Saturday, 17 August 2019

Review ~ JFR Lunatic Habano Short Robusto (5/10)

This was the featured cigar at this months Tulalip Resort Casino Cigar Night.

Coming in at #7 in Cigar Aficionado's top 10 rated cigars of 2018, and boasting a CA rating of 93, the JFR Lunatic Habano should have been something to write home about - one would think.

On initial inspection, the stick looks beautiful - smooth and sleek, with a nice, slight sheen, solid construction, and is presented with a golden, foil wrap, which, when removed, reveals a lovely,  partially closed foot.

According to Cigar Aficionado,

    "The cigar is profoundly nutty (no pun intended) with precise notes of cashew and walnut wonderfully layered atop a core of coffee bean",
 and Cigars International says it is,
    "Exploding with notes of roasted nuts, earth, toast and coffee".

 Taking in the aroma of the unlit beauty, it seems all those promises will be delivered, in abundance. It smells like a high end sweets store, specialising in chocolates and nuts, and my expectations are in line with the rating.

The light was practically effortless (I use the light and cut method - AKA, La Méthode de Jacques Puisais), and the draw was smooth right off the bat, though it didn't really seem to taste like much at all. No biggie - That is often the case at the beginning of a stick, though less common with the medium to full bodied smokes, as this one purports to be.

After the first several puffs though, the only description I could come up with for the flavour profile was, "confusing".

Initially, there was a very slight peppery hint, followed by just kind of generic, any-cigar flavour, light and smooth, with a decent amount of smoke and solid ash. Pleasant, but not especially noteworthy.

Once it got to about 1/3rd down, a bit of an earthy, almost grassy flavour revealed itself. Not quite earth and not quite grass, but more, as I described to a fellow attendee, kind of tasted like the scent of the bottom of a piece of sod. Now, I know that may not sound very nice out loud (or in print), but it really isn't at all an  unpleasant aroma. If you've ever done landscaping, you know what I mean. If not, just take my word that it is a nice, early summertime, outdoorsy, nostalgic kind of smell that feels like lying on the lawn after a good day's work.

As it got closer to the last 1/3rd, the pepper resurfaced, this time more distinguishable as perhaps white pepper. Again, not strongly at all. Just a touch to linger on the tongue and back of the throat.

It was smokable all the way down to just into the last 1/4, before it tasted "done".
My initial instinct was to label this stick as "bland" or "boring", but the truth is that it is simply a lot milder and more subtle than I tend to prefer in my smokes.

Bottom line, despite my disappointment (my sponsor says the definition of expectations is premeditated disappointment. I concur!), it is a decent tasting, pleasant cigar, and,  at $6 a stick, if you like mild to medium, not too complex cigars, worth a try, as long as you're not expecting it to taste like the unlit version smells, or like the advertisers say it does.

While I wont be buying any more of the habanos, I actually DID buy a couple of the Maduros to try, figuring they may be more to my liking. One to smoke in a few days, and another to leave in the humidor for a few months and see how it ages. So, we'll see how those go.

I give this one a 5/10, meaning just average, but not at all bad. YMMV. 



As an addendum, seeing as pretty much everyone at the event I spoke to or overheard seemed to have a very similar experience, combined with the fact that there was some issue with this shipment being late in arriving, meaning that it may have spent more time in transit than usual, and the box may NOT have spent as much time in the humi before we got them... It occurs to me that this could have been a factor. So, if the Maduro versions are good after some time in my humidor, I may see about trying another one of these, or at least giving them the benefit of the doubt. 

Wednesday, 14 August 2019

Ladies' Night ~ Playlist & Recorded Show ~ 2019.08.14

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Listen to the entire recorded show here.

