Burning lines in the book of our lives

It's a skiing vacation, but we've mellowed over the years ("we" as in "me and the family", and not in the royal sense I usually employ), so you have to have a day off. Yesterday afternoon we did a little lunch and shopping in Vancouver. It's a wonderful city that I'd highly recommend if you've never been. Bring an umbrella. I love a drizzly day ducking into shops, though, don't you? We had lunch at a little kitschy spot on some corner, Sophie's Cosmic Cafe. It's apparently somewhat of a local legend and Sophie's would undoubtedly be adored by my pal, Freakgirl, for the decor alone. Teeny tiny tchotchhke-laden cafe with simple comfort food to die for. I had a salmon steak "burger" with aioli that had both my palate and nethers tingling. And a beer.

I got my shopping jonze satisfied at lululemon. Oh, how I wish I'd never found that joint. Do you know it? Mmmmm, touchy-feely workout clothes on the technical tip? Yes, please. I'm gonna have to finally get serious about yoga, just so I can shop there more. I did the sale rack though, as a responsible post-Christmas credit card hangover victim should. I got out of there with some perfect running tights, not too tight around the family jewels and just snug enough in the leg (their words, not mine). Oh, and a long-sleeve t (with a Nano pocket!) that they swear holds the power to render one's sweat non-stinky. Not necessarily a HUGE selling point for me, that, since my sweat comes redolent with the wood and spice notes of the incense from a Shinto temple. What, you don't believe me? Take a whiff, mister.

All told, a lovely day.

If you see my reflection in the snow-covered hills

Yesterday reminded me of everything that makes me love skiing. Snow-capped mountains, gorgeous vistas, incredibly fresh (and thin) air, ski runs that go on for miles, near effortless speed punctuated by effortFUL bursts through bumps and deep powder. Just kill me now cuz it ain't getting better than yesterday. It was a bluebird day on Whistler Mountain, by which I mean the skies were an incredibly clear light blue and we even had a few hours with both sun AND moon clearly visibly. Just gorgeous. And I shared it with a few of my favorite people in the world. Even though I like to be engaged by people when skiing (it's at least half the fun), I did sneak a few tender moments with the iPod. Try blasting down a mountain with "Welcome to the Black Parade" in your head sometime. It's awesome. Alternately, hit the bumps with "Sweet Talk" (by Spank Rock...holla, Max!) because that has distinct charms of its own.

A cute moment happened late in the afternoon when my friend's 7 y.o. was having a bit of a meltdown (tired, hungry, falling a lot). I was trying to comfort him, telling him we were just having a great time together and that's all that mattered, especially for me having him around because I have so few real friends. Hearing this, his 12 y.o. brother chimed in, "I'm your friend, Mike." Trying to comfort me when I was trying to comfort the boy. Well, maybe you had to be there but it was the sweetest thing! Great kids.

PS Took a few cool photos that I'm kinda dying to share, but I forgot the damned USB cable! Til I return.....

I want muscles all over him

Greetings from lovely Vancouver, BC! So many holiday stories, I'm full to bursting. I kid. Not so much. I travelled all day on Christmas Day, but if you'd like to hear the complete genealogic history of the 85 y.o. retired Filipino Ob/Gyn who flew next to me, I'm SO up to speed.

Christmas Eve was very nice though, the whole day spent with my family. My gifts were a hit, many of them the au courant "it's clothes, but it's for a good cause!" variety. I wasn't sure how my family would react to their presents being simultaneously cottony soft AND assisting those with AIDS in Africa, but they seemed on board. Also a hit were my Giada one-two punch, the Holiday Salad and the Holiday biscotti. It's all about Giada, my brothers, or at least it's all about her boobs. Seriously, you know I'm all gay (OK, mostly) but I'd love few things more than to snuffle my face in there for a few minutes. That's all idle daydreaming, though. A "pipedream", if you will. My parents SHOWERED us all with presents again this year, as is their wont, never mind that the baby of the family is nearing 40. My best present you ask? Cold hard USD. How do they always know JUST what I want? It's simultaneously embarrassing and perfect to receive. You know the feeling?

So yeah, I'm in Vancouver almost two days and I haven't been skiing yet?!? The travel day was extended by about 2.5 hours as, whilst aboard the United plane at the gate in Chicago, they needed to change the tires. Bitches. Then yesterday everyone decided we'd go to Body World 3, that intriguing display of plasticened corpses in various athletic poses. You know it. Well, I went in with low expectations which were exceeded by MOUNDS. Loved it. As a person who's seen a few (dozen) dissected human bodies in his day, I was still blown away by this exhibit. So detailed, so perfectly dissected....amazing. I'd highly recommend it if the show is coming to your town. Fairly graphic and not for the squeamish, but otherwise fab.

OK, gotta go. Finally going up to Whistler where the BASE is over 90 inches. And thinking about it is giving me a boner of at least 9 inches. OK, OK, that's internet inches. Pipedreams, remember?

I'll sing to him, each spring to him, and worship the trousers that cling to him

Bewitched, bothered, and bewildered am I.

I know it's the eve of Christmas Eve and I should be all "celebrate family" and "peace on earth" with a festive post, but, well, feh. Kinda over it before the fact. Forgive me?

