What I am Reading Now

I have to say that we here in Cincinnati have one of the best public library systems in the area (aside from my former employer Kenton County Public Library of course).

I have always had a problem reading a traditional book without falling asleep or something and because of this; I took up listening to books on tape of CD's ever since I left college. So imagine my surprise when I happened upon the new choices that our library system has to enjoy our favorite read.

I have heard so much about "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" series that I had to dive in to this book head first. And I was even more excited when I had the option of either downloading the book to my Samsung Tablet OR using one of their new PlayAway devices.

The PlayAway device is essentially a portable book that you can plug your headphones into and listen away. The only thing that you have to do is to provide the ear buds and a AAA battery (it was my luck that there was already a battery in the device when I picked mine up last week).

I have to say that it's an awesome way to read a book! I am already on the fourth chapter of the 1st series and the plan is to have it completed this weekend...while getting all of my other errands done around the city.

Despite the fact that MidPoint Music Festival has been holding my top spot of "things to do" this weekend, I am kind of glad that it's a little crummy outside right now. Great time to curl up with a great book and take a long nap....that is before MidPoint starts up again tonight :)

Gay Travel in Columbus, Ohio...Where to Eat, Stay and Party

For gay men, travel in the United Stated for gay men could be a bit daunting. Ever since the horrific events that took place at Stonewall in the mid seventies gay and lesbian issues have been brought to the forefront of the American consciousness.

Even today, gay marriage and other rights of gays and lesbians are being challenged in major political races across the country. Since Stonewall, gays and lesbians have made it a point to nurture and create communities that caters to their needs and wants. Most major cities have gone so far as to establish gay communities to help flounder this, Montreal being one of those cities which has created the largest gay district in North America.

The mid western cities littered though out the United States are starting to follow suit. Columbus, Ohio has a flourishing gay area and here are some places that gays and lesbians traveling to Columbus must see during their stay.

Read the entire article here.

I would love to hear from my readers if anything has changed...

New Year's Resolutions - Revisited

It’s a new year and yet again we are all revisiting our life goals and re-evaluating the order of the bucket list that we have spent years comprising…inevitably having the list become just that; a list that is long forgotten until the next time that the ball drops in New York’s Time Square.

This year I fought the urge to create yet another set of promises that I will fail to make come to fruition. But then I thought, why should I for-go the time honored tradition of making promises to myself. Not only does it urge you to take an inventory of what you have done with your life and will help you put your life’s goals into prospective.

So I dug out the past several years of New Year resolutions and found that there was an outstanding theme that jumped out at me…and that was to finish a novel that I have been working on for the past several years. So I guess that will be my resolution for this year.

It’s not like I don’t have the problem of beginning from scratch. There are three particular works which I have been toiling over and are very close to completion, so this year’s resolution should not be that difficult to turn in to reality.

10 to 1 (working title)

With a newly unfurled college diploma framed and hanging above the mantle of a small apartment, mystery novel follows Jacob Thompson as he is about to begin his adult life in a major way. In trying to come to out as a gay man to his ultra-conservative, relatives during the midst of a family tragedy, Jacob uncovers a murder plot that has been over twenty years in the planning, and must save the last victim before it is too late.

Triple Threat-Misconceptions of being Young, Black and Gay in America

My first attempt in the realm of non-fiction, where I take on the trials and tribulations of being young, gay and Black in America.

1865 (working title)

Taking a page from history, this novel, originally planned to be a short –story, but has morphed in to a full fledged novel, follows that story of a white, small business owner in the late 1800’s in Northern Kentucky who falls in love with a Black traveling worker.

20+ cool points goes to the one who can predict which one gets completed and published first.

Top Momments In Comedy Television....Just My Opinion

Television has been a major part of most American lives for the latter part of the past century. According to a 2009 Nielson Poll, Americans watch an average of 5.1 hours of television per day. In this myriad of boob-tube watching, Americans are subjected to dramatic dialogue in addition to the reality based television shows which have gained in popularity over the past decade. This notwithstanding, there has been a major part of our television watching history which has been attributed to those comedic shows of ole.

If you are a devout television show aficionado, you would be amiss if you did not know about the success of comedic television and performances which it fostered. Even if you were not alive when The Carol Burnett Show was popular, you have at least been privy to the many times and Burnett and friends broke character during their liver performances and created classic television, This notwithstanding, no one could forget the longest comedic applause during a live television show when Sammie Davis Jr. kissed Archie Bunker on the popular television show All In The Family.

Television shoes such has The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Mary Tylor Moore Show were just a few shows that stick out in the minds of Baby Boomers as being shows which have paved the way for today's Office, Community and 30 Rock to dominate its respective timeslots.

In a totally unbiased account, and in no particular order, the following are the top two funniest moments in television that I have experienced in my few decades of being glued to this medium.

