Hiatus & Changes

I have decided to stop writing stories. I will keep them online for now, but I will not do anything en-towards it.

It is, indeed, a lovely thing how time does not really apply in the world of the Internet. I have had quite a hiatus from blogging, due to the emotional crash of deciding to drop my literature workings, and expected to drop the blogging, as well. Surprisingly, I found myself time and again thinking about the blog in a more personal manner - disregarding the value of it as a tool to advance books.

My muse has been faltering.
Now, it has returned!

I shall remove the "Daily" part of the blog, but still use it often. Many ideas must be discussed, and many an experience should be told! :-)

Here's a little shiny I've made after recently joining a hobby team of MMORPG developers.

Imagine someone using my sword to kill!

 

Seeking Depth Within Life

I've always been a big fan of the philosophic and Buddhist practice of wondering about the origin of things. For example, before eating one will wonder about the origins and source of their food and drink. Where does it come from? Who collected it? Who prepared it?

Old Habits Die Hard?

I feel that this practice is extremely relevant to the understanding of the true meaning of all things in life. Many might question if their choices and practices are good or bad. The best way to get an answer for that, even if a personal one, is by learning and discovering the origins and processes things go through to reach us. Should I act in a certain way? Should I consume a certain thing? What is the meaning of life?

Yes. I feel that it is an easy way of attaining the meaning of life for each of us. Simply check about your life. If there is any dissatisfaction left after the research, then go ahead and check into the origins of your dissatisfaction! It's as simple as that. Eventually, clarity and purpose are always revealed. :-)

Democracy Is Bad For All

Today, I will shortly write my opinion about democracy.

G. Edward Griffin
on Collectivism
(YouTube Video)

Democracy is a method by which a ruling elite, who rule by force, manipulate human society into accepting atrocities. Their manipulation is aimed at the majority group of adult males, for they are the most dangerous and influential group of people in any society. Women, although dangerous just the same, are more occupied by nature.

I feel that there are unrealistic hopes about the results democracy is supposed to bring forth. I encourage all and one to let go of any such hopes, and instead search and investigate into well-founded ideas for making life healthy and enjoyable. A life of responsibility and care. A life of freedom and open love.

I say well-founded ideas, because democracy is a badly-founded idea. Democracy is founded on practices of extreme violence, extreme racism, extreme sexism, and extreme ignorance and social manipulation. Welcome to the Greek Empire of antiquity. The facts of democracy, in the past, and today, and its' evolution are a cause for distraught. It is a factual and historical evil. Is it worth protecting and promoting? No. There is nothing to protect, because democracy has already pretty much gone as far as it will go in the modern world. It is worth learning from, and advancing forward from and into a better paradigm. A better social paradigm.

Utopia

I have just finished reading the book Utopia (1516 by Thomas More), which I have gone through quickly in the past as well. It is essential for any modern day thinker to observe the changes that have occurred around us in history, and to see which of them do not change so much, while also acknowledging those changes that do not change at all.

In the story, More goes through crucial topics in every day social organization, such as finances and money (in which he debunks the need for coin and property); employment;  corruption and unlawful law and judgement; and even goes at some length into politics and royalty.

Even though many ideas and topics in the short book of one-hundred and eighty three (183) pages seem to be irrelevant for modern day logic and need, it is without a doubt a testimony and clear example of the goals we are still aspiring to reach even today. Do not dismiss this important artifact from our past.

The original cover for the book.

Time To Sit Down

Socrates 400BC.

Meditation. The word has changed its' meaning quite profusely since the time of the ancient Greek philosophers. Originally, it held a wide meaning of taking time to ponder or think through. The idea was that knowledge is in itself the peak of realization.

Acariya Mun of the
Thailand Buddhist
Tradition.

Today, due to the expansion of Buddhist teachings around the world, meditation is used as a term for the action of being without disturbance. This new term disregards the value of knowledge, while emphasizing on the conditions necessary in order to obtain such knowledge.

I practice awareness meditation often. I value this practice and the Buddhist teachings and traditions. This has allowed me to be more aware of my life and environment. While more awareness also means more pressure to take responsibility, it is worthwhile and definitely recommended.

Want to try? Find a place where you are serene and have no disturbances at all. No people, no devices, no games and nothing else to draw your attention. Keep your attention calm and serene, and see how you feel after an hour of this practice. It is not important to keep any specific position, as long as your are not disturbed by this. I often switch from sitting to walking and so forth. Also, it is not important what you think or do not think about. There is no need to control anything, except for your surroundings and the choice to remain in that empty place. There is not even a need to set a certain amount of time for this practice, at all.

