Third post for today, but I'm just feeling inspired, so
'DON'T STOP ME NOW, DON'T STOP ME CUZ I'M HAVING A GOOD TIME, HAVIN' A GOOD TIME!', hehe ya James aka Shawn?
Two issues will be discussed. One based on tourism (from inspiration from Redtail's blog) and another on -gasps- something taboo, like say ... t.A.T.u? Hmm, possibly another on scammers with preety heart-shaped paperclips.
t.A.T.u is a female Russian singing duo formed out of a children's singing group. They're very talented, and generate publicity and do marketing through the use of controversy (of lesbianism) and a fair amount of skin. The Russian name of t.A.T.u is painfully long (much to Shawn's delight) but it just means a shortened version of "This Girl Loves That Girl". It becomes "This Loves Her" for short.
Their English debut single "All The Things She Said" (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K54p_fCrGL8) made waves throughout the world. or the world with the Internet, MTV or pop radio. Never a player of "playing safe", they're marketed as lesbians. Their sexual orientation is unclear though. Or at least I have no idea la, but I won't write them off as lesbians. Oh well, it's a bit sneaky and creative to market singers like this, though it has clearly worked. It's really your opinion. Though I'd like to think they do have it 'It" factor, solid singing voices and harmonisation and really are more intelligent than people want to see them in their fetish schoolgirl outfits and revealing shots. Oh well, sex sells.
In their video of the song, well yeah there's shots of them engaging in kissing. So, yep, don't watch that if you have a weak constitution for shock. Thing is, as much as publicity is involved, notice that at the end the girls leave and it's the closeminded people who are really behind the fence and contained, while they are free to go after being scrutinised. The rain clears. So the message is to tell people to be more understanding, which i believe is what a lot of people lack. It does no good to anyone.
Anyway, how does that relate to me? Or possibly you. What I really like about t.A.T.u, besides two talented European girls is that they really are smart in the sense of what they believe in, and what's really in their lyrics and albums. It's raw expression through use of music and singing voices. A pity not a lot of people give them credit for that and choose to slam them for being cheats (not really lesbians) or lesbians (this world is weird). Very liberal though, I might not agree with some of the things they do, but that's just the conservative Asian in me. I'm not a Westerner this way.
Which brings me to the question: You might say it's how they deserve it by wanting to market themselves as les-es want to make controversy to be famous, but that's their and their manager's problem really. But they do make a strong solid points about the truth with a lot of people. Simply having people judging a pair of girls like this says a lot about people doesn't it? And it's reflected in their songs. Fine by me if you say I'm a weirdo.
"You the cutest jailbird I ever did see" - Jailhouse Rock, Elvis Presleysuggesting a form of gay-ing in an all-males prison :p
Section 377A of the Penal Code of Singapore: (AH! HERE IT COMES!)
Section 377A of the Penal Code of Singapore is the main remaining piece of legislation which criminalises sex between mutually consenting adult men.Section 377A ("Outrages on decency") states that:Any male person who, in public or private, commits, or abets the commission of, or procures or attempts to procure the commission by any male person of, any act of gross indecency with another male person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to 2 years.Hmm, so the law only penalises gay men? What about lesbians? Okay nevermind that, i do not wish to be dragged into a debate with lawyers and the like. Haha, that's not my main focus. I'm not one to question the Constitution, not at my age though. Thing is, even without this written law, isn't it so that there's already a de facto one? One that's unwritten, but yet clearly stated through social norms?
Ah, I'm already a
weirdo before being introduced to the subject of '
Conformity' by DADP immersion. Oh, the irony. I mean I've experienced the consequences of non-conformity so many times before that it really sucks to be me.
"It sucks to be me, it sucks to be me"- Avenue Q HAHA, but somehow I'm proud of it, not like I'ma
rebellious wannabe. I just do what I think is right and what I feel that judgemental people have no right to take away from me. Like, I don't care what your excuse is, seriously. I have done nothing wrong. You're a
biased freak, that's what you are, without peppering my words. Note the word usage and labels,
smartass. Lookie!
