Hi,
Ah, the luxury of a Friday off and nothing to rush around for. Instead, the simple joy of a long walk in the countryside, a coffee with the Ever Lovely Mrs J, and the beauty of a cool Spring day. Truly, the gifts of time and a chance to unwind.
I had a call with a friend last night (hello Andie! 👋) and I was saying that I’d take cross with myself over the faffing around in getting ready. Again, we’re back to that phrase of “would you say that to a friend?“. Perhaps if you had a train to catch, but glib comments aside, no. So, again, perhaps useful to not say it to myself either.
As with today’s walk, it’s not about getting out quickly and tabbing it around the park at pace. Is a good walk like a meal or a chat with a friend? It’s not the culmination but the journey. Perhaps if I knew more about Taoist phrases, I’d have remembered “The journey is the reward.” 💜
So as with today, perhaps when the Fates of Fabulocity* smile, perhaps it’s best to enjoy the time of getting ready, think of what might be, and just enjoy the time out that you have. No such much a tick list, but options and choices. Not everything needs to be done at 60MPH and all in one go.
( Fabulocity? Where your fabulousness and velocity combine to make an escape vector possible. So long self-doubt, fear, and Imposter Syndrome, hello adventure! 🏳️🌈 ).
Spectrum
Regular readers may remember me saying I’m not a fan of binaries. I tend to find they’re overly simplistic and don’t quite match what’s going on in the world. Even the simple choice of choccy sauce on your 99 is more than yay or nay. Just a dash, bring the noise, give it a swirl, etc. But maybe that’s my contrarian genderfluid nature speaking up 😉
Waffly intro aside, I happened to fall on an interview with Shane Jenek AKA Courtney Act. They of Drag Race and UK Big Brother fame. Shane has been open about their discovery around being genderfluid.
“…but I have learnt that
Shane Jenek AKA Courtney Act
actually everything is more of a spectrum. My job is to be myself.”
If you’re curious to hear more, the interview is here (also below) and it’s about 30 minutes.
Rest easy
Last week Paul O’Grady passed away. Much has been written about his kindness, fierce support for the underdogs of the UK (humans and animals), his sharp wit, and trailblazing as his drag persona, Lilly Savage. With luck, and maybe a few signatures, perhaps the local council will commission a statue to honour what Paul achieved in life.
As a teen and later twenty something not fully sure about who they were, seeing Paul perform as Lily on TV was inspiring and validating.
Some might say what would I know about being working class or being gay? In truth, nothing but I’ll listen to your story. For me, as somewhat of an outsider, seeing Lily be in charge, being laughed with, and taking a mainstream audience along with their comedy helped.
LGBTQ+ voices are so important, even when our stories are different. They help dispel the feeling that you’re the only one who’s different. Even when we know that’s not true, seeing people from your community thrive is uplifting.
Rest easy…. and if Thatch blagged her way on to a cloud, you know what to do 😉
L x
Your blog has always rejoiced in the benefits from days off work. So have a lovely long easter weekend and you can look forward to two more bank holidays next month, too.
I think LGBT models and influencers like Paul/Lily or Shane/Courtney often have most clout when they are being fabulous, entertaining and personable rather than preachy. People relate to people more than abstract notions.
Sue x
Thanks, Sue. My sister, bless her, used to have a knick-knack that said “Born to shop, forced to work” which always raised a smile.
The old saying about “you’ll never work if you do something you love” may have some truth to it. Yet I feel it’s vital we have time away to rest and recover.
I’m with you on the point about people talking with people. Courtney spoke about being able to do so while on Big Brother. I’ve read similar about Drag Race as two folk where able to converse and share why they were. Neither were having to defend against the false nonsense of balance. I think most regular folk would now give short shrift to the foolish idea of “yes, but if we were all gay, humanity wouldn’t be here” or other BS ‘balance’.