Saturday, June 14, 2014
TOP 5 FREEBIES CHALLENGE
Mac over at "Yummy of the Day" was presented with a question of:
"Who is on your list of 5 freebies?
You know, the 5 people that you would be allowed to get down with if given the opportunity."
Mac made his list and now has presented this challenge to his readers, so here are my 5 Freebie:
1.
GARTH BROOKS
Troyal Garth Brooks (born February 7, 1962) is an American country music singer and songwriter. His eponymous first album was released in 1989 and peaked at Number 2 in the US country album chart while climbing to number 13 on the Billboard 200 album chart. Brooks' integration of rock elements into his recordings and live performances earned him immense popularity. This progressive approach allowed him to dominate the country single and album charts while crossing over into the mainstream pop arena.
Brooks broke records for both sales and concert attendance throughout the 1990s. As of 2013, his recordings continue to sell well and, according to Nielsen Soundscan, his albums sales up to May 2013 are 68,630,000, which makes him the best-selling albums artist in the United States in the SoundScan era (since 1991), a title held since 1991, well over 5 million ahead of his nearest rival, The Beatles. According to RIAA he is the second best-selling solo albums artist in the United States of all time behind Elvis Presley (overall third to the Beatles and Elvis Presley) with 128 million units sold.Brooks is also one of the world's best-selling artists of all time having sold more than 150 million records.
Brooks has released six albums that achieved diamond status in the United States, those being: Garth Brooks (10× platinum), No Fences (17× platinum), Ropin' the Wind (14× platinum), The Hits (10× platinum), Sevens (10× platinum) and Double Live (21× platinum). Since 1989, Brooks has released 19 records in all, which include; 10 studio albums, 1 live album, 3 compilation albums, 3 Christmas albums and 3 box sets, along with 77 singles. He won several important awards in his career, including 2 Grammy Awards, 17 American Music Awards (including the "Artist of the '90s") and the RIAA Award as Best selling solo albums artist of the Century in the United States.
Troubled by conflicts between career and family, Brooks officially retired from recording and performing from 2001 until 2009. During this time, he sold millions of albums through an exclusive distribution deal with Walmart and sporadically released new singles. In 2005, Brooks started a partial comeback, and has since given several performances and released two compilation albums.
On October 15, 2009, Garth Brooks announced the end of his retirement. In December 2009, he began a five-year concert deal with the Encore Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. In 2014 his contract with Encore ended.
Brooks was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on October 21, 2012.
Troyal Garth Brooks (born February 7, 1962) is an American country music singer and songwriter. His eponymous first album was released in 1989 and peaked at Number 2 in the US country album chart while climbing to number 13 on the Billboard 200 album chart. Brooks' integration of rock elements into his recordings and live performances earned him immense popularity. This progressive approach allowed him to dominate the country single and album charts while crossing over into the mainstream pop arena.
Brooks broke records for both sales and concert attendance throughout the 1990s. As of 2013, his recordings continue to sell well and, according to Nielsen Soundscan, his albums sales up to May 2013 are 68,630,000, which makes him the best-selling albums artist in the United States in the SoundScan era (since 1991), a title held since 1991, well over 5 million ahead of his nearest rival, The Beatles. According to RIAA he is the second best-selling solo albums artist in the United States of all time behind Elvis Presley (overall third to the Beatles and Elvis Presley) with 128 million units sold.Brooks is also one of the world's best-selling artists of all time having sold more than 150 million records.
Brooks has released six albums that achieved diamond status in the United States, those being: Garth Brooks (10× platinum), No Fences (17× platinum), Ropin' the Wind (14× platinum), The Hits (10× platinum), Sevens (10× platinum) and Double Live (21× platinum). Since 1989, Brooks has released 19 records in all, which include; 10 studio albums, 1 live album, 3 compilation albums, 3 Christmas albums and 3 box sets, along with 77 singles. He won several important awards in his career, including 2 Grammy Awards, 17 American Music Awards (including the "Artist of the '90s") and the RIAA Award as Best selling solo albums artist of the Century in the United States.
Troubled by conflicts between career and family, Brooks officially retired from recording and performing from 2001 until 2009. During this time, he sold millions of albums through an exclusive distribution deal with Walmart and sporadically released new singles. In 2005, Brooks started a partial comeback, and has since given several performances and released two compilation albums.
On October 15, 2009, Garth Brooks announced the end of his retirement. In December 2009, he began a five-year concert deal with the Encore Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. In 2014 his contract with Encore ended.
Brooks was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on October 21, 2012.
2.
