Interview with Anthony See [elephant123]

What is your blog address? What subjects do you deal with?

pop-circus.blogspot.com I feature all sorts of things! However, most subjects that are covered usually relate in some way to pop culture, circus, toys, art, music, childhood memories, etc. I really try to make it a happy, positive and fun place to visit. Although, I do speak my mind once in a while... Somebody's got to "keep it real!" Can I get an, "Amen", up in here?

What was it that made you create your blog? On what date did you start it?

I guess that I was looking for a new way to express myself. Also, it's really neat to meet and connect with people that you'd never get a chance to any other way! Getting unbiased opinions about the things I post is also nice. Especially if it's positive feedback! But I think the very best part is really just that it's cool to have a place where I can always voice whatever's on my mind. Plus, I really dig both pop culture and old-fashioned circuses! Gosh, when DID I start Pop Circus? I'm pretty sure that it was in March of 2009, shortly after my friend told me all about Google's Blogger. For some reason, I'd never even thought about doing a blog before then. I'm late for most things, so it's not at all surprising! I think that Blogger even just celebrated its 10th Anniversary. At this rate, I have some catching up to do... pop-circus.blogspot.com

What blogging system have you adopted and why?

I use Google's Blogger. It's the first and only one that I've used. A friend turned me onto it, and it's pretty great for what I need it to do. Of course, there are a few little things here and there that I'd love to tweak, but that would probably be the case with any of them. pop-circus.blogspot.com

How many visits a day do you get? What type of comments do you receive?

I haven't really gotten into the detailed statistics, yet, so I couldn't honestly say how many visits I get a day. But to give you an idea, at this point I only have 28 official Followers. However, I do get lots of comments, and some left anonymously! I know that it would help if I posted more often, preferably every day, but I work full-time and I think it's going to take a bit longer for me to hone my blogging craft before I can pull that off. Most of the comments I get are nice ones. In fact, I can't recall ever getting even one nasty comment. I'm sure the day will come... pop-circus.blogspot.com

How has 'having a blog' contributed to your life?

Since I've had my blog, I've noticed that it has boosted my confidence level. I think it's from the combination of expressing myself through writing & creativity, as well as the wonderful feedback I get from readers. pop-circus.blogspot.com

Have you created relationships with other bloggers or readers of your blog?

Yes, I have developed some really nice relationships with about 2 or 3 of my fellow bloggers! It is so cool when you make that special connection with someone else. And that "someone else" may even live thousands of miles away, or right around the corner from you! You just don't always know for sure where the other person is... That's kinda cool, too! pop-circus.blogspot.com

A simple pleasure that for you is quite big or important.

I just love my dog so much that it makes me incredibly happy whenever he jumps on the sofa and cuddles-up, leaning against me! pop-circus.blogspot.com

What is the greatest loss you have had in your life?

Boy, this one's tough. I've certainly dealt with plenty of loss in my life. It's hard to pick just one that I'd consider the "greatest" (worst)... But since I did choose to answer this question, I will have to say that being robbed of my innocence at the tender age of only 5-years-old definitely had to be my greatest loss in life. So far. pop-circus.blogspot.com

It is 5 pm on a typical Sunday: what are you doing?

It's really odd, for some reason I'm like an old lady on Sunday evenings. I don't like to go out or be out anywhere away from home for that last half of the day/night. Mostly, I think, because at that point in the weekend I'm so hyper-aware that the "party's over" and I'll have to go back to work the next day. So, by 5 pm on Sunday, I'm typically doing something that I consider relaxing. For example: I might read, sit and listen to classical music, watch some t.v., play a video game, etc. NOTE: They are all done indoors! pop-circus.blogspot.com

Of what are you an addict?

Peanut butter. It's my kryptonite! pop-circus.blogspot.com

What toy gave you the best moments of your childhood?

