Gay In The City

Woody Allen: Love Fades

2012-02-02T10:56:00.002-05:00

Nigella Lawson: Lesbian Imagery In Advertising

2012-02-02T08:56:00.002-05:00

"Most gays I know no longer have any interest in being icons of difference. All of us have begun to realise that what is important is to gain respect for how we live and love without defensive provocation.

The challenge is to win the fight to be ordinary - not to be forced into the role of camp court jesters or brazen sapphic hussies. Setting yourself up to inflame the 'breeders', or 'hets', is only the flipside of craving approval: it concedes the notion that there is an hierarchy of acceptability."

- Nigella Lawson

Before her Food Network personae became fully formed, dear Nigella wrote a column for The Observer. Do check out the entire piece here. I often wish Nigella would have more of an opportunity to speak more about contemporary issues, as I think she's quite the smarty pants. Don't get me wrong, I love her cooking shows, but it doesn't seem to be enough of a vehicle to do that brain justice. Perhaps she can do a future project that mixes social commentary with food. One can only hope! If you're reading this Nigella, hop to it!

Man's Country

2012-02-02T07:56:00.000-05:00

I love that there were bath house commercials in the 70's. Bwaa!

Have It Your Way

2012-02-02T07:33:00.000-05:00

Love the girls, love the hats, love the copious amounts of wood panelling!

Kylie Tribute: Get Outta My Way

2012-02-01T11:24:00.000-05:00

Wednesday is hump day, and what better way to get through the middle of the week than to watch some adorable gents who hump for a living? The boys of Randy Blue star in this old tribute to Kylie Minogue. Cute!

Gay Inventions: The High Five

2012-02-01T09:50:00.001-05:00

I was walking down Lake Shore Blvd the other day, when a particularly inebriated gentleman staggered towards me and bid me "high five" him. For those that live in New Toronto/Mimico, I need not explain the quality of some of the main strip residents, who are all a bit on the grizzled side. It adds to the charm.

"High five me buddy, high five!" he screeched. Since growing my beard out, many straight homeless men have started calling me "buddy".

Without missing a beat I slapped his elevated hand hard and continued walking. He seemed happy, and to be honest, my day was made a bit brighter. As per usual, I went home to research the gesture, and this is what I've come up with - the high five is a gay invention!

The photo above is of Glen Burke, one of sport's first out gay baseball players. Apparently in 1977 he celebrated a team mate's home run by doing a unique variation of the "low five", a gesture common amongst African Americans at the time.

History was made. The high five ricocheted around the globe.

A few short years later, facing discrimination because of his openness, and his demoralizing trade to the Oakland A's by the Dodgers, Mr. Burke quit baseball, moved to the Castro district of San Francisco, and joined a gay baseball league.

The high five became a gesture of gay solidarity and pride.

Do read this fantastic article for more info on the gay origins of the high five.

And here I thought it was just an after sex sort of thing.

Nigella Lawson: Who Do You Think You Are?

2012-01-31T13:54:00.003-05:00

This episode is from a few seasons ago, but it's still quite interesting to watch. Sadly, this is only about one third of the episode. Must find the rest somewhere. In the mean time, here's a summary from the series web site. Actor Rupert Everett is featured on another episode here.

Peanut Butter Marshmallow Confetti Squares

2012-01-31T13:30:00.001-05:00

I can't be entirely certain, but I believe these treats are Canadian in origin, and Western Canadian at that - as I haven't really seen these babies east of Winnipeg, where every Second Cup and Starbucks coffee house sells them cut into huge chunks.

Here's the recipe for what can only be described as heroin in a pan.

Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 (11 ounce) package butterscotch chips
1 cup peanut butter
3 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows

1. Make a double boiler by placing a metal mixing bowl over a pan of simmering water.

2. Dump in butter, butterscotch chips, and peanut butter and stir together until melted.

3. Remove and let cool, then stir in colored mini marshmallows. It's important to let the mixture cool, or your marshmallows will succumb to the warmth of the goo, thereby destroying the texture of this confection.

4. Pour lumpy batter into a buttered square baking dish (9" x 9")

5. Chill in the 'fridge and cut into squares.

These are basically peanut butter and butterscotch fudge, with the fluffy marshmallows providing a comforting squeak as you bite into them. Very rich. Try not to eat more than twelve pieces at one sitting.

Animation Update: House Arrest

2012-01-31T10:47:00.001-05:00

A view of my work station, the millstone to which I am tethered.

Before anyone gets any romantic ideas about animation and the act of being creative in general, I should point out that like human reproduction, (so I've heard) the gestation period is long and fraught with queasiness, and the actual birth is usually quite messy, tedious, and painful. Also, the pay is not great. Non existent really.

I am currently doing my breathing exercises, as my computer slowly squeezes out my latest animated vlog for You Tube. Why, you may ask is this particular episode taking so long to push out when it's the shortest one? I've made the foolish error of leaving the confines of my low resolution, web camera staticky, bedroom set, and have placed dear Duncan the dino into all sorts of ridiculous situations. The world away from Duncan's crap web cam is of course, rendered in high definition. Add to that some complex geometrical visual effects I've never tried before, and you have the making of one very long computer house arrest.

