Tags
Related Posts You Might Enjoy:
14 Thursday Nov 2013
Posted Absolutely Thursdays
in≈ Comments Off on Absolutely Thursday #96
Tags
Related Posts You Might Enjoy:
13 Wednesday Nov 2013
Posted It's A Gay World
inTags
Huh. First I find out I’m a pornographer. Now I discover I’m a homophobe too. If this keeps up I’m gonna have to start using a mighty small font size on my business cards. I don’t expend much effort in being PC, generally keeping to current conventions keeps me from causing offense when I’m not trying to be offensive – which I don’t expend much effort on either since being offensive is one of my natural talents. I don’t worry much about whether I’m supposed to use the term ‘African American’ or ‘black’, which is good ‘cuz no one seems to agree on that one; ‘people’ and/or ‘human beings’ work just fine 99% of the time anyway. But when it comes to the words used in and about the world of rainbows I do strive to be a bit more careful in the terms and phrase I employ. Or a least I thought I did.
Homosexual is all well and good but it just doesn’t slip off the tongue easily. I liked the short lived ‘heterosexually challenged’ for its inherent humor but that one never really caught on. Queer always bothered me. I know, like back in the ‘80s, we were supposed to own it. But its use in a derogatory manner still seems to hold sway and its linguistic connotation, of something being a bit, off, odd, and strange, just never set right with me. No matter how many of my gay friends were and are a bit, off, odd, and strange. Faggot is even worse. That’s the word irate bigots and homophobes turn to when they need to express themselves and run up against the wall of their limited vocabulary. I know some gay guys think it’s cool to use the F word like some blacks use the N word, but the world would be a better place if both words disappeared from common usage and that ain’t ever gonna happen if those who should be offended by their use insist on using them. Gay is a much better word in all cases. At least until the day when ‘people’ and/or ‘human beings’ suffice.
Unlike ‘homosexual’ gay does slip off the tongue easily. Unlike ‘queer’ gay has positive connotations . . . even if Hallmark thought it a bit too pink of a word and rewrote a cherished Christmas carol this year on one of it’s overpriced baubles to hang on your tree. And unlike ‘faggot’ gay is seldom used as an invective. “You fucking gay!” just doesn’t have the same pizzazz. Gay is a good word. And it is acceptable to use when you are talking to or about the heterosexually challenged. Unless you are Hallmark. Or one of those silly faggots who get their panties in a wad over inferred slights. Maybe I’m just not politically correct enough but the professional gays who have taken it upon themselves to be the gay thought police are, to me, mighty queer folk.
First we were told we’re not suppose to actually spell out the words fag or faggot but insert a smattering of asterisks between the f and g or t instead. ‘Cuz everyone enjoys a cryptogram. Then we were told we’re not supposed to use ‘effeminate’ for the less masculine members of our community, but ‘visibly gay’ instead. Even if that did mean I just became invisible by reference. Now comes the word that anyone who uses the phrase, ‘that’s gay’ is a homophobe. Even though the phrase has nothing to do with homosexuals, queers, faggots, or fags. Huh. That’s gay.
It’s not like Apple already has enough on its hands coming up with he iPhone 5s2b, or whatever they plan on calling the next version of their cell phone for people who don’t use their phones to make phone calls. Now the company, and its gay CO, is being taken to task by the gay thought police because its dictionary app includes the definition “informal foolish; stupid: making students wait for the light is kind of a gay rule.” for the word gay. And that, of course, is a big no-no. Despite the popularity of using the word in that manner today. In OS7, the company’s most recent mobile operating system, the problematic definition of ‘gay’ at least mentions that it is both “informal” and “often offensive.” Even if it is often not. But that’s not enough according to the PC brigade. They’re demanding the definition in question be expunged from Apple’s dictionary. Sometimes we are our own worst enemy.
