Rant, Rave, and Ramble

Leads

2008-08-25T20:33:31Z

So as I'm unable to do anything on Facebook now that they have changed to their new format (including click on the link to go back to the old format) I'll post to the smaller audience here.

Kimmy and I had our plans pushed back a small bit which means more time to hang out with you nice folks (yay!). Unfortunately that now means we need, on short notice, a place to rent for a single month that allows pets (boo!). Needless to say this narrows things down greatly so if anyone has any leads please get back to us asap. Also if anyone with a vehicle will be free on Sept 1st that would also be good to know.

(And if anyone knows how to fix that damn Facebook let me know that too)

Copied for those not on Facebook.

2008-04-25T11:08:46Z

Hastur if that's you stop fucking with us.

So, coming down off of a mushroom trip just before dawn we walk Becca home to her place. It wasn't yet getting light, there was a gentle fog, birds were singing and we were playing some old goth -- it was great. As we approached Becca's the spotlight next to her building was especially harsh in the fog and cast everything in a very stark appearance. Nerds that we were we made some Silent Hill jokes and walked her to her door. Noting the yellow sign on the apartment building door I was very tempted to draw the Yellow Sign but had no pen and thus we left it at that. Still slightly under the influence Kimmy and I decided that since it was such a nice night we would keep walking. Everything was well and nice on our way up until we decided to head home for the night/morning. We were in the middle of Wilmont park, it was perhaps 5:30, and headed out towards the YMCA. Passing through the children's area we noticed something on one of the benches that Kimmy at first mistook for a person. Approaching closer I realized that it was clothing. A woman's jacket, a man's jacket, and between them both a pink, fleece child's jacket. They were neither neatly laid out nor bundled together -- but arranged as it would be if people had been wearing them sitting together and just vanished. Needless to say this was fucking disconcerting in the misty near dawn light. We started to make a few jokes then realized that on another bench nearby there was a boy's coat and on the corner of the bench hung a red hat. So massively creeped out we left the park as quickly as we could before it somehow consumed us and left only our coats as well. It wasn't until a block later we realized that during that entire time the music had stopped and I had to restart my player from its clicking freeze. They way home was still very disconcerting as the buildings in the dawning light looked especially run down and squalid as frost touched the landscape. Here and there strange Edwardian touches started popping up. Including random stained glass windows in otherwise normal buildings. Single candles (electric) dieing out in windows and old rusted doors slightly ajar also highlighted our return to home. Needless to say I still feel quite disturbed with my brush with the FUCKING bizarre this morning and as much as I hate the sun I am happy to see it rise. Now I only hope that I won't be seeing little creepy kids out the corner of my eyes -- one of them wearing a red cap.

TLDR: I fear FrederictonCarcosa is going to eat me and leave only my clothes.

For those few that read here but not Facebook

2008-03-18T19:40:01Z

So I managed to get a reply from the IASHS today saying that their Associate in Sex Education Certificate (which can be used as credit towards their Masters in Sexology as well) can be taken as a correspondence course. Thus I can start on that while trying to save up money for the full degree. Now I just need the roughly $4K US that it'll cost me. Thus the reason for this post:

Does anyone of my friends out there have good experience with any of the banks for the purpose of loans for student. I've just about finished paying off the government and don't want to go back in hock with them unless there isn't a better deal out there. I'll be researching on my own of course but any leads would definitely help.

Any other good sources of funds for a non-degree study (don't know many scholarships or grants that fall into that myself) would also be of great help.

Thanks.

Save vs. Death = Botched. Fuck!

2008-03-04T21:03:38Z

RIP Gygax. I think I'm going to have a drink and reminisce my young nerdling ways.

http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2008/03/report-gary-gyg.html

Since I don't forward emails I'll just post this here -- read as you wish

2008-02-02T10:22:09Z

This is the type of anarchy I support -- leaderless resistance against a corrupt establishment.

----------------------------------------
A very large group of people on the internet has declared a "war" on the Church of Scientology. They call themselves Anonymous. While many feel this group is a bunch of hackers, their manifesto displays them as a large group of people, some very computer literate and others not so much, that fight for the freedom of knowledge and information. Many other people have tried to uncover the truth about the Church of Scientology, but have failed. The Church sends out cease and desist orders to anyone who tries to bash their reputation. They have a history of uncovering secret details in people's lives, revealing secrets to the public in order to bash their critics, and straight up stalking all enemies. They have had a "fair game" policy on all critics. "Enemies of the church could be injured, tricked, sued, lied to or destroyed. Fair game." - L. Ron Hubbard (Creator of the Church and the religion.) This is a threat to the freedom of information and knowledge that Anonymous is fighting for.

