The Hard Nut

BTW, tonight on Ovation TV they are showing Mark Morris's The Hard Nut. I've seen this innovate revision of the classic Nutcracker ballet years ago at BAM. It is so much fun, and really clever. It comes on at 9 pm ET. If you are lounging, turn on the tele and enjoy.

Saviours Are Born Everyday

Merry Christmas good people! I awoke this morning thinking about a moment from A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Charlie was so over the commercialization of Christmas, and during one his breakdowns he screamed out the question, "Isn't there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?" His pal Linus broke it down and shared the following:

"And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Over the years my interpretation of this passage from Luke 2:10-14 has evolved. I believe saviours are born everyday. They become teachers, healers, thinkers, artists, seekers of truth, and advocates for justice.

We have seen over and over again, how one person can change the world for the better. The list of names is long and continues to grow.

Everyday we have the potential to tap into our own divine energy, and spread love and enlightenment. I wish all of you your moment of connection to the divine this holiday season. God bless you all my brothers and sisters.

Merry Christmas Aaron!

Hey Aaron! Looks like there is a way for you to see the X-Men: Gifted series written by Joss Whedon. Go to Marvel Comics website by clicking here. Let me know if it works.

Happy Holidays lovey!

P.S. Hulu.com needs to share its goodies with our Canadian neighbors!

Nickeled and Dimed Hustle - Update

UPDATE: Check out this article on corrupt overdraft fees! Click Here.

Chase was trying to hustle me for $70. My inner high-riding bitch made a few phone calls and got that situation resolved. Here's how it went down.

Last week I went to the store and on my way I called my bank to get my current balance. Depending on what the automated system was going to tell me would determine what I was going to get.

Lucky me when I found out I had sufficient funds, or so I thought, to cover this small debit transaction. However, lurking within the circuitry of Chase was a recurring charge I had forgotten about, which was my bad.

At the store the purchase went through. Life seemed good. Then later that day I bought a song from iTunes. Bottom line is that both of these purchases came to a grand total of $12.30. Both of these purchases, however, would come back to mess with my life.

The following day I got paid. Yes good people, as a part-time worker, I work paycheck to paycheck. When I went online to see my banking statement, I see two insufficient fund fees at $35 each! So, Chase wanted to charge me $70 penalty fees for two purchases that totaled less than $13.00. Oh hell no!

What tripped me up was I forgot about my emusic.com recurring monthly charge. This particular charge hits me in the beginning of the month, and on different days. It's actually become a headache.

I'm not that organized to keep track of it. This charge came before the store and iTunes purchase. Hence my account being hit twice.

When I called the bank the first representative and supervisor I spoke to game me a speech about being responsible. They told me that I should use the "tools" they provide me with to manage may account.

I informed them that I have email alerts on my account, and called the bank before I made the first purchase to make sure I had sufficient funds. I then said it seems that both of these tools obviously failed me.

I then ask how is it that they allowed the first purchase to go through when they knew the emusic charge was already taken out. I was told by both Chase-bots that they allowed the two purchases to go through as a courtesy.

I said to both, "It's not a gesture of courtesy, when you are charging me $35 for each act of courtesy. Basically, Chase made a call that ultimately benefits Chase financially."

They then informed me that starting next month they are going to allow customers to opt out of receiving such acts of "courtesy." I then said, "Well obviously there is something wrong with this practice, since Chase is changing the policy."

I ended the conversation by stating I firmly believe what they did was wrong, and that I feel I was set up. How many more acts of courtesy were they going to shower me with? Their attitude was like, whatever.

I called a third time and wanted to get names. I was going to put through a formal complaint about what was done with my money, and how I was treated. This third representative was different. He heard me out, and while he offered some of the same script talk he did something special.

This guy took some time to look at my history with Chase. He mentions that he sees I have been a customer since 1991, and that over the 18 years, my occurrences of insufficient funds was minimal!

He also mentioned that he was really not digging that they wanted to charge me $70 for purchases that came to $12 and change. So, homeboy reversed the charges, and put the $70 back into my account. His name is George L, and may he have a blessed holiday and a glorious new year.

I called a fourth time and filed a complaint against the representative and supervisor that offered personal judgements, forgot their was another human-being on the other end, and were generally dismissive. May the new year bring them a greater ability to be empathetic, and the desire to truly be of service to customers.

P.S. Afterwards I forgot I should have woven into my discussion with the first two Chase-bots the whole bailout madness. And, how while Chase didn't get funds directly, they are benefitting from my tax dollars that is supporting the bailout.

Do It Mama!

You can have a kiki of a time with a gurl like this. After the scandal would be some interesting conversations.

Source: Michael Musto's Blog

Double Dose of X-Men by Joss Whedon

Episode 3


Episode 4

I Heart Rachel

It's been awhile since I gave Rachel some love. So, good people, here you go. Do your thing diva! It makes my heart warm that you are on my side.

