Searching for Ithaka

Library Update

2022-10-26T16:47:00.002-05:00

Silas once talked about the importance of being well read and how my dear dad had prolly the largest library in the family. My parents definately instilled a love for reading in me from a young age. One i thibk they sometimes felt went too far as i was prone to losing track of time and reading instead of sleeping. Well i also recently learned an Official library is 1000 books or more. So thats one goal, especially since ive def read more than that already, i just dont own all the books ive reae. So i aim to take the title from my dad eventually. Heres the start of it with my 613 current books with more to come. Mostly sci fi, fantasy and history.

Its been awhile

2022-10-03T16:26:00.000-05:00

Oh how so very much has changed. Perhaps this page has died. Perhaps some of you are still here if for no other reason than to remember Silas. Today is a hard day because it is the aniversary of the death of my dear friend and brother "The Wise Adventurer. 15 years have come and gone aince he departes on the next great adventure and it ia hitting hard this year. Combined with the fact that in just 26 days is the Anniversary of our beloved Dream God having returned to Dream, October is a hard month. Clearly im not as good as Silas was as keeping things updated but i will try to do better. Time will tell how successful we are in that.

So much has hapenned in recent years and Ive neglected this page. So an update. Yea i was previously married when Silas turned the page over to me, no that did not work out. Turns out she was an abusive manipulator and thats all that will be said regarding it. That Era has long since ended and im a far better person for it being gone.

I did meet someone else and she is absolute perfection. Its as if our dear dream god could see what was happening from beyond and thus sent me a dream of my own. We have been married for 2.5 years now and after a few years in the land of mouse we have returned to the hills not far from The Kingdom of Butterflies. A beautiful home and beautiful life. I believe I shall dub our new home New Ithaka since the title was passed to me from Silas and i wish to honor that.

Ive long sinced finish my first novel series which remains unpublished as of yet and am occasionally working on a new series which i believe is actually the better series. Ive grown up alot since writting the first and there are parts ill never be quite satisfied with tho my Queen has threatened me many a time that if i tey to change anything else shell give me a stern smack to the head because she loves what ive written. Her live of the work more than the threat has kept my fingers clear of the delete button lol.

If this post seems to skip around and be a bit disjointed we apologize because it is largely a stream of conscious writing by Phin and the rest are silent as far as written word is concerned to update everyone as well as to distract from the weight today is pushing upon me atm. From the moment i realized what day it was it shoved me deep into my own head about loss and missing those we wish were still here. In writing this amd in truth be told having spent many hours reading silas writting amd reminiscing on the good times with The Wise One and Silas, it has helped in part to alleviate the weight. There have been tears, some of loss but mostly of happy memories and times shared.

Poetry time: Ive Searched

2019-09-25T20:07:00.003-05:00

I’ve searched my entire life

For her soul

Which ive loved before

My search left me in pieces

Broken and unsure

Convinced i wasnt worthy

Convinced none could ever love me

I was the toy for those with other plans

But at my lowest

Tattered and destroyed

Determined to never again let myself fall

I built my walls

I crafted my defenses

The care of practiced chemist

I would not again be a toy

I would be the puppet master

But it was not to be

It was at my lowest

Hiding behind my walls

False bravado shinning

That you crept into my heart

No, thats not right

You didn’t creep

You kicked in the gates

Because you knew, oh you knew

Youd always known that this was Your place

These walls were built to keep others out but also to keep you safe

This heart was waiting for you

Because you too had been searching

Searching for a love you knew you once knew

And at last we have found it

Our fates entertwined

Love that will stand till the end of time

Villain Insurance

2018-05-03T10:09:00.000-05:00

Harley: Hey Seraphin!!

Seraphin: yes Harley?

Harley: I’ve just haf a thought about superheroes and villians

Seraphin: this better not have any spoilers from any new movies Harley!!

Harley: it doesn’t! I swears on all my favorite animals.

Seraphin: ok, well in that case the spoiler free floor is yours

Harley: thanks!!

Aight lords and ladies so here’s the thing!

What if heroes and villains were real, not like The unbelievable cheeto real but like proper villains like lex luthor, the Joker, and such. Now think about this. Anyone who has ever Actually read what their home insurance covers knows that it doesnt cover things like war or nuclear incidents and the most emphasised flood or earthquake. Now with those last two at least you can buy specialty insurance from specialty companies to cover flood and earthquake because these are things that could happen but your average insurer doesnt cover. Now i know this seems off track but here me out aight

So what if in the comic earth there are specialty insurance companies that sell villian insurance. And “no, no no no, we dont insure heroes specifically but if a hero damages your property whilst fighting a currently covered villian than that is included.” Thats gona be a line you hear alot from your local villian insurance agent. They dont cover heroes directly, only as an incident in regards to villians on your policy.

Now here’s where they get you. Not all villians are covered all the time. The way it works is you get to first choose a package. Do you want the Double Daring? That gives you two villians of your choice and all choices are locked in for the next week minimum and no you cant make a change in the middle of an attack, we heavily enforce binding restrictions in areas once an attack has begun. We also have the Devils Threesome, no we dont mean that sexually you perv, it mean you get to pick three villians instead of two, now we do offer certain discounts at this level for example certain package deals get a discounted rate such as the Gotham Sirens, they are usually seperate entities but as a team up they can be quite destructive so if you choose each of them for this package we do offer a frequent team up discount. We also have the Four Horseman level, you get 4 choices, then the Fearsome Five and the Sinistery Six, this one was originally the Sinister Six but then the actual sinister six sued us for copyright infringement so we added a y.

Now with these packages you do have to pick specific villians for your coverage and only that villian or villians group in cases like Joker and his gang or minions are covered. Now with this coverage we do cover teams as a single choice. Originally we had a great example for this with Joker and Harley Quinn they were a package deal but what is true love anymore am i right? Hatley deserves better anyway, but like i was saying, in recent years with thier breakup now they are seperate options but constant teams do count as one so like if Ra’s and the assassins wreck your house thats all covered as one pick.

Now it can get difficult this covwrage can cuz if a villian on your list goes to jail it is your responsibility to update your policy. Premiums are of course going to be higher in the villian’s preferred locations. Also if your property gets wrecked by a team up and only part of the team is on your list we are only gona cover you for the percentage that your listed villians make up said team. SO if two face and penguin wreck your shit but you only had penguin listed youll get 50% covergae.

