Whats with the willow? and whats with the cheese?
I don't have any particular fetish for willow trees, really. I just think they're really pretty, and they're just about as poignant as a tree can get. And i really like the word "poignant".
Initially, this blog used to be called "the willow branch". I used to be under the impression that in ancient times, till around the middle ages, people used shaved willow branches, or willow sticks rather, to clean their teeth. This is true. And since I'm going to be a dentist in a couple of years, and I like willows, I thought "the willow branch" would be a cool name for a dental clinic.
Recently, however, i found out that while people did use willow sticks to clean their teeth, they also used yew sticks. And spruce sticks. And applewood sticks. And maple sticks. And rosebush sticks. and probably any damn stick they can actually get ahold of. All you need is a soft wood, shave of the bark at one end, carve it up a bit to get some bristles, and use it to scrub your teeth and chew on it and all that, and behold, your teeth will be about as clean as you can get it in these pre-colgate times.
Just for interest, the Chinese invented the first toothbrush. It was wild arctic boar bristles stuck into bamboo poles. Hua2 ren2 power! (lol)
So while i guess that original willow branch idea is kinda out now, i still think willows are cool.
Heres some pseudo-mystical info i found on willows:
Willow
Salix spp.
Family: Salicaceae (Willow family)
Willow is also called the Tree of Enchantment, Osier, and Sough Tree. There are at least 500 willow species. In western tradition it is a symbol of mourning and unlucky love. The Latin name for the weeping willow refers to the psalm in which the Hebrews mourn their captivity in Babylon by the willows. Willow indicates cycles and rhythms. The Willow is associated with the elements of water, the moon, and the gods Artemis, Ceres, Hecate, Persephone, Hera, Mercury, Belili, Circe, and Belenos. It is associated with death, femininity, love, and healing. It is used to make friendship pacts and alliances. Its leaves are used in love attraction sachets and moon magic wands are made from its wood. It is combined with sandalwood to invoke spirits. Placed in homes, it protects against evil and sorcery. Carried, the wood will help one overcome the fear of death. If one needs to get something off their chest or to share a secret, confess to a willow and your secret will be safe. Willow wood is good for harps. Good for planting and lining burial graves for its symbolism of death and protection. If one wants to know if they will be married, on New Year's Eve, throw your shoe or boot into a willow, if it doesn't catch in the branches the first time, the individuals has eight more tries, if they succeed, they will wed.
Well, I like the "friendship pacts and alliances", "love attraction sachets" and "moon magic wands" bits. And also how it protects against "evil and sorcery". And that its good for harps! Would be nicer if it was good for guitars, but any musical instrument is fine too! Can't say the same about just any wood, can you?
Not that I'm really into the whole mystical celtic druid or wiccan thing, but its just interesting. Oh, and traditional red indian youths make their dreamcatchers out of willow wood. Because willow wood tends to become brittle and cracks, its supposed to symbolise the fleeting nature of youth. (And boy is my youth fleeting away)
Maybe I'm getting too much into this whole willow thing, but hey, I'm stuck at home with not much to do. Humour me.
And whats with the cheese? Well, heres a non-consumable definition of cheese, from the big fat red leatherbound Chambers Dictionary on my shelf:
Cheese: noun slang (big cheese) an important person. [perhaps from Urdu chiz, thing]
And thats me to a T.
Oh and I just saw the results of the Durex Global Sex Survey, particularly about the frequency of sex. Singaporeans are only getting it 79 times a year, compared to the french who get lucky on average 139 times a year! Thats like once in 4.6 days compared to once in 2.6 days! Haha but still better than the japanese, who only do the naughty 46 times annually, or about once in 7.9 days.
Judging from the thriving japanese pornography industry, I surmise that Japanese men spend too much time watching porno and fantasizing about hot AV girls than romancing women that are actually within reach. Go figure.
Back to the sex survey. You know what? I... actually, in an effort to maintain a "G" rating for this blog, especially since relatives might read this, i think i'll stop this discussion right here. Haha.
This is where i got the link to the durex survey, though:
She be funny. Heh. Check her out.
posted by Đirestraits @ 9:26 pm
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