Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Mill Avenue Vexations Volume 2 is up on Smashwords.com

With the Mill Avenue Vexations series having a web presence, I’ve decided to take the released volumes and slowly prepare them for digital distribution. Naming convention aside, getting in my way and all, I have Mill Avenue Vexations Volume 2: Vexations on Smashwords.

Same shtick as with Volume 1. Just got it up this week. This also means that next week, or so, I will be publishing one of the tributes. For anyone who anyone who wants to contribute to the growing Vexations media, this is a good way to own some. (Of course, the Volumes are also free with the “set your own price” option.)

Link.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Santaria animal sacrifice controversy in Sacremento brings out fear of the religious “other”

In an article published on sites such as News10.net a Santaria practitioner has been targeted by what seems to be a lone detractor who doesn’t want to play nice with the “strangitude” of the otherness of her neighbor.

But to some neighbors, the ritual slaughter of geese and goats at a Tracy woman's home is too close for comfort.

"I don't care what they do to express their religious belief, but I don't believe it should be in a residential area," said neighbor Vicki Pease. She is worried about the animal sacrifices that take place at her neighbors home and the impact it could have on children in the neighborhood.

Looks like one of the neighbors is upset by something they haven't even witnessed happening. Everything but the sounds of the rituals and their knowledge of the ritual slaughter drove the comment about, “it shouldn't be happening in a residential neighborhood.”

“…the impact it would have one children in the neighborhood.” Really?  Does anyone really buy this sort of malarkey? Really, we need some sort of bigot bingo to add “think of the children” to the list of items. They complain primarily about the sound of Congo drums and her fears that the culture of her neighbor might “taint” children in the neighborhood. There’s really no polite way to approach this one other than: “Grow up lady!” If you cannot come up with something actually substantial that might affect the “children of the neighborhood” you shouldn’t be bringing them up. This particularly cowardly, passive-agressive tactic for trolling against things that you’re prejudiced against is so well documented that it colors you only with your dishonor.

I like how the article breaks down the actual civil issues taking place (parking problem, which is a problem with any gathering) and pretty much puts the theme in the lap of the law.

As for the occasional sights and sounds of her faith, Marquez believes it's far less offensive than many other things her neighborhood endures. "People have parties with DJ's, people getting drunk, driving up and down the street, shooting, fighting, and we don't do that. We don't even drink."

With an amusingly wise quote from the practitioner at the end, reflecting that what she doesn't doesn't cause harm, is her own thing, and puts it in context of ACTUAL PROBLEMS these people could spend their energy on rather than ruffling their feathers at religious practices for non-reasons.

Link, via News10.net

More commentary, via the Wild Hunt blog.

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Mill Avenue Vexations Volume 1 is up on Smashwords.com

With the Mill Avenue Vexations series having a web presence, I’ve decided to take the released volumes and slowly prepare them for digital distribution. Naming convention aside, getting in my way and all, I have Mill Avenue Vexations Volume 1: Vexations on Smashwords.

It can also be bought at other ebook retailers; but on Smashwords it’s “set your own price” so you can buy it for free. I expect.

I will be doing this with each subsequent release of the volumes; but tribute stories will all be $0.99 ea. Also, if you’d like to support Vexations, you can always set your price to something and give me some money for the work. (Note: I totally don’t mind you downloading it for free, they’re free anyway! Enjoy the different formats.)

Link.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

A new store in Hilton caters to Pagan culture in the Hampton Roads area

 

"Take a few moments to learn."

Good advice, but the problem that she's speaking against in her monologue happens to involve cultural Christian demonization of the other (examples like calling practitioners of other religions/cultures "Satanic" or "Devil Worshipers.)

A great deal of energy may still need to be spent on retaking the word "witch" and unzipping its cultural baggage.

I also hoped to hear more about the store and how they intend to cater to Pagan culture; although a small educational blurb by an everyday sounding lady talking about her culture and experience certainly has merits.

The article adds a great deal more information as well.

Link, via the Daily Press.