no problemo

It has come to my attention that as this blog is so much about my nightlife/social life, it seems to skew a bit heavily to the inebriated events.

I assure you, these vignettes are a non random sample and should not be considered representative.



[Note: for some reason this video may not play on Firefox for Windows. Windows Explorer is fine, and Firefox for Mac is fine. And it runs on Safari for either. I don't know what's up with MySpace video and Firefox for Windows. YouTube yanks this minutes after posting so that's not an option.]

it's all about the roasted bean

I have a even balance for my coffee too.



Unshelved.

smirk

Shoutin' out.



I think that should be Alert Reader's new social networking photo.

He also looks groovy here:



FYI: He's currently single, and I'm willing to pimp him out to other readers.

Just sayin'.

asking someone to convert for you

has just become a whole lot easier.

Kevin Kelly (on his Cool Tools) recommends this web-based file converter: Zamzar. This looks very cool.

I have a couple of boxes of floppies from college I can't bring myself to throw away. Of course, I have to find a way to read the floppies and burn all of those files to a CD (I have an old USB floppy reader someplace, but disks take forever to mount). I am interested to know if I can convert all of my college WordPerfect for Mac documents into something current.

During the Davidson basketball frenzy, Matt Woodlief reminded me that I used to send hilarious summer letters to my friends during college. I would love to know what I wrote back then.

circle, circle. Dot, dot, dot.

Be responsible.



From Alert Reader Chuck R.

but I play first chair

Listening to jazz at Club Deluxe:

ARPD: Do you play an instrument?
ARSP: No. Do you?
ARPD: Just the skin flute.
ARSP: How is that different from a regular flute?

beat.

beat.

ARSP: Oh!

discombobulated, but sheveled

James is looking good these days, but was feeling mentally out of sorts—the other day he felt his brain was having glitches. He put it this way: "I've got Apple design but am running Windows."

Telling of the times or just of us?


And shout out to Cousin Clark who would often use non-prefixed positive forms of popular negatives, finding himself to be at times combobulated, kempt, sheveled, gruntled, or traut.

I swallow on your grave

ARSP: (quickly and excitedly) OOOh!
Me: What?!
ARSP: I just got a quick chill.
Me: Someone just walked over your grave.
ARSP: I hate that expression!
Me: You'd rather them dance? Or perhaps spit. Or in your case, swallow.

Sunny Sunday

I haven't had a chance to chat about Sunday so I'll throw up a post for the curious and inquiring.

Yes, I had a first date with TT on Sunday. We met on Easter and this was the first time we had an overlapping window of free time. I think that bodes well actually as we are clearly similarly engaged/engaging.

It was a freaky hot day in San Francisco so I set up a little blanket wine date in Dolores Park. There was nothing much to the day, but we thoroughly enjoyed lounging in the sun, watching the masses, and getting to know each other, and finding pleasant similar outlooks: such as our fluid relationship with time, sense of order/virgoness, and affinity for the Jack and ginger. I love Jack and gingers, but don't order them because I do love them, and will revel in them. That, and bourbon makes me slutty anesthetizes the part of my brain that moderates affectionate behavior. Or as Shilpa likes to remind me, I once demurred the offer of Jack because "the dark liquors make me flirty." But that's neither here not there. (Well, later, it's there.)

TT was suitably impressed by my level of preparation (unlike those who know me and who have come to expect this almost pathological level of service and preparedness). I love my wine sticks. I paid way too much for them in a little shop in Healdsburg, but have seen them since for a steal in the Red Envelope catalog. TT was impressed by these, as were any number of passerbys who asked me where I got them. TT e-mailed me that he ordered his own set Monday morning. He quickly put his order into Red Envelope as he heard that they shut there doors and laid off all their staff just last week. I was expecting a 404 on their website, and ordered an additional set when I found that they were still open and offering an additional discount.

The day ended nicely with the fun guy with the stereo bike cruising through the park playing party songs (and partial to classic Michael Jackson). Dolores Park/Beach was packed with people, and nearly all of them stood up, cheered, and started dancing.

We were too late to cop a squat high on the hill (what some girl called "the gay section" until some bears on the blanket next to us said, "Honey, it's all gay.")

I didn't take any pictures of the day (nor of me with TT as I have not yet gotten a release from him-- and not that kind of release you pervs), except this one.

WTF is going on with this guy? He had an impressive build (as did many of the shirtless boys out that day), but the bright blue, sky-patterned speedo was just all wrong. But the effed up thing here: He took off all his clothes, then added forearm sleeves and calf-warmers?

