Reality Checks and Taking a Rest

Hello over there.

I'm sure you've noticed I've been highly inactive. I can't focus on the things I want/need to do, on so many ideas, plans, goals... My mind is all over the place, and my free time is getting shorter by the second.

"There was so much I wanted to do, so many things I had I mind, but there's only so much I can do on my own." Photo by Eugene Shelestov.

This has been a constant source of frustration. No matter how hard I try, I can't focus or find the energy I need to do anything related to this blog. The Patreon is also suffering, it wasn't the experience I was expecting, so I decided to take a rest.

I don't feel like myself, I don't like the way I'm doing whatever little I manage to accomplish, and due to some good, recent news, I'll be even busier the next year. It's bittersweet, I'm equally scared and excited, but I guess I can't keep the same level of energy as before.

Speaking with a friend, I confessed I felt like a liar. I promised I would do this and that, and haven't been able to keep my word. This is something that's been going on for a while, and I'm sick and tired of it. So, with all this, I'll be taking a much needed rest.

In retrospective, it wasn't the kind of ending I was expecting for this year. There was so much I wanted to do, so many things I had I mind, but there's only so much I can do on my own. Thanks a lot for the support and the kind words to those who I've exchanged with. While the Patreon will be on hiatus indefinitely, I'll be back in January with the blog.

I'll be reading, writing, developing my practice, finding new things to work with, new ideas, and recovering from what I think is a burn out.

Until then, kinky regards.

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Manga Series: Self-Love and Lingerie How to Love Your Coworker 1 + 2

There are readings that are more complicated than others. I wanted to try something different this time and picked a manga that seemed would do the trick, but I'm not that convinced. This time, I want to tell you about a series: Self-Love and Lingerie How to Love Your Coworker, Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, by Rie Honjyou.

• Total Length (so far): 275 pages.
• Publisher: Shusuisha inc.
• Publication Dates: August 30, 2022 (Vol. 1) and October 25, 2022 (Vol. 2)
• Genres: Crossdressing, Drama, Gay, Homoerotic, Manga, Romance, Yaoi.
• Rating: 3 / 5 stars.

Haruta is introverted and always wears a bra to protect his sensitive nipples. What happens when his extroverted coworker figures out his secret and urges him to wear sexy lingerie...?!

I have complicated feelings with this story. It has a good amount of comedy, some drama, the crossdressing topic which I'd like to see more often, and the art is also really good. The script seemed very solid most of the time as well, so I was genuinely enjoying it at some point. I liked that Rie Honjyou took the risk of doing something different to what's usually seen, and that's something I aplaude.

However, the beginning of the first volume was problematic to me. There's the issue of consent, and also some harassing, manipulation, blackmail... I'm fine with those topics if they're treated as they should, but there were several scenes when I expected Haruta to grow more as a character, and he failed to do so.

He was pushed around, standing his ground now and then, just to go back to a complicated relationship that was mostly based on sexual attraction. The sexual scenes were good, sure, but I didn't feel the romance was getting enough importance. Things improved a bit in the second volume, there was more chemistry, the cript was more solid, and things were heading a better direction, until the ending with such a sudden, important question that felt too rushed.

Why am I giving it three stars, then? Because I did enjoy some of it. I did like bits and pieces of it, and I do hope that, if there's a third volume coming up, things improve significantly. Self-Love and Lingerie How to Love Your Coworker was okay, not wonderful, but I think there could be readers out there that will enjoy it. Just be critical about it.

Kinky regards, K!

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Manga: Would You Like To Be A Family?

What reading has surprised you recently? For me, it was a book about families, age gaps, and complicated relationships. Would You Like To Be A Family? by koyama, was full of surprises and a good dose of humor, but also some realism that got my heart since the beginning. Thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy!

• Print Length: 176 pages.
• Publisher: TokyoPop.
• Publication Date: September 21, 2021.
• Genres: Drama, Gay, Manga, Romance, Yaoi.
• Rating: 4 / 5 stars.

Families come in many shapes and sizes, and these three are no different!

