T. Strange's Blog, page 19
July 10, 2014
My Biggest Regret
When I was in grade eleven, I did a big project on the history of marriage. I thought about using the mahwidge clip from The Princess Bride, but I chickened out. It is one of my biggest regrets in life so far.
July 9, 2014
Horsey Times!
I went to see my horse today!
I hadn't seen her in like a month, and she galloped over when she heard/saw me <3
Her coat looked amazing (until I gave her a spray-down with the hose and she rolled in the sand in an effort to keep the bugs down). And there were so many bugs! I just followed her around the whole time, swatting bugs, leaving a trail of horsefly carcasses in my wake, trying to give her some (relatively) bug-free grazing time.
It really is a testament to how good-natured horses are--if I were covered in bugs all day, every day, for months, I would be homicidal.
I hadn't seen her in like a month, and she galloped over when she heard/saw me <3
Her coat looked amazing (until I gave her a spray-down with the hose and she rolled in the sand in an effort to keep the bugs down). And there were so many bugs! I just followed her around the whole time, swatting bugs, leaving a trail of horsefly carcasses in my wake, trying to give her some (relatively) bug-free grazing time.
It really is a testament to how good-natured horses are--if I were covered in bugs all day, every day, for months, I would be homicidal.
July 8, 2014
Percy Jackson
I finally gave in and watched Sea of Monsters last night, because I was tired of Netflix-surfing.
I really enjoy the books (though I have an amazing capacity to forget what each book is about as soon as I've read it) but I hated The Lightning Thief (movie version). It took a bold leap (and boredom) to try the second movie, but I'm glad I did.
My wife and I both screamed when Nathan Fillion had his aside to the audience. I had to go back and make sure I had just seen that!
I really enjoy the books (though I have an amazing capacity to forget what each book is about as soon as I've read it) but I hated The Lightning Thief (movie version). It took a bold leap (and boredom) to try the second movie, but I'm glad I did.
My wife and I both screamed when Nathan Fillion had his aside to the audience. I had to go back and make sure I had just seen that!
July 7, 2014
BDSMonday - Three Questions
It's BDSMonday!
Today, I thought it would be nice to share experiences. If there's something you've always wanted to try but never gotten the chance, you can get an idea of what to expect from others in the BDSMonday-sphere.
If there's something you've never tried because it seems frightening, you can have your fears assuaged (or reinforced!) by someone who has done that activity. So, what is...
Something you haven't gotten to try
Something you're scared to trySomething that was a letdown
For me, I haven't gotten to try suspension, I'm scared to try flesh hooks, and fireplay was a letdown (at least the kind with the sticks and the alcohol-soaked cotton. To me it just felt like being licked by a dog. To be fair, it was during a demo, not a scene, so I wasn't really in the zone).
Vanilla Corner: Is there a BDSM activity you've fantasized about trying? Which part of BDSM scares you the most? Have you tried a fantasy and had it not live up to your expectations?
July 5, 2014
Random Fact Time!
I feel like sharing a Random Fact about myself.
My pupils are different sizes.
I was blissfully unaware of this fact, until my first girlfriend's mother pointed it out. And told me that, because I hadn't suffered recent head trauma, I probably had a brain tumor so I should get it checked out.
I was thoroughly freaked out from that moment until I could get an ophthalmologist appointment.
They anesthetized my eyes, and I highly don't recommend it. I could feel my eyelids opening and closing over my eyes and it was a really weird sensation. Bleh. Then they blew air in my eyes.
Then the ophthalmologist ran a whole bunch of tests...and then told me that about 25% of people naturally have differently-sized pupils. Ya couldn't have told me that from the beginning??? This couldn't be public knowledge?!
He was like, yeah, it's probably nothing. Let's dilate your pupils for shits and giggles (otherwise known as being cautious, but I was pretty fed up by that time). Getting your pupils dilated is not much fun, but not nearly as bad as the eye anesthesia.
At least I live in Canada so the experience was free. If I'd had to pay for it, I'd have billed my ex's mom.
I would love to hear a Random Fact about you!
My pupils are different sizes.
I was blissfully unaware of this fact, until my first girlfriend's mother pointed it out. And told me that, because I hadn't suffered recent head trauma, I probably had a brain tumor so I should get it checked out.
I was thoroughly freaked out from that moment until I could get an ophthalmologist appointment.
They anesthetized my eyes, and I highly don't recommend it. I could feel my eyelids opening and closing over my eyes and it was a really weird sensation. Bleh. Then they blew air in my eyes.
Then the ophthalmologist ran a whole bunch of tests...and then told me that about 25% of people naturally have differently-sized pupils. Ya couldn't have told me that from the beginning??? This couldn't be public knowledge?!
He was like, yeah, it's probably nothing. Let's dilate your pupils for shits and giggles (otherwise known as being cautious, but I was pretty fed up by that time). Getting your pupils dilated is not much fun, but not nearly as bad as the eye anesthesia.
