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Saturday, March 16, 2013
New Venture
I've not written anything here in a long time, so I figure I'll at least get a backlink out of the site to my new project, where I review strollers and other baby stuff.
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Thursday, October 15, 2009
RF Japanese Swords
There are a myriad of different swords used in Japanese history, but there are three core weapons that make up the highest percent. These were carried by the famous and infamous Samurai. These swords included: Katana, Wakizashi and Tanto. In a brief overview I will lay out the differences, situations and uses of these weapons, hopefully broadening your knowledge of the world of weapons in the orient.
First off, the trusty ole Katana. Though the true meaning of this word actually implies any sword whatsoever in the Japanese language, it has come to solely represent the main weapon of Samurai, that being a sword over the length of 60cm (23.6 inches) with a curved blade. This weapon was worn cutting edge up, so when it was drawn from the scabbard one could immediately turn the draw into a strike, taking an opponent by surprise. Iaido is one of many Martial Arts that focus primarily on the act of turning draws into attacks. This weapon was always the first drawn in battle, and would not be dropped unless it proved useless at some point, either through breaking, disarmament, or death.
On the off chance that an opponent managed to disarm a Samurai or break their Katana, the Wakizashi was the next toy up to bat. Wakizashi were the traditional sidearm of Samurai, the pair of swords being called Daisho. Wakizashi are roughly anywhere from 30-60cm in length, and were often used as a tool for the decapitation of opponents at the point of defeat, it being easier to wield one handed whilst the other had was occupied with holding the opponents head up. It is also notable as one of the two weapons used in Seppuku, or ritual suicide.
The other weapon used in this method is the Tanto, a sort of Japanese dagger. Also counted as a sidearm for Samurai, the Tanto gained in popularity as a armor-piercing, or stabbing weapon. Due to the shortness of its blade it was not often used for slashing, but its squat structure allowed a fighter to stab very effectively through the armor plating of an opponent. It was also prized for its ability to be easily concealed.
Though there are a vast number of variations to these weapons, at lest you now have a basic idea of what is what! I can only encourage you to expand your knowledge of the world of swords and put some research of your own into the subject.
Make sure to check out my other stuff, where I write about everything from Roman swords to modern-day armor clothing.
Bookmark this on Delicious
First off, the trusty ole Katana. Though the true meaning of this word actually implies any sword whatsoever in the Japanese language, it has come to solely represent the main weapon of Samurai, that being a sword over the length of 60cm (23.6 inches) with a curved blade. This weapon was worn cutting edge up, so when it was drawn from the scabbard one could immediately turn the draw into a strike, taking an opponent by surprise. Iaido is one of many Martial Arts that focus primarily on the act of turning draws into attacks. This weapon was always the first drawn in battle, and would not be dropped unless it proved useless at some point, either through breaking, disarmament, or death.
On the off chance that an opponent managed to disarm a Samurai or break their Katana, the Wakizashi was the next toy up to bat. Wakizashi were the traditional sidearm of Samurai, the pair of swords being called Daisho. Wakizashi are roughly anywhere from 30-60cm in length, and were often used as a tool for the decapitation of opponents at the point of defeat, it being easier to wield one handed whilst the other had was occupied with holding the opponents head up. It is also notable as one of the two weapons used in Seppuku, or ritual suicide.
The other weapon used in this method is the Tanto, a sort of Japanese dagger. Also counted as a sidearm for Samurai, the Tanto gained in popularity as a armor-piercing, or stabbing weapon. Due to the shortness of its blade it was not often used for slashing, but its squat structure allowed a fighter to stab very effectively through the armor plating of an opponent. It was also prized for its ability to be easily concealed.
Though there are a vast number of variations to these weapons, at lest you now have a basic idea of what is what! I can only encourage you to expand your knowledge of the world of swords and put some research of your own into the subject.
Make sure to check out my other stuff, where I write about everything from Roman swords to modern-day armor clothing.
Bookmark this on Delicious
Ryan's Swords stuff
There are many popular one-two sword combinations utilized throughout the world and its many ages, but one duo stands out as one of the more widely recognized and popular ones. This combinations was used in many old world countries including Italy, France and Spain. Often times a fighter wielding a one handed weapon such as a Rapier found it difficult to both defend and attack effectively, thus, the Main Gauche was born. Literally translating to “Left hand” the Main Gauche was a short, dagger length offhand weapon with the primary use being to parry incoming attacks whilst attacking your opponent with the primary hand weapon, usually a Rapier or Epee.
