The Tommy Page

Last week, August 23, I cut work for the day and escorted my beautiful mother, Joni, to the California State Fair, an annual late summer event.

With camera in hand, I encountered many individuals, including those with hooves and fur, as seen in the two pictures below:

Sights and sounds everywhere were a-plenty!

“Pink ones, blue ones, some as big as your head…” Multi-color teddy bears for those who like to toss coins……….. 

My mother, Joni, took a few moments so I could take her picture…(photo to the right)

We stopped and talked to people who were selling things…

Mom was intrigued by the picture hanger product as demonstrated…

Amongst the nice folks met were Nicol and Beth of Hair Lock by RIOT…I enjoyed a brief conversation with these two friendly business women. They gave me a sample product (a specially-designed hair band developed and marketed by the two entrepreneurs), which I have used every day to secure my hair into a pony-tail.

Touch Of Mink SkinCare Products’ representative, Schquita, and her co-worker posed for my camera…(Photo to right)

 I stopped to sign up as a volunteer for the Democratic Party. As I filled out the form, I asked the booth volunteer, “Who are you voting for?” She declined a definite answer, but proclaimed, “I think they are all great!” After a brief conversation about health care, gay civil rights and the Iraq War, I snapped my new friend’s picture…

               Joni - in front of the spouting fountains…

…The State Fair art gallery included some provactive masterpieces, such as the one in the photo to the left. A statement here about the American family and gun control…

There were colorful abstracts and a mobile -

And also other paintings with sometimes intense and controversial subject matter…

There were other works of art, sometimes odd, puzzling, and yet enticing…Take for example these surreal works…

More surreality…always interesting interpretations of the world and it’s objects we take for granted….

And then, check out the monkey as illustrated in the work below right.This is indicative, I think, that there just might be an artist in each and every one of us.Art is not for the elitist-minded; but rather, it is a gift to all human kind.Just my own little point of view…

This artist, Kathy Hanson, and I had what could have been a heated conversation. When she told me she was a school teacher, I quoted Hillary Clinton: “Yes, it takes a village!” Ms. Hanson firmly disagreed with this theme, stating (to my chagrin): “I don’t agree that it takes a village. All parents need to take care of their own children…” I was very surprised to hear this coming from a school teacher, one who is partially responsible for the education of many school children….I try to avoid controvercy, but sometimes these topics arise…Oh well…

…And then night time arrived. Everything was lit up - aglow. Everywhere we looked, vibrant lighting and neon…

My Mom and I were abreast of the atmosphere as day turned into night…

Neon lights and ride attractions are lit up all about…It becomes a topsy turvey wonder land….

Turning, churning…carousel horses going around, lights and circus music…a bawdy atmosphere if ever there was one…

In the distance we could see the beckoning excitement of the ferris wheel, a must do at any state fair…

Like a magnet, we were pulled toward the high-riding attraction…

My mother and I stood waiting our turn to board the ferris wheel. It looked innocent enough…

We were ushered onto the ride, where we took seats in the little compartment. In one swift movement, my mom and I were swooshed up into the night air where we could see a startling panoramic view…

  I had no idea that my cute mom was deathly afraid of heights; but the moment the ferris wheel rose briskly into the sky, she closed her eyes, held onto a metal pole for support and refused to take a gander at the view about…

I snapped photos quickly about me as the ferris wheel made huge rotations, but still I tried to comfort my fearful mother…

As I tried to persuede my mom to at least take a tiny peak at the splendid view, she still refused. With head held down and eyes firmly shut, she endured the duration of the ordeal…

Soon enough the ferris wheel came to a halt. My mom and I stepped back to the ground portion of the world, where we strolled about for bit longer. It had been quite a day: farm animals, commerse, an interesting assortment of diverse people, culture, art - and then, the ferris wheel. It was time to say “adios” to the fair, but truly, it was a wonderful memorable day spent with my wonderful mother, Joni….

       I met my friend, Billie Benedetti, about six years ago when I went to work for her company, California Remodelers. Billie was the home improvement company’s operations manager, payroll clerk, office manager, and overall overseer of almost everything that occurred within the small family owned business.

     When I first interviewed with Billie, I told her in a frank kind of tone, “I am gay and I do cross dressing, but I am a hard worker and I can bring in lots of money for your company. Will any of this be a problem?”

     Without any hesitation, Billie responded, “I don’t know why it should be a problem. My uncle is gay.” Enough said, Billie and I became friends right off the bat and every since then, this intelligent, insightful and wise Capricorn became a person I could count on as an employer, a confidante and comrade. Never before had I been able to trust and to count on such an admirable, empathic and appreciative employer.

