How Jar Jar Binks Exposed The Flaws (And Dangers) Of Social Media

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Every now and then, something extraordinary happens that reveals how flawed our current system is and how far behind we are in terms of fixing it. Sometimes, it’s tragic. Sometimes, it’s frustrating. In rare cases, it’s hilarious, albeit in a distressing way. Personally, I find those cases most revealing.

Recently, there was one notable instance that included one of the most reviled fictional characters of the past 20 years. No, I’m not talking about King Joffrey or Ramsay Bolton. I’m talking about Jar Jar Binks. If you’re a “Star Wars” fan, then that name likely inspires all sorts of anger, dread, and distress.

Jar Jar is both a joke and a cautionary tale. Aside from proving that George Lucas has no business directing another “Star Wars,” he demonstrates just how wrong an attempt at comedic relief can go. While he wasn’t the only problem with the prequels, he augmented the flaws. On top of being annoying, incoherent, and incompetent most of the time, he was a major symptom of a much larger disease.

Once again, everything that makes Jar Jar such a pariah in the cultural landscape has exposed another disease in a place that’s not far, far away. For reasons that many found confusing and confounding, Jar Jar started trending on Twitter. While there was a someone legitimate reason for this, it was indirect and unintentional. There was no concerted effort to get him trending. It wasn’t even part of any elaborate trolling.

The fact that it took a while to explain why this infamous character was trending says more about social media than it does about Jar Jar. There’s no question that social media has changed the media landscape in ways that cannot be overstated. We current live in a world where companies invest a great deal of time and resources into making their presence on social media unique. Some definitely do it better than others.

At the same time, social media has not always had a positive effect on the world and its users. There have been plenty of cases where social media has been used to brutally harass people and spread blatant lies. There are even some cases in which social media played a role in directing real harm to innocent people. The dangers are there and well-documented.

Most people with an internet connection know those dangers are there. Many see it as the cost of doing business for a technology that has an uncanny ability to connect people. I certainly pay that cost, given my own presence on social media. However, what just happened with Jar Jar on Twitter demonstrated that the cost might have hidden fees in the fine print.

Remember, there was no concerted effort to get Jar Jar trending. Even after he did, nobody could figure out why he was trending. On top of that, the fact that nobody could figure it out only got people more curious, which made him trend even more. It was a self-reinforcing cycle that was funny in some respects, but distressing in many others.

It’s somewhat similar to what happens with people who are famous just for being famous and little more. This unfortunate, but inescapable aspect of celebrity culture rarely creates people who garner respect or admiration. If anything, they foster cynicism and disconnection from the culture. That kind of fame just feels so random, unearned, and empty. Thanks to Jar Jar, we now know social media trends can do the same.

Things can trend for no discernible reason. Matters that nobody even wants to get trending can garner unexpected and often unwanted attention. Thanks to the mechanisms of social media, the mystery behind why something trends can make it trend even more. While that’s going on, legitimate issues that warrant attention can slip under the radar.

Human beings only have so much attention to give. When something like Jar Jar trends for no discernible reason, a non-significant chunk of our collective attention is redirected. It would be one thing if it were just some masterfully act of trolling, but this is something we do to ourselves collective. That means we have no one to blame but ourselves when something like Jar Jar trends.

We’re the ones who make and share these hashtags. The social media companies are just tools and businesses. Like many companies, they’ll engage in plenty of shady activities. They’ll do whatever they think will make them more money. At the end of the day, though, we’re still the consumers who shape social media.

That should be cause for concern because this isn’t vapid celebrity culture we’re dealing with. The things that trend on social media have real-world consequences. Companies have suffered significant harm. Lives of non-celebrity people have been ruined. A random person who becomes famous for no reason rarely causes actual harm to anyone. Social media trends can do so much more.

In some cases, it can cause a great deal of good. If the right thing gets trending, it can rally people to a worthy cause. It can also inform the public of a serious issue. It can even turn real-world tragedies into a powerful force for good. Personally, I think this good overshadows the bad, but when I see Jar Jar trending, I can’t deny that there’s a flaw in this system.

Is there a fix? I believe there is, but I don’t believe it’s as simple as companies tweaking their rules or insulting people who share hash tags. Jar Jar may have been a source of frustration in the early 2000s, but he’s only relevant in 2019 because we make him relevant. It’s not him. It’s not George Lucas. This is all us.

I believe we’re better than that. Despite all the awful things I’ve seen trending on Twitter and Facebook, I see far more positives that warrant far greater attention. Jar Jar might be a symptom, but I take comfort in the fact that he’s a symptom that often burns out quickly. When something is empty, people get bored of it much easier and nobody should ever underestimate the power of boredom.

In the grand scheme of things, Jar Jar trending for no reason isn’t necessarily a setback. It’s just a sign that we, as a tech-savvy society, have a long way to go with respect to managing social media. In an imperfect world, dumb things will trend for dumb reasons. However, when something like Jar Jar starts trending, that’s a sign that we have plenty of room for improvement.

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Filed under human nature, media issues, outrage culture, political correctness, psychology, Star Wars, technology, War on Boredom

Jack Fisher’s Sexy Sunday Thoughts: Halloween 2019 Edition

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I know it’s a bit premature, but since when has that stopped anyone from celebrating a holiday? Halloween is upon us! In a few days, kids everywhere will don their favorite costumes in search of free candy while adults will don whatever costume they think will help them get laid. It’s a special time of year and one with plenty of fun to be had.

I’ve always thought that Halloween was an underrated holiday. As a kid, we love the free candy. As adults, it’s an excuse to wear something crazy and cut loose a little. We all need a little something like that every now and then. The world can get mundane and bland after a while. Halloween is a perfect opportunity to spice it up a bit.

I also appreciate the idea of embracing the spooky elements of the holiday. While it’s often used as a gimmick, I think there’s something more primal at work, with respect to Halloween’s appeal. We spend every other day of the year avoiding or not thinking about the things that we fear. For one day, we confront and embody them. I think that’s a powerful feeling and one that’s good for us, as a whole.

I’ve already made my Halloween plans. They involve a lot of candy, costumes, and pumpkin-flavored ale. I hope everyone has some plans of their own. Halloween is a fun holiday that has a little something for everyone. Regardless of whether you care for candy or costumes, it’s a chance to do something different and even a little spooky. I say take it!

In that spirit, here are some Sexy Sunday Thoughts to get everyone in the Halloween spirit. Enjoy!


“Scissors are like a magic wand that can make any costume slutty.”


“Saying you’re too beautiful to date is saying you’re too horny for a three-way.”


“A tattoo’s sexiness is directly correlated to the body part it’s located near.”


“Like it or not, oral and anal sex are significant reasons why overcrowding isn’t a bigger issue.”


“To some extent, a fear of commitment implies a mistrust of your genitals.”


“Making someone smile is the simplest way to indicate you can give them an orgasm, if given the chance.”


“Is it possible to write a love poem without being horny to some extent?”


To everyone out there who hasn’t finalized their Halloween plans, rest assured there’s still time. Stock up on candy. Find yourself a fitting costume. There are plenty of festivities to enjoy. Find whichever one works for you. From me to you, the wonderful people who follow this website, I wish you all a safe, happy, and sexy Halloween.

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“My Guardian Vampire” A Sexy Short Story (With Sexy Vampires)

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The following is another sexy short story in the spirit of Halloween. My previous story included demons. This one has vampires. Yes, I know vampires have had a mixed reputations for reasons I don’t think I need to recount. I’m banking that enough time has passed for people to give them another chance at being sexy. I hope this story helps with that effort. Enjoy!

