Author: Paul In The Buff

Chief mischief maker at Living In The Buff Studio. A project turned, movement, turned cause to find fulfillment within and without.

COVID-19 Shutdown: Day 2

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So I should thank Jesus for not giving me fatal viruses? For not striking me down with a fatal accident? How about the people who have suffered? By this logic, shouldn’t they be cursing god and/or Jesus for forcing them to suffer, and die? I mean, nothing happens outside of god’s plan in your world, right?

But I should thank god that I haven’t yet been infected with HIV, even thought I made personal choices like engaging in safe sex during my youth, not having indiscriminate sexual relationships, and choosing a path in life that hasn’t involved drug use, or addiction? 

I avoided Ebola? Not sure how wide spread Ebola was in this area, and I believe for transmission you pretty much needed to lick the liver of an infected person. Also, I don’t live in West Africa, which greatly reduces my chances of coming across Ebola, and Boko Haram. However, there are plenty of right-wing extremists like Boko Harem here in the United States, they just kill en mass for their delusional christian ideals, instead of delusional islamic ideals.

I’ve been involved in MANY accidents in my life. I credit both my reflexes, and good engineering for the minimal injuries I’ve suffered. Yes, I realize an accident could take me out tomorrow. Someone around here most likely will perish in an accident soon – they happen almost every day. I’m sure plenty of people who die in accidents probably praise, and thank Jesus, right up until the moment Jesus sends the random drunk driver into their path. Again, all according to god’s plan…

COVID-19 Shutdown: Day 1

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Although I haven’t hoarded toilet paper, I feel I’m fairly well prepared for this. My only concern is being between jobs and/or contracts right now, so no reliable income. People obviously aren’t going to be buying photography, and video services right now, so I need to really buckle down. 

So far things are ok. Of course, we’re both coming down with a cold right now. Gigs, and events have been all but cancelled through April. New York just announced a required closure of restaurants, bars, gyms, theaters – pretty much anywhere people can gather. Didn’t hear anything on bowling alleys, but I would assumed they would fall into the same category.

My main worry is Evan, of course. He is potentially immuno-compromised on his current chemo medication, so I want to make sure he is protected. School is closed for now, so I get extra time at home with Cortney.

Off to work on home projects, and try to not get injured doing so!

Naked Truths – A Follow-up

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This is what women demonstrate that they want. This doesn’t scream “the media creates He-Man images because that’s what men relate to.” No, this would give the impression that the very opposite is true. Men relate to the He-Man image because that is what women constantly show that they hold as their ideal. It varies, of course. Maybe women are more attracted to the Hugh Jackman type, but I would wager if truth serum is applied, the majority would admit that they fantasize about the wolverine under the sweater, as much as they would fantasize about him baking a quiche for their garden party.

Weigh-In Wednesday – Back On My Soapbox

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Sure, more people do die from other sources than have died from Corona virus thus far. But the Corona virus is deadly, and stopping it from spreading will SAVE LIVES. As noted in this handy “I’m Conservative So I Think The Media Is Evil and I Only Listen To InfoWars and Rush Limbaugh” chart that proves nothing other than people die from many sources, people still die from other things. Duh.

The difference is, these other things aren’t contagious. You’re not going to contract Heart Disease by shaking the hand of someone with Heart Disease. If a diabetic sneezes on you, it’s gross, and rude, but you’re not going to become diabetic from the exposure. See the difference?  No? I have no hope for you then.

Weigh-In Wednesday – There’s Always More Than One Side

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Marriage has become a ridiculous social expectation first forced upon us by our religious institutions who want to claim some kind of ownership on the whole thing, and now pushed by our government that actually incentivizes (straight) people to get married, and punishes everyone who chooses not to, or lives, and loves in an alternative relationship. To add to that, you have the whole “tradition” expectation that you NEED to be married before starting a family. This probably comes from the fact some men will bolt, and leave their partner, and kids to fend for themselves, but this is exacerbated by the social expectation that the pinnacle of living life is reproduction, which is another ridiculous concept we’ve had shoved down our throats for far too long. An don’t get me started on how social values basically tell a guy, you know you’re not good enough for her, so you better marry her otherwise she’ll find someone better, and dump you. As if marriage is the only thing that will get her to stick around because you’re so inadequate.

Weigh-In Wednesday – To Be Blunt…

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“HOW CAN I EXPECT MY KIDS TO RESPECT WOMEN IF THIS IS WHAT THEY’RE EXPOSED TO DURING THE SUPERBOWL?!?!?”

Here’s a thought: grow a pair, and actually be a parent. You think this was bad? What do you think images of wars, mass shootings, police brutality, domestic abuse, kids in cages, and all the rest of the violence, and inhumanity they’re exposed to do? Better yet, examine your own fucking behavior, and state honestly if YOU are setting the best example for them as a parent? When is the last time you sat down, and truly discussed the good, and bad going on in THEIR lives? Probably never for the majority of parents, right? How about the football game itself? Think they’re learning solid life lessons while watching a safety targeting the head of a wide receiver over the middle, and being congratulated for a great hit while his opponent lies on the turf barely conscious? Let’s throw all of this into perspective, and put a magnifying glass to everything you allow into their lives as you cast your judging eye on a female performer because she’s dancing, and you can see her midsection.

