Favourite Music

I'm moving this to a separate writing to pare down my profile a bit.

Some favourite bands in no particular order:

In Flames; Samael; Opeth; Blind Guardian; Nightwish; Angra; Arch Enemy; Dissection; Lacuna Coil; Emperor; Nile; Dark Tranquillity; At The Gates; Bal Sagoth; Savatage; Enthroned; Children of Bodom; The Haunted; Sonata Arctica; The Crown; Abandoned; Demons & Wizards; Iced Earth; Odes of Ecstasy; Edge of Sanity; Soilwork; Jag Panzer; Hammerfall; Sinergy; Haggard; Cynic; Nocturnal Rites; Symphony X; Old Man's Child; Killswitch Engage; Entombed; Death; Nightingale; Angel Dust; Manowar; Rhapsody; Night In Gales; Epica; Within Temptation; Dream Theater; Theatre of Tragedy; Carcass; Gardenian; Gandalf; Chastisement; Borknagar; Naglfar; Rotting Christ; Keep Of Kalessin; Enter My Silence; Internal Bleeding; King Diamond; Dimmu Borgir; Hypocrisy; Nightingale; Ceremonial Castings; Gift of Prophecy; Dragonforce; Cradle of Filth; Raventhrone; Amon Amarth; Sentenced; Morbid Angel; Virgin Steele; Kamelot; Einherjer; Leaves Eyes; My Dying Bride; Sabaton; Amorphis; Korpiklaani; Armageddon; Paradise Lost; Deicide; Dethklok; Therion; Graveworm; Grave; Kataklysm; Melechesh; Stratovarius; Northern Kings; ...

There are a lot more, and that's only the metal!
Here is an equally incomplete list of some of my non-metal favourites, again, in no particular order:

Heather Alexander/Alexander James Adams; The Mamas and Papa's; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; Peter, Paul & Mary; Kansas; Led Zeppelin; Black Sabbath; Pink Floyd; El Debarge; Madonna (her older stuff, anyway); Simon & Garfunkel; Mortis; Run DMC; Fat Boys; Doug E. Fresh; Shania Twain; Garth Brooks; Randy Travis; DVDA; Bangles, Karen Carpenter; John Denver; Savage Garden; Gaia Consort; Allison Crowe; Enya; Loreena McKennitt; The Real McKenzies; The Wicked Tinkers; The Dropkick Murphys; Whitesnake; Bon Jovi; White Lion; Ravi Shankar; Robbie Robertson; David & Steve Gordon; Ice Cube; Beastie Boys; Jonathan Coulton; Two Nice Girls; Uncle Bonsai; Tim Minchin; They Might Be Giants; Bloodhound Gang; King Missle; Tism; The Whitlams; Crowded House; ...(more!)

And a TON more that I can't think of offhand or that are individual songs rather than the artist in general. I dig country, classical, opera, oldies, folk, old skool rap & R&B, celtic, native, and .. well.. pretty much everything other than most "alternative", grunge, gangsta rap and modern pop.

Latest Craft Project ~ 30" Paddle

Today's project is a 30 inch paddle. This one is pre-made. It's a mixing paddle for food service. You can get them at Cash & Carry for around $17. 

Here are both sides of the paddle after some sanding with 320, then 400 grit. There are definitely some possibilities I see in the grain!

 Next, I drilled a hole in the handle for a hanging cord, finished the sanding, and started staining the wood. 
I'm using two colours (purple and dark brown) of highly concentrated RIT dye for this, and applying with a combination of brush, cloth, and gloved hands to get the effect I want.

 It takes several applications and a lot of manipulating to achieve the look I'm going for and to really bring out the patterns in the wood as well.  In the next three photos, it's really starting to get there.

 

Next, it's time to apply the first coat of polyurethane...

While the coating dries, I'm working on the designs what will be part of the finished product. 
The jewel in the lotus with the chant, ཨོཾ་མ་ཎི་པདྨེ་ཧཱུྃ (Oṃ Maṇi Padme Hūṃ - roughly translated, "The jewel is in the lotus"), is something I designed for a tattoo that will go on my calf when I can afford it. This copy of it will go on one side of the main paddle part. 

The wolf will go on the other side of the side of the main paddle.
There is another, smaller, tribal wolf design that will be going up at the top of the handle on the lotus side. I haven't yet decided for certain whether I'm going to adorn the other side of the handle.

