no subject

[taimatsu]

I have just discovered the journals of a number of really interesting people, and have consequently realised that my own journal, far from containing noteworthy snippets and indicating that I have any opinions, ideas, or pastimes worth reading about, has degenerated into a morass of moping, whining, lunatic bouncing, and unremarkable ramblings about mon train-train quotidien. Now I see I'm going to lean too far the other way, because that was stupendously pretentious. I have always liked that phrase, though - it just clicks, somehow. I don't get to use it enough.

Anyhow, I thought, to rectify this situation somewhat, I'd suggest to you all that you ask me about the following subjects if you find them interesting; this might prompt me to write about them in reply, and fill my journal with something other than drivel.

Topics: bisexuality in general, as relating to the homosexual/heterosexual dichotomy, as relating to poly-/monoamory; sexuality and the Church, closely allied to sexuality and the Christian faith (since these are not the same thing), and, specifically, non-straight sexuality and the Bible (I *will* get started on that workshop for Bicon, honest); my favourite books; the Reformation; arguments for the existence of God (which I insert here because I ought to refresh my memory about them if I want to study any theology ever again); papercrafts, including (but not limited to) origami, collage, and Chinese/Eastern European paper-cutting; role-playing, and its status (or not) as an escape from reality; the Oxford collegiate and tutorial system; post-Exilic Israelite literature, particularly the mythic origins of the seamonsters mentioned in the book of Daniel, and the obsessions of my tutor therewith - also, the book of Ruth and its wonder-full-ness; degrees, and the failing to complete thereof; music, classical, modern, and self-composed; art, which it would be nice if someone prodded me to think about; marriage, and why I won't ever be married (there was going to be more of this clause, but the slightly sickening realisation that the rest of it was irrelevant has just sprung upon me), probably; and, back to beliefs, God, and what I think about (pronoun).

More, obviously - feel free to prod me about anything on my interests list. I simply realised that this journal is not the honest reflection of my self my old paper diary used to be, and I have neglected that for this; so I'm missing the gritty self-exposition. Not a good thing.

Comments

[borusa.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Interesting. I'm not qualified to talk about the religious stuff, but on the earlier stuff...

It does occasionally feel very much like Bi people are outsiders - outside of both heterosexual and homosexual cultures. You use the word "dichotomy" and that's often what it seems to be (to me, anyway). A case of falling between two stools.

[taimatsu]

One concept of which I am currently much enamoured, which illustrates this problem, is that of 'bi visibility'. You see, if I walk down the street holding hands with a woman, people will assume I'm lesbian. If I hold hands with a man, they'll assume I'm straight. If I wear a big purple-blue-indigo bi badge with flashing lights and streamers, they'll think I'm... really weird :) No, but, well, you see what I mean. There are two possible signs in BSL for 'bisexual, bisexuality' - one of them is to hold the hand out in front of you and wiggle your two first fingers; the other, older one is to make the sign for 'straight, true' (the side of one flat hand horizontal across the outstretched palm of the other) and wiggle the vertical hand - implication 'waverer'. It's the whole fence-sitting thing.

The bi community can face prejudice from two sides - from gay people for being too straight, and from straight people for being too gay. Of course, large numbers of both communities are very accepting, but the problem still exists. I myself haven't been to university LGB events since I started going out with my ex-boyfriend two years ago on Saturday (eeep! only just remembered that!), because I felt uncomfortable.

I am still trying to work out how I can hold onto the bits of me which do things like liking girls, dressing up in drag, being slightly butch and chivalrous, being genial and jovial and confident and happy, while still being involved with a male person in an exclusive relationship. That other side of me comes out specifically in relation to women, which makes keeping it alive difficult.

There is a fledgling bi community in the UK, and it's worth checking out if anyone reading this is interested. Has its faults, but there are nice people around. Bi Community News is probably the place to start (edited by the fabulous and formidable softfruit).

More ramblings at some point :

The important issues and the meaning of life

[(Anonymous)]

Are you coming on Wednesday, and do you have a spare Velcro 'R'. If you are and have, could you bring me one, if you aren't and do, is there a way I could get one, if you don't, and aren't, why do I only have one? If you are and don't, see you there. Also why is your phone switched off.

I still have no LJ, so have no need to agonize over its contents.

jdcxxx

Re: The important issues and the meaning of life

[taimatsu]

I think I am supposed to be triple-booked or something for Wednesday, but I can't remember what with. I might manage to turn up for the pub bit, but not for the real party bit because 10pm is when I should go to bed, not when I start boogieing on down. I can give you an R as a mini-birthday-present - I bought a new packet of letters recently. If you want some, pop into Next To Nothing in the Covered Market. You have only one because you are a muppet and probably got your letters mixed up with mine at some stage; either that or you have lost them. If you call me and remind me, I will try to come and see you at the pub, with an R. What are you writing on your t-shirt, and shall I wear an annoyingly matching one with a rude message on it? :) Oh, and my phone is switched off a) because I'm at work, and b) because I'm avoiding my mother.

Re: The important issues and the meaning of life

[(Anonymous)]

> If you want some, pop into Next To Nothing
> in the Covered Market

Might have to do that now I have Wednesday off.

> I might manage to turn up for the pub bit,
> but not for the real party bit because 10pm
> is when I should go to bed, not when I start
> boogieing on down

This is hopeless. I regularly go to bed at around 1-2am these days, and it hasn't made me late for work yet. It may have destroyed my physical and mental health, but hey, while I'm young...

> What are you writing on your t-shirt,

My intention is 'surrexit', with optional alleluia.

> and shall I wear an annoyingly matching one
> with a rude message on it?

If you're only coming to the pub I doubt there'll be enough people to appreciate it.

> I'm avoiding my mother.

Again?

jdcxxx

[aardnebby.livejournal.com]

Hmm, reading thru your interests, was hentai deliberately ommitted? I should probably do my interests at some point...

Anime streetfighter with school uniforms! (And no Rob, no tentacles.)

[taimatsu]

No, not delibreately omitted. It's not an interest I pursue with lots of energy, though... Really. Stop looking at me like that! *twitch*

[aardnebby.livejournal.com]

*grins* Yes Lucy :)

Ack, remembered you dont use PC... do you have a PC DOS emulator? I know some cool abandonware places you may like.

[taimatsu]

No, I don't. I might be able to hunt for one though :) What have you got in mind?

[aardnebby.livejournal.com]

Just run a google search for abandonware anime, you get a fair few results, but may I recommend:

http://www.the-underdogs.org/

Lotsa games, and quite a few anime ones.

Steve

[damerell.livejournal.com]

Better leave that to Wednesday and me.

[ixwin.livejournal.com]

*waves*

Hello - have added you to my friends list, as I've noticed you popping up on a few of my friends' journals (yvesilena, fluffymark, and the_alchemist) and you look like an interesting person with a fair number of interests in common with me.

Hope you don't mind.

Regarding your suggested subjects, I've a particular interest in people's take on marriage given my recent entries (http://www.livejournal.com/talkread.bml?journal=ixwin&itemid=4557) on the subject, but would read postings on any or all of the above topics with interest.

*wanders off attempting to be mysterious*