NO to Censorship!

PROTECT IP / SOPA Breaks The Internet from Fight for the Future on Vimeo.

Tell Congress not to censor the internet NOW! - fightforthefuture.org/pipa

PROTECT-IP is a bill that has been introduced in the Senate and the House and is moving quickly through Congress. It gives the government and corporations the ability to censor the net, in the name of protecting "creativity". The law would let the government or corporations censor entire sites-- they just have to convince a judge that the site is "dedicated to copyright infringement."

The government has already wrongly shut down sites without any recourse to the site owner. Under this bill, sharing a video with anything copyrighted in it, or what sites like Youtube and Twitter do, would be considered illegal behavior according to this bill.
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According to the Congressional Budget Office, this bill would cost us $47 million tax dollars a year — that's for a fix that won't work, disrupts the internet, stifles innovation, shuts out diverse voices, and censors the internet. This bill is bad for creativity and does not protect your rights.


Copied from: http://vimeo.com/31100268

Rising Against Homophobia The Reaffirmation

Back in September of 2011, I wrote a blog 'Taking a Stance FOR Homosexuality,' and in it, I made an educated prose on my stance for homosexuality. I shared on how I came to my conclusion since I had been struggling with accepting anyone of that sexual preference for who they are. Further more, it was an admission to the fact that I had been intolerant. Something I still feel remorseful for. I understand that not everyone is going to agree with the way I believe. I know for a fact that my fiance isn't thrilled with homosexuality but we do not let that interfere with our lives. He knows I've always been somewhat of an activist in the things I believe in and that is one of the things that he is proud of me for and loves about me.


Recently, I had the blessing to experience some really great things. As I have said before, I have a fair few friends that are gay. They mean just as much to me as my straight friends but they go through an emotionally internal struggle that even as a straight person, I can never imagine understanding. Straight and gays spend their life trying to figure out who they are, who they want to be, and what life holds for them, but gays struggle with something that is more than that. They struggle with not only coming to terms that they are not what most societies deem worthy of a sexual preference but also coming out to their families and friends. This is a major conflict because there is always a few roads as to how it can go. I've heard accounts of people being removed from their homes, disowned, bullied, etc when they came out. I've heard all the name calling and what those zealots do to them in the name of our loving God. And we have heard stories of friends of friends who have taken their own lives because they were either bullied too much or they feared the reaction of the ones they loved for being homosexual.


Only other gays can truly know what is like for other gays. I won't even try to come close to understanding the torment they go through. Just after I wrote my previous blog, I was sat talking to a friend about that person's experience with coming out. It was difficult for that person because they had tiptoed around it with the parents and sibling. With that person's friends, they knew, they accepted. It was rewarding for them to know, but with the people that mattered the most, it has been hard. I sat here listening to the person pour their heart out to me, it was so heartbreaking because I couldn't understand and all I wanted to do was help but have been too ignorant to know where to start. I think I started in the right place. I told the person, 'Be who you are because YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL just the way you are. Your sexuality isn't what defines you. It is just another element that makes you the best person you are. I love the person you are. You were born to be this person.'


This friend still struggles and in time that person will be ready but his gift to Charlie* was the gift of courage to come out. Charlie is another friend that didn't know his own sexuality. He was confused and just didn't feel the need to make an effort to know until recently. He spent a better part of a year just living. With our other friend's inspiration, Charlie came out to Zack.* Zack has been Charlie's best friend for years and someone he sees as family. It meant a lot to Charlie that Zack accept him. He knows he will still have to come out to his parents and other friends, just Zack, to Charlie, needed to know. Let me confirm some confusion, it is very easy to tell faceless people on the computer you are gay than it is someone you have known physically for years. So, you can understand the position of how I knew the struggle. I was one of the faceless people Charlie was comfortable talking about it to.


