Question And Answer Time.

Bite My Bark Rants 0 Comments

Ok so here some  responses to my post yesterday. Let’s break it down… Just for kicks. Your replies and my answers.

It’s really all a mute point, the law isn’t going to ” jump-start ” a new generation of pot users, it’s simply going to allow us to cash in on what’s already happening.

I assume you mean moot? Though that’s an arguable point, in its strictest meaning. Hence the term “moot court”. Though it has been bastardized to the point of meaning nothing to argue. It however is never a mute point. Mute means silent.

Also a new generation of pot users? Sure it is, it’s legal now. So people are going to try it. Every generation that’s exposed to it is a potential new generation of users. My nose is bleeding.

Ahh cash in. Money talks and bullshit walks. I see. Let’s not forget the costs it will have later down the track. Medical, social, educational, mental health, police enforcement. Money in the coffers now is important right? It’s not like Americans are afraid of debt is it? Can I see the cost analysis please? Did anyone ask to see that before they voted?

Which makes me wonder since voting isn’t compulsory did ONLY users vote to get this law passed?

Do you guys remember having your parents check your Halloween candy before allowing you to eat it, I thought so , well proof positive that candy laced with drugs is defiantly NOT a new concept. This only gives the anti pot users something else to complain about.

Umm no. But we didn’t live in a drug addled community and taking candy from strangers was discouraged. Things were only ever given out in sealed individual bite size packs. It speaks volumes when this actually did have to happen. Magic Mushroom tarts anyone? But since it’s not a new concept don’t be alarmed!

The ” published” literature I’ve read documents finding THC residue in ancient artifacts dating as far back as the age of the pyramids.

Please provide APA style reference. Author, year, which journal it was published in , page and doi. Thanks. I assume this is peer-reviewed but the “literature” part makes me question it.

What do we all think they were smoking in the PEACE pipes around the camp fire back when cowboys and Indians were a thing, they didn’t call it …mind altering, psychosis, pass the gateway pipe. LMAO.

They also had opium dens, took peyote and licked poisonous toads for the psychedelic properties. I’m not sure what they called it, but I’d call it stupid. So would the rest of civilized society, that’s why they outlawed it. They also had vomitorium’s and men could talks small boy lovers before they married. They also didn’t call cancer cancer or have the scientific knowledge we have to know on how bad this shit is for you. Ignorance is bliss. Or just plain ignorant at times. Pass me the opium pipe like the Native Americans did it. They also traded Alaska for beads.

Just another subject to get people debating shit on FB. I say everyone needs to chill and hug your children ( or pets) tight because there’s a hell of a lot more dangerous stuff out in the world that they will encounter then a little herb. 

Firstly holy hippy shit batman, the 1960’s called and wants it pot head lingo back. Herb? It’s a plant in its normal state, herb debatable when dried but he’ll that sound innocuous like thyme so let’s go with that.

Can I hug a tree too instead?

Secondly yes there are bigger problems. Failing health care, failing mental heath care, failing social care, mass shooting, increased suicide, poverty, children living in squalor (oh thoughts due to drug use mainly oops), Too low minimum wage ect. But you’re right adding to those isn’t of any consequence when you look at things like terrorism. Let’s remove them from the agenda completely. Consider them gone….. Well till they bite you in the ass later.

Oh and of course the passed the law so we could debate on FB. It’s not like it’s real or anything…. Hang on it is. So are the consequences.

 I’ve never in my almost 20 years of smoking, encountered one single person who laced their weed with another drug. Then again, I’ve never associated with real drug users.

20 years? I’m pretty sure that leaves you open to gaping holes in memory and using pot for 20 years doesn’t make you an associate of real drug users, it makes YOU one. The people around you are your associates.
I had started smoking recreationally, but later got a medical license when I had kids because that was when I needed the protection of the law.

So you smoke recreationally, not for medical reasons but use the medical excuse as a way to get around the law and keep your kids? Speechless. Stellar patenting and abuse of the legal system. 5 gold stars. CPS anyone?

They will still prosecute people growing in excess, but it would be like the medical program where they rely on tips from the public for illegal grows, as opposed to actively searching them out. They never come do random checks on the medical growers for compliance. They only audit the dispensaries.

Oh no they will be hot on the heels of illegal growers cause if one thing is certain it’s the IRS doesn’t like missing out on money it’s owed. Plus the illegal trade will go up because they are going to tax the crap out of the legal stuff. Who’s going to pay 3x the cost for legal stuff when they can get illegal for 1/3 of the price? It’s not like it has a “grown in x plantation” sticker on it. So police will have no idea what’s legal and what’s not, unless they start testing the actual types of marijuana for origin. More cost.

Everyone also knows to keep their edibles away from kids, same as you would medication and alcohol.(and pets) edibles aren’t a new thing, they are already in a lot of people’s house.

We must mix in totally different circles. Mine being not drug related.

I think a large portion of people already smoke weed, but would you consider smoking now that it’s legal? Would many of your friends? That’s the answer.

No that’s a question. There is no answer there. The answer is YES! Though since laws are supposed to act as deterrents and it’s addictive, I’m willing to bet some people who never tried it before or did it irregularly due to fear of being caught stopped them will try it or start again.

I’m not saying pothead’s are perfect or anything, but every issue discussed here is barely applicable as people have already been smoking weed, it’s not going to create this whole mess of new people smoking, you either liked it when you tried it and kept doing it, or you didn’t.

I’m actually not sure what you’re saying that’s different fromabove. See previous comment. I think it will create a whoke new mess of users and then heavier drug users. Though perhaps prescription rates of painkillers and benzodiazepine’s will go down. They need to but not through unregulated self medicating.

By decriminalizing it, we reap the benefits of tax income and stop prosecuting people caught with a small amount, which btw the court system seems to prosecute more minority’s even though rates of use across all races are about the same.

Money, money, money. Of course you’re a capitalist society. Fuck socialism and social reform right?

