Saturday, June 30, 2007
Picture Perfect

Friday, June 29, 2007
P.I.L.F.

Afternoon Delight: Chad White



Previously: Chad White Wallpaper Chad White Does Out Chad White: Perfect Fit Morning Glory: Chad White
Critter Update

"Sicko" -- A Horror Film
Michael and I took in an afternoon showing of "Sicko" yesterday on the Upper West Side. We both really enjoyed it, although it suffers from the same flaw all of Michael Moore's films do: for his core audience it's presented in a way that's preaching to the choir. (How great would it be if The Others were forced to sit through "Fahrenheit 9/11," "Bowling for Columbine" or this?) The things I was supposed to feel shocked and outraged about here in America -- like a non-wealthy guy having to decide which finger to have sewn back on in a saw accident or cancer patients not being approved for by their insurers for experimental therapies -- were not the least bit of a surprise. Ditto for the obscene corporate profits fueled by being in bed with Congress and denying even the most basic services to its customers. (I guess this should say something about us as a country, but I do read the papers after all.) Some of the perks of other countries' universal health care, however, did spark quite a bit of envy in me (I won't spoil them here, but people with children will be especially green).
Another good effort from everyone's favorite self-appointed government watch dog -- and let's hope that this will kick-start the debate for the United States' badly needed health care reform (Hello -- Hillary Clinton was on this more than 10 years ago. Can you imagine how many U.S. businesses could have been spared without the weight of this national crisis on their backs?)
And kudos to Moore for not really being in the film very much. We all know how unpleasant that is.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Thursday Ad Watch




This week's eye-catching advertisements.
Women on the Verge
If you think it was hard being Paris Hilton in the slammer, try being a transgendered woman. A new documentary, "Cruel and Unusual," examines the plight of four transcriminals who are incarcerated in men's prisons across the United States. Denied medical and psychological treatmen and the victims of rape and violence, the film asks if the punishment for their crime is indeed cruel and unusual. (Queerty)
(WARNING: This is no lighthearted revival of "Tranny Get Your Gun.")
Courtside Doppelganger
My brother Bill sent me an e-mail (with photos) asking if I was "enjoying my time at Wimbledon" ...
Page 1 Consider (06/28)



Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Where's My Lobster Roll?

London Calling








(Not) Everybody's All-American

Page 1 Consider (06/27)




Eartha Kitt's 80th Birthday Celebration
While I don't have the words to explain how jealous I am of my co-worker Vevlyn Wright, left, and her friend Daralyn for getting to see Earth Kitt on Monday night at Carnegie Hall -- and meeting her afterward backstage! -- this e-mail recap of the evening made me feel like I was almost there ...
Couldn't resist sharing sharing these shots from Ms. Eartha Kitt's 80th Birthday Celebration concert at Carnegie Hall last night. Special guests included Tony Award winners Ben Vereen, LaChanze and Tonya Pinkins. Celebrity audience members included Ms. Diahann Carroll (one must say Ms. before Diahann Carroll) and Janet Jackson (who was not very nice to my new friend Cheryl, so we won't talk about her any more).
La Kitt is an amazing performer: she was funny, sexy and thoroughly entertaining, bringing a strong voice, incredible physicality and her unique interpretations to every song. Moreover, I have never seen someone so gracious to her fans. Not only does she regularly involve them in her stage patter, Ms. Kitt greeted every single person who came backstage to meet her and offer well wishes (and there were many). She was on her feet in full dress and makeup shaking hands, signing autographs and taking pictures long after the band, special guests and audience members were in the street clothes (or even their pajamas) enjoying a late-night snack.
As for the secret to her incredible vitality, I will share the advice she offered backstage: it's never too late to start stretching as long as you keep doing it.Gotta go. I have some stretching to do.
Kisses,
Daralyn
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
The Morning After
In a brief interview early yesterday, I had a chance to ask Dick Jefferson to explain why he decided to take his former employer, CBS News, and former boss Linda Mason to court, and how he's feeling now that the lawsuit has been officially filed.
Q: Why did you file this suit?
A: I didn't want to. It is like suing your own family. Then again a family doesn't throw you out of the house after almost 20 years of dedicated service and do it shortly after you're almost murdered. So when CBS News offered me only six months severance after all those years I felt like I had to challenge them. Also the whole ‘gay rights’ misclassification bothered me still. First of all, they are not "gay rights," but equal right for gays. And corporations should not be allowed to say that a gay person asking for justice is somehow a gay rights advocate and controversial. That decision shows how discrimination, whether conscious or unconscious, gives an employee fewer rights because he happens to be gay.
Q: How are you feeling right now that it's done?
A: It's sad and scary, but at the same it's very frustrating to learn that CBS has hired an outside law firm and will probably spend a million dollars trying to defend itself. And that's also why it’s scary, it’s yet another case of David standing up to the corporate Goliath.
UPDATE: I see the CBS News has an Associated Press story about the lawsuit up on its Web site right now, which features a rebuttal from CBS as its giant pull quote. (CBS) Not surprisingly, the New York Post version of the story ("Gay-Bash Worker Sues CBS") is my favorite! (NYP)
Previously: CBS Eye on Homophobia?
Surfer Boy: Andy Irons
