya River, fulfilling both a biological and spiritual desire in both of us. The weather broke just as we headed out. Along with some flowers picked by our friends, we released her, wrapped in her favorite blanket inside a basket and said our goodbyes. Two months later, as we departed for our move up to Wisconsin, both Ann and I cried as we drove over the river. They were tears of appreciation.

Now, we are in a new home and will make new friends. We recall the past with fondness and love, but embrace the possibilities of the future. With each transition, be it logistic, physical, spiritual, or emotional, we change and grow. I've read enough literature (and watched enough Star Trek) to understand the necessity of that growth--rapid or slow.

Live for today and sleep for tomorrow,

Dragon James

A Taste of What's to Come 7/25/07

Only five days left until the big move. Although we're virtually packed and ready to go, I'm still keeping busy by patching holes in the wall and cleaning out the kitchen as a human garbage disposal. The weather is typically an issue at this time of year in Louisiana, but it has been relatively tolerable. It is currently a mere 88 degrees outside at 1:15 pm. Still, we're really looking forward to keeping the windows open up in Shorewood.






With every upside there is also a downside, the balance that keeps everything in check unless we decide to muck it up too much. Although we will enjoy a few months of pleasant climate--and experience Fall for the first time in six years--we are also plagued with the impending doom and gloom of winter. The pic posted above is from our visit at the end of February, so we realize what's in store. Having mixed emotions about a northern winter, we're trying to keep an open mind and embrace it (the advice of everyone we have talked to). Cross-country skis might be in order. I might even try my hand at ice fishing. It has been made clear to me that such an effort would be a solo venture. Hey, I got Ann into birding, so I really can't complain! Below is a pic of a Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) taken last Spring; it was a "lifer" for us both!




Live for today and sleep for tomorrow,
-Dragon James

The Marvel of Lizards 7/19/07

Last night, my cat Lali reminded me of my fascination with lizards. In the week-long process of saying goodbye to Igor, my male green basilisk (Basiliscus plumiform) for over ten years now, Lali and Lexi (my other cat) have been making temporary homes in "box city," as we approach the big move. The cats seem to find enjoyment in the most unusual and unpredictable places. However, a somewhat regular nightly occurrence is "Pogo-Lali": an impressive leaping display of well over three feet from the fluffed one in a ludicrous attempt at preying on the Mediterranean geckos (Hemidactylus turcicus) on the other side of our front door window. Of course, she never cooperates for a segment of film documentation, but she is a cat after all.

Well, the tactic finally worked. After a series of jumps, she became fascinated by something along the crack between the door and the floor. Following along the seal, she came to a point of exposure at the corner. After some pawing and scratching, she retreats to the center of Box City with her prize: a gecko in her mouth. Now, this scene is not nearly as gruesome as you may imagine. Lali has an adorable habit of carrying toys (which often include bathroom unmentionables) in her mouth, proud as can be. This was no different.

Reluctantly pausing a classic Star Trek episode ("The Court Martial"), I discovered that the gecko was still alive and covered it with my hand. Thankfully, I had some experience with this. I was able to hold the gecko in a loose fist to bring it outside. In addition to the small puncture mark at the left base of its skull, the gecko had also shed its tail in an act of self-preservation. While some animals are capable of chewing off limbs or appendages to escape a steel trap, few of them survive the ordeal. Many reptiles, however, rely on this method of escape as a primary defense--an amazing evolutionary adaptation. Seeing this firsthand reminded me of their ability to survive, an ability not to be underestimated. These are fantastic creatures that have earned and deserve my admiration.

Despite the loss of tail, a small puncture wound, and a temporary state of shock, I was very pleased about not being able to find him 15 minutes later. It was a good end to the day.

Live for today and sleep for tomorrow.
-Dragon James