Seraphin: now wait a moment Harley, this is gona end up getting bery exhausting for people always having to call in and guess what villians might attack next. Why can’t we offer general billian coverage.

Harley: its still a buisness Seraphin, we still have to be able to make a profit somehow and general coverage would bankrupt us in a matter of days.

Seraphin: ok, ok, it sucks but i at least see your point. I almost feel bad for the service reps tho.

Harley: how come?

Seraphin: well think about it like this...

A customer calls in “ hello, i need to file a claim, Harey and her group of Quinns just trashed my house.”

“Oh dear that is terrible, I am sorry this has happen d but unfortunately I see that currently Harley Quinn is not a covered villian on your policy.

“Not covered! What the hell do you mean not covered! I have coverage for the Joker and his cohorts on my plan! This is Gotham! Who would be crazy enough not to have the Joker listed?!?!”

“Well of course Sir, I agree the Joker is a very popular coverage option and rightfully so but with their split up as of 2016 as well as Harley dipping more into the anti-hero roll her classification is only covered with the evolving character endorsement and she is no longer connected with the Joker so you see Sir, while I absolutely sympathize with your situation, unfortunately in this instance you ate currently not covered for this incident.”

“Well this policy is a joke!”

Si2: Did you two really just go through all of this for a halfwitted pun?

Harley and Seraphin: Yup :)

Millennial Talks: Guns and a note on Generations

2018-03-18T21:45:00.002-05:00

Harley: Don’t you dare touch my guns Seraphin!!

Seraphin: Did you purchase them legally?

Harley: well, yea...

Seraphin: Are you properly trained in the responsible use and maintenance of your weaponry?

Harley: yes...

Seraphin: Do you properly store youre weaponry in a safe and/or storage area where those who shouldn’t have access to it can’t reasonably gain access to it?

Harley: yes...

Seraphin: Then congratulations. Noone cares about your guns or that you have them. Your argument is infantile and knee jerk.

Harley: Can I go now?

Seraphin: you can, but if you do you’ll miss the actual message pst the humor...

Harley: Im a prankster and chaos loving clown Seraphin...

Seraphin: we might piss off Both sides...

Harley: oh! Ok continue!

Seraphin: Thanks...

Ok so here’s the thing. Everytime a shooting happens both sides lose their damn minds. And that is a big part of the problem. People are polarized to A Side. Well my side supports blank or my side supports this instead. Just shut the fuck up. Your Sides is a big part of the problem in this country, but thats another topic for another time.

But heres the gun issue. And ill warn you NRA fans now, read fully or dont bother. And you full on gun hippies who want to “ban all guns”, you aint gona like this much either. But for my larger audience. Those who understand life is not nor has it ever been black and white. It has always been a beautiful and vast specteum of color and nuance.

Now to the issue. Lets start with an easy one to agree on shall we. Schools getting shot up by Anyone is bad! Still with me? Good cuz otherwise youre hopeless and We can’t help you. Now this is where this portion of the issue gets speculative.

How do we fix it?

First off we have to all actually agree this is a problem and work together to fix it. So lets start with this. Children can not legally own a handgun by federal law, and federal lw prohibits the sale of firearms to minors, however in 30 states there is no law about a minor Owning a Long gun, ie a rifle or shotgun, and according to my research thus far, this includes and this surprised me actually, an Uzi depending on its make and modifications.

Now I’m largely against telling people how to live thier life up unto the point living your life infringes on the life of another or even worse, hurts them in anyway. So I wont say we should change these laws. If Johnny wants Junior to have his own rifle and learn to be properly trained and properly maintain his own gun, thats their business UNTIL IT HURTS SOMEONE ELSE. Then its a problem.

So how do we help this issue? Well for one let’s look at something else that people love to reference during this conversation. Automobiles. People are killed every year by automobiles. And youre right noone is calling to ban them. And Im not calling to ban guns, but i am calling for responsibility. What happens to earn your right to drive, you have to pass a competency test showing you know how, you have to be Licensed and you have to have insurance. Now why do we do these things. 1. Well this ones obvious, we dont want people who don’t know what the hell they are doing operating these one ton death machines. 2. We need to be able to identify you have proven your competency to operate a vehicle and 3. And this is the one well circle back to later, If under Any circumstances you damage someones property or even worse, hurt or kill someone, you are held liable for the damages.

Si2: Seraphin, are you trying to say people are not liable if they shoot someone?

Seraphin: not entirely Si but I see your point, let me explain further.

Yes of course people are liable. Legally those at fault can be tried for manslaughter and murder among other things, but perhaps we can approach it further in a different way. So back to the car example. If Junior, borrows Daddy’s car, legally or illegally, with or without permission, what happens if Junior wrecks and injures someone. Prize for those who said Daddy’s insurance or Daddy has to pay for it. And practically speaking if you wanna see change in the use of something, add in insurance. Regulation will happen Very quickly.

Now again. I don’t care how you live your life. But damn well believe you are responsible for your choices and actions, or inaction in some cases. My proposal is simple. 1. You can own a gun, that's fine, it is you're Constitutionally given right. But to do so you must take a class and pass a test showing you know how to properly use and maintain the weapon as well as are properly educated on the laws regarding the weapon. 2. You must pass an in depth background check showing you are not only a law abiding citizen but also that you do not have a history of violence. 3. You will be required to properly store you're weapon and provide proof of said proper storage. 4. Each gun owner will be required to carry firearm liability insurance with a state minimum level of coverage.

Will this plan work? I don't know, Since it was my idea, I am of the biased opinion that it is at least an attempt in the right direction. Our current attempts haven’t worked out overly well to prevent further attacks and this disingenuous bickering that ultimately devolves into name calling and fruitless arguments is getting us no where.

Harley: Think you managed to piss of everyone?

Seraphin: Well Harley, as long as they consider more options and find it in themselves to grow and become more than this bullshit us and them, then I don’t care if they agree with the specifics as long as they are opening dialogue and discussing ideas rather than blindly bashing one another.

