Catching Up With the Past--An August Recap

This post is a little bit long in coming as I was lost in la-la land getting things done at work before my fabulous Albuquerque/Santa Fe trip, so I didn't have a chance to write about a couple of happenings in August until now.The first thing that I want to talk briefly about is how I FINALLY, after an eight-year hiatus, made it back to the U.S. Open this year, thanks to a co-worker of my friend Kate, who was unable to attend. The tennis was good, but the merchandise was over-priced and sucky, and there were too many "ghetto" people this year. I couldn't believe some of the riff-raff who like tennis. Yes, Virginia, I'm a snob and a classist, and I'm okay with that! I used to think the U.S. Open was the most civilized place in Queens, but it has become like everything else (Fashion Week, Fifth Avenue, etc.), a bunch of entitled people trying to be absolutely fabulous. I would have actually enjoyed the match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, except some jackass sat down next to us with his girlfriend and proceeded to talk loud on his cell phone the whole time a la "Bro, yeah, it's me, Bro. I'm at the U.S. Open." I know Bro--that's why no one else is on their G.D. cell phones, because we're watching live tennis, so shut the hell up! Unbelievable! Even after three groups of people around him rolled their eyes and my bold friend Naomi told him to "shhh!" he still continued to talk even after he apologized. Ugh! People make me crazy!!! I also made the mistake of wearing flip-flops since it was wall-to-wall people this time around. Weekdays are definitely a better time to attend the open if you don't like crowds. The good news was that it was, indeed, it was a lovely night for tennis and there was a refreshing cool breeze. Most importantly, Naomi and I spent some quality time hanging out.

Also in August, I was nominated for the Arte y Pico Award by the phenomenal artist, Robin Cheers in Austin, Texas. I bought one of her smaller daily paintings ("Meditating Marilyn")earlier this year and I love it. I am uberappreciative about this nomination because I have been blogging just for the sake of documenting important experiences in my life and to relieve the stress that corporate America gives me. It’s nice to be recognized for all the things that the award is about—dedication, creativity, art and more! That’s what so amazing about online communities…making friends who share common traits and goals.

I have to admit, I don't spend enough time reading other people's blogs, but I do enjoy browsing and seeing what art out there inspires me. That's why I am going to nominate Ed Watson, Daniel Peci, Nicole Wong. Both are incredible artists, and their work really speaks to me. William Renzulli also has an interesting blog. He inspires me to make sure that I have the fullest retirement when it comes time for me to take that journey in my life. I also love the work of Gerard Boersma in the Netherlands. His eye for detail and color astound me!

Some Background on The Arte y Pico Award

The designer of the award puts it like this..."The Arte y Pico Award has arisen from the daily visits that I make to many blogs which nourish and enrich me with creativity. In them, I see dedication, creativity, care, comradeship, but mainly, ART, much art. I want to share this prize with all those bloggers that entertain and enrich me day to day. Doubtlessly, there are many and it will be hard to pick just a few."The Rules:1. You have to pick 5 blogs that you consider deserve this award through creativity, design, interesting material, and also contributes to the blogger community, no matter of language.2. Each award should have the name of the author with a link to their blog.3. Award winners have to post the award with the name and link to the blog of the person who gave them the award.4. Show these rules and the paragraph (above) explaining the awards origination.

Back to Basics Toys' "The Toys of Our Lives" Sweepstakes

What’s your favorite toy from childhood? Was it Slinky, Colorforms or Nok Hockey? Did you know it could win you a shopping spree to Back to Basics Toys in “The Toys of Our Lives” Sweepstakes? Starting August 25, toy enthusiasts will be able to go online to http://www.backtobasicstoys.com/ and upload a photo of their favorite toy from childhood and say why they love it. Toys can be ‘classics’ that have been lovingly preserved in Grandma’s attic or toys that have weathered years of love. Throughout the 18 weeks leading up to December 25, Back to Basics Toys will select a winning photo each week and the winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to Backtobasicstoys.com.

Watch a segment on classic toys from Back to Basics Toys here.