Apple’s homophobia was brought to light by a Massachusetts high school sophomore whose parents are a lesbian couple. I’m not sure why she needed to find out what the word gay meant, but nonetheless she was ‘shocked’ by the company’s dictionary’s definition. And like a pit bull with its jaws firmly wrapped around a postman’s leg, she just couldn’t let it go. Even after the dictionary’s update she still felt aggrieved. “Even with your addition of the word informal, this definition normalizes the terrible derogatory twist that many people put on the word ‘gay,’” she said in a letter to Apple’s CEO that miraculously found its way to the local ABC affiliate’s news show and then into the hearts and minds of the aforementioned silly faggots who get their panties in a wad over inferred slights. Personally, yourdictionary.com’s definition which includes “An example of gay is a bouquet of flowers with many brilliant colors” offends me more. But then I’m invisibly gay so what do I know.
I get that the offspring of a gay couple might be a bit sensitive to the use of ‘gay’ to mean foolish or stupid, but this is one of those times where a bit of level-headed parental guidance is called for. Outside of the media’s spotlight. Walking around finding offense when offense is not intended is not a good thing at any age. Her moms need to provide her a bit of home schooling. Or else she’s gonna grown up into being a queer old bird. It only gets better if you learn to lighten up a bit.
Part of the problem – in addition to the young ‘un being a bit anal in this case – is that for gays it is becoming more of a chore to find offense about being gay these days. In fact, being gay is becoming kinda cool. Sure we still have 35 states that need to recognize the right to marry the person you love regardless of whether he or she is an outie or an innie. And yes, ensuring being gay does not mean you can be fired from your job is still a legal protection we need to secure (which Apple’s gay homophobic CEO has urged Congress to address). But the fact is that being gay is quickly becoming a non-issue.
Societal attitudes toward homosexuality are changing. Especially among the young. Being gay no longer defines you. Being gay is just another facet of who you are. And not necessarily the important one. Calling someone gay is not the great slur it once was. Even when that person is. Gawker recently outed Fox News Channel’s Shepard Smith and the resulting brouhaha wasn’t about Shep’s preference for dick but about how boring the whole outing trick has become.
We do still have a long way to go. But the changing attitudes toward gay people represent a true cultural shift toward acceptance. And I thought that’s what the whole gay rights movement was about. Evidently, once again, I’m wrong. Instead we are supposed to focus our ire on the not even that popular anymore use of the word gay to mean something that is silly and stupid. Even when those who use it will tell you that it has nothing to do with homosexuals or being gay. Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I am a homophobe. But it seems to me that the gays who get themselves all worked up in a lather about something as innocuous as using the word gay in any form other than those they approve of are pretty gay.
Related Posts You Might Enjoy:
13 Wednesday Nov 2013
Posted Wednesday Wetness
in≈ Comments Off on Wednesday Wetness #96
Tags
Related Posts You Might Enjoy:
12 Tuesday Nov 2013
Posted This Is Thailand . . .
inFrom all accounts, Loy Krathong will be a subdued affair in Bangkok this year. The 100-year-old Supreme Patriarch (kinda the Thai Buddhist version of the Pope) died a few weeks ago and the powers that be decided mourning was preferable to partying even if that meant cancelling the celebration of the country’s second biggest holiday of the year. Not that that announcement sent locals into a panic. When you are dealing with the passing of the Thai version of the Pope, honoring his memory with the Thai version of making a decision is only right. Initially, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) made the grand announcement that all Loy Krathong celebrations would be cancelled this year, or possibly postponed by a week until the official mourning period was over. Then with all due respect having been properly paid to His Holiness’ passing, a few days later they issued a new statement: Just kidding!
Working with the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) to uphold an honored Thai Tradition – um, confusing decisions and grand pronouncements geared toward lip service more than reality, not the Loy Krathong celebration – their joint handling of the affair serves as a perfect example of how things are done in Thailand where face reigns supreme. Cancelling the country-wide party in honor of His Holiness’ death was the right thing to do. So they did. And once that observance was made, they were then free to proceed with their plans of throwing a bash that has become famous the world over. But wait! There’s more!
