The post-straight man has always existed on the fringes of macho, but as a type he was born in the 1970s disco scene. It was there -- on the first real gay turf -- that the shift in power and status between straights and gays first took place. The playing field didn't just even out at discos; gay men actually had the home court advantage. This put straight men who wanted to crash the party in the position of having to make themselves presentable to gay men. That meant acting like you're not on top, something few straight men in those days were willing to do.
Those who got past the doorman soon flipped their mental format. "You'd see a whole gamut of dramatic changes," recalls promoter John Blair, "from thinking it was cool to hang with gay people to seeing them learn to be physical with one another in a nonsexual, loving way." Suddenly straight men were given permission to explore a new side of themselves, and women were definitely interested. By the '80s, the socially gay straight man had become a staple of the club and party scene.
All You Dreamers: Ever wake up wondering what the hell it means that you just dreamt of a purple horse galloping through the clouds while you looked down at all the little people below? Freaky dreams like this require explication ... or a good therapist.
Former Dallas folks: I was saddened to learn that Chip Moody died last week. He was a great Dallas television anchor who I remember watching from the mid 80s up until the late 90s. During that span of time, he grew ever more weak and frail. The last time I saw him on WFAA several years ago, he looked like a whithered zombie. I couldn't believe they were still putting him on the air.
Jack: Please don't stop with the rants. I was glad to read your take on McCain, Ashcroft and politicians in general. And I hadn't heard anything about the public safety widows saying they should get more money than the poor schleps who just happened to work in the WTC. Maybe I'm cold-hearted, but when I think about the "money for families of victims" thing, I view it as a nice bit of charity ... but nothing that survivors are entitled to receive. You can't put a price on a life that is gone. These families should accept what they're offered with grace and quit bickering and whining over amounts and who deserves what. It's distasteful and repugnant.
Space Oddity? If you are you a child of the space program's heyday, and you still get a thrill out of seeing the NASA shuttle take off, land and play space games, you'll probably enjoy the 2002 calendar called The Year In Space, which is filled with amazing images like these.
Pre-Disastered? On arriving in NYC just a day after a guy in a van drove into a crowd of shoppers in Herald Square, killing 7, fellow traveler Steve F. observed wryly that we should immediately head there, as it would be the safest place in NYC for a while--fully pre-disastered.
Disco Lives In NY, for the latest "jam band buzz" (think Grateful Dead/Phish/Widespread Panic) you have to see the Disco Biscuits and party like crazy. Faure & I are going to see them tonight--a full report may follow. Till then we are bopping around NY, and ocasionally surfing from a connected coffee shop or two.
Arrrgh! I've tried for a while to find the quote on NPR where I think I heard it (I listen to KUT on the way into work each day and that's where I heard it), but no luck. Until I find it, let's consider it hearsay. I guess my natural cynicism just paints all politicians, even ones who were decorated veterans like McCain, are basically partisan and not to be trusted fully.
My personal favorite politician right now is John Ashcroft. The guy loses an election to a dead man, then gets saved by Bush by being appointed Attorney General. He is a Pentacostal (nothing inherently wrong with that except most I've known never shut up about their perspective on faith and how wrong everyone else is...) who initiates a Christian prayer service in his office each morning, (while not mandatory - please let me know if anyone out there thinks that if you're not on board with Pastor John's views you will continue working there. Thought so), and is thrust into one of the most historic - in all senses of the word - times in US history. How much faith do I have that John Ashcroft will take all perspectives into consideration when formulating his policies? None. How much faith do I have that ANY politician will REALLY take other perspectives into consideration when deliberating policy? Not much.
My personal favorite Issue of the Moment is compensation for 9/11 victims. Did you see the widow of a fireman who said that fireman/police/emt families should get more money than "regular" people who just worked at the WTC. Her rationale is that her husband HAD to go into the building, but those other people made a choice to work there. Nevermind that firemen, while doing noble and heroic work on a weekly basis, after 20 years gets 1/2 pay for LIFE. Nevermind that the benefits given to public safety officials are often the best available. Nevermind that her husband made a CHOICE to work in a dangerous job. Screw those other people ....
