Showing posts with label rants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rants. Show all posts
12/14/13
THE ART OF COMMUNICATION, OR, NOT SO MUCH....
by Cynthia Rodriguez
We do not know how to communicate anymore. Communication has become a lost artform. It seems like people can't talk to each other unless it involves some kind of electronic gizmo, otherwise they are lost without it. This is a tragedy, and an epidemic, yet I don't think people realize that. When did this happen? Technology supposed to make us better. Better,smarter, faster. I think it's made us dumber, less intimate,and less personal. It made us worse. When smart phones become smarter than the people who use them, then Houston we have a problem. All these little thing-a-ma-jigs come with instruction manuals that are usual bigger than the products themselves. When did we let all these cell phones, and with their endless world of texting...."OMG", "LOL", "BRB", and laptops, and tablets, and blackberries, and and ipods, ipads, this pad, that pad, maxi-pad.....get between us, and real communication with the rest of the world? Like WTF?
Remember life before cellphones? We all survived without them for a LONG time. Remember public telephones? Even better, phone BOOTHS? Like the kind Clark Kent used to go into to turn into Superman. I really wish I would've had sex in one of those, just to say that I did, back in the day. But I digress. All you needed was a dime, then it went up to a quarter. And then there were phonecards for the long-distance. If you needed to make a call, you needed to find a phone. You had to work for that shit.
Remember writing letters? Penpals? Postcards? Letter writing is an art in itself. People hardly even mail out Christmas cards anymore. Electronic mail changed everything. E-mail, instant messenging, e-cards for all occasions, birthdays, and holidays. --- I used to write letters. Have penpals. Nothing like getting mail that's not junkmail or bills. I would buy pretty stationary just to write letters, or thank you notes, or just nice little notes for people in general. Or get a cool series of postcards to send to people. I always thought that was a nice gesture. Nothing like getting something handwritten. I even used to write to my favorite companies about products I used. Yes, I know. That part was sad.
I had a friend that joined the PeaceCorps for a couple years, and I wrote her a few long letters. It was quite the task. I had to literally go to the post office each time to get special postage for it to go to Africa. It was such a joy getting mail from another country. It was so exciting for me every time I went to pick up one of her letters. Something special about reading something sent to you from far away in someone's handwriting.
Speaking of the post office. I think there needs to be a little "Test the Post Office" happening again. (See Ray Johnson) I had started that from my art studio, but for some reason I had to put that art show on hiatus. I'll need to try that again. It basically involves mailing all kinds of everyday objects in the mail without packing, such as, getting one sneaker in the mail with a bunch of postage all over it.
I had a long time friend who was a master of letter writing. More than anyone I've ever known, or probably will ever know. Barba-Dell. Rest her soul. A master of communication, in every which way, in person, on the phone, in a letter or postcard, everything except electronically. The person I knew who was the best at communication never owned a computer, desktop, laptop, or any other little gadgets. I believe not even a cell phone, but a land line. Most people with every form of communicating with the rest of the world at their fingertips never even get close to that level of communication with other human beings. She didn't need any of those things, nor wanted them. She was very wise. I still have all the postcards she sent me. Years worth. She sent them to me all the time. She was known for that. She didn't need an excuse like visiting some foreign land to send a postcard. She lived about 5 minutes from me.
It's hard for me to imagine an entire generation being born and raised without knowing how to use the post office. Never having written a letter and mailed it out. Social media is great, if used wisely. And not used as the cure-all, end-all, alpha and omega of communication. No wonder people don't know how to talk to each other anymore. It's no mystery to me why there is always some kind of new social disorder popping up all the time. We have created a habitat that is creating anti-social creatures. A world where terms like "trolling" and "lurking" and "creeping" exists because people don't know how to talk to each other. Not that it doesn't have it's place in today's world but relationships can't be based on today's technology. Nothing can replace the feel of face to face communication. No computer screens, large or small to hide behind. It's a whole different world when you actually have to look each other in the eye, and speak to each other, like it was always meant to be.
2/3/12
Movie Review: "The Help"
"The Help"
Screenplay written, and Directed by Tate Taylor
Starring Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, and Bryce Dallas Howard
Movie review by Cynthia Rodriguez
This is the first time I can remember doing a book/movie review, and giving both FIVE stars. And it's very well deserved. As well deserved as the Oscar nominations it recieved this year, along with the SAG (Screen Actor's Guild) award for best cast in a film. I'm mucho happy it's being so recognized, and rightly so being that it was so beautifully made, and superbly acted. I believe it's a very important film that everyone should see. Very timely. Even in the year 2012. I pretty much love the movie, as much as I love the book. This is a rare occasion indeed.
Now I won't go into any type of synopsis because I've already done that. (See book review). I will, however indulge into some of the movie magic, and point out a couple things I failed to mention in the book review.
