Vladi Wizard's Musings

Retiring from The Wizard's Lair

2011-06-16T16:37:00.000-07:00

Recently I had a catastrophic computer crash. I lost everything from my music files to my emails. Of course, this also meant that I lost my image editing programs, my html editing program, as well as my FTP program. Everything that I used to run The Wizard's Lair.

Now, while it would be fairly simple to just get a new computer (which I am doing) and to reload it all with the needed programs and to start all over, I have finally decided, after a long and convoluted thought process, not to do that. I am retiring from web mastering.

There are a number of reasons of this decision, and I felt that it would be fair to share with you what they are, so that you do not feel that I am "just quitting".

I have known that I would not be doing this forever. Indeed, I have been planning on this as being my last year at the helm of The Lair, being that I am now 50 years old. Now, I know that 50 years is still quite young in the scheme of things, and that I could easily continue to run the Lair. However, that goes into the second part in that my mother is still alive, and while still in pretty good health, is up there in years and I will be moving out to the country there to where Mom lives to help with keeping an eye on her while helping with the house and such. And, in that regards, it's kinda hard to run an adult website with your 80 year old mother looking over your shoulder (though, considering my Mom, she would be very supportive of anything that I did!).

There are other things that I am wanting to do with my life, but as long as I have this obligation to the community in running this website, I am not taking the time to fully explore those opportunities while having this responsibility.

I am not planning on closing down The Wizard's Lair. I am going to pass it along to the fine and capable hands of Scarlet Witch. Of course, knowing what I know, that such a job is no easy endeavor, and in that I truly needed her help to run The Lair, I would not hold it against her to find someone else to fill my shoes and to assist her in maintaining the website.

I have wanted to hold off on this retirement until I had finished up with a number of story/art projects that contributors have been sending in. But, as I think back, we did not have many periods where something was not happening artistically, so to depend upon that would probably mean I would die doing this. And, while I can think of worse things, I do not want to die doing this.

Another reason, is that while this is a fairly straight forwards and simple job, it is still stressful in a manner of speaking. Stress in trying to keep up with doing this week in and week out on a regular and consistent manner. I would think that most of you would agree that we have been pretty darn consistent with our updates, and often more so then many sites that take monies for what we provide for free. That said, I have never wanted any money for this, even when I was offered to convert The Lair to a pay site (back in the day when I was with abductor.com and they went from free to subscription). I have always thought that (and still do) there was a lack of quality websites, based upon the rather specific nature of our desires, for fans of the superheroine in distress genre. What was out there, when I was just starting, was Mike's Supergirl.net webpage, and maybe Sooperhero's website, and that was it. Mike gave me a shot with putting out my own crappy 'art' to share with the fans of the genre, and that was the spark that led to the formation of The Wizard's Lair (which went from Supergirl.net to abductor.com to superheroinecentral.com).

It's been a good run, I have to say. We have won a number of awards over the years, especially in the last several years when we came in the top 3 in the Best Free Bondage website category, which is not too shabby, considering that The Lair is a superheroine based website. But, all good things must end, as the old cliche' goes. However, this is, again, not a closing of the website, just my leaving of it. I think that I have done pretty well with it, from the simple design that is fast loading, to the number of different departments for people to enjoy, to the contests, to the large number of talented 'Henchmen' (and women) that we have provided a space to show off their diverse abilities. And, though we did have a period after the 2257 legislation rules passed which affected all of the adult entertainment industry where I had to remove a large amount of material from the website, we have only grown since the website's inception.

But, while we have been getting awards, I have felt of late that I, personally, have not been getting the rewards that I would of liked for the work that I put into the website. I understand that there is a degree of separation that goes on with the internet, in that we want to go in to our favorite sites, grab what we want, and then to leave to our next favorite site, and such things do not often lend to writing missives to our favorite writers or artists. However, such messages are 100 times more common in happening then emails sent to those that run or maintain the websites that these favorite artists/writers are featured at. It is all too easy to forget about those in the background, just as it is easy to forget about those special effect artists, key grips, make up artists, hair stylists, etc etc etc that help our favorite actors do what they do on your favorite television shows or movies. Thus, lately I have been feeling less appreciated for the time that I spend month after month, which makes it harder to call this a labor of love, and more a matter of responsibility (which kind of takes the fun out of doing things after a while).

People have said that I should do what I feel is best, and do those things that are best for me, and to do those things that I feel are fun to do. Running this website is no longer fun for me (though it is, and always has been great fun to receive material from artists, and to be the first in line to see great new things). So, it is time to hang up my pointy wizard's hat and step back from the editor and let someone else take over the helm of TWL.

I do want to give my most sincere apologies to those contributors that have sent me material lately, and have not been able to see it up at the website. I would encourage those who sent me material to contact Scarlet Witch to discuss with her the options of the future. I also want to sincely apologize to Scarlet Witch for dumping this all into her lap. But, knowing her dedication to the website and the genre, I am confident that TWL will continue on into the near future in her most talented and capable hands.

I am sure that I can go on and on and on with individual thanks and apologies, but at this time, I will end with this. I am not disappearing from the face of the Earth. I still love the genre, and hope to be a (fairly appreciated) member of the community for some years to come, just not in my past occupation as the webmaster of TWL.

Thanks for all you have given me. I hope that I have, in my small way, given back to you over the years, something that made you all appreciate the talents of the artists and writers of TWL that we have depended upon for our superheroine entertainment.

Lair updated 5/29

2011-05-29T05:50:00.001-07:00

May 29, 2011

B69 continues his Mr. Piggles serial here.

New material by Syncro, Testcase and Tommy Boy.

Two new pages of material by A-Emi starting here.

Lair updated May 15th

2011-05-15T05:23:00.001-07:00

May 15, 2011

Liberto continues his Interview with a Heroine, while B69 finishes his Wrath serial, and begins a new serial, Meet Mr. Piggles.

New material by Syncro.

Lair updated for Mayday!!

2011-05-01T08:23:00.001-07:00

May 01, 2011

Welcome new contributor Masterfer!

New serial, Blackstar - Interview with a Heroine, by Libero is starting here (4 pages).

Grim X is continuing his Make the Cut serial, as well.

New material by Geofrey and Syncro, as well as 2 new pages of material by Antileaf!

Lair updated for 4/3/11

2011-04-03T05:34:00.000-07:00

April 02, 2011

For our first update of April, we have 2 new pages by A-Emi, as well as new material by Syncro ... Grimx ... TommyBoy ...

Geofrey and Antileaf!

Lair updated on March 20th, 2011

2011-03-20T05:13:00.000-07:00

March 20, 2011

Another fine update for you all, with new material by Tommyboy ... Martin Drake ... Testcase ... and Syncro!

New serial has been started by BC called Nightfall: Wrath. Also, A-Emi and Larie have sent in 2 new pages of Oil Major for your enjoyment.

A-Emi has also sent in 3 new pages for his gallery starting here.

Wizard's Lair updated for 3/05

2011-03-05T08:07:00.001-08:00

March 05, 2011

New material by the Antileaf ... Raven ... Testcase ... and Stitch.

Two new pages by Syncro starting here.

B69 continuing his Starlight: Mission One serial, and Grimx is continuing his serial, Make the Cut, as well as a new image to his gallery here.

Updated the Lair for 2/20

2011-02-20T08:09:00.001-08:00

February 20, 2011

Grimx has started a new serial, Make the Cut.

New contributor B69 has sent in his first 3 pages of his serial, Starlight: Mission One.

Three new pages of material by A-Emi, and two new pages of material by Syncro.

New material by Test Case and TommyBoy.

Wizard's Lair updated

2011-02-06T09:41:00.001-08:00

February 06, 2011

Got another good one for you all. Well, they are always good, so should say another sizable update for you all to enjoy!

Two new pages of material by A-Emi starting here, and two new pages of material by Syncro starting here.

Grimx has finished his Leagues Down Below serial.

Raven has sent in more Fetish 5 material, as well as new Comics That Never Were material.

New material by Test Case ... Martin Drake ... TommyBoy ... and The Antileaf!

Wizard's Lair updated January 23rd

2011-01-23T07:38:00.001-08:00

January 23, 2011

Welcome new contributor Testcase. You may recognize his name from the Challenge pages, now he joins the Henchman ranks!

New material by Antileaf, two new pages by Syncro, and two new pages by TommyBoy.

Finally, Grimx sent in a new image for his serial here, as well as his gallery here.

New Year's Update at The Lair

2011-01-09T09:05:00.000-08:00

January 8, 2011

Hope everyone had a great New Years! And here, the celebration keeps going on! Indeed, it looks like may have topped the Christmas update, and if this is a sign of things to come, then 2011 will be even better then 2010!! (For an idea, just scroll down to the bottom for all we did last year!)

First off, Challenge 38 is now up and running!

Next, Syncro sent in 2 new pages of material. I have also put up 5 new pages of my favorite material of his from the past few challenges.

Antileaf sent in new material here, as well as a (my fault it's late) Christmas greeting here.

Stardust has returned with 3 pages of new material, starting here.

Finally, new material from Martin Drake ... TommyBoy ... and Fantome to give you all a varied mix of heroine imagery.

Lastly, the 2010 Batgirl story contest. Winner is... HUGO STRANGE with his story Batgirl's XXX-Mas Nightmare. Thanks to all who submitted their entries to the story contest. In the end, as I have said before, the true winners for these contest is all of you!

Thanks again to all of you for making 2010 a great year for The Wizard's Lair. And, here's to a great 2011!

Story Contest minimums reached!

2010-12-31T08:46:00.001-08:00

14 contest entries received (so far) so we are within the minimums of the 2010 Batgirl story contest! Yaaayyyy!!! Will be updating the weekend of January 8th and will announce the winner then! Happy New Year!!!

Christmas update at the Wizard's Lair

2010-12-24T06:58:00.000-08:00

December 24, 2010

This can be considered the Wizard's Lair Anniversary special (December 18th, 1997) update, or the Christmas special update. Since both happen around the same time of the year, it really doesn't matter too much. The main thing is that you all are getting the goodies!!

Special Holiday Greetings from Tex ... Spade ... and Piston Thorn can be found here. Thanks guys!!

Holiday specials from Captain Zammo and by John Cash to enjoy with your eggnog.

Spade sent in a little story here, for the Wizard's Lair anniversary, and TommyBoy sent in new material found here.

Miss Taken has returned with new material here. (Also, just because she is a female, doesn't mean that you guys can treat her any less respectful or any differently then the guys here. By harassing artists, you eventually chase them off, and we ALL lose because of your greedy selfish stupidity. I have seen too many gals leave this community/genre because some morons cannot tell the difference between fantasy and reality. BE POLITE!!!)

Lastly, Syncro has finished his new heroine story here (I spoke too soon last update), and sent in two new pages starting here.

Yes, Raven's Netherworld is no longer available. It was removed at his request, because of storyline conflicts.

One week left in the Batgirl story contest. Rules are here. Grand prize still $100 cash money! (Okay, so maybe a check or money order, but still...)

Finally, want to thank everyone for your support this year. To all the writers and contributors, henchman and challenge facers, you are the ones that have made the Wizard's Lair such a great site for people who enjoy heroines in distress. It is the fans of the genre, and the members of this little community of ours that has made this website the award winning resourse for high quality works of superheroine erotica. Of course, all this would not be possible without the support of my good friend and right arm, Scarlet Witch. Her hard work, creativity and dedication to the genre and this community is vastly under remarked by me. I really could not do this without her! Thank you, Scarlet!!!

Lastly, remember that without DanO's support and the support of Superheroine Central, it is very possible (indeed highly proable) that this website would not even be here (or anywhere else on the web). The Wizard's Lair is ABSOLUTELY FREE because of DanO and his graciousness to host Scarlet and I. Lately I have been reading alot of complaining about his business practices. Sure, some of that may be true. But, I also want people to realize that those that pay for memberships to SHC are also paying for websites, such as this one, and Mr X's free website. And, when you consider how much this website is updated, I think your monies are pretty well spent! So, how about dropping DanO a line, to let him know that you appreciate him hosting free websites such as the Wizard's Lair? I am sure that he would enjoy such messages much more then the complaints that he has been getting!

Thanks again, and I hope that everyone will have a very Merry Christmas!! See you all next year!

Snow Brings About An Early Update

2010-12-11T15:14:00.001-08:00

December 11, 2010

Snowed in today, so got things done a bit quicker then usual.

New material by Grimx here, as well as finishing one part of his Leagues Below Venus serial, and starting a new part here.

Raven has new material for his Fetish 5 story here. And, Syncro finished up his little story here, as well as a Christmas greeting to us all.

Finally, welcome new contributor Martin Drake. He has sent in two pages of material for you to enjoy! I know that I have been!

Wizard's Lair updated

2010-11-28T07:02:00.000-08:00

November 28, 2010

Grimx continues his Leagues Below Venus serial, as well as sending in a new logo here.

New material by Antileaf and Piston Thorn.

Syncro continues his story of a rookie heroine here, as well as sending in an early birthday wish here.

Don't forget that we are running a story contest, with one month to go!

(Also, Scarlet updated on the 22nd)

Lair updated 11/08 & 11/14

2010-11-14T04:52:00.000-08:00

November 8, 2010

Seven new manips have been added to Challenge 37, and L'Espion has added chapters 16 through 20 of "Barbarian Tales: Episode 1 - Mistress of the Sword" to L'Espions Story Page. Enjoy!

Scarlet.

November 14, 2010

New material by TommyBoy ... Grimx ... and Antileaf.

Grimx has started a new chapter of his PRISM series in the Serials, called Leagues Below Venus.

And, Syncro has two new pages of material here (reason not in Serials as no title page or title given to the story).

Finally, most questions sent to me regarding the contest can be answered in the Contest Rules. 6 weeks to go!

Lair updated for 10/24 & 10/29

2010-10-30T04:26:00.001-07:00

October 24, 2010

Five new manips have been added to Challenge 37, L'Espion has added chapters 11 through 15 of "Barbarian Tales: Episode 1 - Mistress of the Sword" to L'Espions Story Page, and K-Man has added "Humiliatrix - Cutlass and Snare" and "Night Star: Humiliatrix" to Mr. K's Story Page, Marcus Lycus has added Issue 5 of "Superman Enslaves the DC Universe" to the Marcus Lycus' Story Page, and Dr. Dominator has added Part 53 of "Supergirl Captured by the Mob" to the Dr. Dominator's story page. Enjoy!
Scarlet.

October 29, 2010

Not a very big one for the last update of October, but a nice whetting of the appetite for Halloween, in my opinion! Spooky and Sweet!!

New Prism material by Grimx, as well as new gallery material. Also, new material by TommyBoy.

Finally, 2 more pages of Syncro's fun little spy into a day at Vladi's castle.

Also, don't forget the Batgirl Story Contest going on now! Rules here.

Happy Halloween, everyone!!

New Update at the Lair

2010-10-17T08:26:00.000-07:00

October 17, 2010

New material by Syncro ... The Antileaf ... and Tommy Boy! Raven has sent in more Comics That Never Were, as well.

Also, two pages of material by John Cash and the Amazing Captain Zammo!!

Hope everyone has a safe and sane (within limits) Halloween!! Don't eat too much candy! ;)

Wizard's Lair updated 9/27 & 10/03

2010-10-03T03:58:00.000-07:00

September 27, 2010

Seventeen new manips have been added to Challenge 36 (Challenge 36 closes at the end of the month, so get anything you are working on in), Challenge 37 is started, L'Espion has added the first five chapters of "Barbarian Tales: Episode 1 - Mistress of the Sword" to L'Espions Story Page, K-Man has added Part 7 of "Ouroboros" to Mr. K's Story Page, DM_Shadow has added Episodes 3 and 4 of "Marvelous Girl" to the Main Story Page, and a small update at Scarlet's Sanctum. Enjoy!
Scarlet.

October 03, 2010

Alright, I have heard the cry, and have (finally) responded! There will be a contest this year. And, it will be for Batgirl! Contest rules here.

New serial started by Grimx called PRISM - To 'Untitle' Them. Aemi & Larie continuing their Oil Major serial, as well.

Sickbastard is back with 2 new pages of material starting here. And, Syncro has sent in 2 new pages of material starting here.

New material by TommyBoy and by The Antileaf. Finally, more of the Fetish 5 from Raven!

Lair updated

2010-09-18T10:58:00.001-07:00

Scarlet updated on the 12th and I updated today.

Wizard's Lair updated on 8/31 & 9/5

2010-09-05T09:46:00.001-07:00

Two updates for you, one from myself and one from Scarlet Witch!

September 05, 2010

New material by The Antileaf, and Raven has more Fetish 5. As well as 2 new page of material by Geofrey and Syncro.

August 31, 2010

Sixteen new manips have been added to Challenge 36, Dr. Dominator has added Part 52 of "Supergirl Captured by the Mob" to the Dr. Dominator's story page, and a small update at Scarlet's Sanctum. Enjoy!
Scarlet.

Both of us have been off schedule a bit, because of R/L obligations. Myself, having to pick up a bit more of overtime due to staffing problems at my work.
Yes, we both WORK! This is only a hobby for us, and not a full time job (as many of you would apparently hope). Anyway, we still got four updates in for August, which is averaging out one a week. Again, much more then the ONE update a month which I have promised (two, if you count one from me and one from Scarlet Witch).

