Portland's Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, and Transgender community and friends are partnering with Habitat for Humanity to plan and build a healthy and affordable home for a family in need.
The kick-off for this event is this evening, Thursday January 15th @ Crush, 1400 SE Morrison, from 6pm to 9pm.
Come to this kick-off event for food, fun, and music. Your $10 donation gets you 2 drinks and appetizers. All proceeds benefit Portland Pride Build. Hosted by the fabulous Miss Mylar.
While the Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence are not organizing this event, we support this cause and will be at Crush to show our support. Come join us for some fun with your local nuns and to support this great cause!!
Portland Pride Build
The Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Monday, June 9, 2008
I'm Still Standing!
No, not Stella Standing. She's a Sister in Seattle.
I'm still around and figuring out what I want to do with this blog. Ultimately, I'd like to make it a place where people can come and find out what's going on with me, with the Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, with queer life in Portland, and get some general news and commentary through the eyes of a Sister.
I haven't been doing very well with those things thus far.
But stick around! I willing be working on this blog over the next couple weeks and hopefully turning it into something worth visiting from time to time.
Love and Light,
Sister Krissy Fiction
I'm still around and figuring out what I want to do with this blog. Ultimately, I'd like to make it a place where people can come and find out what's going on with me, with the Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, with queer life in Portland, and get some general news and commentary through the eyes of a Sister.
I haven't been doing very well with those things thus far.
But stick around! I willing be working on this blog over the next couple weeks and hopefully turning it into something worth visiting from time to time.
Love and Light,
Sister Krissy Fiction
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Red Dress - The Day After
Last night was Portland's Red Dress Party. I doubt there are any official numbers available yet, but last year the party capped out at 1,500 people. This year, the venue was larger and the goal was to sell out at 2,500 people. All I know is that there were alot of people packed in there and the place was jumping. DJ Harmonix was playing main DJ and lots of sweating bodies clad in red were dancing, drinking, and having a great time. Over the last five years, the Red Dress Party has raised over $87,000 for local charities that work with queer youth and support those living with HIV and AIDS. Whatever was raised last night will be added to that total.
The Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were again in attendance and tasked with working the door and coat check. We were assisted in this endeavor by Sisters who came in from out of town just for the event. Sisters from Seattle, San Diego, and Las Vegas were all there and working their magic. There's no way the Portland Sisters can pull off an event like this on their own. Besides, it's always nice to meet other Sisters, be able to interact and have fun together, and most of all, to serve the community together.
The night was full of great little moments. I met many new people and had some great conversations with people about the Sisters. I also had fun working the line that, at one point, went around the building. And my feet are killing me from dancing in my 6.5" platform boots, but girl, I owned that dance floor!
One great little moment was getting a chance to meet Chelsea Clinton.
Forget for a minute which presidential candidate I might support. Everyone knows the Sisters are suckers for photo ops and celebrities large or small. I had been outside working the line when we got word that Chelsea was at the party and in the VIP section. I followed in the wake of Seattle Sister Stella Standing as she made her way through the crowd, into the VIP section, and right over to Chelsea. I wish I could have had our picture taken, but I didn't have my camera on me. I just shook her hand and said, "I'm Sister Krissy Fiction and I just wanted to thank you for coming tonight." That was it, but still, a tiny thrill.
Later on I was once again working the line outside and saw Portland Novice Sister Alma Children and told her about my encounter. Alma was dissappointed that she had missed the action. As Alma walked a few feet off to say hello to the folks in line, I turned around and who was walking up? Chelsea Clinton and her entourage! So what do I do? I yell, "Alma!!" And then sweetly step in front the entourage, and say to Chelsea, "Thanks again for coming tonight, and have you met Novice Siter Alma Children? She wanted to thank you too." At which point Alma turned around and got to shake hands and greet Miss Clinton also.
I have to say, the Chelsea I saw last night is certainly not the teen I remember from when Bill Clinton was president. The media really was very cruel to her, always describing her as awkward and homely. Well, that Chelsea, if she ever existed, is long gone. In her place is an attractive, self-assured woman. She had great energy, and I am sure she will be accomplishing some great things in her life, apart from whatever her parent's accomplishements might be, and apart from whether or not her mom is the next president.