The darkest nights often reveal someone’s greatest vulnerabilities. It was easy to be brave, bold, and daring in broad daylight. Anyone could present themselves to the world as something greater than what they were. They might even convince a significant number of people. However, when they laid in bed at night, alone and in the dark, their greatest fears often caught up with them.

Howard Hunley knew those fears better than most. He’d lived most of his life dreading such dark nights. Unlike most men, his fears were justified. He was the son Max Hunley, also known as Main Man Max, one of the most infamous henchmen of the Blood Moon Cartel. He’d lived his entire live as a target and for the first nine years of it, he handled it as well as any kid could. If anything, he had less to fear than most because his father was so respected.

That all changed when he was targeted by an ambitious rival. In one fateful night, which happened to be on Halloween, a hit squad stormed his family beach house and slaughtered almost their entire family. They thought they got them all, but he and his father miraculously survived. From that day forward, his life changed, as did his fears.

“We’ll never feel safe again, son…especially in the shadows,” his father often told him.

Those words had echoed in Howard’s mind ever since that fateful day. His father kept him from seeing the dead bodies of his mother, his older brother, and his sister, but there was no hiding the truth.

His father’s life destroyed his family. It came very close to destroying him, as well. In a moment that radically changed the course of his life, Main Man Max turned himself into federal authorities. In exchange for entry into the witness protection program, he offered his testimony and knowledge of the Blood Moon Cartel. He claimed that his primary motivation was protecting his only remaining child, but Howard knew the truth.

He was scared too.

He would always be scared.

No matter where they went or how far they ran, they would always be vulnerable.

In his youth, Howard resented his father for putting him and their family in such a position. Over time, however, he came to admire him. He watched as his father sacrificed everything, willingly going into hiding for the sake of what he had left.

There was only so much that he and witness protection could do. Howard went by a new name, Jason Jermaine Ramon. He was relocated to a small town over a thousand miles away from the home he knew. He’d even managed to make the most of that life, going to school there and eventually training to be an EMT with the local fire department. Instead of taking lives, like his father, he saved them.

Even with this life, Howard never felt self, especially on Halloween. It was usually the night when he locked all his doors, barricaded his bedroom, and just waited for the night to end. That all changed a few years ago when he encountered a beautiful creature named Adelia.

“Good night, guys! Happy Halloween,” Howard said to his co-workers at the station as he completed his shift.

“Later, Jason!” said Darian Drummond, a close friend of his. “You sound excited. Got any special Halloween plans?”

“You could say that,” he replied coyly as he got into his car.

“You said that last year too. Are you ever going to tell us about them…or her, for that matter?”

“Sorry, Darian. But if I told you, then those plans wouldn’t be as special, would they?”

His friend laughed and shook his head. He had no idea how astute his comments were. However, he was only partially right about why his Halloween plans were special. There was a much larger part that he’d never believe.

After waving goodbye, Howard drove off. His home was less than a 10-minute drive, but he couldn’t get there fast enough. The sun was just setting. Various Halloween festivities were just about to begin. He had some festivities of his own, but none of them involved candy, costumes, or parties.

“I know you’re waiting for me, my loving guardian,” Howard said under his breath. “I’m on my way. I have your favorite treat…and then some.”

As he drove through the evening traffic, he looked to the small cooler in the passenger’s seat of his car. It was a special container he got from the local clinic. It was specifically designed to hold donated blood in plastic pouches. He often used it in his work as an EMT, but tonight, he used it to store a packet of his own blood that he’d taken earlier that day.

He did it off-hours and without permission, but it was for a good reason…an intimate, personal reason.

“Howard…my blood mate…my love,” said a soft voice within his head. “I sense you. I’m waiting.”

Howard’s smile widened and he drove faster, running a couple of stop signs to get home faster. That voice in his head echoed with the same alluring tone that had made the past several Halloween nights feel completely different. It wasn’t just in his head, either. Hearing that voice so clearly helped remind him that Adelia wasn’t just the one who helped him appreciate Halloween again. She was a creature not of this world.

Specifically, Adelia was a vampire.

“Blood mates,” Howards said to himself as his house came into view, “you make it sound so intimate.”

“That’s because it is, my dear,” said the voice, still echoing within his head. “It is one of the most intimate terms of endearment that a vampire can use.”

“And you use it with me,” he said out loud. “I wish I had better terms for a woman like you.”

“You don’t need them. Take it from someone older than this town. Words can never truly capture a love like ours.”

His heart skipped a beat. He sensed that excited her. It might have been a signal to all vampires that they’d found a special specimen, so to speak. It just as easily could’ve been his emotions running high on Halloween.

It was so fitting, if not poetic. The one person who had given new meaning to Halloween was a vampire. Most people didn’t even think vampires were real. Even those that did had incredibly flawed assumptions about them. The many myths, folklore, and fairy tales surrounding vampires had fueled many misconceptions, some of which were intentional.

It took Howard a while to learn the truth, but it turned out to be more compelling than any lore. Most vampires were not the cruel, blood-thirsty monsters that traditional stories made them out to be. Some aspects were true.

They drank blood.

They burned easily when exposed to sunlight.

They didn’t age beyond a certain point.

They were stronger, faster, and more durable than an ordinary human.

They could become invisible, hiding in the shadows.

They could communicate telepathically with each other and non-vampires to a limited extent.

Other details were pure fiction. They didn’t have an aversion to garlic, crucifixes, holy water, or wooden stakes. They also didn’t turn into bats or look like some sort of goblin creature. Most looked perfectly normal when walking down a street. They could even retract their fangs.

“We’re still human…just a different kind of human,” Adelia had told him on more than one occasion.

That was the most important aspect of real vampires and one that vampire lore often overlooked. They were human. Specifically, they’d all been human at one point. They became vampires through an arduous process that Adelia described as Blood Genesis. She specifics were vague, but it was something that only a handful of people could survive. Those that did enjoyed the many benefits of being a vampire, but it still came at a cost.

The biggest part of that cost was the need to drink blood. It wasn’t out of malice or bloodlust, either. A vampire’s biology had to operate at such a high level to achieve its many benefits. As a result, blood was necessary. They could eat traditional food, but that only gave them a fraction of the nutrients they needed. Blood was necessary. Without it, they died of malnutrition.

“There’s nothing supernatural about it…not entirely,” she’d also told him. “We want to live, love, and prosper like everyone else. It’s just trickier for us.”

That was an understatement. Like every other vampire, Adelia needed to secure a steady supply of blood, which wasn’t easy. Contrary to traditional vampire lore, hunting and killing humans was not their first instinct. Some vampires went that route. They usually didn’t survive for very long. Beyond killing a steady source of blood, Murder and violence tended to draw attention, which often ended with a vampire being hunted by humans and shunned by other vampires.

Most vampires survived by simply finding humans who were willing to donate their blood willingly and compensating them for it. It was no different than any other market, except that it was largely done in secret. Most of the time, the compensation involved money or resources. When Howard first encountered Adelia, that was the arrangement they sought. It just blossomed into something more.

“I’m home, my blood mate,” Howard said upon pulling into the driveway of his small, unassuming house.

“I’m waiting,” Adelia replied through their telepathic link. “Halloween is upon us and I’m ready to start to festivities!”

“So am I.”

With growing excitement, Howard turned off his car engine and retrieved the canister containing his blood pouch. He couldn’t make it through his front door fast enough. In the past, he’d been so paranoid about returning home, even after going into witness protection. He used to check the windows and doors, looking for signs of forced entry. Since Adelia entered his life, he had no such fear.

Upon entering, he was greeted with the sight he’d been waiting for since last Halloween. Lying there on his couch, wearing nothing but simple set of bra and panties, was his vampire lover. Even in the dim light of a full moon, she looked so radiant.