In case we have not however on another note and just a quick aside for everyone on the topic of Generation, a topic we may address further later. Millennials are not teenagers. The youngest millennials are now 21 by many references but at the very youngest they are 18. We outnumber Baby Boomers and we are doing little with that. Largely we are nostalgic and do our level best to be largely distracted. as a whole we are just trying to survive in the world we found ourselves in. Numbers mean nothing if there is no action. Where we Are seeing action right now however is from this rising generation the oldest whom are 18-20 the youngest are still being born but these teenagers, Gen Z (How original), so just an FYI the generation of 'tide pod eaters' (which isn't a real thing except among the stupidest of people. its a meme, a joke actually) those speaking out and walking out in protest is Gen Z, or whatever name they ultimately end up saddled with. Either way, I wish them well but caution that they not just follow trends but seek to understand the issues and focus their passion and fire into making things better. Perhaps we will more fully address the idea of generations and such another time. We shall see.

Much love to you my friends. Until next time.

Merry Christmas, Happy Yule, Happy Holidays...

2017-12-25T11:27:00.002-06:00

A preview of the start of festivities with my family in the Kingdom of Butterflies. Me and King Padre are doing the fusion dance to try and join the yellow beasts into one super beast. Results are indertiminable so far. From all of us in Ithaka, we wish you all a Happy Holidays no matter what you choose to celebrate or believe, much love to you all. Be awesome to one another.
~ Seraphin

My Novel

2017-11-21T19:11:00.004-06:00

I got exciting and long awaited news this week. My first novel, which i spent years on, is being reviewed and edited. This is something near and dear to my heart since Silas was the first to ever look it over and give me feedback. Work is underway on the sequel but the truly exciting part is that there is for the first time in a while. Visible progress on all fronts :)
Much love to you all

The Circle: An In Depth Review of Humanity through an otherwise dull film

2017-11-10T21:55:00.000-06:00

Spoilers ahead! Proceed at your own risk....

The Circle is a film that as a whole is largely of little entertainment value. The plot revolves around a single room with a group of individual trapped in one spot. I say trapped because should they exit the circle they are standing in they are immeadiately excecuted by a bright laser type stream,of light.

The group is a seemingly random collection of individuals. However as the story progresses, it becomes clear that these people were most likely placed as a representation of the population as a whole. They appear as any person you might see on the street. Theres a high profile buisness type, a soldier, a cop, a thug, a couple having an affair together, a mother to be, a child and several more.

Now as one of the participants figures out and explains to the group, and by extension, the audience, the circle is not randomly selecting people to kill every few minutes. The movement of everyones hands is causing a "vote" on who dies next.

Now what makes this interesting is that as you watch. Initially it is fractured and chaotic and all you want is for them to stop being idiots and band together.

This is a terribke fucking idea.

Because once they band together, and begin to organize, initially to buy time, they start by voting for the elderly to buy time to figure out whats happening. There is one boy, merely sixteen or seventeen, who sacrifices himself for the group. He doesnt know what else to do and he hopes that mayb this last kindness will help others.

There are a short number more who sacrifice themselves because it is inevitable. They have lost hope but had contributed during their time before it ended.

Now what truly stands out are a few specific instances.

The first being the backlash against the first to try and organize the group, when his methods, as thoughtout, and seemingly reasonable as they may be, when the majority no longer feel protected by his voting dictates, he is immeadiately dispossed of.

This is not surprising, throughout history, those who have been trying to help have been killed for it. Humans protect themselves naturally. Those willing to become a target for others is the exception.

Now the next part that stands out is the cop pointing out a thug who had beaten the crap out of his girlfriend for cheating on him. Now the thug knows admitting anything will get him killed, Because if anything, humans overall are a fairly violent and vengeful race. It is only with effort that we can be better. But i digress, the thug, adamantly denies the claims until its clear he is fucked, at which point he tries to justify it and blame her cheating for his behavior. She smugness of the group when they kill him is very clear.

Now as the group dwindles it basically splits into 2 tribes. Those trying to make it out at all costs, and those trying to guarantee either the little girl or the mother to be make it out. This gets fairly heated and results in several more deaths while further showing some fairly instinctual aspects of the process of death, including bargaining.

I skip to the final portion because "tribal conflict" and "us vs them" is a whole other topic, and the final portion is where it really lands one to the gut.

Seriously tho, if you want to watch the movie and hate to have the ending given away. Stop reading now!
I'm serious, im about to discuss the ending of the movie.
You've been warned.

Now as i was saying, the ending here is a gut punch, Especialy if youve been spending this movie trying to decide howd youd survive this same type of ordeal and ended up on the side of, I prolly can't so we save the kid or unborn.

So it comes down to one of the "I must save them" tribe, the kid, and the mother to be. And right here is where it fucked me up. The dude explains that he cant be the one to decide which of them dies. So it comes down to the LITTLE FUCKING GIRL! Who this entire time has been terrified and crying and afraid she would be next, which she almost was a few times. This terrified little kid, who barely understands the world, in this moment is the greatest and saddest of humanity.

She chooses to die, to give the baby a future! This scared little girl, gives up her life for another. Shes amazing! So its right here where it kicks you in the teeth and spits in your face, because this is not a feel good film but a pschological head fuck representation of humanity. And its fairly accurate.

So the guy tells the girl its ok and that hell go with her and as he yells at her to "go now" and she jumps from her circle, to be killed, the guy remains unmoved and votes for the mother to be, killing her as well and saving himself.

A snake in the grass the whole time. Humanity easily seeks out and destroys its blatant enemies, while embracing, to its destruction, the enemy in our midst. People have the ability to be either great or terrible. And tho this ending is a kick in the teeth and saying, see, all that work to save them was for nothing. And that may be, but it doesnt lessen the sacrifices of those who tried, because as we see in the final moments, amongst other survivors back on a normal street. Other groups did save the mother to be or the kid. So it may not work in Your group, but remember yours is not the only group.

Basically, never give up, because you might fail, but failing is not the worst that can happen to you. Also, people suck, but they Can be so much better when they try.

Philosophers Society: The Beginnings.

2017-11-05T20:14:00.000-06:00

The first meeting of the Philosopher's Society went very well. We have begun with questions to get to know one another. We are a group who tend to expand on topics and find tangents to those topics, however we remain productive as we get to know one another further. We have diverse backgrounds, diverse opinions and experiences and i believe this will serve our discussions well as we go forward.