     Billie and I have both endured great moments of life and hardships. I lost my one time partner, Jim Gill (only 33 years at his untimely accident and subsequent death) and best friend, Cynthia Stone. Billie lost her mother to pancreatic cancer. Although both of us have known great sadness and grief, we both have gone on to find new love, new opportunities.

     In the past two years, out of a quest, mostly, for better health, Billie has lost over 160 pounds. Not only has her health situation improved, but she is able to wear smaller  more fashionable dresses, as seen in some of these recently taken photos.

     Billie has always been beautiful, from the inside out, but look at her now! (The picture above represents nearly two years of hard work discipline and determination…)

     Let this page be a testiment of those who seek and find truth, beauty, wisdom and happiness in this world…! Continuing on with this theme, Billie and her fiance’, Phil,  have recently purchased a gorgeous two story house and plan to get married in October… 

v It’s that time again…!

Larry Scholl, one of my best friends since the 8th grade, (talented story board artist who works for Disney Animation Studios), threw his annual summer party on Saturday August 11. The theme this time - 1970’s…!

There I am (picture above) - decked out appropriately in 1970’s New York City’s Studio 54 attire in head to toe black and fuscia-colored boa accessory. When someone gives me a theme, I really go to town….why not?!

Sometimes, blondes really do have more fun….Take a look at this picture to the right: It’s Yours Truly and Larry’s outrageous sister, Taffy Scholl. “Your legs and my boobs!” Taffy giggled loudly. The night was early, but we were revved up for rebellious fun…

Readheads are charming, too, as seen in a moment of frivelous flamboyancy, as seen in this picture (left). My friend of 6 years, Billie Benedetti, came to the festivities dressed in stylish navy blue and white polka dots. I have great admiration for Billie: She has lost over 100 pounds in the past two years - and now take a gander…! What a charming, intelligent, kind and beautiful woman!

As I made my way upstairs, downstairs, out by the pool side, to the dance area, to the indoor theater, the outdoor theater, I enjoyed meeting new friends…like the pretty girl and handsome brownette (picture to right). The dark haired man in the picture is 21-year-old mathematical genius, Nate. Inspite of having challenges with autism, he was one of the more interesting guests at the party. Funny, he wasn’t even alive in the 1970’s…

  As the night progressed, I found myself acting silly, telling jokes, congregating with old friends and new ones. In this photo, you see James (the insurance agent), Mike Parlette (in red), Yours Truly and Taffy Scholl. In the rear right is Nate, standing and observing the lunacy taking place…

“Disco anyone?” I asked. I didn’t wait for the answer since time was a-wastin’. With expressive arm up in the air like I just didn’t care, I and this little lovely lady went Disco Fever Crazy…!

 What I love about these parties, it brings together people from all walks of life - all sizes, shapes and colors of humanity. We are all Superstars, after all…

…Meowwwww, What’s new, pussy cat?! Who doesn’t like to hang out with the gorgeous female creatures who lurk about in retro style? I do!

Whether it was a quiet little conversation, or a moment of disco dancing, I had a sensational time….

I borrowed a man’s glasses and took to the dance floor, again…I was blind as a bat and yet still flinging that pesky boa about …

Whether it is places travelled, events attented or parties held, it is always the people who make it memorable, something wonderful…Revisiting the 1970’s was an excuse to dress in flamboyant attire, dance about like a disco nut and to unite with old friends, like (in picture to left) Mike Parlette and Deena Anderson…

Oh well, better get ready for the next adventure…!

Uh- Ohhhhhhhhh!!!! Who’s that behind those Foster Grant Sunglasses?!

Why, it’s none other than that androgynous creature again, stirring about, causing mayhem, leaving those certain uncertain folks in a major panic…!

Isn’t it just amazing what a little makeup and new outfit can do for a person?…

     Yesterday I received an e-mail labelled “Morons Be Us.” Curiosity overwhelmed me, apparently, so I opened the message in hopes that something educational or humorous would await me. What instead I read was the following message:

                   “…Say hello to the unemployable…”

     I scrolled down the page, whereupon were a series of images that included photographs of men who wore piercings of the face, lips, nipples, fingers, and other assorted body parts. However unusual and extreme these illustrations were, it was nothing I have not seen in gay bars and other parts of Sacramento and other cities in California.

