Family

Was talking with my partner Dub the other day, and discussing the whole concept of "family".

See, Dub's old school: you stand by your family, even the one's you're not related to. And you stand by them come Hell or high water, backing their play. you may not agree with their chosen course, but you're there to help.

Oddly enough, that's how I was raised: you stand by your family. Of course, I was also raised that, when someone proves that they really AREN'T family, you boot 'em to the curb with the rest of the trash. Conversely, when someone demonstrates that they'll be there, you adopt 'em (usually over their violent protests).

Some here may know a bit about my family situation: I divorced almost all my original brothers and sisters, trading 'em in on better models (actually, Dub is in that "new & better" category). You would not BELIEVE some of the folks I've adopted over the years.

There's Fluke: a good friend of our ex girlfriend: she's always been there for Squeaker, and she's DEFINATELY been there for me over the last few weeks.

There's Dub: whom I had only met a couple times, but was able to pour my heart out to when things blew. And who's problems I've heard quite a bit. But we still back each-other

There's our Jules: another girl that I'm in love with (despite her getting ready to marry an actual nice guy). She hadn't done more than talk to me on the phone a few times when mom died: when I stepped out of the house to make the necessary calls, I called her first. And her immediate response, upon hearing of mom's passing? "Do you need me up there?"...

There's Turk, one of my oldest brothers. That boy and I have a LOOOONG history (some of which, I'm not sure the statute of limitations has run out on yet). The man who stood up with me at my wedding, keeping me from running out on on The Best Thing that Ever Happened to Me (you DID know that this is the job of the groomsmen, right?).

There's Skip (some on the boards know him as Bedlamite). Remember the phrase "friends help you move, real friends help you move bodies"? Yeah...

There's AJ: a woman without whom, I would be dead today. When my career in Unca Sugar's Yacht Club went pear-shaped, she was the person who kept me from shuffling off this mortal coil.

And then there are the inlaws.

Remember the old cartoons, featuring the "House of Tomorrow"? How the mother-in-law was always getting offed in some way? Yeah... wouldn't suggest trying that with my Nancy-mom: dad and I would probably be tripping over each-other to do damage to the offending party. When mom was sick, Nancy would drive a half-hour one way every day to take care of her ('cause she hated mom so much, you know). Christmas was always done like many others: Spoon and I would go to her parents on Christmas Eve, and my parents on Christmas Day. Trick is, it'd be the same group of people at both locations: my parents would come out for Eve, and her family would come out for Day. There may be a few different additions here & there, but it was one ginormus family, not two seperates...

There are loads of others, but I think you get the drift: the people you meet in life, that you end up leaning on most (and acting as a crutch yourself when needed). The people that, if you honestly got down to it, probably know you better than you know yourself (and yet are there for you, despite that).

So Dub and I got to talking about this, going on until Spoon got home from her new job. And it made me think of some of y'all on here, and comments on some of my recent posts.

I'd like to thank y'all. There was a time not all that long ago, where I was ready to throw in the towel and just say "fuck it!". I was afraid of posting some of what's gone on (and is going on) in my life, because I was afraid there would be general condemnation. Instead, y'all saw someone in pain, and reached out.

You've almost restored my faith in humanity, folks. Good job! Y'all go get yourselves a cookie.

And if you're ever going to be in NE Wisconsin, let me know: I kinda owe you one anyway.

Just realized

That I never mentioned another lil' earth-shaker that happened recently.

My beloved Hondapotomus, in a pique of discontent at not having it's rear tire changed in a timely manner, decided to teach me a life lesson while traveling at 75 miles per hour.

Yes folks: you understood that right: I had a rear blow-out at 75mph. I honestly attribute my still being present to someone watching over my heathen ass.

I'm fine. The bike's mostly fine (still have to tweak the wiring a bit). But there was a Hell of an epiphany that day (story will be in the July issue of Freedom Roads)...

Frelling weather!

So... Spoon and I are sitting here at Manitowoc Coffee, surfing the net and enjoying the ambience, when the sirens start goin' off: seems we have a tornado warning. Of course, I'm sitting next to the big picture window, making the staff nervous as they herd the kids down to the basement...

I don't think there's been a tornado hit Manitowoc in recorded history. I can see the sky quite clearly: it's a nice dark blue-grey, not any sort of pea-soup green. And ever'body's acting like the end of the world is neigh.

Sheesh... some people. Get a lil' rain, wind, and the possibility of sudden violent death, and they start to panic!

Sunday School

First off, thanks to everyone for their good wishes: I was half expecting to be telling a bunch of people where to go. I'm doing fine: a bit confused, but fine. Putting things down here has helped.

Now, let's get back to fun for a bit!