Here is the Lotus side with the first coat of polyurethane  over the paper bits.

I've just done the 2nd coat. Now I've got to eat some lunch and go to an appointment. I'll likely put one more coat on before I leave, so it can be drying whilst I'm away.

Update: 2030
 When I got back, I affixed the wolf graphic to the other side and did another polyurethane coat over it.

If it's dry, I'll apply another coat before bed.

Things I enjoy doing, things I'm good at, things I like to think about...

Things that I enjoy doing
I love photography (from both sides of the camera), and have been known to do some pretty crazy things in order to make that "perfect shot" happen.

I dig riding (horses and bikes - though I haven't done much of either since breaking my sacrum in 2010 - that will be changing soon, at least for the bikes, as I've recently bought my dream Harley and am relearning), camping, hot-tubbing, swimming, wandering around in the woods, hanging out with my dogs, hanging out with other people's dogs, hanging out with other animals, spending time with my grandkids, cooking, especially inventing new recipes and cooking for other people.

I feel some of the best pleasures in life are luxuriating in smoking fine cigars, drinking excellent, organic coffee, relaxing in a long, hot, scented bath, sensual touch, getting or giving a massage, being served (or, in very rare cases, serving), being pampered, and just sitting back and revelling in all that the universe has to offer.

I greatly enjoy good conversation. It doesn't have to be philosophical or mindbogglingly intelligent all the time to be good. Sometimes silly, juvenile, and just flat out ridiculous can be good!

I LOVE gaming! I always like being able to get smart people to play fun games with me.
Some current favourites are: Cards against Humanity, Fluxx (Monty Python, Zombie, Cthulhu, Pirate, Wizard of Oz) Gloom, Apples to Apples, Give me the Brain, We Didn't Playtest This At All, Kittens in a Blender, Poo, Nuts, Catchphrase, and other such things! (I have most of the aforementioned games.. Just need the players!)
 
I'm not into Facebook type games, WOW, or console games really. I DO love text based, online RPGs, but due to time constraints, limit myself to one. That one, currently, is Legend of the Green Dragon. My character is Moreta, FYI.

I am passionate about educating people in general about all manner of things, and especially subjects that are often misunderstood. I believe that the biggest key to combating the majority of the world's ills is education! I feel that most prejudice is a pretty direct result of ignorance and the spread of misinformation, whether it is about gender identity, sexual orientation, "alternative lifestyles", music, animals, breed specific legislation, addiction, mental illness, self harm, domestic violence, other cultures or anything else.

I love all animals and have been involved in animal rescue in one form or another for much of my teens and all of my adult life. I've worked with everything from mice and birds to wolves and snakes and all manner of creatures in between!
Our house has pretty much always been like a combination animal shelter and zoo, what with rescued and foster cats, dogs and assorted small wildlife critters.

I am active in local Sex Positive community and volunteer for several organizations. I run various events and I have presented workshops on various subjects from effective communication, to consensual slavery, oral sex (cocksucking and pussylicking.. YUM!) decorative scarification, blood play, knifeplay and mindfuck.

Things I'm good at
Singing, writing, web design, graphic design, making soap and other bath and body stuff, crafts, sales, parenting/grandparenting, staying calm and taking charge during crisis, working with animals, being a grammar/spelling/punctuation "Nazi", negotiation, stirring the pot, pushing buttons for fun.

Things I spend a lot of time thinking about
Music, the universe, alternate dimensions, different beliefs, spirituality, education, random things, pranks I can pull, word twisting, work, art, geek stuff.. Really, I think about just about anything.. I love to think.. I can entertain myself for hours on end just thinking about stuff.

My beliefs and spirituality

 

These are only a few of my beliefs, and I will be adding to this post in time.
 

I believe in living in accordance with nature, not trying to subvert or quash either the Earth/environment or my or others' natural tendencies in order to fit in with whatever happens to be the current societal standard.

I believe that there are very few truly "bad" people in the world and that the majority of people (and other beings) that commit harmful acts are doing so because they don't know how to do otherwise.
I am committed to doing all that I can to raise awareness and help as many as possible to learn to be beneficial members of the population.

That said, I am not so naive as to believe that those who present a danger to others should be allowed free reign to cause harm just because they don't know any better. Sometimes, the herd must be culled.

