full circle

Yesterday afternoon I ran into Bruce Rinehart on Haight Street. Bruce was one of the primary forces which pulled me to San Francisco so many years ago. Back when he was with e-line, he and Andrew Sullivan (and another guy I forget) set up the FirstClass BBS and online system for BookPage, where I was a graphic designer and system admin. Without getting into the complete narrative (I know, not my way), these guys looked me up and down and basically said, "What's a creative fag like you doing in Tennessee?" At this point I was waaaaay in the closet and was amazed/terrified that they sniffed me out like a fart in an elevator.

We all became friends and I spent a lot of time online on the Guardian's online system and getting to know them and SF. I came to SF in October to interview as an editor and content creator for the @Home network (working for a friend of Andrew's). Bruce was the guy who showed me around and gave me my first glimpses of the City. He fondly remembers dropping me off for my first ever trip to the Castro, and the sort of strange bewilderment on my face: "Uh, okay. What do I do now?"

I remember that he took me to my first Folsom Street Fair. I was in straight fratboy drag (as I was a 'straight' fratboy at the time)-- as the only one in color I did not exactly blend. He thought I would be SHOCKED, but I said there were only so many chaps 'n' cheeks you could see before you ask "what else is there?" Who would have thought then that ten years later I would have my own booth? Clearly I am not holding to that whole "not getting into the complete narrative" thing. Back to yesterday:

I ran into Bruce. We caught up. And he briefly interviewed me for his tv show Haight Free TV (airing the 4th Thursday's of the month at 9:30 PM on local channel 29). I even remember his old Rino e-mail address at the Well, but he gave me his new cards. Looking at it later I saw that he teaches at the Berkeley SIMS program (School of Information Management and Systems)-- a program I almost entered before pursuing the MLIS at SJSU (SIMS is much more programming intensive and is not ALA accredited-- it was formed after Berkeley closed their library school).

Anyway, cool to see you Bruce! Stay in touch!

Anderson Cooper, 369

There are not many things of which I am abashed. But I must admit my private shame and come out of another closet: I secretly swoon for Anderson Cooper. I realize I am not alone in this, but the company in this includes large numbers of midwestern housewives who cross-stitch bible verses on anything and love George Dubya and hate the godless gays. This is not company I need to keep.

But my secret jones for Anderson Cooper leads me to share this bit which is making the rounds in the blogosphere today--what is being called the gayest moment on CNN. Apparently while he was high, some exec at CNN thought Ryan Seacrest would make a good sub for Larry King. After his banter with Nicole Richie (who the f cares?), Seacrest shared a lead-in moment with Cooper. My lusting for Anderson Cooper is about as great as my loathing for Ryan Seacrest. The two poster men for won't-comment-on-orientation-tv-personalities bantered in a split screen for a minute or two. It is not nearly as gay as some bloggers would imply, but I must admit, from where I'm sitting the exchange did seem pretty gay. Maybe because it sounds like the sort of conversations I hear all the time out here. Including the words "Nashville" and "pounding," just not right there together. [bee ay bee ay are]


All told, worth a look.

From Towleroad

Anderson Cooper and Ryan Seacrest join mutual admiration society. Malcontent has the clip, in which Anderson compliments Ryan's big tie and then goes on to talk about something "taking a pounding."

Weird Science

Saturday morning, after coffee and before our hunt for appliques at the SoMa discount fabric place and all things sparkly at the creepily crafty Fantasitcos, Dr. B took me and RMJ for a tour of his lab down at the new facility.






Where do I apply for my grant?

Uh oh.

Oh my goodness.

Just when I thought no one was paying attention, I got a surprising e-mail. Sure, I keep the most sordid details of my life out of this blog as it is read by my family, strangers, potential employers, small children and blackmailers; but I have been feeling free to include some of the more salacious tidbits of my compadres in crime. It didn't occur to me that this might be read by their families. This morning, I received a comment from KEVIN'S DAD. Oh Lordy. It's like having your mother knock on the bathroom door when you were in your teens.

So Herman Koberle, welcome to the party. There's a full bar, and some good tunes in the jukebox. Stay a while. We're happy to have you. If not just a little mortified by our own behavior.

To:Wilson Hardcastle
From: Herman Koberle
Subject: Wilson Hardcastle Website

It was to cold outside and I was not inclined to do much so I thought I would spend time on the "love, hate" computer to get caught up and clean things up and along the way I thought, what the heck. Got your card that you gave me and decided to take a look see at your website. I will say it again, I am impressed! Looking at different items on your site and I got to Halloween. I was scrolling down and not paying real close attention till I got to pictures of Kevin. I thought, gosh I think I know him! Woke me up in a hurry. Decided that it was time for a cup of tea and Judge Judy is on. I'll be back to peruse some more. Very entertaining.

Strangely, amid the swirling thoughts on this revelation, one idea keeps vying for attention: Judge Judy as a cure for the flabbergasts.

Sparkle, Neely!

Sparkle!

next year

I have my Halloween costume idea for next year:

Phantom of the Oprah.

On speed too? Cruise control.

Man, I loved the last year of Tom Cruise showing the world exactly what a total nut job he is. And I heard it said more than once that he did more for the reputation of the professional publicist than anyone before. He fired his and look what happened. But apparently, those aliens at the Scientology Center have convinced him that this is not futhering their cause and would he just please go back to being pretty and harmlessly inticing and while your at it we'd like another check.

My favorite take so far is this one from a British site. Excerpt:

Tom Cruise Sacks His Rubbish Publicist, Spoils Our Fun

When Tom Cruise promoted War Of The Worlds earlier in the year, he embarked upon one of the strangest publicity campaigns the world had ever seen. He'd sacked his controlling old publicist Pat Kingsley, and under his sister he could finally be the real Tom Cruise. Only, nobody was expecting the real Tom Cruise to be such a freaking oddball.