Charlie sent Zack a message, via the world famous Facebook, coming out. He continued his chatting with his inspiration to face who he is. A gay man in America. After our friend went to bed, Charlie Skype'd with me. He kept babbling about our friend, I found it cute, but then I asked Charlie, "Are you gay or still bi?" He told me, "I fucking love penis. I am gay." I giggled at the first part and told him I was so proud of him. We continued to talk of his thoughts and feelings. He told me what our beloved friend inspired him to do. Then he got into the grit of how important it was to tell Zack. I never felt so much emotions or heard so much from Charlie in all my life, that I couldn't help but tear up for him because he is such an amazing person. And I wanted this one thing to work out for him. I feared with all my heart that it could go wrong and I prayed to my LOVING God that it worked for Charlie.


Telling Zack could go a few ways; he could end the friendship over ignorance, accept him, or ignore it. Charlie, I think, feared a bit of being first and latter. But in the end, Zack responded to him. He accepted Charlie. More so, he confided to him something that isn't of this topic but still important to him. Finally, Charlie shared with me that Zack made him feel like nothing had changed. That is what is important to any gay person coming out, don't treat them differently. They are human.


In conclusion, experiencing Charlie's first coming out and acceptance has not only warmed my heart and soul to know that being gay isn't a disease. It is an affirmation of love. A man loving another man, a woman loving another woman, a transgender fitting into the correct body and loving their beauty. To witness this again (since I have seen part of it with another friend) is truly a gift. If only we could just make it easy for all gays like Zack did for Charlie.


Thank you, Charlie, for sharing letting me be apart of this journey with you. I love you. The same quote I told our friend that inspired you; it applies to you as well. You are wonderful. I take my stance for homosexuality for you, now, my friend, as well as every gay, lesbian, and transgender in the World. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. It gets better.

Rise Against Homophobia with 'Rise Against.' Take a stance to be who God intended you to be. Yourself. No labels. Just you. Because it DOES get better!

"Some of our fans approached us and wanted to tell us that they were gay, but they didn’t know where we stood on it,” the singer and guitarist [Tim McIlrath] said. "When they finally did, I couldn't believe that [the] band hadn’t made it perfectly clear that we wouldn't ever condemn someone being gay. It broke my heart."

So McIlrath wrote "Make It Stop," which appears on the band's latest release, "Endgame" (March 2011). On the surface, it’s an anti-bullying song for the masses, but it also has a strong focus on homophobia." From The Wall Street Journal.

Rise Against Homophobic Bullying
https://www.facebook.com/rahbstandup

LGBT Rights

http://www.aclu.org/lgbt-rights

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center

http://www.gaycenter.org/

It Gets Better Project

http://www.itgetsbetter.org/

*Names changed for anonymity

HogwartsLive Appreciation - 5 Year Anniversary

My five years on HogwartsLive is coming up and it's about time I share my experience with everyone. Most of you know why I joined; it's obvious for the most part. My love for Harry Potter. And you know my other reasons as well; something to do while I did my college courses, therapy in role playing, and socializing. In my five years, I watched clans be removed; along with gaming features. The addition of Houses as clans. Prefects (and removal of Prefects), house point system and so much more.

Epic - Meeting you has been the best time of my life. Not because of what our real life came to be, but because of your compassion  towards my niece. And now look. She loves her Uncle Joejoe so much.

Lokkin - I think that meeting you served my course of life perfectly. You were always there for me. I relied on you. I am so happy we worked things out and became friends again. You are one of my greatest friends.

SpinalRemains - What can I say about you? You were always the pointed one. You knew how to set me straight and show me that I was not thinking level headed.

FrostBittenAngel - You have always been one of the most inspiring women in my life since I met you about 5 years ago. Your unending faith and compassion in matters that we can't control. You have given me hope for the future and in myself. Thank you.

Artemis - There is a lot that can be said about you but one thing is for sure, you are my third brother. You and I had a rocky start but forgiveness and love is what changed us. I will always be grateful to you. You are my brother for life.

