Week 4- Catch Up! (Part 2)

So obviously, this was another week, used to catch up on assignments and posts. Patrick has expressed his commitment to this experiment, and will be completing future assignments and posts within the time allotted.

He will be paying more attention to the objective of each assignment for direction in his experience.

Also, to aid in reader comprehension, he will be including a link to each assignment posting at the beginning of each of his relevant posts.

Experience-Emotional Lust

Brad told me yesterday that he wouldn't be continuing on with this project if I didn't complete all my writings by Midnight, Saturday, January 30, 2011, as proof of my commitment to this project myself.  I didn't, but I went over just barely.  It remains to be seen whether he'll accept this or not.  This is the last post I have yet to do...

However, I'm not going to do it just yet.  Not because I don't want to continue on with this, but because this one is too important.  It through me because I thought I'd said all there was to say on this subject, I thought it was hashed out.  Apparently Brad feels differently, and I need to know why.  I'll do the assignment, and I'll write about it, but only in that order.

Experience-Mental Lust...SEXY BRAINS! (yeah, I'm tired...)

            I actually still fully intend to write this erotic short story.  The reason I did not was due partly to exhaustion, partly to the fact it is a huge undertaking, and I was already hella behind on my experiences (and still trying to catch up by actually DOING them at this point), and also partly to the fact my laptop power adapter decided to die.  It sucks, but there you have it.  I will not be giving away any plot points, or general overview of this one, because I do not know when I will finally have it ready, and I do not want to whet your appetites just yet.  I will tell you that it is based on mythology (a Greek inspired mythology of my own concoction, actually), and does not actually involve much fetish of my own interest.  The concept, however, was too enticing to pass up once the idea popped into my head.  And hey, the parameters merely stated erotic short story, not erotic short story you personally find arousing and titillating.

            I think Brad’s point with this one was to get me writing creatively again.  I know he wants me to get back in the habit of writing pretty much daily with these little blog posts, but this specific task required creativity, a work of imaginative fiction rather than an analytical dissection of real-life events.  What he may not realize is I actually kind of do this already.  Not on this level, and not like I should, but I do semi-regularly contribute to a few (much fewer now than once upon a time) online RPGs (not MMOs, mind you).  Text based games that are really more co-authored fan-fic than one typically thinks of classifying RPG.  I enjoy them greatly, and even occasionally create O.C.s (Original Characters), but it is not quite the same.

            The creative process in these games is collaborative, dealing with a shared play-space, and often times based in a ‘universe’ actually owned by some major company (not going to lie, kind of a total geek here) or at least established professional author.  It can be terrifying creating in this kind of space, because you have a standard to live up to.  However, you also have a crutch, an already established cannon that you know works (to one degree or another) because enough people enjoyed it to buy into it (movie tickets, book sales, etc), and now create games based on it.  When creating your own world?  It’s just you.  Your failures as well as successes are all on you, and that can be a terrifying though.

Experience-"Private Eyes Aren't Watching You!"

            This was another one I failed to complete even outside the allotted time frame.  Though not for lack of trying!  I added the fantasy of voyeurism to my profile on several sites, as well as posting brand new listings to places like craigslist, and actively pursuing a couple “we’re a couple” profiles on the sites I frequent.  None of the e-mails I sent out saying “Hey, would you be interested…” returned anything, favorable or not.  And nobody contacted me of their own volition after seeing my profile, either.  However, my Craigslist ad did yield some fruit.  I got about 4 hits, one bogus spam, one not looking for quite what I was, and two potentials.  Unfortunately, one fizzled out, and the other was waiting on his Girlfriend to return in a few weeks from some work conference (may still indulge in that one, they seemed like a fun couple!).  It really did not help that, for whatever reason, my Craigslist posting was flagged and removed after about 12 hours.

            I guess I could have gone and peered in some neighbor’s window or some such, but that is kind of sketch, and not really something up for doing.  Initially I think the problem was I mentioned I was doing this or a blog specifically, and even anonymously people get a bit antsy about such things.  It did not take long for me to realize it was kind of silly for me to divulge every single reason to complete strangers.  Especially since we take these risks through daily human interactions.  We do not own a patent or copyright on our interactions with others.  We do not get to dictate whether they later discuss these things as fact, or even use them to embellish fictional tales, especially when our identities are protected.  Some people would say it is wrong, and if I plan to write about my experiences I should tell people up front.  To them I say, bollocks.

            Again, I am not really sure what this one was SUPPOSED to teach me, maybe Brad just thought it would be funny.  Maybe I was supposed to learn that denying myself was something I should not do, and I should build confidence and actually go after what I want, rather than just sit there and watch it fuck someone else.  Not really sure.  Whatever the lesson, it sadly was not learned.  Perhaps another time.

Experience-" יֵצֶר לֵב הָאָדָם רַע "

            For those unfamiliar, the concept of Yetzer Hara is as follows:  “refers to the inclination to do evil, by violating the will of God. The Yetzer Hara is not a demonic force, but rather man's misuse of things the physical body needs to survive.”*  I.e. the human need to eat being taken to the extreme of gluttony, when one no longer NEEDS to eat, but simply does it for its own sake.

            I was actually really looking forward to this one.  Not because I am a religious individual, because I am not.  But I enjoy my Hebrew heritage, and actually have a desire to get back more in touch with it.  I even went through the oh-so-tiring burden of searching GOOGLE for a decent Temple near here, and found a really cool Reform Judaism (i.e. liberalist of liberal) Synagogue in town, with a FEMALE RABBI!  I still plan on attending High Hollies at some point there, and maybe even the occasional Friday Night service when I am in the mood.  For me it is far less about some archaic dogma than it is about a sense of community and shared history.  Plus, who knows?  Maybe I’ll find a nice Jewish Doctor to bring home to Mom and Dad, heh!

            The week I was supposed to be doing this the Rabbi was out on vacation, and then things got a … busy.  And I admit, I got a little lazy when I had free time.  Anyway, here is as good a place as a Rabbi’s office to discuss how Yetzer Hara affects my life.

            Well, for starters I can boredom eat.  I am better about it now, but it can still be something of a habit.  I can also turn the need to feel safe and protected into being callous, cold, and distant.  I am much better about this one too, but it can still be a damaging habit, and I have yet to truly break myself of it.

            I guess ultimately the goal of acknowledging Yetzer Hara boils down to the old adage “Everything in moderation.”  Sex, food, protection, they are all required to sustain life—one of the most holy tenants, btw—however, they can all become dangerous and detrimental if overindulged.  It’s all pretty much common sense, but it’d be interesting to sit down and discuss in a theological context.  Maybe I will eventually, we’ll see.

Assignment - Temperance - Virtual - Week 5

Objective - Reflection
Duration - 15 mins daily, preferably at the same time each day (7 days to complete)
Assignment - Sit in front of a mirror, with your eyes closed. Record a video (webcam) of your reflection in the mirror while you do this. Discuss what you see, and what you don't.

For reference: Wikipedia (particularly the last paragraph)

Assignment - Temperance - Vicarious - Week 5

Objective - Justice
Duration - 1 hour (7 days to complete)
Assignment - Goto court (traffic/civil/etc...) and observe the proceedings. Discuss how other people experienced justice.