Anonymous has nothing against the religion of Scientology, although they may poke fun at some of the more interesting concepts, they believe in freedoms and they are not trying to fight the Freedom of Religion. Their fight is strictly against the Church of Scientology's illegal actions. The websites associated with Anonymous have been attacked frequently, ordered to be silenced by the church's lawyers, and some have been taken down. The Church has some of the best lawyers and has members in many government agencies. They are currently tax exempt under the claim that they are a non-profit organization. But how can a Church that charges its members for sermons/sessions/audits claim to be non-profit? As goofy, outlandish, and crazy as it sounds, they infiltrated the IRS and got the exempt status from the inside. How have they not been caught? Some have... Some have gone to jail for fraud, including L. Ron Hubbard himself. It can cost up to $300 per session, and over $300,000 for their complete series of sessions and audits.

What else is the Church of Scientology guilty of? Murder. Scientologists don't practice modern medicine, they believe psychiatry is a false science that kills, and they have their own ways of curing ailments. They claim that the cause of every ailment one suffers comes from the mind (it's all in your head type of stuff.) They have had frequent cases where they take followers who NEED modern care off of their medication. Instead they give them vitamins and auditing sessions. The result, depending on the ailment, can be fatal. MANY deaths have occurred in the Church of Scientology's headquarters in Clearwater, FL. Documents of these deaths can be found at http://whyaretheydead.net

The next wave of this war is peaceful protest. On February 10th, there will be protests around the globe at Churches of Scientology. February 10th, the birthdate of the woman who suffered one of the most controversial deaths caused by the Church of Scientology, Lisa McPherson. Want to do something about the Church of Scientology's illegal reign in the world? Forward this e-mail to your contact list. Write to your congressman about the tax exempt status of the Church. Spread the word. Attend a protest. Do some research.

Attached to this e-mail are a few protest fliers and posters. Look at them.

Don't believe this e-mail? Check out the following websites! http://xenu.net http://whyaretheydead.net On regards to the websites, there are more and there used to be a lot more, but these two are some of the only ones that have been able to survive the Church of Scientology's legal team, disclosure of additional sites may result in them being taken down. So use Google.com for research. Try searching the following things: "Truth about Scientology," "Scientology and Me BBC," "Scientology Documents," "Scientology Secrets."

Don't believe the previous websites or this e-mail? Then why believe anything at all?

Also, any Anonymous that receive this. Spread the word. The Church of Scientology may have been able to shut down Anonymous's site, but they can't shut down a mass e-mail chain.

Thank you for your time, Anonymous
----------------------

Pass it along in the manner you see fit. Word of mouth, email, postings, whatever.

Blog For Choice Day

2008-01-22T21:34:41Z

Nothing has changed since my post on this last year but I will repost what I feel is the most important part:

So if, by chance, anyone reading this views themselves as pro-life I have this to say. I do not expect you to abandon your beliefs or what you feel is morally correct and do not expect me to abandon mine. But making abortion illegal will solve nothing. It will still occur and there will actually be more suffering. Instead of trying to protest abortion or have it banned seek out to educate people. Teach them the options available to them for birth control (abstinence is a great ideal for those who want it -- but don't assume everyone can live up to it let alone desire it). Donate money to shelters, orphanages, and adoption centers so that those who do not want an abortion but cannot support their child on their own will have other options. Being opposed to abortion is one thing -- but outlawing it is not pro-life -- it only leads to more death and suffering.

My Trip to the Emergency Room

2007-08-03T06:14:59Z

So apparently today I had what has been diagnosed as a Complicated Migraine. While that sounds like the doctor just being vague it actually is a real thing. (On the other hand saying what I had were not hallucinations but 'visual somethings' was the doctor being vague). While it is not listed as such in the medical literature (and probably for good reason) from my checkered past I can tell you it's apparently the same (for me at least) as a mushroom trip minus actually taking any drugs. This would not be so bad if I hadn't been completely unprepared for 'visual somethings' and other such effects while in the middle of work. On the plus side -- it is not a stroke (not that I thought it was).

Please don't let them fuck this up!

