Ikea Awesome

In the 2009 Ikea catalog "12 archetypes of different family makeup are presented under the slogan ‘Family life is changing'." One of these families was a gay couple who treated their home and garden as "their baby."

Catholics in Poland went ape shit and organized a campaign against it.

Ikea responded with the genius of honestly and simplicity. If only this simple, succinct notion could be posted across America.


IKEA Family: Homosexuality is one of the essential elements of living in a contemporary society.

Jockohomo

Hey Jude, whatca wearing?

Jude Gabbard's PBS documentary on interpreting ancient fashion is about to screen in San Francisco.

From the looks of his work, it promises to be beautiful.

On the 19th. LaLola's. Pacific and Mason. 8:00.

hulu hoops are so land mammal

Dolphin rings are much cooler.

spend and tax instead

I really like the idea that Dan Gillmore casually suggests in his post "Is Obama Finally Pushing Back on the Wall Street Barons Supreme Arrogance?"

For the companies who have been bailed out by the government, and who still gave out substantial bonuses, Congress should stop whining about it and impose a 100% income tax on those bonuses.

Right on.

By the way, did y'all see the total smackdown that Jon Stewart gave CNBC's Jim Cramer for being so arrogantly full of shit and knowingly misleading the public into the financial meltdown? Why is a comedy show the only news show with an actual journalist?

Beware the Ides

Honestly Officer! It was an accident! The knife just went off!

be vewy vewy loud!

We're Hunting Scott!


Happy birthday Scott Hunt!

binge, purge, repeat

From Alert Reader Paul Day: This.

Yes, Shilpa, the Internet is calling you fat.

Response from Alert Reader Shilpa Patel:

"I actually feel sick to my stomach. I could not scroll past the homewrecker. (A fifteen inch deep-fried hot dog topped with jalapeños, habanero chili sauce, coleslaw, diced tomatoes and a mound of cheese.)

For a more palatable website, I give you food porn."

Rhett would totally give a damn.

Worth watching again.

Went with The Wind




If you haven't seen these before, (1) call for some help to get out from under that rock, and (2) watch the second one through before clicking through to this goodness.

she's always out in the bars, is she gay?

No, she's just adjunct.

Lecture/talk on male-male sexual health: aka "Anything Butt"

From the In Box:

Dr. Goldstone’s noon talk today on male-male sexual health (aka “Anything Butt”) got rave reviews, and people are asking what to do if they missed him. And here’s the answer—you can hear him tonight at the LGBT Community Center! The evening talk is designed for “laypeople,” not health care providers—and it will be as funny, candid, and helpful as the noon talk. Details below . . . .

THE INS & OUTS OF GAY SEX:
WHAT GBQ MEN NEED TO KNOW
Wednesday, March 11

Talk at 7pm, refreshments at 6:30

Room 301, SF LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market at Octavia

Join renowned gay surgeon Stephen Goldstone, MD, for a candid, information-packed, entertaining discussion of male-male sexuality. Dr. Goldstone will discuss how gay/bi/queer men can maximize their pleasure while staying safe, what they need to watch out for, when pap smears are recommended, how to solve common problems, and much, much more. Dr. Goldstone, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, is on the faculty of Mt. Sinai School of Medicine and authored the gay bestseller The Ins and Outs of Gay Sex.

NOT funny

I love the plays and shows by local playwright and actor Sean Owens. Some of it is entertaining, and some is just comic genius.

So this is bad news: EXIT Theater Cancels Banned Paul Lynde Show

Well this just tears it. EXIT Theater announced today that it will replace the staged reading of Sean Owens’ Center Square, a one-man show based on the life of late comedian, Bye Bye Birdie star (Gah! Now "The Telephone Hour" will be crammed in our head day), and Hollywood Squares star Paul Lynde, after the San Francisco theater received a “cease and desist” letter last month from the licensee of the Lynde rights, Matzoball Entertainment LLC.

Crap.

Ha.