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Spoon suggested y’all might find this lil’ story interesting. See, I haven’t ALWAYS been pagan: used to be a Christian. Went to Sunday School ‘n’ everything. But I always had an… odd… reaction to things I was taught. Like the day we learned about Adam & Eve.

The teacher spent a LOOONG time explaining the story to us, in words that your average five-year-old could understand. Afterwards, she asked us if we understood what the story meant.

Me, being of a somewhat literal mind (but still eager to please), raised my hand to answer the question. Now, I know she wanted something about avoiding temptation, and resisting the Devil, an’ all that jazz. But like I said, I was very literal minded.

She looked at me (granted, with some trepidation), and said “Strings? What does the story teach you?”. And I responded, with all the dignity a five-year-old can muster:


“Never accept an apple from a naked lady!”


To this day, no matter how beautiful she is or how much I love the lady in question, I will NOT accept an apple offered by a naked woman. Guess the lesson stuck, huh?

Changes aboard the Privateer...

Ok... I'm in a fairly good place emotionally right now, so I'll bare my life for y'all.

I had mentioned some "crew changes" aboard the Privateer. Maybe I should go into a little more detail. Just remember, y'all asked me to share: judge, and you'll get told where to go...

For those who haven't figured it out from previous posts, I'm polyamorous: literally, "many loves". I'm fairly devoted to my wife, Spoon, but there are other women that share my soul (if you will). One is in Mississippi (Jules), engaged to a nice guy and just had a child (which we will be doing our best to spoil). The other (Squeaker) has been living in Waukegan, and has been sharing our life almost as another wife... until just recently.

Seems she found herself another guy, and fell in love: on the phone. Needless to say, I've been going through a rollercoaster of hurt and confusion. Spoon, being nice to look at (but none too bright) has been a complete trooper: there was a reason I married her, and she's been reminding me of it constantly. As per normal, adversity just makes our relationship grow stronger...

So there y'all go: looks like the Privateer is losing a crew member. There may (at some point) be another addition: I know one of my new co-workers has been a true brother through this: he's been having his own troubles, and we've been commiserating quite a bit. And Spoon and I may one day find someone who wants to share our life: we'll see. For now though, our crew is down one... :(

Now where'd I put the rum?

Sorry for the light posting

Hey folks, sorry for the extreme lack of posts. Things have been… interesting… here aboard the Privateer. We’re looking at new berthing, possibly some new crew, and maybe even a new voyage (we HAVE been at this dock for a long time).

For those who don’t get the nautical references: we may be moving to new digs soon, some people may be leaving our lives, others may be coming in, and new developments are opening new avenues to explore in our lives.

One of the new things is the new banner link: that’s where I now work, both as advertising sales and as writer (several pieces already published). It’ll either work out as the greatest job possible for me, or it’ll crash & burn spectacularly. Only time will tell.

Keep checking back (both of you): there will be more content here. Right now, things are very fluid, and difficult for me to write about. As they solidify, I’ll let y’all know.

Arm and train them!

Interesting lil' discussion going on in the comments on Marko's latest.

Not going into the whole argument of "gay marriage" here right now: maybe in the next day or two. However, one person made a comment that needs to be addressed:

William the Coroner Says:


The only problem I see with the whole ‘incest’ thing is the power differential based on age. Several pervs have claimed that father-daughter incest is acceptable (usually the guy, of course), when the situation started before the age of consent and continued.

How to adequately protect the folks in society that need protection without crossing the line is a problem I do not know how to adequately answer.

To which there's a reply:

MarkHB Says:


William:

Teach ‘em and arm ‘em. Did I miss something?

See, this doesn't work.

If you've been reading me for any length of time, you've heard mention of a case from WAY out of my normal TO, which involved a lady who had been abused by her father since she was 4 (she's 20 now). The father was even continuing the abuse while the girl was away at college: he'd pick her up on a friday, and take her to a hotel room (we will NOT go into some of the allegations: some who read me have feelings). This girl had been taught basically from the time she could form rational thought that what was happening to her was fine, that her father's actions were normal.

What good would "arming and training" her have done?

Those of us who are armed have to recognize one major component of the self defense issue: mindset. Giving a weapon and training to a person who is going to be unwilling to use it, does no good. In the "incest" situation outlined above, this would be the case: the girl would have no inclination (unless removed from the situation and given MASSIVE counseling) to use force against her abuser, as she sees her abuser's actions as acceptable.

Which, of course, leaves the question of how DO we protect the vulnerable members of our society adequately? Unfortunately, I don't have an ultimate answer, and must continue using stop-gap measures...

Whatever happened to lil' frilly dresses?

From Malkin, via Rachel.





Wow... nothing like setting thing up to guarantee more business for BACA!