ADAM LEVINE
Adam Noah Levine (born March 18, 1979) is an American singer-songwriter and musician, widely known as the lead vocalist for Los Angeles pop rock band Maroon 5.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Levine began his musical career in 1994, when he co-founded alternative rock band Kara's Flowers, of which he was the lead vocalist and guitarist. After the commercial failure of their only album, The Fourth World, the band split up. Later, he reformed the band and a fifth member was added to form Maroon 5. The band released their first album, Songs About Jane, which went multi-platinum in the US. Since then, they have released three more albums, It Won't Be Soon Before Long (2007), Hands All Over (2010), Overexposed (2012), and V (2014). As part of Maroon 5, he has received three Grammy Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, two American Music Awards, an MTV Video Music Award and a World Music Award.
Since 2011, Levine has served as a coach on NBC's reality talent show The Voice. The winners of the first and fifth seasons, Javier Colon and Tessanne Chin, were on his team. In 2012, he made his acting debut as a recurring character in the horror television show American Horror Story: Asylum for the series' second season. He also appeared in the film Begin Again.
As an entrepreneur, Levine launched his own eponymous fragrance line in 2013. The same year, he collaborated with Kmart and ShopYourWay.com to develop his menswear collection. He also owns a record label, 222 Records. In 2013, The Hollywood Reporter reported that "sources familiar with his many business dealings" estimated Levine would earn more than $35 million that year.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, Levine began his musical career in 1994, when he co-founded alternative rock band Kara's Flowers, of which he was the lead vocalist and guitarist. After the commercial failure of their only album, The Fourth World, the band split up. Later, he reformed the band and a fifth member was added to form Maroon 5. The band released their first album, Songs About Jane, which went multi-platinum in the US. Since then, they have released three more albums, It Won't Be Soon Before Long (2007), Hands All Over (2010), Overexposed (2012), and V (2014). As part of Maroon 5, he has received three Grammy Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, two American Music Awards, an MTV Video Music Award and a World Music Award.
Since 2011, Levine has served as a coach on NBC's reality talent show The Voice. The winners of the first and fifth seasons, Javier Colon and Tessanne Chin, were on his team. In 2012, he made his acting debut as a recurring character in the horror television show American Horror Story: Asylum for the series' second season. He also appeared in the film Begin Again.
As an entrepreneur, Levine launched his own eponymous fragrance line in 2013. The same year, he collaborated with Kmart and ShopYourWay.com to develop his menswear collection. He also owns a record label, 222 Records. In 2013, The Hollywood Reporter reported that "sources familiar with his many business dealings" estimated Levine would earn more than $35 million that year.
3.
HUGH JACKMAN
Hugh Michael Jackman (born 12 October 1968) is an Australian actor and producer who is involved in film, musical theater, and television.
Jackman has won international recognition for his roles in major films, notably as superhero, period, and romance characters. He is best known for his long-running role as Wolverine in the X-Men film series, as well as for his leads in Kate & Leopold, Van Helsing, The Prestige, Australia, Real Steel, Les Misérables, and Prisoners. His work in Les Misérables earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and his first Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy in 2013. He is also a singer, dancer, and actor in stage musicals, and won a Tony Award for his role in The Boy from Oz.
A four-time host of the Tony Awards, winning an Emmy Award for one of these appearances, Jackman also hosted the 81st Academy Awards on 22 February 2009.
Hugh Michael Jackman (born 12 October 1968) is an Australian actor and producer who is involved in film, musical theater, and television.
Jackman has won international recognition for his roles in major films, notably as superhero, period, and romance characters. He is best known for his long-running role as Wolverine in the X-Men film series, as well as for his leads in Kate & Leopold, Van Helsing, The Prestige, Australia, Real Steel, Les Misérables, and Prisoners. His work in Les Misérables earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor and his first Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy in 2013. He is also a singer, dancer, and actor in stage musicals, and won a Tony Award for his role in The Boy from Oz.
A four-time host of the Tony Awards, winning an Emmy Award for one of these appearances, Jackman also hosted the 81st Academy Awards on 22 February 2009.
4.
CHARLIE WHITE
Charles Allen White, Jr. (born October 24, 1987) is an American ice dancer. With partner Meryl Davis, he is the 2014 Olympic Champion, a two-time (2011, 2013) World champion, the 2010 Olympic silver medalist, two-time (2010, 2012) World silver medalist, five-time Grand Prix Final champion (2009–2013), three-time Four Continents champion (2009, 2011, 2013) and six-time U.S. national champion (2009–2014). They also won a bronze medal in the team event at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Davis and White teamed up in 1997 and they are currently the longest-lasting dance team in the United States. They are the first American ice dancers to win the World title, as well as the first Americans to win the Olympic title. At the 2006 NHK Trophy, they became the first ice dancing team to receive level fours on all their elements.
Davis and White are the current world record holders in the short dance, free dance, and total combined score.