Three scenes rendered. Four more to go. My computer is so taxed that this paragraph is being typed before the text shows up on screen.

Back to waiting!

Ira Glass On Storytelling

2012-01-30T09:03:00.001-05:00

Ira Glass on Storytelling from David Shiyang Liu on Vimeo.

Patrick Angus's Last Address

2012-01-29T10:30:00.004-05:00

Patrick Angus was once described as the Toulouse-Lautrec of Times Square, and in the 80's set out to document the gay underground scene in what was then a city in the throes of an epidemic. Working stints as a security guard, and as an art gallery gift shop attendant, Mr. Angus continued to paint while he lived in a welfare hotel, his work dismissed by many at the time as being too gay, too figurative, and far too dirty.

"In the last year of life, as he struggled with AIDS with little medical treatment while telling his friends that he was seeing doctors and following their orders, Angus was astonished by a burst of good fortune. In a matter of months, he had three one-person exhibitions (one at the University of California in Santa Barbara and the Leslie-Lohman and Ganymede galleries in New York City) and sold six pieces to painter David Hockney. The New York exhibitions and a book about his work were the result of the tireless diligence of his friend Douglas Turnbaugh in promoting him in his final months.  He had not been so afraid of dying, Angus told Turnbaugh, as that his work would end up in a dumpster. On his deathbed at St. Vincent's hospital, looking at the proof sheets of Strip Show, a soon-to-be-published book of his paintings, he whispered, "This is the happiest day of my life." - an extract from the Leslie Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art.

Mr. Angus found a friend in Quentin Crisp, who attempted to promote the young artist's work. Angus's character makes an appearance in the television sequel to "The Naked Civil Servant" - a clip from the film follows.

Mr. Angus also appears as himself in the documentary Resident Alien. Do check out the website Last Address, for a list of the last homes of artists in New York who died of AIDS. A great resource.

Animation Update: Still Rendering

2012-01-29T09:33:00.001-05:00

Episode Three of my Dinosaur Vlog is still rendering away on my computer. I can practically hear my little machine sweating as it struggles to compute the complicated geometry involved in allowing a virtual Eaton Centre fountain to drain and then spew water up into the air.

Here then is a still from the mall, the bronze flock of rubber ducks that hangs at the southern end of the glass atrium. Visitors to Toronto will understand the joke.

I hope to have my latest installment finished by tomorrow night!

Back to work!

Things I Like: The Boxx Scooter

2012-01-28T09:49:00.000-05:00

Because of it's shape, the Boxx Scooter can be easily shipped by UPS, and the internal electronics slide out the rear for an easy return for servicing should something go wrong. Completely electric, fast enough to get you where you need to go, but slow enough to not require a special license. Cute! And all of this goodness for just under $4,000.00 bucks!

Timber Records

2012-01-28T09:24:00.001-05:00

YEARS from Bartholomäus Traubeck on Vimeo.

The concentric rings on a slice of wood are analyzed by this record player, and the resulting data is translated into music and fed into a piano. Interesting! I wonder if the same thing could be done for a fingerprint. The work is by Bartholomaus Traubeck.

Metachaos

2012-01-28T09:07:00.000-05:00

This animation makes my jaw drop. Extremely detailed, oppressive, horrific at times, and very dark in tone - like a Hieronymus Bosch painting gone insane. Watch at full screen if possible. The artist is one Mr. Alessandro Bavari. Do check out his work. The man makes some amazing art.

Michael Fassbender's First Take

2012-01-27T09:08:00.002-05:00

Mr. Fassbender chats about his famous peeing scene from the film Hunger. Bwaa!

Hot Guy Friday: Guys With Fries

2012-01-27T08:28:00.000-05:00

Some enterprising soul has photoshopped McDonald's french fries into those douche bag "guys with iphones" website photos. The result? Guys with Fries. A bit of a laugh at the truly narcissistic. Now if only someone would perfect smell-o-vision.

Stephen Fry On Swearing

2012-01-26T17:54:00.000-05:00

This one's not new, but it's new to me so here you go. Mr. Fry on the joys of swearing. Fuck yeah!

Lego Man In Space

2012-01-26T13:51:00.000-05:00

Two Canadian teenagers sent a Lego man into low orbit recently using a weather balloon, cameras, and supplies found on Craigslist. Here's the resulting footage. Fantastic!

Bloody Apple

2012-01-26T08:13:00.000-05:00

"You can either manufacture in comfortable, worker-friendly factories, or you can reinvent the product every year, and make it better and faster and cheaper, which requires factories that seem harsh by American standards. And right now, customers care more about a new iPhone than working conditions in China."

An interesting article in the New York Times detailing the brief life of a 22 year old killed in an ipad factory explosion in China, and not the only explosion either apparently. The cause? Low profit margins for parts suppliers as dictated by large corporations, means cost cutting measures in health and safety overseas and low wages and long hours for workers. Do read the whole article - he said smugly while typing on his Mac. Oy.

Sequoia: Testimony Of A Snail

2012-01-25T21:30:00.002-05:00

Awesome 3D computer animation work here. Love it!

Pecs And Pina Coladas

2012-01-25T17:27:00.000-05:00

Oh my. I suddenly have a craving for pineapple.