Assuming it’s all bought legally and the tax covers all the ancillary costs. Like future medical conditions, mental health conditions ect. Now you’ll be prosecuting intoxicated drivers, intoxicated persons in public, people carrying too much, people growing illegally. I haven’t exhausted the list I’m sure.

And the race card? Oh you didn’t even go there. That’s the same across all crimes not just drug crimes. Though I’m sure you mean they prosecute at the same levels but sentencing is different. That’s a judicial issue. But we aren’t looking at those, as state above, as they aren’t big enough to look at, we have bigger issues.

Oh and a big FYI there are synthetic forms of THC used for medical purposes, that take 30 minutes to kick in rather than the 5 with smoking. So really this law has nothing to do with medical marijuana (the synthetic stuff is way more effective than smoking and cleaner) it’s all about recreational use.

Like it or not pot IS a gateway drug. Ask any hardcore user’s where they started and they will say with marijuana. So from that expect a rise in the use of other illegal mind altering illicit substance’s. More police to chase it down, enforce it, control gang wars, more highly populated prisons, more violent crimes and the list goes on and on. Yep, need to see that cost analysis cause I have a feeling whomever put this bill together, passed it and voted for it was high during all stages.

Anyone wanna add anything else? Please feel free to coment and I’ll reply with my usual level of disdain for stupid.

Screw It Let's Get High!

Bite My Bark Rants 0 Comments

Since the USA has introduced the legalization of marijuana in a few states now, I feel its time for me to address this total clusterfuck of new laws. Seriously? Whomever wrote the bill, passed it or voted for it must be users because to the rest of educated society it’s a disgrace. Gay couples can’t get married but fuck yeah let’s all get high.

The facts are there are piles of peer-reviewed clinical published works that prove the use of MJ is NOT a good or harmless thing. Anyone who has seen a functional MRI of a chronic users brain will know it literally eats holes in it. They will also know that the prefrontal cortex isn’t fully developed till 25, so making it legal at 21 is only to fit in with states drinking laws. The fun doesn’t stop there as the brain is constantly pruning your entire life and neural pathways forming and making new ones. MJ changes this process, due to its intoxicating effects and altering of brain chemicals. Much the same as alcohol.

So now we have a drug that’s legal akin to alcohol, which of course has been legal forever except during times of contraband. So yes they are comparable, except one has been legal, despite all the negative health outcomes and the other hasn’t. Does society ever learn? Just because it’s legal doesn’t make it safe or innocuous. So comparing the two is similar on effect level but not on a legal level. There is NO WAY a population would vote for delegalizing alcohol, regardless of its negative effects. But we should learn from this example.

There is overwhelming evidence, peer-reviewed, that conclusively proves MJ causes mental health issues. Which is a domain that the U.S. struggle with already. It also causes numerous health issues, again another area the US struggles with. So we’ve just added to that burden.

It causes anxiety, depression, psychotic breaks to mention just a few. There is some evidence to suggest that psychotic breaks only happen in people with a predisposition to it. But you have to wonder, who knows they have that till it happens? It’s a recessive thing, so you could go generations who carry the genetic weakness and not have it manifest till both parents pass on that gene. Who’s up for a game of mental health Russian roulette?

I agree MJ is just as bad as alcohol, no debating that. Though we’ve just established that will never be criminalized. So it’s really an argument that has no legs. Just cause it’s legal, doesn’t make it any less harmful. It just means as a society we are more willing to accept these dangers and let’s face it we live in a drinking culture.

There is also the argument that prescription drugs can be just as bad. Agreed. But they are regulated and prescribed for a medical reason. Getting high isn’t a reason that will get you a prescription. Plus the rates of hardcore painkillers and benzodiazepines prescription in the US are more than in any other developed country. That needs to be addressed also. But it’s not cause it’s easier to throw pills at people and cheaper than treating them and therapy. It’s also the reason you have so many strung out individuals in society. The over prescription issue is a huge one but one that won’t be addressed unless the U.S. health system gets a total overhaul or becomes better regulated. Here, you want Xanax? Never going to happen! Valium or any other benzodiazepine your doctor needs to be able to prove to our governing bodies they are not over prescribing and meeting their duty of care to their patients.

Ok so it’s legal and they are going to tax the crap out of it. Well that sure as shit won’t stop the illegal drug trade. Actually it’s likely to have the reverse effect. Who’s going to pay premium taxed price when you can get it illegally cheaper? Never pay full retail remember. Plus we are making the massive assumption that people want to smoke pure weed, homegrown. Not the supercharged stuff or laced with other drugs. Most people who smoke week want the most potent form and laced, more bang for their buck. Legalizing homegrown pot won’t stop that. It actually might enhance the trade of other drugs, so they can lace their own. Problem right there!

That then brings me to associated cost that legalization will provide. Not now, now they are gaining money. But when the laws have been in place a few years to decades the health and mental health industries are going to feel it. Not to mention the fact the effect second and third hand smoke will have on children and non users. Will the tax revenue cover that? Will it cover policing intoxicated driving? Enforcing not being intoxicated in public? The fact children will have easier access to it if it’s in their homes? We are potentially creating a while generation of addicts. THC is addictive both psychologically and physically. So it might be a bit of a leap but a generation with easy access to a drug that makes you lazy and unfocused? Well you can kiss goodbye to an educated society because they won’t be motivated enough to become educated. They will be sitting at home all day watching TV, giggling and eating cookies. Maybe those MBA’s WILL be worth more than the paper they are written on some day. I NEVER thought I’d say that!

That’s not saying all smokers won’t achieve (there are always exceptions), that’s to blanket. My question is will they achieve to the same level? Again you can’t quantify because what’s unaffected potential measured v affected potential when you can’t have individualized baseline unaffected data. It’s impossible to measure but obviously since it affects memory (says the peer-reviewed studies) it becomes a matter of how much an effect it might have/had. We will never know. What we do know is you won’t real FULL potential, even if you gain an education. But he’ll if you’re happy with “as best as I could do given the circumstances” then go for it. But it’s NOT the same as the best you could have done. Simple. Same as if you go out drinking regularly, you can still pass all your classes but your grade will be affected. Nature if the beast. Not only cause it addled the brain but because it cuts into study time, attention span and recollection of what you’ve learned. Each to their own.

