28-29 Sep 2010
I woke up at 2:30 PM, after getting maybe five hours of sleep. Strangely, I dreamed almost the entire time. It was very vivid and detailed. At one point, there was something so hilarious that I actually woke up laughing, although I had completely forgotten what was so funny. It must have been pretty great. I've heard of people waking up from fright, but laughter? Does this happen often?
Later, I recorded, edited and posted the latest video, which seems to have had a mixed-to-positive reception. I figured it would be somewhat controversial to say that even the religions that support gay people are still wrong. I do see how this is at least better than socially conservative religion, but it's still based on an incorrect and dangerous premise - that religious texts actually determine what's right and wrong. Agreeing with this, even to try and promote acceptance, is a risk I don't think we should take. Using the Bible as a source of ethics can backfire tremendously, and it's surprising that some people have apparently forgotten that.
I stayed up a bit late, and again, I was too tired to write something last night. The newspaper got in touch with me, and they're going to have a photographer come over tomorrow to take some pictures for the story. I thought that was pretty nice of them. My family is still trepidatious about this, and tried to tell me that being in the paper really isn't that important. And it may not be, but it seemed they meant to suggest I just shouldn't do this. What bothered me was the implication that hiding myself would be preferable to making the news for what I do. I don't get why I should want to do that, or why I should all of a sudden shift gears and try to stay out of the public eye. I think we crossed that bridge a couple million views ago.
It's just discouraging that my family apparently doesn't want me to be seen by the locals. This whole project is something that I've spent a lot of time and effort on, and it's actually getting results. That's important to me - it's why I do it. It's something that I'm, personally, proud of. I just wish my family didn't see it as something that should be kept secret. I wish I could do something that they would be proud of, too.
Anyway, this concludes my one-week followup after going off nootropics. It's been pretty fun, but I think I'm running out of things to write about every day, so I'm just going to resume my regular irregular schedule of only posting about things that are notable. Thanks to those of you who've been following along! Try some piracetam, if you can find it.
-Zinnia Jones, your friendly neighborhood transvestite
how come my local paper doesn't contact me? i even made a video in response to a local pastor's article
oh well i guess "Atheist In Wheelchair Disagrees With Pastor" will never be as catchy as "Transvestite Eats Prophet Muhammad" :P
I love these articles. How many words can a worsmtdih smith?
Instead of "locals", I read "lolcats"... it modifies the story quite a bit. :>
I completely agree with you. I had to explain this same logic to a few of my lgbt friends in the past. Luckily they did seem to understand my perspective. So I think that a lot of people will still receptive to this idea. Its just not something that initially crosses their mind as an option. Being raised on god my entire life, I can relate to wanting to change something as opposed to just completely abandoning it. Sometimes its part of the transition though. But its definitely wrong.
hey ZJ! i was looking at some of your earlier videos today just to reminisce, and i got chills as i rediscovered why i subscribed to you in the first place. Your a bright light in this world. I wholeheartedly enjoy your videos, the points you raise, your sense of fairness, and your ability to reason and take down the walls of ignorance. I've been listening to you speak your mind since your first vid, and im so happy i found you way back when you were starting. i would say your like a breath of fresh air but its more accurate to say your one of the main reasons i get on youtube. Thank you.
Yes, ZJ, waking up due to laughter does happen (though not nearly as often as waking up due to fright). It is even rather common to not remember what was so funny, or to remember what was, and then realize that it was not funny at all.
Hope your news story turns out well,
~Ian
"It's just discouraging that my family apparently doesn't want me to be seen by the locals."
Your grandfather always said "fuck the neighbors". I give a shit if the locals see you. Most of the locals are assholes anyway, you aren't.