Now this movie is as close to the book as one can get. That is without turning it into a mini-series. It's already 2 1/2 hours long. But it's not the kind of long movie you couldn't watch over, and over again. It's not too "debbie downer", or anything that would stop me personally to a second helping of "The Help". It could've been. They did it just right. There was enough funny to balance out the heavy stuff.
The only, ONLY mini- complaint I have, (and it's very small), is the fact that they made Constanine's daughter black in the movie, when she was actually white in the book, which was really what all the fuss was about in that particular situation. It may not sound it, but being that racism is pretty much the theme here, it's kind of a big deal. Other than that, the movie was just...brilliant.
Now another note about the acting. I know it must have been difficult to pick just THREE from the movie to give Oscar nods. It was one of the times when the ENTIRE cast was just phenomenal. Jessica Chastain makes you fall in love with "Celia Foote", as well as her husband, Johnny. Not that I didn't in the book, but with the book I found myself feeling more sorry for her, but in the film I noticed I cheered for her more. Celia ultimately proves that her "white trash" self ends up having more class than Hilly or any of those snooty bitches she calls "friends". So Jessica definitely earned that nomination. Another one totally worth mentioning is Sissy Spacek, who was quite the leading lady herself back in the day, makes a wonderful "Ms. Walters", especially when she pokes fun at her evil daughter "Hilly". Speaking of Hilly, she's the type of character you just want to punch in the neck, and Bryce does an awesome job of you really hating her. Now's THAT'S acting. I think anytime I see her do anything else, I'll be like, "What a BITCH."
What's my favorite scene? The pie scene, of course! I must have seen that clip about a dozen times already. It just never gets old. The faces on all three characters during that scene is just absolutely priceless.
On the DVD I watched, unfortunetly there were not many special features at all, which was a bit disappointing being I'm such a special features freak. I can sit there (and I have) for endless hours with that, LONG after I've watched the film. Except for a couple of deleted scenes, and a lovely music video by Mary J. Blige, that was about it.
The other very touching part of the film, (as well as the book) is when they somewhat re-create very sad, and tragic, real life history event moments such as when activist Medgar Evans was shot, and killed in his driveway in front of his family (see "Ghosts Of Missippi" movie), and when Kennedy was killed. It all ties in with the hard life, and times of the people stuck in the middle of it all.
This movie is not only entertaining, but a history lesson we should all never forget, and a testamant to what the human spirit can accomplish when it's ready to make a change.
Screenplay written, and Directed by Tate Taylor
Starring Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, and Bryce Dallas Howard
Movie review by Cynthia Rodriguez
This is the first time I can remember doing a book/movie review, and giving both FIVE stars. And it's very well deserved. As well deserved as the Oscar nominations it recieved this year, along with the SAG (Screen Actor's Guild) award for best cast in a film. I'm mucho happy it's being so recognized, and rightly so being that it was so beautifully made, and superbly acted. I believe it's a very important film that everyone should see. Very timely. Even in the year 2012. I pretty much love the movie, as much as I love the book. This is a rare occasion indeed.
Now I won't go into any type of synopsis because I've already done that. (See book review). I will, however indulge into some of the movie magic, and point out a couple things I failed to mention in the book review.
Now this movie is as close to the book as one can get. That is without turning it into a mini-series. It's already 2 1/2 hours long. But it's not the kind of long movie you couldn't watch over, and over again. It's not too "debbie downer", or anything that would stop me personally to a second helping of "The Help". It could've been. They did it just right. There was enough funny to balance out the heavy stuff.
The only, ONLY mini- complaint I have, (and it's very small), is the fact that they made Constanine's daughter black in the movie, when she was actually white in the book, which was really what all the fuss was about in that particular situation. It may not sound it, but being that racism is pretty much the theme here, it's kind of a big deal. Other than that, the movie was just...brilliant.
Now another note about the acting. I know it must have been difficult to pick just THREE from the movie to give Oscar nods. It was one of the times when the ENTIRE cast was just phenomenal. Jessica Chastain makes you fall in love with "Celia Foote", as well as her husband, Johnny. Not that I didn't in the book, but with the book I found myself feeling more sorry for her, but in the film I noticed I cheered for her more. Celia ultimately proves that her "white trash" self ends up having more class than Hilly or any of those snooty bitches she calls "friends". So Jessica definitely earned that nomination. Another one totally worth mentioning is Sissy Spacek, who was quite the leading lady herself back in the day, makes a wonderful "Ms. Walters", especially when she pokes fun at her evil daughter "Hilly". Speaking of Hilly, she's the type of character you just want to punch in the neck, and Bryce does an awesome job of you really hating her. Now's THAT'S acting. I think anytime I see her do anything else, I'll be like, "What a BITCH."
