Answer Key

1. F - In seven whole days, I went once. Count it, uno. I'm pathetic. At least my gym bag is packed and ready to go, like it has been for the past 5 days.
2. F - My father has and does refer to the chorus as, "your little glee club," true. This was a trick question, he did not refer to it that way in the past week.
3. F - You've got to be kidding. I only get things for my nieces when I see them. I know, I'm a bad uncle. Sue me. I'm still "fun Uncle Jeremy."
4. T - Um. Yep. Its true.
5. T - Same with this one. It was a good week, what can I say?
6. T - It was a five and five ones. Really crisp. I'm a Nielsen person. I'm not too sure on the specifics yet, but I'll let you know after I take this online survey. I already spent the 10 bones on last night's lunch. Or whatever you want to call what I eat at 2 in the morning. I call it lunch.
7. F - I bet you thought, he's a nerd and stuff, but he wouldn't have a Countdown to BSG dry erase board, let me assure you, gentle reader, there is a Countdown to BSG board in the domicile. Also, I have NEVER updated it. I don't like math. (And Prof, its an hourly countdown til the next new show.)
8. T - I did. It's true.
9. F - I went kayaking, not canoeing. No, I'm too lazy to have done either.
10. T - There is seldom a day that goes by that I haven't danced in my underwear.

True or False?

You make the call.

In the past week:

I went to the gym three times.
My father referred to the Men's Chorus as, "Your little glee club."
I sent my nieces presents.
I kissed a guy in one of my favorite places in the city.
I leveled 3 of my 5 WoW characters.
I recieved $10 cash in the mail.
I updated the "Countdown to BSG" dry-erase board at least twice.
I went bowling.
I went canoeing.
I danced in my underwear.

Passions

I know someone who watches this show. From the clips below, I think I might enjoy it, too.
(I like to run them simultaneously.)

Also, mark your calendars:
Charo at the Skagit Valley Casino - April 5th
Fucking Charo, y'all!!!

Working, backwards

Sunday - Did a whole bunch of nothing, which included, a single load of laundry and WoW.

Saturday - Saw "Marie Antionette" with Bill and Andrew.

Thoughts on the film -

Sofia Coppola can make 2 hours feel like 3.

Pink really is pretty.

I liked how completely disconnected from the world the film made her seem.

Did a single load of laundry. Played some WoW.

Friday - Saw MSTRKRFT play at Chop Suey. Only a couple of the usual suspects were around--well, some is better than none.

Thoughts on the show -

These guys know how to stack a set--the bass kept getting thicker and thicker.

Who knew that Seattle can party?

Perhaps all it takes to make a party go off is chicks dressed in black spandex pants and halter with matching gold lame hat and shoes--I'm not lyin'!

Saw Jamie Cullum at The Paramount with my chorus buddy. I had never heard of nor heard anything by Jamie Cullum before.

Thoughts on the show -

Having no/very low expectations is a good way to see a performer about whom you know nothing.

Does everyone in the world cover "Love Will Tear Us Apart?"

At times, especially when singing standards, he sounds like Harry Connick, Jr.

The visuals were pretty.

Thursday - Went on a date. I'm not going to tell you anything about it. Like, I won't say that we've already got another date planned. I would never mention that Steve2 thinks he looks like a taller, skinnier me. I'm not going to tell you that I think he's kinda awesome (and bearded!). I'm not going to tell you any of that, not because I have a modicum of decency (because you all know I don't) but because chances are, he's reading this.

I will tell you that the date was better than this one or this one.

Support a 'stache

Listen up!

You need to donate money to a good cause--Seattle's 826 school.

If you're not familiar with 826, then you must be an uneducated, under-read lout, and I suggest you get yourself a subscription to McSweeney's post-haste.

Anyway, my good buddy Keith is offering his upper lip in a fundraising effort for the organization. Read more about it here. And check out the muy sexy picture, with one eye half-closed. HOT!

