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It’s A Sad State of Affairs When Emotions Become Gendered Things
The fear of being perceived as weak hides even fear itself
I glued myself to a movie tonight. As the sun cast longer and longer shadows through the grimy bay windows I slowly became part of my couch. The shadows gave way to night, and a firm sense of reality along with it.
Nearly two hours into the movie the cast of the film clapped. Over-joyous they were, in their moment of impossible achievement! The pent up tension on screen bubbled over with emotion like the melodic notes of a guitar solo.
And then, I clapped too.
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Physically. I clapped. So enthralled, I was no longer on the couch. I was right there in the film, right along side the cast. I was gutted by the betrayal they felt too. Bloodied from their battles. Totally immersed, whilst suspended IRL, I became a living, breathing, feeling proxy for my body momentarily riveted on the couch.
I was so emotionally involved that I had been writhing along with the plot for the better part of an hour. Pillows fallen to the…