Charles Allen White, Jr. (born October 24, 1987) is an American ice dancer. With partner Meryl Davis, he is the 2014 Olympic Champion, a two-time (2011, 2013) World champion, the 2010 Olympic silver medalist, two-time (2010, 2012) World silver medalist, five-time Grand Prix Final champion (2009–2013), three-time Four Continents champion (2009, 2011, 2013) and six-time U.S. national champion (2009–2014). They also won a bronze medal in the team event at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
Davis and White teamed up in 1997 and they are currently the longest-lasting dance team in the United States. They are the first American ice dancers to win the World title, as well as the first Americans to win the Olympic title. At the 2006 NHK Trophy, they became the first ice dancing team to receive level fours on all their elements.
Davis and White are the current world record holders in the short dance, free dance, and total combined score.
5.
COLIN FARREL
Colin James Farrell (born 31 May 1976) is an Irish film actor. He appeared on the BBC's Ballykissangel in 1998, made his film debut in the Tim Roth-directed The War Zone a year later and was discovered by Joel Schumacher for Tigerland (2000). He then starred in Schumacher's Phone Booth (2002) and the American thrillers S.W.A.T. and The Recruit (both 2003), establishing his international box-office appeal. During that time, he also appeared in Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report (2002) and as the villain Bullseye in Daredevil (2003). After starring in the independent films Intermission (2003) and A Home at the End of the World (2004) he headed Oliver Stone’s biopic Alexander (2004) and the Terrence Malick Pocahontas movie, The New World (2005).
Work in Michael Mann’s Miami Vice, the adaptation of John Fante's Ask the Dust (both 2006) and Woody Allen’s Cassandra's Dream (2007) followed, underscoring Farrell's popularity among Hollywood writers and directors; however, it was for his role in Martin McDonagh’s In Bruges (2008) that he received a Golden Globe Award. More recently, he co-starred in the Fright Night (2011) and Total Recall (2012) remakes and McDonagh's second feature, Seven Psychopaths (2012). Farrell also starred with Noomi Rapace in the Niels Arden Oplev-directed action film Dead Man Down, and as Travers Goff in Saving Mr. Banks (both in 2013).
In 2014, Farrell starred as Peter Lake in Winter's Tale, an adaptation of the novel of the same name. He set to co-star with Jessica Chastain in Liv Ullmann's adaptation of Miss Julie.
A favorite with film critics such as Peter Bradshaw, Manohla Dargis and Roger Ebert during the 2000s, Farrell developed a reputation as a lothario and dated numerous women. He was named one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2003. Farrell has two sons: one with model Kim Bordenave and another with his Ondine costar, Alicja Bachleda-Curuś.
Work in Michael Mann’s Miami Vice, the adaptation of John Fante's Ask the Dust (both 2006) and Woody Allen’s Cassandra's Dream (2007) followed, underscoring Farrell's popularity among Hollywood writers and directors; however, it was for his role in Martin McDonagh’s In Bruges (2008) that he received a Golden Globe Award. More recently, he co-starred in the Fright Night (2011) and Total Recall (2012) remakes and McDonagh's second feature, Seven Psychopaths (2012). Farrell also starred with Noomi Rapace in the Niels Arden Oplev-directed action film Dead Man Down, and as Travers Goff in Saving Mr. Banks (both in 2013).
In 2014, Farrell starred as Peter Lake in Winter's Tale, an adaptation of the novel of the same name. He set to co-star with Jessica Chastain in Liv Ullmann's adaptation of Miss Julie.
A favorite with film critics such as Peter Bradshaw, Manohla Dargis and Roger Ebert during the 2000s, Farrell developed a reputation as a lothario and dated numerous women. He was named one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" in 2003. Farrell has two sons: one with model Kim Bordenave and another with his Ondine costar, Alicja Bachleda-Curuś.
So now I pass the challenge on to you:
Who are your TOP 5 FREEBIES?
Post it on your blog or leave a comment with your countdown.
If you post to your blog, please leave a link in the comments section.
I can't wait to see who made your lists!!!
The Best Shirtless Celebrities Of 2013
From: Socialite Life
Robert Ri’chard
November 4, 2013
'Bolden!' actor Robert Ri'chard shows off his fit physique while catching a few waves in Malibu, California.
More Popular Than Jesus?
From: Boy Culture
These kinds of studies always strike me as a bit absurd. Oprah Winfrey has not been more influential than Martina Navratilova, for example? I'm sure Madonna should rank highly on any list of influential public figures, but sheesh.
A new study claims to show that Madonna is the most influential woman in history, over Elizabeth II. Overall, only Adolf Hitler and Michael Jackson outrank her, making her literally more popular than Jesus.
These kinds of studies always strike me as a bit absurd. Oprah Winfrey has not been more influential than Martina Navratilova, for example? I'm sure Madonna should rank highly on any list of influential public figures, but sheesh.Academy Award for Best Picture
2009
The Hurt Locker
Release dates
September 4, 2008
(Venice)
June 26, 2009
(United States)
Starring
Jeremy Renner
Anthony Mackie
Brian Geraghty
Christian Camargo
Evangeline Lilly
Ralph Fiennes
David Morse
Guy Pearce
The Hurt Locker is a 2008 American war film about a three-man Explosive Ordnance Disposal (bomb disposal) team during the Iraq War. The film was produced and directed by Kathryn Bigelow and the screenplay was written by Mark Boal, a freelance writer who was embedded as a journalist in 2004 with a U.S. Army EOD team in Iraq. It stars Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie, and Brian Geraghty.
