This is just a little taste of what goes on inside of my head. I talk about culture, fashion, music, art, and living in NYC. Life according to moi. Enjoy what you read and hopefully I will open your mind to new things and experiences. Life should be spent living out each day as if it were the very last. I wish peace and blessings to all of my reading audience.
The idea of window shopping really got its start in the late 19th/early 20th century. As the Industrial Revolution got into full swing in America, all of a sudden a new consumer class, the middle class (the bourgeoisie) was created. Now, people had some extra pocket money and started 'window shopping'. The nation was booming in industry and inventions; now there were new gadgets and trinkets that people wanted to buy.
New York has always been the mecca of shopping and consumer culture in America. New York is the king of advertising and suckering people into buying things they really do not need (nor really want). I often walk around the streets of New York taking pictures of different display windows and interesting advertisements that are especially unique and attention getting.
I will break the pictures down by category (clothing, signs, accessories, etc). You will be able to see how NYC really breaks the mold in being able to reach its consumer. People don't just stop and stare outside the Macy's Christmas window display. And, it isn't only Christmas that one can find interesting displays and advertisements around NYC.
Think especially of how advertising was often done up until the 60's/70's, on the sides of buildings. The whole concept of window display is something more modern. It really wasn't until the turn of the century (19th to 20th) that window dressing/display really began to take a form of its own.
Here is an old advertisement for furniture and electronics that looks about 47-57 years old, maybe older.
Ladies' Fashion:
Kate Spade on 5th ave. and 20th st.
Rugby on University Place (between 11th and 12th st.)
I don't remember where this was, but it's cool!
Mens' Fashion:
Paul Smith Inc. at 5th Ave and W 16th st.
Accessories (ie. jewelry/purses):
Louis Vuitton on 59th and Lexington (at Bloomingdale's)
Tiffany's at 5th ave and W. 57th st.
Yep, NYC sure has interesting windows. I have a lot more pictures of display windows. By far, however, the best ones always seems to be around Union Square (at Broadway or at 5th) and at 5th and Madison around Columbus Circle. Bloomingdale's is also a sure fire win. Their in and out of store displays are pretty awesome!
NYC display windows is artwork. So take a look around at store front windows sometime. It's like being in an outdoor museum.
Every summer, kids go to camp and families go on vacation. There is seemingly more leisure time for many. Those fix-it-yourself projects and extra gardening seems to get done. As the days stretch on and we find ways to spend weekend afternoons in the comfort of AC, there is amble time to read. I know that summer has always been the time to read voraciously and tackle the never ending pile of books by my bedside. So that being said, I have a list of 60 great books for summer. They aren't light and fluffy beach reads. Well, you can read them on the beach but many of the topics and types of literature are heady and deep. I didn't divide them into categories. I'll just recommend the titles. You can do the work and, one by one, do an Amazon search or go to your library and check them out. Have fun with these revolutionary reads for summer 2012!
60 summer authors (who will kick you’re a$$):
Rafi’s Really Rockin’ Revolutionary Reads
Dreams
from my Father Autobiography by Barack Obama
The
Starboard Seaby Amber Dermont
Confessions
of a Prep School Mommy Handler by Wade Rouse
One
Big Damn Puzzler by John Harding
A
Walk in the Woods/Mother Tongue/I’m a Stranger Here Myself by Bill
Bryson
Einstein’s
Dreams by Allan Lightman
The
Color Purple by Alice Walker
Beloved
by Toni Morrison
The
World Without Us by Alan Weisman
Better
Off: Flipping the Switch on Technology by Eric Brende
Eating
Animals by Jonathan Safron Foer
Food
Rules/Omnivore’s Dillema by Michael Pollan
Night,Dawn,The Accident (Trilogy)- by Elie Wiesel
Almost
Dead by Assof Gavron
Lipshitz
Six (Two Angry Blondes) by T Cooper
A
Seat at the Table by Joshua Halberstam
Falling
Boy by Alison McGhee
Wolf
Boy by Evan Kuhlman
Zone
One by Colson Whitehead
World
War Z by Max Brooks
1984/Animal
Farm by George Orwell
Fahrenheit
451 by Ray Bradbury
A
Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
Divided
Kingdom by Rupert Thomson
One
Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
The
Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Grendel
by John Gardner
White
Noise by Don Dellilo
God
Bless America by Steve Almond
Running
With Scissors/Possible Side Effects by Augusten Burroughs
That's exactly what bullies and homophobes can do, LICK IT! I'm not sure what they can lick, but they should do it. Actually, you can imagine what they can lick. I won't spell it out for you. Know what else homophobes can do? BEDAZZLE BITCHES!!
Truly, we have no time anymore for this homophobic Puritan bullshit. Let me tell you!
What started this? Well, yesterday I marched in the Gay Pride Parade in NYC with OFA (Obama for America) NY. To say it was a blast would be a total understatement. Unfortunately, my phone died so I didn't take any photos. Yes, I know, where the fuck was my camera? I still have to get a new memory card. I've needed to get a new one for like 7 months now.
Anyway, that doesn't matter. What matters is that the day was historical. In fact, I don't even really know how to describe it to you. It was like every single human being went to let their hair down and just watch the spectacle, not in judgement, but as observers. I felt like everyone there learned something. I sure as hell did.