When will folks go back to letting their kids BE kids, instead of miniature versions of their slutty selves? Don't get me wrong: there are some women out there that can pull off the "hooker look" without looking like complete trash: carriage is everything. But there's no way pre-pubescent girls should be wearing stilettos and leather pants!

A few years back, I was working a job doing network cabling in schools. I distinctly remember hearing one middle-school girl telling a friend "If he wants it, he gonna get it!". I also remember thinking "My gawds, what ARE we teaching these kids?"...

We're bombarding kids with the idea that sex is everything, nonstop. What is our society going to look like in 10 years, when these kids hit high school? Worse, what's it going to look like when these girls are voting, and SHAPING society?

What the hell ever happened to the frilly lil' dresses girls used to wear? And what's next: little boys dressed as Carlos the Gigolo, in leather pants and a silk shirt open to his crotch?

Finding out my rock isn't the deepest...

So I read off this post to Spoon. Her perfect response?

"There was an earthquake in China?"

Sometimes, I forget that my rock isn't the one furthest from life. This is one of those times.

We REALLY have to get out more, or something.

Serenity leaving the world in ten minutes!

Via Mr Fixit, we get the Serenity Character Quiz!

Your results:
You are Zoe Washburne (Second-in-command)

Zoe Washburne (Second-in-command) 90% Wash (Ship Pilot) 70% Malcolm Reynolds (Captain) 60% Jayne Cobb (Mercenary) 55% Inara Serra (Companion) 50% Kaylee Frye (Ship Mechanic) 45% Derrial Book (Shepherd) 45% River (Stowaway) 45% Dr. Simon Tam (Ship Medic) 40% A Reaver (Cannibal) 35% Alliance 35%

Dependable and trustworthy. You love your significant other and you are a tough cookie when in a conflict.

Click here to take the "Which Serenity character are you?" quiz...


Huh... I would've thought Jayne or Mal, not Zoe. I'm not THAT much of a stone cold...

nevermind.

Do you carry a gun?

If you do, you should read (and live by) the rules found here.

The only thing I would add is, if you're legal to draw, you're already legal to be shooting. Cops can get away with "STOP OR I'LL SHOOT!", armed "civilians" can't (usually)...

diving into muddy water

Now, I don't normally comment on politics. Reason being, there are LOADS of bloggers out there who do a MUCH better job of it: my voice would be a feeble echo. But this, caught via Tam, kinda raises my hackles.

In a town dealing with all kinds of corruption, they single out a disabled vet for pointing his finger. and their justification of having him arrested and facing charges?

She said the village had no choice but to take seriously Kachka's gestures during the March 13 meeting in light of recent shootings at Northern Illinois University and in St. Louis, where a disgruntled resident shot and killed several city employees during a zoning meeting.

Ok, let me get this straight: a man pointing his finger (in whatever way) is now grounds for criminal charges, because of a couple shootings? Excuse me?

Honestly, if a member of the city council here in Manitowoc were to make the same allegations, I'd expect them to receive actual incoming. and it would CERTAINLY be their last term in office!

Anonymous

Stealing (again) from Marko, wondering about the idea of anonymity on the web...

I suppose "Strings" is something of a psuedonym: it certainly isn't what my mother called me at any point. But it fairly well IS who I am: anyone in BACA who knows me, knows "Strings", not "Bill". Same with most of the biker community. Heck, even the people I work with know me better as "Strings".

But there's that big question: do I post behind a psuedonym to protect myself. No... I'm not difficult to find. Besides, those who would wish me harm (most of whom are in prison right now), can fairly easily figure out how to locate me: my chapter's meetings are open to the public, and fairly well posted.

No... I'm not hiding: anyone interested, I'll give my real name. Quick word though: I don't Google all that well... ;)

Religion

This post over at Marko's place reminded me of a rant I've needed to go on...

Now, I don't mind folks that are sincere in their faith, or wish to share it: it's a natural human response to tell folks about things we find that are good. And trust me, I appreciate when one of the "God Fearing" folks tries to save my heathen soul: I know that they're just doing what they think is best. But there are a couple problems with some of these people.

First off, the door-to-door sales. Y'all need to find another hobby: the rest of society spends a fair amount of time thinking of ways to irritate/embarrass/frighten (if not outright hurt) you folks. You need to get the hint: people don't really appreciate being interrupted in their daily activities to be preached at (and some of y'all REALLY need to learn to be less pushy: more on that in a bit). Even the polite lil' old guy that stopped here at the Privateer last spring offended the hell out of me, with his asking "Is there anything I can do to help?" when he was informed that this was a pagan household...

The other group (although there's a fair amount of overlap) are the "know what's best for you" crowd. They seem to be basically religious hysterics, and they do more harm than they know. From the nosy neighbor who is CONSTANTLY on you about your faith, to the folks outside of the gaming conventions wanting to tell us about how "Jesus died on the cross to save us from the Hell we deserve!"*, these folks seem to be everywhere.

