Leave it to WETA!!!

For those of you familiar with the video game HALO, but haven't seen the XBOX magazine article, then get ready to wet your pants! There is a real Warthog on the roads! (New Zealand roads, but who cares...) Apparently it was made by WETA, the special effects production company that soared to fame with the Lord of the Rings movies. The Warthog is a real running vehicle that is made to be completely off road and totally able to do some of the things the warthogs of the video game does. It can even do a crab crawl... driving sideways! Every detail is there, even the fact that you can barely see through the front windshield. XBOX magazine has a great write up about it, but I can't find the article online. Maybe a more intense search will turn something up. Speaking as a fanboy like me, there is now one more thing in the world to wish for...

Mortality

Recently, I have attended a number of funeral in the last few months. All this got me to thinking about those things that people say or write about the person that has passed away. Some of the stuff is just perfect for the person, and some of the stuff is maybe a bit contrived. Every once in a while I think about my own mortality and then stop by self by saying, "Hey! I like life! I know there are better places for me on the other part of my journey, but I like where I am right now!" And I really do. I have no plans on checking out. If it comes, it will be a surprise. I fully expect to live to be well over 100 years old. Well over 100... But just in case I don't get to have a say, I was thinking about two things what have really appealed to my beliefs and understanding of life and death. And call me a geek but they both come from the Lord of the Rings movie, The Return of the King.
The first part if right before battle at the wall of Minas Tirith and the exchange between Pippin and Gandalf. Pippin is very shaken and scared about the upcoming battle, which looks like it will not go well for them.

“PIPPIN: I didn't think it would end this way.

GANDALF: End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it.

PIPPIN: What? Gandalf? See what?

GANDALF: White shores, and beyond, a far green country under a swift sunrise.

PIPPIN: Well, that isn't so bad.

GANDALF: No. No, it isn't.”

And also from this movie, there is the final credits song, "Into the West" sung by Annie Lennox. This song is a song of ending, of passing on, but of starting over in a better place. This is one of my favorite songs and I certainly would not mind if this was playing a my memorial. (again, which I intend to avoid at all costs)

Lay down
Your sweet and weary head
Night is falling
You have come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across a distant shore

Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping

What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home

And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
All Souls pass

Hope fades
Into the world of night
Through shadows falling
Out of memory and time
Don't say
We have come now to the end
White shores are calling
You and I will meet again
And you'll be here in my arms
Just sleeping

Chorus

And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
Grey ships pass
Into the West

For thos who have not heard this, here is a YouTube video of the song.

Into The West

Just remember, I am planning on sticking around for a very, very long time! You won't be rid of me!

History of the Krampus... no, it is not a punk band.

As a follow up to fellow blogger's post, I give you the history of the Krampus. Fun stuff! Be sure to follow the link on the above posting to the photo gallery on The Local homepage.

St. Nicholas Eve - Krampus Day

December 5th, Saint Nicholas Eve is known as Krampus Day in some parts of Austria and the run of the Krampuses (fertility devils) is preserved both in the Tarvisio area, in Italy near the Austrian border, and in Südtirol/Alto Adige. Krampus is an evil fertility demon that has a long tail, fur, rattling chain, birch branch, and big black bag. Children and adults go to the village square and throw snowballs to scare him off. Some people dress up as Krampus. A speculatius cookie is baked for the day. Bread baked in the shape of Saint Nicholas or Krampus is for sale. On Saint Nicholas Eve children place their shoes on the window sill or outside their bedroom door to be filled with fruits, nuts, and sweets. See also: Gruppo Krampus, Travisio Centrale:.

The many legends and traditions surrounding the saintly Nikolaus' often wild companions are more diverse than those of the saint. The pagan origin of all of these figures is evident although difficult to trace. The best known companion is Knecht Ruprecht, "Knecht" meaning servant. Historically, Ruprecht was a dark and sinister figure clad in a tattered robe with a big sack on his back in which, legend has it, he will place all naughty children. However, Knecht Ruprecht also became the servant and companion of the Christchild. In this role Ruprecht became the patron saint of Christmas and was called "Weihnachtsmann," Father Christmas or Santa Claus.

This is quite in contrast to Bavaria, where St. Nikolaus may be followed by the hideous Klaubauf, a shaggy monster with horns. In Austria the saint is followed by a similar horned creature, called Krampus, covered with bells and dragging chains.