Today began with a basic 101 of what Philosophy is, what common fallacies are and a look at inductive and deductive reasoning. A good site for understanding fallacies is: www.yourlogicalfallacyis.com

Philosophy is the study of ways to address fundamental questions in all other fields. Basically, question everything. Do not merely accept something, question it. Ask why or how. Learn from those we are speaking with. This does not mean we must agree with them, but it is a downfall that in recent years the ability to discuss and debate without attacking the other person has been lost.

One of the keys that I believe is needed for this is Active Listening. We should stop listening just so we may answer or retort. We must listen to other points of view in order to understand what they are saying. Many misunderstandings can be avoided by actually listening to anothers point of view. Furthermore, we may learn something from the experience should we be so lucky.

We went on to discuss briefly our backgrounds, where we come from and what our upbringing was like. We did this to better understand where each person is coming from in the discussions down the road. We have the advantage that with our diverse group, We examine and believe in different things. We acknowledge things in different ways and analyze things differently. Our group holds individuals who ascribe to varying beliefs from christianity to atheism and even pantheism. Beliefs ranging from the strictly provable to the intuitive. Skepticism to mysticism. We acknowledge that we do not agree with one another on things, there are things some of us may find unbelievable or even unrealistic, or close minded. We do not however attack one another, we discuss and we learn one anothers views. The more we learn of others, the better we may peacefully and successfully function in the world.

We will be deciding on a topic in the coming weeks for our next meeting. We further decided that the Society shall meet once per month for our discussions.

The Dream God Returns to Dream

2017-10-31T14:23:00.000-05:00

The Dream God has now returned to the realm of Dreams. Silas left this realm yesterday afternoon. He is now one with the universe and we wish him well on his travels, whatever those may now be.

The impact Silas had on my life was significant. From an early age i remember looking up to Silas as this cool and mysterious uncle. I had no idea who he was in my early years or what it was that he did but he played guitar and sent me CDs so i was in. I still have Wind on the Waves and Blurb and they are some,of my most inportant posessions and memories. I remember I use to cruise down windy Tennessee backroads with the t-tops down listening to the music and getting lost.

I cant speak much to Silas' professional achievments tho I've heard they were impressive. In fact, i cant rightly even tell you what position he held. None of that was important to me. The man i knew was an inspiration to me, a confidant and a soundboard. I was priveleged enough to perform as an actor and dancer for his concert in Cincinnati and to get to spend time with him in studio. Those were dreams of mine that i was lucky enough to obtain, thanks to the Dream god Silas.

He loved alot, he had high hopes for the future. He said the more we talked and the more passionately I discussed ideas and theories he didnt even know I was aware of, the more hope he had. We discussed politics, Asimov, and various other theories and ideas. I loved those talks. In truth it is largely remembering those talks that has inspired not only the millenial discussions but also the philosophers society.

He was right, change is needed, we may not have always agreed on whay direction or the details of that change but its time for change. And, at least for my part, he helped inspire it.

The world seems a little darker at the moment because we have lost a great and loving man. But with any star, they seem dim and far away until a brilliant supernova illuminates it and sweeps through its vicinity, changing nearly everything they touch and even birthing brand new stars.

Silas can never be replaced. I miss him and I will always love him, ill never forget the things he taught me.

Safe Travels Dream god. Well see you down the road Silas.

Pokemon Go Explained

2017-10-29T18:33:00.000-05:00

Pokemon Go, coloquilaly referred to as PoGo, is a free to play, location based, augmented reality game for iOs and Android. The game uses your mobile device's gps to locate, capture, battle, and train creatures called Pokemon. Almost anyone with children in the last twenty-one years can attest to the prevalence of the card and video game.
PoGo was developed by Niantic with the cooperation if Nintendo to take Pokemon into augmented reality world.

Now from a player perspective the way this works is you download the app and login. Once logged in for the first time, a player catches their first pokemon before going off to try and catch more. The premise of the game is to get out of the house, explore the city and area and to catch and battle pokemon while doing so.

Further information on the finer details of gameplay and the system can be found here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Go

Now as I was asked previously about the reports that PoGo was used by Russian agents in order to create a stir with the prior election, Id like to address that report here.

The report, as I have found it, according to both Forbes.com and CNN, boils down to this: a Faux Black Lives Matter group called "Don't Shoot Us", which is linked to a Russia linked Facebook account. While I lack the intel and resources to confirm or deny what a Russian group, official or not, may have done. What was reported by Forbes.com is thus:

"The group had presences across YouTube and Instagram as well as Facebook, but one of the most bizarre actions the page took was on its Tumblr site. In July 2016 when Pokémon GOfever was at its peak, Don’t Shoot Us created a contest that asked users to travel to sites where police had killed black victims, take over a nearby gym, and station a Pokémon there named after a police violence victim. Then you’d screenshot it, send it in and be eligible for Amazon gift cards."

According to the report, there is no evidence anyone ever entered the contest.

Those aiming this obvious attempt at using tragic instances to try and create a further media buzz, not to help solve the issue, but to cause further tension, clearly did not research the type of person they were aiming at.

There are two main types of player for PoGo, Hardcore and relaxed. Hardcore players are generally only interested in progressing as fast and efficiently as possible, their goal being to dominate the game. Relaxed players tend to be in it more for the fun, the comraderie and/or the exercise. No matter the style, players tend to not to be overly political in regards to playing. They are playing for fun, not to make a statement.

Past just the players, there is no way, within the app in order to message from one player to another. There is no evidence Niantic had anything to do with this attempted event and it is confirmed that all arrangements were made via third party sites. Even tho this did not directly involve Niantic they are reportedly actively looking into the matter proactively.

All that appears to have happened is that organizers attempted to capitalize on a growing world wide phenomon in order to make a stir.

The Philosophers Society

2017-10-26T01:03:00.003-05:00

I have taken the advice of those that liked Millenial Discussions and expanded it. Following the idea from one of my early posts, I have reached out to a multitude of friends and we will begin holding court soon for the pure purpose of discussion and debate on various topics. Stay tuned. More to come on that as we progress forward.