“Good evening, my handsome stud. I take it you come bearing treats,” she said seductively.

“Speak for yourself,” Howard said jokingly. “No elaborate Victorian lingerie this time?”

“Not tonight, my dear. There are plenty of nights for something elaborate and kinky. This is not one of them…and you already know damn well why.”

There was a seriousness in her voice to go along with the sexiness. Adelia didn’t need any vampire-powered telepathy to know that. When she got up from the couch and approached him, she did so with a sense of caring and compassion in her eyes. It was not a look most would associate with a vampire, but Howard knew it was genuine.

Taken by her stunning beauty and vampiric grace, he was drawn to her presence. He kicked the door shut, not even bothering to lock it, like he once did with obsessive scrutiny. They eventually met in the middle of his living room. He still wore his EMT uniform while carrying the container full of blood. With nothing but underwear on, she affectionately embraced him.

“This night will always be a hard night for you,” Adelia said to him. “You’ve handled it well, lately. You even joke about it from time to time. But I can still sense how much it bothers you.”

“It’s not like I hide it that well,” Howard said a tone as serious as it was sincere.

“I don’t need to be a vampire to see the signs, but you don’t have to hide it from me. I became your blood guardian because you craved greater safety as much as I craved blood. But I only became your blood mate when I learned why that safety means so much to you.”

It was a powerful reminder and one Howard still needed, even after building such a successful life for himself. Adelia gave him another as she deepened their embrace, wrapping her arms around him securely and kissing him softly on the lips.

Her touch was so warm. That was another misconception about vampires. They were not cold, animated corpses. Their bodies were actually warmer than most humans. It was an unavoidable byproduct for having such immense abilities. Their unique biology required more activity, as Adelia. It made their touch hotter than most. It didn’t just provide warmth on a brisk fall night. It got his blood flowing in ways few things could.

“I haven’t forgotten, Adelia,” he told her as soon as the kiss parted.

“I still enjoy reminding you,” Adelia said with a light grin. “But on a night like tonight, I like being more thorough than usual.”

“Then, it’s a good thing I brought extra,” Howard said, holding up the container. “If you’re going to be thorough, especially on Halloween, you need your strength.”

Adelia’s grin widened and she kissed him again. She then took the container and opened it, revealing a large pack of blood that he’d donated earlier that day. It already had a special tube connected to the top, acting like an extra-long straw. He’d prepared it with her in mind. With one arm still securely around his neck, she eagerly put her lips to the tube and drank it.

In doing so, Howard watched with a mix of awe and affection as his vampire lover drank. It never ceased to amaze him, how a vampire could be so energized by a fresh dose of blood. While they weren’t always pale or thin, it was easy to tell when a vampire hadn’t fed in a while. When they ingest blood, they radiated more heat. Their eyes also became bloodshot, becoming more excited and focused. Adelia described it a shot of adrenaline mixed and a surge of awareness.

“Mmm…I can literally taste your love, my blood mate,” she told him telepathically.

“All the more reason to drink up,” Howard said, holding her closer to further encourage her.

Vampires didn’t need added incentive to gorge on fresh blood, but they were at their strongest when they did. It was in that moment, watching Adelia feed while being in her embrace, that Howard felt the safest. Having been on the run from his father’s enemies all his life, it was a special feeling.

He didn’t intend for it to be special and neither did Adelia. When she came to him several years back, having found him huddled in his room with shotgun on Halloween night, she only offered him protection. Being a vampire, nobody could watch out for him in the darkness like her. All he had to do was regularly share his blood. Having been so desperate, it seemed like a fair trade. They just ended up getting more out of it than either of them expected.

As soon as she finished the last drop of blood, her eyes were blood red and her exposed skin radiated with renewed energy. Howard could already feel it flowing into him. It got his heart racing, among other things. Being so close to her, a beautiful female vampire with his blood now flowing inside her, stirred in him those special passions that once felt impossible, especially on Halloween.

“It’s official. I’m full,” Adelia said playfully as she tossed the empty blood pack aside.

“Is that all you are, my love?” Howard teased.

“Not in the slightest,” she laughed. “A fresh dose of blood makes any vampire feel lively. But a dose from the blood of a lover…”

“Makes you horny…really, really horny.”

“I was going to say impassioned, but if we’re ignoring my Victorian sensibilities…”

Her words trailed off. Howard chose to shut up too. He knew what came next and it didn’t involve giving candy to trick-or-treaters. Having nourished her vampiric body and surrounded him in her protective embrace, a different kind of Halloween spirit took over.

She threw her arms around him once more. She also jumped up into his arms, hooking her legs around his waist and pressing her underwear-clad body against his. They kissed again, this time with more passion and fervor. More heat from her unique body flowed into him, exciting him in ways that defied even more of those Victorian sensibilities.

“Take me, my blood mate. Take me to your bed!” Adelia said to him telepathically, their lips still entwined.

Rather than words or thoughts, Howard answered with actions. With his vampire lover securely in his arms, holding her up by her heart-shaped butt, he carried her up the stairs and into his master bedroom. Upon entering, he found out that Adelia had made preparations.

“Wow! You’ve been busy,” he said, still holding her in his arms.

“I tried not to overdo it, but…” Adelia said, allowing her words to trail off in a seductive tone.

“It’s perfect,” said Howard. “Hell, I think I need this.”

That might have been his passions overshadowing his brains, but that didn’t make the sentiment any less true. The room had been decorated with Halloween décor, including orange curtains on his windows, fake spider-webs around the lamps, and an array of orange candles that created a sexy, yet festive ambience. It was even more elaborate than last year, which had been the first time he’d even dared to be festive on Halloween. This year felt even more special.

Adelia made it okay to celebrate this solemn day for him. She even dared to make it fun. He shared in that feeling as he continued following their shared passions. His excitement escalating by the minute, he carried her over to the bed and laid her down with the utmost care. With their lips still entwined, he shed his shirt, pants, shoes, and socks before joining her.

It brought his skin into contact with hers. For a vampire’s lover, it was the point of no return. Feeling their extra-warm flesh, especially after having fed on blood, was like tapping into an unknown well of energy. It got every part of his body operating at a high level. His mind raced as fast as his heart. The simple act of making out with Adelia left him both captivated and aroused to the utmost.

That naturally extended to his lower body, as well. He could already feel his dick becoming fully erect, creating a noticeable bulge in his boxers. Adelia once joked that vampires were natural aphrodisiacs. They could evoke such a powerful reaction in others through simple touch. Even if it was supposed to just get blood flowing for feeding, the secondary effects were just as useful.

“Mmm…you do need this,” Adelia said, their lips briefly parting.

“I’m not afraid anymore,” Howard said as he hovered on top of her, caressing her face. “Thanks to you, I can enjoy a night like this. And I’d like to show my gratitude, as only a blood made can.”

“And how do you plan on doing that?” she asked, as though she didn’t already know.

“Lie back, spread your legs, and enjoy the smell of pumpkin incense while I show you!”

She laughed joyously, an act few would associate with real vampires. Howard had come to love hearing her make such noises. It further motivated him to evoke more of them.

His vampire lover did as he asked, lying back in the middle of the bed, grabbing hold of the sheets in anticipation. While she maintained her playful demeanor, Howard’s actions became more focused and serious. He started by kissing down her face and neck, tasting the heated flesh that was now so freshly nourished.

As he trialed his lips downward, feeling more of her warmth flow into him, he skillfully unclasped her bra and freed her ample breasts. He took a moment to bury his face between them, immersing himself in her cleavage. It got Adelia laughing more. It also got her more aroused.

“Oohhh, Howard! I’m loving this plan of yours,” she told him through her laughter.

“It gets better,” Howard said, sounding dead serious.