So, please quit griping about us "being late" with an update. A weekly update has never been promised, and you aren't paying a penny for any of this,
anyway! I appreciate the 'concern' by some of you, but the out-and-out greed of some others of you has been sorely disappointing.

Signed,

Your just waking up and having no coffee yet grumpy wizard!

Vladi

Wizard's Lair updated 8/06 & 8/08

2010-08-08T11:36:00.000-07:00

August 08, 2010

Just a small one, since there was an update last week.

More images by Agent Miss America, and a new gallery page by AntiLeaf! Also, a special birthday wish from Spade on the Fame Page.

Vladi

August 6, 2010

The sixteen new manips have been added to Challenge 36, Dr. Dominator has added Part 51 of "Supergirl Captured by the Mob" to the Dr. Dominator's story page, and an update at Scarlet's Sanctum. Enjoy!

Scarlet.

Wizard's Lair final update for July

2010-07-31T12:26:00.000-07:00

July 31, 2010

A little bit off the schedule since I had to work some overtime last weekend. But, since I took some time off for my birthday (7/27), it is YOU who gets the cake with today's update!! (And Geofrey brought me a GREAT cake!!)

New material by TommyBoy ... Geofrey ... Captain Zammo ... Syncro ... and Agent Miss America.

Raven has continued his Fetish 5 storyline.

And, A-Emi has sent in 5 new pages of material!

Wizard's Lair updated 7/11

2010-07-11T05:39:00.000-07:00

July 11, 2010

New material by The AntiLeaf ... TommyBoy ... Syncro ... and Geofrey.

Not a very big one, but still a good one. (Well, they are ALL good now, aren't they?? )

Last update for June at the Lair

2010-06-27T06:07:00.001-07:00

June 27, 2010

New Challenge is now up!

4 new pages of material by A-Emi, and a new chapter of Oil Major by A-Emi & Larie.

New material by AntiLeaf, as well as his continuation of his Golden Princess serial.

2 new pages of material by Geofrey, and 2 new pages of material by Syncro!

Thank you for the Support!

2010-05-30T09:28:00.001-07:00

May 30, 2010

THANK YOU EVERYONE for your support in the 2010 Bondage Awards!! I would like to thank all of you on behalf of Scarlet Witch and all of our contributors and henchmen (and women), writers and artists, for your continued support. Honestly with the new voting format that was in place for this year, I was thinking we would be lucky to place in the top 10, considering that The Wizard's Lair is primarily a fansite of the superheroine in distress genre, and not a bondage web site, per se (though, there is ALOT of bondage to be found here!!). I am very gratified, and humbled, by everyone's support. Thank you, again!

Alright, now on to the good stuff!!

Two more pages of material by Syncro ... as well as new material by Tommy Boy, and the AntiLeaf.

Lastly, a nice 'thank you' above to all of you from Scarlet Witch!

Wizard's Lair updated on May 16th!

2010-05-16T06:06:00.000-07:00

May 16, 2010

New material by Miss Taken ... Piston Thorn ... The AntiLeaf ... Raven ... and two new pages by Syncro!

Two new pages in the Oil Major Wonder Woman serial by A-Emi and Larie.

The public voting for The Bondage Awards is now over, and I want to thank EVERYONE for their great support!!

Mayday update!

2010-05-01T06:18:00.001-07:00

May 01, 2010

The voting for the 2010 Bondage Awards has now started, so everyone head on down there to vote for your favorites. I popped a little list above with the artists and writers from this site that have been nominated, including Scarlet Witch, who is up for not only best comic artist, but best writer as well! There are ALOT of nominees this year, many more then there were the last couple of years combined (imo)! Lots of competition there for everyone! It's going to be hard to pick the best of each catagory, as there are some great sites, artists, and writers up for your vote!

Now, for some "bribing" of you all .... ;-)

New material by The AntiLeaf ... Captain Zammo ... TommyBoy ..., and by Grimx.

Also, there a new Fetish 5 chapter by Raven as well as a new Comics That Never Were page, and two more pages of material by Syncro.

Lastly, a new chapter in the Wonder Woman serial by Larie and A-Emi, Oil Major.

Update by Scarlet on 4/27

2010-04-27T18:17:00.000-07:00

April 27, 2010

The first eighty-five manips have been added to Challenge 35, Marcus Lycus has added Issue 2 of "Superman Enslaves the DC Universe" to the Marcus Lycus' Story Page, Dr. Dominator has added Part 47 of "Supergirl Captured by the Mob" to the Dr. Dominator's story page, DM_Shadow has added Episodes 7 of "The Destroyer" and Episode 1 of "Marvelous Girl" to the Main Story Page, and an update at Scarlet's Sanctum. Enjoy!
Scarlet.
p.s. The Bondage Awards is now in the voting stage. Please support The Wizard's Lair in its contributors by voting...frequently!

Lair updated Monday 4/12

2010-04-13T07:23:00.000-07:00

April 12, 2010

Sorry about missing last weekend's update, but had a little detour I had to make to the ER room, and spent a couple nights enjoying hospital food. (And, as I will be heading out of town I will be missing this next weekend update, as well.)

Now that I am home and back to normal (well, as normal as a perverted wizard can be), it is time to catch up.

Two new pages of material by Syncro starts it all out. Grimx has continued his Jade Vixen serial here, and I have started a gallery page for him here, as well. Raven is continuing his Fetish-5 story here, and finally Anti-Leaf has sent in some new images here.

Finally, you may have noticed the new image and banner above. The Bondage Awards are starting up for 2010, and I am looking forwards to the support of you all to the site, and to the many fine contributors that you find here. As this is a free site, the only pay that the artists and writers here have are your emails, and such recognitions as such awards sites give. Right now will be the nomination process, so get in there and nominate your favorites! Thank you!

Wizard Lair Updated the 15th & 21st

2010-03-21T08:58:00.000-07:00

March 15, 2010

Eighteen new manips have been added to Challenge Page 34 (Challenge 34 closes at the end of the month, so get any manips you're working on in by March 31), and Marcus Lycus has added Issue 1 of "Superman Enslaves the DC Universe" and Issue 36 of "Stella and the Minx" (with images) to the Marcus Lycus' Story Page. Enjoy!
Scarlet.

March 21, 2010

Grimx has continued his Jade Vixen serial here, and A-Emi & Larie have continued their Oil Major serial here with 2 new pages.

Syncro has sent in 2 new pages starting here, and A-Emi has sent in 4 new pages starting here.

New material by Miss Taken ... Creepenstein ... The AntiLeaf ... Captain Zammo .... and Piston Thorn (with a Gold image here).

Wizard's Lair updated March 5th & 6th!

2010-03-07T06:43:00.000-08:00

March 5, 2010

Seventeen new manips have been added to Challenge Page 34, K-Man has added Parts 3 through 5 of "Ouroboros" to Mr. K's Story Page, Dr. Dominator has added Part 46 of "Supergirl Captured by the Mob" to the Dr. Dominator's story page, Barfly has added Chapter 5 of "Tricking the Bird - Scene 1" to Main Story Page, and a nice update at Scarlet's Sanctum. Enjoy!
Scarlet.

March 6, 2010

Great Update, Scarlet!! I am really enjoying that Ties That Bind story!!

A-Emi sent in 6 new pages of material starting here. Syncro has 2 new pages, as does Tyler Roper.

New material by AntiLeaf and TommyBoy.

The Raven continues his Fetish 5 story here.

Catching Up at the Lair

2010-02-20T06:37:00.000-08:00

February 20, 2010

Sorry about missing my last update. Had some overtime that I had to work, which really cut into that weekend, but I think today's update will more then make up for it.

Syncro has finished his little Batgirl adventure with 4 new pages starting here. Fantome has sent in 2 new pages of Hayao material starting here.

Tyler Roper has sent in 5 new pages starting here, and A-Emi has 4 new pages of material starting here.

New material by AntiLeaf ... Piston Thorn ... Tommy Boy ... Miss Taken ... and The Third Thane.

Did some fixing up of Grimx's Jade Vixen serial, and Larie & A-Emi have sent in 2 more pages of the Wonder Woman Oil Major serial.

Lastly, Raven has started a new story, The F.E.T.I.S.H. 5, with 2 pages of material starting here.

Lair updated Jan 23rd!

2010-01-23T16:44:00.000-08:00

January 23, 2010

Got a good update for you all today (as if every update isn't good! lol), so hit the bathroom, grab a soda, light up a smoke and enjoy!! ;)

Larie & A-Emi have continued the WW serial Oil Major with 2 new pages, and Grimx is continuing his Jade Vixen serial.

New material by AntiLeaf ... Captain Zammo ... Tommy Boy .... and, The Third Thane.

Syncro has 2 new pages of Batgirl getting into wizardly trouble, and Piston Thorn has 2 new pages of new material, as well as some Gold trouble!

Finally, A-Emi has shown that he also doesn't sleep by sending in an additional 5 pages of gallery material starting here.

Scarlet updated the Lair on 01/18!

2010-01-19T16:08:00.000-08:00

The final forty-six new manips have been added to Challenge Page 33 (now closed), the first fifteen manips have been added to Challenge Page 34, Marcus Lycus has added "Superman Enslaves the DC universe" and Issue 34 of "Stella and the Minx" (with images) to the Marcus Lycus' Story Page, Dr. Dominator has added Part 44 of "Supergirl Captured by the Mob" to the Dr. Dominator's story page, Nimrod has added "Breaking Wonder Woman" to the Main Story Page, DM_Shadow has added Episodes 5 of "The Destroyer" to the Main Story Page, Larry Thomas has added "The destruction of CheerChick" to the Main Story Page, and a nice update at Scarlet's Sanctum. Enjoy!

First Lair update for 2010

2010-01-10T05:46:00.000-08:00

January 10, 2010

Hope everyone had a great holiday season. Thanks to all for giving me a chance to take a little break over the holidays. But, time to get back to work!

A new Challenge is started! Thanks for Jetty on helping me out with some pics!

New material by Torrent ... Tommy Boy ... and Miss Taken. Also, two new Batalicious pages by Syncro!

New serial started by Grimx starring Jade Vixen, and Madcurse & The Master finished up their All That Glitters serial.

Birthday & Holiday Greetings from The Lair

2009-12-12T07:17:00.000-08:00

December 12, 2008

December 18 will mark the 12th year that the Wizard's Lair has been on the web (since 1997). So, will take this moment to thank all my contributors, all the visitors of this site, all the fans of this genre, and especially my most able and extremely talented assistant Scarlet Witch, without whom this page would not exist! (Literally, since there is no way would do all this by myself).

The first Fame/Favorites page has some new birthday wishes to the Lair, as well as a Christmas greeting.

New material by The AntiLeaf ... Piston Thorn ... and The Third Thane.

Larie & Aemi have funished off their Wonder Woman: Metro City serial.

Speaking of A-Emi, he has sent in five (5!!) new pages of material starting here.

Syncro has sent in two more pages of my abusing Wonder Woman starting here (with 2 special 'guests' to join her at the end).

My buddy Spade has sent me a little mini-story to celebrate the Lair's birthday with Supergirl! Guest starring Batgirl and Scarlet Witch!

Finally, everyone welcome new contributor Fantome, who is sharring with us all his adventures in Hayao (Second Life).

(Also, this will be my last update of the year, since will be spending the Christmas weekend with family. So, if contributors could hold off sending in new material until next year, I would be immensely grateful! :) )

Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year to all!!!

Scarlet Update on 12/07

2009-12-08T18:12:00.001-08:00

December 7, 2009

Thirty-two new manips have been added to Challenge Page 33, K-Man has added Part 2 of "Ourobos" to Mr. K's Story Page, and Dr. Dominator has added Chapter 1 of "Nova and the Professor" to the Dr. Dominator's story page. Enjoy!
Scarlet.

Final update for November

2009-11-29T07:37:00.000-08:00

November 29, 2009

New material by Sasori ... The Antileaf ... Tyler Roper ... and The Third Thane.

Three new pages by Broadbuster starting here, and two new pages by Syncro (with yours truely =D) staring here.

Scarlet's 11/25 Update

2009-11-25T18:28:00.001-08:00

November 25, 2009

Seventeen new manips have been added to Challenge Page 33, Marcus Lycus has added Issue 33 of "Stella and the Minx" (with images) to the Marcus Lycus' Story Page, Dr. Dominator has added Part 42 of "Supergirl Captured by the Mob" to the Dr. Dominator's story page, DM_Shadow has added Episodes 3 and 4 of "The Destroyer" to the Main Story Page, and an update at Scarlet's Sanctum. Enjoy!
Scarlet.

Lair updated Nov 15th

2009-11-15T10:46:00.001-08:00

New material by Tyler Roper ... Alias the Rat ... and Third Thane.

Sasori is BACK!!! Yaaayyyy!!!

2 new pages by Syncro starting here.

A-Emi and Larie continue their serials Metro City and Oil Major.

Halloween Update at the Lair

2009-10-31T06:03:00.001-07:00

October 31, 2008 Happy Halloween!!

Hope everyone has a very fun Halloween! In the spirit of things, we have lots of costumed mayhem to help everyone get in "the mood".

New material by Syncro ... AntiLeaf ... and John Cash.

Have not one, but TWO stories in from Aemi and Larie. They are continuing Metro City, and also starting the new Oil Major serial.

Finally, Tyler Roper has sent in 6 (!!!!!!) pages of material, which starts here.

Also, don't forget to peruse my Flickr and Blog on occassion. I do put material there that I do not put here.

Wizard's Lair Updated

2009-10-18T11:58:00.001-07:00

Big one for you all today to enjoy.

Aemi & Larie continue their Metro City serial, as does Aemi & The Master with their Anschlus serial.

Aemi has 2 new pages ... Tyler Roper 3 new pages ... and Broadbuster 2 new pages.

New material by Agent Miss America ... Third Thane ... and AntiLeaf.

Syncro continues to give me visitors at my castle, so I have expanded the Fame pages with several pages of Syncro Challenge material!

Wizard's Lair updated

2009-10-08T04:22:00.000-07:00

Vacation was great, but time to get back to work. Sorry about the delay, but have been sick with the flu this last week. Anyway, no more slacking off as...

New material from Captain Zammo, who plays homage to that great and influential comic, Adventure #400.

Syncro continues to make me look good with my meeting of Spidergirl here.

New material by TommyBoy, Third Thane, Agent Miss America, and Piston Thorn.

And, A-Emi and Larie continue their Wonder Woman Metro City serial here.

The Supergirl Story Contest was a tough one to judge. But, in the end, taking in plot, character development, dialogue, spelling and grammar,
Alias the Rat is the winner with his A World of Pain entry. Thank you to all that sent in your entries. As I have said many times, it is the readers
here who are the true winners of these contests.

Wizard's Lair Updated - And Now, A Break!!

2009-09-05T16:54:00.000-07:00

September 05, 2009

New images by Tyler Roper ... Piston Thorn ... Third Thane ... and The Anti-Leaf.

A-Emi has been very productive with 2 pages on his gallery, finishing off the Anschlus story (3 pages), and starting a new serial with writer Larie.

Spade has sent in a couple birthday images for the ole wizzy, and Syncro sent in a pretty snazzy 'present' as well!

This will be my last update till next month. Am going on a vacation so please do not send in anything that isn't a story contest entry! Still have less of a handfull of those, so please get going on those. Remember, I pay CASH MONEY to the winner! (Scarlet will still be slaving away, of course)

Scarlet Updated the Lair on 8/30

2009-08-30T20:03:00.001-07:00

August 30, 2009

Seventy-four new manips have been added Challenge Page 32 (WOW!), Marcus Lycus has added Issue 32 of "Stella and the Minx" (with images) to the Marcus Lycus' Story Page, Dr. Dominator has added Part 36 of "Supergirl Captured by the Mob" to the Dr. Dominator's story page, Barfly has added Chapter 4 of "Tricking a Bird - Scene 1" to the Main Story Page, The Third Thane has added Chapter 3 of "The Oracle's Toll" to the Main Story Page, Brian Kim (New Contributor) has added "The World Turned Upside Down" to the Main Story Page, K from Japan has added Part 1 of "The Suffering Days of Wonder Woman" to the Main Story Page, and a small update at Scarlet's Sanctum. Enjoy!
Scarlet.

Wizard's Lair updated

2009-08-23T04:47:00.000-07:00

August 23, 2009

New material by Piston Thorn ... Anti-Leaf ... and the Third Thane.

Four new pages by Tyler Roper and three new pages by A-Emi.

A-Emi and The Master's Wonder Woman serial Anschlus continues here with three new pages.

Remember, there is a story contest going on. So far, only one writer has made any entries.

Scarlet Witch Updated the Lair

2009-08-17T08:41:00.001-07:00

August 16, 2009

Sixty-five new manips have been added Challenge Page 32 (WOW!), K-Man has added Part 1 of "Ourobos" to Mr. K's Story Page, and Dr. Dominator has added Parts 34 and 35 of "Supergirl Captured by the Mob" to the Dr. Dominator's story page. Enjoy!
Scarlet.

Wizard's Lair Updated

2009-08-09T06:09:00.000-07:00

August 08, 2009

First off, like to compliment Syncro for all he has done on our Challenges. Sure makes me look good! Thank you, Syncro!!

A-Emi and The Master continue with the Wonder Woman serial, Anschlus with 3 new pages.

