Wednesday, January 31, 2007
The Boy Who Cried Wolf
Michael, Nina and I went to the Paul Weller show at Irving Plaza last night. He was his usual self -- fantastic. That said, though, the whole billing of the show as a Style Council night was more than a tad bit misleading. He came out and did a handful of Style Council classics -- a rocking version of "Speak Like a Child," "Shout to the Top," and "Long Hot Summer" among them -- but then proceeded to perform for a good two hours without one other song by his former band. Don't get me wrong -- he's got a lot of great solo material, and the inclusion of Jam classics "That's Entertainment," "The Butterfly Collector" and "Town Called Malice" (as an encore) were appreciated, but the whole reason his three nights sold out in 5 minutes was because they were billed as individual nights of various stages of his career. During the 20 minutes he devoted solely to TSC I felt like I'd been transported back to high school and was 17 again. And it wasn't just me -- the whole crowd sang along with every one of those songs. It was a magical moment that, for whatever reason, Paul isn't able to fully appreciate.
Great show -- but left me wanting (way) more (of what we paid for) ...
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
The Whole Point of No Return
Tonight is a very special night for me here in the (212). You see, back in the summer of '85, my friend Nina and I had tickets to see The Style Council at Pine Knob in Clarkston, Mich. In high school, the two of us were just obsessed with Paul Weller and everything he was about. The shoes, the sweaters, the bangs (oh, and the music!) -- we ate it all up. Even though we knew The Jam would ultimately be his legacy, in some ways his new, more pretentious, jazz cum white-boy Teddy Pendergrass wannabe music suited where we were in life (know-it-all 17-year-olds) much better. Then tragedy struck when Nina's parents ended up scheduling the family vacation back to the homeland, Austria, at the same time as the concert. We were devastated, but my hopes were still alive when my (non-fan) friend Mark (doing his best Mick Talbot opposite my Paul Weller, below, circa 1985 Toronto) ended up agreeing to go with me in Nina's place -- only to have the band's entire U.S. tour scrapped. The Style Council disbanded five years later and Nina and I were forced to swallow the bitterest pill of never having heard those classic songs performed live.
A couple years later Paul Weller began putting albums out on his own. Although I appreciate his solo work, it's got a completely different feel from his two previous bands and has never been my favorite. I've seen him live once or twice -- and Nina's seen him seven times -- over the years, but you were lucky if he performed more than two Jam songs, much less any TSC.
A couple years later Paul Weller began putting albums out on his own. Although I appreciate his solo work, it's got a completely different feel from his two previous bands and has never been my favorite. I've seen him live once or twice -- and Nina's seen him seven times -- over the years, but you were lucky if he performed more than two Jam songs, much less any TSC.
Jump ahead to 2006. Word comes out that Weller is doing a few gigs in New York and Los Angeles -- only there's a twist. He'll do one Jam night, one Style Council night -- and one solo night. Nina and I did everything we could to go all three nights -- but all hell broke loose and tickets were gone almost instantly (they're now going for an arm and a leg on eBay). As fate would have it, though, Nina was able to get tickets for one night: The Style Council!
So tonight we will try to prove that you can go home, as we right a 22-year-old wrong. And that Nina flew in from Chicago for this very special occasion makes it all the more special, both of us ready to speak like a child ...
UPDATE: The Boy Who Cried Wolf (review)
Love Me, Love Me
Besides the big concert tonight, my friend Nina has been spoiling me in myriad of other ways. First off, she showed up on Sunday bearing lots of gifts, including the fabulous new Edie Sedgwick book, "Edie: Girl on Fire" (it's filled so many great, never-seen-before photographs) and a box of Fannie May chocolates from Chicago. Then today she returned from a walk around town with candy and cookies from Jacques Torres and pork with chives and spicy beef bings from The Bing Lady. (When I just went to look that one up Google wanted to know if I meant "the big lady" ... thankfully my gym routine is back in order.)
Later in the afternoon we had a light lunch at my favorite little British cafe Tea & Sympathy in the West Village. "Six Feet Under" star Lauren Ambrose was also eating there with her 12-day-old son, Orson, and husband (a poor man's version of Vincent Gallo) in tow.
