February 2009 Archives
Goatee demigod Kevin Youkilis of the Boston Red Sox shaves down to a fu for photo day.
Hottie Jamie Bamber of Battlestar Galactica takes a stand against bear fur. Sadly this takes him a few notches down in my book. PETA is crazy, and they keep drifting further left beyond the edge of my support. They're totally fringe these days.
All of this has happened before, all of it will happen again - military killer robots to learn warrior code.
Change I Can Believe In: "Autobots - roll out!"
TR2N (Tron II) trailer featuring Jeff Bridges from the original movie makes my geek nipples hard. The video was taken in a theatre during the upcoming attractions set, and you can hear the audience going wild. But it's not coming out for another few years or so. I can't wait that long!
Cover your mouth when you cough, and wash your hands regularly. And stay home if you're sick. People can still die from the flu, like this teen in Prince George's County. I think we're screwed if we're actually hit with a highly contagious, pathogenic avian influenza bug because people are total slobs and workaholics these days. Entire generations seem to be completely bereft of simple hygene and basic biosecurity skills these days.
Accept Jesus, Forever Forgiven website with rainbow dazzle attack and backwards-running puma footer. Warning - this website may make you seizure.
Prince held an Oscar night dance party, but I wasn't invited. But he said something wonderful during his performance:
"'Turn those Blackberries off and dance,' Prince chided just after three in the morning..."
TYVM 0(+->
I'm disappointed he didn't mention iPhones. And this is how Prince Rolls. Thanks B2 Sean 4 the links.
Omigaaa! Bravehound just put up a new set, which includes a bit of our favorite Swedish pixie Robyn in the mix.
Tonight I went to rugby practice for the first time this spring. It was good to work off some steam, and we've been practicing at Cardozo High School's fabulous new field with artificial turf, new stadium seating and very bright lights. It was good to be back and I'm less grumpy now, albeit with a headache from a few knocks to my head. It'll go away in a few hours. At least I can still tpye and add links and stuff to this etnry.
So after ten years of rugby I've finally broken down and purchased a scrumcap. They're for protecting your head, and are frequently worn by forwards, the guys who make up a scrum. I used to be a back, one of the skinny guys who does not usually engage in a scrum. But as I've slowed down over the years I've been moved up front with the big (albeit slower) guys. You tend to knock heads a lot in forward positions, and after more than a few knocked noggins I felt it was time.
Here is a nice rugby photo gallery from a recent U.S. Rugby Sevens tournament. This guy took them, and they're woofy.
I survived the weekend deathmarches across the length and width of both Manhattan and New Jersey. I think I lost several pounds in the process. I probably would have burned the same amount of calories staying home, as the power was out for one cold night in the 'hood while I was away.
Stephen and Rex were the loveliest hosts ever, and they have the best toilet paper and shower head in their bathroom of anyone in Harlem. They have nice bathroom towels too.
I met lots of friendly and interesting characters on my trip:
New York is always a good visit, and I took advantage of all the shopping options and bought some new shoes for work:
Lovely shoe and scary bunny photo by David.
I like the vibe in New York, especially when you go out to the gay bars. Maybe I'm biased by an overly positive feeling as a visitor, but it seems much easier to talk to and meet guys there. It also doesn't hurt that Stephen is a bit of a social blue morpho iridescent butterfly, and he gives special attention to introduce disparate groups of people. You don't always get that in DC, as despite our high levels of education, a lot of guys seem socially retarded in DC. (Tip - as I guess I have to spell it out: don't assume everyone knows everyone else. Introduce me to your friends.)
I suppose there is the possibility that my friends don't want to introduce me to other people in DC. And maybe the New York bitches are friendly simply because they're total whores, but I guess I'd rather be chatty with a friendly whore than an icy Puritan or frigid autistic, as the DC bitches can be. I think I'm on to something here...the DC bitches are that way because they're all autistic. It's the only explanation. The more likely possibility is that the politics and policy industries in this city attracts an already socially inept group of wonks and acedemics. Perhaps we simply suffer from a high concentration of socially handicapped people. Still, I'll just assume they're all autistic, that way I can pity them rather than be angry at them for being socially retarded.
