certainDISASTER

Coming sooooooon.....

2008-01-21T20:17:23Z

A phoenix will soon be rising from the ashes ... stay tuned.

Fucked by a Dahlia

2007-10-19T23:21:49Z

The Boy and His Briefs has some beautiful pictures of a pink Dahlia and calls attention to the need for color in the city this fall.

Interesting (and tangentially) enough, my favorite quote is from a Tom Stoppard play (insert English accent here): Fucked by a Dahlia!

It's a good think this city has plenty of that this fall, too.

Bruce LaBruce Zombies

2007-10-19T23:21:04Z

How could you not love brains ... I mean, zombies? I just can't wait for the Bruce LaBruce film Otto; or, Up With Dead People to be released. It's currently in post-production and promises to be a 'new zombie mythology' according to Bruce's site. Check out one of the production stills courtesy of Slava's blog:

Maybe Bruce LaBruce will be kind enough to give me a cameo in his next production.

Daniel Zueras - No Quiero Enamorarme

2007-04-28T23:18:57Z

I'm not sure about the song, but this video turns up the heat. I know it's pretty standard, but I can't get over how hot that star tattoo looks on the one guy. And, I think I'm going to have to agree with QueerBeacon's comments about the woman seeming a bit out of place sometimes. Maybe I was just distracted ...

The Male Gaze

2007-04-20T23:20:00Z

Finally! An art event that actually looks worthy of attending. Sponsored by the powerHouse Arena and OUT magazine, the exhibit runs through May 27th, 2007 and shows the works of over 20 artists dealing with subject matter involving masculinity and homosexuality. Included in the exhibition are works by Bruce LaBruce, Slava Mogutin, Paul Mpagi Sepuya, and Wilhelm von Gloeden. Check it out: 37 Main Street, Brooklyn (yes ... Brooklyn ... if I could drag my ass there so can you) M-F: 10am - 7pm Weekends: 11am - 7p

Low Numbers This Quarter

2007-04-16T23:18:02Z

Top Design: Jonathan Adler*

2007-03-02T00:14:46Z

*Also titled: How Being on a Reality TV Show Can Kill Your Career (and Credibility)

When Bravo's Top Chef finished it's season with a big, fat fizzle, I was truly excited to fill it's place in my ~~heart~~ schedule with Top Design. After watching the first few episodes, I'm struck that it's not the mediocre designs that I find distasteful, but the stiff judges who seem to lack both personality and design chops (not in their resumes, to be fair, just in their on-screen time). Not only do they make the show tedious to watch - but they lack the only talents actually necessary for a reality TV judge to possess: a strong point of view and the ability to clearly (or at least wittingly) articulate that view.

Although Todd Oldham needs some serious lessons at using a teleprompter (does he really have so little personality that the producers won't even let him talk on his own??), at least he comes across as nice and as having some sort of investment in the designers. Jonathan Adler, however, is another story.

As someone in the design field, I'd like to think he'd be able to come across as a little less 'stiff' on camera. I'm sure sitting up there on those stools doesn't help much, but it's not like that much personality is attached to the ass. I often wonder, while watching the judging, if Adler talks to all people like they're four years old or just this group of designers. He's always saying that he can't stand depressing designs, but all life gets sucked off screen whenever he speaks. Perhaps it's because he never says anything interesting. At least Margaret Russell tries ("You can't design a room around a cat" is sadly the only memorable line to come out of this show). It's almost scary to watch Adler tour the designed rooms. Have you ever seen anyone look that uncomfortable? Watch the faces of the designers as well as the other judges. Whenever he walks away, the look on their faces bears a striking resemblance to that of someone who has just survived an awkward cocktail party encounter.