I wonder how many users pursue post-graduate studies? Or more than a diploma or bachelors degree? I think you’d find nowhere near as many as who didn’t smoke both due to motivation and grades that don’t reflect true potential.

Then you could argue usage won’t go up. Sure it will, it’s now legal. Current users will use more and people who have never used in the past will try it out. Laws act as to both punish and deter. Gone. So yes usage will go up.

Another point is how will companies drug screen employees? THC stays in your system for literally months. So they won’t be able to tell really if you used today or 3 months ago. Well unless they develop a measure to determine how much of the chemical is present in the body. Though since we all have varying metabolisms, that will be problematic alone.

My next thought then goes to children of users. Here if you fail a drug test pregnant at term, the baby is taken from you and so are the rest of your kids. A high parent isn’t a responsible one. Plus not to mention the effects it might have in a developing baby. Since we have no way of measuring future potential without drug exposure v with drug exposure it’s a question that has no answer. All we can do is look at what it does to an adult brain and make an educated guess. My educated guess is you are altering potential and harming the baby’s brain, just like the user is theirs. It’s not a real leap that one. Same with alcohol, though fetal alcohol syndrome is something we can identify. Smoking when pregnant causes rates of childhood cancer to increase 500 fold. So again my leap is it will have negative effects on a developing brain, again not a large one. Plus when the baby is born it will go through withdrawal, which can be fatal.

Another argument is MJ cannot be OD’ed on. True. So statistically it can be skewed that MJ isn’t deadly like cocaine or heavier  drugs. It causes ZERO deaths. Well that’s directly. What about indirectly? From accidents, from health related issues, to mental health related issues to neglectful parenting. Sure you can’t OD but you cannot say it causes ZERO deaths when it can have a large part to play indirectly through use, it just won’t kill you by using it directly.

Dont get me wrong for medical purposes it can be a wonderful thing. From chronic pain, to inducing appetite in patients undergoing treatment and palliative care. Just like morphine or any other drug used for any of these purposes. The point again is that it’s a legitimate need, you’re not getting high and you have a good medical reason for using it. Not a recreational one.

So that’s my thoughts in the matter. You might disagree and I’d assume you’re a smoker of it anyway or use Dr Google to look up “facts”…. See what that’s done for immunizations and childhood diseases. (The evidence of the non vax movement is horrifying). Look at proper peer-reviewed, clinical trials, studies with sound methodology and scientific merit and then see what door has just been opened. But for the love of God don’t just google cause anyone can put anything on the Internet, regardless of scientific merit.

Fuck, they let me publish stuff on the Internet. Enough said!

I recommend neurobiological journals, neuroscience journals, psychology journals, abnormal psychology journal and anything related to that to see my point.

Yeah I'm Judging The Hell Out Of You!

Bite My Bark Rants 0 Comments

You know some things are minor seeming things, on deeper inspection not so much, but they really piss me off! They don’t need to be anything special or they might be innocuous or seemingly so.

This pet peeve fits the latter category. Those women who feel the need to wear gym attire EVERYWHERE. Like seriously? Did the fashion gods die and leave you unattended? Or you just stopped caring? You think it makes you look cute? (cute and lazy are not interchangeable) Fit? Healthy? Or, I just dunno, I’m stuck on lazy.

Gym attire is FOR the gym. So if you’re wearing it I assume you’re going TO the gym or have come from the gym. The latter is gross. They have showers and changing facilities for s reason. No one wants to be subjected to your post workout stank. NO ONE and how you can walk around and let’s face it it’s more like a strut in your sweat covered, stinky and actually bacteria breeding ground of clothing longer than is absolutely necessary is beyond me. Are you trying to start a plague of super gym related bacteria or fungus? Vaginal mushrooms the new in thing? Ack. My OCD just went into overdrive and not even a bleach bath will fix it. Not even a dozen. It’s all types of fucking gross! Get it together and find personal hygiene, cause you two need to set up a meeting ASAP. Before you start another plague! Please I beg you and so do the rest of the population.

If you are going TO the gym, same principle applies. Change rooms. Conveniently you will also have something clean to change into post workout, after a shower. See how that works? Poetic really! Plus let’s face it if you have the spare time to go to the gym frequently, you can spare 5-10 minutes to put on proper clothes and shower. Hell you might not even have to shower that night if you time things right. You might be time-saving! You’re welcome.

Yeah I hear you all saying “but it’s comfortable” but so are harem pants and a tank, a cute playsuit or even shorts and a tank. In winter jeans and a sweater (not sweat pants, they are for at home only)…. That argument has as many holes in the bucket as the song. So my advice is “fix it dear gym bunny, fix that hole”.

So some of you might be rolling your eyes thinking I’m vain. No not really at all. I’m all about looking decent  (at worst) and good when I need too. I’m not suggesting full makeup (or ever really, I might put on the basics maybe once a week or properly if I’m going out or have a work meeting). A tinted moisturizer, bit of cream blush/eyeshadow/lip combo and MAYBE some mascara and I’m good to go, on a dressed up a bit day. Normally sans makeup, just sunscreen. I’m not suggesting blown out hair, straightened and I use far too much dry shampoo but everyone can rock a ponytail, easily. See it’s simple.

Then I wonder as a Mum, a wife, a housekeeper and student WHO the fuck has the time to go to the gym several times a week? Like chasing toddlers isn’t enough exercise! You try lifting 18kg of pure muscle dozens of times a day! Add in a 11kg baby and a 17kg and 21kg kid. Weights be damned. Squatting to pick up kids, to clean up mess, to tidy ect. Then there is the chasing…. God I get 5 hours workout a day at HOME!

I’d rather spent that time WITH my kids, planning stuff for them, looking after the household chores (ok not rather spending time but it has to be done) with MrBmB and yeah yeah working. No way I have 7-10 hours a week to fit into going to the gym (travel time, exercise, showering ect.) I’m just FAR too busy and my top priority are my family, not my body.