We finished off the day with a late showing of "Notes On a Scandal." Although it was every bit as over-the-top as the trailer had indicated, we both enjoyed it quite a bit. The performances were stellar -- and the dialogue was hilariously sharp and tight. Above else, what an unusual film ...
Monday, January 29, 2007
'Love Allergy' by Kenneth M. Walsh (Instinct magazine)
So pardon me while I get all geeky telling you about some exciting news: I have my first personal essay published in the new issue of Instinct! (Since my career switched more toward editing, my most-recent bylines were for The Arizona Republic years ago.)"The Boyfriend or the Cat" details what happened when my then-boyfriend developed an allergy to Troy (that's the star himself on the right page). Although it's a silly little piece, it was quite a nightmare when the whole thing happened. (Anyone who reads this blog knows how that one turned out!)
(click to enlarge)
If you're interested in reading the piece, pick up a copy at your local newsstand. The extra pictures of J.P. are worth the price of admission -- although my favorite surprise from the issue is after the jump.
I wasn't even sure that the story was running in February, but because of all of the hoopla surrounding "Survivor" hunk J.P. Calderon's coming out, I ended up seeing a leaked photo of the cover last week and noticed my cover line. Thrilled, Michael and I spent the last week popping by every magazine store in Manhattan (to no avail) until we were nearly exhausted. Last night, Michael and my friend visiting from Chicago, Nina, showed up unexpectedly at my work with a copy they had just found in the West Village. It was really cute of them to be so spontaneous and surprise me like that. I was all teeth all night at work.
I wasn't even sure that the story was running in February, but because of all of the hoopla surrounding "Survivor" hunk J.P. Calderon's coming out, I ended up seeing a leaked photo of the cover last week and noticed my cover line. Thrilled, Michael and I spent the last week popping by every magazine store in Manhattan (to no avail) until we were nearly exhausted. Last night, Michael and my friend visiting from Chicago, Nina, showed up unexpectedly at my work with a copy they had just found in the West Village. It was really cute of them to be so spontaneous and surprise me like that. I was all teeth all night at work.
Posted by Kenneth M. Walsh at 9:05 AM 27 comments
Labels: cats, instinct magazine, personal, Troy the Cat
Page 1 Consider (01/29)
Brian Joubert: Practice Makes Perfect
Brian Joubert of France captured his second title at the European Figure Skating Championships on Thursday after starting the day in second place following a shaky short program. He reclaimed the title he won in 2004 and was followed by Tomas Verner of the Czech Republic and Kevin Van Der Perren of Belgium. I guess all of that practice really paid off ... (Eurosport)
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Roger That
I stayed up to watch the men's final live from Melbourne and was on the edge of my bed throughout the first set. Neither player was playing as well as they had been, but there were still a lot of exciting points. Fernando Gonzalez eventually found himself with two set points while serving for the set. On the second one he missed a makeable forehand winner down the line, and when Roger Federer came back to eventually win the set in a tiebreaker -- and 5 a.m. rolled around -- I ended up turning off the TV and going to sleep. Sure enough, Federer ended up winning a straight sets -- taking home his 10th major, but at least it was more of a match than the semifinals. Needless to say, Roger is simply the best.
Posted by Kenneth M. Walsh at 2:26 PM 3 comments
Labels: australian open, Fernando Gonzalez, roger federer
Saturday, January 27, 2007
A Cut Above the Rest
In what has been deemed a "stunner" but was really not that much of a surprise to anyone who knows the Williams family history, Serena Williams blew top-seeded Maria Sharapova off the court last night, in just over an hour, to walk away with her third Australian Open crown and eighth major. Has any other player in the history of tennis gone two years between winning titles -- much less Grand Slam titles? Serena truly is a legend in her own time. Serena says her late sister, Yetunde, was the driving force behind her convincing win. (NYT)
Friday, January 26, 2007
Morning Glory: Brody Jenner
I finally got around to watching the first two episodes of Season Two of "The Hills." It was the perfect blend of Hollywood and Whine, but what a treat to see that Lauren "LC" Conrad has been fixed up by Heidi with none other than dreamboat extraordinaire/ex-Mr. Kristin Cavalieri himself, Brody Jenner. Michael and I sat through the whole thing and then both looked at each other in shock. Michael finally said what needed to be said: "He is so adorable." Indeed.
