Raven's Roads
Living an interesting life: the travels and musings
of motorcycling author Linda R. Moore

Nov 5, 2004

The Spore ;-)

Filed in Book Crossing, Britain 2004, Travel

30th October

When I was dropped off, we all got a lift to the train station and were able to catch a train a couple of stops down. We chatted and I enjoyed the differences: the little single-decker trains, the architecture, the company.

From here I met another LJer whose username I forget right now, and whose party it was, or rather whose home was the base for a reunion of PhD students who were at Essex University together. She and her husband ferried us to their home, which is Deep In The Country and very charming.

Thus began a long gathering. Considering that I was a stranger to most people and a non-scientist, it went on very well. Here are some highlights:

My real amusement and delight at admitting to the scientists that I was actually running an astrology report service, just after one of them was wondering why people read their horoscopes at all, and actually being listened to even though I know full well they thought the subject was BS. I enjoyed stretching my mind enough to defend why I got some value from astrology - and I enjoyed Semioticghost describing me as one of the most open-minded people she knew. Hey, even self-effacing ravens need their egos massaged once in a while. ;-)
Standing outside as a group to watch a glorious red sun set.
Walking up the lane to see the haughty sheep.
Playing multi-lingual, rules-optional Scrabble with someone from Columbia and someone from Germany. We didnâ€™t even bother to tally the scores on the second game.
Sparklers and glow-tube light sabre fights outside on the front lawn.
Curling up to go to sleep in the kitchen when the jetlag finally kicked me off my feet, listening to the players twang tunes quietly on the guitar. Wishing I could play a guitar.
The amusing moment where I was designated as the Spore. Let me explain:
1. I put up a web site on Halloweâ€™en 1996.
2. Griz contacted me and has been friends with me since April 1997.
3. Griz joined Ravensmeet, then introduced Healer to Ravensmeet.
4. Healer introduced his sonâ€™s grilfiend, Semioticghost, to Ravensmeet, and hence to me.
5. I joined Book Crossing, and introduced Semioticghosts and Healer to that. Semioticghosts seems to be one of the UKâ€™s most active and enthusiastic Book Crossers.
6. When I arrived in the UK, I met Chris, Healerâ€™s son, through Semioticghosts.
7. Meanwhile, Semioticghosts introduced some of her PhD friends, most notably our hostess, to Book Crossing.
Like I said: the Spore. ;-)
The feeling of being accepted and people talking to me. I miss being among big groups like this in California; the recent motorcycle rally was one occasion when I felt happy in that way. When you are in a group of respectful, like-minded folks, your sense of self expands and is challenged in a good way and you grow. It is important. I feel it is something that will come, but I also feel that this is something Iâ€™ll get from further interactions in the UK, as well. I have a strong sense that my visits will be more frequent from now on - maybe twice a year if I can get away with it.