Happy and "gay"

So 24th June was a historical day in New York with gay marriages being legalized and I couldn't help but smile. 

Smile for all those homosexual couples in America who now have another state wherein they may, like any other straight citizen enjoy the rights that a member of a marriage does, primary of course being legitimacy of the relationship. 

For all the celebration that followed there was an equal outcry, but naturally. An outcry from people who use holy books, culture and it being supposedly biologically unnatural to justify their stand. We've heard the debates several times before so I'm not going to reiterate. I understand people of the older generation being opposed to it, fair enough they were born in another time, where things were different, even dating was frowned upon. I can even understand someone having been brought up with the idea that it is wrong, because as you get older its tough to get rid of beliefs that are now ingrained.

 But what I don't understand is this- HOW CAN YOU NOT SEE???? Universally if there is one emotion or feeling that brings nothing but pure joy, a sense of belonging, a feeling of security, a feeling of being wanted; it is Love. Love is always a good thing in any form, because the direct result is a peaceful happy mind and state of being, right? So if there are people out there in the world who are just showing another person (so what if its to a person of the same sex) love- How can that be a bad thing?

In a place today where people are throwing their parents out of their own homes, fighting their own siblings in court, molesting their own children, raping their own cousins, murdering their friends, causing intentional harm to a known person- why would you possibly condemn thousands of people who just want to show another person some love? I would imagine that with the rapid increase in all the hate, mistrust,lying, deceit and fraud anyone would embrace love, because not only is it a good thing, its the best of all the good things.

Think about it, if you're against gay people and them being who they are - whats the worst harm that could come out of love? And please don't give me all this religion doesn't allow it, what about procreation, moral fabric of society, incest, HIV bullshit! Because all of us know that no person is religiously perfect you're always breaking some of the rules, don't worry about the human legacy being carried on we have the straight majority working on it as we speak , don't be the upholder of moral values because no one asked you to plus you ain't perfect yourself, don't even begin about incest because God knows how many more heterosexuals are guilty of that and please let HIV be because that is certainly not a homosexual disease, as we ALL know.

So until you have a better more valid argument that truly makes sense to your inner voice without a book or some rule telling you so, let love prevail....

Countries/Continents summed up in a line.

The United States of America - Marketing Genius

Canada                                  - Silent yet strong

Great Britain                           - Imperial (beep) who literally rule-ed half the world

Europe -                                - A historic and cultural past unparalleled

Africa -                                  - The richest yet poor

Saudi Arabia                          - Imagine what they could be if they rid themselves of patriarchal, male chauvenistic views - A whole country!;)
(the female population exists but that's where it ends)

Afghanistan                            - A vibrant civilisation repeatedly raped until destroyed.

India                                      - Blind to the macro future by living in the micro moment.

China                                     - Quick to utilize resources at the opportune moment.

Singapore                               - Efficient, well oiled paradise without a voice

Australia                                 - Isolated bliss

Geography class from west to east, thus ends. Good Night.

Fame ALWAYS comes at a price.

I started the day at 8 this morning watching Neil Patrick Harris' opening performance at the Tony awards,post which you tube merrily directed me from tony performances to oscar ones, to acceptance speeches, to stand up shows,to concerts and finally Whitney Houston!

My earliest memory of her was as a child playing the "Greatest Love Hits" cd that dad had recently bought, in our latest Kenwood 8 cd changer system. I'm talking 1993, when Channel V hadn't even hit Indian cable networks, let alone MTV. I'd sit in front of that system all day singing along with Cyndi Lauper, Beverly Craven, Mariah Carey, Simon & Garfunkel and of course Whitney Houston. Her song "Greatest love of all" was on that cd, and every time I'd sing it with her, I'd think she was singing about me and how I had to "lead the way" and that my "laughter" had to remind her of who she was. At 8 that was a huge responsibility to shoulder; I mean I had to singularly show humanity 'the way' and bring a smile to their face. Little did I know that Ms Houston was on her path to complete self destruction and living in denial for over 16 years post that and all the love she was speaking of had no place in her life at all.