I believe in taking personal responsibility for all my thoughts, words, choices, actions, or lack of action, and feel that the world would be a better place if everyone else took responsibility for their own actions too.

I practise spirituality, rather than any particular religion.
   

Over the years, I have explored many different organized religions, atheism and a couple of cults. What I finally discovered is that there is no one "right" path, but that everyone has a specific path that is right for them. What's more, a person's path can contain spirituality, wisdom and philosophy from any number of different sources, and that it is no less valid as a belief system than a specific religion. Since then, I have encountered numerous people who have spirituality, but do not subscribe to any set religion, many of whom have mentored me in my spiritual path.

It is my firm belief that any and ALL religions, belief systems, spiritual, and philosophical paths can simultaneously be correct, and that none are intrinsically wrong or right, by themselves. They simply are.

I believe in the concept that GOD (Defined however a person wishes to define God(s)/Goddess(es)/Higher Power/Creative Forces/Cosmos/etc) is everything and everything is GOD, and that the Multiverse is vast enough to encompass all, without conflict. I believe that the seeming disparities between differing paths and beliefs are human made, due to our own limited understanding, but that the Divine surpasses all such differences, rendering them insignificant in the bigger picture.

In fact, the ONLY religious or belief concepts I reject are those based in hatred, bigotry, or intolerance of others, or the idea that any culture, beliefs, gender, identity, creed, consensual expressions of love or joy, skin colour, physicality, or anything else that is not actually causing objective harm to anyone is inherently inferior, superior, wrong, "sinful", or "bad".
If a person believes something is a sin, or wrong to do, they they should not do that thing, so as to follow their own belief, but should not presume to dictate what is wrong or sin for others.
Those things are a personal matter between each person and their own Higher Power(s). 

My own spiritual path is very eclectic, encompassing many elements from my Scottish/Norse, Irish and Cherokee heritage, as well as traditions, beliefs and practices from other North American tribes and various Eastern philosophies.

 

I strive to live in a manner which embraces Mindfulness, rigorous Honesty, Acceptance, Balance, Kindness, Compassion, and Truth, seeks to do that which is right and good, and to maintain conscious contact, through prayer, contemplation, and meditation, with GOD in all things. At any given time, GOD may express itself to me or be called upon, invoked, worshipped, prayed to, or understood in various forms, concepts, deities, etc, but for me, it all boils down to the same, innate, God Consciousness, of which everything is a part. God is All. I am God. God is I. You are God. God is You. We are God. God is Us. All is God.

I am

We Are 

God Is.

What does it mean when I say I am poly?

I can be part of one or more long term, committed relationships, with one or more different people in each of those relationships.


I don't believe that love or affection are finite resources.
I find that the more I embrace sharing the love (and no, I am not referring to sex here), the more I appreciate all of those interconnected relationships.

Being poly is not the same (for me) as being a swinger, a player, or being free to "get some on the side", nor does it mean I'm "getting all the pussy/cock", or that I am "DTF" all and sundry, as many seem to assume.

While the agreements I have do allow for casual sexual encounters, that's really not my thing, and not something I seek.

That doesn't mean they never happen or that I am opposed to them, but honestly, I tend to require that there be some real form of spiritual, emotional and/or intellectual connection in addition to simple physical/chemical attraction in order to be sexually attracted to and turned on by someone.

I'm not interested in "hookups". I'm on dating, kink, chat, and social networking sites mainly to engage in discussions that I find interesting. I also use them for socialising with friends or arranging play time or hanging out, but those things come AFTER common ground and connection/friendship is established, not before.

My kinks

I have a lot of kinks and I've got a lot of experience in most of them.
Unless otherwise noted, I have the toys and tools for everything listed.
I'm a switch, so I've included things I like to do to people and things I like having done to me.

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If there is something you are interested in doing with me that you don't see listed here or on my limits list, and we have already discussed playing (do not just message me randomly asking for play!! This is very clear in all my profiles, everywhere!), ask me about it. I may be interested and/or have forgotten to list it here.

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   As a bottom:

I REALLY enjoy thuddy floggers, sensual caning, claws/knives/other sharp implements, electricity on more massage-y like settings (as opposed to sharp, owie settings. My favourite violet wand attachment is the really big globe. YUMMY!), fireplay, sensual touch, gentle biting, hair pulling (but only if you know how to do it right!) D/s (with the right person. More on that here), fear/terror play, mindfuck.

