Reflections on Rick Genest and Tattoos

I just learned recently that Rick Genest, also known as Zombie Boy, had died on August 1. I did not know much about him before reading about him and seeing videos since learning of his death. I do not remember where I first saw photos of him. I found him very sexy. I just watched a video of giving a brief talk, "Normal Is an Illusion." This has been my view for a long time. I wish that I had known more about him earlier. He appears in more videos that I want to see. It is sad that many people will not see him as anything more than a freak. He was an intelligent man with something to say. Too many people look at those with multiple tattoos and see nothing more than the tattoos.

I do not think I will get as many tattoos as Rick Genest did, but I do plan on getting more tattoos. I do not want to do this in order to please or displease anyone else. This has been my plan for a few years. I have been stopped by the financial aspect. I can't afford to do it. I will gradually get more tattoos as I can. I want my outer appearance to match how I feel inside. Some people may think that it is silly to think of doing this at my age, but I don't give a fuck what they think. There are other things that I have been doing that reflect this line of thinking. I have slowly stopped caring what other people think of me. My current living situation is far from perfect, but I am growing to be happier with who I am.

"A Dance with Dragons" by George R.R. Martin

I just finished reading A Dance with Dragons, the fifth book in A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. I enjoyed the book as I did the others. My complaints about the books are mostly minor. I wish that he would have divided the series into shorter books. This book was published in 2011, and we are still waiting for the sixth book. I hope that the author completes the series. It seems that the characters I like either die or do not get much attention while those I do not like get more attention. At times it is difficult to keep up with all of the plot lines. The style of spelling does not seem consistent. There are likable characters, and there are characters who are fun to hate. I want to find out what happens to some of the characters. I would like to see the death of some of the characters who have been in all of the books so far.

Healthcare in the USA

Healthcare in the USA focuses more on big pharmaceutical companies and hospitals making money than on the health of people. Ambulance companies charge too much for taking patients to hospitals, and they will do anything that they can to get money. A person can be unconscious when they are picked up and taken to a hospital, and the ambulance company can force that person to pay hundreds of dollars for being taken there. Medications and medical procedures cost many times more than they do in other countries. I have not been able to have the tests done to see what causes my seizures. Pharmaceutical companies have much too much power in this country. They contribute a lot of money to political campaigns, and those elected do things to benefit these companies while the people they are supposed to represent get fucked over. The healthcare system and the political system need to be completely overhauled.

An Introvert who Needs People

I am currently reading a book about introverts. (I will write more about it when I finish reading it.) I consider myself an introvert. I need to spend some time alone, but I also need to spend time one on one with a friend. If i spend too much time alone I become more depressed. I need to interact with a small number of friends. I do better with one person at a time. I tend to be quiet when I am with a large group of people, but I can speak up if necessary. I get nervous speaking out with in a large group, but I do not let that stop me if I have something that I need to say. Sometimes my words have more impact because of my reputation for being quiet. People know that I do not speak up unless I feel strongly about what I have to say.

"Angry Candy" by Harlan Ellison

Angry Candy, by Harlan Ellison, is a collection of stories that was published in 1988. My favorites are "Laugh Track" and "The Function of Dream Sleep."I wish I could write as powerfully as Harlan Ellison did. There is an interesting touch on the title pages of the stories. Each title page has a drawing of what looks like a candy wrapper. In the first drawing it is unwrinkled. In each successive drawing it becomes progressively more wrinkled until at the end it is a ball of paper. This one of my favorite boos by the author. If you haven't read any of his books this is a good place to start. I cannot recommend his writing strongly enough.

"Deathbird Stories" and "Slippage: Previously Uncollected, Precariously Poised Stories" by Harlan Ellison

Deathbird Stories and Slippage: Previously Uncollected, Precariously Poised Stories, as should be obvious, are collections of stories by Harlan Ellison. The former was first published in 1975, and the latter was published in 1997. Slippage also contains essays and teleplays. There are some powerful stories. "Mephisto in Onyx" is one of my favorite stories by the author. It is powerful and has an unexpected ending. "Keyboard," a story of dark humor has one of the best opening sentences that I have read, "Chris Hudak knew he was in trouble when his computer bit him." "The Whimper of Whipped Dogs, " from Deathbird Stories, is another powerful story that is as pertinent today as it was when it was written. I do not want to give away the plots of the stories. I highly recommend Harlan Ellison's books to all readers.

A Post About my Best Friends

Three of my best friends are in jail or prison. My best friend is in another city. I hope that he will be somewhere closer soon. I need to send him money. I will try to write him more often. I miss him very much. The other two friends are in the local jail. I will visit them soon. Another of my best friends recently got out of jail. He is in recovery from addiction. I would like to see him, but I do not want to hinder his recovery. I know that he has been through a lot lately. I want to be a good friend for all four of these guys. They have all helped me. It helps to have friends who accept me as I am. I would like to be able to help all of them financially, but that is not possible. I can only do that for one of them. I will do as much as I can for each of them. I trust that they will not take advantage of how much I am willing to do for them. They are family. I feel very lonely without them.