What's my favorite scene? The pie scene, of course! I must have seen that clip about a dozen times already. It just never gets old. The faces on all three characters during that scene is just absolutely priceless.
On the DVD I watched, unfortunetly there were not many special features at all, which was a bit disappointing being I'm such a special features freak. I can sit there (and I have) for endless hours with that, LONG after I've watched the film. Except for a couple of deleted scenes, and a lovely music video by Mary J. Blige, that was about it.
The other very touching part of the film, (as well as the book) is when they somewhat re-create very sad, and tragic, real life history event moments such as when activist Medgar Evans was shot, and killed in his driveway in front of his family (see "Ghosts Of Missippi" movie), and when Kennedy was killed. It all ties in with the hard life, and times of the people stuck in the middle of it all.
This movie is not only entertaining, but a history lesson we should all never forget, and a testamant to what the human spirit can accomplish when it's ready to make a change.
Book Review: "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett
"The Help"
by Kathryn Stockett
book review
by Cynthia Rodriguez
I want to begin by saying this is one of the BEST books I have ever read in my life. AMAZING. A true classic. It's definitely on my top ten list of must-read. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. That doesn't happen too often.
That being said, I think there are many lessons to be learned from this book. I would recommend it to anyone, especially to people down South, where the story is based on.
Apparently, this was one of those beginner's luck, first timer's big hit situations, for Kathryn Stockett, novice novelist. Lucky biotch.
It's a story of this white lady in the South in the 60's, "Skeeter", an aspiring writer, who is sympathetic to the black maids in the area at the time, and decides to write a book about what their lives are like being black maids in the South working for white families, in the 1960's, with a little help from her "co-writer" "Aibileen" (one of the maids) and Aibie's BFF (another maid) "Minny". Not only because she thinks it would give her a shot at being a big time writer, but because she believes it would make an impact on society, help "change things".
Not hard to figure out the main theme of the book: racism. Personally, I cannot believe all this really occured, or I should say I wish it didn't. Now the book itself may or may not be based on a true story, but it doesn't matter, we all know things like this really happened back then, and unfortunetly some of it still does. And this wasn't that long ago. Been about fifty years. When I was born, it had only been not even a decade that segregation was going on, and there were actually public signs up throughout the country talkin' about "white fountain/colored fountain", "colored bathroom", etc. What a disgrace. Slavery didn't end when honest ol' Abe said so. It too MANY years after that for it to truly be over.
You know what truly, absolutely kills me about all this mess? It's the fact that these people, these maids were apparently good enough to raise these white people's own children, holding them, feeding them, change their diapers, (these kids LOVED them), but they weren't good enough to share a BATHROOM with. How retarded is that? It makes NO sense.
If you read the book, after the ending you can see the author's own personal story about her growing up with "The Help". About her own experience being raised by a black maid in her family called "Too Little, Too Late". You can tell she IS "Skeeter". So again, even if it's not a true story, it comes pretty damn close.
Now let's talk about the South for a minute. No, I'm not gonna be one of those "damn yankees" as they call us, and do any kind of south bashing. That's not the point of this paragraph. I have visited the southern part of the Mason-Dixon line a number of times (I'm not including Florida, because I don't really consider them "The South"), and honestly, most of what I saw was very charming. It's true what they say about southern hospitality. Whether some of them are faking it or not, it's still quite lovely, especially compared to the North Eastern's rudeness that makes us, (especially New Yorkers) so popular. I remember many moons ago, when I went to visit a then girlfriend in Birmingham commenting on their cityscape after she picked me up at the bus stop: "Wow, you guys have big buildings!", she responded with, "Yeah, how 'bout that? We also have electricity, and running water!" This slightly awkward moment proved to me us Northerner's sometime sense of superiority amongst our Southern neighbors can be a little obnoxious to some. I went into this little vacay at the time thinking I may never come back to my family because I'd be lynched on some back road by toothless, redneck, hooligans in their beat up pick-up truck, and would drag me kicking and screaming to the nearest Magnolia tree to string me up for being the only Puertorican in Alabama. Of course she DID warn me that there were SOME parts of the state that were still like that, and of course we steered clear of those parts. However to this day, I still can't help feeling some kind of disdain for people who drive around with either a Dixie license plate or Dixie flag. Especially when they live up North, as in PENNSYLVANIA. I think to myself, "HELLO? What do you even KNOW about all that? Is it because you think it looked cute on the "General Lee" car in the "Dukes Of Hazzard"?? And to those in the South still going on about the whole, "THE SOUTH WILL RISE AGAIN", I say PUH-LEEZE, build yourself a bridge, and GET OVER IT ALREADY. That was a LONG time ago, the civil war. You'se guys LOST. (Yes, I'm using the N.Y accent and grammar that annoys some of you so much.) Time to move on.
