Whine & Cheese

Prop 8: The Musical

This video is making the rounds, but still thought it was funny (actually Funny or Die) to share... Prop 8: The Musical conceived and written by Hairspray's Marc Shaiman. It is pretty hilarious... particularly for those of us who make up that fairly large overlapping part of the gay/musical theater lover Venn diagram.

As the video screen above notes, the cast is really quite star-studded.

California Gays and The People That Love Them: Jordan Ballard, Margaret Cho, Barrett Foa, J.B. Ghuman, John Hill, Andy Richter, Maya Rudolph, Rashad Naylor, Nicole Parker

Proposition 8'ers and The People That Follow Them: John C. Reilly, Allison Janney, Kathy Najimy, Jenifer Lewis, Craig Robinson, Rashida Jones, Lake Bell, Sarah Chalke, Katharine "Kooks" Leonard, Seth Morris, Denise "Esi!" Piane, Lucian Piane, Richard Read, Seth Redford, Quinton Strack, Tate Taylor

Also... Jack Black, Neil Patrick Harris and, as the Piano Player, Marc "Marc" Shaiman

Letter To The Editor

I haven't kept to my promise of keeping it less political this week ... and while I thought I would counter this post with a Photo Friday entry later today, I just checked and today's challenge is "Autumn" ... and sadly enough, I do not have anything in my 950+ photos on Flickr the approaches anything close to "Autumn"... ah, life in summer/"not summer" Phoenix! 

Anyhow, the bad thing about the morning paper is that one tends to read it... well, first thing in the morning and before being sufficiently caffeinated.   This particular letter in today's AZ Republic had my head spinning!  I will protect the innocent/guilty by not posting this man's name and only hope that he was sending this letter to be "edited" vs. expressing a cogent argument/opinion.  Likewise, I am not sure why this particular letter was published other than to illustrate the lack of logic we are up against.   We join this letter already in progress...

I voted for Proposition 102, but I have no objection to gay people having all the rights and benefits of those who are married.  I just can't accept two people of the same sex being married like a man and a woman.

Whether people admit it or not, this country was built on the foundation and principles of the Bible.  It was also built on the principal that government not control what a religion wanted to follow, if any at all.  No matter how much people want to take God out of these United States, we cannot let it happen.

Whether a person worships God, Allah, Buddha, or some other supreme being, or none at all, for this country to survive, the ability to allow that worship or non-worship must continue.  No major religion that I am aware of allows the union in holy matrimony of same-sex couples.

Oy, I don't know where to start!  I am mightily confused how non-worshipers or those allowed to follow no religion at all reconcile the fact that the country was built and who apparent survival rests on the principles of the Bible... which thus kinda sorta leaves out those who are worshiping Allah, Buddha or the uber-mysterious "other supreme being."  And again, I am baffled by this continued belief that marriage is only something one does within religious confines.  That church, synagouge, temple ceremony does not mean a whole lot without the piece of paper issued by the government.

Actually, "holy matrimony" sounds something that is sanctify-worthy and worth of being saved ... so I suggest those caught up on the whole "marriage" semanatics now be required get "holy matrimonied" (and we'll get started on the whole constitutional amendment banning divorce of those united in holy matrimony for the next election cycle)... the "holy" part satisfies all that Bible, keeping founding God principles/save the country stuff... and you'll have all the same rights and benefits of those of us who are married.  Nothing wrong with that, right?

Prop 8 Zingers

Ok, still not quite off the political horse... but this post is kinda fun.  While I know the protests over the passage of California's Prop 8 (and the other anti-gay measures that passed on election day) are a serious matter, can I still be at least amused by some of the protest signs?  I always say don't piss off the gays... as wit/humor is often our biggest weapon!

Here are some of my favorites lines from the protest signs, many from the NYC protest pictures that I saw on various websites this morning.  In some cases, I am sure my very smart readers can figure out whether a man or woman was holding up a particular sign.

Chickens 1, Gays 0

Britney Spears, 55 Hours!  Me, Never?

My gay friends deserve to be unhappy too!

So... when can I vote on your marriage?

Keep your magic undies off my civil rights!

God created the rainbow so I could catwalk to heaven

Gay is the new black

You have 2 wives, I want 1 husband

Oh well, I wasn't using my civil rights anyways

My rights are not granted by your God

Protect Marriage:  Ban the Electric Slide

My mom is a little bit country, my other mom is a little bit rock 'n roll

I love my gay Mormon husband

I'm too old for this shit!  Equal rights now!

