I’ve been thinking lately about that saying from the Bible, ya know, the one that everyone feels is necessary to quote at weddings and other transitionary periods in a person’s life:
“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:110).”
It’s supposed to signify the importance of continued maturity as we reach the necessary hurdles in life. Yet I can’t help but wonder if, in fact, it represents something inherently backwards in Western thought.
I remember how I spoke/understood/thought as a child. And yes, it was significantly different from the way I process information in my adult life. Back then, I spoke without fear. I understood the world I was confronted with from eyes that were relatively unspoiled by prejudices and the politically correct. I thought about things from the midst of infinite promise, untainted by the adult notions of “cynicism” and “despair.” I was irrepressibly strong.
Maybe I just suffer from Peter Pan Syndrome, but sometimes I think the modern obsession with “growing up” in fact prevents our society from making significant progress. I’m not saying you should run home and pull out your TMNT action figures. But just maybe, if we all took a second now and then to remember how we felt back when “snow” was a synonym for “fun” instead of “stress,” we might find an unexpected inner strength, childlike in size, but Herculean in possibilities.
Ok, so my tatanrum (I’ve decided tatantrum sounds a little bit cooler than tattootantrum) is starting to take a turn for the worse…
So I sent my Mama pictures of some *examples* of the type of swallow I might want on my foot… Just pictures now, and she’s thinking I want my entire foot covered in ink (because that’s how big they are in the pictures). Nope, just want a small little bird on the top of my foot.
Just got an e-mail from her saying that it’s like I’m back in high school and dying my hair blue again and that it’s not going to draw “positive attention.” Um… ok, where’d that come from? It’s a tattoo. It’s not like I wear flip flops to work or anything? It’ll be covered up 80% of the time (minus summer, of course) just like my other tattoos are.
I guess she’s trying to talk me out of getting it, but the fact that she said that just really pissed me off. I’m not digressing back into the drug-crazed high school days and I mean, it’s just a tattoo. I know it’s permanent and all, but I have three others that I like just as much, it’s MY body, and come on now, I’m 26 years old… adult. You don’t want me to get the tattoo? Don’t give me the money for it. I’ll get the tattoo eventually because I have made up my mind about it.
Just needed to vent for a minute. And Mama, if you’re reading this, sorry, but c’mon now… let me grow up.
I’m NOT covered in tattoos. I’m not on drugs. I’m just asking for another little bit of ink on my foot which IS NOT A BIG DEAL. Urgh.
A excellent deal of hard work, time and high quality art supplies are required by artists to create their masterpieces. But, these days, due to shape of the overall economy, even skilled artists are seeking for ways to save huge amounts of money on art supplies. Artists’ supplies can be really expensive in conventional art supply stores and if you are an artist, you probably know how it feels to see that even a single paint brush costs more than $15. Products which have a high price carry a high quality tag as well which is a need for an artist. You will also find inexpensive art supplies, but for a professional artist, it is not good to settle for low quality products as this will badly mirror on his work.
However, if you are a beginner, you can always start with the low-cost supplies just to see how you do. If you are doing well and like to continue, you can usually go back and get the high quality ones. But, if you are already in the industry, you need to know where you can get the finest equipment of your trade at the best price. At several times, you may need to get diverse accessories such as oil paints, easels, paint brushes and so on and there are many places where you can get them at discount rates. Some people think that discount art supplies indicate poor quality, but they do not understand that there are many reasons as to why sellers offer discounts on art supplies. Most of the time, by offering discounts, they are able to make huge profits since they are able to do enormous sales. Next, when new stocks arrive, they need clear out on stagnated items to make space for the new ones. These are the occasions when artists can gain from such deals and purchase discount art supplies.
If you are thinking to buy artists supplies at discounted rates, here are some easy ways in which you can do so.
Buying in bulk is a really great way for expert artists to save huge amounts of money. Dealers often give good discounts when they sell in bulk. Despite the fact that you may have to search and wait for some time, it will really be worth it. However, if you grow to be a regular customer, you can expect to get the same kind of package every time you make a purchase from that store.
Check Out Local Art Supply Stores – local art supply stores have sale most of the time, especially when they are about to add new items to the shop. To make room for the new items, they generally run a clearance sale and offer huge discounts on stagnated supplies. Most stores these days also have websites where they announce their promotions and offers. You can sign up for weekly newsletters and check out the bargains that are being offered. Nearby shops also have emailing lists and you can sign up for these as well.
There are several online auctions sites from where people save loads of money on their purchase everyday. If you search through these sites daily, you will certainly find some brand new art supplies at really low prices.
We recently sold a vibrator to a woman, who was very, very keen to get it and try it out. The vibrator she chose is one of our biggest sellers, and comes with a clit tickler. It gyrates in a way a penis never could, and it is big. Not huge, there are bigger, and not even intimidatingly large. But it is big, and has quite a circumference, and is definitely larger than any penis I have seen. I received an email from the woman, saying she couldn’t even get it inside her, and could I recommend something else. I am still working on the request, within the guidelines that I was given, and believe me when I tell you that it is not easy.
I don’t expect that most people would have this problem, but it is worth thinking about. Any vibrator must contain a motor, and the more it does, the more electronic wizardry it has to contain. Therefore it gets bigger, and, often, wider. Bigger isn’t always better, just have a look at Australia’s number one selling sex toy, the We Vibe 2. It’s tiny, and it’s awesome.