Playlist


  1. (Pre-Show Track) Blondie - One Way Or Another (03:24)
  2. Sonata Arctica - The Truth Is Out There (05:03)
  3. Verve - Bittersweet Symphony (05:56)
  4. Excision x Illenium - Gold (Stupid Love) feat Shallows (04:56)
  5. Marco Beltrami, Danny Saber - Blade (Theme from Blade) (03:02)
  6. Clubbed to Death (07:30)
  7. New Order - Confusion [Pump Panel Reconstruction Mix] (Blade Rave/bloodbath) (07:28)
  8. Eliminate - Haunt Me (03:18)
  9. Sanguine Symphony - Furious Angels (Instrumental) (04:28)
  10. Gerard Mcmann - Cry Little Sister (Theme from the Lost Boys) (04:46)
  11.  La Valse Erotique (04:41)
  12.  Not Meant for Me (04:07)
  13. Apotheosis - Obumbrata (04:52)
  14. Porter Robinson - Sad Machine (KLOUD Remix) (03:20)
  15. Set it Off - Why Worry (03:19)
  16. Slept So Long (05:28)
  17. Guns N' Roses - Sympathy for the Devil (07:36)
  18. Jonathan Coulton (Portal) - Still Alive (02:56)
  19. Michael Jackson - Thriller (05:57)
  20. White Zombie - Creature of the Wheel (03:25)
  21. Oingo Boingo - Weird Science (03:32)
  22. Roxette - The Look (03:51)
  23. The Bangles - Walk Like an Egyptian (Video Version) (03:22)
  24. The Police - Every Breath You Take (03:55)
  25. Pet Shop Boys - Pet Shop Boys - What Have I Done To Deserve This (04:16)
  26. The Police - The Police - Don't Stand So Close To Me (03:52)
  27. The Count Censored (ORIGINAL) ( 2: 7)
  28. 'Til Tuesday - 'Til Tuesday - Voices Carry (04:18)
  29. Bebe Rexha - Meant to Be (feat. Florida Georgia Line) (02:45)
  30. Bow wow wow - I Want Candy (lyrics) (02:44)
  31. Corey Hart - Sunglasses At Night (03:52)
  32. Ghoultown - Drink with the Living Dead (06:11)

Saturday, 10 August 2019

Metal Mayhem Playlist & Recorded Show ~ 2019.08.10

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Listen to the entire recorded show here. 

Playlist


  1. Seether featuring Amy Lee - Broken (04:21)
  2. Kamelot - Silent Goddess (04:15)
  3. Rotting Christ - Asthmatic apoplexy (00:46)
  4. Dimmu Borgir - Masses for a New Messiah (05:10)
  5. Saxon - Denim and Leather (Rerecorded) (05:25)
  6. Angra - Unfinished Allegro (01:12)
  7. In Flames - Pinball Map (04:33)
  8. I Prevail - Come And Get It (Explicit Lyrics) (03:01)
  9. The Haunted - All Against All (04:34)
  10. Ceremonial Castings - The Dreamstalk Masquerade (04:10)
  11. Within Temptation - The Dance (05:01)
  12. Death - Spirit Crusher (06:44)
  13. Stratovarius - Eagleheart (03:45)
  14. Nile - Permitting The Noble Dead To Descend To The Underworld (03:31)
  15. Korpiklaani - Juodaan Viinaa (Hector cover) (03:15)
  16. Morbid Angel - Place of Many Deaths (04:13)
  17. Ghoulunatics - Pernicious Sentence (02:51)
  18. Iron Maiden - Running Free (03:29)
  19. Virgin Steele - I Wake Up Screaming (04:36)
  20. Metallica - The Four Horsemen (07:12)
  21. Chastisement - My Father (05:16)
  22. Steve Vai - Tender Surrender (05:04)
  23. Amorphis - Excursing From Existence (03:06)
  24. Alghazanth - The Way Of The Scales (07:05)
  25. My Dying Bride - The Blue Lotus (06:33)
  26. Arcturus - Wintry Grey (04:36)
  27. Kamelot - The Shadow Of Uther (04:45)
  28. Savatage - I Am (04:32)
  29. Therion - Darkness Eve (05:19)
  30. King Diamond - The Family Ghost (04:25)
  31. Samael - The Truth Is Marching On (04:29)
  32. Demons and Wizards - Rites Of Passage (00:54)
  33. Sentenced - Keep my grave open (03:53)
  34. Nightwish - Wish I Had an Angel (04:05)
  35. Hammerfall - The Fallen One (04:19)
  36. Stratovarius - Destiny (10:13)
  37. Sonata Arctica - Shy (04:18)

