There's a flog in my throat, and it's cloaking
0 Comments Published by totallygone.com on Saturday, January 31, 2004.

A flying visit from my dear friend Zoe (we met at Kopan Monastery last November, and sped around Bangkok for a couple of nights in May), who rolled up in her Volkswagon Camper en-route to Seattle before flying to Bangkok next week. Those of you (you know who you are) who told me they had a gut feeling that the Land of Smiles, rather than San Francisco, is my spiritual home, will be delighted to hear that you're probably right, after all. Zoe and I have spent the last couple of nights reminiscing about Bangkok (in between The Return of the King (superb) and Lost in Translation , which is basically one long "flying tonight" joke, accompanied by a sour-sweet romantic sub-plot) and planning her trip. Walking around the Castro with her is a scream - she's 6' with dark skin, black hair, and so androgynous that she's constantly mistaken for an beautiful young man. So all the guys ignore me and make eyes at her, while I'm yearning to yell at them "She's a DYKE, you know!". But I leave them to their fantasies. I'm trying to practice kindness and generosity, these days.
So, back to Bangkok - I feel a calling again, and have spent the last couple of days looking at TEFL courses and jobs in Thailand. Working here isn't working - for a number of reasons that I can't publish but will be happy to regail you with in person, so my feet are itching, and I reckon I'll be back there before you can say "Pad Thai."
I write from the local clap clinic where, in desperation, I'm trying to get treated for strep throat. Although the non-profit I'm working for provides insurance, this hasn't been processed and I don't have the paperwork necessary to get access to a doctor. Fortunately, San Francisco has a number of free clinics for the uninsured, and I can go to SF general hospital tomorrow if this tactic fails. Unlike British STI clinics, packed with sheepish men drinking lukewarm tea from polystyrene cups and eyeing each other furtively, the Castro's Magnet drop-in clinic (two blocks from my flat, and conveniently located opposite four gay bars) is easily mistaken for a trendy lounge bar designed for well-dressed men of all ages. With its ceiling of frosted plastic to diffuse the light in a more flattering fashion and (naturally) tracklighting to illuminate the noticeboard (a mixture of local entertainment, sexual health information, and listings for sex-clubs), cherrywood flooring, free internet access (yay!!), gorgeous (yes, it's true!!) staff, and 70's disco music, it's the kind of place that makes you WANT to get tested, even if you're 100% healthy. Come again?
So, back to Bangkok - I feel a calling again, and have spent the last couple of days looking at TEFL courses and jobs in Thailand. Working here isn't working - for a number of reasons that I can't publish but will be happy to regail you with in person, so my feet are itching, and I reckon I'll be back there before you can say "Pad Thai."
I write from the local clap clinic where, in desperation, I'm trying to get treated for strep throat. Although the non-profit I'm working for provides insurance, this hasn't been processed and I don't have the paperwork necessary to get access to a doctor. Fortunately, San Francisco has a number of free clinics for the uninsured, and I can go to SF general hospital tomorrow if this tactic fails. Unlike British STI clinics, packed with sheepish men drinking lukewarm tea from polystyrene cups and eyeing each other furtively, the Castro's Magnet drop-in clinic (two blocks from my flat, and conveniently located opposite four gay bars) is easily mistaken for a trendy lounge bar designed for well-dressed men of all ages. With its ceiling of frosted plastic to diffuse the light in a more flattering fashion and (naturally) tracklighting to illuminate the noticeboard (a mixture of local entertainment, sexual health information, and listings for sex-clubs), cherrywood flooring, free internet access (yay!!), gorgeous (yes, it's true!!) staff, and 70's disco music, it's the kind of place that makes you WANT to get tested, even if you're 100% healthy. Come again?
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