I'm ranting I guess. Better get back to work. One sad note: The guy who died in police lockup on Xmas was the head salesman at the Saab dealer where Baze and I and
other friends bought cars. I had met him once or twice. Apparently he was arrested for drunk driving, was diabetic and passed a breathalyzer, but died overnight. They're investigating the case, but the voices of alarm are already present. He did have, though, 3 previous drunk driving convictions, so I'm not sure how much sympathy I have for someone who has endangered others repeatedly. The night of his arrest, he rear-ended another car, albeit minorly. As with all of life, nothing is black and white. Except for those cookies at Jewish bakeries..... Happy New Year everyone. Let's get 2001 overwith!
Jack - where did McCain make that comment? I certainly don't appreciate it. One could make all sorts of statements about Bush being unprepared (still) for anything much more than regional vice president of an oil company operating 20-25 "stop-n-go" stores.
Before we anoint McCain, let's remember that he also recently said he wants a bipartisan commission to review 9/11, and he personally wanted to see how "... a Joseph Lieberman Vice Presidency would have handled the crisis." Not my idea of either fair play or bipartisanship.
Another dot-bomb, this one near and dear to my heart. Althought Dr. Koop may have been providing actual assistance to people, I got a tremendous amount of pleasure from visiting AdCrtiic. Visiting the site today I got a sad notice that they're offline until further notice. At least they've kept their sense of whimsy, as you'll see if you go here.
I'm waiting to get more details on this focker flying from Paris to Miami the other day, diverted to Boston. Did you see the stories? A stewardess smells sulphur (matches) and so walks up to him and freaks. Some dudes (this is now our alpha male function in society) help to subdude him. Unbelievable. Speaking of alpha male function: did anyone read John McCain's comments at the funeral, I believe, of the gay rugby player (who, btw, played a few games in Austin I understand - visiting) who was a leader in trying to save the American Airlines flight over Pennsylvania? I'm a Democrat, but if the war on terrorism gets worse maybe McCain is the man to be in charge. Anyway, Merry Christmas to all!
Herman / Jerry / Marty: I'd also be up for seeing LOTR or Amelie. Please let me know. Also, is anyone interested in seeing one of the Mr. Sinus Christmas Showstonight? It's at the Alamo Drafthouse Downtown at 7:00 or 9:45.
Jerry: Did you see the replies to the Christmas Sweater Woman story? Predictable, but a hoot nevertheless. In the first, Barbara Jo (!) gushes, "My Christmas sweaters, yes, decorated with holly and candy canes, are my December uniforms, worn proudly in this joyous season." OK, I'm a cynic. Also, the Do Not Call list looks to be a wonderful thing. I currently pay an outrageous monthly fee (AKA protection money) to SWBell for their Privacy Manager service (though I have to admit that it works like a charm).
Christmas sweaters are a little fix in the addiction to decorating. The house is done inside and out, the annual family newsletter is bubble-jet laser-printed and inserted into all the cards, which are addressed and stamped, and there's even a wreath on the grille of the Ford Expedition. Now, says the Christmas sweater woman to herself, it's time to decorate me. (Because the dog is hiding.)
Herman: Marty hasn't seen it yet, so we were thinking of going either on Monday or Wednesday. You're welcome to come along if we do. You can e-mail me your phone number, and I'll give you a ring to let you know. But Marty has a hankering to see Amelie, so there's a chance we'll see that instead.
Hungry? This is the lowest calorie snack you've seen all year. Just click to take a bite of this virtual donut and eat as many as you can without the guilt or the added pounds.
Block EvilThis site will soon help you to exorcise the demons from your home. But it'll cost ya two or three bucks for three years worth of peace. What a bargain!
