Roses are Red, Violets are Blue! #love #acceptance #tolerance

I am sure there are a lot of you out there, that  are from my planet 'Shopalot'  and, for those who are from the planet,  'Do-you-really-need-it',  this may help you to understand our dilemma

As most of you are aware, I love fashion, love shoes, love gadgets.  Ok, I just love shopping!  For the retailers out there, I am sure you love me and others from my planet. Yes, we are the ones that go ga ga and very rarely pass those promotional stands you place so provocatively in the stores.  You bring the zing to our to our credit cards and, put the bling into our lives.

My partner and I have one of those mixed unions, he is from the 'Do-you-really-need-it' Planet and the suburb to which he belongs is 'Bargain-Basement' but, for most times there is no difference in equality. That is until we shop together.  When grocery shopping, I am forever having this little fairy throw a cloud of fairy dust into my trolley and those little extras just disappear (poof) before we hit the check out - amazing his powers! Those 'just in case items' never get to be quantified on the shelves at home. (That is when we shop together.) Otherwise, when shopping alone I have a steady supply on the shelf for those 'just in case' situations.

As afore mentioned I like fashion and shoes!  <3 <3  I don't quite understand how he gets so thingy about my ins and outs to clothing stores, when I allow him to peruse the bargains for the 'on sale' items in the cleaning isle of the supermarket, to the point of my distraction.  He should never complain, because I don't waste his time in fitting rooms!  I just buy off the rack and never try on -  just buy and take home and if they don't fit I never drag him back to the shops for a return.  And after all, he wears my clothes anyway. He quite often says, that with being able to wear my clothes, he never needs to shop for 100 years.  So, I am doing him a favour right?  And when I buy a shirt for that special occasion, do you hear me complain that he has worn it and got food stains on it before I have even had time to remember I actually bought it.  Never!  Ok, I may lower the height of his bike seat but I never complain.  (Ooops)

Shopping with someone of a different persuasion can really strengthen your patience levels. It gives you an insight into how the other half live.  This is healthy right?  It helps you to appreciate the differences and to work on them so there is no misunderstanding for future reference.  Impulse and procrastinatory shoppers can live in harmony.  Those from my planet must learn the techniques of disguise when shopping. Put the things for 'just in case' at the bottom of the trolley so he doesn't see until at the register. Because then he gets too embarrassed to hand back, without causing a stink about it, in front of the checkout operator. When you spot a store whose clothes look wonderful, ask him if he needs to go for a wee walk or buy the lotto ticket so you can make your dash, and while he is in for a trickle you buy and secrete until you get home. It takes practice, but, with time you get better, he he! Linger patiently over his bargains, as then you have leverage for those times when you can't just grab and run with your fashion statement.

Yes this is tongue in cheek stuff, but it does show that we all have differences and we all must get along with each other.  Respect our differences and work with them.  The pleasure of knowing that we are all different, and yet can accept each other for what we are, can be and is a rewarding insight into life's joys and peace.

These are my thoughts! Anyway, until next time remember:

 'Roses are red, 

Violets are blue, 

Ask him to stay home,

And our love will be true!'

Cheers!

Bitchescoz

Contact: luke65mcbride@gmail.com

A Life Well Lived #abuse #bullying #discrimination

Today, in Australia, they handed out the Queen's Birthday honours. The recipients of such honours have served their communities, their country, their cause with great dedication and diligence.And, in no way do I mean to detract from the good works that these people do.  But, there are many people in all walks of life that dedicate themselves just as diligently to their jobs, their communities and causes. They do not do this because they want accolades. They simply do it because they want to. Maybe, it is time that we give these everyday Joe's some recognition. After all, many of those who appear in these Honours Lists are already handsomely rewarded for  the work they do. So what is it that makes them more qualified than the average citizen? Do these people live a life well lived? They certainly do!

However, to live a life well lived, we do not have to spend our life doing good deeds. There are billions of people world wide who live good lives, caring for their families and friends. They are good world citizens making sure they do the right thing by the environment and the world in general. They are made up of people of all colour and creed. They are made up of single people, couples- heterosexual and homosexual, the disabled, the young and the old. There is no discrimination in those who live a life well lived.

But discrimination is alive and well, as some sectors of society, and members of family, choose to bully, vilify and victimize those who a deemed as 'different'. Rather than value them for their uniqueness and contribution, they choose to try to make them conform. Just because they live differently, or have different needs and wants, does not mean they do not live, a life well lived - that they do not make very valuable contributions to the richness of the family structure and society in general. What is it that makes society so fearful of 'different'? Why is it that even today, there is still a fear (very real I might add) of rejection when a person chooses to 'come out' and tell their family of their sexual orientation. What makes a family reject their beloved son or daughter simply because of their sexuality? They are not a different person to the one they were, before they 'came out'. They still do all the same things as everyone else. They still study. They still go to work. They still fall in love. They still want a family. The very essence of these wants and needs, mean that they live a life, well lived.