Now, normally, I'd say, "OK, so what, he's just not made for TV", but sadly, the show has actually changed my opinion of him. Having previously been really into his stuff, I now feel like I can't take him seriously. Can I actually trust designs from a man who cannot articulate any clear and consistent view on design? Shouldn't a design guru like the great Jonathan Adler be shining a spotlight on the designs, recognizing where the designers were trying to take it, and then articulating how they could have gotten to that point more successfully? A useless judge (and teacher for that matter) is one who just relies on his/her gut reaction without being able to explain what's causing the reaction. At some level, personal tastes is irrelevant. With design ... and especially with designs for clients ... the real question should be, 'were the objectives satisfied and is this a successful design.' Does he actually think that nitpicking and calling designs 'kookoo' or 'grody' flies in this day and age? With the growing interest in design, I think the Bravo viewers deserve a bit more than that. And I think that Adler's customers deserve at least some personality from their designer ... or has he already proved himself irrelevant by appearing on this travesty of a 'design' show? Please Mr. Adler, take your Prozac from your cookie jar and bring some insight to your job ... otherwise, "see ya later, decorator" - get off the stage.

Afterhours

2007-02-26T00:16:27Z

The Afterhours Blog turns one! Rock on, guys. This is where I go to check out the House. They keep it fresh and sure know how to keep my heart pumping at the gym or on the dance floor. Stop by, wish the Afterhours folks happy birthday, and download some great remixes that'll help you remember ... well ... last weekend.

Hymn Book iPod Case

2007-02-19T00:17:18Z

Heavenly music to our ears. Suck brings us this unique leather hymn book cover for your ipod! This is sure to make sunday morning fly by in about the time it takes for me to listen to one of the remixes from the night before.

Almost Valentine's Day

2007-02-13T00:13:52Z

Things it's probably not OK to write in a Valentine's Day card to a 1 year old (I just can't help it - whenever I write cards it's like I'm writing to the 30 year old version of the person):

Dear [insert name of one year old here],

Happy Valentine's Day, sweetie! I hope that no matter what comes your way, you'll always remember that there is infinite love out there in the universe. Well ... not, um ... infinite ... not like slutty love. Oh crap. Nevermind. You'll know what I mean when you are older. You're too young to know what this crappy holiday is all about anyway.

Love,
Uncle [me]

Toilet Coke

2007-02-11T00:12:05Z

Advertising can sometimes be pure genius. I mean, we can all relate to this one.

Harry Potter

2007-02-09T00:13:04Z

Finally! Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is now available for pre-sale. I don't know about you, but I can't wait to see how this story ends. I've been hooked for the last 6 books, and like any good junkie, I need more.

POW

2007-01-31T00:10:10Z

Now you, too, can bask in the dirtiness that once was the Manhole (and later J's Hangout) and take back the night from the tragedy that has become the meatpacking district. Starting Wednesday, February 7th, join DJ Lina and DJ Van Scott as they spin some super tunes at P.O.W.

Be a Superhero for the night and explore the depths of Level V (located in a space once infamous for it's 'you can't put your head below waist level' rule). You never know - you may just meet a mysterious stranger from your past. And if not, you'll at least have lots of cute Superhero and Bad-Boy Go-Go dancers (something tells me I'll like the Bad-Boys a bit more).

Enjoy super drink specials and the underground private lairs, including the secret Ÿber-sexy Bat Cave. See you all there, but don't bother looking for me - I'll be in disguise.

P.O.W.
Wednesday, February 7th
Level V, 675 Hudson Street (at cornter of 14th St. and Hudson)

Oh, and for all you fancy gays - it's located under Vento, so go have a good meal beforehand.

Failure is the New Success

2007-01-30T00:10:57Z

I don't know what it is, but there really is something very amazing about watching Illeana Douglas - even in a 'mini mini' series. Is YouTube the new NBC?

What an amazing little gem.

Oh Yum

2007-01-09T00:08:10Z

Today at CES, Nokia unveiled a brand-spanking new device - the N93i. What caught my attention (besides how good the damn thing looks) is the fact that you can post photos and videos from the mobile device to your blog through Vox (anyone heard of them?)

Now, I know I've been a bit slow with the posts recently ... but I've been thinking about how to reinvent certainDISASTER and I think video might be the way to go. If I get my hands on one of these, the boys over at GOOL better watch out - think: nightlife, interviews, the works.

If you haven't already noticed, I like to think big.