Eartha!

Although I was a tad surprised because it seems a little gayer than he normally likes, Adam agreed to go see Eartha Kitt with me tonight at Symphony Hall! I'm excited because I've never had the opportunity to see her live. You've got to hand it to the woman -- she's been knocked down by circumstances but she's never let it get the best of her. I'll be sure to update you on it all!

Marc's Midweek Brazillian Soccer Beef Haiku

I've no foot fetish,
this football beef from Brazil's
another story.

A Different Tribe

Sunday Night Chris and I went to go see Markus Schultz at Myst, in Scottsdale. I hadn't been to Myst in years -- the last time I had gone it was still known as Sanctuary. I've not really gotten into your big, mainstream trance DJs - I've found that the straight DJs I've heard, whether they do trance our house, seem to do something very different from what I expect and do as a DJ. Usually I wonder if it's a matter of me not quite getting what they do, or them just not doing the kinds of things I listen for.

In any event, Markus Schultz holds a pretty special place in the hearts of Phoenix DJs -- I'm not sure if he was originally from the area or just lived and played here for a while prior to hitting the big time, but the point is that he's a hometown hero for many of us. On top of it all, it was a chance to see a world-class DJ for $15, so it was a good deal.

The thing about going to Myst (it really hasn't changed much from when it was Sanctuary) is that the place is SO much nicer than any gay club I've had the pleasure to visit. The other thing that strikes me is that the dance floor is MUCH smaller than one would expect for such a large space.



Despite all of that, I'd love to play in a place like that -- the sound system is wonderful, the lighting was good, they had the cool system that blasts you with cold air and what I suspect were little dry ice crystals. I'd also love if the gay community here could have a club of that caliber.



As I mentioned before, I don't necessarily "get" the music of most of the straight DJs I hear, and Markus was no different. There was really only one memorable song for me -- a kind of almost electro vibe with major chunks of Aerosmith's "Dream On." Haven't been able to locate it, so if anyone out there knows where I can find it, please let me know. That said, it felt great to be on a packed dance floor that was cheering and enthusiastic, even if I didn't quite feel the vibe and couldn't understand why they were cheering when they did. I imagine it's the same feeling people get when they go to a Catholic Mass for the first time -- sit, stand, sit, stand, sit, kneel, stand... etc. You don't know why, you just do it. No question, it's like visiting a different tribe altogether.

As I danced and observed the whole thing, I suppose the part that struck me was just the level of showmanship that Markus displayed -- my impression was that it had less to do with the music itself (although it's important) and more to do with the sheer joy and enthusiasm he showed for the crowd and the music. For my own part, it was a great lesson because that's something I've missed in most of my career as a DJ. It really sparked the idea that it's all about letting myself feel the joy of doing something I love so much.

Jackrabbit

I know it's not new but I heard someone say the word "jackrabbit" this morning and I couldn't help but have the video run through my head. Now you guys can enjoy it for yourselves.

Your Twisted Sister, Yaz

Ok, there's no question that the 80s were a pretty odd decade. Case in point, the phenomenon that was Twisted Sister. Ah, Hair Metal bands. They emerged prior to me really getting involved with pop music -- that didn't start until I got into high school around 1988. I did, however, remember their one big hit, "We're Not Gonna Take It." It's one of those 80s tunes that everyone knows but won't admit that anyone liked.

I was surprised to find that Twisted Sister, and "We're Not Gonna Take It" were named in Senate hearings regarding the outrageousness of rock music. Yes, looking back at the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) getting their panties in a bunch over Twisted Sister, Madonna, Black Sabbath and Prince... oh yeah, and they went especially bonkers over Cyndi Lauper for "She Bop." Are you kidding me? SHE BOP?! And I suppose they were upset that she spelled her first name with a "y" too. In any event, I can't help but laugh at the sheer futility at the whole thing and marvel at how they didn't just lose the battle, but note that it was even less effective than Nancy Reagan's "Just Say No" campaign in the long term.

Flasg forward about 20 years... I know I don't usually watch television and I just happened to be passing by one when I heard the familiar refrain of Twisted Sister's hit... except it's a cover version being used in a birth control commercial, for some new product called "Yaz." Wow, even if you're a washed up glam metal band, to have one of your hits being used in a birth control commercial? Maybe it'd be less humiliating if it was for condoms, but there's really not much you can say to lesson that indignity. Well, after 20 years, I think the PMRC can puff up their chests and say, "See? We're Not Gonna Take It really is promoting sex." And acne control.

Consensus Reality

I needed a distraction today but Adam wasn't online, and he's usually the one I'd call on in this sort of situation. Fortunately, the Universe provided me with another Adam (he of This Boy Elroy) to confound and frustrate.