He continued his oral trek down her exposed flesh, giving each nipple a nice lick to further her arousal. While she writhed from the sensations that followed, he stealthily grasped the sides of her panties. Her arousal really showed. Like a reflex, she lifted her hips so she could remove them.

“Off! Get my panties off!” Adelia urged.

Howard eagerly obliged. He also stepped up the timetables of his teasing. Vampires were not known for their patience. Given their age and lengthy lifespan, that was understandable. Adelia was more patient with him than most, but he never kept her waiting for long.

Upon tossing her panties across the room, rendering his vampire lover completely nude, Howard quickly made his way towards her inner thighs. He could already feel a moist heat radiating from her womanhood. Adelia once told him that when a vampire got horny, their genitals became supercharged by the rapid flow of blood. She’d never gone into specifics, but the results spoke for themselves.

“So hot and wet,” Howard said distantly, “it smells delicious.”

“Speak for yourself, my mortal stud,” Adelia quipped.

He cast her a humored grin, but he remained as serious as ever. Placing his hands on her thighs, he pushed her legs apart, clearing the path for him. Then, he buried his face in her pussy and began giving her oral sex

“Oohhh, Howard!” Adelia cooed in delight. “I consume you…you consume me…I love it!”

It was oddly poetic. She was a vampire who drank his blood. He was her lover who ate her pussy out. It would’ve been funny if the passions weren’t so real.

Her intimate flesh tasted as good as any Halloween candy. She once joked that vampire pussy aged like fine wine. Having gorged on hers many times, he knew it was no joke. She was so hot and moist, radiating with a sensual energy that defied description. He used his tongue to probe her depths, feeling his way around her most sensitive areas. Vampire women seemed to have a lot of those when they were horny. It made his job easier, but no less rewarding.

It also intensified the same side-effects that had given him a throbbing erection. Whether by some strange spiritual energy or some mysterious properties of vampire flesh, it left him so aroused that his patience waivered as well. While still lapping his tongue over her outer folds, he shed his boxers and threw them aside.

At that point, his plan to express his gratitude was complete. Now, the true Halloween festivities could begin. After giving her pussy one last tease with his tongue, he rose up and crawled back on top of her.

“Adelia,” Howard said as he gazed into those blood-red eyes of hers. “You protect me, love me, and trust me. What you mean to me…what you’ve done for me…even thoughts aren’t enough.”

“That’s how I know your love is real,” she told him as she lovingly caressed his face. “When even a vampire’s telepathy can’t process it, you know it’s special.”

“I know it’s not easy. I sure don’t make it easy, given the circumstances of my life.”

“Having lived multiple lifetimes, I understand more than most. That’s what makes it even more special!”

“That also makes it worth celebrating…tonight…on Halloween.”

“You and your vampire lover,” Adelia said with another playful laugh. “I cannot think of anything more fitting.”

This time, he laughed with her. The laughter gave way to a deep kiss. As their lips became entwined, their bodies followed suit. Adelia eagerly wrapped her legs around his waist, her vampire strength showing every step of the way. Howard skillfully aligned his body with hers, guiding his erect manhood towards her waiting womanhood.

Finally, through a simple movement of hips, he entered her. The shared heat of their bodies became one. The unique features of a vampire woman and a human man supplemented one another in a fateful moment on a wonderfully appropriate night. They were really doing it. They were making love on Halloween.

“My lover…my blood mate.”

That passionate mantra echoed in their minds, shared through telepathic thoughts and reinforced through intimate actions. After soaking in the heat of their union, Howard set the tone for his vampire lover. He began moving his hips, establishing a rhythmic flow to their lovemaking. With him on top of her, their naked skin grinding together with each motion, the intimate energy quickly intensified.

It led to more elaborate forms of lovemaking. Together, they rolled around on the bed, their naked bodies shifting and adjusting in accord with their passion. At one point, Adelia was on top of him, riding his cock. At another, he laid her on her side and spooned her from behind. Vampires were known for their sexual prowess and stamina. What was less known was how it seemed to empower their mortal lovers.

Blissful moans and gasps soon filled the room, coupled with plenty of kissing and caressing. Even though vampires were naturally durable, Howard was often careful and tender with Adelia. They still enjoyed their share of rough sex, but a night like tonight demanded something more personal. The focus was on the love they’d forged and not just the intimate benefits it had inspired.

True to that spirit, he and Adelia willingly lost themselves in the passion and pleasure. They worked up a healthy sweat, which had since covered their naked bodies. In the soft candlelight, it further added to the sensual ambience. It helped make every undulating motion so smooth and seamless. It also brought them to the brink of orgasm with almost supernatural ease.

“Howard, my blood mate!” Adelia cried “Make love to me! Give me your love! Please…I’m so close!”

“Me too, Adelia. Me too!” Howard said with focused grunts.

For that final push, they returned to the simple missionary position in which they’d began. It might have been the old European traditionalist in Adelia, but that was the one she preferred. It was also the one that allowed him to go the extra mile for his lover.

He stepped up the pace for the final push, digging his feet into the bed and tightening his grip on her hips. Adelia did her part too, raking her nails down his back and locking her legs together in anticipation. He could feel the pulsating heat in her pussy around his cock, preparing for that magical release. When she finally got it, a special ecstasy consumed them both.

“Ohhh bloody yes!” she cried out.

Her naked body trembled.

The bed shook violently under the force of their movements.

Howard took her hands in his, closed his eyes, and awaited a feeling that only a vampire’s lover could appreciate.

“Oh Adelia…I feel it too.”

That wasn’t just a romantic sentiment. It was another side-effect/bonus that came along with vampire intimacy. When she climaxed, he didn’t just sense it in the form of her inner muscles contracting around his cock. He literally experienced part of her release, thanks to her telepathic talents.

It was like plugging into a hidden source of power and pleasure. Hot waves of heavy sensation washed over them both, inundating them with intense feelings of raw ecstasy. It was more than enough to get him to climax as well, his throbbing member shooting off inside her with his own release. It extended the orgasmic process even more, allowing Adelia to share his pleasure as well.

“Mmm…I never get tired of that,” she moaned.

“Me neither,” Howard said with a beaming smile.

They remained in an intimate embrace, their eyes lovingly locked onto one another as they soaked in the feeling. With vampires, simultaneous orgasms were the norm and not the exception. Adelia said that, while vampires couldn’t have children, they still had plenty of use for sex. By mixing it with their telepathic skills, they could create a special experience the likes of which no two humans could ever know.

From an evolutionary standpoint, it gave vampires something else to exchange with mortal humans in exchange for blood. From a personal standpoint, it created a whole new level of intimacy. Adelia told him that it was mostly shared among other vampires. It kept them close-knit and united in their struggle to survive. Few ordinary humans could handle it. Howard was one of those select few. It was yet another sign that their love was special.

As they shared in that special feeling, Howard kissed his vampire lover once more. Their intimate flesh parted, but the sensual heat between them had never burned brighter.

“I love you, Adelia…my blood mate…my guardian vampire,” Howard said as he laid next to her in the center of the bed.

“I love you too, Howard,” said Adelia, her glowing red eye flickering with impassioned energy. “I’ve lived a long, long time…doing things my own way…never getting too close to anyone. Then, you came along…a man in need of protection, comfort, and love.”

“And after all those years, you found way to give all of that.”

“And to think, all I wanted initially was a fresh supply of blood,” she said jokingly.

“I know,” said Howard, as he caressed her face. “Love is strange, like that. It starts with something you need. It becomes something you cherish. Whether you’re a human or a vampire, it somehow finds you.”

“And on Halloween, no less!”