Takemura is a loner with little interest in socializing with others. Bullied in high school for being gay, he prefers to spend time by himself so he won't get hurt again. When he runs into his bright, friendly coworker Natsui in the supermarket, he's surprised to find out that he's a single father... and even more surprised to be invited to dinner, with no room to decline!

Kuma is a good guy, but due to his constant scowl and rough appearance is often dismissed as a deadbeat. When he oversees his friend's older brother break up with his boyfriend, Yagi, Kuma becomes intrigued with this attractive stranger and slowly, his curiosity begins to blossom into a crush.

Kodama is a reserved psychology major who is approached by the loud, outgoing Harada when he falls ill on his way home. It turns out the two of them study at the same university, and Harada insists the two become friends. But as they spend more time with one another, Kodama begins to question how he truly feels.

Follow three very different relationships in this intimate collection of short Boys Love stories.

Something that I really liked is that, even though all stories are different in their own way, they have some similarities. Each is a standalone, don't get me wrong, but they all have that same flavor of sweet with a dose of drama that makes them so good. Obviously, the first one is the best, the one that I enjoyed the most, but the other two are also cute.

Take and Natsui were a very natural couple, I could feel their chemistry from the beginning, felt their fears and hopes, and while it was short, it was also successful in delivering what I was waiting for: wholesome, beautiful, natural romance. Kodama and Harada, from the third story, were this close of becoming my favorite, though! Their chemistry was also great, and I could see some autism in Kodama, which made their story more interesting that I expected. I want a longer story with these two!

However, Kuma and Yagi, couple number two, were not my cup of tea. I didn't connect with them because I couldn't understand how someone could like Kuma. He does have a charm in a couple of scenes, but it wasn't enough for me. Maybe with some more development it would have been better, but Kuma seemed more of a plain character for me.

In general, I really enjoyed Would You Like To Be A Family?. Time flew by, I daydreamed a lot with these guys, each with their own amount of spice, so they all kept me interested one way or the other. If you're looking for simpler stories that do not neglect quality, this is gonna be a good pick for you then.

Kinky regards, K!

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Manga: The Snake Who Loved a Sparrow

There's something about forbidden romances that makes me want to read them over and over again. I never get tired of them, but I also have high expectations when getting one. It doesn't mean I don't enjoy them, but that I'm picky. And I'm glad that I picked The Snake Who Loved a Sparrow, by Nna Natsuo. Thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy!

• Print Length: 224 pages.
• Publisher: TokyoPop.
• Expected Publication Date: February 21, 2023.
• Genres: Fantasy, Gay, Manga, Romance, ShapeShifters, Yaoi.
• Rating: 4 / 5 stars.

A controversial courtship between a sparrow and the lonely snake who saved his life...

Komazu is a sparrow, and as a sparrow, there’s one thing he knows about snakes: they eat small birds. When he encounters Shiratō, the white snake, of course he expects the worst — but instead of trying to eat him, Shiratō saves him from a boar stampede and flees, teary-eyed, when Komazu lashes out in fear. When the sparrow realizes he's perhaps misjudged snakes and decides to learn more about Shiratō, the two grow closer, first as friends and then as something more.

They are predator and natural prey, coming from different species and social castes; can love overcome the laws of nature, despite the differences in their way? 

NOTE: This book contains nudity, explicit sexual content and nonhuman physiology. It is intended for mature audiences only.

One of the things that I liked about this book is the aesthetic. I've seen the vampire x werewolf done to death, I think we all have, and while it certainly has some appeal, it gets boring after a while. This time, however, a snake and a sparrow shifters give the story several originality points. Two real life enemy species gives it also a realistic touch you don't find that often.

The art is beautiful as well. It took me by surprise how different it is from other titles I've read, how delicate and thin all the lines are. I admit it was somewhat confusing at first, but you get used to it in no time. It reflects how tender, cute, and wholesome the romance is between Shiratō and Komazu, and I liked the fact that it was explicit enough even though it was censored (should be illegal in stories like this one!)

