Since it was what started my train of thought that resulted in yesterday’s I Fell In Love With A Bar Boy post, even if that article morphed into posting pix of the legendary porn star and original power-bottom Jon King – thereby negating including this shot in that post – I thought I’d follow up by posting it today.

My friend Noom likes to share in my hobbies and interests. And by me being an avid amateur photographer, that has meant buying him a progression of cameras over the years so that he too can take pictures when we’re out and about. Even if that really means him handing me his camera so that I can take a picture of him standing in front of whatever site it is we are visiting. Evidently when I’m not around he has to click the shutter button himself. Though as often as he still appears in those shots I have to assume he readily finds someone else to do the hard work. This shot, however, he did manage on his own. And as much as I’d like to mention something about a room full of monkeys armed with typewriters, I have to give credit where credit is due. I think he captured a powerful moment quite nicely here.

The shot is from some religious event his brother held. Brudda Upward Nod, as I refer to him in deference to Noom’s other brothers who all get identified by a nod toward where in Thailand they live, is a mor phi. And quite a good one from what I’ve heard. He’s also gay. Though I’ve not heard if he is as good at being gay as he is at being a mor phi. But having seen photos of his extremely cute younger boyfriend, I’m assuming he is.

In any case, that’s him in the white with the orange scarf wrapped around his head. Not being a follower of Buddha or of the other numerous gods and spirits that are part of Thai daily life, I’m not sure exactly what it was he was doing when this shot was taken other than being in the middle of some tribal dance cum invocation of the spirits. Regardless, the religious fever comes through strongly with an assist from the woman in the shot. The little kid’s facial expression adds a dimension that, again in my opinion, makes the shot sing. It’s a Mona Lisa smile frozen halfway between wonder and doubt. Which, in the end, is pretty much what all religions are about.

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