I have a theory: the Left died with the Queers. Not just from AIDS, although that was massive, but the subsequent domestication of queerness, culminating in legalized gay marriage. The assimilation of homosexuals into mainstream culture via popular media and legal structures deprived the Left of its most vital, creative, and feisty component. I’ve never seen it discussed or written about, but Bohemianism was critical to the vitality of the left, and queers were critical to Bohemianism. When queer culture stopped being subversive, the Left never recovered. And here we are today with the Right ascendant.
This is one for the great meth memoirs anthology, (selections from Gary Indiana, Sedaris) from before it exploded as national plague. I do recall SF giving that buzz/lifestyle/nightmare a certain cast, v well captured here. But dude: cross that with being an actual teen? Mother Machree!
This was around the time you where teaching me how to "correctly" ring up pies at a natural bakery in Noe Valley.... a vivid evocation of SF in the the 1980's, thanks
Wow, Cintra, thank you so much for posting this. You two made such a phenomenal impact on my life back then. So now, as I lie here in a hospital bed hooked up to bags of chemicals (not the fun kind of our youth), this story got me super emotional about how the universe orchestrated our friendships.
Todd told me to meet him at the apartment, and you’d let me in to wait for him.
Listening to you read this brought up the cutest memory of you jumping on Todd's bed to the newly released 1st Madonna album. The only thing I don't remember is if it was a record or cassette...hahaha, bad DJ, bad DJ.
You're so gifted with writing to become a mental view master.
Anytime really, since my brain still operates the same since the days in SF (I hear you're back on the west),
You know that Snow Chief is our grand cat. He was Lucy's son. When you gave Lucy to me on Lyon as a tiny kitten, she was so beautiful. How could anyone want to eat her lol? Sadly she passed away when I went to jail in Santa Ana around 1996.
Not to think I'm a STAN, but I have been following you since I stumbled across A Massive Swelling. I still tell people you Were my fiancée in San Francisco. I know now it was more of a soul-sister type of thing. I also fell in love with Todd until I said something and ran away from Lyon. Our friendship after that was peculiar after that.
Since I was diagnosed in 2020, permanently banned from Facebook, and not working since I have had numerous days of reflection.
Plus, multiple trips to the ER (why do EMTs have to look like the cast of Magic Mike?) and stays in the hospital or skilled nursing facilities. This last time was on April Fool's day. I had to be rushed to the ER (5th time since Thanksgiving last year) because I had liver failure. My brain backed up with ammonia making it seem like I was having a stroke.
So stepping away from my tangent, you can seriously call me anytime at 714-801-0007. Ninja tried to call me last Sunday and didn't know I discharge. Now I'm feeling about 80% better. I also was told in the hospital that I have Hepatic Encephalopathy. Oh, and my parting gift was COVID.- yay, me, lol.
At least I can totally make fun of myself for being a dirty crackhead enjoying the company of people in shooting galleries on the upper east side. Just like Basketball Diaries, but I didn't know it then. It would be the world to me if you called or texted.
So interesting how seemingly unlikely people can be Christ figures. I would like to have met Todd. Your friend Paul's theory is compelling. I think we do need a radical left for balance. Something's gotta give; the 'ascendant Right' is hell.
I have a theory: the Left died with the Queers. Not just from AIDS, although that was massive, but the subsequent domestication of queerness, culminating in legalized gay marriage. The assimilation of homosexuals into mainstream culture via popular media and legal structures deprived the Left of its most vital, creative, and feisty component. I’ve never seen it discussed or written about, but Bohemianism was critical to the vitality of the left, and queers were critical to Bohemianism. When queer culture stopped being subversive, the Left never recovered. And here we are today with the Right ascendant.
Thoughts?
That is an utterly fascinating theory, and one to which I will have to devote serious thought.
This is one for the great meth memoirs anthology, (selections from Gary Indiana, Sedaris) from before it exploded as national plague. I do recall SF giving that buzz/lifestyle/nightmare a certain cast, v well captured here. But dude: cross that with being an actual teen? Mother Machree!
Aww thank you Mr. Norris! Hope it wasn't too depressing!
Not at all!
excellent text, cool painting !
Thanks Jim! I owe you an email!
just wondering if post office delivered 3d pmt
I think so, I'm sorry, it is in a stack of mail and I need to go through it - but I believe so, yes
This was around the time you where teaching me how to "correctly" ring up pies at a natural bakery in Noe Valley.... a vivid evocation of SF in the the 1980's, thanks
Good God. The shame never abates.
I know what you mean! I like to excuse all of my behavior in 1980's as a period of misguided exuberance and a quest for adventure!
There certainly was that aspect to it!
Damn. Excruciatingly beautiful.
Many thanks, Robin
Wow, Cintra, thank you so much for posting this. You two made such a phenomenal impact on my life back then. So now, as I lie here in a hospital bed hooked up to bags of chemicals (not the fun kind of our youth), this story got me super emotional about how the universe orchestrated our friendships.
Todd told me to meet him at the apartment, and you’d let me in to wait for him.
Listening to you read this brought up the cutest memory of you jumping on Todd's bed to the newly released 1st Madonna album. The only thing I don't remember is if it was a record or cassette...hahaha, bad DJ, bad DJ.
You're so gifted with writing to become a mental view master.
I love you so much Pat! Ninja gave me your number (Snow Chief!) -- is it OK to call you one of these days? Are there good times to do it?
Anytime really, since my brain still operates the same since the days in SF (I hear you're back on the west),
You know that Snow Chief is our grand cat. He was Lucy's son. When you gave Lucy to me on Lyon as a tiny kitten, she was so beautiful. How could anyone want to eat her lol? Sadly she passed away when I went to jail in Santa Ana around 1996.
Not to think I'm a STAN, but I have been following you since I stumbled across A Massive Swelling. I still tell people you Were my fiancée in San Francisco. I know now it was more of a soul-sister type of thing. I also fell in love with Todd until I said something and ran away from Lyon. Our friendship after that was peculiar after that.
Since I was diagnosed in 2020, permanently banned from Facebook, and not working since I have had numerous days of reflection.
Plus, multiple trips to the ER (why do EMTs have to look like the cast of Magic Mike?) and stays in the hospital or skilled nursing facilities. This last time was on April Fool's day. I had to be rushed to the ER (5th time since Thanksgiving last year) because I had liver failure. My brain backed up with ammonia making it seem like I was having a stroke.
So stepping away from my tangent, you can seriously call me anytime at 714-801-0007. Ninja tried to call me last Sunday and didn't know I discharge. Now I'm feeling about 80% better. I also was told in the hospital that I have Hepatic Encephalopathy. Oh, and my parting gift was COVID.- yay, me, lol.
At least I can totally make fun of myself for being a dirty crackhead enjoying the company of people in shooting galleries on the upper east side. Just like Basketball Diaries, but I didn't know it then. It would be the world to me if you called or texted.
So interesting how seemingly unlikely people can be Christ figures. I would like to have met Todd. Your friend Paul's theory is compelling. I think we do need a radical left for balance. Something's gotta give; the 'ascendant Right' is hell.