One of my favorite things to debate about is the legalization and regulation of drugs, though few people agree with me. (And that’s all right, some days I am not even sure I agree with my ideas.) 

Anyway, historically many things were legal, common and acceptable that are no longer seen this way. Here is a brief tour.

Absinthe – A very highly alcoholic liqueur, or spirit, that has a psychoactive effect. Although it has been in existence since 1550 BC in ancient egypt, it was banned in the US in 1915. It was particularly popular in France and served in all cafes and bistros. “After having been banned for over a century in most countries, Absinthe is re-establishing itself as a (legal) cult favorite, and the drink of choice for people looking to become inebriated as quickly as possible.”

Cocaine – Used as a cure all, it was popular in drinks (Coca Cola) and a numbing agent for all ailments, including toothaches for children.

“Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup was an indispensable aid to mothers and child-care workers. Containing one grain (65 mg) of morphine per fluid ounce, it effectively quieted restless infants and sm

Opium –  For rest, of course!

Heroin – Bayer has always had a handle on pain!

Though none of this is new news, it still makes me smile to see the old ads. After prohibition, things were much better regulated. Mid to late 20th century offered cures with Valium, methamphetamines, and treatments for disorders of various types – remember the lobotomy? 

Today we are dealing with other types of legal and illegal drugs (and legal drugs that will soon be illegal and illegal drugs becoming legal) – with some of the big ones being Prozac, Ritalin and anti-anxiety meds.

I am a believer in regulation, and I know that all drugs are not created equally. However, if the government would use their resources to develop, test, regulate and tax drugs of all varieties rather than to find a reason to not allow them (I am not just talking about illegal drugs here, I am also talking about new therapeutic drugs for chronic and terminal diseases), our country would have much more money, fewer people in prison, lower crime, and more treatment options for ill people. 

This isn’t the first time I have posted about this, and I do understand and mostly agree with the objections I have heard. Drugs ruin people’s lives. But I would hope that with regulation and the elimination of the criminal elements, the effects of drugs wouldn’t be so negative.

Ok, maybe I am a dreamer. 

This is a repost for National Childhood Cancer Day. 

As I read people’s blogs on Xanga, talk to friends in real life (I really have them, I swear!) and talked to my daughter on the phone, I cannot help but think about courage, and how so many don’t understand what that is. Courage is not the lack of fear, but being afraid and doing it anyway. 

I just read a charming young man’s post about asking out a girl he likes (and has for sometime) to discover she isn’t available. That took a lot of courage. My daughter made the decision to remain in her job and work through her issues with her co-workers rather than give up and finding a new job. That is courage. My girlfriend gave up her job of 10 years to start her own company. Another friend can finally let other people see her body after By Pass surgery. I see courage everyday. 

Courage is often associated with picking yourself up and trying again. This is courageous, yes, but not the only form of courage. Sometimes courage is letting go of the fight and embracing the unknown. 

I had a little girl named Amber that I lost to cancer. She had courage everyday. Courage to keep smiling during medical procedure. Courage to play with her friends despite her bald head. Courage to say “no” to procedures that she had a reason to. Her first surgery she had a spinal tap for pain management afterwards. She hated that, it made her uncomfortable and scared though it managed the pain. Though she was very young, she knew that she had a voice in her own treatment. For remaining surgeries (she had 4 more bilateral thoracotamies, very painful) she chose iv pain management which wasn’t as effective so she wasn’t trapped and afraid. She always had a good attitude, never complained about her quality of life or treatments, and was brave in all of her dealings with the world. When she died, she made the decision to not have another surgery. Of course I wouldn’t let her make this choice, and I tried to explain that she needed it even if she didn’t want it. She told me that not everyone that has cancer lives, and she didn’t want to do it. She died less than a week before she was scheduled. I am not a mystical person, but I knew she had decided to die, or at least come to terms with it, when she tried to comfort and warn me. She knew something I didn’t, had a peace with something foreign to me, and made the decision. She had courage to face death while I was fighting tooth and nail. She had courage when I did not.

During her life, she lived with little fear. She had crushes on cute residents, and let them know. She had friends and never hid because of her hair. She rode her bike, swam in the deep end, made commercials and loved any excuse to be in the spotlight. She was brave, she lived with little fear, and she was courageous in a way I can only hope to be.