I guess some things never change, though. And some people never change. Perfect example: the KKK, and all their little modern day neo-nazi, skinhead groups, wanna-be 3rd Reichs. Hi there. Would you like to join us in the 21st century? I mean, seriously, get over yourselves with your God complex. And speaking of that, the villain in the book, "Hilly" is pretty much the epitome of evil, in all of the above in this paragraph. Except she's wrapped up in a pretty, little debutante, society girl package with her bridge club games, and benefit parties as fundraisers for the "Starving Children of Africa" which everyone knows she doesn't really give a shit about.
And back then, even MORE so than now, the politics were real crooked, and the politicians were OPENLY racist. Mayors, and Governors saying we were better off segregated. "Equal, but separate" they said. What a crock o' shit.
Now moving on to my favorite character in the book. "Minny". I LOVE Minny. I mean, I absolutely ADORE her, and I want her to be my new BFF. Now she's the one in the book that don't take no shit from NOBODY. It's also why she always gets into some kind of trouble. Especially, in that town, at that time, her mouth is a danger to herself, and those around her. You gotta admire her spirit though, and her courage, especially when she ends up doing something in particular to protect not necessarily herself, but those she loves.
That brings me to the other heroine in the story, "Aibileen", the one who ends up bringing all the other maids, including Minny, to Skeeter that she needs to write her book. She's not exactly the rabble rouser like Minny but is very strong woman, with also a great spirit, who is quietly courageous. Aibie has a long time habit of making "prayer lists" in helping people in her circle by including them in her nightly prayers which she writes down, instead of just memorizing. Myself, not being necessarily religious, but spiritual, found this to be a great idea, which I will start implementing in my own life. Thank you Aibie.
And finally, getting back to our author, Ms. Stockett has graciously included a "reading guide" with questions in the back of the book made for book clubs. I always find those entertaining. At my book club, "Book Slut Club", we always like to read out loud, and kind of make fun of those reading guides. I don't have anything against them. They are good to have. However, I believe that after reading a book like this, if you don't have a clue what to talk about, you probably shouldn't be reading it in the first place.
by Kathryn Stockett
book review
by Cynthia Rodriguez
I want to begin by saying this is one of the BEST books I have ever read in my life. AMAZING. A true classic. It's definitely on my top ten list of must-read. Once I started, I couldn't put it down. That doesn't happen too often.
That being said, I think there are many lessons to be learned from this book. I would recommend it to anyone, especially to people down South, where the story is based on.
Apparently, this was one of those beginner's luck, first timer's big hit situations, for Kathryn Stockett, novice novelist. Lucky biotch.
It's a story of this white lady in the South in the 60's, "Skeeter", an aspiring writer, who is sympathetic to the black maids in the area at the time, and decides to write a book about what their lives are like being black maids in the South working for white families, in the 1960's, with a little help from her "co-writer" "Aibileen" (one of the maids) and Aibie's BFF (another maid) "Minny". Not only because she thinks it would give her a shot at being a big time writer, but because she believes it would make an impact on society, help "change things".
Not hard to figure out the main theme of the book: racism. Personally, I cannot believe all this really occured, or I should say I wish it didn't. Now the book itself may or may not be based on a true story, but it doesn't matter, we all know things like this really happened back then, and unfortunetly some of it still does. And this wasn't that long ago. Been about fifty years. When I was born, it had only been not even a decade that segregation was going on, and there were actually public signs up throughout the country talkin' about "white fountain/colored fountain", "colored bathroom", etc. What a disgrace. Slavery didn't end when honest ol' Abe said so. It too MANY years after that for it to truly be over.
You know what truly, absolutely kills me about all this mess? It's the fact that these people, these maids were apparently good enough to raise these white people's own children, holding them, feeding them, change their diapers, (these kids LOVED them), but they weren't good enough to share a BATHROOM with. How retarded is that? It makes NO sense.
If you read the book, after the ending you can see the author's own personal story about her growing up with "The Help". About her own experience being raised by a black maid in her family called "Too Little, Too Late". You can tell she IS "Skeeter". So again, even if it's not a true story, it comes pretty damn close.