And they always seem drawn to me. One of my sisters is one, and it seems one of my sis-in-laws is, as well.

People, it's great to share your faith, but be respectful of other people: when someone says "That's enough, I don't want to hear any more", y'all need to shut up. That doesn't mean you've "won" the discussion, or that your audience can't refute you, it most likely means that your audience is tired of hearing about your brand of whatever faith (and I've seen 'em in EVERY religion). Personally, when I'm tired of hearing someone's voice, but they refuse to quiet down, I start to feel somewhat homicidal: NOT the best way of winning a convert.


*yes, that's an actual quote from a street preacher at GenCon. GREAT sales pitch!

The Dawn of a New Era

So... up to now, I've been tied to the computer at home, stuck in the household library. But with the new job comes new tools...

In order to better sell advertising (and do some writing while away from home), I broke down and purchased a laptop. Currently, I'm sitting in a coffee shop, letting y'all know that Strings is unbound!

I know... y'all don't care. To me, this is something of a big deal.

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Speaking of the job: check out Freedom Roads. Site's only just started, but there should be more content there soon!

Book Meme

Since ALL the cool kids are doing it, I'll give the Book Meme a try. Goes like this:

1. Pick up the nearest book of 123 pages or more.
2. Find page 123.
3. Find the first five sentences.
4. Post the next three sentences.
5. Tag five people.

Pick up the nearest book. While I'm sitting in the fracking household library! Hmmm... that would mean either the weapons/military shelf, or the religions shelf...

Page 123 is Chapter 14: Nine Configurations and Two Questions (Passages from the T'ung Tien). So we go to page 124. Our last three (of eight) sentences:

"Therefore in battle formation they are not firm, when they engage in battle they are not victorious. We should assemble the people and gather the masses; collect the foodstuffs, livestock, and cloth; defend the walled cities and prepare to defend the passes; and dispatch light troops to sever their supply routes. If they are not able to provoke us into battle; their provisions fail to arrive; and there's nothing in the countryside that they can plunder, their Three Armies will be in difficulty."

From The Complete Art of War: Sun Tzu & Sun Pin, translated by Ralph D. Sawyer

Anybody I'd tag has already done it...

Sorry 'bout the light posting...

It's Child abuse Awareness Month, so I'm up to my eyes in stuff to do. Thankfully, only one more weekend... :D

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Job goes well: I've even managed to sell a couple contracts without having the first issue in hand (that comes next week at the latest). So I have hopes that this will work out well...

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Joined a new group: US Forces Veteren Riders. Not just bikers, it's a group dedicated to helping vets locally. Seems like something good to do in my off time...

Bloody frelling...

So... good time for a bad week.

Our April kick-off party went well, except for coming up $100 short of our expences. First time we've LOST money on an event. Of course, not having ads up until a week and a half beforehand probably didn't help...

I had mentioned that we had a case coming up: went in for the pre-trial meeting between the DA and our girl. And yep... the trial's been postponed again. Getting tired of this ballgame...

Good news is, we got our state returns, and I should be getting a few more contracts signed over the weekend. So maybe I CAN make a decent go of this job...

And now, we let damnation begin

Everybody recovered from their April Fool's Day?

Good. I'm sure the damage was fun to fix.

April 1st has been "problematic" for a couple years now. This year, I've gone from planning the "Weekend from Hell" to dealing with the "Month from Hell". Let's see what's going on:

05 April: our Second Annual Child Abuse Awareness Month Kick-off Party. Which, since others had problems, *I* got to do all the organizing for...

16&17 April: we have a court case with two of our kids. Not only have to organize MY people, but I'm organizing folks from out of state

26 April: that's the 100 Mile Ride, as required by BACA National.

26 April: Family Fun Day at the zoo, in conjunction with DHS.

26 & 27 April: the Ant Hill Mob Bike Show.

On top of all this stuff, the magazine I'm working for has their first issue due out in May. Meaning I'm gonna be bustin' my hump this month, without much to show for it (I work on commission, and not many businesses want to buy advertising in a magazine that isn't out yet).

Anyone I can talk into putting me out of their misery?


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In other news: Spoon's cat pulled through the surgery just fine. However, he's got this HUGE incision on his side, which means we have to be extra careful of him. Which resulted in me being told, as I typed the above: "Love is letting your cat hork on your crotch, and not knocking him to the floor". Odd... I don't think she'd let ME do that...

No, I'm not going abegging

Ok... having noticed that several folks have a "donate" button on their blogs, I thought I'd try it. However, I'm not going to ask my readers to fund my nicotine habit.

Instead, you can (if you like what we're doing) donate to BACA directly from my blog! Now how cool is that?

Remember: every dime that comes in will go to helping abused kids.