2007-07-27T19:58:06Z

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3i9a352772046b5f139781428f87532dad
http://alpha.zeros2heroes.com/content/view/32/97/

ReBoot Returns!

Technofetish -- No Not Sex This Time

2007-07-17T12:21:35Z

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”

Most people have heard Arthur C. Clarke's Third Law of Prediction or some interpretation of it but seem to apply it only to the far future or to primitives. In truth it's going on around us every day. Ask the majority of users how the Internet works and most would be unable to answer. Sure many could, and probably would, tell you how to use it – but that's not the same thing. Take the time to consider most of the technology we use each day and how many you actually understand how they truly function. As far as most are concerned the term science could be replaced with magic as a catchall answer without much changing in our comprehension.

Even looking at the structure of of religion and mysticism we can see parallels in the modern technological society. We have the layman masses who can move through the rituals and quote the scriptures but only understand the end result not the actual functional process. Facilitating this we have the clergy of engineers and technicians creating the temples, relics, and rituals to serve as the medium between science and the common man. Beyond them we find the seers, prophets, and hermits of pure science seeing patterns, formulas, and realities that the average individual either does not perceive or cannot comprehend. Finally on the fringes we have the witches and wizards of technology – the hackers – good or bad exploring and twisting these devices and rituals in ways that frighten or bewilder those lay masses.

So I recommend taking some time each day and just witnessing how we interact with the machines and technology around us. How we allow our perception of science to quickly answer questions without pondering them for ourselves. Pick an object or an idea and really learn how it functions to the best of your ability – learn to think outside of the box and adapt and take advantage of the 'magic' we have at our fingertips.

gentlech @ 2007-06-29T02:43:00

2007-06-29T05:45:22Z

Hmmm another gorgeous night. I highly recommend anyone online in Fredericton right now to go out and check out the moon. The atmosphere is perfect for just the right mix of bright and hazy.

Sheesh since when has Fredericton gotten to be pretty.

gentlech @ 2007-06-28T07:48:00

2007-06-28T10:48:54Z

I must say that I haven't enjoyed weather like this night's in a very long time. Who cares that I got soaked to the bone -- standing out to watch that lightning was worth it.

It's been a long time

2007-06-20T08:27:24Z

To those I don't talk to as often as I should:

I'm alive and I'm happy.

Thanks,
Sven

We are weak, weak people

2007-03-05T18:25:15Z

As some of you may be aware we were going to adopt a cat. However, once at the SPCA we became aware of how bad of saps we really are and thus soon we shall have not one but two cats roaming our apartment. We have to wait for them to be spayed and for our landlord to get back from March break to vouch for his permission but then we shall have:

Minnie http://www.frederictonspca.ca/cats-minnie.htm (Check out the reverse villainous mustache)

and

Diamond http://www.frederictonspca.ca/cats-diamond.htm

Both of whom were far too affectionate, mellow, and cute for us to possibly chose between.

Huzzah for kitties but damn are we weak-willed some times.

gentlech @ 2007-01-22T15:14:00

2007-01-22T19:14:18Z

Now here's a meme I can get behind -- even if Roe v Wade didn't directly apply to Canada.

I'm pro-choice for numerous reasons. As a male I feel I have no right to dictate what happens to a woman's body. Even if I was female though I believe each individual must have the right to control their own bodies and that no one else should be able to interfere with those decisions. Finally, even if I was opposed to abortion on moral principles making it illegal does nothing to actually help the situation. Sure you may prevent some abortions and some of those parents of unwanted children may actually learn to love them and do a good job raising them. However, you will definitely have many more illegal abortions leading to injury and death and many more unwanted children facing abuse, abandonment, and the resentment of their parents.

So if, by chance, anyone reading this views themselves as pro-life I have this to say. I do not expect you to abandon your beliefs or what you feel is morally correct and do not expect me to abandon mine. But making abortion illegal will solve nothing. It will still occur and there will actually be more suffering. Instead of trying to protest abortion or have it banned seek out to educate people. Teach them the options available to them for birth control (abstinence is a great ideal for those who want it -- but don't assume everyone can live up to it let alone desire it). Donate money to shelters, orphanages, and adoption centers so that those who do not want an abortion but cannot support their child on their own will have other options. Being opposed to abortion is one thing -- but outlawing it is not pro-life -- it only leads to more death and suffering.

