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'Vanity' in Africa

The July issue of Vanity Fair will have 20 different covers shot by the fantasic photographer Annie Liebovitz. Included in the covers are Oprah Winfrey, Madonna, George W. Bush, Chris Rock, Maya Angelou, Condoleeza Rice, Bill Gates, Barack Obama, George Clooney, Iman, Alicia Keys, Jay-Z and Brad Pitt among others. The shots are supposed to represent "a visual chain letter spreading the message from person to person to person." The entire issue is dedicated to history, struggle, and future of this challenged nation. Also featured within the pages of the magazine are a selection of photos taken during Madonna's most recent trip to Malawi as well as news on the documentary she is filming about the plight of those living in Malawi. You can check out all the various covers here. Also, online only, you can view a behind the scenes video of Annie's amazing photo shoot with all of celebrity contributors. The site goes on to say "In this behind-the-scenes footage, which is accompanied by a beautiful track from popular Senegalese singer Youssou N'Dour, Annie Leibovitz and guest editor Bono go about the business of creating the issue's 20 iconic covers." SEE IT HERE NOW. Enjoy. xo.

Home Sad Home

It truly saddens me about the massacre that took place down in my home state of Virginia. The destruction that this person gunman brought is beyond anything I have ever seen. I hope that the families find the strength to get through all this. It seems there are more questions than answers at this time. All of this is truly beyond sad. Hug the people in your life that are near...call the ones that aren't. NOTHING is guaranteed in this world - absolutely nothing. 

Late day linkage...

Helen Mirren goes commando at the Oscars? Helen, speaking about her one of a kind Christian Lacroix gown, told Oprah Winfrey on Oscar night "It was all made for me so I didn't have to have any underwear." Grasping her breasts to illustrate her point, she added: "It fitted me like two angel's hands. I cried when I put it on, it is a work of art."

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Is Former Vice President Al Gore being called a hypocrite? He is by some who say his Nashville mansion uses way too much energy. "In general, I applaud his efforts to reduce energy consumption, but if he is going to be a spokesman for global warming, he has to be willing to make the same sacrifices." said Drew Johnson, President of the Tennessee Center for Policy Research.

UPDATE: My friend Carrie posted a comment that read: I've read that we should take the Gore report with a grain of salt. Some research has shown that the Tennessee Center for Policy Research is supported only by conservative people, which makes their research suspect. I completely agree with Carrie. I'm absolutely sure that any "research" they have done is going to be biased. I'm sure the folks who run the Tennessee Center for Policy Research are the same type of folks who won't even admit Global Warming is even an issue. Thanks Carrie!
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Elizabeth Taylor - Movie star, AIDS Activist, Humanitarian and Wife (married 8 times to 7 husbands - she married Richard Burton twice!) just celebrated her 75th birthday on Tuesday in a glitzy and glamorous party in Las Vegas. Taylor has won two Oscars for best actress and starred in more than 55 films, including Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Butterfield 8, Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and Cleopatra.

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Wanna be featured in a Gucci advertisement? All you need is a camera, some Photoshop skills and the know the right people to call. A Swiss man shot his own Gucci ad and then acting as a representative from Gucci sent the photo to the Swiss Sonntags- Zeitung Newspaper to be included in Sunday's edition. He told the newspaper to send Gucci the bill. They did! The conman has managed to dupe the owners of Swiss newspaper into publishing a two-page advert he created of himself posing semi-naked beside a bottle of Gucci perfume. The man, who claimed to represent the Italian fashion giant, called up the Swiss weekly Sonntags- Zeitung last week to book the expensive colour spread in Sunday's edition. Brilliant! I bet a a ton of starving models wished they thought of that. What great exposure! (Until he is caught, at least!)

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Want your own Britney Spears "Ready for Rehab" doll? Look no further than eBay. It's true - you really can find everything on eBay! A quick search on eBay results in multiple listings for Bald Britney dolls. Now if I can get my hands on a "Kevin Federline - Dad of the Year Doll" I'll be set! wink wink.

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What's that smell?

This morning there are reports that a strong odor could be smelled across much of Manhattan. Investigators are suspecting a large scale gas leak. I sent a link about this story to my boyfriend who quickly said the likely cause could be our cat Alice's litter tray. haha. Having only had a cat for just over a week, I'm still learning about the joys of cleaning out a litter box. Can I tell you? It's FUN stuff. ok..it's not but....just look at her....cute right?? I think anyone could get over the work involved with a cat when it looks so darn adorable.

(and FYI – this WILL NOT become a cat blog! I PROMISE!)

Where does it fall on your radar?

Every issue of New York Magazine has a listing of current trends, cultural happenings, news, and other stories that land squarely in front of the jury of public opinion. The issues, events or stories are placed on a matrix somewhere in between High Brow or Low Brow and Brilliant or Despicable. In these weekly pieces, the magazine has made up it's mind and the reader can either agree or disagree with where the issue has "landed". I usually tend to agree with their decisions but that’s not always the case. For example, what did you think of Pelosi becoming the first female speaker of the house? Where does the cancelling of the long running teen show The OC land on your cultural matrix? What do you think of Britney's fainting/collapse on New Years Eve? Now you can dictate for yourself which way you feel on the all these hot water cooler issues in an online version.

THE APPROVAL MATRIX is super neat and definitely worth 5...10...15 minutes of your time.