A-Emi did not stop there, though. He also sent in 3 new pages for his own gallery. Geofrey sent in 2 pages of new material, as well.

Not to be out done, Piston Thorn sent in 3 new pages of material, as well as new Gold image.

Miss Taken has sent in a few new images before leaving on a well deserved vacation, and Captain Zammo sends in a page to round it all up!

Darwin Awards

2009-08-04T03:59:00.000-07:00

(Think these are for 2008, since still have a bit of 2009 to go. Anyway, sent to me via one of those office round-robin spamathons, but thought you would enjoy it as well.

The Darwin 's are out!!!!

Yes, it's that magical time of year again when the Darwin Awards are bestowed, honoring the least evolved among us.

Here is the glorious winner:

1. When his 38 caliber revolver failed to fire at his intended victim during a hold-up in Long Beach , California would-be robber James Elliot did something that can only inspire wonder. He peered down the barrel and tried the trigger again. This time it worked.

And now, the honorable mentions:

2. The chef at a hotel in Switzerland lost a finger in a meat cutting machine and after a little shopping around, submitted a claim to his insurance company. The company expecting negligence sent out one of its men to have a look for himself. He tried the machine and he also lost a finger. The chef's claim was approved.

3. A man who shoveled snow for an hour to clear a space for his car during a blizzard in Chicago returned with his vehicle to find a woman had taken the space. Understandably, he shot her.

4. After stopping for drinks at an illegal bar, a Zimbabwean bus driver found that the 20 mental patients he was supposed to be transporting from Harare to Bulawayo had escaped. Not wanting to admit his incompetence, the driver went to a nearby bus stop and offered everyone waiting there a free ride. He then delivered the passengers to the mental hospital, telling the staff that the patients were very excitable and prone to bizarre fantasies. The deception wasn't discovered for 3 days.

5. An American teenager was in the hospital recovering from serious head wounds received from an oncoming train. When asked how he received the injuries, the lad told police that he was simply trying to see how close he could get his head to a moving train before he was hit.

6. A man walked into a Louisiana Circle-K, put a $20 bill on the counter, and asked for change. When the clerk opened the cash drawer, the man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register, which the clerk promptly provided. The man took the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving the $20 bill on the counter. The total amount of cash he got from the drawer... $15. [If someone points a gun at you and gives you money, is a crime committed?]

7. Seems an Arkansas guy wanted some beer pretty badly.. He decided that he'd just throw a cinder block through a liquor store window, grab some booze, and run. So he lifted the cinder block and heaved it over his head at the window. The cinder block bounced back and hit the would-be thief on the head, knocking him unconscious. The liquor store window was made of Plexiglas. The whole event was caught on videotape.

8. As a female shopper exited a New York convenience store, a man grabbed her purse and ran. The clerk called 911 immediately, and the woman was able to give them a detailed description of the snatcher. Within minutes, the police apprehended the snatcher. They put him in the car and drove back to the store. The thief was then taken out of the car and told to stand there for a positive ID. To which he replied, "Yes, officer, that's her. That's the lady I stole the purse from."

9. The Ann Arbor News crime column reported that a man walked into a Burger King in Ypsilanti , Michigan at 5 A.M., flashed a gun, and demanded cash. The clerk turned him down because he said he couldn't open the cash register without a food order. When the man ordered onion rings, the clerk said they weren't available for breakfast. The man, frustrated, walked away. [*A 5-STAR STUPIDITY AWARD WINNER]

10. When a man attempted to siphon gasoline from a motor home parked on a Seattle street, he got much more than he bargained for. Police arrived at the scene to find a very sick man curled up next to a motor home near spilled sewage. A police spokesman said that the man admitted to trying to steal gasoline, but he plugged his siphon hose into the motor home's sewage tank by mistake. The owner of the vehicle declined to press charges saying that it was the best laugh he'd ever had.

In the interest of bettering mankind, please share these with friends and family....unless of course one of these individuals by chance is a distant relative or long lost friend. In that case, be glad they are distant and hope they remain lost.

*** Remember.... They walk among us!!!***

Lair updated July 24th

2009-07-25T13:17:00.000-07:00

Not a very large update, but it's still a very good one today.

Piston Thorn has 2 new gallery pages starting here, new material by Third Thane and a page and a half by Miss Taken starting here.

Madcurse and The Master have sent in the continuation of All That Glitters is Gold (3 pages).

And last, but certainly not least, Raven has sent in the long lost ending of the Seven Deadly Sins, as well as a new Torment to Torture.

A fun little article I came across

2009-07-15T16:19:00.000-07:00

The Top Ten Skimpiest Superheroine Costumes!

From BamKapow!

Wizard's Lair Updated

2009-07-12T06:06:00.000-07:00

July 12, 2009

Not as big as my last update, but still have lots of material to keep you all busy for a time to come! ;)

New material by Piston Thorn ... Miss Taken ... Geofrey ... and Tommy Boy!

Raven has continued with the missing pages of The Seven Deadly Sins, as well as new Comics That Never Were material.

A-Emi has sent in 3 new pages of Wonder Woman abuse, as Tyler Roper has send in 2 pages of general heroine abuse.

PLEASE make sure to not only thank the artists for thier efforts, but the writers as well! You do not pay one penny for any of this, and they do not make a dime from this website. Only YOUR comments and compliments keep them going.

Also, don't forget to peruse my Flickr and Blog on occassion. I do put material there that I do not put here.

Another 'Gift' for Blog Followers

2009-07-06T18:29:00.001-07:00

Another bit of wizardly mischief from Second Life.

Supergirl showed me a dungeon, and I, of course, just had to put it to use!

Linkage Here!

Jack's Mirror

2009-06-29T18:21:00.000-07:00

I am not one that watches much episodic television, especially on network television. I don’t watch Lost, or any of those competition “reality” shows, or mystery or suspense fictional shows, such as 24. However, there are quite a few people that are big fans of 24, especially people in the upper echelons of the government, who see this fictional show as a great way to promote and prove national policies, especially during the previous administration.

What I am speaking of is the hard on that the right has for torture. Back when I was in college, and majoring in the liberal arts (ah ha!), I learned that the entertainment industry (movies, plays, TV, etc) are primarily a reflection of society. We look into the little silver boob tube and see ourselves, though through the lens of the writer/director, to let us see things as they want to show us.

However, with the current on-goings about our policies on “enhanced interrogation” techniques, (which are, let’s face it, torture) many people who are trying to support these practices are pointing to the practices shown within this fictional entertainment television show. Supporters of torture, are saying that if it works for Jack Bauer, then it will work for us. They push the “ticking time bomb” scenario, where we have to do whatever is necessary, no matter what, to get the information from a terrorist to find and disarm a bomb within a short period of time.

Never mind that the professional interrogators with the FBI, CIA, police agencies, and the military have stated innumerable times, over many many years, that such practices never work. Indeed, it has never been proved that any torture method, used at any time in recordable history, has ever ever worked (to get accurate and truthful and reliable intelligence). Sure, the subject has ‘broken’ and has given information to his interrogators, but such information is always suspect, and most always worthless, because the person will say anything to stop the torture. Sure, the words may be exactly what the torturers want to hear, but that does not make the information given any more viable or valuable. Thus, the practices of the Bush-Cheney administration, in order to support a non-provable idea, was escalated to include torture when interrogating “terrorist suspects” to prove justifications for a unjustified war. 24 was often used (and is still used) as a reason of “proof” that torture works to get valid and accurate and timely information.

Thus, a country that stood on a moral high ground in denouncing torture, and wars of aggression, has lost it’s world standing with the war in Iraq, and the torture that we practice in a manner to try to defend that war, to show that we want to war in Iraq to punish Saddam Hussein for his role in 9/11. Of course, no valid and confirmed connection has ever been made. Even with torturing Abu Zubaydah 83 times in 2002, and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed 183 times in 2003 (and that is also reported as in one month for each, not in one year), no valid information was obtained by either subject (if it was, they would of stopped at 27 or 54 or 2!). Where does it say that it is alright for us, as a nation, to give up our moral standing, our national pride, our honor, to digress to this level in barbarism and civic sadism? Too often I have seen us, as a nation, point to other nations under dictatorships and tyrants and condemn such acts by those governments. Now, we are trying to say that we care still better then they are, just because we are the United States of America??

Torture is wrong! It is illegal! It is against our laws, and against the laws of the Geneva Convention. It is condemned by most every ‘civilized’ government. We look at the Human Rights Commission to look towards other third world countries for violations, not to our own! But, just as important as all this, is that, it does not work! Time and time and time again, good and valid and accurate information is gathered by law enforcement and investigatory professionals by establishing a relationship with the suspect, and with using respect and guile and established questioning techniques to garner the information desired. It works! And, we are not seen as torturing barbarians by the rest of the world. We are able to use that information in a court of law to convict the subjects, instead of having to release the subject because the information that convicted him was gained illegally. We claim to be a nation that wants justice served, but we are not showing that we are willing to show such justice to our “enemies” (which is turning out to be an ever growing number who are becoming our enemy to protest these practices of torture).

No longer is our entertainment industry a mirror of ourselves. Now, we are framing our governmental policies, our national identity, on a television show. You are for us or against us, white or brown, Jack Bauer or the people to be tortured. By this same logic, we should be able to have talking chimps as secret agents, to send into countries to spy on terrorist training camps from the trees. Or, send in the crack investigative team of reporters of the Daily Planet, Clark Kent and Lois Lane, to look into these allegations! I am sure that many of you can come up with much better entertainment references then these, on better ways to investigate the (supposed, illusionary, and non-proved) links between Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein.

I am only really talking about one issue in this whole mess that my country finds itself in. There are lots of issues that I can speak more about, but for the time being it is this that seems to be the cause-du-jour (sic). Right now that subject is torture. The same practices that have been done to our soldiers in Korea and Viet Nam, which we have condemned (rightly) others for, we are now guilty of doing to others ourselves. We try to put reasons to such practices to validate them, or call the practices different names to lessen their meaning and impact. We try to say that we are trying to prevent crimes and save lives by torturing everyone we suspect may be able to give answers to fill in the blanks in order to bring about the right answers to questions that we are desperately trying to fix the answers to, no matter how many times it will take us (dare I give the definition of insanity here?). The government says that we are torturing for justice. I say that we are torturing for revenge. We are torturing for Jack.

(Originally posted May 1st, 2009 on Yahoo 360)

Lair Takes the Silver

2009-06-29T18:19:00.001-07:00

Wow.

And, double wow!

Last year was, what I thought, a fluke when The Wizard's Lair took the silver in the Bondage Awards 'Best Free Bondage Website'. But, this year, with the number of people that had been nominated, I thought I would be lucky if we broke the Top Ten. And, truth be known, I was increasingly skeptical of even making that threshold.

Indeed, I was so skeptical of our chances, that I really did not advertise the contest as I did last year. And, reading from those running the contest that there were more people nominated, and more people voting this year, and that The Wizard's Lair was at the bottom of a very long list, I thought that our chances were slim and none.

Imagine my surprise when I was sent a number of congratulatory emails about not just placing, but taking the silver again. Well, I was even skeptical then, so went to the website to look for myself. Oh my goodness.

Had a couple emails from my "Henchmen" contributors who also passed along congratulations to the job that I did to win that award. There, I have issue. This award is not to me, or The Wizard, or to Vladi Wizard, but to "The Wizard's Lair". To everyone that has been associated with the website, and who has contributed to it this last year. It is the artists who have shared their 'takes' on the Challenge, written stories for the Library, sent in serials, or shared their material with us all via the Henchman galleries. Scarlet Witch is the greatest of these all, in regards to how much contribution is made, and how much I depend on her with helping me out with the website. Her talent in story-telling, as well as her (very under-appreciated) talent with Poser (who I consider is in the top 3 within the genre in regards to skill) would serve her well on her own website. But, that she helps me out at the Lair is something that I am very VERY appreciative of.

I know that not everyone likes what I do, or how I handle things at times. I can be quite the jackass, and often times, that is the best someone can say about me. I have had a number of pretty public disputes within the community about the material of The Lair. But, through it all, I have tried to be supportive of my contributors first and foremost, and then to the community to which the website was formed. My own self, needs and ego, come in last in regards to what is done with the website. I pay money out (for contest monies, computers and Internet usage, etc) while getting nothing back in return (with the exception of the free web space and bandwidth usage by DanO at SHC).

I have seen artists leave the site, to go to other places where they feel that they would be better appreciated, and other artists who have retired from the genre, while others who have just 'vanished' without any further word. I have come to realize that The Lair is a depository of talent, a place to show off art (be it written or drawn or manipped). I have people that have followed the site since it's inception with Supergirl.net, through the closure of that website so that I moved to Abductor.net, and then from leaving that server when they went pay (since I promised that my website would always be free) to being hosted here at SHC.

And, I have spoken with new visitors, as well as people new to the genre/community who were unfamiliar with the website (and to those that have been with the community for a while and had no idea of the Lair's existence). Basically, I have a very good understanding as to the importance, and insignificance of the website. A place where people come when they are looking for reassurance that they are not alone in this fascination and outlook and desire for which we cater for and to. This is one of the first websites of it's type, and I have been around to see the community grow from relative obscurity to one that is very profitable for a number of websites that cater not just to images, but videos as well as costuming. The unusual has turned from being a kink for a few freaks, to a (mostly) accepted sexual outlet for people looking for something different and unique and adventurous. I have watched a few websites grow to many, most of those by fans of the genre who had the same love of the community which whom they shared their talents.

But, with time, these folks have moved along to other things. With little recognition, and even less (if any) financial reimbursements, most of these websites either disappeared, or went into permanent hiatus (on those free servers). But, the superheroine in distress genre is not alone in it's financial growth. Porn (to use the term broadly and loosely) is one of the largest (if not the largest) and most profitable Internet business field. Companies are jumping on the web from Russia to Rhodesia, from United States to Down Under. Politicians are standing on soapboxes to condemn the "smut", and then trying to control it through legislation (think "protect the children" with COPA and 2257) to trying now to tax the Internet (with some but limited successes). Indeed, that is what is happening more and more with a wider range of people who see the Internet as a way to profit from lots of genres, not just from our community, regardless if they follow and/or appreciate the genre on it's own merits or not (as opposed to a way to make money off of it).

Through all of this, we have plodded along. Not much has changed with The Lair. The layout and format is relatively unchanged in years. Only change has been the artists who have come and gone, and the addition of material with which we have grown with.

Why have we come in second place again, we may ask. I know that I sure have asked that question! I think it is because of the variety of material that we have. And, while the award is a bondage award, and The Lair is not a bondage web site, per se, it still has as much, if not more, bondage within the hundreds of web pages then many of the websites that are paysites exclusively for bondage. You get amazing value for the buck! Also, we update on a very consistent and regular basis. And not just with a story or two every couple of weeks, but with amounts of material that some sites would boast about for posting in a year, let alone a month!

Then finally, there is you. The fans of the genre. The lovers of those gals in spandex who often find themselves in very awkward, humiliating, and distressful situations (and thus, in bondage). The people to whom the website is made for, and dedicated to. You are the ones that have made The Wizard's Lair the place to go for quality free material. You are the ones that give me an average of 1,000,000 hits a year to see what is new with the Henchmen, the Challenges, the Library. You are the ones that have made the website the success that it has been for a number of years now, the ones who have voted us as the 2nd Best Free Bondage Website for the second year in a row.

It is to all of you, that this award is dedicated to.

Thank you.

Vladi the Wizard

Wizard's Lair Updated

2009-06-27T18:17:00.001-07:00

June 27, 2009

Well, this update almost KILLED me! What a big one for you all! (23 pages !!! of new material, not counting incidental upkeep pages)

First off, I have started a new story contest. Yes, it has been a while, and I have had some people wondering if we were ever going to do one again. Thus, a Supergirl story contest! Hey, if I am going to pay my money ($100 prize), I can pick the heroine!! ;)

Next, a new Challenge is now up! I am certainly pleased by how popular they are now becoming and hope my image picks will continue to inspire!

Toby Tyke has sent in a bit of material to me, some of which has gone to the Guest section, the rest to his own special Bonus Page.

New material by Miss Taken and Piston Thorn in their galleries and Third Thane has 2 pages of Supergirl (yay!) torment starting here.

Geofrey has made a few changes/additions to his 10th and 11th galleries. As well as sending in 4 new pages of material starting here.

Not to be out done, A-Emi has 5 pages of material starting here, and Tyler Roper has 4 pages of material starting here.

Political Leanings

2009-06-22T19:00:00.000-07:00

Been a while since my last blog, and for that I apologize. I think I was too caught up in the political circus, as well as with the 'normality' of my everyday life to take the time needed to blab and blog. Thus....

It probably is not a great surprise to many of you that read what I write that I am a fairly liberal person. But, I am really not as far left as many will think. I like to think that I am a "left of center" moderate progressive, in that I have many 'Republican' views to balance out my 'Democrat' views. Indeed, as reading a number of blogs and op-eds of late, I am wondering why I am not an out and out Republican, because I lean towards most, if not all, of their core values (and not talking of the far-right fundamentalist 'Christian' talking points) of the standard GOP platform.

Let me be more specific and take on the top (?) six points: Smaller Government, Lower Taxes, Less Regulation, Individual Liberty, Rule of Law, and Civic Virtue.

