Notes, Notings, and Common Refrains

Today – Today (10 August, 2019) is the 35th Anniversary of the movie called "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai: Across the Eighth Dimension"

What is this movie with such an unwieldy title, you ask?

It’s a:

• Sci-fi spoof
  
• Comic book hero movie parody (for a comic book hero that doesn’t actually exist)
  
• Anti-fascist
  
• Anti-military-industrial-complex
  
• Unabashedly Chaotic Good (with emphasis on chaotic)
  
• An art film
  
• Underrated to an almost criminal degree
  
• FREE on YouTube – Legally free; not a bootleg (~ 102 minutes)

It also saved my relationship with my mother.

Our relationship had always been strong, but after flunking hard out of my Freshman year at university, it was clearly at a tipping point, and it was hard to be around each other in the muggy heat of August without feeling angry, sad, or both at once. It's a testament to my mother's wisdom that she suggested we take a break, go to a movie theater with air conditioning, and see this movie that had just opened and looked interesting. We emerged back into the sunlight with our diaphragms aching from laughing. And from that day forward, whenever things got tense, we'd quote lines to each other to lighten the mood.

We were both convinced at the time that it would rise to the status of Cult Classic on par with “Rocky Horror Picture Show” – that even people who hadn’t actually seen it would at least recognize catchphrases and characters for cosplay and the like. That didn't happen at the time. But maybe it will happen someday.

"Spoilers" below the cut, if you want to call them that. Though I'm of the opinion that the strength of this film has less to do with plot points than it does with execution:

( Why I believe 'The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai: Across the Eighth Dimension' is a wonderful, uplifting, and ultimately Antifa, Political film (an enumerated list): )

(Icon chosen for the rainbow)

(I've had this as a draft for weeks, in my Notepad -- been planning to post this both here and on Tumblr (where I'm spending more time, lately) -- and then, my posting agenda got derailed by the Drump going high-key evil, with kidnapping children. And I hate that. Anyway, I want to post this now, before Pride Month is over)

On Tumblr, many (a few? several? Anyway, a bunch) of very vocal younger bloggers are arguing that those in the LGBTQ community should never use the word "queer" to refer to themselves. because it's a slur (much to the annoyance of older folks on the site). So in May of last year, I entered the fray, by posting excerpts of course descriptions for "Queer Studies" available at colleges and universities around the U.S., as evidence that "The Q-Word" has a much richer, and older history than simply being a slur.

...And as I was reading through them, I kept thinking: "Damn! If these courses had been listed in the college catalogs in the '80s (when I was getting ready to graduate from high school) I would have signed up, even as a "Straight" person." Because I love me some interdisciplinary discussions, and the connections between art, cultural trends, and public policy. And if I had been in these classes as a twenty something, maybe I would have realized I was some flavor of queer before I became a fifty something.

I've been thinking about that again, during this year's Pride Month -- that maybe I'd be "queer" even if I were straight, because "heteronormivity" also excludes bodies like mine from what society considers "normal" sexual partnerships. And that got me thinking about the interdisciplinary course I did end up taking, in my Junior year of college (my academic advisor, by then, knew what intellectual buttons to push)

This would have been (*mumbling and counting on fingers*) in 1988? I think it was... ('twould be nifty if it were a round number of years ago) It was an experimental course called "Science and Society" that was taught cooperatively between a professor of philosophy and a professor of physics, focusing on two key points:

1. The scientific method is a particular thing, and not just a vague belief like faith or intuition. It is also the best tool we humans have to figure out the truth of the world. And
   
   
2. Scientists are human beings, with human limitations, and are swayed by all the bigotries and biases awash in their cultures, just like the rest of us... And that influences how they use the tool that is the scientific method.

Anyway, one day in class, we were discussing when "Homosexuality" was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, published by the American Psychiatric Association (APA), in 1973, because actually, Homosexuality is Normal.

And one of the professors explained what the distinction between "normal' and 'abnormal' actually means, in a mental health context, versus what people think it means:

Normal, she said, is something that occurs naturally, even if it occurs rarely, that causes no harm to the individual or the people around them. Gays and lesbians may only be 10% of the population (trans and nonbinary, bi, pan, and ace people weren't on our radar, yet). But even though it's unusual, being attacted to people of your own gender is something that happens naturally, and causes nobody any harm.

Therefore, homosexuality "normal."

