'Frankenstorm' Works Its Way Up East Coast. Fun Ahead For NYC

A dastardly combination of Hurricane Sandy and a Midwestern cold front are brewing what could be the perfect storm all along the East Coast of the U.S. next week. "Frankenstorm," a monster combination of high wind, heavy rain, extreme tides (during a full moon) and even snow, could create havoc just before Halloween next Wednesday.

The two elements at play are Hurricane Sandy, which is heading north after pummeling through Haiti and Cuba on Thursday, alongside a hateful wintry storm that's chugging across from the West. Adding to the mayhem, frigid air is blowing south from Canada.

If they meet Tuesday morning around New York or New Jersey, as forecasters are predicting, the weather elements could create a grand mess across the nation's most heavily populated corridor, while reaching as far inland as Ohio.

Jeff Masters, meteorology director of the forecasting service Weather Underground says, "It's looking like a very serious storm that could be historic. Mother Nature is not saying 'trick-or-treat.' It's just going to give tricks."

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecaster Jim Cisco, who coined "Frankenstorm," adds, "We don't have many modern precedents for what the models are suggesting."

Forecasters say there's a 90% chance the East will get pounded starting Sunday and stretching past Halloween on Wednesday. Coastal areas from Florida to Maine will feel some effects, but the storm is expected to vent the worst of its fury on New Jersey and NYC, which could see 5 inches of rain and gale-force winds close to 40 mph. Eastern Ohio, southwestern Pennsylvania, western Virginia and the Shenandoah Mountains could get snow. Hunker down, cool cats! *

Image Of The Day: Frankfurters In Downtown Brooklyn

A relic of the past... or not. This campy Hamburger/Frankfurter stand still exists in rapidly gentrifying Downtown Brooklyn... but for how long? I obviously gave it a 1960's digital redo. *

Adele's 'Skyfall': Among The Best James Bond Themes Ever

New mama Adele's stupendous new James Bond theme "Skyfall"—one of the best songs of 2012—apparently moved Mr. Bond, Daniel Craig, to tears. He tells Yahoo! Movies, "I cried. From the opening bars I knew immediately, then the voice kicked in and it was exactly what I'd wanted from the beginning. It just got better and better because it fit the movie. The more of the movie we made, the more it fit."

Director Sam Mendes, meanwhile, also heaped praise on Adele: "She came in very early before we started shooting and her main concern was, 'I write songs about myself, how can I make a 'Bond' song? My answer was,'Just write a personal song!' Carly Simon's 'Nobody Does it Better' was a love song."

"Skyfall" was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London with a 77-piece orchestra. Adele teamed with Paul Epworth, who co-wrote and produced her massive hit "Rolling In The Deep," which is also oozing with classic Bond instrumentation.

The song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 last week at No. 8. This week it dips to 13, while it's 19 on iTunes, and No. 2 in the U.K.

I have a feeling it's destined for U.S. chart-topping action once the movie hits theaters. I remember when Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On" was first released and inched its way up the single chart—until the release of Titanic. The rest is history.

"Skyfall" ranks up with some of the best previous JB themes, including "For Your Eyes Only" from Sheena Easton, "Live and Let Die" from Paul McCartney & Wings, "A View To A Kill" from Duran Duran and "All Time High" from Rita Coolidge. *

Hump Day Guydar!

 This is quite the addictive little pastime. Again, kudos to BoyCulture blog for the idea. *

'Arrow' Gets Green Light For Full Season! More Stephen Amell!

Freshman series Arrow has been picked up for an entire season by the CW network. The superhero show, starring hottie Stephen Amell, drew 4.14 million viewers for the pilot, making it the network’s most-watched telecast in three years, and its most-watched series premiere since The Vampire Diaries in 2009.