My School Girl Crush

So, today I had a chat with a fellow student that is half my age. We have piano class together, and already knew each other from a Geography class a few semesters ago.

He is adorable. He's is of Latino and African ancestry. He has a b-boy swagger and rocks lovely dreadlocks. I find him so adorable. He's like a little lion.

In our conversation I shared with him that I was 41. He was shocked. He thought I was in my late 20s when we first met, and then figured I was in my early thirties. Lord, how I find him adorable.

I asked him what made him think I was that young. He said the following "You don't have any grey hair, and have a personality." I giggled. He's so fucking adorable.

He had text me early in the morning to remind me that we had our piano class final today. Which I rocked by the way. I played "Whirling Leaves" by Nancy Faber.

Wasn't that so sweet of him? Looking out for an old geezer like me. God bless him.

For The Kiki Of It All

What can I say. It's Monday.

As My Stomach Turns

As a resident of Connecticut, I cannot understand how Joe Lieberman weaseled his way back into office. My only hope is that in the next election, folks will do what should have been done at the last election. This guy is an embarrassment.

He belongs with this group:

She Went Pop!

This song and video has been with me since 1985. Every now and then, the tune plays in my head, and I recall the imagery. Check it out. It's a great story that is still relevant today.

Cover Up

So, the mysterious blue light over Norway is being explained as a failed launch of a Russian missile. Here's my take on it. Indulge me good people, my creative juices are overflowing:

This was actually the opening of a wormhole, that transported alien life-forms arriving for their routine observations of life on earth. The trail of light coming from behind the mountain was the photon-key used to open wormholes.

The reason we do not see the ships coming out of the wormhole is because the ships had their cloaking devices activated. However, there was a malfunction because the blue light was suppose to have been invisible.

Law of the Jungle

I'm not surprised that Hugh was able to explain it to all to those in denial and shock about Tiger being a tiger. What Hugh left out is the major bank and fame, which surrounds Tiger, that gets many a valley of goodness moist.

“I think the only surprise in it, quite frankly, is that anybody would be surprised. If you’re a good-looking guy and young and healthy, the notion that there would be something else going on, well, marriage is just a convenience. It’s very nice for raising kids, but the notion that monogamy lasts forever is a wish!”

- – Playboy founder Hugh Hefner on Tiger Woods’ “transgressions”
Source: Crunk & Disorderly

Get A Book For The Tots

Miss Kitty was good enough to remind us that Toys for Tots and other charities need our support this time of year.

May I suggest that if you purchase a gift, include some books in the bundle.

Most children from families that are economically disadvantage don't read at home, because there are no books at home!

Recently, Marcos and I gave our little play-nephew Christopher, books for his third birthday. He snatched them up and started exploring them. He even said "I love these books!"

Plus, going through the aisle of the children's books at your local bookstore is a joy. You get to see old friends that you curled up with, as well as, take in the lovely new works of children's literature that excites young minds.

X-Men: Gifted Part 2

Yay! Part 2 of X-Men: Gifted written by Joss Whedon is up and running. Enjoy the show, with some lightly salted hot popcorn and Raisinettes.



Darling Aaron, there has to be a way to share this with our Canadian sisters and brothers. Good people that are tech savvy. Let me know the way.

I Summon The Healing Powers of Love

A very dear and long-time friend of mine was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. We chatted today, and she is working through the process of accepting and understanding this life-challenge.

Her strength to face the reality is truly inspiring. She is reinforcing within me a very important life lesson. Face the demons head on and become empowered! Love of self is essential in life.

I have committed myself to be an ally to her in this battle. I promised her that if and when she needs me to work my magic in the kitchen I will be there for her. She loves my cooking.

She truly matters to me. I've learned so much from her. Her generosity has created wonderful extended-family memories. She is also very much connected to my current blessings and accomplishments. She had her magical hand in it.

I will suit up and go into warrior mode. I will continue to show up for her. My thoughts of healing have yet another new focus point. Unfortunately, many within my family are currently going through life-challenges.

However, I'm a high-riding bitch, and have a lot to give. Please note good people, I do replenish myself. If I summon my inner love it empowers me to show up for myself and those that are near and dear to me.

So, everyone, take a moment and kiss the back of your hand, and give yourself a pat on the back. You experience love by being able to love yourself, and by learning to share love with others. Love is all mighty!

For Cat Lovers

A Glee Without Kurt! Oh Hell No!

According to this clip, the character of Kurt in Glee was created only after Chris auditioned! So, they were going to do a show about glee clun in high school and didn't plan on having a queen like Kurt in the mix? It's crazy!

For the Joss Whedon & X-Men Fans

Joss Whedon has joined forces with Marvel Comics to create a new X-Men series. Here is the first episode available online. The next episode will air in December!

Shock Value Done Right

Carmen de Mairena is truly a legendary scandal in Spain. I'll work on transcribing a translation.

