My vices are innumerable. A few are: I, too, covet my comics, the darker the better. But are comics really a vice? We refer to them now as ‘graphic novels.’ Hmm. I am a slave the works of the Marquis de Sade. He definitely is/was a vice ridden madman, in so many horrifyingly painful, yet blissful, ways. We can turn that theory on it’s head, though, when we examine the legal system of 18th century France.

The Marquis’ mother-in-law did not care for him at all. He was infamous, even then. So, she ‘paid’ to keep him imprisoned for a great proportion of his life. His works, to her, were de-famous to the reputation of her family. I look upon the Marquis, as the “Larry Flynt’ of his times. It cannot be empirically proved that he did any of the ‘Sadistic’ acts of which he wrote. Therefor, he is, for me, an early proponent of ‘Free Speech.’ He paid dearly for his vices.

My real vices are: smoking Clove Cigarettes, White Russians, Long Island IcedTeas, Ouzo, ganja, books, music, good food, eccentric cinema, libraries, bookstores, cats, Foo Dogs, office products & screeding at the neighborhood kiddies. Oh, Greek cafe’, as well.

Its time to deify, you, treasured friend: The Contrarian is known to me as Hermes, Messenger of the Gods. Most appropriate, yes? You shall be hither-forth as ‘Atlas.’ Librarians are bears of titanic amounts of information. I think it is a perfect fit for you. Henceforth, refer to me as ‘Gorgon’ only when I have displeased you. The Medusa is not perpetually evil. There are certain men who can bring out my softer side. We know what happens to the resssssssssst.

BTW, Mr. Brown would be okeydokeyfine with me, if he gave some credit to the scholars who spent, literally, centuries of work, disentangling a history which The Church still, very much fears. Let that Nazi Pope sweat! I wanna see some wet pits on that damn holy robe!

Now, I have to find out about ‘Black Roses!! Until we meet again, Atlas…

But please note I am no “guest blogger.” Sure, I may not post enough, but I am a full on Contrarian, even if not THE Contrarian.

As further proof of my vices, as well as a comment on this post, can I say how much I LOVE BLACK ROSES!!! I used to watch that movie all the time w/ my manager Psycho Steve at the now deceased Video Stop Inc, formerly 367 Third Avenue, NY NY.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8D-0aKw5mo