In week 2, Arrow was the only new network drama this season to hold its ratings in adults 18-34 and 18-49 from its premiere to its second week. So far, alongside ABC's 666 Park Avenue, this is my breakout winner for the 2012 fall TV season. *

Living Room Renovation: And The Walls Come Crumblin' Down

Oh, what a difference a week makes... Since the renovation in my apartment living room began last Tuesday, I couldn't be more pleased with the progress my Brooklyn-Italian contractor Angelo Palumbo has made. By Friday, he completed installation of a spanking new ceiling, replacing the ever-curious ugly as sin bubble-tin overhang that I've lived with for the past 12 years...

Meanwhile, all the "decorative" trim around the walls was taken down, originally with the idea that everything would then be skimmed smooth.

But as with most old buildings, nothing is as simple as it seems. It turns out that the detailing was so embedded in the plaster that it literally started to crumble away as the moldings came out. New plan: Drywall over the plaster, which will not only make the walls brand new, but prevent future cracks as this 200+ year-old building continues to settle.
And Monday's coup of coups... As with all five(!) of the renovations I've endured, a good contractor is always helping the client consider ways to improve upon the original plan as surprises are uncovered (and believe me, cool cats, they always are). Today, Angelo suggested we chip away the plaster on the accent wall above the fireplace... and sure enough, it revealed beautiful original brick from 200+ years ago.

Of course, this is every NYC apartment owner's ultimate dream... brick, brick, brick! And once it's cleaned, scraped and varnished, this will become the ultimate focal point of the room. I am utterly thrilled. Who the hell needs a 60-inch plasma TV there? I'll just sit and stare and the wall 24/7. In addition, also to come: a spanking new fireplace with custom hearth... and for the first time, uh, a damper. Hopefully that will cut down on the winter breeze I've been living with every winter for a dozen years. All things in good time. *

The Joy Of Indian Summer: Sunday Soho Stroll

Indian Summer! Sunday was just luscious in New York, as I met pal Val for brunch in Soho, followed by a nice walk together up to the West Village, where Leo and I trolled around a festive Christopher Street Fair. It was the perfect calm after the storm of a week's worth of apartment renovations. *

Vintage Victory! The Ambassador Double Burger & Sandwich Maker

As an ever-resourceful shopper, one of my favorite destinations is Unique Thrift Store in Downtown Brooklyn. Last week I gamboled around the premises for goodies and happened upon a vintage double burger cooker/sandwich maker that had to have been from the late 1970s.

When I opened the box, I was giddily amazed to discover that the item had never been used. All of the original packing was in place, it was pristine clean and even included the little recipe booklet. It was almost too good to be true. Perhaps the only thing better was the price: $7.99. Oh, come on, how could I resist?

Not only is the Ambassador "Burger & Sandwich Maker Double Size" capable of cooking burgers in one minute, but you can also make grilled cheese sandwiches and tuna melts, while using the "grill" to cook eggs, bacon and steaks. Eureka!

Once I brought my prize home, I searched the web for retro ads and any info I could find about the appliance... I found nothing, except one newspaper advert from a department store in 1978 offering the item on sale for $24.88.

On Friday, I cooked my first burger, and indeed it was better than any previous means I've used with modern technology. George Foreman Grill is a mess to try and clean, while a frying pan makes a spattered mess of the simple task. Of course, there are comparable devices made today, but every once in a while, they got it right way back when. And retro... even better. Delish! *

Best Global Magazine Covers: October 2012

Our monthly look at magazine covers around the world reveals somewhat slim pickings for the beginning of fall 2012... Where are all the sexy guys? We do have David Beckham on Europe's Esquire, but really, can't we do better... while Colin Farrell—looking a bit overly airbrushed—casts an odd expression on Men's Health overseas (also appearing on Details). Adele continues to dazzle on Rolling Stone. And Brazil's edition of Billboard offers a fun mash-up of Lady Gaga and Madonna. On the cover of Elle, Britney Spears has never looked more comely.

The celeb that appears on more covers this month than any other: Blake Lively, who begins a new season of Gossip Girl, in addition to her recent nuptials with perpetually gorgeous Ryan Reynolds. Daniel Craig is runner-up, as promotional wheels start turning for upcoming bond flick Skyfall (whose kickass new theme is sung by Adele).

