Express Yourself

The “Express Yourself” video by Madonna was inspired by the classic 1927 film, “Metropolis”. I just learned this this morning, as I was searching a quote from the movie. I watched the re-release (1984) of the film last night, composed by Giorgio Modorer, which had 80’s inspired music, including famous 80’s pop and rock stars. In the film, there was a line that Maria said that struck a chord in me. In the film, Maria’s likeness is cloned and transformed into a robot. It’s beautiful. I recommend you watch the 80’s re-release on Netflix tonight. And as beautiful it is without, I also suggest smoking some pot or eating some shrooms. The film is obviously shot with impeccable choreography, and I felt like I was watching the opening performance on “So You Think You Can Dance” throughout the entire film.

“Without the heart, there would be no understanding between the hand and the mind.” – Maria (Metropolis)

The right to marry vs. the duty to marry. I’m listening to a radio talk show and they are discussing our gay community and our marriages, and if we feel it is our right to do so or our duty. And taking that into consideration, are we getting married sooner than we would, had it been legal all along? Personally, I never wanted to get married until I was in my 30’s anyway, although some people have always wanted to be married in their 20’s. Just because it was out of sight for us growing up gay, it certainly wasn’t out of mind, so therefore we never lost sight. It is not my duty to get married, but I now have the right to get married. Do I consider myself less of a person because I am gay? No. Have I ever? No, I can't say that I felt less of a person, though some may have tried to make me feel that way. Has my community as a whole felt this way? Yes. But I’d like to think that we don't carry that around, yet still be aware of the civil war against us. Being the victim does not motivate compassion and change, only sympathy and misery. Connecting with others is what sparks compassion. Finding a common ground helps discover the compassion we are capable of having. And as crazy as it is, our differences could be the common ground to help understand others. Sympathy helps someone feel not alone. If someone is feeling sad for the situation and me, then it’s okay for me to feel sad or sorry, and that feels good. Though I would prefer for sympathy to just be a guest star in my life, one that is only around for story sake, but quickly is out shined by empathy to be out shined by confidence. Empathy helps connect me to the root of the problem and begins the healing process and the problem solving. If we all live with sympathy for each other, then none of us will ever step up and fix our life. We have to empathize to move forward with our differences. If I hear another “I’m so sorry”, I would like it to be followed with a discussion to actually help you understand why I may be sad, and then we can get to the root to rebuild me. And of course, vice versa. I won’t feel sorry for you just to match your feelings, and be in misery with you. I will tell you that I’m sorry you are struggling, but what is it that is making it a struggle? I want to change your perspective from struggle to a challenge to a journey of adventure. I will begin to understand you once you begin to understand yourself.

Intimidation is also constantly misunderstood. To intimidate someone is to intentionally make someone afraid or fearful or timid. Often we use the phrase “He intimidates me” rather than “I am intimidated by him”. The difference is simply that in the first phrase, we are blaming this guy for intimidating us, when in reality we have no idea what his intentions are. We should be using the second phrase, because that is when we empower ourselves. If I use the second phrase, then I recognize that I am the one who is intimidated, and I can change that. I now have control. Even if his intentions are to intimidate me, I won’t allow it. Now, I must re-iterate empathy and maintain compassion here, and not turn into one who intimidates. The last thing I want is to have an ongoing intimidating, silent, back and forth battle. Then we end up never speaking to each other, or perhaps we end up fucking, and never speak to each other again. I simply won’t be intimidated, nor will I be intimidated into bed, I’d rather encourage that notion.

The "Express Yourself" video was directed by David Fincher.

Laugh with me.

This Sunday I was having coffee at a café in the Castro area of San Francisco, reading a book called “How to Say A Few Words” by David Guy Powers (SAFW) published in 1953. In this book, it talks about how to capture an audience with story-telling, advertisements, political speeches, etc. It is as outdated as much as it is contemporary. I was sitting next to a lady and her 7 or 9 year old daughter. They were playing a French card game. It reminded me of Old Maid or Skip-Bo but all French words. I figured it was a learning game for the child. Across from me was two older men, I’d say in their 60’s and I would put money that they were two gay men, but that doesn’t matter. Now you know, I was having coffee next to two assumed gay men and a mother and her daughter. The server was a young black girl in a French Maid outfit and a green wig. There was a sign that said “DON’T FEED THE PIGEONS”, so instead I just waved my hand in the air for the two pigeons to fly away, just to have them fly back over and I’d wave them away, and they’d still come back and forth, and so on. I would have felt better about feeding them since they seem to come back anyway, besides I couldn’t finish my potatoes from my breakfast, they have since gone to waste I’m sure. I began to wonder, how do I feel about couples? I’m probably one of the few single people in the world who is perfectly fine with couples. Why not? There is something refreshing about couples that I can’t quite put my finger on it…actually, I can. The couple doesn’t have to be the best pair, or the best fit for each other, but the fact that two people can become one is inspiring and lovely. Maybe they smile every time they say each others name, maybe they don't. Maybe they are afraid it won’t work out, maybe they are not. Maybe they are constantly questioning the relationship, maybe they are not. Maybe one likes the other more, or maybe not. Maybe they are super excited to jump in bed, sleep and awake next to the love of their life, or maybe they aren't. There are a lot of unknowns in a relationship, and that makes being in a relationship an adventure, just as adventurous as being single. Things may not go as planned in life, and essentially you are on your own, but in a relationship you have someone else with you to laugh about all those things that go "wrong" or perhaps, they are going just as they are supposed to be. 

