30 Days/30 Gays

In honour of Pride month I decided to watch one film a day that recognises and celebrates the experiences of the LGBT+ community while focusing on some of the great LGBT+ figures. 

Larger Than Life: The Kevyn Aucoin Story - As a teenage girl in the 90s I was all about fashion, style, designers, and models. A major part of that world was the extraordinary makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin. His fingerprints were everywhere and even though I don't wear makeup, I still own all of his books. This film was such an honest look into who he was; it was beautifully done. 

Antonio Lopez 1970 - Sex, Fashion and Disco - I first bought this off Amazon in August 2020 because Antonio Lopez was a dear friend of Bill Cunningham, who appears in the documentary. Anything regarding the extraordinary Bill Cunningham is worth a look. Antonio Lopez was a gifted artist and I needed to re-watch this film to be reminded of the mark he left on this world.

The Celluloid Closet - This documentary based on Vito Russo's seminal work of the same name delves into gay characters throughout the history of cinema. It's a stellar documentary.

But I'm a Cheerleader - I saw this in the theatre back when it was first released and it still holds up today. It's campy and hilarious and Clea DuVall is so dreamy as Graham...

Jeffrey

We Were Here

Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia - After seeing Gore Vidal in The Celluloid Closet discuss Ben Hur I looked him up and came across this doc. Of course I knew his name since childhood, seeing it on the spine of Burr on my parents' bookshelf, but it was as an adult seeing him on The Dick Cavett Show and then the film Best of Enemies about his rivalry with William F. Buckley. It was great to find out more about Vidal and his incredible life. I definitely plan to look into some of his writing.

Cloudburst - A hilarious love story portrayed brilliantly by Olympia Dukakis and Brenda Fricker. 

Supernova - Clearly I watched this movie because of the two leads, Stanley Tucci and Colin Firth, and if I'm being honest, were it starring anyone else I wouldn't have finished it. A nice love story but so very blah.

P.S. Burn This Letter Please - Based on a series of found letters sent to a dear friend from multiple drag queens dating back to the late 50s. Taken from the film's website: A box of letters, held in secret for nearly 60 years, ignites a 5-year exploration into a part of LGBT history that has never been told. 

The Normal Heart - Based on Larry Kramer's powerful play, the standout moment for me was any scene with Alfred Molina. He's so incredible.

Making Love - I watched this because it was one of the first mainstream films featuring a gay romance. Harry Hamlin and Michael Ontkean were mega gorgeous but it was tame by today's standards and kinda dull.

To Be Takei - The movie that introduced me to just who George Takei is and showcased why he is such an inspirational icon.

Vito - Another film that I saw ages ago and felt the need to revisit it. Vito Russo left the world a huge gift with his book, and of course the documentary, The Celluloid Closet.

The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin - Maupin is one of my favourite writers because of his Tales of the City series. I read and loved his memoir, Logical Family, but this documentary showed the man himself and those closest to him sharing bits and pieces that expanding on what was in his book. 

Carol - Meh.

Tab Hunter: Confidential - I mean who doesn't love Tab Hunter??? Ever since I saw him in Battle Cry when I was a kid, he always stood out. I've watched this documentary countless times and each time I appreciate his honesty and openness more than the last. A great book-end to his memoir of the same name.

American Masters: Billie Jean King

And The Band Played On - The cast alone is worth the price of admission: Matthew Modine, Ian McKellan, Alan Alda, Donal Logue, Stephen Spinella, Richard Gere, Glenne Headly, Anjelica Huston, Swoosie Kurtz, Tchéky Karyo, Richard Jenkins, Richard Masur, Steve Martin, BD Wong, Saul Rubinek, Charles Martin Smith, Lily Tomlin, Phil Collins, and Bud Cort - every single one of them poured compassion and breath into their performances, no matter how small or large their time on screen. To bring Randy Shilts' book that documents the AIDS crisis was an enormous undertaking and everyone involved should be immensely proud of the result.