See detail:

Okay, WTF? The only rational I could conjecture was that he was trying to counteract some earlier farmer's tan from a t-shirt. And what? Clam-diggers?

Dunno. But knew I needed to take a stealth shot.

Sunday was also the 10th Anniversary of Sundance Saloon and TT knew I had plans for that. TT also had a long work night ahead of him with an online sexual harassment test thing and prep for a big week of work. So we parted company early evening jovially, but without liplock , and with a general agreement that we both had a good time and wanted to do something again.

Flash forward through the evening:

Have a wonderful time and close down Sundance. Leave there to seek out other Sundancers after-partying in the Castro. I pop into 440 and see the Trouble Brothers To'mas and Adriano waving me over wildly as if by semaphore....and

...they are drinking with TT.

A Jack and ginger for him and one for me, and we're back where we started: a Sunday night drinking whiskey and making out in the back of 440. But this time we were on the stairs—it brought him nicely to lip level.

I'm just sayin'.

I also espoused all sorts of nice things and quickly lost all armor and the pretense of cool detachment. Sweet nothing e-mails from TT Monday morning alleviated much of the shame and I believe we are on for next week—presuming we find some time to spend together.

put your donations in the tool box

and by "tool" and "box", I mean... eh, you figure it out.

Shilpa is alleviating some of her guilt by being a do-gooder this weekend and helping build a Habitat house. She sent out a not-so-delicate call to her friends and fags to pony up some donations for the cause.

Rich, successful fag friend in Boston, showed us all up by immediately donating $100. Shilps was excited as this brought her half way to her $200 fundraising goal (you too can donate here).

Kevin has just made his donation and has almost brought her to her knees goal. (Now that she has almost met her goal does that mean I'm off the hook? Apparently, no. But to make it to her goal, I only have to donate five dollars and thirty-one cents. Nah nanh.)

Kevin's donation:

$69.69

With the comment:

If only I could be there to see how good you are at tool banging!

That, I'm sure, will come later in the evening after she has picked up a carpenter.

If I had a hammer....

pervy mural

Thursday night James, Kate and I finally, after more than six months, found a time we could all three go to dinner together. We hit the Beach Chalet for sunset and a nice dinner. We've all been there many times before, but none of us had been there recently.

We can't count the number of times we've seen the mural downstairs, but this time we saw it differently. And I don't know if it is age or experience, but all of sudden, this mural was just really pervy. Quietly, insidiously, look-what-I-snuck-into-a-state-monument-ly perverted.

First I noticed these two riding horseback (but not bareback).

(for all of these, you can click to embiggen)

I don't know what it is, but don't they seem really gay? Or at least rather effete? And the Freud-looking one looks a little predatory.

And speaking of predatory, WTF with this old man giving candy to little girls?

How short are those skirts? And what's with the cowgirl outfits? And is it me or are their faces just right in this guy's crotch? And the look on his face is slightly high, or coital. Very disturbing.

For a moment, we thought maybe we were just 21st century jaded and too familiar with gays and leather and San Francisco sex and we were projecting our perceptions onto this innocent, wholesome mural.

Then Kate saw this.

The guy is holding a plan for Coit Tower, which is already way phallic (it is, supposedly, designed to resemble the nozzle of a fire hose), but layout makes it look like the tower is his penis. And the end of the "tower" erupts into a geyser from the fountain behind him. Which would make sense if following the "designed to look like a nozzle" idea. But the placement and angle--are you kidding me?

The spotlighting made it very hard to get a clear shot. Here's another one that might be easier to discern:

Wow. That's not even subtle. And nice bushes/testicles.

There's no way this ejaculatatory image is unintentional.

I'm just sayin'.

happy birthday Titties Verde

Last weekend, Titties Verde turned 30, and invited us to a cookout at her and her husbands new home in Vallejo on/near Mare Island. Shilpa and I drove up for the evening and had a lovely time. Ever since TV and Ing moved out of Club Jackson and out of the City, we don't see them much any more and I really had missed their company. They are total characters (as am I, I suppose) and their crazy personalities bring a lot of color to my life.

So just a few notes from the night:

From Verde's photo set, this is my favorite:

She calls this one "I am drunk, and I want to show you my bling."

The new house is beautiful, and Ing gave us a tour with an album of "before" photos in hand. Ing is an art/collection auction house guy, and has an amazing collection of what I am sure has a very impressive description but what I just call "jungle stuff." Carvings, shields, that kind of stuff. Oh yeah, and lots and lots of weapons.