Lovely old Krampus card, titled "Greetings from Krampus", signed with initials A.G. Old artist postcard (not a reproduction), standard size 5-1/2 in. x 3-1/2 in. Published in Zagreb, Croatia circa 1920.

Who is Krampus?

The Krampus is a sort of devil who accompanies St. Nikolaus on the eve of December 6, in Styria this attendant is named Bartel. He accompanies St. Nicholas, who visits every home during the night and leaves small gifts in the shoes of children who have been good during the past year. Those who have misbehaved, however, may get punished by his helper. He might take back the gifts that St. Nicholas left for them, and leave them a lump of coal instead. He might give them a birching with the switch he carries with him. Really bad children might even get carried off in his sack and taken along, or even put into an ink-well by St. Nick himself, as told in the Struwwelpeter: "Da kam der grosse Nikolas Mit seinem grossen Tintenfass.... Er tunkt sie in die Tinte tief, Wie auch der Kaspar "Feuer" rief. Bis "bern Kopf ins Tintenfass Tunkt sie der grosse Nikolas."

Krampus is also known in Austria as Kneckt Ruprecht and Black Peter. In Germany he may be called Pelzebock, Pelznickel (or Belznickel), Hans Muff, Bartel, Gumphinkel, Stoppklos, Black Pit, or Knecht Ruprecht. To this day, the Running of the Krampus (Krampuslauf) happens during the first week of December. In Salzburg, young men put on dark animal-skin suits, red carved masks with horns or antlers, and mismatched shoes. They stomp down the Getreidegasse, the main shopping street, ringing cowbells, pretending to snatch little children, and hitting people on the leg with the switches they use for tails. St. Nicholas follows behind, handing out candies.

Krampus Runs (Krampus Lauf)

The run of the Krampuses (fertility diables) is preserved both in the Tarvisio area, in Italy near the Austrian border, and in Südtirol/Alto Adige. Children and adults go to the village square and throw snowballs to scare him off. Some people dress up as Krampus. A speculatius cookie is baked for the day. Bread baked in the shape of Saint Nicholas or Krampus is for sale. On Saint Nicholas Eve children place their shoes on the window sill or outside their bedroom door to be filled with fruits, nuts, and sweets.

All around Salzburg there are Krampus runs around December 5th, preceding the festival of St. Nikolaus. The tradition in the National Park region is that St. Nikolaus comes with not just a single Krampus but with a group of up to ten of these devil figures. They are frightening (especially for children) with their horns and terrible masked faces. The Krampus masks (known as Larven) show the artistic dexterity of the hand carving in the Tauern region. A proper Krampus Larve must of course have large horns. The carver usually uses the horns of a goat, Ibex or Chamois.

There are two possibilities to get a glimpse of Nikolaus and his Krampuses in the Salzburg region. The first possibility is if you have children, then you can invite Nikolaus into your home. The second possibility is to visit one of the street runs or parades. This custom has nothing to do with spirits or driving out winter; rather it deals primarily with good upbringing and conduct. Well-behaved children are rewarded and naughty ones punished.

There is also another closely related custom, the Perchten run. This custom is carried out with the same masks, but only in the wild nights around the sixth of January. This custom is concerned with driving out evil spirits, that is, winter.

The Feast of Saint Nicholas

There is no reliable information about the historical Nicholas. It is thought that he was Bishop of Myra in the first half of the 4th century, that he participated in the Council of Nicaea and pursued charitable works. In the Eastern Church he is regarded as the greatest saint after the Mother of God. The transfer of his remains from Myra to Bari (1087) led to him being venerated also in the Occident. Nicholas is regarded as a helper of the needy. His function as a bringer of gifts derives from the numerous legends concerning this charitable saint.

The customs that have grown up around the Feast of St. Nicholas go back to a very old tradition, originally celebrated on 28th December, the feast of the Holy Innocents. It was later moved to 5-6th December and become a saint's day for St. Nicholas, who pronounced judgement on the children, tested them on their catechism and rewarded their performance either with a gift or with punishment from his lackey, Krampus. To counter superstition, Martin Luther forbade these Nicholas customs in the Lutheran area. Instead, the "Holy Christ", the "Christ Child" himself was to be the bringer of gifts.