Canadian Animation Oscar Nominations

2012-01-25T10:09:00.000-05:00

A record two Oscar nominations for the National Film Board's animation department this year! Wild Life played at the L.A. Shorts Festival alongside my short Paper World last year, and tells the story of the thousands of British men who went to settle Western Canada in the early 20th century. Sunday is about a bored little boy who goes to put coins on the train tracks near his grandparents home. Both shorts are here in their entirety and worth viewing if you have a few minutes!

Hooray for Canadian animation!

Animation Update: In The Night Mall

2012-01-24T13:17:00.000-05:00

It's audio and animation for the next two days, and hopefully a new Duncan and The Egg adventure for Friday! I got a bit carried away with this vacation episode, but I've learned many new things.

Back to work!

The Squalor of Quentin Crisp

2012-01-24T08:15:00.000-05:00

"After the first four years, the dirt doesn't get any worse." - Quentin Crisp.

I thought he was joking. An interesting interview with Mr. Crisp in his tiny, grubby, New York apartment. With no refrigerator or kitchen to speak of, Mr. Crisp only had tea with milk during the cooler months, and during warmer weather switched to Guinness for breakfast which would cause him to sit about in a stupor until noon, wherein he would have to recompose himself before heading out for the day. Too funny.

Mr. Crisp's apartment was recreated by his great nephew for the 2010 Mix Festival in New York City. Photographs here.

Trafalgar Sun

2012-01-23T15:22:00.001-05:00

Four million Lumens of light, one crane, and a heat resistant spherical skin equals one man made sun in Trafalgar Square. I don't care if this is essentially a large ad for Tropicana orange juice.

I love it.

The Tate Modern first hosted a similar indoor installation like this years ago called The Weather Project. Lovely.

Things I Like: The Country Girl

2012-01-23T09:40:00.000-05:00

Until last night, I'd never heard of The Country Girl never mind seen it, but movie trivia buffs will know that this was the film that allowed Grace Kelly to win a best actress Oscar over Judy Garland's performance in A Star Is Born.

I actually quite enjoyed this drama about co-dependance and alcoholism, and thought Grace Kelly did a rather splendid job. I think I understand why people like her now. Must watch A Star Is Born Next!

Animation Update: People Parts

2012-01-22T17:45:00.000-05:00

My digital warehouse full of extras is stocked, and after a solid weekend of hunching over my computer constructing corpses, I'll be glad for a bit of a break. Time for coloring and texturing, and then I can begin liberally scattering my dinosaur's friends about the sets I've constructed. Several copy and pastes later, and the stage will be set for my actors.

Back to work!

What's My Line: Marilyn Judo Instructor

2012-01-22T08:35:00.002-05:00

I'm impressed that in the 50's women were not only allowed into Judo classes, but were allowed to teach them! Cute episode.

Robot Chicken Goodness

2012-01-21T08:56:00.001-05:00

Star Wars: Uncut

2012-01-20T16:29:00.000-05:00

"In 2009, thousands of Internet users were asked to remake “Star Wars: A New Hope” into a fan film, 15 seconds at a time. Contributors were allowed to recreate scenes from Star Wars however they wanted. "

Not only was the crowd sourced film a success, but it also won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Creative Achievement In Interactive Media. The entire feature length fan version of Star Wars: A New Hope can be found here. Love it!

Things I Like: Portable Humidifier

2012-01-20T08:40:00.000-05:00

Jerry, the travel humidifier from FLIGHT 001 on Vimeo.

As my aging epidermis slowly cracks and crumbles, I'm beginning to appreciate the beneficial effects of a higher humidity environment. Love this little portable humidifier from Flight 001. Do check out the website for all sorts of goodies. I love the flying drunk luggage tag.

Animation Update: Making "Peeple"

2012-01-20T08:18:00.000-05:00

Cartoon violence demands cartoon victims, and to keep my dinosaur hero sympathetic, I'm busy fashioning generic looking people to inhabit his world. As chickens and pigs are to us, so are "peeple" to Duncan, who finds that all of those tasty pink and brown morsels look vaguely identical.

My two template humans are still a bit too rodent looking for my liking. I want them to be dull and vacant and bulbous, the sort of cadavers who clog up escalators by standing on the wrong side, or the kind of low life that sends texts during movies at the local multiplex. Idiots. Mall dwellers and food court grazers. Sheep in human form with comical detachable limbs and heads that can scatter at a moments notice.

Duncan's plane ride set was finished yesterday, and aside from the strips on the floor lining the aisle, and the airline drinks cart, all is finished.

Back to work!

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

2012-01-19T13:38:00.001-05:00

I can't speak for every gay on planet Earth (though you may sometimes wonder by the tone of this blog), but there's nothing my friends and I love more than a good crotchety old lady! That this film stars two of Downton Abbey's finest PLUS Dame Judy Dench makes this a cinematic outing worth undertaking. This film will either be brilliant or lame, as an excellent trailer often straddles the divide. My thanks to The Daver for pointing me in this direction.

Smash: Pilot Episode

2012-01-19T10:40:00.000-05:00

In an unprecedented move, the pilot episode of television's newest musical series Smash is available for a free download on the US version of itunes - 18 days before the NBC debut. More enterprising souls will no doubt find other locations from which to watch.

