Comments on: Live And Let Die

By: Eavie Bee

Eavie Bee — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 04:24:27 +0000

ya know, the way you mention the golden rule, it reminds me of the platinum rule. “treat others the way they want to be treated”. it’s odd, because I learned the platinum rule while I was a hooter girl. they’re big on it there. and it does come in handy.

anyways, I liked may’s thoughts, & noticed that they echo my own (I want to be the moon, or more ambitiously, a cat for halloween. I can be a ho any ol’ day of the week, but a cat, now that takes creative license). and I like your thoughts.

except the pen on the screen. no use ruining a good screen because of some dumbasses.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 20:24:58 +0000

Thene, Boston Boy -

Okay, maybe I conveniently edited out some of the more risque parts of my memory of that book. But I still think it’s worth reading, and I still think a 12-year-old could handle it. If she doesn’t want to read it, she’s definitely smart enough to put it down – after all, she’s Tom’s kid!

Also, was that Snow White story really necrophilia? It seemed more like vampirism to me.

Also, Boston Boy, that was a great comment. It’s gotten me thinking on the number of people I’ve talked to about my interests specifically. There aren’t many; a lot of people in my life know I’m kinky, but I don’t think I’ve talked specific fetishes with vanilla friends more than twice.

Welcoming spaces are awesome, and make me feel overwhelmingly lucky.

By: Boston Boy

Boston Boy — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 04:04:47 +0000

She may have also forgotten the story where a werewolf vomits up the hand of a small child…with bonus points for doing it after having changed back to human form. But I think everyone should read some Gaiman–and I think Sandman should be taught in schools.

Sadly, I have nothing very wise to add beyond Gaiman geekery. I do sympathize with this post. I’m extremely grateful to Eileen, Maymay, and everyone else (it’s a long list) who’s been a part of keeping Conversio Virium going. It was…beyond priceless for me to be able to show up at my first meeting a few years ago and to be able to announce my kink to a crowded room without fear or embarassment. The importance of a place where that’s possible cannot be overstated. You want to talk about cramped spaces? The number of people outside of CV and associated friends, parties, etc. that I’ve felt comfortable telling I’m a hypnofetishist: 3. In my entire life, I can only think of 3. Here’s an understatement for you: this makes me sad. I realize this isn’t exactly the same issue that Eileen is addressing here, but it’s made me value welcoming, non-judgmental spaces as much as anyone.

By: Thene

Thene — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:07:24 +0000

Eileen has conveniently forgotten about the infamous Snow White necrophilia part of Smoke and Mirrors. That said, I doubt there's anything wrong with reading Gaiman at that age - some of his stuff, like Stardust, is pretty well designed for that, and I first read Neverwhere when I was a preteen myself and I enjoyed it. I really like this 'making spaces' idea, but I doubt it could make the world a well-mannered place. Too big a task, that.

By: maymay

maymay — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:55:10 +0000

I still have split lives (social and professional, in this case, though the splits used to be different). I am tired of them. I hate that they are all I’ve known. :( Perhaps this would make a good blog subject.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 16:55:21 +0000

Tom, I forgot that Gaiman also has a book that is marketed as being for “all ages.” It’s called Coraline. I haven’t read it, so I don’t know much beyond that. But maybe there’s good 12-year-old material there.

I sympathize with the split lives. I had split kinky and vanilla social circles for a while, and that was just plain awkward.

By: Tom Allen

Tom Allen — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 02:45:07 +0000

I’ll check out Smoke & Mirrors, Eileen – thanks.

Unfortunately, Gaiman rarely comes up with my friends – with the exception of some of the younger guys that I run into once in a while. It’s like I have a split life; half of my friends are in their 50s and half in their 20s, and never the twain…

By: therambler

therambler — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 08:48:33 +0000

I always just assumed Heinlein wrote about the women from his own fantasies. I really don’t see anything wrong with that. I grew up on Friday and The Moon is a Harsh Mistress. My introduction to the idea of polyamory.

By: Eileen

Eileen — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 05:38:38 +0000

Tom, I think that Gaiman may pull a wider audience now that he’s had some movie exposure. Although I would agree, twelve is a bit young to appreciate some of his content.
If she wants to read him, but maybe in smaller doses, he has a book of short stories out called “Smoke and Mirrors,” which is widely ranging and quite good. And doesn’t have any particularly shocking content that I can remember off the top of my head. Which, um, doesn’t mean as much as it might have a few years ago, because my definitions of “shocking” have changed somewhat.

Sandman? Not bad, at twelve. Probably more fun at fifteen.

Gaiman is something of a household name amongst my literary and/or geeky friends. He comes up a lot.

By: Tom Allen

Tom Allen — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 02:21:18 +0000

I suspect that you and Suzy Pants are having a bit of fun with me, but I can’t prove anything.

Yet.