Monday 18 January 2016

Who is David Bowie?


I’m being silly – of course I know who David Bowie is. But I didn’t at the time. Which means I have felt a bit left out this week following his death as most of my trans friends have been saying what a profound influence he was on them. Blame it partly on my poor ear for music but mainly on the fact that characters such as him didn’t really feature in the house I grew up in.

Glam rock, now that did feature and it was hugely influential. I did ask my mother, on hearing ‘The Sweet” on some kid’s TV show, “Why are those men dressed as women?” And in her characteristic way she replied, “Because they’re silly.” Arguably true, but uninformative. So I missed the Bowie phenomenon, although other contemporary forces were at working on my little mind. I’m sorry for the loss that my friends are feeling.


 Alan Rickman, the actor, also died this week. I especially enjoyed his turn as the oily Reverend Obadiah Slope in the Barchester Chronicles. A loss also.


Health

Since writing last week, I can say that I no longer see signs of the eczema on my face and neck that has afflicted me for the last two years, nor even feel it now. This doesn’t mean it’s cured, but I remain hopeful. A few weeks to go.

Since New Year I have lost 6 and a half pounds (3kg) in weight, just shy of half a stone. Pleased with my progress there as well.

Sue x


8 comments:

  1. I forget which member of the Sweet it was, who seemed to a) be wearing rather a lot of slap, and b) did it rather well. Still, if that's what it takes, who are we to cast aspersions. :-)

    Congrats on the weight loss, I think I've found your missing weight. :-) I hope your skin continues to behave itself. Fingers crossed!

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    1. I have no idea what the Sweet's names were! All I remember is that I thought they looked amazing and so wanted to be like them. That glam rock era had a lasting effect on my impressionable young mind, I'm sure, and the fact that it was dismissed as silly made it all the more of a forbidden fruit.

      Thanks for the congrats and wishes, Lynn. Sue x

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  2. Hi Sue
    David Bowie didn't really feature for me till the eighties then his music became back ground to a lot of things i got up to and when ever I hear those songs they bring back good memories. His music is full of melodies which for me shows what a brilliant talent he really was.
    Glad to see things are getting better for you with your eczema and well done with the weight loss. Sounds like you are well on the way to being back to your old self (cough) young self :)

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    1. Thanks, Bobby. I am still puzzled as to why Bowie didn't seem to make it into my consciousness but others of the time did. Oh well. Thanks for your kind words. Sue x

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  3. Thought that it was only me who was old enough to remember Obadiah Slope so shuddered every time Alan Rickman came on a screen. Those early 70's Bowie albums must have given countless numbers of us hope. How can these folk be dead!?

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    1. Thanks for your comment, Coline. I think we're showing our age! I begin to regret not having known Bowie given how very many people like you have been saying how very influential he was for them personally and for culture generally. Sue x

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  4. I was a bit of an oldie ... I guess I may still be! I think I have the Hunky Dory LP somewhere, but didn't really engage with Bowie's music until Low. I was into the Velvet Underground when he was Zigging about. Saw him in Frankfurt in '78, but tbh, Bruce Sprinsteen in '81, same venue, is my abiding memory of 8 years ('77-'85) spent in the BRD.

    Alan Rickman was so gorgeous as a villain, I'm going to miss him more, I think.

    I am so pleased to hear that the eczema appears to be in remission ... well done, you!

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    1. Thanks, Nikki. You were obviously a keen fan. But old, you, never! I think anyone who has seen your wonderful collection of frocks on Flickr could never say you weren't something of a style-setter yourself. Sue x

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