echeblog

Thursday, August 31, 2006

What ever happened to...

Adam and I decided to get together before his trip to Seattle. In honor of the countdown to Galactica's third season, we ordered Indian takeout and watched the original Galactica miniseries. I hadn't seen the miniseries in a while so it was great to go back and see how the new series started and compare things to where the are now right before season three.

Aside from the great chicken tikka masala and the good company, another interesting aspect was comparing the miniseries to the original series. That was really a blast because I have such vivid memories of watching the original Galactica. What was mind boggling was the realization that Adam had never seen it. It was kind of funny telling him that Tigh used to be black and have a mini-afro.

Comparing the original series to the mini-series and eventually the series as we know it now was really interesting -- you get to see what what worked (and didn't work), how characters were re-introduced and developed. I explained to Adam how they really did encounter the Pegasus in the original series... when the mini-series would make little homage references -- using the original BSG score during the de-commissioning ceremony, the cylons saying "By your command" toward the end. One interesting character they didn't pick up from the miniseries was Boxy -- I didn't remember the miniseries all that clearly so when Sharon and Helo went back to Caprica and encountered the little kid with the bowl haircut, I said, "Hey, that looks just like Boxy." Adam, of course, didn't know what the hell I was talking about. A bit later, sure enough, it was Boxy. He added a certain cuteness to the original show that was in line with the overall campiness that ran through the show. But I can't say I was sorry that he didn't make past the end of the miniseries.

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Marc's Midweek Brady Quinn Beef Haiku

Hey there, Golden Boy -
Need a tight end? Just call me.
Guarantee you'll score!

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

T-minus 4 days...

As part of the countdown to Notre Dame football this weekend, check out the highlight video for last season's opener against Pitt... Its coming...

Monday, August 28, 2006

Countdown...

I don't know about you guys, but this summer has pretty much sucked. Yes, yes, life is what you make it and all that rot, but truth be told, I've been eagerly awaiting the fall for two big reasons: 1) ND returns to the gridiron and 2) Battlestar Galactica's third season.

Even without such notable hotties as QB Brady Quinn (right) and S Tom Zbikowski, I'd be excited about the upcoming season thanks to head coach Charlie Weis. Its been 11 years since I graduated from Notre Dame but I haven't been this excited about a new season since those halcyon undergraduate days. Ah college. Ah college men! Fortunately, the season starts this weekend, so I don't have long to wait before I get my fill.

I'm not so lucky when it comes to Galactica -- the new season doesn't start until October 6th. What is it exactly about Galactica that enthralls me? The writing is excellent, the plot lines intricate and well developed. There are characters I love, characters I've hated. Throw in certified beeves Jamie Bamber and Tahmoh Penikett, who play Apollo and Helo, respectively, (both of whom are firmly in the "characters I love" category) and you've got the formula for one of the only remaining television shows that I watch. Actually, because I end up downloading the episodes on iTunes on Saturdays rather than actually watching them on TV, that makes Gilmore Girls the only TV left worth watching.

As I mentioned, the new season doesn't begin until October 6th. In that time, I'm going to be counting down, looking at my most and least favorites things from the miniseries and first two seasons. I gotta do something to pass the time, right?

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Marc's Midweek Military Beef Haiku

Now lie back, solider.
You serve our country each day...
Time that I serve you!

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Happy Ending

Some days start out well and then some just start off like a big steaming pile of shit. Today was one of the latter. I talked to a friend of mine (someone who I've felt like we share a certain potential together... even though right now we're just friends) who is about to embark on a big overseas trip for work. I've mentioned him briefly before -- I prefer to keep my relationships out of the blog for the most part. Long story short, he's someone that means a lot to me and someone I've constantly wished I was able to get closer to. This upcoming trip wasn't a surprise but what I hadn't realized was that he's going to be gone for the better part of the next three months. Its not even that we've spent all that much time together recently but the knowledge that he's going to be gone for most of the rest of the year really felt like I had been physically hit in the stomach. I've really been wanting to be genuinely happy for him because I know this is something he's really been looking forward to. At the same time I hadn't been able to get past the realization that he's going to be gone for a long while and even when he gets back, there's the real possibility that his next job could move him away from Phoenix. For most of the day its weighed like a stone in my heart.

