Source: flickr
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Gays: Always Been Here, Always Will!
As long as straight folks have been breeding, gay folks have found a way to love each other, against all odds. Someday, perhaps when I'm in the nursing home soaking my teeth, we will finally have found a way to all live and let live.
Source: flickr
Source: flickr
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Gay Progress Prompts Gruesome Violence
The natives are getting restless—and violent. As with any potentially historic cultural shift in America, those who feel their comfort level threatened raise their dukes in a combative effort to prevent cultural progress.
Forty years ago, it was America's passage toward racial equality, which led to riots and ultimately, the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. Today, as gays strive for equality—with marriage in the spotlight (ironic, as straight marriage has hit an historic low)—hate crimes have seen a marked increase.
This week alone has been tragic for the community, first when Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi leapt to his death from the George Washington Bridge after his idiotic roommate streamed the kid's sexual encounter with another man... Three other teen suicides have since been reported due to youthful gay
guilt/harassment.
Thankfully, the national media has been all over the story, while also responsibly covering Bishop Eddie Long's hypocrisy as a homophobic minister who toys with boys. Same old fucking story, but thankfully it's no longer tabloid fodder. It is indeed real news.
But what happened last weekend hits closer to home: two hate crimes in NYC gay nabes Cheslea and the West Village. Sunday, two men attacked a customer in the bathroom of the iconic Stonewall Inn—the battleground of gay rights in 1969. Two Staten Island asswipes, 21 and 17, were arrested and charged with assault/attempted robbery as a hate crime, after one of them harassed the patron at the urinal, and said, “I don’t like gay people. Don’t pee next to me," and proceeded to 
pummel the shit out him.
A day earlier, a group of men hugged each other good night on a Chelsea street corner, and were subsequently harassed and beaten, with a metal trashcan hurled at them. Again, a youngster, 20, was arrested and charged with assault as a hate crime.
You can read the details for yourself... Point is it's scary out there as national perceptions of gays grow increasingly comfortable, and yet those who feel most threatened—teens and early 20-somethings who are insecure about their sexuality—are increasingly resorting to serious violence. The mirror never lies, huh?
Forty years ago, it was America's passage toward racial equality, which led to riots and ultimately, the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. Today, as gays strive for equality—with marriage in the spotlight (ironic, as straight marriage has hit an historic low)—hate crimes have seen a marked increase.This week alone has been tragic for the community, first when Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi leapt to his death from the George Washington Bridge after his idiotic roommate streamed the kid's sexual encounter with another man... Three other teen suicides have since been reported due to youthful gay
guilt/harassment.Thankfully, the national media has been all over the story, while also responsibly covering Bishop Eddie Long's hypocrisy as a homophobic minister who toys with boys. Same old fucking story, but thankfully it's no longer tabloid fodder. It is indeed real news.
But what happened last weekend hits closer to home: two hate crimes in NYC gay nabes Cheslea and the West Village. Sunday, two men attacked a customer in the bathroom of the iconic Stonewall Inn—the battleground of gay rights in 1969. Two Staten Island asswipes, 21 and 17, were arrested and charged with assault/attempted robbery as a hate crime, after one of them harassed the patron at the urinal, and said, “I don’t like gay people. Don’t pee next to me," and proceeded to 
pummel the shit out him.A day earlier, a group of men hugged each other good night on a Chelsea street corner, and were subsequently harassed and beaten, with a metal trashcan hurled at them. Again, a youngster, 20, was arrested and charged with assault as a hate crime.
You can read the details for yourself... Point is it's scary out there as national perceptions of gays grow increasingly comfortable, and yet those who feel most threatened—teens and early 20-somethings who are insecure about their sexuality—are increasingly resorting to serious violence. The mirror never lies, huh?
A Part Of Your Body That's Bigger After 16...
From "Family Feud," with Steve Harvey, who handles the moment with beautiful aplomb, as does the contestant... Hysterical!