Build Your Own Airplane Cart

2012-01-19T09:56:00.000-05:00

Me likey! For those of us who can't afford to travel, a portable party for the home - customizable with all manner of compartments, finishes and details!

Bears!

2012-01-19T09:41:00.001-05:00

Zoochosis: Bears from Zoochosis on Vimeo.

Happy Birthday Mr. Poe

2012-01-19T09:26:00.000-05:00

A very happy 203rd birthday to Mr. Edgar Allan Poe. Fans of his work will no doubt flock to the national historic site in Pennsylvania where a tour of his home can be taken by candle light. Oooo!

Retro Bites: The Iron Lady Speaks

2012-01-18T20:20:00.001-05:00

I've not seen Meryl Streep's new Thatcher pic yet, but am skimming through John Campbell's Iron Lady bio in preparation. Here's an old clip with Canada's Barbara Frum, and Lady Thatcher herself. Should be an interesting film.

12 Questions For Woody Allen

2012-01-18T16:52:00.002-05:00

Animation Update: Duncan Visits Toronto

2012-01-18T14:39:00.002-05:00

The set for next week's animated adventures is slowly shaping up, and by tomorrow I should have this cutaway joke scene finished. Expect a bit of blood shed in next week's episode, and some minor property damage.

Back to work!

Japanese Masks

2012-01-18T08:46:00.000-05:00

A great little video about why the Japanese wear surgical masks in public. I'm staying away from the gym today so I don't snot all over the machines. This could have been a better solution!

Fotoshop By Adobé

2012-01-17T21:39:00.003-05:00

Sick!

2012-01-17T19:40:00.000-05:00

My throat is killing me, and my house mate has begun to exhibit early Bea Arthur growlings in his voice. What is not apparent at the moment however, is whether or not this illness is coming or leaving.

While visiting my friend The Diva in Winnipeg over the holidays, I was treated to her tales of a three week bout of laryngitis she was still suffering under.

Perhaps the bug has stuck to me. Oy.

I shall have some restorative juice from my Rabbinical drinking glasses. That ought to take the curse off it!

The Best Of The Dowager Countess

2012-01-17T17:55:00.002-05:00

Animation Update: Dinosaur Vlog #2

2012-01-17T10:53:00.000-05:00

Do head on over to my You Tube channel for Duncan's advice on when delicious gay men are at their best for good eating.

Vintage Joan Rivers

2012-01-16T16:52:00.000-05:00

Only Joan could openly include gay jokes in her routine back in 1966. Bwaaa!

Rabbinical Drinking Glasses

2012-01-16T16:15:00.000-05:00

My housemate and his boyfriend returned from NYC yesterday, and thoughtfully brought me these Heroes of the Torah drinking glasses! Oy! Break out the Manischewitz!

I'll refrain from using them tonight during the pork roast dinner I'm currently preparing, though I can't promise I won't play a bit of Barbra as background music.

Wandering With Hunks

2012-01-16T09:23:00.001-05:00

I met up with my cute friend Bear Of A Man and his equally stunning actor friend Tony The Tiger for a viewing of the Grace Kelly exhibit at the Tiff Bell Lightbox yesterday, only to be disappointed by a sold out viewing. Bear and Tony are sort of salt and pepper versions of one another, one dark and swarthy, the other blond and Norwegian looking, and both well over six feet tall. The handsome brothers. Your basic nightmare. It doesn't help that they both have instantly likeable personalities.

At 5'11" tall, and with most of my height in my torso, I scampered along behind them as they strode down the street in front of me, their beautiful actorly teeth beaming down with benevolence from above. Think a much better looking Siegfried and Roy taking their feces encrusted chimp out for a walk.

Note to self: wear bellhop uniform next time.

We wandered aimlessly after being turfed from Tiff, and, as every coffee shop we attempted to relax in was filled to the bursting with Sunday hipsters, we ended up watched the closing ceremonies of the Canadian Chinese Idol competition at a seedy looking mall on Spadina.

Of course.

The winner was a flashy looking girl in a sequined frock. I'm totally gonna enter this next year. Not sure about the dress. Might wear the bellhop gear.

Over The Rainbow Reprise

2012-01-15T10:11:00.002-05:00

I had no idea that a reprise to Over The Rainbow existed! What kinda gay man am I?

100 Pushups

2012-01-15T09:35:00.001-05:00

Some useful advice, but the real gold is in the last few minutes of this hilarious video. Love the Star Wars serenade!

Madonna And Graham

2012-01-14T21:31:00.000-05:00

Madonna sits down with Graham Norton to discuss her new movie W.E., friends in low places, and her upcoming album MDNA.

Samsung Smart Windows

2012-01-14T12:58:00.001-05:00

The future is here! I wouldn't want to get a baseball through this one!

Smell Like A Monster

2012-01-14T12:37:00.001-05:00

Grace Kelly Movies

2012-01-14T09:41:00.000-05:00

In preparation for my upcoming visit to the Grace Kelly exhibit at the Bell Lightbox here in Toronto, I watched two of her classic movies last night: Dial M For Murder, and Mogambo. In Dial M, she played a woman at the center of a murder plot who's attempting to cover up an extra marital affair. In Mogambo, she plays a sheltered married British woman who spends her time on an African safari attempting to cover up....an extra marital....uh....daliance.