WitchyWoman - I don't know how many times you have given me your thoughts on things and I refute them as nothing; but you always proved just how right you are. I've learned to listen to you. ;) (About time) and that you are one of the sweetest women, caring and amazing. I look up to you and see you as one of my role models. Because when I finally grow up, I want to be like you.

TCRussell - Tyler, darling, you are the funniest, sweetest, and all around great person. I am happy I met you all those years ago. I am happy that I claimed you as my e-lovey. You are one of the most valuable people in my life. I will always be here for you. You are truly amazing. I got yo back like a man and his crack. I will cut a bitch for you, bebe.

EmmaLeigh - You are a trip. I am happy we got to know each other and I know I can count on you to always be there when needed.

Stephanie - There are not enough words in life that can express what I feel for you. You have been an unfaltering friend. Always ready to punch someone's face in for me. And for allowing me to confess the things I am not proud of without judgment.

Jozlin - There will never be any words to express what you mean to me. I have my top people I just can't live without and you rank in that for life. You have given me so much strength and will power. You have given me so many tools to stand up for myself and not let mean people bring me down. Jozzy without you and a few others, I don't think HL or RL would be the same. You are my truest friend. I love you to bits and pieces!

Kilian - You are my Life Partner and best friend. I think this will sum up what I feel and think about you.

Attached
I've become attached to you
Like we are inseparable friends
Locked up in a box
With walls that span infinite ends

I’ve become attached to you
Like we are a pair of socks
Stuck in a chest
Where the difference simply locks

Silael - I still remember the day we met and how much we talked just in those wee mornings. I have become accustomed to having you in my life as a permanent fixture. I am so proud of all the things you have accomplished so far and you are by far a great guy. Keep at it!

ThatEvilSlytherinGirl - Tessy, girl, I love you. You are a beautiful, loving woman and I am proud that you are my friend. I count my blessings for getting to know you. I expect to get to know you more from years to come!

Keitara - hlhl fhguhre huhgfhg bjkfhlk dsfhg harhghah rahhgthryt You know I love you more than words can say. You are so precious and dear to me. I love that you trusted me with so much of your life.

MasterofDisaster - Wesly I remember how we used to be. We were always so cold to each other and you would hurt my feelings ALL the time but then one day I told you you were doing that and our lives changed. You have become my most treasured friend. Without you, I would not have been able to cope with a lot of the events that happened. I wish there was so much more I could do for you. YOU are my true love forever and always. Thank you for always being there and always standing by me. I could never live without you.

Mecelle - My sister. I love you. Thank you for all the great memories. I am so proud of you.

Haji - Not a day goes by I regret that first day meeting you when we were playing that game and you were whipping my ass at it. I miss your singing and our talks. I just miss you.

JessieRight - I am still getting to know you and enjoying every minute of it. Thank you for always trying to be there, even when I would stop loss you.

Benz - I remember those Skype calls when you would fall asleep. Then Spinal would record you. Also there was that time you sang and somehow the video ended up on YouTube. >.> Benz you have been a great friend. I treasure you and am also proud of you.

Dharla - My HL mama. I simply love. Always. Thank you for being my mama.

DogBreath - I know you will never see this. I have not seen you in over  a year and I truly miss you. You were the best spouse anyone could ask for.

Annabelle - You are the most random and funniest girls I know. You always made me laugh at the right moments! Thank you for each and everyone of them!

Pam - You are a very amazing girl. Too mature for your age but I know you will around and in my life always. You are a funny, bright, and caring girl. I will always love you.

JamesOlivander - Dude, I remember living with you in Arkansas. You groped me, you ass. Then denied it. But without you. I wouldn't have ever had that bond with a male again. You showed me that men are worth it to trust. I love and miss you! 

PatronusBear - There are no words that'll express what you mean to me. You have always been one my best friends. Living with you in Arkansas was amazing. Just sorry it didn't work out. Thank you for being my friend. Also, thank you for naming one of the Godmothers to your son. That made my life! I love you.

FayDurham - You are a treasure. I want to thank you for allowing me to always be myself. And showing me it is okay to admit the things that others might not like but it needed to be sad. You taught me to be true to myself. I love you.