They shared another laugh before coming together in another passionate kiss. It still amazed Howard. In his darkest hour on his least favorite day of the year, a vampire came to him, offering something simple. He got her protection. She got his blood. That Halloween night ended up being a fateful turning point.

Over time, she became more than just his guardian and he became more than just a source of nourishment. Together, they blossomed into something so much more. Howard knew he could never live a normal, open life. His father’s crimes would always define him, leaving him vulnerable, no matter where he hid. He used to fear the shadows. Now, he took comfort in them, knowing his vampire lover was there to protect him.

“Happy Halloween, Howard,” she said to him through their telepathic link.

“Happy Halloween, Adelia,” he replied. “Thanks for making this day worth celebrating again.”

“And celebrate we will! That, I can promise you. And a vampire always keeps her promise to her blood mate.”

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Daily Sexy Musings: Workplace Romances

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Romance comes in many forms, but some forms incur more complications than others. They can still work, but it tends to be more challenging. As a romance fan, I find myself most conflicted about workplace romances. On paper, it can be very sweet, starting off as a colleague and eventually becoming a lover. In practice, it tends to be a rocky road, even in the best of circumstances.

While it has become somewhat taboo in recent years due to the anti-harassment movement, workplace romances are still a thing. A statistically significant part of the population have admitted to dating a co-worker. Some even get married and that’s a beautiful thing. At the same time, it’s often hard to imagine how romance works within that dynamic.

In a professional environment, there are all sorts of power dynamics in play. Not everyone is an equal, in terms of rank and pay scale. This can cause some unavoidable difficulties for prospective lovers and not just in terms of harassment. How does a relationship work when one person has the ability to impact their lover’s career? How do they go about being good at their jobs in the midst of an ongoing romance?

Some claim it’s impossible. I’m not among that crowd. I tend to believe that if the love is strong enough, then two people can overcome almost any obstacle, including the inherent complications of sharing the workplace. I don’t deny that it’s one of the trickier romances to pull off and write about, but it is possible.

There many unique dynamics and challenges associated with workplace romances. That’s part of what makes them stand out. With this Daily Sexy Musing, I’ll attempt to channel the special kind of love that makes a workplace romance succeed. Pursuing love is hard enough, but pursing it alongside a co-worker is a daunting challenge, albeit one with sexy results. Enjoy!

We wake up at the same time.

We put on our professional attire.

We make the same commute.

We arrive in the same domain.

Our lives, our hearts, and our careers are linked. What started as a partnership has become more intimate. The line between our careers and the lives we build outside them blur. Then, once professional courtesy becomes intimate chemistry, the line shatters. In an instant, being a professional and being your lover are one in the same.

Once, we were co-workers.

Then, we became friends.

Then, we felt a deeper connection.

Then, amidst risks and scrutiny, we pursued it to the utmost.

I see you when you put on your best face and exercise your best skills. You carry yourself a certain way, knowing your career and your dreams hinge on it. The stakes are high and I’ve become part of that.

At the same time, you see at my best and at my worst. On good days, you see how I achieve my goals and make my living. My abilities are on full display for you and the world to see. When the days are bad, you watch me struggle. I am at my most distressed and disheveled. I cannot hide the upheavals in my professional life.

As professionals, we have a job to do.

As lovers, we have passions to share.

In two different worlds, we exercise two different selves.

In both worlds, we come together.

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What “Malcolm In The Middle” And “Joker” Can Teach Us About Deviance

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What makes someone deviant? What turns otherwise normal human beings into the kind of deviants who go onto commit crimes, foster discord, or lash out at the rest of society? These questions are often contemplated by psychologists, police, politicians, and people who just want to live in peace.

The answers aren’t easy, but they often make for compelling movies and TV shows. Some dare to offer answers that are as revealing as they are distressing. That’s part of what made “Joker” such an impactful movie. It’s also what triggered the controversy surrounding its subversive message. I tried to explore that message my review of the movie, but in doing so, I uncovered something surprising.

The themes in “Joker” are more relevant today than they’ve been in years. It makes the case that when people denigrate, marginalize, or ignore those in the lowest rungs of society, they’re going to create the kinds of monsters and supervillains that undermine the current order. Moreover, they deserve the chaos and deviance that these individuals cause.

In “Joker,” Arthur Fleck was a perfect storm of unfortunate circumstances and societal denigration. While Gotham City didn’t turn him into the Joker, they put him in a position to make those fateful choices. Nobody tried to help him or give him other options. If anything, the help and options he needed were taken away. It was part of what made his deviance both compelling and understandable.

It reminded me of a famous TV show that made a similar point, albeit one from a very different genre and medium. It dared to make that point decade earlier, long before the current controversies surrounding mass shooters in movie theaters and so-called “incel culture.” That show is “Malcolm In The Middle.”

The two narratives couldn’t be more different. One is an R-rated movie that defies the conventions of the superhero genre and explores the twisted mind of an iconic villain. The other is a prime-time sitcom full of funny, cartoonish antics from a dysfunctional working-class family. One is dark and serious. The other is funny and light-hearted.

Despite those vast differences, they convey very similar messages. They both make the case that a callous, negligent society will create deviant individuals within its most disadvantaged. They also highlight how efforts to push them aside or suppress their deviance will only make things worse.

In “Joker,” it turned Arthur Fleck into an agent of chaos who went onto inspire more chaos in others. The circumstances in “Malcolm In The Middle” were very different and a lot more subtle, but the underlying message was still there.

It’s subtle, but it’s there.

From the first episode of the show to its finale, Malcolm and his family are depicted as both dysfunctional and disadvantaged. In some instances, they’re downright destitute. On many occasions, they deal with crippling debt, dead-end jobs, and arrogant upper-class types who look down on them with disgust. More often than not, Malcolm and his brothers get back at them in their own creative way.

Whatever form the antics take, the show never uses the lower-class status of Malcolm’s family to justify their behavior. Much like “Joker,” it establishes that the characters have agency. They’re dealt a lousy hand, but they still have opportunities to make non-deviant choices. They’re rarely forced into deviant acts. Opportunities arise and they exercise poor judgement, to say the least.

The very least.

Malcolm and his brothers didn’t have to lie about what happened to Dewey’s bike in Season 1, Episode 15. They did it anyways and things only escalated from there when the consequences caught up with them.

Malcom and his brother didn’t have to buy their mother a terrible birthday gift in Season 2, Episode 3. They still did and the end result led to them fighting an army of clowns in one of the show’s most memorable moments.

It’s not just the kids, either. Hal didn’t have to resort to unorthodox tactics when coaching Dewey’s soccer team in Season 3, Episode 16. He still did and things only got messier from there.

Lois didn’t have to force Malcolm to getting a job as terrible as hers in order to teach him a lesson in Season 5, Episode 6. She still did and, in doing so, taught him an entirely different lesson about just how screwed people like them are. It’s a message that even found its way into her memorable speech in the series finale.

It’s an important component of the show’s brilliance and humor. Malcolm and his family are a mess. They’re constantly getting screwed over by circumstances, bad choices, and other people who look down on them. However, they never come off as victims, nor do they carry themselves as such. They have opportunities to become less dysfunction, but often squander them.

Arthur Fleck had chances to become something other than a killer clown. There were a number of instances in “Joker” in which he could’ve gone a different path. He simply chose not to and society didn’t lift a finger to help him. If anything, they took away what little help he got.

Throughout seven seasons in “Malcolm In The Middle,” Malcolm’s family finds themselves in similar situations. One of the best examples is in Season 4, Episode 17, which happened to be the second clip show episode. In that episode, Hal and Lois recount the births of their kids as they prepare for the arrival of another.