Two things that have amused me today:

1. I know it's a serious topic but I could not restrain my mirth at the continuous mention of "The Stroke Center." In the words of Shilpa/Tina Fey: I want to go to there.

2. There are few sights as ridiculous as a man with a significant comb-over standing on a street corner with the wind blowing briskly in the disadvantageous direction.

Cruising!

How much do I want to kidnap the Barney and GO!

Atlantis and Holland America launch first ever all gay NZ–AU cruise

I've already hinted to Holland America/Seattle Bill to get me a free ticket.

No surprise, the anti-gay marriage camp lies a lot

Finally, a paid signature collector comes forward with the deceptive tricks used by the anti-gay marriage signature collectors.

A local (Massachusetts) Fox News (really?!) report:

Stupid vs H8ful

It looks like we need to get another initiative on the ballot to repeal Prop 8. But I can't, and it seems neither can the majority, bring myself to give more money to the No On 8 fuckups who failed so miserably the last time (and this on the heels of even more stories of incompetence).

Rex Wockner has chosen not to write some additional stories regarding the No on 8/Prop 8 failure as he feels ht public has had enough brain drain and story fatigue on this one. But recent revelations (they chose not to use Obama's letter against prop 8 and in favor of gay marriage?!) and renewed calls for donations put his pen back to paper on this topic.

And he does a good job of it.

We have a choice of supporting, emotionally and financially, two groups-- the ones who messed it up before but promise to do better, or a new and energized grasssroots organization who understands what the others did wrong and has a distinctly different philosophy for success. The former is the usually capable Equality California et alia and the latter is the Courage Campaign.

Rex lays it out best. Read it.

See also:
There are two new ballot initiatives in the works. One to repeal Prop 8, and another to remove the state from the marriage business all together and replace all references to "marriage" in state legislation to "domestic partnership," leaving marriage solely the purview of religions.

flash bulbs

James and the Maidens were pretty pumped to attend this year's pillow fight downtown. I hated to tell him that the event as cool when it started, but is a victim of its own success and is now too popular with the bridge & tunnel wannabes to be cool. Shilpa nailed it when she said that "When you see losers boarding BART in Fremont to go to the pillow fight, it's jumped the shark." Of course we sound snotty, but we're also right. (Not to diminish the fun had by J and the M's.)

The newspaper and various blogs are reporting on a story that the City wants to crack down on such flash mob socially silly chaotic/anarchic events. Thankfully, Laughing Squid has a little more on the issue and does correct the (and I use the term loosely) author that these are not flash mobs, and Laughing Squid has nothing to do with them beyond reporting as other blogs and outlets do.

The City has, and I think unfortunately, cracked down on the Urban Iditerod, the Bernal Heights Soapbox Derby, and the Bring Your Own Big Wheel events. Small, citizen-driven fun should be allowed to prosper and flourish as part of the life of this City.

However, I also agree that the scale (3,000 plus people, and it ran for six hours) and the cost of the damage done to public and private property (tens of thousands) by this year's pillow fight is inexcusable. Don't organize and advertise an event, hoping for such scale, if you're not going to take responsibility for it.

Flashmobs are necessarily small and clique-y. They are not so much mobs as flash gatherings. The Zombie crowds don't do any damage (brain or otherwise) other than to willing participants. I say let the ringleaders like Herbie Hatman flourish. The Hide & Seek in the Legion of Honor was respectable and one of my fondest memories. His shaving foam on paper plates Pie Fight at the cable car turnaround brought fun and soap to a fairly dirty corner-- what could be easier to clean up than soap? The nightly hosing should have taken care of it and likely layers of filth as well.

Small scenes of absurdity are the spirit of San Francisco. But if you're going big scale with absolutely certain security and damage/clean up issues, get the permit or pick up after yourself. We are the life of the City. We citizens should be childish enough to treat our City like a playground and put our toys away when were done.

Or in other terms, when one scene is over, strike the set for the next act. Let's behave ourselves and keep the grown-ups out of this.

con census

The Bush administration lets the door hit the gays on the way out. The 2010 Census will not count legally married couples as married if the spouses are of same-gender, basically asking telling citizens they have to lie to their own government to ensure they aren't represented.

