I'm just sayin'...

smart (ass) cookie.


Via xkcd.

Again and again!



Music video by Dennis for Again and Again by The Bird and the Bee. Last December the iTunes Music Store featured a cool Christmas track by The Bird and the Bee as the free single of the week. I loved it. It's nice to sample something else.

And this uber-cool Mac OSX viral video has totally put Dennis Liu in the spotlight, as it were.

Labels: Apple

From the WIRED gadget lab--


Measuring jugs that give you some food for thought whilst you measure out your ingredients.

Some of the gradations are equivalent to:

• as many grains of flour as people on the planet
• volume of one human breath
• amount of table salt in a large human
• volume of body cells that die on a good day

Click to embiggen.

Fires continue to ravage the Santa Cruz mountains.

For PeeDee's sake, let's hope it hasn't melted the bacon.

I think it's funny.

Best Indiana Jones gay joke (is it really a gay joke though?) from the SF Metblog:

The Castro Theatre is showing Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull!
No, not that kind of crystal.

The clever Mark Pritchard continues:

Judging from the widely-disseminated publicity photo (left), the film “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” has something to do with a rugged older man initiating a pretty young boy in a leather jacket into the mysteries of a deep, dark hole, making it perfect for the Castro.

AT&T is also claiming that the improved 3G network will have speeds comparable to home wifi service, but Wired reports doubts that seriously:

AT&T Confirms High Speed Rollout In Time For iPhone 2.0

AT&T has announced that it will have completed a country wide rollout of its HSUPA 3G service by the end of June. We're guessing that a little voice from Cupertino might have been hurrying AT&T along. You know, just like AT&T boosted EDGE speeds last year on the iPhone's launch day. Just saying.

The network offers theoretical speeds of 1.4 Mbps down and 800Kbps up, which AT&T claims "will be as speedy as logging onto the high speed Internet service that many consumers enjoy at home."

We're not sure exactly who those poor customers are, or how they could possibly '"enjoy" speeds like that, but if AT&T keeps spending at the $5 billion-a-year rate it is now, we should expect to get a real mobile internet just in time for the iPhone 3.

By the way, I love that critics have swapped the AT&T globe logo for the Death Star.

Labels: Apple

Doctor JONES!

Just got the tickets for Friday. James and I will hit the Badlands 2-4-1 happy hour first. (God help him. He just got a haircut and is lookin' all hot and shit. The fags'll be all over him.)

So excited. I keep whilstling "Dah da DAH da, da da dah..."

I feel the need for an obligatory "job" joke here, like a "Coco gives a job that doesn't require a warm towel afterwards" sort of joke. But it's the end of the day and I'm all out of innuendo.

So congratulations to Coco! She needs more money to keep up with our socializing. I like a little sugar with my mama. M'kay?

those are free.

American Airlines to charge extra for bags.

The Bush Administration and TSA has screwed Americans and the airline industry so much more than any terrorist attack ever could.

News outlets are coving the announcement that George Takei (Star Trek's Mr. Sulu) is going to legally wed his partner now that the California Supreme Court has ruled that they have the right to do so.

I think that's great.

But "Mainstream" media never cover gay civil rights issues well, especially when it comes to equal access to marriage law. But even the coverage of a retro-popular actor's wedding announcement is bothersome.

Typical headline: Star Trek's Mr Sulu, George Takei, to wed boyfriend in Californian gay marriage.

Seriously, if the guy is in his 70s, and has been all but strictly-legally wed to his partner for more than 20 years, is "boyfriend" really the best word here?

It makes it sound like they are going steady and he just got pinned.

Are they really going to remake Highlander?

(from Alert Reader James Hass.)

James and I were IM'ing about last night's event. He invited me to the Farallon Literary Review launch reading, which was very nice and I'll blog about that later. James has a semi-regular lunch group at The G, all female, whom he refers to as "The Maidens," shortened from their original designation, "The Lunch Maidens." The Maidens made it to the launch/readings as well (James is an Associate Editor of The Farallon Review and was a reader last night.)

I had only met one Maiden before, Michelle, who totally hat and sundressed it up and looked fab for the Kentucky Derby. It was nice to meet two more of the foursome. I liked them. They liked me. I feared I would be a let down as they have been eager to meet me for months. James tells typical stories about me, and they think my name, Wilson Hardcastle, is so dramatic I must enter rooms with declarations. Or perhaps a cape (I've done both).