In every instance, the births are subject to strange and hilarious circumstances. In one of them, Lois goes into labor in the driveway of their house because Francis locked her out of the car. Then, while she’s writhing in pain from the labor, a jogger passes by. She yells out she’s having a baby, but the jogger just ignores her and congratulates her.

It’s funny, but symptomatic of the family’s lot in life. Nobody goes out of their way for them. Nobody offers to help them. It even happens again a few episodes later in Season 4, Episode 21 when Lois goes into labor with Jamie. Even though someone calls 9-1-1 and an ambulance arrives, they don’t get there until after she gives birth. The EMTs even joke about how they stopped for coffee.

Like Arthur Fleck, the society around Malcolm’s family doesn’t care about them. They even go out of their way to avoid or neglect them. In “Joker,” Arthur is repeatedly victimized by both the system and individuals who go out of their way to harass him. His situation is already bad, but these ordeals only make it worse.

Early in the movie, Arthur does show signs that he’s capable of being a decent person. He tried to make a kid on the bus laugh. He entertained sick children at a hospital. He could’ve been a productive, positive force in society. Then, society started screwing him over and bad choices on his part led him to become a dangerous deviant.

While Malcolm and his family didn’t become as deviant as the Joker, they still did plenty of damage with their antics. At the same time, there were plenty of instances that showed that, as dysfunctional as they were, they could still be good and decent to others when given the chance. They just rarely got those changes and society rarely provided the incentives.

It’s a powerful message with respect to what makes people deviant. Some people are at the mercy of bad circumstances, be they poverty, mental illness, or having an overbearing mother like Lois. They’re still capable of being good, but it’s easier for them to become deviant when society neglects them. That deviance only compounds as a result of poor judgement and bad choices.

Yes, they compound a LOT.

There are plenty of differences between “Joker” and “Malcolm In The Middle.” Whereas “Joker” takes things to the worst possible outcome in the descent towards deviance, “Malcolm In The Middle” manages to maintain a more hopeful outlook. People can still be deviant and dysfunctional, but they can rise above it. The events of the series finale affirm that.

Those differences aside, this movie and this TV show offer lessons and insight into something that all societies must deal with. There will always be a certain level of deviance. There will also be those more inclined to pursue it. It’s just a matter of how to confront it. More than anything else, “Joker” and “Malcolm In The Middle” shows the consequences of confronting it the wrong way.

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Jack Fisher’s Weekly Quick Pick Comic: Amazing Mary Jane #1

An iconic character is only as great as their supporting cast. On their own, icons like Batman, Superman, and Captain America can only do so much to carry their story. Like Santa Claus without his elves, they’re limited in how compelling they make that story without other characters around them adding dramatic fuel to the story.

This is especially true for characters like Spider-Man, whose supporting cast is one of the strongest and most in extensive in comic book history. If you need proof, just remember that a movie based around one of Spider-Man’s greatest villains grossed over $856 million. However, if you need further proof that Spider-Man’s supporting cast is what makes him so amazing, then look no further than Mary Jane Watson.

She’s not just Spider-Man’s girlfriend.

She’s not just the super-hot, super-sexy redhead who gets every straight man’s blood flowing for all the right reasons.

She’s not just the eye candy that makes for some of the best variant comic book covers of all time.

Mary Jane Watson makes Spider-Man a greater character because she’s a great character in her own right. She didn’t come into his story as some wide-eyed bimbo who existed only to make Peter second-guess the merits of male superheros wearing skin-tight outfits. She has her own story, motivations, and aspirations.

Most of the time, her story is relegated to secondary sub-plots in Spider-Man’s stories. While some of those stories are great for both characters, she’s never had a chance to carry her own story. Leah Williams and Carlos Gomez finally give her that chance in “Amazing Mary Jane #1.”

It’s still a story closely tied to Spider-Man, but Mary Jane is the one leading the charge this time. It’s not a radical reinvention of who she is or what motivates her. Williams and Gomez simply shift the spotlight to her and let her work her amazing charisma. It’s a simple approach, but it works.

Mary Jane is still an aspiring actress. Like many aspiring actresses, she’s looking for ways to further her career. The basic premise of  “Amazing Mary Jane #1” is that she gets an opportunity to do just that. It even involves a role that she’s very familiar with. She’s caught up in a battle involving Spider-Man. For her, she really doesn’t need to do much acting.

There’s just one glaring problem and it’s not just that her role is reduced to being a beautiful woman in a skin-tight outfit. This opportunity that she desperately wants happens to be courtesy of Quentin “Mysterio” Beck, one of Spider-Man’s most colorful villains and one whose star really rose with “Spider-Man: Far From Home.”

It’s a situation that might make even the most ambitious actress hesitate. At the same time, it puts Mary Jane in a position to show her greatest strengths, none of which involve superpowers. She’s able to carry the story with her personality and William captures it wonderfully on multiple fronts.

Mary Jane doesn’t just smile and nod to go along with everything. She speaks her mind, but never in a way that makes her sound condescending or self-centered. She sees something wrong with the role she’s playing and she confronts it. When the nature of that role is objectively bad for both her and the movie, she says so.

It’s an issue ripped right from recent news surrounding the Hollywood horror stories that ambitious actresses have endured. It’s a sensitive, hot-button issue, but one that “Amazing Mary Jane #1” doesn’t ignore. The characters don’t ignore it, either. It’s a real issue that’s worth addressing, even in a superhero comic.

However, that issue never derails the story or takes away from the substance of the plot. “Amazing Mary Jane #1” is not about Mary Jane Watson calling out the predatory practices of Hollywood producers. It’s about her finding out that this major opportunity her in the center of Mysterio’s latest endeavor.

Being Spider-Man’s girlfriend, she knows better than most that this endeavor will likely involve something going horribly wrong. Since she’s in Hollywood and Spider-Man is in New York, she can’t count on being rescued this time.

It’s a great setup that perfectly blends Mary Jane Watson’s personal story with one of Spider-Man’s most well-known villains. She’s still part of Spider-Man’s story, but this is one in which she shoulders the responsibilities. On top of that, she has to do that without the aid great power.

At the same time, the very absence of that power is part of what makes Mary Jane such a strong supporting character for Spider-Man. She knows she’s not the one with the superpowers. Even Spider-Man knows this. That doesn’t stop her from accepting those responsibilities. She, more than anyone, shows Peter Parker that responsibility doesn’t end with stopping muggers, criminals, and guys with fish bowls for heads.

Even when she’s accepting responsibility, Mary Jane Watson still knows how to have fun. Williams goes out of her way to capture that in “Amazing Mary Jane #1” and Gomez makes her look great while doing it. The sweet, playful moments between her and Spider-Man often bring out the best in both characters. They’re the kind of moments that are sure to piss off Mephisto.

Peter Parker will always be the center of the greater Spider-Man universe, even when that universe involves talking pigs. However, Mary Jane Watson makes that universe more compelling and dramatic with her presence. She also makes it sexier, but that’s just a nice bonus. Amazing Mary Jane #1” further proves that she’s capable of being amazing in her own right. 

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Daily Sexy Musing: Sexy Singing

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Certain people are just born with an incredible singing voice. Famous musicians like Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson, and Stevie Wonder came out of the womb with incredible talent and they’ve done plenty to nurture that talent. Between that talent and the music they make with it, there’s no denying the unique allure of their voice.

I say that as someone who freely admits he can’t sing worth a damn. I have many talents that I’m proud of, but singing isn’t one of them. I just don’t have the voice for it. I do know plenty of people who do and I’ve seen first-hand how it affects others. It’s not always sexual, but it can certainly have that effect.

A good singing voice is like a siren’s song. It draws people in and, with the right mood and melody, can make them very horny. I doubt it’ll surprise anyone that some of my favorite songs have some very sexual rhythms and connotations. Whether it’s a bubblegum pop song or one born of hard rock, it can really set a sexy mood.

