Try New Things

I have a rule: be as self-reliant as possible, and always ask for guidance before you ask for help. This rule is rooted in the fact that most things are far from being as difficult as they seem, and can be done with much more care personally than by an employed force.

When most people hear the term self-reliance they think of things like emergency preparation, food storage, freedom from debt, and things of that nature. But when I use the term I have a much broader perspective.

I believe that a person should be able to do almost anything without the aid of others. While the aid of others is well and good, one should be able to survive and prosper without them. Hence, my rule.

Construction tasks (at least simple ones, such as framing, painting, tiling, plumbing, assembling, electrics, etc.), tailoring, farming, auto mechanics, and many other odds and ends types of things are skills which should belong to every person. Many tasks that people pay an arm and a leg to have accomplished for them, could be done privately for much less money and greater quality, if only people would choose to acquire the skills to do them. And that is where my rule comes in. If you can, do it yourself or with the hands-on tutelage of another. Never allow something to be done without learning how to do it yourself.

At current, I am creating a new centerpiece from Voyala's (my royal python's) terrarium, one which will provide for her as long as she lives. The process to build and prepare it has been much simpler than I expected, yet it has opened up a learning opportunity for me in regards to the chemical natures of polystyrene foams, expanding foams, grouts, mortars, silicone, sealants, paints and glues. With the knowledge I have gained, I will forever be able to construct decor pieces of any fancy for only a tiny fraction of the cost in time and money I would expend otherwise. To illustrate, for a pre-made piece similar to that which I'm building would cost upwards of $200; however, the piece I am building is completely customized and will cost in total a mere $30. You can't argue against that, can you?

Never be afraid to learn new things or get your hands dirty. It will save you money and could possibly save your life.

The Most Terrifying Ailments of Humanity

There are many things about health that are so temperamental. Even the slightest change can reap terrible effects, and there are thousands of things that can go wrong with biological life. Of them all, have you ever taken a moment to consider which ones might be on your list of most frightening to face?

I've spent quite a lot of time around diseases and ailments during my life, both mental and physical, developed, infected, and genetic. As such I've been thinking lately and have developed a short list of biological malfunctions which I believe would certainly be among the most terrifying.

In my opinion, mental illnesses top the list handily in most cases, for malfunctions and deterioration in other parts of the body can at least be completely understood by the one being afflicted. Certainly cancers and other such things are horrifying, but imagine for a moment that you hear and see things that aren't really there, act on impulses that originate in nothing more than uncontrollable fantasy, lose the nervous control of your other bodily organs, or experience the gradual obliteration of your personal identity and most treasured memories.

From all that I can assemble, the human brain is by far the most complex and least understood portion of the human body. It is a super computer, a command module, a phenomenal data bank, a master analyzer, a predictor of the future--an amazing machine that governs everything else in the body and without which the body would completely stall out and fail. A disease that effects this organ would truly be a nightmare.

Personally, I believe the loss of memory tops the list of terrifying maladies. Not being able to remember the people dearest to you or keep track of time and your activities, having aspects of your identity just vanish, and not being able to recall them no matter how hard you try, add up to a hellish terror that I think completely drowns out the agony of a broken limb, inflamed appendix, or even many types of cancers and diabetes.

I by no means wish to say that the host of other diseases and illnesses wouldn't, to their own degrees, be frightening, but on my personal list memory loss takes the spot of #1, followed by such illnesses as schizophrenia, DID, and other mental illnesses. A major factor in my decision is the fact that physical issues can be explained and dealt with with an understand of why, whereas mental illnesses have a record of being issues where the suffering person continually struggles to understand what is happening to them, why, and the actions of those around them as they try to address the "supposed" issue. The likely inability to understand/remember what's happening to you adds a whole new dimension to the fear. But that's just my layman's perspective.

What do you think? You each have personal experiences and I'm sure you face some things that you would never, ever wish on your worst enemies. So talk to me about them. I look forward to your comments.

It Will Continue in Oedarin

Sometimes life is just an obnoxious little prat with zero consideration. I think we've all experienced those moments, and lately I've been traversing one myself. I apologize for not posting the last couple of weeks. It's been one of those times where negativity would have ruined the prose and context of what I wanted to write. Many people use social media and personal blogs to vent out their pent up frustrations at every opportunity; I, however, do my best to avoid such action. How about you?

Anyway, I have an announcement of sorts!

There have been many guesses and propositions as to the title of the next installment to Oblivion's Gate, and some have been quite catchy and fun. However, when I started this adventure I quickly chose the titles of each book in the series. It all began in Mimgardr (It being not only Dan and Aaron's apprenticeships but the sum of series' story), and hence book one was called in its honor, Mimgardr. In keeping with tradition, book two will also be named for a place, and that place is Oedarin, the small elfin kingdom over which Dan's island formerly looked and where the King of Hearts makes his home in the fortress of Andunban.

When Mimgardr ended Aaron and Dan had been separated for five years. Aaron had been training to succeed Merlin as Master of Hearts while Dan lived alone in exile. As this next piece of the story begins, Dan is being called out of exile to the bedsides of his mother-in-law and his former master. Unfortunately, a certain shape-shifting time traveler is still at large, and he too seems to be waiting patiently for Dan's return. What awaits our heroes in Oedarin? That remains to be seen as we move closer to the book's release, but there can be no doubt that it will answer the words carved by an intruder into the doors of the royal catacombs:

I AM ZEBAD!