This past December I swung by the Cincinnati Museum of Contemporary Art while in town for my brother’s wedding. They were in-between shows so I spent more time in the gift shop than in the galleries. In general, museum gift shops rock and this was no disappointment - front and center in the jewelry case were two necklaces with dangling letters which spelled out FUCK. The gods were speaking to me! One necklace was silver, the other gold, tempting on both counts but I stuck with the silver; $62 later I was the proud owner of necklace profanity.
Fuck is one of my favorite words; it rolls off the tongue and covers so much with tremendous clout. Saying it releases tension, voices excitement and vents frustration. Shouting it expresses anger and conveys power. Doing it, well, all great there. The F bomb can be directed at others or ourselves. How many times have I hit a piss poor tennis shot and mumbled, “Fuck me”. Helen Mirren stated, “At 70 years old, if I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to use the words “fuck off” more frequently.” Noted Helen. I really don’t think I know of a better word…mind you the C word is climbing up the ladder fast, but I digress.
Loving my brother’s outstanding fiancé/wife, I did not feel the need to wear the necklace to the wedding, and in general, I was a bit shy about flashing this fine word. Back in southern Cal, I wore it once to a happy hour when a friend subtly suggested, “Maybe not so appropriate to wear when you teach.” Fair enough. I put it away and opted for other beaded necklaces which coordinated with tennis outfits.
Then the world dropped, again. How could things get worse? We voted out the frump…we don’t live in fear of our President running off on a love-filled weekend with Putin or vacationing in North Korea…but then Friday, June 24th happened. This was not a surprise but shocking all the same. Amy Clown Barrett was put in a seat of power sitting alongside the horrible Clarence T who in a perfect world would still be on parole for his crimes of sexual harassment. Alas, we do not have a perfect world. The Supreme Courts decision slapped women across the face which was noted worldwide. Fuck and fucked, not in a good way.
I put my necklace on that day, June 24th 2022. It is not my intention to offend or shock anyone, I wear it for me. I take it off for certain occasions, like weddings; but otherwise, the F bomb graces my neck and knowing it is there makes me smile. I find the word and my necklace comforting. Interestingly, I am not actually saying the word out loud as often as I was, and I did say it a lot, but I think I don’t say it so often because the word always has a presence with me.
I am thinking of embracing gold as well.
Here is my blog which I wrote four years ago. Fuck, I hope we make better progress in the next fours years.
CONTNUAL HEARTBREAK10/24/2018
I vividly recall watching the Anita Hill hearings. I was glued to the TV. I knew she was telling the truth. I remember looking at the committee and listening to their questions and it was obvious to me that they also knew she was telling the truth. My heart and a bit of me broke when they ignored her and put that disgrace of a man on the Supreme Court. I felt sucker punched and a seed of disgust towards those who are indifferent towards women was planted in my soul.
Kavanaugh, another predator who wouldn’t know the truth if it bit him in the butt, won his bid for the Supreme Court. His anger was rewarded. Again, I felt broken.
Michelle encourages us to “go high when they go low” – but when hope is in the gutter that is no easy task.
Tough times, heavy on the heart.
A life-raft was thrown my way when a friend wisely stated, “Art is the answer.”
Back to work.
Fuck is one of my favorite words; it rolls off the tongue and covers so much with tremendous clout. Saying it releases tension, voices excitement and vents frustration. Shouting it expresses anger and conveys power. Doing it, well, all great there. The F bomb can be directed at others or ourselves. How many times have I hit a piss poor tennis shot and mumbled, “Fuck me”. Helen Mirren stated, “At 70 years old, if I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to use the words “fuck off” more frequently.” Noted Helen. I really don’t think I know of a better word…mind you the C word is climbing up the ladder fast, but I digress.
Loving my brother’s outstanding fiancé/wife, I did not feel the need to wear the necklace to the wedding, and in general, I was a bit shy about flashing this fine word. Back in southern Cal, I wore it once to a happy hour when a friend subtly suggested, “Maybe not so appropriate to wear when you teach.” Fair enough. I put it away and opted for other beaded necklaces which coordinated with tennis outfits.
Then the world dropped, again. How could things get worse? We voted out the frump…we don’t live in fear of our President running off on a love-filled weekend with Putin or vacationing in North Korea…but then Friday, June 24th happened. This was not a surprise but shocking all the same. Amy Clown Barrett was put in a seat of power sitting alongside the horrible Clarence T who in a perfect world would still be on parole for his crimes of sexual harassment. Alas, we do not have a perfect world. The Supreme Courts decision slapped women across the face which was noted worldwide. Fuck and fucked, not in a good way.
I put my necklace on that day, June 24th 2022. It is not my intention to offend or shock anyone, I wear it for me. I take it off for certain occasions, like weddings; but otherwise, the F bomb graces my neck and knowing it is there makes me smile. I find the word and my necklace comforting. Interestingly, I am not actually saying the word out loud as often as I was, and I did say it a lot, but I think I don’t say it so often because the word always has a presence with me.
I am thinking of embracing gold as well.
Here is my blog which I wrote four years ago. Fuck, I hope we make better progress in the next fours years.
CONTNUAL HEARTBREAK10/24/2018
I vividly recall watching the Anita Hill hearings. I was glued to the TV. I knew she was telling the truth. I remember looking at the committee and listening to their questions and it was obvious to me that they also knew she was telling the truth. My heart and a bit of me broke when they ignored her and put that disgrace of a man on the Supreme Court. I felt sucker punched and a seed of disgust towards those who are indifferent towards women was planted in my soul.
Kavanaugh, another predator who wouldn’t know the truth if it bit him in the butt, won his bid for the Supreme Court. His anger was rewarded. Again, I felt broken.
Michelle encourages us to “go high when they go low” – but when hope is in the gutter that is no easy task.
Tough times, heavy on the heart.
A life-raft was thrown my way when a friend wisely stated, “Art is the answer.”
Back to work.