Ignite Seattle speech

I have been meaning to write up a reflective post about the experience but it just feels so good to not have any posting obligations. That and I've been sick and/or busy. Anyway, if anyone is still out there reading, I found a video of the talk I did at Ignite. Make sure to watch the whole thing because there is a really awkward stretch where I realize there is a problem with my slides.

Day 365: Becoming Orgasmic

I have been wracking my brains trying to think of something "big" for my last day but there just isn't much left that I can get rid of. The length of this project turned out to be perfect - just long enough to be challenging yet not unreasonable. I still have objects I need to ship and people I need to meet but I'm satisfied with where this project has taken me. Tomorrow will be the first day in a year that I won't have to account for on this blog.

After struggling with this for months and even calling my mother for her opinion, I have decided to post something personal today. This book is representative of my own journey of self discovery. I'm not sure I spent much time with this particular book but it was books like this that helped me learn to stop worrying and enjoy sex.

It's a delicate balance to talk about meaning without going in to much detail but I want to talk about it a little bit. I think it's important because a better understanding would have saved me years of frustration and thinking I was broken.

I dated my first boyfriend for almost seven years and never reached a point where I was just able to relax. Sex was painful for a long time, more for my boyfriend's enjoyment than me, and I certainly wasn't getting an orgasm from him. The investment in my pleasure was big (usually an hour) and usually made us both uncomfortable. I thought all sorts of things: maybe I was frigid, or something was physically wrong with me. I thought about asking a doctor if there was some sort of medication that would help.

At some point I decided to take matters in to my own hands and took a trip to Babeland for some reading material. I discovered all sorts of things that made me feel better. I learned about most women needing extra stimulation, how to feel more comfortable with my body, the importance of room temperature, and the concept of the plateau (which can take quite a while). All of this information contributed to me feeling better about myself and my pleasure increased proportionately.

I also have a copy of I <3 Female Orgasm available. It is not pictured because I have to retrieve it from my sister's friend.

Status: Dibbed

Day 364: Nylon guitar picks

Someone recommended nylon picks to me so I accidentally bought these. They are way too soft for my taste. I hardly use a pick anyway because I mostly use my classical acoustic guitar but when I play my electric I definitely want some more heft.

Status: Gifted

Day 363: Samsung phone

You don't want this phone. The hinge is broken and it's ancient. I even threw out the charger at some point. At least I think I did because it doesn't appear to be lying around the apartment. I originally held on to it for traveling but I already have another less old phone that I use for that purpose. This is, in fact, my backup backup phone. It has been in my drawer this entire time but I never felt moved to get rid of it until I realized how little I have left to get rid of. I also need to have a couple rolls of film developed, one of which is still in the camera from when I took the photos at least five years ago. I'm not sure if that's going to happen.

Status: Donation pending

Day 362: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

You have probably noticed the prominent barcode on this book but I swear that I legitimately coughed up the cash for this copy. I thought it was lost and paid for it, only to find it several years later when I moved. I've been an avid user of the library since I was four and I assure you that I wouldn't do them wrong. As a child, my sister and I played library in our house, placing fake barcodes in our books. I was occasionally grounded from the library and my mother will tell you that the water from their water fountain was my favorite. I love the library and I would not do them wrong.

Status: Gifted

Day 361: Odin Sphere PS2 Game

Odin Sphere is not only a great side-scroller but it's OMFG friggin' cute. Now that I think about it, the character Gwendolyn would make an adorable cosplay.

I recently tried to pick this game back up but didn't managed to get much further than the last time I tried.  The problem is I suck at side-scrollers. And fighting games. The only fighting game I'm decent at is Tekken 5* with Xiaoyu. I used to say I could play Tekken Tag as well if they would only let me pick Xiaoyu twice. The reason that I have some skill at this game is that it's much easier. I could play it with much better players and have a chance. With MvC2 I wouldn't even get a hit in so it was difficult to improve.

* I can do fine with Soul Calibur but that game is easy to mash so I don't count it.

Status: Dibbed

Day 360: Tweed pants, vanity sized 4 (closer to an 8)

I've had these pants for awhile but they're in good shape - just a little wrinkled. My iron broke. They're too conservative for my tastes. I'm once again working somewhere where I can wear whatever I please and it feels so good to wear jeans to work if I like, any day of the week.

Status: Dibbed