From the IM:

J: -they all loved you
Me: - they are all sweet
J: -it was sweet them all to come
Me: - James' Maidens
..... - sounds like a band
...... - or some sort of cult
...... - polygamist
J: -that's what they wanted me to do for b2b with them, as you may recall
Me: -right!
J: -apparently there were a lot of them at the race!
..... -a lot of polygamist themed running groups
Me: -how many tigers?
J: -tigers?
Me: -like the zoo mauling
J: -ah!
Me: -I saw a photo of one and thought that was clever
J: -man, you've been going for dark lately, what with the SoCal costume and all
..... -good idea tho
Me: -it's a result of gay+age=clever/dark
..... -or bitter/dark (clever but overly dark, or bitter over dark)
..... -it's just the math
J: -is that the equation?
..... -good to know
Me: -don't even start me on our 'square' roots
..... -(i.e. most of us were geeks)
..... -and the 'imaginary numbers'
..... -would those be the drag shows?
J: -prime #s are booze
Me: -or the happy hours
Me: -only in queer math are the prime numbers 2-4-1


I'm thinking there could be a whole riff on gay math. Feel free to submit your own.

Me + Jack(Daniels) = Fun • 4ME/guys+N!(thedark)

Me plus Jack Daniels equals fun times for capital ME all over guys in the dark.

I should not be surprised that there is a blog for every topic.

From The Reverse Cowgirl, a post about stripper shoes, and the one-stop web shops for all of your stripper footwear needs. I imagine if they make such shoes is large enough sizes, they are hits with the drag queens.

These in particular should appear on a drag stage near you as soon as possible:

You've seen goldfish in the platforms before. These have a slot for tips.


The Reverse Cowgirls's post:

The other day, Dacia had a post on Naked City featuring Vegas themed stripper shoes with a stack of dice for a heel and a bunch of poker chips rattling around in the hollowed out Lucite platform underneath the toes. That sent me wandering around Funky Pair, your one stop shopping spot for stripper shoes. There, I found a series of seven-inchers that transfixed me. These ones have a slot in the hollowed out part under the toes. For men. To put their tips in. I find this fascinating and genius. The ones pictured here spell it out for you. There's others with a mouth for a tip slot, a money slot if you're really thick skulled, a butterfly slot for the romantic. I love the thought of the women walking around on money. Of course, if that's not your style, there's always the mudflap girl who lights up or disco balls.

It seems that the alternative/slacker/hip youth chain Urban Outfitters is actually owned by a super-conservative right wing billionaire who donates to all sorts of nasty anti-freedom, anti-gay, pro-war causes, donated/donates heavily to Rick Santorum and his ilk, and is compared to Dick Cheney.

Via Towleroad, an article in This Is Money that reports that his business plan basically depends on his hipster youth market never finding out who he is.

It's time to pass this little tidbit on to college campuses.



(Image ripped from junglescene.com.)

The new Indiana Jones movie opens this weekend, and it will be showing at the beautiful Castro Theater. The Castro rarely shows first runs, and this renovated Victorian theater is just the most freaking awesome venue to relive the Indy experience (note my eighties tone coming out). The James and I are getting tickets—provided it's not already sold out.

I love films. I love movies. Hell, I got a master's degree in the hopes of landing a gig as an archivist for a film studio. And for every Citizen Kane, I love the "stuff your face full of popcorn while shit blows up for 120 minutes" movies too.

Sweet.

And loved the Iron Man debut. Might have to take that one in again.

To wit:



Bring the summer movie season ON.

I don't know where this originated, but it just speaks volumes. It's like an entire tragic novel in one snapshot. Say it with me now: WTF?


Via Why That's Delightful, who adds: Cracked ran a caption competition and the winner made me laugh out loud: “A threesome’s a threesome.”

To me, it looks like what Kevin describes as a typical family gathering before his grandmother passed.

For all I know Kevin took this photo. Kev?

Final thought: I love how granny is cooling her head with a beer can as she vomits into the trash can-- in the middle of room no less. (And I am guessing this is a motel room.)

Labels: just wrong

Via Neatorama, YouTube footage of what some are calling a "sand geyser" in Saudi Arabia:

...a 9-meter (~30 feet) tall sand fountain or geyser near the city of Al Ahsa. Notice that the sand doesn't mound up, as if there is a giant hole underneath that just churn up the sand particles.

Obviously, it's a spice blow.

Send in the harvesters.

And walk without rythm while you're at it.

Blessed be the Great Maker.