Saving face is never a simple thing to do. If I didn’t know better I’d assume Sir Walter Scott had the Thai obsession with face in mind when he wrote “Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to device.” But then a Scottish poet probably had some scheme to squeeze the last drop out of a farthing in mind with that one, and Thais are masters of the intricacies of spinning tangled webs of logic anyway. So yes, Loy Krathong was officially cancelled. Or postponed. But then on reflection TAT and the BMA decided the show must go on because Loy Krathong is such a popular celebration with tourist. So any condemnation for not properly honoring the dead Thai pope is all the fault of farang and not the decent people of Thailand, elected or appointed official or not. And just in case someone might think they were not serious about cancelling and/or postponing the party, TAT still postponed the Lhong Rak Thale Dao Art & Music Festival in Phetchaburi until December 13th. Not that that celebration really had anything to do with Loy Krathong.
I’ve no doubt that many touri schedule their visit to include the Loy Krathong celebrations. I have even less doubt that the majority of touri in Thailand during that holiday are clueless about the holiday and the manner in which it is celebrated. Which is probably the right way to go. Loy Krathong is held on the full moon of the 12th lunar month. Which means trying to figured our the exact dates the celebrations will be held on is an annual event. This year it falls on November 17th, a Sunday, an auspicious date because it is on the weekend and there is little question of which date within the three to five day period TAT finally got around to announcing will be the day for fireworks, music, and krathrong floating. And unsuspecting touri will know it’s party night thanks to all the fireworks and the illuminated boat parade down the Chao Phraya. Um, except there will be no fireworks, live music, and floating illuminated boats this year. Maybe. ‘Cuz we are still honoring the death of the Supreme Patriarch . Unless, of course, the wats along the river that usually host those festivities decide otherwise. TAT says that’s up to each individual temple. Or, evidently, shopping centers.
Asiatique, Bangkok’s newest riverside shopping extravaganza, will be home to Bangkok’s official Loy Krathong celebration this year, as it was last year, and is probably the best place in town for the average tourist to catch, and participate in the celebration. Think of it as Loy Krathong Lite. There are fireworks (which is just a maybe this year but I’m betting on yes), there’s an illuminated boat parked in front of the shopping attraction, there’s dozens of vendors selling khom loi – the fire breathing illuminated lanterns that end up filling the night’s sky which are more part of Northern Thailand’s version of Loy Krathong (Yi Peng) than Bangkok’s but are too much fun to regulate to their proper geographical home – and even more vendors selling krathrong – the small flowery decorative floats that are what the celebration is all about – at prices that no self-respecting Thai would ever pay (not that the boy du jour you take with you to Asiatique’s party will balk at your wallet overpaying for the largest and most gaudy krathong he can find.) An added bonus, that probably confuses the hell out of many tourists, is that the shopping mall is already decked out in its finest holiday display of illuminated Christmas trees. “Cuz nothing says Loy Krathong like Santa Claus.
An equally touristy way of celebrating the holiday are the special Chao Phraya Dinner Cruises, which double the price they usually charge for an excursion up the River of Kings accompanied by a dinner of bland Thai cuisine. I usually assign Chao Phraya dinner cruises to the same circle of touri hell as I do Jim Thompson’s House of Silk for Sale, but Loy Krathong may be the one time paying for a cruise is worth it. It is the best way to see all of the temples and government buildings (plus a hotel or two) lit up for the holiday. Of course this year the question is just how many of those buildings that usually take part in the display will be flipping the switch on. I’m betting most, if not all, will.
For a more local celebration the Memorial Bridge is the hot spot. Or one of them. Rama VIII bridge is just as much fun. At both you’ll get to see some of the illuminated boats, if there are any this year (and once again my bet is with yes). Khom loi are less evident – that’s more a Chiang Mai and/or Hangover III thing – but the crowds of locals shooting fireworks off at each other and floating what seems to be a million krathrong down the river (916,354 was the official krathrong count last year) makes up for the lack of organized Loy Krathong displays; it’s a lot more fun partying with locals than with a few hundred of your fellow touri anyway. You can get a watered down experience anywhere in town where water can be found – if you can’t pull yourself away from the bars of Soi Twilight for more than an hour, many locals fill the waterways of Lumphini Park with krathrong too.
