Tuesday, November 21st 2006
Philadelphia Freedom
This weekend I went to Philadelphia to see Scott, who was there for the week seeing his folks. He had an extra ticket to Cirque Du Solei “Delerium” and I thought this would be a great way to forget about the previous week and have some fun.
Scott took me on a history rich tour of the city starting with Carpenter’s Hall where the First Continental Congress met in 1774. I must say to be in the same room in front of the same chairs and under the same roof where all of this started was wild.
Next it was on to Independence Hall where we saw the first courtroom and saw why people “stood trial”. From there we were taken to the room where the Declaration of Independence was signed. Again, to be in the space where revolutionaries first snubbed an oppressive Great Britain was moving. The concept of “taxation without representation” was but a distant memory from some long lost history class for me. It was good to be reminded what the Boston Tea Party was all about. Seeing all of these places and remembering what democracy used to mean was a very enlightening experience.
We ate at a place called Tangerine. The room was illuminated with, you guessed it, orange lights. I ordered a bottle of Morgon and a first course of scallops over potato brandade and artichokes. Scott ordered the tuna tartare followed by spiced chicken over couscous with green olives. I enjoyed a grilled pork chop with a chorizo corn fritter and a pomegranate relish. It was the best all around dinner I have had in a while.
The show was AMAZING with an emphasis on visual effects. The stage sat in the center of the stadium where it was capped with two huge screens to show what was happening on stage. The people in charge of projecting the images used layering and overhead cameras to add more depth and interest. To further entertain us, the stage was equipped with sheer curtains that covered both the front and back. Every now and then the curtains would close. They were sheer enough to allow us to see the stage and the performers, but solid enough to show stunning effects like flames or water. Meanwhile, the screens on either side showed what can only be called “dreamscapes”, random images that one would associate with dreams. The show ended with me feeling quite out of shape and a strong desire to sign up for the next Yoga class.
Scott’s mom lives on the Delaware River where Washington crossed in the Battle of Trenton. He took me a short way from her house to Bowman’s Tower. This is the tower that Washington constructed in hopes of seeing any intrusion during the time of the battle in 1776.
Walking up the same stairs used by George Washington was too cool. History takes on a new meaning when you are actually where it happened; it becomes more real and more tangible.
It is always nice for me to meet the parents and family of people I care about. It lends much more to their character and gives me a deeper understanding and appreciation of them. Hanging out with Scott in the home he grew up in was fun. It was very comforting to be in that space and a little part of me really liked messing around with him in the basement downstairs. I liked seeing his high school and hearing stories of him growing up right where we stood. His mother and mine share similar traits. I cannot wait to have the two meet in January when Scott will come out and later accompany me and Milo on our cross country trip back to California.
How sweet Johnny! You have met the parents. It sounds like this romantic interlude is turning more serious. If there are wedding bells in the future I would appreciate an invite seeing how I was snubbed by an allegedly “straight” scientologist.
On an entirely different matter, you implied democracy used to mean something different in America. There is certainly truth behind those words. However, as gay men we had no place in such a democracy. Back in those days state sanctioned murder of gay citizens was not uncommon. Forced castrations and imprisonment were also common ways of “helping” people deal with same sex attractions. Consequently, some things may have changed for the worse but gay and lesbian citizens have truly come a long way despite the realities of recent court setbacks.
Robert, you never told us you almost dated Tom Cruise. No wonder you ran hiding all the way to Tennessee.
LIT – What we were trying to say in this entry is that being in a place makes the things you’ve heard about it that more real. The spirit of Philadelphia is government by the people for the people and it revolutionized the western world. The fact that women, blacks and gays took longer to benefit is beside the point.
Democracy has been consummed by Capitalism in a gradual, but hostile takeover. Our battles used to be in the name of freedom. Oh wait, they still are, but the real reason now is the bottom line and fat profit margins. If freedom was still the motivating factor there would have been U.S. troops in East Timor and Tibet.
Sorry I kept you in the dark frog. Tom dumped me when his publicist found out I had a penis. Remember, only straight men need to purchase sonogram machines. However, there is no accounting for Mr. Cruise’s Asian baby.
Boy Wonder, I get what you are saying. I just don’t get why the United States is so far behind the times. South Africa just legalized same sex marriage. This country also affords gay citizens constitutional protection. A Sub-Saharan nation beat us to the draw (twice)!
LIT – …USA has also the lowest rate of voters letting the lobbies free to grab your freedom for themselves…