The Main Gauche was designed to defend specifically against thrusts, having a wider guard and other devices that aided in the defense of the hand of the wielder. This made it an extremely practical tool in duels specifically, seeing as the opponent was most likely using one of the more popular swords of the time such as a Rapier, which is designed particularly for thrust techniques. It was often paired with a quick mainhand weapon, keeping the fighter agile in both his attack and defense and keeping him from becoming unbalanced in his movements.
There were a few popular variants of this type of weapon including the “Sword breaker” style that used slotted or comb style handguards that were designed to catch an opponents sword and hold it in stasis, opening them to offensive strikes. Whether or not the Sword breakers could in fact break a sword is disputed between scholars. There also existed a “Trident” style, possessing a three-pronged blade style that was proven to be more often successful in catching an opponents weapon.
Though popular in the middle ages, the use of a offhand weapon has dwindled in modern day sports fighting, mostly due to the use of lighter and faster weapons such as the foil. Its use is forbidden in most official sports fighting establishments. It is, however, utilized to this day in some more true-to-history fighting venues such as the SCA where the style has been dubbed “Florentine Style”, and it also maintains popularity in media culture as a “Dual Wield” style in many popular games and films.
Whether you yourself can appreciate the beauty and use of a Main Gauche, no one can deny that it makes up a good bit of sword history in Europe. Honor all styles!
Make sure to check out my other stuff, where I write about everything from Roman swords to modern-day armor clothing.
Bookmark this on Delicious
The Main Gauche was designed to defend specifically against thrusts, having a wider guard and other devices that aided in the defense of the hand of the wielder. This made it an extremely practical tool in duels specifically, seeing as the opponent was most likely using one of the more popular swords of the time such as a Rapier, which is designed particularly for thrust techniques. It was often paired with a quick mainhand weapon, keeping the fighter agile in both his attack and defense and keeping him from becoming unbalanced in his movements.
There were a few popular variants of this type of weapon including the “Sword breaker” style that used slotted or comb style handguards that were designed to catch an opponents sword and hold it in stasis, opening them to offensive strikes. Whether or not the Sword breakers could in fact break a sword is disputed between scholars. There also existed a “Trident” style, possessing a three-pronged blade style that was proven to be more often successful in catching an opponents weapon.
Though popular in the middle ages, the use of a offhand weapon has dwindled in modern day sports fighting, mostly due to the use of lighter and faster weapons such as the foil. Its use is forbidden in most official sports fighting establishments. It is, however, utilized to this day in some more true-to-history fighting venues such as the SCA where the style has been dubbed “Florentine Style”, and it also maintains popularity in media culture as a “Dual Wield” style in many popular games and films.
Whether you yourself can appreciate the beauty and use of a Main Gauche, no one can deny that it makes up a good bit of sword history in Europe. Honor all styles!
Make sure to check out my other stuff, where I write about everything from Roman swords to modern-day armor clothing.
Bookmark this on Delicious
RF : Bad Enough?
One question I have for you. Are you a bad enough dude to wear armored clothing!? Seriously, I kid you not, there is now bulletproof clothing! Nothing says “hardass” better than taking a shot in the chest from a pistol and NOT GOING DOWN. Why wouldnt you go down, you ask? Simple. Because you are a bad dude. A really bad dude. One that looked up armored or bulletproof clothing and bought it. Then wore it. Then got shot in the damn chest. And thusly did not go down.
That is right! Bullets are now obsolete! Some punk giving you hell every time you stop by your local gas station, but you are too afraid to give him shit back? You never know who is packing these days, but now that doesnt even matter! Bulletproof clothing! Give that ass some sass back and let him tear out his nine on you! He will take his shot, see that you are impervious, and then promptly pass the hell out due to sheer shock! Or, you can take advantage of his incoherent state and boot him in the chest while he stands in sheer awe of you Bad Duditude!
Paired up with Dick Cheney or some other crappy hunting partner that you cannot trust with a firearm for more than a moment? Protect your badass ass with some bulletproof pants! Think of the hilarity of someone accidentally popping off their firearm into your bum and your only response being to turn around and backhand them across the face! Super Badass!