Friday, 9 August 2019

Metal Mayhem X Playlist ~ 2019.08.08

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Playlist


  1. Kaledon - Trapped on the Throne (04:30)
  2. Fairyland - Hubris Et Orbi (05:53)
  3. Metallica - Breadfan (05:41)
  4. AMORPHIS - Amongst Stars (04:48)
  5. Tales Of Evening - Káprázat (04:09)
  6. Moonville - Strange Letters (2017 Reissue) (03:38)
  7. Blitzkrieg - Blitzkrieg (03:49)
  8. Inner Core - BLAME (04:10)
  9. Metallica - Blitzkrieg (03:36)
  10. Prosody - Simple Man Cover (Lynyrd Skynyrd Cover) (07:51)
  11. Valhalore - Voyage into Eternity (06:31)
  12. Beast in Black - Zodd the Immortal (03:33)
  13. Texas Hippie Coalition - Pissed Off and Mad About It (03:32)
  14. The Dan Band - Total Eclipse of the Heart (02:37)
  15. Steel Panther - Community Property (03:38)
  16. Steel Panther - Gloryhole (04:36)
  17. Dragonland - The Neverending Story - Bonus track (03:03)
  18. Pellek - TAKE ON ME Metal Cover (04:26)
  19. Amaru - "Hungry Like The Wolf" (04:01)
  20. Children of Bodom - Party All The TimeEddie Murphy Cover (03:01)
  21. Colossus of Rhodes - (I Just) Died In Your Arms (04:43)
  22. Battle Beast - Push It To The Limit \m/ Version ( BONUS ) (03:20)
  23. Seether - Careless Whisper (04:06)
  24. Spaulding - Careless Whispers (Wham) - Metal Cover (04:15)
  25. Lemon Demon - The Count Censored (02:07)

Thursday, 8 August 2019

Metal Mayhem X Playlist ~ 2019.08.15

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Playlist


  1. Alestorm - 06 Fucked With An Anchor (03:27)
  2. Lego's Lost Project - Should I Stay or Should I Go Metal (03:54)
  3. Emperor - Ye Entrancemperium (05:16)
  4. SONATA ARCTICA - A Little Less Understanding (04:15)
  5. Theatre of Tragedy - Seraphic Deviltry (05:17)
  6. Paradise Lost - One Second (03:32)
  7. Angel Dust - Temple of the King (06:34)
  8. Arch Enemy - Beast of Man (03:38)
  9. Delain - We Are The Others (07:11)
  10. Lego's Lost Project - Baby Shark Metal (03:30)
  11. Grave - Ridden With Belief (04:05)
  12. Steel Panther - Death To All But Metal (Explicit) (03:41)
  13. Odes of Ecstasy - The Conqueror Worm (07:05)
  14. Black Majesty - Break These Chains (04:48)
  15. Tragedy - Total Eclipse Of The Heart (06:49)
  16. The Dan Band - Total Eclipse of the Heart (02:37)
  17. Yannis Papadopoulos ft. Vicky Psarakis - The Haunting (Kamelot Vocal Cover) (05:30)
  18. Beast in Black - Blind and Frozen (05:16)
  19. Sonata Arctica - The Wind Beneath My Wings (04:44)
  20. Haggard - Per Aspera Ad Astra (06:40)
  21. Within Temptation - Stand My Ground (04:30)
  22. Nightwish - Wishmaster (04:24)
  23. Van Canto - Wishmaster (04:23)
  24. RHAPSODY, TURILLI+LIONE - Origins (02:27)

Wednesday, 7 August 2019

Ladies' Night ~ Playlist & Recorded Show ~ 2019.08.07

Follow DJ Khaos on Facebook for show times, descriptions, and notifications!

Listen to the entire recorded show here. 