I like bondage, and having pretty things done to me with rope/chain/etc.

I am interested in exploring suspension, although I am TERRIFIED of it (phobia of heights, and my brain does not differentiate between a 6 inch drop and and a 100 foot drop. If my feet cannot touch ground, it's all the same!) It will take someone with a lot of patience and ability to guide me well to help me with this.

I am NOT a masochist!! Seriously. Not at all! I have a theory about pain... It fucking hurts and I don't fucking like it!!.
There are lots of forms of sensation, even extreme sensation which I enjoy. Others may register many of them as pain, but I do not. So, again, I do NOT like pain. If I register it as pain, I don't like it.
I don't typically like stingy things, singletails, or needles, though sometimes I crave them anyway.

Sometimes need things that I find painful or that I dislike, because it is cathartic for me, and/or I enjoy the endorphin high from them.
I'm afraid of and triggered (PTSD) by face slapping. It's something that would need to be approached VERY carefully, with the ability to fix me if I break.

I really don't like humiliation or degradation at all. No catharsis, no endorphin rush, nothing good. It's the sort of thing best reserved only for punishment.

There are a lot more things that I can enjoy doing as a service to someone within a D/s dynamic, even though I don't necessarily like the activities themselves. More on that here.

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  As a top:

I LOVE and am experienced with
Knifeplay, bloodplay, needles, cuttings, decorative scarification, fear/terror play, mindfuck, choking, breath control, hair pulling, biting, D/s, bondage (police style cuffs and manacles, leather/rubber wrist & ankle cuffs, chains, locks, rope - decorative and utilitarian, predicament bondage, and more!), fisting (vaginal), breast/nipple teasing/torture, pussy teasing/torture, punching, being served, high protocol, slave training (positions, protocol, paces, etc), foot service (see this post for what that means for me), slicing/ripping clothes off, taking trophies (blood vials, panties, shredded/bloodied clothing, a lock of hair, ...??...) .

I enjoy and am experienced with
Electricity (TENS/Violet wands/electric flyswatter, shock collars), flogging, bloodplay, Hot Ash/Cigar play, forced smoking, cellpopping/microbranding, caning (sensual and otherwise), CBT, clamps, clothes pins, spanking, paddles, other thuddy and stingy impact toys (I have LOTS!!), rape scenes, take downs, kicking, being the villain.

I am interested in or like, but not/not very experienced with

• Singletails (I can hit my target reliably with my 4' baby bull whips. Anything else I still need to learn.)
• Suspension (No experience, but want to learn and will need test subjects)
• Advanced ropework (I know some basic ties and can make some pretty harnesses, but want to learn more)

 
Other
I am not into anal play at all. For a VERY few close friends/partners, I am willing to help with experimentation, such as inserting plugs and such, but for the most part, that's gonna be a no.
I'm not really big on humiliation/degradation, but am willing to discuss the possibility, to a degree, if it will really benefit the scene or if it is part of a specific role play scenario.

Pseudo-Kilt Update

I'm about 10 hours into the project at this point.

The ironing as I pleat method turned out a much nicer finished product, and I think it took less time over all. 

  I punched the holes into the leather for the center apron piece to make it easier to sew on.

 Here are a couple photos with the back pleated sections pinned on. I'll probably sew those today sometime, after I finish the apron.

 

 Here, I'm fiddling around with ideas for attaching the straps and buckles (Goodwill belts - $3.99 each for good quality leather belts, rather than about the same price plus shipping for ordinary kilt straps. Another score!)

 I think I'm going to go with this belt (most of it, anyway) across the back, covering the tops of where the pleats are sewn on.

 Here, you can see the back of the "kilt" with the Tartan folded around the sides, so it shows how it will look (other than the pins and rough edges, that is) from the back when done.

There's no real point to this photo, other than I thought it looked nice when I folded it up to put away  for the night (morning). 

 I did a little more sewing on the apron when I got up. Then I got smart and decided I REALLY needed coffee first! I also glued the leather to the shorts base along the top area, to provide a little more stability.
It occurred to me just a bit ago that this is going to be a challenge to wash. I'm going to throw a piece of the leather from the jacket I used in the next cold load I do and see how it holds up. Several places sell leather and cloth "kilts", so I know there has to be a way to wash it reasonably. We'll see how it goes.

Now, more coffee, and then back to sewing!