I do think, however, the story could have been longer. It is a wonderful thing that it felt so short, time flew me by, and I didn't feel it at all, but the romance wasn't as developed as I wanted it to. It was beautiful, made me smile, and even feared a bit in certain scenes, but it would have been perfect had it been a bit longer, maybe made into a duology.

All in all, I loved The Snake Who Loved a Sparrow. It's a story that takes several risks and incorporates elements that I love (monster porn lovers of mine, you want this one!) However, it is soft, tender, cute, and keeps that innocence that contrasts so much, giving it an even more interesting look when you look at it as a whole. We need more books like this in the market!

Kinky regards, K!

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Back to Basics: Meditating Again

These days have been hectic enough to keep me away from the blog. However, I just got a few minutes when I was able to consciously meditate. I take deep breaths and visualize on a daily basis, every time I can do it, but I wasn't able to fully meditate until now.

"Seems like helping others is easier/more important that helping ourselves." Photo by Shiva Smyth.

It's not a secret I'm not the most organized person here. I struggle. every. single. day. to keep up with everything I want and have to do. I'm still figuring out how to do it, but as much as I love writing, working my blogs, and everything else I do, I've neglected my mental, emotional, and spiritual health to a point where I can't do it anymore.

That's not me being over-dramatic, but me being honest about the need to be cautious. I don't need to wait until I deteriorate more so I can make changes. I know the way I've been doing things is not for the best, and that's the reason why I took the chance now that I could to go back to basics.

I think this is something that happens a lot to some of us. "Real life" gets so hard to keep up with, so many responsibilities, too much stress, and before we know it we forget that the foundation of our practice are several simple things. Visualization, breathing, meditation, offerings, praying, maybe more, maybe less. But we forget all the same.

Not long ago, I was finally able to start going to therapy. My mental health is so much better now that there's not a being in this world or another one that can make me stop going. One of the things that surprised me was that this therapist helped me reconnect with meditation and visualization. I've done it in every session, he guiding me how to do it, and I've wanted to do it on my own.

I said before that being a healer is part of my identity as a Witch, which is ironic considering this whole entry. Seems like it's so easy to help others heal themselves, but when it's about us, about me, it's harder. We keep putting it aside thinking we'll be fine, find a better time and space. Seems like helping others is easier/more important that helping ourselves.

It maybe hasn't happened to you, but it sure has to me. I find it so easy to find the right words, the right gestures, the right energy, the right kind of help, when it's about family, friends, sometimes even strangers. However, when it's about me, things get harder. Because I know how tricky and spoiled I can be, because I know how superficial, selfish, egotistical, and immature I can get.

And because I know all of this, and I've thought about it, and I've seen a small change with a small meditation, I decide to find at least five minutes for me every day as I used to do before, years before, when things were hectic as well but meditation kept me afloat.

Kinky regards, K!

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On Writing, Again

I'm back, from the dead alive.

I've been horribly sick all these days, hardly able to do a few things besides resting. However, I managed to find enough strength to finish two writing projects. These were special for me because they represent something different, something I've wanted to try, and I'm happy to say that I love the results.

"I'm accepting applications for writing besties!" Pixabay.

Neither of them is part of the work I want to do as Kyler, although they are kind of related. However, they gave me the confidence to start working on those first stories, try something different, and see what I can come up with as K.

Not long ago I was speaking with a friend and he gave me some suggestions on how to develop those worlds, those stories, and feel more confident about them. While I couldn't do it before, I have a few ideas I want to explore, and feel this is the right time to start doing it. I might not be the fastest of writers, even less considering that I have many responsibilities, but the point of writing, at least for me, is to enjoy it. Turning it into a profit is the dream, but if I don't enjoy it then I'd rather stop doing it altogether.

A few days ago I got the chance to attend a writing club and get a writing mentoring. It gave me a good idea of what I'm doing right and what I need to do better. Being independent has been a difficult journey because you can only go so far on your own. I don't have beta readers, never got creative writing classes, or had someone who had the same interests as I do, so I'm accepting applications for writing besties!

All in all, I feel much better, almost 100% recovered, and kicking. I'll be sharing some updates in my Twitter, so if you don't, follow me there if you're curious about how the writing's going. Lots of love, kuties!