She then went on to contrast homosexuality, which is considered 'abnormal' because it is rare, to antisemitism in to Nazi Germany where the inaction of people to resist rhe Holocaust has been excused "Because that's what everyone believed back then -- it was just 'normal'. ...But it harmed millions upon millions of people.

Therefore, Nazism is "abnormal."

Although we didn't use the word in class, I now think what our professor was actually talking about was "normativity."

According to Wikipedia, in philosophy and the social sciences, "normative" refers to those cultural expectations and beliefs which we presume to be healthy and natural, based on our prejudices:

"Normal" = Is. "Normative" = Should Be

So: being heterosexual and being some flavor of LGBTQ are both "normal," in that all variations of sexuality and gender identity are part of the natural range of human experience, and don't, in themselves, cause anyone any harm. That's why pedophilia, beastiality, and incels have no place in the LGBTQ community: they can label themselves with "Alternate" sexuality all they want. But the 'urges' they want the freedom to act out causes harm to others.

And so does "Straight Pride" and "White Pride."

LGBTQ Pride: We're here. We've a normal part of the human race. And we are healthy and loving, even if we're different.

Straight Pride/White Pride: We demand that you submit to our power over you, and be happy about it.

---

So... Anyway: ...I was hoping to have come to this point and have a really strong, coherent, closing paragraph to wrap this all up. But I don't. I guess this month has just got me thinking about Queerness, and Nazis in equal measure. And that brought up the memory of a classroom discussion from 30 years ago.

Also: I'm queer... in more ways than one (I count at least 3).

[Image description: “The Unicorn is Found” or “The Unicorn at the Fountain”. The second tapestry in The Hunt of the Unicorn series, from circa 1495 -1505.

A tall ornamental fountain with lion-mask spigots is spilling water into a forest stream, where animals (a lion and lioness, a leopard, a weasel, a wolf, a stag, a pair of pheasants, a pair of goldfinches, and a pair of rabbits) have gathered to drink, while a pair of ducks swim past in the stream itself.

A unicorn is kneeling on the far side of the stream from the viewer, dipping the very tip of its horn into the water (a cure for all poisons), which makes the water safe to drink.

Behind the bushes surrounding the fountain are a dozen hunters with long pikes over their shoulders, along with their hunting dogs. They are talking and gesturing to each other, discussing exactly how to kill the unicorn, so they can bring it back to the king and queen.

The towers of the royal castle can be glimpsed in through the trees in the far distance (in the upper left corner of the tapestry). Description ends.]



When I was a tiny thing (maybe I was still in kindergarten/infant school) my parents took me to see the original Unicorn tapestries in the museum, and I got to see them ultra up close (like less than a couple feet away) -- and this one is nearly 12 and a half feet (3.78 meters) tall ... almost life sized (!).

Naturally, the experience made an impression. And the tapestry I posted here made the biggest impression of all: this is what “unicorn” means to me. Throughout the rest of my childhood, I was bitter and salty about all the “rainbow-sparkle/magic glitter” unicorns with Kewpie doll eyes that were absolutely everywhere (and well-meaning friends kept giving me, "’Cause she loves unicorns!”). ...And frankly, I still am.

Why I Wish This Tapestry Were the “Famous One”:

(Rant follows -- wherein I absolutely do spoil the story [plot wise] that these tapestries tell, and where I hope to spoil [popularity-wise] the most famous medieval tapestry of them all)

(The links behind the cut lead to The Metropolitan Museum of Art's online display of each of the Tapestries)

( The story of 'The Hunt of The Unicorn' narrated -- warning: there is violence, gore, and more than one animal death )

Like I said at the beginning, “The Unicorn at the Fountain” is what “unicorn” means to me. Unicorns are wild and fierce -- able to kill you as easily as slice through butter (if they must, in self-defense). But the unicorn’s first impulse is to use their magic for the good of others -- to protect all the creatures of the forest, even though doing so makes them vulnerable to attack -- even though the powers of the State polluted the stream in the first place -- even though the powers of the State wanted to steal all that magic, and keep it for itself. Unicorns still take that risk.

With great power, comes great responsibility.

And then, with great responsibility, comes great kindness.

How is that not the most radical thing of all?

Is to write some sort of Year-in-Review thing-a-ma-bob.

... But I'm just not feeling it.