Health sure, I’m diabetic so that’s a must and after 4 kids I’m at my pre pregnancy weight (don’t hate me I have a hard assed endocrinologist who threatened me with lack of kidney function, loss of eye sight, loss of limbs and death…. I’m not sure if he meant from the diabetes or him but you don’t fuck with this endocrinologist he’s as tough as nails, blunt and I have to say I love him lol).

I didn’t document my weight loss cause frankly that’s all types of narcissistic even for me (yeah woah right but I have self-esteem) and the answer “I did it cause I didn’t want to die” gets mixed results. I have metabolic syndrome also (thyroid fine so it gets zero credit). I’m happy to talk about it. It’s really easy, remembering I have 3 spinal fractures so exercise was out. Calories in less than calories expended. No secret. Low GI carbs, not no carbs(hello kidney failure), eat low-fat and take good quality vitamins (Xanax is a vitamin right? It’s a joke people) and no special wonderful diet that’s all kinds of weird, crazy and frankly a fad. I lost 70lbs in 9 months, doing these simple things. No diet pills, no shakes just plain fucking common sense. Spent ZERO time at the gym and taught my kids healthy eating habit. My diabetes is in the non medicated range due to it. (for the time being, it’s autoimmune, so we shall meet again no doubt)

But I digress. Gym wear is gym wear not everyday attire. It never will be and when I see you at drop off/pick up I sure as shit judge the fuck out of you. You can take your kids for bike rides, walks, play in the park, play tag, soccer ect for exercise. Plus all the aforementioned exercise you get just being a parent. You don’t need a fucking gym as a parent . I see it as self-absorbed, narcissistic (and coming from me that’s huge) and vanity and insecurity all mixed into one low self-esteem bundle.

I will add here some women need the kickstart and I don’t begrudge them that. But the ones I know are doing it for their health and not vanity. Back to gastric bypass territory here. You know who you are. I also have no issue with parents exercising at home when kids are napping. You’re still parenting at the same time and not fucked then off for “me” time.

I had a mother of a friend of Master 6’s say she’d never have another baby (they have an only child) cause it changed her body too much. She’s a massive gym bunny. Well fuck me, creating a life of course comes second to skinny jeans. Seriously it took all my willpower not to cut her on the spot. I’m sure she’s an awesome parent too. Actually not, Dad takes the child to birthday parties while Mum goes to the gym.

All I have to say is I hope it’s all worth it, skinny jeans, lack of memories and teaching your children size is everything. When they develop an eating disorder or and obsessive exercise disorder be sure to blame society and not the example you have set. Cunts. Hope it keeps you warm at night and those final moments on earth aren’t these ones I’m telling you you’re going to regret.

For the record I’m not anti healthy at all. I’m as healthy as they come. I’m anti putting your kids in care, leaving them with random relatives, spending large parts of most days in the gym and basically being a total asswipe parent. I even judge Mum’s who leave kids with Dad on weekends so they can have “bonding time with Dad” and they go to the gym. Fucking lame excuse. That’s family time. Hell I won’t even exercise in our HOME gym when the kids are in bed cause I actually like spending time with my husband and without kids that’s few and far between as it is.

So in summary, have a meeting with personal hygiene, get your priorities straight and stop being a douche parent. If I hear “but having ME time makes me a better parent”, yes I will agree. But “ME” time doesn’t equal a full waking day (in hours a week) at the gym and for Christ sakes just have a relaxing bath or go shopping for a few hours or a massage.

You don’t even have to buy anything shopping, just relax kid free. But posting all your fitness, weight loss and other associated diet crap for the rest of us to see? Vanity. Pride and Envy are mortal sins, even I know that and I’m not religious. You might get sycophant pats on the back but for every 1 of those 100 of us are thinking just what I said and rolling our eyes. You might have better self-esteem (it’s not real by the way cause its based on others opinions, psychological fact) but credibility, none. Ouch!

You’re a parent, time to grow up and stop acting like an insecure teenager. Or those of you who will for sure write in and call me jealous I’m a US size 4, have an epic rack and am a 9 on a bad day. I’m not in the least jealous. I’m just honest!

I Hate Suprises

Bite My Bark Rants 0 Comments

You know when you get to that’s in life where you think you *might* just have it all together? Yeah no not me really either, but I was so bloody close I could taste it. Plans laid out, visions of where the future was headed and all that jazz. Then Bam! All it takes is one slit second, bot even a bad decision and it all changes in a heartbeat. At this point it’s a hypothetical change, nothing set in stone but it’s looming on the horizon and contingency plans B through X didn’t cover this. Totally blindsided. Well welcome to my last 24 hours. It’s been a turbulent ride and at this point I’m not sure which way is up, though that might be the pharmacy of Valium and Xanax I’ve consumed talking. Ground down, I’ve got that much in perspective at least. Time and the waiting game. I’m not a patient person, especially when I’m not in total control of the situation. Even more neurotic when I have no fucking control.

Now before anyone goes freaking out everyone is in perfect health, nothing doom and gloom looming, just perhaps some unexpected change. Did I ever mention I hate surprises? I do, with a passion. So fuck this.

On a more cheerful bite the latest member of our fur family came to join us on Friday. Bosco/Loki depending on who you ask is settling in like a champ. Elliot The Wonder Cat has turned into all sorts of Grumpy Cat but is coming around.

Turns out this little ball of fluff likes to play. So he’s winning points with her. We’ve gone from growling and hissing from 20 feet to mammoth chase each other around sprees until someone is exhausted. That someone being Elliot mainly! At 5 months she just can’t keep up with her 11 week counterpart. It’s been an interesting ride but they seem to have made friends and that’s all you can hope for in 48 hours, right? The pitter patter of eight teeny cat feet as they race through the bedroom night as we’ll be baby elephants. They don’t play quietly at all.

