Inquiring Minds, Need for Speed and Coming Out Fatigue

Hello Everyone....Sorry I didn't post a new blog last week, but I was having some technical difficulties which hampered by ability to post.  However, I am back and I have some things to discuss.  Let's cuss and discuss now.

I'm just thinking out loud.  I recently made a trip back home to Kansas City to visit family and friends.  I tried to carve out some time for some to see some friends, but it didn't happen. I don't know if I dropped the ball or they dropped the ball, but I t was quite interesting to me.  Just to see how rapidly life continues on.

I've been on my new journey in Costa Rica now for 8 months now.  Thanks to social media, I've been able to keep up with everyone.  Social Media like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and so on have been great for allowing me to feel still connected to the people I adore and not feel homesick, which could happen when you are so far removed. I think it may have hampered my reunion with certain people when I visit.

Years ago, a friend would come into town after being gone for a while and everyone would rally around that friend to find out the details of their life since they last saw each other.  However, because of social media, we already know all the details, especially if you are like me and post everything either on Twitter, Facebook or a blog.  It leaves very little to discuss and lessens the desire to see each other.

I guess it does free up unnecessary conversation so you can concentrate on doing fun things with these individuals.  It also means you have to work harder at that relationship.  I may be reading too much into this and, because I have been back almost three times in those eight months, I may not have been gone long enough to let the grow fonder.



There are several Entertainment news shows out there in boob tube world.  I've talked about a few of the hosts and, if you have read earlier blogs, you know I am not a fan of too many of them.  Since I do love news about entertainment, I do watch some of them.  However, they drive me insane at the same time.  I know I'm in a vicious circle.  I am going to play good thing and bad thing about these shows.  Then I will give my opinion on Entertainment Tonight, E News, Access Hollywood and OMG.

1. Good Thing - They keep us up to date on television shows and movies.  Are they going to be cancelled?  What's Matt Damon's next film?  When does that new Avengers movie come out?

2. Bad Thing - They keep us up to date on celebrities personal lives.  I don't care about who they are marrying or divorcing or have in their bed.  I wouldn't be so disgusted by certain individuals if the media and paparazzi would keep some items private.  Maybe some celebrities wouldn't fallen so far off their game if the entertainment news media would have let them deal with their issues instead of giving them attention for their bad behavior.

3. Good Thing - They occasionally tell us stories about amazing individuals who may not be celebrity status but deserve the spotlight for their 15 minutes of fame.

4. Bad Thing - They keep that spotlight on some individuals too long  and create media whores because they have no talent to keep people interested and/or fund their new famous lifestyle.  You can basically name any E reality star, any person who has been on Real World, any of the Housewives of whatever county or state, so on and so forth.  Very little of these people have any entertainment talent or value.  The only reason we watch these shows is too make us feel better that our lives isn't as messed up as there lives.  That is not a reason to keep these people in the spotlight.

5. Good Thing - They keep us up to date with the tragedies in Entertainment world.  I mean the tragic deaths.  When a celebrity dies, their fan base wishes to have that knowledge so they can mourn the loss of their beloved star.

6. Bad Thing - They speculate about celebrity behavior and deaths without having facts.  They give their personal beliefs in relaying the news and spin it so they can get a reaction.  Plus the phrase "They have us talking about it', is not a good thing and doesn't mean the behavior, outfit, movie, and so on is a good or helpful for their career.

Now for a the ratings:

They get and F.  They are annoying.

The entire cast of OMG Insider should be canned, especially Michael Yo and Kevin Frazier, who both seem like they haven't a clue what they are doing and constantly make excuses for the talentless because they are apart of the group.

Access Hollywood is just plain drivel and is Fox News of the Entertainment World.  They report on their feelings and beliefs, not the story.  Billy Bush is the head of this serpent and needs to be cut off.  If that happens, the body will follow.

