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2fruition. Answers: jawnbc
1. What is the weirdest book you've ever read? And did you like it, or not?
Well that's easy: Naked Lunch, William S. Burroughs. It reviled me, it aroused me, it busted through my narrow North American sensibilities. Taught me that desires/sexual inclinations are handed to us. So now when I quickly scan Hassan's Room in a bookstore or library (about once a year), I no longer feel entirely icky when I get a woody. Only somewhat icky.
2. If you were asked to describe any general differences between Canadian popular music and American, what would your observations be?
Well I think is some ways the differences are becoming less distinct. A few years ago I felt Canadian music put music before the marketing. We have artists like Jann Arden, Rita McNeil, The Rankins--none of whom would win "American Idol". Because they don't conform to unrealistic notions of image. But the other side of it is that radio in Canada seems to either embrace the notion of CanCon (for our non-Canadian readers: Canadian Content regulations; that a certain % of radio must be Canadian in content) and give new and less mainstream acts airtime, while others strive to fill their broadcasts with music by Canucks that were hits on American radio. Or they play their CanCon between 2 am and 5 am. The CBC et Radio Canada would be exceptions. Of course.
But we've also produced artists that have found success on the world stage, and whose work is interesting and different. Nelly Furtado comes to mind; so too do Sarah McLachlan and Alannis Morrisette. There sounds are distinct. But may I take this moment to apologise to the world for Our Lady Peace, whom I find to be formulaic consciousness-rock at its worst?
3. Do you have experience with sadomasochistic sex play? If not, why not? If so, can you tell me about one encounter that you found rewarding?
Oh yeah, mostly from below. I stopped at electricity (too much mindfook), but most other things I've dabbled in. What at first felt like flames licking at my soul, later felt like spiritual and emotional progress in leaps in bound. Then it kinda got boring and it felt like the dance was more about the steps than the partner--and for me, all good sex begins with chemistry. I found too much of the SM scene populated by people into pain and submission, who didn't want any genital involvement.
For a while I hung out with a guy who was a professional dominant. He was totally wired for kink, and while he had a lover, he was also clearly desiring some intimate contact. I too had a lover, but the sexual relationship was problematic at best. So I was searching and we connected. He taught me a lot about kink, but our first meeting was one of those.....hoo-pah moments. He greeted me at his door, led me into the bathroom, stripped me and cleaned me. In and out. He led me into his playspace, tied me to a play board face down, with my meat pulled through a very tight hole in the board. Restraints, hood, blindfold. Breath control, the strap, he mounts me. Then strokes me to the edge. Then mounts me. Then strokes me. Then does both, all the while making horrid, scary, totally arousing suggestions about torturing and mutilating me. When I came I bawled, and made one of those in-the-moment commitments to explore this sort of thing further.
4. Do you have any thoughts on the "harm reduction" approach to addressing drug addiction?
Oh yeah, both personally (I'm sober and have been for many years) and professionally (I've extensively researched injection drug use here in Hongcouver). While my own story is one of transformation through sobriety, I'm not so arrogant to think that what has worked for me is the wholly transferable standard for all. A fair number of folks with substance misuse issues can address their concerns via harm reduction: avoiding particularly problem substances but not all, limiting or reducing consumption, or making using safer so some of the related problems like infection and overdose are greatly decreased. For example, a persons whose life has been characterized by poverty, social exclusion (often racism, but also physical or sexual abuse in their "normal" families) and violence will not experience a magical transformation by getting clean and sober--in fact, their using is purposeful, and to take away the substances is to make the pain extremely intense.
Public discourses about drug use are often rather simply about "how to stop" or "how to say no." But most injection drug users (IDUs) were already treated like shit enough in life that sticking a needle in their arm seemed like a reasonable thing to try--something most people find a rather horrific proposal. We need to examine why so many think it's OK to even try, and change the conditions under which such thinking emerges. In other words, we need to look at racism, sexism and childhood abuse--no, we need to dramatically shift things so that fewer and fewer people grow up thinking of themselves as shit. People who value themselves are much less likely to experiment with hard drugs.
Along the same lines, we need also to accept that "not all drugs are equal." While folks can get in dire straits with alcohol, coke, heroin, valium, speed, crystal, crystal and crystal, some substances are more clearly treacherous. And some--alcohol, but also things like marijuana--are socially acceptable, if used "moderately." Though what constitutes moderation isn't easily agreed upon.
Of one thing I am certain: rather than engaging in pissing matches between the harm reduction and abstinence ("sober" or "clean") approaches/paradigms, we should be fighting for more services in both areas. It's cheaper and more compassionate than the current system, which is a crap shoot as to whether one can access either type of service in a timely manner.
5. Please explain Carole Pope and Rough Trade to your non-Canadian friends. (This is the most important question of the five.)
Carole Pope was Dusty Springfield's last lover. Seriously.