Shock Devalued or Less Can Be More

So this was Adam Lambert's game plan for his first major television appearance:

1. Shove male and female dancers' faces into my crotch.
2. Grab female dancer's crotch.
3. Shove my tongue down throat of gender-fuck guitar player.
4. End with giving my middle finger to the audience.

I have to wonder if he was high on tina when he came up with this concept. Perhaps, he knew the song was crappy and needed to construct a contrived distraction. He would have been better off picking one idea from that list and letting his voice do the rest.

It was also really lame the components of his attempt at using shock value, were comprised of rock-n-roll cliches. I'm surprised no one broke a guitar and set something on fire. Maybe he's saving that for his next performance.

When it started I was impressed. He used a set design based on the Cabaret musical revival done a few years ago. Plus, everyone including him look really hot.

Yet, a few minutes into it he literally and figuratively stumbled across that stage. Nice try girl. You may want to spend less time primping, and put more effort into creating an experience that is truly entertaining.

I also find it funny that he wants us to believe he's this hard-edge scandalous performer. This queen was brought to us via American Idol, and was scheduled to appear on Good Morning America. He's a mall rat in fetish drag. Child please!

You Gotta See It To Believe It

For the past three months I've been enjoying the gym. I have a kiki with my workout partner Yvette. It feels good to take care of myself and to feel that I am doing something to build strength, lower my triglycerides, and increase my energy. This is where I would draw the line. You can't make this kinda stuff up.

WTF?...Deja Vu!

Okay so I posted the image above, in a blog post back in Feb. 22, 2009. I was just watching the season six finale of Project Runway, and the same dress, model, and everything, came down the runway!

I was then reminded of the long legal drama that unfolded as Project Runway moved to the Lifetime network. This drama delayed the airing of this season. Hence, the fashion repeat moment.

Who knew that I already saw the results of season six back in February.

BTW, this season was just okay. Perhaps this show has done its duty and may fade into the distance. It done birthed a bunch of fashion designer babies.

A Vigil for Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado

This is for my good people living in NYC:

Micheal Musto has the following information posted on his blog, regarding a vigil for Jorge, being held at the Christopher St. Piers.

"An email has gone out asking people to bring candles and some soul to a rally this Sunday for the gay guy murered in Puerto Rico, whom I wrote about here the other day.

Here's the message:

"19-year-old aspiring fashion artist Jorge Steven Lopez Mercado was found on Friday night decapitated, dismembered, and partially burned. According to authorities, the investigation has shown that it is indeed a hate crime.

"The police investigator suggested that he deserved what he got because of the 'type of lifestyle' he was leading'.

"Please, please invite all of your friends to a vigil honoring Mercado, specifically, and all others who have been murdered, beaten, and otherwise terrorized for their sexuality or semblance thereof.

"The queer community in Puerto Rico needs to know we support them.

WE MUST FUNNEL OUR SADNESS INTO AN OUTPOURING OF RIGHTEOUS OUTRAGE."

The vigil is Sunday November 22 from 7 to 9 PM at the Christopher Street piers (Tentative; If I hear that the location either changes or is confirmed, I will update it in comments here.)" Click here for the post.

Diva Stomp Interrupted

Okay good people, enough days have passed that now allow me to write this post.

The other night I got up in the wee hours of the morning. I had made these amazing swedish meatballs in a mushroom sauce, and I wanted a brief little nibble.

I quietly got out of bed, and when I got to the hallway I felt excited about my culinary accomplishment. This prompted me to strut into the kitchen werking my diva stomp. I had one hand on my hip, and my body swayed back and forth, because I know I'm deserving of that self-love.

As I passed the dining room, my diva stomp came to a slippery halt. It went like this. I hit the floor hard with my foot, heard a crunch sound, and said foot made a fierce slide across floor. It almost knocked me on my ass.

My immediate thought went to a visualization of one of the animales in the house going potty on the floor. I went to flick on the light very peeved. I was determine to see the offense on the floor and identify whether it was Gino or Geronimo.

Darlings, when I looked to the floor I saw a mouse, squashed like a pancake with his head splattered across the floor. It looked like a combination of the following two images:



Every atom in my body came to a stand still. I held both of my hands on my face, and nearly passed out. I summoned my inner high-riding bitch and went into action.

I ran to the kitchen and got Clorox, Lysol, you get the picture. I grabbed a plastic bag and removed the mouse that had went from the frying pan into the fire. Geronimo the cat done went on the hunt. Obviously!

Within minutes the dining room smelled of germ and bacteria killing chemicals. As for those chancletas, they have not been worn since, but were thoroughly cleaned. I'm not ready to wear them just yet.

Levi Punked Out

Word out on the Internet is that Levi did not do a full frontal. Damn you Levi! You got me all hot and bothered with promises of something juicy. I now find out you are not delivering the goods. Punk!

Let's Play!

Good people, in Rochester, NY, you will find the Strong National Museum of Play. I adore this idea of creating a place that celebrates, and examines the way we play.

They even have a National Toy Hall of Fame, which includes the stick, the ball, and the cardboard box within its inductees. Genius!

