[Dalai Lama Was Here]

Your entry just revived an old spark of a thought in my head.

 

To me it looks very much like Roman Empire era poltics of government control and change in the Levant area. Militarily control the area, install a civil government and appoint religious heads.

 

Tibet is a vivid example with China holding it, setting up a rubberstamp local government, luring the younger generation away from its religious roots into a more materialist society and now on the brink of controling the religion by controling the appointment of the new Dalai Lama by their appointment of a Panchen Lama in 2003 after the disappearence of the boy Panchen Lama appointed by the Dalai Lama.

 

A quick review for those who don't know: Historically the Panchen Lama is the number two head of the religion, appointed by the Dalai Lama after the reincarnation search is concluded. The Panchen Lama does the same duty for the new Dalai Lama. With the current Dalai Lama aging, the young Panchen Lama and family missing for years, and the government appointed Panchen Lama waiting to rubber stamp a government approved Dalai Lama...it's a mess. Especially with the Dalai lama announcing a special situation where he will reincarnate within 45 days after death - a move to try to keep China from having time for a full term pregnancy.

 

The Chinese government, if they wanted to completely control it now, would have to keep a ready reserve of the right women in cycles of pregnancy. Kind of a SF / Fantasy novel plot that no one would believe.

 

Isn't life strange?

[My Not So Boring Easter]

Very busy little Easter you had there missy...

 

We had an easter egg hunt (two three-year-olds, two six-year-olds), grilled some lamb and burgers outside, came home and ate spinach-shallot-garlic and feta pastry puffs plus several rounds of baklava with guests.

 

Since Victor's birthday was celebrated on Saturday, he was happy with his two new balls, dinosaur playset, pirate ship, Cailu activity disks and stuffed dragon.

 

All in all a good weekend.

[Notes On The Etruscans]

Spurius,

 

Concerning the last part of your entry, do you personally buy into the heavy 'orientization' of Etruscan religion from the 8th-6th Centuries BC because of the emerging Greek presence in southern Italy and a tenuous Greek trading presence near Erturia?

 

-Or- Do you think the religous similarities may have happened at a much earlier Bronze Age period that is unrecorded and unknown to us?

 

I would say earlier given some of the possible origins of the Etruscans, but if I had to back this with an academic brief... there is much more evidence for the later Greek colonies/cities influence.

 

I will admit that philology is my weak point, but I think that the major gods were already in place from an old common cultural contact. The obviously later additions like Artumes and Apulu probably did come from the 8th-6th century contacts though....

[Krampus]

My american colonialism showing here (sorry):

I wonder if Dr. Seuss got part of his idea for the Grinch from this?

 

"How the Grinch stole Christmas", hmmm....?

 

On the plus side, nothing like giving kids a good basis for nightmares when you try to get them to sleep

 

Bravo.

[A Sad Thing Happened Today]

Yes, I've had those moments with pets I've put down. A cat we had for 12 years, my first dog when he was 12, another when he was five after escaping and drinking anti-freeze somewhere...come immediately to mind.

 

I was also there and holding on when my Father died (I was 19) and when my Mother died 18 years later. The elder generations had that experience in their lives, and while I don't wish it on any one...it really does help you understand death.

 

Before, I didn't fear death because I was young and therefor immortal , but after - even as I advance in years - I don't fear death because it IS the track for all of us. While I don't wish to hasten it, I do hope it will come on swift wing when it strikes (I've given up on glory ).

 

But even if it comes slowly, like the increasing time it takes me to warm-up on a winter day, I'll just say hello and pass the time of day as it will gladly stop for me.