So if you've got $20 to spare, know its going to a good organization that offers a lot of great programs. Seattlites especially should consider, at the very least, a $20 donation.

Let's pretend that nothing is awful

I've never seen my favorite musical. It has played out in my mind's eye a hundred times, and if I were given the chance to turn it into a film, I don't think there's one shot I haven't already gone over in my head. When I need to cry but just can't muster the tears, I'll put in the soundtrack. If no one's around, I'll sing along with Marvin and Trina and Jason and Wizzer and Mendel and Dr. Charlotte and Cordelia.
Written and composed by William Finn, Falsettoland is the final installment of the Marvin trilogy. I've only heard a couple songs from the first musical--In Trousers. Falsettoland, luckily, is packaged with March of the Falsettos (the second in the series). While March of the Falsettos is good, like many second installments, it doesn't have the conclusion that only Falsettoland can provide.
The story, basically, is that Marvin and his ex-wife have to plan for their son's bar mitzvah. Marvin reconnects with his lover, Wizzer, only to find out that Wizzer has AIDS. The musical takes place in 1981 when AIDS was being called gay cancer. This is not musical as spectacle, like so many musicals tend to be these days.
This musical informed so much of my understanding about gay relationships, and the impact of AIDS on our community. Of course, I was closer to the son's age than Marvin's, but I could still see the truths that the play revealed.

Below are a couple clips. The first is from the 1992 Tony Awards.


The second is from the original production with the original cast. It takes place toward the end of the show. It is one of the standout numbers. The two queer couples sing of their love. The part that always chokes me up in this song is this:
Cordelia - We don't know what time will bring
Wizzer - I've a clue
Marvin - I have, too
Cordelia and Dr. Charlotte - Let's act like we haven't
And then they sing about the sky and such. The implication, of course, is that Wizzer and Marvin will both soon die from AIDS, but like friends sometimes do, they pretend that nothing is awful. It is intimate moments like this that one of those spectacle musicals couldn't pull off convincingly.
My only issue with this clip is the business that the director has Marvin and Wizzer doing--I mean, playing cards? It feels a little forced.
Anyway, here you go:



So, if some local college or theater puts this show on, make it a point to go see it. I'm sure tickets will be cheaper than Wicked.

Overheard

Bachelor #1 - "Go back and pause that. What was that explosion?"
Bachelor #2 - "It looked like a base star."
Bachelor #3 - "Yeah, it had that triangle thing."


Bachelor #2 - "YES!"
Bachelor #1 - "What?"
Bachelor #3 - "Aw yes! I love this one. Is it Jason takes Manhattan?"
Bachelor #2 - "You know it."
Bachelor #1 - "Nothing will top Leprechaun in space."
Bachelor #3 - "Isn't that Leprechaun 4?"
Bachelor #2 - "Yes, it is."

End of an era?

First of all, I've gotta give a BIG SHOUTOUT to my bestest friend in the entire multiverse--one Ms. Janice Headley-Baehr who turns 29 years young today (wink, wink). The first 2 decades were a cakewalk--get ready for the toughest of them all. I'll be right up the street if you need a shoulder to cry on.

And in completely unrelated news . . .

Apparently, the Re-Bar is for sale.

I've spent many a happy night there. Home to lots of things like Hedwig, Lesbian Hip-Hop Night, Seattle's only monthly techno night, Krakt, and, of course, my beloved Flammable.

I know that a bunch of the bartenders bought the place from the previous owner, and I thought for sure they would have a much longer run. I know my last visit there was kinda lame, but I've had more good times there than mediocre or bad times. I've heard some great sets spun by great DJs.

I can only hope that any new owners will keep the Sunday night thing.

Speaking of music -

I know I said I'd only post mixes that I make from Acid from now on, but Acid is on my home computer and it is a pirated copy (shh! don't tell anyone!). So, at work I've got the other program--the one to which I own the registration key--so that's what you get.