In our play we reveal what kind of people we are.
Ovid
Roman poet,
43 BCE-17

I want to visit this place! Click here for more. BTW it seems this place is a very conservative institution. They host the Girl and Boy scouts so that the children can earn their badges.

Good people, let's infiltrate and play. I'm eager to ask scandalous, yet purposeful, questions to the tour guides. Visibility is key.

Hannity's Spot Got Blown The F Up! - UPDATE

You can't make this kinda shit up! It's just amazing to me the things people try, in order to win won for their team. How shameful.

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Sean Hannity Uses Glenn Beck's Protest Footage
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

A mistake or a failed attempt at trickery? You decide.

Getting His Mack On

I just thought this was amazing to watch. My favorite part is when Mr. Hummingbird did a little dance on top of a leaf, in order to woo Lady Hummingbird watching. Check it out.

The MJ Movie

So, on Friday I went to see This Is It!, the Michael Jackson (MJ) movie. It was a dear friend's birthday, and the birthday girl calls the shots, and wanted to go see the movie.

I was not exactly thrilled about going to see the movie, but I wasn't completely turned off. Why not? My early days of MJ fandom were pleasant ones, and like most everyone on this planet, most of his music videos blew me away.

I have to say, I was intrigued by MJ throughout the movie. I got to see him engaged in his process of putting together not only a show, but a well crafted presentation of the MJ.

The movie starts off with his background dancers tearing up about having the opportunity to perform with him on tour. Living legends have this affect on the people around them. Yes, there was a sense of idol worship, but hey, it's MJ.

MJ was actually very sweet and appreciative of all the dancers, musicians, and singers in the production. He would often praise what they do and ask god to bless them.

He encouraged the fellow performers to take their moment in their show to shine. He told one guitarist, that her guitar solo is her moment and that he would be there for her.

Also evident, was MJ having moments when his stamina both physically and vocally were faltering him. It's not easy to age as a pop-star.

However, he was very hands on, and kept going. While one may think MJ just shows up to a show and does his thing, a lot of preparation and thought go into creating the end result.

It was also sad to see moments where it was evident MJ was being maintained through the use of the quackery of multiple medications. At times he talked with a clench jaw, and would seem a bit disconnected.

I'm sure the MJ aura kept many near to him from saying anything. The onlookers probably just said he was having an off day.

When the movie comes out on DVD I would recommend you rent it. You will get a glimpse into the final days of a human being that created his own art that entertained millions.

There are some funny moments, and it was interesting to see MJ act up a bit. Oh, and you will get a sense of his awareness of how he knew how to deliver the MJ experience to the people.

Werk It Ken!

I am shocked and appalled that many of my queer and queer-friendly bloggers failed to provide the complete image of the gay Ken. How is it that so many savvy good people did not create an image incorporating the accessories that come with gay Ken?

So, Mattel needs to make some coins. I can imagine in the product development meeting, the executives discussing the gay demographic, how they needed to give these "gentlemen" a little wink of appreciation.

Keep in mind folks these dolls are collector's items, and come at a high price point. It is obvious to me someone said he needs a pair of mandals. Sophisticated gay men of a certain age, do not wear flip-flops.

All That Is Oprah, Is Not Gold

I have loved ones near and dear to me that are LIVING with HIV. I get so fucking heated when people drag out hateful and ignorant ideas about HIV/AIDS. Let's move the conversation forward people! Damn!

Oh and here is further proof that Oprah and her people are well-intentioned dumb asses:

Source: Musto's Daily Blog

"​Jack Mackenroth, the HIV-positive guy from Project Runway, caught the recent Oprah Winfrey show about women with AIDS and found it to be a bit archaic, sensationalistic, and damaging to the cause. But otherwise, he liked it, ba dum pum.

Anyway, here's the very thoughtful letter Jack wrote to Oprah's peeps, hoping to enlighten them on how to better serve the subject:

Dear Oprah producers,

My name is Jack Mackenroth. You may remember me from season four of Project Runway. I was the designer who was open about my positive HIV status on the show and am very active in the HIV community around the country. I was very excited to watch the show about the women who were infected with HIV unknowingly because Oprah has the ability to influence the country in such a positive way.

Unfortunately, after the show I was left feeling disappointed and angry about the misleading information provided and the lack of followup regarding treatment and how the disease is transmitted. It really offered no hope for the over 1 million people who are living with HIV in this country-not to mention the millions of people all over the world.

My first issue with the show was that several of the women on the panel chose to wear disguises. I understand that there is a huge stigma about being HIV positive but if they wanted to remain anonymous then they should not have gone on national television! By appearing in disguise they only reaffirmed the idea that being honest and open about having HIV is NOT OK. That was a huge disservice to the HIV community...If we are taught that HIV is shameful then how can we expect people to willingly go get tested?