SF enjoyed a wonderful heat wave last week. I forgot how much fun SF is in the warm sunshine, long daylight hours, and warm summer nights. Granted, it's easy to forget as we only get like three of these a year. The fog is back with a vengeance and it is ass-cold over here now. And visibility remains choked.

Last week any place with outside seating was packed. During the week, we enjoyed a few after-work cocktails at Zeitgeist.



The rest of the week was full of summer sun fun with dancing in the streets to celebrate the ruling on marriage equality midweek and general happy to be out revelry day and night in the Castro.

Saturday night, Kevin and I took his new fab friend from acting class out to the Mission for dinner at Luna and a guilty pleasure of theater.

Kevin and I had so been looking forward to the dramatic playing of movie version of The Bad Seed.

It's part of a live-theater series of B movies: The Killer Bs! So. Much. Fun.

Oh my God it was hilarious.. So superbly acted, and they played it so straight it was amazing. The movie is so melodramatic, that in live action it is even more campy. And so awesome.

Especially with the crazy-talented Sean Owens, who stands at 6'2" at least, as the little blond sociopath in pigtails.

And for my trio, we were delighted to learn that the Dark Room theater turns an encouraging blind eye to bringing your own "refreshments" into the the show. (They even provide bottle a bottle opener and recycling bins.)


Sharon was such a joy to meet and she is totally PLU. Expect to see more of her in the blog.


Kevin was kind enough to drive us around town, and on the way home we stopped for one last round at Marlena's and enjoyed another really fun alternative show.




Marlena's does have the best free show in town. The Rendez-Vous closed a couple of years back, and Trannyshack is closing in August (note: neither of those shows were/ are free). The Cinch's shows are just tragic (I once had to hoist a bad drag queen on my shoulders so she could retrieve her wig from the rafters.). Marlena's is a great neighborhood bar with some really dedicated live entertainers. The bartenders are cool, the drinks are strong, and the crowd is always mixed with a healthy dose of masculine. I think I'll be hanging out here more often. And oddly, it's also the local hangout for the rodeo folks. I've agreed to co-chair fundraising this year, so I'll be spending more time with these folks anyway.

And speaking of running hot and cold, Sunday was the annual Bay to Breakers race.

I usually join friends for cocktails and a viewing of the craziness, but with the rain and fog and the cold and the DearGodItsEarly O'Clock, I happily rolled over in my soft sheets and went back to sleep. The San Francisco Chronicle has some photos over here.


And there's the flickr cluster.

Brace yourselves kids. This part gets a little scary.

From a certain Alert Reader, whose department's male members put together a drag farewell show for a retirement party.

Now that's a send off.

Patrons thought s/he was a hired professional. Feel free to comment.

And this in my mail box this morning from Alert Reader Sinclair Kelly:

Caption: Remember when your mother warned you not to take candy from strangers? She meant this guy.

True confession: If I had a rocking torso I would so wear a harness like this to Dore. No fishnet, wig, or feathers though. That would be tacky.

in more ways than one.

Dear Friend of the Blog Barney moved back to New Zealand at Christmastime and has been enjoying the southern hemisphere summer spending time with his family, playing with the kiddies, working in the garden, and sipping cocktails at his parents' place overlooking the beach.

Not so bad a way to spend the "winter" months.

Barney just accepted a faboo new job and is in a mad dash to relocate to Wellington. I can't wait to visit. As part of his whirlwind relocation, Barney bought a car.

I can't believe it.

In all the years I've known him I've never known him to drive.

As far as I know, this is Barney's only relationship with autos:











Congratulations Barney!

because it's snack time for Alert Reader Paul Day.

ARPD ordered a couple of boxes of the maple syrup and bacon lollipops but has not reported on their yumminess/cardiac clogging.

As far as I know, he has not yet borrowed the car to go to Santa Cruz in search of Marini's and their chocolate covered bacon.

Mmmmmm.

What can we expect next? Malted lard balls? I know there's a market.

(And hey, I'm not judging. I bought several cases of the Big Mo's. But one can never have enough Big Mo's around.)

I had mixed reactions yesterday with the whole marriage ruling thing. I was really surprised how much it affected me emotionally. I was happy, but then I got myself way too worked up over the backlash from the haters. I am so sick and tired of the lies and hypocrisy of these people, and I am tired of being abused by them just for my capacity to love. The religious right needs to STFU because Jesus is all about love and said nothing against gays. Marriage defenders should STFU and take a history lesson about marriage. That's a history of "tradition" that is unconscionable to defend. Focus on the Family types should STFU as this protects and values families and children. Equality of citizens and freedom of religion are the founding principles of this country. All citizens should have the benefits and obligations of citizenship. Supporting marriage equality is an act of patriotism. It's just that simple.