Let me start with 'Civic Virtue', because that is the one I understand the least. If one is to say that this has to do with volunteerism, and "compassionate conservatism", then I can go along with that. That means the compassion that Christ talked about in the New Testament of the Bible: Feed and clothe the poor. Do unto others as you would have do unto you. This is a platform that the right often talked about, but that the left usually actually lived and did. Point towards the Democrats for taking this plank from the Republican party and walking the walk, instead of just talking the talk.

Smaller Government. This does not mean NO government. Government is not a dirty word, nor are they always completely unnecessary and/or unneeded. The larger a populace, the more there is need for people who are specially trained in beaurocracy in making sure that things run as smoothly as possible. Who is going to maintain the infrastructure of streets and sewers and other utilities? Public schools and librarys? Public parks and pools? Are we saying that we want no government, and thus either tossing these things to the wayside, or having private companies run them? So, your parks run by Citibank your pools maintained by Alcoa, your schools run by GM? Which leads into ...

Lower Taxes. Of course, this doesn't mean that there should be no taxes, as much as we would like that. Monies for these public works and schools and infrastructures have to come from someplace, no? From property taxes to sales taxes to tolls at bridges, we all pay fees to the government to pay for those things that we all take for granted as "free". Where I am we have faced a number of years where our emergency services have been severely cut and with the cutting of the taxes from license tab fees in Washington State, many services that people have expected are no longer in place. We no longer have the number of officers that we once had, and thus people have longer to wait for help. Many times minutes are added to fire response times because paid companies are now volunteer companies, which mean no longer do fire fighters live at stations, but have to drive there from their homes, thus adding time to the response time. Makes a big difference when someone is having a heart attack, or your house is on fire. But, you saved a couple hundred dollars on your tabs! But we forget that this money went someplace to pay for something. When that money is taken away, those services are taken away as well.

I have often heard about "tax and spend liberals" but it seems that since 1980 I have been seeing more and more "tax cut and spend"(ing) by our government, with larger and larger deficiets, with the exception of the country under the Clinton years. There we ended up with a budget surplus under a "fiscally irresponsible" Democratic government, which was then squandered by a "fiscally responsible" Republican government, under GW Bush. Again, it was the Democrats that took the fiscal responsibility of budget control where you spend less then you make away from the Republicans. Republicans who wanted more and more tax breaks given to large companies and those in the upper class. Democrats wanted to balance out the tax burden, by increasing capital gain taxes on these companies and to tax those in the upper tax brackets more, to give financial relief to the middle class, recognizing after 20 years that 'trickle-down' Reagonomics does not work. But, still government has grown, and buracracy has bloated, regardless of many political promises of less. Again, this just made me take one or two more steps to the left from where I was originally.

Less Regulation. We are seeing what that has led to, especially in the financial and housing markets. Regulation is not always a bad thing. Yes, there are instances of over the top and ridiculous regulation (90% of OSHA, imo), but that doesn't mean that we should just let companies do whatever they want. You like clean air? You like clean drinking water? That comes from regulation. Sure, I think there needs to be a common sense approach taken to such things, and that we do need to find the line between what is best for the financial health of the companies and the well being of the public at large. There can be a middle ground where both benefit. I hope.

One ground where I see this more often is in the gun ownership issue. I have no problem with gun ownership by citizens. I own a number of handguns myself. I have no problem with filling out paperwork and waiting for my handgun. I am never in such a rush where I HAVE TO have my gun RIGHT NOW! (Unless I am getting robbed, or shot at, but we are talking about regular purchases here, not pulling the weapon from a holster or gun safe). With anything that is dangerous, be it a gun or a motor vehicle, there are regulations that we often have to follow. If I have to take a drivers safety class in order to get my vehicle drivers license, I see no reason why I should not also have to take a safety course for handling my weapons. If I have to register and license my Charger, I see no reason why I should not have to do the same with my Kimber. Adversely, I am not going to be driving a Nascar racecar or a pro-fuel dragster on the city streets, nor am I needing to be taking a fully automatic AK-47 or SKS type deer hunting. Sure, they would be fun to drive and fire, but there are places that are dedicated for such activities where the safety of everyone involved (watchers and participants) are taken into account, and the proper fees and licenses are paid. Thus, I am not saying that such things should be "illegal", but there would be lots of hoops to jump through and will not be cheap to own and operate them.

Individual Liberty. I am all for this, to a point. I think that as long as what I do doesn't affect anyone else adversely, then I have that right to do what I would like. However, too often we have those that think that we have the right to do whatever we like in the "pursuit of happiness". Well, what about other people's happiness? If my pursuit interferes with their pursuit, which pursuit wins out? If my pursuit of 1000 watt AC/DC headbanging joy interfers with someone's realm of peace and quiet, who wins? If I am 5 miles from my nearest neighbor, there is probably no issue there. But, if I in the next door apartment, there will be probably lots of issues, as well as lots of calls to the (over worked and under staffed - see above) police department for disturbance of the peace. What about my rights to worship as I like? Will I have a mob of fundamentalist christians beating at my door if I am a muslim, calling me a terrorist or such? We too often forget that these liberties are liberties for all, not just those we agree with, but to those that we disagree with as well. Thus, I have the right to run a website dedicated to a genre that many people would find disturbing, and many would want it to be closed down because it is seen as mysogistic and disrespectful and/or harmful to women. Freedom of speech is seen as a inalieable right of the American public by most, and many will fight and die to make sure that such remains such... as long as they agree with the particular speech.

This is one where I have heard the most dissent with and against others, it seems. The Right complaining about what the Left says about them, and the Left complaining what the Right says about them. Then there is those that think that they can say whatever they want, because they have such "freedom of speech", even if what they say isn't true, and they know that it isn't true. We have seen too much of this in the last several years, and I hope that people will investigate such things more for their own edification and education then just depend on a far left or a far right blogger or "news" source for their "facts". You cannot get a good world view from one or two 6 second sound bites. Too often I have heard people saying that they will vote for this person because of one issue, or not vote for someone else because of that issue, as if there are only one or two issues that affect our lives. We do not live in a black and white world, as much as many people would like us to. We cannot go back to the "good ole days" of 1956, where mom was always in the kitchen, and dad came home every day at 5:30pm in his suit and tie after a day at the office. This is not a white collar society where we can keep our doors unlocked and the keys left in the ignition. Mom now needs to work to help pay the bills, and Dad may stay up till 11:30 at night at the blue collar factory job, neither one seeing each other more then 3 hours a week, coming and going. And certainly not watching Junior, who is now going into those other houses, and taking off with those cars where the keys were left in the ignition, because there was no one home to teach him right from wrong, or to discipline him when he did something wrong (much easier to pass the blame to someone else, anyway).

Needless to say, there really were no "good old days". I am sure that there would be quite a few people that will have a thing to say about civil rights during that time. Just because the times were good for one class of people, doesn't mean that the times were so hot for other folks. This is as true in the 1980s as the 1880s as the 1280s as the 800s, I am sure.

I think that this particular area is a "push" between the Democrat and the Republican platforms. I have seen the book banning from the Right balanced out by the overly cautious PC ineptitudes from the Left. The Lair has been affected more by the 2257 laws which was brought about from the need to "protect the children" by any and every means possible, including those means that are over the top and unnecessary if we were to all just have a modicum of common sense and personal responsility and less regulation and government.

Finally, Rule of Law. In a sense, I just complained about that in the paragraph above. The 2257 is the law that I do have to follow if I were to use images that protray sexual activity between 'real' people. As the regulations are a pain in the ass, I have decided not to go through all the hoops and loops in order to post such material. Now, that is not me dismissing or disrespecting the law, but respecting it enough that instead of disobeying the rules set forth in the 2257, I instead choose to place myself outside of it's parameters by excluding such material.

Too often we hear of others that if they do not agree with they law, that they choose to ignore the law, and thus break it when they perform that activity which is stated, or in a manner which is against the law. Nowadays, there are so many rules and laws, that it is often very hard not to break a rule/law, even accidentally. Indeed there are many "blue laws" on many a law book that have been in place for decades, if not centuries, that are now just ignored by the law enforcement agencies, because the judicial agencies are much too busy with "real" crimes to do what is needed with the legislative agencies to remove those laws from the books. Though, sometimes such laws are taken advantage from time to time when a person is wanted to be arrested by the local police agency, but there is no 'current' crime on which to pursue the subject with.

Anywho, I think this subject is less about rules and regulations, as it is about responsibility of the law and respect of rules. I have been of a mind that we, as a sociality, are becoming more of a social animal, where the whole of society is seen as responsible for the acts of an individual, rather then the individual being responsible for himself and his own acts, as well as for the well being of the society. When someone spills coffee on their laps, no longer do we say that it is our dexterity at fault, but the fault of the server of the coffee, the maker of the coffee cup, and the facility where the coffee was served. We are a society that wants to be paid for the mistakes that we make, rather then to learn from them so that we do not make them again. We are raised in the atmosphere that we can do whatever we want and like, because we have every "right" to be happy. There are no losers in the races we run, only 2nd or 3rd or last "winners". We grow up believing that if the homework is too tough, that we will have our parents do it for us, but even if they don't, that is okay, because we won't flunk anyway. There are only guidelines that we may have to sometimes listen to, but we do not have to follow any sorts of rules or laws while growing up, because that is too restrictive. And, if we do something wrong, the worst thing that may happen to us, is that we are put into "time out" for a few minutes.

There is no longer any "rule of law" as much as there is a "recommendation of advice". Then, when we grow up and join the "real world", we expect the same thing as we received in school or at home. We as a society should really not be surprised when we are faced with people with little or no respect for others, or themselves. When we are forced to clean up behind these new social members who no longer know how to clean up after themselves, let alone clean up after others. I grew up in the "Me me me" generations, and now we are in a world of "We better straighten up and fix this f***ing mess"!

The "rule of law" starts at home and is then transferred to the schools. They are what we grow up with, which molds us and then guides us into the future. We are finding out that our futures are very hazardous now, both financially and morally, because of the decisions that we made in the 60s and 70s, which have now given root to a generation who is wondering how they got where they are, and what is it that they can do about those children that are now social misfits, or worse. Our prisons are full to the brim, and we are looking at younger and younger criminals to put into them.

Why? Because there is no longer the "rule of law" to guide them. On this, I lean more to the Right, because much of this I see as more about the PC "everyone is a winner" type of attitude then anything else.

Well, hope this wasn't too much a mish-mash. I know that there is certainly more I can say on each of these subjects, as I am one that thinks things out, and many times actually changes my viewpoints depending on the information that I am given. Unlike a certain "Decider", I see nothing wrong with admitting when I am wrong, or to change my mind based upon new information. It is said that we, generally, become more conservative as time goes on and we get older. That is not something that I will disagree with, but one must realize how much of this conservative base is set upon a foundation that was built in the 50s 60s and 70s, before there was the day of the internet with the constant flow of ever changing information. The conservative base of today was formed upon the platform of the newspapers where information was at least 12-18 hours old, if not older, and Walter Cronkite was the most trusted man in the country, when television news was just that, without the current political colorizing. Of course, then we had the whole of a story, and our populace was better read and better educated, because they did not form any opinion just on a few soundbites that were played over and over and over again, until a statement of fact is formed from it, regardless of truth or context.

But, I like to think of myself as an older dog that can learn new tricks. That before ignored politics, and is now listening more to what is being said, from a number of different sources. And, though I see myself as primarily a Democrat, I do know that politics is politics and there are times when the truth isn't always known, and sometimes even ignored for political purposes by all parties.

Now, I know I can certainly go on and on and on about all this, because reams of books have been written by many folks on each subject, and I am certainly not going to challenge any of them intellectually on any of these matters. But, this is the way that I feel at this time. And I am thankful that I live in a place that allows me to put out such opinions, without (too much) fear of ending up in some gulag!

Happy Thanksgiving !

(Originally posted November 26, 2008 on Yahoo 360)

Heroism, Part 2 -- Trying this again!

2009-06-22T18:52:00.000-07:00

I am re-entering this log. After all the time I spent on it, it really frustrates me to no end that Yahoo kept buggering it up. I think because it did not like me copying in a definition of heroism from another website, so instead of doing that I will just pop in a couple links (since they all say basically the same time... I am sure that you will get the idea).

* snipping out of first two paragraphs of definition and explaination of why I did this re-do. Basically, thanks to the comments by The Manipulator and Jaime S *

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hero

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/heroism

I still think, even with the broadening of the field of what a hero is, that the term is way over used and given too freely to describe people, especially in regards to 1c (above). Yes, we like to think that motherhood is an admirable achievement, but we too often forget that just because a child comes from a woman’s womb, that woman is not automatically a great parent. It is often said of males, that anyone can be a father, but it takes work and effort to be a “Dad”. Too often we think that just because the woman carried the child in her body for 9 months that she automatically should be granted sole custody of the child if the mother and father were to have a divorce and separate. That used to be true, much to the sadness of many children in the past who had to deal with bad parenting from the mother. Today, courts are very well aware that the sex of the parent has nothing to do with the emotional and moral and parenting qualities of that person. Thus, by extension, we should realize that just giving birth does not automatically make one a “hero” in motherhood. Also, not every mother has a hard time of it. Are you going to say that the rich mother with a nanny to watch over her children and a butler and maid to look after her has the same time with parenting as the single mother that is working at two jobs to try to keep her three children fed and clothed? Of course not, and yet we often hear both of these women are held up to the same “heroic” standards simply because they gave birth. Little do we hear of the fathers that do the same. So, I do not buy these arguments because (1) they are too broad in definition, and (2) they are most often gender-biased. Yes, there are some women who are heroic in their parenting (and some men), but let us look at each as an example, not as the over all rule.

Next, there are the nurses, the firemen, the police officers, the paramedics and such. Those that are involved in service to all of us, who sacrifice their sweat and hours, and yes, sometimes blood and lives, for us, our health and our lives. Now, as far as the ‘sacrifice in danger’ goes, I will certainly give some leeway there. These people are often seen as being noble and thus “heroic”. But, are we going to say that for EVERY police officer (does Mark Furman ring a bell?) Or, for every nurse (Kristen Gilbert)? How many of us have read about the arsonist that turned out to be a fire-fighter? No, one cannot automatically call a person a hero just because of their occupation. We have to examine what that person does, individually, within that occupation before we can call what that person does as heroic. Much like my earlier example of soldiers, from the one that jumps on a grenade to save a comrade, to the one that is in a supply depot stacking boxes. Each is equally important to the military, yet one can be called a hero, and the other just a soldier (being an ex-soldier myself, I do understand the difference). This is not being said to lessen the attributes of those nurses and firemen, police officers and soldiers, only to better enhance the term of hero, when we award it accurately to those that truly deserve it. God bless nurses, I know that we certainly do need more of them, but I have talked to some pretty stupid and some pretty witless and some pretty selfish nurses in my career. Just as I have talked to some compassionate and helpful police officers, I have also talked to some dumb and lazy ones as well. Again, an uniform does not a hero make.

Then there is the idol type, the “hero” of the entertainment industry, the “hero” of the shallow and the idiotic. Those that think that Brittney Spears or Paris Hilton are heroes to thousands because they serve as role-models to these people that cannot look from their US Magazine to their local newspaper to see real examples of ‘heroic’ actions and sacrifice. We have people that see Sarah Palin as being ‘heroic’ politically because she “stands up to the media” with a wink and a smile, never mind that what she says either makes no sense at all and/or is proven to be an out and out lie. Some people would rather celebrate shallowness and hypocrisy, basing who they worship as their heroes on 8 second sound bites, or what they hear from the lips of ‘well educated’ and ‘fair-minded’ types such as Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity (*snark*). Too often people say a person is a hero to them, not because of that person’s actions, but because of the words of industries such as Faux News, er… Fox News of ‘We decide for you’, I mean “We report, you decide”.

Now, are there politicians who can be seen as ‘heroic’? If John McSame, err… Senator John McCain was the true “maverick” as he has been espousing, and has butted heads repeatedly and fought against his own party (instead of voting with Bush 90+ % of the time), then one could say that standing up for your values against your peers could be seen as being “heroic” in principle. Therein lies the rub. I don’t think one could ever call a politician a “hero”. Such principles too often change with the political winds. Not that such is always a bad thing. I live and learn and change my viewpoints as I grow. That is why I was never ever a fan of George W. Bush. He is too stubborn and never willing to learn, let alone change his views on something, regardless of the facts. I do not have an issue with a politician “flip-flopping” when they change their viewpoint on an issue based upon new evidence given in their decision making process, which is much different from the McCain flip-flopping based upon politics and saying one thing one day and then something else the next day, to appease possible voters. But, people point to McCain as being a hero because of his military record (without really looking at his full military record), and because he was shot down and spent a number of years as a POW. If that was the case, we have a lot of heroes in Guantanamo Bay. But then, we are looking at McCain in regards to the above definition (1a), not (1b)!

What about sports heroes then? Okay, I can see where some can be seen as taking that extra step, to play in the face of pain, and to sacrifice their bodies in order to gain victory. A quarterback playing with a separated shoulder, or a basketball player sticking on the court with torn ACL, I suppose they could be seen as being ‘heroic’ in their actions. But, does a ‘heroic act’ make one into an actual ‘hero’? How many people consider John Wayne a hero? I know that there are quite a number of people that view him as a “National Hero” because of the roles of heroes he played in MOVIES. Look how many items are sold with him and his likeness that are sold in celebration of his hero status. His home life and his personal views and acts where very rarely reported and either misunderstood or not even known by those that ‘worship’ his acts from the silver screen. (Okay, I tangented off the sports example a bit here, but it is related, I think).