I had another issue about the vilification of HIV+ people. I understand that the man who knowingly had unprotected sex with these women should be punished but I also think referring to an HIV positive person as a "loaded gun" is an inappropriate analogy. Many of us take the necessary precautions and maintain an undetectable viral load in our bloodstream, which makes us much less contagious. However there was no mention of this by the doctor and it left the audience with the idea that every HIV+ person is a lethal weapon. It's a totally inaccurate, negative depiction.

I have to say I was shocked when two of the women mentioned that their daughters became suspicious because they told them not to use their toothbrushes or razors and even their mascara. Now I am not a doctor but I know you cannot get HIV by sharing a toothbrush or a mascara brush and I have never heard of even one case of someone contracting HIV by sharing a razor. I was appalled that the doctor in the audience said that not sharing razors was not an unreasonable safety precaution. It's this kind of faulty information that fuels mass hysteria. People believe what they hear on your show and it's just a tiny step away from not sharing eating utensils or toilet seats. In one minute you basically erased years of education about how the virus is transmitted and sent a national message that we, as HIV positive people are pariahs and hyper-contagious.

Oprah did make the important point that ANYONE can get HIV and that these women did not fit the profile of a high-risk person. However I feel like these women were portrayed a bit too much like victims. The woman in the audience who stood up and said the bit about always being responsible for using condoms was right. Each individual can only protect himself or herself. I understand that these women were lulled into a false sense of security and that they all said they would do it differently if they could do it over but at the end of the day we can only control our own actions. I have received countless emails from people who were infected because their partner either lied or didn't really know their HIV+ status.

The biggest problem I had with the show was the lack of followup information regarding safer sex practices and treatment options. Oprah kept stressing that we all need to get tested but who would want to get tested after that show???? The only take away was that if you know your status and have sex you can be put in prison. There was no hope or information given about the amazing treatments that are now available. There were no long-term survivors on the show to present a contrasting point of view and there was really no proper mention of how the disease is transmitted other than "use condoms". In fact there are numerous treatment options and many doctors agree that most people living with HIV that receive the proper health care can have full life expectancies. I have been living with HIV for 20 years and I have never been healthier.

Of course you did focus on each woman telling her sob story of when they were given their diagnosis because crying and shock factor makes for good TV. However it was not followed up by any sort of hopeful message. The viewer was left unsure of the fate of these women. It was even implied that they might not be around to care for their children. This was truly misleading and irresponsible.

I hope one day soon you do a show about the advances in treatment and people who are doing amazing things and making great strides in the HIV arena. Especially since HIV infection rates are climbing in almost every sector of the population. There are hundreds of thousands of HIV+ people around the nation who are not victims and who are empowered to educate the public and help combat the stigma and the disease. I have a deep and longstanding respect for the work you do on the Oprah show. Oprah reaches a huge audience and the show could have done a great service in educating people about the seriousness, treatment and realities of HIV. Instead it just highlighted the drama of one man's irresponsibility and focused on all the wrong things.

Sincerely,

Jack Mackenroth

What I Am Craving

Back in the early 90s, there was a middle eastern restaurant on Atlantic Ave, in Brooklyn, called Moustache. My favorite dish was a pitza (yes, pizza made from pita), called a Lahambajin.

This pitza was made from freshly made pita, and on top was ground lamb with tomatoes, parsley and a lovely array of spices. It would come out of the oven steaming, with a thin, crispy crust. It was awesome. I want one, like, NOW!

I've heard there are still in business but relocated to the East Village. I plan on going there on my next visit to NYC. I'm hoping it will still be the same divine experience.

Everybody Is A Star

Michael Musto provided a slamming hook up today in his blog. Yoostar is brilliant! I'm going to see if I can find clips from All About Eve, The Women, and Empire Strikes Back, so I can flex my acting muscles. Damn, but I'm going to have to hit the stroll, so I can buy the $170 set up for my in-home studio.

A Rare Find

Okay good people, so here's the deal, as a teenager I mostly never, hardly ever posed for photographs. I was so wrapped up in self-hate and felt like I was ugly.

Then you throw into the mix the fact that I was struggling with coming out of the closet. There were some hardtimes to the tenth power, inbetween the many good times.

Recently, I reconnected with another friend from high school, and she had these snapshots (see below) from back when we were students at NYC's High School of Fashion Industries, aka, Fashion! Class of 1986!

I have to say, looking at them now, I regret not capturing more moments from those days on film. Do you know I have not one picture of my escapades on the Christopher Street Piers, kiking at the drag balls, and clubbing with Willie Ninja.

Ugh! It's amazing how we cheat ourselves out of enjoying life when we are grappling with self-hate and doubts about how we are truly beautiful.

Well, thank you Christine for holding on to these pics. It reminded me of how cute it was for us, and will continue to be for the Fashion alumni!


On the left is Christine that had the hookup with the pics. On the right is Joslyn, has become family-of-choice. We are all meeting up this weekend to attend a poetry slam. We be some cultured peoples!


