Gay Muslims in the UK

Just watched this BBC special about gay Muslims living in the UK. It's heart-breaking and completely baffling.

When people start criticizing Islam, there's usually a lot of backtalk about moderate Muslims and unfair generalizations. I tend to be more sympathetic to this argument than some of the more ardent irreligionists out there in the blogosphere. That's because I'm a humanist; I disagree with religious concepts that cast humanity as sinners who are naturally bad. I like to think humans are fundamentally good and it is ignorance that twists and turns individuals to do evil.

Granted, I'm only looking at a small slice, so it may not be appropriate to make generalizations, but it's programs like this BBC special which shake my confidence in the human character. THIS IS THE UNITED KINGDOM we're talking about and still these poor Muslim gays and lesbians are tormented and ostracized by their communities, by their religion and even by their own families. Where's the moderation? Where's the mercy? Where's the kindness in a religion that produces such cruel acts?

Ignorance is largely to blame. Not once do the reporters or the subjects of this documentary appeal to the very well established science of human sexuality. Facts are stubborn things, as John Adams famously said. If only science was a part of the discussion, imagine the shackles of ignorance and oppression that might be lifted!

But it seems as if these Muslims, who are so entranced by their holy book, who have submitted so completely to its promises and teachings (Islam translates to submission, I've heard), it seems like science and simple facts are never even considered. How do you soften the hearts and minds of a people so set in their ways that they'd sooner plug their ears, poke out their eyes, and cut off their tongues before letting go of a little piece of some 7th century mythology?

Banapple Update

I uploaded a brand new Banapple comic today. Where is it, you ask? Why, at it's very own website Banapple.thecomicseries.com

What are you waiting for? CHECK IT OUT!

Afrika Soundtrack is Amazing

Holy cow. I'm so glad this music has been brought to my attention. Really stellar work.

Game: Afrika
Developer: Rhino Studios [ www.rhino-studios.co.jp ]
Publishers: Sony Computer Entertainment▪Natsume [ www.scei.co.jp/index_e.html ▪ www.natsume.com]
Engine: Dunia
Composer: Wataru Hokoyama
Song: Savanna
OST Playtime: 33min
Genre: Safari Simulation
Mode: Singleplayer
ESRB: Everyone
Release Date: August 28, 2008 for PlayStation 3
Platforms: PlayStation 3
♫►►►Copyrights belongs to Rhino Studios, Sony Computer Entertainment, Natsume◄◄◄♫

Happy Birthday Dad!

American vs British Culture -- Deja Vu with Quentin Crisp

I've become a sucker for pro-American sentimentality, especially when espoused by foreign visitors. Quentin Crisp moved to NYC when he was 72. The way he speaks, you'd think he did not find happiness until he finally landed in the States. That's a long time to wait before reaching, what the psychologists might call, self-actualization. But therein lies the great lesson: it's never too late to find happiness.

Blogger's Regret

Insofar as original content is concerned, I feel I have been neglecting my blog. Let's try to make up for it with this post, eh?

I, uh....err, um.... let's see...

Substitute teaching has been a surprisingly enjoyable experience, although, like most jobs, there are good days and there are bad days. Some of the kids are starting to learn that I'm a pushover. I'm afraid they'll all soon smell blood in the water... Then again, I have kids coming up to me, giving me high-fives, saying hello. Maybe I'm not such a lame-oid? Do kids still use the suffix -oid?

I've been thinking about redesigning my blog again. But that would mean redesigning my portfolio and it took a very long time to get it to where it is today. The problem with personal blogs is that they lack focus. I don't have anything to keep people coming back. If I started a webcomic and updated it, say, biweekly, then I might be able to build an audience and deliver on they're expectations (as opposed to offering up the eclectic hodgepodge I have going now). And, like most webcomic artists, I could incorporate my personal blog into my comic blog.

As it turns out, wordpress has a popular webcomic template (and blogger, as far as I can tell, does not). Perhaps it is time to move on, to try something new, and build a real, active online presence. I might drop "Depth Deception" and use "Banapple" as my anchor. Believe it or not, a lot of little goofy ideas hove sprung up in my mind concerning Banana and Apple and I'd love to explore them.

The Boston Public library is offering a Children's book writer residency and, even though I'd have a hard time soliciting relevant recommendation letters, I feel like it might be within my grasp. They're looking for up-and-coming writers and I'm just sitting on this great Children's book idea, the HMS Albatross. It's practically ready to go! Only problem is, every time I sit down to write it, I become disgusted with my prose. And I can never tell if I'm too hard on myself or if I'm deluding myself into thinking I have talent. For a writer, I sure don't do much writing. Perhaps I'm passing the buck, but I've always felt I needed a muse. I need someone to be excited for me, to push me, to support me, to give me that little thrill that encourages me to keep going.

I'm trying to finish arranging the theme that was originally called "the Phone Song" and I'm starting to have a hard time of it. The first half went so well! But I've slowed down and the transitions sound jarring. Now I have to wait for a solution to strike me. Waiting.... waiting... waiting...

Would this be funny? An image of a Jamaican man tripping a woman with the title, "Jamaican Jerk"? Sounds like a Depth Deception pun... but who likes puns?