I made this mix at work, listening thru my headphones. It seemed a little subdued, truthfully. Then I got home and listened to it on my stereo and I realized just how bangin' it is. I've taken it to the gym twice and it works really well for my cardio. I've been trying to up my time on the elliptical to an hour and this mix peaks at just the right point.

People have asked that I write a little more about my track selection (since, really, that's all I've got goin' for me). So I'll include a line or two.

For your listening (and hopefully dancing around your living room) pleasure:

OKDJ vol. 8

Neds (Vakant) - Alex Smoke -- Alex played a great set at Decibel, so I thought I'd give him some love (like he needs it).

Rancho Relaxo - Anja Schneider, Sebo K -- Umm, cuz the name of the track is Rancho Relaxo, duh!

Camino del Sol (Joakim remix) - Antena -- You know I like me some Joakim.

Lonely by Your Side (Booka Shade remix) -- Azzido da Bass -- Booka Shade, 'nuf said.

Overrun - Henrik B

Gutterballs - Jacob London -- I like the Chi-town sensibilities from this Seattle-based duo.

If You Give Me - John Dahlbeck -- This track is everywhere, so I had to follow the trend.

Monster Hospital (MSTRKRFT remix) - Metrics -- MSTRKRFT is gonna be here soon (10/20 @ Chop Suey).

The Pact - Silicone Soul -- Soma recordings puts out qulaity.

Pass this On (Dahlbeck and Dahlbeck remix) - The Knife -- John and Jesper reworking a great track.

Take a Chance - Mr. Flagio -- Everyone loves Italo. I think just about every electro DJ out there has caned this track.

What Else is There? (Vitalic remix) -- Yes, I probably shouldn't have used another track with Karin (from The Knife), but I love Vitalic.

Always Something Better - Trentemoller -- Haven't heard the new album, but everything I have heard from him is amazing. This one is no exception. (If you have the album, send my way, m'kay?)

Enjoy!

(Image from Endquote's flickr acct.)

For a certain someone

You know who you are:

[via Habitat67]

BBBBBB, (Part the 2nd)

What do you mean its not Wednesday?
It sure feels like Wednesday. Oh, who am I kidding? The only way I am able to keep track of days is by making little hash marks on my desk down here in the vault.
And they could totally be wrong because I think the Cylons are adding extra ones.
Anyhoo . . .

Before I continue with the story of my wonderful vacation, I would like to make some quick corrections to the previous post.

First of all, Neil, and not Keith is the mastermind behind Wolfgang. You can listen to Wolfgang tracks on his Myspace page, here. Now go buy a Wolfgang CD.

Secondly, GayProf did not begin conversation with stories of his ex. In fact, I'd say we made it a good 3 hours before I finally . . . er, um . . . probed him (hee hee) about the sitch. After that, though, it was like the floodgates had opened!!! (You know I'm teasing, right?)

Ok, so back to Brooklyn . . .

After the Bulldog fiasco, Tennille and I hit up Pioneer Bar-B-Q in Red Hook. There was someone special she wanted me to meet . . . Lisa, the psychic, who doubles as a waitress.
After bringing us a pitcher, Lisa came back to the table with her magic cards in hand.
She told me about a disconnect with my mother. (I was adopted, spooookky). She told me that I need to be around water--funny that, because I enjoy bathing. Then she told me that I need to be more focused on the business side of my career--hmmm, does that mean no more Tetris-challenge with co-workers when business is slow? Or does that mean no more making mixes between processing images?
Let's get to the good stuff, already.
In my future is a musical or artistic, rugged ginger. He likes to kayak or something. That'll be perfect because I love waving at people in kayaks from the shore. She also said I may end up in Vancouver. Awesome. Canada rules. You can smoke the weed. Marry a dude who is also a prostitute, and you both have health care. Rock.
If I were to move to Canada, maybe I could work on BSG. That would rule my balls.

