I Knew It!

Breaking News: Latin hearthrob Ricky Martin came out of the closet today on his blog.  

To this I say: Uh, duh!  C'mon Ricky, we all knew you were gay ever since the days of "Livin' La Vida Loca."  No, I kid.  To be serious, I comend him for his bravery. "Coming out - even in this day and age - takes courage."  So, congrats Ricky on being able to stand out and say "I am gay" in front of the whole world.  To do this deserves praise, no matter how obvious the announcement may have been.

Love

Is it the face of a child? Is it the thrill of danger? Is it the kindness we see in the eyes of a stranger? Is it more than faith? Is it more than hope? Is it waiting for us at the end of our rope?

I say it's love! I say it's love!

Is it the one you call you home? Is it the Holy Land? Is it standing right here, holding your hand? Is it just like the movies? Is it rice and white lace? Is it the feeling I get when I wake to your face?

I say it's love! I say it's love!

Is it the first summer storm? Is it the colors of fall? Is it having so little, and yet having it all? Is it one in a million? Is it a chance to belong? Is it standing right here, singing this song?

I say it's love! I say it's love!

Is it a veil or a cross? Is it the poet's gift? Is it the face that has launched over thousands of ships? Is it making you laugh? Is it letting you cry? Is it where we believe that we go when we die? Is it how you were made? Is it your mother's ghost? Is it the wish that I'm wishing for your life the most?

I say it's love! I say it's love!

So "Gleeful" I Could Die!

I am in such a wonderfully giddy mood this morning!  I am on cloud nine.  Something incredible happened yesterday and I just can't stop smiling because of it.  So, in honor of my gleeful mood, here are some awesome videos from the only-three-weeks-away return of Glee!

New Glee Promo





Sue's Corner: "Sneaky Gays"



Okay, is Sue not the funniest?!  I LOVE her witty quips and one-liners in both of these clips.  "How do you two not have a show on Bravo?" And I think "Swish it up" is gonna become my new catchphrase.

Impossibilities

Have you ever wanted something so badly but you know that it would be impossible to have?  Have you ever had something so close you could (figuratively and literally) taste it, but it just couldn't ever be yours no matter how much you wished for it?

It's like something so sweet, so delicious is being dangled right in front of me.  I can smell it's intoxicating perfumes; I can feel it drawing me in like a magnet.  It's almost impossible not to be overcome by it.  I would do anything for it.  But as I reach out for it, I discover there is a glass wall maliciously placed between me and the most desirable thing.  I get frustrated and perhaps a little angry that such a great and wonderful thing suddenly becomes impossible to have.  And yet, I still keep coming back to see it, to smell it's delicious odors, to again feel it's alluring magnetism.

Right now, I am content with returning to see it so often, but is it eventually detrimental to my sanity?  Am I setting myself up for a load of hurt?  Or am I such an optimist that I really think that things may eventually change?  Am I such a sucker for happy endings that I can't see any other possibility?

Happy News, Sad News

This makes me happy.

This makes me sad.

But, this and this make me very happy again.

Why We Love Lady Gaga

This post is in response to Quinn's question about why Lady Gaga is such a big deal in the gay world.  To be honest, I can't explain why she is such a phenomenon, but I will share with you the reasons why I love her so much.

First and foremost, she makes darn good music.  Plain and simple.  She is a genius at writing the most catchy tunes that will undoubtedly stay in your head for days afterward.  It takes a lot of talent to write so many unforgettable songs.  Most songs nowadays lack that power to stay with you; you hear them and once the next song comes on, you've already forgotten it.  I would not be exaggerating if I said that every song on Lady Gaga's The Fame Monster album has, at one point or another, gotten stuck in my mind.  The fact that she has 2 Grammy awards, 5 number one hits (4 in 2009 alone, the most ever in one calendar year), and has sold over 8 million records is impressive.  But to do it all by the time you are 23?  Now that takes some talent.

Second, she is a talented vocalist.  Lady Gaga is not some product of post-studio computerization like so many music "stars" today.  Have you ever heard Taylor Swift sing live?  She writes decent music, but she can't perform live.  Just take a look at her horrible showing at this year's Grammy's.  And Britney Spears, while her music is a guilty pleasure of mine, was caught lip syncing at a recent concert.  But Lady Gaga, on the other hand, can not only sing, but she can recreate her songs so they always sound new and fresh.  For example, check out this acoustic version of "Paparazzi."  And check out her piano skills!