This evening I went to the first meeting of a book club being started by some gay acquaintences of mine. I've known them casually for years but was pleased that they had invited me. We had all met on the club scene here several years ago but most of us have drifted away from that -- even my last year as a DJ I consider to be very different from the way things used to be. We chose our first book and set our next meeting, along with dinner and wine. As I drove home, I realized that I felt markedly better than when I had arrived. It made me realize how much I've needed this sort of reconnection with old acquaintences, nurturing new friendships, etc. I think I've known that for a while, but this has been one of the big steps I've needed in the right direction. In fact, I've felt like this has been one of the major things that's held me back in feeling comfortable with my relationship with the friend I talked about earlier... that I've been missing things in my life that I knew weren't reasonable to expect from my friend at this point, which ended up making me want to withdraw from him in order to sort things out. I don't second guess that tendency, as I think I did the right thing, but its brought things into focus -- that while I know I'm going to miss him when he's gone, this trip gives me the space I need to really start putting the missing pieces of my life back together so that I can be happy, regardless of what happens with my friend. I know I've struggled to see the possibilites in my life as opposed to getting overwhelmed by the uncertainty that's surrounded me for a while. For the first time in a while I feel like those possibilities seem a little more clear, my hopes are starting to emerge. And I guess that's a pretty damn good way to finish a day that started off looking like shit.

Thursday, August 17, 2006

Nominations, Please!

As summer begins to give way to fall, its time to start thinking about the wonderful new tradition Adam started last year -- MovieLawn! Essentially, a group of us gather at Adam's house, barbeque dinner and watch a movie, projected on the back wall of Adam's house as we recline in his back yard. Its quite fun. Generally I drink a decent bit and make a plethora of snarky comments about the movie.

That brings me to my point: Generally we've tried to keep the movies on the campy/fun side. Previous showings include: Barbarella, Space Camp and Airplane. So, to kick things off, Adam and I decided we'd go ahead and open up the next feature film to nominations from y'all. Come up with something good because MovieLawn is a quality event!

Campaign Strategy

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Marc's Midweek All Clean Beef Haiku

terca04.0As the steam rises,
thought: "Clean is the new dirty."
Hey, help soap me up!

Michael Tolliver Lives!

AfterElton is reporting that Armistead Maupin is currently working on another novel in the Tales of the City line, focusing on the life of Michael "Mouse" Tolliver. This is wonderful news. I've loved Tales of the City ever since a friend of mine introduced me to it while I was coming out. At first I associated with Mary Ann and her feelings of being a newcomer trying to find her place in the otherworld that is San Francisco. Too bad she ends up as such a bitch at the end of the series. Over time, however, my affinity shifted to the oft-heartbroken Mouse, constantly searching for love and never seeming able to hold onto it when he's found out. Unlike Mouse, however, I've never had a dreamy lover like Dr. Jon Fielding, nor have I slept with Rock Hudson or a hunky cop. I have, however, frequently wondered whether love might ever find its way to my doorstep, which I'd like to think fits Mouse very well. On a side note, Marcus D'Amico (pictured), who originally played Mouse in the PBS series, was MUCH hunkier than Paul Hopkins, who played in the subsequent series. In any event, I'm thrilled to find out just what happened to my beloved Mouse.

Monday, August 14, 2006

Traitor?

poslusznyOnce again I was filling in at my friend's company today. They just moved and everything there is pretty crazy. The regular reception woman was there so I had no computer access. Basically I sat around all day and read. At lunch I headed to the grocery store and picked up some more reading material -- pickings were slim and all I managed to get was a copy of ESPN the Magazine. Most of it was stuff I couldn't care less about. About half way through, however, I was struck by this incredibly hot figure -- Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny. OMFG, I was stunned. I ogled him, I read the article, then ogled him some more. After a while, though, I felt a pang of shame -- this guy plays for Penn State, a team Notre Dame will be playing very soon. He's gonna try to hurt my golden boy, Brady Quinn. Does the fact that I'd like to lick the sweat off his body make me a traitor?