So anyway, when your friends don't introduce you to other people, you have to depend on the less convenient method of going up to people and saying hello to them. But you can't do that in DC because people seem to think your next step is to propose marriage, because guys in DC seem terrified that you've come up to them to speak to them. It's very frustrating. So then you both spend the evening with your disparate groups of friends having to look at each other from across the bar. You can even spend an entire evening within a group of friends looking at another guy and never be introduced. So then the only acceptable method of communication is to send desperate messages at 2am on Manhunt. How sad. Anyway, the majority of the DC bitches need to relax when I come up to say hi to you cuz I'm not going to bite your neck or something. Over the course of my fun weekend in NYC socializing, nobody got married, bit or hurt, and we all had a good time. It was very refreshing to simply be able to meet and chat with people verbally.
Oh, and the NYC bitches don't obsessively, impulsively pull out handheld electronic devices every five minutes either. That's clearly an obnoxious DC thing that is very socially retarded. When the NYC bitches go out to bars, they're hard at work drinking or dancing. I did not see a single glowing electronic device interface on the dance floor this weekend. Also very refreshing.
As charming as they are, those NYC boys do love to walk. Walk, walk, walk - everywhere all the time. They're crazy about walking, often for no reason. Sometimes they walk randomly in circles. On the eve of Blowoff, we deathmarched to some place that was like two hours from the metro station in Brooklyn to get to the venue. I think by the time we got there we were somewhere in the state of Maine. All on foot. We stopped for two meals along the way. And naturally they were practically at running pace to the venue. But when we finally got there it a lot of fun. Many of the usual crew were there, including Ruphus. I noticed he had clipped his chest fur (I notice these things) so I said to him, "Every time someone clips or shaves their chest, a little part of me dies inside." He responded, "Then you must be dead inside," and I said, "Yeah, I am."
All the cool kids are going out and eating pho and taking pictures of eating pho on an iPhone and uploading it to Facebook. So now my life is complete. iPhone magic by Bubbles.
Drag queen at George Mason University wins homecoming crown. I must note that back in 1993 or so a gay man and lesbian won homecoming king and queen at the understated University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. I guess it took 15 years to catch up here.
It's mighty cold tonight. I was a bit off on predicting spring's arrival. Sorry. Still, I spotted the return of house finches today, so it's creeping up on us slowly.
I'm heading up to NYC for the weekend to hang out with some troublemakers and be deathmarched through the streets of Manhattan again. Hopefully they won't wear me out before Saturday night's Blowoff in Brooklyn. Those boys up there like to whoop it up so I'll need all the rest I can get tonight.
I think Facebook is killing traditional blogging. Between status updates and the ease of posting photos and links, Facebook is really just an easier, annotated form of blogging. The status update thingy does encourage conciseness in writing, which is a good thing I guess.
I'm not sad about it, but I could occasionally use more diversions in the day, and traditional blogging does involve greater writing skills than just a tagline. And writing longer entries does elicit more thought in the reader's mind. I have been disappointed with all you lazy former bloggers who have not had anything to say for weeks. I know, I know: we're all depressed from the winter. So am I, but if everyone would stop being so insular and self-absorbed in our misery we might all cheer up communally.
Manhattan Offender: While no one was watching, all the blogs died.
I'm debating whether or not to keep certain friends on Facebook who I don't really know, who launder all their daily drama in their status updates. I don't really need to know how you messed up your relationship today. Save that for your close friends. Or maybe I need to delve deeper into the whole friends categorization option to sort these friends into a "no retarded updates about your adventures in serial monogamy" category or something. I don't usually add people I haven't met, as I don't want daily updates from people I don't really know.
For those of you who follow the politics of Turkmenistan, there's a new riveting documentary about it. Shoe clearance sale here. Birds of North America at NatGeo (thanks to former blogger Chrisafer for that one). Cute scruffy guy wrestles catfish.
It was a quick trip there and back, but this weekend's snowboarding trip to Snowshoe Mountain in West Virginia was fun. It was good to get away from the city, even for a short time.
The snow conditions weren't the best, as recent warm weather had stripped most of the mountain of natural snow. Fortunately the snow machines had been hard at work.
On our way up the mountain we stopped briefly at the Cass Scenic Railroad State Park in West Virginia. Restored railroad company houses now serve as vacation homes for skiiers and summer guests.
More signs of spring were seen as I spotted several bluebirds along the way. Rugby practice starts tomorrow, but my body is a wreck, so it may have to wait until Thursday. More homework to finish today.