More adorableness after the jump. --->
Page 1 Consider (01/26)
Thursday, January 25, 2007
The Andy Roddick Massacre
Last night's performance by Roger Federer against Andy Roddick was nothing short of astonishing. I watched a huge number of Pete Sampras matches over the course of his career, and I don't remember ever feeling so completely awestruck like I did last night. I guess I forgot to mention in my earlier post that Federer is one of the main reasons tennis is getting me excited again ... and the Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova final (can you believe it?!!!) promises to be just as fun.
Morning Wood: Aurelien Roulin
My friend Danny turned me on to model Aurelien Roulin. I found very little about this handsome man on the Internet, so I'll just let Aurelien do the turning on from here.
More photos after the jump --->
More photos after the jump --->
Page 1 Consider (01/25)
Colt Studio Turns 40
It seems I'm not the only manlover turning 40 this year: good ole Colt Studio is also celebrating the big milestone, so I've posted PG-rated versions of some of their photo highlights -- with unedited versions for you to celebrate in private with after the jump. --->
You may recall I had my own Colt man incident in the San Fernando Valley back in the day ... (read here)The photos are taken from the new hardcover book called "Colt 40."
Tennis See
My obsession with tennis began at the 1977 U.S. Open at Forest Hills. Looking back it seems fitting that the circuslike event dominated by coverage of an ice maiden, a teenybopper, and a tranny would seal the deal. That was nearly 30 years ago, and I have to say that since Steffi Graf's retirement in 1999, my interest in the game has waned considerably.
Cut to this year's Australian Open. Suddenly I find myself really into it again. It doesn't hurt that I really love all four of the men's semifinalists (and that they're all pretty easy on the eyes), but the women -- who had once been my bread and butter -- have managed to get me into it again too. Serena Williams is blowing my mind this time around; watching Vera Zvonareva cry because she's winning against "the pretty one"(!) is priceless; having Martina Hingis back just feels right; and as much as I know I shouldn't, I kinda like that pretty one, Maria Sharapova.
So as we reach the end of this year's first Grand Slam event, I'm suddenly feeling my obsession kicking back into gear. I'm already looking forward to Paris in the spring ...
Cut to this year's Australian Open. Suddenly I find myself really into it again. It doesn't hurt that I really love all four of the men's semifinalists (and that they're all pretty easy on the eyes), but the women -- who had once been my bread and butter -- have managed to get me into it again too. Serena Williams is blowing my mind this time around; watching Vera Zvonareva cry because she's winning against "the pretty one"(!) is priceless; having Martina Hingis back just feels right; and as much as I know I shouldn't, I kinda like that pretty one, Maria Sharapova.
So as we reach the end of this year's first Grand Slam event, I'm suddenly feeling my obsession kicking back into gear. I'm already looking forward to Paris in the spring ...
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Morning Wood: Jason Van Oijen
I love getting Tetu magazine because with everything written in French, I don't have to feel guilty about skipping the articles and only looking at the pictures like sexy cover boy Jason Van Oijen ... (I know how to say ooh la la!) (Photos by Felix Larher)
More photos after the jump --->
Page 1 Consider (01/24)
J.P. Calderon: Confessions On a Runway
Confessions On a Runway: Sexy "Survivor" John Paul ("J.P.") Calderon is set to officially "come out" tonight on "The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency," when he lands an Instinct magazine cover on one condition: that he is a gay man. JDMA is on Oxygen Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET. (That issue of Instinct is special for another reason, too. Check back later in the week to find out why.) (OhLaLaParis)
More photos after the jump --->
More photos after the jump --->
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Morning Wood: Ben Kirby
Lots more photos, including his full DNA#83 spread, after the jump. --->
Learn more about Ben via Connex24.7, ModelMayhem and L.A. Muscle.
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