Focus on your own family

I didn't ask her to "civil union" me

Did you cast a ballot or a stone?

Would you rather I married your daughter?

Isn't It Ironic...

Don't you think?

I know I vowed to try to get away from the political stuff, but I couldn't just pass this one by. 

Last week, I was just geeking out and seeing how "red" and "blue" different states were ... and have determined that places where lots of people tend to live together are blue... and by a total accident, I hovered over and stumbled upon Maverick County in Texas.  And what Mavericks they were!  Voting overwhelmingly against the team of Mavericks ... but I guess no surprise, since they are basically in Mexico!

And while I planned to cool it on the gay marriage stuff here (for my own mental well-being), I could not not post this You Tube that is pretty much on every gay-oriented blog this morning... Keith Olbermann's passionate response to the passage of California's Prop 8.

As with civil rights issues of the past, I do not believe gay community we can not make progress without voices other than our own... and while a host on a liberally biased news network may be as effective as the Hollywood crowd, it is this very kind argument from our straight allies that might start chipping away and allowing that wall to crumble.

I just finished a book where the character was told of the Chinese proverb/philosophy of "learning to see the good in the bad and the bad in the good" and while it is certainly no comfort to our California friends, perhaps this setback will lead to the greater good.  If Prop 8 was defeated, it might have just been shrugged off as typical/wacky California and the steamroller would have just marched on to more easy targets like Arizona, Florida, and Arkansas. 

Friday Mish-Mash

Just a bunch of kinda related but more stream of consciousness stuff today... but still a bit fixated on some of the same old stuff that's been dominating W&C this week.

Ok, still on this gay marriage bender.  Two of my California friends, have brought to my attention that the election gave increased rights to California chickens, while taking rights away from a segment of the human population.  While all persons involved (myself included) are certainly anti-animal cruelty (even if the end result is that we are going to kill and eat these very animals), it is still seems like a big whoopin' case of cognitive dissonance (I think I am using that phrase correctly - please let me know otherwise).

But allow me to correct myself, gay marriage is legal in every state of the nation ... well, just as long it is between one gay man and one lesbian woman.  This is what is so messed up about this debate, that "union" would totally give all the rights that us same-sex couples can not achieve in much of this country.  And while I am am the "sanctity of marriage" rant, let me remind folks that people get married by Elvis impersonators, via drive-thru chapels, and by ministers ordained via the Internet each and every day.  Also, I suggest we "protect marriage" by creating constitutional amendments banning divorce -- though maybe, just for the heck of it, it could just be banned for certain segments of the population.

Anyhow!   We went to see Kathy Griffin at a, in Kathy's own words, a "f&cking huge" theater last night ... and of course, she opened with her request "Where are my gays?" ... and then said she just came in from her home in LA and she said let me tell you "the California gays aaaaarrrre piiiisssssssssed offffffff!" - it was kind funny (though I don't think Kathy realized us AZ gays had a good reason to be pissed off as well).  Anyhow, it was very fun night... Kathy did 2 full hours of material and barely took a breath and going off on more tangents that I could possibly keep track of.   As always, her act is pretty up-to-date, so this time it was a bit more heavy on the political stuff than usual... and no surprise that Sarah Palin (or the rest of her Alaskan clan for that matter) were prime targets... as were, her 'regulars' - Oprah, Barbara Walters, Paula Abdul... an extended storytelling about her weekend Vegas trip to see Cher with Rosie O'Donnell with Sharon Gless tagging along, which ultimatley led to Kathy spending her birthday which just happened to be this past election day hanging out with Cher at her home (Kathy gave out directions to Cher gave her to get to her house - "Make a left a Malibu, and then a right at my house").  But certainly a fun - if a tad exhausting - night... she's quite frenetic!

And to keep this all kinda gay marriage-themed... if you need a reason why I would like to lock this thing down, a package arrived yesterday afternoon for me... and my guy had bought me a Kindle, that Amazon reading device!  He saw how I reacted to the Oprah show where she gave it her blessing and then read my post about it... and even though I was pretty conflicted about it.   But he's given me a "try it and see if you like it"/no pressure approach to it.  I am anxious to try it out, but am vowing that I need to get through my current "real" book first and still have a ways to go... so it is going to drive me nuts!   But in some limited use (downloaded some sample chapters and read the user guide) with the Kindle, it does seem pretty cool... but it going to be interesting experience.  But an incredibly sweet thing for Todd to do... or else just further proof that I'm a spoiled brat (yes, I am aware - or at least heavily imagine - that that is just one of the critical conversations that others have about me based on this blog... haha).