Having seen the entertainment industry and its functioning from such close quarters, its not rocket science to tell that you need to be built certain way to survive. The road to success in entertainment can be emotionally debilitating and once you get there it ruins you anyway. Not always, but take some of the greatest names that have had immeasurable success and talent to match. It has definitely not been a fun ride, and I'm sure if you switch the cameras off, wash off the make up, look them in the eye and ask them the truth, most of them would have done it differently. But that's the problem with fame and success, when you're in the moment, reason and judgement don't really have a voice. You're just chasing one high after another, trying to balance your perfect image on the other side for the world to be sold on your 'Utopian life' which is anything but that. How can one human being keep satisfying their never ending need for fun and excitement when every beautiful experience they should have had over 15-20 years, they have in less than 5!
So first your famous- what more dya need?
Money- got it, now what?
Men/ women throwing themselves at you- check
Alcohol n drugs - tried them all, now?
Homosexuality - ok-ay!
Get Married - done that thrice over.
Have a baby - done (ended up with more than one in some cases ; what with all the IVF)
You've OD'd on every one of life's highs sooner than you could keep them coming. NOW WHAT?
Now you happily end up as a wreck for one and all to see.
You need the highs to combat all the pressure that you're in to sustain your acquired position- and you've exhausted all of them way too soon.

Agreed some of them had tough childhoods which have made them so, but fame still takes its fee from you for its unlimited benefits you enjoy.

Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Charlie Sheen, Amy Winehouse, Bruce Lee(not his doing, but killed nevertheless), Mathew Perry,George Michael, David Hasslehoff,  Macaulay Culkin, Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Halle Berry ..... Whitney Houston. For her to have lost so many precious years of her career with a voice like that makes me wonder at how much greater an artist she could have become. Of all the divas Celine Dion seems to be the only one who has kept it together . All the rest of them gone! Whitney, Mariah, Toni Braxton, Shania Twain, Tina Turner - either it was/is drugs or an abusive relationship/ failed marriage.

Ah well, I'm sure the joy of fame and recognition compensates for some of it, or for their sake I hope it does.

Whats wrong with me?

Most often despite knowing what you should be doing, you just don't do it. 


Its been 12 days living in a country I've never been to before, and instead of going around exploring the place I've chosen to sit quiet and be by myself. Part of this stems from knowing that I will be here a while and so there is plenty of time to discover the wonders of HongKong and its Cantonese speaking population. But its the other part that baffles me. I just don't feel like it. Which is very unlike me.


And so I try and analyse, part of which is this piece of writing. 

• Am I upset being here? No.
• Do I not like the country? No, in fact I love it.
• Am I in denial? Definitely not.
• Am I lacking company? No.
• Is something bothering me which explains my lack of excitement and motivation to get "out there"? Yes. 

Ok. A clue. But what?
The recent demise of a dear friend's husband did put the brake on things for a while. But that was 20 days ago. And evidently I still haven't recovered. I've lost a lot of known people the last 10 years or so, the worst having lost my grandfather- but I consoled myself saying he was 95 and had lived a long, happy, full life, with no regrets. 
What makes this one different is knowing that he was only 37.Us having met him 32 hours ago having seen signs that yelled WARNING in red- but didn't act on them, knowing it was a life cut short, but worst of all having left behind an incredible happy marriage of 7 years and an inconsolable wife; who happened to be a dear dear friend. 
Sleep doesn't come easy, disturbing dreams are plenty, thoughts of her are abundant and frequent- and there's way too much time on my hands that only makes me think of it  more! 
The same time that I should be using to divert my mind, instead its occupied by thoughts that prevent me from doing just that.  its a strange cycle - but break it I must. 


Now that I know whats wrong. Lets see when I manage to make it right. Hong Kong lure me with your charms please...