It's been said that comparisons are odious, but I think that Grace Kelly was the January Jones of her generation. Nice to look at, but not much going on in the acting department.

Dial M For Murder was clever, but I thought Mogambo was horribly sexist and incredibly unbelievable. The safari continually cut between indoor Gilligan's Island quality jungle sets, and grainy, on location jungle shoots - granted it could have been the copy I was watching. Having a greying, paunchy Clark Gable as the big game hunter that no woman can resist was also, well....a bit of a stretch.

Tonight it's Rear Window! Can't wait!

Donald Sutherland's Wind Section

2012-01-13T17:13:00.002-05:00

Jeremy Jordan: I Am Yours

2012-01-13T12:43:00.000-05:00

Mr. Jeremy Jordan's golden vocal chords are featured in the new Dolly Parton musical comedy "Joyful Noise". A fantastic voice!

Mapplethorpe Gets Pierced

2012-01-13T11:29:00.000-05:00

I'm embarrassed to admit that until viewing this clip, I'd never actually heard the sound of Robert Mapplethorpe's voice before. Apparently James Franco will be playing him in an upcoming biopic. Should be interesting, especially if the famous bullwhip photo session is reenacted!

Hot Guy Friday: Aiden Shaw

2012-01-13T10:40:00.000-05:00

Some people just keep getting better and better! Mr. Aiden Shaw: novelist, poet, musician, life student, and former "horizontal thespian", still photographs well at the ripe age of 46. Damn! His personal website is still under construction, but fans of his can still catch the crumbs off his proverbial table at his twitter feed here.

Isabella Blow

2012-01-13T10:01:00.000-05:00

Before Lady Gaga was wearing lobsters on her head, there was Isabella Blow, who, well, wore lobsters on her head. Ms. Blow was a champion of up and coming fashion designers, and helped to discover the late Alexander McQueen. After repeated suicide attempts, she finally succeeded after ingesting an unhealthy amount of weed killer. Ouch. No doubt a movie about her life will be in the works. Do watch the profile above, if not for the beautiful architecture and stunning hats.

Chain Gang Tap Dance

2012-01-12T17:37:00.000-05:00

I was waiting for somebody to fuse bondage, tap dancing and sequined bathing suits into one spectacular fetish! Everything really has been done before.

Animation Update: The Pest

2012-01-12T10:31:00.002-05:00

There's nothing worse that being saddled with a weird younger brother who refuses to take off his security shell. Tune in to my new dino vlog next week to see how Oedipus Duncan Rex deals with the prospect of babysitting for an afternoon. Disaster!

Headley: One Life

2012-01-11T13:25:00.000-05:00

How refreshing! A song that isn't about getting laid, breaking up, or falling in love - though those things are of course, important milestones. The boys of Headley are Canadian - do check out their website here.

The Confessions Of Steve McQueen

2012-01-11T09:19:00.000-05:00

The Confessions of Steve McQueen from Alison Chernick on Vimeo.

An excellent reflection by artist and director Steve McQueen on his new film Shame.

Michael Fassbender: Shame Review

2012-01-11T09:07:00.000-05:00

Bear of a Man, Monkeyboy, The Embryo, and I, watched the Steve McQueen film Shame last night at the Scotia Bank theatre, and although we didn't have a prolonged chat about it afterwards before we all headed home, I think we all found the film to be incredibly compelling. Sensitive souls be warned, there is plenty of full frontal Fassbender during the first ten minutes, including an unedited scene of him taking a very long pee. Outrageous!

I was afraid that the man on man scenes involving Fassbender's sex addicted character Brandon would represent the lowest point that the addict had sunk to, but it was included as part of a sexual bender that the character went on - a logical alternative for a junkie that needed a quick fix when women weren't available.

I did think it interesting that the only time Brandon seemed ill at ease was when he was cruising in the back room of a gay club, a red lit, shadowy maze of tiny rooms and alcoves where, for the first time, the predator became the prey.

Will a gay audience find this movie as shocking as a straight audience? Will men sympathize more with Brandon than women? I'd be interested in hearing feedback.

Certainly worth seeing. I must read up on the director Steve McQueen, who was awarded the prestigious Turner Prize back in 1999 for his art. The man certainly makes great movies.

Animation Update: Live On You Tube!

2012-01-10T12:20:00.000-05:00

Do head on over to my new You Tube channel and subscribe to my little animated vlog - quite possibly You Tube's first ever 3D animated dinosaur vlogger. Do forgive him his atrocious spelling, as he's had a life long bad habit of eating his teachers.

Smash: Beautiful

2012-01-09T17:58:00.001-05:00

NBC's Glee killer "Smash" starts on Feb. 6th. Here's the cast's first music video. Eeee!

Sister Sledge: Impressions

2012-01-09T10:05:00.000-05:00

A 1981 medley by Sister Sledge of some of their favorite celebrity impressions. The Dolly Parton impression is a bit of a train wreck, but good fun none the less!

Animation Update: Lip Synch Learning

2012-01-09T09:30:00.001-05:00

For the past two days, I've been squirreled away in my bedroom slowly teaching my first talking animated character how to use speech to communicate his rather strange ideas about the world.