I've always been an advocate and ally for gay rights. I have many gay and lesbian friends (especially the latter). I just happen to know many girls who like girls. Even girls who like guys. I mean, I get it. In my eyes, girls aren't assholes like guys. Guys are generally DB's and pigs. Girls are just so much better. PS: I was probably a man hating lesbian in a former life (no joke). I really don't like guys, generally. They suck at life! I'm proud to be a guy, but I admit that we just don't get it most of the time; girls do!
Anyway, after putting down my gender, I can truly say that even though I prefer women, I am not judgemental of others at all. Look, if someone likes the same gender, fine. Love is love, period. I already wrote a post where the Bible shit about gay marriage/sex is total bullshit. Well, I just feel that intolerance and ignorance have no place in today's society (and for our future society). Bigotry is on its way out.
Yesterday, the parade was an example of what society could be like if we all just tried a little harder (by we, I mean the straight community). First of all, the OFA contingent had about 150-200 people by the end of the parade. I remember at one point being able to see the end of our posse but then looking back and not seeing where our crowd stopped. People kept jumping over barricades to join us. People were grabbing LGBT for Obama placards and stickers from my hands. I ran out of 'chum' before I reached 14th street. Marching down 5th avenue across 8th avenue was a sensation. I looked left and right and saw a sea of faces. Multiple ages, ethnicities, sexualities, races, etc. Everyone was out in full support. This is what society SHOULD be like.
It doesn't matter if you're gay or not. Everyone can and should be an ally. I really don't understand why people are so small minded when it comes to this issue. I mean, maybe I've been in NYC too long, where being gay is not 'unusual' like it is in some other parts of the country. Here, local politicians from Mayor Bloomberg to Senator Cuomo attend the gay pride march. In NYC, if you're not an ally, then you're the 'freakshow.'
What I liked about the Pride March/Parade yesterday is that everyone let their freak flag hang high. Everyone (gay or straight) let heir hair down. I mean, I was covered in stickers and beads and glitter. I had people grabbing beads off my neck (even though our group didn't have beads to hand out; I just picked them up off the ground). It was wild and crazy; I loved it!
I also felt like such a rock star. As soon as I turned the corner onto W 8th street, an ocean of people were clapping and high fiving. People were cheering, whooping, and hollering. Everyone loved us. We were the belle of the ball, or at least that's how it felt. We had drag queens marching with us. We had a guy with a shirt that said, 'I like Barack and I like cock'. There were women holding hands and guys kissing. And everybody was marching together. That's the magical thing here. And I thought to myself, this is what society could function like. This, right here. It was truly beautiful, folks!
And I cannot say I was unaffected. Today, in the subway, I saw some people snicker at an effeminately dressed guy. I felt like getting up and saying to them, what the fuck is your problem. But, I actually didn't know what they were saying since I had headphones on and I couldn't prove that they were truly making fun of this guy for wearing a bedazzled loose fitting blouse and having hair that was teased up into an up do pony on his head. I just stared at the couple in question really hard making them feel uncomfortable. You know, the type of stare you get from your parents or teacher. The one I've perfected for my middle school students when they act a fool!
I can honestly say that I was affected in the sense that I realize how we need to advocate for each other's rights. I shouldn't ONLY care about Jewish rights. I should care about everyone's rights, which I have always done, but now it's tenfold that sentiment. I stand even taller with my gay, lesbian, and transgender friends/family.
The highlights of this whole week were getting to shake George Takei's hand and telling him what an inspiration he is for gay and straight alike. Also, I had a blast canvassing in the NYC gay community (Chelsea, Hell's Kitchen, West Village) and meeting people. I had to hand out fliers and placards. In the process though, I stepped outside of my own comfort zone. Having to go into places I wouldn't normally and walk through doors where people didn't know if I was gay or straight, made me step outside of myself and really think about identity and judgement. I found two AWESOME lesbian bars, The Cubby Hole (on w. 12th and w. 4th) and Cowgirl (on Christopher st.) It was here I met Rocky; she and I talked about politics for a solid hour or two. We had a shitload of stuff in common. I also met some other awesome folks both at the parade and canvassing before the event (Casey, Wilma, Diane). I worked with some truly amazing people (Jeremy and Haley). And all I have left to say is that homophobia is going extinct.
These are the last words I have to say on the subject.
Dear homophobes:
Your time is over! Bullying and teasing is not
tolerated anymore; everyone is tired of your antics and banal bigotry.
Either come out of the closet or move to an island and start your own
society where there are no gay people. That's right, you should move
because society is making a shift toward acceptance of every human on
this green earth. Whether you're gay, straight, bisexual,
transgender, unsure, well you have a place in this present and future
society because it's the new way, the ONLY way. So if you have a
problem with men loving men and women loving women, then you can go
colonize the moon and leave us peace loving, human-phile, pot of tie-dye
love train grooviness to populate the earth and march on toward a day
when people will no longer be judged based on their sexual preference
and/or gender identity.
Always an ALLY to the LGBT community, ~R~
Pics from the NYC Pride event:
Articles (WE MADE THE FRONT PAGE OF THE NY TIMES, BITCHES)
Today is father's day, and as a newer member to this group, I have thought a lot about what it means to be a good father. Of course, there are no manuals for being a dad. There are no books that tell you how to be a father or what you should do when x, y, or z happens. However, if you are looking for a good book about fatherhood check out: So You're Going to Be a Dad by Peter Downey and also The Book of Dads: Essays on the Joys, Perils, and Humiliations of Fatherhood by Ben George. Other than those couple of resources, you're on you're own, bud. I, however, can share my two cents about fatherhood.