Millenial Discussions: Change and Acceptance

2017-10-25T19:28:00.000-05:00

Horror and I were discussing acceptance the other day as I rearranged the Workshop and Throne Room. Horror is a self proclaimed ass hole and is deffinately not "normal". Which I generally find to be a good thing. Horror is by no means your standard white cis male, tho many have assumed as much anyway, which is how are convo began. Horror had been attacked on social media fo

Horror has recently been examining themselves and realizing that while he doesnt give a crap if you like him or not, his fuck you if you dont like me attittude has, in his opinion, drifted too close to the realm of uncaring asshole.

While horror is certainly not one lose sleep over someone liking them or not. He does aim to leave the world better than he left it. He does not want to harm others if it can be helped and this revalation has led him to examine the verbage he uses in general because while it may not bother him to be called certain things, cuz "fuck you whatever." He does recognize not everyone is as thick skinned.

This led to several discussions that we have had as of late, including people needimg ro toughen the fuck up, as well as people also needing to he more open and accepting of one another.

As with several of our court, we are very middle of the road, whats the evidence and logic suggest on the issue individuals. We dont choose 'teams' or 'sides' we listen to what is said and make a decision on the actual evidence. And in that vein we end up catching flak from multiple angles in any given debate.

On this matter there are a few things we think should be goals for most any person. Now someone will take offense to one or all of these... But read it through first. Also this is in regards to personal interactions. Not a commentary on protesting, or change that is needed elsewhere.

A. Toughen the fuck up. Youre gona have people who hate you for no legitamte reason, youre gona get called names. Why? Because some people suck, and giving them control over your happiness is what they want. Lashing out emotionally doesnt help you or the cause you support. Furthermore, name calling and insults do not further your cause even if they may temporarily relieve your frustration, and usually its exactly what the other person wanted.

B. Stop being so damned closed minded. Noone cares about how you were raised or how you think it aught to be. And you dont get to tell others how to live their lives. If you dont likes omething, dont do it. But dont think there is anything in this universe that grants you the right to put others down for being happy in a way other than you approve of.

C. Its not that fucking hard to respect someones request to be called by a certain pronoun. Its a word, it aint gonna hurt you, so quite being an asshole. (I say this yet people can barely use one anothers names right when you prefer your given name,to a common nickname, but it should be an active effort to use the persons preffered name and pronouns).

D. Change often doesnt happen overnight and many are actively trying to adjust decades worth of linguistic training. This is not an excuse for those who actively use words that are purely hurtful, cuz fuck them. This is about those he may say something as simple as excuse me, sir or thank you miss. They are clearly not trying to attack you, stop trying to crucify people for an assumption. Politely correct the mistake and move on. If they persist in ignoring your correction, then feel free to blast them for the asshole they are.

Their is a great deal that needs to change and progress into the future but as we are doing so. Stop being such assholes to one another for no reason. Those who deserve it will surely give you a reason so stop looking for it.

Well wishes and love

2017-10-22T22:06:00.000-05:00

The Dream God Silas has been paying a visit to his subjects in the dream realm but he has not forgotten any of his loyal and beloved readers. He has been resting but would welcome messages from any and all of you. Please drop a comment below to the Dream Lord Silas. Be it encouragement, well wishes, a funny story, a joke or a memory, i hear he is fond of dreams. Much love to you all.
~Seraphin

Love ya Silas, you remain the wind in our sails and the love grows ever more. Say hi to Yogi for me too lol

#Photography for the Unusual: World 10/20

2017-10-19T19:00:00.000-05:00

Sale, UK

Models of Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men being prepared for the opening of an exhibition at the Waterside arts centre showcasing characters developed for Cosgrove Hall television programmes

Photograph: Christopher Thomond for the Guardian

Well, no, I really don't know what they are either.

Seoul, South Korea

Feline groovy: a pose for photographers at Dongdaemun Design Plaza during Seoul fashion week. For Seoul’s flamboyant followers of fashion, the latest in South Korean style is often more evident off the catwalk than on it

Photograph: Ed Jones/AFP/Getty Images

Probably if we have to figure out fashion we're never going to get it.

Allahabad, India

Young people light candles at Madan Mohan Malviya stadium during Diwali festival celebrations

Photograph: Prabhat Kumar Verma/Pacific Press/Barcroft Images

The world would be so dreary without Indian festivals ... and German festivals ... and ... Mexican clown festivals ... and ...

Mexico City, Mexico

Clowns line up during the 22nd Latin American clown convention at Revolución monument

Photograph: Edgard Garrido/Reuters

It was charming to see how different clowns in Mexico manage to look relative to any others I have ever seen.

Sydney, Australia

A performance of Toruk – The First Flight, by Cirque du Soleil, at Qudos Bank Arena

Photograph: Don Arnold/WireImage

While I have not see a performance bu Cirque du Soleil, I have heard some of your describe it as something of a festival and it sounds like it from the description.

What's Hot on the Blog 10/19

2017-10-19T17:35:00.003-05:00

Entry

Pageviews

What's Hot on the Blog 10/18

Oct 18, 2017

Here’s What It’s Like To Break The Sound Barrier I...

Oct 18, 2017

There's the Real Science We Want ... and Then Ther...

Oct 18, 2017

#Photography for the Unusual: World 10/19

Oct 18, 2017

After That It Had to Be "The Shawshank Redemption"...

Oct 19, 2017

Racism is Supporting Obama Even When He is Wrong

Jun 23, 2013

Millenial Discussions: Me Too

Oct 17, 2017

How Alex Jones Bollixed his Estimable Brain ... Le...

Oct 18, 2017

#MeToo Makes a Mess Out of Feminism

Oct 17, 2017

Then There Was "The Hunt for Red October"

Oct 18, 2017

What's Hot

Here's what - breaking the sound barrier in a car w/video

There's science - and then there's GOOP

#Photography

After that - Shawshank for an exceptional vibe

Racism

Millennial - Seraphin continues from two days ago

How Alex - toxic absurdity sings to some mad heaven

#MeToo - Boomer view of #MeToo from yesterday

Then - "The Hunt for Red October" is not a violent movie; it's quite the opposite

After That It Had to Be "The Shawshank Redemption" on the Trail of the #Blotto

2017-10-19T16:17:00.000-05:00

Disclaimer: this is straight-up writing of active lung cancer in me but nothing in the #Blotto set of articles has been written with thoughts of trying to shock or disturb. I am using in-home hospice and that's the best circumstance I could hope relative to being in a hospice clinic or, worst of all, to be admitted into a hospital.