Next, Lady Gaga absolutely refuses to play it safe.  Everything she does is a risk.  So far, she has not given in to the pressure to things "by the books."  That's why she has risen to the top so fast.  Her music is not the color-by-number songs that most of the music industry is used to doing.  She can pump it up on the dance floor with strong, upbeat songs like "Bad Romance" or "Poker Face."  She can also bring it down a notch and sing a song to evoke emotions out of the listener.  A great example is "Speechless" which she wrote to convince her father to undergo open-heart surgery.  Listen to it knowing that and I dare you not to feel greater appreciation for your parents.

Her cryptic and unusual mannerisms keep us guessing at every turn.  I still don't understand what she is all about, and I'm pretty sure that I don't want to.  Maybe once we understand why she is the way she is, we will no longer be intrigued by her.  In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Lady Gaga said, "In truth, there's nothing to understand about what I do.  It's whatever you think it is.  So if it inspires a reckoning about pop culture, music, feminism, gay culture...the point is to make a point."  So, pretty much, we may never understand what she's all about, which would be ideal.  Take from her what you will, and I will take what I will, because that's exactly what she wants.

I absolutely love that she is working so intensely on HIV/AIDS awareness.  This is something that unfortunately has been under the radar in the entertainment industry since the early 90's and Lady Gaga is trying to get attention to the disease once again, because, guess what, it still kills people.

Last, her fashion.  Again, in this area, Lady Gaga refuses to do what society tells her to do.  She embodies the rebelliousness in all of us.  Whenever she makes an appearance, the world waits on pins and needles to see what outrageous and over-the-top costume she comes out with.  While her costumes may be outrageous and over-the-top, they certainly are fun.  Most of her outfits also carry social statements, like her Kermit the Frog outfit (a statement against fur) or her Fire Bra (a commentary on the female body as a weapon).  Here are some other of Lady Gaga's most outrageous costumes.

When asked in an interview about why she is so outrageous, Lady Gaga spoke of her earlier years in grade school.  "I just felt like a freak, I guess what I'm trying to say is I want to liberate them [kids who are different], I want to free them of their fears and make them feel that they can create their own space in the world."  Thank you Lady Gaga for those amazing words of encouragement.  Thank you for letting us realize, through you, that just because we are different, just because I am gay, we can still be ourselves and we shouldn't be afraid of it.

So, there are many aspects to Lady Gaga that make me adore her.  And it may be that these are reasons why you can't stand her, which I will respect.  There are many popular artists out there that I don't care for, but I am sure you could list reasons why you like them so, like I have done.

"And now, I'm just trying to change the world, one sequin at a time."  ~~ Lady Gaga ~~

"You Belong With Me"...with a twist

This is so, so, so cute I can't even stand it!

Gaga & Honey B. Strike Again!

Gay Christmas came early last night in the form of Lady Gaga's newest music video "Telephone!" Thank you Lady Gaga for another entertaining and visually stunning music video (or rather, a nine-and-a-half minute short film with a song in it).  Gaga & Honey B, oh how you made my day.

"You know what they say, once you kill the cow, you gotta make a burger."

Warning! This music video does contain foul language and partial nudity. So watch at your own risk, and please don't get mad at me if you get offended.

Oscar Fashion

So, here we are. The Academy Awards are finished for 2010, and I must say that I enjoyed this year's ceremony more than I thought I would have. It was fun (um, helloooo NPH! totally did not see that coming, but thoroughly enjoyed his song and dance number).  And it was quite to the point.  There was not a lot of fluff that the ceremony has been bogged down in for years.  I mean, it even finished by 10pm! I went 19 for 24 in my predictions (not too shabby). In the major categories, I only missed Best Adapted Screenplay.

