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Post by subdjoe on Jun 7, 2008 21:04:44 GMT -5
Has anyone here been this year? It has been several years since I have attended.
A saucy little event, if I recall. An almost perfect blending of hedonism, self-righteous intolerance, and pseudo-science. Last time I was there I was vilified because I was male, because I was white, because I dressed conservativly, because I didn't fall all over myself agreeing with some of the information that was being pedaled, and had the audacity to say that I didn't agree with it.
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Post by Mink on Jun 8, 2008 1:22:29 GMT -5
Subdjoe, what is the harmony festival? What do they do there and did you know what you were walking into?
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Post by The New Guy on Jun 8, 2008 2:21:58 GMT -5
the name of it is enough to keep me away. sounds like one of those old hippy festivals designed to "enlighten" everyone. no thanks.
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Post by Mink on Jun 8, 2008 2:43:12 GMT -5
I never did understand the hippies, but I think harmony is a good word.
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Post by subdjoe on Jun 8, 2008 9:02:09 GMT -5
It used to be the Health and Harmony Festival. Held at the Fairgrounds, Mink. A playground for hippies, new agers, various alternative lifestylers. Pretty much take all the causes from all the bumper stickers in Sebastopol and give them a booth from which to pedal their POV. Throw in clouds of pot smoke, and lots of poorly made hand crafts and 'folk art.'
Yes, I knew what to expect. And I was not surprised or shocked by any of it - including the intolerance and vitriol of the Oh so tolerant, diverse, inclusive, and enlightened new agers, leftists, and others who were there to 'celebrate' their being in harmony with everyone and everything. And, to answer the question in your mind, no, I wasn't being in-your-face or judgemental. Kept pretty quiet, mostly shaking my head and saying No thank you. The problems came when I declined to take leaflets from people who were supporting causes or views I disagreed with. Then I instantly became close minded, bigoted, intolerant, fascist, red neck, racist, etc. etc. etc. through the entire litany of leftist hate speech.
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Post by JustMyOpinion on Jun 8, 2008 10:28:05 GMT -5
Has anyone here been this year? It has been several years since I have attended. Last time I was there I was vilified because I was male, because I was white, because I dressed conservativly, because I didn't fall all over myself agreeing with some of the information that was being pedaled, and had the audacity to say that I didn't agree with it. It's unfortunate that people are judged by what they look like, gender etc. In some situations it's best to keep on walking when faced with someone who dresses to make a threatening statement, gang banger type etc, it isn't worth the risk to be friendly. I was at a party last night and the group of people were so incredibly diverse, and I loved it. Some extremely wealthy, some artsy-eccentric, some a little bit "out there," but I find if you open yourself up to talk to those you wouldn't ordinarily talk to the experience can be very rewarding. Everyone has a story, or different perspective about life and I think the more we learn the richer life can be. Ironically, we all may not talk to each other if we knew what each other looked like. I have an image of each of you in my mind, and I sure it's inaccurate. Like you subdjoe, your photo is not what I'd pictured AT ALL. In my mind you were clean shaven, dressed in khakis with a conservative shirt of some sort, maybe a moustache, with very short hair. It's so funny how the mind will associate a physical stereotype based on opinions, career type, and lifestyle choices etc. |
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Post by subdjoe on Jun 8, 2008 13:06:47 GMT -5
LOL, yeah, I have shocked a lot of people with how I look. People who have heard me on the phone expect a 'suit.' I do dress conservatively, except for work, where I wear - work clothes. but usually I wear decent pants, long sleeved shirt, and vest when I go out, even to the store. About a century or so out of date.
And I'll pretty much talk to anyone. Yeah, I'll make some quick horseback judgements based on age, dress, deportment, but I'm willing to change that based on how well they express themselves, how they treat me, etc. Basically I treat everyone with courtesy until or unless they show that they don't deserve it. And even then I'm more abrupt than rude or insulting.
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Post by JustMyOpinion on Jun 9, 2008 13:59:57 GMT -5
BTW, I hope you know I wasn't saying anything negative about your picture. It's just different than the picture I had visualized in my mind.
I'm sure I'd be surprised by everyone's photo, and visa versa...
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Post by JustMyOpinion on Jun 9, 2008 14:01:22 GMT -5
It's also nice to know you're open to discussion with all people, that says a lot.
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Post by subdjoe on Jun 9, 2008 14:10:14 GMT -5
BTW, I hope you know I wasn't saying anything negative about your picture. It's just different than the picture I had visualized in my mind. I'm sure I'd be surprised by everyone's photo, and visa versa... Why would I have thought that you were saying something negative? All you said was that my pic didn't fit with the mental image you had built of me, and then described how you thought I looked. Nothing wrong with that - at least you didn't say you thought I looked like Michael Jackson, or Rosie. ;D |
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Post by JustMyOpinion on Jun 9, 2008 14:25:28 GMT -5
-"at least you didn't say you thought I looked like Michael Jackson, or Rosie."
SCARY thought!
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Post by Mink on Jun 11, 2008 23:30:39 GMT -5
So, subdjoe, if you knew what you were walking into, why did you attend?
I'm just asking because I wouldn't attend a gay parade. I don't associate with them and couldn't support them, so why would I attend an event? (not that there is anything wrong with being gay....)
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