The calendar pages turn faster and faster and suddenly it’s that time again. Off to the costume shop or the back of my closet looking for something breathtakingly beautiful, frighteningly fearful or cleverly comical.
Searching for a Honey Boo Boo mask (for a friend), I wandered quite accidentally into one of the naughtier adult shops where I couldn’t help but admire the vast array of Halloween house decorations and costumes. No matter what scene you are into, or would like to be into if you dared, there is something for you.
Some of the accessories and equipment I couldn’t figure out, especially those for women. No wonder, since my acquaintance with the female anatomy consists of playing doctor at age 7 with the little girl next door. We didn’t get very far with the examination once my horrified eyes saw that someone had cut her pee pee off.
Some “toys” and “things” (Their names since erased from my delicate memory) were, I admit, highly imaginative, but surely no one really uses them. Surely.
I am considering surprising my friends this year by donning leather, chains and motorcycle boots to impress them with my butch side. My problem is the hat; so blah. Maybe some egret feathers. We’ll see.
I urge all the LGBT community to put on something, anything; then get out and join the fun. That means seniors too. If you are shy, remember, a mask is very liberating and you’ll soon get in the mood. Just strolling Hillcrest’s University Avenue is a visual treat. Even better, don’t miss the costume contest; the funny, frightening, fabulous creations are amazing. See you there.
Foolish texting
The current wonders of the iPod (pad? whatever) and the twitterings flying all around amaze me. People don’t seem to care how much time they spend in frivolous bandying. In fact, it seems to be crucial to their very existence. As much as I deplore the excessive usage, I cannot help but be impressed as they text as fast as lightening and zoom in and out on street maps, menus, photographs etc.
Now I have heard of a recent innovation, a new app (seniors, ask any kid), which has the ability to tell how many gay/lesbian people are nearby; even how many feet away they are!
I was dumbfounded. How can a machine know one’s orientation? Is gay-dar a reality now?
My informant slowly, patiently and in easy words explained the machine did not detect sexual preferences; people sign up for the service and give their photo, personal details and even specifics as to their quarry.
He then demonstrated and, sure enough, the machine produced several people within 200 feet. What’s more was the inclusion of photos and intimate personal preferences so decadent I couldn’t possibly describe them in a family publication. I have not been so shocked since I innocently opened a certain link on Craigslist.
People are so stupid. Everything they post can be seen by their spouse, boy/girlfriend, boss, police, school, anyone. True, things can be erased from one’s machine, but not from the main computers at Twitter, Facebook, etc. which, according to a recent KPBS broadcast, keep everything in their files forever.
We used to say, never make anything public which you wouldn’t want seen in the New York Times. Still a valid policy, just change it to seen on the Internet.