     I scrolled down to the bottom of the page, where the author of this posting included the following message, as to sum up the theme he had derived from viewing and then taking the time to post these most unusual photographs:

                       “…And I’m sure not a one of them has the foggiest idea why they’re unemployed. They’re misunderstood, and people picking on them…What a sorry bunch of losers and an excellent breeding ground for infection…”

     While the author of the message assumed I and other recipients would join the band wagon and agree with these judgemental sentiments, I was instantly taken aback by the mean-spirited nature of the message. I responded to the e-mail with the following rebuttal:

     Many of the people illustrated here would, on the contrary, be employable. Just because you and I, being “normal” individuals may not be educated about this particular sub-culture (what is acceptable with that framework, what isn’t acceptable), does not mean there is not a thriving undercurrent within our commerse that we are not aware.

     The alternative sub-culture and its individuals who adorn themselves with multiple tattoos and piercings is becoming more mainstream. In larger cities around the world this kind of extreme tattooing and piercing is becoming relatively commonplace. Even in the suburbs there are thousands of people who have multiple tattoos and piercings that are carefully concealed underneath clothing.

     The e-mail sender’s theme, “Morons Be Us,” may not necessarily be the truth; but rather is an opinion that derives from an ignorant, elitist, judgmental, conservative, biggotted stance.

     Morons, are they?

     Not necessarily a true judgement - Often times, the individuals who choose to tattoo and pierce themselves are intense, depthful thinkers. By the fact they have gone to such elaborate and detailed measures to illustrate a particular mind set (perhaps anarchy; perhaps non-conformism; perhaps artistic statement), in itself is indicative of a heightened sensibility of self, culture, society, conformism and individuality.

     Many tribal societies around the world have historically utilized tattoos and piercings as commonplace statements which proclaim cultural pride. This ritual is now becoming a more common cultural practice in this country, in this era; hence, the fact you have decided to pay such careful and close attention to the subject matter.

     Many of us would never dream of such seemingly outlandish modes of self expression, but this does not preclude the fact that - especially in the current younger generation - tattooing and piercing are considered “normal,” almost mainstream.

     As to the question of whether these tattooed and pierced individuals would be suitable for employment, of course they would! Perhaps these kinds of “rugged individualists” would not have chosen careers within the confines of the nine to five corporate world where conservative demeanor and dress style are prerequisites, but there are a host of professions where a few tattoos and piercings would go largely unnoticed.

     The author of this site proclaimed, “Say hello to the unemployed; and I’m sure not a one of them has the foggiest idea why they are unemployed.” And then the tone becomes a mean-spirited mockery: “…They’re just misunderstood and people picking on them…” Finally, the author resorts to name-calling:”…What a sorry bunch of losers,” he typed in large bold-faced letters.

     What the author of this site doesn’t realize, there is an entire alternative subculture network that exists around the world which actively carries on commerse, whereby not only the customers are of the so-called “life style,” but so, too, are those business owners and employers of this likewise subculture. After all, do you really care if your motorcycle mechanic has a few unusual tattoos and piercings if he is a genius, very talented even, at repairing your prized Harley? If an artist is able to create gorgeous paintings and sculptures, would you decline this brilliance simply because the mastermind behind it had opted to decorate his/her own self with tattoos and piercings?

     There was a time in history when men with long hair were considered “unemployable.” These days we would view such a closed-minded way of thinking as obtuse, unintelligent, and certainly discriminatory.  Men with long hair are, of course, these days “employable.” I know, because I am one of those long-haired fellows…

     Why Paris Hilton?

     It’s an odd question for members of the media to inquire, for they belong to the very institutions who have - and continue to - engage in the very act of building up, fortifying, stoking up and feeding the fiery belly of this pop culture beast phenomenon - Paris Hilton.

     Why the fascination? media personalities ask in rhetorical fashion; and yet only moments after posing this media critique these talking heads add in snide commentaries like: “…What does she do, any way? Has she ever had a job? Why do we care who she is?”

     It appears that Paris’ latest job is to annoy those who don’t get it, or others who also wish to make a name of themselves in the world of cable tv. The criticism is being made - what at one time was serious journalism, is now a case of Who Is Who? in this overwhelmingly powerful, yet frightfully superficial pop culture world.

     Take for example the likes of CNN news broadcaser, Anderson Cooper, who wrinkled his nose with distaste that Ms. Hilton was the headline story for the day, and yet he went on to report, in great articulate detail mind you, about the recent pop culture event, Paris Hilton’s three weeks in jail. What is the world coming to, any way?

     It isn’t difficult to figure out the why of this phenomenon. This is an era of atrocious violence; a world in which poverty, desease, warfare, corruption, crime and a growing state of fascism are on the increase. It isn’t hardley a wonder that we, as a society, have tuned into the relatively harmless, sometimes humorous, albeit shallow and seemingly insignificant whereabouts, the latest antics of, the fashion sense of a persona such as PH. The answer is simple - escapism!