Now let's talk about the South for a minute. No, I'm not gonna be one of those "damn yankees" as they call us, and do any kind of south bashing. That's not the point of this paragraph. I have visited the southern part of the Mason-Dixon line a number of times (I'm not including Florida, because I don't really consider them "The South"), and honestly, most of what I saw was very charming. It's true what they say about southern hospitality. Whether some of them are faking it or not, it's still quite lovely, especially compared to the North Eastern's rudeness that makes us, (especially New Yorkers) so popular. I remember many moons ago, when I went to visit a then girlfriend in Birmingham commenting on their cityscape after she picked me up at the bus stop: "Wow, you guys have big buildings!", she responded with, "Yeah, how 'bout that? We also have electricity, and running water!" This slightly awkward moment proved to me us Northerner's sometime sense of superiority amongst our Southern neighbors can be a little obnoxious to some. I went into this little vacay at the time thinking I may never come back to my family because I'd be lynched on some back road by toothless, redneck, hooligans in their beat up pick-up truck, and would drag me kicking and screaming to the nearest Magnolia tree to string me up for being the only Puertorican in Alabama. Of course she DID warn me that there were SOME parts of the state that were still like that, and of course we steered clear of those parts. However to this day, I still can't help feeling some kind of disdain for people who drive around with either a Dixie license plate or Dixie flag. Especially when they live up North, as in PENNSYLVANIA. I think to myself, "HELLO? What do you even KNOW about all that? Is it because you think it looked cute on the "General Lee" car in the "Dukes Of Hazzard"?? And to those in the South still going on about the whole, "THE SOUTH WILL RISE AGAIN", I say PUH-LEEZE, build yourself a bridge, and GET OVER IT ALREADY. That was a LONG time ago, the civil war. You'se guys LOST. (Yes, I'm using the N.Y accent and grammar that annoys some of you so much.) Time to move on.
I guess some things never change, though. And some people never change. Perfect example: the KKK, and all their little modern day neo-nazi, skinhead groups, wanna-be 3rd Reichs. Hi there. Would you like to join us in the 21st century? I mean, seriously, get over yourselves with your God complex. And speaking of that, the villain in the book, "Hilly" is pretty much the epitome of evil, in all of the above in this paragraph. Except she's wrapped up in a pretty, little debutante, society girl package with her bridge club games, and benefit parties as fundraisers for the "Starving Children of Africa" which everyone knows she doesn't really give a shit about.
And back then, even MORE so than now, the politics were real crooked, and the politicians were OPENLY racist. Mayors, and Governors saying we were better off segregated. "Equal, but separate" they said. What a crock o' shit.
Now moving on to my favorite character in the book. "Minny". I LOVE Minny. I mean, I absolutely ADORE her, and I want her to be my new BFF. Now she's the one in the book that don't take no shit from NOBODY. It's also why she always gets into some kind of trouble. Especially, in that town, at that time, her mouth is a danger to herself, and those around her. You gotta admire her spirit though, and her courage, especially when she ends up doing something in particular to protect not necessarily herself, but those she loves.
That brings me to the other heroine in the story, "Aibileen", the one who ends up bringing all the other maids, including Minny, to Skeeter that she needs to write her book. She's not exactly the rabble rouser like Minny but is very strong woman, with also a great spirit, who is quietly courageous. Aibie has a long time habit of making "prayer lists" in helping people in her circle by including them in her nightly prayers which she writes down, instead of just memorizing. Myself, not being necessarily religious, but spiritual, found this to be a great idea, which I will start implementing in my own life. Thank you Aibie.
And finally, getting back to our author, Ms. Stockett has graciously included a "reading guide" with questions in the back of the book made for book clubs. I always find those entertaining. At my book club, "Book Slut Club", we always like to read out loud, and kind of make fun of those reading guides. I don't have anything against them. They are good to have. However, I believe that after reading a book like this, if you don't have a clue what to talk about, you probably shouldn't be reading it in the first place.
7/2/11
Let's Play: Who Wants to Be a Lesbian?
by Cynthia Rodriguez
Do you dream of being a Lesbian? Does it keep you up at night? So, what's holding you back? Oh, that's right! You're a MAN! Sucks for you. Epic FAIL. ACCESS DENIED. Thank you for playing. Please try again.
But wait! Now, with the power of the magical world of the internet, you too, can be a LESBIAN! It's as easy as 1, 2, 3. Uno, dos, tres. Un, deux, TWAT. All you need to do is swipe your wife's driver's license, (or just about any unsuspecting female's identity), and start your own "lesbian" blog. You may want to prep first, and do your homework though. It's not enough to watch "Logo TV", and listen to the Indigo Girls. Make sure to browse some already existing popular Lesbian blogs, maybe even contribute to them for a while. THEN, and only then are you maybe ready to be a Lesbian jedi knight.
Okay, so this post may be about a couple weeks late since the scandal broke out, but I know I really needed to chime in with my 2 cent worth of ranting.
These days it looks like it's hip to be Lesbian. Yes, I said hip. I guess it's easy to be a virtual dyke, when you are really some middle-aged white guy whose married with children. You don't have to deal with the everyday real-life bullshit we do. None of the ignorance or harassment like the "Oh can I watch?" or "Can I join you?" You get to hide behind your cushy IKEA chair, and IPAD in your "man cave" while you're wife is cooking lemon garlic tilapia for dinner, completely unaware that all the while you are typing away, ranting about the complexities of issues like, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", and why Lesbians love Lindsey Lohan.