We are too much a society that takes our information, which shapes our decisions and mindsets, from television nowadays. And I am not talking about people listening to hours of talk shows and news programs from various sources and different channels over a week or so to make a decision, but usually determining how they will look at an issue based upon a 10 second sound bite (if that). Our society (talking about the US of A where I live) is more about style then substance, more about speed then accuracy, more about me then you, more about the now then the what is to come. We are selfish and stupid (I do not use ignorant because being ignorant is not having the information, of not knowing. Stupid is having the information and yet still doing [or not doing] the act, or acting upon the correct information anyway). And, as a mirror to us and to what we value, our heroes are those that have our same outlooks and values, only MUCH MORE. Thus, Paris Hilton is the hero to the stupid, and Lindsey Lohan the hero to the superficial and Tom Cruise the hero to the egotistical and Sarah Palin to the ignorant, and John McCain the hero to those that just want the same. We want a hero that will look good on a poster on our wall, not a hero who we can shape our own morals to follow their particular values. It is not as glamorus to make a priest that feeds the homeless daily a hero, as it is to make Brett Favre our hero when he throws 4 touchdowns. It is easier to make a hero of the pitcher that throws the no hitter, then it is to make the woman that spends her afternoons feeding the elderly in their own homes and dining rooms. We award the title of ‘hero’ to those who entertain us on the screen, and not those that make the lives of others better, while sacrificing time from their own lives.

In the end, I can really only say who I feel is a hero. A hero really is someone that we, ourselves, make. While I do not see John McCain as a hero, you very well might. And that does not mean that you are wrong, or that I (or anyone else) should belittle that determination (which I suppose that I am guilty of in reference to the above paragraph. But then again, I never did say that I was perfect). Because, in the end, you will look at those qualities that you admire, making that person a role-model to you, and (hopefully) letting your viewpoints and decisions be steered because of your outlook on your hero(es). There is nothing wrong with calling your mother a hero, or your father, or your brother that is a fireman, or your sister who is a breast cancer survivor. There is no shame in saying that you consider Florida Gators quarterback Tim Tebow a hero because of what he does off the field as well as his actions on the field. Your heroes are yours, and mine are mine, and sometimes they are the same, but most often they are not. I may not agree with your choice(s), but there is not much I can really do because who we call a hero is not determined by our intellect, but our emotions and feelings. Thus, when our hero does/says something that “betrays” our hero-worship, we are crushed and/or furiously angry at the person, for what they did to US. We take it very personally. This is not the reaction of the intellect, but of the emotion. People like to say that they have ‘thought’ about who these people are and what they did or do to make them see them as a hero, but in the end, it comes down to how we feel about that person and/or their acts. And feelings are never something that are exactly ‘logical’.

Thus, heroes are never logical. They just are. However, I still wish that we would be a bit more discerning with who we award that title.

(Originally posted October 19th, 2008 on Yahoo 360)

Need a Hero? I have a few that I am not using!

2009-06-22T18:48:00.001-07:00

Been a while since I popped anything of any ‘importance’ in my blog here. Of course, some people would say that to this point, I never have! Anyway, thought that while sitting at work, I may as well get onto the keyboard and hammer these keys a bit, if for no other reason then to let people know that I am still the outspoken and opinionated cuss that I am.

I have been thinking, for some time now, about the word “hero” and how over used it is. I really haven’t done much on that, because it seems to have been settling down, since attention has been being pulled away from the Iraq/Afghanistan conflicts, to the political and economic theatre that we find ourselves in at this time.

I suppose, in that regards, presidential candidate, Senator John S McCain is often called a hero, because of his service to his country as a naval aviator, and his subsequent time spent as a POW in the Hanoi Hilton during the Viet Nam conflict. I am not one to say anything about such service, because that was many many years ago. However, can one say that a person that was once a hero is always a hero?

We love to toss that word around. If someone is a cancer survivor, they are a “hero”. If the person enlists in the military, the are automatically a “hero”, whether or not that person dives on a grenade to save fellow soldiers, or is in the rear with the gear at a supply depot stacking toilet paper. A person is a “hero” if they run 80 yards for a touchdown, or if they run into a burning building to save a dog. Now, would that person that run into the burning building be any less a hero when they are wearing full firefighter turn out gear and have the back up of a number of other firefighters who are pouring water on him, or if he is a homeowner wearing flip flops and boxer shorts? Does training and equipment make a person less of a hero, or more of one?

I have often wondered, when we call stay at home moms “heroes”, thus giving that label of the brave and the exceptional to thousands upon thousands of persons, would that detract from those that have dived into ice filled rivers to rescue people from drowning? Or those that have climbed steep slopes to help a person that has fallen and broken limbs and are in danger of freezing to death? When we call all those people “heroes” are we not detracting from those that have honestly put their own lives and bodies in jeopardy to assist someone that they do not know, to the benefit of a person who is doing something that they always do for a person that they do know?

Words have power and words have meaning. But too often we use these words so often, and in ways that they should not be used, and thus lessen their meaning. And, when we do lessen the meaning of a word such as “hero”, then we lessen the meaning of what a hero is, and thus lessen the true heroes among us.

We all sacrifice from time to time ( at least, I like to think that we do ), and thus in the way that the word is viewed nowadays, are being “heroic”. But, being heroic is more then just making a sacrifice. There must also be a risk to that person. And not just of money or of property or of reputation, but of actual life and limb. And, that risk of life and limb must be in the self-less act of trying to help someone else. Me sticking my hand into a snake pit to pull out a diamond does not make me a hero, even though being bitten by a snake could easily mean loss of a limb or my life. Now, if I was reaching into that snake pit, to grab a snake, who will provide the anti-venom needed to save the life of another that was bitten prior by a snake, then that could be considered “heroic”. But, if I am doing this to gain material gain by harvesting snakes for the anti-venom, to sell to hospitals to keep on hand for the time that someone is bitten by that poisonous snake, am I any less or more “heroic” because my action is less altruistic and more materialistic?

In any case, I really think that we, as a society need to quit calling everyone from mail carriers to dog catchers to doctors to basketball players (etc) heroes. Unless that basketball player is running into a burning building to save an infant, he is not a hero just because he can dunk the basketball. The more we use the word, the more we lessen it’s importance. And, do not even get me started on "Guitar Hero"!!

(Originally posted October 13th, 2008 on Yahoo 360)

The Wizard's Lair is the DOWNFALL of the Superheroine in Distress Genre!

2009-06-22T18:39:00.001-07:00

Seems of late I have been reading quite a bit about the failure of some pay sites within the community are closing down. Some are putting the blame on peer-to-peer sites in general, while others are placing the blame on The Wizard’s Lair in particular.

Now, without knowing the financial specifics of each and every website that is closing down and/or losing money, how can anyone place any blame on any one thing in particular, or even accuse a single website, it’s webmaster, and it’s contributors for contributing to the financial decline of these sites? When I look around, I see that everyone is feeling the financial pinch, influenced largely by the (ever) rising cost of fuel, which has a cascading effect on everything from car sales, to food costs. People all over are doing everything that they can to save money, from driving less, to canceling vacations, and to eliminating discretionary expenses, of which would include memberships to websites. Is anyone looking at pointing to oil speculators as the possible culprit of causing the reduction in profit to these pay sites? No, of course not. It is easier to point a finger at me, and people like me, and call us thieves.

This really is a matter of apples and oranges, in my book. While I agree that many images that I use (and I state “I” in that the buck stops with me when it comes to The Wizard’s Lair, regardless of where the images came from originally) come from many different sources, including from pay sites, the images that I use come from third party sources. That is to say, I pay a fee to access newsgroups from Valkyrie, from which I get most of my material. There are HUNDREDS of these newsgroups, where people upload THOUSANDS of images from many many sources, on a daily basis, most of which are not attributed. Many of images have gone through multiple “hands”, and in the meantime have been renamed and/or cropped and/or otherwise modified. To accuse artists that contribute to The Lair of such removing of copyright markers from original images, without knowing such for fact, is purposefully inflammatory and insulting, especially when it is only my web site that is so accused as an example of such 'evils'. I will never assume such things, nor accuse others of such things, without having some good references and facts to back me up. The web is much too large a place, and there are far too many resources out there, where images can be found, from free sites such as Yahoo groups and Flickr accounts, from newsgroups and pay sites such as Talon’s Eyrie, to those various peer-to-peer websites where one can download huge amounts of material, to simply state that any one person is responsible for the decline and/or closure of any one website.

What I see affecting these websites is not that sites like the Lair or Heromorph (to just use 2 popular and well known sites as examples) use images from other websites as base materials for photomanipulations, but that we have more and more companies jumping on the superheroine bandwagon, starting up subscription sites, and expecting the same amount of people, with the same amount of monies, to sponsor and sustain a growing amount of services. That is the same logic of having 10 coffee shops on one block and expecting the same amount of pedestrians to pass by them all and continue to buy multiple cups of coffee from each and every coffee shop. That is not going to happen, and it is ridiculous to think so. At best, each customer will frequent a few favorite coffee stands per day (say one for breakfast, one for lunch and one for dinner), which means that most will still be losing money. Or, what will most probably happen is that each customer will alternate between each shop, testing from each stall one after the other. Again, most of the shops will lose money, since there are only enough people on that block to truly support two of the shops. Does it make any sense for those other shops to accuse the lady that runs the free coffee stand across the street for causing the shops from losing money and having to close down? Not at all. But yet, that is what is happening right now where The Lair is being accused of causing the economic death of various websites.

Way back in the day, when I first became involved in this community, there were a handful of free sites devoted to the genre, and one pay site (that I was/am aware of, there may of been others out there, but I really really searched!) That pay site, Sooperhero.com, is still in business. That was it!! The only free site that was created those many years ago, and that is still currently active, that I know of, is The Wizard’s Lair. This was before the time of SHC and MrX (though not by much, a year or so), and certainly before the time of the vast popularity of Yahoo Groups and the like. There was no such thing as 3D poser at that time. It was hand drawn or photomanips. The Lair started out pretty humbly and small, but has grown over the years, with some 2D art, and mostly photomanipulations, just like anyone else who created a website devoted to the genre (which all eventually went the way of 404 or to a point of utter stagnation). In the almost 12 years that I have ran that website, I have had exactly TWO people write me to ask me to remove AN image each. Two images out of how many hundreds? And neither one of the two webmasters were anything but polite and professional in their communication with me (one being Cory Thompson, RIP), unlike the people that have been currently doing their best to insult myself and Scarlet Witch in public forums.

I remember when I was being thanked for giving people an outlet for their fantasies. Thanked for giving the artists a place to put their material that they could not find elsewhere. Thanked for letting people know that they were not alone in their fantasies, that there were others, just like them, that enjoyed the genre of superheroines in distress. Slowly, the community grew, as the internet grew. More people came online and started to share their love of various arts and subjects, from cars to models, from Star Wars and Star Trek to message boards about things about complaints about MS to guides on Zelda. More and more people started to create websites devoted to their favorite things, some of these being websites devoted to superheroines. AOL, and Yahoo came into being, and social networks started to grow and flourish, from chat rooms to message groups. And, as time went on and technology grew, methods to share files became easier and easier to utilize. Then came cable and broadband, and with them peer-to-peer groups where large files could be shared with each other in less and less time, everything from songs to movies, image files and zip folders. Through out all this The Lair plugged along, never charging a penny for anything, indeed spending money to encourage writers to create stories about our favorite genre, for the enjoyment of all.

And yet, I am the bad guy here. We will not say anything about the overall pirating nature that such sites as Napster and it's ilk that went to create and profit from such uploading and downloading and sharing of content. Or from the multitude of groups that are created using material from everyone else’s sites, including my own (and if it makes you all feel better, let us talk only about the 2D and 3D images that were created soley by myself and/or Raven and/or Scarlet Witch, for examples). I am now told that I, and my contributors, should have to spend more money, and to hire models to pose for such images (and thus get me smack down into the middle of 2257 which caused me to take out a HUGE chunk of past material from my website), thus throw away any sort of privacy that I may still retain at this time. Or, to spend hours and hours of time that I do not have to contact each and every adult website out there that manufactures images and ask them for special images and special permissions, or to contact my host, and ask him to supply me and my artists with images from his paysite. In essence, stating that The Lair become a pay site ourselves, because that is what would have to happen if I were to leave my RL job, to spend all the hours online to do all these things. I would have to pay my bills some way, and since I would be spending money by turning The Lair into something that it is not, I would have to start charging my visitors, as well. Thus, breaking my promise that The Wizard’s Lair would always be free, and removing the one last website of it’s type from the internet for the edification and encouragement and education and entertainment of those folks that are new to the community, and/or curious about the genre, and/or cannot afford to pay their monies to websites, and/or do not have the credit card needed to join said memberships. There would no longer be a website of it's type ever again, because we must all become cookie cutter copies of each other, to use the same methods and means as everyone else. To drown you all in the mediocrity of sameness, just for the sake of the profit margin of a few individuals, who would rather accuse someone else for their own problems, then to take any credit for their own difficulties.

I am not saying that I am a saint, or that this is a perfect community, or that the internet is a great economical model to follow. Indeed, I know next to nothing about finances, and business. But, I do know that you cannot exist for long in an economical model with finite customers with finite resources with creating more and more businesses. You can cut up a pie into only so many pieces before the pie falls apart. Why should I, or anyone else, pay 20, 40, 50, or 100 dollars to keep all these companies going from month to month, when it makes more sense for me to pay 20 dollars to a site, go in and download as much as possible for that 30 days, and then cancel my membership, and then put the next 20 dollars to another site, and repeat? I will bet anyone that most customers of these websites are doing exactly that. Are we going to start criticizing these people for making their few hard earned dollars stretch the furthest in this manner? I am not, because I am not, nor have I ever been, in this community to make a buck off my fellow lovers of this genre. I am here because I love the genre, and have always wanted to GIVE to the community, to SHARE with others my love for this genre. The people in this community that love the genre for it's own sake are those that I respect and wish to provide as much free entertainment as possible to. Those that are here only to make a buck off of you all, that are here not for the love of the genre, but for the love of the dollar, are those that will do their best to tear down the people that do, in their own little imperfect way, the best that they can do, with the resourses and time and energies that they have to them. While I would like to thank everyone for supporting the genre, these people would rather berate the artists of the community for their own works and efforts, by lumping everyone that is not them into one broad stroke of the cyber-pen in their forums.

So now, I am being accused of bringing about the downfall of the community. This community that I love so much. This community that I have spent years of doing all that I could to encourage the writers and artists to share with others freely. Now, I am accused of creating stress and discontentment among these artists of the genre, of creating an atmosphere where these artists hang up their pens (real or graphical), and retiring from the community because of The Wizard's Lair and my actions (or inactions), and thus removing more and more material from the fans.

I find that far fetched, in that I believe that I have done more then most any other individual in this community in regards to the growth of this genre on the internet. Would these people even have the guts to ask their girlfriends to dress up like a superheroine and to let them take pictures of them in such outfits if they did not already know that there were tons of folks out there, just like them, just like me, or just like you? How many people felt better about themselves and their fantasies when you found such sites as The Wizard’s Lair, or The Chainman’s Institute, or Super Heroine Central? How many people were thankful to the artists like Raven, or Scarlet Witch, or Mr X, or Coldblood, or Black Alchemy, or even The Scribbler for putting their fantasies onto (digital) paper and letting us know that we were not the only one’s that thought that such fantasies were not only sexy and erotic, but also acceptable, and acceptable to a large amount of people? Did you really care that art was 2D or 3D or a photomanipulation, as long as it was good and was something that you enjoyed and turned you on?

How many of these pay sites, would be here, if not for the spirit and ideas and acts of those online pioneers, like Mike at Supergirl.net, who gave me my own start almost 14 (15??) years ago, with a place to put up my own crappy art to share with you all? Would people spend money to subscribe to pay sites that they knew nothing about, unless they knew that these artists have already been around a while, such as Brieros? How much of the economic impact on a company has more to do with a person’s college class schedule (that is graduating and moving on and thus away from that computer), then with whether or not someone removed the copyright notation on a handful of images? These questions are too hard to answer with any certainty, because business economics is much too complex, with each company under different conditions then the next company. But, that doesn’t stop some from saying that The Wizard’s Lair is responsible for the closing down of websites that deal primarily with poser material that is uploaded to peer-to-peer sites of which I have no responsibility for. Is that fair to me, Scarlet Witch, or our contributors? Of course not, but yet, I, and the Lair, is being very viciously attacked of late for not doing things exactly like a few people would like us to do. These people, who do not put out even 1/2 of 1% of what the Lair puts out, wants the Lair to either change, and thus become like everyone else (thus a pay site), or to close down completely (not specifically stated, but definitely meant when one reads between the lines).

