So, And Thus...

Margaret And Helen

I love their blog!

They have been friends for 60 years. Helen's grandson put together this blog so both Margaret and Helen could keep in touch (one lives in Texas, the other in Maine). 80 year old bloggers!

Here's an excerpt from one of their recent posts regarding the death of Michael Jackson:

The Appreciation or Depreciation of Michael Jackson « Margaret and Helen

Watching all this mad-dash coverage, it occurs to me that if you tore him down in life then it’s a tad bit hypocritical for you to now prop him up in death. Did I mention Joe Jackson was a piece of work? But we seem to be evolving into a nation of hypocrites. And as someone who believes evolution should be taught in school, I am more than a little worried about this evolutionary cycle.

If it were up to me, I would establish a few rules right about now regarding hypocrisy. Something along the lines of:

• If you’re Michael Jackson’s father now is not the time to be enjoying the limelight.
• You can’t be Pro-Life and Pro-War at the same time. If one of these dispositions has to be in your cadre, then pick one and live with the consequences.
• You can’t deny the right to marry to some and then cheat on your spouse. The right to happily marry belongs to all no mater how unhappy it makes you.
• You can’t tolerate the atrocities of one President for eight years and then assign the consequences to one who follows. From this day forward everything was Reagan’s fault.
• The Christian Right should be forced to spend a week in Iran. May the best radicals win.
• The Real Housewives should actually be housewives.

Mary, Merry, Marry... Maryland!

I'm glad more and more people are realizing that this is all about fairness:

Md. Gov. Would Recognize Gay Marriages  | News | Advocate.com

Maryland governor Martin O'Malley said Monday that he is open to recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states, according to WTOP-FM.

"I think that it's very difficult to deny equal rights to people when it comes to rights that are disbursed by a government rather than a faith or a church," O'Malley told the radio station’s Ask the Governor program. "If the person has these rights under another state, I think we're sort of pressed to deny those rights. So, yes, we probably should respect those rights."

So, when Ein Oso and I go to visit my mom, we will be recognized as a married couple. I hope we'll be okay going through Pennsylvania.

New Facebook App for iPhone

According to Bearotic, the new Facebook app is 98% done.

New feature:

1. The “new” News Feed
2. Like
3. Events (including the ability to RSVP)Notes
4. Pages
5. Create new photo albums
6. Upload photos to any album
7. Zoom into photos
8. Easier photo tagging
9. Profile Pictures albums
10. A new home screen for easy access to all your stuff, search, and notifications
11. Add your favorite profiles and pages to the home screen
12. Better Notifications (they link to the comments so you can reply)
13. Quickly call or text people right from the Friends page
14. Messages you are typing will be restored if you quit or are interrupted by a phone call  

I hope this update makes it easier to navigate. I love having the application, but the lack of responding directly to notifications made it difficult to keep up a conversation.

Mollie Sugden - Thank You For Serving Us

Mollie Sugden died today.

Here she is as Mrs. Slocombe, one of my all-time favorite characters:



The Telegraph has a brief history on her life.

Here is a compilations of some funny "pussy" moments from the TV show Are You Being Served?:

New Michael Jackson Music

You know the studio time has been booked already.

AP News : LimaOhio.com

"There are dozens and dozens of songs that did not end up on his albums," said Tommy Mottola, who from 1998 to 2003 was chairman and CEO of Sony Music, which owns the distribution rights to Jackson's music. "People will be hearing a lot of that unreleased material for the first time ever. There's just some genius and brilliance in there."

The releases, Mottola said, "could go on for years and years - even more than Elvis."

Maybe Janet can have a hit again by doing a duet.

Michael Jackson - Gay?

I was wondering when something like this was going to come out... so to speak:

Jackson Biographer: Michael Was Gay  | News | Advocate.com

Unauthorized Michael Jackson biographer and investigative celebrity reporter Ian Halperin has claimed in London’s Daily Mail that the “king of pop” was gay and that Halperin had spoken to two of Jackson's former lovers.

Halperin, who predicted in December that Jackson had six months to live and is currently at work on a book on the final years of the pop star, said that rumors Jackson had sexually abused children are false. He had no interest in children, Halperin said.

But in the article, Halperin writes, "In the course of my investigations, I spoke to two of his gay lovers, one a Hollywood waiter, the other an aspiring actor. The waiter had remained friends, perhaps more, with the singer until his death last week. He had served Jackson at a restaurant, Jackson made his interest plain, and the two slept together the following night. According to the waiter, Jackson fell in love."