To know what I'm talking about please refer to the article written by our Chief Lesbiatopian Renee Gannon called "The Straight Man Who Claimed To Be Lesbian". Basically about some 58 year old dude named Bill Graber pretending to be a Lesbian (on-line)a.k.a "Paula Brooks" for about three years, and was one of the biggest "Lesbian" bloggers on the web. He was recently, finally OUTED, as a result of that caused a huge ruckus in the Lesbian community, and now as far as I know, is in hiding, where he belongs.
Luckily, I did not have much direct contact with this individual, or else it may have turned me off to write for Lesbiatopia, or ANY Lesbian blogs. I woulda been like, "Hell with this. Too much dyke-o-drama for me." I came in at the tail end of the whole fiasco back at the end of 2008, which is when I began blogging for the site. I did notice a lot of snarky little comments left behind on several posts by you know who and I thought to myself, "WTF? Who lit the fuse on her tampon?" I remember asking our chief Renee about it, like "What is up with that one?" Now realizing the "she", was really a HE, explains A LOT.
Now pretending to be something you're not on the internet is not an entirely new concept. It's quite common. Being able to hide behind the safety of a P.C goes way back. For the good, the bad, and the ugly, it goes with the territory.
I have a confession to make. I have had my OWN experience in this area. Back in my early to mid-twenties when I first discovered the crazy, and faceless world of chat rooms, I was hooked on phonics with that for a while. I found them fascinating. I was relatively new in my Lesbianism, and was looking for different ways to connect with people. This one particular one I resided in I found the people really great and easy to talk to. The only issue was that it wasn't necessarily a GAY chat room. What was funny is maybe because of the way I spoke but people automatically assumed I was a MALE, and as a result of that, I just let it go, and played up the part. It lasted maybe a few months or so, before I finally 'fessed up, because I started developing some real friendships on there which fortunetly lasted even after I revealed my identity. I even ended up afterwards, hooking up with one of the women I met on there. I was lucky I had pretty much a happy ending. No harm, no foul. I may even write a short play about it. Not to make excuses or justify any of it. Sure, I know it was wrong. I was young, and stupid. It was brief. I admitted it, AND I wasn't mean or cruel to anyone, or write them insulting, and harassing e-mails, and comments, etc, i.e "Paula Brooks". "She" was just a bitch. So, yeah, I would say there is a difference.
I suggest for any Lesbian sites a rigorous screening procedure that would make the TSA look soft. Extreme times call for extreme measures. First of all I'd keep the contributing writers on a close, "she's a friend of a friend" kind of basis, and not put it out on Craig's List or MySpace (if that still exists), that you need a book reviewer. Second, I don't think applications (asking for references), and questionnaires should be counted out. I'm thinking people that are for real, sincere, serious, and have nothing to hide (which I would like to assume if they are a blogger), wouldn't mind a little screen test. Sure blogging is fun, and may be just a hobby to some, but it's also like a job, a committment. I believe if these simple precautions are taken, much of this can be avoided.
Note to any Lesbian imposters in the future (which I'd bet there are plenty out there), if you're gonna do that, the least you can do is not be an asshole about it, then maybe you won't get BUSTED.
Do you dream of being a Lesbian? Does it keep you up at night? So, what's holding you back? Oh, that's right! You're a MAN! Sucks for you. Epic FAIL. ACCESS DENIED. Thank you for playing. Please try again.
Okay, so this post may be about a couple weeks late since the scandal broke out, but I know I really needed to chime in with my 2 cent worth of ranting.
These days it looks like it's hip to be Lesbian. Yes, I said hip. I guess it's easy to be a virtual dyke, when you are really some middle-aged white guy whose married with children. You don't have to deal with the everyday real-life bullshit we do. None of the ignorance or harassment like the "Oh can I watch?" or "Can I join you?" You get to hide behind your cushy IKEA chair, and IPAD in your "man cave" while you're wife is cooking lemon garlic tilapia for dinner, completely unaware that all the while you are typing away, ranting about the complexities of issues like, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell", and why Lesbians love Lindsey Lohan.
To know what I'm talking about please refer to the article written by our Chief Lesbiatopian Renee Gannon called "The Straight Man Who Claimed To Be Lesbian". Basically about some 58 year old dude named Bill Graber pretending to be a Lesbian (on-line)a.k.a "Paula Brooks" for about three years, and was one of the biggest "Lesbian" bloggers on the web. He was recently, finally OUTED, as a result of that caused a huge ruckus in the Lesbian community, and now as far as I know, is in hiding, where he belongs.
