The Banal Chew

It's Wet

It rained in Sydney today, and it rained hard. Despite the intensity, the rain is much needed. You'd have to be living under a rock to be unaware of the fires that have burned hundreds of thousands of hectares in New South Wales, some of which were in the suburban fringe of Sydney.

As the rain fell, it occurred to me that, thanks to my luck of having lived in four countries, I know a few different rain expressions.

It's pouring rain.
It's raining cats and dogs.
It's bucketing.
It's pissing down.
Fuck, it's coming down.
't regent pijpestelen. (lit: It's raining pipe stems.)

These I just learned:
It's raining chair legs. (Greek)
It's raining female trolls. (Norwegian) 


Speaking of rain, remember this? I don't, just stumbled upon it. I am really glad I did. Let me know if you also think it is one of the most visually compelling music videos ever. (Pretty cool song, too.)

 

Words

There was a recent article in PinkNews about a 54 y/o man (presumably from the UK) who was banned from Facebook after commenting on a food-related post and photo of the British culinary, er, phenomenon known as "faggots".  He simply said that he likes the dish, but the real crime is that he used that word when he did.  

It gets better.  

The 68 y/o woman who initially posted the photo of the food dish was blocked from Facebook for 12 hours.  Reportedly, there was a "Free Eileen" campaign.

Shake my head.

I understand the cringeworthy word above is definitely a wrong one to use most of the time. The Facebook seems to think no one should ever use the word, and they're willing to punish anyone who does.

In case you didn't already know, I am gay and a geek.  I have had more than a fair share of mean-spirited labels tossed my way.  But I disagree with Facebook on this. 

I disagree because the word in question has a few siblings (homonyms) that are so completely different in meaning that they couldn't possibly be disparaging.  "Faggot" is not, like the N-word, a lexeme that originated as a derogatory term.  Usage of the latter word was begun many centuries ago, and today it ranks deservedly as what Dictionary.com describes "probably the most offensive word in the English language".  (If its usage was not begun in a sadistic context, then it quickly slipped down the slope from inappropriate to hatefully offensive.)  

What are these homonyms?  

Collins (published in the UK) defines faggot in two ways:  1) a bundle of anything, but especially kindling, iron bars or balls of chopped meat with herbs; and, 2) a male homosexual.  What Mr Wilkes was referring to with the comment that got him banned from Facebook was not his love of sticks or of men, but of those fried balls of minced offal that most of us would rather not think about in a mealtime context.

When I was studying and working as a professional tenor, I sang quite a lot of works by Benjamin Britten. One of my favorite pieces to rehearse and perform was his canticle Abraham & Isaac.  This is the biblical tale in which Abraham is requested by God to sacrifice his favorite son, Isaac.  In the story, Abraham agrees to the request.  He collects Isaac and takes him, along with a sword and fire-making items, to the top of a mountain on a "hunting trip".  Odiously, Abraham not only lies to his son, but he also asks him to carry the wood that will soon be his own pyre.  In Britten's setting of the tale, when they reach the desired spot, Abraham says to Isaac, "Lay down thy faggot, my own son dear", reveals the true reason for the expedition and readies the boy for slaughter.  Hard stuff, indeed.  That's the drama of it.

At first, it was odd to sing the word, but after researching the term, I accepted the definition and overcame the urge to be ridiculously hypersensitive.  The really tough stuff came with playing the role of Abraham.  (A duet for alto, tenor and piano, Britten's canticle is not a staged work, but it is some of the most dramatic music writing that exists.  Have a listen and see for yourself.)  It was all I could do to keep emotions from interfering with me vocally.  The theatre of the work most assuredly eclipsed any worry over what the listeners might think by me singing this F-word.

I believe that Ms Perrin and Mr Wilkes were unjustly penalized by Facebook.  They were talking about food, and from what I gather, they weren't even engaging in the tired game of innuendo.  This action by the social media giant only served to bolster the argument that political correctness is on its head.  It also devalues the true need for harsh action whenever hate speech does occur. 

Pepper Spraying Cop Meme

I'm not sure who originally created the Seurat-Pike parody, but in the spirit of the meme, I built upon it to come up with my own contribution. (click to enlarge)

Feeling Better All the Time

After chastising myself thoroughly for yesterday's glum post, I just want to say:

--------------------

And because it's only mostly about partying, let's keep in mind that there are some serious issues at stake these days. 

Recently, the NSW Legislative Council held a public inquiry into the notion of revising the state adoption laws to allow adoption of children by same-sex partners.  I forwarded my public submission to them.  Unfortunately, if the list of public submissions is any reflection on the public hearings, the right-wing (mostly "Christian") groups received the most attention.  I hope not.  We won't know the outcome until April.

Tomorrow (5 March), the California Supreme Court will begin hearing oral arguments on the validity of Proposition 8.  Please send your positive energies in that direction, no matter where you are.  This is a nasty, demeaning piece of legislation that most assuredly will not stand the test of time.  In fact, I think its time is already up.  The Court's decision should be handed down by early June.  Appendages crossed...

And now...party on, my friends!

Another Week

• Been flat out. 
• No time to blog. 
• Even less time to breathe.

I've moved out of my office to allow our dear friend to move in and share our townhouse with us.  She'll use the office as her room.  I didn't realize how many things were in still in there, considering I had packed it all up when I last went to the U.S. 

Mardi Gras week is in full swing.  House of Blackstar on Saturday was fantastic.  Serious fun.  Brown Shuga shook her moneymaker.  Peppermint stole the show.  The Ones were also amazing. 