Okay, before I get to the fashion, I have a few things I want to get off my chest.  #1) To all those who seemingly loathe Sandra Bullock: Have you seen The Blind Side? She was terrific and gave a stellar performance! She totally deserved that award! As I said in my last post, I wish that Meryl Streep could've won, but thats not the reality.  Bullock gave a performance that was just as good as Meryl Streep in Julie & Julia. And, please, for the love of all that is holy, this was an award for ONE performance! It's not a lifetime achievement award! I know she's been in a lot of crap, but look at Jim Carrey's career for heaven's sake.  He was typecast as the dumb, irreverent comic, but went on to give stellar performances in both The Truman Show and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind! I still can't believe he wasn't nominated for those roles.  Anyway, my point is that Sandra Bullock was a legitimate contender in that race and I am happy for her and, to be honest, I got choked up during her acceptance speech. #2) Did anyone else notice that Farrah Fawcett and Bea Arthur were completely absent from the In Memoriam montage?  Does this make anyone else as livid as it made me?  Yes, they may have been primarily television stars, but Michael Jackson was certainly less of a movie actor than either of them were.  It's like a spit in the face of these two beloved and venerated actresses.  This was the only major flaw of the evening.  Okay, now that that is done, on to the dresses!

I've divided the dresses into three categories: Hits, Misses and Mehs. And they are presented in no particular order.

Hits

Sandra Bullock If I had to pick a favorite, I think I would go with Sandra's beautiful golden dress to complement her new golden statue!

Kate Winslet I think she can officially become a permanent member of my Hit List. I don't remember a dress of hers that I haven't liked.

Demi Moore Yes, I know the dress color was a tad too close to her skin tone, but I adored the style.

Jennifer Lopez Was it the cool off-to-the-side train, or the fact that her dress was studded with Swarovski crystals?

Elizabeth Banks

Queen Latifah

Penelope Cruz Everything about this dress is awesome, but I just love the color on her.

Helen Mirren Classy, as always

Misses

Sarah Jessica Parker ewwwww. Her horrible fake tan completely threw off the so-so yellow dress.

Diane Kruger Could possibly be the sequel to Bjork's infamous Swan dress from 2001?

Charlize Theron Umm, I think you have something on your boobs.

Maggie Gyllenhaal Don't know what it is, I'm just not a fan. Maybe the watercolor print?

Miley Cyrus just an ugly color and design. Plus, STOP SLOUCHING!

Kristen Stewart Just . . . awkward. As always.

Carey Mulligan You know, the dress is fine, it's the hair that throws it all off.

Mariah Carey Sorry, but your boobs are just too big for that dress. How do they not pop right out?

Meh

Cameron Diaz

Zoe Saldana LOVED the top half. I never knew purple and gold could go so well together, but the feathered bottom threw off the whole dress.

Sigourney Weaver

Rachel McAdams Again, not a fan of the watercolor prints. But this dress' style is much better than Maggie Gyllenhaal's

Anna Kendrick

Tina Fey Sorry, Tina. I love you, but leopard print is so not in. But I am digging the one shoulder strap.

Meryl Streep Way to pull off the white Meryl, I just wish there had been a tad more to the dress.

Vera Farmiga Liked the color, but it seems as if she was emerging from a seashell.

Oscars 2010

The Oscars are upon us!  One of my favorite nights of the year. It's like the gay man's Super Bowl.  I get so excited every year for this night.  The glitz, the glamour, the pomp and circumstance, all make me giddy as a schoolgirl.  Tomorrow I will have a rundown of my favorite dresses from the red carpet, but for now I give you my fearless predictions of the winners in all the major categories.

Best Picture
So pretty much this race is a toss-up between Avatar and The Hurt Locker. As I loved both of these movies, It's hard for me choose.  It really could go either way, which would be fine with me.  But, as The Hurt Locker has been winning more awards recently, my money is on The Hurt Locker.

Best Director
It's a showdown of the exes. The ex-husband James Cameron (Avatar) vs. the ex-wife Kathyrn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker).  But it's one of those years where a female has the first real shot of winning a Best Director statue, so I think the Academy will go with Kathryn Bigelow.

Best Actor in a Leading Role
Jeff Bridges is getting so much hype for his role in Crazy Heart that it's hard for me to pick anyone else in thise catergory.  As much as I would love Colin Firth to win it for A Single Man, I still think Jeff Bridges will take it.