Kinky regards, K!

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Manga: FANGS Volume 2

These days I've been so sick I couldn't read as much as I hoped. There was a manga I managed to devour, however, and helped me get through yesterday, a volume I've been anxiously waiting for since I read the previous one, because who TF doesn't love gay vampires? With you, FANGS Volume 2, by Billy Balibally. Thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy!

• Print Length: 242 pages.
• Publisher: TokyoPop.
• Publication Date: October 4, 2022.
• Genres: Fantasy, Gay, Manga, Romance, Vampires, Yaoi.
• Rating: 4 / 5 stars.
• Volume 1.

"What kind of guy is unlucky enough to get bitten... and survive?"

As the sole survivor of a vampire attack, En wakes up to find that his hair has gone white as snow... and, worse, that he's developed a craving of his own for blood. Since then, he's been living with Ichii, his handsome guardian and mentor, who works with the vampire health and welfare organization FANGS. Life is good... except En can't quite figure out what to make of his relationship with Ichii. There's certainly mutual attraction, devotion, playful teasing, and yet — he can't shake the sense that Ichii is hiding something from him.

The more the naïve and outgoing En learns about the lonely reality of his new existence, the more isolated he feels among his fellow jaded vampires. Without knowing the secrets of Ichii's dark past, can En trust in him enough for the two of them to become paired partners?

This book contains sexual content and is intended for an audience aged 18 years and up.

This was a more of a development volume. The plot is quite simple, but it offers a more complete insight into what it means to be part of the vampires' world, the pros and cons of it, En and Ichii getting to know each other better, meeting with other vampires, along with a good amount of sexual scenes that play with your attention.

The art is pristine, as expected. It reflects the feelings of each character, along with the perception some have of others. Special mention to En being pictured as the baby in more than one occasion! It added a good amount of humor to an already lighthearted volume that, while not as dramatic/dark as the previous one, keeps the same tone.

I would say the beginning could have been a bit better. Those changes on the narration, while interesting, and I aplaude the mangaka taking the risk, made it difficult to know what was happening, or at least the order of the events. Also, the element of a mafia being involved wasn't clear enough for me. I felt it was a later addition that didn't make much sense, although I could see some connections.

All in all, FANGS Volume 2 was a great volume. With a good dose of sex and development, it's perfect to pass the time and keep your mind out of the real world. Billy Balibally explores his word much more in this book, giving hints about what we can expect for the next one, but without being too explicit. As a fanboy, I already need it!

Kinky regards, K!

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Manga Review: On or Off Volume 2

After reading the first one, I had to start volume 2 of this series right away, and I can say I was not disappointed at all with all the drama and tension that was building up! On or Off, Volume 2, by A1, was as intense as it was entertaining from beginning to end. Thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy!

• Print Length: 192 pages.
• Publisher: TokyoPop.
• Publication Date: December 20, 2022.
• Genres: Drama, Gay, Homoerotic, Romantic, Yaoi.
• Rating: 5 / 5 stars.
• Volume 1.

After joining his friend's startup, university student Ahn Yiyoung never imagined he'd end up presenting their work directly to SJ Corporation, a major company headed by one of the most sought-after talents in the country: Kang Daehyung. It certainly doesn't help that, on top of being a bigshot executive, strikingly handsome Director Kang is his ideal type!

When his presentation fails to go as planned, Yiyoung's desire to impress Director Kang leads him to take desperate measures... and lands him in a whole new mess, tangled up between his personal and professional relationships. How far is Yiyoung willing to go to achieve success in both his love life and his career?

This book contains explicit sexual content and mature themes, including situations involving dubious consent. It is not intended for anyone under 18 years of age.

This volume picks up in the same scene we were left on before. Yiyoung and Daehyung develop a different relationship after getting to know each other better, which means there's more character development than in the previous volume, and more, oh so much more drama! I swear I was going crazy with that plot, their interactions, even the dialogues. The whole thing leveled-up.