The Hurt Locker premiered at the Venice Film Festival in Italy during 2008. After being shown at the Toronto International Film Festival, it was picked up for distribution in the United States by Summit Entertainment. In May 2009, it was the Closing Night selection for Maryland Film Festival. The film was released in the United States on June 26, 2009 but received a more widespread theatrical release on July 24, 2009.
Because the film was not released in the United States until 2009, it was eligible for the 82nd Academy Awards, where it was nominated for nine Academy Awards. It won six Oscars, including Best Director for Bigelow, the first woman to win this award, and Best Picture. Boal won for Best Original Screenplay. The Hurt Locker earned numerous awards and honors from critics' organizations, festivals and groups, including six BAFTA Awards. However, it received criticism by some in the military for various inaccuracies.
Your Nightly Briefing
From: Boy Culture
Hunter is one of many hot dudes who work at Adonis Lounge. Tonight, Saturday, the action is at Evolve (221 E. 58th St. between 2nd & 3rd Ave.) from 9:30PM to 3AM. Sign up for the hilarious and hot newsletter here.
The 10 Most Sinfully-Sexy Men Of The World Cup
From: Queerty
Gareth Bale
Gareth Bale (England) won’t actually be competing in this year’s World Cup, but we wanted to include the professional footballer on our list because, well, look at him! Woof.
10 More Must-See Gay Films Chosen By Queerty Readers
From: Queerty
Trembling Before G-d
This 2001 documentary follows a group of gay and lesbian Orthodox Jews who are all struggling to reconcile their sexual orientations with their faith. The film interviews these men and women, many of whom would only agree to appear in silhouette, as well as several rabbis and psychologists regarding their views on homosexuality in Orthodox Judaism.
Your Nightly Briefing
From: Boy Culture
Undies look even better off of dancer Matthew, one of the many hotties at NYC's Adonis Lounge. The action is at Lucky Cheng's (240 W. 52nd St. between 8th and Broadway), from 10PM to 3AM. Sign up for the strip club's newsletter here.
GAY ICONOGRAPHY:
JONATHAN GROFF'S STAR CONTINUES TO RISE
From: Towleroad
From: Towleroad
He’s portrayed a repressed German teen, a Disney hero and more than one neurotic gay man. It's too early to bestow the “icon” title on Jonathan Groff, but over the last few years, he has emerged as one of the most prominent out actors in Hollywood.
“I guess I think of myself as an actor before I think of myself as a gay actor,” he told BuzzFeed last year. “So when I take work or when I look for work, it’s really based on the projects.”
The Pennsylvania native began his career on the stage, but several high-profile TV gigs (and one of the most successful films of all time) have made him one of the most recognizable faces (and voices) in Hollywood. While he’s found mainstream success, he’s also starred in several gay-themed projects. Most recently, he appeared alongside stars Mark Ruffalo, Jim Parsons, Matt Bomer and Julia Roberts in director Ryan Murphy’s The Normal Heart.
He described the challenge of working on the gay dramedy Looking to OUT magazine last year: “Trying to humanize the gay experience and make it universal while also trying to tell specifically gay stories is an interesting Catch-22, because there is something unique and special about being gay—and, there’s something completely normal and just like everybody else about being gay.”
In June, he will be one of the three Grand Marshals of the New York City Pride March (alongside Laverne Cox and Rea Carey).
See some of our favorite Groff clips, and share your thoughts in the comments...Groff’s first major role was in the Broadway hit Spring Awakening. After originating the role of Melchior in 2006, Groff earned a Tony Award nomination. (This is also where he first worked with B.F.F. -- and future Glee co-star -- Lea Michele.) You can see Groff (and Michele) perform at the Tony Awards, above.
Back when Glee was still relevant, Groff landed a recurring guest role as Jesse St. James. He received criticism for not playing a convincing heterosexual love interest for Lea Michele’s Rachel Berry from a critic for Newsweek. “All I can do is laugh and keep moving forward,” he said to The Los Angeles Times in 2012. “Sexuality is such an interesting thing. Unless you're playing a very effeminate person, a stereotypical queen, it's hard to say what it means to play gay.”
In 2013, Groff starred in C.O.G. The film is based on a short story from gay writer David Sedaris’ collection of essays, Naked.
We’ve written extensively about Groff’s new HBO series, Looking. The show garnered heaps and heaps of buzz before its debut for realistically portraying gay men in contemporary San Francisco. Although the show got off to a slow start, the last few episodes of the first season were much better. It was announced in February that the show will return for a second season.