Having a voice like that, or just having a lover with that kind of voice, is akin to having a super-power. When you can both sing and seduce, it makes for uniquely intense moments. Not everybody has the ability. I would even argue that only a minority of people have that sort of singing talent. That only makes the sex appeal more special.

I may not be able to sing, but I can try to capture that sex appeal with my words in this Daily Sexy Musing. That’s one talent I know I can wield. Enjoy!

We set the beat.

We start the melody.

We read the lyrics.

However, it’s you who brings it all together.

Your voice is the catalyst, but the show is just beginning. One word becomes a line and several lines become a refrain. Hot beats, intense rhythm, and heartfelt soul play out through every note and tone. In you, however, the song has heart. With it, you capture mine.

I can only listen in awe as you serenade my surroundings. My ears ring with the sweetest of sounds. Like a dining on my favorite treat, I am overwhelmed with joy and contentment. In this moment, the entire world comes together in a harmonious moment. Through your voice, a special energy consume all who hear it.

Every passion echoes through the lyrics.

Every tone resonates in my soul.

Every connection between us intensifies.

Within my head, the echoes resonate through every fiber of my being. Anyone can hear the sounds of beat and enjoy the rhythm of the melody. Only a select few can turn their voice into an instrument of poetry and grandeur. You are among those few.

I hear your song.

I cherish your voice.

I heed your call.

Through the harmony of song and rhythm, you tell me in few words what cannot be articulated fully. Without a voice like yours, I cannot hope to reply with a similar spectacle. However, that only means I must convey my love in other ways. I may not have a voice like yours, but that doesn’t mean we cannot share a concert.

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The Potential (And Pitfalls) Of Polyamory In The X-Men Comics

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Two years ago, I wrote an article that explored the idea of using polyamory to resolve the infamous Cyclops/Jean Grey/Wolverine love triangle in the X-Men comics. I admit that it was primarily a thought experiment. It was my way of attempting to resolve what I believe to be the worst manifestation of a love triangle in all of fiction. I never expected it to manifest in any form outside head canon of fan fiction.

Then, “X-Men #1” by Jonathan Hickman and Leinil Francis Yu came out, almost two years to the day that I published that article. While it wasn’t overtly stated that polyamory is now a thing in the X-Men comics, there were certain details that strongly hinted at it, so much so that multiple outlets in the world of comics have taken it seriously.

I’m not saying the article I wrote was prophetic. I certainly didn’t predict that Marvel would ever pursue this recourse or even hint at it. At the same time, it’s kind of surreal that this is something that might actually play out in mainstream superhero comics. The fact that it’s playing out in a company owned by Disney makes that even more astonishing.

Now, before I go any further, I want to make one thing clear. After reading “X-Men #1” and all the speculation surrounding it, nothing has been definitively confirmed. The writers and editors at Marvel have not stated outright that they’re actually making Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Wolverine a polyamorous couple. It’s been hinted at, but not confirmed on panel.

In comics, that means a lot. Like a death without a body, if it doesn’t happen explicitly on panel, then you can’t assume it did. That’s just how comics work. That extends to love triangles, polyamory, and everything in between.

That said, I think Hickman and Yu have created the right circumstances. Two years ago, Jean Grey was still dead, Cyclops was dead, and Wolverine had just come back to life. The events of House of X and Powers of X establish that the X-Men, and the rest of the mutant race for that matter, have established a new world for themselves on the living island of Krakoa. It’s a chance to do things differently.

In this new setup, the tensions and melodrama of the past are left in the past. The final pages of House of X #6 make that clear, especially with Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Wolverine. There’s even a nice moment between Jean Grey and Emma Frost, who have been bitter rivals for years. Hickman makes clear that these characters are looking to move forward and not revisit old drama.

The only question is what does that entail? Does moving forward simply mean moving past these old romantic complications? The final pages of “Uncanny X-Men #22,” which predate House of X and Powers of X, establish on panel that Cyclops and Jean Grey are still a thing. They still love each other and don’t hesitate for a second to embrace one another, now that they’re alive again.

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However, it’s not quite as clear that they’re content to pursue the same relationship they had before Jean died at the hands of Magneto back in 2004. On some levels, it makes sense to do something different. Both Cyclops and Jean Grey know what happens when they try to ignore these other feelings. They just fester under the surface and it hurts them both in the long run.

Even though their love for one another is very clear, the way they go about their relationship has shown plenty of flaws, going back to the days of Chris Clarmeont’s run on Uncanny X-Men. They still want to be together. They even want to be a family. The events of “X-Men #1” depict them as more a family than reunited lovers, which I thought was both sweet and overdue.

It’s also in this area that the potential for polyamory has already revealed itself. Most have pointed out the unusual arrangement of Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Wolverine’s rooms on the new moon-based Summer house. They’re all connected with Jean’s room in between Cyclops’ and Wolverine’s. They even have doorways between them, which is something the other rooms don’t.

It’s not definitive confirmation, but it certainly implies the possibility. Solicits of future issues have also hinted that Emma Frost may enter the picture as well. If Hickman, Yu, and Marvel are serious about pursuing this plot, then it could open the door for a very different kind of romantic sub-plot, the likes of which we haven’t seen in superhero comics.

While superhero comics have been quite progressive at times, and even somewhat daring, when it comes to pursuing non-traditional relationships, they’ve never attempted to tackle polyamory. Even though it exists in the real world, it’s not something superhero comics have ever taken seriously. This could change that.

A seriously, well-written polyamorous relationship between Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Wolverine could effectively redefine what it means for these characters to love one another. It helps that it’s happening at a time when the X-Men and the entire mutant race are redefining themselves on Krakoa. They’re building their own homeland and culture. Why wouldn’t they redefine how they handle relationships while they’re at it?

It could address some of the most egregious flaws that the love triangle has propagated over the years. Jean Grey would no longer be a prize to be won by Cyclops or Wolverine. Cyclops would no longer be an obstacle for Wolverine. More importantly, it would allow Wolverine to have his romantic connection with someone without being limited by it. For someone with his extensive romantic history, that’s very important.

However, that’s the best case scenario. It also assumes that Hickman is serious about pursuing this sub-plot. Like I said earlier, it has not be confirmed on-panel. There’s no hint in House of X, Powers of X, or “X-Men #1” that there’s something elaborate going on with them. They just carry themselves as though they’re on much better terms than they were before they all died on one another.

There are risks associated with pursuing this kind of relationship. While Hickman is a great writer with a great pedigree for superhero comics, he’s never tackled a love triangle with this much baggage. If handled poorly, it could do serious damage to all the characters involved.

It could devalue the depth and history of the Cyclops/Jean Grey romance, which is one of the most iconic in all of superhero comics. It could also take a character like Wolverine, who has a complicated history as a loner who rarely gets tied down by one relationship, and make him seem out of character. Him becoming a part of the Summers/Grey family would be like James Bond joining the clergy.

There’s also a chance that a polyamorous relationship with these three could devolve into something that is just played up for novelty. The fact that it’s so different can’t be the only reason for doing it. If it is, then it’s not going to be believable and the characters involved will suffer because of it.

Given how these characters have already suffered, I don’t think the time is right to deconstruct their relationships and romantic sub-plots the only reason for doing so is shock value. These are characters poised to enter the MCU at some point. I doubt Disney will want them overly complicated before that occurs.

Personally, it’s for that reason that I doubt Marvel will seriously pursue a polyamorous relationship between Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Wolverine. They may hint at it. They may tease it. They’ll do everything possible, except depict it on panel, which will keep readers guessing and speculating. It’s something they’ve done before, much to the chagrin of fans.