Of course the art got the same treatment, not only improving in quality but also becoming more risky, showcasing the characters in a more human, and also explicit, way. Both script and art complement each other, taking turns with the highlight, pushing and pulling, but for the most part it's a very balanced reading that makes you lose track of time.

Now that I now them better, too, I can say Yiyoung and Daehyung make a perfect couple. While their beginning was bitter and problematic, this time we see a better side of each: Yiyoung becomes more mature, without losing his childish, funny essence, and Daehyung lets us know about his kind side while maintaining the bad guy aura I love.

I honestly can't stress it enough. A1 did a great job with On or Off, Volume 2. Intense, dramatic, funny, with some baiting, and a cliffhanger ending that takes your breath away, I can't wait for you guys to read it. It's the kind of romance that blends reality with fairy tale with little to no effort. Do mark the date on the calendar so you won't miss it, and you'll thank me for it later!

Kinky regards, K!

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5 Divination Kickstarters I Like

Today's entry is a little different than usual. This is not a review or a comment or an article, but me being a total fanboy. I discovered the magic of Kickstarter a few months ago, and I've been looking at many things, finding projects, amazed at how creative and talented some people can be. While I can't support them all in a financial manner, I do want to do it in another way.

Here's a list of five witchcraft-related projects that I really like, some of which I can't support at the time, some of which I won't have the chance at all. To avoid any misunderstanding, I'm just listing them depending on how soon they'll end, so you might want to take the chance now if you want to for the first two or three!

The Eldritch Arcana, an anti-tarot & card-driven game system

Dare you consult our AI-engineered Lovecraftian oracle? A dark-hearted, tongue-in-throat prophesier & card game for misfortune tellers.

The Luminary Pendulum

Brass divining tool that harnesses the power of light to access your subconscious.

The Art of the Bound Tarot

Shibari influenced dark fantasy tarot deck and art book. Angels, demons and magi battle to be bound to fate. Enter.... The Bound Tarot.

Book of Whispers · Bibliomancy and Art Book by Cocorrina

Divination for book lovers. Foretell the future without tarot; just randomly open this book to receive your message!

Dark Reflections: Tarot Deck & Journal

Get to know yourself with this dark-themed Shadow Tarot Deck of opposites and accompanying Journal. Embrace your shadow self!

Kinky regards, K!

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Manga: Be My Love, My Lord

Guess what? I was planning on having a quick glance at this manga, I ended up waiting for the right time to finish it as soon as possible. It has the right amount of love and lust, with a light fantasy setting that made it irresistible. I'm talking about Be My Love, My Lord, by Adumi Nagano. Thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy!

• Print Length: 210 pages.
• Publisher: TokyoPop.
• Expected Publication Date: March 14, 2023.
• Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Gay, Homoerotic, Romantic, Yaoi.
• Rating: 4 / 5 stars.

This is a world where humans keep beasts and beasts obey humans. Born as the second son of a well-known family, the lonely Reiji has always had his beastman servant, Tsubaki, as an irreplaceable presence since he was a child.

But one day his feelings turn to love, and Reiji playfully kisses Tsubaki, which invites his bestial lust. His sharp bite overflows with his own repressed feelings, but comes with a dark realization — they are different races, different castes. Can they overcome these hurdles and embrace their love?

This book contains sexual content and is intended for an audience aged 18 years and up.

Reiki and Tsubaki seems like your typical yaoi characters, but they quickly prove to be different. Reiji knows exactly what he wants, he's not afraid of asking for it, and Tsubaki can torture himself now and then, denying his feelings, but in the end he's that dominant lover who is impulsively sexy. These two make a great couple!

Of course the art couldn't be bad, so clean and filled soft lines, making it look adorable when it wasn't steamy, and the script is just as good, with tender scenes that make you smile and a surprise that I wasn't expecting. Time flies by while reading, you lose track of the hours, and it seems like you just started when you're done with it. Not. Fair. That's all I'm saying! 

Now, I would have liked more development, maybe a second volume, because the fantasy elements are left behind. The focus is on the romantic and erotic elements, which is great, but my fantasy vein felt neglected here! Things are settled in a simple way with not so much detail, but I still wanted to know more.