     In a world colored by deplorable violence, the pastel tones as worn by a beautiful young stylish blonde millionairess is a curious, somewhat entertaining, diversion. In a time when red is the color of blood and the national mood is depressed, sometimes hopeless, helpless even, the simple realities of style, fashion and what is “hot” and what isn’t so hot brings with it a sense of simple relief.

     When the news choice is offered - the life of an American troop serving in Iraq or what is Paris Hilton up to now? sadly enough it seems, many Americans have chosen to find out “what’s hot?” with Paris. We are a deeply troubled society. We are bothered and yet are left helpless by the painful reality of this war. We are saddened, depressed and frustrated by the reality. And because of this, our means of escape is pop culture figures, the likes of PH. She has become the numbing device to heal what ails us, like it or not.

     When following serious stories about American soldiers in Iraq, we are destined to be disturbed, hurt, saddened, left emptied, for there is a high certainty that tragedy will be the outcome. While death awaits the soldiers, the less serious stories about Paris seem almost comic book in nature. We know that Paris will at least live, while the soldiers in Iraq could certainly die, leaving us even more depressed, more helpless, than before. Since there is nothing most of us can do to stop this war, we simply try to endure. Stories about pop culture personalities help us do this very thing - endure.  Everyone likes a happy ending, a world where everyone is richer, more beautiful, more fashionable, where at least (in our imaginations) nobody dies!

     Upon this subject, I recently saw a photo essay which contained two photos that were placed side by side: One photo was a depiction of Phan Thi Kim Phuc during the Viet Nam War; the second photo was the world famous print of Paris weeping in the back seat of a cop car as she is being carted off to jail. The author of this photo display includes the commentary: “…We have all seen the picture of Phan Thi Kim Phuc during the Viet Nam War. What is the photographer (of this same work) doing now? He’s still taking pictures and he even just recently took a very famous picture, that shows what Americans are thinking now.”

     The photo essayist presses the issue of one news item being compared to the other, as perhaps being an editorial statement which attempts to compare signs of the times and their prominence in historical reference.  He seems to be asking the question, in a critical sense, Is the American culture and its populace losing its good sense of what is important journalism and what is frivelous non-newsworthy pop culture gossip?  The essayist seems to be asking, Which kind of stories and illustrations are more significant than others? Why are Americans these days interested in Paris Hilton, where as Americans during the 1960’s were interested in the far more important subject of the Viet Nam War?

     Interesting questions are raised here, perhaps such as - Why do we prefer pictures of PH more than those which depict the serious and violent war in Iraq? The answer seems to lie in a sort of mass psychology, a mass denial which is perpetuated by first, the government officials, then more so by the media which reports the (apparent) important stuff first.

       Just as we view the daily whereabouts of such personalties as PH in a sort of curious and vicarious manner, so too, are we forced to view the war in Iraq as a superficial event, rather than a blood-guts-death serious journalistic sort of way, which is the true reality of all war. Unlike the Viet Nam War, where reporters, photographers and cameramen were allowed to capture the sights and sounds, even the coffins that were transferred back to the USA for public display, this kind of real journalism has been banned. Only by utilizing sneakery and hidden cameras have today’s photographers been able to snap photos of soldier-filled coffins.

     Because of this ban on real photo journalism, we are left with a superificial finish that has been swiped over top real serious stories of the day which involve the war. We are not allowed to view the violence, the blood, the death. Real life illustrations like this would help put an end to George Bush’s immoral and illegal war against a sovereign nation.

     And so we are left with stories and photos of Paris Hilton, in which we can comment and make judgement. Paris Hilton in jail?  What an enticing way to disengage from an all too horrible war time reality.

     Only in America  would a person such as Paris Hilton be the subject worthy of major headlines. While European countries have their upper crust characters and royalty to watch and scrutinize, our culture has the likes of PH. Perhaps this is a symbol of something wonderfully American - anyone in our country, even an under-educated shallow-minded blonde bimbo, can achieve more than the ususally alotted 15 minutes of fame!  If Paris Hilton can be deemed worthy of national, universal acclaim, perhaps anybody could do it!

     Any way, we all love a happy ever after. While the war in Iraq remains dismal without an end in sight, we can all be assurred - interesting pop culture personalities like Paris Hilton will continue to fascinate, entertain, and baffle us. While we are all asking why?  the news casters will continue reminding us that we cannot live without our pop culture icons.

      We love Paris Hilton, we hate Paris Hilton, but we just keep watching….in spite of ourselves. Perhaps that is the real phenomenon…