Luckily, I did not have much direct contact with this individual, or else it may have turned me off to write for Lesbiatopia, or ANY Lesbian blogs. I woulda been like, "Hell with this. Too much dyke-o-drama for me." I came in at the tail end of the whole fiasco back at the end of 2008, which is when I began blogging for the site. I did notice a lot of snarky little comments left behind on several posts by you know who and I thought to myself, "WTF? Who lit the fuse on her tampon?" I remember asking our chief Renee about it, like "What is up with that one?" Now realizing the "she", was really a HE, explains A LOT.
Now pretending to be something you're not on the internet is not an entirely new concept. It's quite common. Being able to hide behind the safety of a P.C goes way back. For the good, the bad, and the ugly, it goes with the territory.
I have a confession to make. I have had my OWN experience in this area. Back in my early to mid-twenties when I first discovered the crazy, and faceless world of chat rooms, I was hooked on phonics with that for a while. I found them fascinating. I was relatively new in my Lesbianism, and was looking for different ways to connect with people. This one particular one I resided in I found the people really great and easy to talk to. The only issue was that it wasn't necessarily a GAY chat room. What was funny is maybe because of the way I spoke but people automatically assumed I was a MALE, and as a result of that, I just let it go, and played up the part. It lasted maybe a few months or so, before I finally 'fessed up, because I started developing some real friendships on there which fortunetly lasted even after I revealed my identity. I even ended up afterwards, hooking up with one of the women I met on there. I was lucky I had pretty much a happy ending. No harm, no foul. I may even write a short play about it. Not to make excuses or justify any of it. Sure, I know it was wrong. I was young, and stupid. It was brief. I admitted it, AND I wasn't mean or cruel to anyone, or write them insulting, and harassing e-mails, and comments, etc, i.e "Paula Brooks". "She" was just a bitch. So, yeah, I would say there is a difference.
I suggest for any Lesbian sites a rigorous screening procedure that would make the TSA look soft. Extreme times call for extreme measures. First of all I'd keep the contributing writers on a close, "she's a friend of a friend" kind of basis, and not put it out on Craig's List or MySpace (if that still exists), that you need a book reviewer. Second, I don't think applications (asking for references), and questionnaires should be counted out. I'm thinking people that are for real, sincere, serious, and have nothing to hide (which I would like to assume if they are a blogger), wouldn't mind a little screen test. Sure blogging is fun, and may be just a hobby to some, but it's also like a job, a committment. I believe if these simple precautions are taken, much of this can be avoided.
Note to any Lesbian imposters in the future (which I'd bet there are plenty out there), if you're gonna do that, the least you can do is not be an asshole about it, then maybe you won't get BUSTED.
8/9/09
"Sins Of Our 'Fathers'"
"SINS OF OUR 'FATHERS'"
by Cynthia Rodriguez
It has been recently brought to my attention, quite a disturbing revelation that I never, truly realized the magnitude of it. The rest of the world pretty much hates us. In "us" I mean the U.S.A. Not that I really take it personally, being that a lot of what is said doesn't reflect on me on a personal level. Although I can understand where much of that comes from, nonetheless, it kind of bothers me a little bit.
Why is that? Well, in spite of some people joking around, calling me a Communist and such, (which, for the record, I am not. Not that there is anything wrong with that), I really DO love this country, at least the IDEA of it. The ideals of which is was built on, anyway. I don't like a lot of what we've become. Much of what we say and do as a whole, I think is wrong on many levels. Of course, I have my own opinions on all the issues we are currently dealing with. That is not the purpose of this rant, though.
The purpose of this is just to simply say to the REST of the world, which, surprise, surprise does not only consist of the United States, is: Please don't hate me. Contrary to popular belief, we are not ALL complete assholes. For example, we may have gotten all this whole outpouring of sympathy and support from all over when our 9-1-1 happened, but I also know there were plenty of people from all over who felt we got "what was coming to us". Even people from our own country, (not that they would ever admit any of this in public). I just think the whole thing is sad, all the way around.
I was finally made aware of all this from currently corresponding with a new friend from another country, just a little north from here. I don't think I've ever noticed how so consuming our own culture is to the rest of the world, our culture and habits (good and bad). I can also see we have developed quite of few, nasty, little stereotypes. I mean like, wow, some of them are pretty bad. How did all this happen? Why such a bad rep? How did our lovely "land of the free, home of the brave", and blah, blah, blah become known as the land of such shit heads to everyone else? I feel we are ALL to blame.
I know I cannot speak for everyone else but I really feel like we have become very self-centered, "Queen-Bee", and bully-like in thinking it's ALWAYS all about US. It is not. There ARE other places out there, and all other kinds of people and just because they are not just like us, doesn't make them any less human, or make US any better.