This SUCKS.

best TV Guide movie blurb ever

Except that it wasn't written by the lame-os at TV Guide.

From the "what to watch this week" list on io9:

Frankenstein Meets the Spacemonster is on at 4.15 AM on AMC, and yes, it's as awesome as it sounds, as this "found footage" proves. In this monster b-movie from 1960s Puerto Rico, an android Frankenstein battles a Martian Princess and her crew. After the android's brain is damaged, he terrorizes the island, whilst the princess and her cronies hit up pool parties and hang out with the 1960s Puerto Rican version of Brody Jenner.

Made of the awesome.

I thought you said "in manatee"

Yeah, because that doesn't sound crazy.

My co-worker noticed that she keeps talking to herself. I told her that they say that that is the first sign of insanity.

I stand corrected. This is the first sign of insanity.

discombobulated

Emotionally, I have been all over the map this weekend. I think it might have something to do with the near-full waxing moon.

That, or I've spent so much time with Shilpa I'm getting a sympathetic cycle sync.

t(hinking) shirts

New from Threadless, t-shirt designs I love because you have to think about it for a moment to get the joke.

West Side Story? Anyone?

Reference.

Miss Revah if you're nasty.

Friday night after fun times at the Lookout, carousing at 440, and dancing at Toad Hall, I finally made it to Suzan Revah's Filthy Fundraiser for the AIDS Emergency Fund. The Original Fag Hag hosted Nasty at the Powerhouse.

Here's one of her publicity photos.


Wowza.

Just before getting into my car as I was leaving the Castro, I spotted a handsome man looking a bit bewildered on the corner of Noe and Market. I asked, "Are you lost?"
"No, I know where I am." he answered in a very proper English accent.
"I meant metaphysically."
"Well, then yes."

He was indeed a tourist, just arrived, and while he knew his geographic location he had not yet found his niche in the Castro. After several interrogatories (I morphed into my hybrid of reference librarian and tour guide-- although I suppose that's called a "concierge") I invited him along with me to Nasty. I did have to assure him that SF leather bars are NOT like German leather bars which have strict dress codes and shall we say a certain level of intensity.


It turns out [he whose name I can't recall but it was something like Vlaxo] was from Portugal, but had an English boyfriend for two years, which is where he picked up his exceptionally proper North London accent.

Nasty turned out to be a terrific time. The crowd was extremely friendly and perhaps the most social I have ever seen at the Powerhouse. Some of my dear friends were there, as were new ones. Vlaxo seemed to have a good time too, and seemed to be in good hands (ahem) with another visitor from Denver.

Suzan sought to introduce him to the visiting and hot Brazilians. I followed her linguistic logic there but he was disinclined. And now I am curious as to how the Portuguese generally view the former colony.

On hand and always ones to make me happy happy were Jim Myers and Michael Smith (with camera always at the ready).


I had fallen off the wagon earlier in the night but was determined to stay on Phase I for the two weeks even if I fell into a mandarin and soda on the weekends. Hanging with this friendly and frisky crowd certainly aided my motivation.


Suzan, of course, was an amazing host. And as usual had a carefully crafted nasty outfit.


There had been some rumbling about a chick hosting a function at the Powerhouse of all places, and she appropriately accessorized for the night. Everyone wanted a look...


You can see the entirely inappropriate and NSFW photos on Flickr. (If they don't appear, try this.)

Other fun friends celebrating included Miles of Smiles Berger and (of course) BCC man Lance Holman.

.
Nasty never felt like so much good clean fun!

Put another log on the fire

Cook me up some bacon and some beans.
And go out to the car and change the tire,
Wash my socks and sew my old blue jeans.

Come on Baby you can fill my pipe and then go fetch my slippers
And boil me up another pot of tea.
Then put another log on the fire, Babe,
And come and tell me why you're leaving me.


see more pwn and owned pictures

dance with a stranger

A minor drama told in photos:

So we're just sitting at the bar, minding our own bidness, enjoying a little Friday night peace

and getting a little groove on.