Looking ahead, here's hoping that as the WB's Arrow gains traction, we'll be seeing Stephen Amell begin to grace covers of Men's Health, Men's Fitness... and The Smoking Nun's roster of candidates for 2012's Sexiest Men Alive.

And speaking of, we certainly can't leave out the best mag cover of the month: William Levy's appearance on People En Espanol as its encore Sexiest Man of the Year. Oh, yes! *

Meet Rob Wilson, The First Male Model On 'The Price Is Right'

Can you imagine Bob Barker patting this model on the fanny? The Price Is Right, still a wildly popular game show and now hosted by Drew Carey, has added its first male model to the cast.

Meet 24-year-old Boston native Rob Wilson, an underwear and swimwear model who has posed for the likes of Calvin Klein, Puma, 2(x)ist and Spanx for Men for International Jock.

Groups of aspiring models lined up for an open casting call in Los Angeles in August, before the field was narrowed down to 26, who then competed in challenges. Tasks included writing & singing original lyrics to The Price Is Right's theme and a costume change. Fans ultimately voted for the winning hunk.

As of Monday, October 15, Wilson joined Amber Lancaster, Gwendolyn Osborne, Manuela Arbelaez and Rachel Reynolds in showing off shiny new products and merchandise on the show. Oddly, the gig is more of a stunt—lasting only one week.

"It’s been really exciting,” Wilson says. "I'd stay on the show for as long as people love it and as long as they want to see more of me." See more? Why, thanks Rob. Love to!

The game show has been running since 1972. It airs on CBS weekdays at 11 a.m. *

Evangelist Billy Graham Is A Hater: So Much For Christianity

The 93-year-old Billy Graham has decided that America needs to know good and real good that southern Baptist homophobia is alive and well among the senior (senior senior) sect. Hiding behind the guise of Christianity, he took out a full-page ad in the Wall Street Journal Thursday to plead with other white grand-papas to vote for Nit-Mitt Romney.

Mr. Graham caterwauls in the advert: "The legacy we leave behind for our children, grandchildren and this great nation is crucial. As I approach my 94th birthday, I realize this election could be my last.

"It is vitally important that we cast our ballots for candidates who base their decisions on biblical principles and support the nation of Israel. I urge you to vote for those who protect the biblical definition of marriage between a man and a woman. Vote for biblical values this November 6, and pray with me that America will remain one nation under God."

Graham—and his son Junior, who appeared on CNN's Piers Morgan last week to proclaim pretty much the same (while refusing over and again to address the question of whether Mormon Mitt Romney is a "true Christian," amid the family's "religious" organization only recently striking its definition of the Mormon religion as a "cult")—is also a staunch opponent of women's rights to choose.

Gawker points out that WSJ's average readership comprises 57-year-old (white) men, who probably already hate gays and couldn't give a shit about women's equality. I'm delighted that Graham pretty much threw his money into the dumpster. His Evangelical Association is placing the same ad in USA Today Friday. Glory be to divine prejudice. True Christianity is anything but such enduring hate. *

Guydar: New York Subway

I could make a habit of this. Sure is fun to surreptitiously capture hotties on the subway. *

Celine Dion Releases Teaser Artwork For Upcoming French CD

Celine Dion's official webbie has released a series of screensavers featuring spanking new pics that will be used in the promotion of upcoming French album Sans attendre, due November 5.

Unfortunately, her English-language album, which was also due in 4Q 2012, has been pushed back to 2013. Hopefully, that means that Sony honchos recognized that filling the disc with studio recordings from her Vegas show was less than prudent. Come on, let's hear some original material already! *

Whoo Hoo! Saturday Night Bar Hop

Ah, to be young again... Since that's obviously not an option, it sure is fun to act that way once in a while, nonetheless. Saturday, Ayhan and I tripped through Hell's Kitchen for a mini barhop, first taking in all the fun of gay cowboy bar Flaming Saddles, then the posh Industry. I got home at 4 a.m. Damn, I'm so proud of meeself. *