sundries

[rm]

When I say I'm a cosplayer,that's a little bit of a lie. It's not like I cosplay a lot of characters or am into cosplaying in the abstract (I am, but in terms of looking at other people's costumes, not so much for me). Just sometimes a character in a fandom I'm in resonates with me and I cosplay it. So far, that's all of two. And they've both been male. That's not been intentional particularly, it just is what it is. But man, reading this makes me relieved I only seem to crossplay: A con costume contest goes wrong, in exactly the way you'd expect. via britgeekgrrl

Yesterday we saw Bright Star which was lovely, even if we were sitting in the front row in the worst movie theater for it ever and now I have a terrible headache that won't quit. Also, it was like ever goth kid I ever dated rolled into one movie: "I think with fondness only on you and the hour of my death."

Also: was super weird to hear songs I've danced to at balls and in classes plays by the band we used in the film (yay, Spare Parts).

Six current battles for equal marriage rights.

Letters in response to a recent New York Times series on teen runaways reminds us that an estimated 20 - 40% of these teens are LGBTQ.

While bigots on the Internet aren't anything new, bigots who somehow think homosexuals didn't exist 100 years ago... well, they probably aren't new either, but WTF!

So much of my understanding of my sexuality comes from history. And so many of the fights I've had about my sexuality have involved various academic battles to get permission to do papers on how modern queer culture references and revered and appropriates historical gay figures. It's a near and dear topic for me, so this punched all my angry making buttons.

ETA: oh, original comment now deleted, but, you'll get the jist from the responses.

I know several of you are comics artists. I have a friend with a comics project (he's a writer) that's been in development for years, but various artists have drifted in and out of the project. He's looking for someone new to collaborate with -- I'm not sure of the logistical and financial details of the situation now or in the future, but if you want me to put you in touch, drop me a line.

Time to get Interfictions 2. It's co-edited by deliasherman and features a number of LJ'ers including shadesong.

reannon links us to six reasons to watch the new V. Decent reasons, but honestly, I'm a little fucking sick of post-9/11 social commentary (most of it's done badly; BSG is an exception) and would have liked to keep the WWII allegory stuff. Sigh.

Last night, Patty and I discovered new editions of things like Wuthering Heights in B&N that are not only designed to look like the Twilight covers, but that actually say, "Bella and Edwards's favorite book!" on them. Well, if it makes people read something that's not utter crap I can't really argue. BUT WE WERE AFRAIDED.

Episode 2 of Girl Number 9 is tonight.

Comments

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

The great thing about the DC movement is that it put tremendous pressure on MD and VA. Because the last thing either of those states want is for a good percentage of the tax base in their richest areas (DC suburbs) to move into the city.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Oh, really, REALLY good point that hadn't occurred to me.

[brewsternorth.livejournal.com]

It only occurred to me after you posted, but the phenomenon of the "pink pound" is well-known in the UK economy (what would be the US counterpart: pinkbacks?), so it shouldn't be a surprise.

[rm.livejournal.com]

I think we say the gay dollar here. When I was in Uni we used to deface currency by stamping pink triangles over the president's face so everyone knew when gay money was in circulation.

[redstapler.livejournal.com]

That's brilliant!

I wish there was a similar thing you could do for credit and debit card use. Because I know I'll drop $20 cash, but the big (gay) money would probably be plastic.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Ditto. I wish they did credit cards to raise funds for queer orgs they way they do for a lot of other orgs, although I bet that feels risky to a lot of people in terms of being out on official paper forever and ever.

[delchi.livejournal.com]

It wouldn't have to - it could just be a charitable donation card ... I believe those exist ... whereby a % is sent to some charitable org the cardholder picks from a list.

The sad thing is, although it would be a way to raise funds, credit card companies are inherently evil and in the long run might do more damage to the people who are carrying them than good for the organizations receiving the funds.

There are many interesting alternative ways to raise funds these days, like microlending. A friend of mine is funding some of his film projects that way. Kickstarter.com is an example.

Re: Virginia? Pfft.

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

I agree that there won't actually be any movement in Virginia because they're still caught up in their modern day civil war with Northern Virginia pushing to the left and the rest of the state's southern culture dragging to the right.

That doesn't change the fact that there will be real economic pressure in the northern Virginia area. Of course, it will probably only serve to deepen the political divide in the state rather than getting us anywhere, but that's reality.

Where are you moving next year? I've lived in Arlington, Alexandria, and Norfolk. If you have to be down there at least I can recommend some good restaurants.

Re: Virginia? Pfft.

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

Ghent's a great area. I really liked Baker's Crust and Fellini's for good, not too pricey food. Plus, the staff at the Lambda Rising are great there. Nothing like the snotty people in DC. They got to know me and always had books pulled that they thought I'd like.

I wasn't wild about my time in Norfolk because I didn't really know anyone and was working 80 hour weeks, but any time I was feeling down I'd head to Virginia Beach and watch the waves and I always felt better.

Re: Virginia? Pfft.

[taffimai.livejournal.com]

OH NO! Damn, I'm sorry.

I've been phone banking, promise.