They have distinctive personalities. Elliot is Alpha female and doesn’t like to be challenged. Bosco is a total fearless adventurer that doesn’t seem to know boundaries. It’s been an interesting mix. Elliot is very independent and Bosco is a total snuggle bunny. That said they both run the house in their own separate ways. So far they agree, though the day they disagree, well I hate to think what will happen. Let’s cross that bridge when we come to it eh?

So that’s the weekend update. Enjoy the rest of yours!

So We Made Up…. If It Ain't Broke Don't Try And Fix It!

Bite My Bark Rants 0 Comments

And just like that, my wave goodbye turns back into a wave hello, again. You all remember that after 8 long years recently I walked away from Apple and got myself a Surface Pro 3 over a Mac Air. Well I am officially saying while it was a nice try, it turned into a fuctastical experience. Three days in and the damn Windows SP3 won’t turn on. Yes that’s right THREE bloody measly days and the damn thing is BROKEN. The hard reset won’t fix it and I’m over it.

I was all excited because it seemed to be everything I needed, but what I need most is for the fucker to work and it’s failed that test in under a fucking week. Actually that’s a fairly low expectation not to meet. I was just getting the hang of Windows again, which wasn’t too bad but a little annoying and then this happens. That’s it, as far as I’m concerned they had their shot and they blew it. Sure it might be a one-off, though google tells me otherwise and it could honestly happen with any device, it’s enough to make me turn my back on my previous decision and chalk it up to a learning experience. Better the devil you know and all that.

I’m not sure what Microsoft’s warranty is like, but I know my consumer rights and if its dead in under a week, then I’m legally entitled to a refund and I just couldn’t be assed dealing with an entire Windows set up again. Really couldn’t be fucking assed, when I can just download everything I want from the cloud, right to a new laptop and be up and running in under an hour. If they are anything like Apple they will try to replace the unit. Well that sure as shit aint happening, regardless of what they THINK is going to happen.

In my world if I step a toe into a pond and it burns me first shot, then that pond is to be avoided for the rest of eternity. Why? Because my gripe with Apple had nothing to do with it not working, it had to do with not delivering more. Big fucking difference. The SP3 might promise to deliver and if working it certainly delivers more, regardless of me having to get used to windows again, but not working at all…. BANISHED!! Totally unacceptable.

You might be sitting there thinking, well that’s a tough stance, it might just be unlucky. Yes it might be, but I’m taking it as a sign that unlucky means unwise to continue down this path. Why should I get a replacement and HOPE that I don’t have the same issue? Hope is fools gold.  I’ve been burned… What happens if I have this issues several uses in and lose everything on the computer? Shit I need? Yeah yeah backup and all that, but its a fuck load harder on a non Apple device than an Apple one. They had their change and they blew it, big time. The specs might be better, the performance better ball blah blah but that’s only relevant if the fucker works. See the issue, the fucker aint working. Deal breaker. This is why I don’t try new things, read the last chapters of books first and need to know the end of a tv series before I begin to watch it. I hate fucking rude surprises. New devices dying in under a week, big bad surprise and the tilt is epic.

So now I have to go in and deal with the retail side of things. An exchange for an Apple Air would be fine, as long as they customise it and give the appropriate, i.e. equivalent Apple price, but as we all know retail stores do not match educational prices, which is what it’s classed as, so be damned I’m spending more on something because they can’t price match. Plus I’m not waiting a second longer than Apple takes to get it to me 1-3 days. I’m already out an office subscription and that’s enough of a loss to make me want to cut someone because I’m going to have to purchase office for Mac to go on the new computer. So that goes back too. I want that at least traded for the mac addition. No fuck that, it falls under “reasonable” cost with the return as well as the keyboard and SD card I don’t need unless I have a SP3. So full fucking refund suckers.

I’m going in consumer lawed up and let the wrath begin. Though fortunately for them they are very accommodating and refund issued for everything on the spot and Mac Air ordered on my phone via Apple Store before I leave the store.

So kiddies the point to all of this? Try new things, sure. But don’t let it bite you in the ass more than once. If bitten, go back to what you know and trust. Oh and know your consumer rights cause sure as shit they come in handy.

Now running good my new customised Mac Air will be in my hands by the end of the week. Hopefully this ends the saga. Once bitten, twice shy. It will have to take a mammoth fuck up by Apple to have me venture into new phone territory. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! Lesson learned.

Dear John…. I'm Watching You

Bite My Bark Rants 2 Comments

No, nothing perverted going on today here at BmB, sorry for all the pervs out there… I’m sure it will happen one day!

No real  blog post for today but I urge you to Google John Oliver and watch 2-3 of his video’s. Whichever takes your fancy.

This guy is fucking fantastic! Brilliant!

To get you started one of my faves;

and one I just watched.

Just for good measure these are worth a really good watch! (Farewell again to all my American followers)

I didn’t add these originally to my Gun Control pieces.

the one on nutritional supplements and Dr Oz is also a goodie. I could get list watching these for hours!

My Inner Geek Died And Rose From The Dead… All In 5 minutes.

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Ok,so I didn’t know I even had an inner geek until recently. There are so many TV shows, movies etc that I just can’t bring myself to watch for a myriad of reasons. Firstly if it’s fostered upon me as a “much watch” then you’re shit out of luck, cause I MUST NOT do anything. It’s an automatic response and not something I can control. NO!  So there are shows like Game Of Throne (GoT) that ate sitting in my ‘Never going to happen” pile (along with a few others) and honestly I have no idea what I’m missing out on so I really don’t give two shit’s. Ignorance is bliss and this tends to drive true die-hard fans around the bend. How could I NOT want to watch? Simple. Cause you told me I just HAD to. First rule of thumb, never tell me I HAVE to do anything. Plus they don’t look that appealing… I will NAEVEr start watching a series that is not complete before I start, cause I must know the end. I stopped watching True Blood after the 3rd episode of the lat series, know the end and thats enough. Plus WTF it’s like their good writers took seasons off. Only Eric saved that show…. Total badass, cunt, love it. But that taught me a valuable lesson. NEVER commit to t TV show till it’s finished unless it’s fluff (Modern family for example). Hell I just rewatched EVERY season of Scrubs again back to back (bar the last one, like the new Star Wars they don’t exist in my world, though Dave Franco I do love you).

