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July 18, 2007

Cat Tattoo

Circa 1200 BC. The first reference to the domestic cat appears in the eleventh dynasty. Because it was hostile to snakes, it became a sacred animal of the Sun God. In the New Kingdom, the male cat was regarded as an incarnation of the Sun God and the female cat was equated with the solar eye. Feline figures may display a scarab, the symbol of the rising sun, engraved on the head or breast thus showing their solar significance. The domestic cat attained special significance as the sacred animal of the Goddess Bastet. Hundreds of figures were set up as votive offerings in the temple at Bubastis in order that the donor might share in the Goddess's grace. Actual mummies of cats were buried by the thousands in special cemeteries in the area. 

Cat Tattoo

My friend got an Egyptian cat tattoo.  What a pinhead!

The Second Ring of Gyges

In Plato's second book of the Republic the chapter discusses the just and unjust person. 

Gyges the Lydian was a shepherd laboring for the then ruler of Lydia and some part of the earth was shattered by a violent thunderstorm developing along with an earthquake and a chasm appeared at the place where he was pasturing. Seeing this and wondering, he went down and the fable says that he saw, among other wonders, a hollow bronze horse having openings, through which, peeping in, he saw that there was a corpse inside, as it seemed, greater than is usual for men, and wearing nothing else but a golden ring at his hand, that he took off before leaving.

The Second Ring of Gyges

When time came for the shepherds to hold their customary assembly in order to prepare their monthly report to the king about the state of the flocks, he came too, wearing this ring. While he was sitting with the others, it chanced that he moved the collet of the ring around toward himself into the inside of his hand; having done this, he disappeared from the sight of those who were sitting beside him, and they discussed of him as of someone who had left. And he wondered and once again feeling for the ring, he turned the collet outwards and, by turning it, reappeared. Reflecting upon this, he put the ring to the test to see if it indeed had such power, and he came to this conclusion that, by turning the collet inwards, he became invisible, outwards, visible.

Having perceived this, he at once managed for himself to become one of the envoys to the king ; upon arrival, having seduced his wife, with her help, he laid a hand on the king, murdered him and took hold of the leadership."

So, what if there were a Second Ring of Gyges.  Mabye it was silver with a gold collet?  A ring that was given to a just person.  If that ring were given to a just person then would the fear of punishment no longer exist and the person would become unjust or is justice something like the desire for health (we all want it)?  What would you do if you knew you could never be discovered?  Is this the origin of Tolkein's ring of invisibility? 

A collaboration between Bob and (mostly) Russ Sharek of The Morpheus Company produced this one-of-a-kind design.  See http://dare2dream.com for more.

July 17, 2007

Jun 28,'07 Godfather Bob

Godson Carmen's First Birthday

Godson Carmen's first birthday cake!

First bike

Godfather Bob provides the first bike.  Ok, he has to grow a bit!

 

 

February 16, 2007

What is Mitsuro?

Mitsuro Wedding Band

Mitsuro is a 1300-year-old Japanese sculpture technique which was almost lost to history. Russ Sharek of The Morpheus Company revived this ancient technique and made this replacement wedding band for me.  See http://dare2dream.com for more.

February 05, 2007

Feb 04,'07 Godfather Bob

Carmen Joseph

I'd like to welcome my Godson Carmen Joseph into the Catholic Christian community!

Carmen Joseph

Bob, Jamie, Carmen Joseph, Leah, and Doreen.

January 21, 2007

Bob Babysitting 1/18/07

Babysit - to care for children usually during a short absence of the parents.  Nothing to it! 

Nothing to it!

Nothing to it!