Damn -- not that it was unexpected

2007-01-13T08:30:27Z

http://robertantonwilson.blogspot.com/

gentlech @ 2007-01-07T07:45:00

2007-01-07T11:52:52Z

It's your Gentlech here again -- bored and once again focusing on his favorite topic and yours: Sex

I love learning about the myriad aspects of people's desires and perceptions and always want to gather more.

So here's the deal. Anonymous or not leave a comment about one of your desires, dreams, perceptions, or kinks when it comes to sex. Preferably something that is not well known -- especially for you anonymous folks. In return you may ask one question of me on the same topics (two if you've left your identity) and I promise to answer it truthfully.

gentlech @ 2006-11-29T04:39:00

2006-11-29T08:39:27Z

Blargh coworkers far too dull, conservative, and obsessed with babies and marriage. It feels like these shifts will never end and I *like* the night shift.

Welll I'm an idiot

2006-11-13T13:03:42Z

Sooo apparently I can manage to misread the stats for my own damn computer and pick up a video card that won't fit its pci slot even though I thought I had double-checked it. On the plus side the new power supply is nice and quiet -- on the down side I need either a new motherboard or to get a different video card and as the new one is opened it can't be returned. Looks like I'm going the slow full upgrade route... Damn I hate being dumb. Neverwinter Nights 2 is now the most expensive game I ever purchased by far.

Ugh... ain't life grand

2006-11-09T15:29:38Z

So I have a slight case of the flu, a major case of insomnia, and I need a new power supply for the computer before I can run NWN2. On the other hand at least I have Kimmy, sick days, and FFXII to keep me somewhat sane. Also if any of my nerdy friends have a 400+ Watt power supply they need taken off their hands let me know your price.

gentlech @ 2006-10-05T08:47:00

2006-10-05T12:34:29Z

So life is the same old same old. Work and hanging out with Kimmy -- the latter is best but the first pays the bills. On the other hand as I now work the overnight shift I'm stuck with lots of free time during the part of the day that no one else is around. The reflection time is nice but now that I'm starting my seven days off I demand socialization so let me know what plans there are for the next week.

Speaking of reflection I've spent a lot of time examining sexuality (unsurprising as it's my favorite topic) especially my own. This has led to me to produce the following break downs about myself and while this is by no means meant as a meme it is something I highly recommend others do at least on a personal and private level. Cut for those who are not interested and for overall length:

I recognize myself as male by genetic and societal definitions yet have no mental placement of gender in regards to myself. While I do not think of myself as neuter nor androgynous neither do I think of myself in terms of male nor female -- I simply am.

I classify myself as heterosexual at this time. I am quite willing to admit that I'd be interested in the chance to experience other options if I could find a male I was able to be emotionally attracted to and sexually aroused by. However, I cannot even formulate a fantasy version of such a male -- the male form simply does not arouse me in the least. In fact I was mildly disappointed when I finally concluded this as it limits my options for exploration. I do believe I could have a solely emotional relationship with another male but without the sexual connection as well I doubt I would pursue anything of the sort.

I consider myself both polyamorous and sexually open. I never comprehended monogamy at any point of my life though I practiced it as it was all I had really been societally taught. To me the thought that one must restrict ones love to only a single individual is insane. If a person wishes to only have one partner that is fine and their choice -- but to suggest having more than one is somehow impossible or causes you to care for and love the others less simply makes no sense in my worldview. Love is not something that is lessened or weakened in its sharing. It does not exist in limited quantities and thus why forcefully set a limit. I consider being sexually open to be separate from this as well. One could have multiple emotional relationships but only one sexual or vice versa and the two are not directly related though often end up combined in the eyes of many. However, as long as all parties are aware, informed, and accepting I see nothing wrong with having multiple sexual partners -- with or without an emotional relationship as well.

I consider myself to be somewhat sexually dominant but it is not a prime factor in my sexuality. I do not believe myself to be dominant outside of a sexual sense when it comes to relationships by my own choice. I could happily pursue a sexual relationship where both parties were equal and I believe I could pursue a relationship where I was dominant on all levels not just sexual but neither is something I strive for. On the other extreme I do not think I could be truly submissive on either level and a relationship where it was expected of me would be doomed to fail.

