My e-juice flavor library is ever expanding. As of today it includes:

EsmokerOnline.com:
Virginia Tobacco 24mg
Jolly Melon 24mg

GoodProphets.com:
Vanilla Cupcake 0mg & 24mg
Caramel Apple 24mg
Lemonade 24mg
Lemon-Lime 12mg

Johnson Creek:
Original 24mg
Bacon 18mg

MadVapes.com:
Cola 36mg
Root Beer 36mg
Black Licorice 24 & 36mg
Honeydew 36mg
Cantaloupe 36mg
Watermelon 36mg
Melon Explosion 24 &36mg
Unflavored PG 36mg
Unflavored VG 36mg
Strawberry 36mg
Dekang Tobacco 36mg
Butter Rum 36mg
Coffee 36mg
Hangseng RY4 36mg (Tobacco, vanilla, caramel blend)

The milligram rating indicates the concentration of nicotine per milliliter. 36mg = 36mg/ml or 3.6% nicotine. 36mg is pretty much the top end in the spectrum. Not many people vape at 36mg but some of us like our nic-fix a bit stiff. All flavors from most vendors are available in multiple concentrations. Typically, these are 0mg, 6-8mg, 10-12mg, 18mg, 24mg, and 36mg. A few vendors have 48mg blends which seems like rocket fuel to me…

Amongst some of my favorites so far are:

Honeydew. A mildly sweet melony flavor that’s a dead ringer for a slice of honeydew right from the fridge. Amazing.

Lemon-Lime. More 7-Uppity than Spritely. Actually, it is very reminiscent of 7-Up from the 1970′s before they started replacing sugar with corn syrup.

Lemonade. Very similar in tast to homemade lemonade. A genuine lemony flavor that includes a little bit of sour and even gives you a teensy bit of pucker. Sweet and sour in just the right proportions.

Vanilla cupcake. It really does taste like a yummy cupcake with a hint of spice similar to gingerbread.

Hangseng RY4. Tastes like a fine cigarette with a cup of earl grey tea with honey. The slight citrus note is very pleasant and enhances the overall taste of it.

A note about RY4 blends. Almost every vendor makes an RY4 flavor. The flavor is characterized by a blend of tobacco, of which there are at least 100 flavors industry wide, with vanilla and caramel flavors added. The base tobacco flavor accounts for 50% or more of the blend with vanilla and caramel rounding out the balance in varying amounts. Not all flavorings are identical from maker to maker. One’s caramel will focus on the burnt sugar while another will focus on the buttery part of the flavor.

The juices cost from $1.89 per 5ml bottle to $13.99 per 50ml bottle from Madvapes. Goodprophets juices are $4 per 10ml bottle.

If you’ve ever wanted to quit smoking, this is the way. Consider trying e-cigarettes. I would highly recommend the CIG2O for a small cigarette look alike or a tank-fed model like the eGo-C for extended battery life and the ability to refill. Seriously think about getting the eGo-C as that’s what most folks discover they prefer. Some folks prefer other styles which I’ll go over in another post.

I love not smoking as much as I used to love somking.
Yay!

She sat back and read me some of her answers. They are hilarious, snarky, and undeniably her. I wasn’t surprised. If you know her you know that she’s incredibly smart, has an awesome and twisted sense of humor, and is a truly accomplished writer.

She suggested that I give it a try. When she suggests something, I usually listen. She’s not led me wrong and I greatly value her opinion. She suggested that I start this blog and it was one of her best suggestions ever!

I got on the website and created my account I filled out a bio. Describing my relationship situation had me wracking my brain for a while. Married bi seeking nice guy to hang out or have a relationship with that’s not exclusively about sex and that such relationship will not lead to cohabitation, marriage, or kids. Additionally, being married, the frequency of get togethers will not be daily. There! That should eliminate most of ‘em. I’m sure if I removed the “not exclusively about sex” part that I’d probably get more responses. Honestly? I’d be hesitant about dating me. The relationship that Sweetpea and I have is very unique and even we don’t fully understand it. I can imagine a guy looking at it and thinking “What the fuck do I do with this?”

I had fun answering questions, lots of fun. I decided to be myself ruthlessly and answer the questions on my beliefs and philosophies with unswerving honesty. No fudging my answers to be what may be a more popular stance. Nope. If I meet someone, they’re going to know where I stand. I’m rather pleased that this will further shrink the pool. I have nothing to lose. I won’t be devastated if I don’t someone on the site. I listed Burning Man, fire, fire art, fireworks, cooking, guns, cats, reading, building stuff, breaking stuff, and other jackassery that I enjoy. I listed that I’m a Christian but that my life doesn’t revolve around it. I want to find someone that enjoys, instead of tolerates, the activities I’m into.