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LATE DAY LINKAGE

In 2006, New York City set a tourism record. 44 Million folks visited the big bad city. Now if they would just get out of my way when I'm walking I'd be a whole lot happier. (wink wink) The photo above is from the amazing photographer Joseph O. Holmes. Check out all of his photos at joesnyc.streetnine.com

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With New Years Eve just around the corner, it's important to starting thinking and giving heavy consideration to a very important issue that faces many of us....WHAT TO DRINK ON NEW YEARS?! 356gay.com gives a few helpful ideas of what may work to quench your thirst. Don't worry - even if you make a big 'ol gay drink, it doesn't make you gay, too. (well maybe a little)

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Jennifer Hudson has be receiving rave reviews for her performance in the hit DREAMGIRLS. Daniel A. Kusner, life and style editor for the Dallas Voice recently asked the star if she thinks being gay is a sin, to which it was reported she replied, "According to the way we're taught and what it says in the Bible, it is." Kusner's article scolds Ms.Hudson for what he says is a less than "thoughtful response." Good lord. Who cares? How did she do in the movie? That's what people should be talking about. The Advocate.com wanted to clear the air and let Jennifer tell her side of the story.

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In political news, John Kerry's old presidential running mate John Edwards has thrown his hat in to the ring announcing he will run for president in 2008.

Camille Paglia Speaks...

US magazine recently interviewed Camille Paglia, long time feminist author and activist, who had much to say on the recent antics of three of Hollywood's most talked about party girls. Never one to shy away from speaking the truth, Camille elaborates on what che calls these "backstreet floozies".

Camille had this to say...

On how it’s affecting feminism: "These girls are lowering themselves to the level of backstreet floozies. It angers me because I fought a bitter fight to get feminism back on track and be pro-sex at the same time. This is degrading the entire pro-sex wing of feminism."

On how it’s affecting their reputation: "I am completely appalled by what these young women are doing because I think that they are cheapening their own image and obliterating all sexual mystery and glamour, which are the heart of the star system."

On how Hollywood’s changed: "These are women who are clearly out of control because the old studio era is over. The studio system...guided and shaped the careers of the young women who it signed up. It maximized their sexual allure by dealing it out in small doses and making sure you don’t have -- what has become here -- a situation of anarchy."

On Madonna: "Madonna was able to flash her breasts and play peek-a-boo because she is an authentic, creative artist who churns out song after song, project after project...but Britney seems like she’s lost and the career track is obliterated."

On "The Kiss": "A great promise was contained in the moment when Madonna kissed Britney at the MTV Awards. She in a sense was saying,”I’m passing the torch to you." It was a fabulous moment. Britney looked toned, in control of her career and it was up to her to take the next step. Literally from that kiss, from that moment onward, Britney has spiraled out of control. It’s like Madonna gave her the kiss of death! Britney is throwing it away!"

On Paris Hilton: "Paris Hilton I feel a little bit more benign towards because she doesn’t really have a vocation. She is basically a celebutante. She changed fame by mining high-fashion poses learned from drag queens."

On Lindsay Lohan: "Lindsay is alienating too many serious actors and when you are not performing and causing problems on a shoot, that’s not good. I think Lindsay Lohan is more in the downward spiral for sure."

 

Giuliani - Friend or Foe?

Now I don't want to be called a hater or anything like that because that is just not my style. However, I'd like to direct you to an interesting article about good ol' Mr. Giuliani. This is from a blog I really like called PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK (NSFW). Please note that not all of the content on the pages of 'Proceed at your own risk' are safe to view if you are at work. The ads running on the side tend to show guys not wearing a whole lot. (Whoops - now I've just lost half the readers who have just fled to see naked guys!) Anyway, back to my post... The guy writing this article is a very smart New Yorker. He saw this city before Giuliani, during the devastation of 9/11 and right on through to where we are today. When I came to New York in the spring of 2000, I only heard rumblings of the upset left in the wake of Giuliani’s term in office. The controversy surrounding his tactics and decisions will certainly be scrutinized in front of the entire nation as the 2008 presidential elections approach. I wonder if Giuliani will be as strong in spirit and character as the city he helped to change. We shall see.

The article that I really found interesting is here - THE 9/11 FACTOR.

The good and the bad news

Unfortunately, the constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in Virginia passed with flying colors (not gay colors, mind you – don’t be confused) yesterday. Del. Bob Marshall, R–Prince William, author of the legislation, said the amendment was not discriminatory. "It has nothing to do with animosity,” he said. “It has everything to do with preserving the fundamental basis of civilization.” LOL. I had absolutely NO IDEA that the basis of civilization was denying certain citizens the rights that others freely celebrate. I know that change is slow to come in regards to this matter and while I had not expected for the all of America to embrace gay marriage or even civil unions just yet, I did not expect to see so many states (7 out of the 8 voting) amend the Constitution of the United States. Living in New York City, I’m not reminded so often how much people in middle America still fear, misunderstand and condemn gay people. In New York, I never have to fear that my life is under constant scrutiny and condemnation. I’m able to be completely happy here and live, love and think without retribution. It’s moments like this that I question whether or not I’ll ever be able to move back to Virginia – at least not for a while. I have had those discussions with my boyfriend and we both agree that the political climate down there and our lack of feeling of safety would make it a tough place to call “home”. I miss my parents and my friends down in Virginia but I can’t live there completely happy while having to look over my shoulder the entire time. We, as a country, are making strides to bring positive change but we do have to backtrack at times and reassess what works and what doesn’t. I hope that we continue to fight what doesn’t work and make more of an earnest effort to bring forward what does. I think this latest headline is a great start – GOP officials: Rumsfeld stepping down” 

A real reason to vote...

Thanks to Towleroad for bringing this awesome video to our attention.

Nine Eleven

The cradle rocks above an abyss, and common sense tells us that our existence is but a brief crack of light between two eternities of darkness.  ~Vladimir Nabokov