When I first became a father, I felt like I was waking up into a new plane of existence. All of a sudden when my son was born, I saw the world with new eyes. I looked out at the trees, the grass, and the sky, thinking to myself why didn't I notice how vibrant all these colors were before? Why does everything feel so alive and fresh? That feeling wore off as I learned to live off of literally no sleep. And even here I feel guilty because though I wasn't sleeping and going through this misery with my wife, during month two of my son's life, I moved back to the Midwest in order to finalize my move and finish out my teaching gig there. So, for about 5-6 weeks, I did get some sleep, but I just pretend that I was a zombie like every other dad out there. And, I was a zombie for many of those first weeks.
Seriously though, when people ask me, 'How does it feel to be a father?', I simply reply by telling them that, like anything else, it is just another phase of life. I wasn't 'ready' to be a dad. It just happened. And, like anything else, I learned to take things day by day. It is a world, however, that I have come to love and enjoy. I never want to go back to the days of bachelorhood or being childless. Though it was nice when my wife and I could gaze into each other's eyes for hours at a time without worrying about cooking for, cleaning up after, and changing a diaper of a little wee one.
I really do enjoy being a dad. Today, as I sat reading my son some books, his head was next to mine. He was rolling around on the bed next to me gurgling, listening. He wants me to retell each story again and again until he tires of it. This is a wonderful world. My son is just beginning to talk and repeat phrases and short sentences. This also means that I need to watch my potty mouth, as he's already taken up the word 'crap'. The other day, when I told him that it was time for a diaper change, he replied with 'never' and ran away. So, yes, the fun has started already. It's at the point where I cannot turn my back without something new happening. My son is now a little man, a little person. Although, even when my son was a little baby, I still took wonder in his every movement, every little noise, every moment. I used to love watching him sleep, still do. I just think about how wonderful it is that such a carnal act of lust can result in something so magnificent. Life truly is amazing!
As I reflect on fatherhood, however, I must think back to my own dad. This part isn't as Hallmark as what I describe above. In fact, I really identify a lot with the author Augusten Burroughs in the description of his dad in his books, namely A Wolf at the Table and Running with Scissors. My father is not an example to be modeled. To me, even though deep down inside somewhere I have love for this man, he is not at all the father I want to be. My father is a bully; he is psychologically abusive and totally manipulative. He uses money to control the people in his life, namely his wife and children. The only conversation I've had with him in the last year have been about finances and taxes. By the way, he acts the exact same way toward my sister, mom, and myself. He puts us down and makes us feel small. He pushes all of us around because he feels lousy about himself. Just because he has a low self-esteem, he feels better by putting down his own family.
I grew up hearing words like 'stupid', 'retarded', 'homo', 'mental', 'crazy', 'no good', 'lazy', 'unproductive', 'derelict', etc. Need I mention that I NEVER did anything to warrant any of these words. I was not as quick to grasp mathematical concepts so my dad would regularly tell me that I belonged at the special school down the street where I'd take the special bus. I wish I were joking, but I'm not. One time, when he was 'tutoring' me in math, he got so upset that he tore my Grateful Dead t-shirt in half. No matter how hard I worked to understand math, my dad made me feel like a complete failure. I learned later, by the way, that I wasn't bad at math at all. In fact, I grasped abstract concepts quite well and got problems right that only a handful of classmates could understand. It was the simple stuff, the careless errors that got me. I, however, was not bad at math. My dad was a bad teacher. That's all.
I hate delving into these past memories, but my dad really is a bastard. I learned nothing from him except how NOT to be a man. Actually, where I learned how to be a man is from his father, my grandfather. That was a man that anyone should try to emulate. My grandfather was the kindest, gentlest soul on this planet. If I made a mess, spilling cereal all over the floor or getting crayon on the furniture, he would quietly clean it up. My grandfather NEVER yelled at me or my sister. Often, we'd play a game to try to get him to yell, but he never did. When he would take afternoon naps, we would tap/tickle him and he'd swat thinking he was being bothered by a fly. Then, after five minutes, he'd open one eye, smile at both of us, and go back to napping.
My grandfather was one of a kind. Everywhere he went, people knew him. He walked out of the house looking nothing less than dapper. He would wear an overcoat, sports coat, and hat with feather in it. Dressing down for him was wearing khakis and a polo shirt. What's more is that each time I walked somewhere with him, it was like I was with a special celebrity. He had two girlfriends, in fact. And the two of them didn't know about the other one. One time, I saw my grandfather talking to one of his 'girlfriends' and he told me not to tell his other 'girlfriend' about that they were talking. He was hilarious. I used to take him grocery shopping and over to visit his sister, who lived nearby. I used to have lots of fun with my grandfather. And it wasn't because he spoiled me with toys, no, it was because he spoiled me with love. When I was with my grandfather, only I mattered. I knew I had his unconditional love. I didn't have to earn his love by proving how smart or how industrious I was. He knew I was worth more than anything money could buy.
