Class is in session.

I suppose I should be cliche, and give you the dictionary definition of the word. Look into it here: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/class and come back to me when you've finished.

Interesting, huh? No? Well, of course not. Research is never fun. Plus, that's a definition that's all over the map. What we're looking at are noun 12: "excellence; exceptional merit: She's a good performer, but she lacks class," and the adjective form of the word: 26: "Informal . of high quality, integrity, status, or style: class players on a mediocre team." We're here to be described as those players, as our team is the human race. 


Now, please don't confuse this with money, or social class. Class and social class aren't always hand-in-hand. Class is only obtained by going out of your way to do something good for another person. Philanthropy, volunteering, random acts of kindness... that's how to build your class. Keep a smile on your face and only let kind words escape your mouth in a social setting. Trash talk belongs to trash. Take the high road.


This brings me to my first classbreaker: Cursewords.
Coming from a family where curses were part of the common vocabulary, I've struggled with my own use of cursewords. Sitting on a few trains and observing what kind of person speaks in a certain way, I quickly discovered in my late teen years that overusing a curse not only makes its effect less, but it makes the effect of all of your words less. No one will respect a person that continually curses, as it's a true show of classlessness. I've since discovered that if I use almost no curses, when one finally comes out of my mouth people lift their heads. They know it's a big f***ing deal!
On the A train last week, I was peacefully writing in my journal when I overheard a woman talking to a man, and all I could hear was an unhealthy mix of both English and Spanish cursing. Literally, every other word was a curse. I think what she was getting at was that she didn't like a particular person very much, but I couldn't follow her too well... it was like she was speaking in Trash code. It's a shame, because her male friend didn't seem to be paying attention to her, either. I would have asked her if she kissed her momma with that mouth, but she looked like she hadn't kissed anyone in quite some time. Poor woman...

So, your assignment for the week: Delete one curse from your vocabulary. Consciously stop yourself from saying it. Replace it with "darn" or something... You'll seem like you're participating in the 50's craze!

The Proverbial Champagne on the Hull

So I've decided to join the blogging bandwagon. A bit late, I know... but it's better late than never, I always say... (and I do say it often, as I'm seldom on time for anything.)
Now, you ask, "What's this all about? Love? Class? What are you talking about?"
The simple answer is this: They're two things the world always needs more of. I believe that by discussing these topics, we can create more of these two lovely things.
"Why have you suddenly decided to start writing?"
Silly reader... I've always been writing. In high school, I kept both a LiveJournal and a physical diary. Since I've grown up a bit, I've deleted the LJ thing, and put everything into paper. It's great to talk to yourself on paper, but there's no feedback (unless, of course, you're Tara).
"What do you hope to accomplish?"
I hope to make some pretty poignant public points about what makes someone have (or not have) class, and  teach a thing or two along the way. I also hope to talk about feelings, relationships, and I'll probably touch on gay and human rights if I get bored or angry enough. To put it even more simply: I hope to talk about life and living, and why it's beautiful.
"When can I read new updates?"
Full of questions, arentcha? Well, I can promise you weekly updates... If not, then more. No specific night, no specific time. I live a busy life, and despite being able to write on paper whenever a thought crosses my conscious, I can't always get to a computer.
"Who and Where are you, anyway?"
I don't want to talk too much about who I am, because we're here to talk about other things, but I will tell you a few facts that may make digesting what I have to say a little less like agita. I'm a gay New Yorker in my mid-20's. I'm not religious, but I'm spiritual. I've been through an awful lot in my short life, and I'm older than my years. I try to keep an open mind about everything, but I do wind up judging just about everything in the end. I'd like to call myself a foodie, a wino, or a beer snob, but I don't know enough in any of those fields. What I do know are the interactions between two people, or even two groups. Maybe three, who knows...

Anyway, read on to figure out if you like what goes on in my head.