Seinfeld's Description of the Female Anatomy

On the sitcom Seinfeld, a show which follows the lives of four average New Yorkers, affectionately deemed to be a show about nothing. In this episode, Jerry, the show's main character, has been dating a girl for a while, but has seemed to have forgotten her name. In regaling this fact to his three friends, George, Elaine and Kramer, he recalls that her name rhymes with the name of a female body part. At this point, the audience is drawn into attempting to guess the name of Jerry's girlfriend. After a series of attempts, the episode culminates with the woman realizing that he does not know her name and storming out of Jerry's apartment only for Jerry to recall that her name is Deloris.

Whitney and Rosie's appearance on SNL

In 1996, Rosie O'Donnell was at the top of her career. She was hosting one of the most popular day time talk show and she was the love of ever one. On the same note, Whitney Houston was still riding high with the success of her breakthrough acting debut in the film The Bodyguard. So for the weekly comedy show Saturday Night Live, who has a knack for pairing the "it" people in Hollywood. It was a no brainer to have Whitney and Rosie appear on the show together. The two appear together in a sketch with SNL cast member Molly Shannon playing one of her most loved character's Mary-Katherine Gallagher.

In the skit, O'Donnell plays a nun who is the choir director of an all girls school choir, where Shannon and Houston are members. Shannon's character Mary-Katherine is historically know for clumsy displays when she is over shadowed and this is no exemption when Houston's begins to lay her magical vocal pipes for the world to enjoy. Though the sketch would have been hilarious if it were played out the way it was rehearsed, what set is over the top was O'Donnell's and Houston's inability to keep from holding back laughter and breaking character in the shadow of Shannon's shenanigans.

Though there are definitely a myriad of comedic television moments that would warrant being on this list, but these are the two that stand out as some of the funniest moments in comedic television in the past few decades.

Neighborhood Quote Of The Week

You always make each day a special day. By just you're being you. There's only one person exactly like you in the whole world. And that's you yourself, and I like you. - Mr. Rodgers Television Show

Bad Veins Rock Da Square

Fountain Square has in the middle of Downtown Cincinnati has down a great job with attracting different parts of the community and creating an inviting public space.

Last night, I hung out with a few of my friends, a virtual boys night out, to listen to the music that was scheduled to play on the Square that night.

I would pretty much listen to any type of music (sans county and very hard rock), but I love ad adore gospel and 90's R&B and generally only go out of my way to see this type of music live.

Ohh, I can't forget show tunes...I am a sucker for them as well.

But last night on the Square, the bad Bad Veins took the stage and I was intrigued. I have to say that I enjoyed them and I look to buy some of their songs in the near future.

Pride Cincinnati 2010

Before you get your panties in a wad about the lateness of this post, there is some method behind the madness.

In most cities, Pride has become a one stop shop, setting aside only one weekend to celebrate.

But this year, Cincinnati is bucking the trend by having three separate events.

It began with July 4th's celebration in Fountain Square.

It continues with this evening's Pride festivities in Northside.

And later this year, Northern Kentucky throws their hat into the fray with their first Pride Celebration.

These pics are from July 4th's Pride Cincinnati 2010.

The $10 Downtown Experience

In the 1990s, Main Street which borders Cincinnati’s Pendleton and Over-the-Rhine neighborhoods, between the blocks of Central Parkway and Liberty was a hot bed of vibrant night life, bringing all walks of life together.

Over the past few years, this area is in the process of seeing its economic renaissance which has yet to peak. The community of Over-the-Rhine has historically thrived on community togetherness, fostering a sense of urban unity.

Events like Grapevine, Second Sundays on Main and Final Fridays brings vendors onto the street and people to patron the many shops and galleries which brighten these blocks on Main and the addition of Joe’s Diner will do nothing but make the district that much more appealing.

It is not unexpected to spend a week night in this area for less than $20 and here’s how.

Meet for Coffee @ Iris Café $2

Located at 1331 Main, this small quite coffee shop is a great way has taken the place of kaldi’s, sans the alcohol, by providing a shelves of books, sustenance and a great place to socialize.

Eat @ Joe's ... Diner That Is $8

Move just a block and half east to Sycamore to find burgers which are reminiscent of what you would come to expect from a traditional diner, in addition to extra seasoned fires which are filling yet relatively light and not floating in a sea of grease.

Light Up The Night @ Neon’s $10

End your evening with spirit or two around the corner from Joe’s Diner. A $10 spot will get you a couple of Over-the-Rhine ales, but the outdoor experience is of outdoor social hour is priceless.

Take Back The Street On Main

In the 1990’s, the block of Main St., between Central Parkway and Liberty was a hot bed of vibrant night life, bring all walks of life together. I was in college then and Have A Nice Day Café, Bar Cincinnati and Cincinnati’s own Jefferson Hall were all places where you could find me knee deep in libration on weekend nights.

