IshtarAndromeda

IshtarAndromeda is most famously known as creator of "The Theme Show" podcast. Two episodes of which (both pirate themed) feature on the official "International Talk Like a Pirate Day" website.

She has been an internet minion since college, where she used to browse via Mosiac. She is full of those tales old-timers tell starting with "back when I was young" about when social networking was not done via FaceBook and Twitter, but via Usenet and IRC. When downloading a photo used to take not only hours, but several different packets (something.gif part 1/5) to accomplish. And when MMORPG's were text based MUDs.

Boy I've just made myself sound ancient!

I've had my own website (albeit under different hosts, starting back with Geocities) for ages now, and intend to present all my old formats as part of an ongoing project I like to call "Moldy Oldies".

Other than that I dabble in many other things, including numerology, photography, sewing, furniture refinishing, upcycling and trashion, music, media reviews, fanfiction... and more! All of which you will eventually find here.

F.A.Q. (or Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Me But Were Afraid to Ask)

There's no way "Ishtar" or "Ishtarandromeda" is your birth given name, so what's it really?

I admit it's a nickname/stage name. My real name is Tonya Pino Taylor.

How old are you?

Don't you know it isn't polite to ask a lady her age? I'm 36

Where are you from?

Medford, MA.

What's your occupation?

Amateur Podcaster/DJ

What's your favorite snack?

Organic Blue Corn Tortilla Chips with Hummus (Dill is my favorite).

What's your favorite restaurant?

Meat: Texas Roadhouse.

Indian: Bollywood Grill

Fast(Mexican): Baja Fresh.

Chinese: Any as long as I can order Crab Rangoon and Orange Chicken or Spicy Singapore Rice Noodles (or some variant thereof)

What are your vices?

I bite my nails. I have a short attention span, especially when it comes to interests.

How About Virtues?

NO! And if anyone tells you otherwise kill them for spreading such a dirty rumor!

What is your favorite drink?

Nantucket Nectars Half & Half (Lemonade/Iced Tea), Arizona Iced Green Tea with Ginseng and Honey, Coke (the cola!)

Do you drink?

Soda and juice? Yes. Alcohol? I drink It seldom.

Do you smoke?

No

Do you do recreational drugs?

No.

What religion are you?

None (atheist/agnostic), though I have an interest in religions/mythology.

What kind of music do you like?

All different kinds. This like many of my interests falls under that changes at random category.

What kind of clothes do you wear?

Lately? Mom-wear. Yes I'm one of those ones dropping off their kid in jeans & sweats. I plan to remedy this however. My newest potential project is a retro clothing line (stay tuned!)

What do you look like?

I'm teeny (5'1"). I weigh about 150 lbs (gads, I really need to lose weight!). I have brown (dyed mahogany) shoulder length hair. I have blue eyes. I have two legs, two feet, two arms, two hands, a torso, and a head (which includes two eyes, two ears, one nose, one mouth, and some hair).

What kind of car do you drive?

Currently a 2004 Mitsubishi Outlander XLS in Electric Blue Pearl.

Who's your favorite actor?

As of this pressing: Zachary Quinto, Matt Bomer, Alexander Skarsgard

Who's your favorite actress?

Don't really have one currently: standard fallback answer is Famke Janssen. I also like Kristen Bell, Summer Glau and Eliza Dushku a lot.

Who's your favorite musician?

Bands: Kula Shaker, Genesis (old-school)

Male/ to cheer me up: "Weird Al" Yankovic

Male/ other: Peter Gabriel, Gary Numan

Female: Natacha Atlas, Nina Simone

Danceable: Benny Benassi, Praga Khan

Chillout: Donovan, Pink Floyd. Brian Eno

Favorite Beatle: George Harrison (currently, although for most of my life it was John Lennon)

Favorite Monkee: Peter Tork

Favorite Pink Floydian: Syd Barrett

Got a favorite you want me to add? Leave a comment and I'll try to answer/add it!

Incidentally this list changes a lot. It's probably best to just read "Song of the Moment"

Who's Your Favorite Comedian?

Eddie Izzard/Denis Leary/Noel Fielding/Adam Sandler/Andy Samburg

What's In A Name?

How did you get your nickname?

It was 1991, my first year of college. I didn't have a TV and no one I knew did either, but there were two TV lounges on the first floor of my dorm. So late at night (or should I say early morning, it was about 4:00 am) a bunch of friends and I would watch Underdog. The other people in involved were Adam, Joe, Jim, and some girl who's name I forget so I'll just call her Sue. So Sue tells Adam that he looks like a "Chip", he doesn't appreciate this and so tries to come up with an equally annoying nickname for Sue. All he came up with was "Fuchsia", which Sue actually liked (being an art student, and it was her favorite color) so she didn't mind. Well then it became habit that everyone had to use a nickname, so they were given out accordingly. I became Ishtar (which most people thought was insulting because of that horrible movie, but I knew better and used it with pride). Anyway I got my first e-mail account and decided my name was too boring to use as a log-in, so Ishtar was the choice I made, and has been that way now forever.