Playlist


  1. Guns N' Roses - November Rain (09:16)
  2. Bryan Adams - Summer of 69 (03:41)
  3. Survivor - Eye Of The Tiger (04:10)
  4. Billy Joel - Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (Live June 1977 At Carnegie Hall, New York, NY) (07:39)
  5. Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer (04:09)
  6. Boston - More Than A Feeling (04:46)
  7. Meat Loaf - Paradise By The Dashboard Light (08:28)
  8. Glee Cast - Paradise By The Dashboard Light (Glee Cast Version) (03:51)
  9. Starland Vocal Band - Afternoon Delight (03:15)
  10. Crosby Stills and Nash - Helplessly Hoping (02:39)
  11. Harry Chapin - Stranger With The Melodies (07:12)
  12. Rod Stewart - Maggie May (05:15)
  13. Chris Stapleton - Tennessee Whiskey (04:53)
  14. Earth Wind & Fire - Fantasy (04:40)
  15. The Four Seasons - 1963 (Oh What a Night!) (2006 Remaster) (03:20)
  16. Harry Chapin - Flowers Are Red (04:56)
  17. Connie Vannett - The Pussy Cat Song (02:37)
  18. Chicago - Look Away (04:03)
  19. Cheap Trick - Surrender (04:15)
  20. Orange Juice - Rip it Up (03:47)
  21. The Clash - Rock the Casbah (03:39)
  22. Blondie - Blondie - One Way Or Another (03:24)
  23. Pat Benatar - Love Is A Battlefield (05:18)
  24. Toto - Africa (04:34)
  25. Night Ranger - Sister Christian (04:18)
  26. Billy Joel - Uptown Girl (03:22)
  27. Journey - Dont Stop Believing (04:13)
  28. Wham! - Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (03:50)
  29. Arjen Anthony Lucassen - Welcome to the Machine (04:47)
  30. Public Image Ltd. - FFF (05:31)
  31. Tommy Tutone - Jenny (03:48)
  32. Deniece Williams - Lets Hear It For The Boy (04:11)
  33. Billy Joel - Piano Man (05:41)
  34. Starship - Starship - Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now (04:29)
  35. Billy Idol - White Wedding Pt 1 (03:29)
  36. Grinderman - Heathen Child (04:59)
  37. Seether featuring Amy Lee - Broken (04:21)
  38. Wolfsinger - Werewolves- (06:06)
  39. Lush - Ladykillers (03:14)
  40. Violent Femmes - Kiss Off (02:56)
  41. BATTLE BEAST - No More Hollywood Endings (04:38)
  42. DORO - All For Metal (04:02)
  43. Shiran - Silence (04:00)
  44. Nightwish - Beauty and the Beast (06:24)
  45. Purple Nail - Beneath The Surface (05:15)
  46. FOLLOW THE CIPHER - I Revive (03:28)
  47. Inner Core - Snowstorm (06:48)
  48. The Haunting - Set It Off (EXPLICIT) (02:53)
  49. All That Remains - The Thunder Rolls (04:27)
  50. LeAnn Rimes - Can't Fight The Moonlight (03:37)
  51. Georgia Satellites - Keep your hands to yourself (03:29)


Tuesday, 19 March 2019

What I like about and seek within a D/s dynamic (from the 's' side)

 

 

I have been tasked with writing out, in detail, what I like about D/s (from the bottom), what, exactly, I seek within a D/s dynamic, and why. 

If you are a dominant man interested in pursuing a D/s dynamic with me, it is hoped that you would read this entire post, as well as my full profile, if you have not already done so, to see if you are actually interested. 

What I seek

 I seek an authority and protocol oriented (as opposed to sexually or romantically oriented) D/s dynamic, with a strong focus on motivating me to develop and maintain good habits, physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, in addition to service and BDSM aspects, as applicable. 

Clearly defined rules, expectations, routines, discipline, and communication are essential for me.  I want - I NEED - someone who will motivate and push me to do my own footwork, who will not accept anything less than my best, and who will never consider failure to be a valid option.