In 2006, Jackson’s brother Jermaine said he and his brothers had suspected that Michael was gay.

Okay, I didn't know about that last part. His family really said that? It's not like the rest of the world (besides the obsessed female fans) didn't already think he was gay.

Would his being gay tarnish his historic significance? Would people go out of their way to claim that he was straight just because they can't deal with the fact that they liked someone who was gay? You betcha!

Goodbye, Angel

From a CNN email alert:

Actress Farrah Fawcett, star of TV's "Charlie's Angels," has died after a battle with cancer, her representative says.

An icon from my youth. Very sad. Here's an image of the famous poster:

Ed McMahon Has Passed Away

From my CNN email alert:

Ed McMahon, who gained fame as Johnny Carson's sidekick on "The Tonight Show," has died, his representative says.

Very sad. I actually saw him in my building once.

Captain America Returns

We should all know by now that no one really dies in comic books.

AP News | Culpeper Star-Exponent

NEW YORK (AP) -- Captain America is rising from the grave.

The Marvel Comics superhero returns for the five-part series "Captain America Reborn," beginning July 1.

But Marvel won't disclose how he rises from the dead. Executive Editor Tom Brevoort teases that the character has been "on a Vonnegut-esque metaphysical journey," including some soul-searching about his place in the world.

"He hasn't just been lying in a cold grave for these many months," Brevoort says. "While he seems to be dead, his mind and his spirit" are active elsewhere.

Captain America, the superhero alter ego of Steve Rogers, was apparently shot and killed two years ago on the steps of a courthouse in lower Manhattan. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

So the original Cap is back. I was wondering how long they could keep him away.

I actually see this whole "Captain America is dead" story as a metaphor for our recent political history. For many, the Bush years in America represented a time when our country had lost it's identity. With Obama in the White House, a noticeable sense of pride has been restored. I really don't think it is a coincidence that one of our most iconic American heroes was presumably killed during our darkest days.

We Won't Miss Miss California

She had been in contract violations for a while now. Glad she's gone.

Miss California USA Prejean dethroned - CNN.com

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- Carrie Prejean has been dethroned as Miss California USA for "contract violations," including missing official pageant events, state pageant spokesman Roger Neal said Wednesday.
Carrie Prejean has been dethroned as Miss California USA.

Carrie Prejean has been dethroned as Miss California USA.

Prejean, 22, retained her title last month despite a controversy over topless photos and her statements against same-sex marriage.

Miss USA pageant owner Donald Trump was involved in the decision to fire Prejean, Neal said.

Runner-up Tami Farrell, who was Miss Malibu, will immediately assume the Miss California USA title, he said.

"This was a decision based solely on contract violations, including Ms. Prejean's unwillingness to make appearances on behalf of the Miss California USA organization," state pageant Executive Director Keith Lewis said.

Now she's free to do "opposite marriage" commercials.

Safari 4 - FAST!

Apple introduced Safari 4 on Monday.

Apple - Safari - Introducing Safari 4 - See the web in a whole new way


Some new stuff to go along with the update, but most important is the speed! I told Ein Oso to download it as well. He also noticed a significant speed boost in page rendering. Nice.

California Marriage Equlity Sign

I love it!

Marriage Equality 2010 Sign From The Castro - Bearotic

Coming Out Can Help Change Views On Same Sex Marriage

I agree with Andrew Sullivan on this.

Look at the chart from his blog entry. it shows that there is more support for Same Sex Marriage among those who personally know someone who is gay.

The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan

If gays are really serious about marriage rights, they need to accelerate the process of coming out. It's not often that a minority group has this option - African-Americans don't. But gays, like Jews, can "pass", and by passing, we don't even give many people the option of changing their minds and hearts by better understanding who we are, and why our relationships and families strengthen society rather than weakening it.

I know it's a lot easier being "out" here in New York. Also, working for a retail company, it's no big deal to be gay. But in social situations outside of the "gay world", I've made it a point to introduce Ein Oso as my husband and let everyone make the connection on their own. I am proud to be married to Ein Oso. I want people to know that.

I feel both very fortunate and very encouraged that I haven't experienced any negative reactions to my being open about my sexuality and my marriage.

Let's show them!

Whitney Houston Announces New Album Date

Now... let's see if they push this back.

