Logospilgrim's Blog, page 11

after all, life is a stage

Kind readers,

I think I’m going to try to update this blog more often, which I hope won’t be too annoying.

So… Here’s the latest.

New desk chair, because ergonomics. I’m sad because I loved my groovy, colorful swivel chair, but what are you gonna do. The new chair is more work-friendly. Fortunately, my cherished kitty Potion adopted it immediately, as well as the rug I bought to keep said chair from rolling away from my desk.

I’ve been messing around with Garage Band, recording test songs for Rubber Clown Car.

 

 

For most of my life, I’ve had a love/hate relationship with singing. Perhaps it’s because I feel more comfortable in a quiet room, with a desk and keyboard and pen and paper, than with performing and stages and microphones. Then, there were the messages: “You have a gift and it’s selfish if you don’t use it,” and “Don’t get proud though.” All the while, I’d wonder, Do I suck? (much the same way I do with my writing, but I digress), because it was so easy for me to feel like I wasn’t good enough for anything. When I was young, bullies would become friendly after they heard me sing. In my twenties, I was in a band; in my thirties, I sang in a Byzantine choir. Each time, I’d retreat from singing because I felt such ambivalence about it.

But lately, I’ve thought it’d be fun to croon again, or whatever… And then the Rubber Clown Car collaboration came up. I can sing in a quiet room, record; that’s not so bad. It’s kind of fun, in fact. And hey, if I ever performed again, I would now know to do this wondrous magical thing: have a couple of shots of liquor beforehand.

I’ve also decided to ignore all the buzzing voices inside my head, critical, admonishing voices for the most part; I’m telling them to fuck off, and I’m going to have a good time. I’ll just sing for the heck of it, I’m telling myself, Sure you can do it, and even if it sucks, if it’s maybe acceptable at most, it’s not such a big deal, besides, you look pretty good in a golden tuxedo jacket and that’s half the battle, ain’t it?

And when people do enjoy it, it’s rather nice. Why shortchange myself? It’s not a crime to be proud of what you do, or to have a pleasant time screwing around, and if some people hate my crooning, well, I can’t make everybody happy. I don’t need permission to do this.

I can make myself happy, and maybe a few others too. Not bad!

I’m finding that to sing and write, it’s a good combo. A good balance.

Dirk, the lead singer of Rubber Clown Car, said this: “We’re gonna have to do a record of just you with us backing you!” If that does ever happen, I wouldn’t have a problem with it[image error]

I’ve faced my fears before, I’ve stretched my wings many times. So let’s keep going at it. Who the fuck do I think I am? I’m someone who’s doing my thing, and my thing might even be all right.

Your devoted

Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Tagged: Rubber Clown Car, Soundcloud

doing it my way

Kind readers,

spring is slowly beginning to manifest itself… Warm days can’t come soon enough for me, not after the winter we had.

So, news!

I’ve joined Instagram and I’m enjoying it muchly. Twitter and Instagram are my happy places online these days.

This is me, earlier today…

More ink in August. Tiffany will be adding an Ace of Spaces and an Ace of Hearts to my Freddy glove, and flames, and dice probably.

The gold tuxedo shoot took place last Sunday, and it was a whole lotta fun. These photos capture the essence of my upcoming books.

You can see the rest right here: Gold Tuxedo Session.

As old Blue Eyes sang, the record shows I took the blows and did it my way.

I recently discovered a new café, and since then I’ve been going there on a regular basis to write and relax. And eat!

I haven’t loved a café this much since my Café Wim and Vienna Café days. It’s like all the writing hangouts and tranquil havens I’ve ever loved and lost.

Boots I like to wear when I go to places like this:

And, I have new dolls in my personal sanctuary.

They’re Novi Stars. Dainty, shimmering, otherworldly jewels… I adore them.

As if it needs to be said, I’m working on books. At the moment, my focus is on Atheist Tiki Hour. I continue to try to promote previous works like There’s a Hula Girl on my Dashboard. “I wrote this book, you might enjoy it,” bla bla bla… In many ways, my efforts to put my writing out there are comparable to this:

I’m a little dancing monkey, baby.

