West-land escapades

With coffee to my lips (instant, coffee maker is broken), cinnamon on my fingers (from a giant sticky bun) and Delphonics in my ears, i type to you about some of my exploits from my visit with my lover (soon to be recognized lovers under the law)

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Cities visited during my 47-ish day voyage in British Columbia

Non-ferry trips: Vancouver, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Richmond, Surrey, New Westminster, Coquitlam, Delta, Tsawwassen

Ferry trips: Victoria, Nanaimo, Parksville, Qualicam beach, Courtenay

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Books aquired during my hideaway in British Columbia

Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture
by Ariel Levy

{i initially bought this book based solely on the title. Obviously, i read the title wrong. i was under the impression that it was about females that are pro “raunch” culture.... women who feel strong and secure in this identity. i was quite mistaken and perhaps a bit idealistic. After i got it home, i soon realized half way through the first page, that although Ariel Levy was going to try and portray a balanced view of “pro-raunch” & “anti-raunch”, she most certainly herself leans very much against “it”. As i continued reading through the anti-sex work and anti-trans rhetoric, i realized she was not doing such a great job at portraying an unbiased argument. i have since finished this book, and although i disagree with all of her “arguments”, and find some of this book quite offensive to transgendered individuals as well as other groups; it was important for me to read. It simply solidified for me the reasons why it would have to take a huge step, on the part of ‘feminist’ culture, to be able to have a place for me and other "raunchy" women.}

Eyewitness travel: Morocco by DK ‘books’

{i have always had a powerful link to Morocco, even though i have yet to visit there. i have a deep-rooted craving for the desert as well. The Sahara in particular. This book is vibrant, informative, and speaks about the various areas in a uniquely non- snobbish way.}

The Chemical Muse: Drug use and the roots of Western Civilization
by: D.C.A. Hillman, PhD

{Although i am only 60 pages into this magical book, it has blown me away from the beginning. It speaks historically about how in Ancient Rome and Greece, drugs were an everyday element of a free society. They were not just simply available, “but vitally necessary for use in medicine, religious ceremonies.” This book handles the highly debated topic of drug use and the connection with freedom of thought during the Classical world. Highly recommended to anyone who wants to know what those who have translated ancient texts have left out of our world's history.}

The Porn Trap: The Essential Guide to Overcoming Problems Caused by Pornography
by: Wendy & Larry Maltz

{My lover was the one who found this book. i was sitting on the floor of the book store, surrounded by piles of books, as i went through a few more stacks before leaving. He comes fluttering down the aisle holding this hard-cover book with a white cover with red text. He proclaims loudly “this book looks hilarious, I must get it for you”. He could not have been more right. This book holds more side-splitting quotables than any pro-porn woman could ask for. We spent countless nights, curled up under the covers, reading chapter after chapter of Mr. & Mrs Self-Righteous {Maltz} words about; how addictive porn can be, and how watching porn can lead you down the dark alleys where you will eventually end up watching child pornography because your porn thirst can no longer be quench by anything else. Forever changed into a violent criminal because of what they seriously describe as “The Porn.” Unfortunately, one cannot take comfort in the fact that the authors are simply writers with a love for humorous fiction. This book contains stories from their “real” therapy clients. Painful and authentic; one can only hope that they don’t work in the therapy field for much longer; damaging any more lives with their destructive theories and dangerous ideologies.}

A separate reality: Further conversations with Don Juan
&
Journey to Ixtlan: The Lessons of Don Juan
both written by: Carlos Castaneda

{The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of knowledge, is the first book in Castaneda’s Don Juan series, which was given to me by Laurel. Since then, i have been on a page turning adventure into these realities. i have a hard time putting into words how these books have affected me, so i am not going to even try. Except to say, that if you have yet to read this series of books, you are most certainly missing something within your life.}

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Some photos of my B.C. journey are currently being processed, and should be up in a few days. They should compliment nicely, the wisdom & love i re-discovered all over again....

~aymi