It's All Relevant

"It's Alright, Ma (I'm Only Bleeding)"

Darkness at the break of noon
Shadows even the silver spoon
The handmade blade, the child's balloon
Eclipses both the sun and moon
To understand you know too soon
There is no sense in trying.

Pointed threats, they bluff with scorn
Suicide remarks are torn
From the fools gold mouthpiece
The hollow horn plays wasted words
Proves to warn
That he not busy being born
Is busy dying.

Temptation's page flies out the door
You follow, find yourself at war
Watch waterfalls of pity roar
You feel the moan but unlike before
You discover
That you'd just be
One more person crying.

So don't fear if you hear
A foreign sound to your ear
It's alright, Ma, I'm only sighing.

As some warn victory, some downfall
Private reasons great or small
Can be seen in the eyes of those that call
To make all that should be killed to crawl
While others say don't hate nothing at all
Except hatred.

Disillusioned words like bullets bark
As human gods aim for their mark
Make everything from toy guns that spark
To flesh-colored Christs that glow in the dark
It's easy to see without looking too far
That not much
Is really sacred.

While preachers preach of evil fates
Teachers teach that knowledge waits
Can lead to hundred-dollar plates
And goodness hides behind its gates
But even the President of the United States
Sometimes must have
To stand naked.

And though the rules of the road have been lodged
It's only people's games that you got to dodge
And it's alright, Ma, I can make it.

Advertising signs that con you
Into thinking you're the one
That can do what's never been done
That can win what's never been won
Meantime life outside goes on
All around you.

You lose yourself, you reappear
You suddenly find you got nothing to fear
Alone you stand with nobody near
When a trembling distant voice, unclear
Startles your sleeping ears to hear
That somebody thinks
They really found you.

A question in your nerves is lit
Yet you know there is no answer fit to satisfy
Ensure you not to quit
To keep it in your mind and not forget
That it is not he or she or them or it
That you belong to.

But though the masters make the rules
For the wise men and the fools
I got nothing, Ma, to live up to.

For them that must obey authority
That they do not respect in any degree
Who despise their jobs, their destiny
Speak jealously of them that are free
Do what they do just to be
Nothing more than something
They invest in.

While some on principles baptize
To strict party platforms ties
Social clubs in drag disguise
Outsiders they can freely criticize
Tell nothing except who to idolize
And say "God Bless him".

While one who sings with his tongue on fire
Gargles in the rat race choir
Bent out of shape from society's pliers
Cares not to come up any higher
But rather get you down in the hole
That he's in.

But I mean no harm nor put fault
On anyone that lives in a vault
But it's alright, Ma, if I can't please him.

Old lady judges, watch people in pairs
Limited in sex, they dare
To push fake morals, insult and stare
While money doesn't talk, it swears
Obscenity, who really cares
Propaganda, all is phony.

While them that defend what they cannot see
With a killer's pride, security
It blows the minds most bitterly
For them that think death's honesty
Won't fall upon them naturally
Life sometimes
Must get lonely.

My eyes collide head-on with stuffed graveyards
False goals, I scoff
At pettiness which plays so rough
Walk upside-down inside handcuffs
Kick my legs to crash it off
Say okay, I have had enough
What else can you show me?

And if my thought-dreams could be seen
They'd probably put my head in a guillotine
But it's alright, Ma, it's life, and life only.

You think you’ve seen her naked because she took her clothes off?
You’ve kissed her lips, and you’ve climbed inside her. Somehow you think that’s enough to know and love someone.
Tell me about her nightmares? The ones that have her twitching next to you as you snore on, oblivious.

Look down at your unblemished hands and tell me how many times you’ve cut yourself on the pieces of her broken heart.

Tell me why she paints,
Why she writes,
Why she takes long baths.

Tell me about her life, her childhood.
Tell me about the first man who broke her heart.
Tell me about her demons, and her fears.
Tell me about her insecurities and the conversations she has with herself.

Tell me about everything she wants from life.
Tell me all the tiny little things she’s wished upon a star for.
Tell me why her favorite city is her favorite city.
Tell me why she flinches, ever so slightly, when you call her beautiful.

Tell me all the little things you hate about her, and I’ll tell you why I love them.
Tell me about her darkness, and I’ll tell you about her light.
No, my friend, you may have seen her body, but you have still yet to see her naked.