AP News | Culpeper Star-Exponent

NEW YORK (AP) -- The date for Whitney Houston's comeback has been set.

Arista Records says her long-awaited album will be released Sept. 1. Houston hasn't released a CD in seven years.

So far, there's no word on a title for the album.

I really hope that she does something more traditional for this album. I think she should not try to compete with younger singers who are following the trends. I don't want to see each song title followed by "Featuring...".

Green Lantern Trailer

Fan made trailer. Looks great!

The License

Funny!

Another example of how marriage has changed over time.

Natalie Cole Has New Kidney

Good news for Natalie!

AP News | Culpeper Star-Exponent

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Ailing Natalie Cole now has a new kidney.

The 59-year-old singer underwent successful kidney transplant surgery "and is resting comfortably," publicist Maureen O'Connor said Wednesday. Cole will postpone her summer tour, which was set to begin June 5 and run through November, as she recovers.

Cole had been receiving dialysis three times a week since September. She still continued to perform, even overseas, in support of her latest album, the Grammy-winning "Still Unforgettable,"

The kidney dialysis is unrelated to Cole's struggle with hepatitis C, a liver disease spread through contact with infected blood. She announced her hepatitis diagnosis last year and said that the disease was likely caused by her drug use years ago.

Cole received painful chemotherapy to treat the hepatitis and "within four months, I had kidney failure," she told Larry King on his CNN show last month. Without a donor, she would need dialysis for the rest of her life, she said.

After her appearance on King, she received countless letters from people offering to give her a kidney. But a regional organ-procurement agency, One Legacy, found a kidney for her.

I love this woman. What an amazing voice. I can't wait to hear more from her.

More Law & Order

BOM BOM!

AP News | Culpeper Star-Exponent

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- NBC is renewing "Law & Order" for a record-tying 20th season.

People familiar with NBC's plans say the network is set to announce its fall schedule Tuesday and the durable crime drama will be on it. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the decision.

"Law & Order" will stand with "Gunsmoke" as TV's longest-running prime-time drama. The Western aired from 1955 to 1975 on CBS.

I have a Love/ Hate relationship with this show: I love watching it, but I hate watching it when I have other stuff to do.

Hairy Men Are Smarter?

Interesting...

The hirsute of higher intelligence | Independent, The (London) | Find Articles at BNET

Dr Aikarakudy Alias, a psychiatrist, who has been working on the relationship between body hair and intelligence for 22 years, told the eighth Congress of the Association of European Psychiatrists yesterday that hairy chests are more likely to be found amongst doctors and the highly educated than in the general population.

His research amongst medical students in America found that 45 per cent of male trainee doctors were "very hairy", compared with less than 10 per cent of men generally. In Kerala, southern India, research among medical and engineering students and manual labourers showed that both groups of students had more body hair on average than manual workers.

In addition, "When academic ranking amongst students was examined, the hairier men got better grades," said Dr Alias. The top six engineering graduates had more hair than the bottom eight.

And a study of 117 Mensa members (who have an IQ of at least 140) were also found to have a tendency to thick body hair. Some of the most intelligent men appeared to be those who had hair on their backs as well as on their chests.

But what about hairy women?

Boy George Released From Jail

Read this over at Towleroad:

Boy George gives a healthy salute after he is released from jail for good behaviour | Mail Online

Boy George beamed with delight as he was released early from prison today.

The Eighties pop star offered a Benny Hill-style salute as he left jail after serving only four months of his 15-month sentence for falsely imprisoning a rent boy.

George, who has fought a long battle against drink and drugs, looked much healthier following his stint behind bars.

He appeared to have lost weight and the heavy bags under his eyes, his complexion was much pinker and he's grown a beard, which is grey but tidily trimmed.

Is Boy George now Bear George?!?! I like it!

Gay Maine!

Gay marriage is now legal in Maine!

AP News : LimaOhio.com

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) -- Maine's governor signed a freshly passed bill Wednesday approving gay marriage, making it the fifth state to approve the practice and moving New England closer to allowing it throughout the region.

New Hampshire legislators were also poised to send a gay marriage bill to their governor, who hasn't indicated whether he'll sign it. If he does, Rhode Island would be the region's sole holdout.

The Maine Senate voted 21-13, with one absent, for a bill that authorizes marriage between any two people rather than between one man and one woman, as state law currently allows. The House had passed the bill Tuesday.