After the Pioneer Bar, Nilla took me to Mini Bar. Its located a mere block from her pad and is aptly named. Not only is the place tiny, but it is also frequented by little people. Or dwarves. Or midgets. After GayProf nailed me on the "Skinny Black Bitch" thing, I've been a bit recalcitrant in my assigning of labels to people . . . or drinks.

The bartender had an adorable Jew-fro and liked BSG. Of course, I was smitten. And I swear he was flirting with me. And I know I was flirting with him. Ah, well.

Then it was back to Tennille's pad and a restful, drunken sleep. I awoke the next morning and took the train to the edge of Brooklyn. I walked across the Brooklyn bridge for the first time in my life. I'm glad that it was headed toward Manhattan.
This was my first time to New York since 9/11. The skyline, surprisingly, didn't look more empty to me. I guess if the towers were something that I saw every day, then it would have looked suspiciously barren, but Manhattan holds my attention like no other place. It still vibrates and climbs, and by the time I had crossed the bridge, it had surrounded me.

I had no plans to go anywhere. There was nothing I really wanted to see (although the big mirror in Rockefeller Center sounded interesting), so I just wandered from park to park.
Columbus Park to Tompkins Square Park to Stuyvesant Square to Union Square to Gramercy Park to Chelsea Park to Bryant Square Park--and Washington Square Park was in there somewhere, too.

I liked having my music with me and turning it on and just watching people. Lawyers on a break. Old men playing bocce. A girl reading. Derelict digging through the trash. Gay dudes holding hands. It was a wonderful end-of-summer day and I don't think I could have spent it any better. [Note to gay dudes: Aviators are *so* over. Do you really want to look 10-15 years older than you are?]

It still only took me part of the day. I had some time to kill and my buzz was wearing off. To find a bar . . .
There was one little place that looked a bit too nice--awning, outdoor seating, sandwich board with specials. I had resigned myself to grabbing a beer there. Before entering, I looked across the street and spotted a small door. Few windows. A rainbow sticker. A bear sticker. A leather sticker. I headed across the street.

The 9th Avenue Saloon is Hell's Kitchen's very own leather bar. Every other Saturday is boot day. I'm sure the joint gets jumping on those days. At 3 in the afternoon on a Monday, myself and one other man were the only patrons. Joe, the bartender, was a fifty-something latino with a gravelly New Jersey accent. He pours a mean beer.
The other patron, a shaved bald white guy in his forties thumbed through a leather catalog. Both were friendly but not overly conversational. They asked when the first time I had been to NYC was. I had to think--1983, I guess. Hell's Kitchen would have been far off limits. Hell, back then, my mother held onto me like we were on an amusement park ride--and that was in the relative safety of Times Square. Well, '83 was about 11 years pre-Giuliani and the Disney-fication of the touristy area, so I can forgive my mother her overprotective ways in this instance.
Anyway, Steve, the bald 40-something bummed a smoke from me. He put his hand on my shoulder, gave it a squeeze and winked. I'm not into the whole daddy thing, but my mind instantly went to a naughty place. (And my naughty place perked up a little.) When he came back in, he sat next to me and showed me the leather pieces he owned. He was a Bensonhurst boy and Brooklyn was stuck on him. A USMC tattoo graced his forearm, and I found myself wanting another little squeeze.
Tennille stopped in and said hey on a break from work and I think she was pretty amused that I had found a leather bar so close to her work. She joked about getting me a bear flag for my house. I wonder what the roomies would think of that . . .
She went back to work and I ordered another. After a few sips, I headed to the bathroom. Steve was right behind. Thank god, I thought, I'll finally get some action.
"So, uh, you want some crystal or crack or weed?"
The stirrings in my loins turned to queasy in my stomach. "Uh, nah, that's cool. I've got a bunch of really crazy drugs back home."
He laughed. I laughed. I left.