So, let us all think of these things the next time we start to download a song from online, or start to cut and paste something from a blog, or make a DVD copy of our buddies movie, or a CD copy of our cousins video game. Let that person that has ever copied down from information found in a library book into a report without a footnote remember these words. Let that person that has paid for everything that they have, from when they were a child to this time now, and that has downloaded not one image from a cheerleader website or scanned any image from a comic book to post onto a blog be the first one to call me a thief of someone else’s intellectual and creative properties, who is only out for their own profit (and please tell me where I profit!!) Let that person who has lost their business and their livelihood because of what I personally did contact me and state that I alone was responsible, and how I was personally responsible (and have the facts to back them up) and not a state of recession that exists, or because of a large amount of people laid off in their neighborhoods, or because they got a girlfriend or wife (or husband or boyfriend) who they live with that does not share their interests who made them close their accounts or .. or .. or... (you get the drift). Maybe then I will close down The Lair like it seems like some people want me to do. But until that time, I will continue to engage in the activities that I have, in the manner that I do now, while doing my most to encourage my artists, and others, to contribute their time and talents to the betterment of the community at large, and the enjoyment of all.

(Originally posted July 5th, 2008 on Yahoo 360)

Rememberance of George Carlin

2009-06-22T18:34:00.000-07:00

By George Carlin

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways ,but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.

(Originally posted June 27th, 2008)

The Zen of Sarcasm

2009-06-22T18:29:00.000-07:00

The Zen of Sarcasm

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty much leave me alone.

2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and leaky tire.

3. It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.

4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.

5. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.

6. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

7. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments.

8. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

9. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is probably not for you.

10. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

11. If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably a wise investment.

12. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.

13. Some days you're the bug; some days you're the windshield.

14. Everyone seems normal until you get to know them.

15. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.

16. A closed mouth gathers no foot.

17. Duct tape is like 'The Force.' It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.

18. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.

19. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.

20. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

21. Never miss a good chance to shut up.

22. Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

Things that make you go, Hrrmmmmmmm....

2009-06-18T17:26:00.000-07:00

It's time again for the annual "Stella Awards"! For those unfamiliar with these awards, they are named after 81-year-old Stella Liebeck who spilled hot coffee on herself and successfully sued the McDonald's in New Mexico where she purchased the coffee. You remember, she took the lid off the coffee and put it between her knees while she was driving. Who would ever think one could get burned doing that, right?

That's right; these are awards for the most outlandish lawsuits and verdicts in the U.S. You know, the kinds of cases that make you scratch your head. So keep your head scratchier handy.

Here are the Stella's for the past year: (2007)

7TH PLACE:
Kathleen Robertson of Austin, Texas was awarded $80,000 by a jury of her peers after breaking her ankle tripping over a toddler who was running inside a furniture store. The store owners were understandably surprised by the verdict, considering the running toddler was her own son.

6TH PLACE:
Carl Truman, 19, of Los Angeles, California won $74,000 plus medical expenses when his neighbor ran over his hand with a Honda Accord. Truman apparently didn't notice there was someone at the wheel of the car when he was trying to steal his neighbor's hubcaps

Go ahead, grab your head scratchier.

5TH PLACE:
Terrence Dickson, of Bristol, Pennsylvania, who was leaving a house he had just burglarized by way of the garage. Unfortunately for Dickson, the automatic garage door opener malfunctioned and he could not get the garage door to open. Worse, he couldn't re-enter the house because the door connecting the garage to the house locked when Dickson pulled it shut. Forced to sit for eight, count 'em, EIGHT, days on a case of Pepsi and a large bag of dry dog food, he sued the homeowner's insurance company claiming undue mental Anguish.

Amazingly, the jury said the insurance company must pay Dickson $500,000 for his anguish. We should all have this kind of anguish.
Keep scratching. There are more...

4TH PLACE:
Jerry Williams, of Little Rock , Arkansas , garnered 4th Place in the Stella's when he was awarded $14,500 plus medical expenses after being bitten on the butt by his next door neighbor's beagle - even though the beagle was on a chain in its owner's fenced yard. Williams did not get as much as he asked for because the jury believed the beagle might have been provoked at the time of the butt bite because Williams had climbed over the fence into the yard and repeatedly shot the dog with a pellet gun.

Grrrrr ... Scratch, scratch.

3RD PLACE:
Amber Carson of Lancaster, Pennsylvania because a jury ordered a Philadelphia restaurant to pay her $113,500 after she slipped on a spilled soft drink and broke her tailbone. The reason the soft drink was on the floor: Ms. Carson had thrown it at her boyfriend 30 seconds earlier during an argument. What ever happened to people being responsible for their own actions?

Scratch, scratch, scratch. Hang in there; there are only two more Stella¢s to go...

2ND PLACE:
Kara Walton, of Claymont, Delaware sued the owner of a night club in a nearby city because she fell from the bathroom window to the floor, knocking out her two front teeth. Even though Ms. Walton was trying to sneak through the ladies room window to avoid paying the $3.50 cover charge, the jury said the night club had to pay her $12,000....oh, yeah,
plus dental expenses. Go figure.

1ST PLACE: (May I have a fanfare played on 50 kazoos please)
This year's runaway First Place Stella Award winner was Mrs. Merv Grazinski, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, who purchased a new 32-foot Winnebago motor home. On her first trip home, from an OU football game, having driven on to the freeway, she set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the driver's seat to go to the back of the Winnebago to make herself a sandwich. Not surprisingly, the motor home left the freeway, crashed and overturned. Also not surprisingly, Mrs. Grazinski sued Winnebago for not putting in the owner's manual that she couldn't actually leave the driver's seat while the cruise control was set. The Oklahoma jury awarded her, are you sitting down, $1,750,000 PLUS a new motor home. Winnebago actually changed their manuals as a result of this suit, just incase Mrs. Grazinski has any relatives who might also buy a motor home.

Are we, as a society, getting more stupid...?

I think that answer is pretty self apparent! YES!!!

(No, I am not responsible for the Stella Awards)
(Originally posted May 30th, 2008 on Yahoo 360)

24 Points to Ponder

2009-06-18T17:22:00.000-07:00

1. A day without sunshine is like ..... night.

2. On the other hand .... you have different fingers.

3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.

4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name. (Michelle is the 1%)

5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.

6. He who laughs last thinks slowest.

7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.

8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in
the trap.

9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.

10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.

12. If you think nobody cares about you, just try missing a couple of
payments.

13. How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.

14. OK, so what's the speed of dark?

15. When everything is coming your way, you're probably in the wrong la! ne.

16. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.

17. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?

18. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines

19. What happens if you get scared half to death . twice?

20. Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?

21. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, "What the hell
happened?"

22. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.

23. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright
until you hear them speak.

24. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapeno's
...... What you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow

The Friend of my Friend is my Enemy

2009-06-18T17:19:00.001-07:00

Say what????

I know, kinda strange there. But this is what has happened, at least as far as I know from “the outside”.

One of my 360 friends here has had some issues with some people, and having a pretty tough time of things of late had decided to pack up her 360 blog and make a new one. All well and good, but it did not even last 2 days before that blog was closed down because of the few friends that she did take from the last blog, two of them apparently could not stand the other and made a demand of her that she make the choice of one or the other.

Now, what the hell is that all about?? How selfish and childish can you be? If you TRULY are concerned about your friend and her friendship, it should only be a matter of what is between you and her, NOT her and someone else. Friends do not make demands upon REAL friends to cease their friendship with someone else, just to make you feel better. All that does is make the 1^st person feel absolutely horrible and under pressure to drop BOTH parties, because of their selfish and unrealistic demands, because such demands show that they are not true friends, because TRUE friends would not make such demands in the first place.

People always seem to wonder what is wrong with the world today and the people upon it. Here is a good demonstration of one of those things, which is selfish immaturity. It is always about ME! It doesn’t matter what is right or proper or correct, as long as I get what I want, when I want it, and how I want it. And, if it means that someone else gets hurt, so what? Too bad, so sad! I am the most important person in the world, and if I am not the most important person to others, to you, then there is not something wrong with me, there is something wrong with YOU!

There can be no sharing, there can be no compromise. We cannot think about the big picture and look at those people around us, to see how they live their lives, unless (and only if) it is to see how it would directly affect us. If it is for our betterment, then all is good with the world. If it is not, if what they are doing does not affect us, then we don’t care at all about them. But, if what they are doing seems to be against what we want or stand for, then they are THE ENEMY, and must be shunned, and/or destroyed (if not physically, certainly personally and/or professionally) and their reputation and standing within their community irreparably tarnished.

We are too often of two camps nowadays. Those for us, and those against us. Patriots or traitors. Black or white. Good or evil. There is no longer any views of grey or of looking at things as a matter of degrees. It is all or none. You are either my friend, or my enemy. And, if you are a friend of my enemy, then you are no longer my friend.

Unfortunately, this is not something that just happens in school grounds or in the blogosphere, but also with international politics. Look at President Bush and what he has done with our international relations by saying that you are either for us or against us. You either approve of ALL of our activities, or you are no longer our friend. If you state any disapproval for anything that we do, you are our enemy. Any dissent from within, will mark you as a traitor. Only full and unwavering (and unthinking) support for the United States and it’s policies (and it’s wars, etc) will mark you as a true patriot. Any wavering, any questioning, any thing that shows that you may not be 100% behind these policies, be they legal or unconstitutional, right or wrong, and you are marked and remarked as an enemy of the state.

Kinda harsh, isn’t it? No room for error, no room for compromise. Indeed, one may think that I am going a bit overboard with this, and making a mountain of a mole hill. But, too often, that is not the case. I wish it was. But, with seeing friends of my friends telling her that she has to make a choice of one or the other, or that a leader of one of the most powerful countries of the world (I no longer can say that we are the most powerful, because of the squandering of our political goodwill from other countries, not to mention our financial servitude by countries such as China) acts like a junior high school bully and demands that people like him … or else!

Where is the respect in that? You can not demand respect, you have to earn it. And, if you cannot show respect to others, then you will never ever earn that respect. You may get others to fear you, but that is a far cry from true respect. And, with no respect, there can be no true friendship.

And friends respect their friends to make their own decisions about their relationships. They do not make demands upon them to only be friends with the people that they approve of themselves.

That is just not right!

(Originally posted February 17th, 2008 on Yahoo 360)

Secure in one's Sexuality

2009-06-18T17:14:00.001-07:00

Before anyone jumps on me as being anti-gay, let me say that my brother was gay (no, he didn't change... he died of AIDS), I have a number of friends that are gay, I have worked with gays and have no personal issues with them in regards to their sexuality. I know that people have no choice in such matters. It is not like they picked up a book about gays and lesbians and said "Ah ha! This is exactly what I want to be!".

In any case, this is not a blog about gays and lesbians, as much as it is about heterosexuals and their reaction to lesbians.

The other day I was at Break.com when I came across yet another entry for a video of two lesbians kissing. Such a thing doesn't do a thing for me, and indeed, I am kinda tired of such things being thrown at me all the time, either from within magazines, or on television, or in the movies... well, you get the point.

Anyway, I was curious about that particular posting, not for the imagery of the video of the two rather hot and attractive women in the lip lock, but of the comments posted about it. Wondering if there is anything said that would explain why heterosexuals, and guys in particular find such things so appealing.

Well, I came to a couple posts where the people were much like me, in that they did not find it attractive, saying that such things did not turn them on. They did not insult the poster or the imagery or the situation, just stated that they were not aroused by it, as some posters commented on. Well, the person that said such was called a "fag" and "gay" and other types of insults (gay not being an insult by itself, but it was certainly used in an insulting manner) for stating their opinion.

Now, this made me wonder, are those guys that insulted the other guys about not finding the lesbians in a PDA idiots?? I mean, I am straight. I am definitely a heterosexual red-blooded male. However, it doesn't do a thing to me to see lesbians groping each other in public (or in private for that matter). There was a time, I must admit, when I did find such things interesting and intriguing, but that is only because it was rare and unusual (back in the 80's). But now I have been over-exposed to such imagery, in images and in stories (such as all the lesbian Catwoman vs Batgirl stories that are just so un-creative and un-original) that it's tiring. Do those other guys that stated that they were not aroused by such things at the Break.com posting feel the same way? Were they over-exposed? Or, do they find it just unappealing, the same way that not everyone finds broccoli appealing, or fruit salad, or chicken? Some people like blondes, others redheads, but they are never called names and insulted by those that prefer brunettes (are they??).

So, why do some guys call other guys "fags" for not enjoying images of gay/lesbian sex?? Would not those that enjoy such imagery be "gay" themselves, since they are aroused by gay/lesbian sexual themes and imagery?? Why exactly do guys find the concept of two (or more) lesbians going at each other sexually appealing? It sure isn't because THEY are going to get any of that action. Why not? Well, duuuhhhhhh... they are LESBIANS!! They are only attracted to females. Of course, one can use the "human's are bi-sexual animals", but I am not sure that I buy that. Sure, much of it depends upon the time and the social climate that we find ourselves in, but to me, in the end, it comes down to personal tastes and choices, which are always dependant upon the individual.

So, these guys that are always chasing after lesbians, because they are "hot", are they going to last long? Are they going to pass their genes into the pool of humanity? I kinda doubt it, unless there is some sort of surrogate issue with test-tube fertilization. But that is not all that common and, I would assume, fairly expensive. Certainly not done in the numbers that there are of the "straight guys" who want to bang "lesbian gals". The only way they may spread their genes in such cases is if those two lesbian lovers want to have children, and need a male to donate his sperm (since, let's face it, there is and can be no genetic progeny from the loins of any gay/lesbian couple). So, in that regards, I see that those guys that see lesbian sex as erotic and arousing are stupid. They will (hopefully) be a genetic dead end, because, in the end, their seed will be spilled from their masturbation to such images, and not within the womb of a heterosexual female, who they apparently find unappealing because they (the straight women) are sexually attracted to the male of the species, who will be hopefully attracted to them (the straight female) and thus the heterosexual couple will come together in sexual union to have a child and thus spread their genetic traits, of which would also be the trait of being stimulated by the opposite sex who will be receptive to the opposite sex, instead of only receptive to those of the same sex.

Who knows? Maybe I am reading too much into all this, and am completely off on the wrong track. After all, scientists and sociologists have been exploring these questions for centuries, and still no one knows for sure why a person is the way they are. Nature or nurture, or a combination of both? To what degree and in what regards? Well, that is something for future discussions, I am sure. Suffice it to say, that I believe that such guys that call other guys insulting names for being honest about what they find to be appealing are total frickin' morons. And, I sure hope that they continue to chase after lesbians to spread their seed, since I know that they will not have children with low IQs, like their own parents did. We need smarter people in this world, people who understand and recognize that not everyone will see things the same way that they do, and that while you may not agree with everyone's viewpoints and opinions, you should still try to understand them and respect them.

Right?

(Originally posted November 19th, 2007 on Yahoo 360)

The Naughty American

2009-06-18T17:12:00.000-07:00

Your friendly neighborhood wizzy is mentioned here

Where Do Our Responsibilities Lay?

2009-06-18T17:08:00.000-07:00

Let’s see if I can make a little more sense in regards to responsibility and morals at midnight, as opposed to 5am in the morning after working all night! I am sure that there are some of you that think that I must of competely flipped my lid there! Well, you may not be too far from the truth.

First, let me say that in no way am I trying to proclaim myself as a pillar of moral responsibility! I know that I am not perfect, I am human, I make mistakes, and I have done a thing or two that is off the beaten track of upright morality. However, in that I can admit that freely and honestly, does make me better then many of those that SAY that they walk the path of upright morality in words, but their practices in truth are far from that.

Alright then, what DID I mean about the connection between morality and responsibility. I think the closest one can get to that is the concept of compassion. The concept that we ARE our brother’s keepers. That WE, as a society, as a people, as a species, has a responsibility not only to protect ourselves and assure our own individual survival, but the survival of our brothers and sisters, our fathers and mothers, our family, our neighbors, our friends, our city and our nation. Indeed, our planet. Our responsibilities ripple out from ourselves like the ripples in a pond from a small pebble tossed into the waters.

Now, not everyone will agree with such a viewpoint. Some will say that they only have to worry about what is close at hand to them. Now, is a person that is only concerned about themselves any less moral then a person that is concerned about the planet and it’s health? In a way, I think that it may possibly be so. But, I have known of people who are very patriotic and thus having very high concerns about a nation’s health and well being, have absolutely no compassion for their fellow man. So, is the more moral because his view of responsibility for a nation is larger then that for his brother? I wouldsay that it is not, because there is no compassion, and compassion is for people, in my view, not for civic ideals.

So, where are we responsible for morality? If you listen to some, you will think that it depends upon your political party affiliation, or your religion, or your sexual preference. Why is it that people say that only Republicans can be patriotic, or only Democrats are concerned about global climate. Why are Wiccan’s thought to be any less spiritual because they do not follow the religious dogma of a organised religion that,more often then not, protects pedophiles within their priesthood? Is it true that the aboriginie that loves and cares for and protects his child in the outback of Austrailia, and has no concept of organized society or religion is doomed to burn in the brimstone of someone else’s idea of hell, because he doesn’t have a television to watch and learn of what he is missing?? Would not the god of religion A understand that this man, who is a just and honest and capable man in his tribe, is more deserving of religion A’s heaven, then the great religious man who scorns his fellows within religion A, and seeks only to feed his own greed and ego by the sweat and toil of the worshippers of god A? Who has the greater responsibility? One would say that the religious leader would, because he is responsible for a larger number of people. But, would one not say then that the aborigine native has a greater moral code, because of his honest integrity to his family and it’s care and survival? He may not know anything about the people of Australia outside of his tribe, but he may very well have a better grasp of the planet because he would only use the resoursces that surround him that is needed for his own personal needs, whereas the religious leader is surrounded with icons of gold that the worshippers of god A dug from the ground, to enrichen the religion of A, while the worshippers themselves live in abject poverty. In that regards, who is more moral? The worshippers, or the religious leaders who are responsible for them?