On the flip side of that I can't help but think, gimmee a break, there is NO country, government or people without flaws. Nobody's perfect. Everyone gets their own kind of "brainwashing" to a certain extent, and everyone is a product of their own environment, not just us United Staters, United Stateans, USA'ers, or whatever less pleasant terms of endearment people have for us. We shouldn't be so quick to judge others, when we can't even do that for ourselves. I think in some cases we may be more similiar to them, and vice versa than they'd like to be.
Another thing I've gotten out of all this is realizing how much I really SUCK at Geography. It's so bad, it's pretty shameful. I swear at my next book club I am so getting several maps, an atlas, and a new globe.
This is part of why I am an activist. I may not be the most worldy person, being that have not been to many places in my lifetime, but I feel like I deal with some pretty universal topics such as human rights, and homelessness & poverty. Trying to do my part to make my country a better place for all. I believe that is what being a true patriot is all about. I feel if we all do that, we may get a little better reputation with all our neighbors around the world.
Hmmm, on second thought, next time I try to date a woman from another country maybe I'll fake some accent and tell her I'm from some obscure, little country she's never heard of...
by Cynthia Rodriguez
It has been recently brought to my attention, quite a disturbing revelation that I never, truly realized the magnitude of it. The rest of the world pretty much hates us. In "us" I mean the U.S.A. Not that I really take it personally, being that a lot of what is said doesn't reflect on me on a personal level. Although I can understand where much of that comes from, nonetheless, it kind of bothers me a little bit.
Why is that? Well, in spite of some people joking around, calling me a Communist and such, (which, for the record, I am not. Not that there is anything wrong with that), I really DO love this country, at least the IDEA of it. The ideals of which is was built on, anyway. I don't like a lot of what we've become. Much of what we say and do as a whole, I think is wrong on many levels. Of course, I have my own opinions on all the issues we are currently dealing with. That is not the purpose of this rant, though.
The purpose of this is just to simply say to the REST of the world, which, surprise, surprise does not only consist of the United States, is: Please don't hate me. Contrary to popular belief, we are not ALL complete assholes. For example, we may have gotten all this whole outpouring of sympathy and support from all over when our 9-1-1 happened, but I also know there were plenty of people from all over who felt we got "what was coming to us". Even people from our own country, (not that they would ever admit any of this in public). I just think the whole thing is sad, all the way around.
I was finally made aware of all this from currently corresponding with a new friend from another country, just a little north from here. I don't think I've ever noticed how so consuming our own culture is to the rest of the world, our culture and habits (good and bad). I can also see we have developed quite of few, nasty, little stereotypes. I mean like, wow, some of them are pretty bad. How did all this happen? Why such a bad rep? How did our lovely "land of the free, home of the brave", and blah, blah, blah become known as the land of such shit heads to everyone else? I feel we are ALL to blame.
I know I cannot speak for everyone else but I really feel like we have become very self-centered, "Queen-Bee", and bully-like in thinking it's ALWAYS all about US. It is not. There ARE other places out there, and all other kinds of people and just because they are not just like us, doesn't make them any less human, or make US any better.
On the flip side of that I can't help but think, gimmee a break, there is NO country, government or people without flaws. Nobody's perfect. Everyone gets their own kind of "brainwashing" to a certain extent, and everyone is a product of their own environment, not just us United Staters, United Stateans, USA'ers, or whatever less pleasant terms of endearment people have for us. We shouldn't be so quick to judge others, when we can't even do that for ourselves. I think in some cases we may be more similiar to them, and vice versa than they'd like to be.
Another thing I've gotten out of all this is realizing how much I really SUCK at Geography. It's so bad, it's pretty shameful. I swear at my next book club I am so getting several maps, an atlas, and a new globe.
This is part of why I am an activist. I may not be the most worldy person, being that have not been to many places in my lifetime, but I feel like I deal with some pretty universal topics such as human rights, and homelessness & poverty. Trying to do my part to make my country a better place for all. I believe that is what being a true patriot is all about. I feel if we all do that, we may get a little better reputation with all our neighbors around the world.
Hmmm, on second thought, next time I try to date a woman from another country maybe I'll fake some accent and tell her I'm from some obscure, little country she's never heard of...
4/2/09
If OurChart is Dead...
.... than why the hell am I still getting emails from their site if it doesn't exist anymore??
Is this happening to anyone else or am I the only one? I get the following email, subject line "New private messages at OurChart", at least once a week:
Hi Renee Gannon, This is an automatic reminder from the site OurChart. You have received a new private message.
And when I click on the link I get this message:
Sorry, we couldn't find what you were looking for. This site is updated regularly and certain links may no longer work.
It's like an unending circle of torturous emails that promise everything and give nothing. It really messes with a girl's head. As if I don't have enough going on right now with a struggling economy, global warming and the constant pain of deciding who to vote for on American idol... it's really all too much for me to handle right now.
p.s. I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaack.
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