Essentially, he brought up the growing slate of self help literature, especially the whole The Secret phenomenon. Being versed in the ways of science, he's particularly perturbed by what he believes is the hijacking of some scientific principles for what he describes as a "spiritual justification for greed."

Personally, I will readily admit that there's a whole lot of marketing going on with most of that, although from my experience, I believe there's some truth wrapped up in the marketing if you're willing to look for it. While I don't come close to knowing all their is to know, I have come to accept that most of what I do know is inherently bound up with the perspective that I hold. I don't know if there's any objective truth one could glean from my life other than my own conclusions about how this world operates for me. That's my daily experimentation of life in a holographic universe.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is Adam, who champions objective, scientific truth. I suppose our discussion got down to one basic thing -- the idea that scientific discourse is, at it's heart, a rhetorical style. While Adam describes scientific discussion and analysis in terms of "facts and truth," I see the use of data and interpretation that are being used to reinforce a particular worldview -- that is, reality by consensus.

I'm not sure that I really have a point with this -- it just served as a pleasant distraction. Yes, sometimes I venture into odd stuff.

FEAR THE FRENCH BEAST!

Le help! The French Monsterous Beast will devour your soul!

(From the good people at LOLManuscripts.)

Marc's Midweek Beach Beef Haiku

A day at the beach:
Sun smiles at beef in the sand
as sea kisses flesh

First Steps

I've been talking for a while about how I had been waiting for the next step to emerge. Prior to my trips back to Notre Dame and Philly it was looking like things in my life were standing on the brink. So, I asked the Universe to bring that next step for me once I got back from Philly, and to give me a very specific sign so that I know how to recognize this step.

As I waited at the Minneapolis airport (yes, I did look for the Larry Craig stall -- I don't think they had any signs or maps), I got a call out of the blue for some work that is somewhat out of my area of expertise. I decided to follow up because you just never know how these things play out. As it happened, the sign that I had asked from the Universe emerged, letting me know that this was, indeed, the step I had asked for. The step was there, I just had to take it.

One of the things I tried to take from my trips to ND and Philly was that I can try new and different things and have very good experiences, even if things don't always go as planned. I guess that's been one of the things I had used to hold myself back -- the fear of things going wrong. Well, sometimes things don't go as planned... actually, that happens a lot. At the same time, it was good for me to realize that I don't necessarily need to be "in control" of things to take advantage of them.

So with this new opportunity, there's still some of those lingering doubts and fears, but I've really tried to keep in mind these recent lessons. I'm tired of being afraid of the future -- there's too much cool stuff waiting for me. At some point, you have to stop waiting for things to be perfect because there's always going to be something that doesn't quite measure up. As long as I keep looking at the things that aren't quite to my liking, I miss all the rest of the cool stuff I'd otherwise enjoy.

Philly Review pt. 1

So, I'm back from Philly and starting to get caught up with everything back here. While it was a busy weekend and there's plenty I can blog about, without a doubt the most important thing for me is remembering the the people I had a chance to meet and get to know, if only a bit.

I was staying with my friend Eric (on the right), who lives across the river in New Jersey. While we had gone to Notre Dame together, we spent virtually the entire weekend together. Anyone willing to put up with me for that length of time deserves a medal.

We ran into one of the Phoenix boys, Joel (standing next to me), at Bump on Thursday night. It's always fun to have Joel around and having been in Philly only a few hours, it was great to see a friendly face in what was, at the time, a very unfamiliar city. Bump is a trendy martini bar, and for those who are familiar with the scene here in Phoenix, reminds me of a cross between Amsterdam and AZ88. Eric described Bump as the McDonald's of the Philly gay scene, in that we'd generally stop there when we needed to use the bathroom, much as you'd do when you're travelling abroad. Also in that particular photo is Chris, who reminded me (physically) of Jesse Martin of Law & Order fame.

Another revelation about the Philadelphia gay scene is that everyone is named Mark or Eric, which means I fit right in. They all have track lighting, too. I met a few more Marks when I was there, though I don't have any photographic proof of that. The problem with listing out everyone I met this weekend is figuring out just what to write about each of them -- where the hell do you start? With Alex, Everett, Jeff, Han, Rick or the go go dancer who looked like an even more buffed out and sweaty Tahmoh Penniket wearing nothing but a pair of black Calvin Klein briefs, who I think was named Wes?

While meeting a hot go go dancer that looks like Helo might seem like the high point of the weekend, the more I mull over the weekend, the more amazed I am that I was able to meet so many new people in such a short span of time and yet still manage to have moments with almost each of them that made me want to come back and experience more. Note to the Universe: More of this, please!

Back

I'm back from Philly, though I'm trying to get caught up with everything... have a lot to do in the next several days. I'll blog more about the trip later.

Philly

On my way to Philadelphia to visit my friend Eric for the Equality Forum. This is my first trip to Philly, so I'm very excited! I'll be sure to fill you guys in when I get back.