So many places

     My memory theater is huge. Why make it small? It encompasses many of the places I have lived and traveled. It is all split up into here and there, each waiting for me to place the many oddities I will rely on to memorize the things that are useful or interesting. I suppose I have a memory universe since, for example, the way I remember the parts of The Bible is set in outer space. (Thank you Dr Sexson for the CELWPGA reminder)
 
     The CELWPGA memory palace is tiny points of light surrounded by the darkness of space, or something similar, there are no planets, comets, etc; just stars and darkness. In the center is an enormous copy of The Bible (King James version of course). It is black, but I can see it clearly though it's not in a spotlight or anything like that. The lettering has been stamped into the cover so the letters are raised. The letters are golden in color,and  it has a textured cover. It's like looking at the biblical god's personal copy. I note that on the side there are finger index tabs. These are the kind that were used on my mother's dictionary when I was in high school. (I know--gasp!!! We used to use books to look up words. This was-brace yourself-before google) Anyway, there were spaces cut out and labeled so you could easily turn to the correct portion of the book to look up what you wanted. The letters on the tabs are, of course, CELWPGA. Opening to C, the creation story begins to come to life. On to E, I can watch as Moses leads his people out of Egypt. In L I see laws being written and studied. W shows me a man sharing life lessons with his son and Job's trials.  As I flip to P I see men telling stories of what is to come. G flips to the Gospel of According to Saint John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God" (this is my favorite passage of the Bible). A is why made sure to open the Bible. I was getting the words apocrypha mingled with apocalypse in my mind when only thinking of the letters. Maybe because I really enjoyed some of the books in the Apocrypha. Anyway, adding the visions of each part helped. So, when I turn to A, I see cloud cover, lightning, candles, eyes made of flame. So, CELWPGA is
C-Creation
E-Exodus
L-Law
W-Writing
P-Prophecy
G-Gospels
A-Apocalypse


My memory palace is very different for  the list in Moonwalking With Einstein. This one takes place, as I noted in class on Friday at my parents house. I followed closely the advice given to memorize this list, and it worked very well. I made it more personal in a few spots, but it's still close.

The unamusing muses I wrote about last time are getting better. My memory palace is the office where my ex-husband (the temp who thought he was cute) and I worked. He had a business in the building and we worked there for several years. I have borrowed some of his ex-employees who shall not be named to help me remember the muses. I found using their personalities and making a story to go along with the walk through helped a lot. This is a bit difficult to describe because I do not want to in any way reveal who I am writing about but I also want to share the story. I will do my best, and as in many stories, you will have to deal with less detail than you need. As I walk in I see the first woman, she is in the long entryway that at least as large as one of the offices. She is sitting on a bench in front of a calliope, but not playing it. "What is this?" I ask B (my ex-husband whose full name I shall not reveal). He tells me he has decided that what we need to increase productivity is a bit of music." But what is she doing?" turning to me with a look like I just asked her if it were day or night, she says she is writing poetry. Knowing this will be another of his epic failures, I walk in the door that leads to the offices.
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Calliope-Epic Poetry-Writing Tablet

In the break room, which is the room on the left, closest to the door, I see the next woman. She is not working either, she is dressed as Cleopatra and she is lounging on the couch reading a scroll. Enough of this, I tell her she is history and inform her she can get her things and go.

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Clio-History-Scrolls

As I walk out and down the hall, I am nearly bowled over by another employee who is running toward the bathroom with a globe and a compass babbling something about having to hurry before the rain comes.




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Urania-Astronomy-Globe and Compass


In the next room there is the next woman dancing with her boyfriend who is a liar. When I ask what the name of the dance is they tell me it is Terpsichore (why I remember the name when it is a dance and not a muse I do not know, but this works for me)


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Terpsichore-Dance-Lyre

From the next room I hear a huge sigh followed by a voice exclaiming, "He is my soul mate!". Okay, I have heard this at least once per week from this office, and it's always about a different guy who is much like the liar in the previous room. Looking in the office I see a calendar on the wall with a huge arrow pointing at it. This is Erato's office and instead of working she is writing love poems again.




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Erato-Love Poetry-Lyre like instrument (Cithara)

I quickly walk past this room and onto the next since I lost interest in the details of her love affairs years ago. Besides, I am quite happy to approach the next room. This room is occupied by Thalia who has hung a comic mask on her wall.


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B then goes to his office and I hear music. "You twerp!" I exclaim "put that flute down and get to work!!!".






































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I realize the muses are female. If it bothers you, picture him in a dress. I doubt he would mind.

Euterpe-Music-Instrument similar to a flute (Aulos)

There is a distinct sound of whining coming from further down the hallway, so I go over to investigate. Just as I thought, there is Melpomene sitting at her desk, phone in hand, telling her woes to whoever is on the other end of the line. (I had trouble figuring out a way to remember the name and use images that would not interfere, so I am attempting to chunk the name into Mel-pom-ene. It has helped.) I have also noted that she has a mask on her wall, but hers does not look cheerful like Thalia's.



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After seeing all this, and knowing I am probably the only one who is going to get anything done today, I go to my office to sort out my thoughts. There they are, just as I expected, file folders that seem to stack up infinitely. I am going to have a lot (poly) jobs to do today. I decide to take a moment to pray (hymns) for help. I just want to cover my head (veil) and hope they disappear.



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Polyhymnia-Hymns-Veil

I have a quiz on Friday for another class, I am going to attempt to use these techniques to remember the gods we have discussed. Wish me memorable thoughts!