Thanks to all the Sisters from afar that came to Portland for this event. And thanks to all those in attendance who paid for tickets and helped raise even more money for local charities. I love it when we can support great organizations and have a blast at the same time!
The Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence were again in attendance and tasked with working the door and coat check. We were assisted in this endeavor by Sisters who came in from out of town just for the event. Sisters from Seattle, San Diego, and Las Vegas were all there and working their magic. There's no way the Portland Sisters can pull off an event like this on their own. Besides, it's always nice to meet other Sisters, be able to interact and have fun together, and most of all, to serve the community together.
The night was full of great little moments. I met many new people and had some great conversations with people about the Sisters. I also had fun working the line that, at one point, went around the building. And my feet are killing me from dancing in my 6.5" platform boots, but girl, I owned that dance floor!
One great little moment was getting a chance to meet Chelsea Clinton.
Forget for a minute which presidential candidate I might support. Everyone knows the Sisters are suckers for photo ops and celebrities large or small. I had been outside working the line when we got word that Chelsea was at the party and in the VIP section. I followed in the wake of Seattle Sister Stella Standing as she made her way through the crowd, into the VIP section, and right over to Chelsea. I wish I could have had our picture taken, but I didn't have my camera on me. I just shook her hand and said, "I'm Sister Krissy Fiction and I just wanted to thank you for coming tonight." That was it, but still, a tiny thrill.
Later on I was once again working the line outside and saw Portland Novice Sister Alma Children and told her about my encounter. Alma was dissappointed that she had missed the action. As Alma walked a few feet off to say hello to the folks in line, I turned around and who was walking up? Chelsea Clinton and her entourage! So what do I do? I yell, "Alma!!" And then sweetly step in front the entourage, and say to Chelsea, "Thanks again for coming tonight, and have you met Novice Siter Alma Children? She wanted to thank you too." At which point Alma turned around and got to shake hands and greet Miss Clinton also.
I have to say, the Chelsea I saw last night is certainly not the teen I remember from when Bill Clinton was president. The media really was very cruel to her, always describing her as awkward and homely. Well, that Chelsea, if she ever existed, is long gone. In her place is an attractive, self-assured woman. She had great energy, and I am sure she will be accomplishing some great things in her life, apart from whatever her parent's accomplishements might be, and apart from whether or not her mom is the next president.
Thanks to all the Sisters from afar that came to Portland for this event. And thanks to all those in attendance who paid for tickets and helped raise even more money for local charities. I love it when we can support great organizations and have a blast at the same time!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
The Season for Red
This last Sunday, The Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence hosted Red Dress Bingo. It marked the first bingo of many more to come. Here are some pictures of what you missed if you weren't there:
Some people just came to have a good time.
Some people came for a tarot reading.
Some people came to play with balls. (bingo balls, of course!)
Some people came to look heavenly.
And some just looked hellishly good!
Some people just came to have a good time.
Some people came for a tarot reading.
Some people came to play with balls. (bingo balls, of course!)
Some people came to look heavenly.
And some just looked hellishly good!Couldn't make it this month? Don't worry! The next bingo will be Rocky Horror Bingo on May 4th at 4pm at the PPAA Hall, 618 SE Alder St.
And still itching to wear that red dress? Portland's Red Dress Party is THIS SATURDAY. Come join 2,500 other people - all wearing red dresses for this charity event. Sisters from Seattle, San Diego, and Las Vegas will all be in town for this event. Look for us working the door and coat check. Come in a red dress or don't come at all!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
A Bingo Eve Tarot Reading
At 4pm on Sunday, The Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will be hosting Red Dress Bingo at the PPAA Hall in SE Portland. On this Bingo Eve, I th0ught I might offer a tarot reading to see what the big day might bring us.
