Valentinaxxx @ MindSay

False dichotomy is a logical fallacy that is committed when the arguer claims that his conclusion is one of only two options, when in fact there are other possibilities. The arguer then goes on to show that the 'only other option' is clearly outrageous, and so his preferred conclusion must be embraced.

Ex., Either you're with us, or against us. 

If you are against the War in Iraq then you don't support the troops.

A while back there was an issue about the they types of posts that were worthy of making Top Blogs. It seems that some people don't think blogs are worth reading unless they discuss the "real issues".  This is fine. To each his own.  What I take exception to though, is the fact that some people in their dichotomic thinking believe if you don't post about the "real issues" its it's because you have no clue about what's going on in the world or you don't care. After all, if you did, wouldn't you be writing posts about it? Maybe -- maybe not.

Just because you don't post about a certain subject matter on a regular basis doesn't necessarily mean you don't have any knowledge about it. In addition, many of us have different blogs that tackle different sides of ourselves.  For instance, my Myclette blog is completely egocentric. It's about me, me, ME! I have another blog that is dedicated to my creative writings and another more ranchy, NC-17 blog that I share with Valentinaxxx.   

Think about all of the things we DON'T center our blogs around that we know and care about.  I'm sure most of us can think of several examples.  I certainly did!  Here is a list of subjects on which I believe I have a pretty good knowledge base, yet don't center my blog around:

• Being Black and the issues facing the African-American community -- While I enjoy reading a number of Afrocentric blogs and certainly understand the issues presented, I personally don't blog about them. I will get into a discussion about race relations and the like on other people's blogs, but notice I don't normally post about them.

• Music Theory -- I certainly like posting about songs from the Eighties, but I don't center my blog around music theory. I learned how to read music at age 5 and I play several instruments (I was classically trained), so I know a little something about music theory, but I don't do the majority of my posts about it. Think of how boring that would be! "In the time signature of 6/8,  the dotted quarter note gets the beat.... *zzzzzzzz*"

• Childbirth -- Enough said.

• What its like caring for a schizophrenic paraplegic -- I have some personal experience with this and I happen to care a LOT about issues centered around mental illness and people with disABILITIES, but it isn't the focus of my blog.

• Teaching -- I've been teaching children with learning disabilities for eight years.  Sure, I've blogged about my students and the highs and lows of teaching, but none of my three blogs are centered around pedagogy. SHOCKING!

So, you get the point. Just because we don't write posts about a certain subject on a daily basis doesn't mean we don't know or care about the subject.  As many of us believe, we can blog and bitch about whatever we want.  We can even bitch about what people blog about or blog about what people bitch about. However, I think we all have our reasons for blogging (or not blogging) about certain issues and those reasons may not be limited to a lack of knowledge or a lack of interest.

To all my guy friends on Mindsay:  the Gothic Mistress and I need your SEX ADVICE!  Heck, that includes relationship advice.  You think you got the magic touch with women?  Show it off!  Visit deletedromance's blog entry on Call for Submissions: Men ONLY where you are given the chance to let women know that there are men in this world who know women well and are willing to share their advice and experiences.  Don't let us down, guys!  We love you.

Our dear friend valentinaxxx did a tarot reading for me and these were her findings. Thanks much for doing this for me!

Past Influences: Page of Swords, Knight of Wands, Ace of Wands
Restlessness, a mission to do better, things moving very fast forward, taking on new tasks, focusing on work -- all these things describe what you've been through and what you are still doing to create a more stable lifestyle for yourself. You're not one to fall easily for anyone, and when you do, they better fall in line or get out of your way.

Present Influences: Three of Cups, Page of Pentacles, Nine of Swords
Invitation to play. Celebration. Reunion all come with the three, but there's a bit of hesitation with the Pentacles Page and apprehension with the Nine. You don't want what happened before, you really want something new, but to have something/someone new feels like breaking with tradition. You like things to be steady and reliable, not boring and ordinary however. The next few weeks you will be running around like a chicken with its head cut off because your responsibilities are numerous. Having a boyfriend should take you away from all that madness, but I'm afriad he feels like he's in your hair a bit here. He feels clingy, begging for your attention, but he doesn't have it all together like you do. You feel like the adult in the relationship!

Future Influence: Seven of Cups, King of Wands, Two of Wands
As things move forward, you're going to be left with a choice -- to nurture your personal relationships or, with the influence of the King of Wands, focus your energy on business. The Two of Wands shows you that you are in control no matter what and the obvious course for you is to follow your professional goals. There is a man, just like you, but older, almost in his forties who will guide you on your professional path... and later, once his obligation to you is over, there may be a closer relationship forming.

Outcome: Five of Swords, Ace of Pentacles, The Hermit
Your personal relationships will be full of drama, with all sorts of friends, co-workers, lover and ex-lovers all vying for your attention. Thing is, you are not a counselor and have things to attend to. I predict that you will continue to focus on your professional life and do very, very well. But you need less distractions! With the Ace you have a strong capability to handle several jobs at once, yet the Hermit indicates you need your peace, quiet, and solitude to keep your head on straight.

Final Message (Lesson): Queen of Swords
I see you as this queen, a fighter, survivor, level-headed and able to get people to do things for themselves. This is one of your strengths as a teacher and you will apply it to other aspects of your own life. The Queen of Swords is also aloof -- even in a crowd she is on top of everyone else. I see you moving beyond being a teacher and getting into administration on a more academic level. I look at your picture up there and I don't just see the Sara I think I know but the Sara yet to be: can you say, Headmistress of a private school for women? Well, maybe not that far fetched, but that's the kind of feeling I'm getting about you. Your hair is going to get longer and more polished. You are going to be noticed more and more by older men related to your chosen field. I don't see you staying long with the guy you're with now, or at least I don't see you making any real long term plans with him yet, and even if you do -- and you might -- he will not be able to keep up with you. He feels too young for you, but he will be fun for now. In the long run you may not marry for a long while, or at least not until you've got everything figured out.

I suggest you use the image and ideals of the Queen of Swords as your badge and shield. Here's a quick link of all the meanings behind this card:
http://www.learntarot.com/sqn.htm