Anyways, I guess you people stuck in the same rat hole as I am, that actually understand me, all while being confined and silenced is that I am in fact labelled, though subconsciously now. My jelly backbone-less black pencil case says
"I'M NOT A RULES KINDA GIRL" in
silver lettering. I guess nobody really understood what it meant, cuz I'm not a rulebreaker in school. heh, I'm not even rude to teachers that I don't like, let alone some people. By rules, I never meant for it to be school rules, but unwritten societal rules, some of which is
perpetually unnecessary for a free spirit. And yes, all these in Sec2.
The pencil box might be slightly tattered now, but it signifies no change in my thinking. Independent, I might add. In some ways I am deemed to be a fool, and yet I don't think it's the wrong choice to make. Life's too short for regrets. Stuff like wanting to ask questions, but being too afraid to ask is fine, but when fundamentals like friendship, moral
propriety and love is involved, I gotta put my foot down.
As an example of the most extreme that has happened, hmm .. I do have a label as a les. So when I joke about them, I never really mean it. Cuz it's how you're made, and so be it, even if it's not a majority orientation. So look at me, I've got nothing against gays. My specs are purple, by chance of course ;D.
So yeah, to clarify: I'm not a lesbian. I don't like girls
that way. Okay? No matter what I do, or what I say. I kid around with people, but no, don't take that seriously. Lightens the mood, ya?
I may give girls
dramatic flirtatious looks if I'm really good friends with them, kid about being a les with them, up the extent of giving girl hugs and actually holding their hands is fine too.
Take StephanieL for example. After this post, I would like the
skeptics and haters to shut up (like that's possible). Sometimes, it does hurt me to think that you really think I'm a lesbian. StephL, by the way. Oh and um StephK's taken by Shawn. Aww. xP!
I'm just really good friends with her, best friends in fact. I know some people who have been really close to their buddies too, okay? Closer than I am in fact. I shan't say what, since I think the people in question would like me to be quiet about this.
Thing is, I might get all high, laughing-mad etc. with StephL, and hang outside her class etc. but it doesn't mean we touch each other the wrong way or anything. And it certainly doesn't mean I stick my tongue in her mouth either. Think of your reaction now. How do you feel? Reflect.
Thing is, some things are okay for friends to do together. Okay? Don't you see people sharing the same shower stall for camp? Don't friends hold hands too? Is it such a crime that I hang outside her class, or she does the same, or maybe enter the class? Well, what do you know, some people think so, simply because it's not right for a senior and a junior to be friends this close? Hello?! Wake up your bloody idea, she's not my CCA junior or anything, how the hell can I be biased to her? That aside, is that so wrong?
Well, guess what. It is to some people. Say, her previous classmates? And possibly mine. Or any member of the student body? How close-minded and
homophobic can you people be? Or worse, so assuming and smart-alecky.
Thing is, we don't drag each other down, we encourage each other, stick up for each other, do the stuff that friends do together. And we're just more open than others about wanting to share how wonderful this friendship is to the world, yes spreading the love. Anything wrong with that? Thing is, you might not like her or like me, but you cannot deny the fact that our friendship is strong has weathered many storms. Okay? You don't know the full facts behind it. Why be so judgemental? I never said you were a gay or a lesbian, in fact, I'm sincerely nice to people I detest at times. If I have to say "hey, good luck" I mean it, even though I usually don't like you.
Are you capable of that?
Ask yourself. Do you have the slightest hint of a conscience?
It might be subconscious to you, but as respect for a human being, I suggest that if you truly feel this way, I'd like you to stop it. Okay? You may joke that I'ma lesbian or she is, but never do it till the point where we feel hurt or if that's what's really on your mind. I've clarified. Plus, no matter how holy you think you are, God or your Jiminy Cricket of a conscience would want you to think before doing or saying anything. Be understanding and accepting, it's not a crime to be a good friend dammit. I never discriminated against you for that now, did I?