**SHUFFLE**
*PLINK*
*PLINK*
*PLINK*
*PLINK*
*PLINK*
(The sound my nails make on the desk as I lay out a card)
8 of Pentacles: This card is all about hard work and diligence. We can see that the strapping young man on the card has completed 6 pentacles and is working hard to finish the last 2. So it has been with the Portland Sisters. We've been working hard to bring Sister Bingo to Portland for some time. That work has been going on for a couple years now as we have gained our status as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and filed the appropriate paperwork with the state in order to host bingo legally. The work has continued in the last few months as we booked a loaction and have tried to promote the event and get the word out. All that hard work and diligence serves as the foundation of where we are now.
10 of Swords (reversed): Yikes! It's the dreaded 10 of swords! The poor 10 of swords is one of the most feared cards in the deck. It shows some poor sap being used as a pin cushion with 10 swords sticking out of his back. I do like it in the backside, but this is a bit much. In our reading, it might have a slightly less dramatic meaning, since the card is upside down like we're trying to shake some of those swords out. It could mean that the worst has come and it can only get better from here. However, the card does serve as a warning to the Sisters not to get caught up in fear or worry over the event. Since this is our kickoff bingo there might be some tension in the air, and sometimes worry can be a form of mental bondage.
3 of Pentacles: An auspicious card for what might happen in the possible near future! This card is all about community, working together, planning, and competance. It represents a task-oriented team - people who are working cooperatively toward a common goal. There are few jobs that can be accomplished alone. We need the help of others to achieve our goals. The 3 of Pentacles is a sign that we can be more productive if we work together. You don't have to do it all by yourself. Any event hosted or party thrown by the Portland Sisters is a group effort. The location of this card in the reading is a positive sign that our efforts will have their desired effect: a successful event that helps to build community.
Queen of Wands: Our Queen appears in the position that seeks to give us some advice. Words to remember when dealing with this queen are attractive, wholehearted, energetic, cheerful, self-assured. Great advice for anyone, but especially appropriate for the Sisters. These are the qualities that make us the Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. When we couple this with the fact that the card is in the advice position what we get is: be yourSELF. All the planning and preparation has been done. What is needed now is for us to tap into that core of what makes us Sisters and share it with others at bingo. If we show Portland our attractive, wholehearted, energetic, cheerful, and self-assured selves, then bingo is going to be the place that everyone wants to be on the first Sunday of every month!
King of Swords: The King appears in the position that seeks to tell us what the final outcome is. Words to remember when dealing with this king are intellectual, analytical, articulate, just, and ethical. In this reading, this card is not so much the future as it is the final results of the current situation. This is another positive card. I take this in conjunction with our last card. When the Sisters embody that positive energy of the Queen of Wands, then our message is able to be shared and understood in clarity. We are the Queen of Wands, our message is the King of Swords. Together we make a formidable pair. Our energy propels our message of safer sex and omniversal joy through people's ears and into their minds in a way they can understand.
Overall, this a very positive reading that acknowledges the hard work we've put into Red Dress Bingo, gives us some advice to not let worry burden us down, but rather to stand firm on that postive energy of being a Sister, and when we do that, our message will continue to impact the Portland community.
I'm hoping that I will see you at Red Dress Bing this Sunday at 4pm. I'll also be doing $5 tarot readings similar to the reading done in this post. Join us at the PPAA Hall at 618 SE Alder. The doors will open at 4pm and balls will be pulled at 4:30pm. $15 gets you a bingo package. $5 for additional packages.
**SHUFFLE**
*PLINK*
*PLINK*
*PLINK*
*PLINK*
*PLINK*
(The sound my nails make on the desk as I lay out a card)
8 of Pentacles: This card is all about hard work and diligence. We can see that the strapping young man on the card has completed 6 pentacles and is working hard to finish the last 2. So it has been with the Portland Sisters. We've been working hard to bring Sister Bingo to Portland for some time. That work has been going on for a couple years now as we have gained our status as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and filed the appropriate paperwork with the state in order to host bingo legally. The work has continued in the last few months as we booked a loaction and have tried to promote the event and get the word out. All that hard work and diligence serves as the foundation of where we are now.