This is another one that's really hard for me to pick! I loved, loved, loved my Kenner Sit 'n Spin! But I also loved every one of my Fisher-Price toys, and I had quite a lot of 'em... You know what, though? There's really only one childhood toy that I've tried to find on ebay, and I guess it's because it was the one that made me happiest. It's the Fisher-Price Musical Ferris Wheel that you wind up and the Fisher-Price Little People go 'round and 'round on. However, ALL of those toys in the Little People line seemed to have a magical quality to them. pop-circus.blogspot.com

Please list something you have not yet done, but that you would definitely like to do someday.

Someday, I would definitely like to go take a gondola ride in Venice, Italy. I'm fully aware of how dirty and stinky it really is there (that's what people have told me, anyway), but I'm somehow convinced that it would still be quite a romantic experience. And I don't mean "romantic" in a kissy-lovey-dovey sorta way, rather in more of a poetic way. It's hard for me to explain exactly how I feel about it. I've just always felt that it was very beautiful how the city seems to be floating on water, and how the main mode of transportation is by gondola through the canals... pop-circus.blogspot.com

What do you imagine yourself doing for your retirement?

I know that I shouldn't wait until I retire, but if I don't get to it before then, I would most definitely spend my Golden Years doing volunteer work with animals. They really need our help! pop-circus.blogspot.com

If you were to return reincarnated, which real-life person would you like to be?

I'd actually prefer to return as myself, along with the hard-earned wisdom I've gained living through THIS life. That way, I wouldn't have to start all over again back at square one. Instead, I'd just pick up where I left off (intellectually), and probably do a MUCH better job with everything the second time around. Does that make sense? pop-circus.blogspot.com

What do you currently have in your MP3 player?

Well, I have an iPod with a ton of music on it... but I guess I could just tell you what the last thing was that I played. It was a 6 minute Fedde Le Grand remix of Madonna's 'Give It 2 Me'. It's pretty great! Here's a sampling of other artists on my iPod: William Orbit, International Observer (that's Dub music by Tom Bailey from Thompson Twins), Goldfrapp, Miss Kittin, Royksopp, The Gentle People, Lady Gaga, Crystal Castles, Imogen Heap, Spookey Ruben, Fischerspooner, Peaches, Lida Husik, and so on. I really do have a pretty wide range of musical tastes! In fact, I even have some classical and several movie soundtracks on there, as well. pop-circus.blogspot.com

What books are you currently reading?

'Inventory' by the writers of The A.V. Club, which is basically a collection of "obsessively specific pop-culture lists". So far, it's been real amusing. And great for starting up conversations! pop-circus.blogspot.com

What is that special film you never tire of watching?

'Blade Runner'. pop-circus.blogspot.com

What were your favourite subjects when you were in primary/secondary school?

Without a doubt, Art and Drama! I also loved it whenever the Music teacher came into our elementary school classroom pushing her big shopping cart full of different instruments we could all play! That was always a blast! And, I guess it wasn't really a "subject", but who DIDN'T like it when the lights went out, the screen came down and the film projector started up?! pop-circus.blogspot.com

What magazines do you frequently read?

I regularly read 'Nintendo Power' (games), 'Found' (discarded curiosities), 'BARk' (dogs), 'Stuffed' (softies) and 'Hi*Fructose' (art & toys). pop-circus.blogspot.com

Where have you thought of going for your next holiday?

Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico. I have wonderful memories of it from a family vacation when I was 6-years-old. I was so fascinated by the beautiful colors and bizarre formations of the cavernous interior. I can also remember being absolutely terrified of the 'Bottomless Pit'! It was so dark down in that hole, you couldn't tell where it ended... I'm sure I wouldn't have been half as scared if it weren't for my much older brother lifting me up and pretending to throw me in! :( pop-circus.blogspot.com

How many times have you found the love of your life? What about unrequited love?