But back in the early 80s, Rough Trade had a huge hit in Canada with High School Confidential, where Carole sings about her obsession with the prettiest girl in her high school. Not only a girl singing about another girl, but a butch, quirky, hip girl singing about a conventionally hot, cheerleader-esque girl. Totally queer. But the music was great, and they deserved their popularity.
My favourite Carole Pope moment? Her singing on Tears Are Not Enough, the Canadian single for Ethiopian famine relief. A much better song (penned by Brian Adams) than We are the World or Do They Know It's Christmas. I remember seeing the video for it on Friday Night Videos on NBC in the States while in high school. I thought "Anne Murray's Canadian? Neil Young's Canadian? Joni Mitchell's Canadian? Who's that? Wait--wasn't that the girl from Rough Trade? Is sheCanadian too?
Great questions, sexebombe!
2fruition. Answers: jawnbc1. What is the weirdest book you've ever read? And did you like it, or not?
Well that's easy: Naked Lunch, William S. Burroughs. It reviled me, it aroused me, it busted through my narrow North American sensibilities. Taught me that desires/sexual inclinations are handed to us. So now when I quickly scan Hassan's Room in a bookstore or library (about once a year), I no longer feel entirely icky when I get a woody. Only somewhat icky.
2. If you were asked to describe any general differences between Canadian popular music and American, what would your observations be?
Well I think is some ways the differences are becoming less distinct. A few years ago I felt Canadian music put music before the marketing. We have artists like Jann Arden, Rita McNeil, The Rankins--none of whom would win "American Idol". Because they don't conform to unrealistic notions of image. But the other side of it is that radio in Canada seems to either embrace the notion of CanCon (for our non-Canadian readers: Canadian Content regulations; that a certain % of radio must be Canadian in content) and give new and less mainstream acts airtime, while others strive to fill their broadcasts with music by Canucks that were hits on American radio. Or they play their CanCon between 2 am and 5 am. The CBC et Radio Canada would be exceptions. Of course.
But we've also produced artists that have found success on the world stage, and whose work is interesting and different. Nelly Furtado comes to mind; so too do Sarah McLachlan and Alannis Morrisette. There sounds are distinct. But may I take this moment to apologise to the world for Our Lady Peace, whom I find to be formulaic consciousness-rock at its worst?
3. Do you have experience with sadomasochistic sex play? If not, why not? If so, can you tell me about one encounter that you found rewarding?
Oh yeah, mostly from below. I stopped at electricity (too much mindfook), but most other things I've dabbled in. What at first felt like flames licking at my soul, later felt like spiritual and emotional progress in leaps in bound. Then it kinda got boring and it felt like the dance was more about the steps than the partner--and for me, all good sex begins with chemistry. I found too much of the SM scene populated by people into pain and submission, who didn't want any genital involvement.
For a while I hung out with a guy who was a professional dominant. He was totally wired for kink, and while he had a lover, he was also clearly desiring some intimate contact. I too had a lover, but the sexual relationship was problematic at best. So I was searching and we connected. He taught me a lot about kink, but our first meeting was one of those.....hoo-pah moments. He greeted me at his door, led me into the bathroom, stripped me and cleaned me. In and out. He led me into his playspace, tied me to a play board face down, with my meat pulled through a very tight hole in the board. Restraints, hood, blindfold. Breath control, the strap, he mounts me. Then strokes me to the edge. Then mounts me. Then strokes me. Then does both, all the while making horrid, scary, totally arousing suggestions about torturing and mutilating me. When I came I bawled, and made one of those in-the-moment commitments to explore this sort of thing further.
4. Do you have any thoughts on the "harm reduction" approach to addressing drug addiction?
Oh yeah, both personally (I'm sober and have been for many years) and professionally (I've extensively researched injection drug use here in Hongcouver). While my own story is one of transformation through sobriety, I'm not so arrogant to think that what has worked for me is the wholly transferable standard for all. A fair number of folks with substance misuse issues can address their concerns via harm reduction: avoiding particularly problem substances but not all, limiting or reducing consumption, or making using safer so some of the related problems like infection and overdose are greatly decreased. For example, a persons whose life has been characterized by poverty, social exclusion (often racism, but also physical or sexual abuse in their "normal" families) and violence will not experience a magical transformation by getting clean and sober--in fact, their using is purposeful, and to take away the substances is to make the pain extremely intense.
Public discourses about drug use are often rather simply about "how to stop" or "how to say no." But most injection drug users (IDUs) were already treated like shit enough in life that sticking a needle in their arm seemed like a reasonable thing to try--something most people find a rather horrific proposal. We need to examine why so many think it's OK to even try, and change the conditions under which such thinking emerges. In other words, we need to look at racism, sexism and childhood abuse--no, we need to dramatically shift things so that fewer and fewer people grow up thinking of themselves as shit. People who value themselves are much less likely to experiment with hard drugs.