Your devoted

Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Tagged: dance monkey dance, gold tuxedo, ink, Instagram, photography

year of the golden tuxedo

Kind readers,

the month of March was rather exhausting for me. So was the end of February, for that matter. Upheavals, terrible weather, this, that, and the other. The end of winter has been draining to say the least. But spring is around the corner at long, long last!

I’m in desperate need of warmth and revitalization.

Soon, I’ll be doing another portrait session, and I’ll be wearing this fabulous jacket right here:

Luck, be a lady tonight.

I was recently featured on a terrific website, Tomboy Tarts, along with many fantastic and inspiring tomboys.

Click on the image below:

More fun:

In other news, I’ll be collaborating with the great indie band Rubber Clown Car and singing something or other for them on one of their upcoming albums. If you’re a crooner and want to join in the merriment, don’t hesitate to contact them.

And as always, I’m working on upcoming books. My output was pretty modest at the start of 2016—I had too much to deal with—but we’re getting back on track.

I got a new writing mug.

The lovely, funny, and intrepid Mike Gorman, a journalist at Frank Magazine, had these kind words to say about There’s a Hula Girl on my Dashboard: “Very enjoyable and engagingly paced!” I’m extremely grateful for his support and interest in my work. He’s eagerly awaiting my next books, and what a shot in the arm that is! I’m very encouraged by his enthusiasm and generosity.

As ever, reviews of Hula Girl are tremendously appreciated—and important.

Toys news: I got a 35th anniversary edition Strawberry Shortcake doll. Thank you, Mrs. Tiggy Winkles!

Here’s looking at you through my donut eye.

Your devoted

Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Tagged: Frank Magazine, Mike Gorman, Rubber Clown Car, Tomboy Tarts

fresh new start, fresh new space

Kind readers,

so I began the year by redesigning my work space. It needed an upgrade to suit my current needs better.

I’ll be writing about fresh starts in Atheist Tiki Hour and The Rollicking Adventures of an Unrepentant Tomboy; a fresh space was required. It was imperative.

I headed for IKEA.

I’m always unsure when I make big changes like this, but I have to say that once it was done, I was ecstatically happy I’d gone ahead with it. I felt as though I’d lost excess baggage; my work space felt a thousand pounds lighter, and it was a lot more cheerful.

Also, it was way more functional. And my desk setup is much more ergonomic.

The new setup emphasized that there’s more to my life than work. I’m not my work; I matter too. In addition, the internet no longer dominates my life. My existence has a great deal more balance.

I replaced my computer desk and writing desk with a smaller computer desk, and I added a nice comfy chair where I’ll write, relax, think, rest. I lost some storage areas, but I gained a lot more than I lost with this reorganization. I still had plenty of room for books and my journal collection near the comfy chair, I shuffled a few pieces around, I cleaned and sorted my cupboard and the drawers where I keep office supplies… It took me almost two weeks to get it all done, but boy, I was happy with the results!

I’ll be taking new photos of my refuge soon, with my good camera, but in the meantime here are some snaps I took with my smart phone:

I love my toys. Here’s a new girlfriend, exquisite candy doll Sweet Style Jade.

And look what my awesome friend, versatile author and badass skateboarder Carl D. Smith, is going to send me! What a guy :-)

I’d been wanting one of those Pee-wee dolls so much. Wee!

The rest of winter and spring will be all about writing Tiki Hour and Unrepentant Tomboy. I’m keeping outside commitments to a minimum because I just can’t do it anymore. It wipes me out.

I will be seeing Professor Coyne at the end of February when he gives his talk at the Center For Inquiry in Ottawa, though! Very exciting.

Otherwise, my days are tranquil, and I’m most grateful for this. Life hasn’t been this peaceful for me in a long time. I’m nurturing and safeguarding this tranquility. I’ve been more forceful about respecting my boundaries and establishing my priorities.

Your devoted

Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Tagged: Carl D Smith, Center for Inquiry, new space, Professor Jerry A. Coyne, writing

2016: the year ahead

Kind readers,

2016 is here!

2015 was good, and this year will be good also. I’m easy to please.

So, what’s going on?