I said that I’m really looking for friends who don’t fit into the “normal” mold. Friends to hang out and watch a movie, go camping, build something, or go out to dinner with. I’d really rather not have an entirely new set of friends. Instead, I’d like to make some friends who I could bring along and introduce to my existing friends. Now when I say friends, I’m pretty set on that. There’s nothing saying we can’t be more than friends eventually, in fact I’m hoping so, but for now, a friend would be nice.

Later that night, we headed out for a falconry meet, which I’ll cover in another post, and I wasn’t home until Monday. The next night I told Sweetpea about OK Cupid. After a bit of discussion she said it was cool with her. Later, I showed her the site, read her my bio, and showed her some pictures of some of the guys the computer thought I’d match with. Do you have any idea of how cool it is to look at guys with your wife?

Yep. That’s it.

A Blu disposable cigarette

Being curious by nature, I just had to autopsy the disposable once done:

The Anatomy of a Blu Disposable Electronic Cigarette

I’ve been a smoker for nearly 34 years. Yeah, that’s what I said too. Until recently I was smoking a pack to a pack and a half a day. I’m now down to 3 cigarettes a day!
I didn’t buy the Blu e-cig with a plan to quit smoking in mind. No New Year’s resolution. Nope. It was just something that kind of intrigued me. Miss Bee, whom longtime readers of this blog know is a very close friend of mine, bought herself a Blu starter kit. It features rechargeable battery modules and replaceable vapor (smoke) cartridges that can be purchased online or at many retailers in the analog world.

Blu Reusable Electronic Cigarette

A Blu Starter Kit

I really liked the disposable units so i decided to pick up a starter kit. I wasn’t very impressed with the volume of vapor or the strength of the nicotine in the cartridges of the Blu reuseables. I am used to high nicotine and need the feeling of the “throat hit” when inhaling normal tobacco smoke and these were just not doing it for me. I’m different in this way I guess. Everyone I know who has the Blu’s enjoys them and I really do, to a point…

I learned that you can’t draw on an e-cig as you’d do on a normal one. You need to draw slowly and for 3 to 5 seconds to get a decent amount of vapor in your mouth before inhaling. That did help a bit but I was still craving more vapor and throat feeling.

Last night I found another brand, Cig20. A basic starter kit cost around $17 (vs $50 for the Blu) but comes with just one battery module and two cartridges along with a USB powered charger.
While Blu brand cartridges top out at the 16mg level, the Cig20′s go up to 24mg! The difference is dramatic. Much more vapor and a very definite “throat hit” that feels identical to smoking a genuine flame driven tobacco cigarette.

A Cig20 Electronic Cigarette

While I’m quite satisfied with the Cig20, I know I can do better. The main drawback to the Blu and Cig20 systems is that the cartridges are consumable thus requiring constant purchase of new ones. Although the math works out to around $2 per pack equivalent, a refillable cartridge system would be much less expensive. It just so happens that there is such an animal…
The Joye eGo-C Personal Vaporizer!

The eGo-C Personal Vaporizer

The Ego-C looks much different that the previous examples of electronic cigarettery I’ve shown you. Instead of being activated when you draw on it, it has a manual pushbutton that powers the heating element which vaporizes the nicotine bearing e-smoke fluid.
The only consumable in this system is the fluid and an occaisional battery or atomizer. BUT, the battery will last much longer in use, the vapor produced will be much more substantial, and the satisfaction of cravings will be awesome.
I am not intending to quit nicotine but rather quit the manifold chemicals that accompany traditional smoking. Electronic cigarettes eliminate smoke, tar, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, benzene, phosgene, and many other (1000′s) of chemicals and compounds that are produced by cigarettes. The e-cigs have very few ingredients and very few chemicals emitted and in quantities that are below typical exposure to traffic while driving. Nicotine in the amounts used here is not carcinogenic or toxic. I’m not pretending that it is 100% safe but I will say that it is 1000′s of times safer than inhaling smoke several hundred times per day
I’ve tried not to get too technical in this post but will go into more details after the eGo-C arrives and I learn more about it.

Oh yes. The fluid? 30 – 50ml is enough to last a month or so. Cost? $12 – $15, PER MONTH. The cost of cigarettes? At 1 1/2 packs a day, $270 PER MONTH!
Yeah. Really.
I’ll keep you posted.

