Thursday, September 11, 2008

Warning: Explicit Lyrics

So I've just perused my recent blogs and comments and realized that I've been censoring myself. I typically swear like a sailor, and though I've been feeling particularly surly lately, I've noticed the language in my blogs has been 1) tame and 2) lame. I have an affinity for cuss words. I consider using them more cathartic and less damaging than just being pissed at everything politely. Don't get me wrong, I have and USE my manners. My mother is English and she taught me to be a proper young lady. On the other hand, my father IS a sailor and he taught me to curse like you mean it! My love of the F word led me to creating the "two-a day rule" regarding my children's swearing. My daughter was an early talker and there was not enough time for me to attempt setting a "good example" for her. She would swear as appropriately as you or I would before her second birthday. Example: "Ah shit, I lost my balloon," at about 14 months old. So I instituted a family policy that my children may use four letter words twice a day, as long as they ask permission first. This was a stroke of parenting genius in my opinion for the following reasons:

1) They have to ask me (or their dad) permission, so it's taught them that I'm the boss.
2) If they ask me permission when we're somewhere like say, a school function, and I say, "No, not here honey," they learn that different behavior is appropriate for different places.
3) Saying "yes" complete diffuses any appeal that rebellion might've held. Taking the taboo away from these words has taken the edge off any peer pressure to seem cool by using them.
4) They suffer no shock symptoms when they hear those choice phrases from TV, movies, other swearers.

So what's the consensus on cursing indiscriminately in one's blogs and comments? Like I said, I know HOW to use my manners and I don't want to offend people, but lately I just don't sound like myself. I have a sarcastic and sometimes raunchy sense of humor. I tend to talk about gross stuff because I forget that it freaks other folks out. (I used to wipe asses for a living and it helps to have a sense of humor about that shit. Heehee, punny!) In my past I was quite literally on the Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'N Roll tour and it's made me obnoxious person I'm am today. I guess it's insecurity rising to the surface but I wanna know: If I fly my true colors will I be hung like a pirate? All opinions and comments would be much appreciated!

2 comments:

Bald Ben said...

I don't care if you use 4 letters, 5 letters, or all 26 of them. If you have something to say, say it. We'll sort out the rest later.

MS. ME said...

I agree with bald ben - This is YOUR SPACE and you, above all else, should be the most comfortable with it. Besides, I agree that "Frak" just doesn't cut it!!