If we are going to judge how to define a life well lived, we would do well to look past the veneer that these 'respectable' citizens of the world present to society. We should look past the power, the trappings of wealth, and the apparent perfect family, to see if these people really do qualify for the honour of a life well lived. I believe, that those they choose to denigrate, deserve the honour far more. Simply because they live their lives true to themselves, and treat others with the utmost respect, all the while dealing with the bigotry, manipulation, and animosity that is dished their way each day.

Worldwide, things are slowly changing for the LGBTI community. After all, there is a transexual playing in the Brazilian soccer team, fully supported by his team mates. However, the very fact that he has made headlines worldwide means he isn't considered as simply a person by at least the media of the world. I am sure he lives a life well lived! But, those who think they are the pillars of society choose to comment on this man as if he is a freak show. He is the same as you and me - he is a person. A talented one, I grant you that! Maybe, if he lived in Australia, he might get to receive a Queen's Birthday Honour for his services to sport. But I doubt it! Those in power would make sure that he was buried in some back office while they take all of the glory for his deeds.

Those who choose to manipulate, and bully, those who are 'different' certainly do not qualify for a life lived well. It is far more important to treat those around you with comfort and kindness, whatever their 'difference'. Maybe, we should start a National Bully Register!!! That way those who perpetrate such acts could be punished by making sure they NEVER receive such accolades.That they are unable to hide behind the veneer of society. I would love to scream to the world - these people are dysfunctional parents. Please do not give them credit for a life well lived because on that score they fail.

So how do we define "a life well lived"? Is it a definition owned by the elderly? I think not! Just because someone is old does not mean they necessarily qualify. Is it a definition owned by the rich? Certainly not! Oh yes, they try to buy it, but actions speak louder than words and the result is Epic Fail. Is it a definition owned by community? Maybe! At least community means there is a generosity of spirit as those who are self centered simply do not involve themselves. Is it a definition owned by individuals? Most definitely! At least that way we can weed out those who do not live a life well lived even though they pretend too!

So whether you are a member of the pack, or an individual that is different, try to truly live a life well lived. Be generous of spirit, leave your judgemental gene in your jeans and treat others the way you think you deserve to be treated.

Just then you might qualify for a life well lived!

Cheers!

Bitches Coz!

Contact: luke65mcbride@gmail.com

Oh Sooo Many Shoes!!

When did my penchant for nice things begin?? OMG! That is like asking me when I realized I liked boys? Don't the two things go hand in hand! My very first love affair was with shoes.  I have loved them for as long as I can remember, along with watches, bracelets, rings and all jewellery in general. I think it comes with the territory.  No, I KNOW it comes with the territory. Besides you can never have too many shoes.

After all you need a suitable shoe for every occasion - in every colour, style, shape and material possible. I have joggers, loafers, sneakers, boots, lace-ups and, slip-ons. I have thongs, sandals, crocs, and scuffs. They come in suede, leather, canvas, mesh, and composite with colours ranging from the fluorescents, beige, orange, grape, yellow and just about every colour in between. After all you cannot afford to have your shoes clashing with your outfit. I have new shoes, old shoes and everything in between shoes. Some are actually haddit but I cannot bear to part with them as they really become an extension of yourself. Come to think of it, no wonder I have soo many shoes as it is vitally important to have a pair of shoes to match every outfit. After all, where would I wear my Aubergine Suede Boots with yellow soles if I did not own canary yellow pants?

Sooo Many Shoes

My shoes are stored in my garage - they outgrew my wardrobe quite a few years ago!!! Whenever people spot them (which is not difficult) they are like, 'Does a fucking centipede live here?' If I was not such a tough nut, I could take offence at such remarks. There is one drawback with shoes tho and that is you can only wear one pair at a time. There is no such restriction on jewellery, thank God! I can accessorize my favourite watch with as many leather bands as I like. Oooops, sometimes though, when my watch is the size of an alarm clock it does get a little difficult. Now add a handful of rings  and a couple of chains and any outfit is complete. I still have a chuckle when I think of a friend of mine who took simply ages to work out I was gay. Hellooo! I would have thought the accessorizing was a dead givaway!

Why is it that our gayness gives us a yearning for nice things? What is it about our gayness that makes us creative? Is it our feminine side that brings out this trait? Or is it our queer, bent persona that gives us our unique flair for being the best dressed at many occasions. It allows us to push the boundaries and be bold and outrageous, sometimes to the dismay of our conservative rellies. But hey, we do not tell them how to dress! Though I think a few of them could do with a gay boys makeover. After all darlings, we are the style queens of the universe. 

Our penchant for nice things is not restricted to our own person. We are the interior designers of the world, we decorate the sets of films, we are the wedding planners with flair and pizzazz! Oh, how I yearn to be the wedding planner for gay weddings!!!! The gifts we give are the most gorgeous under the tree or on the birthday table. Our gifts are the most elegant, the most outrageous, or the most fun. 

This quirky, bent, flair is simply part of us. Our gayness is the essence of who we are, and having 160 pairs of shoes, 35 watches, and too many wristbands to count, is part of that. Let us be true to our sexuality and be loud and proud of who we are and embrace our flamboyance and flair!

Be Proud to be Pink

Bitches Coz

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