Though I have a bet riding on The Boss. I like, I forget I think if they win I admit I was wrong (big deal here), I dislike they have to watch EVERY episode of Glee ever made. Seems fair. (I had a similar bet on The Newsroom, which I could nether like nor dislike so we settled for them skipping missing every episode of Charmed ever made and a nice case of wine for me… Oh yeah I’m mean I pick shows not even I could stomach)

I also have this weird “thing” as I like to call it. I read the last chapter of every book I ever get first, I wait for tv series to be over, so I know the ending before they start (Breaking Bad is an example of this and i’ve yet to watch last 3 episodes, cause I know how it ends and I just can’t bring myself to that type of closure, its too final and again sends me a bit loopy) and this makes my world a nice little safe place, where I know how much time, emotion and investment to put into characters. Surprise endings? Well they throw me for a loop and I REALLY don’t cope well with them, almost as bad as I don’t cope well with predictable endings. Hell I just don’t like endings. Fuck it. So you can see what kind of fucked up level my brain operates on. Though I have to have closure in real life, translation, final say.

But hell it works for me. If it’s a movie series (i.e. Hunger Games, Divergent) then I might see the movie first, purchase the books and read the last chapter of the last book as soon as I get it. I HAVE to know how it ends, before I get invested. Saves of nasty surprises later. I DO recommend the HG books, great read (better than movies). I read the last chapter of the last book, then started with the second then went to the end and started again. Sequencing is also very important. OCD, get on board. Divergent? Well the books are crap and the ONLY saving grace is Theo James is in the movies and that alone will put my ass in a chair and I’d jump ship on Mr BmB in a millisecond if that opportunity presented itself. He knows this, is fine with it cause he doesn’t think it could happen… I see that as a challenge. My god that is one damn fine-looking man. Ok more so in the Divergent suit and that killer tat (That’s which I lost really like IRL but that’s one hell of a sexy back). I’m glad I read the last chapter first, cause fuck me that would have had me so off tilt a massive handbag binge and a pharmacy would not have saved me.

But this brings me back to my inner geek that has only just found the light of day in the form of Dr Who and Peter Capaldi. The man’s interpretation of The Doctor genius, it’s all types of quirky and is it just me or do the storylines actually make sense now? I kind of see him as the “House” (as in the Hugh Lawrie character) of the Dr Who world. He is just damn unpredictable, weird, quirky and fascinating enough to keep my interest held firm and me entertained. I can honestly say up until the last episode of the last series I had NO idea who Mat Smith was and in my mind he and David Tenant were interchangeable. No idea. I did however like Chris Eccleston, way back in series 1, not as much as Capaldi, but he was alway my number 1. He’s been dethroned and in an epic way.

Now I understand that really die-hard fans of Dr Who fans are having trouble adjusting and I’ve heard a lot more negative than positive. The overwhelming consensus’ is he isn’t like. Well I say, I think that he has turned an old, tired, weird tv show into something that is actually entertaining and I personally look forward to watching it. It’s a guilty pleasure, not so secret now. I wouldn’t call my self a Whovian, that’s far too broad but a Capaldian? I’m signing up.

I just watched the latest episode and near stroked out when I realised there was only one more left in the series. Last episode looks EPIC! This sent me into a google fit looking for confirmation of series 9 and if there was to be a new Doctor. The answers are yes and no in that order. OMG my word stopped crashing down. I FINALLY had just “gotten” something that most of my friends get and it was all going to be snatched away from me. Given the way I’ve outlined how I like to go about reading books and watching TV series, you can imagine this made me all types of OCD itchy. But nope, he’s here for one more series and at least indicated he’d be interested in a third. Happy dance time…. Yeah I’m now that weird geek I never got before, but see the difference is this is the cool/rebel version of the geek cause what I like the real fans hate. I promise this was not done on purpose, I watched the first few episodes out of curiosity. I was a bit weirded out by the choice of Doctor in the last episode of the last series, cause man he was OLD,  but after the first episode I was all in. This is not tv I normally watch, actually I don’t normally watch anything, but docs or John Oliver (if you haven’t her or seen him he is a must)…

So today my inner geek died to be resurrected. Even if it was just dead for a few minutes. To this I say long live Capaldi as The Doctor and the rest can fuck right off. Except Eccleston, he can stay cause he was pretty good too.

** Just as an ironic side bar I rate The Usual Suspects and Primal Fear as the two best movies of all time, due to the twist ending that was so magnificent I never saw it coming. I recommend these if you haven’t seen them. Kevin Spacey and Ed Norton at their very finest and a should watch if you want to enrich your life. I won’t say must, cause no one must do anything but If you choose not to, your loss!

And yeah yeah spelling, grammar and all that jazz… its 2am, deal with it, it’s still readable.

42 Is Not The Meaning Of Life – Sorry Lewis Carroll

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The funny thing about insomnia, ok well it’s not really ha ha funny, more scratch your head in a what the living fuck kind of way funny, is that it’s during this time when the world is quiet and peaceful you realise that life isn’t quiet and peaceful at all. The actual silence and stillness is so very foreign. Actually life for most of us life is a total clusterfuck of dragging ourselves through one day, just to get to the next.

We live in a fast paced, cutting edge, go out and get em’ type world. We have so many opportunities, so many things we CAN achieve and so much we can do. This mantra is drilled into us from an early age, it’s what we tell our kids to inspire them (not all bad), we tell them they can have it all (I guess they can, or can they?) and the can be everything they want. The irony of it all is we forget to tell them is to LIVE! We take moments for granted, we miss the finer details and we as sure as shit don’t stop to smell the roses. Cause ain’t nobody got time for that!

That’s not the biggest irony though (if you can call that irony in the strictest sense of the word and since this is my blog and I can write whatever the fuck I like I’m calling it irony) is that whilst we live longer than ever before we also live harder. Not in the good way either, like the young persons creed of “party hard or go home” type hard, they at least are living in the moment, whether responsibly or not. Life is just damn hard and we have made it that way or at least contributed to a society that makes it that way.