10 of Swords (reversed): Yikes! It's the dreaded 10 of swords! The poor 10 of swords is one of the most feared cards in the deck. It shows some poor sap being used as a pin cushion with 10 swords sticking out of his back. I do like it in the backside, but this is a bit much. In our reading, it might have a slightly less dramatic meaning, since the card is upside down like we're trying to shake some of those swords out. It could mean that the worst has come and it can only get better from here. However, the card does serve as a warning to the Sisters not to get caught up in fear or worry over the event. Since this is our kickoff bingo there might be some tension in the air, and sometimes worry can be a form of mental bondage.3 of Pentacles: An auspicious card for what might happen in the possible near future! This card is all about community, working together, planning, and competance. It represents a task-oriented team - people who are working cooperatively toward a common goal. There are few jobs that can be accomplished alone. We need the help of others to achieve our goals. The 3 of Pentacles is a sign that we can be more productive if we work together. You don't have to do it all by yourself. Any event hosted or party thrown by the Portland Sisters is a group effort. The location of this card in the reading is a positive sign that our efforts will have their desired effect: a successful event that helps to build community.Queen of Wands: Our Queen appears in the position that seeks to give us some advice. Words to remember when dealing with this queen are attractive, wholehearted, energetic, cheerful, self-assured. Great advice for anyone, but especially appropriate for the Sisters. These are the qualities that make us the Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. When we couple this with the fact that the card is in the advice position what we get is: be yourSELF. All the planning and preparation has been done. What is needed now is for us to tap into that core of what makes us Sisters and share it with others at bingo. If we show Portland our attractive, wholehearted, energetic, cheerful, and self-assured selves, then bingo is going to be the place that everyone wants to be on the first Sunday of every month!King of Swords: The King appears in the position that seeks to tell us what the final outcome is. Words to remember when dealing with this king are intellectual, analytical, articulate, just, and ethical. In this reading, this card is not so much the future as it is the final results of the current situation. This is another positive card. I take this in conjunction with our last card. When the Sisters embody that positive energy of the Queen of Wands, then our message is able to be shared and understood in clarity. We are the Queen of Wands, our message is the King of Swords. Together we make a formidable pair. Our energy propels our message of safer sex and omniversal joy through people's ears and into their minds in a way they can understand. Overall, this a very positive reading that acknowledges the hard work we've put into Red Dress Bingo, gives us some advice to not let worry burden us down, but rather to stand firm on that postive energy of being a Sister, and when we do that, our message will continue to impact the Portland community.
I'm hoping that I will see you at Red Dress Bing this Sunday at 4pm. I'll also be doing $5 tarot readings similar to the reading done in this post. Join us at the PPAA Hall at 618 SE Alder. The doors will open at 4pm and balls will be pulled at 4:30pm. $15 gets you a bingo package. $5 for additional packages.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Sister Bingo Arrives in Portland!!
After a long wait Sister Bingo is finally here! The Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will be hosting bingo with a twist on the 1st Sunday of every month at the PPAA Hall in SE Portland starting at 4pm. Your Grandma's bingo, this ain't!
April's bingo is Red Dress Bingo. Just one week before Portland's Red Dress Party, here's a chance to give that red frock a trial run. I bought a special red dress last fall at my favorite big girl store on SE Hawthorne, Savvy Plus. It's a red and black snakeskin print. When I put it on I look just like a snake digesting a bulldog. A vision of beauty, I tell you! But don't worry. If you don't have a red dress to wear to bingo, it won't be a requirement to play (but we know you'll want to wear one anyway!)
The PPAA Hall is located at 618 SE Alder St. Doors open at 4pm and we start pulling balls at 4:30pm (Get your minds out of the gutter!). A bingo pack is $15. $5 for each additional pack.
Can't make this time? Lucky for you Sisters Bingo is now a monthly event! Here's what you have to look forward to:
May - Rocky Horror Bingo
June - Sordid Lives Bingo
July - Cowboy Bingo
August - 50's Bingo
Sept - Pajama Bingo
October - Drag Queen Bingo
November - Saturday Night Fever Bingo
December - Nightmare Before Christmas Bingo
And as a special treat, I'll be doing tarot readings. $5 gets you 5 cards and 5 minutes. It's a quickie! But all the money will go towards the Portland Sisters Play Fair! condom outreach program.Just like my gelatin molds, the tarot is full of strange and mysterious things!