While it's true that I wanted more, I can't really complain, not when I was dreaming while immersed in Reiji and Tsubaki's love story. If you're into a good romance with light doses of drama and fantasy, this is a must-have then. Effective, addictive, and entertaining, I'm sure you'll be falling for these guys in no time when they hit the shelves!

Kinky regards, K!

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Poem: A Human Toy

Who am I when I close my eyes?

Who am I without my sight?

Am I a dreamer, am I a fool?

Am I the dream, or just a joke?

Every night I see my face,

I look for stars, I find a maze.

If I'm breathing, I am fine,

Answers elude me, and I'm alright.

A speck of dust in this play of life,

A single flame in a perfect rite.

I am nothing, I am a void,

I'm a jester, a human toy.

Use me, abuse me,

I'm nothing but a cutie.

Break me, take me,

Target of your hatred.

I'm a demon, all of hell,

I'm an angel, heaven itself.

I can shapeshift, I can hide,

I can heal, but also blast.

I am both and I am none,

I'm the origin, I'm the source,

I'm the graveyard, I'm my bones,

I'm all eyes, I'm made of rock.

And as my senses all decay,

As my body lies to rest,

Fire guides me, fire sees.

Fire knows what I must be.

• Poem: The Boy in Red
• Poem: The Boy in Blue
• Poem: The Boy in Green
• Poem: The Boy in Yellow
• Poem: The Boy in White
• Poem: The Boy in Black
• Poem: The Boy in Grey
• Poem: Star of Glass
• Poem: Purple Stars

PS: This will be the last poem I share in the blog. No particular reason, or maybe many, but for now, there will be no more.

Kinky regards, K!

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Reclaiming Power with a Bi Fire Circle

I just published my first ever Patreon post, and it felt so good, let me tell you! I had an experience a few days ago, I decided to let things flow, see what would happen, and I've felt wonderful since then. I'm glad it is the first post, to be honest, because it's a practice I'll start implementing more often.

Image by Gloria Williams from Pixabay.

Here's a small sneak peek in case you're wondering what it's about:

A few days ago I was meditating to control my nerves, put some order in my head, and stop whatever was going in my mind. I was under a lot of stress and anxiety, and, I won't lie, also frustrated for not writing here. When I started meditating, paying attention to my breathing, I pictured myself in a dark place, but something happened: I saw purple fire, Bi Fire, in my heart.

I know the descriptions might sound somewhat dramatic, but given that I listen to dramatic music that makes me feel all-mighty and powerful, I guess it shouldn't be a surprise. Right now I'm listening to I Prevail's True Power, for example.

When I opened that Patreon, I wanted to make sure that it would be a place to share my personal experiences and ideas, but also invite people to give them a try. That's exactly what i kept in mind as I rote that first post and shared the details, and I hope you decide to give it a try.

Anyway, I just wanted to share the hype of the moment with you kuties, and hopefully persuade you to support me and subscribe. There's more content on the way! *wink wink*

Kinky regards, K!

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Manga Review: On or Off Volume 1

Do you know that moment when you're shocked to get back to the real world? Doesn't happen often, I bet, but I did happen recently to me when I started reading a cute, beautiful story, that made me smile again and again, get tense a bit as well, and almost scream in fanboy when I reached the ending: On or Off, Volume 1, by A1. Thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy!

• Print Length: 288 pages.
• Publisher: TokyoPop.
• Publication Date: September 27, 2022.
• Genres: Drama, Gay, Homoerotic, Romantic, Yaoi.
• Rating: 5 / 5 stars.
• Volume 2.
• Volume 3.

After joining his friend's startup, university student Ahn Yiyoung never imagined he'd end up presenting their work directly to SJ Corporation, a major company headed by one of the most sought-after talents in the country: Kang Daehyung. It certainly doesn't help that, on top of being a bigshot executive, strikingly handsome Director Kang is his ideal type!

