Thoughts on monsters...

Caught this post over by LawDog. And it got me thinking...

There have been many times I've had similar discussions to the one he describes, dealing with people who wish to profess that they could never hurt anyone. That call themselves "pacifist", and claim moral superiority to me, since I am armed and willing to defend myself and those around me.

Oddly enough, they usually end up calling me when there's a "problem" in their life. Funny, that.

I met my monster early in life. It took many years for me to learn how to keep him leashed. Took even longer for me to learn the other part of the control equation...

A couple times in my life, I have sensed that I was about to blow: that the monster was about to slip his leash, and run amok. Realizing that Hell was about to break loose, I leave: no explanations, no dramatic words or gestures. Exit, immediately.

The last time was at an outdoor event with BACA. Tempers had been running high all day, and mine had finally gotten frayed to breaking. I recognized what was about to happen, and left. One of our SSMs ("prospects" to you MC folks) asked me about it a couple days later, and self-rightously denounced me for my "inability to control my temper".

I looked at her for a few seconds, and calmly asked if she always kept herself under control. When she replied yes, I asked about her arrest for disorderly conduct, and some of the other conflicts she'd been involved in. "That's different!", she exclaimed. And I agreed: *I* recognized when my temper was about to slip, and would remove myself from the situation. Whereas she didn't have that self awareness.

Folks, everybody has a bad day. And controlling the monster doesn't just mean keeping it locked down. Being human, it will sometimes slip it's leash. Knowing that it can happen, and being big enough to walk away from the provocation, makes one an adult.

Also know when it's appropriate to release the beast: he's there for a reason. Spend the time to get to know him, learn his ways, and learn to not only restrain him... but control him.

OMG! I'm a Tamism!

So... catching up on my blog reading. Perusing Tam's place, and I come across this piece discussing unintended consequences to our actions.

Not going to rehash: go read it there. However, this line jumped at me:

Suppose the kid carried a pistol openly on his right hip... and another one not so openly in his left pocket?

Oh jeeze: I'm one of Tam's "what ifs?" for this situation. I feel special now!

Blu update

OK... been using the e cigs for close to three weeks now. Things I've noticed:

-NO "smokers cough". It's very rarely I start coughing any more

-no ash or burns on clothing. This ised to be a bit of a problem (Spoon was always joking about me "making an ash of myself". Not anymore)

-My sense of smell is returning. Point of fact, I have to smoke a regular cigarette if I'm going to be around smokers, so I don't smell them.

-My tongue's turning black. Yes, this is a downside: gonna check, and make sure it isn't just the atomizer going bad. And I'm willing to deal with a black tongue for the benefits compared to a regular cigarette...

-These things last forever. Right now, I'm running about 1 a day

If I notice anything else that becomes a problem, I'll let y'all know...

Trying something new to beat da man

Ok... not sure how many of you are aware, but I'm a smoker.

Like many a smoker, I've resigned myself to living my life as a pariah: even joke about it when I enter the designated smoking area at a social function. "Ahh... HERE'S the rest of the social lepers!". And I was ready for this state of affairs to continue, with our legiscritters and goobernor deciding that Wisconsin should be "smoke free". Then I made a discovery...

What I found was the "electric cigarette". Sounds silly, doesn't it? Ran into someone with one at Faire, and thought "this might have it's uses". So I did me some research, and found one that didn't break the bank (I chose the Blu Cig). Good timing on my part.

Last night, while buying chocolate for Spoon, I noticed that the tax hike on cigarettes has gotten out of hand. The pouches of loose tobacco I use to roll my smokes has doubled in price (I'll have a rant about the sin tax and associated stupidity later this weekend). Thankfully, my "e-cig" starter kit was already on it's way.

Point of fact, it arrived today.

So I'm giving this thing a test-drive. So far, my impressions are good.

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First off: when I placed my order, I was warned that it might be 4-6 weeks due to backorder. Now, I don't know if this is the "Scotty Ploy", or I just got lucky. But the package showed up in roughly a week.

Here it is, just opened up:



I was actually impressed with the packaging: I had ordered one of the less expensive "starter kits", but this thing was nice.

The starter kit comes with 2 batteries, the "pack" (which is a combination carry case and mobile charger), USB and wall charger units, and a "carton" of cartridges. That's 5 packs of 5 each. Looks like this:



And yes, that's a quarter for size comparison.

Got the batteries all charged up, and started using the silly thing. And again: I'm impressed.

It's not like smoking a normal cigarette... not quite. There's no ash, no real odor. And no sense of smoke invading your lungs. Just a nice clean delivery of nicotine to my system.

Managed to go through one cartridge (actually trying to finish off the second while I type this). Since I usually average between 10 & 20 cigarettes a day, that isn't all that bad. And my usual "smoker's hack" just hasn't really been there...

So tentatively, we're going to give a Privateer Seal of Approval to Blu Cigs as an alternative to actual burning tobacco...



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Gonna add in here: smoking IS stupid. It amounts to willingly putting poison into your body. But that's one of the great things about freedom: we CAN choose to do these things.