So, I learned everything about being a dad, and the man I am today, not from my father but my grandfather. I am thankful that I had this man in my life. I only wish that my father could have learned more from his father. Instead, I got a father who is emotionally sterile and a borderline sociopath. He makes people feel bad without even realizing it, or if he does, feels little to no remorse. He was a bully in school, but unlike most bullies who grow out of this role and grow up to feel sorry for their past behavior, my dad never did this. My father continues to bully and micromanage everyone around him, especially his family. It's really a shame!
What's the first thing my father said when he learned he was a grandfather? 'Get an abortion.' I wish I were joking, but I'm not. My father is half the man his father was. And, I have learned from my father what NOT to do with my son. With my son, I WILL play catch, camp, cook, tickle, read to him, spend time with, ride bikes, go to the park, catch bugs, swim, swing, climb, play, roll around, slide, skate, and LOVE (no matter what). I will be the dad who gets his hands dirty and never have a limit on how many stories I read at bedtime. I will be firm and fair, but I will also be fun loving and silly.
Unfortunately, we cannot pick our parents. I know in my heart of hearts that my father probably did not want children. It was my mother who pushed him to have them. However, my father's stone, aloof personality has taught me that not everyone wears their heart on their sleeve. Not everyone can be as passionate and emotional about life as I am. For that I am thankful.
So, I end this post with a thought on what makes a great dad? Who do we consider both great and gross dads from books, television, and real life? Ward Cleaver. Homer Simpson. Al Bundy. Dr. Cliff Huxtable. Archie Bunker. Atticus Finch. Daddy Warbucks. Arthur Weasley. Grandpa Joe (Bucket). Darth Vader. Silas Marner. Abraham Lincoln. John F. Kennedy. Robert Kennedy. Martin Luther King Jr. Barack Obama.
The idea of dear old dad has evolved though. As a dad, we aren't removed from rearing our children. We are now heavily involved. Gone are the days where, as dads, we sit in 'our armchair' reading the paper in slippers and smoking a pipe only chiming in when appropriate. Today's dads cook, clean, sew, change diapers, and get involved as much or more than today's moms. A lot of modern parenting shares the responsibilities of raising children. Thank goodness for that. As a modern man, I wouldn't be able to stand around watching women do everything while we just smile and nod. Men should learn how to do household chores. Men should iron their own shirts and mend their own socks.
So on this father's day, I celebrate the liberated modern man who can cry openly, mop a floor to perfection, and leave every extra minute for his children and spouse/partner. Let's all raise our glass to modernity!
Alice Russell performing 'Crazy' at Union Chapel in London (2010)
'The Sound of Silence', Simon and Garfunkel (1964)
"I remember when I lost my mind. There was something so pleasant about that place. Even your emotions have an echo in so much space [...]. Come on now, who do you Who do you, who do you, who do you think you are? Ha, ha, ha bless your soul. You really think you're in control? -Crazy (originally performed by Gnarles Barkley)
"The words of the prophet are written on the subway walls.." -Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel
I
will attempt to list most of the crazy incidents that I have been
witness to on the subway. This compilation is due to the fact that I
seem to magnetize crazy people, and they literally seek me out. I think it's largely because I am partially crazy myself, and you know what, I embrace it. Hell yea, it feels good to be a little crazy! (in a good way)
The
following piece is an homage to those interesting people who pass me by
all the time and often go unnoticed in a city where being a little
'touched in the head' is the water we drink and air we breathe in. All of
the following pieces are bits from various observations I've made and
recall of run-ins with the unusual.
One time while I was standing on the
platform, I saw an older man with white hair, perhaps in his 60's, who was doing
Tai-Chi (is it?) He looked at me on the opposite side of the
platform for the uptown Bronx bound B train, while I stood on the
downtown Brooklyn bound side. But, what the hell was he doing? He was
moving his arms and hands around in small circles, positioning his feet
in a way that totally weirded me out. Thank goodness he was far away! How
many times has this exact thing happened? I'm here, the weirdo over
there. Or am I also the weirdo, and 'they' stare at me thinking what I am about them.
Always while waiting for a train or while
actually on the subway, I see the weirdest shit possible. I always
wonder if anyone else is watching but me? Now that I live here, in New
York, it's like a cattle call, open casting audition for lunatics. Like
how taxi and car services send a dispatch for waiting customers. Or,
how day laborers sit on a bench waiting for that job to get their daily
pay stub to feed their family.
Just in the past few days, I've seen a hell of a lot. Yesterday evening, while waiting for the Q, I saw a man dressed nicely in a white button down shirt, black dress shoes, nice dress slacks, and a chapeau. He kept laughing and going 'ehh ahh ecch ahh' in the back of his throat. He was holding a conversation with someone who wasn't there. He kept looking at people, standing on the opposite platform, standing around him, pointing and laughing. He kept moving his eyebrows up and down opening his eyes wide. His smile was eerie, his laugh a little sinister. He kept this performance up on the train as well. The yuppies around me told themselves that if this man came near them, they'd drop kick him onto the tracks.
