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Sarah’s Scribbles comments on woo:

To clarify, proponents of woo tend to over-prescribe lifestyle changes as a means to cure all ails. While there are health problems that can be fixed by improving one’s diet or getting regular exercise, “I’m feeling unwell” could be caused by a lot of different things. It’s rude to assume why someone is under the weather, even moreso to insinuate they don’t eat well or exercise enough.

-Shiv

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I have a rather peculiar taste in music. It seems I don’t have any preference for genres, although some genre conventions mean the typical song within that genre might miss what I look for. As a classically trained musician, I harbour a strong appreciation for entire score. That is to say, I appreciate good “layering.” I don’t hone in on any part of a song, but rather have to consider the sum of the parts. If any part is off, I don’t like the song. The lyrics have to possess some kind of structure. The harmony has to be at least as catchy as the melody. The bass has to produce motion. Much like I can predict what is about to come in a sentence as I am reading it, I should be able to have an approximation of what’s going to happen in the next bar. It can’t be overly monotonous but transitions to different “attitudes” should be surprising. You see my problem?

So, I present a modern iteration of what I just babbled about: the Trine series. In particular, Trine 2:

While I’m waiting for my appointment with a publicly covered therapist, I need to deal with this crippling depression somehow. Getting lost in music that can take me on a journey seems like a safe way to lose myself, for a few hours at a time. No side effects or addictions. Plus, I can take note of songs I want to cover, eventually!

Please, share an ear worm with me, and tune in to the deliciously suggestive Trine 2 OST. Bob your head to the sway of the sassy Bassoon! She pokes her head in every few songs to “nuh-uh” the audience, wagging her finger back and forth. Unless she pairs with the harpsichord and strings, in which case, they’re all plotting something no good.

-Shiv

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To begin, a fairly standard disclaimer in all things kink: Don’t try this at home; don’t try this alone; do your homework. It is usually safer to try new things in kink in front of other people, because most kink activities are fairly risky and having other people around, especially if they’re experienced, can help mitigate those risks.

Fire play is extremely hazardous. Preparing accordingly means having spotters, the right venue and the right equipment. Below is the same set-up I use to demo this on others, most commonly at play parties where there is a rotation of observers and participants throughout the night. There are many fire play techniques but I have found this one to be accessible to beginners.

You will need:

• At least one spotter (someone who will supervise your practice), who is trained to use a fire extinguisher or fire blanket, and preferably has done this before.
• A fire extinguisher.
• A fire blanket.
• A bowl and cotton balls.
• Up to snuff first aid, especially for burns.
• A phone handy for 911, if things get really hairy.
• A fuel source; I recommend 70% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) for the technique detailed below.
• A barbecue lighter. No matches, no candles, no open flames in general. Zip lighters doable, but not recommended.
• A victim volunteer; either to ignite the fuel (the “Top”) or be the recipient (the “bottom”).
• No synthetic fibre clothing on the bottom. Naked is safest. Natural fibres are next best, preferably with no or rolled up sleeves. Ideally neither participant has styled their hair with any kind of mousse, gel, spray, or product with alcohol in it. Long hair should be tied back.
• Affirmative, informed consent from your volunteer. Your volunteer should also be assured that you will call emergency responders if necessary, even if they ask uncomfortable questions about what you were doing.
• A venue that is as nonflammable as you can find. Concrete and certain types of tile can take longer to ignite and give you more time to respond to a disaster; carpets grant you no such luxury. In a house, best place is sometimes the basement or the kitchen, depending on how it is set up. If you live in a big city, there might be a dungeon that allows fire play where you can try this (and also meet people to supervise your practice).

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