Hot to Trot - About same-sex ballroom dancing. Some of those couples were exceptional!

Pride (2014) - I'm gonna say this was the best film I watched this month. A true tale of British gay men and women in the Summer of '84 who banned together to show their support financially, physically, and emotionally for the miners during their twelve month strike. It was so good and I was a wreck by the end. Before the credits it read: On June 29th, 1985, London's Gay Pride March was led by Welsh miners in a show of solidarity for LGSM's (Lesbian and Gays Support the Miners) support during the strike. A year after the strike ended, a motion was tabled at the labour party conference to enshrine gay and lesbian rights into the party's manifesto. Although the motion had been raised before, this time it was passed. This was due, in part, to a block vote of total approval from one key union: The National Union of Mineworkers.

Disclosure - I first watched this film about the T in LGBT+ because lovely Alexandra Billings was one of those interviewed. Definitely an important film to see this month.

The Boys In The Band (2020)

Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart - I knew the name A Raisin in the Sun but knew absolutely nothing of its author. This is why I love documentaries - it keeps someone alive and teaches me about people, places, and lives that I never would have know otherwise.

Paris Is Burning

Die Mommie Die! - A fave of mine and Charles Busch at his best. Better to be seen that described. The theme song was stuck in my head for days after.

Anthem - This was the day I had a near nervous breakdown because of my upstairs neighbour and could only find a few minutes to watch this Marlon Riggs short film. 

A Bit of Scarlet - This sounded like a British Celluloid Closet. It stunk. I barely finished it. 

Reel In the Closet - A film about people that have found and preserved home movies of gay lives. A brilliant concept and I'm so glad to know there are people out there preserving real moments in the lives of the LGBT+ community, real moments in real people's lives.

Last Call at Maud's - I ended the month with a film about a Lesbian bar in San Francisco and some of its patrons. It was very cable-access and they dubbed in the United Artists sound in the opening credits, but it was definitely cool to hear about the experiences and goings-on over the course of Maud's from 1966 to its closing in 1989.

May 2022 Books

* Jane Eyre ¹ by Charlotte Brontë - I love the film versions of Jane Eyre and while the book was very good, at 19 hours 11 minutes it felt way too long. But Thandiwe Newton's narration was absolute perfection. To be honest, I really decided to listen to this novel because she would be performing it. One of the best narrating I've ever heard.

* The Choice ¹ by Dr. Edith Eva Eger - Natalia told me about how much she loved this book last year. I immediately bought it with an Audible credit but other books pushed it aside until May. I am so glad that Natalia told me to give this book a read/listen. Dr. Eger's life and all that she went through and overcame was so inspiring, especially how after everything she remained true to her spirit - kind, warm, and optimistic. A beautiful book.

* Here's Hank: There's a Zombie in My Bathtub ¹ by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver

* Kiss Me Like a Stranger ¹ by Gene Wilder - I've always liked Gene Wilder and finally decided to borrow his memoir from Hoopla after having it as a Favorite for the last couple years. It was, of course, funny, but also touching and was the perfect book to listen to while I put together the Chicago puzzle. I was so happy to find that he found love again after Gilda. 

* Devil's Daughter by Lisa Kleypas - It felt like ages since I last read a historical romance and so I dusted off this Lisa Kleypas paperback I'd had for a while and finally dove in. It was good and I liked that it combined characters from previous series.

¹ - audiobook
² - abridged version
* - liked
♥ - loved
Any unmarked titles were, in my opinion, so-so.

Uncle Vanya

In Fall of 2009 I placed an order through Steve Keene's website for a group of nine paintings. I can't remember the total, but I feel like it was maybe thirty bucks including shipping?? I gave Moby Dick to Amy (which I'm sure is still in her garage - the look on her face when I gave it to her told me she didn't like it.) and another to Kat and one to Melanie, since I just didn't have the wall space. The one below I passed along to KSP a while back. I'm glad I took a picture of it before I gave it away. Wished I'd done that with the others.

