|
Sunday, December 27th, 2009
jonquil
|
12:02p
Oh, Hell, here we go again.
Another reputedly-Nigerian man has been taken forcibly off another Northwest Airlines Amsterdam-Detroit plane. Breaking news, things may be exaggerated or incorrect (remember that the first stories about the Christmas Day mess were "some idiot set off firecrackers on a plane". Whether it's completely true or not doesn't really matter, as far as consequences go.
The people who are enforcing American air-travel restrictions are petty tyrants who abuse their authority. The authority to which they report has an enormous database of "dangerous people" which, like the Hotel California,: once you get in, you can never, ever leave. Those people will use these genuine threats to tighten their grip over the American people. "What, don't like it? Feel free not to fly." The front-page story from the Times says "The government was vague about the steps it was taking, saying that it wanted the security experience to be 'unpredictable' and that passengers would not find the same measures at every airport -- a prospect that may upset airlines and travelers alike." In other words, in the name of our safety, we won't be told what is normal regulations; we can never protest a TSA employee abusing his authority, because we'll never know what that authority precisely is. The scattering X-ray machines that display your naked body will also, I suspect, speed through the regulatory process and become mandatory at all airlines.
I don't feel any safer.
Postscript, boosted from ![[personal profile]](http://s.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png) amadi in the comments: It's now confirmed that the man is simply a businessman who was having digestive problems and didn't feel that he could leave the lavatory. He became distressed when people banged on the door and then, it appears that the door was forced open which caused him to really become distressed.
This entry was originally posted at http://jonquil.dreamwidth.org/912483.html.  comment(s) on that entry.
|
(9 comments | comment on this)
jonquil
|
11:22a
Loot!
For Christmas my husband bought me the much-coveted Ecole Lesage Chez Vous, and he bought it directly from Lesage, which means it came with an extended back cover containing packets of beads, sequins, and paillettes. (I now know the difference between seeds and paillettes!) It's a book of embroidery projects, all executed (of course) by the geniuses at Lesage, which means my copies would be dreadful. It's okay; this is a book about technique, like the French Laundry Cookbook, and it's a pleasure to know how the trick is done.
A couple of years back I signed up for a course on tambour beading, which I had to cancel at the last minute because of migraine. (No, six hours of fine handwork is not a good idea under the circs.) I need to keep my eye out for another opportunity. Meanwhile, I am picking my way through in my limited and non-technical French. I was tickled to discover that scattering sequins, as opposed to sewing them on in a straight line, is called "à la puce" (flea-style).
This entry was originally posted at http://jonquil.dreamwidth.org/912235.html.  comment(s) on that entry.
current mood: covetous
|
(1 comment | comment on this) Saturday, December 26th, 2009
marlowe1
|
6:55p
Yeshiva Univesrity Event - "Being Gay in the Orthodox World" reaction
So after blogging about the YU event and saying too much about too many things, a friend tells me that he's read the blog and he's read a lot of blogs because he was googling this event and he wants to hear other perspectives. He was very moved and touched by the event (I almost said blown away but that sounds too much like a bad pun) and for those who were raised in sheltered frum life, it was a revalatory experience. So I should cut them a little slack.
Anyhow. I got to the event late. I had to push through people to get to the soft drinks. Then I had to push through people to get to the cookies. And then I had to push through people to get out becasue I was a little bored. On the stage were four guys who had all but one told their stories. Rabbi Blau was moderating the event. I only heard the last one who was a Republican who liked women just fine and then had to realize that he liked to hang out with women as if they were accessories. Similar to earrings. Or tacky belts. Depending. Ok I'm extapolating.
And after he graduated, he came out of the closet to himself and then to others. And he kept coming out to people on individual levels and coming out to the people who were the least likely to be accepting and they were all accepting. And he's still working in Finance and voting Republican.
There were some questions. Mostly along the lines of "what's it like being gay?" and Rabbi Blau was asked how he could run the event. Some words were given concerning halacha and how tehre are several halachic difficulties. Everyone clapped and cheered at their bravery. And some words were given to why there are Pride Parades (because not everyone looks good dancing with his shirt off?)
My reaction is still what it was before. I was bored. It also reminded me of being 17 and nominally non-homophobic but also uncomfortable around gay people. Like gay people should get rights and all that but it's an unfortunate condition like cancer or mullets that is best left undiscussed unless it's needed. That might be a Minnesota thing. Anyhow, that's how I felt when I was a teenager. And that seems to be the way a lot of people at the event felt and even something as safe and as blandly positive as this kind of event would pose a revelation to them. So good for them.