Earlier this week, I had another fun-filled chat with Sean McGuire, a.k.a. GodlessPoutine on Twitter. He’s begun a smooth, merry new podcast, Share a Slice with Sean.

Click on the image below to listen to the episode:

I love chatting with Sean, and we’ll be doing this again in the near future.

Now then… 2016.

Due to exhaustion and the low Canadian dollar, I’ve decided that I won’t be going to Leviosa in Las Vegas this summer. I’ve thought a lot about the trip and everything it would involve these past few weeks, and I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s just too much. Last year, I felt certain I could do this, but as the months went by and July 2016 crept closer, I started to realize that my growing ambivalence meant that hey, maybe I didn’t want to do this after all. And maybe this was okay.

I was torn, I didn’t want to disappoint anyone, and it’s never easy for me to ignore the inner voice that says I’m not doing enough, but the time had come to give my needs precedence. Although there were many good reasons to go to the convention, the reasons not to go were increasing for me.

I started thinking about what I really want… What I prefer… About what makes me happy. And healthy. Self-respect and self-acceptance are concepts I have truly begun to embrace—at last.

These large conventions and long journeys are no longer in the cards for me, I’d say. Each time I thought about the convention, my anxiety levels kept rising, so much so that I was having trouble sleeping at night. In the past, I would have pushed myself anyway, I would have spread myself thin (usually to the point of illness), but I’m no longer willing to do this.

I also won’t be going to the Non-Conference. The mere notion of driving on the 401 through Toronto again, the very idea of an even longer, more draining journey… I’m afraid not.

I do want to have my Quietus meetup this autumn, though; that will be possible. And I will be going to MISTI-Con 2017. I love going to New Hampshire—it’s a nice, tranquil drive, it’s not too far away—and MISTI is a smaller gathering that takes place in a now quite familiar, beloved location. That, I will most happily do.

The time has come for me to treat myself with a bit more consideration and tenderness. I was exhausted when I went to MISTI last year; I found it almost impossible to sleep during the convention, the weather was windy and cold, and I was more worn out than at any previous conventions I’d attended in New Hampshire. If I rest more this year, in 2017 I’ll have a much better convention.

So this year, I’ll be staying close to my home base. I’ll write. I’ll play my ukulele.

This year, I’ll be working on Atheist Tiki Hour: Your Guide to a Secular Blast, The Rollicking Adventures of an Unrepentant Tomboy (the first in a series of fun, silly, and uplifting diary style books), and Severus Snape and the Art of Being Human (essays written from a secular humanist perspective; a very personal book). And, with any luck, I might even be able to write the first draft of the second book in my Outlaw series before the year is over!

I feel good about all of my decisions, and about my projects. Last year at this time, I was going through my second bout of shingles in six years, so yeah… I’ve got to slow down and take better care of myself.

On the whole, I’ve been feeling much less stressed.

In other news, my dear friend Carl has released a terrific new issue of his high quality, innovative comic, Be Careful What You Wish For.

Go here to get your own copy: Big Cartel

And I recently acquired a beautiful octopus necklace made by a talented friend of mine.

Go here to take a look at all her gorgeous, finely-crafted jewelry: Laurel Moon

I’ve got new photos of my personal hideaway for you, too! Right here.

That’s it for now… Time to putter quietly. Winter arrived suddenly and brutally here in southern Quebec, and boy, that’s been tiring as heck. We’re supposed to have an early spring, though… I for one hope so!

I also hope you’ll all have a wonderful year. I wish you every good thing under the sun and thank you, as ever, for your affection, friendship, and support :-)

Your devoted

Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Tagged: Carl D Smith, conventions, Laurel Moon Jewelry, Leviosa, MISTI-Con 2017, Quietus 2016, Sean McGuire, Share a Slice with Sean Podcast, writing

my CFI talk

Kind readers,

when I gave my talk at the Center For Inquiry in Ottawa last October, it was videotaped by the kind fellows at Atheism TV, and the video is now available. There was a problem with the sound, and since I speak softly, that’s not good, but the entire video has been captioned. There are many moments when you can hear me fairly well…

Here I am in action for you. I normally don’t do Q&As, so if you’ve ever wanted to see me stammering like hell doing one of these, now’s your big chance ;-)

I ramble, I laugh, I wave my hands around.

