Shout out to 77

Last week I did manage to get in a little 77 lovin' at El Rio,

Sadly it was bass player Keith's last show with the band.

I also enjoyed some lovin' with my country peeps Coco and Shilpa.

Their next performance is not for a while, but we did enjoy this unofficial release party of their new CD Hammer and Tongs.

As you can see, the feathered hat I made for Feathers and Fringe is now my new favorite accessory.

Other than Shilpa and Coco.

Labor Day at the Lookout

I love the Old Metro Lookout's Recovery Mondays on three-day weekends. These are usually hosted by Pollo Del Mar, whom we love.

Pollo made it a "labor" day special, and gave birth during the afternoon. And used the stroller to push around her tray of shots.

It was all so wrong I had to love it.

RMJ enticed me out after my crazy hungover receded--did I mention that after all the HAIRrison/Eyes/Sundance craziness I went to James' birthday party? Ugh. Exhausted.

But between the two of us and a Long Island or two, we rallied and enjoyed ourselves with the evacuees from Southern Decadence.

and even met some new people.

Of course, her name was Brittney.

RMJ, as is his habit, made some closer friends than I did.

And some more than others.

Personally, I think it was just all about our belt buckles.

weakly weekly

I'm about to be out of nose with this whole grindstone thing. No new posts today, but I'm going to start throwing up wrap-up posts from last weekend as they have been simmering in my to-do folder.

gimme some skin

"Now that's just comedy waiting to happen."



Spotted by Shilpa on the way back from lunch today—a banana peel on a sidewalk.

I used to think that was such an inane contrivance, until I actually slipped on a banana peel one day. But how often does that happen? Were there banana peels all over the place in the 50s? And no carpets? What's with the slipping on banana peels?

there's something not right about that sop sign

I'm cleaning out some photos on the hard drive and found this from my last trip home:

While working on my brother's family iMac, this pile of file folders was on the desk.

I looked closer.

Yes. I gets me my literary learnin' by going to the Bok Clubs.

Stephanie did admit that she had noticed it was wrong, but didn't care enough to print another label. I have to applaud that actually. She knows what's in the file, and it's her file, so the label serves its intended purpose.

But still.

The irony of misspelling a note about reading.

It reminds me of the time I helped Jay and his office paint an inner-city school for Hands on Nashville Day. The sign outside the English classroom featured a large troll-like creature. In big, BIG type it read: "Don't be an orge! Sign up to read."

(Orge? I assume the troll was an ogre.)

baby verde

Great news!

Titties Verde and Hubby put one in the oven. Baby Verde is due in March.

I just had a video chat with Barney in NZ. We think it's wonderful they've decided to name the little bundle of joy "Barnaby Wilson."

(I'm just sayin'.)

Other than having awesome parents, we know this kid will be blessed.



Or at least well-fed.

overheard on the birthday

You may recall that RMJ took me Gay Roller Skating Underwear Night in Redwood City for my birthday.

Shilpa reports from the Feathers and Fringe party:

best moment of the night? when romo was trying to explain to me how he hurt himself rollerskating:

"Well I fell, and hurt that part of my back -- what's it called? The cervix?"

Still howling with laughter.

I think the word he was looking for was "coccyx."

Which also sounds totally pervy in the context of Truck.

And a final word from Coco (Co-Captain, Team Wilson):

I think I had fun, I woke up with almost NO hangover, and no memory...then alas...I find the camera...OH boy, did we have FUN!!!

I love my friends.

And RoMo's cervix is totally wrecked.

I'm just sayin'.

farewell neighbor

PBS is cutting Mr. Rogers Neighborhood.

See this in the Chicago Tribune.

Two things:

-1-

Ware wants his daughter Clara, 3, to be able to watch the show because, while it may seem peculiar to adults, it was a carefully calibrated work of art that taught children about real life, he said.

"The show is fundamentally about clumsy, awkward, uncomfortable real life, and it's one of the last places on television where children can see it honestly reflected (regardless of the 1980s clothing and 1970s cars, which young kids don't notice, anyway)," he wrote. "With very little camera editing on the program, it also 'feels' more real."