Often I laugh with myself, then, I think “hmmm, I wonder if I would laugh this hard with a boyfriend?” I’d like to think so. The last meal in the apartment, we don’t get paid for another week, and “Oops, I just dropped it all on the floor…hahahahahaha…kiss me.” “Oh no! Your Mother is visiting, we had lots of wine and I just crawled into bed with her on accident, in my underwear?! Hahahahahaha, kiss me…and more cream for my coffee please, Ma”. “Why on Earth would you rent a movie that has Nicholas Cage as the main character? Hahahahaha, let’s make it a drinking game…kiss me”. “I got these tickets to this big dance party. It has 3 dance floors, 8 DJ’s, a photo booth, a rooftop patio, lots of people…and we haven’t been out dancing in a while…[silence]…we can play hide and seek…SOLD!...hahahahaha, kiss me.” So, I figure if all of those scenarios happen in my relationship, then I will laugh just as hard with my boyfriend. And when my friend Lindsay tried to get me a date to her wedding, which will be this spring, I wondered “why is she trying to set me up with a date for her wedding? She knows I’m “solo Cody”, and that’s totally fine. I figured it’s because she didn’t want me to be laughing alone. The text conversation:

Lindsay

“The dots are gold.”

Cody

“Um. Yes. ?”

Lindsay

“I’ll grab him. Might be our guy for you for the wedding.”

Cody

“Yeah. Grab him. Give him my info. Fly him up to SF for the weekend.”

Lindsay

“He even comes with instructions. Excellent house guest.”

Lindsay always has weird conversations with me. They don’t always make sense, but we essentially speak the same language. "The dots are gold” really means, “I have found your man, things are looking bright”. Thanks Lu, you really know the way to my heart. I now have a date for her wedding. I just hope he doesn’t give me a hickey. And by the end of the night, he will be hanging around my neck. It’ll take all night, but I’ll loosen him up after a few Destructors. I know with a date or not, I won’t be laughing alone, or crying alone, although I may dance on my own…but only when I need to flail my arms and kick my legs to “You Make My Dreams Come True”.

Meet my date, Bo.

The Love Drug

I have taken drugs in my life, and that is no secret. The secret behind staying responsible is meditative, and knowing why I take the drugs, and having a clear mind when doing so. I tend to not crave drugs, although I may crave the state of being that I get when I am on drugs. The practice of recreational drug use does not appeal to me, but the journey to better understanding my mind, heart, soul, and my body while high is intriguing. I’d explain it more like an ongoing, never-ending mega puzzle. It’s the journey of finding the pieces, trying them in different spots, and still enjoying the moments that don’t fit. When you finish the puzzle, it’s over. The excitement and the high is done. What’s next…coffee and sugar cookies? So therefore, I’m a Mega Puzzle. I am never going to be finished, until the final piece is put in place, until then, I will enjoy the mismatching puzzle pieces and journey on. Love is a rare jewel, a drug in itself. I think Love can be more exciting than any drug I’ve ever experienced. When I feel the effects of Love, my brain shuts down. My criticisms, judgments and doubts go away. I am fearless. I will jump in front of a train. I will walk the tight rope between buildings. I will grab the hot pan from the oven with my bare hands. I will stop thinking rationally. Now, the effects of Love will come and go, so I can continue my everyday life and make rational decisions, but once I see or feel the one(s) I Love, my mind may go astray. It’s a good high. Just let me be. Let me curl up in your arms, lock legs, wrestle or just look at you and smile and laugh. Let me lose myself in your eyes, allow my dopamine levels to increase, until I come down, then we can talk about all the other stuff like work, family and your commute.  

A brief insight to my Burning Man Experience

I recently went on a vacation to Black Rock City for the Burning Man Festival in Nevada. A place that many people think they know. An event that is unknown to many, spoken about by some, experienced by those who need it without knowing that they needed it and revisited by those who found a new home and are anxious to go back for their reunion.

I went to a dried up desert with no said expectations, although with many expectations. I wanted to be wowed, blown away, and inspired. What I took away was so much more than I ever expected. Before I went, I was watching videos, looking at photos and reading blogs, then I thought I was over saturating myself with what has happened in the past, and I didn't want to be let down, so I stopped researching and left it to the Universe.

What I discovered was complete acceptance of everyone and everything. Every burner has their very own experience and adventures, and here is a glimpse at mine. Adventures make up your day and night. You don’t say “let’s go to the Temple”, you don’t say “let’s go get snow cones” and you don’t say “where are we going, and what are we doing” rather you say “let’s go on an adventure”. You may think you know, but at each turn and every camp, there is a new adventure. In Black Rock City, you don’t second-guess your actions, you just DO. Something in you wanted to stop and park your bike, walk up to the seesaw and take it for a ride. Something in you said to go to the Temple at that exact moment. Something in you decided to make a move that was merely the next step in your adventure. Immediacy is precious and important at Burning Man. I thought I “lived in the now” prior to going to Burning Man, but it really presented to me that I didn’t, and I thank this event for shining light on that for me. 

