Haunted Holidays

They are the best in my opinion. While randomly cruising the interwebs, I found a couple of videos that I decided I had to post here.  'Cause they are amazing.

Timely Learning

You always hear people say school takes up so much time. I didn't want it to, yet I wanted to pursue y goal of going and gaining a degree in entomology. I thought that since I have so much other stuff going on as well, that I would only become a part time student. I know taking much more than two or three courses would be extremely stressful. That way, I could work, focus on my hobbies and still do the schooling and not be majorly stressed out. Yeah... That worked.

I am only taking two classes at the moment and it still takes up a fuck tonne -metric, if you were curious- of time. I am just surprised that even though I thought I would be ok taking less courses, and thus not as much time, I was wrong. School really does take up a lot of time.

A Dirge (Or Two) from Djerv

I found more videos to post. Surprise surprise. My last post about the Animal Alpha video started a search to see what is up with the ex-members now-a-days and other than appearing in the "Gateways" song and video by Dimmu Borgir, vocalist Agnete Kjølsrud (of who I am pretty sure is my new musical obsession of the moment) went on to create another band. Djerv has elements of Black metal in it that just... hit the right spot. Here are two videos. 

What Do Dominant Animals and Unedible Candy Have In Common?

A good band and a fairly bad ass music video. Animal Alpha had this song feature during the end credits to Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters. I actually enjoyed the movie a fair bit, though it wasn't done the best it could have been. I fully admit knowing of the band before but not really checking them out until the movie. My bad. Check out this video.

A Herp, In Honor

After having dinner with my best friend, boyfriend, brothers and parents and reminiscing about our late friend, I had to venture off to get some crickets for my reptiles. I admit, it was a bit of an impulse but I am glad it happened. My friends and family realize how much my reptiles mean to me, but Nathan is one who I think truly understood. I saw a Golden Skink at the store and I needed him. Partially as a pick me up but it is what Roscoe said next that made the decision final. "Do you have a name for him yet?" He asked. I shook my head no. "How about you name him in honor of your friend?". That sealed the deal right there. Nathan, in honor of our love of similar things, and love for each other, here I give you Nathaniel.

Nathaniel is what I often called Nathan, I guess it was somewhat of a pet name. So why not name the pet that name?

Departure, Unplanned.

It never comes to your realization how much you care for someone until they are gone. Before I say more, I would like to say that this is a tribute to someone who very recently passed away, but was extremely close to me.

The first boyfriend I ever had passed away of unexpected heart failure. We never officially broke up. He happened to be the first gay man I ever knew, and my brothers best friend. My brother got involved, bound to happen due to the situation, claiming he wanted to help me. Coming out to friends in the first year of high school could be hard. I think this was mainly a ploy to stop me from dating his best friend but there was some truth in it. Anyway, because of this we just kind of stopped dating. Nothing official was ever said but we stayed good friends, and would for years to come.

I remember when I first approached him after finding out he was gay. it was at my family's house, by the back door. I walked up to him on the staircase all shyly and sheepishly said "So... how do you know your gay?" He seemed a little shocked and herded me out the backdoor without a sound. I don't remember what he said then, but I do remember his putting his hand on my shoulder. I remember it being very comforting.

From that moment on, many great adventures and hilarious times ensued. From the time he took my best friend and I to see random fire works that we never figured out were for. It was dark and we kept seeing an owl on the wooden fence posts. The same owl. We all thought it was kind of eerie, and were laughing about how it would be creepy if it ll of a sudden flew out in front... and half way through that exact sentence it did. The damn owl flew right out in front of the truck. The cab of the truck was a flutter of screams and laughter all at once. Camping with him was always fun too. I remember driving around in his truck for like an hour in circles around my place just so I could show him music I liked and wanted to show him. That was a main passion we shared, music. He was mainly into dance and stuff and I, metal. Then there was the time he picked me up from school after I had been nagging him to cut down on smoking. He was parked right out the front door and as I walked up he had an entire pack worth of smokes in his hands, grimaced from ear to ear and ripped them all in half. I was so very proud of him. He went from two packs a day, to two cigarettes a day.