This is me with Richie (far left) and Ralphie (center). People I had the most severe crush on Richie. I craved that boy to the point that I once became physically ill at school. I once even invited him over to watch porn at my neighbors so I can seduce him. Stupid me, left my neighbors apartment to let him in and I locked us out! Curses! Oh and I had gym with Richie. This Dominican brother was hung. I just lusted after him. It was only with Richie that I could imagine wedded bliss.


This is me and Julie. Always a clever, smart, and stylish woman. Because of her, I got to meet Tears for Fears at the old Tower Records in the Village. Notice that I am giving you Banji look. I rocked the leather bomber jacket with a Chams de Baron sweater. And, you know the laces on my Addidas were in a matching grey!


Christine is the divaesque young lady to my right. To my far left is Priscilla, who I always felt looked like a young Diana Ross. There's Julie serving it with Esprit!

Estie, is the young lady sorta crotched down. On my 16th birthday, Estie and I went hanging out in the Village and got drunk on 7 and 7. I later ended up alone, and met up with a man in his 30s and well you know the rest. I told him I was 18!

The scandals good people, the scandals I would get into!

Mangia, Marcos, Mangia

Okay, so I like to experiment in the kitchen. Marcos is my devoted taste tester. He has insisted I blog about an omelet I made for him the other day.

Basically, I seasoned some whipped eggs with salt, pepper, and a pinch of garlic powder. I also added a touch of water to loosen it up. Into the frying pan it went. No big deal. Right?

As it cooked I spooned into the middle about a tablespoon of roasted red pepper hummus. What the hell. Why not? I then folded both ends of the omelet towards the center, and did a flip and let it brown a bit.

Marcos said it was a sublime creation. My only regret is I didn't take a bite to taste for myself. I know, bad chef! But, I had already had my breakfast. Next time!

Good Ol' SPAM

When I was a child, SPAM came to the rescue, through many a hard times, for my family. Picture it! NYC 1970s, single mother, raising three kids in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Which was a ghetto during that time.

She raised us on her own for the most part. Always having to think ahead, and anticipate the next set of challenges. Money was not only tight, it was often scarce. I recall my mother having to borrow $3 in order to have dinner on the table.

SPAM was an ingredient in her bag of tricks. It was always fried, and served usually with white rice and beans.

My favorite way of having it was fried with a tortilla (tortilla for Puerto Ricans means an omelet sauteed so that it has browned edges and center) in a sandwich made from crusty Italian bread.

I once posted about how my Titi Maria would saute cubes of SPAM and add jarred marinara sauce, which she served over pasta. I loved that dish.

So as a sometimes bougie foodie, I have to pause and give props to the blue can of meat that helped sustain my family during hard times. It sustained three young children that grew up to be a teacher, an admissions administrative coordinator at a law school, and a former Marine that served his country honorably.

How To Make Tasty SPAM Recipes on Howcast

Werk Colombian Mama!

I Smell Another Piece of Bullshit

Levi and his, ummm, manager
Okay, so far I am 1 for 1 on the foolishness of people. I called Balloon Boy. That was a piece of cake. Now, the one really hard to detect, is the pending drama with Levi and his manager. Here is the reality:

- Levi is getting ready to pose for Playgirl. Posing for Playgirl is only worth while if you are a star, got caught by the paparazzi, or want a future in gay porn.

- This is not good for Levi, who has expressed a desire to be a model and actor. Bad career move.

- He is posing for Playgirl because his manager advise him to do it. Why? Because his manager is a undercover lover of cute young men and wants to see Levi's valley of good and plenty.

- This will end with Levi appearing on Larry King, talking about how his manager made advances on him and revealed that he was secretly craving Levi all this time.

I saw this kinda bullshit all the time when I worked for a hot minute, as a booker in a modeling agency, in between jobs.

Smells Like A Stunt To Me

I'm going to be cynical and say this was a publicity stunt by the parents. With the demise of Jon & Kate, they saw yet another opportunity to get back on TV. This family was once on an episode of Wife Swap.

The child was never in the balloon, and Daddy knew it. He wanted to show off his balloon, and get the cameras on his camera-ready family. He even posted videos on Youtube, of his family chasing storms, and his boys rapping.

Mark my words, they will have a show on Discovery or TLC in the very near future. Whatever!

The Noble Nobel Peace Prize

I intend to leave after my death a large fund for the promotion of the peace idea, but I am skeptical as to its results. - Alfred Nobel
ALEX NOBLE:
If I have been of service, if I have glimpsed more of the nature and essence of ultimate good, if I am inspired to reach wider horizons of thought and action, if I am at peace with myself, it has been a successful day.

AGATHA CHRISTIE:
One is left with the horrible feeling now that war settles nothing; that to win a war is as disastrous as to lose one.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN:
There never was a good war or a bad peace.

BUDDHA:
“When you find peace within yourself, you become the kind of person who can live at peace with others.”

CARL SANDBURG:
Choose
The single clenched fist lifted and ready,
Or the open hand held out and waiting.
Choose:
For we meet by one or the other.

