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eggwardsAlright Buzz, Chai-Nog is quite tasty.
Speaking of Shout-Outs, here's a big "HI" to Miami Chris![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
dedos, who gave me a surprise call on Sunday (from Miami, even!).
One last little thing from the weekend. As I often do, I had Sunday dinner with my parents. My dad was really tired from working the night before, and then going out to the gun range, where he helps train the sheriff's officers to shoot straight. He had been up for hours, and for a man of 62, that can be kind of hard.
The dinner conversation was rather dull. Mom only talks politics and about neighbors I don't even know. Dad spoke about work and the jail. Sometimes I just tune it out, just enjoying the chips and queso at the local Chili's.
Dad started to talk about a guy at work who apparently is a bit of a clown. He does goofy things, and apparently he makes himself the fool. It's a bit of a familiar position for me, as I often do the same. The other deputies tend to make fun of him, and play practical jokes on him. He plays a few back, now and again.
I've been made fun of, and I make fun of others. I've gone to far at times, and I've hurt others with jokes as much as others have hurt me. Still, I often find someone who's just like the guy dad described, he doesn't take himself seriously, and he allows himself to be the butt of a joke now and again. I often take advantage of that. I won't say that those jokes don't add up, though.
Dad mentioned that this guy does a bit of a fey act now and again. A part of his schtick, I suppose.
Dad asked me where you can find large ribbon, large enough to wrap a car like a present. At first I didn't think these two points were connected, and I thought I missed something. Perhaps Dad was going to buy someone a Lexus or something for Christmas.
Well, no, I said that he could probably find some at a large craft store nearby, and he outwardly wondered if their might be pink or rainbow ribbon available. Wha? I had to stop him. He wanted to wrap the guys car with this to imply he was gay? I said I didn't think that was a good idea. There's jokes, but implying someone's gay wasn't really cool.
I asked Dad if this guy was married. Yes, with a kid. Did he attend church? Yes. Then I said questioning his sexuality wasn't very cool, especially so publicly. It could have some far-reaching effects. Hell, even if he was questioning his own sexuality, this isn't the way to make fun of him.
I managed to get a look out of him that said he understood. I'd never seen my dad have a cruel streak, nor do I think he was doing it with the intent to hurt the guy, but I also don't think he thought it out. I don't think that he expected me to say a whole lot, just disapprove, but I actually told him what I thought, and how I felt...without getting emotional, defensive or screamingly mad.
For once, I think my dad started to understand more about having a gay son.
Yet still, it didn't seem to give mom a clue, or she just wishes to remain...
Speaking of Shout-Outs, here's a big "HI" to Miami Chris
dedos, who gave me a surprise call on Sunday (from Miami, even!).One last little thing from the weekend. As I often do, I had Sunday dinner with my parents. My dad was really tired from working the night before, and then going out to the gun range, where he helps train the sheriff's officers to shoot straight. He had been up for hours, and for a man of 62, that can be kind of hard.
The dinner conversation was rather dull. Mom only talks politics and about neighbors I don't even know. Dad spoke about work and the jail. Sometimes I just tune it out, just enjoying the chips and queso at the local Chili's.
Dad started to talk about a guy at work who apparently is a bit of a clown. He does goofy things, and apparently he makes himself the fool. It's a bit of a familiar position for me, as I often do the same. The other deputies tend to make fun of him, and play practical jokes on him. He plays a few back, now and again.
I've been made fun of, and I make fun of others. I've gone to far at times, and I've hurt others with jokes as much as others have hurt me. Still, I often find someone who's just like the guy dad described, he doesn't take himself seriously, and he allows himself to be the butt of a joke now and again. I often take advantage of that. I won't say that those jokes don't add up, though.
Dad mentioned that this guy does a bit of a fey act now and again. A part of his schtick, I suppose.
Dad asked me where you can find large ribbon, large enough to wrap a car like a present. At first I didn't think these two points were connected, and I thought I missed something. Perhaps Dad was going to buy someone a Lexus or something for Christmas.
Well, no, I said that he could probably find some at a large craft store nearby, and he outwardly wondered if their might be pink or rainbow ribbon available. Wha? I had to stop him. He wanted to wrap the guys car with this to imply he was gay? I said I didn't think that was a good idea. There's jokes, but implying someone's gay wasn't really cool.
I asked Dad if this guy was married. Yes, with a kid. Did he attend church? Yes. Then I said questioning his sexuality wasn't very cool, especially so publicly. It could have some far-reaching effects. Hell, even if he was questioning his own sexuality, this isn't the way to make fun of him.
I managed to get a look out of him that said he understood. I'd never seen my dad have a cruel streak, nor do I think he was doing it with the intent to hurt the guy, but I also don't think he thought it out. I don't think that he expected me to say a whole lot, just disapprove, but I actually told him what I thought, and how I felt...without getting emotional, defensive or screamingly mad.
For once, I think my dad started to understand more about having a gay son.
Yet still, it didn't seem to give mom a clue, or she just wishes to remain...
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no subject
Date: 2003-12-23 09:00 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-12-24 03:24 am (UTC)THAT'S RIGHT IT IS!!! MMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm....
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Date: 2003-12-24 04:34 am (UTC)Um, but yeah, that is really cool the way you were able to get your dad to think about it. The earliest stage in most stressful situations is usually denial. And if you never bring it up, and don't force him to think about it at least once in a while, he can go on pretending that you are straight (or never coming to terms with the alternative) for eternity. Even if it takes him a while, it sounds like he will get there, though. :) Good job, Mike!
no subject
Date: 2003-12-24 05:04 am (UTC)Now tell your Dad to go buy his friend a copy of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" as an Xmas present. That should work on many levels!
no subject
Date: 2003-12-24 05:48 am (UTC)Heard you on Out Q this morning! Please, you and Larry have a great Yule/Holiday!
no subject
Date: 2003-12-24 06:34 am (UTC)When you allow your father to see who you really are instead of playing the role of the straight son, he cannot help but to change.
I love you for your courage.