It hasn't been easy.

Things I have learned this weekend:

1. Unlike Pac Man, most pseudo humanoid characters only move their bottom jaws to speak, as the upper jaw is rooted firmly to the skull and has no movement. Try this in a mirror if you don't believe me. I really had no idea. How stupid of me.

2. Too much annunciation is a bad thing, and when every vowel is animated, the face becomes a blur of movement. In animation, less is more.

3. Dinosaurs enjoy eating people.

Today will be spent undoing a lot of the unnecessary animation I built into my friend Duncan's face, and hopefully by this evening I'll be finished and can begin rendering out his first vlog for You Tube.

Also, I'm continuing the hunt for a "regular" job in earnest, as I really need to get out and earn some cash. There is of course, the possibility that Duncan the Dino will become an overnight internet sensation, earning me thousands of dollars in advertising revenue, but really, why break with my artsy poverty streak now?

Back to unpaid work!

Nigella Loves Caramel

2012-01-08T09:38:00.001-05:00

“I am in the middle of a love affair with salted caramel. It’s heady, it’s passionate, it may — like the stalker’s obsessive focus — not be entirely healthy, but I take the view that few in this world have the luxury to be blasé about pleasure…True, for many, self-denial has its own exquisite agony, but I am not among their number. For me, a ‘more is more’ kind of a person, I don’t want merely to experience pleasure, I want to wallow in it — gloriously and gratefully — while it lasts.”

Nigella Lawson

After dropping more than 30 pounds, Nigella struts her stuff for the December issue of Stylist magazine. I never thought to restrict my caloric intake by smearing my dessert on the outside of my body. How clever of her!

Doris Day's Comeback Album

2012-01-07T13:47:00.000-05:00

Now into her 88th year, Doris Day's new album My Heart made it's debut at no. 9 on the U.K. charts, making her the oldest person to score a U.K. top ten album featuring new material. Do listen to this delightful NPR interview with Ms. Day, who reminisces about working with Alfred Hitchcock, and discloses Rock Hudson's pet name for her. My Heart is available on itunes.

Animation Update: Webcam Filter

2012-01-06T16:11:00.000-05:00

Below is an example of the animated noise filter I'll be applying to my finished Dino Vlogs for You Tube. It kind of kills me to degrade the quality of the image, but the slight bit of noise crackling away helps to sell the web cam look. I'll also animate a lens focus and unfocus every time he moves his head, as I remember that the old isight cameras for Mac were notorious for doing that sort of thing.

The actor is in place, the set is constructed, the lights are hung. Time to record my first script!

Back to work!

Phoque Toi

2012-01-06T12:15:00.000-05:00

Through a mysterious network that spans generations, Canadian children seem to spontaneously discover in the second grade that the word for seal in French is phoque.

Hilarity ensues.

Hot Guy Friday: Adam Von Rothfelder

2012-01-06T10:12:00.000-05:00

Fighter, model, walking tattoo gallery. What more could anyone want really?

Animation Update: Ready To Go!

2012-01-05T14:14:00.001-05:00

My background set for what could be You Tube's first ever interactive animated vlogger is finished, and I just have to record my little script and begin lip synching. Hopefully I'll have my dino channel up and running by the end of next week. I can't be certain if anyone has ever tried making a 3D computer animated character that will take requests and respond to users comments like a real person.

Could be interesting.

I'm looking forward to becoming more skilled at animating to a vocal track. Luckily my dinosaur's webcam is a piece of crap, so the occasional buzz of snow will help mask any imperfections. Ha!

Here's a shot of my dinosaur's school photo that didn't quite make the cut. Expect more subtle upgrades to his bedroom as time wears on. Back to work!

Michael Fassbender: Shame

2012-01-05T08:55:00.004-05:00

I'm hoping to see Michael Fassbender's newest tour de force this weekend, as the film has received glowing reviews globally. In an age where instant sex is just a Grindr app away, it'll be interesting to see how this story of a man who uses his sex addiction to deflect intimacy is handled. I'm also keen to see how Fassbender's same sex bath house scene is treated, and whether or not his gay hookup is just another notch on his bedpost, or if gay sex is treated as the lowest point that this character can hit. I hope not, because that really would be a shame.

Things Girls Say

2012-01-04T09:57:00.001-05:00

Things Gay Guys Say

2012-01-04T09:42:00.003-05:00

Animation Update: Dinosaur Bedroom!

2012-01-03T22:33:00.000-05:00

Just a few final touches to finish tomorrow and I can begin production on my first Web Series.

It took a lot of agonizing as to what to put in my dinosaur's bedroom, but I think I'm happy with the results so far. A neglected "pet" in a terrarium for fun, some trophy posters, and tomorrow I'll add curtains, and a few books and toys to be scattered about. I've also finished weighting the skin on my beast so he can really extend his mouth and roar, and added a throat and a fully working uvula. Not sure if dinosaurs had uvulas, but mine does!

A good day's work. To bed!

Tom Ford: Perfectionist

2012-01-03T13:16:00.000-05:00

I too used to rearrange the furniture in my parent's house until it looked just right. Too funny.