One side is Christianity. Sure, some think it’s terribly out of date, uncool, or a symptom of weak-mindedness and brainwashing. I’ve had a long career in the hard sciences dealing with both material science (metals, tribology, electronics, how stuff works) and bioscience (how life processes work, how life is created). To some, my belief in God seems to be a contradiction. How can I believe in both God and enzymatic creation of life from the primordial soup? Easy! I just do. To be clear, there are many other Christians that think the two are mutually exclusive, that the two notions may not exist in the same mindspace without a black hole developing. That’s on them, not me.

Even more astonishing is the fact of my bisexuality. How can I love God AND men AND women? Quite easily my friend, quite easily. The fact that I am allowed, with my wife’s blessing, to engage with a member of the same-sex is blasphemy to many. The mere fact that I do not practice monogamy as they know it is an immediate deal killer. Judgements and denunciations are made and minds slam shut with an audible clanking sound. I’m their nightmare demographic. They, the extremist hijackers of the bible, worry that I will give them a bad name by people thinking that all Christians are this way. Funny, I have the same concerns and experience the same reactions only in a different polarity. One may look at my “contradictory” beliefs in God and science and ask why I’m not intelligent enough to refute my belief in a “magical sky god”. I wonder why they are unable to simply accept my belief system. Do they feel threatened? Insulted? I have asked the question many times and not once have I received an answer that is rational or coherent. Some folks need to belittle others in order to feel good about themselves. It’s easier to hate and reject than it is to love and accept.

Here’s a note I found online and posted to my Facebook page:

“Dear Dr. Laura: …

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God’s Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some other elements of God’s Laws and how to follow them.

1. Leviticus 25:44 states that I may possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can’t I own Canadians?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of Menstrual uncleanliness – Lev. 15: 19-24. The problem is how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord – Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself, or should I ask the police to do it?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination, Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don’t agree. Can you settle this? Are there ‘degrees’ of abomination?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle-room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev.19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? Lev.24:10-16. Couldn’t we just burn them to death at a private family affair, like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively and thus enjoy considerable expertise in such matters, so I’m confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God’s word is eternal and unchanging.

Your adoring fan,
James M Kauffman Ed.D. Professor Emeritus, Dept. Of Curriculum, Instruction, and Special Education University of Virginia (It would be a damn shame if we couldn’t own a Canadian.)”

I love the thought and work that went into the creation of that letter. It truly shows the hypocrisy and single-mindedness of those who hate anyone that does not agree with their interpretation of the bible. You either use it all, even the inconvenient parts, or shut the hell up, ok? I tired of the compromises of convenience over twenty years ago and have not been to a church since. This causes some to quote scripture to say that to be a true believer that I must attend church to be a real Christian. Bullshit. There was no fine print on my redemption bill of sale. No clause states that if I failed to attend this or that church that my salvation is null and void. Sorry haters, that’s not the deal.

I stopped attending the last church I went to after the fourth exorcism, or, since it was a “non-denominational evangelical” church, a casting out of demons. And just what were these demons? The demons of independent thought, of questioning, of differing opinions of what the scripture really meant. I was wrong because they were right, hmmm. Just as people can twist the second amendment to say that only the military can keep and bear arms, people can also twist the book of Leviticus to say that homosexuality, in all its’ flavors, is wrong.

A reader of my post responded thusly:

“ 

Sweetpea and I served in a MASH (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) unit. Our unit was participating in a combined arms training exercise at Fort Drum, New York. It was as close to combat as it comes with the only element missing being a hostile enemy shooting at you. There were armor, infantry, mechanized infantry, mechanized cavalry, artillery, signal, and close air support assets participating. At any moment of the day you could hear tanks rumbling by, the thukada thukada of helicopters skimming the treetops, tremendously loud and low fighters streaking through the sky, the booms and crumps of mortar and artillery fire, and the crackling of small arms fire from every quarter. Special forces units provided troops acting as ground based infantry opposition forces (OPFOR) to simulate enemy forces who would attack us as well as any other unit, stationary or on the move. Needless to say, it was fun as hell, at least for me…

I was the armorer for the unit. I provided weapons, ammunition, and weapons repair services to the troops in my unit as well as supplying them with rocket flares, smoke grenades, grenade simulators, and trip flares.

Sweetpea was a combat medic. She would deploy in a HMMWV (Humvee) ambulance to assess, treat, and transport casualties back to the unit for medical services as required. She not only participated in simulated missions but also treated field injuries sustained by the troops in the exercise of which there were many. These included 3rd degree burns, broken bones, head trauma, and severed fingers. Training, especially combined arms exercises, produce plenty of real injuries and many are unfortunately unavoidable.