Best Actress in a Leading Role
Oh wow, what a race. Probably the least predictable acting category.  You've got first-time nominee Sandra Bullock vs. Oscar veteran Meryl Streep vs. new-comer Gabourey Sidibe.  My personal pick would be Meryl Streep for her spot-on portrayal of Julia Child in Julie & Julia, and for the fact that she is the most nominated actor in screen history (16 nominations!) but has only taken home two statues (and only one of those was for a Leading Role).  I think Streep needs more love from the Academy.  But she has America's sweetheart to contend with.  You know, I really did enjoy The Blind Side and thought Sandra Bullock did an amazing job.  This race is by far the hardest one for me to call, but I'm going with Sandra Bullock on this one (sorry, Meryl, much loves).

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Christoph Waltz will waltz away with this one (oh, please forgive me for that).  As much as I adore Stanley Tucci in pretty much everything (The Lovely Bones is no exception), Waltz's equally evil and charming role as a Nazi S.S. officer in Inglourious Basterds is impossible to ignore.

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Mo'nique. Period.

Best Animated Film
Up. Period.

Best Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
Could go to the writers of Up in the Air or the writers of Precious.  To be honest, I did not like Up in the Air, but it was well-written.  I still haven't seen Precious, but from what I hear, it is amazing.  Because I can't pass judgement on Precious, I'm going with Up in the Air on this one.

Best Writing (Original Screenplay)
It's a hard choice. Quentin Tarantino is a master of screenplays.  Inglourious Basterds was no exception. But you've also got The Hurt Locker in the mix, which was masterfully written.  Also, Up had seriously the most heart-wrenching yet warm-spirited story I've seen in a while.  So it's a crapshoot.  I'm gonna take a wild stab and say the The Hurt Locker will win this one.

So, fellow bloggers, what do you think?  Do you think my predictions are solid?

Gaga in Wonderland!

Holy Crap! I almost wet myself in excitement and amazement when I saw this. Oh how I pray to the gods that this could be a real movie. So, enjoy this fake "trailer" and all it's Gaga-lisciousness.

Aftermath

This song pretty much sums up the way I feel right now.  Thanks Adam Lambert for this song.

Have you lost your way?
Livin' in the shadow of the message that you made.
And so it goes
Everything inside your circle starts to overflow.
Take a step a step before you leap
Into the colors that you seek.
You give back what you give away.
So don't look back on yesterday.

Wanna scream out,
No more hiding.
Don't be afraid of what's inside.
Gonna tell ya you'll be alright,
In the aftermath.
Anytime anybody pulls you down.
Anytime anybody says you're not allowed.
Just remember you are not alone,
In the aftermath.

You feel the weight
Of lies and contradictions that you live with everyday.
It's not too late.
Think of what could be if you rewrite the role you play.
Take a step before you leap
Into the colors that you seek.
You give back what you give away.
So don't look back on yesterday.

Before you break you have to shed your armor.
Take a trip and fall into the glitter.
Tell a stranger that they're beautiful
So all you feel is love, love
All you feel is love, love.

Wanna scream out,
No more hiding.
Don't be afraid of what's inside.
Wanna tell ya you'll be alright,
In the Aftermath.

Bliss.....

Have you ever been in a moment you wish could have lasted forever?

I don't think I've ever felt that before.  That is, until tonight.  Oh, how I wished and wished time to stop completely.  A few hours of pure and utter bliss...

What is a Moho?

Last week in my geography class, we began learning about the layers of the Earth.  You know, the crust, the mantle, etc.  Yeah, that stuff.  Anyway, as we were working our way down through the layers, learning about each one, I learned something that just made me laugh.  According to my textbook, "At the base of the crust there is a significant change in mineral composition.  This relatively narrow zone of change is called the Moho."   In the diagram below, the Moho is shown by the red line, just under the crust.

Yes, people, that is right.  Moho is an actual geological term.  For those who don't understand why I find this funny, "Moho" is a term that refers to a gay Mormon (i.e. me).  So, yes, I actually giggled out loud in class when I heard this.  Am I immature?  Am I in middle school when we giggled in health class everytime our teacher said "penis" or "vagina?"  I guess the only reason it is funny to me is because no one else in my class gets that there is a double entendre.  Its like a sexual innuendo in a movie.  You get it, but the person next to you doesn't. It's only funny until you have to explain it.  It kinda loses it value.  Anyway.  Sorry for rambling on.  I thought it was kinda funny.  You may not.