So have another monster picture I drew back in January, 2014, with my compliments and thanks for your friendship (both collective and individual):


(Description: Ballpoint pen drawing of a round-bodied, bird-like, monster standing in profile, with a stubby wing, a single human leg and foot, a toothy beak with human-like nostrils, and a medium-length plumed tail. It is standing next to a flower whose blossom echoes the shape of the plume on its tail. Dated 01/11/14)

If I were following the current Internet Meme, I'd save this for #ThrowbackThursday. But Saturday is "Doctor Who Day," and I can't think of a better time to post these pieces.

Some context: I originally posted these two pieces of writing on the usenet newsgroup Rec.Arts.Drwho (aka "RADW") during the deepest, darkest time of the "Doctor Who Wilderness Years" (remember Usenet? It was the only game in town for "social networking" before "Social Networking" had a name).

First, I believe this is the first thing I ever posted to RADW, on September, 29, 1999. I'd been lurking there for a week or two, fresh from reading the novelization of "Ghostlight," and realizing just how much the character of the Doctor enriched my life. The discussion (some would say "Flamewar") dominating the threads at that time was about whether the Doctor was womb-born, and half-human (as put forth in the "TV Movie"), or whether he was fully alien, and had been genetically engineered on a "Loom" (as had been put forth in a recent series of original novels).

( Mushy, OTT, love letter to Rec.Arts.DrWho )

---

Second bits of context:

A) Rec.Arts.DrWho and its sibling newsgroup, Alt.Drwho.Creative, are the only places on the Internet where I've found the socio-linguistic habit of naming trolls by specific prefixes -- as "Pro-" or "Anti-" 'Tribes;' for some reason I still can't quite discern, the most deeply entrenched flamewar was a three-sided conflict between the Pro-Troughton, Pro-Pertwee, and Anti-McCoy trolls. B) There was a particular thread, intended to embarrass and shame the trolls into good behavior, I think, called "The Weekly Stats," which listed each thread title in descending order, according to how many posts it contained. The following post (originally written March 12, 2000) makes reference to both these things (it also contains my first attempt at Doctor Who fanfic):

( What it means to be a 'Pro-Fun' Troll )

---

( Final Thoughts )

A couple of old photos of Mother, that I'd like to preserve, so I scanned them. Unfortunately, neither have any indications of a definitive date. Which I would especially like for the second photo.

Audrey thought that, because that second photo is clearly an official event, the historical information must be around somewhere. And maybe I could try looking online. (What she doesn't realize is that Philipstown, NY has been pretty much run with all the professionalism of a private hobby for the last 130 years, or so...).

Good News: The City does have a website! \o/
Bad News: The dates posted on all city blog posts are from 2009. /o\

What do you think my chances are of talking to an actual human being who can answer my questions, if I try calling the town clerk and asking someone to look up information on something that happened close to 30 years ago?

Yeah... Not getting my hopes up.

That second photo: does it look more like 1980, '88, or '90, to you guys?

( two medium-large pictures behind cut )

Anyway, so at the end of July: I made a list of Na'Arts I wanted to make in the month of August. The very first thing I wrote for that list was:

A hand-drawn sketch of my own, bare, feet (they are the part of my body I am least comfortable with, and I want to get more comfortable with them) Problem: Getting a way so I can actually see them while in a position to draw them...

So this post is ALL the THOUGHTS and FEELS about that, that I just didn't have the energy to post on the day I did the picture:

( cut for those who are disturbed by images of feet (500 x 402 pixels) )

Okay, so it's one foot, instead of both feet... 'Cause ... Do you know how hard it is to get a clear view of your own feet when you're holding a clipboard in your lap?! Ahem. Anyway, yes...

I'm not sure if it's clear from this perspective, but my feet are "clenched" -- my instep is almost hemispherical, with my toes curled under; if the bones of my feet had the same range of motion as the bones in my hands, my feet would be clenched fists. The angle between my foot and lower leg is actually less than 90 degrees. Here - this picture, illustrating the full, normal, range of motion for the human foot shows what I mean: my feet are stuck in the full UP position -- if someone pulled really hard, they might be able to get my feet to budge down a millimeter, but not without me swearing bloody murder at them, 'cause OW. That dark line I drew around the top of my instep is no exaggeration -- it really is deep crease where the sun (or the library chandelier) don't shine.

I used to be more self-conscious over my feet's weird crooks and creases. But that's no longer the main reason I'm ambivalent toward them now. (As my friends know, I'm perfectly willing to be weird). And I'm even cool about their spasticity and its discomfort most of the time.