Then there were the Riots of 2001.

The aftermath of the week long unrest placed Cincinnati with a black eye and hit the city hardest in its pocketbooks. Celebrities such as Bill Cosby and Whoopi Goldberg called for a boycott of the city and Prince even cancelled a show which he was scheduled to have in the city. People did not feel safe spending their hard earned money in Over-the-Rhine any longer and the afore mentioned bars closed up and moved elsewhere, leaving Main Street silent on Friday and Saturday nights.

Until now.

Over the past few years, Main Street has been in the process of seeing its economic renaissance which has yet to peak. Historically, OTR has thrived on community togetherness has fostered urban unity.

Events like Grapevine, Second Sundays on Main and Final Fridays brings vendors onto the street and people to patron the many shops and galleries which brighten these blocks on Main.

In keeping with the historically holistic appeal of Main Street, eateries such as Iris Book Café (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cincinnati-OH/Iris-Book-Cafe/169729995076) and Shadeau Breads (www.shadeaubreads.com) offer locally made and grown options. Great if you want to grab a coffee before your trek into the office or a quiet place to catch up on some work away from the office over a great salmon and avocado sandwich.

Though Main Street is re-incorporating is livable appeal to its day time patrons, its night time appeal has not been forgotten. Last weekend, Jack Pots opened in Jefferson Hall’s old space and Neon’s have been opened for a few weeks. Mixx Ultra Lounge (www.mixxcincy.com) offers upscale entertainment without the big city prices. In addition, with the coming to city’s casino and street car, venues such as Neon’s and Jack Pots have promised to re-open to offer additional entertainment options, not un-similar to the old days of Main Street.

And there is word that The Dinner on Sycamore is under new management and will open soon.

Oh Happy Day!

Time 2 Rock Out With Your Bock Out!

Last night I ventured out into the streets for the Bock Fest and was so surprised at the turnout! I had to miss the parade which originated from Arnold’s Bar because of work, but managed to hit up Bock Fest Hall (the old Hussman Factory at Liberty and Vine) around 9pm where there was standing room only.

Not wanting to miss out on anything, after an hour or so I ventured to Grammer’s just across the street where I was not only met with a German cladden Jim Tarbell, but a second floor speak easy which was turned into a pseudo European discothèque.

As the night prolonged, and shoulders began to be rubbed more frequently, I made my way to Milton’s (your neighborhood bar) just for a nightcap on my way home. Not only did I have more than a night cap, but yet again I was met with a over capacitated watering hole.

Never before have I seen a Friday night in Cincinnati like this. The closest has been Pride Weekend just after the parade, and still it pales in comparison with last night’s shenanigans.

I can only imagine what tonight’s Sausage Queen Final competition will add to the weekend. Whatever the case, I will be ready to rock-0ut with my Bock out!

What I Am Reading Now

I am not too big on mind tricks and other mumbo jumbo, but in finding ways to loose weight, I stumbled upon this book and I have to say that it contains some interesting things.

I am loving on Lambert!

During most of my military career, I was a very closeted and very scared person.

Just a year or two out of high school, I had no idea how to express my feelings for men, or for anyone for that matter.

The weird thing is that it was MTV that help me out during those tumultuous later teen years, and helped me to find myself and let myself become more comfortable with my sexuality.

That is why this morning I am loving on Lambert.

Though it was not MTV and I did not actually watch his Loud and Out performance, music is yet again making me feel more comfortable about being out and proud.

Taking a page from Madonna or Brittany, at last nights AMA's AL strutted the stage with collared men, gyrated his pelvis with dancers and his band members alike and topped it off with a dead on lip lock one of his male band members.

This is a personal note to you AL- Keep doing what you do. You will help more people than they say you hurt!

Movies U Gotta C This Fall

This past summer was one of the first times in a while that I was excited about going to the movies. Though I am a film buff, I reserve my trips to the cinema for films which have amazing special effects or high in action content.

This summer I was very impressed with G.I. Joe and the last installation of the Harry Potter series. But some of the softer films, I will wait until they come out on video.

This Fall is no exception.

There is a myriad of films in which I am interested in seeing, but right now, I definitely want to see the following in the theatres

Avatar

Surrogates

Where the Wild Things Are

And

I Can Do Bad All by Myself

The latter of the four, I want to see in the theatre just for sheer laugh appeal.

Top 7 Entertainment Weekly Options for the Downtown Cincinnati Dweller

Living downtown Cincinnati offers a plethora of different options when it comes to entertaining yourself. The things in which you involve yourself greatly depend on your interests.


Art lovers may spend most of their spare time at the Cincinnati Art Museum or the Contemporary Arts Center. Those eclectic theatre goers may sharpen their thespian teeth at Playhouse in the Park or maybe @ The Ensemble Theater of Cincinnati.