He always went through depressions and felt lonely a lot of the time. People frequently got angry at him for his spending habits, but I think I understand. Material goods give people a short term happiness. I think he needed it. I have been through it. Getting myself a new piercing to bring me out of a funk. I that was part of reason he spent his money the way he did. He was very proud when he got into the trades. It made him feel like he had a place in life. I remember being very proud when he got in.

More good times were when my best friend and I wanted to go out and play in the rain. Jumping and rolling around in the near by tennis court until our clothes were soaked through. We walked over to his house and called his phone. "Hello!" he said. "We are cold, sopping yet and standing at your front door, what are you going to do?" I told him. Or the time he brought an ex-friend to see me at school. We were all in the cafeteria and smiling and laughing and this at-the-time-friend of his looks to me and says "so are you going to tell me where this [my name]-kid is, or do I have to beat you for it? I looked at him with a cocked eyebrow and replied "Really? You are going to beat up the kid you are here to hang out with? Classy." Haha, good times, good times.

As I said, he seemed lonely a lot of the time. I regret not having as much contact with him in the end. Mix of things like texts not going through or times not matching up. He lived so close too. I regret not going over more. However, as lonely as I think he has felt in life, I also don't think he realized how many friends he had. He was cared about, very much so. He was the first man I really ever cared about in that way and no one ever really tells you what that person really means to you once they are gone.

I can now never tell you how much you meant to me, or how much I will miss you. That is the part that pains me the most. You meant, no... you mean so much to me and you always will. If it wasn't for you, I would have never begun my journey to find out who I really was and be comfortable and happy with myself. You have yourself to thank for sparking the start of that journey. You will never be forgotten. You have gained a life beyond life through the happiness you showed me and the stories that were born from the times we spent together. Nate, this is for you and I wish you the best, in what ever comes next.

Departure Plan 

By Soilwork

You're taking care of your instincts
No matter what you do
Your life could be so much better now when everything is through
The demons that refused to let you go
They leave with empty hands
You got to give it a try
Don't put an end to your life
Cause that's where you choke your last sign

You gotta rise with me!
Cause you're so vulnerable... Me!
No need for sympathy now...
Yet so admirable... Say...

Your passion for art is your well hidden cure
Cause that's where you have a plan
Escaping could be such a movement now
In your fragile heart also true

You gotta rise with me!
Cause you're so vulnerable... Me!
No need for sympathy now...
Yet so admirable... Say...

... You'll never ever hurt yourself again!

We listened to this song over and over and over again together, so it only feels fitting that I post it here.

... And I Tumbld

And I fell. That is right, I finally caved. I made a Tumblr account. I was thinking, I have this blog to post all of MY stuff, but nowhere that seem appropriate to post stuff I like but that isn't really "mine". It made sense to me to make a Tumblr account for this reason. You can find the blog at pupberith.tumblr.com. It is also in the fancy little side menu thing titled "Links". I put it there for ease. Use it, yes?

Conversationally Cursed

I know I promised not to use this blog to rant, but really, what else are blogs used for? I will hereby change the promise I made to "I promise not to use this blog to rant about petty problems." I will however blog about stuff I think is worth ranting about. Stuff that has a point and meaning.

I try my best to social network., and sometimes, most of the time, people can't hold conversations or just don't care to talk and be friends. This seems petty doesn't it? Wrong. I don't social network because I want people to like me. I social network to work on social skills that elude me, or are difficult for me. I am autistic (well, since Aspergers' Syndrome is finally recognized as its own disorder, it technically isn't counted in the autistic spectrum, but it is just easier to say autism). I won't go into detail about it as I will type on forever about it. Instead, you can read this handy-dandy wikipedia article about it. (I haven't gone through the whole thing so it may be a little dated, we all know the internet, right?)

