Entrance Exam

Welcome!

You’re probably asking yourself, “Why are you calling this ‘The Fagabond’?” and “Isn’t that… offensive?”

Lets jump right into the heavy stuff and get it out of the way.
For many, yes it’s gonna be offensive and/or problematic. But for those people, I ask you to hear me out. For the last 15 years of my life, fag is a word that has been thrown at me by classmates, strangers driving by, and even a woman inside her home. While the outpouring of love and support I got from family and friends when I shared these stories was amazing, I realized after a certain point that they were more offended than I was. They’ve never had strangers call them a fag for most of their adult life so it’s shocking and upsetting to them. Whereas for me, it’s gotten to the point where I just wave or yell back “And single! Tell your friends!” or “Ohio was in the Union!” (That last one really riles them up) It’s like that thing where you say or hear a word so much it loses all meaning and you start to question its pronunciation.
I’m not saying the word fag is no longer offensive and everyone is free to use it as they like (sorry Eminem). This is a word that’s only purpose is to cause hurt. But I’m past the point of being offended by it and am more than anything, angry that being gay is considered an insult. This is me flipping the bird to those people driving by in their shitty old Bronco with the Confederate flag and a sticker of Calvin peeing on a Chevy logo and saying “Yeah. And?” This is me owning the word for myself, nobody else.
I hope that kind of clears things up. I’ll gladly accept open dialogue on the subject.
To answer the first question, this blog was originally titled “A Fag Abroad” until a friend suggested “The Fagabond,” and I laughed for a good 20 minutes and then on and off throughout the day whenever I thought about it. With a vagabond being described as a someone with no set home who wanders from place to place, I found it fitting to a degree. I definitely feel like I’ve gone from place to place in my life in search of that place to call my home. Marking time in each one until I find the next place to go.

ANYWAYS

Let’s break down this site.
The Flâneur of It All - Flâneur as you see up top, is a French term that means ‘stroller’ or ‘loafer’ but is much more than that. It’s defined by scholars as “…the deliberately aimless pedestrian, unencumbered by any obligation or sense of urgency, who, being French and therefore frugal, wastes nothing, including his time which he spends with the leisurely discrimination of a gourmet, savoring the multiple flavors of his city." It’s a term that has also extended into street photography. Since I discovered the word a year ago, I felt a connection with it and it’s stuck with me. Those of you that know me may even have read that and said “yeah that’s totally you.” I wanted to incorporate something related to this ideal so I decided to add a section here that was a collection of street photography shots and my thoughts on those specific moments.
Under Visuals, you’ll find more photos. While the Flâneur section will be just select street photography shots, this will be a bit of everything. I’m going to have at least 3 cameras with me: Canon 50D, Polaroid SX-70, and a vintage 35mm camera (I haven’t decided which one to take just yet.) So there will be quite the variety.
Words is where you’re at now. Strictly blog stuff; updates on things, general thoughts, a photo or two, etc.
The Portal tab up there is just gonna take you back to the homepage with the “enter” button. I couldn’t figure out how to get rid of it so it’s just there.
About is obviously where you’ll get to read a short paragraph that I just copied from my Scruff profile. Terrible selfie included.

Until I actually get there and start doing stuff, I’ll be posting past photos in the visuals and Flâneur sections while occasionally updating here on any vital trip details.