There is something I can get excited about. You seeing The History Boys! (link has sound...but it's rad 80s music, if that helps) Fabulous. This is easily (easily!) one of the best things I've seen this year. I hadn't seen the play so I can't speak to whether this suffers from the translation to screen, but on its own, it's a wonderful film. The acting is top notch and the dialogue is crackling (crackling!). When I wasn't laughing, I was squirming in my seat, just barely resisting the urge to claw myself with pleasure. How's that for a favorable review? Oh, and there's lots of homos and homo-eroticism. Thank me later, kiddos!

Oooh, and I also developed an insta-crush on the Middle Eastern looking mofo two rows in front who had the most charming laugh, of such a sexy volume and timbre, and indicating he was smart enough to get it (and me, if we're being honest here). Was it just me and him laughing out loud? Mmmmm, getting jokes together is hotness. Sigh.

And never mind me, you have a WONDERFUL holiday! If you're so inclined. And if you're not? So inclined, I mean, then I think this might help a little. If you're anything like me, it'll help a lot. If only I'd seen that sooner. (link via the divine fourfour)

Can you read my mind?

WARNING: Can a movie that is over six months old be spoiled? If you say YES and you haven't seen Superman Returns, do NOT proceed beyond this point.No, no, this is not just a trumped up excuse to post another picture of Brandon Routh in tights. He is supah fly, though. Here's the story. I was in the salon today, post-coiffure mid-manicure, when my nail dude throws me for a loop. He purports to be a bit of a Superman expert, so I quiz him. "Is there any basis in the comics for Superman and Lois Lane having a son, like in the movie?" He's all, "Huh? Wha? What movie?". I'm like, "Superman Returns, dude." He responds that there is nothing in this movie to suggest that Lois' kid is the spawn of Superman. Hold the phone there, mani-boy, did that piano just fly across the room, crushing Lex's thug, all by itself? Am I crazy, people, or are the clearcoat fumes starting to degrade my brotha's thought processes? Talk to me. Oh, and one more of Brandon.Seems to have a wonky eye in this one and even that is HOTT on him.

Feels like I'm all the way back where I belong

This weekend I finally made the pilgrimage to Westcott House in Springfield. It's the only Prairie-style house that Frank Lloyd Wright designed in Ohio and it was recently opened to the public after a massive restoration that brought it back from decades of neglect. The background can be found at the Westcott Foundation's website, which details the history of the house from Wright's commission by the Westcotts, a progressive couple with both money and influence, through decades of ownership changes, including unfortunate additions and ultimately subdivision to a multi-family residence. Understanding and appreciating Wright's genius as we do today, this remuddling seems horrifying, but the curators feel this house survived more intact as a rental property than had it been a single family home, more subject to the decorating whims of an owner actually inhabiting it. Anyway, when the Foundation purchased the house, it looked like this:
After years of renovation, to the tune of over 5 million dollars, it looks like this:
The pictures don't even do it justice. Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous. The house and grounds are stunning, meticulously restored and preserved for future generations to appreciate. I went through a phase when I was the owner of a quaint little Craftsman bungalow where I devoured all things Frank Lloyd Wright. Maybe because of this, or maybe it's just the feeling one gets when experiencing great art, but walking through and around this house, I found myself welling up with tears. It's a masterpiece and that's not just me talking. Wright experts count it as one of the best Prairie style houses he designed. If you're ever in the area, you should check it out. I'm going back in the spring when the awnings are out, the reflecting pool is filled and the gardens are in bloom. Inspired by Angelina feting Brad for his birthday at Fallingwater, I asked if Westcott House can be rented. It can, by the hour. Care to join me? We could do lunch under the awnings in front of the pool. I'd be so giddy, I'm sure it'd take minimal coaxing to get me bent over the library table. If it worked for Angelina (and you just know she gives it to him from behind), it'll prolly work for you.

Goldfinger!

Awww, look at me.

via the lovely and charming Michael Guy

It's not unusual to be loved by anyone

OK, I just finished watching Wedding Wars on A&E. I've dried my eyes and now I'd like to discuss it. First and foremost, in what universe are Eric Dane and John Stamos brothers?No, really, cuz don't think I won't pack my shit up and move there right now. Although it deals with a hot-button issue of the day in the US, gay marriage, this movie is mostly a light-hearted confection, full of humor and riddled with cliche'. It's a meringue with a message, people. Gay wedding planners, florists and public defenders? Dykes on bikes? I know. Awesome. I tuned in for the eye candy (can anyone really get too much Stamos?),and stayed for a sweet movie with a few very touching moments, and surprisingly, no pat resolution. P.S.? The public defender boyfriend is played by Firefly's lovely Dr. Simon Tam, Sean Maher. It repeats on A&E on Saturday night. Check your local listings. Thank me after.

ADDED: Blogging dry spell? Prepare to be irrigated. Or...quenched? Anyway, tomorrow: my new favorite underpants! Also, if time permits, my back rash. Stay tuned!

Santa baby, put a present under the tree for me

I can't stop looking at this guy.

You should have seen the look on the manager's face at Banana Republic when I asked if I could have the display window poster after Christmas. What? Like, does she think straight guys shop there or something?

I came too close in your direction

All Over Your Face by Cazwell

A bukakke-themed video featuring a gay rapper and Amanda Lepore. How is it that I'm the last to see this? (decidedly NSFW)

Cuz we only act like children when we argue, fuss and fight

It's World AIDS Day today. I could whine that we're spending billions every month to fight made up wars instead of trying to save sub-Saharan Africa, where one of every three adults is HIV+, but instead, why not offer a way we can make a change today? Check out Bono's message here, and while you're there, maybe pick up something (RED).