Birdhouses: On A Wing & A Prayer
Over the weekend, while I took flight to Fire Island, Karyn Mannix Gallery in Southampton—where I've seen some inspired art collections—hosted a preview of her sixth-annual birdhouse auction. Some wonderfully inspired, clever works here. Wish I had wings to fly over and take a real look. Enjoy, cool cats. Left: Karyn Mannix; right: James Demartis
Sara Nightingale "A House in the Country"
Stephanie Reit; Linda & John Capello
Craig Banks
Judy Clifford "Hydrangea Hacienda"; Evan Zatti
Mare Dianora
Monday, October 4, 2010
WEBBIE: Photofunia's FREE Photo Editing
Here's what happens with discovery of one of the coolest, most hilarious online digital photo editing tools I've ever seen... hours wasted amusing the shit out of myself.
Typically, The Smoking Nun utilizes iPhoto for everyday cropping, recoloring and editing. Our collages come courtesy of Picasa, a Google-affiliated application; with some occasional additional bling provided by webbie befunky.com.
Today, via squidoo.com, I discovered a wondrous new resource offering countless themed tools. Among them: free digital photo editing sites. That led me to photofunia.com, a free site that is more fun than Christmas and your mamer's wardrobe combined.
I spent hours laughing my tookus off, as I plugged in my face to an endless array of scenes, the best of which I share below. Registration is free, no download tools required and Mac-friendly, too.
Note David Beckham's abdominal tattoo!
Not sure which I'm more excited about: my hot bod or my fab hairline. Yowsah!
Trixmoose at the Tate Gallery!
From top left: line drawing, a la Wall Street Journal, vintage effect, watercolor; sketch, gold-leaf frame and encore of line drawing, cause I love it that much.
Note the dress is all Chuckles. Top: boardroom prez, below: "Pirates of Brooklyn."
Hot guys! Ayhan in Speedo, Leonard with abs and Timmy as slacker getting arrested.
Mae Mae as Lulu, and with this ring, I thee commit to a non-traditional relationship.
Yes, that really is kinda sorta my face. Egads!
Don't mess with Myhan!
And finally, my god, I am practically spitting on the laptop here...
Happy Birthday Jon Secada
Two Grammy Awards, sales of more than 20 million albums and (with Richard Marx), the greatest male singer/songwriter of our time: Jon Secada turns 48 today!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Happy Birthday Kevin Richardson
Former Backstreet Boy Kevin Richardson turns 39 (ouch!) today. I wrote three label bios for Jive Records and interviewed Kevin for the first. All five of those dudes were nothing but polite and charming. The boys can sing, too. This picola is from Z100's summer concert in New York/2004.
Ewww!
I'm going to have to go with a big whopping NO THANKS!
Then again, Camilla is an awfully handsome woman... and the gays loved Di... hmmm... Naw, gonna have to stick with Ewww!
Then again, Camilla is an awfully handsome woman... and the gays loved Di... hmmm... Naw, gonna have to stick with Ewww!
Archie Comics Sells Out With New Out Kevin
Following his introduction at the end of September, Archie Comics' first gay character Kevin Keller has prompted a sell-out of the issue Veronica #202, in which we meet the handsome new fellow. He will return in Veronica #204 and #205, according to the publisher.
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Taylor Top 30: 3Q 2010
While at Fire Island last week, Timmy and meese honored our long summer tradition of 
counting down our top songs for the year to date. This has been a tough three quarters, where it has taken up to three months to come up with a playlist of as few as 20 songs I wanted to hear in succession.
As I stated a month ago, thank god for Lady Gaga convincing radio that today's youth
would adore uptempo pop/dance music—if given an opportunity to hear it. Its proliferation ignited mainstream music for me in the second half of 2010, at last giving me a reason to reattach my iPod to my noggin and enjoy current hits again.
Here's my top 30, as it stands at the end of 3Q... My top artist to date is Tinatin, who earns three songs in the countdown. Gaga is second with two. Other longtime favorites maintaining favor: Celine Dion, Westlife and that dude I live with, Ayhan Sahin, who co-wrote and produced three tracks (with Dennis Delgaudio) sung by Norman Gentle, enduring fave Karine Hannah and Tinatin.