When his presentation fails to go as planned, Yiyoung's desire to impress Director Kang leads him to take desperate measures... and lands him in a whole new mess, tangled up between his personal and professional relationships. How far is Yiyoung willing to go to achieve success in both his love life and his career?

This book contains explicit sexual content and mature themes, including situations involving dubious consent. It is not intended for anyone under 18 years of age.

The idea was pretty simple, to be honest, and I wasn't that excited when I started reading, but I was in love with the story after a few pages, and learned to love the art as well a little after that. Yiyoung is charming, a beautiful character that expects the best, and so it was easy to identify with him for me. He's just plain adorable!

Kang, on the other hand, was a bit harder to accept as a good, positive character. He has a lot of flaws as a human, and I can see myself hating him from the beginning if we were to meet. However, as the story developed, I discovered that there's more to him that meets the eye, same with Yiyoung. They're both interesting, and while this first volume had no romance but a bitter beginning, I'm way too curious aboiut what will happen next.

I admit I was a bit alarmed by how these two got to meet each other, made me even a bit uncomfortable, but it's a story that takes risks without romanticizing abuse or control. In fact, it's a beautiful story about a young man giving his best for his friends, how he starts changing, and finds someone who might be more interesting that he thought.

Time flew me by while I was reading this, I swear. I was expecting to stay awake for a little more when I started, just some pages and then go to bed, but this got excellent in no time! The pace, the humor, the tension, the confusion, the push and pull... It was too good to stop! It was more than 1 AM when I was done with On or Off, Volume 1, and I regret absolutely nothing!

Kinky regards, K!

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Book Review: Visual Alchemy

There's one name that I always recommend when the topic of sigils comes up in any conversation, one witch that got me started in this path with a book so useful it remains one of my favorites. Sigil Witchery has remained a big influence in my sigilcraft process, so it only made sense to get the sequel and go deeper: Visual Alchemy: A Witch's Guide to Sigils, Art & Magic, by Laura Tempest Zakroff. Thanks to the publisher for sending me a review copy!

• Print Length: 240 pages.
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications (October 8, 2022)
• Publication Date: October 8, 2022.
• Topics: Art, History, Mythology, Sigil, Witchcraft.
• Rating: 5 / 5 stars.

A follow-up to the bestseller Sigil Witchery, Visual Alchemy takes a deeper look at the extraordinary connection between art and magic. Laura Tempest Zakroff expands on her signature sigil witchery method, an accessible and intuitive approach to crafting effective sigils. She covers numerous topics, including how to connect to the artist within, draw inspiration to you, and easily incorporate art into your ritual practice. Visual Alchemy presents art magic in two parts: create and collaborate. You'll start with techniques for optimizing your creativity, such as crafting a personal symbolic language and solving problems with design concepts. You'll then explore magic that connects you with others, from sharing sigils to making public art. Featuring more than fifty shared magic sigils, this book empowers you to put aside fear and unleash the full potential of your imagination.

I admit that, at first, I had my doubts about this books. Sigil Witchery felt too complete and whole, and the idea of a follow-up wasn't that charming at the beginning. However, this a good complementary reading to know the details of how art and belief/religion/spirituality intertwine, understand the art-making process, and get a plenty of ideas on how to experiment, develop your own style.

As always, Tempest has a simple, clear style that does not neglect the details or descriptions. She goes straight to the point, making sure she's clear enough for any reader, and provides several examples of what she means or how her point can be applied in different ways. I found particularly useful, and it was almost a need because of the times we're living in right now, the section on ethics and that mention of the #BlackLivesMatters movement.

While it's true that it's mostly a theory book, I wasn't expecting a lot of exercises and prompts. Sigil Witchery has enough practice material for both, after all! That being said, there are some that are quite interesting, such as the drawing music exercise, my personal favorite, along with a few rituals regarding inspiration and creativity.

For me, anyone interested in sigils, maybe also the relationship between art and spirituality, will find this as an interesting book. There's a lot to talk about, a lot to consider, and while sigil crafting is a process as simple or as complex as one wants it to be, Visual Alchemy  gives you the information to decide on your own.

Kinky regards, K!