Democratic Gov. John Baldacci, who hadn't previously indicated how he would handle the bill, signed it shortly afterward. In the past, he said he opposed gay marriage but supported civil unions, which provide many benefits of marriage.

It feels so good to see this happening.

Here For The Music - Paula Abdul

Take a listen to Paula Abdul's new song. (h/t Luke)

PAULA ABDUL - Home

According to The Music Mix, this song is a Kylie remake (unreleased track from her "Body Language" album). But we all know that this isn't the first time their musical paths have crossed; Paula co-wrote what many consider to be Kylie's comeback single, "Spinning Around" (probably inspired by the prescription drugs).

Abdul teamed up with her old producer Oliver Lieber for this single. Kudos to Lieber for the fun production.

Dom DeLuise Dies

My family loved him.

AP News | Culpeper Star-Exponent

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Dom DeLuise, the portly actor-comedian whose affable nature made him a popular character actor for decades with movie and TV audiences as well as directors and fellow actors, has died. He was 75.

DeLuise died Monday night, son Michael DeLuise told KTLA-TV and radio station KNX on Tuesday. The comedian died in his sleep after a long illness. Calls to his agent were not immediately returned.

The actor, who loved to cook and eat almost as much as he enjoyed acting, also carved out a formidable second career later in life as a chef of fine cuisine. He authored two cookbooks and would appear often on morning TV shows to whip up his favorite recipes.

I noticed this in the article:

While working in summer stock in Provincetown, Mass., he met a beautiful young actress, Carol Arthur, and they were soon married.

Provicetown. Of course, the gay community knew he was gay. I don't think he ever "officially" came out, but it was a given for us (I'm sure many of you have heard stories). I don't dobut that he loved his wife, but I wonder if he would have gotten married if he were born in this century. 

Cotton Candy - Amanda Lepore

I love the feel of this song! Very fun!

Go Peace Bisquit!

Steve Perry with Journey?

My friend told me that he saw Steve Perry perform with Journey this past weekend. I did a quick search and found this:

Journey at the Bamboozle??? - NJ.com

If those who saw Saturday night's performance by Journey at the Bamboozle are wondering how Steve Perry has managed to not age a day since 1973 (or cut his hair or throw out his tux tails), they might consider the name of the festival they were attending.

So, was this a one-time performance? Is Steve Perry going to do anything else with the band? I just can't imagine that they would be working together again, especially since a lot of ugly stuff has been said.

I'm thinking since Journey has been popular again with "Don't Stop Believin'", Steve Perry wanted a pat-on-the-back.

He does look the same.

UPDATE:

Ok, found out that it was a Journey cover band called "Evolution". Saw some video from the performance and this guy has Perry's mannerisms down pat. Voice is incredible too.

New Amy Sedaris Book

This woman always makes me smile.

AP News | Culpeper Star-Exponent

The actress and comedian is working on a follow-up to her best seller, "I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence." The new book, currently untitled, will come out in 2010 and will again feature "her unique approach to home life through the use of fun, long-forgotten crafts," according to Grand Central Publishing, which announced the book Thursday.

Gaining HoMomentum

This is great!

ABC Washington Post Poll: 49% Support Full Marriage Equality - Towleroad, More than gay news. More gay men

A new ABC/Washington Post poll shows that for the first time ever, supporters of same-sex marriage in the U.S. outnumber opponents. These are even better numbers than the stunning CBS Poll released just two days ago which found that 42% of Americans support marriage equality.

Even the GOP knows this is going to be a non-issue for most people.

So, Miranda Can Sing.

So, the "Love Shack" video was a fake. She really can sing:

I enjoyed how bad she was!

Tin Roof... Corroded

This is awful, so awful that I have to post it!

Thanks DanK!

• There was a small problem with your microphone,You where singing into it.
• you sound like a horse with peanut butter in its mouth
• wow you are lucky you're pretty. cuz you SUCK at singning
• those lips will forever haunt me....uggh....

OUT Magazine interview with Wendy & Lisa

Finally, Wendy & Lisa talk about being gay.

(h/t Towleroad)

Out.com Features | The Revolution Will Be Harmonized

Some things I learned from the interview:

- Trevor Horn is a total dick. TOTAL DICK!

- Lisa wanted to talk about their relationship publicly while Wendy didn't.

- They were together for 22 years.

- Wendy is now dating a film director.

- They are mothers!