I had a spiritual journey. I had an emotional journey. I had a dance journey. I had a music journey. I had a fulfilling journey. The way of living is beautiful in Black Rock City. One day I went on an adventure on my own. I had a Bloody Mary and a piece of bacon next door, and then I got on my bike and went to The Playa, the main playground/museum/dance floor of the city. I went to a small structure that was built like a Mayan Temple. I went to rest. A girl walked up to the top and sat in the middle and played a song on her ukulele. It was perfectly beautiful. I then went to a tall structure of the woman statue that is probably one of the most photographed pieces of art from Burning Man. There was a sweet lady who spoke very little English taking pictures with her camera. I had a view of the woman holding the light, so I asked her if I might take a picture with her camera. Without hesitation, she smiled, said yes and handed me her camera. I took two photos of what I saw, in an attempt to share with her the beauty I witnessed. I told her to wait until later to look, and I hugged her and rode off to the main Temple. I parked my bike and entered the main Temple, a place to mourn, pray and celebrate life and death. This is the quietest place in the city. Built without a single nail, the entire temple is covered in prayers, articles and personal belongings that would eventually be burned at the end of the week. The center has a of the temple has massive hematite stones, known for absorbing energy, stacked on each other. I wrote some prayers and my favorite quote on the temple walls, “Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, it’s not the end”. Once I put the period at the end of my quote, I started uncontrollably crying. The energy in the temple is so incredible, that my body felt empathy, compassion, sadness and happiness all at once. I walked to the center and I saw Frenchy sitting on the ground, we locked eyes and he smiled and waved me over. Frenchy was part of my camp, so we knew one another. I sat with him in silence and we started crying together. Crying for nothing and everything. A woman behind me placed her hand on my shoulder and I melted. I turned and she just smiled. About 15 minutes went by and we decided to leave. We exited and had someone take a photo of us in front of the Temple.

We were set to go our separate ways, and Frenchy said, “I’m going on an adventure, would you like to join”, and without hesitation, I said “yes, yes I would”. Went rode off to The French Quarter. I wanted to send a postcard to a fellow camper at the post office near the French Quarter known as BRC3PO, which is Black Rock City at the 3pm Post Office.

 While I went to send the card, Frenchy waited in line at Café Du’Monde. While he was in line, he met two girls who so happened to know his co-worker, so we asked them to join us for coffee in the café. Let me make note, that we do not pay for anything in the city, there is no currency except for ice and coffee in the center camp. This was not “center camp”, this was what felt like New Orleans. After coffee, we went and had cereal at the cereal bar across the street. The Cereal bartender specialized in making cereal cocktails, which is mixing various types of cereal in a martini shaker and pouring them into a bowl, adding soy milk for us to enjoy. I attempted to bring a bowl of cereal to the girl that helped me send the postcard, but she kindly refused. We went across the street again and I had a snow cone. We crossed the street again and had Mojitos. While we were waiting for the mojito, a man in his 50’s, with a cowboy hat and completely nude had a conversation with Frenchy and I that was delightful. While in line I met people from Morocco, Brazil, London, Texas and New Mexico. We finished our mojitos and continued on our adventure out of The French Quarter. A girl was announcing on the street that they were serving margaritas, so we quickly pulled over. I sat on a merry-go-round while Frenhcy went to get our margaritas. Someone spun the structure so when Frenchy arrived, I was going round and round, seeing him every 3 seconds until it finally stopped.  We saw a big structure that looked like an amphitheater, so we headed that direction. It was a place that had petrified cats as décor and specialized in hot teas, while in the theatre, they had circus acts performing. There were couches to sit on and enjoy your tea and performing acrobats. We continued on to another place that had margaritas. They also had some people singing karaoke to “Love Shack”, so I picked up a plastic blow up guitar and pretended to jam out with them. In the back area of their camp, they had markers and scarves for guests to create their own scarves. Frenchy and I took the last two and each created a scarf. They spray them with alcohol and vinegar and let them dry in the sun while we finish our second margarita. On our way back to camp, we hear the sloppy sound of spaghetti being plopped on a plate, so we quickly brake, park and enjoy spaghetti. This was on one day between the hours of 11am-4pm. There are so many adventures to share, but this was one of my delightful and calm favorites.

Everyone eventually gets a “burner name”, usually determined by others. Frenchy, because he has a thick accent, and is from France. My name is Smiles.

The wheels on the bus

I'm inconsistent. I'm predictably Spontaneous. I think big. I think small. I don't think at all. I believe in the now. I make small judgements. I don't communicate often. I communicate well. I feel. I speak little. I talk often. I am simply living my life and I am grateful for the additives in my life. I'm writing my own life. It's hard, but it's fun. Some pages go straight to the trash bin, but for the most part, the pages are neatly stacked. Everything is what it is supposed to be. I am me.