Up All Night, a Cauldron Tradition—2015!

[HarpingHawke]

Still chewing over this one.  

What about something cosmos/larger picture focused?  I realize my geek may be showing, but I'm doing a 'one tiny speck on a little blue dot' themed working for solstice.  Trying to put the stupidity that has been 2015 into perspective.

 
I quite like this idea.

[Morag]

So…who’s with me?

 
I plan to try, though tbh I have no idea what town I'll even be in that night, so as to whether I'll be near my computer is anyone's guess. (I mean, likely, I can't really survive without the thing, but it's also possible that's a rare night I interact with people in the non-cyber space.) Mom needs me to come up to her place in the first half of December to take care of puppydog, and I have no idea when I'll be back, only that it'll be before Christmas (which we celebrate with my husband's family).

As for a non-theme...well, the big thing on my mind right now is home, and the warmth of the hearthfire, and putting together a space for living, mainly because mine currently is a disaster area with post-flood renos and hopefully December is when we can finally start putting it back together again. Other than that, no clue. I've got a pretty one-track mind right now (seems usual for me these days).

[Sophia C]

So…who’s with me?

 
Don't know if I can take part in this properly this year - it's a really busy time and I'll lose some days after staying up all night. I'll try to pop in for a few hours if I can, though!

[Altair]

Don't know if I can take part in this properly this year - it's a really busy time and I'll lose some days after staying up all night. I'll try to pop in for a few hours if I can, though!

Please do, Naomi. We count on you folks across the Pond to be our early warning system for the approaching dark!

[Altair]

As for a non-theme...

Hanging this here on Morag's post, just to say that I've been following everyone's non-theme suggestions. Still pondering...

[Sophia C]

Please do, Naomi. We count on you folks across the Pond to be our early warning system for the approaching dark!

 
I should be able to do that, and to herald the moving dawn, and still sleep in between - since the sun won't rise till something ridiculous like 8am on the solstice!

[Lionrhod]

The night straddling December 21/22 marks the upcoming 2015 solstice: the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere, and the winter solstice in the north. We have this crazy tradition here at the Cauldron of celebrating the December solstice with a cyber party that starts at sunset (wherever you are) and ends at sunrise (wherever you are), during which time we “gather” electronically in this space--posting anything and everything (but still within forum rules, of course) in a special Up All Night thread that opens on the solstice, and chatting relentlessly to help each other stay up all night—or simply for as long as one wants to stay awake and participate. Northern hemisphere or south, pagan or not, up all night long or just dropping in while you’re awake…it doesn’t matter, because everyone is welcome at Up All Night: A Technopagan Solstice Celebration!

The festivities will begin at sunset on Monday evening, December 21.

This Up All Night thread from last year gives you a taste of the merciless sleep-deprivation-fueled fun…but only a taste, because so much goes on in chat as well!

So…who’s with me?

And who’s got an idea for this year’s non-theme? (I have the beginnings of one, but I want to hear what you guys come up with first)

No promise of where I'll be but if I can manage it this seems an excellent (and most likely) place to spend my Yule vigil.

[Amphibian]

No promise of where I'll be but if I can manage it this seems an excellent (and most likely) place to spend my Yule vigil.

 
Count me in, as well.

[Night Owl]

Count me in, as well.

I'm pretty sure I can hang out for at least most of the night. It would be fun to play Cards Against Humanity again-- anyone interested?

[HarpingHawke]

I'm pretty sure I can hang out for at least most of the night. It would be fun to play Cards Against Humanity again-- anyone interested?

 
I'd love to, although for some reason it doesn't work with my computer. Hmmmmm. Maybe I'll figure it out by the time UAN rolls around.

[Altair]

Not a real suggestion, but I would be cool with just Peace...

First, to Merin and everyone, I'm delighted so many folks are planning to join in for all or part of Up All Night.

(I haven't been able to keep up with replies as much lately, since my workplace just relocated and, for the first time in 15 years there, I don't have my own office. Shared space has forced me to cut way down on my non-business surfing during work hours; appearances, you know. Dammit.)

And second...well, I've been mulling a few non-themes for a while, and Merin's suggestion struck me as mighty nice after Paris. And then Colorado Springs happened. And now San Bernadino. So yeah.
 
This year's non-theme is "Peace."

Hopes for it, prayers for it, photos of what brings it in your life, poems about it, what it means to you. Etc. And of course, it's called a "non-theme" because you can disregard it completely as you see fit.

(Thanks, Merin!)

[Altair]

The night straddling December 21/22 marks the upcoming 2015 solstice: the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere, and the winter solstice in the north. We have this crazy tradition here at the Cauldron of celebrating the December solstice with a cyber party that starts at sunset (wherever you are) and ends at sunrise (wherever you are), during which time we “gather” electronically in this space--posting anything and everything (but still within forum rules, of course) in a special Up All Night thread that opens on the solstice, and chatting relentlessly to help each other stay up all night—or simply for as long as one wants to stay awake and participate. Northern hemisphere or south, pagan or not, up all night long or just dropping in while you’re awake…it doesn’t matter, because everyone is welcome at Up All Night: A Technopagan Solstice Celebration!

The festivities will begin at sunset on Monday evening, December 21.

Less than two weeks until our cyberparty, with our "non-theme" of Peace!

So as the night approaches, it's time we begin a crucial discussion: How do you stay up all night? What are your strategies for staying awake?

[Altair]

Less than two weeks until our cyberparty, with our "non-theme" of Peace!

So as the night approaches, it's time we begin a crucial discussion: How do you stay up all night? What are your strategies for staying awake?

1. The biggest rule for me is: No red wine!

Alcohol in general will knock me out if I'm tired, but red wine in particular for me is like slipping a double dose of Ambien to someone prone to comas. I'll be out like a light.

2. TV is also verboten after about midnight, cuz the eyes will glaze over and the next thing you know, I've clocked out. In the later hours, I've got to be doing something that actively engages my mind and body.

3. Take a nap during the day before! It makes a huge difference.

[HarpingHawke]

 
Seconding the naps! Those really help.

Another thing that always makes sure I stay up later than intended is logging into chat. If anyone's comfortable with MUX chatting, then come join us! Chat's been super dead lately but it's always a party during UAN.

[Altair]

Another thing that always makes sure I stay up later than intended is logging into chat. If anyone's comfortable with MUX chatting, then come join us! Chat's been super dead lately but it's always a party during UAN.

Yeah, if there's one time when chat is busy, it's UAN.

I forgot another stay-awake strategy:

4. Eat! If I'm chewing, I can't fall asleep. Also, elaborate food preparation keeps the hands busy, which keeps the mind awake.