magicbeans. nothing if not awkward.

so, today's the observed birthday of a peacenik jew from the desert who would go on to become the single most important figure in the history of mankind. really it's just an appropriation of the roman festival of the birth of the sun, which itself was just a poor approximation of the winter solstice. and, to be cynical for a moment, what's it's turned into is just another excuse for the megacorporations to sell us more stuff that we don't need that was most likely built by exploited third-world sweatshop workers. just like all our other holidays, although this one leads the pack. still, i like getting and giving gifts, but the observed birth of jesus is an odd occasion for that.

returning to history though, i'm fascinated with the historical figure of jesus, and the various theories thereof. i've got stacks of books on the subject. he almost certainly wasn't born in bethlehem, for example. he had two or three brothers. he was very likely married to mary magdalene and quite possibly had a child with her. i have a feeling that i'll incorporate all of that into some sort of creative work some day.

the japanese meal went okay. i didn't make nearly as much of a mess making sushi this time as i did the first time i attempted it. and it was passable. i definitely could use some more cookware though. it's hard to make a whole meal when all you have at yr disposal is one medium sized pot. but i did get a potato masher for the occasion, and little by little, things are coming together.