Maurice Sendak: Gay Illustrator

2012-01-03T10:01:00.001-05:00

A nice little conversation with Mr. Maurice Sendak, children's author, illustrator and iconic monster designer. I'm glad he has no plans to write sequels, and love his explanation as to why there will never be a "Where The Wild Things Are 2". Hilarious!

The ManHood!

2012-01-02T20:55:00.000-05:00

Who knew that my home town of Winnipeg was the foreskin substitute capital of Canada? Behold, the ManHood, a little pouch for those of us who were deprived of our natural carrying cases shortly after birth. This little dinkle protector promises to give back lost sensitivity in a matter of weeks, thereby restoring vitality and vivaciousness to one's man in the helmet.

I take exception to the notion that my circumcised brethren and I have carelessly lost the feeling in our trouser trouts! Cut men are just as careful with their wangs as their uncut counterparts, and are not insensitive in the least. We are very tender (and clean) lovers! We don't run along thwapping our penises against picket fences, or allow our dongs to dangle in harm's way! How insulting! It's discrimination!

I wonder if they do rush deliveries.

Tate Shots: Grayson Perry

2012-01-02T08:16:00.001-05:00

I've spent a good deal of time watching the Tateshots channel on You Tube, which profiles artists in their studios chatting about their work. Fascinating.

Here's a brief studio visit with the ultra fabulous cross dressing potter Grayson Perry. Mr. Perry won the Turner Prize in 2003 for his work, and accepted the award dressed as his alter ego Claire with his wife and daughter in tow. Fantastic!

Do watch this video as well, which hi lights a tapestry done by Mr. Perry, and a few more close ups of his finished pots.

New Year's Eve

2011-12-31T14:25:00.005-05:00

A favorite seasonal song from a favorite Canadian of mine. Diana Krall, you rock!

Happy New Year's to all my faithful followers, and a big thank you for taking the time to stop by here occasionally to read up on the minutia of my every day existence. At times my video imbedding has gone a bit over the top, but hey, I guess I just never got over Show & Tell when I was a kid. There's nothing wrong with sharing the good stuff.

It's been an interesting year, and although financially 2011 will go down as my worst year to date, artistically it was one of my most prolific. Four successful film festivals held over eight cities across North America, one of which was a Hollywood premiere in which I was in official competition against Pixar, Terry Gilliam, Rachel Weisz, The National Film Board, and a bevy of other veteran film makers. I may be poor, but I'm happy.

Hopefully if I continue to work hard and put myself out there, the money will follow - and then, dear readers, I'll really have something to blog about.

Happy New Year everyone. Drink responsibly, and stay off those roads!

Blair
xox

Heading Home

2011-12-30T18:38:00.000-05:00

The only gays at the Winnipeg International Airport are the three cute boys on my flight to Toronto (myself included), and the greeter at the airport TGI Fridays. Glad to be flying home, even if it's into the jaws of an impending ice storm. Toronto here I come!

Raising Twelve Kids

2011-12-30T10:16:00.000-05:00

Two gay men, twelve adopted children. It sounds like the makings of a reality show to me. So cute!

New York Flexing

2011-12-29T21:23:00.000-05:00

I've never seen anything quite like the dislocated dance moves of these young gentlemen. The gas masks add an interesting touch as well. Very impressive.

Cute Gay Couple

2011-12-29T17:43:00.000-05:00

Spatula Shopping

2011-12-29T09:38:00.001-05:00

I'm always at a loss as to what activities to do with my aging parents, who are both sharp as a tack for people in their 80's, but need constant visual stimulation or they become bored. Television has limited appeal, their ipad has been maxed out with casino apps galore, they find Facebook to be tedious, and their local paper can be read in under half an hour. What then, is one to do with the chronically curious who have seen it all and done it all?

"I need a spatula" announced my father yesterday morning, so, always eager for an adventure, my folks piled me into their SUV and set off to the city's biggest kitchen store in Osborne Village - The Happy Cooker.

We were there for two hours.

At one point I felt like lying down on the floor of the shop like a petulant two year old, as my parents diligently combed through every single gadget the store had to offer, picking things up, shuffling across the shop to show one another said object, then trying to remember where said kitchen implement was originally found. Chestnut peelers, mandolins, pancake batter dispensers, cow shaped milk jugs, moose shaped oven mitts, all were exclaimed and wondered over.

In the end the perfect high temperature silicone spatula/spoon was found, along with a butter bell and a spoon.

The sun was setting as we left, and I stayed behind to meet a friend from University for dinner. As I watched my parents toddle off down the street hand in hand, I wondered what it was like to take such interest in absolutely everything the world has to offer.

I'll soon find out.

Over their breakfast this morning, I heard them loudly discussing their forthcoming plans to move to Toronto.

Canadian Humour

2011-12-27T08:45:00.000-05:00

For those around the world who think that Canadians are simply Americans with frostbite, I would point out that our national sense of humour is notably different. Case in point, Newfoundland comedy troupe Codco, who's rather salty sketch comedy was the backbone of prime time Canadian television when I was growing up. The sketch above is typical of the show, and deals with homosexuality in the priest hood, masturbation, and of course, glory holes.

Bwwaa! Love it.

Margaret Atwood On The Toronto Bath Raids

2011-12-26T19:19:00.002-05:00

Prometheus

2011-12-25T18:59:00.000-05:00

The new trailer for Ridley Scott's Alien prequel. Aieeeee! So excited!