Then, the other day, I saw a rapping transexual. She was dressed in a tight leopard print skirt, some colorful print stockings, and a tight fitting shiny top. She was colorful, wore lots of clinky jewelry, and had bright red hair. Her face had lots of piercings and she wore spikey heels. Everyone looked at her because they could tell she wasn't 'truly' a woman in their opinion. To me, she was 'born this way'; I didn't really care. The thing is, if she were born a woman, this outfit would be considered outlandish (though the transexual part is beside the point). What made this woman stand out was the fact that she was hardcore rapping. When I say hardcore, I mean every other word was a cuss word. She was gangsta rapping using swears and rapping overtly sexual lyrics. The woman next to me was offended because there might be kids around and didn't like the language. I agreed. Then on the train, I had a conversation with an African American woman about how this transexual rapper needed to be on stage. It was so entertaining to watch her, the outfit combined with her low voice and choice of lyrics. She was a good rapper too, very talented.
The day before this, I was on a G train on the way to an interview. I was late. The reason? A woman (crazy) decided to threaten to jump in front of the train. So, they had to stop the train and call the police. They had to contain us inside the car without opening the door for at least 15-20 minutes. The woman also threw a jacket on top of the train car. She muttered something about the enemy putting a computer/laser control device in her head. She had to get away before her mind was taken over, before it was too late. These are the facts I gathered from the subway control operator and other passerbys.
That's not all though! One time, I saw a man open a gym bag, only to reveal a three foot Boa Constrictor. As soon as the snake came out of the bag, the man started slapping/petting the snake. People freaked out and moved away to one side of the subway car. I couldn't believe it when I saw it. My mouth/jaw dropped wide open. I couldn't believe that I was seeing a snake on the subway. Forget snakes on a plane, man! What is even more hilarious is that this man was selling exotic animals on his phone. He had alligators, lizards, other snakes, and iguanas. Not all in the bag though. They were on his farm somewhere upstate. He was handing out his name and phone number for people interested in buying his pets. Unbelievable!! That's not all, though. As I went upstairs to Union Square, the Occupy Wall Street protesters were making noise and attracting a crowd. Then, I saw a woman, bare breasted (with no shirt) taking pictures/video of people walking around her (who were mostly taking pictures/video of her). She also had a moustache drawn on her upper lip and a blonde wig! Performance art? Or was she just another crazy person?
Here's the thing! Sometimes, I imagine a room,
maybe padded, where the world's crazies wait and then...'Calling all
nuts and weirdos..here comes Charlie!..calling all nuts...Charlie is
walking down 14th and Broadway..send out 'Screaming Jesus' or
'Psychedelic Suzie'. It's like the movie 'Running Man', a 1980's not
quite cult classic with Arnold Schwarzenegger as the star. The basic
premise is that he is placed in a game/reality show for criminals
(though he and his delinquent friends are all innocent due to being
framed by host Richard Dawson). 'The Terminator' has to battle
different characters including an opera singing fat guy in an electric
suit. I've digressed from the main point here, but I feel like the
governor of California when I walk through the subway. I'm minding my
business and all of a sudden a Chinese man in a hockey suit is blocking
my path toward safety.
Best subway rides of all time:
C)
Female preaching how females wearing pants is against the Bible, and
she knows because it's right next to the prohibition on homosexuals
(which she also talks about). Then, she starts telling everyone how to
pray, not to Allah, Hashem (which I think she pronounces like Hashish),
or Mary but to the big J-man. There were many older people on the
train, and she said that for them, time was slipping away fast. They
had, five, maybe ten good years left on them, describing these senior
citizens like they are a vacuum cleaner or a washing machine. She
pointed to them, especially, making them more aware of Jesus (did I
mention there was a man sitting by her with a Bible making sure she was
quoting it correctly?), but more importantly what they knew already,
that they were going to die. In the words of Stephanie Tanner from
'Full House': HOW RUDE!
R) Oh, and how can I forget the
woman asking for money for food. She was an older woman, too rouged up
in old sweats. Maybe a power walker going on some errands or a love
sick Jane Fonda workout groupie. She looked like she had been jogging
for the last fifteen years. She started bending down like she was
trying to sit in an invisible chair. She had her eyes closed and kept
doing it slowly, over and over again. I thought that maybe she was
delirious and tired from hunger, or perhaps she would just keel over
right there. Maybe she was sick. She just kept rising an falling like
that in a tiresome, repetitive motion. She was like this sad, slow, old
elevator. Then, she just stopped, departed, and went on her merry way.
A)
Then, what about this one woman who was opening and closing her mouth
wide and stretching her fingers. She was tapping her nose and moving
her hands and wrist like she was drumming for a band only she could
hear. I watched her for the duration of my subway ride. I suppose that
she had some tics, but it was beyond something one can just ignore.
Was she a marionette?
Z) Or, the guy who preached
that homosexuality was a conspiracy of evil and sent by aliens to
corrupt us. We should all be watchful of evil crumbling priests who are
really robots in disguise. Or, something along those lines. I lost
his train of logic after he mentioned homosexuals and aliens.
Y)
The famous one that I tell all the time, is of this Indian looking guy
with most of his teeth missing. He had wiry, gray hair and was wearing
beach wear for what was now mid-November. He was rocking back and forth
very fervently like he was in an Orthodox synagogue. I was watching
him closely to make sure he didn't get close to the group I was with. I
got on the subway car, and watched our guy to make sure he didn't get
in with us. He did one better than that. As the car was pulling away,
he started moving toward it. He looked right at me and waved. I looked
around in a state of confusion. He pointed his bony finger at me,
smiled a wry, toothless grin and waved again. Then he started saying
something emphatic as if we knew each other for years. I was astounded
at this expression of gratitude, like I was a god of craziness and he
was merely paying homage.
