Thursday, December 27, 2001
Now, I know that by saying this I'm going to get yelled at AGAIN. Every time I bring up medical concerns people assume that somehow I'm twisting medical research to suit some personal agenda… But this is something quite important that anyone with a hard implant on top of bone (ie. horn implants, sternum implants, hand implants, etc.) should know about — bone resorption. When I have more time I'll write about it for the glossary, but I'll quickly summarize:
- If your implant is resting on top of bone, it will erode it over time.
- The harder the implant, the more it will erode the bone (ie. silicone gel does not erode, silicone erodes a little, and hard implants like Teflon and steel erode a lot).
- Having your bone erode isn't really a good idea.
Now like I said every time I mention anything like this I'm accused of attacking people doing these procedures. It's not that at all. I'm just asking that the people doing these procedures start to actually educate themselves so they can work safely and responsibly. Not doing so is serious professional negligence. If you hurt someone, you'll lose a career-ending lawsuit, and if you kill someone, you'll be up on felony murder.
I have a lot of friends that are body modification artists. Most of them fall into this “underground” world, but a small number of well-respected plastic surgeons and very legitimate doctors. We do occasionally talk about these procedures, and if a far more educated and experienced person mentions these things, I don't feel bad in passing them on.
So please: I know there are a lot of people reading this who either do implants or who want to get them. My advice:
- Artists: Educate yourself thoroughly. This is moving into territory that can not be safely learned through trial and error.
- Clients: Educate yourself as if you were doing the procedure. Don't trust that the artist is an expert; most are not, and they won't tell you that they're not.
- Play it safe: Don't get a procedure just because it's cool. Don't get a procedure just because it's bigger or more extreme. Figure out what you want, and think long and hard about the safest way to do it. Analyze the risks, and be very sure you still want it.
PS. Bone resorption is just one of a zillion risks of course, and won't happen in every case. Check out any plastic surgery page online and they'll tell you all about them — doctors are legally required to inform you of all the risks, whereas body modification artists are totally unregulated…
Wednesday, December 26, 2001
I know I said I'd write a Christmas story, but I'm caught up in the BME redesign and that unfortunately has to take priority. You'll appreciate the new search engine though far more than you'd appreciate a little story… But I'll give you some puppy-related pictures as an alternative.
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| Ouch! Even when an implant is removed it swells up and gets irritated long afterwards… |
It's a Boxing Day miracle! It's snowing big fluffy snow. |
My favorite present — beer making toys! Start planning to get very happy on Victoria day! |
Apartments in Miramichi are literally a third the price they are here, so we'll probably move out there sooner rather than later… But before we do, expect one last big fireworks party on Victoria day (May two-four weekend) here in Toronto…
Sunday, December 23, 2001
A good friend of mine, and a good father to the heavy modification / cutter community has had his appendix rupture and is in the hospital in serious condition. He's a wonderful warm caring man (even when he's poking needles into someone's balls) that has given new hope to many through his work and words. He's responsible for procedures on many of the better known older people in this community, and there are many of us sending good thoughts his way. Get better soon Don!
Thursday, December 20, 2001
I wanted to share with you another potentially great property we've been considering. This one is even more aggressively priced, plus it's on the ocean. It's also in a region that's offering massive tax incentives for tech companies. It's located in eastern New Brunswick, just south of the Acadian Peninsula.
41.2 acres. Roughly one thousand by two thousand feet in size, made up of a gradual southward slope with panoramic views. Access is by a summer road roughly two hundred feet off an all season maintained road. Deer and moose are common with tracks visible in the sandy soil. Two miles north of the Little Southwest Miramichi River and twenty-five miles west of Miramichi on the Atlantic Ocean. With thousands of acres of Crown Land abutting this acreage, the new owner can explore the adjacent undeveloped area of forest covered hills. Price: $5,993 CDN or $3,850 USD.
That's about what most people pay for six months rent. Now explain to me again why we're living like this? Freedom is there waiting for you — go take it!
Thursday, December 20, 2001
So that lakefront property that we've been looking at is I suppose best described as a boutique property, in that we're playing a high premium for it's location. It's very close to urban centres while retaining “remoteness”, and has gorgeous waterfront. That said, the land itself is poor and wouldn't be easy to farm. 100 acres for about $50,000 US is the price.
Here's another option. This one is very remote — VERY remote, up in Northern Ontario. I should say that there are literally hundreds of lots just like this — this pricing is fairly typical of big Northern lots:
176 acres. This large tract of land measures one half mile on each of its four sides. The terrain is rolling with a slight southward slope and has a few acres in the centre of the south quadrant which may be wet in season. Laval Lake almost touches the northeast corner, with quick access via Crown Land. Lola Lake Provincial Nature Reserve Park abuts the north, west and south sides of the property.. The north side also offers access to thousands and thousands of acres of Crown Land allowing one to enjoy the dozens of lakes located nearby. Enjoy the solitude. $16,992 CDN or $10,900 USD
So… we could own almost 200 acres of beautiful forest and rolling hills for the cost of a year and a half of rent. A lot like this has big game hunting, land to farm on, clean water access, and pretty much everything a person needs to be happy.
And why am I living here?
