Monday, August 17, 2015

Dear Just Me

I am FREAKING SICK of Dear Just Mes!!!

The late Madam K's younger brother has passed on.

He was a bachelor, a drunkard and had trouble staying in one place.

The niece that was nice enough to take care of him had told us about his shenanigans when we visited  a couple of months ago (they live in a different state). 

"He was actually ok, until he started getting drunk and wandering off. He would get his monthly money from welfare and would end up spending the money on cheap alcohol and start wandering around aimlessly. We have found him several times, all dirty and smelly, and we'd clean him up, feed him, and take care of him but as soon as he gets his money he would go back to his old habits and go missing again."

He apparently met with an accident having wandered off and was taken to the hospital where he was recognised by a friend of my aunt's (dad's cousin) husband.

He passed away in the hospital just in time for my aunt to get there to proceed with funeral arrangements.

I only remember him from my childhood. He was a very nice person who had a good ability to tie flower garlands; the ones used for weddings and for deity statues. Since he didn't children of his own he adored all his grandchildren, grand-nieces and -nephews.

Sad ending for someone who could have had a good life.

Nevertheless, I pray for his soul, for he too was your child God. Take this soul into your arms and give him resolution. 

Hari Om Tat Sath.

Aum Shanthi Shanthi Shanthi...

Saturday, August 08, 2015

Movies

I am on this quest to educate myself as much as I can on everything that is iconic and pop-culture related to being transgender, gay, drag queen and everything else adjacent. In line with that pursuit I back tracked iconic movies related to the subject and since about 5 years ago have been on the quest to watch them all.

I was inevitably linked from one article to another and so on and so forth until I finally stumbled upon Rupaul Andre Charles; the glamour queen whose music video in the 90s made waves. I was inspired and I watched several interviews he did and he of course referenced some of his favorite iconic movies. One of them was the documentary Paris is Burning.

I finally watched it just a few days ago and boy was it an experience.

First of all, fashion in the 80's, one word, CRAZY!

And the gay community in New York in the 80s, wow, a spectacle!

This is one of those movies people should watch just to get the feel of how the most 'out' gay community was, in the 80s when LGBT people were still being teased, taunted, assaulted and even killed. It was a journey of sorts.

In that quest I have also watched other movies; some of which I can't recall at this instance but what I remember I have listed down below;

To Wong Foo, Love Julie Newmar
-This movie was a little bit of a stretch but it was entertaining; seeing Wesley Snipes and Patrick Swayze being fabulous was reason enough to watch!

The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
-The famed Matrix antagonist is a drag queen in this movie! Definitely iconic status!

The Birdcage
-Nathan Lane's work was definitely praise-worthy!

Pink Flamingos
-Sit through this and not flinch and I'll salute you!

Fire
-Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das, one huge step for Indian LGBT community!

I Love You Phillip Morris
-Jim Carrey; enough said.