dolores666's photos with the keyword: InventedTraditions

Twin Hearts. AntiValentine 2022. And here we are again, my friends, taking the piss of that goofy invented tradition that’s Valentine’s Day. Just like last year, though, it’s hardly worth the effort to mock it, so somnolently it’s being pushed by the Holy Markets. Why, going by what I see on the idiot-box, only the greeting cards sphere and a couple of jewellery retailers are making any effort to encourage the congregation to part with their lolly. Even the chocolate mafia is being oddly apathetic. Could it be because the so-called “social” distancing and the masquerade flimflam are having some pretty lousy effect on folks? After all, who can (or even wants to) snog through a sodding mask or hold a hand that smells of disinfectant gel? Will lovers refuse to make love to their darlings unless they can show a triple vax certificate? Is there life before death? Anyways. We are being pretty low-key ourselves, as we are deeply engaged in more essential stuff. Like surviving the new tricks & wiles and the general chicanery of our local Idiocracies. Still, you’re all very welcome to pop in to my garden party, from Friday 11th to Monday 14th until 7pm. The Shoggies have promised to stage a new tableau mourant and with a bit of luck you might even get a goody bag or a souvenir if I can persuade the Mi-Go to do their magic. The Bach concert will have to come from my CD collection and you can bring your own poetry, si le cœur vous en dit. Have a spiffing life. And keep trucking…:-) PS. This will have to serve as the obituary for the divine Lata Mangeshkar, who died recently, aged 92 (well done, girl) after a lifetime of giving enormous pleasure to us poor wretched lovers of what used to be known as Bombay Talkies playback music. Bumba speed, my darling and thanks for the audio memories. XXX

Love has always been a scarce commodity. I mean real love, not blind lust (nice though it is), or the nature-ordained and equally blind impulse to reproduce and care for any ensuing offspring (useful and pleasant as it may be), or greed (neither nice nor useful). Or sentimentality, ersatz romance, religious fervour, or any other of the socially implanted concepts that are peddled as love. One of our most un-favourite mawk-fest approaches so here we are again with our yearly anti-Valentine carnival. We shall NOT be told when or where or how or who to love! Nor shall be persuaded to buy red roses or Belgian chocolates. We do that all year ‘round if we feel like it. We dance where our hearts find us. But we would entreat you to love your friends and loved ones, if you’re lucky enough to have any, also all year ‘round and to hell with invented traditions. Look after them and be good to one another. And spare a kind thought for them who don’t stand a chance of being loved, ever, either on February 14th or December 25th or any other time of the year: the Palestinians, the Australian Aborigines, the Yemeni, the Syrians, the Libyans, the Chagosians and the murdered women the world over who will never be able to join the “timesup” herd because their time was cut short by some imbecile with a minute brain, a small dick and a massive ego. The shindig is free for all, no booking needed. Usual times and places (you know the score by now). Goodie bags at the same dead drops as last year but contents to be a surprise. A free copy of Origin of the Family and a “Well Done Laurie Love!” badge to all attending. Free food, drink and shows. This year the Shoggoths have promised to surpass themselves in the spectacle department. As well as the Bach concerts and poetry recitals etc. they are offering a new variety of tableaux: neither vivant nor mourant, they call them tableaux zombie. They refuse to provide more details but, knowing them as I do, I can well imagine. I can’t wait. :-)