⚠️warning strong language and profanity⚠️
i am writing this as post-high (re: emotional rollercoaster) right after I just clicked ‘submit’ on my semester research paper exploring a specific topic in context anthropology’s perspective of religion. it’s called sacred rebellion (astrology as a alt spiritual framework for marginalized folk and how they use that as resistance— do I drop it, chat?)
oh yeah, i’m in an anthropology graduate program so that’s fun.
this is my 4 attempt for a graduate program sliding between: international affairs (too theoretical) to arabic linguistics (program felt too ‘canned’ and not much room for true exploration) to MBA (no amount of “future-proofing” degree post military can truly rid the literal physical, emotional,
mental toil than getting a business degree in post-apocalystic hellscape) to finally striking balance between warm-n-fuzzy and fiscal balance — anthropology.
I guess it’s been my true calling since as a child. partly due to while harrison ford *swoon* as indiana jones was a sexual awakening as a young boy and angelina jolie (as I now know) serving cvntina girly pop — I mean lara croft.
they both were oozing with smarts, body, travel, cultured, and saving the world— the list goes on. also partly being that kid who would read encyclopedia’s in elementary school for fun, and secretly convincing the librarian for me to check out reference materials on ancient civilizations, sneaking them amongst my stacks of magic tree house and warrior cats series. the journey into the crypts and backrooms to scratch that insatiable desire for knowledge.
it’s funny because my junior and senior years in HS, there was a common tradition when my family would go out to eat (as a special treat) and the waiter would ask “so what do you want to study?” and me being myself (I take my then-confidence for granted) beaming “ forensic anthropology”. Then a silent stand-off until I would havr to break first to slice the palpable awkwardness with “solving crimes by looking at bones, human remains stuff. like the show bones?” as only a smidge of ease returned, I guess there’s not a manual I how to deal with a young who’s interested in the “taboo” like death, dark crypts, and human remains.
now as a 31 year old queer man, and slowly not giving a single fuck (thanks years of therapy, self-acceptance, and slow but loud realization that no one truly knows what they’re doing and this is all a simulation)—my inner child still yearns for the knowledge mines.
while this the first class of this entire program, I have learned so much (duh) and introductory skills required for an anthropologist and more understanding of the world outside of the academic echo chamber. between the change of learning and writing styles, but the deepen skill for observation and accepting as is. sure, as a natural people-watcher from my apartment, overlooking the busy intersection connecting the sonder of individuals passing and the patterns of groups on the businesses’ outdoor patios, observational anthropology comes easy. while in this class I soon began to apply the themes to these observations and creating a deeper meaning of being human. why this place and is considered sacred? is this a ritual? did they unknowing commune at specific times? what kind of emotional narratives (personal joys, sorrows, anxieties, or dreams) might exist behind their public behaviors? what assumptions am I making of these people? and list continues. I guess i’m trying to say is that i’m asking more than surface-level questions (which are still important, you have to understand the basic to go deeper).
also I realized how interdisciplinary anthropology is/can be, and noticing the parallels to astrology, which happens to deepen my practice and understanding. while I now right now astrology practice or consulting is not the primary focus—between having a full-time job, rugby, surviving in this world— this logic, observational skills, and connection to others will undoubtedly help me in every aspect of my life.
lastly, akin to skydiving with delayed parachute while safely sticking the landing, my writing game and actual enjoyment has grown. I mean it does help to write about some that isn’t canned or written about so many times. my schedule is hectic (grind-culturistas can kick rocks) but all of this to say that despite expending so much energy into this course has somehow tenfold provided me energy and inspiration to do more writing and exploration. and this what this post is re-restarting. who knows what i’ll really write about, but I know it’ll be on a whim, autobiographical, musings, what others might want to hear/ my take, and just whatever the hell I want.
so if you’ve made it this far—thank you, and I hope you’ll join me and enjoy what I plan on putting out.