Recent reading: science fiction, mystery, and cartoon history

Much of this batch is stuff I picked up at Wiscon: after getting stuck without enough reading because of a delayed flight on my way out, I stopped in the dealer's room and got, not only one book I was specifically looking for, but five used books for a dollar each, semi-randomly. (I declined a couple of things because I knew I didn't like the writers, and didn't buy anything I'd already read.) [There are some spoilers here, specifically for Lee Killough's Deadly Silents; Pat Murphy's The City, Not Long After; and possibly James White's Tomorrow Is Too Far and Carl Hiaasen's Tourist Season, but I'm cutting mostly for length.]( Read more... )

Recent reading: science fiction, mystery, and cartoon history

Much of this batch is stuff I picked up at Wiscon: after getting stuck without enough reading because of a delayed flight on my way out, I stopped in the dealer's room and got, not only one book I was specifically looking for, but five used books for a dollar each, semi-randomly. (I declined a couple of things because I knew I didn't like the writers, and didn't buy anything I'd already read.) [There are some spoilers here, specifically for Lee Killough's Deadly Silents; Pat Murphy's The City, Not Long After; and possibly James White's Tomorrow Is Too Far and Carl Hiaasen's Tourist Season, but I'm cutting mostly for length.]( Read more... )

Not at Pride

I thought about going to the Gay Pride March today, either as a participant or to stand on Fifth Avenue and watch. I concluded that I don't really have that much energy right now, and that I don't need to do this anymore. It needs doing, but I don't need to be doing it.

I don't need it for myself: I know I'm not alone, I know this is my city, and I don't feel the need to remind myself that yes, I'm queer that was one of my motivations for marching when I was involved only with cattitude. And the march doesn't need me: it's a big thing now, lots of people, lots of groups and floats, pretty rainbow-colored subway posters telling us what trains to take to get there. We're here, we're queer, and this city is definitely used to it. The State Assembly passed same-sex marriage earlier this month--and my being there, or not, isn't going to convince the Republican boss of the State Senate to let the bill get to the floor for a vote.

I was grumpy about this earlier--more about feeling I had to stay home than about missing the parade, really--and I talked to Cattitude and adrian_turtle and felt much better. But I am visible as bi, in a lot of contexts, and I was there marching in the early 1980s when it wasn't as easy for a lot of people, and when I needed to be there, and when it probably meant more not only to me, but to the people watching us march. And maybe next year I'll have the energy, and go.

And I should think about why I'm not out at work--though I think that's more about being nervous about being out as poly, and having already mentioned cattitude (he's the partner I live with, and spend the most time with), than about passing as straight.

[This post was prompted in part by one from athenais about similar topics.]

Not at Pride

I thought about going to the Gay Pride March today, either as a participant or to stand on Fifth Avenue and watch. I concluded that I don't really have that much energy right now, and that I don't need to do this anymore. It needs doing, but I don't need to be doing it.

I don't need it for myself: I know I'm not alone, I know this is my city, and I don't feel the need to remind myself that yes, I'm queer that was one of my motivations for marching when I was involved only with cattitude. And the march doesn't need me: it's a big thing now, lots of people, lots of groups and floats, pretty rainbow-colored subway posters telling us what trains to take to get there. We're here, we're queer, and this city is definitely used to it. The State Assembly passed same-sex marriage earlier this month--and my being there, or not, isn't going to convince the Republican boss of the State Senate to let the bill get to the floor for a vote.

I was grumpy about this earlier--more about feeling I had to stay home than about missing the parade, really--and I talked to Cattitude and adrian_turtle and felt much better. But I am visible as bi, in a lot of contexts, and I was there marching in the early 1980s when it wasn't as easy for a lot of people, and when I needed to be there, and when it probably meant more not only to me, but to the people watching us march. And maybe next year I'll have the energy, and go.

And I should think about why I'm not out at work--though I think that's more about being nervous about being out as poly, and having already mentioned cattitude (he's the partner I live with, and spend the most time with), than about passing as straight.

[This post was prompted in part by one from athenais about similar topics.]