America's Closet

With the buzz of Mrs. McGreevey's tell all you have to wonder why she's playing the same highly criticized publicity game the former governor did.

"When a gay man finally decides to come out to his wife, it's a moment he's prepared for, in some cases over the course of his entire life, but in all cases, he's worked up to it, he's had time to prepare for this new reality. In most cases, he's chosen the time and the place, he's rehearsed the scene many times in his head. Furthermore, he sees it as the beginning of a new life, a mentally healthier life (or so he hopes,) the pursuit of wholeness as a human being. He goes into it prepared and on his own terms."

Anyone who has come out of the closet, or wanting to come out, knows this statement is not true. Why do you think individuals stay in the closet? A largely homophobic culture here in America keeps them in the closet. Coming out of the closet is not a selfish act; it is very selfless. It may be planned and prepared, but only for those listening. The caveat, though, is how your actions are handled afterwards. At this point we see the tail spin in the McGreevey history. Hopefully her tell all takes a higher road...not just for people in the same situation, but for everyone. She has an amazing opportunity to show the strength of her character and the integrity of the American people.

IMAX: 300

Movie theaters are incredibly disconcerting. The first issue is the popcorn: munching, crunching, lip smacking. A close second are the crinkling candy wrappers--opening the package slowly does not make it quieter. Just do it. Also don't forget the straw adjustment and ice shuffle...slurp. Make it past this and the trolls and I think I might be able to actually listen to the movie dialogue. Braving all of these I went to see 300 on IMAX in Lincoln Square.

Let's be honest, 300's attraction is not the A-list cast or clever scripting; it's the cinematography. That's why it had to be seen on such a large screen. The refreshing and well-designed costumes, the SFX, and computer generations all combine into the editing of imagery that is breath-taking. I would go back for a second viewing, but not in the theater. And if you can't watch it on the big screen, what's the point?

Black and White

PRICE LE$$

I got on the train tonight about 8:10 PM. In his RDS uniform, he proceeds to ask me if I'm a cop and opens a cheap cigar. He carefully slices down one side with the corner of his metro card. Then, empties the tobacco onto the floor and carefully selects his leaf. He opens his courier bag, pulls out a whole bud, and begins to roll a fat joint.

What's going on? What's happening?

I had been drinking at a friend's birthday party. Vodka rocks. Wasted I begin my journey home. I meet two girls from the party--one of which is said friend's coworker--at 6th avenue and we take a cab to Union Square. Sigh. Oh shit I fell asleep on the train again. I'm alone on the car. I'm laying across the seats with my feet propped up. I sit up. It is snowing outside. I'm not in Manhattan. Lots of snow. Blowing. Okay and we're not moving. Where am I? I see a sign for Coney Island. I'm in the rail yard. Lovely. Good thing I have my flask with me.

boy poet speak

red river

want ing it here
in my vein s
slip ing through paradise

Street Bum

walking. walking. walking. walking. stop. cross. crossing. crossing. cross. cross. crossing. walking. turn left. wait. okay. walking. cross. cross. cross. walking. crossing. cross. crossing. cross. crossing. walk. bright light. crossing. cross. bright lights. walking now. walking. walk. bright lights. bright. lights. walking. door. wait. waiting. waiting. waiting. no. close. doors close. doors. close. smoking. cigarette. smoking. no. turn. walking. smoking. walk. walk. walking. hi. walking. walk. stop. smoking. smoke. cigarette. yes. cigarette. cigarette. yes. matches. matches. take. all. matches. all matches. gone. smoking. joking. joke. laugh. smoke. joking. joking. joking. smoking. joking. laughing. joking. smoking. joking. doors. open. opening. doors. open. friends. back. smoking. laughing. smoke. leave. smoking. friends. walking. leaving. matches. grab. smoking. take. matches. mine. grabbing. matches. smoking. walking. walk. walk. smoking. walk. smoke. walking. walking. smoking. walking. stop. crossing.

sky drip

night sound s of rain
hear soothe ing summer storm
galoshes do puddle dance
rhythm is ear bound

Grind some beans!

I want to drink my coffee full of life force. You should always buy fresh roasted, organic if possible, coffee beans to grind fresh with each brewing. Don't use paper filters--they absorb the natural oils, read flavors, out of the coffee. I don't want to be drinking bits of coffee that have been cremated. Instant coffee is the lowest low.

Viktor & Rolf

I own my first Viktor & Rolf! It is a button-up collared shirt from the H&M limited collection. Kick ass!

V&R are the two most talented designers out there right now. Following their career back to their very deconstructed looks that played with odd proportions, they manage to create original and thought-invoking designs. My favorite collection to date is the millenium collection that used vintage couture fabrics and the a-bomb silhouette marking a decidedly festive and intriguing commentary on what wearable fashion should be.

It is related to who I was in a previous existance.

Green.

Screening "Pan's Labyrinth"

I went to a screening of "Pan’s Labyrinth" last night, the latest movie from Guillermo del Toro. The plot quickly delves into a sophisticated fairy tale about a princess destined to return to her netherworld kingdom and be reunited with her father. The real beauty of the film is that it simply tells a good story without relying heavily on special effects or some Hollywood formula. The end of the movie, as with all fairy tales, does end on a happy note but left one major question: did this story really happen? or do we construct these fantastic tales as a coping strategy? How much of our own reality is fabricated to cope with our environment? Can, and do, we convince ourselves that we are living in a better--or worse for that matter--world than actually exists?