College Journal #3

Good Ole Gwen Guthrie

Texts like this one from Bishop can truly brighten any gloomy day.

Another Saturday With Jax

After a horrible night dealing with my newest upstairs neighbour and her inability to comprehend that other people exist, I picked up Jax and we were off again for brunch at LesbiVeggies. This time we went with pancakes and shared the Peach Cobbler and the Lemon Poppy ones. They were both deeeelish but the Lemon Poppy were my fave.

Silly

Playing It Cool

Bonus! Temp tattoo from the library!

Still Mad As Hell

Not since 45's election have I felt the burning heat of such an intense rage as I have today at hearing about the overturning of Roe v. Wade. 

(photo kidnapped from kategabrielle)

Scrambled

I used to live for making omelets but once I went vegan, I had to wave bye-bye. BFF Amy has chickens on her farm and will often generously donate a dozen to me from time to time. Since the chickies are cage free and treated with care and respect, I don't mind eating these eggs. I'm not too good at omelets lately, but I can still scramble 'em!

Seen In Oaklyn

Babette

Community Centre

It would be good if a community centre could be built here. Even if one of the flats was put aside for it. Somewhere for the kids to go at night. It could be nice if some sort of football pitch could be built into one of the yards. Maybe more tress could be planted.

Untitled Purple Mix

I was going through a stack of cds with no names and checking to see what was on them. I discovered a purple Memorex disc that only had a date on it. 

It's a Five O'Clock World - The Vogues

Sleeping Ute - Grizzly Bear

The Electrician - The Walker Brothers

Lylacs - PIONEER

A Man Without Love - Engelbert Humperdinck

Get Involved - Raphael Saadiq feat. Q-Tip

Town Without Pity - Gene Pitney

He Hit Me (It Felt Like a Kiss) - The Crystals

Volver - Estrella Morente

Sleep Now In The Fire - Rage Against the Machine

Somebody That I Used to Know - Gotye

Sugar Magnolia - Grateful Dead

Holding Back the Years - Simply Red

Whole Wide World - Wreckless Eric

That'll Be the Day - Buddy Holly

Bixby Canyon Bridge - Death Can for Cutie

Make a Plan to Love Me - Bright Eyes

Oh Yeah! - Roxy Music

When I Get You Alone - Glee Cast

My One and Only Thrill - Melody Gardot

5 August 2012

Lombard

Early in the morning on the Fourth of July 2014, my lil' brother and I headed across the Golden Gate Bridge to Russian River Brewery and to drive through Napa Valley. Before all that, I pleaded with him to take a little detour and drive down Lombard Street. The video, to anyone other than us, is most likely a jumbled mess, but to me, it reminds me of my first travel adventure with one of the coolest people on the planet and the fabulous time we had.

16 - The Song

The Song

Our streets were filled with trash. If we came across something we did not like, we threw it out the door or tossed it through a window. Pizza boxes, broken dishes, and unfashionable clothes covered our lawns. Broken dishwashers and two-legged chairs crowded the sidewalk. When visitors came to town, their jaws dropped as they walked through the shadows of our garbage-but we had been living this way for so long that we could not see the problem. They tried to reason with us but we ignored them. We did not like being bossed around. Nobody could make us listen until one day our new mayor turned to music. She knew that, like a melody, a law succeeds only if it reaches the heart. She asked if we would like to see our lawns again and we said yes, that would be nice. She asked if we would like to walk down the sidewalk without stubbing our toes and we cheered. These days we put things in black plastic bags and sort our papers from our glass, and we do it cheerfully as if humming a favorite song.

Consider the desires of those around you. Seek similarities rather than differences. Compassion is more effective than persuasion.

(It's been a year since Renee left this earth but it feels so much longer. I think of her every time I put the key in my mail slot and just as it squeaks open I know that there will be no mail from her. She was such a kind and generous person and I didn't think I would miss her as much as I do. I hope that Heaven exists because I know she felt destined to reach it.)