Sweetpea also served as our medical supply officer. As such, she was stationed with my section, unit supply, and was co-located in our area. This was a coed unit that provided separate bunking areas for the male and female soldiers. This policy was not rigidly adhered to. Sweetpea and I had our cots right next to each other in the supply tent (the better to provide manual support services at arm’s length…).

The fair was a real eye opener for me. The attendees were everyday people, our neighbors. There were school teachers, doctors, blue collars, white collars, auto mechanics and executives. All ages were represented from early twenties to mid seventies. While there were some chiseled gym bunnies, most were of average body types. There was a surprising lack of multi-pierced and heavily inked goths. 

The wares exhibited ranged from padded leather restraint cuffs to needles, riding crops to rubber articles, soft leather flogs to glass dildos on leather harnesses. There were paddles made from beautiful laminated woods, hand forged aluminum, and machined stainless steel. Most amazing of all, to me, was the fact that 90% or more of the items at the thirty or so tables were handcrafted by the people selling them. I saw only a very few mass-produced items. Both the vendors and buyers were relaxed and easy-going with a surprisingly low number of people putting on false airs of superiority. There were smiles and laughs, handshakes and hugs, genuine displays of affection for close friends and exclamations of delight at the appearance of dear friends long unseen. These were people attending just another arts and crafts show.

The admission was a mere three dollars. The articles available for purchase were quite modestly priced and affordable by nearly anyone’s measure. The feeling I had was that they wanted everyone to be able to play with toys. This is not to say there were no extravagant items commanding higher prices. Those items were expertly crafted using fine materials and displayed proudly by their makers. One that caught my eye was an elaborate bullwhip braided from three colors of tanned and dyed kangaroo hide. I wouldn’t prefer to be on either end of it but I greatly admired the craftsmanship of that incredible work of art.

I was informed that there would be a “play party” later that evening in the very same halls that we were in. I was very hesitant about going to it at first, but, as time went by and I met so many genuinely nice people, I was warming to the idea. Bear in mind that this was a completely new experience for me. I’d never been to anything remotely like this fair let alone an event such as the coming party, pun intended. By the end of the fair I not only decided to purchase a ticket, twenty dollars, but to also buy a membership, ten dollars. By doing so I also received a five dollar discount on the ticket.

I’m house sitting some forty miles from home and didn’t have a thing to wear to the night’s coming affair. I quickly remedied that by stopping at a Goodwill superstore on the way home. For a mere thirty bucks I secured a fantastic pair of tight low-cut hiphugger jeans, a nice collared shirt, a sharp looking double buckled leather belt, and a pair of modest low top leather shoes, all in black. I’ve never thought I looked great in black but I was looking pretty good if I don’t say so myself.

Earlier in the day I was concerned that I’d chicken out at the last moment. Though increasingly interested in going, after getting the new duds I was eagerly anticipating the evening’s event. My friends arrived right on time to pick me up and we arrived at the venue some fifteen minutes after the party had started. Again was I impressed by the appearance of everyday folk that were making their way towards the doors of the hall. Upon entry I realized that I had forgotten my ticket! Fortunately my friend knew the president of the association. Told of my misfortune, the woman looked at me and shook her head in a mock disgusted manner with a twinkle in her eye and a grin that said “I am so going to have to put you over my knee…”. She then graciously gave a nod to the gentleman at the admission table and I was allowed to proceed.

My mind was immediately blown as I entered the main eighty by forty-foot hall. There were padded benches, a ten by ten two-sided A-frame cargo net fixture, wooden racks, large X shaped St. Andrews crosses, and suspension frames with almost every one of the devices occupied by people truly enjoying the attentions of their doms. The subs were emitting sighs, groans, yelps, and giddy squeals of pleasure! Giggling and outright bubbly laughter were not at all uncommon. Well I’ll be damned. There was a genuine atmosphere of liberation and satisfaction suffusing the hall.

Spectating and observation were not only tolerated but were encouraged. One was able to watch the participants without embarrassment or shame and I didn’t once feel shock or revulsion at any time during the nearly five hours that I was there. A few displays of exchange were stunning but not at all intimidating.

Amongst some of the more notable displays observed was a woman trussed with soft rope and suspended from an overhead frame by six supporting ropes. The ropework and knots were done very artistically by what I could tell was a very experienced dom. The woman was clearly enjoying herself without humiliation or pain. It was obvious that she was comfortable in her bound and suspended state. I learned that if circulation was restricted and body parts were falling asleep then they were “doing it wrong”. She was allowed a surprising degree of freedom of movement as she hovered three or four feet above the floor. Her dom was by her side the entire time attending to her needs. Several times I heard yelps immediately followed by giggles. Though bound and confined, she was in exactly the place she wanted to be. I’ll never forget the broad smile and gleam in her eyes after being lowered and unbound. She radiated an enjoyment that was infectious.