So, that being said--

I sat at home in the heat for about an hour last night deciding what to do. By 7:45 I decided I needed to join the festivities in the Castro, and I am so glad I did. There were a couple of hundred people there when I arrived around 8:00. The sun was still shining and it was still hot. The police had barricaded the streets, and Energy 92.7 had set up a truck with speakers and Trevor Simpson was spinning and endless array of happy, celebratory, and lovingly-thematic music.

Many of us had roadies.

This early crowd though was at least half families-- lots of loving couples, lots of hand-holding, and lots of families with children. Sometimes it was enough to make me tear up.




Several people commented that they were impressed that they could throw together such a street party in only four hours. I was less impressed as we had heard for weeks that the ruling would most likely be in our favor, and the announcement was scheduled. Even so, it's not that hard to trow up two barricades and drive in a sound truck with a generator. But still, it was so very nice to have.

I arrived alone but quickly found many friends. I forgot it was a Thursday and ran into several Sundancers who asked (obviously) "You're not at Sundance tonight?" I realized I hadn't been since Ken died, and honestly a part of me was still worried about dealing with those who did not appreciate my blogging of the event. David O came over for Derby Day and said that he liked what I wrote, but also blanched a bit as I was clearly saying out loud what a lot of people were thinking but dis not want to admit or hear out loud. However, three people--three-- each came up to me in the crowd last night, unsolicited and independent of each other, and told me how much the loved what I wrote. I felt so much better about it and hope to get back out to Sundance this Sunday, as long as it is not God awful hot. But back to the marriage equality celebration-

Several hours later the music changed to typical house stuff which was considerably less fun than the lyrical and poppy party songs from earlier. The crowd had grown immensely. It was about the size of Pink Saturday. Huge throngs. So much fun.

And a bit messy.

I ended up making out with an ex I hadn't seen in four years. He just turned 30 this week. I don't know what to add to that.

I thought about taking my camera in case something was blog-worthy, but I didn't want to carry yet another thing. I did snap some pics with my phone (Motorola L7/SLVR). Not the best quality, but you get the idea. Those above are from early in the evening before the absolute masses/messes.


If you want more, go play around flickr. I am sure there are many sets.

but cut on the right side!

This just in-- despite the hateful Knight initiative almost 10 years ago, and two, TWO, vetoes from the Governator, the California State Supreme Court has ruled that denying equal access to marriage rights on the basis of sexual orientation is unconstitutional in the State of California.

I thought it was a slam dunk when it came to the law, but the conservative supes cut it close with a 4-3 ruling. But still. Way with the YAY.

Of course, it's not like I have a boyfriend or anything.

My favorite part of the ruling: "Further, as the prevailing parties, plaintiffs are entitled to their costs."

San Francisco Chronicle/SF Gate's breaking news.

Of course every silver lining has a cloud: the religious wingnuts have enough signatures to put a specifically anti-gay constitutional amendment on the ballot this November. At least the Governor has vowed to fight that. How diligently and effectively remains to be seen.

To the religious wingnuts hating on the gays: You can interpret God plan your way, I can interpret it mine. That's the whole "freedom" thing about America that we all value. But stop trying to force your fears on me and mine. You go get married in your church, I'll go get married in mine, and I'll see you at the courthouse to file the paperwork in the community government we share in citizenship (and taxes).

And to all those who rally so hatefully against the gays in the name of Christ? I can only say this: Jesus loves me. This I know for the Bible tells me so. But I'm pretty sure he thinks you're a dick.

Just taking three days off has left me with too much grindstone and not enough nose.

Stories will probably not be written until tomorrow night. Kevin has a performance tonight so I'll be at that instead of blogging.

If you've stopped by for photos without commentary (whatever. I know you are all here for the bitch track.), you can browse them in the gallery or over at flickr.

In the meantime, there's this to entertain you.

I return to SFO tomorrow. Stories and photos to follow.

Clearly, I've been having a good time.




Oh yeah, and Keith sends his love.

Labels: Nashville

Hey kids. Posting has been and will be light for the next several days as I've breezed back into Nashville for the Steeplechase weekend.

Today: quality time with sister-in-law and super cute nephew.


Tonight: The Hunt Ball. I'm hopping into the shower now. I hope to have some good overheards for later.

Caio.