— whatifgodisacat, Naked

That Glow ~ St Paul & The Broken Bones ~ Half The City

I lost my senses for that child that went away
I've carried all my sorrow
To my resting place
Oh how that glow in her eyes
It lights up

When she's gone to someone else's light
How I wish it was me
I was lost in a, oh this heartbreak
Lord, set me free

There ain't no man, there ain't no man
That should carry this burden inside of me
Oh how that glow in her eye
It lights up

When she's gone in someone else's light
How I wish it was me
When she's lost I can barely go on

~On Luck

That is life, isn’t it? Fate. Luck. Chance. A long series of what-if’s that lead from one moment to the next, time never pausing for you to catch your breath, to make sense of the cards that have been handed to you. And all you can do is play your cards and hope for the best because, in the end, it all comes back to those three basics.
Fate. Luck. Chance.”

― Kelseyleigh Reber, If I Fall

~Irish Blessing 

May the best day of your past, be the worst day of your future.

~ Luck at the end of a rainbow.

"May you have all the happiness and luck that life can hold—and at the end of your rainbows may you find a pot of gold."

One of my very favorite photos, as it depicts two things I love to do. Floating around the sea on a surfboard, and finding a rainbow when I least expect it. Seeing a rainbow is always a wonderful thing. A rainbow is a symbol of hope, inspiration, promise, good fortune, and wishes coming true. 

“If you want to enjoy the rainbow, be prepared to endure the storm.” – Warren Wendel Wiersbe

"The power always rests in the hands of the sub.

The sub sets the tone, draws the boundaries.

Then hands control over to their Dom."

Your Ultimate Guide to Different Types of Coffee
 

TASTE OF HOME
We cover all the different types of coffee from lattes to red eyes. All of your burning coffee questions are *finally* answered.
We’ve all been there, standing in line at a favorite coffee shop, sweating because we’re not entirely sure of the difference between a cold brew vs. a classic iced coffee. Oh gosh, I know I have. Good news: we’re covering everything from the difference of Arabica and Robusta coffee beans to all the ways to brew your favorite cup of joe. Hold on tight. We’re diving deep into your morning go-to drink.

Different Types of Coffee Beans
In U.S. supermarkets, you’ll typically find two types of coffee beans for sale: Arabica and Robusta. You may be wondering, is there a difference between Arabica and Robusta? Oh, there definitely is. Let’s get right to it.

Arabica
Arabica is the most popular type of coffee, hands down. Depending on who you ask, many coffee enthusiasts prefer using Arabica beans due to its taste. Typically used for black coffee, Arabica beans have a sweeter, more complex flavor that you can drink straight. Funny thing is, even though it’s the most popular, it doesn’t have as much caffeine as Robusta.

Robusta
While Arabica is the most popular, Robusta is cheaper and stronger. Because of its bitter flavor, you’ll typically see Robusta used for espresso drinks and in instant coffee mixes. If your Monday morning is lagging, reach for a cup of coffee that uses Robusta beans. Their high caffeine content will wake you right up!

Types of Coffee Drinks
Latte, americano, affogato…it’s crazy all that you can do with a few small beans. Whether you’re a coffee newbie or you consider yourself a coffee connoisseur, there are so many types of coffee drinks to discover. Here are some of the most popular types ordered by coffee lovers nationwide.

Black
Black coffee is as simple as it gets with ground coffee beans steeped in hot water, served warm. And if you want to sound fancy, you can call black coffee by its proper name: cafe noir.

 
Latte
As the most popular coffee drinks out there, the latte is comprised of a shot of espresso and steamed milk with just a touch of foam. It can be ordered plain or with a flavor shot of anything from vanilla to pumpkin spice. (Here’s how to make a copycat Starbucks pumpkin spice latte.)

Cappuccino
Cappuccino is a latte made with more foam than steamed milk, often with a sprinkle of cocoa powder or cinnamon on top. Sometimes you can find variations that use cream instead of milk or ones that throw in flavor shots, as well.

Americano
With a similar flavor to black coffee, the americano consists of an espresso shot diluted in hot water. Pro tip: if you’re making your own, pour the espresso first, then add the hot water.

 
Espresso
An espresso shot can be served solo or used as the foundation of most coffee drinks, like lattes and macchiatos.

Doppio
A double shot of espresso, the doppio is perfect for putting extra pep in your step.

Cortado
Like yin and yang, a cortado is the perfect balance of espresso and warm steamed milk. The milk is used to cut back on the espresso’s acidity.

Red Eye
Named after those pesky midnight flights, a red-eye can cure any tiresome morning. A full cup of hot coffee with an espresso shot mixed in, this will definitely get your heart racing.

Galão
Originating in Portugal, this hot coffee drink is closely related to the latte and cappuccino. Only difference is it contains about twice as much foamed milk, making it a lighter drink compared to the other two.

 
Lungo
A lungo is a long-pull espresso. The longer the pull, the more caffeine there is and the more ounces you can enjoy.

