14 Things I Learned in 2014

I used to keep a regular journal. Whenever I would end an old one and start a new one, I’d write a little self-reflective essay. I also tried to time the old one ending and new one beginning around a milestone of some kind, fully aware that it was a self-indulgent form of personal symbolism whose value lay fully in the meaning with which I imbued it rather than in anything objective.

It’s with that in mind that I wrote up a list of 15 things I’d be doing for 2015 for my friends to see, and that I write this list here, for all to see.

In no particular order, here are 14 things I learned this year. I’ll see you next week, when I return to my regular posting schedule of at least once a weekday.

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14 Things I Learned in 2014
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Writings from Elsewhere: Korrasami & Queer Representation

Main image via SandraLVV on Deviant Art.

Just about a week ago, Avatar: The Legend of Korra aired its series finale. That it happened in the first place is a triumph for its creators and fans, since the show has been plagued from the beginning with production and budget issues. Add how the show managed to pick up despite a season where even some of us die-hard fans were tempted to give up on it and you have an ending that is more than a little impressive.

Of course, there was something else about the ending that got people talking: The protagonist of the show, Korra, walking off into the Spirit Realm hand-in-hand with another female character, Asami.

For more, head over to Korrasami Didn’t Start with a Kiss & That’s Okay at xoJane.

Writings from Elsewhere: Korrasami & Queer Representation

Beauty Level-Up #7: A Primer on Primer

Primer is one of those newfangled products that people say they don’t need to hide the fact that they don’t really know what it is. It’s okay to admit it. I’ve pretended to not want or need things I didn’t understand, too. Bronzer was one of those things, and now it’s a contouring staple for me. Maybe primer will be something that will benefit you, and maybe it won’t, but after reading this, you’ll at least know what it is.

With all apologies for the worm I’m undoubtedly introducing into your ear, it’s all about that base.

Continue reading “Beauty Level-Up #7: A Primer on Primer”

Beauty Level-Up #7: A Primer on Primer

Ajar Thread: In Which Sex Toys & Family Really, Really Don’t Mix

Because it’s Christmas Eve, a lot of people are gearing up to see their families or already dealing with filial matters. As I live in the same area as most of it, I’m around my family a lot. I’ve only lived a little over a quarter century of life, but I’m pretty sure what happened when I was 18 takes the cake as far as worst and most embarrassing family incident ever.

I was reminded of it thanks to a post I came across today: My Super-Religious Mother Found My Vibrator And We Had to Talk About It.

a cat licking itself then being startled back into a less vulnerable position

Yep.

Don’t let how mortifying my experience was deter you from sharing yours. Continue reading “Ajar Thread: In Which Sex Toys & Family Really, Really Don’t Mix”

Ajar Thread: In Which Sex Toys & Family Really, Really Don’t Mix

Some Songs for Christmas Tourists

♫ It’s the Most Othering Time of the Year ♫

Despite the vehement efforts of many atheists, some of whom I otherwise like, I’m still not fully on board with the atheist Christmas thing. Not only did I not grow up with it, I was shamed for telling the truth about one of its symbols. All the “secular Christmas”-pushing done by many atheists reeks of respectability politics and centers mainstream American culture in a way that makes me really uncomfortable.

It ends up kind of sounding very Mr. Garrison-esque, sometimes.

However, as I said back when I was a babby Skepchick, I personally consider myself a Christmas tourist. Christmas and all its surrounding traditions are exotic and sometimes interesting to me.

So how does an othered Christmas tourist enjoy Christmas music, something that even the Christmas-invested can hate? A hearty dose of irreverence and fun.

Continue reading “Some Songs for Christmas Tourists”

Some Songs for Christmas Tourists

Announcements: Greta’s New Book & My Work on Mine

The incomparable Greta Christina’s new book, Comforting Thoughts About Death That Have Nothing to Do with God, goes on sale today. In case you’re feeling a sense of deja vu: it’s not a glitch in the Matrix, as I mistakenly plugged it a few days too early due to some publisher miscommunication.

As for me? I promised my Kickstarter backers to turn in my due-two-years-ago manuscript for A Skeptic’s Guide to Islam sooner rather than later, so I’m taking a blogging and social media hiatus to focus on that. Unless something happens that I just have to talk about, I’m going to be off the radar until next week.

Announcements: Greta’s New Book & My Work on Mine

Everyone & Everything Will Die — & That’s Okay

I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy of Greta Christina’s Comforting Thoughts About Death That Have Nothing to Do with God, which goes on sale today.

This is what I had to say about my experience reading it.

When I was very young, I lost someone close to me in a car accident. Almost more painful than the loss was the way by which those around me attempted to find meaning in the senseless death of a young person. This is the book that seven-year-old me needed instead of the endless religious tracts that assured me that everything happens for a reason.

Here is the story.

It was in England, circa early 1990’s, that I first dealt with death. The memory stands out to me as the first time I deliberately disobeyed what I had been taught. It also belies the notion that religion is universally comforting in the face of tragic loss.

Continue reading “Everyone & Everything Will Die — & That’s Okay”

Everyone & Everything Will Die — & That’s Okay

Two Things That Unexpectedly Prolonged My Theism

There are a lot of things that kept me in the faith that aren’t surprising: inspirational speakers, science-y sounding authors, the love of my family. That I was a practically born poet and loved The Matrix prolonged my theism? A little more unexpected.

If you’re a former theist, feel free to share anything that you used to justify your faith — wackiness not required, but definitely encouraged.

Continue reading “Two Things That Unexpectedly Prolonged My Theism”

Two Things That Unexpectedly Prolonged My Theism

Torture & Eugenics (& a Self-Care Kitten)

Content notice for mentions of sexual assault, racism, and torture.

This post is short and sad and there is no optimistic spin at the end, though I have provided a kitten with a pretty cool nose that you can scroll past all the text to see.

A chalkboard with "ABANDON ALL HOPE YE WHO ENTER HERE" written on it

 

You have been warned.

Continue reading “Torture & Eugenics (& a Self-Care Kitten)”

Torture & Eugenics (& a Self-Care Kitten)