I thought that I was in love a few times in the past, but I've really only found TRUE LOVE once in my life... and I eventually married him! Once it was legal, of course. I've been with him for almost 20 years, now, because I knew early on that he was meant for me. I honestly feel as though we're soulmates, and I couldn't imagine ever sharing my life with anyone else. pop-circus.blogspot.com

Have you ever "come out of a closet" of some sort? What challenges have you had to overcome?

Um, yeah... You could say that I've "come out of the closet"! I'm gay, and I've been married to my husband since October, 2008. We both choose to live our lives completely "out" because we feel very strongly that we have nothing to be ashamed of. Nothing to hide. It's another person's own issue if they aren't comfortable with us because we're gay. Above all else, we need to be true to ourselves and proud of who we are. Having said that, I feel it's important to clarify that niether one of us feels the need to act like a 'Mary fairy' or 'swishy dish' just because we're confident and proud. Sure, we both have occasional less-than-macho moments, but we're comfortable with that. We're comfortable with ourselves. However, it's the 'Mary fairies' and the 'swishy dishes' out there, the ones who seem to be forcing an unnatural, over-the-top flamboyant persona just to show the world "they're here, they're queer, and you had better get used to it!" that we're really not so comfortable with. I personally feel as though that tactic does more harm than good. More specifically, I'm afraid that it just repels and alienates people. Certainly not a good way to improve relations between the HOMO's and the HETERO's. :( Regarding my official "sexuality reveal", I didn't have the luxury of deciding when and how to "come out". I was KICKED OUT of the closet waaay before I was ready, by someone who I'd previously thought was a good friend. That supposed friend wound up telling my mom about my then current boyfriend, and all hell broke loose as a result! I mean, it was a really BAD scene! My mom was angry and screaming, my dad told me that he couldn't possibly love a gay son, my older brother tried to BEAT the "gay" OUT of me and all of it transpired in about 15 minutes. You can imagine the days that followed... But I am happy to say that my dad DID eventually come around, and he explained that he DID love me, but was scared thinking of how much harder my life would be due to society's prejudice and lack of acceptance. Plus, I think it was about the same time A.I.D.S. was first being talked about in the news, and that was some pretty scary sh*t back then! Anyway, he died of cancer soon after that, so I'm very thankful that my dad had the courage and integrity to apologize, then share his true feelings of love and concern. That, to me, was a gift because I know if I hadn't received that from him, I would be struggling with some major issues now! But I did, so I'm not, and I'm at peace with my father. My relationship with my mom has been turbulent through the years, but I'm also happy to say that, "We've come a long way, baby!" She actually attended (and was part of) our wedding, in 2008. It was fantastic! She looked relaxed, happy, and happy FOR us! Something I wasn't sure I'd ever see. And currently, my mom and I are getting along better than ever before! The older brother that I mentioned is an entirely different story that does not have a happy ending. He is evidently so deeply rooted in his Christian faith that he cannot and/or will not accept my homosexuality. We haven't spoken in years, but not due to a lack of effort on my part. In fact, he and his wife (and adult kids) were all invited to our wedding, but they chose NOT to come. They used some lame excuse about a prior engagement, and it was something that they go to all the time. Then they didn't even have the decency to send us a card, much less a gift! But I'm not stupid. I know what their actions are really saying... They do not approve of same-sex marriage. I'm positive through and through that my brother and his wife voted YES on both California propositions 22 and 8 - the ones that have outlawed same-sex marriages in order to "protect the sanctity of marriage". But guess what? We got married anyway! And legally, too! We were one of the 18,000 same-sex couples that managed to wed during the narrow window of opportunity that presented itself for a few months before Prop H8 was passed and slammed that window shut again. I don't EVER want to speak to my brother again, but I would love to know HOW exactly my marriage has negatively affected his? I certainly haven't heard mention of ANYTHING bad happening. But according to his "beliefs", since I've been married to my husband for almost 2 years, the sanctity of dear old brother's marriage should have been soiled and desecrated to the point of divorce, long before now! pop-circus.blogspot.com

Ask me a question, make a comment, or request my opinion on something:

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