Or maybe you are involved in a local uprising, caught between some crossfire in your local Wal-Mart. Arent you glad you got ahold of a bulletproof jacket!? One that not only looks badass just like any other leather jacket, but can also impart the attributes of a damn superman!? You are damn right you are happy. You know what else you are!? A survivor!
Be a Bad Dude. An awesome Bad Dude, and look up some bulletproof clothing right now! Right this very second! Stop reading! What are you doing!? Click a link or something and check this stuff out for Chrissake! Seriously, I will shoot you through your monitor! Oh wait, but if you are wearing bulletproof clothing it will not affect you! God, what a hardass you are! In your bulletproof clothing!
Make sure to check out my other stuff, where I write about everything from Roman swords to modern-day armor clothing.
Bookmark this on Delicious
That is right! Bullets are now obsolete! Some punk giving you hell every time you stop by your local gas station, but you are too afraid to give him shit back? You never know who is packing these days, but now that doesnt even matter! Bulletproof clothing! Give that ass some sass back and let him tear out his nine on you! He will take his shot, see that you are impervious, and then promptly pass the hell out due to sheer shock! Or, you can take advantage of his incoherent state and boot him in the chest while he stands in sheer awe of you Bad Duditude!
Paired up with Dick Cheney or some other crappy hunting partner that you cannot trust with a firearm for more than a moment? Protect your badass ass with some bulletproof pants! Think of the hilarity of someone accidentally popping off their firearm into your bum and your only response being to turn around and backhand them across the face! Super Badass!
Or maybe you are involved in a local uprising, caught between some crossfire in your local Wal-Mart. Arent you glad you got ahold of a bulletproof jacket!? One that not only looks badass just like any other leather jacket, but can also impart the attributes of a damn superman!? You are damn right you are happy. You know what else you are!? A survivor!
Be a Bad Dude. An awesome Bad Dude, and look up some bulletproof clothing right now! Right this very second! Stop reading! What are you doing!? Click a link or something and check this stuff out for Chrissake! Seriously, I will shoot you through your monitor! Oh wait, but if you are wearing bulletproof clothing it will not affect you! God, what a hardass you are! In your bulletproof clothing!
Make sure to check out my other stuff, where I write about everything from Roman swords to modern-day armor clothing.
Bookmark this on Delicious
Something from Anthony 2
Let me tell you of my first experience buying a sex toy. I was 19 and my sex life was getting rather bland, so I thought I’d get a toy. I didn’t want to tell my girlfriend; rather I wanted to surprise her. So, I decided the easiest way of doing this was online.
I spent the first twenty minutes or so just looking into the different toys. Afterwards, feeling good about things, I’d decided on getting a vibrator egg; an easy to use, easy to clean cheap thing. To help keep my business hidden, I’d been deleting my browser history, and I’d ordered the packaging in a simple brown paper wrap. The order was going to take a couple of days to arrive; I could barely contain my excitement.
I hadn’t been quite as careful as I thought, or perhaps I was a little too careful. My girlfriend knew I wads hiding something from her, but she didn’t know exactly what. She began to check my browser history and cell phone when I’d go to bed. She found the gaps in the history and assumed I’d been on dating sites, or Facebook stalking some other girl.
Things like this don’t sit well with anyone, so a day before the order arrives she sits me down to have a talk. She tells me she knows what I’m doing and thinks it’s got to stop; she isn’t going to play that sort of game and I know it. I am confused by this, I was thinking she’s talking about the toy, that I’ve been found out. I try to explain to her there’s nothing wrong with it. I try to tell her that things like this are perfectly normal and in fact far better with the addition, we’re living in the modern age after all.
You can imagine how well this sits with her. She slaps me and storms out of the room. I’m still confused but I chase after her and tell her it’s just a toy.
Within the hour she’s come back to get her stuff and I’m trying to ask her what’s so wrong with sex toys, vibrators and the like. She’s sporting deadpan at this point, very skeptical. I explain to her that I’d been looking up and vibrators and I’d bought one because I wanted to add a bit of spice to our boring sex life. She’s looking a little less skeptical, so I take her to the computer and show her my bank account’s history, where I’d bought the toy and told her it was going to arrive the next day.
Within two days she’s a much much happier lady, and is now the one buying sex toys. Moral of the story is: Discuss things with your partners, folks.
If you are looking for a good place to buy toys online, you can read this review of some sites that sell vibraters and more.