It turns out I'll be heading to the mountains of West Virginia for some snowboarding this weekend after all. We're gonna take a risk on the snow conditions. I got most of my homework done, my brain is fried from that and a busy work week, and I'm outta here later today to head for the hills.
Smooches. I don't know who these scruffy guys are in the pic but I thought the picture was cute and in the spirit of Valentine's Day.
More rugby concern over testicular cancer: English rugby union player and Harlequins scrum-half Danny "Care Bear" Care strips down to raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancer. May I examine?
And two nice photos of England rugby flank forward Joe Worsley in a pool.
Hairy economy trend: beards are back. Sorry about the economy but it's still good to be me.
A Winter of Discontent Over Utility Bills - has anyone else noticed your utility - or even cable - bills that went up when gas prices rose, haven't gone back down again since the prices have dropped? Can you say PRICE GOUGING?
Just a reminder about the Kylie Minogue Boombox CD release party on Saturday, February 14 at Omega at 2122 P Street, NW DC (Rear - tee hee!). VJ Tre will be playing the popular mashup "Can't Get Blue Monday Out of My Head," and my favorite from the remix album, a Chemical Brothers remix of "Slow.
Mom found a recipe card I made as a kid. Feel free to try it out but you'll need a candy thermometer. I added the Madonna part. Click on Madonna to embiggen:
And finally, some Valentine's Day weirdness for all of you, the chorus from which I hope sticks to the inside of your skulls like an incurable cancer:
On Tuesday I heard the calls of a song sparrow and a flock of kildeer [plover] who had returned to the area in expectation of warmer weather. The groundhog was wrong - it's almost spring! Sure, we could get another cold snap or snowstorm, but for the most part winter is waning. Good riddance, even though it went by fairly fast this year. It hasn't been my best winter as winters go - but do they ever go "right"? Anyway, the daffodils, crocuses and even my pond irises all concur with the birds and are ready to sprout.
While the warmer weather couldn't have come any sooner, it may dash our skiing and snowboarding plans for this weekend. Thunderstorming and in the 60s up in the mountains. Not optimal conditions for good powder.
Happy Lincoln's birthday. A big 'ol woof to all you hotties out there with chinstrap beards like Abe Lincoln. I will not acknowledge that other holiday that was created to make single people feel inferior and depressed.
BRAWL AT CARDOZO HIGH! I think those rowdy kids should join us at rugby practice (which starts next week) out on their own football field. Those kids need an outlet for all that rage, and rugby is the cheapest form of therapy possible.
The "new" Cobalt retires its longtime high heel ban. I wish gay bars would ban humongous purses instead. While I don't think the place will be swarmed with Jennifers anytime soon, I don't recall seeing anyone banned from the place but apparently it has happened. There are a lot of stairs and slippery floors, and the typical DC resident accustomed to walking all over town probably wouldn't be wearing them a whole lot anyway. Still, the place has been fun in the past, and watch out for Evil Hot Dean's generosity for the drink! You won't think he's so cute the next morning...
This week pledge to take part in 7 Conversations in 7 Days in honor of the 12th annual Freedom to Marry Week, February 8-14, 2009. Join in the pledge today!
Several states, including New York and New Jersey, are poised to consider marriage equality this year. The California Supreme Court will consider the legality of Prop 8 on March 5.
While I am not in a situation to marry anytime soon, I have same-sex friends in California and New Jersey who are either married or whose marriage is threatened. For those of you who are ambivalent about the issue, think of those people. For many, it was the best and most important day of their lives. And should a trick go wrong some day and turn into a relationship for those of you die-hard tricksters and single folk, you may one day find yourself caring about the issue all of a sudden. Sharing information about why marriage is important to us is an important part of the effort.
More news about bedbugs from my favorite insect geek bloggess Bug Girl
A cab crashed into Solly's early Saturday morning. Were any of The New Gay injured?
More photos from the past keep turning up on Facebook, as my friends from college, high school or Peace Corps keep diggin' up the archives. The photo below was taken by a fellow Peace Corps volunteer during my service in Kazakstan, some time in 1996 or 1997 at a friend's flat in Almaty, then the capitol of Kazakstan. I think I was excited to have found a can of pork and beans at a kiosk or the bazaar, and was going crazy happily cookin' up some dogs on the skillet.
I wish I still had that hat. I think it belonged to Kevin in Almaty.
This heartwarming duck in a truck story reminds me of Homer's new chicken friend.
PETA just bought some new property near DuPont. Will snakeheads become the latest Sea Kitten?