Macchiato
The macchiato is another espresso-based drink that has a small amount of foam on top. It’s the happy medium between a cappuccino and a doppio.

Mocha
For all you chocolate lovers out there, you’ll fall in love with a mocha (or maybe you already have). The mocha is a chocolate espresso drink with steamed milk and foam.

Ristretto
Ristretto is an espresso shot. It uses less hot water which creates a sweeter flavor compared to the bitter taste of a traditional shot of espresso or a doppio.

 
Flat White
This Aussie-born drink is basically a cappuccino without the foam or chocolate sprinkle. It’s an espresso drink with steamed milk.

Affogato
The affogato is an excuse to enjoy a scoop of ice cream any time of day (and any time of year in my opinion). Served with a scoop of ice cream and a shot of espresso, or two. The affogato is extra delish served over a brownie.

Café au Lait
Café au lait is perfect for the coffee minimalist who wants a bit more flavor. Just add a splash of warm milk to your coffee and you’re all set!

Irish
Irish coffee consists of black coffee, whiskey and sugar, topped with whipped cream. Here’s an Irish coffee recipe that will warm you right up.

Types of Iced Coffee
What’s more refreshing than cool iced coffee in the summertime? Or maybe you enjoy these chilled drinks all year long. (We do!) Here are some of the best-iced coffee drinks you can sip on.

Iced Coffee
A coffee with ice typically served with a dash of milk, cream, or sweetener—iced coffee is really as simple as that.

Iced Espresso
As an iced coffee, iced espresso can be served straight or with a dash of milk, cream or sweetener. You can also ice speciality espresso-based drinks like americanos, mochas, macchiatos, lattes, and flat whites.

Cold Brew
The trendiest of the iced coffee bunch, cold brew coffees are made by steeping coffee beans from anywhere between 6-36 hours, depending on how strong you would like your cold brew. Once the beans are done steeping, add cold milk or cream. Here are a few of our best cold brew coffee tips.

Frappuccino
Made famous by Starbucks, the Frappuccino is a blended iced coffee drink that’s topped with whipped cream and syrup. But not all Frapps are made the same: watch out for coffee-free versions. Unless you’re into that sorta thing.

 
Nitro
A cold brew + nitrogen bubbles = a cold brew coffee with a frothy, Guinness-like consistency. (It’s poured via a nitro tap, too.)

Mazagran
Maza-who?! Mazagran coffee is a cross between iced coffee, tea and your favorite rum drink. It typically consists of espresso, lemon, sugar and (sometimes) rum.

Types of Coffee Makers
Now that you’re a master on all the coffee types, let’s learn how to make ’em! From French presses to Mokas, there are plenty of ways to prepare your dream cup of java.

French Press
This manual coffee maker is extremely easy to use. Add ground coffee beans into your French press, pour piping hot water over the grounds, let the coffee steep for a few minutes, and finally, press the plunger down and pour! Simple as that. French presses can be used for any bean, but many people prefer using them for darker, richer roasts. Also, how fancy does this French press look? Make your morning brew…in style!

Percolator
Try out a percolator to add a retro feel to your daily brew—like 1880s retro. To put it simply, percolators brew coffee by continuously pushing boiling hot water bubbles up into the “coffee chamber” to steep the coffee grains. This cycle is repeated until the coffee is ready to serve. They’re typically used for medium roasts and prepared over the stovetop, but percolators can work over any heated surface, even a campfire (hint, hint!).

 
Single Serve
Single-serve coffee maker sales have really peaked in the past few years. Measure out your desired coffee amount, pour into the reusable filter, pour water in, and voila! A cup of coffee just for you will be ready soon. Single-serve coffee makers are perfect for single-person households (or those where just one person drinks coffee). Try out this budget-friendly single-serve coffee maker which includes a fun travel mug!

AeroPress
We’ve got another manual coffee maker for you. The AeroPress is very similar to the French press. To use AeroPress, we recommend checking out this beautiful get-started guide. You can make espresso, lattes, cold brews, or just a classic cup of coffee in this nifty little machine.

Drip
Aah, yes. The classic electric coffee maker you know and love. To get your brew going in a drip coffee maker, all you have to do is scoop your coffee, pour it into the filter, pour some water in and press start to let the drip coffee maker do its coffee magic. Soon, you’ll hear the sweet sounds of your coffee dripping right into your coffee pot. Mornings, conquered.

 
Some drip coffee makers also come with a thermal carafe. Typically with a double-layered, stainless steel wall, thermal carafes keep your coffee tasting fresh and hot for hours longer than most glass carafes do. Some drip coffee makers use a thermal carafe, but traditionally, they use a glass carafe instead.