30. So Happy I Could Die—Lady GaGa
29. Something Bout Love—David Archuleta
28. Rose Colored Glasses—Kelly Rowland
27. How to Break a Heart—Westlife
26. Beautiful—Tinatin
25. Shoop—Salt-N-Pepa
24. Secrets—OneRepublic
23. California Gurls—Katy Perry
22. If Your Heart Isn't In It—Tinatin
21. Speechless—Lady GaGa
20. Bitch Slap!—Norman Gentle
19. Impossible—Shontelle
18. 5 Reasons—Tosun & Loverush UK!
17. Take It Off—Ke$ha
16. I See You (Theme from Avatar)—Leona Lewis
15. All The Way—Tinatin
14. 2012 (It Ain't The End)—Jay Sean
13. Hallelujah—The Canadian Tenors (feat. Celine Dion)
12. Alejandro—Lady GaGa
11. If I Had You—Adam Lambert
10. A Song For You—Celine Dion
9. Marquee—DNA f/Karine Hannah
8. TiK ToK—Ke$ha
7. You Lost Me (Danja Remix)—Christina Aguilera
6. Cooler Than Me—Mike Posner
5. Bulletproof—La Roux
4. Love the Way You Lie—Eminem & Rihanna
3. My First Kiss—3OH!3 Feat. Ke$ha
2. Billionaire—Travie McCoy Feat. Bruno Mars
1. Yesterday—Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton's "Yesterday" came out in January, and has held a lock on my No. 1 spot since. It is potentially the first time she has topped a year-end chart for meese.
counting down our top songs for the year to date. This has been a tough three quarters, where it has taken up to three months to come up with a playlist of as few as 20 songs I wanted to hear in succession.As I stated a month ago, thank god for Lady Gaga convincing radio that today's youth
would adore uptempo pop/dance music—if given an opportunity to hear it. Its proliferation ignited mainstream music for me in the second half of 2010, at last giving me a reason to reattach my iPod to my noggin and enjoy current hits again.
Here's my top 30, as it stands at the end of 3Q... My top artist to date is Tinatin, who earns three songs in the countdown. Gaga is second with two. Other longtime favorites maintaining favor: Celine Dion, Westlife and that dude I live with, Ayhan Sahin, who co-wrote and produced three tracks (with Dennis Delgaudio) sung by Norman Gentle, enduring fave Karine Hannah and Tinatin.30. So Happy I Could Die—Lady GaGa
29. Something Bout Love—David Archuleta
28. Rose Colored Glasses—Kelly Rowland
27. How to Break a Heart—Westlife
26. Beautiful—Tinatin
25. Shoop—Salt-N-Pepa
24. Secrets—OneRepublic
23. California Gurls—Katy Perry
22. If Your Heart Isn't In It—Tinatin
21. Speechless—Lady GaGa
20. Bitch Slap!—Norman Gentle
19. Impossible—Shontelle
18. 5 Reasons—Tosun & Loverush UK!
17. Take It Off—Ke$ha
16. I See You (Theme from Avatar)—Leona Lewis
15. All The Way—Tinatin
14. 2012 (It Ain't The End)—Jay Sean
13. Hallelujah—The Canadian Tenors (feat. Celine Dion)
12. Alejandro—Lady GaGa
11. If I Had You—Adam Lambert
10. A Song For You—Celine Dion
9. Marquee—DNA f/Karine Hannah
8. TiK ToK—Ke$ha
7. You Lost Me (Danja Remix)—Christina Aguilera
6. Cooler Than Me—Mike Posner
5. Bulletproof—La Roux
4. Love the Way You Lie—Eminem & Rihanna
3. My First Kiss—3OH!3 Feat. Ke$ha
2. Billionaire—Travie McCoy Feat. Bruno Mars
1. Yesterday—Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton's "Yesterday" came out in January, and has held a lock on my No. 1 spot since. It is potentially the first time she has topped a year-end chart for meese.
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