The Rudy Giuliani of Bloggers
HMMMM. Chris commented on my blog yesterday that I’m “moderately conservative.” My initial reaction was “there’s no way in hell that I am!”
But maybe I am? I never thought of myself as such…especially considering our former asshole – I mean governor – Mitt Romney claimed to be a moderate conservative when he ran for governor. And look at what kind of right wing propaganda-spewer he turned out to be! I like to think I’m nothing like him.
The more I think about it, I guess I’m VERY liberal socially, but moderately conservative fiscally. But even that doesn’t sum me up because I’m not necessarily liberal with all social policies (welfare reform and such) yet I believe in numerous social programs for the needy and am willing to pay higher taxes for a higher quality of life for them (and me). In fact, I think Americans are under-taxed. Yet, simultaneously, I think that the current government is inefficient with the tax money they receive.
Eh, maybe I should stick with my habit of avoiding politics.
But then there was another comment from Chris….calling me “artsy.” For this one, I intially found it more complimentary than “moderate conservative”….but then I realized I don’t think I’m really artsy at all. I mean, yeah, I went to the Louvre in Paris…but I didn’t go in. I walked around the lobby (under the pyramid) since it was free and then left the building 15 minutes later. I was too cheap to pay to see the galleries. Consequently, I never saw the masterpieces inside. I’ve been to Paris twice and haven’t entered a single museum there.
I watch sitcoms and reality shows on TV and like John Cougar Mellencamp and Jimi Hendrix…how artsy is that?
But I somehow must project the image of being artsy. Interesting. Is it the way I dress? (Old Navy, Target). Is it the way I talk? (I tend to avoid talking about literature and such because I know nothing about it). Is it the way I act? (I think my aloofness/social awkwardness can make me come off as snobby). Is it the places I go? (The bulk of my travel has been because expensive elements of the trip were free…either I had a free place to stay or had frequent flyer miles to get there…or both). Is it the things I do? (board games, card games, movies).
HMMMM – this intrigues me. This sort of thing has always fascinated me since I was a teenager. Although I had a thoroughly lower-middle class upbringing (Mom worked nights at Sears, Dad read meters for the water department), I happened to be raised in the most affluent village on Cape Cod. My family had just been there generations before the wealthy built their summer mansions. In sixth grade, I left the local elementary school and went to the regional (town-wide) schools for 6-12th grades. It was there that people immediately started assuming I was rich because of where I was from. I guess I played that up. And since I started working at 12 years old (first as dishwasher, then a dog-walker, then Orange Julius) I was buying my own clothes and “keeping up appearances.”
Long story short – I guess I’ve always enjoyed “playing” a character. Or leading people to think one thing about me, when I’m actually not quite “that” person. Maybe it has to do with growing up gay. Maybe it has to do with low self-esteem and always wanting to be better (or, at least different).
Wow – I’m rambling. Thanks, Chris! I think yours may be the first comment that’s ever gotten me to actually think.
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Consider yourself a libertarian. You’re not really “artsy”, just gay. And your 2 thoughts about why you often hide behind a character are likely spot on. Ooh, that sounded rather blunt/bitchy but wasn’t meant that way. 😉
Chris, where shall we mail your reward check? 😉
Snarl…for crissakes , pay the money and go see the damn galleries when you’re in Paris! Jeeze! As to the perceived snob-factor… I have no idea what you’re talking about. Bless my buttons.
I know I SHOULD go to the museums…but they just don’t interest me as much as the people watching (and sightseeing) on the streets.
Besides, museums and bookstores make me feel like I need to take a dump.
That was kinda rambly, but you remind me, sometimes, of my Congregationalist family, very socially and politically liberal when it comes to other people, but very conservative fiscally (both government and personally) and conservative “in the family” eg. . . “Not our kind, dear.”
Yeah, I had a similar experience in college. For whatever reason people thought I was rich — and all I did was buy some new clothes. Ever since then, I had to maintain that facade.
“Besides, museums and bookstores make me feel like I need to take a dump.” Please tell me you did not type this. I almost hurled my lunch.
It’s true! I think I have a condition.
Yeah, Karl has some kind of weird bowels that he sees indoor museums and thinks… fun artwork or the toilet? thats odd now isnt it? Somehow he made it through the museum in Montreal for 1 hr with no issues.
as someone whos been to art school and is very familiar with the artistic temperament and bohemian lifestyle, y’aint “artsy”. but you know what it is!!: the eyeglasses! seriously, it takes an out of the ordinary man to sport female eyewear, hence “artsy”… youre so artsy that museums make you crap! if i remember correctly, we went to the museum and you didnt have to poop once! its all in your head… and i have accused you before of being socially conservative, which you are, its not a bad thing. theres “nancy grace conservative” and then you, just this side of “hillary clinton conservative”.
female glasses? oy vey.
I’m beginning to question my friends.
I hope, in light of all this, I’m not on the questionable list.
‘Course, I dunno exactly if I fall on the “friends” list, either.
OH, Chris, no! I’m not angry at your. I’m quite thrilled that you actually got me to think! This is a good thing!
Well, Karl, it was a dirty job but SOMEBODY had to do it! 🙂
Yay, Chris.