OK, so what is Ishtar, if not a terrible movie with Dustin Hoffman?

Ishtar is the Babylonian/Assyrian goddess of love, procreation, and war. She is the sister of Ereshkigal (Goddess of the Underworld). Ishtar arms herself with a quiver and bow. Sometimes she had a lion on which she would ride. Her sacred symbol is an eight or sixteen-pointed star. Her sacred number is 15. Her Astrological region is Dibalt (Venus) (My ruling planet as a Taurus is also Venus).

So, tell me a story already!

Ishtar because she was the goddess of Love had many lovers, but because she was also the goddess of war she was often easily angered. Here is a story about one of Ishtar's lovers:

Tammuz

Ishtar sent her lover, Tammuz, to live on the Earth. Wherever he walked, the earth brought forth fruit and crops and green land. The birds and animals followed him when he played his flute, and all the people loved him. At first Ishtar looked down from the heavens and was proud, but in time she felt that Tammuz was adored too much, and that his power was rivaling her own. She called her messengers, and ordered them to Kill Tammuz.

Tammuz descended to the underworld, the home of the dead, where Ishtar's sister Ereshkigal ruled. Ereshkigal welcomed him with pleasure, for she was jealous of her sister who enjoyed life in the sunlight. After the death of Tammuz, all living and growing things on the earth above started to wither and die. The crops, leaves and grasses curled. The birds and animals grew quiet. The rivers ran dry and the people grew hungry and thirsty. The people prayed to Ishtar desperately, and she heard them and came down to earth. She saw the sad land, the hardened rivers, and the people's offerings at the temples. The people begged her to be merciful, and let Tammuz walk the earth once more. Ishtar's heart was touched, and she gathered the people and told them she would go to Ereshkigal's kingdom and battle to regain Tammuz.

As she descended towards the Underworld, the earth above grew cold, as if love itself had left creation. At last she came to the City of the dead. Her courage almost failed her as she thought about how no living thing had ever returned from this realm. But she thought of Tammuz, and her heart filled with love and made her go on. At the first gate the watchman demanded she give up her crown in order to pass. At the second she gave up her necklace. The third gate required of her to surrender her earrings, but still she went on. At the fourth gate they took her bracelets of gold from her wrists and ankles. At the fifth gate she gave up the jewels resting on her breast. At the sixth her girdle made of birthstones. And finally at the last gate she left her silken robe. She heard the sound of the gates shutting and being locked behind her.

Ereshkigal laughed at the site of Ishtar naked and helpless before her. She sat upon her throne with snakes and salamanders wriggling about her feet. Tammuz himself did not even recognize the goddess. Ishtar fell to her knees and pleaded with Ereshkigal to let Tammuz go, but Ereshkigal only laughed at her. Quickly Ishtar leapt past the guardians, and embraced Tammuz, tears streaking her face. The tears restored life to Tammuz, and he opened his eyes and clutched Ishtar so hard, not even the guards could separate them.

Ereshkigal was bitter; she released Tammuz on the condition that he must return for six months each year. Ishtar and Tammuz had to agree. They hurried back through the seven gates, reclaiming Ishtar's garments and jewels on the way. They ascended to the earth above, and as soon as Tammuz feet touched the earth, he kissed the ground out of joy. Life poured back into the planet, the birds sang, and the animals awoke from their slumber. The people rejoiced. From that moment on, when Tammuz was summoned back to the Underworld the earth would die and winter would come. When he returned six months later, spring would come and the land would bloom.

I liked that story tell me another!

The goddess Ishtar had many lovers. She loved a lion, a stallion, and a shepherd, all of whom sacrificed much to her only to be abandoned. She loved a gardener, Ishullanu, who offered her fruit, until he realized who she was and shriveled away. Ishtar was so angered by his behavior; she turned him into a frog. She grew tired of Tammuz once he began to leave the earth for half of the year, and eventually turned her interests elsewhere.

In the land of Uruk, arose a young and handsome hero named Gilgamesh. The son of the warrior-king Lugalbanda and the wise goddess Ninsun, Gilgamesh built the walls of the city Uruk, and the Eanna temple complex, dedicated to Ishtar. He is the king and shepherd of the people of Uruk, but he was very wild, which upset his people, so they called out to Anu (God of the Sky, and King of the Gods). Anu told Aruru (Goddess of Creation) to make a companion for Gilgamesh, so that they could fight and be kept occupied. Aruru created Enkidu.