The 10 Best Movie Musicals Ever Made
From: The blotRunner up
Meet Me in St. Louis
Meet Me in St. Louis is a 1944 musical film from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer which tells the story of an American family living in St. Louis at the time of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition World's Fair in 1904. It stars Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien, Mary Astor, Lucille Bremer, Tom Drake, Leon Ames, Marjorie Main, June Lockhart, and Joan Carroll.
The movie was adapted by Irving Brecher and Fred F. Finklehoffe from a series of short stories by Sally Benson, originally published in The New Yorker magazine under the title "5135 Kensington", and later in novel form as Meet Me in St. Louis. The film was directed by Vincente Minnelli, who met Garland, on the set, and later married her. It was the second-highest grossing picture of the year, only behind Going My Way.
Garland debuted the standards "The Trolley Song", "The Boy Next Door", and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas", all of which became hits after the film was released. Arthur Freed, the producer of the film, also wrote and performed one of the songs.
10 Iconic Foods of New York City, and Where To Find Them
From: The Village Voice
2.
Coal-Oven Pizza
 |
| The coal-oven pie at John's, with sausage that comes from Faicco's, just down Bleecker Street |
New Yorkers have been inundated with pretentious pizza parlors that trace their pedigree to Naples (if you're ever visited, it looks an awful lot like Brooklyn). But the pizza as we and the world know it and love it -- the lush, multi-person, shareable pie -- was invented in New York at Lombardi's. Go to one of the city's original coal-oven parlors (Patsy's, John's, Totonno Pizzeria Napolitano) to experience the Gotham invention in all its glory. The 200 degrees hotter these ovens burn when compared with wood makes a big difference in the texture of the crust. Don't, whatever you do, go to the franchise locations spun off by any of these places -- the product is inferior in every way.
John's Pizzeria, 278 Bleecker Street, 212-243-1680
ALLSTATE RELEASES GORGEOUS, EMOTIONAL AD FEATURING GAY COUPLE
From: Towleroad
Last year Allstate launched an LGBT print ad campaign with the slogan "Being visible should never leave you feeling vulnerable" which featured a gay couple holding hands.
This year they have expanded that campaign to include a stunning animated film set to "Safe in My Hands," a new single from out singer-songwriter Eli Lieb
Says Allstate on the campaign's page: “We believe everyone should be treated with respect and without judgment no matter who they love.”
It's well worth a minute and a half of your time today.
Check out the beautiful ad...
Q&A SATURDAY
What do you wear, boxers, briefs, or nothing at all? What do you like your man (or men) to wear? Discuss…
The Sexiest Player From Each World Cup Team
From: Sports Illustrated
Nacer Chadli
Nacer Chadli (born 2 August 1989) is a Belgian professional footballer who plays for Tottenham Hotspur and the Belgium national team as a winger.
CRUSH IS A HIT!!!
"A few days ago I posted the new David Archuleta song, Crush, to tepid reviews. Everyone, including myself, seems to be in agreement that he has a powerful voice, but his first single doesn’t live up to his talent. “Anonymous” was hating a bit more on our American Idol cutie, but he also thinks Paula Abdul is an amazing vocalist. Well, regardless of what we think, after it’s first week in release the song has debuted at #2. He also entered the charts one spot higher than the winner, David Cook, did with his premiere single, The Time of My Life. Congratulations David A.!!!" -- MAC
Classic Telvision - Prime Time
The Strauss Family
Orginal Channel
?
(UK)
ABC
(US)
Original Run
November 7, 1972 to December19, 1972
(UK)
May 5 to June 16, 1973
(US)
The Strauss Family is a 1972 English Associated Television series of eight episodes, about the family of composers of that name, including Johann Strauss I and his sons Johann Strauss II, Eduard Strauss and Josef Strauss.
The series was written by Anthony Skene, David Reid and David Butler, and directed by David Giles, David Reid and Peter Potter
Anne Stallybrass was nominated for the British Academy Television Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Anna Strauss.
ABC broadcast The Strauss Family in the United States from May 5 to June 16, 1973.
Michael Sam Signs Four-Year Contract With St. Louis Rams
From: Queerty
Michael Sam, the first openly gay football player to be drafted by the NFL, has officially become the first openly gay player to transcend the draft and land an NFL contract.
According to Fox Sports, the St. Louis Rams signed Sam and the rest of the Rams rookie class (11 new players) on Thursday, offering Sam a reported four-year, $2.65 million contract. The brand new paycheck will probably only cushion Sam’s income from partnership deals — before being drafted, he had already become a spokesman for Visa, launched a line of merchandise, and was courted for an OWN documentary.
Earlier this week, Sam told NFL.com that his transition into the NFL had been developing flawlessly. “They treat me like a football player,” he said.
After signing his contract on Thursday, Sam tweeted that he was “grateful, humbled, and motivated.”