When this guy starts crazy dancing with us, and getting a little freaky with the Pee Dee.

Then he goes in for the intimate clinch with Pee. PeeDee is clearly confused.

He nibbles PeeDee's ear a bit and whispers some sweet nothings. (Scott, meanwhile, continues to flirt shamelessly with the photographer.)

Paul Day clues in, and shares the thought with his new friend: "I don't think I am who you think I am. I don't know you."

And then the stranger runs away, covering his face to hide his shame. Scott Hunt lunges after, to scare him into never returning.

PeeDee and Scott then just laugh and laugh and fall back into each others arms— a love that dare not speak its name without an 80's backtrack, PSB, or a "shooby-dooby-doo."

Shilpa, however, is left merely nonplussed.

Fin.




Afterthought:
Cristina sent this photo to the group last week, asking if her friend's new beau looked familiar to anyone.

Maybe the guy in the bar confused PeeDee for the same guy. Note any resemblance?

≠

Things going on this weekend

Fun ideas you might have missed:

Friday (tonight)

• Pie Fight at the Cable Car Turnaround the pie fight was last night
• Guerrilla Queer Bar: Tonga Room (Facebook event details)
  
• Nasty-- a "Filhty Fundraiser" for the AIDS Emergency Fund at the PowerHouse Hosted by The Original Fag Hag Suzan Revah
• Opening night for the Watchmen
• Valley of the Dolls Show at the Cinch

Saturday

• Favela Chic- A Night of Brazilian Beats at Project One. Hosted by Lallo Lemos and Joseph Kamel ($10, Evite)
• Burn the Floor is still playing
  
• Warhol Live! at the De Young
  

way cool, and sustainably so

If you have a printer and a web cam, you have got to try this.

out of beta

For my fellow geeks and early adopters, take a coffee break and enjoy 12 Dead Technology Advertisements.

CompuServ anyone? BetaMax? Surely you had a VCR...

that feeling in the pit of my stomach may be the pit of dispair

Well, that didn't go very well at all.

Looks like the H8ters may win after all. It makes me want to crawl under a rock. Later I'm sure I'll feel like throwing one.

And again, Ken Starr has shown himself to be pure evil. Where does he dredge up so much hate and intolerance? My Christian God must be very different than his.

Was it all the feathers or the plastic surgery he found distracting?

Murfreesboro is a city/town southeast of Nashville.

From The Murfreesboro Post: Husband shoots wife while distracted by Cher

If he could turn back time, would he find a way not to shoot her?

What is it with Tennesseans and Cher?

boldly smell

I honestly don't know what to say.

Star Trek Colognes.

Including Red Shirt, because every day "could be your last."



I am not making this up.

I'm betting he gets hit in the face 3.14159 times

Friday at the Cable Car Turnaround: Pie Fight!



Hosted by Herbie Hatman, who brought us Hide and Seek at the Legion of Honor.

Herbie notes that shaving creme is much friendlier than whipped cream. But I imagine not as tasty.

capacity for organic videos

Just two videos I found particularly interesting or entertaining:

To determine which is better: organic or conventionally grown foods, they used an unbiased tester:
Hammy The Hampster Goes Organic



And something I never knew: the history and operation of the capacitor.


MAKE presents: The Capacitor from make magazine on Vimeo.

Now if only they explained the flux model.

bad grammar makes me [sic]

It be National Grammar Day!

What are your grammar pet peeves? The older of my brothers (the eldest child) hates the use of "verbal" for "oral" when it comes to legal matters. As in "We had a verbal agreement." To which Jay would like to say, "I'm sure you did, but was it oral or written?" Unless you mimed the contract, it was verbal.

Of course, I have several grammar pet peeves, beyond the typical erroneous expressions such as "irregardless" and "I could care less."

My top two:
(1) Confusion of fewer and less. The former is quantifiable, the latter is not. You may have less time and therefore fewer meetings. Less is also appropriate for sand, water, and other items you can't count.

