I LIKE collecting as a hobby when I was younger.
And I was a notorious collector of a lot of things: stamps, coins, trinkets and trip souvenirs, cassette tapes, VHS movies.
Today, I’m still a collector, but I’m more focused on books, DVD movies, and CD music.
I’ve inherited a big vinyl record collection, but I don’t really think of it as mine.
It has some music that I recognize and appreciate, but would least likely buy myself.
One of the hobbies I really enjoyed in my twenties though was listening again and again to my small collection of cassette tapes and CD.
I sort of miss that — listening to an album in loop mode until I could listen no more,
It’s like I wanted to go through my collection, and making sure I get my money’s worth.
I can’t listen to music, or watch movies, like that anymore.
My collections have grown so big.
And there are some irresistible streaming services for movies, and music, now, too.
I guess, I do miss the actual labor, and ritual, that goes through opening cassette tapes, putting them on disc players, pushing buttons, and sitting on comfortable chairs to listen to music.
With digital music, all one needs to do is flip the phone screen with the pointing finger, maybe connect the bluetooth headset, and one can even run with the music playing on.
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As far as power, or political, relations are concerned, I’m rather pessimistic about men and women equality, even in the next 25 years.
I really pray for the equality of the sexes in this aspect, but I don’t think it is ever going to happen in my lifetime.
I mean, I really wish I can be proven wrong.
As for sex (and/or romantic) relations among the sexes, I think it will be very interesting.
In the last ten years, I’ve seen how same-sex marriage in some countries have informed the world at large.
The Pride movements have expanded the gender and sexuality arguments.
I’ve seen how being gay has become a non-issue among the millennials.
I’ve also seen a lot of sexual fluidity, and the flipping of gay homosexuals to pursue bisexuality.
And I’ve seen a lot of women going into marriage relationships with ex-gay, or even still gay men.
I really find that revolting — err, I mean, interesting!
I really find that openness in sex relations awesome.
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Fortunately, or unfortunately, I never keep a toxic person close, and long enough, to know who is the most toxic.
I got some really crazy friends who I love, but who would be too clingy, or too possessive of me.
I keep them at an arm’s distance.
Except for my saintly sister who has done pretty well in life, my family can be a little toxic.
My only rift with my mom stems from her gambling.
(She may call me disrespectful, but that’s only because I call her out, and won’t mince words about it.
She may call me names for being gay, but that’s only because I won’t give her gambling money.)
My other sister can be toxic (I sometimes call her neurotic), but that’s only because she’s poor in her financial management.
When she’s okay, she doesn’t really bother me.
My two brothers don’t affect me as much, but they’re toxic, too.
From my perspective, they’re irresponsible.
If they, or the rest of the family, disagree with me, they can deal with what shit my brothers do.
I keep them both 100 meters away from me. (500tinaga@gmail.com/PN)