Brilliant.

and

-2-
The article also includes:

One actor, David Newell, who played the Speedy Delivery carrier Mr. McFeely, said he's touched that people still want to see a show that celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.

Um...yeah. Today, there could never be a character named "McFeely" who "touches" people.

Except maybe on Grey's Anatomy.

intructions for care

Seen at the HAIRrison Street Fair.

CrossFit pending

Oh crap.

I've agreed to my first CrossFit WOD with James this Saturday (Work Out of the Day). He's trying some super freaky weight training and needs me to spot. And take photos of his muscles blowing for Will.

I didn't realize that they have named some of the WODs. Like Linda, Cindy (Will's wife), and such.

Linda is a killer.

This story does not inspire me for Saturday. It almost killed will and the guy can hurl Volvos. Hulk smash.

However, they are really, really into it and I would love to have an addiction that doesn't involve roasted chocolate beans or aging in barrels on the hillsides of Lynchburg, Tennessee.

I can only hope to catch their madness.

He's the photos Will sent to inspire me:

His wife:
Their friend Kim:
And this is after cancer and surgery.

And, again, the hot brother looking ripped at 45:

So Saturday I CrossFit. James has picked out a workout for me and will scale it to "beginner."

At the moment, I'm just hoping it's followed by brunch.

this litle piggy went to (south of) market

Okay, so I mentioned a while back that Will was hosting his annual Pig! roast.

This year was Pig III!

And remember, the roman numerals are arbitrary. Next year is PIG XXI!

The Pig III! event was a huge success, and I am sorry to have missed it (but not sorry to have stayed for the Rodeo).

Some photos from Will:

firing up the pit

omg!

Pig on the grill

Turning the pig

James and his meat

There are also some really gross preparation photos, such as this one,

which I am sure will make another appearance when I need to make some sort of relationship with James, meat, and rubber gloves.

Also present was Will's brother, whom Will describes in IM alternatively as "the Most Physically Fit 45 Year Old Ever" and "the You-So-Wish-He-Was-Gay Brother."

Dude, c/o those arms.



Here's a photo of the brother during last week's "Linda" CrossFit workout.

Even as total CrossFit junkies, this year they were a little lighter on the Pig Games than originally planned. The Beer Mile event was well attended and many reveled in its regurgitatory theater. (See the practice Beer Mile: Will, Will's wife Cindy, and James running on a hot summer night, several margaritas down.)

You may also recall, that Will designed shirts for the event. One shirt designed for the crew (seen here and another designed for the sole Pig III Champion. I ordered both.

One thing led to another and Will never got around to ordering shirts for his own event, so I, the one who didn't go, am the only one with Pig III shirts.

However when they arrived, they were huge.


Luckily, even printed on "pre-shrunk" cotton, they resized considerably after washing. (That' and I am a little on the pig size myself these days.)

Which leads me to Part II of this post:

The HAIRrison Street Fair.

The sort of hairy step-child to Folsom and Dore, the HAIRrison Street Fair is the frisky SoMa street fair for hirsute and burly gay men. Also known as: The Bear Fair.

And "pig" has an entirely different meaning South of Market.

So the "Pig Champion" shirt was perfect.



I got a lot of attention. However, about 70% pleasant / 30% Dear-God-get-off-of-me.

I tried to send Will photos of me in the shirt paired with wild men via the iPhone, but the passers by I gave the phone to could not figure out how to take a photo. It's one button. These guys may have been pretty, but not pretty smart.

I really wanted to get a shot with the newly titled Mr. San Francisco Leather Boy (the lovely and talented Carl Anderson), but no one could seem to get the idea that I wanted the t-shirt logo and his bare ass in the same frame.



Beau, Carl, Steve
Basically, I just wanted to taunt Will with photos of his shirt way, way out of his intended context. And he's totally the kind of guy who would (1) find that funny and (2) root for it.

Pigs on parade:






And of course a shout to my favorite wing man and personal cheering section Robert Michael Joseph, who made the afternoon and the Eagle that much fun.

Very small Flickr set.

And now to Part III.