Entertainment Tonight is past its prime and needs to be cancelled.  It was good twenty years ago, but now it is hanging on by thread and that thread is Nancy O'Dell, which would give it a D, but then they brought Rob Marciano which brings it back to an F.

E News, finally, stopped giving airtime to the owner of the network, Ryan Seacrest.  I guess he decided the world didn't need to see him every night.  Now if we could get him to stop making reality shows that would be even better, but I digress.  Actually, they would have gotten a C because Guiliana Rancic and Terrence Jenkins.  They both give their spin on stuff which is true, but they are at least watchable.  However, they get an F as well because of the rest of the brainless so called reporters they have.  They even replaced Ryan Seacrest with his little sister, Jason Kennedy, who is just has annoying, vapid and self obsesses his big sister. Speaking of vapid, can someone explain the value of Catt Sadler in her role for E News?

The civilized world is finally understanding that equality means the same benefits, privileges and opportunities for everyone.  It is a thrilling time to be alive.  We are seeing equality in the area of marriage.  I never thought I would see it in my life time.  It is getting so prominent now that I am even thinking that marriage is an absolute possibility for me.  I just can't wait for all the wedding gifts.  I want matching china and real silverware.  I want fifteen blenders.  I want it all.  I want a bachelor party with drinks and strippers.  I want a nice tasteful wedding in "My colors are blush and bashful. I have chosen two shades of pink, one is much deeper than the other".  I want a reception with amazing food, a great bar and an awesome DJ playing music from the 70's to today.


Here is the latest in the news of marriage equality.

Oregon recognizes same sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions.
Limited recognition for same sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions has been granted in Missouri, Ohio and Colorado.

US District courts in Utah, Oklahoma, Virginia, Texas and Michigan have declared state constitutional amendments banning same sex marriage to be unconstitutional, but they are in the appeals process  as we speak.

In the US, marriage equality exists in California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois (by June 2014),  Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington

You can also have a destination wedding if you so desire in England, Wales, Scotland, Sweden, Spain, South Africa, Portugal, Belgium, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, France, Iceland, Norway, Mexico City, New Zealand Proper and Netherlands Proper.

I am one of the many people who got to see this wonderful action packed film.  I am also one of the many people who loved playing the game.  I used to love playing racing video games Need for Speed and Midnight Club.  

1st, the action driving sequences were fantastic and were not filmed just for kicks and to get the audience pumped up.  The sequences had meaning and were apart of the story.

2nd, the acting was brilliant.  Aaron Paul was brooding and cool.  Dominic Cooper was slimy and manipulative.  The supporting cast of Imogen Potts, Rami Masek, Ramon Rodrgiuez, Scott Mescudi and Harrison Gilbertson were funny, exciting and seemed like they all fit together.

3rd, the storyline was actually really good.  It was predictable, but it was well written and well performed so it really didn't matter.

It is a great fun film filled with action.  I recommend everyone to see it.

Finally I am going to end with my opinion on a matter and then a question, that truly deserves an answer.

1st, I have been reading all over social media where individuals are tired of having news outlets report on celebrities who "come out of the closet".  I'm not sure of the reason that all news outlets have to glom on to the bit and won't let it go.  However, most people are tired of the initial reporting of it and type messages like "I can't wait until things of this nature are not newsworthy anymore".

Unfortunately, you will probably not see it in your life time.  Any time a bit of news will shock someone or get a reaction out of viewers, the news programs will report it.  As long as we sects of people who vehemently preach, teach and practice intolerance and hatred, these bits will still get a reaction from viewers. Until equality exists in all sections of life (including marriage) and in all professions (including sports), celebrities coming out are important.

As a gay child which I was, I had no one to look up to or to emulate.  I knew I was different from my dad and my brothers.  I knew I was more like my mother, but I couldn't be because I had the parts of my father and brothers.  It was very confusing for me and, because of it, I buried myself in world of denial and self-loathing.  I had no role model in my community, television, film or sports.  My only reference to gay man was Jack Tripper from "Three's Company" and he was a man living a lie as a gay man, so he wouldn't get thrown out of the apartment that he shared with two single girls.  I was the opposite.  I was a gay child living a lie so I wouldn't lose my life.