There's another big party tonight.  I'm pretty tired after all the moving yesterday.  I hope I hold up...or someone holds me up.

I look at the headlines today and see that Victoria continues to burn, cricket players and their supporters were massacred in another land, Israel won't allow the suffering people in Gaza to rebuild, and sharks keep eating people in the waters all around Sydney.  I wish I could go back to bed.

Duh, anyone know the zipcode for Taiwan?

"Um, no Quincy.  If you weren't so busy bidding for Jessica Simpson's panties on eBay, you might have realized we said HELICOPTER BATTERIES, you stupid flog!"

Winds of Change for an Aching Land?

Can you imagine:

• having had the same bullying head of government since 1980?
• working for said political leader, who dines in unsubtle opulence, while you can barely afford a single meal a day?
• forking over $10 billion for a cup of milk?
• being forced to suffer a life-threatening illness, because hospitals cannot afford anesthesia?
• alternatively, having the surgery without it?
• watching the majority of people around you, including your children, die of HIV-related disease, easily cured illnesses, or starvation?

As the Gray Lady reports, the former Republic of Rhodesia is slated to hold elections in a few weeks. 

As Barry Bearak writes, "Robert G. Mugabe has run this country for so long that his presence is like some common particulate in the air, taken in with every breath."  (Man, I love the Times.)

Whether Mugabe finally loses his office in Zimbabwe will probably be determined by a fair election process (yeah, right), a coup (improbable) or luck (likely).  It's frustrating to read about the situation, and not just because I'd really like to see Victoria Falls someday, but primarily because there is little anyone can do. 

So while we in the U.S. (virtually or otherwise) bury our heads in the current battles leading up to the November election, some fellow humans across the globe are simply trying to deal with and turn around a suppurative crisis that has been festering for half a century.  It's probably worth lifting our faces now and again to keep such things in mind.

And the Ernie goes to...

I love Australia for many reasons.  Now there's one more: The Ernie Awards. 

These trenchant accolades are bestowed upon those men, women or organizations who are voted as having uttered the year's most sexist remark on public record. 

This year the Golden Ernie goes to Liberal senator Bill Heffernan for accusing Julia Gillard of being "deliberately barren," and therefore unsuitable for political office as she is out of touch with the reality of everyday life.

My favorite runner-up (simply because it is so reprehensible) is former celebrity chaffeur, Gordon Wood, who upon identifying his girlfriend's body at the morgue, asked the attendant if he could have a quick look at her tits. 

God, the world is full of horrible people.

Full story here.

Hero du jour

I watched an episode of Heroes with Mark last night and, as usual, found it mildly entertaining.

I think most of us feel an underlying craving to have a supernatural power.  For example, whenever I'm driving in this pathetic Sydney traffic, I always reach a point where I wish I could fly.  I'd leave the car stopped at the traffic light, nut-to-butt with whomever is tailgating me, lift my arms over my head and proudly...but very slowly so all could see...shoot upward through the sunroof of our Subaru.  Hovering for a moment, I would look down upon the high-visibility-color Falcon ute that had been riding my ass for blocks and grin masterfully at its slack-jawed driver.  Then I'd unleash my true power.  I'd plant that golden seed of self-doubt and poor self-confidence in his brain.  And it would grow.  Oh, yes, it would grow like kudzu.

But that would be mean.

This morning I was pondering what makes someone a real hero.  Then I stumbled upon the following and I realized that heroes, like Mr. Albert Snyder, are all around us.

A lawyer for the Rev. Fred Phelps says that Phelps will appeal the nearly $11 million verdict awarded to the father of a dead marine whose funeral was picketed by fundamentalists who claim the war in Iraq is a punishment for the nation's tolerance of homosexuality.

Albert Snyder of York, Pa., sued the Westboro Baptist Church, of Topeka, Kansas for unspecified damages after members demonstrated at the March 2006 funeral of his son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, who was killed in Iraq.

Appearing on NBC's "Today" show Thursday, Sndyer said that while his son was fighting for freedom for Iraqis, "my son did not fight for hate speech.

"And that's basically what it is," he said of the church's protest. "Everybody's under the impression that the First Amendment gives them the right to do anything, say anything any where, any time. And along with the First Amendment also comes responsibility." Read the full story...

It's no secret to those who know me that I'm not a fan of war, and particularly this one, but that's not what this is about.  It is about a man standing up and speaking out against a very personal affront, but also against something he knows is intrinsically wrong, disgraceful and, to paraphrase his words, irresponsible.  He's my hero today.

Now where's my cape?  I'm sure they still have a phonebooth or two in Topeka.

A little spill

Mark and I have been considering my returning to the States.  I cannot find work in my field here, and it is getting distressing.  But just as soon as I think that might be justified, I run across something like this:

Heroine attacks Pentagon for Rambo lies

and I wonder why I would ever want to go back. 

I have lived in four countries now, and none has been free of frustrations.  Australia has its issues, but they often pale in comparison (but not weightiness) to this ugly situation we Americans face regarding the War of Western Aggression.  And few countries have escaped being affected.  Living as an American in other countries has taught me that the legacy of which many of our ancestors used to be so proud is now tarnished and disgraceful.  Is it really too simplistic to ask that we all lead our lives in a way that cherishes our friends, respects our neighbors, and allows for the individual and communal pursuit of a rich and dignified life?  Human nature might contradict that, but it shouldn't be given the chance to supplant it with hatred and intolerance.  Then again, I'm a cock-eyed idealist.  Ask anyone who knows me.  There's probably little place for that in this world, too.