We live in a constant pressure cooker, pushing ourselves to our limits, beyond our limits and while we have quantity of life thanks to better healthcare and medical innovation, the quality of life has gone down the drain for the most part. So we live far longer, but we also live far more complicated. Complicated is NEVER a good word. You know when you see someone FB status as “It’s Complicated” you just don’t want to know cause its going to be a total mind bend.

I’m not sure if I’ve posted about this before or just started a post about this before but at any given point in time 1:2 (50%) of the population is diagnostically clinically depressed. Then add into that 1:3 (33%) are clinically diagnosable with an anxiety related condition. They come in various shapes and forms, from generalized, to specific, to OCD, to control based and the list goes on and on. Granted some anxiety and depression are comorbid conditions a lot of the time (as in exist in parallel within a person at the same time) but we also have increasing rates of bipolar disorders, mood disorders (more general than just anxiety and depression) and even personality disorders. Yes we are better at detecting these things now, we are quick to label anything that’s not “normal” but the actual diagnostic rates do not reflect these shifts accurately, the rates are much higher than the diagnostic criterion would allow for. (Assuming that diagnostic rates are correct but you don’t want to hear me tear to shreds the current diagnostic measures, we shall save that for the PhD)

The way we live is making our brains ill. Also our bodies, but that’s not what I’m jabbering on about today. But unlike a physical ailment it’s seldom discussed and seldom fixed, well other than by throwing pills at it. We all know my great love (sarcasm) for the pill popping society we live in, hell I even joke about it, wash away the day with a coupe of Xanax. It gets a chuckle and people can relate BUT you know what it really isn’t funny and it’s fucked up that everyone can relate. What we do is just keep moving, one foot in front of another, then another and another…. The “day to day grind” You see my point. Never is the core issue addressed. Unfortunately the core issue is the way we live.

When do we take a step back, just for one damn second and ask ourselves what the fuck are we hoping to achieve here? You’re getting picture of 10 year plans, of what you want to achieve, what you want to own, how you want to live and what you want to have. All external, nothing internal right or at least mostly but the external is driving the internal? Or then the common misconception that a good external makes for a good internal. Buzz, wrong! Dead wrong.

Yes obviously we all need to earn to live, to eat, have a home, educate and clothe our children but there is also a huge element of materialism that comes into play. Look you can call me a hypocrite all you like, I love designer handbags, clothes and all things shiny and pretty. I like new technology and having nice things.  I’m just as guilty as the next person, maybe more so and I’m willing to out my hand up and admit it. I like nice things. These things cost money, but today I realised (I’m a bit slow at times) they also cost far more than that, they cost us time, effort, energy, moments and even relationships with other people. Hidden costs that we don’t factor into their “price”. They suddenly don’t look so shiny and pretty anymore.

How often do you hear the phrase “time poor” in your daily life? How often do you use it? The thing is we really aren’t time poor at all, we aren’t poor at prioritizing time and time management. We CHOOSE to live lives that make it this way. We make what I believe on most levels, unconscious decision or are forced, to survive, to be part of the “rat race” and keep pushing to gain more and get greater and better. We are raised that way, it’s the culture we inhabit, it’s also the way we are raising our children.

The expectations on 6 year olds today academically are incredible compared to when I was 6. When I was 6 I was learning the alphabet and started to learn to read and write. I was also having a childhood that involved running around, climbing trees, throwing stones, chasing birds (soulless fuckers, wasn’t going to hurt them I promise), rolling down grass hills and doing a myriad of other things that you really don’t see kids doing today. Today children are expected to be mini adults, granted they are given some leeway but compared to when I was a child, not even in the same universe. I wasn’t asked to construct essays and read War and Peace for Christ’s sake. Ok maybe that’s a slight exaggeration but it sure feels like a good comparison. It’s all fine and good to want the best for our kids, for them to achieve in life but define the word “achieve” (you all thought financially first in some way didn’t you, educated, house, car and then married, children) and then question as to whether it’s coming at the price of the innocence childhood holds. Once that innocence is gone, it’s gone for good. So why are we stealing this from our children so they can be “successful” in the future?

Again define successful and take money out of the equation. Yes I know money is needed to live, blah blah blah, but let’s try to step past the wealth mentality because trust me when I say money can’t buy happiness. People joke it helps and yes being financially stable does help, but I mean heart singing, soul touching and joy radiating happiness here.

I’m sure the first thing ANY parent will tell you is what the want most in life for their child is to be happy and healthy. But sure as shit with the thoughts of happy comes success in material form in a large portion instantly rather than an intrinsic sense of happiness. Cause let’s face it living in poverty doesn’t equal happiness in OUR society. But then again how our society defines happiness is completely different, hence the term “first world problems”. Some of the fiscally poorest nations that have nothing but the essentials and their health are statistically the happiest in the world because they lead uncomplicated and simple lives. Some might say ignorance (as to what are missing) is bliss, I would just say that’s ignorant full stop.

But take a step back for a moment from that type of thinking and the achievement mentality. Ok maybe you might need to take half a dozen or so, just so you really have it out of focus. Stop, be still, be mindful of what’s going on AROUND you and what you are missing. The simple things, the tiniest beauties of life we tromp all over because we are going from point A to point B and while thinking about also getting to points C and D. Or better yet think back to being a child before we were burdened with more responsibility that we could ever have imagined or running our lives pace at warp speed. They say time goes faster when you get older, it sure does seem that way, but it’s really not getting faster, it’s us speeding up. Due to this we are paying the ultimate price, sure we are alive but we cease to live. Or at least in a for filling or meaningful way. This is what our kids see, this is what they model and this is how the reality of life is to them. Well I for one am bloody disgusted at that thought, it makes me feel physically ill.

