Elohimfest 2004-Albuquerque, New Mexico

[danlo]

Wow! Where to begin? It's all, still, pretty much of a blur. I just took a steaming shower and an Ibuphrophen to ease my muscles that are still sore from hiking a mile or so down into the Grand Canyon, and then back up again, two days ago. Before the hike Damelon, duchess, her family and I left the touristy crowd at Bright Angel Overlook and found an islolated area on the rim to the west where I read Stephen C.'s (Furls brother) dairy except and poem for peace. Then duchess read Variol Son's ode to Isaiah (Shadowlurker) and we all had tears in our eyes. Yesterday we toured Canyon De Chelley near the Arizona/NM border and saw Spider Rock-and yes, by Gods! It truly does look like Kevin's Watch! (photos forthcoming). So we've been on the road for three days and Damelon went down to Phoenix to visit friends and to see a baseball game (Diamondback/Padres) with caamora.

Duchess and family are still in Albuquerque and I'll probably take them up to Santa Fe tomorrow-then they take off this weekend so Elohimfest/extended Elohimfest will be officially over by then. My wife (Tam) took Variol Farseer to the airport Monday at 5pm and Bird and Bear and Leper Messiah (her hub Colin) left that morning.

Caam's bus was late Sunday morning so we got a really late start on our Jemez Mts/Bandelier Ruins/Santa Fe field trip. We didn't have time to make it over the mountains down to Los Alamos, Bandelier and Santa Fe, but we, at least made it to the The Valle Grande--where everyone agreed that we were truly witnessing Andelain! . The Hot Springs and Jemez Falls were closed due to extreme fire danger (so Bandelier probably was too...), but I did take them on a secret side trip to "The Tunnels": two tunnels bored through the red-rock overlooking some very nice falls and rapids. (Fist wanted to stay there all day! But was thankful he didn't as would have missed Andelain.)

We also stopped at Soda Dam: A beyond Giant-sized white granite boulder that fell across the Jemez River and created a dam in the mountians until the river, mixed with sulphur and other minerals from the Hot Springs decided to bore a twenty foot hole in the middle to keep on going. Complete with rock pillars, little caves and stalagmity thingys-and a sheer face that Fist had to scale barefoot-damm Haruchai! So the trekers consisted of myself, Bird and Leper Messiah, Damelon, Fist, Variol Farseer and duchess and family and a grand time was had by all. (photos forthcoming)

Everyone else was gone by 11:30 that morning except for Soul Quest and her two girlfriends who hung out at our house till then and went to sightsee in Old Town Albuquerque. Romeo and MarkJeffery went off on their planes and Caam's bus was finally off. And even though I introduced Amok and his family to SRD at the dinner and he was at the interview--it appeared that noone else realized he was actually there--tho he is in a couple of Romeo's photos in the Elohimfest Gallery! Then everyone was joking: typical Amok-"poof" he appears--"poof" he vanishes...

Sunday evening we had the "costume party" with only Fist and duchess dressed up--but very, very cool costumes. Fist's Haruchai tunic was outstanding. We had a great barbeque with Tam and californiababy (duchess' hub) doing the grilling. Then with torches blazing and Tibetian prayer flags waving we partied down, formed a circle and had an amazing discussion about the dinner and the Chronicles in general. So as you can see, the fun didn't end after the dinner and interview!

[Fist and Faith]

Let me add that danlo and Lady Tam were fantastic!!! They're generosity was wonderful, and I felt right at home.

It was also fun to see danlo staying up real late, putting on some music, and jamming! I do that a LOT, since it's the only time I can listen without being interrupted by somebody or other. "2 AM? Yeah, I should turn off the computer and go to bed. But I have to hear this one song first." An hour, and 15 songs, later I'm still going strong. Kindred spirits there, too, danlo!

[AMOK]

I had a great time at the dinner / Q&A with SRD on Saturday. Thanks so much for all of your hard work setting things up and planning all of the activities! I was only able to take 4 days off of work because of the busy time of year. Because of that, I had to squeeze so much "stuff" into the few days I had with my folks. Unfortunately, I was not able to really talk to anyone on Saturday so I really didn't know who was who. Thanks to Danlo for putting names to faces in one of the other threads...