Would life have been different for me if I had a role model?  I don't know, but it sure seems like it is getting better and better the more and more of us throw open those doors and say we are tired of living in the shadows and we are ready to be role models to tomorrows LGBT communities.  So I am sorry people, yes, there will be more people throwing back the curtain like the bravery of Michael Sam from Mizzou or Tom Daley, the diver from Great Britain, or Ellen Page, the amazing young actress, or Wade Davis, who's working on putting an end to homophobia in the NFL, and so on and so forth.

The only way I can really say that this might stop is if you starting throwing us coming out parties like a debutante ball, sweet sixteen or quinceanera.   Who doesn't want to be celebrated, have a party or get presents?  Don't try to cheat us by saying Gay Pride is our party.  We each want an individual one.  However, if we start doing those celebrations, can I have one that I should have had 29 years ago?  I prefer cash as a gift please and prorated if at all possible (my mother is exempt from getting me a gift).

Now my question is, does age difference really matter?  What is socially acceptable?  Does it matter what society thinks?  People look at Hugh Hefner and some think he's awesome because he's marrying these twenty year old women when he is 87.  Is that creepy, gross, cool or awesome?

 Aaron Taylor-Johnson of Kick Ass 2 is married to woman 23 years older than him.  Michael Douglas is 25 years older than Catherine Zeta Jones.  Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes had 16 years separating them.  Brian Austin Green of 90210 and Megan Fox are 18 years apart.  Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart have a 22 years difference. Julianne Moore has an 11 years age difference with her younger hubby. Clint Eastwood and Dina Ruiz have 36 yrs separating them.  Mariah Carey is 12 years more mature than her hubby, Nick Cannon.  I guess if it is good for Han Solo, Mimi and Dirty Harry, it should be okay with everyone else.


Until next time, May all your drinks be top shelf and heavily poured.

Politcal Turmoil, Sadness, Confusion and Omar Epps

"A gentleman is simply a patient wolf."

Lana Turner

 

 

Hello everyone!!! Some news items need my opinion because we all know they are waiting for it.  Today has a lot of political unrest, turmoil and death.  Let me take a big swig of my wine and get this blog going.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crimea is voting if they want to stay with the Ukraine or go with Russia. We've been watching this for several weeks now.  It began with civil unrest and elevated to Russia moving to the area in a military fashion.  People in the US were wanting the President to step in to say something.  Some Ukraine individuals were wanting the US to stop them.  Then some individuals from the Ukraine are supposedly wanting the Crimea state to join back with Russia. 

 

First is so sad that people have been injured and died over this issue.  The loss of human life is never something to celebrate.  It is even more sad when it is something that could have been easily settled by a vote. 

 

Second, if this is what the majority of citizens want for their area, why is anyone trying to stop them? However the question is, are they doing it of their own free will or is it because the Russian military forcing it to happen?  The supporters believe can it be any worse under Russian rule after they have spent two decades under a corrupt Ukrainian government. 

 

My opinion is that I hope that the vote puts this unrest to bed.  However, I really think the world should watch it.  I believe that we are doomed to repeat history and it has been proven over and over again.  This recent military movement and ideal from a leader that they are just reclaim what was lost from their country reminds me of how Hitler began.  Didn't Putin say that all they wanted was to put Crimea back into the Russian fold where it belonged?

 

Hitler at first wanted reunite the areas he felt had been lost from the German Empire.  He began by forcing Austria to join Germany as one country, then he annexed the Sudetenland districts of Czechoslovakia in 1938. This was to reunite the glory of the Empire that was thought that was lost. He then felt he needed to continue and grow his reunited Empire.