Learn a lesson from her. Invite people over to dinner even if your house isn’t perfect. Don’t wait for the economy to get better before you start chasing your dreams. Ask that girl out, even if she says no. We don’t have much time, try not to blow it.

Last year Corey and I went to Oktoberfest in Carbondale, CO. It’s a tiny little mountain town near Aspen but lacks that ski bunny tourist feel. We had a fantastic time – more fun than two old fogies like us should admit to!

I love fall. I love the cool weather, the first time we use the fireplace, the leaves on the lawn that I don’t have to rake up. I love football, beer and brats. I love to use the oven and dig seeds out of pumpkins. I love Halloween, scary movies, costume parties. There is really no better time of year, in my opinion. Oh, and I love Oktoberfest. Did I mention that yet?

We just booked our next trip to the lovely little town for this year’s celebration! Here are some images of the town and our trip last year:

Here is a better picture of Carbondale I found online:

My lovely husband is not as fond of the season as I am, but he doesn’t care for scary movies and he hates football ( I know, I know, I am still working on him) but he loves Oktoberfest as much as I do. There’s something about mountain people that make me feel at home – as if there is no need for pretension. Nobody we have ever met or visited with in that area has tried to impress us with their career or money, their moral superiority, or their exotic lifestyle. The people we meet when we go there are down to earth, friendly and open minded. I am pretty sure I belong somewhere up there. I am going to have to finally give up smoking forever first though, or I will never be able to run or hike! Anyone who says altitude doesn’t make a huge difference has obviously never tried to hike from 7 to 12 thousand feet. It won’t matter too much this trip though, we may get a day hike in but aren’t there to backpack. 

I hope you all have something you are excited about with the new season blowing in. I am going to break out my fall decorations, make an apple crisp, and watch football all day. I hope your weekend is every bit as lovely. 

Hi guys – I only have a minute to post and this is an odd topic to post about, but I met some fascinating people this weekend. I met 3 couples in a community of BDSM who own and operate a dungeon. They also offer classes about the lifestyle to introduce new people to the lifestyle for information, even if they aren’t interested in the lifestyle themselves.

First I met a lady named “Lisa” who was a full time domme. As we visited and she showed me around the place, her naked slave followed us silently, sitting on the floor when we sat because he isn’t allowed on the furniture. I guess he wasn’t a slave yet, he is an aspiring slave that is considered a bottom, he hasn’t even made sub status yet. She was intelligent, funny, polite and even kind as she explained an overview of what she does and an introduction to the lifestyle. Her slave had spent the day naked and cleaning her toilets, in various torture devices, and rehearsing being subordinate. 

Next I met a couple who are full time lifestylers, she is his slave and he her master. This relationship took years to develop, and they both seemed very happy with it. When in the house, she is not allowed to wear clothes unless he grants her permission (company or whatnot) and she consented to a non-consensual relationship. She wears a collar and tags all the time, even at work, and she is a scientist. The people I met were educated, professional, normal, funny and kind. It was nothing I expected.

Lisa was everything you would expect in a domme on the outside. She was 5’10, long dark hair and smoky eyes, dressed in black (though not leather). She had a presence that commanded attention. What I didn’t expect was her ability to have a conversation with me from kids, to football, to torturing men.

Here are some examples of what was in their dungeon.

This is a suspension device that rotates so the person bound to it can be any angle, upside down, sideways, etc.

This is a sawhorse with knee rests. 

This is a cock and balls torture chair. You can see where the junk is pulled through, then the guillotine comes down and causes discomfort. 

I wish I had more time to explain everything they taught and showed me (not on myself, of course), but I am in the office and don’t want anyone to come in

They demonstrated fire play on one of the slaves, they can use fire sticks and bulbs that doesn’t actually burn but leaves the skin feeling warm. They explained safe words and some of the attraction to the LS (thank you Fifty Shades of Grey). The most important thing I learned, however, was that people may have exotic lifestyles and interests, do things I would never consider or that might make me shudder, but when you look at anything with an open mind and leave judgement at the door – there are many worlds to discover and fascinating people to meet. 

I am at work, not sure how much I will be able to respond until later. Have a terrific Hump Day!