Yes, I am speaking in broad strokes, and there cannot be any easy answers in the questions we often ask ourselves in regards to morality and responsibility. But, this just means that we must look to ourselves and our own inner selves when a person says that A is more just and honest then B because A belongs to this group or that religion, or because B is from a different country then A is and thus follows a different flag. I am absolutely positive that there are people in Iran and North Korea that have very high ethics and morals, just as I KNOW that there are a great many people in the United States that are selfish and greedy and immoral, no matter what their station in life, be they rug makers or presidents. One’s occupation, regardless of where they find themselves, has no (at least is should have no) bearing on their morality. However, too often we think that such things are, in fact, indicators of one’s personal worth to a society. Else, why would we give multi-million contracts to people like Kobe Bryant, while your local 2^nd grade teacher drives to school in a 1986 toyota corolla that too often breaks down because she cannot afford to get the service it needs because she needs to buy school supplies for her students because the budget was cut once again, while her son sweats in a desert behind a stone wall while getting shot at by boys from a school building that was bombed out by 50 million dollar aircraft. How many schools can 50 million dollars build? How many teachers? Are the soldiers immoral because they are trying to kill the enemies that their leaders direct them to kill? Is not war the ultimate in anti-compassion? Where we not only kill our brother and destroy his family and village, but his way of life and nation as well? Is that boy with an AK-47 evil because he is a scared Shite who has watched his father shot down at a road block because he did not understand english? Is that soldier who shot his father evil, because he saw that man advancing on him, without stopping, reaching into his clothes, possibly to pull out a gernade like the one that killed his buddy just a week before? Is the act of shooting that father, which creates in his grieving surviving son, an act of survival or retribution?

Too often we look at numbers in life, and death, and say that one society is this way, and the other society that way, without taking into consideration that it is people that make up a society, and that people are individuals. We have to look at each other with compassion, which means looking at the hearts of our brothers, and imagining what it is like to walk in their shoes, be it through an orchard, or down a metropolitan street, or down some dusty village ghetto path. What would YOU do if you were living that life? How would YOU react if your country was invaded, and your village bombed, and your family made destitue and your elders humiliated? Where are our responsibilities in that? Too often when questions are asked, those that ask those questions are called immoral and irresponsible because they are thinking of the enemy, and giving them aide and comfort. I say, perhaps if we did a little more of that thinking, they would see us as being moral and responsible, and that they would stop BEING our enemy!

Again, I am not going to claim to be a perfect person. I am selfish. I do like my pleasures. I do often think of myself before I think of others. I do not call those people that I should, nor do I give thanks to those that I should as often as I should. But, while I recognize my own shortcomings, I do not try to blame them on others, be they my parents, or the school that I went to, or the churchs that my parents took me to. I know that who I am is part nature, and part nuture. That my enviroment has just as much to do with who I am now, as does the genetic code that is within my cells. The way I react to others is in a large part steered by how others reacted to me. Indeed, I am not one to discount the effect of numerology upon my name, and the places of the stars and planets when I was born. I am a person that can see the grandeur of the eons that this planet that I live upon has gone through and marvel at the science of evolution which has brought us to where we are, just as I can wonder at The Big Bang, and try to decide if there is a “Force” that was there at the very beginning to start it all. I can look to the stars and see billions and billions of possibilities, and that out there, some place, there has to be others looking towards their heavens, towards this Earth, and wondering the same thing that we do, namely, are we alone? Are we the pinicle of evolution? Is humankind the morale creature that we believe it to be (as I absently crush an anthill under my heel)? In this, where do my responsibilities lay?

(Originally posted September 7th, 2007 on Yahoo 360)

Ramblings of a Brain-Dead Wizard

2009-06-18T17:05:00.001-07:00

Hiya Gang

Well, been a while since I did anything here with this blog, so thought I better get you all up to date.

Also, after trimming up some of my older entries, it seems like a post I made in July was out front here, for some reason, until you clicked the link and went to the more recent entry. Weird.

The thing that has been keeping me the busiest of late is trying to judge the latest story contest. On one hand I am a bit ticked because people waited to the last moment to send in entries, which I know I specifically asked people not to do (thus 13 entries in 2 days), while on the other hand I am rather pleased with the overall number of entries received (22). A good turn out, I must say! Now, I have to decide which of 3 stories is the overall best. I had a couple of stories that were DQ’d coming out of the gate because the writers did not put their name on their entries (I did it for them for publication).

Classic stuff from 2^nd grade, folks. PUT YOUR NAME ON YOUR PAPERS!!

Anyway, this last minute deluge has caused me to delay my latest update. Already having people write me and ask about what is going on. It is apparent that they don’t come to my blog to keep abreast of the latest going ons. Ah well, I will get them up, as well as the NEW CONTRIBUTORS material that will be debuting, as well.

It seems like the problems of copying CDs from my secondary computer has transferred over to my primary computer, because for some reason my DVD writer isn’t working. Looks like some software issue, as the properties show that the disks are full, even though they are brand new and blank.

Didn’t have time to really go into it as had to leave to come to work tonight (where I am writing this). I hope it is something silly and stupid that I can correct myself after 15 minutes or so. I hate to have to call Dell Support in Pakistan or India or where ever they are working out of now (because people there are smarter and better educated then the nitwits here in the USA).

Limping around a little bit the last couple of days. I fell getting into my shower. Slipped on the non-slip shower pad!! Ripped my leg a nice contusion on the shower door frame! Now scab is developed and it’s feeling really really good! Kind of wish I just had a laceration then that! Been a while since I got THAT clumsy!

Now, as far as what is the thing that has been bugging me of late… is this country full of a bunch of paranoid wusses, or what??! I do not know how many times I get calls from people that have been saying that they are “scared” because they were “threatened”. This was brought more to the forefront of my little brain when I read in “The Carpetbagger Report” this article http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/12750.html#more-12750 (I won’t go into the particulars here… all you have to do is go to there and read it for yourself). Anyway, the key

thing in that, which I saw, was that U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn told the Bartha’s in a phone message that there were consequences to statements that they made. Well, without actually hearing the tone of the statement, and only reading the transcript, I would say “so what?”. That is one of the universal truths of this universe. Every act that we do, every statement we made, there are consequences. Sometimes major, sometimes minor. Mr. Lamborn saw what was said as a serious matter, as which it was. However, for some reason, the Bartha’s made it out as if he stuck a horse’s head in their bed!

Was what he said a threat? Not where I live. Where I live and work, for it to be a “legal” threat, there has to be a threat of violence against a person or place or thing. For example, if I said that I was going to come to your house and shoot you. That would be a threat. If I just said I was coming to your house, that is NOT a threat. If I said that I was mad at you for making a statement to the papers that I disagree with and that I would sue you for the statements, that is NOT a criminal threat, though you are making a threat to do so. There is not crime that is to be committed. Now, if I said that I would blow up your cat, or burn your house, then those WOULD BE criminal threats. There has to be a recognizable statement of force and/or damage. People will not be cited or arrested by what you THINK the person MAY have meant. It has to be heard and witnessed (and hopefully recorded) before law enforcement will really be able to do anything (other then come over, nod their heads and scribble into their notepads before leaving the “victims” home and basically ignore it from there on out).

People are way too thin skinned of late, and this society really needs to get a grip on itself. People also need to pay more attention in their civics classes (do they still have those?? Maybe THAT is part of the problem!). Too often I talk with people that have no concept of what is allowed in this country, and what isn’t. Most police departments will not go to a house and kick in the door and arrest everyone inside because of an anonymous caller’s say so (on the President’s say so is another matter) just because they THINK there may be drugs being dealt there, or they THINK that they may be illegal aliens or the THINK that someone there has a warrant (this is a popular one – and who is it there with the warrant? The person doesn’t know the name, but KNOWS that there is one!)… well, you get the picture.

And, while such things happened in Nazi Germany or Stalin’s Russia when neighbors would turn in their neighbors for arrest and transport to the nearest concentration camp/gulag, that is not the way that things work here… yet. Well, not yet… unless you are of middle eastern descent, and then you would have a better chance then not of finding yourself in Gitmo where the Bill of Rights is suspended indefinitely.

No, we still want to have some sort of proof that a crime has been, or is being committed, beyond the “well, I think it is” testimony of people that always refuse to give their names, because they “do not want to get involved” (then why did you call in the first place, you twit?!?).

Anyway, back to threats. Just because a person says something is “serious” and that there are “consequences” is no reason to get panicky and scared and think that a black sedan full of gunmen and arsonists are coming to your house.

But, if you would talk to the people that I do on a daily basis, you would think that this is all that is going on. Also, it always amazes me to hear people demand officers to come to their houses RIGHT NOW, because a person called them and said that they were coming over to assault them. Now, that would be a valid criminal threat, because there was a statement made in which the suspect made a comment that they would assault the victim. However, of all the hundreds of those types of calls I have taken, how many of the suspects actually showed up at the victims houses? Mmmm… none. Probably because the suspect made such a call just to get a rise out of the victim , to scare the victim and to keep them up all night worrying (which it did). They probably knew that if they showed up, that they faced a good chance of actually being arrested if they followed through with such threats, which they figured out would not be a very good thing.

Thus, why drive to the house when you can just make a phone call and freak the person out? Now, I am not saying that people should ignore such threats, because the first time that they do, will probably be the one time that the suspect DOES actually drive there. But, people have to have a little common sense, too! I have had people call in a panic because a person called from 2 states away! Hell, it would take 16 hours to drive here from there, if the person had a car!! Get some sleep!

Also, a person that is going to call Child Protective Services on a person for not taking care of their kids, is NOT breaking the law. If a person is going to call Animal Control because another persons dog is running around without a collar and leash and barking all night and getting into garbage cans, is not making a threat! Now, if they said that they are going to SHOOT that dog, then in some areas, that could be a threat (depends on where the dog is and what it is doing when shot, of course). I have had people call to have others arrested because they made “threats” that they were going to call the police to have their children arrested for stealing from them all the time. Damn woman, instead of gripping about the neighbors, how about teaching your kids what right and wrong is!??! (Yes, she did admit that the kids WERE stealing from the neighbors).

And that is ANOTHER thing!! I hear all the time about how this country is going to hell in a hand basket because of the liberals and the lack of family values and the loss of the country’s moral fiber. AND YET, I have to listen to parents lie, in front of their children, every single frickin’ day, to me about what I just caught those children doing. Now, what sort of message is that sending our “leaders of tomorrow”? That there are no consequences for lying?? Well, now that you mention it, no, there isn’t. Look at our countries leaders! In a war that is based on at least 2 lies (Iraq was involved in 9/11 and Iraq has WMDs). But, that should not be seen as an excuse to allow these parents and guardians to lie for their children, but should be seen as a reason to do the exact opposite. To take responsibility for their acts and words, and demand that the children, the “leaders of tomorrow” do the same.

But no, I know of parents that would rather teach their children that whenever they have a problem, that they, the parent, will take care of it. Can’t figure out that problem? No sweat, Mom will do all your homework! Got $500 on your cellular phone bill in one month? No problem, you can keep the phone. Dad understands. Here is a new credit card. There is no responsibility. You cannot have responsibility without a moral basis to build it upon. As long as the people in this society continue to pass the buck, to say that problems are not theirs but the churches/schools/government/etc, then the moral center of this country will continue to diminish as it is eaten up by the profiteers and the warmongers and those that want to just plod along and not have to worry about such things. Giving up your responsibilities is a great freedom. Someone else can make those important decisions. And, if I do not agree with such things, oh well. No worry. It is their responsibility, not mine.

The problem with all that is that eventually, hopefully, people will wake up, and demand those responsibilities back under their own personal control. But, they will discover that they gave those rights away to make their lives easier to live. Mmmm… kind of like the choice between, oh… I don’t know… how about Morality versus “Security”?? We have given up our responsibilities to our own selves and family and neighborhoods, to others for the sake of security. People that we have found have no moral fiber, and thus have no handle on the responsibilities that we gave them, to handle as our proxies for our own protection. We have been finding out that these ‘leaders’ of our country do not have any responsibility to the laws of the land, because the law that they follow, the rule that is most important to them, is the golden rule. That is, he who has the gold, makes the rules. And the rules are only followed as they profit from them personally, either politically and/or financially.

Dang I am tired. Been up all night and I am rambling!! Lol

Don’t even make sense to myself anymore! I have gone off on more tangents then I intended to!

Anyway, this should give you folks some food for thought, as well as more ammo to use against me in the “Wizzy is a NUT!!” statements that will flow to north and south and across the breadth of the land!!

(Originally posted to my Yahoo 360 blog on September 6th, 2007)

New Secret Hideaway for the Wizard!

2009-06-17T04:44:00.000-07:00

Well... not really "new"....

Been doing a bit of stuff with my Flickr account. If people have been keeping up with me there, you will see that I will upload a ton of images, which will then disappear, to be replaced by even more eye-candy.

Well, will tell you a secret. Those other images have NOT disappeared. No, what I have done is moved them to my PRIVATE area, where only FRIENDS will have access to them. Now, these will not be 360 friends, but of Flickr friends, which are of a different sort, I suppose.

Within Flickr there are several settings. There is PUBLIC and there is PRIVATE. Within the private section, there are 3 settings. Private that only myself can see... Private that only Friends can see.. and Private of which only Family can see. Much of what I have is of the Private, Friends Only type. That means, that if you want to see material that I had to pull from The Lair (for example, A-Emi's work), you will have to join up Flickr (it's free, don't worry) and then make me a contact, and message me and request that I make you a friend. At that point you will be able to see ALL my images (if your personal settings with Flickr are set as they should be).

Be polite with it and do not assume that I will just do so, because I have already been narc'd on, and I do not want to waste all this time and energy that I spent FOR YOU, for some selfish knucklehead who will pitch a bitch to Flickr if they don't get what they want. Be nice to me, and I will be nice to you.

Anyway, I am a bit paranoid after that last spanking I got from Flickr, so if you want to see the REALLY GOOD STUFF, you have to jump through a hoop or two. Fair enough??

(Originally posted August 6th, 2007 on Yahoo 360)

Picture Pirate! YYaaaaaaarrrrrrr!!!

2009-06-17T04:40:00.000-07:00

Well... some of my images that I sent up to Flickr violated the TOS there and I got a nasty gram from the folks there because some of my images violated another person's copyright.

Acckkkk!! Never my intention! Thus I quickly scrambled in a mad panic to remove everything from my flickr account!!

Then... I did some thinking.

All the images that I got I have gathered from the web, for free. Most, if not all, of the images that I collect have been taken from newsgroups, of which someone else has taken from another site and then uploaded to the newsgroup. And many, if not most, are 5 years old, or older! Many are 10 years old! It's not as if the original photographer and the like have not had time to profit from these images.

Anyway, I have not altered any of the images. I do not do like many and crop out the copyright and/or the artists 'signatures'. Indeed, I very very rarely rename the images (beyond the adding numerical date at times to those that are just called "010" and the like).

Looking at the other accounts in flickr, I noticed that I was not the only person putting up images that were taken from the internet and made into collections of favorites. FAR from it!! Indeed, most of the groups that I have seen there, are exactly that! Now, I am not saying that there are NOT those that ONLY put up those images that they have taken themselves of bugs and planes and kids and dogs and the like. But, the time that I took pictures was over 20 years ago, before digital photography, thus my pictures are hard and stuck in boxes and books. So, I am not unique in this regards.

Anyway, these are things that I like. And, why should they sit in my computer collecting digital dust when I can share them with others, like yourselves??

I am not making any money on any of these. I am not claiming any of these to be mine, to be owned by myself or my associates or my webpage. No, these are just images that I think are cool and/or hot, if you catch my drift. None, at this moment, are pornographic, though many are very sexy and erotic. Most of you know how I feel about taking images and putting them elsewhere and making claims of ownership. I know that nothing here did not come about with lots of time and energy and creativity, not of my own. I give full credit to those that have spend such and these images, and thank them, as well as those that have taken the images and put them up on the internet, from where I gathered them up for my own personal collections and enjoyments!

Is what I am doing that terribly ... wrong??

So, grab what you can, while you can. Soon I will be making some setting changes so that most of my images will only be able to be viewed by flickr members, as well as "contacts" and "friends" of mine!

Who knows, my account may get yanked soon as I have already made one "violation" and subsequent violations can be grounds for immediate termination!

And, if that happens.... I will just try again!

Yaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!

(Originally posted July 26th, 2007 on Yahoo 360)

Angry Wishes

2009-06-17T04:37:00.000-07:00

Wow, seems like it has been a while since I have popped up anything on this blog. I knew it has been a while but I didn’t really think anything of it until one of my 360 buddies told me to write something, as she missed reading my blogs!

Well, I really do not have anything in particular that has struck me in a manner that I have to jump on to the ole wizard’s soapbox. So, for now will do a little updating of sorts, and maybe something will jump out.

