i am a long time yes fan, so i was extremely pleased to learn that a new album was released this past july, close to 10 years since their last studio album. i’m listening to it right now, and i really like it. a new singer, benoît david, and keyboard player, geoff downes, enhance, rather than diminish the line up. i actually went out and purchased the cd, rather than buying it on iTunes.

if you enjoyed yes in the past, i highly recommend this album.

i just came back from the zombie research society’s phoenix chapter meeting at bookman’s. i had to join. i’m now a lifetime member.

i bought a bishoujo rogue figure yesterday at drawn to comics

so now the collection looks something like this:

on a trans message board i frequent, the question was posted “Why is gender dysphoria painful?” there was the usual talk, and i posted this as a response:

the whole “girl mode” and “boy mode” thing, the “feeling like myself” thing – these phrases never worked for me. in 1984, the concept of newspeak is explored, and to me, that’s one of the difficulties in talking about the trans experience. there are no words to express the feelings and experiences involved in living as a trans person. with newspeak, the government crafted the language so that only politically correct thoughts could be expressed. and to me, that’s what using english is like to describe being trans.

i’d go as far as to say that the very question “Why is gender dysphoria painful?” results as part of the limited vocabulary in english. because there’s no language, the thoughts in and around the trans experience are very difficult, or even impossible to verbalize. i think most every trans person would agree that gender dysphoria *is* painful. why it’s painful is obvious to the trans person. it’s about authenticity. it’s about moving through the world as a fully actualized human being. the “why” is not much more than mental masturbation, because it’s something that’s felt down to the fiber of ones bones and soul. it’s like asking why a headache is painful. because it hurts – it’s that simple and obvious.

had my annual exam today. i really like this new guy they have, T.J., he’s sincere, gentle, and seems to know his stuff. i was considering changing to a different practice, but i’m very comfortable with him. all looks ok, pending test results. looks like i’ll live.

i installed the apex j frame duty/carry kit in my s&w 637-2 today. took all of 15 minutes. definitely lightens the trigger pull by a few pounds. looking forward to trying it out at the range.

as we near the close of zombie awareness month, i thought i’d highlight a recent purchase. besides, how could anyone pass by a tool called “the annihilator”, made by a company called dead on tools. home depot sells the 18″ version currently for $29.95, and it’s even featured on the zombie research society blog.

may is zombie awareness month.

picked up this primo ceramic water cooler in preparation for the coming zombie apocalypse. shopped around, walmart had the best price at $30.00. now i just need to stock up on water.

apparently, they’re making the fender rhodes piano again, only it’s not made by fender. why wasn’t i told?!?!?