What is it about me and
crazy people? Sometimes I think that other people on the subway look at
me and stare thinking, wow, look at that guy. OR, maybe crazies flock
to me because they feel safe, like I'd understand them and their plight.
Maybe that I landed off of the same spaceship they did. Well, at
least they aren't me, and next to me their flaring shit for brains space
antics are barely noticeable. All of these people who I've seen that I
classify as deranged either talk to themselves in muli-harmony voices,
look like they might erupt with violent outbursts, or dress like they
selected their wardrobe in a blackout.
I don't know
why so-called batshit crazy people flock to me. Since, I've moved to
NYC, it seems I always have some story involving public transit though.
Like the time I was on the bus and this man going to the hospital could
barely stand up, let alone keep his pants up, because he was so drunk.
Then, the time that the subway got delayed because someone got sick and
passed out. That isn't the bizarre part though; Right before the
authorities came, everyone was crowding on the platform and there was
this woman trying to box fight this guy for no apparent reason other
than being annoyed that he was trying to sell candy bars on the train.
By the way, this prize fighting woman looked just like Flavor Flav's
little sister!
I also recall the guy who had too much
to drink the night before. I was on the train with my brother-in-law
at the time of this incident, so he can vouch for it's authenticity.
The drunken party guy was eating Funions and not very gracefully might I
add. He was playing darts with the chips and his mouth, and losing
badly. He also was drinking something out of a paper bag, and I guess
it was of the alcoholic variety. He began to pass out and spill beer
all over himself while also slumping on my brother-in-law. My
brother-in-law told me that as we got off the train, to get up slowly so
that he'd spring release the drunk onto the seat. As we did, he
spilled bear all over himself, but did not wake out of his drug
induced/drunken stupor.
I figure that in New York,
dressing like it's Halloween when it's March or dancing and singing in a
line a the post office or Associated supermarket like it's an American
Idol audition just adds to the flavor of this place. Why not tell the
checkout girl that you're so angry that you'll blow the place up? By
the way, all of the suggested scenarios have happened to me in some
shape or form. Right now, you're probably scratching your head, going
Oh shit, this guy really does have a crazy magnet.
When
does the noticeably idiosyncratic get abrasive and plain terrifying
though? Once, when I was on the subway, and it was packed to the brim
during rush hour. About five or six kids thought it would be funny to
get into the car, begin talk/beat boxing/rapping very loudly and
treating the car like their own personal mosh pit. Then, they were
telling obscene jokes and commenting on various women's (on the train)
anatomy while telling anyone who challenged them to 'shut the fuck up'.
I think I have a pretty high tolerance for erratic behavior. But, in
that situation, even I made sure to alert the MTA woman, hanging out the
window of the train, as I walked off the train.
All my
life, no matter how or where I travel, I'm followed by some strange
individual who wants to reach out and embrace me with 31 flavors of
insanity. The person always looks me in the eye as if acknowledging
that I'd understand my compatriots' point of view. Sometimes, I really
do wonder if these people see me and think, "Wow he's crazier than I am!
That makes me feel much better.
I embrace my craziness. I know it takes one to know one. I also dedicate this post to my dear friend, Mary. She understands this concept and we are kindred souls, peas out of the same pod. Mary, I wouldn't change my artsy fartsy crazy ways for anything in the world! Embrace your crazy!!
Crazy is as crazy does,
~R~
Note
to crazy people (in a sarcastic tone): Leave me alone. The joke's not funny anymore. Don't
speak, look, terrorize, or bother me. Go find some Wall Street suit or
German tourist. Let's make a deal; take your technicolor hallucination
fantasy that you really are Abraham Lincoln and go enlist in a Civil
War reenactment ceremony.
Summer is upon us so I will give you a mix tape of my favorite tunes for a sunny, breezy day.
In no particular order, I will give you a few, now vintage tracks (mostly 90's) to rock and roll to:
Note: These songs are summer memories from my adolescence and teenage-hood years.
1. 'All Washed Up'- The Urge (1996)
2. 'Hobo Humpin Slobo Babe'- Whale (1994)
3. 'Blister in the Sun'- Violent Femmes (1983)
4. 'Vasoline'- Stone Temple Pilots (1994)
5. 'Sabotage'- Beastie Boys (1994)
6. 'Feel the Pain'- Dinosaur Jr. (1994)
7. 'Tennessee'- Arrested Development (1992)
8. 'Looking Through Patient Eyes'- PM Dawn
9. 'I Swear'- All 4 One (1994)
Note: I couldn't find the real music video on You Tube!
10. 'Lucas with the Lid Off'- Lucas (1994)
11. 'Cantaloop (Flip Fantasia)'- US3 (1993)
12. 'Laid'- James (1993)
13. 'Longview'- Green Day (1994)
14. 'Mary Jane's Last Dance'- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (1993)
So lately, gay marriage has been a hot topic of debate. All across America, people have either decided that they are for or against allowing homosexual couples to marry and have the same rights and heterosexual couples. I mean, I really don't see the big deal about allowing people, who are attracted to the same sex, marry and fully enjoy their love of another human being.
However, there is the religious debate for many. Many people quote Leviticus as being the reason why men should not have a sexual relationship with other men, and women with other women. Horseshit!