Hopefully, the next time we have something like this, I'll be able to actually talk face to face with some of you.

My mom, brother and our friend Letitia had a great time also - though because I screwed up the logistics we came to the restaurant about an hour before everyone showed up. Yep, we went ahead and ate, then sat behind you all and watched you eat and have fun until the Q&A. Lots of butts were sore after all that - we had another hour and a half drive to Socorro after the Q&A. But they were troopers and had patience with me while I sat there enthralled. What's bad is that I came about 1000 miles and could not think of a thing to ask SRD... I was too busy listening to everyone else. Thankfully, there were enough questions (especially Caamora's) that loosened the situation up - Mr. Donaldson is so enjoyable to listen to.

I will be coming to New Mexico again to visit the folks so perhaps I can meet up with those of you who live in Al BQ?

[Fist and Faith]

Amok, I couldn't believe when danlo and I were posting who was who in the pix, and he said, "That's Amok." I was "WHAT??? AMOK WAS THERE???" You and I even nodded at each other as I walked by, but I thought you were one of the video people!

[AMOK]

I'm sure I smilled and said hi to everyone, but unfortunately, I did not actually "meet" anyone except for Danlo. It was very frustrating! I had to pick and choose what I could do that day: shake hands with SRD? (X), listen during the Q&A? (X), actually meet people and exchange pertinent information? ( )

[Romeo]

You talked with me and Mark for a bit - we were the first ones in.

[Variol Farseer]

I'm sure I smilled and said hi to everyone, but unfortunately, I did not actually "meet" anyone except for Danlo. It was very frustrating! I had to pick and choose what I could do that day: shake hands with SRD? (X), listen during the Q&A? (X), actually meet people and exchange pertinent information? ( )

Yep. BAMF! Amok appeared when no one was looking, acted strange and aloof, disappeared when no one was looking. BAMF!

Sounds just like the book to me.

[Furls Fire]

maybe the Land IS real after all!

[AMOK]

I'm sure I smilled and said hi to everyone, but unfortunately, I did not actually "meet" anyone except for Danlo. It was very frustrating! I had to pick and choose what I could do that day: shake hands with SRD? (X), listen during the Q&A? (X), actually meet people and exchange pertinent information? ( )

Yep. BAMF! Amok appeared when no one was looking, acted strange and aloof, disappeared when no one was looking. BAMF!

Sounds just like the book to me.

Strange and aloof? Man did you peg me or what?? I'm sure it seemed that way with the folks that were there.

[Lady Tam]

Fist,
It was great meeting you and picking you up at the airport! I got your flowers and they are lovely You are so sweet! I really enjoyed the weekend and you were great house guest. What a super group of people that came to Elohimfest and what fun we had.

P.S. for those of you who do not know I'm danlo's wife

[Fist and Faith]

Well, it was great to have been your guest! Glad the flowers made it.

And since nobody knows the story, Tam was holding a "Fist" sign when I got off the plane. She said an Indian family approached her, because that's their name.

[Damelon]

After 11 days and 4366 miles traveled, Elohimfest is over for me.

I'm going to get some sleep now, but tomorrow I have many pictures to post.

[Dragonlily]

Looking forward to it, Damelon. Glad you're safe home -- sleep well.

[Revan]

P.S. for those of you who do not know I'm danlo's wife

And I am Danlo's nemesis

[Romeo]

I guess that's better than being his sepsis!

[Revan]

I guess that's better than being his sepsis!

[Damelon]

Let me take the time to make some quick impressions.

Danlo and Lady Tam, your hospitality was most gracious. To bring people, practical strangers, into your home from all directions of the compass and to make them feel so welcome - Thank you so much.

duchess and family traveled half way across the country with me to Albuquerque, indulging my whim to see a baseball game in St. Louis among other things. You are wonderful travel companions. Don't worry, duchess, your son drove fine on the trip. (He has his learners permit)

caam, now you know about bus travel! Also, thanks for coming along to the game in Phoenix.

Fist, you succeded in keeping Danlo off his own computer. On our road trip, seeing you climb up that wall face Haruchai style was most impressive.

Variol Farseer, it was fun traveling with you and listening to your observations, just remember though the boy scouts motto - "Be Prepared".