So, while not replying to a message or replying with one word replies doesn't seem like a big deal to you, it is to me. It is actually extremely frustrating. I do not think most people realize how much energy, thought, and trial I put into something even as simple as "Hello, how are you?" It takes a lot of courage and effort on my part to do so. Reaching out to people is not something  generally enjoy doing. Part of me does it because I need to. I need to for CKKC, for my hobbies and interests, for friends and most of all, for myself. I do in fact wish I could just curl up and hide in my room with my pets and live life without worry. Unfortunately we all know that is not how it works. I instead choose to wish for people to realize what a gift conversation is. It is also frustrating when people who I actually wish to talk to do not reply. I understand I do not completely have the choice to communicate and make friends those the people I want to, and I am glad for that. Some of the most interesting people I know, I did not intend to commune with them, but it happened. Most of you take communication for granted. I do not merely mean idle chat. I include in this connotation, pitch, eye contact, mannerisms and body language.

Part of the reason I guess I wrote this post is for people to gain an understanding that it is hard for me, and I put a lot into social networking and communicating. The other part of the reason is hope that people will realize and not shrug conversation away as nothing. It is something. It is how things can start, end, evolve and mature.

A Baby Boy!

I have a new baby boy! I got a baby male carpet python.  His name is Helmuth and he was hatched in October. He may look red and pink in the photo below but he is black and beige right now. As he gets older the beige will become yellow. His father is electric yellow, so he should be too.

He is angry as hell right now but that is due to his young age. Small young snakes are vulnerable so they are naturally a little more nervous. He will calm down with handling and age.

Helmuth in striking position after being put in his new tank for the first time.

Helmuth when he first arrived, show his color a bit better.

Passed But Always Here

This morning, one of my Tarantulas sadly passed away. Uthr (Old Norse for Past) was my Mexican Red Knee or Brachypelma smithi. I took care of her for a friend, as she went on vacation and needed someone to look after her tarantulas. I fell in love with the Red Knee during that time. About a week after I gave her back, my friend came back to me and said "I promised myself I would only have two tarantulas, and I bought another, and I know how much you loved taking care of my smithi, so I would like you to have her". I was caught off guard and honored. I took Uthr in and cared and loved for her.

Uthr crica about 2011

 She will be missed but never forgotten.Most people see you as a scary spider, but I loved you, and always will.

Up and Packed, Not Quite Settled.

Sorry for the long delay in postings. A lot has gone on and I needed to get settled again before I could update.

I moved out of my parents place for the first time. It is both exciting and nerve racking, free and frustrating. The new house is a really good one, despite being so far down south in the city. The distance and transit are really the only downsides though. All of my pets even have their own room! I got another pet as well, but I will save that for another post.

I also got a great job. I got a position at a high end piercing shop. I work long hours and my days off are not back to back, but it is worth it. I am having a lot of fun there. I am not a piercer, but it is so neat seeing how things are done. It is getting me closer to a community I always wanted to be a part of but never really had the chance before. I think part of that is because I moved out. The job has taken up a lot of my time and that is a bit of a bummer. I have less time for the communities I love to help out and indulge in.

I have yet to fully unpack, however, the animals are set up and that is what is important.

A New Stunning Spider

Another belated birthday present! I am super excited with the fact that a dear friend gave me a new tarantula. I am now the proud owner of a Cyriopagopus schioedtei, known by its common name "Malaysian Earth Tiger". I do not know if it is male of female, but I am assuming male. It is an old world species, and thus a very nervous and aggressive one. Found in the peninsular area of Malaysia, this tropical spider is arboreal but does have some burrowing habit in captivity.

I love the coloration and markings on this species.

I was talking with a friend over lunch and he got me on the topic of tarantulas. I don't remember how, but if you know me, once I get on the topic, I don't fucking stop. It came up that there was a species I was looking for at Pisces Pet Emporium. He offered to buy it as a belated birthday gift.  After eating our food, we set out on our way.

We get to Pisces and I head right toward the tarantula cabinet. A call for an employee to help me and get the paper work and what not. I am asked a few questions; have ever taken care of a tarantula before, "oh yes, definitely". Do I know the care of this species, " of course". You know that it needs a high humidity, "Yes, and you may want to put the lid securely back on that take there". I let him take note that the lid of one of the tarantula cages isn't fully on. I sign the papers and we are on our way.

Back when I worked at Petland, This spider was on the list of animals I could order in. I tried ordering it and received a Chilobrachys guanxinensis, Chinese Fawn Tarantula. At first I thought this was a mix up so next time I try again. I am again sent a Chinese Fawn. I attempt this four times and each time I receive a Chinese Fawn! This is a completely different species! I call the supplier and told them that they really need to learn their species.