In other news, life is ultra quiet. I’ve been wanting and needing to have it that way. I’m working on my books. I’m staying close to home. I’m grateful for autumn and the hint of winter we’ve been feeling in the air.

In other other news, I’ve begun collecting Wacky Packages trading cards.

Booyah! This is very much in the vein of Unrepentant Tomboy.

I also got this Wacky Packages eraser. Hee.

Oh, and I’m writing Tiki Hour with this fabulous pen here:

So, there you go… Your latest dose of apostasy and fun.

Your devoted

Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Tagged: Center for Inquiry, Wacky Packages

unrepentant tomboy

Kind readers,

I’m behind on my writing schedule, but I’ve been getting plenty of much needed rest, it seems.

Autumn has been amazing here so far, which is nice after the few exhausting winters we’ve had up here.

Yesterday, I wrote an introductory post on Livejournal because of the friending that’s been going on over there this week. Go take a look here if you’d like to read about my life in a nutshell: allow myself to introduce… myself

Oh, and here’s a lovely photo of my Red Holiday Cup of Evil! Very nice mug, by the way.

And hey, I got some nice matching underwear.

Apart from Atheist Tiki Hour: Your Guide to a Secular Blast, I’ll be working on another writing project this fall/winter. An idea suddenly came to me, and it was much too irresistible to ignore. I designed a book cover the very next morning and I’m in love with this book already.

Here is it:

This captures the essence of the book: “Eat penny candy while sitting on the sidewalk, and do your own damn thing. Be your kind of happy.”

I even designed a t-shirt to celebrate what this book will be about! I made it ultra colorful and gave it a 70s vibe. Click on the picture if you’d like to get one:

I got one for myself, and I’ll be taking a picture for you of me wearing it :-)

This is going to be the first time that I write a book for the fun of it, to make myself happy. Not to do something useful or helpful or whatever else… I want to write for my own pleasure. If readers enjoy it too, well that’ll be the cherry on the sunday, as the saying goes. I’ll be writing the whole thing by hand in silly notebooks (I got a pile of them yesterday, with covers that have sparkly candy illustrations—perfect!); then I’ll type up the manuscript.

I’ve been writing by hand a lot more these days, in journals and such like, and I find it extremely relaxing. My collection of 7 Year Pens has been steadily increasing.

I continue to collect toys and I’m enjoying it more than ever. Toys are made of happy. There will be new photos of my writing refuge soon. I’ve begun referring to it as “my fort”.

Jimmy crack corn, and I don’t care!

Your devoted

Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Tagged: my fort, red cup, The Rollicking Adventures of an Unrepentant Tomboy, writing

My Name Is, playful atheism, and ukuleles

Kind readers,

it’s a bright, beautiful autumn day here, and everything is tranquil. I’d been in need of tranquility and recuperation.

I’m still having a fantastic amount of fun playing the ukulele, so much so that I got a second one, and I’ve been taking classes. Won’t this uke look great with my Pee-wee suit and red bow tie? I’d really love to be able to busk a little next summer…

I’ve also pretty much finished revamping my writing refuge, and it’s all toys and colors and joy. I still have many, many Professor Snape collectibles, because Professor Snape is ♥, as well as jars and curiosities (especially in my potions cabinet, as I call it), but I’ve diversified, let’s say. My work/rest cocoon has become the ultimate toy room and happy place.

New carpet, even! I love it.

I’ll be taking a crapload of new photos for you soon.

In other news, I got a nice new mug yesterday so I can celebrate the fact that I’m a godless heathen all year round. Because apparently, if you don’t have a snowflake on your festive mug, it’s an all-out war on the One True Religion, goddammit.

As I wrote on Twitter, nothing says love thy neighbour like forcing people to say Merry Christmas, “for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

I plan to drink from that mug when I’m working on Atheist Tiki Hour: Your Guide to a Secular Blast.