Most of you that have visited here are probably aware of the story contest that I was running. It just finished up, with Apolo Sputnik writing the winning entry. It was a, all in all, disappointing turn out, I am sorry to say. Yes, there were a few good entries, but most seem rushed, with near half the entries coming in that last week (and a number in the last 48 hours). Of course, at that time I was more concerned with the html of the page then the actual reading of the stories, because I wanted to get them all up for the fans of the genre when I said that I would.

If anyone would read the stories, you will see a very common thread with a number of them, though it was entirely circumstantial since I made no indication of the type in my contest rules. Wonder Woman being made into a brood mare for the Nazi’s. I guess it is logical to see that, especially with my familiarity with the history of the Nazi social order (all those History Channel specials), a Amazon warrior of Wonder Woman’s stature would be a fantastic choice as a breeder of “the master race”.

Personally, I was hoping to see WW face a bunch of Japanese! Something a bit different, then the normal WW vs. Germans as seen all too often (at least there was no Fraulin Fausta!).

I think maybe with my next story contest I will open it up. Maybe I have been too constrictive to people’s muses, and need to make things easier for the writers. What I am thinking of is to make the contest about ANY costumed heroine. Be they known or original, be they of DC or Marvel or what-have-you, be they current or historical. I won’t even worry about the “no lesbianism” rule. Because most writers ignore it anyway! Some writers are so intent on having lesbianism in a story, regardless of the rules, that they will include such actions, in any case. Of course, being that I hate such stories (maybe if they were not constantly shoved down my throat I may become less adamant against them), the second I see such things in a story that I am judging, I put the story aside in the “LOSER” pile and go on to the next.

In my “normal” and “everyday” life, things have been quite hectic. Today at work, I really feel highly stressed and have a strong desire to choke, pummel, shoot and kick people. Well, not ALL people, just SOME people. Primarily those people that have a hard time actually listening. I mean, why ask a person a question if you are not going to listen to the answer? If you are so freaking smart that you know everything already, why ask me a question, and then interrupt me when I start to answer. Do you not realize that if I have a gun I will put it to your freaking forehead and pull the trigger just so I have some peace and quiet???!

Yes, it has been a very long and hard shift. Still have 4 hours to go, and I am grumpy, hungry, and peeved. I am supposed to be training a new employee (who thinks she is the 2^nd coming of Christ and Einstein and Galileo, all rolled into one… with tits), in practices and procedures that keep changing (for example, one piece of information that we put into our computers has been changed 3 times in the past 18 hours in the proper and correct way that the state wants them entered), that I am driving myself nutso to distraction trying to figure out the best way of doing that myself, let alone showing someone new how to do it.

Hmmmmmm….. a couple weeks ago, I bought a new handgun. A Beretta Sturm .40. Pretty gun! Very sleek. Very modern. This gun scares me because it has no ‘real’ safety! It’s in the trunk of my 2006 Dodge Charger (really need to fuel it up and just take a DRIVE!!!). Hope that is not some sort of subconscious warning!!

I think some of the problem with me is that I really haven’t had any good “stress relieving” in the last couple of months. Seems like most of the people that I most enjoy role-playing with have either disappeared because of their own responsibilities at home and/or job and/or school, or haven’t been in the mood, or haven’t had the time, or … or… or….

Kind of frustrating. Understandable, but frustrating. No, I am not taking any of that personally, because I know that THIS little world of mine, this internet, this cyber world, is secondary to most of us (and well it should be). Of course, one person has told me that she is a bit tired of my Supergirl shtick, and doesn’t want to do much with me in that regards anymore, which is perfectly understandable. I do get a bit carried away! But, unlike what I have read in other people’s blogs with their own experiences in different role playing groups and such, I am not going to call her nasty names and rant and rage and jump up and down and scream about the unfairness of it all. Why not? Because she IS right! I need to look at my play, and open up my creativity a bit more to encompass what my partners want and like and need.

Now, that leads me to something else (forgive the tangenting! My brain is going to do that at 4:30am!), why is it, that people seem to have the urge, to call people names when they do not agree with their particular ideas/opinions? I have seen it on the political blogs, sports blogs, car blogs, heroine blogs…. someone says something that is seen as controversial, and there are people that just go absolutely bat-shit. They do not say that they disagree with the writer and the opinion/statement and this is why…. but go into a rant about how this person is a communist plastic Barbie snow bunny cannibal of little puppies (or whatever is seen as the most terrible thing for that particular blog) because the words said by the CPBSNCLP is completely in disagreement of THEIR particular ideals. There is no respectful discourse and sharing of opinions, there is no give and take of information and facts between the parties, there is only spiteful and vengeful venom. It seems like it is coming down to US versus THEM! In ALL things! Black and white, good and evil, you are with us, or you are for the terrorists type of bullshit. (Of course, when you see how the politics and the leadership and the government that we find ourselves in right now here in the U.S., I suppose that it isn’t TOO hard to understand). All too often I hear arguments based upon theology or opinion that was formed over the years based upon “faith-based” propaganda, that are used against those that have actual measurable facts, that it is not just frustrating, but it is SAD and pathetic! GW Bush is pushing “No child left behind” and the importance of education in order to bring the students of this country back into the top tiers of the scientists of tomorrow, yet these are the same morons that have issues with evolution??? Did these guys ever even go through middle school biology class??

Personally, I have no issue with any particular religion. I think that they are ridiculous. People killing each other for centuries over what name is the best name for their particular god, which usually is the same god as the others that they are killing. The same gods with the same parables and mythos that was stolen from other peoples and other religions centuries before. Just add a new coat of paint, and PRESTO… A new and better and stronger god! Now with 100 virgins for every neo-con martyr!!

No, I have always been of the mind that there are a number of religions, a larger number of humans, and that while I might not find a particular comfort in some particular dogma of some religion, that someone else just might. And, what works for me, will not necessarily work for you, or for her, or for him, or for them. Indeed, what I personally would do, is take bits and pieces from different religions and meld them into my own particular spiritual viewpoint and personal ‘dogma’. I am an individual that has a brain. I look, I learn, and while I am not always right, I will follow that path that I have explored myself. I have gone that path were I put on a blindfold and headphones and let someone dictate to me how I should walk and talk and think, because THEY are the ones that KNOW the mind of god, and thus the mind of me. I did not like it then, I like it even less now. I can make my own mistakes and screw ups on my own, by myself, thank you very much!

Unfortunately, I think I am the exception, rather then the rule. Now, before you all get all riled up and storm the wizard’s castles ramparts, hear me out. I am not talking YOU, but THEM. Those that do not want to think for themselves, because it is more comfortable to have someone think for them and to decide for them and to lead them in all things that they do. It is safer to them to have someone say what god to pray to, what party to vote for (straight ticket, of course), what school to bus to, what television shows to watch, what books to read, what brand of deoderant to wear. Well, maybe not safer, in a physical sense, but in a moral sense, because the responsibility for their actions is placed on someone else’s shoulders. And, if a mistake is made, an error in their life/style occures (no matter what the circumstance or outcome), well … it is okay, because it was someone ELSE that made that choice, not THEM! It is easier for a man to say he is pro-life then for a female not to say that she is pro-choice. A man doesn’t have to worry about what goes into his non-existant womb, and thus whose child comes out! As long as the neo-cons state that every life is sacred, we do not have to think about the hypocrisy in that statement when we take that child with genetical defects to the doctor, paying ourselves into bankrupcy because we have no health coverage (being only sacred within the womb). Then getting laid off because our employer could no longer carry the insurance premiums that they have, not if they want the quarterly reports to the stock holders to show a profit, not when it is easier to out source to another country, where there are no welfare and labor laws.

No, life is only sacred as far as it is able to make a profit for those in power. Life is sacred when it can carry a gun, it is no longer sacred when an IED blows off it’s limbs and it is sent back home to rot in a ill staffed and under funded hospital with rats for bed mates. Life is only sacred when it is pretty and white and rich, not when it poor and brown and bloated from malnutrition.

Life is only sacred when you agree with my countries leaders, and not when you just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time when we bomb your village. Life is only sacred when you believe in justice and democracy and the right of law, not when dangle above a cot in a military prison, years after taken from your home in the middle of the night in your own country by a foreign invader who wants you to learn the benefits of voting for your own leaders.

And no, I am NOT against the soldiers! They are there doing their job. Having served in the US Army myself, I know what it is like to be sent to places to do jobs that we do not want to do. But, we did it, because of our sense of responsibility and honor. No, it is the politics and the political leaders behind such actions that I have issue with. I am not stupid enough to believe that clap trap of “if you are against the war, you hate the soldiers and you support the terrorists”. Unfortunately, too many people DO believe such things. They follow the politics of fear, to join in goose-stepping behind those leaders that spout the same neo-con garbage that is based upon theocratic faith-based dogma, then any actual facts. We are a society of impatience and of 20 second sound-bites. People do not want to spend time reading a newspaper, they want to see the latest results of American Idol on their Blackberry. No one wants to do background reasearch on something that a talking head told us on the radio, because that would mean hanging up our cellphone attached to our ear, right when Buffy was going on and on about how life is being so unfair to Paris! How can there be any sort of danger to our planet in a couple hundred of years from my driving my Hummer around in LA, my SUV never seeing dirt, never going needing the 4x4 to go over anything more trying then a curve at Ballys? Who cares!! I want my status, my illusion of power and dominance over the road, and over those lowly peons in their little cars, as they try to shove 5 people into a Prius. Out of my way, peasant!! I need to go to Starbucks for my latte!! So what if the stand is a block and a half from where I live???

*sigh*

I am not perfect. Oh, I am soooo far from perfect! I know that I have made mistakes, I make mistakes, and I will continue to make mistakes. But, they will be my own mistakes!!

I am tired and exhausted and worn out. I need a break. I have already cancelled out my vacation next month because of my responsibilities of my job and that I do not feel it right to leave my trainee without the best supervision that I can give her, even though she drives me absolutely bonkers with her attitude of self-importance and superiority. I look at my mailbox and see that I have tons of images that I have to work on for the next update, which I need to do very soon. I wish that my FTP would work on my main computer and not only my email computer so that I don’t have to stare at my ceiling to see what I am doing with my secondary computer. I wish that my cat would quit puking on the floor after eating without chewing (furry pig!). I wish that I could win the multi-million dollar lotto and just retire and learn how to play an electric guitar and write nasty stories and do naughty images with poser! I wish I had a bigger place and a place to put all my books… and more places for more books so I could buy more books!! I wish I had a 50 inch plasma television with a thunderous 7.1 sound system. I wish I wasn’t blind and deaf!

I know… you wish I would shut up!

Okay, your wish is my command!

(Originally posted June 15th, 2007 on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Why Do I Even Try??!?

2009-06-17T04:34:00.001-07:00

Just got from messenger where the person that asked me to find the artist for her project, calls me a "liar", a "crook" and a "cheater". Then when I get a bit defensive and ask where and how I lied (she said that I told her I 'owned' SuperheroineCentral ... wtf?!?), she goes off on me about attitude.

She then backed and said I "sorta lied". Okay, most people who know me know that I put alot of stock in my word, especially where my website is concerned. I am known as being a pretty honorable guy, and I did not get that way with 10 years of experience under my belt by "sorta lying". You either lie, or you don't. I don't go for "spin" like politicians and (sorry Star... no offense here) lawyers do. I tell you I will help, and I will. I am NOT responsible for what other people say or do.

Geez, I am so frickin' upset right now!! I really shouldn't be, but she called me the ONE thing that I find more insulting then anything else. Being called a liar is probably the worse thing you can say to me. Now, I am not talking about saying something by mistake, or by error, cause I do that .. all the time. But, as many of you know, I do admit when I am mistaken or wrong. But, to be intentionally deceitful, in a manner to profit myself (yes hon, your hair looks great! not included! lol), is .. just... mind-boggling!!

What kind of person insults a person that they ask to help them... and that has made actual progress (ie .. not say you will and then blow it off)... and doing that for free! For a person that I don't know!?? And then have the frickin' gall to call ME a "cheat" and a "crook"!!?

Take a breath... breath... count backwards....

*sigh*

I deal with alot of people everyday. A wide variety of people. Some are nice, and some are polite and some are jerks and some are nuts. I will admit that not everyone likes me, that I am an asshole (quite often) but I like to think that I have the respect of the people in this community that I am a part of because of all the work that I HAVE done for others, be they artists or fans.

But, to be called a LIAR ... a CHEAT... a CROOK???!!!

*ggggrrrrrrrrrrrrr*

((*sighs again and looks for a qualude or 20*))

(Originally posted April 27th, 2007 on Yahoo 360)

Budgetary Mandates

2009-06-17T04:29:00.001-07:00

After yet another evening at work, and while reading another of the countless articles written about the VT shootings, I was struck with a thought, when I took in yet another comment about someone stating how the shooter had feel through the cracks of the mental health system.

That thought is this. Who is going to pay for all this? Will this be yet another example of a knee-jerk legislative period that federally mandates a solution looking for a problem, without actually doing anything to fund the legislation? Or, will it be much like is going on now health budgets being slashed (especially in the mental health fields) all over the country on federal, state and local levels? We cannot deal with the people that we have now in “the system”, let alone add to it by making colleges and other public institutions add to it with anyone that writes a disturbing play, or who may or may not be a threat to themselves or others, etc. Most people think of these type of situations as an either/or type of issue, where one is either mentally sick or not. And that we can just look at a person, on the street, or in a classroom and just tell if they need psychological counseling, or even non-voluntary incarceration in a mental health facility.

Too often we look at the short term situation, a way to deal with the symptoms, instead of the illness, and even less at what brought about the illness in the first place. Where are we going to find more of these mental health professionals? I do not see there being a huge influx any time soon as would be expected by the new legislation which I am sure will come soon. After all, someone has to take all those case loads. Look at all the issues we have with over working counselors and case workers with the Child Protection System(s) about the country. Are we going to depend upon new MH professionals that have less training and less experience then what we have now to take up the new caseloads? And, how are we going to pay for those medications that many of these patients will need, especially if they are poor and/or homeless and otherwise not insured? Are we looking at increasing our own insurance premiums? Will we see more employers drop even more health programs because they just cannot afford them, when given a choice between keeping the health program or the workers themselves?

I can go on and on. The thing is that everything is inter-connected. We talk so much about the earth’s eco-system and how it is so finely balanced and how the disruption of one small sub-system will eventually affect them all, and thus the planet as a whole. Well, social balance is much the same way. It is just that most things are not readily apparent to us on the surface, and that most problems that we see are not seen in years or decades (people individually), or in generations (neighborhoods and cities, for example). We will see that the decisions of one bitter and most probably mentally unbalanced young man, will affect a campus for many many years to come, that the state of Virginia will be affected in a number of ways in the way that they treat mental health issues, and by the United States government, in issues of freedom of speech and gun control.

And, while we are a society that demands instant gratification, and instant results, this is a situation that will take years to fully (if ever) to understand. There will be demands of legislation to give politicians the feeling of doing something useful and important, and indeed, some of those laws may actually be beneficial. But, again, it will take time. And money. Lots and lots of money. Both in the initial outlay to the lawyers and the doctors and the researchers and the lobbyists (etc), and for the cost of the bringing the legislation to the people to vote for on a national and/or statewide level (especially if it is in regards to any constitutional issues), to the monies needed to pay for the ongoing costs of the actual practices of caring for those with mental health problems, most of who we do not care for now!

Where is the money to come from? Maybe we should not build a couple of those multi-billion new stealth fighters to pay for the increase in funding that the mental health field would require to help these needy people. How many terrorists have we shot down of late with them? How many of our own wounded soldiers do we have being released from the military out into society with undiagnosed and/or untreated mental health problems, since we spend thousands and thousands of dollars on each to train them how to become killers (I am not anti-soldier here, I was in the US Army myself and served proudly), but when their tour is over we just let them out without any de-briefing or re-training, beyond that of a 8 hour class or two and a couple of booklets. We don’t even give those that serve us now what they need to cope and survive in this modern society we live in, how can we expect to help those people that are out on the streets and in our schools and in our places of work that have mental problems, unless they come to us first. And even then, most of the time, since such aide is not funded, those that need the help are sent on their way, without any assistance given… beyond perhaps a 8 hour class and a booklet.

On a different note, I had an interesting conversation with a person on my messenger. Apparently this person was referred to me because I “did it all” in regards to the genre. The person thought that to mean that I did Poser art, and wanted to hire me as an artist, to illustrate a story that she would write. This person then got pretty darn upset when I told her that I was not an artist of that type, and that I did not know anyone personally who would immediately take upon this project. No, this person did not actually visit my website, else she would of known that I do not do such things myself.

That said, does anyone know of any Poser type artist that would be willing to take upon a lesbian superheroine story project? She stated that she would be willing to pay $20 to $50 per page, based upon the quality of the work. She also seems to want the project to be started immediately. I have told her that most artists of the caliber that she is wanting are already sub-contracting out to professional sites, and that most, if not all, have a number of projects they are already working on, and that it may take some time before such a contract could be started, let alone completed (and it sounded like a big project at that). So, if anyone can help me out in this regards, in any manner, I would sure appreciate it (I said I would ask around, and here I am. I am certainly not going to let this dictate my life and my time as I think she is wanting me to)! Doc? JT? MM? Any advice here? Thanks!

(Originally posted April 23rd, 2007 on my Yahoo 360 blog)