Many of these weapons are displayed in the stairwell, which, you know, living on a fault line, really creeped me out. One does not tend to linger on the staircase. I was assured that all items were carefully wired to the wall.

Looking up from the stairs.

Looking down from the landing.

Regardless, I have Christened it "The Stairway of Damocles."

They turned an upstairs room into a library, and custom built wrap around bookshelves so that every wall was lined floor to ceiling.

Verde expressly requested no gifts (unwrapping a present would be too much like unpacking, and they are still doing some of that). But knowing how they must be in big gay happening withdrawal having left Club Jackson and the City, I gave her a bag of Big Mo's. I really wanted to frame my favorite photo of Tittles Verde (taken here) for their home, but but knew they did not want any more "stuff" and that any gift would have to be consumable (food, wine, or in my case Big Mo's).

So how much did I love it that predominately displayed in their library, they had printed the same photo from Flickr and framed it themselves!

Loves me my Titties Verde. (If you didn't click through earlier, you can guess which photo is my favorite.)

They have turned the outspan building into Ing's studio, and he's got some creepy stuff. Which, of course, I love. Random things like antique ether anesthesia pumps. Of which he has two. (Way too much time on eBay).

And then creepy collections like this:

Dunno.

Then there was this clock he also found on eBay that was a different sort of creepy.

Ing explained that it's "the Japanese Bart Simpson."

I warmed up to it when he explained "when the alarm goes off, his tiny penis lights up."


Flickr set.

like Easter, without the bonnets

Yesterday was disturbingly similar to Easter.

It was a beautiful, hot sunny day.

I stared out in Dolores Park in the afternoon, then followed a twisting road that ran through the towns of white wine, mint julep, mandarin and soda, and ending in Jack and gingerville, where I again made a fool of myself by making out with TT in the back of 440.

I'm so smooth.

Finish your taxes and get out there

Hey kids,

It promises to be a hot and sunny weekend so I hope you have finished your taxes so you can go out and play with all the other children!

On tap this weekend:

Tonight/Friday
Ejector is playing Heat at the Stud
Indie and Glam Disco/Rock. Way fun.
10 PM - 3 AM
$5 cover.

LGBT Salsa Night at Cafe Cocomo
650 Indiana Street
8:30 - 9:30 PM

Red Hots Burlesque at El Rio
with screening by Val Kilmore ay 7:30
$4-10

But I'll be at the
Rascall Flatts concert at the Hp Pavillion/Shark Tank in San Jose

Saturday
Eh, don't care. I'm going to a Private Chocolate Fountain Party and aren't you jealous.

Also it's Jimbo's bithday! So after the chocolate we'll be getting him hammered-- either by booze or by boys. Whichever strikes his little birthday-spanking fancy.


Upcoming!

Sunday
10th Anniversary of Sundance Saloon
5:-10:30 PM, Free Admission
Volunteer/Donor Appreciation Party 5:30-7:00

Tuesday
Cher Tribute Night at Trannyshack!
I may have to stay up for this.

For your video pleasure:

First, Ejector covering Depeche Mode's Photographic, before Ben got the Mohawk and then went all glam with the makeup:



Wish I could go.

And some Rascal Flatts love for tonight:

What Hurts the Most
(the original and not the dance cover by Cascada, which also rocks)



What the heck. While I'm at it, here's the dance cover by Cascada:



God Blessed the Broken Road
(written by a friend of friends in Nashville, got to hear him play/sing it at their wedding party)



And the inspirational Stand

you should see it under black light

You've seen the ads for "natural male enhancement."

Now there's a shirt for boys who want to strut their other's "stuff."

(Ew. That's not right.)

celebrate good times.

c'mon.

E-mail from Davidson College Director of Alumni relations today:

Dear Wilson,

Officials from Davidson College and the Town of Davidson invite Wildcats basketball fans to celebrate Davidson’s 2008 NCAA Tournament success at an event to be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, in Belk Arena at Davidson College.

There is no charge to attend, and fans are encouraged to wear red and black. Fans also are invited to contribute the bed sheets that they displayed in their yards during the tournament. Sheets brought to Davidson Town Hall by noon Monday, April 14, will be displayed in Belk Arena at the Tuesday night event.