It wasn't long before Ishtar heard of Gilgamesh's great deeds and fell in love with him. After Gilgamesh conquered the kingdom of Humbaba, Ishtar goes to him to try and convince him to be her lover. While he is cleansing himself, Ishtar arrives bearing many gifts and the homage of earthly rulers and kingdoms. Gilgamesh, having grown up in UR, knew the stories of the Great Goddess well. He rejects her both because of her nature as a Goddess, and because of her fair-weather personality. Ishtar is furious and asked Anu to send the Bull of Heaven to kill Gilgamesh, and he agrees provided Ishtar promises to keep the people of the land well provided for seven years. Gilgamesh with the help of Enkidu, successfully slay the Bull of Heaven, but with a hefty price. The gods take revenge on Enkidu for killing the Bull of Heaven, and he grows ill and dies. Gilgamesh mourns his lost friend, and curses the goddess Ishtar for what she has done. After Enkidu's death, Gilgamesh seeks out the wise man Utnapishtim to learn the secret of immortality. After much hesitation, the sage reveals to Gilgamesh that a plant bestowing eternal youth is in the sea. Gilgamesh dives into the water and finds the plant but later loses it to a serpent and, disconsolate, returns to Uruk to end his days.

If I were to name my child Ishtar, what would it mean?

The first name of Ishtar describes a friendly, approachable, and generous person. Generally this person is good-natured, though at times they may be blunt and sarcastic. This child will be naturally talkative, and find it easy to meet and make friends. This name inclines the bearer to be sympathetic and generous to those in difficult or unfortunate circumstances. Firm, positive, and independent in ideas and in reaching decisions are also prominent characteristics. When it comes to taking action or following things through to completion, Ishtar often needs encouragement. Ishtar responds quickly to kind words or any appreciation shown to her. There are artistic, creative abilities in this name that could be expressed through music or singing, or, in a practical way, through sewing or interior decorating. She enjoys freedom from monotony and is stimulated by unexpected opportunities for meeting people, entertaining, or pursuing activities of a carefree nature. In work, she will find it difficult to be neat and orderly. Ishtar rarely plans things ahead of time, or follows a routine. Emotion and feeling, the desire to be carefree, friendly, and happy, are the driving forces in her being, rather than shrewdness, ambition, and material success.

Do you have any of your own theories in the name or the Goddess Ishtar?

Gods and Goddesses were modeled upon the essence that makes all humans. The writers of ancient parable often attributed a particular attribute or force of nature to the gods to help define and shape that which was unexplainable. Thus it is also so with the legend of Ishtar. Based on qualities that can be seen in all people, women in particular, she embodies both a nurturing and loving side as well as a wild and untameable side. Though the myths die, and new gods are erected in time, human nature remains constant, and the spirit on which the mythologies were written remains within us. It is said, that Ishtar began to lose her powers when the people ceased to believe in her. However she still walked the earth, and stripped of her worshippers, temples, and jewels, realized her folly in having been too proud. She had truly loved Gilgamesh, and she lost him through no error save her own at having been so scornful and capricious. She slowly faded away, leaving her essence to be carried on through womankind. The punishment being that male gods would eventually become those which the people revered, and as such women would live as subservient to men for many centuries. Gilgamesh rose and fell like many heroes do, and on his deathbed realized that much of the sorrow in his life became of scorning Ishtar. He realizes that she had learned from her mistake, and was ready to truly love him, but it was too late, and he died never having told her he was sorry. Nature however is not without a sense of irony; the spirit of Gilgamesh lived on through many centuries in the tales of heroes, giving him in a sense the immortality he had been looking for. This was not without its price, the heroes through which he was continually reincarnated were always tragic, often dying or loosing everything to the follies of love. And so it seemed that both lovers were doomed to perpetually atone for their sins. It is written however that in an age when females again regain some of their equality, that Ishtar will regain some of her power, and channel her energy into a woman of her choosing. This woman, acting as an avatar would eventually come of age and choose for herself a mate, but not without sacrifice. The first meeting would end abruptly, and the woman's soul to be cleansed through a series of terrible relationships, teaching her humility and how to appreciate true love when she again found it. In doing so she would not make the mistakes Ishtar had made and take her mate's love for granted. The male of course, unbeknownst to him, carried the spirit of Gilgamesh. After his own tribulations, would somehow find himself transported to a place where the two could once again be united and live happily with one another until the end of their days, as it should have been thousands of years before.

So where's the Andromeda come into all of this?

Andromeda is the maiden whom Perseus rescued from the sea monster Cetus (or if you're watching way too much "Clash of the Titans", The Kraken). Her name translated basically means "one who is mindful of man/men". The Andromeda got added to my nickname as a sort of two-fold process. The first of which was to designate me from the "other" DJ Ishtar from Italy (Male) as I got bored of having to always write "The Diva" in front to specify I was female as well to designate me from the other female DJ Ishtar from the Netherlands. It is indicative of the "taming" or my dual nature. I have always maintained a bit of a duality, in that as a regular everyday person you would find me quite quiet, sensitive, and loyal. However when I used to club I always became much more outrageous, open, and yes capricious like the goddess for whom I named myself. The Andromeda also indicates my "settling" down, in opposition to the single "Ishtar" "Ishtarandromeda" is my married persona, indicating my commitment to a family life. You may find however that Ishtar's caprciousness still rears it's head as can be seen by my interests in music and gaming which can change on the spot.

Homepage: http://ishtarandromeda.com

Yahoo Messenger: diva_dj_Ishtar

Jabber/GTalk: ishtarandromeda

AIM: ishtarandromeda