Survivor Of Pulse Nightclub Shooting Dies Suddenly

"Making sure his memory lives on is my main goal."

From: NewNowNext

 Almost three months to the day after the horrific attack, a survivor from the mass shooting at Orlando’s Pulse nightclub has died unexpectedly.

Chris Brodman, 34, died early Sunday morning at a friend’s birthday party in Tampa. Police were called to the house, where they found him unconscious and unresponsive.

 “Preliminary findings showed no physical signs of homicidal violence,” reads a statement from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, which is still waiting on results of forensics and toxicology exams.

Brodman had been smoking when the June 12 attack on the nightclub began. He initially though the gunfire was music, and survived by hiding under a table and running across the street.

 In the weeks following, he got a tattoo honoring the memory of those who had died.

“I look back and what stands out the most for me is how much support and love has been shown both here in Orlando and around the world,” he wrote on social media.

Brodman’s boyfriend, Cord Cedeno, has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral costs.

“I still can’t believe my baby is gone. I can’t sleep I can’t breathe i don’t know how I’m going to go on without him,” he wrote on social media.

“No one deserved to die like he did and making sure his memory lives on is my main goal.”

Out Singer Nails “America’s Got Talent” Finals With Michael Jackson’s “Man In The Mirror”

Sadly, America got it wrong, and Brian finished in fourth place.
From: NewNowNext

 Brian Justin Crum ended his fantastic run on America’s Got Talent last night with an absolutely epic performance of Michael Jackson’s “Man In the Mirror.”

The 28-year-old powerhouse has consistently impressed both the judges and the audience each week since his audition, when he opened up about being bullied when he was younger and moving to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams as a singer.

Crum delivered his haunting cover of the King of Pop in a sparkling suit jacket, standing on an elevated stage beneath an intense pyrotechnic finale.


Everyone including Simon Cowell, the judging panel’s toughest critic, agreed that the performance was one of a lifetime.

“I thought when the song first started ‘you just made a huge mistake here’ and then halfway through I thought ‘actually, you know what, you’ve just made the best decision of your life with that song,'” said Cowell. “I really do. I thought it was really, really incredible. And you know something Brian, there is a big difference between people who come on every week and just sing and are forgotten. With you, you are just a naturally brilliant performer.”

Before his performance, Crum wrote on Facebook: “Im dedicating this performance to anyone who ever felt like they werent enough. You are so loved. Thank you for your continued support and know that ill be thinking of you all while I sing tonight. Be strong and be YOU!”

Check it out below:

Chaz Bono Makes Surprising, Scary Debut On “American Horror Story”

Bono plays a neighbor you wouldn't want to borrow a cup of sugar from.
From: NewNowNext

 After five season of American Horror Story, Ryan Murphy has become a master of keeping secrets about the popular anthology series. One revelation we did not see coming last night: Chaz Bono as a creepy neighbor.

Wednesday night’s premiere revealed much about this season: that it was based on true events, that it would involve the mysterious disappearance of the Roanoke colony in 16th century North Carolina, and that it would feature a “dramatic re-enactment” with two sets of actors playing the same characters.

 The premiere also welcomed actors Andre Holland (The Knick) and Cuba Gooding Jr. to the AHS playground.

Holland and Lily Rabe play a married couple who leave the stress of L.A. for the seemingly calm oasis of North Carolina, where they face a series of disturbing incidents. Of course, they’re in complete denial: Holland just blames everything on their redneck neighbors—one of whom is played by none other than Chaz Bono.

Couldn't say anything before now, still can't say much, except I hope you'll watch me this season on @AHSFX #AHS6 pic.twitter.com/1M3dLG5zX5

— Chaz Bono (@ChazBono) September 15, 2016

The trans actor/activist’s appearance was a big surprise to viewers. Even Mama Cher managed to keep the secret until after the episode aired.

SO PROUD OF CHAZ….MOMS ARE A LITTLE OTT…. IM SKY HIGH OTT🎉

— Cher (@cher) September 15, 2016

That was the least of the surprising twists and turns, though. The Hollywood Reporter recaps the episode:

Matt blamed the events on hillbilly neighbors (one being Chaz Bono), but still called his sister, Lee (Adina Porter), who is portrayed by returning castmember Angela Bassett in the reenactment, to stay with Shelby while he travels for work. Lee was a detective before she was kicked off the force over a prescription pill addiction.