Wrong Side of History

I was thrilled to see this political cartoon from Steve Benson in today's The Arizona Republic.

It echoes pretty much exactly what I said in one of my posts from last week... and while I remain pessimistic that Prop 102 will be defeated... despite defeating a similar prop two years ago, Arizona does not have a great track record on this kind of stuff... as it was one of the last states to observe Martin Luther King Day... a voter rejection of the holiday led the NFL to pulling Super Bowl XXVII out of the Arizona... the MLK holiday prop returned to the ballot two years later and was approved by voters (with Super Bowl XXX awarded to the state shortly thereafter).

So we shall see, if this proposition does pass my only hope is that I will live to see the day that this is similarly overturned when the "wrong side of history" pressure mounts... and I wish my friends in California and Florida that their electorate will see the light as well next week!  

Express Lane: Issue 54

'Idol' Singer Paris Gives Birth To Egypt - The squeaky speaking voiced Bennett (and still only 20 years old) gave birth to daughter Egypt yesterday.  Guess geographical names are a family tradition. (10/7/08)

MOJO HD gets canceled, should vanish by year's end - Granted I didn't watch all that much on it, but hopefully Zane Lamprey and 'Three Sheets' will find a new home (and in HD please). (10/2/08)

Race driver Castroneves charged in US tax case - I'm guessing the DWTS champ's smile will be a bit dimmer thanks to failing to report to the IRS about $5.5 million in income between 1999 and 2004. (10/2/08)

Disney's 'The Lion King' Will Reign Over Las Vegas in 2009 - Despite a so-so success record of Great White Way success on the Vegas Strip, Disney will roll the dice for the first time at Mandalay Bay next year. (10/1/08)

Congratulations, Clay Aiken! - The "news" was greeted with a lot of snickering (incl. yours truly), but this Slezak EW piece strikes all the right chords of the struggle to "come out" in our own time and on our own terms. (9/24/08)

Bravo orders fifth season of 'My Life on the D-List' - Though Kathy & Co. might have to consider an upgrade to the C-List since the show just took home its 2nd Emmy last week. (9/22/08)

Amateur Hour Photo Critique: Holiday Edition!

It's baaaack!

Yes, nothing says "the holidays" like a little amateur porn!

The last edition of this W&C "feature" was waaaay back in April... so just a reminder, this is where I have some fun with some of the naughty pictures guys take of themselves and post somewhere on the Internet.  Past editions have highlighted many of my "amateur" pet peeves... sure a guy can be hot, but a dirty mirror or laundry on the floor can be pretty distracting!.

This special Holiday Edition is a pet peeve in and of itself!   I think it is just hilarious that guys feel the need to spread the holiday joy by exposing themselves in front of the tree or using some holiday decor as a means of "hiding the goods."

I know this post is NOT everyone's cup of egg nog... so I have made the visual portion of this post to be entirely voluntary... if you want to see the pic, click the link and the picture will "pop-up" ...

As always, I have obscured the faces and explicit parts to protect the guilty... so while rated PG-21, I am guessing it is still NOT terribly "work safe."

So here are this year's collection of holiday cheer... again, you've been warned!

Most Improved Award - This guy was nice enough to post holiday pictures from 2004 and 2005!   I give him "most improved" for various reasons... the tree is much more nicely decorated but I am happier that he appears to have moved his computer out of the living room... and, oh yeah, he is showing more skin this year!

Don we now our... - Ok, I would say "gay apparel"... but I am afraid it would be a major insult to gay people.  Umm, is paisley still in?   Or was he just trying to color coordinate with his tree?  I am guessing Madonna's "Vogue" was on during this photo shoot... does he know how to "strike a pose" or what?!

Ho! Ho! Ho! - Not really wrong with this picture... while not a terribly inspired use of a Santa hat, I tend to give a lot more leeway when the person donning the cap looks like this!

Take It Off Santa! - Again, no complaints about this picture... except for the impure thoughts in my head... I've been naughty Santa... VERY naughty!

Hung By The Chimney - This guy easily had the most explicit holiday pictures of the year.  There were just a few that even I couldn't even figure out how to edit (let's just say one of them could have been a pun on 'O Come O Ye Faithful')... this guy was just fearless... but given the size of the "black boxes," you can probably guess why he wasn't terribly shy... and thanks to the butt shot, I am happy to report his prostate seems to be in perfect condition!  Yikes!