Table Top Syd

On a goofy whim today Syd bent over so Harbor could step off the chair and on to Syd's back. It's was silly but caused loads of giggles from us kids.

Hollywood Crushes

•List Your Biggest Hollywood Same-Sex Crushes•

Jenny McCarthy

Clementine Ford

Kate Moennig

Clea Duvall

Sharon Stone

Marilyn Monroe

Jean Seberg

Greta Gerwig

Mariska Hargitay

Susan Sarandon

Mena Suvari

Helen Mirren

Heather Matarazzo

Juliette Binoche

Noomi Rapace

Fran Drescher

Sarah Jessica Parker

Marisa Tomei

Veerle Baetens

Edie Falco

(this list was written between 2012 & 2018)

My Ideal Neighbour

Look at this lovely card that Natalia sent me!

More of LesbiVeggies!

Look at the beauty that is Lesbi's grub! The recipes are all unique and scrumptious. 

Blackened Cajun Cauliflower Sandwich

cajun fried cauliflower, sweet heat glaze, blackened ranch, lettuce, tomato, red onion, sweet potato wedge fries

Zucchini Corn Fritters

pan seared fritters, sriracha remoulade, fresh spring mix & plum tomato salad

LesbiVeggie Breakfast Bowl

tofu scramble, roasted garlic potatoes, sautéed spinach, blistered tomatoes, mozzarella, avocado, GF toast

LesbiVeggies with Jax

Saturday I had lunch at LesbiVeggies with Jackson and he raved about it! Especially the pancakes which were pure heaven. LesbiVeggies has the most delicious food, maybe of all time, and it's such fun introducing it to friends and family and watching their eyes widen with the first bite!

Vegan Hungry Man

tofu scramble, roasted garlic potatoes, classic pancakes, grade A maple syrup

Consomé Breakfast Tacos

Tofu scramble, mozzarella, consomé stewed "pork", fresh pico de gallo, adobo crema, scallions, lime

June 2022 Donations

Amber posted on her IG page about her taking part in the 51 Mile Pride Challenge and so I PayPal-ed her some cash last Friday and included the following message with it:

She then posted this on her Facebook page:

Please join me in the Low Budget Philanthropy movement and help out your community and beyond in the simplest way - donating any amount to whatever charity or organisation that you care about!

Happy 100th, Judy Garland!

(photo kidnapped from smokingissexy)

Judy Garland was a beautiful and complex woman who I borderline worshiped throughout my grade school and teenage years. I think I most identified with her sadness and how she covered it with smiles and humour. I always wished that she would have had a long, healthy, happy life, that she had been treated with kindness and respect by everyone. Although that was not to be, she leaves behind a tremendous legacy on film. These are my ten favourite:

In the Good Old Summertime

A Star is Born

The Wizard of Oz

I Could Go On Singing

A Child Is Waiting

Meet Me In St. Louis

Summer Stock

Judgment at Nuremberg

Easter Parade

Till the Clouds Roll By

The Automat

This movie was playing at The Ambler Theater not long ago but I was never able to get over there to see it. When I was a kid I remember my father telling me that when he was a boy he would sometimes spend weekends with his Aunt Ducky. They would go for lunch at Horn & Hardart in Center City for lunch, go see a movie, have dinner at Horn & Hardart's, go see another movie and then back to Aunt Ducky's where he would rub her feet for a quarter. I loved the idea of a restaurant where you went up to a little box with a window, put in a coin and then opened the little door and there on a plate was lunch or dinner or dessert. I always wanted to go to a Horn & Hardart and have an experience like that. Seeing this film the other day gave me just a little taste of how wonderful the old Automat used to be. I'm very nostalgic and love the idea of something like this coming back in a big way. It's never going to happen but it's still fun to daydream about it.  