Le Parisien: Better To Read One Than To Meet One

2011-12-25T15:16:00.002-05:00

When writer Stephen Clarke, author of Paris Revealed, visited a French cinema a few years ago, he was amazed to hear the laughter and cheers that followed these commercials for Le Parisien. How could a group of citizens take such gleeful delight in their reputation as being the bad boys of their country? I personally thought that every Parisian I encountered was perfectly charming, though perhaps they were secretly spitting in my coffee as they cheerfully bid me a good morning. Too funny.

Christmas Brunch

2011-12-25T14:56:00.000-05:00

With the city of Winnipeg shut down for Christmas day, my family and I ventured out after church for an elusive place to brunch at, and wound up having lunch at The Palm Room in the Fort Garry Hotel. Quite a nice little lunch menu, and as my parents are spending New Year's Eve at the hotel (my Christmas gift to them), they were glad to have a quick walk through the place so they would know where to go for their dinner and breakfast the next morning. For those visiting the city, I would highly recommend staying here, if only for the spa alone, which apparently is one of the best in North America - a full on modernist Turkish spa takes up the bulk of the tenth floor! The Fort Garry is a lovely old railway hotel, it's sister being the Royal York in Toronto. One day I too shall be married here. Better get the lead out on finding that elusive man!

The Stench In Row Twelve

2011-12-24T16:32:00.002-05:00

Up until now, my tactic of only booking seats in the emergency row when flying has worked out rather well. On Westjet flights, emergency row dwellers are allowed to pre board ahead of the rest of the cattle, children are not allowed to sit in the emergency exit row, and the seats infront of said aisle cannot recline, providing more foot and knee room. In the case of my flight last might, the seat ahead of me had even been removed, allowing me to fully recline into a luxurious slouch. Heaven!

Although my flight was 41 minutes late, the delay was made palatable by the hunky steward with the tight pants who commandeered the gate microphone and made cute announcements until our plane arrived. Once aboard, his jokes continued, and I was really beginning to enjoy myself until Mr.12F arrived. My seat mate. The gorilla.

The gorilla was huge and stinky and fell over poor 12E into his seat, smushing me against the plane window. Failing to comprehend who's seat controls belonged to whom, the gorilla literally pressed my button sending me slamming backwards into the unfortunate behind me. The ape then removed his simian shoes and as the plane ascended, let rip with one of four massive farts, each one equally spaced throughout the entire two and a half hour ride.

The muscle hunk of a steward swished past our dung scented aisle at one point, and I watched his flawless face twitch in agitation as his delicately flared nostrils slammed shut. He gave us all a withering glance and sent the ugly steward with the limp moustache to distribute our measly libations and "Bitz'N Bites"

Oh the mortification. Cock blocked by a gaseous primate at 40,000 feet.

As the flight continued, the ape attempted to infringe on my quality leg room area with a tentative socked foot, but a good kick sent chimpy back to his designated foot area.

He may have farted in surprise, but having grown accustomed to the smell I merely turned away and smiled quietly to myself.

I love the holidays.

Heading Home!

2011-12-23T17:04:00.000-05:00

Just finished packing and will be heading off to the airport to catch my flight to wintery Winnipeg. Sadly, the weather seems quite similar to Toronto, so I may be having a green Christmas this year. Who woulda thought?

Blogging will no doubt be sporadic, or fairly heavy throughout the holidays!

Happy Holidays everyone!

The Christmas Kangaroo

2011-12-22T16:35:00.000-05:00

Hugh Jackman - Christmas Kangaroo - Lilybunny - MyVideo

Time once again for one of my favorite Christmas themed SNL skits!

Stuck Up!

2011-12-22T13:20:00.001-05:00

For that hard to buy for gay shopper, I'd recommend the book Stuck Up!, which details all of the strange objects that doctors have found in the lower intestinal tracts of all manner of patients. Who knew a Buzz Lightyear doll could be inserted so far into one's rectum? To infinity and beyond!

War Horse: The Movie

2011-12-22T10:32:00.001-05:00

After a day of Christmas shopping on still shaky legs, it was a relief to sit down at the Scotia Bank Theatre with my friend Kerouac to watch an advanced screening of War Horse - a perk granted to friends and employees of Mirvish Productions, the sponsoring theatre company here in Toronto that will be bringing the stage production to the city.

I actually find the trailer above to be better paced, and more moving than the actual film - which is sparsely written, populated by one dimensional characters, and doesn't really pick up any sort of momentum until the horse enters no man's land around 3/4 of the way through the film.

For a family movie it's certainly above average, and I'd take older kids and young adults to see it, but both Kerouac and I found ourselves looking at each other and rolling our eyes on more than one occasion. Spielberg hits all the obvious notes on cue, but after watching thirty years of his films, the notes have become louder and more clichéed. As the camera rises beyond the hill, and there is always a hill in a Spielberg movie, you can guarantee there will be something terrible/wondrous to behold on the other side of it. Cue John Williams music. Groan.

Watch for the over the top ode to Gone With The Wind at the end of the film. Pure cheese.

Jingle Bells, Batman Smells...

2011-12-21T10:15:00.002-05:00