Ironically, I had just read the scene in The Saturday Wife where the main character's friends from Stern (or whatever she is calling Stern in the book) shows up at her Shabbos table with her non-Jewish girlfriend all excited with the invite and hoping for some Orthodox representation at her gay wedding. It was really a false note. I like this particular Naomi Ragen book but that scene was over the top. It did have the purpose of making the protagonist uncomfortable; however, it was patently false. The two characters were over the top for regular secular meals - and for an Orthodox Shabbos meal, completely ridiculous. At least the Shabbos meals I've been to with gay couples, there's a very restrained behavior. Not that they are in the closet but there's a very large gradation between in the closet and making out at the table. Naomi Ragen depicted her characters as the latter.
There was also my friend back in SLP who came out after I left. My reaction which was not conveyed to her was an "Are you sure?" because she's old enough to have been at Woodstock and one thinks that someone would come out a long long time before she did. But the interesting thing about that was that the MOdern Orthodox rabbi told her friends not to talk to her. The Agudah rabbi told her that she was welcome in shul because it was just one sin among many and if anyone had a problem with her being a lesbian and belonging to the shul then they should talk to him.
But that might be less to do with the movements and more to do with the character of the rabbis. I respect the agudah rabbi. I have no respect for the MO rabbi of SLP and neither did his congregation who finally gave up on firing him and finally just broke off and formed their own shul.
|
(5 comments | comment on this)
jonquil
|
10:25a
Just in case flying wasn't nasty enough
Yesterday we had what seems to have been a bona-fide terrorist attack on the plane. The current New York Times story -- it may change -- says that Air Canada says the following restrictions will soon be in force:
Air Canada said the Transportation Security Agency would make significant changes to the way passengers are able to move about on aircraft. During the final hour of flight, customers will have to remain seated, will not be allowed access to carry-on baggage and cannot have personal belongings or other items on their laps, according to a notice on Air Canada’s Web site.
Yup. An hour facing forward, no books, no laptops. I'm betting businessmen won't stand for that.
Note: I've scoured the Air Canada site and can't find the referenced notice myself. Here's the only notice I can find from December 26th..
This entry was originally posted at http://jonquil.dreamwidth.org/912046.html.  comment(s) on that entry.
|
(36 comments | comment on this)
(36 comments | comment on this) Friday, December 25th, 2009
jonquil
|
4:15p
Well, crap.
The day after I have a drink -- last night, for instance, two glasses of wine and half a shot of eau-de-vie -- I am exhausted and the word-finding problem becomes severe. I'm pretty sure it's alcohol interacting with the Lyrica.
One more thing to give up.
This entry was originally posted at http://jonquil.dreamwidth.org/911443.html.  comment(s) on that entry.
|
(4 comments | comment on this)
jonquil
|
2:37p
Advice I wasn't asked for
Dear Organist of King's College,
"A Festival of Nine Lessons And Carols" is both a performance and a church service. During the portions which the congregation is expected to sing, if they get out of time, you are doing it wrong. In this particular case, I think you were insisting on playing slower than the congregation considered optimal. Yes, this is a very annoying habit of congregations everywhere. However, when this happens, the bass pedals are your friend.
Dear Musical Director of "A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols",
When the congregation gets out of hand on the shared hymns, you probably should give up and speed it up a bit. You have total control of the choristers; of the congregation, not so much, and they outnumber you.
::awaits incoming fire from friends who are church musicians::
This entry was originally posted at http://jonquil.dreamwidth.org/911159.html.  comment(s) on that entry.
|
(13 comments | comment on this)
(comment on this)
(comment on this) Thursday, December 24th, 2009
thebratqueen
|
10:56p
The day before the other day
Work was a half day today. I went in because I'm taking all of next week off and there was a remote chance my boss would need me in the office today. But luckily hardly anyone was there in the entire office as a whole, let alone my department. So after surprise free (still warm!) bagels in the morning and then pizza for lunch people were like "Why are you here? You should go home." and who was I to be rude by arguing with them?
Once home I planned on taking a nap, then doing food prep for tomorrow, then going to my mom and dad's for the annual Xmas Eve pigout. This became taking a nap, then waking up 3 hours later with 10 minutes to get dressed and head over to the folks'. So apparently I was tired, is what I'm learning here.
Food was consumed, and around 7 I was back home to start on food prep. In theory I have everything ready to the point where all I have to do tomorrow food-wise is put things into the appropriate containers and apply heat. This leaves me the rest of the day free to clean before my parents get here. And to possibly take another hours-long nap if that's what's needed because seriously what was UP with that?