The day our society actually works like the one in Demolition Man, I'll become a hermit...

There are some things I can't stand...

Everyone has a pet peeve: something that drives them absolutely wild. For me, probably THE biggest issue is lying.

Now, I understand some lies: we all lie to the cops, and suchlike. But to needlessly lie to someone you're close to... that's the epitome of low, and shows a complete lack of regard for the person being lied to.

Any relationship, from the barest of friendships to lovers, requires trust: you have GOT to trust that whoever's in the relationship with you will be honest. When that trust gets violated, it's problematic at best. Yes, there are times when the whole truth isn't a good idea: we've all been there. But usually the truth is better. And a needless lie, for the sole sake of not "being the bad guy"? Nope... doesn't pass muster.

I've been having... problems, lately. It's made my posting sporadic and depressing. That will be changing, from now. Not to say everything will be sunlight and roses, but the personal issues have pretty much solved themselves.

I'm sure some here have some clue what I'm talking about, specifically. I ask them to not say anything, in comments or email. Suffice it to say that I got hurt, and now I'm getting better. 'Nuf said.

Give me a day or two, and we'll get back to regular posting (I promise).

On a side note: maybe against my better judgement, I've given Spoon (my "first mate") access to post here. Not sure how often she will, but I figured "What the Hell". When she posts, please be gentle... ;)

Amen, brother!

Posted by JayG here.

I've mentioned my irritation with the whole "sheepdog" thing: this post exemplifies why.

Yes... honest citizens carrying concealed makes for a safer community. And I understand the concept that crooks don't know who's armed, so they're less likely to make an attack. But that whole "sheep/wolves/sheepdogs" thing strikes of people looking for trouble... and that doesn't help our cause.

Yes, most people are "sheep". Yes, there are "wolves" out there that prey on them. And of course, there are the "sheepdogs" (which is how I see the police). Me? I'm the badger off to the side, shaking my head at the whole mess...

Politics, Liberty, and Safety

"Poly", meaning "many"
and "Tic", meaning "small blood-sucking creature"

So... we're down to a choice between McCain and Hilbama*. Oh, hooray.

I can be raped by a 12 foot pole, or... raped by a 12 foot pole with lube.

Nice choice.

Loads of MUCH better writers are weighing in one the "big choice" we have coming in November. Some are saying "Vote for the lesser evil", some are saying "we're getting the shaft either way".

I fall into the latter category. And I have some VERY good company.

Both sides want me to trade my Liberty for perceived safety. I think Ole Ben had the right idea there: "Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety."

"Liberty" and "Safety" can easily be seen as mutually exclusive concepts. "Liberty" (or, better, "Freedom") only truly exists where you can enter into potentially dangerous situations. In order to be "Safe", you MUST give up basic freedoms: most of the bill of rights is full of "dangerous" things. And the tyrants always tells us that, by sacrificing these freedoms, we'll be "safer".

I don't know about those reading this blog. Me? I prefer to have my guns, be able to say whatever the hell I want, ride my motorcycle naked, and accept the danger my freedom brings me. I don't ask for the government to take care of me should my choices cause me problems, and in return all I ask is to be left alone to live my life as I see fit.

Apparently, that is actually too much to ask.

* I'm not being "snarky" here. At this point, either Hillary or Obama could win the Socialism Left candidacy
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When I voted the other day in the primary, I voted for Fred. Yes, he had already left the race. I don't care: he at least came close to representing what I believe.

In November, I'm not sure how I'll vote: might just write Fred in again. I will NOT, however, vote for "Socialism Left" nor "Socialism Right". Yes, I know the rhetoric: "If you don't vote for the Republicans, the evil Democrats will take your guns!".

Wow... some REALLY poor observers we have out there.

In the 2000 election circus, the Dems had a commercial. Don't know who the yahoo on the screen was, but his comment was telling: "If George W Bush wins the election, the NRA will have an office in the White House". Didn't really help the Dem bid for the Presidency.

But LOTS of people missed the real importance. G W Bush DID win the election. And what was that office used for? Ordering pizza?

Either side wants my vote, they need to offer something more than lip service. Something more than flirting. I need to be "courted" in a somewhat tangible way.

Start returning my freedoms. Then, maybe, we'll talk.

NEW LINKS!

When I first got started here, one of the first bloggers to mention me was Ambulance Driver. Since that time, I do my level best to make sure and check out any new folks he reccomends. This has usually been good for me: seems those he suggests, I enjoy. So, imagine my supprise when he linked a bunch of fellow pagan bloggers...

So... I'd like to add the Pagan Blacksmith, Kate at Rigel's Wheel, Lisa the Pixie, and Chas Clifton of Letter from Hardscrabble Creek to the dubious honor of my blogroll.

And, should y'all be interested in a REALLY cool group of like-minded folks, check out the forums at Timerift (requires registration, so we can avoid bots. I'm a mod there: mention in your "application" that Strings sent you). Although predominantly a pagan board, all faiths are welcome. The only thing not welcome there is BS: VERY big on being scholarly there...


And I almost forgot to add Dixie at Nautical Dawn. How silly of me!