The #Blotto situation absolutely sucks at this stage and that probably hasn't been such a tough thing to discern. That makes things so difficult for Yevette but she is being such a trouper about it. As from the beginning, that makes it all the more important to keep the focus anywhere but the immediate hellhole of, wow, this really sucks.

Note: ML shows a similar toughness since she knows the circumstance well. She can't see it happening as currently rips the guts out of Yevette but ML has a nurse for years and she knows how it goes. Yevette has it right up in her face and I'm constantly apologizing to her for inflicting this on her.

One of the little games for an alternative focus is in finding a #Photography set you will dig since that's hit or miss each day and I don't know the variable. When one of those turns into a big boomer, it becomes a fascination as to, hmm, I wonder what you found different. There must be something of that curiosity in you as well or people wouldn't read them so that makes a peach of an alternative focus.

The need for an alternative focus in me or anyone is what leads to "The Shawshank Rebellion" when it gives such extraordinary portraits of how beautiful people can be rather than the incessant snapshots of people elsewhere who are not being beautiful at all, usually for political reasons. Shawshank brings hardly any politics and it's all the better without.

Maybe it's interesting to you that the Shawshank Penitentiary was actually the Ohio State Reformatory.

This aspect of the Reformatory was torn down but massive cell blocks still remain and they're said to be in much better condition than any in the movie. (WIKI: The Shawshank Redemption)

Note: Clancy Brown plays the Captain of the Guards as a massively violent prick and you have probably seen him in one movie or another playing that kind of role since he really seems to dig them. He was the Drill Sergeant in "Starship Troopers," another tough guy type of role.

Zen Yogi: someone screwed with the colors of those trees

Why not bump up the color in them, mate, since it's the only color anyone will see in a prison movie.

The medical situation was mostly in the toilet because I figured nothing was really stopping the pain so, fuck it, why do it and consequently I abandoned the morphine and the ganja. That continued from yesterday sometime as it's far more difficult to get back to the regimen than it is to do the Nasty Dance to try to keep it stable in the first place.

That wasn't one of the best command decisions I ever made.

Around eight this morning I did take the dose of morphine and I had no idea if it would start me vomiting again but I did it anyway. It still didn't entirely kill the pain but I did sleep until not so long ago. That's when I did smoke some ganja as I awakened still with the feeling I need to get all the nastiness in me out of me. The ganja was remarkably good for quelling that so here we are.

There are no questions in this since I'm completely fucked and it won't get better. You know that already. However, the palliation is real so long as it's the right combination and morphine is not enough by itself.

When the combination is right it frees me to find views as with "The Shawshank Redemption" and then all of us get something positive out of it since Tim Robbins so strongly brings a message of Hope.

It also allows me to take a little of the beloved Pepsi Cola sometimes too and that's a prime goodness.

Much love to you all.

There's the Real Science We Want ... and Then There's Gwyneth Paltrow with GOOP

2017-10-18T20:40:00.003-05:00

Gwyneth Paltrow, 45, has come under fire from critics for her website's scientific claims

Zen Yogi: does she get away with it because she's beautiful?

Unknown, mate, but it's not been without repercussions.

The Skeptic magazine has awarded website Goop its first ever 'Rusty Razor' accolade as the 'best' promoter of the 'worst pseudoscience of the year'

Daily Mail: Gwyneth's Goop website is handed accolade for WORST pseudoscience nonsense after promoting sex dust, vaginal steaming and bio frequency healing stickers

Zen Yogi: that's an appropriate award and good to see but it doesn't really answer the question since she still gets away with it in pushing her utter rubbish

Vaginal jade eggs

Earlier this year, there was a storm of controversy when Goop began selling crystal eggs which were claimed to improve women's sex lives.

The site shared tips on how to use Jade and Rose Quartz Eggs that reportedly 'increase chi, orgasms, vaginal muscle tone, hormonal balance, and feminine energy'.

The actress explained in an interview that women should clench the egg inside them all day to exercise their pelvic floor.

Again Dr Gunter waded in to warn the whole idea is nonsense – and could even increase the risk of bacterial vaginosis or deadly toxic shock syndrome.

'I read the post on GOOP and all I can tell you is it is the biggest load of garbage I have read on your site since vaginal steaming,' Dr Gunter wrote in an open letter to Gwyneth Paltrow on her blog.

- DM

Psychic Vampire Repellent

The $30 'spray-able elixir' contains ruby, rosemary, juniper, lavender, and reiki charged with crystals.
According to the site, it will 'banish bad vibes (and shield you from the people who may be causing them)'.

Users are directed to 'shake gently before each use' then 'spray around the aura to protect from psychic attack and emotional harm.'

They should avoid contact with eyes and must not ingest or inhale the 'protective mist'.

- DM

Body Vibes

The 'healing stickers made with carbon material used to line space suits'

Goop initially claimed that its stickers are made with 'a crystalline, carbonized radio-frequency material' culled from spacesuits.

They reportedly 'fill in the deficiencies in your reserves, creating a calming effect, smoothing out both physical tension and anxiety.'

The products – which sell for up to $120 for a set of 24 – can also 'help clear skin by reducing inflammation and boosting cell turnover,' Goop reported, quoting the brand's co-founders, Madison De Clercq and Leslie Kritzer.

- DM

There is definitely opposition to Paltrow's claims:

Butex-NASA official Mark Shelhamer – a one-time chief scientist in the space program's human research division – begs to differ.

'Not only is the whole premise like snake oil, the logic doesn’t even hold up,' he told Gizmodo. 'If they promote healing, why do they leave marks on the skin when they are removed? What a load of BS this is.'

- DM

Zen Yogi: but still she gets away it

That's right, Yogi, and there's no telling why.

Most or all of you have a keen appreciation of science in bringing better things to a world which directly needs them. There's another excellent benefit in following the real scientists since it affirms people do more with their lives than pissing them away on social networks and / or video games.

Zen Yogi: so the answer is to take your snake oil to the social network and sell a million units?

It seems so, Yogi, since being beautiful didn't seem to do her all that much good in the early game but GOOP is everywhere now including at least one chic L.A. boutique.