( 'It's just that...' -- Cut for your scrolling pleasure )

The thing that I love about drawing from life, by hand, is that in order to do it well, you have to slow down, and really look carefully at the thing (or part of yourself) that's in front of your eyes -- not your memories of it, or prejudices about it -- but what's really, actually there in the present moment (Which is why drawing from life is better than drawing from a photograph). So I'll probably do another foot picture or three. I'd love to get in front of a full-length mirror, so I can draw the whole of me, either nude or not (my feet are almost always nude, except in public). But I don't have such a mirror, yet.

This was going to be a much longer post... but writing this (with breaks for dinner and snack) has taken me five hours. So there may or may not be a part 2...

Oh, and here are ( the other things on the list, with links where applicable: )

These Mother's / Father's Days always make me feel a little bit bitter, because A) they remind me that I no longer have either parent in my life, anymore, B) both my parents were scornful of the Greeting Card Industry's commercialization of parenthood while they were alive, anyway, and C) Google's horrible gender-normative animated "doodles" make me want to "GRAH!"

However, as I was toddling to bed, turning out lights, after midnight (with these thoughts fresh in my mind), something caught my eye, and I found this photo had slipped from between some books on the shelf, probably, and had fallen onto the floor. So I took it As A Sign that maybe I should Celebrate Anyway, because, dammit: Celebrations are Good on Principle! So:

( Happy Father's Day, Everyone!* )


*(If your biological father does not deserve celebrating, for his own sake, celebrate surviving him).

Okay, so I've been posting a bunch under my "Signed Languages" filter, which most of you are not on, because it's a small subset of my circles... but twice, recently, under that filter, I claimed to have learned ASL from Dr. Larry Flesicher (who died in 2009). And then, today, I decided to Google the "ASL, S.U.N.Y. Stony Brook, 1991" to see what I could find about him.

...And it turns out, I learned ASL from Dr. Larry Forestal, who is still very much alive and kicking... Ooops? Um, in my defense, this was twenty years ago? and I don't think we called him by his last name anyway (since we were first year foreign language students, and clueless as all get out)? And I may have been reading the news of Dr. Flesicher's death online, without my glasses?

Anyway, Look what I found! ... I made it into The New York Times! (not by name... But I was one of the "more than 30 students [who] held a protest earlier [that] month," mentioned in the article). The full article is behind the cut. I'm posting this out-of-filter, because there are several teachers, former teachers, and soon-to-be-teachers in my circles, so the subject might appeal on those grounds.

( Campus Life: SUNY, Stony Brook; Sign Language: Foreign Or Merely an Easy A? (New York Times, May 26, 1991) )

I knew the anti-ASL argument was bogus at the time... I don't know how many students actually did get A's. But we were given work in that class... And no, we didn't "speak," but we were required to sign in class.

But now that I've followed along with people working as college and university instructors, I really know their argument was bogus:

"Too many students get A's!"

(actually, you counted wrong)

"Well, it's American Language... That's not foreign!"

(But Navajo is?)

"Well, it's only taught by Adjunct Professors! Everyone knows they're not real scholars."
---
That last one is the kicker, ain't it? Especially since, I bet, every one of the tenured professors making that argument back then were Adjunct Professors, once upon a time...

The other day, I was looking around YouTube for a Douglas Adams interview clip where he said he hated dystopian fiction, because we what we create in reality comes out of what we imagine. And I wanted to cite that in a post talking about why I like (most) "Holiday" stories on TV -- both the annual specials that are aired each year, and the Holiday themed episode of regular series.

But.

I could not find it.

What I did find was an upload of an hour-long documentary interview with him, for the South Bank Show, from 1992 (in six parts).

What's extra nifty about it is that while he and the interviewer are in the sitting room having their conversation, Adams's fictional characters are milling around the other rooms of the house, listening in, and rolling their eyes.

This is Part 5, and it's the one that makes me the happiest of all, because this is the bit where Douglas Adams talks about how other creatures besides humans are also intelligent, and their perceptions of the world are just as valid as our own, and this is also the bit where Ford Prefect explains to Arthur Dent how the relationship between Authors and Characters work...

And what he says reminds me an awful lot of what Dad and I would talk about, late into the night. And so it kind of fills that Lonely Hole I've got, right now.

So I thought I'd share it:

( transcript to follow, bit by bit, probably )