I would never hurt anyone, at least I try, no matter how much they've hurt me. Which is why when i try to control, sometimes I hurt myself in the process. As long as I don't go mad, that's okay. 2 wrongs don't make a right. Now i really get "turn the other cheek". Okay? People can vouch for that. Why do you think I'm always so emotional? Well, yeah, I don't kick kitties in their bodies when i feel pissed, nor do i yell at a domestic help as and when I like.
So there, I've done what I needed to do. Speak up and stick by my beliefs. It's up to you now. Do you really wanna remain stubbornly incurable?
And yeah, i might have hugged her onstage in sec 2, haha maybe it's when I didn't realise how much "trouble" I'd be getting into. Oh the social
stigma, how it stings when you're not looking. And we do have the same design of a bag. It's a friendship bag, for God's sake. Is that so wrong too? Doesn't it seem all very
ludicrous now, now that you've looked at it in a logical manner? And yeah, I got it myself, with my own money, to match hers, as a symbol of friendship. It's freedom of expression too, by the way. Are you too stuffy to box that too? Gee, maybe i should migrate to the U.S. I do like their freedom.
"Land of the free, and the home of the brave". Yes, no guy bought that for me. I don't mooch off guys, thank you very much, though you've insulted me, thanks for the awareness anyway. Wish you had some of it too.
So there you go. This is my speech, and my ode to friendship, acceptance, and expression. Can swallow? i won't be sorry for what I haven't done wrong.
F = ma
Force = Mass x AccelerationFriendship = Maturity x Acceptance/Appreciation. (i'm smart, okay fine credits to Alvin)Recently, friends have again never failed me. I'ma lucky duck, yes siree. (References from Dictionary.com) Oh yeah, and it's no big deal being friends with anyone, guy, girl, lesbian or gay, or bi. Ludicrous (adj.): causing laughter because of absurdity; provoking or deserving derision; ridiculous; laughable: a ludicrous lack of efficiency. Stigma (noun): a mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain or reproach, as on one's reputation. Homophobic (noun): unreasoning fear of or antipathy toward homosexuals and homosexuality. Perpetual (adj.):
1. continuing or enduring forever; everlasting.
2. lasting an indefinitely long time: perpetual snow.
3. continuing or continued without intermission or interruption; ceaseless: a perpetual stream of visitors all day.
4. blooming almost continuously throughout the season or the year. Conformity (noun):
1. action in accord with prevailing social standards, attitudes, practices, etc.
2. correspondence in form, nature, or character; agreement, congruity, or accordance.
3. compliance or acquiescence; obedience.
4. (often initial capital letter) compliance with the usages of an established church, esp. the Church of England. Skeptic (noun):
1. a person who questions the validity or authenticity of something purporting to be factual.
2. a person who maintains a doubting attitude, as toward values, plans, statements, or the character of others.
3. a person who doubts the truth of a religion, esp. Christianity, or of important elements of it.
4. (initial capital letter) Philosophy.
a. a member of a philosophical school of ancient Greece, the earliest group of which consisted of Pyrrho and his followers, who maintained that real knowledge of things is impossible.
b. any later thinker who doubts or questions the possibility of real knowledge of any kindPropriety (noun):1. conformity to established standards of good or proper behavior or manners.
2. appropriateness to the purpose or circumstances; suitability.
3. rightness or justness.
4. the proprieties, the conventional standards of proper behavior; manners: to observe the proprieties.
5. Obsolete. a property.
6. Obsolete. a peculiarity or characteristic of something.Labels: Accomplishments, Darkness, Essence of Sprouting, Family, Friends, Quirks, Real Life, Secondary School Life, Teen Angst, To be a Child, WhatcausesJoy