Grateful, humbled, and motivated after officially signing with all my Rams rookie brothers. Let's do this!! #RamUp pic.twitter.com/quFCf01tJw
— Michael Sam (@MichaelSamNFL) June 12, 2014
Gov. Chris Christie Says He Can Beat Hillary Clinton
Gov. Chris Christie appears confident in his presidential prospects despite the ongoing bridge scandal that has tarnished his national reputation.
During an appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" that aired late Thursday night, Christie was asked whether, "hypothetically," he thinks he could beat Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton in a one-on-one matchup.
"Hypothetically? You bet," responded the Republican governor.
Christie was considered a top 2016 contender before news broke that members of his administration redirected traffic on the George Washington Bridge in an apparent act of political retribution.
Boudoir Photography | Reconnecting with Darius
"It’s been the been part of a year since I’d connected with Darius. He’s gotten sexier. ALOT sexier.
Don’t worry – you’ll soon see for yourself. ;)
(hint: he quit shaving his amazing body)" -- Marlen Boro
Academy Award for Best Actor
1927/28
Emil Jannings
As
Grand Duke Sergius Alexander
The Last Command
And As
August Schilling
The Way of All Flesh
Emil Jannings (23 July 1884 – 2 January 1950) was a Swiss-born German/Austrian actor. He was the first person to be presented with an Oscar when he was honored with the first Academy Award for Best Actor, at the 1929 ceremony.
Best known for his collaborations with F. W. Murnau and Josef von Sternberg (including The Blue Angel (1930), with Marlene Dietrich), Jannings later starred in a number of Nazi propaganda films.
Study: Gay Or Bisexual Men Who Use Hook-Up Apps Get More STD's and Do More Drugs
A new study from the Los Angeles LGBT Center released Thursday finds that gay and bisexual men who use smartphone apps such as Scruff, Grindr, etc. have a higher risk of contracting common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea and chlamydia.
According to the authors, smartphone apps were favored by younger, well-educated men under the age of 40 and by men of white or Asian ethnic backgrounds. App users were also more likely to use recreational drugs, including cocaine and Ecstasy.
Their analysis further showed that men who used smartphone apps to meet other men for sex were more likely to have common STI than those who met their partners in clubs and bars. They were 25 percent more likely to be infected with gonorrhea and 37 percent more likely to be infected with chlamydia. However, there was no difference in their likelihood of infection with either HIV or syphilis.
10 Best Gay Beaches In The World
From: NewNowNext
Herring Cove
Provincetown, Massachusetts
Herring Cove is the perfect beach destination for couples looking for a romantic getaway, with whale-watching and sunsets that seem to melt into the ocean. Stay to the left for the gay-friendly and clothing-optional side of the beach.
Who Is Pressuring CBS To Shut Down Gay Journalist Itay Hod For Outing Aaron Schock?
From: Queerty
Somebody has it in for Itay Hod. But who? As you’ll recall, Hod is the respected journalist who essentially outed Republican Rep. Aaron Schock, he of the gay wardrobe, impeccable pecs and antigay voting record. Clearly, someone wants to stir up some professional trouble for Hod because of Schock’s outing.
When Hod first took aim at Schock in January, there was some confusion about his affiliation with CBS. (Hod hadn't updated his LinkedIn profile, which should have noted that his affiliation with the network had ended two years earlier.) At that time, someone using the Gmail handle “D Walker” sent media outlets a complaint about Hod.
“Gawker and the blog Queerty are publishing articles that identify Itay Hod as a CBS News anchor/reporter,” Walker griped. “This identification with CBS News is adding credibility to a story on Congressman Aaron Schock being gay — that includes unsubstantiated and journalistically-irresponsible allegations.”
(Actually, including 19-year-old Olympic diver Tom Daley as one of only 71 people that Schock followed on Instagram added a lot more credibility to the story than Hod’s credentials.)
The dust died down in the intervening months, but last Friday, Hod published a piece on CBS.com about the AIDS Lifecycle fundraising ride. Within an hour of its publication, the very same D Walker with the same email address emerged to send another missive to media outlets, including Queerty, demanding to know if Hod was working for CBS again.
Now, only Hod’s mother would probably follow his career moves this closely, and she probably wouldn't be relying upon the help of a Google Alert. Interestingly, Walker again cited Schock as the impetus for his email.
“After Mr. Hod outed Congressman Aaron Schock, you issued a statement that, even thought he identified himself on his Linkedin profile as a “CBS News anchor/reporter”, that he didn’t work for CBS News,” Walker said in his email. “Has that changed?”
The email sparked another response from CBS, with the network producing a statement over the weekend letting Walker–and Queerty–know that Hod was simply delivering a freelance assignment on a totally unrelated topic (unless the Congressman participated in the AIDS Lifecyle, which we doubt). The larger chilling effect, of course, was to put both Hod and the network on notice that their actions are being watched.
