Realizations

[shanmonster]

Happy All Souls day! But not happy election day. I'm annoyed with having people tell me to vote. I'm not American, damnit!

Last night's religious studies class was interesting, at least in terms of seeing the strange ways some people think. That is, one woman believes that if a person is religious, you should be able to see it in their person. As an example, she says you can always tell if someone is Muslim or Amish just by looking at them. Yikes.

During the break, one of the guys from my class sat off in a cafeteria by himself while wearing a blindfold. I'm not sure what he was doing, but it was rather intriguing.

Also, another woman is firmly convinced that an honest desire to learn something will always be met by acceptance. She believes that all knowledge is free, which certainly doesn't jive with reality. Her example dealt with aboriginal spirituality. She thinks that just because she (a white person) wants to understand native culture, that she will be embraced with open arms into that community. Well, life just doesn't work that way. Although some may be willing to share, there are plenty who think differently. As an example, about fourteen years ago, I worked for Mactaquac Park. As part of the Canada Day festivities, I was told by my boss to find someone from the native community who'd be willing to come and tell stories around a campfire. I called up a local band office, and was met with righteous indignation. The man screamed and swore at me, told me that he refused to be taken advantage of any more by people like me, that his people had been erected a totem pole (and they're not even West Coasters!) and not been recompensed for it, etcetera. Now, imagine if this girl had gone to this chief and told him she wanted to learn all about his spirituality. I don't imagine she'd meet with any smoother reception.

This, of course, is not necessarily a typical response for a request to gain knowledge of North American aboriginal spirituality. But imagine I showed up at a Tibetan monastery asking to live with the monks and do monk things for a while so I could better understand their way of life. Or imagine if a man showed up at a nunnery wanting to learn how to be a nun. Imagine if Gary Glitter decided to study to become a guidance counsellor at an all-girls' middle school. What if a stranger comes to my kung fu class and asks to be shown the best way to kill someone with their bare hands? I don't think these requests would go over very well. The gaining of knowledge often has prerequisites. To learn one thing, I may need to be a particular age, gender, belong to a particular order or caste, pass a security clearance check, etc.

On a completely different note, on Sunday night aberrantmist, snowy_kathryn, and I went to yet another Rocky Horror Picture Show. This one was at Pitchman's Pub, where there is also a goth/industrial night every Sunday. It was the first time in several years that I've walked into a bar and been confronted by a swarm of people nattily dressed in black. I wore black leather hot pants, a black velvet bodice, black fishnets, my black leather shitkicker boots, and my very shiny gold sequined blazer. There weren't a whole lot of other people dressed for Rocky. Mostly, they were just all gothed up, although there were several French maids kicking around.

The live Rocky show was much more entertaining than watching the film interactively with others. Nonetheless, it was far more entertaining than watching it by myself at home. I came to the uncomfortable realization that I think Tim Curry as Frank-n-Furter is actually quite sexy in a ridiculous, campy way. I've also come to the realization that going out and shaking my butt to industrial music is a nice way to spend a Sunday night. If I can scrape up the $3.50, I'd like to do it much more often.

Comments

[liquid-quaalude.livejournal.com]

feh electrion day....here in america people are going nutso....yesterday in the subway station i was badgered by some lady yelling at me to vote!!!
and most people at least on my friends list....are making whole enterys about it!
I guess Im not so patriotic....heh Im counting the days till i move to england so yea.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

What's particularly perturbing me is the way people are assuming everyone who reads their posts are American. Now, I can understand that on a person's personal website, but when they go to international forums and insist everyone vote, it's awfully Americentric.

On a related note, a house around the corner from where I live has a Vote Kerry sign on its lawn. Odd.

[liquid-quaalude.livejournal.com]

I know....this whole voting thing has gotten crazy this year...ads every other commercial...
its just all over the place....Im personally sick of it...Im not even regesterd to vote....

People here are really childish...for lack of a better word....people who have pro bush party signs and things up are getting vandalized! set on fire...torn down!!!! And this is America where people play the "free speech card" all the time...Im not a bush fan or whatever at all....but hey people have the right to their op....

[cathellisen.livejournal.com]

Or, when they finally realise that you're not American, saying "Oh well, what would you know, you're European."

Erm. No.

Sorry masser, us third worl' countries got com-put-ers and innernet too.

[elanya.livejournal.com]

Since when has Pitchman's had a G/I night? :o *bitters*

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

I think it's quite new. This might have been only the third one.

[metasilk.livejournal.com]

she says you can always tell if someone is Muslim or Amish just by looking at them.
Should show her photos of the women in my dance class/troupe and ask her to select the Muslim(s). Shit!

What if a stranger comes to my kung fu class and asks to be shown the best way to kill someone with their bare hands?

Introduce them to Tae Kwon Leap (http://quasisemi.com/humor/ind.php?id=217)? Heh.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Boot to the head!