If they do try it, though, I sincerely hope that Hickman, Lu, and the rest of Marvel’s creative team takes the concept seriously. The X-Men, throughout their history, have depicted characters who are very different, if not downright weird compared to the rest of the world. If that’s going to extend to how they pursue romance and relationships, then it deserves a serious effort.

However, it cannot and should not come at the cost of the characters or the iconic romances that came before it.

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Jack Fisher’s Sexy Sunday Thoughts: Going To The Gym Edition

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Most people don’t like going to the gym. For the first half of my life, I certainly didn’t like it. Gym was my least favorite class in school and I actively avoided them for much of my 20s. Then, I started to become more health conscious. I saw how I looked and I wasn’t satisfied with it. I also saw what was happening with my health and I didn’t like it. Eventually, my attitudes towards gyms changed.

I’ve documented my journey from being grossly out of shape to being a regular fixture at my local gym. I’ve gotten to a point where I don’t just enjoy going to the gym. I feel weird when I don’t. It’s a habit and one that has had a positive impact on my health, my physical appearance, and my confidence. It’s not unreasonable to say that I’m a sexier man today than I was in my 20s because of my efforts at the gym.

Love it or hate it, working out at the gym is where both improved health and greater sexiness are forged. It’s not easy and it doesn’t happen overnight either. It takes time, effort, commitment, and even some pain along the way. The end results are still worth it. I’ve seen people at the gym go from pudgy to ripped over the course of several months. It’s an amazing process and a sexy one, at that.

Granted, you don’t always feel attractive at the gym. You’re sweaty, you’re sticky, and you’re probably going to smell. However, you’re also demonstrating to yourself and others that you’re willing to put in the work. You’re willing to fight, struggle, and toil in the name of greater health and sex appeal. That’s something that anyone can find attractive.

Many of the thoughts that end up in my Sexy Sunday Thoughts often occur while I’m at the gym. With my heart pumping, my blood flowing, and my mind focus, it’s just too fitting. That makes this edition of my Sexy Sunday Thoughts almost as rewarding as a good workout. Enjoy!


“An overly fancy dinner is just a more expensive form of foreplay.”


“If practice makes perfect, then sluts are just a kinky brand of perfectionists.”


“Stupidity will persist for as long as it plays a role in significant numbers of pregnancies.”


“A broken heart often coincides with lonely genitals.”


“If an orgy is a democracy, then a gangbang is a reverse dictatorship.”


“Sleeping with your ex is like drinking and driving in a car you’ve already crashed before.”


“Logistically speaking, a skilled liar and a gullible idiot are among the most compatible lovers.”


I hope this inspires those who already go to the gym to push themselves a little harder on their next trip. For those who don’t go, I encourage you to give it a try. You might not like it at first. You might find it difficult and strenuous. Trust me, it’s worth doing. It gets easier over time and when you see the results in the mirror, you’ll feel both healthier and sexier.

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Guest Post: 5 Highly Recommended Books on Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI)

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The following is an article submitted by Harsh Arora, a freelance blogger and writer who shares a similar interest in artificial intelligence, futurism, and the future of the human race. To Mr. Arora, I sincerely thank you for this submission and your continued support.


We would first of all like to welcome all types of readers to our blog – newbies who are just interested about these buzzwords and also experts on the subjects who would like to extend their existing knowledge on the matter. Having established that, it is also imperative to not only define these two concepts (AI and ML) but also to differentiate between them. Although these terms are used synonymously, they are in fact different from one another. AI is the broader level concept where we feed the machine with data and then expect it to take decisions based on that data. ML on the other hand is a subset and application of AI where we feed machines with data and allow them to learn on their own.

Following are the books we recommend for you to learn more about them:

Machine Learning for Absolute Beginners: A Plain English Introduction – Oliver Theobald

It’s easy to see which part of our reader base this particular book is targeted towards. You may be a complete outsider to the world of ML and still be able to understand the granular technical aspects of it through this book. Oliver Theobald assumes no background of programming or coding on the behalf of the reader and allows you to learn right from scratch. It is not only the perfect book for newbies but also experts in the field because it tries to explain the basic concepts in a very coherent and distinct manner. This books not only helps you learn about the concepts of ML but also allows you to unlearn and then relearn them, something is really important for such a subject matter.

The Hundred-Page Machine Learning Book – Andrew Burkov

This is once again a book that will interest not only beginners but also experts in the field. Andrew has really been able to simplify the concepts of ML into basic and easily comprehensible set of cliff notes. With just 100 pages at his disposal, he has really captured the over-arching essence of ML. Though, of course it is not a deep dive into the subject matter like some of our other recommendations, it is however a wonderful summary of it. It is perfect for people who want to understand this technology and its implementations and implications in the real world.

Artificial Intelligence: A Modern Approach (3rd Edition) – Stuart Russell & Peter Norvig

Stuart Russel is one of the sharpest minds working in the field of AI and is a faculty at University of Berkeley. Additionally, he is an Oxford graduate and also holds a PhD from Stanford. In his third edition of the book, Stuart decided to collaborate with Peter Norvig who is currently the R&D Director at Google. Collaboratively, they have created a well-researched and well-defined approach towards understanding modern AI. This book is perfect for students of under-graduate or graduate level courses or even for laymen with the basic understanding of the fundamentals of AI. This long-anticipated edition of its best-seller predecessors offers the most up-to-date and comprehensive understanding of the theory and practice of artificial intelligence.

Machine Learning – Tom M. Mitchell

This is a classic book in which the author has covered the techniques and concepts of the numerous fields and unified them to provide in depth view of ML. Some of the subjects covered include re-enforcement learning, inductive logic programming and genetic algorithms. Tom has tried to simplify these complicated concepts through a clear and explanatory way of writing. At the same time, he has used tools such as case studies and relevant examples to provide a comprehensive overview. Lastly, there is no knowledge of the complex ideas that he has assumed on the part of the reader.

Superintelligence – Nick Bostrom

If you are familiar with the work of Mr. Nick Bostrom, you know you are in for a treat with this book. He takes a different approach to not only explain the artificial intelligence but also the effects it has on our existence. Nick believes that self-aware machines are potentially a bigger threat to humanity than climate change. He has authored over 200 books and his writing forces you to take him seriously in this seemingly sci-fi piece of literature. He helps us understand how the most intelligent form of life i.e. now humans have governed the fate of existence since the dawn. However, with a species (sort of) that has the potential to be smarter than us, what chance is there that they won’t dominate us?

Artificial Intelligence for Humans (Fundamental Algorithms: 1) – Jeff Heaton

If you are planning to build a career in artificial intelligence, this should be your starting off point and you should read it from cover to cover. Jeff Heaton cover several topics in depth such as clustering, distance metrics, dimensionality, linear regression, error calculation and hill climbing. The book takes you through the actual mathematical calculations that you can compute yourself and also see the real-world applications of. However, to build a career in this industry, you must not only understand the basic principals of AI but also of algebra and computer programming. This book will build on those concepts through various computer languages such as C, Java, C#, R and Python.

These books are some of the best in the market and will be perfect for people of all knowledge levels of AI and ML. Given that the industrial revolution 4.0 is upon us and almost all technology is slowly being integrated with it, it is suggested that we all learn more about it. However, it is completely up to you to form opinions about whether or not this technology will be harmful to humans in the long run. Additionally, we also suggest you read up on a few other technologies that are prevalent in this 4.0 era such as IOT, Blockchain and Cloud Computing.

About me: Harsh Arora is a proud father of four rescued dogs and a leopard gecko. Besides being a full-time dog father, he is a freelance content writer/blogger and a massage expert who is skilled in using the best massage gun.

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