And why is CBS so eager to please this apparently anonymous source by issuing a statement distancing itself from Hod on a Saturday morning, when most journalists are sleeping in?
Now you may well ask yourself, who would be this interested in trying to put Hod on the spot? Queerty emailed Walker, who does not sign his emails, to ask who he (or she) is and why he is dogging Hod like a modern-day Inspector Javert. Walker never responded. Apparently, he prefers to cause problems anonymously instead of being forthright about his motives.
Walker has made the story one about Hod’s career, knowing full well how a skittish network will respond to his questions. The accusation took center stage. The much more interesting story is the accuser. Who is Walker that he’s so keen on tracking (and trashing) Hod?
There are really only two possible explanations for the emails. One is that Walker despises outing as a violation of journalistic principles and wants Hod to be banned for life from any reputable outlet. Of course, it’s hard to imagine someone quite so driven by love of the profession to follow Hod so obsessively for the sole aim of making mischief.
The second explanation is that it’s one of Schock’s supporters, which is a phrase you can interpret however you see fit. After all, Walker does make a point of making Schock’s outing the point of his emails, and who would have the greatest stake in revisiting that complaint? Someone with ties to the Congressman might be perfectly happy to play dirty tricks as a kind of revenge for the embarrassment the outing caused Schock.
Walker’s ham-fisted efforts don’t help Schock any. He managed to put the outing behind him (in a manner of speaking) by refusing to address it and by deleting his Instagram account. (The account, and Schock’s abs, are back.)
Making trouble for Hod only brings the story back to life. It’s also a reminder that trying to put journalists on the defensive is the type of political hardball played when the stakes are high and personal.
So what are the stakes in this case? You can probably figure that out on your own.
When Hod first took aim at Schock in January, there was some confusion about his affiliation with CBS. (Hod hadn't updated his LinkedIn profile, which should have noted that his affiliation with the network had ended two years earlier.) At that time, someone using the Gmail handle “D Walker” sent media outlets a complaint about Hod.
“Gawker and the blog Queerty are publishing articles that identify Itay Hod as a CBS News anchor/reporter,” Walker griped. “This identification with CBS News is adding credibility to a story on Congressman Aaron Schock being gay — that includes unsubstantiated and journalistically-irresponsible allegations.”
(Actually, including 19-year-old Olympic diver Tom Daley as one of only 71 people that Schock followed on Instagram added a lot more credibility to the story than Hod’s credentials.)
The dust died down in the intervening months, but last Friday, Hod published a piece on CBS.com about the AIDS Lifecycle fundraising ride. Within an hour of its publication, the very same D Walker with the same email address emerged to send another missive to media outlets, including Queerty, demanding to know if Hod was working for CBS again.
Now, only Hod’s mother would probably follow his career moves this closely, and she probably wouldn't be relying upon the help of a Google Alert. Interestingly, Walker again cited Schock as the impetus for his email.
“After Mr. Hod outed Congressman Aaron Schock, you issued a statement that, even thought he identified himself on his Linkedin profile as a “CBS News anchor/reporter”, that he didn’t work for CBS News,” Walker said in his email. “Has that changed?”
The email sparked another response from CBS, with the network producing a statement over the weekend letting Walker–and Queerty–know that Hod was simply delivering a freelance assignment on a totally unrelated topic (unless the Congressman participated in the AIDS Lifecyle, which we doubt). The larger chilling effect, of course, was to put both Hod and the network on notice that their actions are being watched.
And why is CBS so eager to please this apparently anonymous source by issuing a statement distancing itself from Hod on a Saturday morning, when most journalists are sleeping in?
Now you may well ask yourself, who would be this interested in trying to put Hod on the spot? Queerty emailed Walker, who does not sign his emails, to ask who he (or she) is and why he is dogging Hod like a modern-day Inspector Javert. Walker never responded. Apparently, he prefers to cause problems anonymously instead of being forthright about his motives.
Walker has made the story one about Hod’s career, knowing full well how a skittish network will respond to his questions. The accusation took center stage. The much more interesting story is the accuser. Who is Walker that he’s so keen on tracking (and trashing) Hod?
There are really only two possible explanations for the emails. One is that Walker despises outing as a violation of journalistic principles and wants Hod to be banned for life from any reputable outlet. Of course, it’s hard to imagine someone quite so driven by love of the profession to follow Hod so obsessively for the sole aim of making mischief.
The second explanation is that it’s one of Schock’s supporters, which is a phrase you can interpret however you see fit. After all, Walker does make a point of making Schock’s outing the point of his emails, and who would have the greatest stake in revisiting that complaint? Someone with ties to the Congressman might be perfectly happy to play dirty tricks as a kind of revenge for the embarrassment the outing caused Schock.