Anyway, the dishwasher is running, the cats are cuddled on or beside me, the house smells yummy - I am content.
Hope you're having a good one =)
current mood:  content
|
(5 comments | comment on this)
(comment on this)
marlowe1
|
10:18p
Still processing
You know when you go to see a gay movie expecting Priscilla Queen of the Desert and you get Brokeback Mountain?
No. Neither do I.
|
(3 comments | comment on this)
marlowe1
|
8:23p
YU Gay, again (and that's Yeshiva University and not YU as in Why You Gay - No one fucking Jar Jar)
Ok. To encapsulate the problem with Yeshiva University have a "Meet your gay peers" complete with bland positivism - I'm kind of used to being in a community that's basically homophobic. That community taking tentative steps toward addressing the fact that there are gay people in the world and they aren't going straight weirds me out more than I want to admit.
I think besides the ambiguity between my non-Jewish life and my Jewish life (which is always an issue but more so when the whole gay issue comes up) I think there's a definite one issue problem with the forum.
Basically, no matter how much the speakers tried to present themselves as well rounded individuals with lives and dreams and all that stuff, for that evening, they were GAY first and foremost. And since it was ok to ask them about being gay, well that's all that anyone wanted to talk about.
Obviously that's the nature of the beast.
But it does remind me of my status as a convert. According to halacha, you aren't supposed to bring up a convert's status as a convert (or a baal tshuvah's either) but most of the material about it is about the convert having his feelings hurt by the disparity of life experiences.
Not that that disparity isn't obvious between FFB and converts (or baal tshuva).
None of the explanations say how friggin irritating that whole discussion is. It's like "So. You're a convert. What's that like?" and it's the same fucking questions and the same annoying mixture of awe and condescending pity. And I really don't want to deal with the defensiveness and gusher of self-doubt that my status as a convert causes. Hell, even got that from a potential roommate who said he didn't want to move in but then asked me if he could call and hear more about this great Conversion Experience.
"You chose Judaism. Why would you do that? I would never choose Judaism."
Well good for you.
I get that A LOT. Seriously, I think I will eventually put this as a rule of dating. No chicks who live at home with their parents. No chicks who just want to get married and have no ambitions of their own. And definitely no Jewish girls who treat my conversion to Judaism as some kind of a shiny penny that they want to twirl around and look at and then put back.
I want to marry a woman who would actually choose Judaism if she wasn't born to it.
Of course, when I'm not among Jews, I have to deal with being the token Jew.
Anyhow - back to the gay thing. I felt the same "So you're _____________" queasiness. Strange to feel it on behalf of other people.
Then again, some people like being identified and designated with one aspect of their personality and life story and asked endless questions about it. I have one friend who gives lectures and devotes her entire blog to being a convert. I even figured into one of the articles she wrote for Aish because I agreed to room with her sister and brother-in-law who weren't Jewish but were pretty good roommates. It was a weird article about how awful her family was and how great the Jewish community was - the kind of ass-kissing that Aish HaTorah loves.
|
(3 comments | comment on this)
marlowe1
|
8:05p
More gay nostalgia
Hey, remember when everyone was trying to out Whitney Houston and Bobby Brown. It was the big thing for a time. Whitney even angrily denied it on 20/20. I remember that one - damnit - ok, let's see. She was hanging out with Madonna for a time. She appears in that obnoxious Madonna movie. I want to say Sandra Bullock and I know it's not her. Became a gay icon for a time with several rumors that she shtupped Madonna. Sara Bernhard!!
Yeah. What ever happened to her. Last I saw her was at Kenesseth Israel. She stopped by for Shabbos because she was invited to the Mpls Gay Pride Parade. They made a minyan in the basement so she could hear the Torah reading. She seemed nice but I didn't really talk to her.
Anyhow I remember her Northrup show where she talked a bit, did a few funny bits, sang Prince songs and talked more about her friends with AIDS. THis was in the early 90s before the cocktails. And she answered questions from the audience where she mostly insulted the audience. I remember ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) envoy being particularly pleased that he got to a microphone. Anyhow I remember that toward the end of the show she declared that Bobby was a fag and that Whitney was a dyke and they were both closeted.
And that was very very popular.
Did that die down because of the whole crack thing? Kind of like all the gay people that wanted to claim Whitney and Bobby for themselves took a collective sigh at the "Crack is whack." interview where Whitney said that she didn't smoke crack because that's a ghetto drug and she's rich.
Kind of like the gay "community" collectively said to the straigh community "Oh! They are a couple of fucked up crackheads. YOu can have them!"
|
(3 comments | comment on this)
|