Another act was of something I’d only seen in seedy videos on the internet. A man was tenderly inserting a gloved fist into a wonderfully relaxed woman’s vagina. Most of the fisting I’ve seen in videos has appeared as hostile and almost violent. It looks like a punching of the guts from the inside. This display was gentle and indeed loving. Surprisingly, it did not come across as sexual to me. I cannot fully explain this. The connection of the two was readily apparent and inspiring. It was a thing of beauty. Really. I’d never have guessed that my reaction would be thus but there it is.

One last act, of many that I observed and relate to you here, was of a very strong and handsome gentleman being flogged by an equally strong and beautiful woman. The flog was of leather with the tassels being about two feet long and 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch wide. They were made of a rather soft leather and no more that 1/16th of an inch in thickness. Quite contrary to my expectation, the sound of the impact was a dull thud instead of a sharp crack. The surface area of the tassels, numbering around fifty, spread the impact. While there was a slight amount of redness on his back, there were no red stripes and neither was there any blood. Though she was wielding the flog with two hands and had a windup that would make an MLB batter jealous, it was obvious that she was eminently capable and operated with great skill and finesse. I can honestly say that I would have no fear of being on the receiving end of her ministrations so well were they done.

The tenderness expressed by the dom to the sub after a scene was impressive and somewhat unexpected by me. Commonly it was shown by the cradling and caressing of the sub and accompanied by soft words whispered to him or her. occasionally the dom would gently wrap their sub with a blanket and with an arm on or under the shoulder accompany the person to a side room where they could relax and unwind with a glass of water and the company of others. Several times I saw a person who had just finished staggering in a blissful state of endorphin induced intoxication. The pleasure of this state was written on their face and very evident in their body language.

One more aspect of the community that I found heartening was the representation of all body types. People in various states of undress were comfortable enough and secure enough to be observed by not only their friends but by complete strangers such as myself. My admiration for them is great and it gives me a new perspective on my self consciousness. The willingness of participants to avail themselves of such freedom without shame is heartening and encouraging and serves to challenge my cynical notions of a society ruled by body conscious shame.

I say with no reservation that I was greatly impressed with what I saw. Though previously corrected of many erroneous assumptions by Sweetpea, I was educated by the displays of strength, endurance, tenderness, and love that I observed last night. From what I saw, I can honestly say that it was beautifully done and that it is likely that I could actually participate in such activities in the future, though to what extent I am not exactly sure of at this time. It was clearly demonstrated to me that the scene lacks the cruelty that one would understandably assume accompanies such activities. The fact that 200 plus people can gather together in a drug and alcohol free environment and share these experiences with each other is nothing short of incredible.

Thrift store threads

When I was in the sixth grade I got all A’s and a B+ on a report card (first and last time that ever happened). Mom took me out to the steakhouse for an “Atta Boy” dinner. I ordered some wide-cut fries with my steak. I grabbed the ketchup and shook it up. I didn’t realize the cap was off… The folks to the side and in back of us got some free ketchup that night…

20 years ago we had a power outage during a big winter storm. After a few hours we began to get pretty hungry. I wrapped some sweet potatoes in foil, put some rice and broth in a pot, and pulled a canned ham from the cabinet. I placed them all on top of the wood stove to cook while we were outside pulling each other around on skis with the truck. When we were thoroughly exhausted we went back inside. Food was all over the fucking living room! I forgot to remove the lid from the damned caned ham… We asked the neighbor if we could borrow his dog to help clean up. Best dog trick ever!

I was messing around with MSpaint and came up with some concept graphics to use for the collective. I pulled an image of a DOT flammable placard from a safety supply website. In the second version I added a pedestrian icon from iconpedia.com. I’d like to find someone with the capability to print some prototype (small run, 5 – 10 pieces) placards and / or vinyl decals.

Flammable People Rev 1

I’ve also thought of using Flammable People as a Burning Man camp name. It wouldn’t necessarily mean that everyone who would be part of it would have to build or operate flame effects. Fire admirers, junkies, and groupies would be 100% welcome. The next graphic might just become a gift sticker at the burn in 2012. Depending on the length of the name of 2012′s theme, it may be included as well.

Flammable People Rev 3 Burning Man 2012 Gift Sticker