Bird, your sweet, but I'd hate to be your camera. Twice, that I saw, it dropped to the pavement. Glad to hear you evaded the floods on the way home.

[Furls Fire]

I just saw the new pics!! Awesome!! I love the ones of Duchy and Danlo reading at the Grand Canyon. And the ones of SRD conversing with you all are just priceless!!!

Thanks for sharing them!!

[Fist and Faith]

By special request, here are the two readings done at the Grand Canyon. First, from Stephen C. McKinney's August 3, 1999 journal entry:

There is a whisper riding along the night as I lay watching the stars on the beach. The ocean lulls me to dreaming, and I hear the Voice of God in the breeze. The sun has long since set beyond the line where world meets sky. The peace here breaths out along the whisper. Peace, yes, serenity, grace. Oh there are places on this earth that are so close to heaven, all one has to do is send their soul forward and fall through the gate.

“Pray here.” The voice whispers. “Here.”

Sweet Jesus, Lord, Son of the Father, grace the world with your light. It spins in chaos, in horror, in tragedy. Pain, sorrow, grief, bloodshed, war, terror. And some of Your children have forgotten Your Voice, Your sacrifice, Your gifts. Some have lost You, Jesus. Lost You and seek You. Help me find them, help me bring them back to You. The way of this world falters. Its heart bleeds. And here, where peace is certain, I can hear it weep.

I am only one, and I am not strong of body. But, Jesus, my heart is Yours, my soul is Yours, my very life is Yours. My faith is strong. This prayer is not for me. No. Not for me, I have all I need. I plead for the world. I plead for its salvation. I plead for its complete deliverance from Satan’s clutches. I plead for the light of liberation. So that all the world will be bathed in the peace that lies here, in this little out of the way hovel. I plead for all the lost to find their way home.

My days here grow short. And somehow, I feel the days of the world also grow short. I can feel it tremble beneath my feet, feel the air shudder in anxious trepidation. Its end draws near. And it is afraid. So, hear my prayer, Jesus, Son of the Father. Shine the sweet light of Heaven down on the world You sacrificed Yourself for. Rain peace down on its desperation. Grace us once again with Your awesome presence. We are not deserving, but we are in need…Of You.

If I give my life
If I lay it down
Will You turn this life around
Will I be made clean
By this offering of my soul
Will I be made whole
Again…

If I give my world
If I lay it down
Will You turn this world around
Will it be made clean
By this offering of its soul
Can it be made whole
Again….

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And this is a recent post by variol son, in the Glorious Passing thread, which Furls Fire started in memory of Isaiah Shadowlurker, in the Hall of Gifts.

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As I was sorting through my MSN Messenger address book yesterday, updating names and deleting now unused contacts, I came across Isaiah's name.

I missed him horribly.

I am living in the country at the moment, and we have cows and chickens and ducks, and best of all, wide open spaces, and so it was easy for me to find a place of my own in the garden and think about ShadowLurker, and how he touched my life.

Ever since I first spoke to Isaiah on MSN, I have marvelled at how someone that I have never met in person, someone who I have only ever had contact (and limited contact at that) with via the Internet, someone who lived, and died, on the other side of the world, could have such a profound influence on my life.

During that time that I spent remembering Isaiah, I cried for myself (it's not like he needs my tears), but I also smiled for him, and for all those that were capitivated, not just with his story, but with the love that he showed regardless of his past. He may not have ever known it was there, and he probably would never have believed anyone who told him of it, but I know in my heart that I felt it more than once during the short time I knew him.

So, for a few minutes of the afternoon, I wrapped myself in that love again and I remembered, and as I did, these words came to mind:

If you think of me
If you miss me once in awhile
Then I'll return to you
I'll return and fill that space in your heart.

Even more than that, I know that, one day, I will get to meet Isaiah, and hopefully Stephen too, face to face.

Someday I'll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind, behind me.
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney tops thats where, you'll find me.

Farewell, for now, Isaiah ShadowLurker. Although in this world death may have claimed you, still the beauty of who you were endures - for we will not forget. Be at peace.

ISAIAH...HAIL!

[Furls Fire]

my cup runneth over