Victor Turner.

Modern god of defining what "liminality" is. (i bow down).

and i got to discuss him and his wonderful ideas briefly in cultural anthropology monday.

Let's pause for a second to realize how unbelievably FLOORED i am in doing this.

(very much so).

Interestingly enough, we are talking about this as we discuss Rites of Passage and Religion and Culture.

a quick recap of Monday:

"during a state of liminality, one person or group is free from the confines of one's designated role, liberated from normal social constraints and may form strong bonds from all levels of society/walks of life- free from the structures that normally separate."

...

"liminality and communities-- Turner links liminality (being in a state of) with creativity and notes that prophets and artists tend to be liminal/marginal (on the outer boundaries of society) people who strive to rid themselves of structure and role playing."

...

"structural life would become mechanical if not for periodically being immerged in the regenerative abyss of communities."


I can't even begin to say how Monday night's class was like a church service for me. Which is probably good, because I haven't been to church in ten days.

And I couldn't help but think of all of the Malone-ites (myself included) who are obsessed with the *idea/concept* of liminality. And I wonder if all of these other people who are as obsessed with the idea of IT as I am feel like they are bound by structures and role-playing much more than they would like to be. I feel like there is this perception of who "I am" that I must play the part for so much of the time.

In other great news, I am so blessed to have had the weekend I just did. Thanks to all who were a part of it. And now I will crawl back under the covers and cough myself to sleep.

today is my birthday.

people of the world, rejoice! i am one year away from the silver anniversary with the earth.

feel free to send greetings and wishes of good happy joy my way.

and for my birthday, i would like you all to do one thing for me:


have a fantastic day!

i am signing up to volunteer for the USO.

i figure, i don't want to be one of those people who wants to support the troops but doesn't physically "DO" anything to support them. so i am getting off my fanny and supportin' like it's nobody's business.

"for the boys" and a friendly reminder inspired me to do so. i freaked my parents out by telling them i was going to be a candy stryper (sp?) in Iraq. they didn't like my joke.

highly enjoying training at the bank. highly enjoying having amazing healthcare benefits for v. little monetary sacrifice on my end. i haven't had benefits in nearly a year.

a youth leader once more. toilet bowl football on Sunday...so i'm already planning on that not being a Sabbath...

bronchitis setting in.

just watched "the village" last night. hadn't before bc i don't like scary movies. but my pastor recommended "the village" so i figured, if i got scared and hated it, i could always blame him. ah, scapegoating. how...appropriate, when speaking of this movie.

i liked it.

i think i am in agreement with many when i say that i wish it didn't end where it did...that there was more of a continuing story. but that means i had vested interest in these [main] characters, so that's good too. i liked the story. i think there are so many levels to what everything and everyone and every action and every choice represent. my pastor told me, as he recommended it to me, that the first time he watched it, he saw "ivy" and immediately thought of me and couldn't shake the thought of "that's kristyO" the entire time he watched it...that, there were certain characteristics about her and her character that so strongly reminded him of me. i wasn't sure how to take that, but after watching the movie...i think i'd like to take it as a compliment.

off to tuck in my grandmother and get to bed before too late.

to live is Christ, to die is gain.

that i might decrease so He can increase.

so i might gain.

be washed clean in this unholy night.

right my wrongs so i can Love.

take this thorn from me.

take this Thorn from me.

Take this thorn from me.

i cry out and you answer.

let me hear and stand firm upon your words.