A Minor Polemic on Style
This was first of all prompted by an MSN article on fashion; it's probably been at least six months since it appeared. Now, various casual statements throughout the years--on the same subject--have aroused a similarly casual, quickly forgotten ire. But this time I haven't forgotten.
The statement of note was something to the effect of “If you're gonna wear earrings, guys, wear 'em. Not just one. That's...” whatever it was. The article went on to say the writer had heard various explanations for one earring and what that was supposed to denote and in her opinion it all sounded like hogwash (not Hogwarts; that's a Harry Potter thing; hogwash, my dears, hogwash).
There's a fairly new tradition having to do with the equator, a ship, and a ceremony. For a beginning hint, the rite originated as obeisance to Poseidon. This is accomplished by crawling around the perimeter of the deck--which in this case (mine, I mean) was something like 650 feet long and 65 feet wide. Such decks are also surfaced with 'nonskid'--paint mixed with sand; it allows traction, as the name suggests. While crawling on this, one is beat with cut-off lengths of (canvas) fire hose. Being popular because of my job, I got to crawl around it twice.
I am a “shellback” because of this. (Beforehand, you're a “polliwog”.) I am also thus entitled to wear an earring in my goddam' left ear. This goes back to at least the ancient Greeks--you know, Sophocles and Socrates and whatnot? (and Diogenes with his barrel)--tradition-wise.
And since reading the article I have made a point of wearing my (one) earring faithfully, fuck you very much.
5:58:41 AM 
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