At least I live in Canada so the experience was free. If I'd had to pay for it, I'd have billed my ex's mom.
I would love to hear a Random Fact about you!
July 2, 2014
Underrated Writing Skill
I'm rereading the Bounty Hunter Wars trilogy by K. W. Jeter. I just started book two, and I noticed something--he's excellent at mentioning relevant events from the first book, for those who might not have read it, without long "previously on..." sections that are tedious to people following the series in order. (I'm looking at you Laurel K. Hamilton, with your literal copy-and-paste flashbacks).
I've never come across any advice on how to tackle this situation, or really read anything about it, but I think getting the right balance of 'enough to catch people up' and 'not boring' is tricky. I know that I, as a reader, appreciate when it's done well. As I (hopefully, eventually!) start to have sequels, I hope I'll be able to write those sections well.
June 30, 2014
BDSMonday - Word Association
It's BDSMonday! (And it's almost 9pm...today sort of didn't happen, so this week is going to be quick and easy. And it sort of ties into last week's topic).
What's the first thing that comes into your mind for the following words?
BDSM
Kink(y)
Bondage
Discipline
Dominance
Submission
Sadism
Masochism
Vanilla people are always encouraged to join in, but this week especially!
June 28, 2014
BDSMonday - Followup
After reading all of your amazing input, my personal definition of what BDSM is goes something like this:
BDSM is any consensual activity that is considered kinky/BDSM by the participants. The power of the participants must be as equal as possible for that consent to be valid.
Anything you'd add or change?
BDSM is any consensual activity that is considered kinky/BDSM by the participants. The power of the participants must be as equal as possible for that consent to be valid.
Anything you'd add or change?
June 23, 2014
BDSMonday - What Is (Or Isn't) BDSM?
It's BDSMonday!
Today's question seems pretty straightforward--what is BDSM, and what isn't--but I've met a lot of people who've been told by someone who 'knows more' than them that, "Oh, activity X isn't BDSM. That's not kinky."
BDSM as an acronym means: bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, sadism and masochism. Those are pretty broad umbrella terms. It doesn't specifically mention sex at all--again, I've heard people say that BDSM can never involve sex, and people say that BDSM is always sexual.
Wikipedia's definition: BDSM is a variety of erotic practices involving dominance and submission, role-playing, restraint, and other interpersonal dynamics. Given the wide range of practices, some of which may be engaged in by people who do not consider themselves as practicing BDSM, inclusion in the BDSM community and/or subculture is usually dependent on self-identification and shared experience. Interest in BDSM can range from one-time experimentation to a lifestyle, and there is debate over whether a BDSM or kink sexual identity also constitutes a form of sexual orientation.
Personally, I think that's an excellent definition. It's very broad, and I really like the use of "other interpersonal dynamics." And it's very true that people can be practicing what could easily be called BDSM activities without identifying themselves as kinky.
To me, BDSM is more of a state of being than a checklist: yep, that's BDSM. No, that's not. I don't feel I'm in any position to judge or label other people's experiences, and I don't want to.
I don't think it's right for people to be told that what they're doing isn't BDSM. I don't see the need to narrow the definition to exclude people. If someone feels that what they're doing is kinky or BDSM, why should they have to alter their personal definition?
And to me, BDSM is personal. We can join chat groups and go to munches and workshops, but at the end of the day, most of the people in your community (whether online or in real life) aren't coming into your bedroom (or wherever you play). However you want to define your role and your involvement in BDSM is up to you.
Do you think there are things that are never BDSM? What is your personal definition?
June 22, 2014
Oral...Hygiene
I have a very small mouth (and a mighty gag reflex, but that's beside the point of this post).
Toothbrush shopping is always a trying time for me (and anyone unfortunate enough to be present), because I have very specific requirements: it has to be small, have soft bristles, and be purple, in that order of importance. And it is way more difficult to fill those three requirements than you'd think!
Or it was, until I found this toothbrush. It is hands down the best toothbrush I've ever had. For the first time, I can actually brush my teeth the way dentists tell me to, because it's small and at just the right angle. (And yes, I know it's a kid's toothbrush...)
It's not great for brushing my tongue, though...which leads me to the upshot of this post.
My wife comes home and sees a third toothbrush in our (super adorable sheep-shaped) toothbrush holder.
"...is there something I should know...?"
Toothbrush shopping is always a trying time for me (and anyone unfortunate enough to be present), because I have very specific requirements: it has to be small, have soft bristles, and be purple, in that order of importance. And it is way more difficult to fill those three requirements than you'd think!
Or it was, until I found this toothbrush. It is hands down the best toothbrush I've ever had. For the first time, I can actually brush my teeth the way dentists tell me to, because it's small and at just the right angle. (And yes, I know it's a kid's toothbrush...)
It's not great for brushing my tongue, though...which leads me to the upshot of this post.
My wife comes home and sees a third toothbrush in our (super adorable sheep-shaped) toothbrush holder.
"...is there something I should know...?"