Zen Yogi: is it your purpose to slam Gwyneth Paltrow?

No, mate, and she was excellent in the Ironman movies. I just wouldn't be looking to her for health advice. There could be a comedy interview if she's willing to go into it knowing she won't be facing New Age cheerleaders.

Zen Yogi: I do see a tiny problem, Silas

What's that Yogi?

Zen Yogi: what if the TSA hears them and won't let you board your flight unless you remove them because they're estimated to be a security threat?

Yep, that's ugly, Yogi, but we don't want any part of that circus. We just wonder how GOOP can sell and there's nothing but charisma speaking for it.

Zen Yogi: it's a great job if you can get it. Note: old Army saying used when any job will probably be better than the one you're doing.

Hmmmm

Here’s What It’s Like To Break The Sound Barrier In A Car

2017-10-18T19:15:00.000-05:00

“The car tended to pull hard left at around 600 miles per hour, and that was requiring up to ninety degrees of steering lock to keep it straight.” - Andy Green

It’s been 20 years since the Thrust SSC made its record-breaking speed run, becoming the only car to ever travel faster than the speed of sound. Yet as its driver explains, it wasn’t as simple as mashing the go-pedal and having its two enormous Rolls-Royce Spey turbofan engines blast him into the history books.

Jalopnik: Here’s What It’s Like To Break The Sound Barrier In A Dang Car

That's what you may think that is it's like but this is how it really goes:

“It’s the loudest, highest-pitched scream I’ve ever heard,” said British Royal Air Force fighter pilot Andy Green of approaching the sound barrier, who drove the Thrust SSC to set its world record. “The car tended to pull—because of the way it was constructed with the staggered rear wheels—tended to pull hard left at around 600 miles per hour, and that was requiring up to ninety degrees of steering lock to keep it straight.”

- Jalopnik

This is not likely the type of feat you or I will ever try but what a marvel that anyone does.

Zen Yogi: Andy Green is completely crackers!

Perhaps but he and the team dedicated their time to immaculate preparation and their speed runs were flawless in achieving a successful result.

But they did it. On October 15, 1997, the Thrust SSC set a World Land Speed Record of 760.035 mph, and becoming the first and only car to break the sound barrier.

That record may not stand for much longer, though. A successor, the Bloodhound SSC, has been in the works and makes its first runs at Newquay later this month. Its goal is to exceed 1000 mph.

- Jalopnik

#Photography for the Unusual: World 10/19

2017-10-18T19:00:00.000-05:00

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

A family looks at a ‘Unity Kolam’, – made of turmeric powder, rice grains and rice flour – on the floor of a shopping mall. The kolam was designed by students from Limkokwing University for the Deepavali Hindu festival

Photograph: Fazry Ismail/EPA

All made from food and how about that.

Vancouver, Canada

A woman walks on artwork marking World Sight Day in the atrium of the Woodward’s building

Photograph: Canadian Press/Shutterstock

These 3D optical illusions make such an incredible effect.

Sydney, Australia

What a Tasty Looking Burger by James Dive is displayed near Bondi beach for the Sculpture by the Sea festival

Photograph: James D. Morgan/Getty Images

What better treat to enjoy on the beach so long as you get to it before the seagulls.

Madrid, Spain

Unidos Podemos MP’s hold banners in support of pro-independence leaders from the Catalonian national assembly who have been imprisoned

Photograph: Javier Lizon/EPA

Respect

Johannesburg, South Africa

Ceremonial officers wait to parade to mark the induction of 1500 recruits to the Johannesburg Police Department training course

Photograph: Kim Ludbrook/EPA

Remarkable that all are women.

What's Hot on the Blog 10/18

2017-10-18T18:06:00.001-05:00

Entry

Pageviews

Millenial Discussions: Me Too

Oct 17, 2017

105

How to Stop the Bladerunner TVs in Gas Stations an...

Oct 18, 2017

Then There Was "The Hunt for Red October"

Oct 18, 2017

Elon Musk Doesn't Just Talk of Puerto Rico, He's B...

Oct 17, 2017

#MeToo Makes a Mess Out of Feminism

Oct 17, 2017

How Alex Jones Bollixed his Estimable Brain ... Le...

Oct 18, 2017

What's Hot on the Blog 10/17

Oct 17, 2017

It's Better with a Kookaburra on the Trail of the ...

Oct 18, 2017

#Photography for the Unusual: Candid 10/18

Oct 17, 2017

Racism is Supporting Obama Even When He is Wrong

Jun 23, 2013

Millennial - Seraphin brings his thoughts on #MeToo

How - you know the irritating video from TVs in gas stations and this is how to turn it off

Then - "The Hunt for Red October" is a great war movie with almost no violence

Elon Musk - rebuilding Puerto Rico's power grid because he can

#MeToo - the Rockhouse Boomer view of #MeToo from yesterday

How Alex - makes food supplements with toxic levels of lead in them

What's Hot

It's Better - yesterday's #Blotto report and always better with a Kookaburra plus a response to Seraphin whose article came later

#Photography

Racism

How Alex Jones Bollixed his Estimable Brain ... Lead Poisoning

2017-10-18T10:36:00.001-05:00

Image: YouTube/The Alex Jones Channel

The most accurate description of the shrieking pageantry we’ve come to know as InfoWars is that it’s a dietary supplement business hiding behind a debased, unreliable, and exhaustingly stupid news network. Unfortunately for its founder Alex Jones, seen above chugging a glass of “Caveman True Paleo Formula,” two of those supplements were recently found to contain high levels of lead.

Gizmodo: Drink Up: High Lead Levels Found in Two InfoWars Supplements

Well ... that was clever, wasn't it.

Besides this Neanderthal Pre-Human Drink Powder, another supplement called Myco-ZX, advertised as “potent herbs and enzymes” intended for the “detoxification of yeast and undesirable fungal organisms,” was also determined to have high levels of lead, according to an independent testing by watchdog group the Center for Environmental Health, the findings of which InfoWars has itself based articles on prior.

According to the CEH, which purchased the samples tested directly from the InfoWars online shop, “People who take the Myco-ZX product would ingest more than six times the daily limit for lead under California law.” Those taking Caveman True Paleo would ingest twice the Californian daily lead limit.