Fabulous Read for Kids from Gay Author and Illustrator

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is one of the best children's books on the market for kids 8-12 years-old. At first glance, it seems like it would take a year to read, but it reads like a graphic novel, one that is gloriously beautiful, well-thought out and appealing to adults as well. The Invention of Hugo Cabret is written by gay author and illustrator Brian Selznick, who is as nice as he is adorable. Check out a recent piece in the Washington Blade on this leading children's book author.

Being Metropolitan

My lovely and fabulous friend Kate and I had a fantastic night out on Friday, which started out with a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The plan was meet at the Met at about 6:30 and head up to the rooftop deck martini bar for some cocktails and pleasant conversation with beautiful people. After initially being told that the rooftop (home to the Jeff Koons exhibit) was closed for the remainder of the day, we were told that it, indeed, was open. Indeed, NOT! Once upon the roof, what we found were fifty million Europeans photographing their own reflections in Koons' sculpture. We also discovered, to our disappointment, that the martini bar had been wheeled away because of the earlier rain storm. We also discovered the spectacular view of Manhattan from three sides as well as one of the Central Park tree line below us. The sky was one of the clearest, bluest, and most amazing that I have ever seen. A solitary group of clouds floated calmly by on the crisp fall-like breeze that permeated the air on the rooftop. I’m glad that I took a photograph, which I think almost captures the beauty of the night just prior to sunset.

Afterwards, Kate and I browsed various galleries at the Met, Including Spanish Modern Art, which was fantastic. I was very intrigued by pieces by Miro (Untitled, 1931; Oil and ink on wood) Dali and, as well as a self-portrait by Leonora Carrington, who was Mexican but British born.
We also headed to the very sexy exhibit celebrating superheroes, for which top designers contributed designs inspired by classic caped crusaders. The exhibit included costumes from various Batman movies and from X-Men. Very cool!

Last year, I was fortunate to take the time to see the Met’s “Glitter and Doom” exhibition, which was cool, creepy and artistically inspiring. As I entered one of the permanent collection galleries, I was drawn to a piece by Otto Dix entitled “The Businessman Max Roesberg, Dresden,” which appeared in “Glitter and Doom.” Painted in 1922, it was one of my favorite pieces in the exhibition.

The Met also has a wonderful Asian and Southeast Asia collection, which instilled us with both a sense of tranquility as well as exhaustion, since there is so much to see. It can also be difficult to find your way out if you’re stupid like we were and didn’t look at the map. The Met is always a terrific place to find yourself and feel like you’re doing something productive. It’s always a good idea to eat before you go, though.

I'm Coming Out...and My Pendant Says It!

I was just reading a PDF of the August issue of Island Family Magazine in Hawaii, which I received from the editor today, and I saw a news item about Due Date Charms (available at www.gobellygo.com), which are maternity necklaces that state the month that your child is due on a handmade rectangular nickel pendant. You can also have a individual message added to the back side if you so desire. Oh, how I love social convention.

They should definitely make these for gay men. In our case, though, they should say things like “husband not due: in my lifetime” “healthy relationship due: never,” or “I’m gay and available.” This would clear up any confusion about whether or not someone plays for the appropriate team. I wouldn’t mind wearing one, as long as I wasn’t going to a football game, JiffyLube, the south shore of Long Island or North Philly! Otherwise, any other venue would be fine, and I don’t think it would be like wearing a scarlet letter or a pink triangle. I get so tired of the whole metrosexual, get-your-gaydar-wires-crossed thing that I could scream. I hate the whole earring thing or the bandanna in your pocket thing, too. It’s like straight people had to take those things over and make them fashionable so they’d lose their edge and significance. To top it off, they like to throw us off and get us all excited for nothing with their tight jeans, unbuttoned tight shirts and highlighted hair (THIS JUST IN: Highlights are OUT for gay men!). We should just be able to ask a guy, as I was once asked by a piano player in Midtown in the 90s, “Are you a homo or what?” Until then, what says “I’m gayer than the night is long” than a charm necklace? Besides, it’s definitely less cheesy than pooka shells!