  When I find a man to whom I will submit, I will strive to be obedient and pleasing to him, to serve him well and humbly, and to reflect well upon him and everyone who has graced me with their time and effort to train, teach, and mould me over the years.

The arrangement could, potentially, include periods of "contract slavery" (meaning, in this context, a set period or periods of time, during which I behave and am treated fully as a slave - likely in private only, but technically retain my status as a free woman). 

Someone local would be great, and would allow for the BDSM aspects I crave, though long distance is doable, with proper communication and oversight.

What I like (and some of the why)
I like the structure, comfort, and security that D/s can provide. 

Life is full of uncertainties, and that can be even more true for someone who tends to be fiercely independent in most areas of life. When you have only yourself to answer to, sure, there is a lot of freedom in that, however, there is also the risk of becoming stagnant, losing focus or motivation, or getting caught in a tailspin trying to second guess yourself. 
Having established structure, rules, routines, schedule, and ongoing goals helps keep me healthy, in all respects, and I know that, but often, at least for me, simply knowing something is the right thing to do for myself isn't enough motivation. Even when I know I'm going to feel bad or guilty if I do/don't do something, I will often go for the instant gratification instead, and then feel like crap over it for the next however long. 

I have no problem doing right by other people, but if it's just me who is affected, it's a struggle. 
It is a weakness. I know it is. I have lots of strengths. That is not one. 

When I am answering to someone else for these sorts of things, I have more motivation, because I don't want to let that person down. Disappointing or displeasing someone to whom I am in service is very emotionally upsetting to me, and I will go to great lengths to avoid doing so. Conversely, having specific goals, tasks, rules, and similar means to be pleasing gives me more incentive to reach and maintain those goals - to know that he is proud of me, and/or pleased with me. 

The comfort and security factors come with knowing where the boundaries are, what is expected of me, and that his rules will be enforced. I need to know that wilfully disobeying or falling short will result in consequences beyond just feeling bad, and that his will is strong enough that he will follow through and follow up. I will not "brat" constantly on purpose, try and force his hand, or "top from the bottom" to try and get a particular outcome, however, I do have a strong tendency to test boundaries (usually so I know exactly where they are and that they are real). 
I can also frequently go too far before realising I am doing so, when I am passionate about something, or caught up in the moment, especially if that moment seems funny to me. That can usually be brought to heel right away with a simple look, tone, or word to remind me of my place. I just need someone willing and able to give me that word, look, tone, command, or what have you.  

I can be a frustrating person. I am on the autism spectrum and have ADHD. I easily get distracted, have trouble staying on task, and lose track of or forget what I am meant to be doing frequently. I tend to take what people say at their face value, and miss "hints", subtext, and sometimes humour, because I can take things literally. I rely heavily on logic, and am more prone to rail against a decision if it doesn't make sense to me. I will get caught up in technicalities. I argue easily. I will find and probably exploit loopholes. I will be upfront and honest about doing so, giving information and opportunity to close them, rather than using them to be deceitful or get away with things in secret, but I will use them if they are there. It is my nature. It truly isn't deliberate, and I WANT to be good! That's why I need someone more dominant than I, to keep me in check, be very clear with me about boundaries and expectations, and be able to give the command to shut me down when needed. That someone has to have the tenacity to not give up on me, even when I do the same stupid/annoying crap for the umpteenth time.

Some insight on the whys and how to better manage and mitigate some of my annoying traits can be found here.

Some background information, may, perhaps, offer a better understanding of what I seek, and why.
I have been free since 2010, March 1.
For close to eight years prior to that, I was a Gorean slave; Fully owned, subject to all free (within the confines of my master's wishes, of course), and rightless.  I was given much rigorous training in casual and formalised service of food and drink, domestic and personal services, common slave positions, walking, standing, crawling, and speaking as a slave, striving for absolute obedience, perfect service, deference, and remembering to always mind my station, and speak "from my knees", in thought, even when not in fact.