Okay, so the Bible states, 'man shall not lie with another man as he lies with a woman'. It is 'an abomination'. Perhaps that means that men, when lying with men, 'are not lying' as they do with women, as women have different parts. Catch my drift? Homosexual sex is very different than heterosexual sex. Though, if the language is right, and it might not be a direct translation, as the Bible was written in Aramaic, was translated to Hebrew then Latin and other languages. So, even if it is the correct sentiment in English, who knows if we got God's intention right.
Also, I fathom that many people are bothered by that very thought because they themselves are insecure with their own sexuality. The famous biologist and zoologist, Alfred Kinsey, who created the field of sexology, came up with a theory on human sexuality that debunks the idea that people are either gay or straight exclusively. With his research, he formulated the theory that most people are within the grey area of sexuality, not being purely 'gay' or 'straight'. Yes, the two labels exist, but according to Kinsey, most human beings are attracted to both the opposite and same sex; this means that the majority of people in the world are bisexual. Okay, so sexuality might be more fluid than we think.
Sexual fluidity is especially called into question with those who are so strongly opposed to gay rights and homosexuality, in general. I say that people often hate and discriminate what they don't understand and what they are afraid of. Many of the religious and political figureheads who come out against gay marriage and gay rights are gay themselves. What about all of those politicians caught with male escorts or masturbating in a mens' restroom. Or, what about those Jerry Falwell or Fred Phelps type religious zealots who say that 'God cures fags through AIDS'. What's disgusting and immoral are the members of the Westboro Baptist Church who protest military funerals, and were taken to the Supreme Court over such activity. By the way, the WB Church hates Jews and homosexuals equally; they dislike any group and people who are 'sinners'. According to them, apparently God hates both Jews, homosexuals, and all Americans who condone homosexual behavior. I would not be surprised if there were some statistic that 60% of people involved in gay bashing, hate crimes, and extreme homophobia had some questionable tendencies of their own. Many gay people, themselves, talk about going through a period of self-hatred and denial, where they antagonize and make fun of other gay people, that is before they officially come out themselves.
Going back to religion, I get the whole religious debate, sort of. Okay, so the Bible talks about homosexuality, supposedly condemning it. However, the Bible/Torah never outright condemns the attraction itself as immoral. There is no passing or judgement; only the act ITSELF is listed as profane. Also, there never is an exclusive prohibition, as in, never is there a clear statement where God says that only heterosexuality is 'natural'. There is not a very clear outline; one shouldn't eat a kid boiled in its mother's milk. Does this mean that gay men and women should live a life being heterosexual?
I mean there's the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, where homosexual behavior flourishes. However, I am to understand from this story, that the people living with Lot and his family were immoral and corrupt in many ways that preclude their sexual preferences. For those who don't know the story, Lot is told to leave Sodom and Gomorrah because of its corrupt ways, and the fact that it will be destroyed. This is what angels tell Abraham; Abraham asks God to save his nephew, Lot. These same angels (appearing as men) visit Lot, and when some men want to supposedly rape these men (who are really angels). Lot offers his virgin daughters to the men of Sodom, but the refuse. At seeing this, the angels proceed to let the town get destroyed. As Lot leaves with his family, they are told not to look back; Lot's wife, however, does and she turns to a pillar of salt. Interestingly, this reminds me of the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. When Orpheus is allowed to go to the underworld to get back his deceased wife, he is told not to look back; he does and Eurydice spends eternity in Hades. Back to Sodom, though. Perhaps there just happened to be a lot of gay men/women there because if there are loose morals, then there is more acceptance. It's possible, just like it's possible that Kinsey was right.
I want to try and discuss the claims about why homosexuality is wrong within a mostly Jewish context (since that's what I know best):
People condemning homosexuality quote the Bible forLeviticus 18:22 where it says "Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination". The Bible goes on to say that this behavior should result in one's death. Note, however, that there is a lot of condemned behavior where death is prescribed.There are many instances in the Old Testament where a person should be killed or stoned for their actions/behavior. Religious Tolerance.org and Leviticus.
As religious scholars/students know, the passage from Leviticus is not isolated. Within Jewish tradition, in the Torah, this passage is read within the parshah (Torah portion) Acharei Mot. Within context, the whole of this describes many sexual forbidden relationships including those with relatives such as family and people like family, which include parents, siblings, aunts/uncles, cousins. etc. There is also a prohibition on sexual relations with menstruating women and a neighbor's wife. Also, as we know one cannot have sexual relations with idol worshippers or animals. However, the passage from Leviticus is always taken in isolation, and people ONLY pay attention to the prohibition on gay behavior, if that's what it is. By the way, I really do believe that God loves everyone (at least the God I believe in). If God hated gay people, then why does homosexuality exist? To tempt us toward living in hell? Again, bullshit. For starters, Jews don't believe in hell, so nice try with the whole argument 'you don't believe in Christ so you're going to hell'. Also, we don't know what God's true intentions are. No one does, and I believe in a God who loves and acts with compassion. In Judaism, this form of God is known as Elohim (the all loving incarnation of God, or Hashem).