 

Is Russian President Putin beginning the same road?  He's already began to discriminate certain citizens because they are different.  His government is putting out propaganda against the LGBT community showing them different and ostracizing them.  Is this also something Hitler started doing before it elevated to the death camps. 

 

This issue raises a lot of question and continue to say the world really needs to watch this area with a very close eye.

 

 

 

This brings me to Venezuela.  There is a culture clash in the embittered battle and again there is a corrupt government at the center.  There is also a popular political prisoner and a large portion of the populace wanting a better life.  The citizens want to be out of poverty and believe the politicians are lining their pockets while the regular guy struggles to make a living. The people wanting change believed their leader Leopoldo Lopez could do it, but now he is imprisoned.  Again it is sad that this happening  and anyone has lost their life over this conflict. 

Now we have Latino/Latina American politicians and celebrities wanting US involvement in the conflict.   Should US involvement happen?  Would we only be involved because of the rich oil deposits that Venezuela has? 

 

I'm not sure what the answer is.  I do know that if the current government is harming their citizens by keeping them in poverty while the rich get richer there needs to be a change.  Wait a minute isn't that what the US does as well....hmmm, maybe before we go around changing things we better make sure we aren't doing the same thing to our citizens.  Our Middle Class keeps shrinking, the Rich gets Richer and the number of Poor and Struggling increases.  Food for thought.

 

I just pray people stop dying over this political unrest.

 

 

 

 

I'm a little conflicted and confused this morning.  The reason is I've been reading on some websites that Fred Phelps, the founder of the Westboro Baptist Church around the Topeka Kansas area, is knocking on death's door.  He's on hospice and apparently waiting for the end.

 

This man and his church has hurt so many.  They have protested the LGBT community every chance they have gotten.  They got public notice when they protested the funeral of Matthew Shephard in Wyoming.  I remember that time and had never heard of anyone protesting a funeral. 

 

They protest with their hateful messages and signs.  They protest businesses, but they are famous for protesting funerals and offended the majority of the United States by protesting military funerals.  The church and family have blazed a trail into the modern culture of hate and bigotry hiding behind the right to assemble and freedom of speech. 

 

What is odd about this piece of news is that the founder of the serpent of hate was put into hospice by one of his own children who was excommunicated from the church?  I know I was shocked to learn this.  The reason is because he has been excommunicated from the church he started and his family who still run the church have nothing to do with him and it was the children he shunned who is there at the end of his life.

 

My hope with this is that I know many people who have been hurt and offended by this man would he the reaction of picketing his funeral.  I understand that reaction because while reading the articles I had the idea to do it.  However, as I continued to read it, I realized that if I picketed his funeral, I would only be stooping to their level and I am better than that action.  If  you want to cause change, you must exemplify the actions of the change you want.  In fact, I would hope that the whole group of the hurt and offended would attend the funeral and has hard it would be shower and overpower the family with love, hope and fellowship.

 

 

 

I am drained.  I will end with a picture of a good looking man in celebration of his new show Resurrection.  If you haven't seen the new show on ABC, you should take time to see it.  Omar Epps and the rest of the cast do a great job.  I think it will do very well. It has a great cast and so far the writing is fantastic. 

 

 

 

 

March 09, 2014

Hello All.  I am back.  I do apologize that I left for so long. I had lost my blog voice and really wondered if this was for more own entertainment or not.  Was I really entertaining others or boring them to death?  Was out of my booze soaked mind?  I realized the blog needed to change.  I needed to recharge and take a look at what I want to write.  I've been doing a lot of research like watching some YouTube shoes, reading Cinema Blend and so on.  I found some hilarious items, some items that made me angry and some things that made me go hmmmm.  

Might as well start with the thing that has made me angry.  My loathing of Justin Bieber and his antics is known by now.  I think he's a little putz that needs his ass kicked once or twice.  I can list his public transgressions, but that would be a waste of time.  However, there's a celebrity douche bag bigger than Ms. Bieber.  That is none other than Shia LeBeouf.  Let's count the ways that makes this 27 year old, a big douche bag. 

