Ten of swords

Just very randomly – I was re-reading the paper Brandon is writing on gender dysphoria (which is pretty much brilliant, hate to admit it – especially since it came from the mind of someone who thought Nookie is "the most AWESOME song of the century – we need to work through that B). He's using some of the more main-stream transgendered case-studies – Brandon Teena (of Boys Don't Cry fame) and Cam Lyman (millionaire transvestite who was murdered in his 50's – killer still unknown). But he also mentioned a few people who I had never heard of. Billy Tipton was a jazz musician – who had lived as man since the age of 19. It was only when he was discovered dead at his apartment that people realized that he was actually a fully functional 70 year old woman. He had been married a number of times, adopted kids – apparently even his wives didn't know he was a woman. Its so fascinating – that so much of what we perceive as normal may be a completely human construct. Gender and sexual orientation may not be as black and white as we want it to be. I recently read an article that said that, as we evolve, we will become more prone to bisexuality and androgyny … gender lines will smudge more and more. What will it mean for a world where patriarchy is as ingrained as the notion of benvolent, unbiased democracy being the accepted norm? Politics aside – I think its just something to think about it terms of how we relate to one another, how we fan our biases – how we judge things that seem abnormal to us. Its strange that normal, in most cases, may be the minority.

So I'm reading this wonderful book called "The Great Tranformations" – have already recommended it to Isha and Audrey. It talks about how all the major religious ideas that were the foundation for all the major religions in the world were born between 800 – 300 BCE all over the world. Is interesting. And it talks about the Aryan migration to India – which is also interesting. I would love to get Jody, Ish and Neha (shah AND mathur) in a room and talk about what we define religion to be. I can actually predict what everyone will say, but it would still be interesting. Interesting seems to be the word of the day. I want stories Jodes  So the plan for London seems to be set. Ish will get me (please please please please) … and Aurelie will be coming down on the 6th. Amalan should be there … and I will see Bahar again. I can't wait for the flight – I will get to read for what – 10 hours. Its either going to be "The End of Faith" or "The Belljar" depending on how depressed I want to be when I land in London.  I cannot BELIEVE Neha and Neha are going to pay money to watch Coldplay in concert.  I am still waiting for stories Jody …  Has anyone else watched the movie Raising Cain?