Bookmark this on Delicious
I spent the first twenty minutes or so just looking into the different toys. Afterwards, feeling good about things, I’d decided on getting a vibrator egg; an easy to use, easy to clean cheap thing. To help keep my business hidden, I’d been deleting my browser history, and I’d ordered the packaging in a simple brown paper wrap. The order was going to take a couple of days to arrive; I could barely contain my excitement.
I hadn’t been quite as careful as I thought, or perhaps I was a little too careful. My girlfriend knew I wads hiding something from her, but she didn’t know exactly what. She began to check my browser history and cell phone when I’d go to bed. She found the gaps in the history and assumed I’d been on dating sites, or Facebook stalking some other girl.
Things like this don’t sit well with anyone, so a day before the order arrives she sits me down to have a talk. She tells me she knows what I’m doing and thinks it’s got to stop; she isn’t going to play that sort of game and I know it. I am confused by this, I was thinking she’s talking about the toy, that I’ve been found out. I try to explain to her there’s nothing wrong with it. I try to tell her that things like this are perfectly normal and in fact far better with the addition, we’re living in the modern age after all.
You can imagine how well this sits with her. She slaps me and storms out of the room. I’m still confused but I chase after her and tell her it’s just a toy.
Within the hour she’s come back to get her stuff and I’m trying to ask her what’s so wrong with sex toys, vibrators and the like. She’s sporting deadpan at this point, very skeptical. I explain to her that I’d been looking up and vibrators and I’d bought one because I wanted to add a bit of spice to our boring sex life. She’s looking a little less skeptical, so I take her to the computer and show her my bank account’s history, where I’d bought the toy and told her it was going to arrive the next day.
Within two days she’s a much much happier lady, and is now the one buying sex toys. Moral of the story is: Discuss things with your partners, folks.
If you are looking for a good place to buy toys online, you can read this review of some sites that sell vibraters and more.
Bookmark this on Delicious
Something From Anthony 1
Before you write of sex toys as something for men with small genitals consider one major point. When a woman pleases herself she’s much more likely to use a vibrator than she is her hands. Have I got your attention? Using sex toys isn’t just for the especially perverse; it is in fact the key to pleasing a girl to the fullest.
Firstly, if you’re still interested (which you must be to read this far) you must be curious enough to give it a shot, no? The first step to take is to decide what sort of toy you’ll be wanting. There are many things to choose from, and you’re probably not comfortable with some of them, and other just isn’t what you’ll want to use. A great majority of the toys are just variations of the original vibrator, with some extra part or maybe with a few extra settings. In my honest opinion you can’t beat the vibrating egg, it’s just big enough for what you need it for, easy to clean, and even easier to use (the prices are good too).
Once you’ve decided which one to get you still have to decide whether or not you’ll get it online. You’re already searching for them online in the first place, and the internet has that certain anonymity you can get when you buy from a public store (though it is a great idea to support your local stores). Keep in mind the quality of the product of the site you’re buying from, but otherwise a great majority of the places are sufficient.
Get a feel for the toy, and experiment with it, you’ve paid money for it. Study up on how it works, and how other people have used it before. Simplest explanation possible: apply directly to sensitive areas. Once you’ve got your own you can pretty much do nothing new beyond working the toy into your relations. They don’t change too much beyond that.
Still, you’re really missing out on a lot of things without one. Once you’ve discovered one new interest, you can start dabbling into more exotic and interesting hobbies. Just remember to keep things legal.
Be careful where you store the thing, you wouldn’t want someone finding your sexy underwear; you wouldn’t want someone to know you’ve got a vibrator. It can be a pretty awkward situation. Though, that can be an interesting roleplay…
If you are looking for a good place to buy toys online, you can read this review of some sites that sell vibraters and more.
Bookmark this on Delicious
Firstly, if you’re still interested (which you must be to read this far) you must be curious enough to give it a shot, no? The first step to take is to decide what sort of toy you’ll be wanting. There are many things to choose from, and you’re probably not comfortable with some of them, and other just isn’t what you’ll want to use. A great majority of the toys are just variations of the original vibrator, with some extra part or maybe with a few extra settings. In my honest opinion you can’t beat the vibrating egg, it’s just big enough for what you need it for, easy to clean, and even easier to use (the prices are good too).