Giant boa constrictor ruled the swamps 60 million years ago. J-Lo and Ice Cube wouldn't stand a chance against this 43' monster.
25 reasons why I won't respond to your Facebook meme invitation. Bloggers had been doing that for years, maybe I should have saved my original 99 things to cut and paste.
"HAND OVER ALL YOUR SPACE CREDITS!" Klingon bat'leth weapon used in two Colorado Springs heists.
Rugby players use their balls to demonstrate how to detect early signs of testicular cancer. NSFW, as this practical PSA shows rugby players examining their testicles, and doctors assisting in the process.
The nationally syndicated radio show, “Michael Feldman's Whad'Ya Know?” will be broadcast live from my alma mater UW-Stevens Point Saturday, February 7, from 10 a.m. until noon. The program will air from the Melvin R. Laird Room in the Dreyfus University Center. The lively program will feature local guests including Chris Yahnke, assistant professor of Biology at UWSP, the Stevens Point Brewery Brewmaster, John Zappa, and head chef at the Silver Coach Rob Tuszka, lively music and the famous Whad'Ya Know Quiz.
Carhartt barn coats and Filson Mackinaw Cruisers now officially hipster-approved. Giant bluegrass beards optional.
There will be another Kylie Minogue Boombox CD release party on Saturday, February 14 at Omega at 2122 P Street, NW DC (Rear - tee hee!). VJ Tre will be playing the popular mashup "Can't Get Blue Monday Out of My Head," and my favorite from the remix album, a Chemical Brothers remix of "Slow."
Don't wanna rush it,
let the rhythm pull you in.
It's here so touch it.
And this coming Saturday is another Blowoff at the 9:30 Club. I hope I'm up for it as I seem to be coming down with something tiring and achey. With all the crap goin' around who knows if it's a cold or a flu. Luckily I got my flu shot this fall so it might be an attenuated version that I picked up.
If you are at all squeamish over the creepy-crawly, whatever you do - don't read this week's City Paper cover story about bedbugs.
Students attending Mazomanie high school in Wisconsin may face restrictions on how they commute to school. Students at this high school have opted for a snowmobile commute that may face a review from their school board.
And in other cold climate news, Alaska's Mount Redoubt may blow soon. Check out this fun page for current status on this volcano that is just north of the Cook Inlet. She is described as being "..composed of intercalated pyroclastic deposits and lava flows and rests on Mesozoic granitic rocks of the Alaska-Aleutian Range batholith." Got it? During the two summers I worked on the Kenai Peninsula, you could see the chain of volcanoes across the inlet on a clear day. Redoubt usually steams every day, but she's been quiet and bloated lately. I often feel the same way just before a big dump.
So 23 year-old Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps got caught smoking a bong. Dumb for him to go to a big party where everyone has cell phone cameras, but big deal. He's 23 and doing what a 23 year old might do. It may be a mistake in terms of future promotional deals, but I'm not aghast. It's hard to say what I'd do if I were his parent. I'm not sure if it was intentional on the part of my mom, but I was raised to be allowed to make mistakes and pay for them myself, and I learned from them. I guess if I were his parent I'd give him a brief tisk-tisk talk, but the wages of such a mistake would show in lack of future endorsements in this nation at least. But jeez, I'd also give him a break - he's young and he's a human and despite all the gold medals, he's allowed a few screw-ups.
More importantly, he's sporting a fine tailback beard in the picture, and he had me when he was rockin' the fu manchu during his pre-olympic practices. He is a leader in facial hair style in my book.
While searching in my archives for the above link I came across some entries from last summer. Pretty flowers and South Carolina funshine. Good memories during these cold winter months.
Now it's back to classwork which has started up again. Only two classes to go and I'm done with my grad degree this coming summer. I'll be happy when the papers and discussions are done. It's been one class per semester for the past five years, and I'm glad I got most of the more difficult and/or boring classes done now that I'm in the home stretch.
I didn't do much over the weekend other than go to a birthday gathering at The Black Cat. I've only been there once before, but was pleased to discover a nice selection of beers, and an awesome sit-down video game console with some seriously old skool classics like Arkanoid, Cosmic Avenger, Zaxxon, Dig-Dug, Pengo and Burgertime. I tried a few out and discovered I'm not quite the player I once was with our home Colecovision console. I hope to get back there again to exercise my rusty mad skillz again.