And speaking of godly godliness™, the other day I saw an article that gave me yet another reason to be glad I left the Orthodox circus behind years ago. There’s an All-Pure internet out there now, for all your “we’re on the correct side” needs: “only information that religious leaders decide does not ‘disturb believers’ feelings’ will be accessible”! No gay “propaganda” or any of the nasty stuff that has anything to do with, say, rationality and freedom. Step right up for “correct values,” e.g. “traditional morality” and “nationalism”.

My feelings can be resumed as follows:

And like this:

I discussed why I left the Orthodox Church and Christianity (and woo in general) in There’s a Hula Girl on my Dashboard. I’ll be expanding on this in Atheist Tiki Hour.

It was more like escaping than leaving, really.

I’ve never felt happier, freer, more content, more grateful, more whole, than I do now.

When I go to cafés to work on Tiki Hour, I’ll put my pens and notebooks in this bag, which sums it all up:

And I’ll scribble with this, one of my favorite pens.

You can now find me on Tsu, too. Because Facebook sucks and they will never be my identity overlords.

My name is Logospilgrim. My friends call me Logos. Or “professor” as a term of endearment basically.

Many years ago, that name had religious connotations, but I kept the words and gave them new definitions, secular meanings.

Logos: Greek lógos—a word, saying, speech, discourse, thought, proportion, ratio, reckoning, akin to légein to choose, gather, recount, tell over, speak.

I am one who speaks, who communicates.

Pilgrim: any wayfarer; a traveler, especially on foot. A wanderer, one who journeys.

In many ways, these two words sum up my life. But I also like the way these words look and sound. It’s my name. These days, I don’t even think of it as requiring any kind of deep meaning… I’ve chosen it, I just like it, and that’s it.

Logospilgrim, or Logos Pilgrim, is my chosen name. I don’t have to justify this any more than I have to justify my gender identity or asexuality. Those who respect me respect my name and address me by that name. My chosen name is linked to matters that center around identity, gender, personal history and evolution. It’s not “less real” than or somehow not as “authentic” as my legal name, which to me is about equivalent to a social security number. My so-called legal name is a bureaucratic technicality.

You like your legal name? Great! That’s fine; good for you! I don’t care for mine.

It exasperates me when I’m asked why I use a name I’ve chosen and not my “real” name. Who asks Bono why he calls himself Bono? Or Moby? “Bono? What’s Bono? Why Bono?” As if that sort of choice is reserved for the rich and famous; then it isn’t “suspect,” because only people like that have the privilege of calling themselves what they want. Only people like that can differ from the norm.

Nope.

My name is Logospilgrim.

And now, how about a bacon and egg pen? Sunny side up!

I hope you’re having a fabulous week, and that your life is filled with as much joy as possible :-) I’ll be keeping everyone up on my Tiki Hour progress!

Your devoted

Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Tagged: Atheist Tiki Hour, logospilgrim, Mr. Bean,

let’s pretend

Kind readers,

I’ve been puttering quietly these days. Things had been pretty intense since last May, and I think I ran out of steam finally. But I’ll be getting back to work on Atheist Tiki Hour: Your Guide to a Secular Blast before the month is over!

I gave a talk at the Center For Inquiry in Ottawa last month, and it went very well. As usual, I was tense and stressed out before I began speaking, and very relieved after it was over.

Before the talk:

“Help.”

Here’s a picture Diane (the branch manager of CFI Ottawa) took of me after my talk. I was wearing a CFI cap, and I’d had a nice complimentary glass of rum. I was glowing ;-)

Many people came to talk with me that evening, and they told me very kind, encouraging words. Diane told me that everyone had been “enraptured” by my talk, which, goodness, was most uplifting. One of those who were there (Joan), had this to say: “the messages were thought-provoking and the speaker has a beautiful gift for telling her life stories…”

So yes, it went well :-)

I thought I’d speak at Skepticamp 15 next month, and had begun discussing this with the organizers, but then I decided against it. The conference focuses more around the topics of skepticism, critical thinking, and science, as opposed to secular humanism, and I felt awkward… Also, I felt exhausted. Drained and reclusive. But, the merch table will have copies of There’s a Hula Girl on my Dashboard, and I’ll be attending the conference. I’m looking forward to all the interesting presentations.