I hope to see you on Sunday!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Dedicating to Aphrodite
Spring Mysteries Festival is an annual event held over Easter weekend at Fort Flagler State Park on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. I like to think of it as a cross between a church service, a murder mystery party, and a renaissance fair with the Greek gods. Over the course of a few days, Fort Flagler is transformed into Athens and a ritual drama is told. Actors and actresses who also play the role of priests and priestess play the parts of the gods and allow the gods to indwell them. Participants in the festival play the part of citizens of Athens. Some of the story is told by the actors on a stage, while some of the story is interactive and involves the festival atendees interacting with the gods. I’ve always found it to be a meaningful time when I go.
One of the high points of the festival is the shrine visits. On Friday afternoon, the gods are in their shrines and accept visits. Some of the gods have messages. Some you can just talk to and seek answers from. Some accept dedicants.
At Spring Mysteries Festival 2007 I waited outside the shrine to Aphrodite with the desire to dedicate the next year of my life to her. I wasn’t sure why I wanted embark on a dedication. I had been going through a difficult breakup and told myself that I needed to learn about love. Aphrodite seemed appropriate to guide me. So I waited to see her, spoke with her, and indicated my desire to dedicate to her. She accepted my dedication and gave me a token to remember her by. I took my token home and placed it on my bookshelf.
The token stayed on that bookshelf for a year. I don’t think I ever picked it up again, and I only looked at it a few times. Perhaps my dedication was something I just did in the thrill of the moment. Maybe it was one of those things we just do when we are feeling good about ourselves at festivals or retreats. In fact, I don’t think I thought much about Aphrodite during that year at all. It wasn’t until it was time to go to Spring Mysteries Festival 2008 that the goddess once again came into my mind.
About 2 weeks before heading to the 2008 Spring Mysteries Festival I was driving down a back road through the hills outside of Portland and I was thinking about what gods I might like to go visit in their shrines this year. I thought about who I might like to work with in the upcoming year, and the gods I had dedicated to the previous year. Aphrodite. Guilt. Man, I didn’t do anything with that did I? More guilt. I just put that token up on the shelf and went my merry way. Guilt. I wanted to learn about love this year and what how did that manifest in my life?
And then it struck me: Sister Krissy Fiction
When I had first dedicated to Aphrodite, Sister Krissy Fiction was just starting to manifest herself. Sister Krissy is a member of the Portland Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. The Sisters are a full incorporated nonprofit charitable organization. One of our primary goals is to promote safer sex education and safer sexual choices. We hand out "bliss kits" consisting of condoms, lube, and instructions at bars. We also host events and fundraisers to raise money and awareness for HIV and AIDS Organizations. We take two vows: to promulgate omniversal joy and to expiate stigmatic guilt. Increase unconditional love and decrease shame. More love! Less Shame!
What could be more appropriate for a dedicant of Aphrodite? As the Aphrodite page on Neos Alexandria so rightly puts it:
"Aphrodite gives to her worshippers the blessings of joy, passion, freedom, whimsy, and appreciation of beauty in all of its forms. She presides over all types of love - from the primal stirring of the loins to the noblest kind of patriotism and love of the gods. The bonds of friendship and family and lovers are especially sacred to her. She brings together instead of tears apart, creates as opposed to destroys."
Truly, Aphrodite was manifesting alongside me as Krissy Ficition. I may have placed her up on my shelf, but her hand had been in my life helping to form and shape Krissy. I had forgotten her. She had not forgotten me.
On Friday, March 21st, during Spring Msyteries Festival 2008 I became Sister Krissy Fiction with purpose. I walked towards Aphrodite’s shrine and I waited. Once inside I thanked her for her hand in my life over the last year and I thanked her for not forgetting me. I also asked for her blessing on my manifestations as Krissy, as well as on the work of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence.
So I remain dedicated for another year to the beautiful goddess of love who taught me that love exists whether you have forgotten it or not. Love is there even when it is neglected or unreturned. Ultimately, Aphrodite manifested through me because I found her deep inside myself and allowed her to come out.
More love!
Less shame!
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