There was a big dust-up in the leather community last year over the appropriateness of wearing police uniforms in public, which resulted in some really honest, thoughtful dialog about the history of leather culture and the importance of inclusive safe space within marginalized communities a giant flame ball of indignant drama words and egocentrism.
I made a firm point of staying out of it, although I did post some hilarious entirely unhelpful comments, which I blissfully assumed no one would actually read.
Then, a few days ago, someone was like, “Hey, remember that time Thumper unnecessarily ridiculed uniform fetishists?” And someone else was like, “Did he attend the big Leather Pride event last weekend? Because if so, he’s a literal Nazi like the rest of you.”
And I was like, “Oh. I… guess people read them after all.”
I wanted to write another post about the resurgence of the conflict, but I didn’t know if I could do so without getting myself worked up, and I was worried I’d end up saying something that would make things worse. But I also wasn’t comfortable not saying anything about it.
I felt kind of stuck. So…
Everyone: “You pulled out your Liminal Spirits cards.”
HEY. DON’T YUCK MY YUM. THEY ARE MY GODS RIGHT NOW. Anyway, I pulled out my Liminal Spirits cards and did a quick reading.
According to the cards, there is a situation I can’t control involving the people I’m connected to. Recent news triggered memories of the past, but the best course of action is to stay quiet and move forward with dignity.
You know, I can’t help but note how often the Ocean card appears to say, “You can’t control this,” whenever I ask how to manage a situation. I clearly need to work on my shuffling.
I’ll do some hand exercises or something. In the meantime, and speaking of hands, here’s a telephone conversation between myself and my boyfriend.
Me: “So you know how I’m always talking about Discordian Witchcraft? I did some googling, and it turns out that no one’s written about it yet, so I’m going to write books about it, and then I’m going to go to conferences and be on panels and dress all in black.”
Ben: “With gray and purple accents?”
Me: “Well, of course. Except I need a Five Fingered Hand of Eris pendant to complete the look, but I couldn’t find a sterling silver one anywhere, so I guess it doesn’t exist, which sucks, even though I did find a cool magnet.”
Ben: “Okay, I need you to rewind and think about that last sentence.”
Me: “Huh?”
Ben: “‘I need this pendant that doesn’t exist, but I found a magnet.’ That was just… peak Thumper.”
Me: “…”
Ben: “Like, if I was writing you as a character, that is word for word something I’d have you say.”
Me: “I mean, can anyone ever really have too many magnets?”
Ben: “Listen, I’ve got a box in the garage next to the kaftans packed to the brim with magnets, and… oh, shit, hang on a second. The timer just went off. I’ve gotta finish activating the THC in this weed butter so that I can get the next batch of jazz cookies in the oven.”
Me: “Wow.”
Ben: “Wow?”
Me: “All of that was just… peak Ben.”
Ben: “… Touché.”
In other news, to be filed under Things Awesome, I did finally find a Hand of Eris pendant, and it looks so damn good on me, that my beard turned silver to match it.
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