 I also have been active in the BDSM scene since the very early 1990s, and have a great deal of experience with many forms of play, including a substantial amount of "edge play". I have a fairly high threshold for many forms of pain, so can be taken relatively far in terms of pain or other extreme sensation. (I have more detailed information regarding that, as well as references)
I tend to be driven by the desire to serve, so will endure a great many things I may not, necessarily like, for the sake of pleasing the one to whom I am in service at a given time.

Now, to more of the aforementioned whys...
Since being granted freedom, I have much enjoyed the privileges afforded me; The ability to speak as and when I see fit, to show deference and/or respect based on merit, rather than status, to come and go as I please, wear what I like, and answer to no one but myself, my higher power, or other legitimate authority that life can present to us all. (Please note that if I agree to submit to someone, that places them in the legitimate authority category.)

I wish to retain some degree of these freedoms. 

Nonetheless, I find that I miss many of the forms and fulfilments of service, being held in perfect obedience, put to my knees or through "slave paces" (positions, formalised serving, etc), subject to discipline, bound by rules, given tasks and/or punishments, whether for my own betterment, or simply because it pleases the one in charge.
I sometimes need to find that place within myself which is available only in subjugation of my will to that of another, completely adhering to the proper mindset, behaviour, and demeanour befitting a slave when serving in that capacity, whether that service is taking a beating, polishing boots (to USMC standards!) or silverware, cooking and/or serving meal or drinks, washing the dishes, engaging in conversation, simply sitting at their feet, or whatever other task or duty may be required of me. 

More importantly, I consistently find that I need direction and enforcement in order to stay on a proper path. Left completely to my own devices, I tend to go completely adrift, and crash and burn. I need to be accountable to an external authority in order to keep that from happening. And yes, I do mean "need". It has become very clear that this is a need, rather than a want. In fact, there are times when I really DON'T "want" it; But I definitely need it!

Here is the rub though...
I don't want to surrender completely, without limit, as I have before. I do not want to be a slave/property/owned.
I (selfishly, perhaps, but I must be utterly honest here) want to have a say in the limits and terms of my service.
I prefer to negotiate, rather than to simply hand over all future decisions and rights to another person.

If you've gotten this far, and are still interested in more details, here is more information on the things I explicitly do not want.

 Below is a list of my previous owners/dominants, and some of the rules and contracts within those dynamics. I'd ideally like something very close to the most recent contract again, though, of course, every dominant will have their own additions/tweaks. Constructive comments and suggestions on the editable, Google doc are welcome.

  • Chuck - Contracted "Owner" (FW contracted "slavery") most of 2000 (links to contract and rules when I find the old info.)
  • Owl - Contracted "Owner" 2003.07.19 - 2003.09.16 (FW contracted "slavery".) [contract & rules]
  •  Owl - Owner 2003.09.16 - 2010.03.01 - (no contract - full chattel slavery. Was freed and summarily dismissed soon after.) [rules]
  • CW - Dom/Commander late 2010 to 2015, December (no contract - verbal agreement. "Official" dynamic ended due to mutual agreement to focus on underlying relationship, rather than D/s.) [rules]
  • LRD - Dom early 2016 to 2018.03.06 - (Closest to what I currently seek. Was released from service due to his personal reasons preventing him from being able to be responsible for a sub.) [contract]  [rules]
  • Necrotic - "Manager/Handler" 2020.04.13 - 2020.07.29 (no contract - verbal agreement. Rules were still being worked out when I was dismissed. Again.)
  • DDW - Dom 2022.01.11 - 2022.10.22 (no contract & constantly changing rules. Ended due to incompatible goals.)

Both dismissals, as well as several failed considerations have taught me additional things, and one, in particular resulted in quite a lot more disclosures here (on this and linked pages). Hopefully, these lessons and additions will help me to be more pleasing, and help the next dom/potential dom more fully understand what he may be getting into, which will, even more hopefully, be less likely to result in my being dismissed in disgrace, yet again.

Also added, 2019.09.24, due to multiple requests for link, the schedule I am meant to be keeping. I haven't been doing a great job, of late.
[Schedule]