My tastes are a bit more inhibited. I tend to stay within my budget and attend ongoing events where I can get the biggest bang for my buck while being able to hand out with friends.


Monday – Neighborhood Night @ Nicola's
Nicolas offers a great happy hour on Monday night for downtown residents.

Tuesday – Visit your neighborhood library
Cincinnati Public Library has just taken a large hit in its budget. Show them how much you love then and visit your local branch at least once a week. Plus it’s free!


Wednesday - Part in the Park
I, personally, have never been to one of these, but I hear that it’s a lot of fun.


Thursday - Karaoke @ Below Zero
On the other hand, I have attended this event and would not be too far put out by saying that it is the best karaoke in Cincinnati!

Friday – Hang out with your neighbors at your local hole in the wall
Friday nights are synonymous for letting go of your weekly frustrations. What better way to do it than with your neighbors. My pick is Milton’s on Sycamore and Milton streets.


Saturday - Movie Night on the Square
Great way to use Fountain Square and grab a beer at the same time.

Sunday Mornings @ Coffee Emporium
What better way to spend the last day of your weekend than with a cup o’ jo and reading the paper and this neighborhood coffee shop.


So what do you think?

Newly Published! Michael Jackson: A True American Tragedy

Read the entire article here.

CityBeat Shows Little Love for Michael Jackson

In a print journal that boasts being one of the un-fettered voices of the city, you would think that CityBeat would have given more headlines given to the passing of, the way that Berry Gordy put it, "the greatest entertainer of all times."

But this may not necessarily be a bad thing.

In an upcoming article of mine, I am delineating the way that we ("we" being the public) tied the hands of media to dissect ever art of Jackson's life. Though the man may have strived to be the greatest entertainer ever, he did not ask for what came with the fame.

Over the past week or so, people's facebook and twitter status' (including mine) have shown how we felt for the fallen star.

CNN and Time Magazine have been capitalizing on the public display of mourning, giving more example of the tradegy-ization of Michael Jackson.

Al Sharpton put it so eloquently at the singers memorial @ the Staples Center when he professed to Michael Jackson's 3 children that his father was not strange, but it was strange what their father had to deal with throughout his life.

It may be oxymoronic that I continue to blog about the death, but, just like Michael Jackson, I too am only human.

Maybe I will write about this in Thursday night's writing workshop @ InkTank.

RedBox vs. Netflix: The Next Big Showdown

Over the past few months I have been seeing these red boxes popping up in local grocery stores around the Greater Cincinnati area.

In what seemed to be a systematic ploy to get me to begin using them, several of my friends and coworkers have admiting to poppin' in a buck for a movie as opposed to traveling down the street to BlockBusuter, Hollywood Video or their local branch of the public library for their movie selections.

A dollar does sound tempting for one nights' cinematic satisfaction, but the rub comes when it is time to return the film.

I have never been the best at returning things on time. Library books and movies have always been my biggest vice, which is why Netflix is so convenient.

No late fees and can return them when you want.

In fact, I have two films from the postal based movie company which I have been hording for the past few weeks and one that I have had for several months....pathetic, I know.

Though this is a great idea and I feel that it will do well, I am not sure that we will be seeing his little red boxes in t Pendleton area any time soon.

The Monday After..

This past weekend was a bit too short, but aren't all of them?

FRIDAY- July 3
Though Friday was technically a holiday, I made the ever damning decision to work the entire day because I had no plans until later that night....big mistake. There was very little time to get home and get ready for the first event of The Equinox.

The night, held at the former an soon to open Hamburger Mary's was great! It was a nice mix of out of towners and old faces that remembered the hay day of Hamburger Mary's before it was turned into Universal Grille.

I loved the was that the staff hammed up the fact that the building was still under construction by dawning construction garb as the served us.

SATURDAY- July 4
After a full day of recovery, I hit up one of the best bloody mary bars in town at The Pub in Hyde Park. Check it out any weekend before 3pm...you will not be sorry you did.

Later that it it was off the the big Equinox shin-dig. The Grand Ballroom of The Millennium Hotel was decked out in swooping shades, back lit with red lights which faded to blue, then to yellow and so on.

The night was way to short...as most are. Great music and fun friends whom I had not seen in awhile all helped the night to be perfect.

SUNDAY-July 5
A whole lot of nothing...can you blame me?

My Summer Video Plans...Whats Yours?

Just days before analog television went digital, I decided to get rid of my cable television and opt just the survive on local television and Netflix. Here are the next 5 vids in my Netflix que....any thoughts or suggestions?

Issues 101

Bolt

Batman: Gotham Knight

Serial Mom

Gone Baby Gone

Street Car Movie Screening @ The Carnegie

Over @ Somewhere Over-The-Rhine are words about a great opportunity to find out more about streetcars around the United States and GM.

I plan to attend and hope to see you there!