DAVID W. BROOKS:
If we are going to stop wars on this earth, we are going to have to make war on hunger our number one priority.

DOROTHY THOMPSON:
Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict -- alternatives to passive or aggressive responses, alternatives to violence.

HELEN KELLER:
I do not want the peace that passeth understanding. I want the understanding which bringeth peace.

JIMI HENDRIX:
When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.

JOHN F. KENNEDY:
Unconditional war can no longer lead to unconditional victory. It can no longer serve to settle disputes. It can no longer be of concern to great powers alone. For a nuclear disaster, spread by winds and waters and fear, could well engulf the great and the small, the rich and the poor, the committed and the uncommitted alike. Mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind.

JOHN LENNON:
Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will live as one.

MARIA MONTESSORI:
Establishing lasting peace is the work of education; all politics can do is keep us out of war.

MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN:
We are not going to deal with the violence in our communities, our homes, and our nation, until we learn to deal with the basic ethic of how we resolve our disputes and to place an emphasis on peace in the way we relate to one another.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.:
True peace is not merely the absence of tension: it is the presence of justice.

Who was it that said, "What if we had a war, and no one showed up?"

Loving The Madness Of It All

A spaceship landed on a Paris runway. On the mothership Alexander McQueen, the alien amazons that live in the deepest oceans of earth, came up for some air.

Get into the next mode of facial augmentations. The prints on the textiles remind me of pieces from Marcos' last show. As for the shoes, they are art that should be displayed but not worn.


Well, actually, the shoes should be worn on special occasions when one is entertaining at home, or needs a chocha moment. I know Alexander pranced around his flat in a pair just for the madness of it all.

Click here to see the video.

Where Have You Been All My Life?

Marcos will confirm that I can be a bit of a germaphobe. This condition goes into high-gear when I am creating in the kitchen. My biggest challenge is turning the water faucet on when I've been dealing with raw meat, and my hands are covered in germs, bacteria, and other nasties. I saw this commercial for a faucet that turns on with the simple touch of germ-free flesh. Genius!

Click here and be amazed!

Say It Aint So - Addendum

Here I am thinking I'm did a good thing by switching to soy milk some time ago. It seems that the wonderful benefits of soy for us and the environment are questionable. Once again trying to do the right thing is a bit more complex than you think. Get the scoop by clicking here.

Among some of the shocking claims in this article are that farming soy is depleting the Amazon rainforest, and that soy can give men boobs!

Thank you Kyle for sharing the following:

"Hey Allan, don't get disheartened. Sarah Irani doesn't seem to have science or medical credentials and EcoSalon is more of a online style/fashion rag than anything else. A would take everything she has to say with a grain of salt, as the article doesn't site references to scientific data and/or medical journals either."

Izzy Living Within His Purpose

Often the universe offers us opportunities to remember we are divine beings. We are at our most divine when we share our uniqueness honestly, without fear, and with the hope that we remind that person in front of us, that he or she is loved, because we are all connected.

No one prospers at the suffering of another. The natural outcome of that scenario is our eventual downfall.

When we share our gifts, we assist each other with our journeys. We are capable of offering sanctuary to each other. To provide sanctuary is divine.

In providing this divine act, we begin to build an inner strength. We realize that we are not alone. You and I are the true church.

We are capable of healing each other, understanding each other, guiding each other, and loving each other. We are capable of making molecules vibrate between us, so that we can communicate and connect.

My darling Izzy, who I have mentioned in previous posts, had another moment to solidify this lesson. Izzy has had a long career of sharing his light with others.

Take a look. He is referred to as Israel in the video. He was reminded by a young spirit that their meeting was divine intervention.

Lady Z Is Traveling On

Back in July, I had posted that my boss had been diagnosed with cancer. This past Friday she passed on. We were shocked because she was actually scheduled for surgery that day, and was hopeful that continued treatment would be successful. She never made it to the operating room.

She was such an interesting woman. She loved the arts, culture and community activism. She was also very spiritual and had a deep involvement with astrology and the mystic arts. Most of her rituals incorporated traditions based on her African ancestry.

I worked along side her for three years, and even when we butted heads, we always managed to get to a better place quickly. She worked really hard in her own way to make a difference. Today, at her memorial service, many artists and poets got up to express their gratitude for their time with her.

I also went up and talked about how she told me to never leave money on the table, which refers to taking advantage of opportunities. She also said in her last few weeks that a person thrives by living within his or her purpose. Amen to both of those words of advice.

I also shared a story of how she would engage us in very intriguing discussions on politics and culture while at work. When students would enter our room, she would say "Shhhh, we are in the cornfields. There are ears around us."

I wish her spirit a safe journey to what the divine has waiting for her.

Behind The Fairytale 1

The work of Dina Goldstein has inspired me to write the following tales to go along with her amazing images:


After her very public and scandalous divorce from Prince Charming, Cinderella has all but disappeared from the public eye. While she does the occasional appearance at Disney World, she is living a life away from the spotlight.

