| Stories 1 to 10 of 14 |
|
2/2/2012
A tattered envelope arrived the other day. Its only contents were a faded picture of a bright spirit long gone. Matthew James Murray passed away in my arms 23 years ago come summer. His was a light painfully doused that led me to a lifetime of shadows, if not darkness. His mother sent to me a reminder of something that I shall never forget. It was also an image once again placed in front of me to ensure I stay present, impassioned, involved and committed. Not a damn day goes by. I honestly won’t let it.
Every 9.5 minutes someone ...
Read the full article.
|
1/19/2012
The anticipated fireworks around the issue of West Hollywood’s gay Pride festivities never materialized at the January City Council confab, yet seeds of ideas were planted as fertilizer was strewn about. The Council questioned Christopher Street West President Rodney Scott on a number of issues, plus several scripted props of people and a few truly civic-minded folks spoke. I have written before that I like Mr. Scott and believe him to be more than capable of producing a world-class event.
Though gracious to the Council’s queries, at times his tone was like Boehner chastising the president—a sort of lecture vibe. ...
Read the full article.
|
1/5/2012
Forcing a flock of divergent sorts into a thither at December’s West Hollywood City Council meeting, WeHo Councilmember John D’Amico tossed the gauntlet down thumping the city’s annual gay Pride parade and festival. His public comments cited a “lack of quality” and he asked us denizens for comments and suggestions. That’s always a dicey move, yet a deed handshakers are required to request from time to time.
I both respect and support D’Amico and was pleased to receive an e-mail the day following his lack-of-pride rant asking if I would discuss Pride with him and Christopher Street West Executive Director ...
Read the full article.
|
12/23/2011
I have always cherished Pasadena’s Rose Parade. As a kid growing up just down the path in South Pasadena, it was a family ritual to take over a spot on Colorado Boulevard and bask in the pomp and circumstance of the most beautiful parade on the planet. More often than not, our beloved USC was in the Rose Bowl later that day, so the Miller clan had an entire holiday of ‘everything’s coming up roses.’ By the time I hit high school, one of our neighbors from the Busch beer family took to recruiting locals to ride on the Budweiser ...
Read the full article.
|
12/8/2011
Once these holidaze have zipped by, the planet will begin to focus on what in Hollywood hubristic-speak is called award season.
For many entities and some people as well, the season is their very raison d’être. Over the last two decades, the Academy Awards ceremony has exploded from just a glittery television spectacle into a cottage industry and a parade of parties lasting a couple of weeks. TV shows, gifting suites and a virtual bevy of garish happenings are tossed about. In WeHo, salons, eateries, bars, hotels, haunts and hookers are all packed. It’s truly our high social season.
New ...
Read the full article.
|
11/15/2011
"Revolver Is Back … Bitches!" That’s the e-mail I received from new owners Alfredo Diaz and Chris Miller. Everything old is new again, including the revolving door and a fair price point on booze that if tossed back in moderation, isn’t vomit-inducing. Plus the VJ and 20 video screens have returned and the vibe and view is a sleek swish. Very NYC.
There is something pleasingly mellow about the joint. It has regained its soul. The old Revolver of the ‘80s and ‘90s was a packed local pub of drinks and dick. In its prime with Madonna or Mommy Dearest ...
Read the full article.
Comments
|
10/25/2011
I have never been sabbatically challenged. I’ve taken leave of work, eating, sex, my senses, even thinking from time to time. Yet when I awoke in an ambulance on my way to Cedars it just seemed like the ideal time to consider a permanent sabbatical from drinking. See, over the years I have taken more out of alcohol than it’s taken out of me. But just barely.
Another gentle shove I received towards some semblance of sane solvent-free sabbaticalness was in the form of a gaggle of loved ones perched unexpectedly in my living room one morning strongly suggesting I ...
Read the full article.
|
3/23/2011
This is a tribute. One long overdue, and quite sadly too late. It is one of many we as a community owe. Weeks ago I started to write a eulogy. Sadly I’ve written many. Others now write of her movies and the marriages, but this is now a simple love letter to a person who stood up for us when others wouldn’t. Like so very many before, my generation has seen its share of death. Every crop takes on the world that it’s dealt. In the '80s and '90s a generation once again went to war. This time, initially ...
Read the full article.
Likes
(2)
|
12/7/2010
Well thankfully the mid-term elections are now weeks past and though not a complete and total massacre, all in all it wasn't pretty for my side. I say "my side" out of respect for my wacko gay friends who are Log Cabin Republicans.....Which is a complete oxymoron like awfully pretty, cold hotdog or born dead...But I digress.
We lost some big ones out of apathy. It's like that old joke...What's the difference between ignorance and apathy? I don't know and I don't care! No real national fun until Palin is the elephant's nominee of 0-12, yet ...
Read the full article.
|
10/21/2010
Lord there are times that even I get sick of my rants about AIDS, but there is always something...or someone to pull me back in. Let's take today's temperature. There are an estimated 1.1 million American's living with HIV. In L.A. County, the number of new infections has doubled in the past year. Half of those new infections are folks under 25. One in five gents who have sex with men are HIV positive and nearly half of them don't know it. Scary, right? If there are 1,000 guys walking on Santa Monica Boulevard right now, 200 are HIV positive ...
Read the full article.
|