This is a Chinese Fawn. As you can see, it is nothing like an Malaysian Earth Tiger. Wrong color and doesn't have the stripes! That is why the spider is called a tiger; stripes! The picture is not mine, rights go to who ever it is.

The name on the label that was on the tank says "Earth Tiger Tarantula", but I would like to point out that there are several species of earth tigers. A enthusiast like me I am pretty sure would like to see the full name of the species I am buying. At first I thought it was the wrong species but it is not. The pet store had the right scientific name of "Cyriopagapus Schiodtei. I would like to see the full common name (Malaysian Earth Tiger) posted though.

You can see the little crevice the arachnid was hiding in the background

When I got back to Roscoe's house I wanted to do a quick check. The pet store guarantees good health, but you can never be too careful with arachnids. I open the top of the tank and take a chop stick and ease it it in to coerce it from its little hole. I barely even get the stick near the spider and in a split second it flips around and out of the hole and grabs the stick and attacks it. I draw the stick out and close the lid simultaneously. It sit there, just like the picture above and doesn't move. It was amazing and perfect. I can clearly see all the the tarantula in this position and take the opportunity to check for mites, and such. They were right, from what I can see (tarantulas are very hard to see problem as they don't usually show signs) it is in great health. After this a look up some names and determined that Uggr is the perfect name. It is old Norse for "fear, apprehension". I thought it fits well because it is a fairly aggressive species, even more so than my Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens.

All in all as you can probably tell, I am very excited and happy to finally have a Cyriopagopus schioedte.

A Tumultuous Transfer

After a rather turbid time trying to figure things out, I have managed to change the account this blog is administrated by to the account I actually use.

I was using my old email address, but I got a new one when bearpup came around. I inadvertently made a Google account for it and thus, will not allow me change the old address on the account to the new one as it is "already associated with another account". You apparently cannot delete Google accounts and when I tried to email them, it said I couldn't use a Gmail address to email Google Support. That is kinda pathetic in my mind. On top of it, they would only give me 25 goddamn spaces in the goddamn comment box to explain the goddamn problem.

Anyway, with a bit of direction from Roscoe, I manage to add my new email address as a moderator to the my blog, and then change status from moderator to administrator. I could then deleted my old email address as the blog needs at least administrator at all times. This effectively switched the blog to be under my new address' full and utter control! Muh ha hahahahaha!

This has not changed anything to do with the blog, other than the administrating email address.

Another Year Passes

I dislike the title of this post but it is 2:34 AM and I cannot think of anything better. My birthday was on Sunday and now I am 24 years old. I had a fantastic time. I went frolicking at Sikome lake with a bunch of friends around 1 PM. On the way there we picked up Danica and she gave me a $25 gift card to Mountain Equipment Co-Op, stating " I know you like camping and stuff, so here you go". I love it and cannot wait to visit the store. Some friends, a couple, knew I liked mead and cider, however hey couldn't decide what kind of cider and mead I liked. This lead them to buy me a box full of assorted kinds. I am excited to sample all of them!