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Saying Bi: Why Does it Matter?

A few weeks ago I was speaking with one of my friends. He started making Youtube videos and came out publicly in social media. However, I had to ask him in private why he was just including the gay flag if he told me he was bisexual. At first, he just said that it was easier that way, and then, when he talked about it again because I was still confused, he told me "I'm not gonna make a video about how women make me hard, I mean, please".

"The common idea of bisexuality doesn't match what bisexuality actually is." Source.

I couldn't help but wonder what was the actual meaning of this phrase. Was he in denial? Not really. He speaks about it naturally with me, maybe not with others. So maybe it's privacy, but then he has shared some revealing pictures here and there and opened up about homophobic events he experienced.

The only explanation that was left is that he may not think it is necessary to have someone speaking bisexuality, that speaking about gay rights is more important. If that's the case, then is it really so? Because I think it's quite the opposite.

While it's true that we need to say gay, we also need to say bi. There has been a lot of works towards sexodiversity and queer rights, but a big portion of that has gone towards gay, lesbian, and trans people, which is ironic, because some studies ("Understanding Bisexuality", 2017) suggest that:

"Bisexual people may comprise the largest single group in the LGB community for both women and men. Nevertheless, many believe that bisexuality does not really exist, and bisexual people suffer bi-invisibility or erasure and bi-negativity from both the lesbian and gay community and the heterosexual community, which may explain evidence suggesting higher rates of health disparities bisexuals experience compared to either."

When I remember that conversation with my friend, I go back to my childhood, to that kid who knew he some guys were pretty but that he couldn't say that, the 8 years old boy who knew he liked boys and girls just the same, the 11 years old who learned about the B word, the 13 years old who wouldn't miss A Shot of Love with Tile Tequila because he saw someone he could relate to (I won't comment on that woman for now).

I remember when I was alone and wanted something or someone I could look at and say "I'm not the only one, there are others like me". I haven't seen particularly many examples of bisexuality in the media, which is a shame and something we need to work on. Dr. Nora Madison, a media professor at Chestnut Hill College (Jones, 2020), agrees with me:

"The more people are exposed to a variety of sexualities, especially in positive or affirming contexts, the more opportunities individuals have to figure their own identities out as well as broaden their viewpoints about others".

Another reason to say Bi: I couldn't find another image about bisexuality than this one on Pixabay.

I've been thinking about that single phrase for a time, considering what it could mean and why it bothered me so much. It was finally clear when I started working on this post: here was a man who knew what he was doing, with talent and passion for his work, a bisexual like me, slowly building-up a public, and he was just speaking gay topics.

Some may say "but you're half gay, right?". Er, no. I'm not half anything. I'm a whole bisexual person. The struggles and needs of gay people may be similar to those of bi's, but they are not the same. I knew it when I felt frustrated and wished I could just be straight or gay, so it would me simpler, when I first spoke with my parents about it and they asked me how I could be sure, when my mom asked me if I even liked women to begin with, when my now-boyfriend felt disrespected because I said I liked men and women in front of him.

People don't understand bisexuality, they think it's something, and it might be closer to what they thought before, because I'm not denying whatever progress there has been, but the common idea of bisexuality doesn't match what bisexuality actually is.

While it's true that I love gay porn (and would love to interview some actors), gay books, comics, movies, and so on, I also like lesbian, straight, trans content, and I crave for bisexual more than any other. It may be another reason why I stopped reviewing porn, too.

It may make me a poser to some degree, but I want to create and do things that can help fix this. I want to write stories about bi characters, do articles about bisexuality, share the content of bisexual people, and daydream about making someone's life easier the way mine was when I was first exposed to bisexuality in that hideous woman's show, and do it better, since we're at it.

References:

• Jones, Z. (2020). Where does the media's portrayal of bisexuality go from here?. Retrieved 4 October 2022, from https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bi-visibility-day-media-bisexuality-portrayal/
• Understanding Bisexuality. (2017). Retrieved 4 October 2022, from https://www.apa.org/pi/lgbt/resources/bisexual

Kinky regards, K!

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