Ribbons & Bows -  Do you like unwrapping presents... these guys hope so.   Now, the first guy was a bit too... ummm, cocky...  to think he needed a bow THAT big... and heck he was poking thru anyhow! While, the 2nd guy seems to be on the set of 'That 70s Show'... very retro (probably his mom's house, which makes the pic even more strange!)...  but Donald Duck is certainly getting an eyeful!

All Is Bright -  This is another fairly popular one... strewing lights about you... I don't know about you, but I am not quite sure I would want live electricity quite that close to my nether regions!

Pump You Up -  We'll end on a good note... again nothing wrong with our Kris Kringle here... but I just would have loved to have been in on the decision here.... let's see I am walking around the living room naked except for my baseball cap on, why don't I take a pic in front of the tree?!?   Why don't I get photo holiday cards in the mail like this one???

Don't worry.... I plan on returning tomorrow with a tamer and more traditional holiday post... are you ready to read all about our holiday menu?!!   Hold the applause down, please!

Bad Gay, Good Gay

Although I am certainly feeling peer pressure, I have to admit, on a scale of 1-10, my enthusiasm level to see Bareback Brokeback Mountain is about a 5.  Don't know why, it just is.

But before you excommunicate me from Our Lady of Judy Garland...

I am seeing a production of Evita on Friday night.

Carry on.

No, Fine... Just Looking

I will tell you all about Thanksgiving and holiday preparations on Monday (I hope!), but just had to share a pretty funny experience that happened to me today...

Just a little bit of a warning, it is a tad risque... but since Todd left yesterday for an out of the country business trip for the week, I just have no one else to tell it to!   But don't get too excited, I am keeping it fairly PG-13.

So, I decided to take a run to the "sensual superstore" today.  In the past, we've had to drive into Phoenix to get to the major one that is not around any other major businesses, homes, schools, civilization.  But recently, and after some serious controversy over worries of it "ruining the neighborhood," one was built right here in the middle of suburbia.  To give you an idea, it is on the opposite corner of a Baja Fresh and an Olive Garden and Petsmart is just about 1/4 mile down the road... so you can run all your "everyday" errands and also pop in here in one convenient trip!

Anyhow, I needed to run in to get the one item that always needs gettin' ... but have been threatening to look around the place a bit more and see what else they have to offer.  So with Todd gone and being bored...  I had some time to kill... so what the heck, right?!

This has to be the friendliest adult store in the world... you are always warmly greeted at the door.  Well, actually they are checking for underage kids... or like one time I was there, when a couple had the balls to enter the store with an infant in a carrier!  So the gal said hello and asked me how my day was... hi... fine ... and off I went browsing.

There was a middle age couple looking around the same section I was... so despite thinking that this is an "we're all consenting adults" and "not that's there's anything wrong with it" experience, I admit that it was still a tad awkward bobbing and weaving past them around the different displays.

But the kicker was in about 5-10 minutes time, 3 different employees came by both myself and this couple and asked if we needed any help.  Again, super friendly and really quite genuine... but I think both of us were like... ummm, that's okay... we're fine... leave us alone... pretty please... as we weren't exactly at Target trying to find where the Q-Tips were.   Well, just let's us know if you have any questions.  Umm... okay, thanks!

In the meantime, another middle age woman is walking around the aisles and talking on a cell phone!  Thankfully the conversation had nothing to do with what she was looking at ... just some innocuous chatter, but I wondered if the person on the other end of the line knew where she was... probably as most folks I find usually like to announce their location (I'm on the airplane we just pulled in, I'm at the ballpark, I am taking a dump in the a bathroom at Caesars Palace).

Anyhow, after being overwhelmed by a dizzying array of products, I make my selection and go off to pay.  There is a gal and a guy employee at the counter.  Again, very warmly greeted... how are you today... did I find what I was looking for... yeah, yeah.  Then the gal starts admiring my purchase and says she hasn't seen it before... the guy cuts in (at this point I am 95% sure he is "family") and they start talking all about what I am buying... at this point, I likely have my frozen/fake smile on... the guy gives the stamp of approval to the item... blah, blah... and oy... I am just looking to pay and get out of there! 

Alas it is over... the guy walks my purchase past the alarmed gates... and both wish me a nice day and happy holidays!   Bye, I say... and think it is quite funny, that I got more "assistance" (or the threat of it!) in about 15 minutes time than I did in about the 2 hours I spent waiting for someone to sell me a car at the MINI dealership!