Pour Over
A pour-over coffee maker is exactly what it sounds like: you manually pour hot water over the beans. With a solid 5-star rating on Amazon, pour-over coffee makers like Chemex are a solid choice. Fans love the fact that you get to control the strength of the coffee, plus the pots are super easy to clean. You do need a special kind of filter, though, which is pricier than the typical drip coffee filter. However, some are reusable.

Cold Brew
Diehard cold brew fans may want to invest in a cold brew coffee maker. To use a cold brew maker, throw in your coffee grounds, brew and serve. You can store the coffee for up to 36 hours. If you’re looking for a multi-functional coffee maker, you can prepare cold brew coffees in other makers, like the AeroPress.

 
Moka
Moka pots share a lot of similarities with the percolator and there’s often confusion between the two. Both need a heated surface, like a stovetop or even a campfire. However, the Moka pot produces an espresso-like drink and its brewing process is a bit different than the percolator. You need to keep more of an eye on it because when the Moka pot’s water is spent, you should remove the pot from the heating surface to avoid burnt-tasting coffee. Whereas with the percolator’s simple brewing process, the longer you leave it running, the stronger the coffee will be.

~~~~~~~~~~

Now for my favorite. Just a cup of half espresso/half reg coffee ( Arabiaca) mix, Made in an old-fashioned percolator. Served with a teaspoon of sugar in the raw and a droplet of almond milk 

The espresso I enjoy the most is ..

Definition - What does Shibari mean?
Shibari is a traditional form of artistic rope bondage that originated in Japan. The word Shibari literally translates as "to tie." Thin pieces of rope are used to create the intricate geometric patterns and shapes which characterize this beautiful and sensual art form Shibari.
Shibari developed from the ancient martial art of Hojo-Jutsu which the police and Samurai used to restrain prisoners from 1400 to 1700. In the late 1800s, a new erotic form of Hojo-Jutsu, dubbed Kinbaku, became popular. Kinbaku means "tight binding." More recently, the term Shibari has become a common term throughout the world to describe the intricate rope bondage practiced in BDSM play. Many people use the terms interchangeably although some suggest that Shibari refers specifically to the aesthetic rope bondage while Kinbaku describes the sexual experience as a whole.
Shibari is also commonly called Japanese rope bondage.

Kinkly explains Shibari:
A Shibari session can be thought of as a power exchange that develops through the use of ropes. The person who ties, commonly known as the rigger, restrains his or her partner, known as the model, according to the emotional and physical reactions observed.
Shibari devotees enjoy the way that the elaborate rope designs and the material's rugged texture contrasts with smooth skin and its simple curves. Some have likened the model to a canvas, and the rigger to an artist who uses rope instead of a brush and paint.
Shibari ropes and knots are also strategically positioned to stimulate the body's pressure points, almost like a Shiatsu massage. The model typically derives pleasure from ties across their breasts, genitals, and other erogenous zones. In some cases, the model is also stimulated by whipping or beating tools. Shibari is often used in conjunction with suspension bondage. Shibari sessions often involve intercourse, but this isn't always the case.
Traditionalists believe the practice of Shibari can stimulate Ki energy flow and transfer. It’s also possible for the model to enter a trance-like state as their endorphins and other hormone levels increase. The term "rope drunk" has been used to describe the state of a model recovering from a Shibari session

You thought love was a verb,
it is.
but it is also a noun.
I digress…
my name is love.
if you are lucky
enough you have
met me.
I come in many
forms.
I am genderless.
I am brave.
Do not search
for me.
I will come to you.
I promise
I am pure
Do not be mislead
I do not cause pain.
That is a side effect of
those who abuse me.
if you haven’t met me yet.
I am coming for you
in due time.
Please don’t give up on me.
I will look for you when
you least expect it.
I promise you will cry
and no, not the heart-shattering
tears that leave you empty.
No, no, no my dear
tears of pure happiness
You won’t even realize
you are crying
i will fill your soul.
Remember me,
my name is love

~Unknown

We’re all seeking that special person who is right for us. But if you’ve been through enough relationships, you begin to suspect there’s no right person, just different flavors of wrong. Why is this? Because you yourself are wrong in some way, and you seek out partners who are wrong in some complementary way. But it takes a lot of living to grow fully into your own wrongness. And it isn’t until you finally run up against your deepest demons, your unsolvable problems—the ones that make you truly who you are—that we’re ready to find a lifelong mate. Only then do you finally know what you’re looking for? You’re looking for the wrong person. But not just any wrong person: the right wrong person—someone you lovingly gaze upon and think, This is the problem I want to have.

— Galway Kinnell