Shelby and Lee have Matt return home after a disturbing break-in and when Shelby leaves the house, she runs over a woman (Kathy Bates, also an AHS regular), who appears to be a Lost Colony ghost as she picks herself up off the road and displays colonial garb.

Lost in the woods, Shelby is haunted by childlike figures that were similarly hung in her house and the vision of the pig-headed man she saw earlier, before a man missing half of his head appears. Surrounded by figures bearing torches, Wes Bentley then reveals himself from the shadows.

As even casual viewers of American Horror Story know, Murphy likes to cram the series will a LOT of material—and he’s confirmed Season 6 will finally tie together elements of the entire franchise—so this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Expect a lot more surprise cameos, sex scenes and at least one musical number (we hope!) At this rate, we could even see Jessica Lange popping up as a cannibal ghost.

Naked Ironing To Britney Spears’ “Do You Wanna Come Over?” Is Our New Favorite Chore

Watching it, that is.
From: NewNowNext

 Britney fans the world over are still eating up Glory, including this guy, who’s jamming to the track “Do You Wanna Come Over?” while doing some ironing.

 Is he using extra starch? ’Cause we’re feeling something stiff.

Cotton & Plaid by JrChristiansenStudio

September 15, 2014
From: Favorite Hunks & Other Things

 Although it is still officially summer, the weather is certainly in transition. Depending on where you live, you are either experiencing the hottest days in weeks or else holding Jack Frost at bay. Where I live, we are enjoying the best of both. Cool nights that are great for sleeping, chilly mornings that energize the start of your day and hot, sunny afternoons that have you wanting to take off work early and head to the beach or on a run.


While you still are wearing shorts and t-shirts, mornings and nights require dipping into that winter wardrobe. As I was digging out a sweater this week, I was also digging into my old desktop folders, going through story idea's that I either wanted to keep or ditch. I got a nice surprise in one of them with these images of the incredible Fitzgerald from JrChristiansenStudio. It was like they were waiting for me to rediscover them. Fitzgerald looks comfy and cozy in his cotton long john onesie and plaid blanket, with each both warming, and heating things up as well.

Jr Christiansen had sent along the shots of Fitzgerald last summer when I was working on another blog piece featuring his work. (Cornered) I put them aside for just the right time and I can't think of a better moment than right now. Jr's work has such richness and texture and always takes me to a familiar place. The images of Fitzgerald on the plaid blanket were like a trigger to a memory, one I am sure many of you have. 

 The heat and light from the sun, streaming through the window over Fitzgerald's body and the blanket took me back to when I was young. I am sure, like me, many of you had a plaid blanket, almost identical to the one Fitzgerald is resting on. Usually it sat at the end of the bed for times when it got cold at night. Our parents would cover us up as they tucked us in, or we pull it up in our sleep in reaction to the temperature. As I viewed the images, I could feel the warmth from that blanket, and the texture and coarseness as it rubbed against my skin.




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September 15th is National Cheese Toast Day

National Cheese Toast Day is observed annually on September 15. 

This is a day to enjoy the cheesy goodness of this classic dish.

Cheese toast is a delicious thick slice of bread spread with butter and cheese, then toasted until it is browned and crispy.  It was created by Del Johnson of Los Angeles in 1958 when he opened his first Sizzler restaurant.  It was an instant success and although the recipe has changed a bit over the years, the concept of Cheese Toast has been around for more than five decades.

September 15th is International Day of Democracy

In 2007 the United Nations General Assembly resolved to observe 15 September as the International Day of Democracy—with the purpose of promoting and upholding the principles of democracy—and invited all member states and organizations to commemorate the day in an appropriate manner that contributes to raising public awareness.

The preamble of the resolution affirmed that:

…while democracies share common features, there is no single model of democracy and that democracy does not belong to any country or region...

…democracy is a universal value based on the freely-expressed will of people to determine their own political, economic, social and cultural systems, and their full participation in all aspects of life.