Jaymes - You are a legend. Simply that. No one could compare to a Jaymes day. You are a great friend and I love learning about you and your family, etc.

Juna - My main memory of you is that you were the only one to call me on my birthday and you talked to me for two hours to make me feel better. I felt so lonely and you showed me that I was thought of and special on my "special" day. You taught me to always take that extra step even if you think they might have enough attention. That extra might actually make them feel worth it. Thank you a million times. Best of luck to you. I love you.

Kahlan - You are seriously misunderstood and I love figuring you out. I can't wait until Spring Break when you come here and have more adventures outside your bubble. Remember, I do love you and care about you a lot!

ShedaTwitch - OMG! You are such a trip. You are one of the members I knew longest. I remember you and Mugsy joined at the hip. You always seemed to have something fun going on and it enthralled me. Now, it is different. You and I talk outside of HL and you are such a shining star. You are a prayer from Heaven. I love you!
AlysonGranger -  My twin sister! I love you. I miss you. I remember the day we became twins. We always accidentally had the same colors. You were also always willing to play along with whatever craziness I started!!

MyIceCreamRollsOver - OMG.. you don't need a prose. Just remember the apples!

Mirandapants - Miranda was always the teenage girl I trusted with everything. She was like a little sister and still is. I miss her. A LOT.

RoyalXavier - Papi!! <3 I remember the first time I heard your voice. I damn near fell off my chair because it was not what I expected from a then 16 year old. You are a great friend and amazing chess teacher. You never let me win. You always brought your A game! Thank you for that. I love you!

Khb - My favorite memory of you is when you were my Maid of Honor when I got RL married and you prepped me over YIM to make sure I was ready for this. Best moment ever, even if the marriage never lasted. You were and have been very protective of me since. I love you, Kate.

Poppy - Thank you for praying for me that day when I needed the prayers most of all and always willing to listen. Also, that very first Skype conversation with you and we talked theology. That was one of the best conversations I have ever had. It was so real and memorable. I adore you, Poppit.

Xizen -  You are forever in my soul. I love you. I will always be here for you. I just think you should know that no matter what you decide, I will ALWAYS be by your side!

Juan -  You are such a great guy that no one sees but soon they will. They will know just how wonderful you are. You are direct and unfaltering. I like that about you. A lot. Never ever let another bring you down. I think I might love you. :P
Roberta - Two words: Power Rangers. Yeah that is my favorite memory of you, next to us finally getting to know each other. I love you. Never forget that. Thank you for giving me a chance to show you who I am really am. I told you I wasn't Aisling. And you see that now. I will always be here for you. Forever. Y2FooJay 4 Eva!! <3
Mattley -  There are no words to express what I would do for you! You mean a lot to me. I miss your voice, singing, and talking to you. You are a great friend and have always been. No matter what, I AM and will ALWAYS be there for you. 
Slyguy -  Sammy my visually elusive friend. Always the kept man. I remember those days. Even though we gave that up, I will always see you as my Kept Man because you kept me happy for so long and were always around. I miss those days. I still remember the day you told me you were about to be a father. Then when he was born and so on down the line to you thinking about getting engaged to actually being engaged. The fact that you included me in your life made me feel so loved by you. I love you, Sammy.
 

....n00bs that fell for my pranks....

Prank 1. Getting people to rez you when you are alive. I was the first to fool 'em and with skill. Though, it is getting sad that now I don't have to put as much effort in the prank. Common Sense: 0 - Aisling: 7,498,918,409,867,374,908

Prank 2. Making people think I was a firstie and getting them to send me gold and pets when I had over 100k on-hand. 

Prank 3. Getting newbies with the name Black to give me gold for copyright infringement.

I will forever remember 10/20/06 as 10/20/11 comes around! Thank you for making HL great for me! I love all of you guys! <3 (If you are not mentioned, it isn't because I didn't or don't love you, it is because our directions have changed.

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