Once you’ve decided which one to get you still have to decide whether or not you’ll get it online. You’re already searching for them online in the first place, and the internet has that certain anonymity you can get when you buy from a public store (though it is a great idea to support your local stores). Keep in mind the quality of the product of the site you’re buying from, but otherwise a great majority of the places are sufficient.
Get a feel for the toy, and experiment with it, you’ve paid money for it. Study up on how it works, and how other people have used it before. Simplest explanation possible: apply directly to sensitive areas. Once you’ve got your own you can pretty much do nothing new beyond working the toy into your relations. They don’t change too much beyond that.
Still, you’re really missing out on a lot of things without one. Once you’ve discovered one new interest, you can start dabbling into more exotic and interesting hobbies. Just remember to keep things legal.
Be careful where you store the thing, you wouldn’t want someone finding your sexy underwear; you wouldn’t want someone to know you’ve got a vibrator. It can be a pretty awkward situation. Though, that can be an interesting roleplay…
If you are looking for a good place to buy toys online, you can read this review of some sites that sell vibraters and more.
Bookmark this on Delicious
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Breaking the Taboo on Sex Toys
So you’ve been thinking that maybe you should try to spice up your sex life with toys, but aren’t sure whether or not doing so is right for you? Some of us might feel a bit weird about the whole thought; there is a bit of a stigma attached to people who use such things, as many view the use of sex toys as something belonging to the realm of perversion.
Well, let’s think about this for a second. Is it really a bad thing to try to make your sex life more interesting and fresh? Adding toys can revive a relationship that has been growing weak on the physical side as each party grows too familiar and begin to lose that ‘new’ interest that made the relationship so fun at first. As much as we like to think we are above such things, it is a fact that most people often find themselves growing bored with sex with their long-term partners, resulting in a loss of passion and often the cooling of the relationship as a whole. But with sex toys and other things around to keep things new and fresh, a relationship’s physical side can stay lively—meaning the relationship as a whole stays healthy and fun.
So sex toys aren’t inherently bad—but even for those who agree with that thought, the question of WHAT is allowed can vary greatly from person to person. Is it acceptable for a man to use toys? The stigma is that many associate such things with homosexuality. Ignoring the question of whether sexuality matters all that much, the fact remains that taking advantage of your bodies physical reactions to stimulus has nothing to do with sexuality; using a toy is something completely asexual, and any noteworthy sexuality found in the act of using them is totally dependent upon the genders of the people involved.
Finally, for a bit of a warning. The last thing anyone looking to buy a toy should consider is what you as a person are comfortable with. You aren’t going to enjoy a sex act that is completely grossing you or your partner out(usually). So don’t just get whatever is selling well; think about what you want to try, and discuss it with your partner. Find something the two(or more) of you can enjoy. Mild embarrassment is one thing; complete disgust is another.
If you are looking for a good place to buy toys online, you can read this review of some sites that sell vibraters and more.
Bookmark this on Delicious
Well, let’s think about this for a second. Is it really a bad thing to try to make your sex life more interesting and fresh? Adding toys can revive a relationship that has been growing weak on the physical side as each party grows too familiar and begin to lose that ‘new’ interest that made the relationship so fun at first. As much as we like to think we are above such things, it is a fact that most people often find themselves growing bored with sex with their long-term partners, resulting in a loss of passion and often the cooling of the relationship as a whole. But with sex toys and other things around to keep things new and fresh, a relationship’s physical side can stay lively—meaning the relationship as a whole stays healthy and fun.
So sex toys aren’t inherently bad—but even for those who agree with that thought, the question of WHAT is allowed can vary greatly from person to person. Is it acceptable for a man to use toys? The stigma is that many associate such things with homosexuality. Ignoring the question of whether sexuality matters all that much, the fact remains that taking advantage of your bodies physical reactions to stimulus has nothing to do with sexuality; using a toy is something completely asexual, and any noteworthy sexuality found in the act of using them is totally dependent upon the genders of the people involved.
Finally, for a bit of a warning. The last thing anyone looking to buy a toy should consider is what you as a person are comfortable with. You aren’t going to enjoy a sex act that is completely grossing you or your partner out(usually). So don’t just get whatever is selling well; think about what you want to try, and discuss it with your partner. Find something the two(or more) of you can enjoy. Mild embarrassment is one thing; complete disgust is another.
If you are looking for a good place to buy toys online, you can read this review of some sites that sell vibraters and more.
Bookmark this on Delicious
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