Think back over the past week when your child has wanted to tell you something that in the grand scheme of things is innocuous, but to them it’s something worth sharing. We’ve half listened, made an appropriate noise but haven’t delved further into WHY they wanted to share this with us. Why it’s important to them and yes I know hearing about Pokemon a million times a day can make you wanna cut whomever created them, seriously. We don’t ask questions, why not? Because we are too “busy”. Or the time they made you sometime, a drawing, a painting or something equally kid like. We glance at it for s second and give them a teeny bit of acknowledgment, the “good job buddy”, and then continue with the task at hand. We don’t stop to study it, to take a really good hard look at what they’ve made, FOR us. Because we actually have “important” stuff we need to do…..Wait what’s more important than our child sharing something they have created with us and us actually being fully engaged?  My mind can’t even cope with the overwhelming sense of grief of what I’ve missed out on in these moments. All because I was getting from point A to point B, thinking about points C and D and this “interruption” didn’t fit into my time poor day. The moments that I’ve missed, the gifts (not in physical terms) and insight from my children, the explanations, the smiles, the giggles, the connection I’ve not received/made and most importantly they’ve learned that we have a finite amount of time in our day to discover what is their life at that point in time. To them, in that moment they are sharing with you what is important in their world, what it’s made up of and we totally either miss or dismiss it offhandedly. They are inviting us into their world and we are too busy to even take more than a peep in, we are missing out ann they are bing shortchanged. Remembering their worlds are so very little just like them, so these little things are actually big bloody deals. They won’t be little forever and these are moments that we can never, will never get back. But its ok right, because that’s what they/we are used to? They will also be the moments we hold closest to our hearts as they grow, leave the nest and we meet our final days here on earth. Did I mention I feel physically ill?

When was the last time (with or without child, it doesn’t matter) you’ve watched a sun rise/set, stopped and smelt the floral scent in the spring air, enjoyed just being in the moment and absorbing what’s going on around you, without distraction? Totally 100% in the moment? I’ll wager it’s been a long time for all of us. When did we stop appreciating life and start just plodding through it? When did we decide that life had to start being a race against the clock?

There is nothing wrong with ambition, for striving for a dream or working towards a goal. Nothing at all. I just wonder when we’ve taken those steps back and realise what we are actually missing if a lot of the time it’s worth the cost? Maybe for some it is, maybe for others it’s not but I really think it’s time as individuals we took a long hard look at our life and wondered where did the actual REALLY living go? Do we ever do a cost/benefit analysis and factor these intrinsic things in or is it all external?

I read recently somewhere, and forgive me because I for the life of me can’t remember where. While we are waiting for our real lives to begin, we fail to see that this is life. We are forever looking towards a brighter future, a future that is not even promised to us but waiting for something to happen, while missing everything in the now. What we don’t recognise is that “the now” IS life. It’s what ewe are waiting for, we just are looking right though it.

What you might ask yourself made me have this gut wrenching epiphany today? It was one simple picture drawn by Master 3. That was all it took for me to realise life isn’t something that just happens that we are waiting for, life is a series of moments that have meaning that are strung together. It’s seeing, capturing and appreciating those moments that make life and nothing more.

Today THIS is what made me stop and think. I’m having this framed, not because it’s a masterpiece or because I think Master 3 is going to be a famous painter but because THIS was my wake up call, my moment of realisation that this IS what life’s about.

So to all my readers, while insomnia might suck ass, this realisation sucked ass even harder. (an yeah yeah grammar, spelling, editing blah blah blah it’s 2;30am deal with it)

I Made A Mistake

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Well actually that’s not really true because I never make mistakes. I might make very slight errors in judgment that lead to an outcome I actually didn’t want, but mistakes? Nope, never. I like to call them “learning experiences”….

Remember when I did my FB pet peeves awhile back? If you don’t you can find it here. But today I realized I forgot one REALLY big pet peeve. The bitchbooking. Now I’m sure you’re thinking I must have covered that in my last post. I looked back and while certain elements of it were there, in its purest form it was missing.

So what is bitchbooking? Basically it’s trolling without the element of friendship or even fun of trolling. It’s commenting on people’s status in a way that is just downright rude, dressed up to look like a joke. The really sad thing is, it really isn’t funny and people think you’re a massive dick for doing it! Like a massive dick, bigger than Boogie Nights type big dick. You just come across as being an asshole. Even more so if you add in a winky face at the end to try to dress it up as a joke cause you really know it’s not. Asshole move dick!

Yes there is a fine line between trolling and bitchbooking and that line really depends on the relationship you have with the person. Personally on my FB account I have about half a dozen to a dozen people who could say something and I’d consider it trolling. If it came from anyone else, bitchbooking. The difference being I like the person who’s trolled me, we are good enough friends for it and I’d troll them given half a chance. The bitchbooker? Well I really don’t like them and generally don’t comment on their statuses at all. It’s pretty likely I have you unsubscribed from my feed cause your shit ain’t worth my time. See the difference?

Then there is the bitchbooking by proxy. Where you make a remark that is addressed to address something you’ve said. I can be more specific here actually as it happened today. Remember my post about unfit mother? Well a mutual “friend” commenting “oh they are so lucky to have you as their Mumma”…. Bitchbooking by proxy.

Oh yeah feel the burn?! Nah not me, I’m actually rubbing my hands together in glee. It means that my little old blog post not only hit the target dead on but also the targets friend and OMG they’ve been talking about it and me. You all forget I can SEE who reads my blog and how often… 4 times is a little obsessive. Hit a nerve did I? Why didn’t I feel my ears burning I wonder?

Nonetheless it just made my day that little bit brighter because now I KNOW the target of the blog read it (I’m waving hello and laughing at you all just let the record show) and the people around you read it too. Though the hate mail kinda gave that away…. But hell to be bitchbooked over my lil old blog (oh fyi that blog got my most hits ever, over 1000… So there was much interest in what I had to say and curiously only 17 letters of hate and almost four times that patting me on the back) just really does make me feel all kinds of good. Cause job well done me eh? I just wish I could have been a fly in the wall when the ignorant internet royal court read the blog. Hopefully FB was in spy mode and captured it on their cameras? Cause I’d pay seriously good money to see that shit!

And with that Bitchbooker, consider yourself called out!