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Lieberman

As you guys know, this isn't a political blog, per se, but I couldn't ignore the whole hubbub over the whole Lieberman thing. Check out Jon Stewart's take of the whole affair:

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Canadian Beef

What is it about Canada? First they get gay marriage and then they steal the best of our gay men? Case in point - Andrew at Bravehound. Incredibly attractive, creative and he's starting to flaunt his DJ skills as well. You know, I'm almost glad he has a boyfriend and lives in Vancouver because it makes me wonder just what I would be able to offer in a relationship. I'd be consumed with jealousy and repressed lust if it wasn't for that smile. Anyway, go check him out if only to look through his photoblog and wonder why you don't have nearly as many hot friends.

Marc's Midweek Underwear Day Beef Haiku

Gossamer fabric
wraps a beautiful package.
Better than Christmas!

Friday, August 04, 2006

Breathe

I watched the very funny drag movie, Girls Will Be Girls again when I got home from San Diego on Monday. Though I had seen it before it was all worth it, if only to see Ron Mathews, the hunky actor who plays "Stevie." We do get to see him without most of his clothes in a silly sex scene with Varla Jean. I haven't really seen him in anything else, but I sure wouldn't mind seeing him nekkid showing his goods. Anyway, here's a little more Varla Jean Merman for you to enjoy.

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Crackpot

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

SD Pride Report

SD Pride 001I didn't want you guys thinking that my weekend in San Diego was all mooning and moaning over my aforementioned guy. 'Twas not so! I did have my share of fun, though I may not have walked away with the grand prize. Anyway, here's a recap. Friday night started off with a cocktail party with my friends Troy, Andrew & Jim and their friends. Good company, good conversation and a few cocktails got the night started off right. We all went our separate ways after that -- I ended up going to hear DJ Brett Henrichsen spin at 4th & B.

Most of the gang I usually hang out with made other plans for the night. SD Pride 014Fortunately, I ended up seeing a few friends I knew from Phoenix. The turnout was a little disappointing, especially because my friends had tried to buy tickets earlier in the day and were told that it had been sold out. Still, Brett always delivers a solid performance and there was a hunky muscleboy from Salt Lake City who kept making it a point to bump into me. Unfortunately, he had a boyfriend, who I believe was there at the party, so I decided not to pursue things further. I've replayed that party in my mind and questioned whether that was a wise move. Oh well.

Saturday was the parade. I spent a decent bit of time looking for people in my group, but managed to miss them. I did, however, run into plenty of Phoenix boys. I swear, half the town was there. Later that night I ended up heading to Rich's. Despite having arrived when the club was supposed to open, I ended up having to wait 45 minutes in line because they decided not to open on time. To boot, I had a pushy Asian queen hanging all over me and I was too polite to tell him to fuck off. Once I got into the club, however, I was able to relax and have a couple of drinks. One of the club goers that evening was Matthew Rush and a big beefy blond who appeared to be his boyfriend. Coincidentally, I remember the blond from my first White Party in 2001. Rush has always been a big boy but seems to have gotten significantly bigger than the last time I saw him. Personally he's gotten much bigger than I would find attractive, but taste is all subjective, right? I also could have sworn I also saw Dean Phoenix there, who also looked much more worked out than the time he kissed me in Phoenix. I thought he looked better back then... more real. I don't know that he saw me or would have remembered. Didn't think it was really worth bringing up.

Sunday I ended up going to have lunch with a former roommate and then headed off to the Zoo Party. That's always my favorite part of the weekend. I saw quite a number of friends and Phil B did a marvelous set. Tony Moran followed up for the second half and I wasn't really thrilled with him. I would have preferred Phil to do the entire set. Still, I ended up staying until they closed the party. Quite a good time.

In any event, I even though I didn't end up spending much time with the aforementioned someone, that was a choice on my part -- he actually mentioned not really seeing me for most of the party. I'll admit that sometimes I can get lost in my own head. Really, I used to be much worse with that. On the whole, I had a good weekend, even if it wasn't all it could have been. In fact, I noticed that I had a much better time than I would have, given the circumstances, than I would have a few years ago. I've come a long way, even if I haven't quite sorted through everything I'd like. By the time I got home and had a chance to look at things, I realized that I had the weekend I needed, even if I didn't quite get the weekend I might have liked.

Marc's Midweek Post SD Pride Beef Haiku

Saw you at the Zoo,
You were with another beef.
Beef is beautiful!