Moving back to Leviticus, if we look in context, the parts before and after the sexual transgressions speak about idol worship and not making figurines to worship. There are pieces of the Torah which say that one should knock down and destroy all idols and temples of idol worship. However, Jews don't go around destroying churches, temples, and mosques do they? Also, it is clear, within Judaism that other religions do make idolatrous images, but we let them be. Also, as Jewish Torah scholars know, the Torah cannot be taken in pieces. It has to be weighed against everything within itself. Everything is important, and I think of it as a beautiful woven tapestry. The Torah brings up many important ideas and illuminates countless contradictions within itself. In fact, a very imporant piece of the Torah states the following:
הריני
מקבל (מקבלת) עלי מצות
הבורא: ואהבת לרעך כמוך
I am taking upon myself the command of the Creator to "Love
your neighbor as you love yourself."
So, yes, religious Jews believe that homosexuality is a to'veh (a forbidden act). However, the act is separated from the idea. The actual act is called a mishkav zakhar (ie. male-to-male anal sex)There is no prohibition against the actual attraction of men to other men and women toward women. So many rabbis would say that gay men and women are fine as long as they live a life of celibacy. I don't buy this either. The link, for me, about this passage is the idea of family.
Perhaps the thought is that Jews have been through many times where
we were almost decimated beyond repair. So, maybe many rabbis are
scared that allowing homosexuality would deflower the Jewish people in
the sense that they could be led astray in the same way that the Torah
describes the situation both with Lot and Pinchas. However, within
modern times, there are many immoral and abhorrent things going on in
the world. Homosexuality is NOT one of those.
Obviously, the common thought about the Leviticus portion and the prohibition in general (for many Jews and non-Jews) is that homosexual behavior transgresses one of the most vital pieces of Jewish (and non-Jewish) culture/religious practice, having children. The idea of family, and for Jews to be numerous 'like the stars in the sky' and 'the sands of the ocean' goes back to Abraham and God's promise to him. God says that he will make Abraham's people numerous, too numerous to count. Also, a big mitzvah (good deed) within Judaism is to procreate, have children. However, can't gay couples have children? Is that a sin?
I urge everyone to see the movie Trembling Before G-d which speaks about Orthodox Judaism and homosexuality. Yes, there are Orthodox Jews who are also homosexuals (both openly and closeted).
Look, I am not condemning religion at all. I believe very strongly in religion and my own, as a principal. However, the commandment 'to love your neighbor as yourself' trumps many other things in the Torah for me, personally. I treat everyone with respect and dignity. I believe in the rights for every single human being. I don't buy into the whole God hates gays argument at all. God created all of us, and we're as different as can be. The most important thing in life is to be an upright person, and stand tall for those who cannot speak for themselves. It is important to be moral and promote as much positivity as possible.
I'm not saying that every other commandment in the Torah/Bible is stupid. I try, as much as I can, to be 'a good Jew' by: going to synagogue on Saturdays, eating matzoh/in a sukkah, lighting candles on Hannukah and Shabbat, laying teffilin, and observing the rites and rituals for festivals/holidays. I am not perfect; no one is. However, I will not condemn other human beings solely because one passage in the Bible might lead to that conclusion. The Bible proscribes many things that we should not be doing. However, many of these have gone out of practice or fashion. Take, for instance, what I say above about wiping out idol worshippers and destroying their temples.
The Torah and its commentary continue to be in dialogue about a great many things. Many scholars believe that homosexuality is not outright condemned, rather that when people worshipped idols, they also engaged in orgiastic behavior. This is clearly condemned. The Israelites are not supposed to cohabit with or become prostitutes. Note: This happened with the story of Balak and Ballam, where the latter, a wizard, was sent to curse the Jews and failed. So, the former sent idolatrous, loose women to tempt the Israelite men. This story ends with the passage where Pinchas stabs an Israelite male and non-Israelite female to save the Jews. Look up the Torah portions, Balak and Pinchas for the full story.
In conclusion, I stand tall for gay rights, as I have many gay and lesbian friends and I tolerate respect and rights for all people. No one chooses to be gay, as I imagine that people would never choose to be a minority (if there were ever a choice). The pray the gay away campaigns (a la Michelle 'bat shit crazy' Bachmann and her husband) are bullshit too. Again, if someone had a choice to be gay or not, many would probably choose to be heterosexual in the sense that they would love to be viewed as 'normal'. However, it is not them who have to change. The non-gay and non-accepting world has to change. We need to see homosexuals not as pariahs but as people.
There is too much shit going on in the world today not to be more tolerant and loving to everyone else, our fellow humans. If the world will prevail and continue on as the society we know, then we HAVE to turn this around, people. Love they neighbor indeed!
I will leave you with a FB status from one of my college professors. I think it was originally a statement made on Dr. Laura. It is great:
Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I
have learned a great deal from y'all, and I try to share that knowledge
with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the
homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus
18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.
I do need some advice from you, howeve...r, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.
a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a
pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They
claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?
b)
I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus
21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for
her?
c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while
she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The
problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take
offense.
d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves,
both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring
nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not
Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?
e) I
have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2
clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill
him myself?
f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating
shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than
homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?
g) Lev
21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect
in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my
vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?
h)
Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair
around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev
19:27. How should they die?
i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that
touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play
football if I wear gloves?
j) My uncle has a farm. He violates
Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his
wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread
(cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is
it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole
town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them
to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep
with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)
I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help.
Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.
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