Update: Flame On!

It

Burns!

This is an update to my previous Olive Oil Lamp post. On your left you will see a simple photograph (webcam) of me holding one of my DIY olive oil glass jar lamps. :=D Daddy is so proud!

Basically, I use a rather wide thick-glass jar, cut some white cotton sock for a wick, and bend some steel wire to hold that wick in place above the oil. Beautiful. Utsukushii. I have this smaller one for my room - a lovely hand warmer and atmosphere setter, and another bigger one for my outdoors camp. The lid is used to kill the flame, while it also keeps the smoke inside as it dies.

Amazonian Adventures

Kindle Touch

As one may notice by the small adverts to the right, I have been releasing eBooks on Amazon these recent weeks. This is a project I have taken on myself, as I am a great fan of stories & books. I felt I must repay society, just as I had enjoyed the products it gave to me.

Also, I felt that books are a magnificent way to promote one's ideas, and even gain some cash. With this motivation at mind - I have been working hard at writing, conceptualizing, and managing my books on Amazon. These guys may be tricky at times. It took me several weeks to understand the right approach for getting things done.

For example, my books would not have their Number of Pages displayed, until I had finally messaged Amazon support directly. They have a form for this specific request, but it seems redundant. Another example, is changing the price of an eBook, and repeatedly releasing it updated, thus it may eventually cause the release to be bugged - and not work in diverse ways. Be warned. Enjoy :)

A Signature

I am in dire need of designing myself an HTML signature for posts in other blogs and places. ><'

Let's try something then:

Assaf Koss, 

Professional Author & Web-Developer, 

Check out my blog and books at: AssafKoss.blogspot.com

Code for the above:

Assaf Koss,
Professional Author <i>&</i> Web-Developer, 
<b><a href="http://assafkoss.blogspot.com">Check out my blog and books at: AssafKoss.blogspot.com</a></b>

Showering versus Bathing

I don't know these kids,
but they sure are having fun!

In the past, people would wash themselves either in natural water basins, or using a bucket. In pre-historic times, I can reliably claim that only natural water sources were used.

Today on the other hand, it seems that the lack of free time together with stress, has reduced bathing to a minimum. I conclude from this about the contemporary use of soap.

It seems obvious that while people were soaking in water for extended periods of time, their skin would cleanse and refresh efficiently. When water is scarce, or expensive, the use of natural plant oils as soap can reduce water usage tremendously. Therefor, if a person does not enjoy a lengthy amount of time inside water (e.g. Swimming), then I would certainly recommend using soap. Only then would the skin and its' pores be honestly clean.

Olive Oil Lamp

If you have not yet seen, played with, and/or made an oil lamp with olive oil - please do. Here is advice on exactly that.

Aladdin style.

Frugal Survivalist Style.

There is an endless variety of lamps, and many methods to use. I recommend using any lamp material that would not heat up and burn your fingers. Also, I recommend using cotton for a wick. And last, but not least, I recommend pure high-quality olive oil, even though other grades and kinds could be used. That's just me :-)

For you, here is how I made my own lamp. A used glass jar is great for holding the oil, and it is possible to add water below the oil - so that the wick is not far away. If there is a large distance between wick and oil, more than a few centimeters, then it is likely that the wick will burn-out and the lamp stop flaming. Easily fixed with a new wick and oil replenishment.

I used a hammer and nail to make a hole for the wick to pass through. I bent the wick sideways so that the flame doesn't easily kill the soaked wick. Olive oil is hardly flammable, and would take very flammable conditions in order to burn openly.

I am still adjusting my lamp experiment, and will update on the matter here. Somehow, it feels that having an ancient style lamp would be most awesome and comfortable. Meh, used jars are what I have.

Lemon Water [FREE]

Slice a lemon in half. Prepare an empty and clean cup; preferably from glass.

Take saw-knife or fork, and grind the flesh of the lemon into the cup. Make sure you turn the lemon towards the cup, so you do not spray nor leak beyond the edges. Juice will flow - maybe some seeds as well. No worries, for the seeds drop to the bottom.

Add water. Not too much. Probably just a bit more than the amount of juice. Mix with the fork or knife. A sweet-sour drink is ready for you enjoyment! :-)