1) Wearing a bag over his head at a red carpet event saying, "I'm not famous anymore." and then saying it was a piece performance art.  The public is somewhat intelligent.  Get over yourselves.  Celebrities need to stop blaming their wild antics on "Performance Art".  It is a load of crap and no one believes it.  We didn't believe it when Winona Ryder said she was researching the role of a shoplifter.  We didn't buy Joaquin Phoenix's performance of a modern day Rip Van Winkle.  We also don't buy a damn thing that comes out of Tom Cruise's mouth, which is where Shia is headed.  You are just proving to the world that you are a lunatic. PR people need to come up with better excuses.

2) He walked out of press conference after he answered one question with an answer that was as equally ridiculous as his behavior.  Your job is an actor.  Part of that job is doing press conferences.  If you don't like it, find another job, preferably one you are better at doing.  This behavior is unacceptable and rude to the media that was there, your co-workers, your director and your producers.  In fact, I will not watch the film or mention it in hopes that it loses money because of your behavior.

3) Plagiarizing Daniel Clowes and then hounding him to accept your apology.  Are you in high school?  That's the only place where you get away with plagiarizing someones work and only then  very limited.  You do it in a public form.  This just shows how unintelligent you are.  Many people get plagiarized on a daily basis in the entertainment field.  I see it in countless movies, plays, books and so on.  You have to do it intelligently while throwing enough of your own crap in it so no one can see the items you stole.  Plus, you only need to apologize once.  You don't become a stalker.  Once is enough and then leave the person alone.

4) Releasing the naked stills of yourself to the press.  Did you really think the world wanted to see your naked body?  If you wanted a gay following, release more pics like naked.  It wasn't bad, but just like sex tapes, any time that the press gets a hold of these things, I know it came from the artist themselves because no one is talking about them and their need for attention is overwhelming.

5) You decide to quit a job Orphans because of "creative differences"  I'm not a big one on quitting something when you have given your word and commitment to a project.  Be that as it may, you are an adult and posting private emails and twitters to you from these people is disrespectful and childish.

6) You decided to take acid so you could experience ti for your movie.  Are you a complete idiot?  You don't have to snort cocaine to know how to act like addict.  You research it.  You talk to addicts.  You talk to researchers.  Why don't you go to other actors to have them explain to you how you can go drug treatment centers to talk to people who made those bad decisions instead of doing it yourself?

I'm sure there are more items that point out how terrible and disrespectful your behavior is.  It's just a shame that you have decided to go down this path.  I hope you straighten up, but I have to put you in the same grouping of Tom Cruise and Justin Beiber, Douche Bags of the Entertainment World.

Thank you for letting me get that out of system.  The other item that had me thinking was a YouTube video by
thisISmartinJR.  He made the question about discriminating against feminine gay men or other areas.  This made me think what do I really discriminate against others in the community.  Is it discriminating or is it natural preference?  For instance, I am a larger guy and I know their guys out there who are not attracted to larger men.  I don't feel discriminated against or offended unless they tell me in a very rude way, which has happened.

thisISmartinJR show

I do not find heavy guys attractive.  To me this is odd because I am a heavy guy.  Plus I have friends and acquaintances in the bear and chubby community.  I've been hit on by plenty of heavy guys and it just doesn't work for me.  Mo'Nique said it best in her stand up and I will paraphrase it here.  "Two fat people having sex is like watching two walruses goin' at it."  She is right.  It isn't pretty.  You have to search for things.  It's just too much damn work.



I also don't find extremely effeminate men attractive.  This leads into the above YouTube video.  I like men and I like men who act masculine.  I am just more comfortable with it. I am more attracted to this type of guy. However, this is odd for me as well, because in a gay club with the right people (my friends) and the right amount to drink (about four or five) , the Nelly in me comes screaming out.

Do you have deal breakers when it come to someone you meet on whether they could be a date or not?  Let me know.