And as I said to someone else, my kids are exposed to the fraudulent, deceitful, and abusive fantasy world of organized religions on a daily basis. Everything from the “pray for” memes, to people on TV, like Paula White yelling for satanic pregnancies to miscarry, and news coverage of preachers shouting about how every other person but themselves are going to go to hell, and of course the shouldn’t be legislative debates but still somehow are because we STILL let christianity put their devious little stubby fingers into government. Debates such as abortion legislation, or women’s healthcare rights, or religion in school, or somehow now, our taxes going to fund private, untaxed religion (but only christian) based schools?

Despite this, they’re still atheists. WHOA! Whaddaya know, good parenting done right leads the way even if they’re exposed to all that bullshit.

Lackawanna, NY 1911

Weigh-In Wednesday – Moving Forward

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People look at the past, and long for the good-ol’ days. We romanticize what used to be, focusing on only the good, and forgetting how much was bad, or even worse than bad. We look at our present, and we focus on the bad, and what we want to change, then dream of a future that is only good, not imagining the negative consequences of what we’re doing today. We say, “Things weren’t like this back in my day,” but odds are, they were. People don’t have less of a respect for life today – mass shootings, and the brutality we see every day isn’t a function merely of a change of attitude toward what life is worth. Were we as a species really respecting, and valuing life when we were burning witches for baseless religious accusations? How about when indigenous peoples were being slaughtered? Gladiator tournaments? Hangings? Beheadings? Crucifixions? Monarchs ordering executions on a whim? Do these all show how we respected life? Are the 2A gun nuts really showing a respect for life by fighting harder for their right to own military grade weapons than seeking to find solutions that would stem the tides of gun related deaths we have in our nation?

Weigh-In Wednesday – Still On My Soapbox

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Still seems like the reichwing christian ideals align a helluva lot more closely to what Sharia law wants, as opposed to freedom, and democracy. They just have their own twists based on their own wants, and beliefs, and their own twisted patriotism that they think is the only patriotism that matters. This is why I keep reminding you, my kind, and intelligent readers, that when Russia launched a social media campaign to influence American public opinion, and sway voters in a way that would damage American democracy, and create a national divide, they targeted right wing conservatives. They did so for a couple simple facts, and those being that the conservative agenda is the one furthest from the ideals of American democracy, freedom, and decency, and the fact so many uneducated Americans buy into the preachings of right wing conservatives; they’re the most gullible, and easiest to influence.

Weigh-In Wednesday – Happy Holidays, and Other Useless Junk

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The people who post these stupid, “Want to trigger a liberal? Wish them a Merry Christmas” crap, it makes you look pretty damn uneducated. Say Merry Christmas – celebrate Christmas. Hell, we won’t even force you to grow a brain, and learn the true history of the holiday. All anyone ever said is, other people celebrate holidays BESIDES Christmas, so when someone says “Happy Holidays” in return, because, there are multiple holidays to celebrate this time of year, even in your own little narrow minded world, don’t get so butt hurt about it.

Christians in this nation are the most quickly, and easily offended people going, but seem to think if they don’t get their way they’re immediately being persecuted, and everyone else is offended by them. We’re not offended – we just find you to be ridiculous, and stupid. Fucking grow up, and learn how to exist in a world where other people have different perspectives. We’re going on probably over 1500 years of this bullshit from every sect of your cult, and you still haven’t learned how to do that.

Sharing Is Caring

Posted on by Paul In The Buff

“We can absolutely have a drink first, but we shouldn’t keep the surprise waiting too long.” Billy said has he walked to the kitchen, and started taking wine glasses out of the cupboard. He quickly uncorked a bottle of Merlot, and poured two glasses full.  Hailey’s mind raced as to what the surprise could be, as she watched him deftly work toward getting a drink in her hand as quickly as he could manage. She took a seat at the dinning table, as Billy walked over to her, handing her a glass. He paused, and looked at her, and then extended his glass toward her with a tilt.

“To never ending adventures,” he said as if it were an announcement. Hailey extended her glass back to him, and clinked them with a grin.

“To never ending adventure,” she repeated. They both drank from their glasses, Hailey taking a small sip, while Billy downed half of his glass at once. She took note of the speed he was drinking, and lifted her glass to her lips again in an effort to match. Billy didn’t sit with her. He stood over her, his frame an imposing presence looming over her made her feel small, and even more submissive in the moment. She drank a bit faster, finishing her glass of wine more quickly than she normally would. Hailey swallowed the last of her wine, and placed the glass on the table. Billy turned, and walked back to the kitchen, grabbing the bottle, and bringing it to the dinning table. He tipped it to her glass, and refilled it. 

“Maybe one traveler to head upstairs with?” he said with a smirk. Hailey smiled back at him, taking the hint, she picked up her glass, and followed him up to his bedroom.