(photo kidnapped from imdb)

the sea has been extra rough these past few years

...so i was trying to tend to my lighthouse...thats when i noticed my castle was on fire...its not that i could see my castle from where i was at, it was that it appeared in my dreams...and the manifestations of love were in that castle...my life was in that castle and most importantly, my girl was in that castle...so i made a mad dash to that castle just to watch it be engulfed in flames...i did not hesitate to run in to the room where my love was to be...the last thing i felt was a heat so intense that it was both hot and cold, causing my skin to boil, and the last thing i saw was my girl running away with a man in one hand and a gas can in the other......

Bryan wrote this over a decade ago and it still makes my chest ache. 

Naan Pizza

I love pizza. My nickname as a child was Lisa Pizza and it totally suits me (unlike my Dad's nickname for me, which was Burger, and which I did not like, especially when he called me that in CVS when I was 12). The problem with those ready-made pizza crusts is they are a full size pizza and I wind up eating the whole pie in one sitting, then feeling uncomfortable and disappointed in myself. That's why it was life changing when I discovered naan pizza! I get to load it up with a small amount of sauce, a bit of vegan cheese (if available) and then all my favourite veggies. It's scrum-didily-umtious!!

Here's the full size pizza I used to devour:

And this is the sensational naan version, my newest love.

Happy 100th, Auntie June!

I had requested today off so as to drive over to the cemetery and leave some flowers for Aunt June. I was looking forward to seeing the grave marker that was finally laid on April 22nd. Everything looked perfect and it was nice to sit for a while, under the shade of the giant tree, and think about Aunt June and what could have been. If she had lived a full life, how would that have changed her father and in turn, her brother? How would Grandad Tom have been to have a father that wasn't destroyed by his daughter's death? Would Great-Grandad George have been a better father to his son and then Grandad would have been a better father for my dad? What would my life be like if I had a father who really wanted to be involved and have a friendship where we'd chat on the phone, go see a movie together, or meet up for dinner? But that's a rabbit hole I should avoid. For me, the saddest part is really that once I'm gone, there will be no one left to know Aunt June's name or care about who she was. The gravestone is at least something that marks her life on this earth. 

(I chose the prettiest, pinkest bouquet because it looked ideal for a sweet little six year old girl.)

Poltergeist

Last night I picked up the baby brother at 7:30 and headed over to Phoenixville for the 9:45 showing of Poltergeist one of my top three fave scary movies of all time. I didn't tell Xave about the time the movie started until we were on the bridge. "NINE FORTY FIVE!?!" I didn't want us to be late in case of traffic and trying to find parking. Of course that meant that we hit zero traffic and I found a spot right away (the same one, in fact, that I had last Sunday for It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World!) at 8:35. But it was a gorgeous, cool night and we found a pop up beer-tender. Xavier got to try and register two new beers and the barkeep was so nice and as he was closing up he passed Xave a free can of the first pilsner he tried. So nice! Then we made it across the street, after a selfie, to see a 35mm print of Poltergeist. It was excellent and the crowd really got into it, cheering in all the right places and clapping at the end. Oh! And there was someone there dressed as a television!! I wanted to say hi and snap a photo but he looked busy and I was too shy to ask. 

The Cool Hand Luke of Hot Dogs

Twelve years ago I posted this on my Scraps blog and for some reason I remembered it today whilst enjoying a Not Dog and wanted to repost it. 

(photo by xavier)

It all started with Wayne telling Dave:

"I can eat 16 hot dogs." 

"Get the hell out of here. There's no way you can do it, bro." 

"Seriously, buns and fixings; the whole nine."

"I'd like to see that."

"I did a trial run." 

"What, three?" 

"No. Two."

Enormous laughter from Dave until he can say, "That's a trial run???"

"Well, I went into it imagining that I'd be eating sixteen."

"And?"

"And, it's gonna be tough."

Eventually Wayne stepped up but could only manage to eat seven. He wanted to save room for dessert. But we are still proud of his attempt.

Sticker Gal!

It's been a rough week. Melanie sending me this photo of Lacey helped.