After swimming, there was a party at the Calgary Eagle. The theme was "fire hydrant red", so everyone that came had to wear red. I wore my Sepultura shirt, the one with the Canadian flag on it, and some fantastic pants I got.Now time for a quick side story! Woohoo! I was at T.D. Square with Danica and saw these pants. I called my mom and asked for some money because I absolutely needed these pants. She transferred some money to me. Since my mother gave me the money for the pair, I am treating it like it was my birthday present from her. The are bright red (my colour of red) stretchy jeans, in leopard print. Yeah they are fucking amazing, Anyway, Roscoe and I arrive at the bar to be greeted by many close friends. As soon as I walk in, I see Sir Johnathan who immidietly grabs my had and drags me to the bar. "One paw up on the bar boy. Now the other. Good boy. Hey Kevin, 3 shots of Honey Jack for the pup!" He grins and tells me to drink all three right away. I do as I am told and he quickly asks me what I wish to drink. I say a Strongbow would be swell. As soon as I recieve the pint of cider Sir Johnathan tell me to take a sip. I sip and place the glass back down on the bar and he says to me "that's a girly sip, drink down to here" as he points a quarter way down the pint glass. Another two shots of Honey Jack ensues, and to be followed by two shots of Jager. Sir Joel brings out platters of potato salad, hamburgers and hotdogs and more. I reach for a hotdog, Joel stops me and tells me to follow him. I am led to the back room of the facility and he hands me a plate with a steak half the size of the dinner plate! It was delectable. I was soon told to sit down, and a cake was brought out as everyone sung happy birthday. The cake was little mini chocolate chip banana bread muffins around in the shape of a fire hydrant with red icing to top it off. It was so delicious and awesome. After a few stories were shared about Hoover being a poodle, a good friend Brent decides he wants some pictures with me in the new wrestling singlet I bought myself for my birthday. Ryan shows up at this point with Cisco. It was very nice to see them there. Brent and I pup out a bit on the stage at this point, which was short lived but very fun. Brent informs me that he got me a present but left it at his place so we venture over there after finishing up at the bar. He got me a fucking speculum. It looks so alien and intriguing, It is an interesting toy.

It was a very fun birthday, and I am glad to have seen everyone who showed up at the bar. I ordered myself another birthday present, but that is for another blog entry. ;)

Food-Hungry Feathered Fiend

A quick trip back to the other day. Roscoe, Danica and I wanted to go for a dip, so we drove down to southern Calgary to go to Sikome lake. The website said it was open first weekend of June and we adore swimming so naturally we were all really excited. When we got there, we found out via sign pasted over that the man made body of water was closed until June 16th! How rude! We decided to go downtown to a measure of the river and plunge ourselves there.

We parked by Eau Claire Market and walked through Prince`s Island Park where they have a branch of river that is usually inhabited by a voluminous congregation of geese, ducks and the occasional gull or two, sometimes innumerable. We strolled past the water and down and around the park where Danica decidedly photo bombed a picture of some adolescent imp on a bridge. We made it to the river, though we did not wonder in much more than the what we could call the sand bar. We skipped some rocks and splashed each other and had a grande time. We started to head back to the car, again walking around the park and such, I almost got hit in the head with a frisbee. We made it back to the goose indwell and watched some goose-lings and mallards swim about with the larger geese.

This next part was my favorite part of the day and honestly, the main reason why I am posting about this expedition. Across the arm of water, some people started feeding the birds. The smile on our faces lit up when we saw this. We know how geese are. We know that a life long fear of geese would ensue in 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... the child goes screaming towards the mother after the goose snapped at her hand. The goose concluded that it should follow, for she has food. The little girl, who appeared no older than 6, reached out to grapple onto her mother`s leg as the goose was in pursuit. That feathered fowl tackled the bantam damsel in distress! I know it may be cruel, but it had to be the most hilarious thing in a while and I was the only one to watch it go down! A goose on a rock on our side of the brook chose to go evacuate its bowels at the exact same moment the one across was determined to contend with the food abnegating child. The other two I was with were distracted by the said poo-clad event.

What a glorious day.

Crazy Cards With The Czar

"You Sir are a fascist! People do not look back on Mussolini and say "Oh that guy, he made a mean lasagna", NO. That is fascism!"

No truer words have ever been spoken during a few games of go fish and crazy eights, and better way to kick off this section of my blog.

Bilateral Blog

Greetings! This entry to to kick of the new portion of The Hydrant, "The Boy Chronicles". This section is to account for all those moments in life were I feel like posting all that absurdity that is not kink related. A lot of you know me as a pup, and for good reason. A pup is mainly what I am, and my kinks mean a lot to me and have become a lofty, even exalted part of my life. However, there is a bit more to me than that. Everything that is likened to that part of my life will be posted in this section. I hope you enjoy the new version of accounts of my vigor.

Please note that if you choose to subscribe to my blog, you can choose to either subscribe to one part or the other by filling in the "Follow By Email" box on the side bar, in the section you wish to receive updates on. If you want to receive updates from both sections of the blog, you have to fill out the box in both sections.