As beloved as the Supreme Patriarch was, to Thais fun ranks even higher so where it is up to the locals to celebrate the holiday, business will be as usual. And that’s a shame. For those few days when it looked like all the hoopla would be canceled, the vision of a more historical and personal version of Loy Krathong was an enticing one. The holiday got its start during the Sukhothai period (1238 to 1438) when members of the royal family created – or adapted a traditional Brahmin festival – to ask for forgiveness from Phra Mae Khongkha (Ganges Goddess of rivers) and to pay respect to the Lord Buddha.
Loy Krathong was, and still is in some areas, a religious observation and a family affair. There were no illuminated boat parades, no firework displays, no beauty pageants, no crowds of drunk locals and even more drunk touri gone wild. Krathong were handmade out of banana tress and spider lily plants; their candle honored Buddha with their light, floating them down a river symbolized the letting go of all one’s hatred, anger, and negative thoughts. It was a personal affair, steeped in religious belief and tradition. There was, this year, a short window that suggested the celebration would perhaps be closer to what it once was. Experiencing that would have been a treat for locals and touri alike. But then those damn farang, according to TAT and the BMA, demanded their chance to party their asses off. Subdued, which TAT still promisees, will be unlikely this year. So expect a major party as usual. But if you’ve never celebrated Loy Krathong before it’s a smart idea to make sure you head for one of the areas promising the biggest splash with a local. You’ll get to see all the fireworks, flying lanterns on fire, pageants and pageantry, and if you are lucky, when your boy du jour sets his krathrong afloat you’ll also get to experieence a small taste of what the holiday really means to the people of Thailand.
Related Posts You Might Enjoy:
12 Tuesday Nov 2013
Posted Tighty Whitey Tuesday
in≈ Comments Off on Tighty Whitey Tuesday #96
Tags
Related Posts You Might Enjoy:
11 Monday Nov 2013
Posted Eye Candy
inTags
Today in the US of A is Veterans Day, another one of those holidays that no longer has quite the same effect it once did. Which is odd since thanks to Dick Cheney’s never ending pursuit of profits we now have more veterans than ever before. Coming just weeks before a holiday that promises copious amounts of food and even more copious amounts of alcohol, the day we’ve set aside to honor those who have served in our armed forces is poorly planned. Vetrans Day would be a more popular holiday if it was moved to August. Instead it’s a cold weather holiday which doesn’t lend itself well to barbecues, beer, and hangovers, the holiday trifecta preferred by Americans for all holiday celebrations. Instead most use the day off to prepare for the coming winter. And to get a start on their Xmas holiday shopping. Our vets really deserve better. Though most would probably be just as happy if the holiday was scrapped in favor of other minor forms of honoring their efforts on our country’s behalf. Like not taking three years to process their VA claims.
Many of our vets today are gay. Or lesbian. Not that there wasn’t always a large contingent of gay servicemen, it’s just now they can tell whether asked or not. Like their straight brethren, they too would undoubtedly prefer obtaining their VA benefits quickly over the rest of the country getting a paid day off from work. Most would also undoubtedly prefer being able to legally marry the person they love. Or not be fired from the minimum wage job they managed to land once back on American soil again because of that love. Huh. Maybe next year they’ll have something to celebrate on Veterans Day.
Everybody loves a man in uniform (except, of course the aforementioned lesbians). Everybody loves a man out of his uniform even more. So I’ll celebrate Veterans Day as I do all holidays by posting some pix of a little bit of the former and a lot of the latter. I’d just go with pure naked flesh instead, but then this post would have nothing to do with our boys in uniform. It’d be just like any other day. Kinda like Veterans Day is.
Related Posts You Might Enjoy:
11 Monday Nov 2013
Posted Monday Muscle
in≈ Comments Off on Monday Muscle #96
Tags
10 Sunday Nov 2013
Posted Sunday Funnies
inRelated Posts You Might Enjoy: