I've had my Barnes & Noble Nook e-reader for over six months now so I thought it might be helpful to update everyone on how its been for me over the long term.

I have to say that my excitement for the device has not waned. It is impressive.

Books are very easy to purchase from B&N, or anywhere else, easy to read in any light, and with the ability to change font size, easy to read even if one's eyes aren't perfect.

It is very telling to me that I haven't read a paper book since I purchased the Nook, and in fact, I'm very quickly disposing of my library of paper books and replacing that library with e-books.

B&N has come out with a color Nook, but I don't think that product is a particularly good one. Without an e-ink screen it lacks the advantages of an e-reader, and as an e-reader lacks the advantages of a full powered tablet like the I-Pad.

Over the months I've purchased a few accessories, specifically cases or bags. The ones that have proven practical are the kind that open like a book. There is a very large selection of such cases; recently I got beautiful leather one that feels great in the hand while reading.

I would certainly purchase another Nook and have absolutely no regrets over my decision to switch from paper to electronic books.

Posted by Milliscent at 7:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

It seems that we are now at war with Libya, sort of. Put that on top of our other wars.

Clearly, since World War 2, the United States has become the largest, most powerful empire the world has ever known. We don't call ourselves an empire, perhaps most people don't even think about us as an empire, but without any doubt we can lay claim to the old British boast and state that The Sun Never Sets On The American Empire.

I wonder:

Do we, the American people gain any fruits from our empire, or does it simply cost us dearly in blood and treasure?

Do we, the American people even want our country to control an empire, or have we simply fallen into it willy-nilly?

I think that I know the answer to my first question, I don't know about the second, but I think that as we continue to grow our empire, we had better, as a people, ask these questions of ourselves, and our government.

Posted by Milliscent at 7:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (22)

Today was a great start to spring. The sun was out, I watched four bald eagles soar through the sky, and all was beautiful in my little corner of the North Cascades.

Man-made things are good too, lots of maintenance on my road over the last week, so it's nice and smooth after the beating it took this winter.

I did have family visiting this weekend, so no adult fun, but they are leaving in the morning and I look forward to having my dungeon filled with moans again this coming week!

Posted by Milliscent at 7:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I love looking into the eyes of a boy as he serves and suffers for me. I adore seeing his feelings, his emotions there. Love, desire, passion, fear, pain, anticipation, so many things are revealed in his eyes, often in delightful mixtures, or one immediately following the other.

Can I stare into your eyes, see them communicate your thoughts to me as you watch me slowly and methodically prepare the next torture you will endure?

Posted by Milliscent at 3:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (12)

This weekend I've got a big project going. Those who come and visit me know that my studio is on the second floor of a building that I've dedicated to the joys of female domination. The first floor is actually a rustic apartment that I built a few years ago, but that has remained vacant, more of a guestroom/junkroom/office than anything else.

Well, that is changing rapidly now. I'm taking that rustic, underutilized space and turning it into a luxury accommodation. This weekend the ceiling is getting it's makeover. I started with thick sound absorbing bats in the ceiling joists, and those have been covered with sound absorbing panels. Over that soundproofing I've just started placing very beautiful knotty pine boards. It will look spectacular, and the sound absorbing insulation will ensure that any noises stay where they should be!

Luckily, I've got some wonderful friends helping me with this project, for it is a large remodel and will take some time, but I love watching it come together.

I'm not quite sure what exactly will be done with the space when it's finished so stay tuned here on the blog, but rest assured that it will have some delightfully kinky role!

Posted by Milliscent at 3:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

My trip began on Oahu, where I stayed in the Moana Surfrider Hotel. This was the first luxury hotel built on Waikiki back in 1901. It has aged with grace and is a delightful place to stay.

On Oahu I saw all the tourist attractions, climbed Diamond Head, visited Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona, and the battleship Missouri. These places were extremely moving, and I would recommend a visit to everyone lucky enough to visit the islands.

From Oahu I flew to Maui, first stop Hana. Hana is a superb place to just relax and experience nature. I spent time hiking, and on the beaches, both red and black sand. There is even a nude beach in Hana for the more adventurous among us.

From Hana I moved on to Kihei, my favorite place in all the islands, the beach simply can't be beat. I had seven great days on that beach and in nearby Lahaina.

As always, this trip to Hawaii was wonderful, and I'm already planning the next one!

Posted by Milliscent at 3:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

You can buy my book, almost free, this week at Smashwords.com.

Posted by Milliscent at 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thank you again for taking the time to answer my very personal questions, I appreciate it, and I know that my readers will too. Before we end though, let me ask: What should I have asked you? What do you wish I would have asked you?

First, I want to thank you for inviting me to participate in this process. When you first suggested the interview, I had some small degree of skepticism. However, I was motivated by one of the lines in the initial email in which you said, referring to some of the interviews you yourself have gone through that "the good ones make me think. Think about where I've been with my dominance, and where I want to go. That is never a bad thing in my view." My skepticism was short lived, as the quality of your questions gave me the opportunity to pause and reflect on both the various aspects of my relationship as well as its entirety. This holistic view has been incredibly beneficial. In that regard, your interview was a beautiful gift to which I can only say thanks.

The process really did get me to thinking about where I've been with my dominance and more importantly, where I want to go. Thus far, my journey has been one that, with the exceptions of a few "bumps in the road", has gone exceptionally well. I would be naive to expect the future to go so smoothly. However, I'm confident that, with careful and loving nurturing, our love for one another will continue to grow, allowing us to face, and overcome future difficulties. I'm confident that my dominance over sissy will grow, as we expand our horizons through enlightenment and most importantly, touching each others souls.

As I look back on my relationship and marriage to tammy, there are some little things that I might have done differently, or things that I should have insisted on at certain times. None of these have altered the basis of our relationship. For instance, some day, we may renew our "marriage vows" in a much less "vanilla" setting, deepening the commitment we have for one another even more. I've toyed with the idea of having sissy take my surname also. It just wasn't convenient at the time but as time passes by, I think about it more often (I did keep my maiden name).

As for Jay's entry into our lives, I consider myself blessed. The old sports adage that "I'd rather be lucky than good" rings out in this instance. Luck was on my side to have found him! To many, relationships such as the ones you and I are a part of, exist only in a fantasy world. In many cases, true feelings are suppressed for years for fear of rejection by mainstream society. It's so sad that such fears, and in many cases they are indeed legitimate, are the cause of so much unhappiness and inhibit many from achieving self-actualization and fulfillment. I hope my blog does provide readers who yearn for a lifestyle similar to ours a glimpse into what it is like, and how it could someday be for them.

Posted by Milliscent at 12:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Most of us are conditioned by society to believe that the best romantic relationships are monogamous, that our romantic love must be limited to only one person to be valid. Through your blog you give us a glimpse into a life that shows something quite different. A happy life, and a positive romantic relationship between three people. Why do you think it is that there is such a strong resistance to polyamory in our society, and why in light of the tremendously high divorce rate in our nation aren't the vast majority of folks able to see that they just might be much happier exploring non-traditional, non-monogamous relationships? Where does the resistance come from?

While most people would publicly denounce polyamory or non-monogamous relationships, I honestly believe that privately, they wish it would be more acceptable in today's society. The notion that everyone can only love one person in a valid sexual relationship is becoming more difficult to accept.

There isn't much evidence to show that, in societies like ours, that monogamy works very well. To the contrary, evidence might even suggest that it is a failure. In addition to the high divorce rate you mention (I think couples that marry today have only have a 50-50 chance that the marriage might endure), other indicators might include high rates of teen pregnancies, high rates of infidelity/cheating spouses (I've read approximately 70%) and the growing number of single parent households. Each of these, and other indicators, carry emotional and financial costs to our society that are virtually impossible to gauge.

I believe there are several factors for the resistance. In a culturally monogamous society, "coming out" publicly carries many risks, particularly in today's political climate. All people have some innate need to "belong" or feel "accepted." Leading such a lifestyle in a public way would put people at risk of being ostracized from important segments of their community; family, friends, church, social circles, places of employment, etc. In addition, it's common sense that the more sexual partners one has, the greater the health risks. However, before moving forward with someone, you have to be able to take the appropriate steps (i.e. testing) to ensure everyone's safety. This alone can cause a great deal of hesitation in many people. How many people are comfortable going to their family physician, or any physician for that matter and saying "Look, I have decided to have sex with someone other than my spouse, but before I do that, both of us have insisted on getting tested for any STD's and other risks"? Being non-monogamous doesn't mean you have to take on additional health risks.

While my own non-monogamous relationship had FemDomme or a Female Led Relationship as its origin, at its core it's really the same as other, more vanilla poly relationships. It is based on honesty, integrity and open communication. It doesn't carry the guilt someone has when they are cheating on their spouse. It's not a "swinging" lifestyle by any means. Swinging involves casual sex while a non-monogamous relationship is more intimate, enduring and loving. Moving from a monogamous relationship to a non-monogamous one is simply a matter of choice. It's not for everyone. Many people can lead very happy and fulfilled lives in a monogamous relationship. However, it shouldn't be the only acceptable model for successful, intimate, and loving relationships.

Posted by Milliscent at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

My extended absence from the blog was due to a much-needed mid-winter vacation to Hawaii. It was, as always, a most wonderful trip but I am glad to be back home, and very glad to be able to play in my dungeon again!

Perhaps I'll get to have you in the dungeon with me very soon!

Posted by Milliscent at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)