Eyes Across a Crowded Room appeared again.

Now this is a fairly "frisky" bear fair and I was enjoying the boost to my self esteem. Plenty of attention from fun and furry quarters. Now Eyes was back playing nice. I fell for him once, or rather twice, was cast aside, and had been pretty much just playing nice if not giving the cold shoulder (and apparently, acting like a dick sometimes) at shared functions. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me five or six times and I'm just a pushover.

I fell for it again. At least this time, it was with some reluctance.

But I can't help but feel that there is some there there. But Hot Tony is advising me this is all my own psychological issue and i need to examine why I like Eyes Across a Crowded Room, and why I find myself saying the things I say to him. Things that are more often lines I expect to hear rather than honest expressions.

Of course, the boatloads of bourbon on both our parts may have had something to do with it.

I did have to laugh at one observation. Here I am all impressed by him, and he's intimidated/dismayed that I know so many people and am at ease working a room.

He also knows I can dance and asked me to take him out to the last hour of Sundance.

Taking me to Sundance is NOT the remedy for me knowing too many people.

Please don't throw me in that briar patch.

I had to make a bee-line for the bathroom and he asked me if I wanted a drink and if so what. I "Just tell them you're with me. It'll be taken care of." "But I don't understand?" Rushing into the loo before I wet myself, "Just give the bartender my name and you'll be taken care of."

He met met outside the bathroom with two Mandarin and sodas.

"How do you do that?"

I/we danced for the final hour that they were open (forced to close early on a Labor Day Sunday), and then we had a long talk and hang out at his place. And we danced some more.

We made a date for dinner and dancing on Thursday. He really does want to learn to two-step.

But of course, come Monday, he canceled. I should have seen that one coming. ("Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." and all of that.)

I don't know what to think. Of him or of me.

I try not to play games. The whole come here/go away thing. The being a dick thing. The being unavailable thing.

In the past I have gotten grief for being too unavailable--I don't have any time in my social schedule for dating. But what I am realizing now, at least with Eyes, is that I am unavailable chronologically, and too available emotionally.

Hot Tony thinks I need to examine the whole nature of this attraction much more closely. He got into the psychology if it all. It will be deeply revealing about myself. I don't know if I am ready for that level of self-awareness.

But I suppose I'm due.

Those who cannot be aware of the past mistakes will be condemned to repeat them. And all of that.

birthday in plume

Wow. Even a week later I feel that was one wild birthday night.

Bar AIDS. Obama. Truck. Poser.

A rare hot summer night in San Francisco.

And fabulous friends in feathers and fringe.

First off there was Oklahoma Jon, a wholesome country boy of the cloth who doesn't like drag, and does not have much a wild side, showed me up by showing up like this:


Jon totally stepped up. Now he just has to develop the persona to go with the drag. So far, he's just a little latin boy in a dress.



He didn't understand why strangers wanted to talk to him and take his picture. My only advice: Dream it, live it, be it. He did come up with a great name: Anita Himalaya.

Now Kevin... ah, Kevin... Kevin can always be counted on to be a capital-P Participant. We've seen the headdress before, but I could only hope it would make another outing.

We were not disappointed. He even brought the flag from the front his house. Coco captioned this one "Gayest Indian Ever:"


You know, except for this one.


While most boys and girls managed a boa here and there, or stuck a feather in a cap (but did not call it macaroni), the big F&F prize goes to Michael Smith who showed up as a Vegas Showgirl.

Oh My Fucking God.


Whose red carpet is it now Bitches?

Special love to Coco (Co-Captain, Team Wilson), who brought feathers and a little magic potion for the birthday boy.

And special love to the fabulous Original Fag Hag Suzan Revah. This girl is a one-woman whirlwind of party.

And I was especially flattered that she included this birthday event in her weekly newsletter of must-see parties around town (the Original Fag Hag's Cruise Alert).

I was very flattered.

When RMJ emerged from his cab, I berated him for lack of costume. Of all of my friends, RMJ is the one most able to dress for feathers and fringe out of his closet. He then did a 180...


...and showed off the red, white and blue sequined fringe he made just for tonight-combining the theme for me and the Obama speech.