Steven has two quarts of water. Bill has six quarts of water. Steven has less water than Bill. Steven also has fewer quarts of water than Bill.

Sally needs less sand to build fewer sandcastles.

(2) The erroneously held prohibition against ending sentences with a preposition. Ending a sentence with a preposition is not and has never been grammatically incorrect. In some cases, it is grammatically necessary. It is not that, grammatically, sentences cannot end with a preposition. It is that prepositions may not be used without an object. Typically, objectless prepositions are tacked on to the end of sentences, and the easiest way to avoid the error is to avoid ending a sentence with a preposition. However, ending a sentence with a preposition in and of itself is not grammatically incorrect.

And don't get me started on the whole splitting infinitives thing.

My biggest peeve:

Wrong verb choice in If I was/If that was and like expressions.

Expressions of condition and condition in the past require the subjunctive. That calls for were. I cringe and yell at the screen when popular television mangles this, which is nearly all the time.

worth changing banks for

or rather, I'm for banks finding worth in changing.

Interesting ad:

Was TV on Oceanic Flight 815?

A short and wonderfully articulate piece on convergence, and Why TV Lost.

About twenty years ago people noticed computers and TV were on a collision course and started to speculate about what they'd produce when they converged. We now know the answer: computers. It's clear now that even by using the word "convergence" we were giving TV too much credit. This won't be convergence so much as replacement. People may still watch things they call "TV shows," but they'll watch them mostly on computers.

but will he be Scottish?

A quiz you might not find in Cosmo:


What are your chances of getting a tapeworm?

What about a scotch tapeworm?

take a ride with me

A charming ad from a Belgian public agency.

If only I could feel so warm and fuzzy about local services...

Noooooooooo!

Or rather Nope! Nope! Nope!

Now I am really disappointed that I didn't just get over that I didn't have a theme or the energy to get to WonderCon this weekend.

These guys would have made it all worthwhile!

From Gizmodo.

wonder-con wonder

After an intense social period, I gladly holed up at home this weekend, did laundry, and shunned the outside world (save for an excellent night of lessons and dancing with Jason and Lindsay at Sundance).

But it is stories and photos like these from Bill George that make me wish I had mustered up the energy to pop over to Wonder-Con (i09 coverage) at the Moscone.

Go Henchmen!

(If you don't know, these guys are henchmen of The Monarch, from The Venture Brothers.)

Wake me up before you Go Go

Friday Night at the De Young this month featured an amazing YSL/Warhol/Bardot a Go Go night. Go Go/pop art inspired attire was encouraged, as was a Go Go attitude.

Clearly, we brought both.

.

.
Also out Friday night were Skot Land and his friend Liz. We love our peeps.

At one point there were a bunch of 8- to 10-year-old girls getting their photo taken with some of the pop art props. Skot broke in to lend one of the wee girls his boa. The mother taking the photo beamed, and the young girl shook and looked as if she were going to burst with excitement. SF can be a great town (although ultimately, we would have enjoyed less of the kiddies. And seriously, $9 for a tiny, weak cocktail? Next time it will be all roadies or flasks.).

Other fun people there Friday night included Go Go Gorgeous Dancer (an old party friend whose name for the life of me I can't recall):

And of course the super fabulous Pollo Del Mar,


with her friend Sandra O. Noshi-Di'n't.

Pollo was our hostess for the evening, and she served up a good show.


Shout outs too to the delightful David and Diane. Total PLU.


We had a ball and remained in our Go Go getups for the remainder of the night, which included cocktails at Studio 54(5), coronation weekend fun at Marlena's,



I just needed a W belt buckle to complete the monogram

.
and a closing act of Judy/Liza night at the Cinch.

.

Why yes, Old Chum, life is a cabaret.


Complete photoset on Flickr.

see you sushi

A charming trip on a sushi conveyor belt in Japan. Check out people's reactions. So charming. And I am impressed with the trust in leaving the camera on the belt, and those who left it there to return to its owner.