I should be on Life After God at some point, but I’m not sure when. There was a matter of conflicting schedules, Ryan was ill, I had my talk… I’ll let you know if/when it happens.

Autumn is here. Best time of the year. Today, I wore my new green sweater. I love that thing.

In other fun news, I’ve begun learning to play the ukulele. Here’s my uke! It’s happy!

I can play Yellow Submarine, You Are My Sunshine, the Banana Boat song, Don’t Worry Be Happy, and I’m currently mastering The Chipmunk Song (me, I want a hula hoop…).

More gloriously joyful news:

I’m still collecting toys like a big carefree kid. I recently fell in love with Ever After High dolls. So beautiful, with a 70s vibe to them… I can’t resist them.

Here’s my lovely Blondie Lockes with her Three Bears Lolita dress (it has small bowls of porridge on it

I could stare at this doll for hours. I have three different versions of her, and she’s got a number of friends with her on that shelf now.

I’ll be sharing new photos of my refuge soon.

Rubber Clown Car’s latest album, Let’s Pretend, is my current “on repeat while driving” CD. It’s fan-freaking-tastic. It’s gritty and rock and roll, yet also smooth like the best 80s New Wave, and fun and poignant at the same time. How can you lose with songs like “Vampire Polo Hat”, “Laser Tattoo Removal”, and “My Kinda Weird”? And let’s not forget how beautiful and evocative the cover is (click on it to get your own copy!). It fully captures the spirit of the album. And that photo really speaks to me, I must say.

Let’s see, what else… How about a photo of my cat, Potion?

I think I’ll be going to Chapters tomorrow to get myself a holiday sweater wearing Monchhichi.

Tralala!

Your devoted

Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Tagged: Atheist Tiki Hour, Center for Inquiry, Ever After High, Life After God, Rubber Clown Car, toys, ukulele

today’s secret word is…

Kind readers,

next week, I’ll be interviewed by Ryan Bell for his podcast Life After God! I’m honored and excited.

A few days later, I’ll be giving my talk at the Center For Inquiry in Ottawa.

*breathing in a bag*

A kind person at CFI, Pat, created this wonderful banner:

I’m grateful to everyone at CFI for this opportunity (especially Diane Bruce), and I’ll be doing my best to give an interesting and inspiring talk! If you’re in the area and would like to hear me speak, do drop by. I’ll be signing copies of There’s a Hula Girl on my Dashboard as well.

In other news, I finally got around to cosplaying Pee-wee Herman last week. Naturally, I took some photos. Here are a few of them for your amusement :-)

I have more secret words in store, and I plan to write a series of blog posts that will center around each of them.

I’ll have to take new photos of my office soon too—I’ve been moving a few things around to accommodate my ever growing collection of toys!

I got this on eBay yesterday… It was one of my very favorite toys when I was a kid. A picnic basket! Bears! What’s not to love?

And I’ll be making room for this sweet and delicious looking ode to cake and fun come Festivus!

It pushes all of my happy buttons. I adore those Lalaloopsy toys… The big dolls, the Littles, the Minis, the Tinies, the houses… I can’t get enough of the darn things.

And today, I learned that Shopkins is about to release little dolls. Be still my beating heart.

Food-themed little dolls—yes please!

For some reason, I enjoy cosplaying Pee-wee. Imagine that! ;-)

I do plan on cosplaying Professor Snape again this fall (hopefully). I ordered a wig that has the messy, curly, flouncy style he had in Deathly Hallows 2, and I’ll be wearing this on top of my head:

The photos will capture the essence of my upcoming book of essays, Severus Snape and the Art of Being Human. They’ll celebrate the dignity and majesty of being human, simply human. I will be bringing the wig, crown and robes with me to Leviosa, along with my Pee-wee outfit, and my Silverheart costume.

There’s so much in store for 2016! Join me for the wild ride.

Your devoted

Logospilgrim, the quiet professor

Tagged: 1970s, Center for Inquiry, cosplay, Lalaloopsy, Leviosa 2016, Life After God, Pee-wee Herman, Professor Snape, Ryan Bell, Shopkins, toys