It was also "Poser" night at Truck so there was a red carpet and professional photographer. Special thanks to the very special photographer for the night: Matt Colagiuri (friend from Martuni's and The Barber Lounge). Matt: you really made our night.

Because we are all such posers:






Love to my dedicated crew.

AKA: Team America!



Final note: I love that in every photo, Kevin strikes and "Indian" pose.

And how.

All photos on Flickr.

is that a photo printer in your pocket

or are you just happy to see me?

Very cool. Too bad the iPhone's Bluetooth compatibility is so limited.

From Poloaroid: The pocket-sized, ink-free, wireless digital color photo printer. From your phone to a print in seconds.

The Polaroid PoGo.

I know what I'm getting a certain Flickr whore for Christmas.

sweet sliders

From Laughing Squid:

The Google NYC campus served Krispy Kreme Bacon Cheeseburgers to celebrate the birthday of the head of the cafe staff.

I love cheeseburgers. I love bacon. I love Krispy Kremes.

This is just revolting.

Too much of good things.

I'm like an old-fashioned coffee maker

I have no filter.

But that's usually for my mouth.

New research has shown that age-related memory loss tied to slip in filtering information quickly and forming short-term memories.

It's pretty interesting stuff.

Scientists have identified a way in which the brain’s ability to process information diminishes with age, and shown that this break down contributes to the decreased ability to form memories that is associated with normal aging.

The finding, reported in the current online early edition of “Proceedings of the National Academy of Science,” fuels the researchers’ efforts, they say, to explore strategies for enhancing brain function in the healthy aging population, through mental training exercises and pharmaceutical treatments.

The research, conducted by University of California, San Francisco and University of California, Berkeley scientists, builds on the team’s seminal 2005 discovery (“Nature Neuroscience,” October 2005) that the brain’s capacity to ignore irrelevant information diminishes with age.

The capacity to ignore irrelevant information -- such as most of the faces in a crowded room when one is looking for a long-lost friend – and to enhance pertinent information -- such as the face of a new acquaintance met during the search for the old friend – is key to memory formation. This process is known as top-down modulation.

(snip)

The new study, involving the same visual memory test used in the previous research, revealed that both brain processes – the capacity to ignore irrelevant information and the ability to process information quickly -- diminished with age and, in fact, worked in tandem. The participants had trouble suppressing unnecessary information, but only because the speed with which they processed the irrelevant data decreased. Significantly, the slow down in processing time happened only in the very early stages of visual processing -- within 200 milliseconds.

“The study showed that the brains of older adults have a deficit in suppressing irrelevant information during visual working memory encoding, but only in the first tenth to two tenths of a second of visual processing,” says the lead author of the study, Adam Gazzaley, MD, PhD, assistant professor of neurology, a member of the UCSF Memory and Aging Center and director of the UCSF Neuroscience Imaging Center.

Oh, and the researcher is a total hottie.

occupied

Hey kids. Seriously. Busy week. Loads of laughs over Labor Day but they'll have to wait for me to GSD.

In the meantime, posts will be interesting bits, but not narratives.

That being said, it's September, and everywhere else days are cooling, kids are back in school, and people are starting to ponder fall colors.

In SF: Summer's here!! OMG It's so nice today. And reported to push 100 in the City.

All this work and I really just need to be vegging on Baker Beach.

Sigh.

If I keep my nose to the grindstone like this it'll never heal.

Misspeak of the week

One was a dark Greg Evigan, the other Paul Reiser.

Mamma's Boy

It has been a long crazy holiday weekend and I owe the blog a lot of posting. And photos. And I'll get to it sometime.

But for now, another big shout out to Mother of the Blog Fran Hardcastle for yet another impressive honor. I'm so blessed to have such a mother, and she continues to impress me every day. Sure, last week I had to screen-share to show her how to make a Group ("choose File>New Group and drag and drop the cards into the group") and print a lits of addresses in Address Book. The coolest feature to her: re-sizable columns.

This week: Induction into the YWCA Academy for Women of Achievement.

No small honor. No small woman.

Go Mom.