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September 24, 2005
Love Parade
It was a beautiful day for a Love Parade.
On the way out, we saw a fellow we know in the MUNI station. He looked at me, shirtless and glittery and said, "You're covered in drag shrapnel!" Obviously he was on to me, so I just told the truth: "A drag queen exploded in our bathroom." This, he pointed out, classifies today's look as "drag-gore". Hmm.
Desmond was the most striking, with green hair, silver horns, and a silver & gray striped shirt. Quite a few folks had their pictures taken with him.
Had lunch with friends first... I had an italian sandwich, coffee, and slice of apple tart. We sat out in Union Square in the sun. Verizon, having taken over the whole square (audibly, at least) was doing a ridiculous promotion involving 20-year-old music and a sparse group of onlookers dancing.
We were more than happy to head toward some good music, but only caught the tail end of the parade. We followed it to Civic Center, where it all turns into a stationary dance party, and wandered searching for good music. I finally found mine at the DnB float.
All day, I got to practice my new way of letting go of judgment. I tried to write it out to post yesterday, and it was not happening. So I went upstairs to explain it to Ste3ve instead.
"So basically, if I see something I don't like out there I can at least be happy that it's not MINE. And it's probably being very well enjoyed over there by someone(s) else. And, because I learned that the things folks like the most about us tend to be the things we hate, if I judge something as good (and feel want for it), I can be glad it's over there because if I had it I wouldn't get to enjoy it—I would probably hate it."
"Mmm... I guess that makes sense intellectually," Steve said cautiously, "but I'm not sure I get the specifics."
Easy. "Well, what do you think of this sweater?" I was wearing my warm & fuzzy black cashmere sweater. He looked... paused... made a face and said, "Ok, I get it."
See? That sweater is perfect for me... and all wrong for Steve. That's why I have it and he doesn't.
It works on things like Mid-western states, Red States, people your friends are sleeping with that you don't find attractive, folks you find so attractive only because you wish you were them, and more. "Wow, I'm so glad Kansas is over there and not here." "Wow, I'm so glad he slept with him so I wouldn't have to." Et cetera.
It doesn't seem to work on George Bush.
Posted by Josh A. at September 24, 2005 07:12 PM