I do not consider myself masochistic and although I do not consider myself sadistic I can enjoy the practice of sadism. Masochism I simply cannot embrace at all -- I do not enjoy pain and no matter how much someone else is enjoying my pain it is not enough to allow me to override that. On the other hand while I am not aroused by the act of causing pain to others I am greatly aroused by bringing pleasure to others -- if that pleasure is caused through pain than I can whole-heartedly embrace it. I think I would probably prefer a mildly masochistic partner over one without any tendencies as it provides another layer and set of options to the act of pleasuring said partner. I do not think I could manage this with someone at the extreme ends of masochism however as I suspect there are limits to what levels of action I might be willing to perform.

I have a number of kinks that I enjoy most of which would be listed as a fetish in common terms although not by a psychological definition. I do not require any of these kinks to achieve sexual satisfaction but they do greatly enhance it and can often be fulfilling in themselves without other sexual activity. These include but are by no means limited to: Latex, nylon, bondage, feet/legs and textures in general.

I consider myself to be very sexually experimentive and adventurous. There are very few acts, situations, or kinks that I am inherently opposed to. Most others I am willing to try at least once for the sake of having the experience even if in the end I do not enjoy it. I would rather learn that I do not care for an act than risk overlooking something that I would greatly enjoy. I believe that holding on to the status-quo out of fear, anxiety, or apprehension is the worst mistake one can make in any situation let alone their sexuality.

I believe I have two main drives when it comes to my sexuality -- the act of bringing pleasure and the drive to explore and experiment. In most sexual encounters I care very little about my own directly stimulated pleasure on a physical level. It is much more enjoyable and fulfilling for me to bring pleasure to another individual than to have that individual bring pleasure or orgasm to me. I also desire to experience as many facets of human sexuality as I can that are not against my morals -- there are also some that look like they will never be fulfilled due to personal tastes overcoming this desire but anything else is not only fair game but actively sought.

So there you have it. I would be greatly interested in hearing any comments or questions on any of this especially if there is something you think I have overlooked or not addressed within these past thoughts.

Back in Fredericton for all that's worth

2006-09-04T01:41:12Z

Well fuck you too world... fuck you too.

Bow To The COG

2006-08-15T04:46:43Z

So the pilot for the COG tv show has finally hit the net. Corny as all hell but then it should be. I highly recommend -- nay -- command all of you to experience the Consortium of Genius!

Part 1:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugtyxnVVdOc

Part 2:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPbsNQBTJZM

Part 3:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYKdOP_1-8o

Drifting Away

2006-07-29T12:37:29Z

So once again I'm faced with the realization that my acquaintances, let alone my friends, have faded swiftly and quietly away. I can only think of two people I could actually confide in if I needed to. Thus I offer this:

If you think you're my friend, or if you think you want to be, reply to this, or write me an email, or send something over msn, anything. Ask me questions or tell me about yourself. If you want to claim to be a friend get to know me and let me know you -- otherwise I'm not going to waste my time worrying about things that aren't there.

I know I'm not the best at reaching out myself and thus am at fault as much, if not more, than those who thought themselves my friends. But here it is -- I promise to reply and to be completely honest -- so meet me half way.

Grrr

2006-07-20T08:24:37Z

You know I'm quite sick of the Child Tax Benefit. Not that the concept exists but that it seems like not a single damn day goes by that I don't look at an account at work where the Benefit went in at some point and then was spent at the liquor store, or the spa, or some other fucking waste of money that has nothing to do with the child let alone benefit them. I'm sick and tired of having money go to these assholes who should never have been allowed to breed in the first place let alone be 'rewarded' for having done so. Now, while I'm no fan of children, I'm not saying that the system should be scrapped. However, the system needs to be either policed or overhauled although I'm sure the government will do neither. Policing is pretty much impossible on such a wide scope and overhauling it would take actual effort and ruffle the feathers of supposed voters who are likely to lazy to actually get to the polls. I think it needs to be changed from a credit to either a refund or an investment. Either have those who rely on it provide the receipts and proof of their necessary expenditures on their children or take the money that the system would otherwise hand out and put it towards healthcare or education -- they damn well need more support than they are getting and this would benefit the children. And don't even get me started on EI.

Blargh... rant over... I think I need a stiff drink....

VICTORY!

2006-07-16T08:26:23Z

I may not be a plumber but I apparently am much better than my landlord. With much effort and searching I finally found the water shutoff (for some bizarre reason under the kitchen sink completely away from the water tank). My toilet flood shall flood no more... now to just badger him till he gets me a new one as I am now short on cold water....