The event will feature the Davidson College men’s basketball team, as well as video highlights and special guests. Speakers will include Davidson College President Tom Ross ’72, Davidson Mayor John Woods, men’s basketball coach Bob McKillop, director of athletics Jim Murphy ’78 and graduating team members Boris Meno, Jason Richards, and Thomas Sander. The Davidson College cheerleaders, mascot, and pep band will also participate.

For more information go to [here].

It’s a great day to be a Wildcat!

I love that townsfolk put sheets in their yard!

And while we're at it, I love that I got to use the word "townsfolk."

totally

My mother and I instant message/video chat pretty often. She just IM'd me about an event the other night.

I love it when my mom uses the word "awesome."

Don't know why. Just do. Maybe because she's in her 70s and this is her kewl speak.

Dunno.

I'm just sayin'.

he can also turn the world on with his smile

Kevin and I had another ACT show last Wednesday. Wow was the play bad. The acting wasn't bad, although we've concluded that the male lead has only one acting style as he plays everything big and fey. But stuck with a period farce as he often is, there's not a lot he can do with the roles. And this play, The Government Inspector, translated from the Russian, was a very long stinker of a script. Who choses the titles here? At least this season, Sweeney Todd, Speed the Plow, and made up for this snore fest. While acclaimed by some, we didn't care for Blood Knot either--Big Daddy just seems to play the same bit over and over.

All in all though, our Out with ACT nights are a ball. But I fear the enjoyment of the evening has less to do with the quality of the production than it does with the company I keep.

One consistent highlight is Promotions Manager Randy Taradash, who always makes sure we have a good time.

He may also have something to do with the genial personalities/eye candy behind our favorite part of the theater: the bar.

Randy himself is also tasty.

Frankly, I mention all of this not so much because it is worth mentioning (but I do try to chronicle all of our theater nights), but because I want to share this photo (sadly taken after the show, not before).

I met up Kevin before show time in Union Square. He had finished one of his classes and did some label shopping before the show. While he had opportunity to put his parcel in the car, he loved the way he looked when he would spin around the square with the Kenneth Cole bag, not unlike Mary Tyler Moore at the end of her opening credits.

Kevin is the only guy I know who can use principals as accessories.

meow.

See Will run.

James' friend Will has been doing the crazy-ass "crossfit" workout thing. The point of which seems to be to push your body until you destroy it. How very healthy.

James felt the need to share their recent IM exchange.
(WOD= Workout of the Day)

Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Will
ding
James
ah
Will
2:02
OMG
James
how'd the WOD go?
Will
WOD was hell
James
yeah, it looked tough
what was your time?
Will
I puked in my mouth
James
NO SHIT
that's kinda cool
Will
and then had a diarrhea attack after
James
oh my god, man
you must have pushed way too hard
Will
all in all, it was a festival of excrement
James
and if that's not quote-worthy, nothing is

I asked if he had been eating corn. Will responded that he's off carbs.

torch song

The world, it seems, it watching for fuss as the Olympic torch relay runs through the liberal/protest capital of the world: the San Francisco Bay Area.

Text from Nashville Ryan this morning:

Ryan: Are you going to protest China today?
Me: I'm protesting China by using Chinet.


This just in from the SF Gate:

Torch Disappears Into Pier 48 Warehouse
Updated 1:35 p.m.: Relay route shortened after clashes along the Embarcadero, prompting speculation the torch may be moved by boat to the Ferry Building.

At 2:00:

(04-09) 14:02 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- Massive protests forced officials to drastically change the Beijing Olympic torch route today, with the flame leaving McCovey Cove by bus instead of being carried along San Francisco's Embarcadero by runners.

City officials cut the relay route short after a chaotic morning along the Embarcadero, where thousands of people descended to support and protest the torch run.

The torch was lit at McCovey Cove around 1:20 p.m. and the first runner - buffered by Chinese and American police - headed away from the crowd and into the Pier 48 building on the waterfront. About 20 minutes later, a convoy of vehicles, including vans and police on motorcycles, pulled out of the building and headed through downtown on Fifth Street, then up Ellis Street to Van Ness Avenue.

The convoy is now at Van Ness and Pine with torch runners possibly headed toward the Marina or through downtown and to the Ferry Building.

Thousands of people have gathered along the planned route since early this morning, with pro-torch demonstrators facing off against protesters who are hoping to draw attention to the nation's human rights record.

At 2:15
Torch Back On Foot; Route Revised

Updated 2:14 p.m.: After mass protests, Olympic flame takes a bus from Pier 48 building to Van Ness. Two runners are now carrying it on the street.