Along the same lines, we need also to accept that "not all drugs are equal." While folks can get in dire straits with alcohol, coke, heroin, valium, speed, crystal, crystal and crystal, some substances are more clearly treacherous. And some--alcohol, but also things like marijuana--are socially acceptable, if used "moderately." Though what constitutes moderation isn't easily agreed upon.
Of one thing I am certain: rather than engaging in pissing matches between the harm reduction and abstinence ("sober" or "clean") approaches/paradigms, we should be fighting for more services in both areas. It's cheaper and more compassionate than the current system, which is a crap shoot as to whether one can access either type of service in a timely manner.
5. Please explain Carole Pope and Rough Trade to your non-Canadian friends. (This is the most important question of the five.)
Carole Pope was Dusty Springfield's last lover. Seriously.
But back in the early 80s, Rough Trade had a huge hit in Canada with High School Confidential, where Carole sings about her obsession with the prettiest girl in her high school. Not only a girl singing about another girl, but a butch, quirky, hip girl singing about a conventionally hot, cheerleader-esque girl. Totally queer. But the music was great, and they deserved their popularity.
My favourite Carole Pope moment? Her singing on Tears Are Not Enough, the Canadian single for Ethiopian famine relief. A much better song (penned by Brian Adams) than We are the World or Do They Know It's Christmas. I remember seeing the video for it on Friday Night Videos on NBC in the States while in high school. I thought "Anne Murray's Canadian? Neil Young's Canadian? Joni Mitchell's Canadian? Who's that? Wait--wasn't that the girl from Rough Trade? Is sheCanadian too?
Great questions, sexebombe!
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no subject
Date: 2003-11-21 07:04 pm (UTC)Don't spoze I'd mind being interviewed...
Okely Dokely
Date: 2003-11-21 09:44 pm (UTC)1. Tell us how you came to be located in Toronto please? Was it work? Hot man-2-man action? A week-long bender, ending at Yonge & Bloor?
2. There's some buzz now on both sides of the 49th regarding "gay marriage," but little discussion of what constitutes a healthy marriage or partnership or ___________. What makes a relationship work for you with a lover/spouse/SO? What sorts of deal breakers (things you can't abide) do you have?
3. Are there anythings not overtly or obviously erotic that totally turn your crank? Peeled bananas, calla lily photos, Peter Mansbridge? What are/is they/it?
4. What has been the most exotic experience of your life? Could be a place, a moment, or ???
5. Many homos seem to have an affinity for things off the (cultural) beaten track, particularly with respect to music. When I was in high school (78-82), it was The Boomtown Rats. Did you have any such esoteric musical tastes in high school? Or thereafter? And how has this music stood the test of time? [I still love the Rats BTW]
no subject
Date: 2003-11-21 08:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-11-21 09:31 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-11-22 12:11 am (UTC)She did a great duet with Barry Harris from Kon Kan on Kon Kan's album Syntonic called Victim. It's fab!
no subject
Date: 2003-11-22 06:03 pm (UTC)Apology accepted. I thought about soliciting a Bryan Adams apology, then I remembered how many bad artists the US has foisted on our dear friends up north. So I'll, um, shaddup now.
no subject
Date: 2003-11-22 06:14 pm (UTC)Not, I might add, a Berlinetta.
no subject
Date: 2003-11-27 12:57 pm (UTC)I read Naked Lunch as a teen, and I have to admit that it was a bit over my head. I read a bunch of other Burroughs stuff too. I was interested in a lot of the ideas that Burroughs and Brion Gysin explored, such as "cut up" writing, but I found it a bit impenetrable. I had similar interests in music, such as composer John Cage, where the ideas behind the work were sometimes much more interesting that the end result.
As for your recounting of the sex encounter that got verbal with the "scary, horrid" stuff: been there, on both sides of the fence. It certainly can be hot to dip one's toe into the murkier sides of the psyche during sex play. I'm pretty vanilla much of the time myself, but I've definitely down a few twisted things in my day.
When it comes to the harm reduction and abstinence approaches, I have to agree with you that we need to support both strategies. In my own experience addressing a substance-abuse problem, I found that harm-reduction tactics did help keep me as physically and emotional well as possible under the circumstances, and that the abstinence approach was the best thing for me once that actually became a possibility.
And when I saw the film "Fix: Story of An Addicted City" about the struggles leading up to the opening of Vancouver's safer-injection site, it broadened my understanding of the important of harm reduction, especially with regard to the impact of issues of class, race and poverty in many people's lives.
Carole Pope spoke to me as a sexually repressed 13-year-old. I used to worship Rough Trade and I used to own many of their albums. And she was indeed fun in the Northern Lights famine-relief tune, when she breaks it down: "Tears are not-uh! Tears are not-a enough-uh!"
I used to do a really good imitation of Carole's sexy, breathy voice...
no subject
Date: 2003-11-27 01:08 pm (UTC)"Tears are not-uh! Tears are not enough-uh!"
*wipes tear from eye*
no subject
Date: 2003-11-27 01:16 pm (UTC)Because of Carole's modest vocal range, I can sing along without being off-key!