Pulling a vibrator out of it’s box for the first time is a great feeling, the anticipation, the excitement, the frustration that you will have to wait hours until you can use it… It is not a good feeling when you just look at it and think “No WAY!”
First, do your research. Have a look online and see if you can find the physical dimensions. Pull out a ruler or tape measure, and translate those to reality.
The average depth of the vagina when aroused, is 5 to six inches, and obviously varies a bit from woman to woman. (You wouldn’t believe where I ended up when I googled that…) Width varies from 1.5 to 2.5 inches, so there is obviously some variety in what will feel comfortable for you.
My advice if you have something on hand that you think may be too large for you? Assuming that you are going to try anyway (well, I would!), is to take your time, don’t focus on the size, relax, use it outside a lot first, and have plenty of good quality lube on hand. Oh, and don’t hurt yourself! I have never had labial bruising, but it doesn’t sound comfortable!
Some of my favourite toys are penis shaped, but smaller than a penis. They can be used in a variety of ways, and at angles that even a well used cock can’t achieve!
I heartily recommend a variety of shapes and sizes, so that they can be selected to suit your mood.
I attended a recent hearing where a father and son had been estranged for many years. The son had experienced serious issues growing up and had moved around from family member to family member, then ended up in the home of a stranger through foster care. He’d turned 18 and opted out of the system, even though he only had four months of high school to finish. He was leaving the state, potentially forever.
The father, my client, hadn’t come to many of the hearings over the years, at my suggestion, as the court refused to place the child with him because of a rocky history, and the boy wanted nothing to do with his father. Why take off a day of work to waste it in court?
But this hearing was different. The young man had stated his intention to leave, to forego his diploma, to strike out into the unknown without help. I suggested that Dad come to the hearing. It might be the last time he ever saw his son.
So he did. I give him credit for that. After years of the boy slamming the door in his face, he came to court to face him. After the hearing, in the hall, he gave the boy some news on family members he’d known, and we all stood there. Neither seemed to know what else to say, these two (now) adults related by blood but disengaged. I suggested that the dad shake hands with the young man, a symbolic healing of sorts, but his hands were firmly jammed in his pockets. He was clearly broadcasting his hurt feelings. “If he wants to,” he mumbled.
I looked to the newly-freed young man, and his attorney asked if he wanted to shake hands with his father. His hands remained jammed in his own pockets. He stared at the floor. He didn’t speak.
So after a long pause of uncomfortable silence, we all turned to shuffle away. Moment lost.
Maybe I’ve just been very fortunate with my own children, that we enjoy a relationship of mutual caring and respect. Even though they are far away, following their dreams, we communicate and share our lives. I can’t imagine being in a place where we couldn’t look each other in the eye, or take 10 seconds to allow our hands to come into contact, when it meant goodbye forever.
Who should have made the first move? I’d have said my client. He is the parent. He’s the adult. After all his years on the earth, he should have learned what the boy could miss without the possibility of that relationship. Yet he chose to allow his own petulance to block what might have been their last chance. It was one of the saddest moments of my career.
Setting: Solona, Arizona (along the San Pedro River and I-10)
Time period: Contemporary
Plot summary: When Grace Quintero’s grandfather died, she started smoking again. Her abuelo was not only a kind and gracious man; he was also the one who helped Grace discover her calling – restoring classic Ford cars. After his death, Grace had such a hard time that she succumbed to her old smoking habit. They say that smoking can kill a person; in this case it’s true. If she hadn’t needed that pack of smokes, she wouldn’t have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. To make matters worse, after her death Grace is stuck in her neighborhood with a few other people who had the misfortune of dying in the vicinity. There’s no escape from this limbo except twice a year when the dead can return to the land of the living. Complicating her existence even more, on her first trip back Grace falls in love.
Appeal factors:
Pacing: Steady pace – not incredibly fast, but definitely a page turner.
Characterization: Most of the story is told in first person through Grace’s perspective, but a significant portion is also told in third person from John’s perspective. Many diverse characters are found in this story.
Frame: Death, love, and mystery are all brought up in the short introductory chapter and establish the frames for this book.
Story line: A beautiful story about living a full, rich life – even after death.
Subject headings:
From PCPL:
Magic — Fiction
Fantasy fiction
From NoveList:
Magic
Supernatural
Life after death
Dead
Unrequited love
Men/women relations
Southwest (United States)
Fantasy fiction
Canadian fiction — 21st century
Similar authors: Neil Gaiman, Nina Kiriki Hoffman, Emma Bull, Terri Windling, Robin McKinley
Personal notes: Another beautiful tale by one of my all time favorite authors. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a novel by him. This was a great one.
This tale did bring up a couple of questions for me as I was reading it – mostly relating to the dead crossing over. If there is a new moon on Halloween or May Eve, can the dead still cross over? (The crossing takes place at moonrise). What if one drowns in the ocean? Do those souls never get to go back if they can’t get to the exact spot where they drowned? I’m also wondering why on the inside flap of the book it states that this is his first book set in the Southwest. Medicine Road takes place between Tucson and Sedona. Hmmm….
One little nitpick – while I respect de Lint’s choice for making up a city for his setting – rather than just setting it in Tucson – I think he should have made up the river it was set on as well. The plant life along the San Pedro is different than it is around Tucson, especially near I-10, and there are not very many saguaros. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum actually considers that area to part of the Chihuahuan Desert.
Other (diversity, themes, websites): Diversity – female auto mechanic, Mexican Americans, Black Americans, Native American, physically challenged, gay male, Wiccan, female tattoo artist, White bruja