Walker’s ham-fisted efforts don’t help Schock any. He managed to put the outing behind him (in a manner of speaking) by refusing to address it and by deleting his Instagram account. (The account, and Schock’s abs, are back.)
Making trouble for Hod only brings the story back to life. It’s also a reminder that trying to put journalists on the defensive is the type of political hardball played when the stakes are high and personal.
So what are the stakes in this case? You can probably figure that out on your own.
I CAN’T SHAKE THE STRANGER OUT OF YOU
BUTT TUNES
With Patrick Haggerty
Text by Danny Calvi
With Patrick Haggerty
Text by Danny Calvi
 |
| Lavender Country's original cover design by Michael Carr and Richard Overfield |
Regarded as the first openly gay country singer-songwriter, Patrick Haggerty, now 70-years-old and alive and kicking in his home state of Washington, is seeing the re-release of ‘Lavender Country’, the LP by his former band Lavender Country. Even back then, the idea of gay country music was an absurd proposition, and seeing it find a new generation of listeners is, according to Patrick, ‘a Rip Van Winkle dream come true’.
The self-produced record had an initial pressing of only 1000 copies and sold for just four dollars. The band raised the money to make it with help from the non-profit Gay Community Social Services of Seattle, and ran ads in the mimeographed gay rags to help spread the word.
In the early seventies, Patrick was a rabid gay liberationist, and his household was a hub of LGBT, black and feminist political activism. One of those characters, a Jewish drag queen who went by the name of Faygele, funded part of the production by cashing unemployment checks.
When I spoke to him this week, Patrick said he had many ‘trick’ encounters back then that would qualify for the subject of this particular song. But he distinctly remembers the night he wrote it: ‘I spent four hours in a bar cruising and came home trickless’.
He’s still playing and singing, mostly ‘memory lane songs’ for his fans in retirement homes, Alzheimer’s units, rehab and senior centers in his local area.
I Can’t Shake the Stranger Out of You
Lyrics by Patrick Haggerty
Music by Patrick Haggerty and Robert Hammerstrom
Arrangement by Lavender Country
I see you stepping high with your tight blue jeans on
Strutting like a button down paragon
I reckon you’re looking for some necking, yes I do
Climb right on up into my manger
But let me warn you ’bout one small danger, babe
I Can’t Shake the Stranger Out of You
I see you prancing and preening as smooth as you can
You’re hotter than the popcorn dancing in the pan
Out to capture a chunk of rapture with someone new
Well, I can hit the sack like an aristocrat
If you’re looking for a trick in a box of crackerjacks
But I Can’t Shake the Stranger Out of You
You’re a romping bronco, I must admit
Stomping while your lips are chomping at the bit
I’ll kiss you, but who’s gonna miss you
When you’re chasing midnight’s through
Be glad to be your one shot pleasure
Even leave you grieving at your leisure, babe
But I Can’t Shake the Stranger Out of You
All your favorite fantasies have come to an end
And you’ll be waking up tomorrow needin’ a friend
‘Cause I Can’t Shake the Stranger Out of You
North Carolina label Paradise of Bachelors has lovingly re-released ‘Lavender Country’ on vinyl, CD and mp3. The deluxe reissue includes includes a thirty-two page chapbook with an oral history by Patrick Haggerty with unpublished color photos and full lyrics.
40-Love: The Forty Hottest Tennis Players Of All Time!
From: The Backlot
36.
Stanislas Wawrinka
YEARS ON TOUR: 2002 – Present
PEAK RANKING: #3
MAJOR TITLES: 1
29-year-old Stan had been known for the better part of a decade as “The Other Swiss Player,” but he finally came into his own this year, winning his first major, defeating Rafael Nadal in the final of the Australia Open. He’s now known as ‘the Top Ranked Swiss player.”
BREAKING NEWS: MAN TAKES SHIRTLESS SELFIE, GIVES BLOGGER ERECTION
From: Favorite Hunks & Other Things
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA – A 31 year-old man with an allegedly mouthwatering treasure trail shared a shirtless image on popular gay dating website Manhunt, causing the site’s resident blogger to pop an erection at his desk yesterday afternoon. The man, who goes by the alter ego “andhecooks” on the website, could not be reached for comment at the time of press. The blogger himself was too busy providing the gay sex act “rimjobbing” to respond to any inquiries.
Eventually, the blogger’s underwear spoke out about this development during a press release conducted from a dirty pile of laundry. “I could feel some tension on my fabric,” it revealed. “There was a point where I got a little wet and sticky in one spot, but not too much.”
Citizens are invited to look at the pictures in question and analyze whether they share the blogger’s reaction. A group discussion will occur today in the comment section of Manhunt Daily, a popular gay web publication which you are currently reading.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
i can fit my whole fist in my mouth
that's totally a lie. when i try i just end up gagging. it's a mess.
Sometimes i'm charming, when the stars are aligned and i'm not bloaty. Recently single.
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