Tennille and I then headed back to Brooklyn and the best veal scallopine I've ever had. We were joined by the ever-pleasant Keith. Then it was back to Mini Bar and the bartender. Wish I could've gotten a grope in, but alas, I was not hammered enough. Even after a whole day of drinking.

Up the next morning and off to . . .

The beautiful state of Texas and my wonderful parents.

If you don't remember my last trip to Texas, I direct you here. It was miserably hot. I think 95 the first two days. Anyway . . .

I feel pretty much the same way about the place that I did that time. My dad was determined to take me to Steak and Ale, and I couldn't figure out why. Then, the pieces came together. If you say its a "Special Occasion" when placing reservations, you get free dessert. Also, they had a coupon. I love that they think of that place as classy. My mom wouldn't let my dad wear shorts.

Mom and dad made sure to point out all the new housing developments--like I couldn't see them myself. I know, I'm an urban person and stuff, but all that sprawl makes me a little nauseous. It just seems to wasteful. And everyone drives. And there is no/very limited mass transit. Don't these people care about the environment or our future?
I know I take Seattle for granted sometimes--especially on some of its green policies. [All new construction of city property over a certain number of square feet has to be at least 60% self-sustaining. All of our schools are being retro-fitted to be more energy efficient (ok, so really, they're just closing schools, but that's energy efficient, right?).]
My parents don't even recycle. I can't believe that they aren't fined for that.
What am I saying? Of course I can believe that. They are in Bush country and consumerism is the watch-word. Who else is going to buy gas?

So, yeah.
Adam and Jeff came to rescue on Wednesday. I drove to Dallas to meet Adam for dinner. We went to Mia's for some killer TexMex. I had a delectable briscuit taco and a swirl margarita. I'm still not sure what the swirl was, exactly, but it was a great drink.
Adam was just how I imagined he would be--funny, intelligent. He could throw zingers right back at me and laughed at all the right places. I had only occasionally read Jeff's blog in the past, so I didn't really know what to expect. He was equally as charming. Conversation ranged from Sondheim to politics to which-dude-on-the-dancefloor-would-you-do. Seeing that I have no standards, any of the dudes on the dancefloor would have been fine with me. Even the robot. Even the really old one. Even the chick. After we parted ways, I put some pieces of the conversation back together in my head and figured out that Adam's partner graduated high school with my college roommate. Isn't that totally trippy?

So then it was back to Fort Worth and the final day with my parents. Then back home. Every time I return to Seattle, I get a greater sense that this place is home. While I can imagine myself living in New York or Boston, I think I would miss the scenery here. (Even though it takes someone like Earl to get me out to see it.)

Before I sign off, I just wanted to say that it was really great getting to see each of you. Prof, I won't be able to think Boston without thinking of you as my (sometimes lost) tour guide. Nilla, sorry its taken me so long to visit you, but better late than never, huh? You're a great hostess and I had such a blast! Brooklyn rules! Adam and Jeff, its always great to meet people who are as dynamic and funny as both of you. Thanks for putting up with my cigarette smoke and providing me with much needed sanity in the insane environment that is Texas.

[If you couldn't tell by my blogging irregularities, life has been fairly hectic since my return. Re-adjusting to the nighttime schedule, trying to fit in all my shows (BSG, Veronica Mars, The Office, ProjRun, ANTM, Gilmore Girls), choir practice, and just catching up with my friends again has eaten up most of my time. I'll try to be more fastidious in my posting--plus I got a rant a-brewin'--oh and a new mix.]

Apologies

I'm not dead--but I do feel like a zombie again.
12 hour day yesterday, 15 today.
I'll finish the post on Wednesday.

In the meantime, Jenny Wilson keeps getting better and better:



Of course, she's accompanied by Robyn, whom I've only enjoyed as remixed by Jesper Dahlback (and smack-dab in the middle of one of Rich's best mixes). Its a cover of a Saul Williams song.