- Gizmodo

Lead is highly toxic at the levels he guzzles it and, worse, sells to his devotees.

Both Myco-ZX and Caveman True Paleo Formula remain available for sale through InfoWars. (It’s unclear of the CEH’s findings also apply to the Strawberry flavor of Caveman True Paleo.)

- Gizmodo

Notwithstanding all scientific evidence, Jones makes his pitch.

Caveman True Paleo, according to Jones on-air, can relieve muscle soreness, improve bone strength, and “doesn’t have additives.” Lead, according to the CEH, can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, and (in men) lowered sperm count. But hey, who are you going to believe?

- Gizmodo

Zen Yogi: do we need a punchline with Flint, Michigan?

A significant number of the people in Flint were injured for life by the lead. There's no comedy in that any more than Jones will ever be funny. There will never be comedy in using products with lead at toxic levels and there can't possibly be any comedy in selling them.

Zen Yogi: so your purpose is to trash Jones?

It's more than that, Yogi, and it's more than another case of false advertising. If China were doing this as they have done at times in the past, there would have been flaming outrage from any countries which had been tricked by them.

Zen Yogi: so why not now?

That's your pumpernickel, bear buddy. Why the hell not now when this stuff is fuckin' toxic.

Then There Was "The Hunt for Red October"

2017-10-18T05:57:00.001-05:00

Although hardly a Michael J. Fox romance, there's hardly any violence with only three deaders for the run of it (i.e. the Political Officer, Vasily the XO, and the Saboteur at the end). The submarine exploding at the end was a colorful touch but it's never really happened except in Tom Clancy's fertile mind.

There were some first class explosions but the only the last which Clancy invented killed anyone. There had to have been tons of CGI for the movie but none of it was to create a gorefest.

Mostly it's the portrait of Sean Connery which is compelling.

Photographer: unknown (from the movie)

Such a magnificent face without a hunt of plasticine embellishment, only the wrinkles we earn over years. The picture is from the start of the movie as he looks into the Future since only he and his officers know the plan and only he knows all of it. All the more magnificent is his intention to defect with the submarine for the purpose of world peace.

Zen Yogi: he could be "Miss Congeniality"

All we are saying ... is give peace a chance.

This movie is the only time I've regarded Alec Baldwin as an actor rather than some raving lunatic since he was tight with this one and he didn't overplay it with Playdoh schmaltz as in his late-night tv feature show.

The edits are a great part of it since they're fast enough to keep the dynamic alive but not so fast it feels there's any attempt to create an artificial sense of excitement.

You may find it distasteful to see the cuddly relationship with the CIA but attribute that to Clancy. Besides, whether that relationship is portrayed accurately is only secondary to the much bigger point about disarmament through turning over a weapon whose only purpose is as an undetectable, first strike, and close range destroyer. Connery operates with the most noble possible objective and the CIA will fail in that comparison anyway.

The jam with the movie makes for a great Rockhouse vibe plus all that crazy submarine photography, CGI as it had to have been, made for some seriously tripped video coolness. All of that was integrated with excellent edits to make the movie one smoothly told story. Suspension of disbelief is no trouble as it unfolds since, oh, yeah, that could happen.

How to Stop the Bladerunner TVs in Gas Stations and Elsewhere

2017-10-18T02:31:00.000-05:00

Hit that button and no more news, sports scores, or ads

Some newer gas station pumps have small TVs built into them that blast ads, or even worse, the news at full volume. Here’s how you can turn that sound off and pump gas in peace.

Lifehacker: Silence Annoying Gas Pump TV Ads With This Button

Likely you have seen or, worse, heard these annoying TV systems which work so hard to show us the only way to escape all the garish advertising is in a crypt. However, there is an escape.

I had no idea shutting those things up was even possible until redditor Bi00hazzard pointed it out. One of the buttons on the right-hand side will do the trick. For Bi00hazard, it was the button second from the top. When I tried it out myself, however, it was the top right button worked, not the second one down (pictured above). So just start hitting buttons on the right-hand side and you should be good. Eventually the sound will stop and you’ll only be stuck with the classic soft rock and pop the station probably plays.

- LH

Presto and you're not in Bladerunner hell anymore.

It's Better with a Kookaburra on the Trail of the #Blotto

2017-10-18T02:09:00.000-05:00

People love the sound of a Kookaburra singing because it sounds much like they're laughing.

There are many types of Kingfishers all over the world but the Kookaburra is only found in Australia. Nevertheless, all of the old Tarzan movies and other old timey movies ostensibly shot in Africa had the sounds of Kookaburras in the soundtracks.

There are mantras to tell us no matter how badly things may suck, you've got to laugh. The Kookaburra got onto that ages ago so we want him around. There is a quintessential suckness to the circumstance so bring it, Kookaburra.

There's no telling how long this circumstance can last when the suckness increases maximally but that emphasizes all the more to Find Ye the Kookaburras.

I once wrote a song called "On the Road with a Mouse and a Chicken" and it had logic to it of a Silas sort. Actually, it still does since it didn't go anywhere and is still cheerfully spinning on YouTube's disks.

Zen Yogi: so now you want to add a Kookaburra?

That's right, Yogi, since you will hit a few bumps on the road as well. Sometimes it's been my predilection to hit the road itself but those incidents could have gone a little better.

There was great celebration when Ithaka hit a million reads since I never thought I would see that happen. It's now a short time later and you all have pushed it up another fifteen thousand or more reads so this is well-primed for Seraphin.

This article was written in two stages since I couldn't finish it with the first shot. Now I see the post from Seraphin and it would have been excellent to see the post in any circumstance but he doesn't much agree with my position on #MeToo and this is best of all.

Zen Yogi: why is it best when he runs counter to that which you have written?

Well, mate, that's because ...
we don't, we don't,
we don't want no Yes Men.

Seraphin is not a Yes Man and he speaks for Millennials as only he can. In his opposition, he shows he is the right man to reign as the new King since he's not a carbon-copy warrior and imitating my position would not show Kingship in any way.

Zen Yogi: but he did not do that

Nope and that's why I'm pleased by his scribes.

While I disagree that #notallmen is a false position, that's also the position of Aging Boomers and it's excellent to see non-combustible discourse on the matter. Hear, hear, Seraphin.

Much love to you all.