Recent rumors about Cindy's, as she knows prefers to be called, decline into a life of addiction, have gone viral on the Internet.


The lives of Snow White and her Prince drastically changed after their lavish wedding. After a military coup removed them from power, they were exiled, and have struggled to create a new life in the suburbs of Yonkers, NY.

When asked, in a recent interview with BBC, about how she has changed over the years, Snow said, "I still make wishes. However, I'm not as naive and face the realities of life the best way I can."

Her relationship with the seven dwarfs has become estranged, when she became a devout Christian. In the same interview, Snow had shared that she prays for the dwarfs, so that they may be delivered from a lifestyle that is "deviant in the eyes of our lord and savior."


After abdicating her throne, Ariel found life with Prince Eric to be a tremendous disappointment. Eric's workaholic ways, and philandering propelled her into an emotional downward spiral.

This spiritual demise left her feeling voiceless, yet once again. In an effort to regain some connection to her authentic self, she decided to end the bitter marriage and move on. Her divorce to Prince Eric was made final on December 8, 1995.

Her return to life under the sea was bittersweet. Her father, King Triton, had passed away, and she faced legal issues from Ursula regarding her breach of contract.

Today, Ariel can be seen performing at Sea World in Orlando, Florida. She has become a dedicated advocate for environmental causes, and plans on speaking at the U.N. regarding the development of policies that will save Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Tickling The Ivories

LOL! I finally get to use the word fingering in a post, and it has nothing to do with sex.

Good people, I am taking a piano class this semester. I needed to do five classes in order to maintain my full-time status, and I decided to follow my heart, and signed up for piano. At time, this class, is a frustrating and humbling experience. However, this class is then followed by moments of empowerment and connection to the divine. I am eternally grateful for it.

Today was my first quiz and I did fairly well. I played Ode To Joy by Beethoven. I love that piece, and know it so well. So if my fingering failed me, my ears would pick up the slack.

True Story

Many moons ago, a co-worker and I had a conversation about Darwin's theory of evolution. She was a devout Christian and her view of how man came to be was firmly rooted in the idea of Creationism. This was way before the idea of Intelligent Design was being put out there.

I on the other hand was very much wrapped up into Darwin's ideas, and kept referring to the fossil record that shaped the theories of science.

She told me with the utmost sincerity that the Devil, put the fossils in the ground to confuse us. At that point the conversation was over. She told me have a blessed day, and I wished her the same.

Lord have mercy!

It's A Wrap

Hey good people! I apologize for being MIA. I've been immersed in obligations and frustrations. Nuf said. So the NYC Fashion Week ended last week. It was a good time. Here are my thoughts:

- Way to go Christian Siriano! He showed for a second time in the big tents. I think it's awesome a Project Runway winner is taking that opportunity and werking it! Fierce!

- I love the trend of prints based on actual photographs. I feel Vivienne Tam took her classic butterfly motif to another level with this technique. Many other designers followed suit.

- Vivid colors were very important. Look for orange, purple, green, and believe it or not, get yourself some amber.

- My favorite accessory is the chunky colorful bracelet over at Diane Von Furstenberg. I think it would work well with at least three on one wrist, and the outfit being a solid color.

Bravo on a job well done American designers. BTW, fashion week is up and running in London this week. So far, Westwood is a standout.

Eliza Doolittle Learned This

The mouth that can effectively communicate to the people, rules the world. Check this out by clicking here.

I Want It!

This is Victor Glemaud. He should be smiling. I want the grey shirt with black detail in my wardrobe, and the following two shirts as well. Fashion Week in NYC has been up and running. Stay tuned for more.

Introducing Anthony Jose

Good people, my brother Anthony and his lovely wife Teresa have been blessed. Here is Anthony Jose. He has come into the family at 7 lbs. 14 oz. He has all his fingers and toes, and is doing well. Teresa is resting and her heart is filled with double amounts of love, and is recovering nicely. My brother Anthony is on cloud nine. This is his first child and he wants to be a daddy big time.

Welcome, Anthony Jose, your Tio and Tia decided we are going to call you A.J. We have tremendous love for you!

P.S. I can't wait for Marcos to see the pics. He's going to go ooooooh!

The VMA Finale

I tuned into the MTV Video Music Awards, because, Janet was going to perform a tribute to her brother Micheal Jackson. It was, what it was.

The rest of the show was beyond me. I'm not a member of this MTV generation, and I'm cool with that. However, the performance by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys at the end of the show was amazing. They sent a love letter to my hometown, and I was moved by it. NYC is part of me!

P.S. Kanye West is an asshole. He should kiss Beyonce's ass for cleaning up his mess. Good on you Beyonce.

Available At Your Local COSTCO

We as a people have come a long way, but have much further to go! Let me just say, as a person of color I know I'm not bugging, just bugging out on what I see, hear, and feel.

Click on the image for a larger version, and notice how the diaper fits both baby and monkey. That part of the packaging is just a starting point of what is so wrong with this product.