https://vr.shapeservices.com/play.php?hash=a506590c0bd9f47e22b129ae1d6060065586629ec91039b1c
Today on the way to the beach I caught a snippet of Regina Spektor live on KCRW. She played four songs: "Folding Chair," "Eett," "Blue Lips," and "Sampson." I'm hoping KCRW releases the recordings to put on iTunes because she sounds flawless.
Enjoy and prosper!!!
Mr. Segal....
Wow, it has been so many years - 13 years exactly. I have to say that there isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of you or the student named Chris Hunt. After all these years I never have found him but always wondered where he ended up.
The main reason why I think about you everyday is because it is quite haunting the impression that teachers make on you when you are so young - like I was at 15 years old and living in the closet or just confused as fuck - LOL. I can remember countless times in your drama/english class where you would often perform the stereotypical gay lisp and it would get a chuckle out of everyone in class - I can even remember kids would copy you out of class - to them it was a funny joke and hell even sometimes I would laugh it off but it was a serious mind fuck for me that sent me deeper into the closet and ashamed of who I was. Now when someone does the lisp or a gay imitation I laugh and have the confidence to speak up if it offends me, however as a 15 year old kid everyday in high school was survival and putting a happy face on was mandatory.
Chris Hunt, the student I mentioned, was my classmate that numerous times would call me FLAMER, QUEER and things like that in your English fifth period class and in Mr. Hooven's class (third period I think). Funny how 13 years later I can remember the words, the period and the occurrences and how I felt. I can remember Mr. Hooven and you would tell the class to shush or quickly change the topic, nothing was done and I don't think you as teachers were trained to deal with a student bullying someone based on names like QUEER and FLAMER. Surely I would never speak up, I had no confidence and at 15 years old survival and having friends was more important to me than defending what I thought I might be - a queer or a flamer.
I know that using such lisps - even if you are a drama teacher is not encouraged these days and if you still do use them you will think twice. I have been contemplating writing this email for about a week now but realized I must do it to regain my piece of mind and move on from something that has bothered me for over a decade.
These days I am extremely comfortable with who I am and the only ill feelings I harbor against you is not casting me - a closeted gay male, in one of your plays. Damn it, I always wanted to be in those plays you had - I was so jealous and figured I would be cast on my so-called actions that were obvious to some.
Thanks for reading this email and taking the time! I hope all is well and YES i can still remember being in the front row of your class the first day you quit smoking COLD TURKEY. Everyday we would count - the days would increase and so did your anxiety!
Take care....
Scott Boardman
MY DRAMA TEACHER RESPONDED....
Dear Scott,
I am so sorry you felt the way you did in my class. To be honest, I really don't think about things like that because, at least these days, it's just one of dozens of voices I do in my classes. My students know that I poke fun at everyone because I love them and it makes class interesting. You must admit not all gay men talk that way but some do, no different than when I talk with a Southern accent. Not all people in the South talk that way, but some do.
As far as being in the plays, how many did you audition for? Because I am always on the lookout for guys as they're scarce in my program. If you did audition, it certainly wasn't your sexual orientation that was the reason you weren't cast as many of my actors are gay or lesbian. We also did a production of The Laramie Project a few years back and the district was very supportive.
To be honest, I don't even remember Chris Hunt, but I do know what it is liked to be bullied. From 6th to 11th grade, I was bullied for being short, Jewish, whatever. I still remember the guys that did it and I wouldn't be friends with them even today on Facebook. The wounds do stay with you and are for life. Regarding your hazing in my class, either I was too inexperienced (Not an excuse) or I was unaware that the name calling was serious. If you don't tell someone, how are they to know?
I'm sorry high school was so difficult for you and that I didn't help and, in fact, made it worse. Keep in mind that I do remember you fondly. You always had a smile and a kind word and I did consider you one of my more personable, fun students.
I'm glad things are better for you now and I wish you the best in the future.
Sincerely,
Mr. Segal
I saw this on Perez Hilton today and I am so blown away by what these inmates can do. When you think about it, if these performers could have put their new found talent to good use before they were sentenced to do time then they might have avoided prison entirely. I wonder if these dance routines inspire change and almost a sort of psycho therapy?
On a similar note last week when I was driving up to the camp ground with Eduardo, he being born in the Phillipines told me that the gay culture is more heavily integrated into mainstream culture - especially with feminine guys. Eduardo told me that his father would always get his haircut by men only and it was widely known that all the men who cut hair and perform similar services were gay and did the best job. He also said that for gay men that were more masculine it was a lot harder to blend into the gay scene even though it was probably easier to live life because of the masculinity they had.
I also learned that the Phillipines has 20 spoken languages in the country and although Tagalog is the national language it is not the most widely spoken - very interesting!!!!
https://vr.shapeservices.com/play.php?hash=34f96e964040e1f3986ff852f7b93f6e42e964b7aee300004
www.scottboardman.blogspot.com
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Recorded on iPhone and posted with VR+ Lite.
http://vr.shapeservices.com
The other night Joe Kenan and I saw a movie called Patrik 1.5, a featured movie apart of Outfest 2009! One of the songs featured in the movie was Dolly Parton's classic song "Here You Come Again." I had never heard it before but once I got a chance I bought it on my iPhone! Love, love, love the song.... and the movie!!!!
Today I was at the gym, listening to Pandora and the legendary song THE BEACH by New Order came on and it gave me that boost of energy I so desperately needed! The song is so iconic and a testament of what the 80s were about and how influential New Order was for making a unique craft of music. While I was never a huge fan of them you have to appreciate their style and THE BEACH - so f***ing amazing!!!
NO H8 CAMPAIGN SPREADS TO XXX COMMUNITY
(West Hollywood, Ca) -- Columnist and host, Scotty B, alongside NickYoungXXX, Randy Blue, Jet Set, and Odyssey Publications have all set out to get the adult community to stand up against H8!
On Wednesday, July 15th, photographer and creator of the NO H8 campaign, Adam Bouska will be hosting an all day photo shoot from 1:00 to 8:00 p.m. at his studio in North Hollywood, Ca. The now infamous photos can be viewed on the NO H8 Campaign site (www.noh8campaign.com) and is an attempt to bring a brighter light to fight for equality. While receiving over 400 submissions from people around the world giving their interpretation of Bouska's image, he is proud to have shot over 800 activists including Fran Drescher, Debbie Gibson, Megan McCain, Tatyana Ali, Blake Lewis, Perez HIlton, Ashlee SImpson, Pete Wentz, Playmate Rachel Sterling Tara Reid, and porn director Chi Chi LaRue.
"The adult community has huge influence over mainstream gay culture and if they can help with this nobel cause than I think it is a cause we should help promote," says Scotty B.
While the images are now being used for a viral/grassroot outreach on Facebook.com and other social sites, eventually they are expected to be compiled for a billboard campaign as well as multiple spreads.
Adam Bouska says that all you need to bring is a plain white v-neck/t-shirt, and they will take care of the painting/temporary tattooing the "NO H8" logo on your cheek.
In order to keep up with the demand of the photos, they are asking for a minimal donation of $25 from each participant per individual portrait to help out with our mounting costs as of July 1st. Group/couple photos can also be purchased at an additional $25 per finished photo (not per person). Children 12 and Under will continue to be photographed free of charge.
These fees help afford the time and resources to continue working on the campaign and making sure everyone gets a chance to take a photo. It will also help make plans in the future to take the NO H8 Campaign to other cities!
For more information please contact Adam Bouska via the NO H8 Campaign site (www.noh8campaign.com).