Today it is customary that on the Eve of St. Nicholas (5th December, Krampus Eve) "Nicolo", as he is popularly known, personally gives the children little presents, or puts gifts in their own or little hand-made shoes. In contradiction to earlier days there should be no frightening or threatening, no putting of moral pressure on the children, especially when St. Nicholas is involved, who always interceded for the suffering and needy.

Enjoy!

Denim Jeans and Playboy Magazines

Many years ago, I heard a comedian say that his plan for solving alot of the problems in the Middle East, or at least in those countries led by hard line Islamic religious leaders, was to supply the women with demin jeans and the men with Playboy magazines. (Personally, I think Maxim magazine would be a better option.)

Now today, I read in Yahoo news, this article, which give some credence to this comedians theory. Could he be on to something?

TEHRAN (Reuters) – Police have arrested 49 people this week in a northern Iranian city during a crackdown on "satanic" clothes, IRNA news agency reported Thursday.

The measures are the latest in a country-wide campaign against Western cultural influence in the Islamic Republic, where strict dress codes are enforced.

"Police confronted rascals and thugs who appeared in public wearing satanic fashions and unsuitable clothing," Qaemshahr city police commander Mahmoud Rahmani told IRNA.

Rahmani also said that five barber shops were shut and 20 more warned for "promoting Western hairstyles."

In the past, such crackdowns have lasted a few weeks or months, but the current campaign was launched in 2007 and has not let up.

It includes measures against men sporting spiky "Western" hairstyles or women wearing tight trousers and high boots.

Women are supposed to wear clothing that covers their hair and disguises the shape of their bodies. But some, particularly in cities, wear headscarves pushed back well beyond their hairlines and sport tight-fitting outfits.

Some analysts say the authorities fear such open acts of defiance against the Islamic Republic's values could escalate if they go unchecked. This worries them when Iran is under pressure from the West over its disputed nuclear work, they say.

"Some individuals, not knowing what culture they are imitating, put on clothing that was designed by the enemies of this country," Rahmani said.

"The enemies of this country are trying to divert our youth and breed them the way they want and deprive them of a healthy life," he added.

Rahmani did not say how the offenders would be punished. Usual penalties are a warning or a fine.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has in the past suggested Iran's enemies may try to stage a "soft" or "velvet" revolution by infiltrating corrupt culture or ideas.

(Reporting by Hashem Kalantari, Writing by Edmund Blair; Editing by Catherine Bosley and Kevin Liffey)

Nothing to blog about...

Wow. Talk about writer's block. I have had nothing really interesting to blog about lately. I blame some of that on the fact that I have not really done much of anything exciting lately. The Wine Making is on hold for a while until some time presents itself for starting a new batch. I should mention that come this new year, the Cabernet and Riesling I bottled in June will be ready for drinking, and the port bottled in September is now being used by my church for communion purposes. (Something I am quite proud of) My son was recently confirmed in the church and his first communion was with the wine that he, my pastor and I made. I think that is pretty neat and so did he.

Thanksgiving break was very nice in the fact that aside from preparing the meal for my family (about 24 in all) it was a quiet, relaxing time. No work for 4 days, and nothing really planned. I did paint the floors and walls in one basement room, but for the most part, a very slow weekend. Perfect for rejuvenating!

First deer season was a bust, but we are trying our luck and skill again on second season. I really don't care if I harvest a deer, but I really, really want to see my son get one. He really wants to get one so he can be part of the "deer killer" crowd in his school. Talk about a clique crowd... there is one you don't hear much about in most schools!

Things I am looking forward to... the daddy/daughter dance hosted by the girl scouts, celebrating my anniversary, (my wife and I always have a good time celebrating this event in our lives) and the two weeks off for Christmas and New Years. The economy sucks, but my wife and I are trying our best to make sure Christmas is good for the kids. I know it is not about giving and getting presents, but I love to see the look on their faces and joy they get when receiving something that is of value to them. And I am hoping to present my friends with a new sparkling wine for the New Years celebration instead of the usual crappy "champagne" most of us drink. Maybe even a real Champagne!

I am hoping to do some gaming, visiting, catching up on my Military History reading,and getting through some more BattleStar Galactica over the break.

Well, look at that. I wrote something. Maybe something more interesting will pop up on my radar that I can write about. Check back later!