Beginning of a Success Story...I hope

Today was a productive day. I got a great deal of stuff for school out of the way with mom. I have now paid all my fees and signed up for the "new student" orientation on the third, and I have all my books.

In the car, we had some long discussions about getting a job. We discussed how to make my resume look good. I feel much more confident about the possibility of getting my ass employed than I ever did before.

This afternoon, I was thinking about how I felt about this topic just a year ago. At about this time last year, my parents called me down to the living room to have a "talk" with me. About the fact that I've never had a job. About the fact that I was a dropout, even though I'd made plans by then to go back to school.

About the fact that I am a complete and utter failure, destined to be like my aunt Tanya, who lives with three dogs she couldn't even afford to buy, let alone care for. Who mooches money and steals cars and furniture from the rest of the family.

"You're going to be just like HER, a little spoiled brat!"

Yeah, I'm a big fucking failure all right. Can't do anything right, never could.

( Much self-pity ahead, be warned )

(no subject)

*cough*

Uh, all those (two) people with progeny666 on their friends list could remove it.

*cough*

Two.

Thinky Thoughts

Been reading:

A post on the f-word (fag), more to follow

and

fanelia's post on...um....well, just read it. Here.

That's all for now.

The F-Word

Okay, people, a public service announcement via Rob.

Ahem. Let's see if I can get this straight.

You should not use the word "fag" to describe yourself if you are not one. (Of course, you should also not use the word fag to describe anyone who does not identify as such, but if you're on my friends list, I think you know that.)

Why? Because...uh....

*checks notes*

Sorry, had four bottles of Corona. Because when you do, you are supporting the assumption that gay men are "such and such" - you are supporting a stereotype.

Quote:

liking decorating does not make you a fag.
liking to cook does not make you a fag.
being able to clean the house well or being a neat freak does not make you a fag.
liking flowers does not make you a fag.
being choosy about your clothes and the way you look does not make you a fag.
liking art or crafts does not make you a fag.
having a small dog that you dote on does not make you a fag.
being pierced or tattooed does not make you a fag.
liking glitter, raves, feather boas or drag does not make you a fag.
wearing jewelry does not make you a fag.
peeing standing up does not make you a fag.
being cruised by gay men does not make you a fag.
liking shopping does not make you a fag.
enjoying whatever more femme aspects you have does not make you fag.
being percieved as a fag does not make you a fag.
liking bdsm or kink does not make you a fag.

End-quote.

The only way you are a "fag" is if you are a man attracted to me, and you use that word to describe yourself to, "[reclaim] the word and those actions for yourself to try to leach the venom out of them in your own life."

You can't use the word fag to describe yourself until you have existed in that space and you know what it is like to carry that label and you have a reason to use it, to reclaim it, and um...

Um....well, when people hear other's use that word freely it contributes to societal expectations of what a gay man is, and that's hurtful, you see, and um...

Oh, FUCK IT!!!!!!

Dammit Rob, why did you have to make that a friends-only entry?

*sulks*

I give up. Maybe I'll try again later.

Belters

I'd like to also note that I think I have been spoiled by Barbara Streisand.

I realize that I am so used to her version of "Some Enchanted Evening" that I feel like Bernadette Peters just slaughters it. Of course, I think I'm just not very fond of Peters' plummy voice.

Does this mean I have no taste? What is the consensus on Peters, anyway? I'm quite concerned.

Exception to the rule: I love her doing "The Gentleman is a Dope."

Please note that I am NOT being a fag.